A 58-Year-Old Man CAN Learn to Snowboard! — For Cheap, Too

Faith Martin and I went to Ski Bluewood this weekend to take advantage of the EZ Ski & Ride Package. It offers three three lessons, three lift tickets and three days of equipment rental (snowboard or skis) for only $139 ($119 for kids)! 

Our instructor was Cory -- a really good guy. He really took the time to explain things, show you things and when you did something right, he was rootin' you on -- always very vocal, which was kind of a boost to your self esteem. Imagine being scared and nervous and he's running down the hill to high five you even though you bit it.

Faith and I were on the bunny hill and learned basics of turning and stopping. He worked with us an hour, and that's all we needed. After that it was up to us to get used to it. We did well -- no wipe outs or anything like that. Cory said we caught on very very quickly.

Our next step this coming weekend will be going on the "platter pull" -- a tow rope. After that we'll probably go up on the big lift!

After our three days are up, I want to sign up for the "Explore the Mountain Package." It offers three more days of skiing and equipment rental for $189 ($139 for kids). Plus, if we sign up for both packages, Bluewood throws in a season pass! I'm not even kidding. That's a $500 value.

My favorite part was the sunshine. As soon as we got through Dayton and went up the hill, we got above the clouds and it was sunny, awesome and warm. Next week I'll take video from the hill to share.

How did I do? For me, my history is skateboarding and wake boarding. But I could never get into skiing. It was awkward to me. Snowboarding felt totally natural. Leaning on toes or heels to turn is exactly the same in all three sports. It was very, very natural. The first time I went skiing I was on the ground the whole time. And it seems like it's better on my knees.

So yes, it's possible for a 48-year-old guy to start something new.

Plus it gives two people who hate winter a winter activity! And my sons had a blast. Bluewood is very much a family atmosphere. I saw A LOT of little kids. It's a great place to learn.

The Bluewood people are wonderful folks. They rolled out the red carpet for us. Next week we'll park the KORD Ford on the bunny hill and crank up the music.