What To Do After A Day of Snowboarding

There are many activities that one can do after a long day of shredding hard on the mountain. Everything - from your relaxation techniques to the music you listen to and the food you cook - all plays a part in enjoying the rest of your day after riding. In this article, I will go through all of these things and more to help you sculpt your perfect night. After snowboarding for over 15 years, I have nearly perfected what to do and what order to perform every activity to ensure I have a relaxing night.

If you follow these steps, there is no doubt that your mind and body will be at peace by the time your head hits the pillow. No matter how old you are or what kind of terrain you ride, whether it be powder, park, or even just groomers, these upcoming steps are for literally everyone.

Step 1: Freshen Up

The routine I have prepared begins once you arrive home from the slopes. After a long day of riding and sweating, you’re probably pretty gross by the time you get home - I know I am. Thus, step one is to “freshen up”. Nothing beats a scalding hot shower in the winter, especially after riding. Plus, you definitely want to be feeling good and clean for the rest of the night.

Once you’re done soaking in hot water, you’re going to want to stretch. Stretching is very important after a day of riding, especially after taking some digs in the park or riding the pow. You never realize it at the time, but you’re more sore than you think you are. Loosening up the legs with some stationary stretches will be very beneficial to you, especially if you’ve been riding for consecutive days.

Another way to do this is by using a massage gun. If you do not have one, I highly recommend getting one. They are not very expensive, and you would utilize it all the time. They do a great job on your muscles, and put a type of pressure on them that your hands cannot. Anyway, once you take a nice long hot shower and stretch yourself out, you have completed step one. That brings us to step two.

Step 2: Dinner Vibes

Step two is definitely my favorite of the night for sure, without a doubt. I call step two, ‘dinner vibes’. I call it ‘dinner vibes’ instead of just ‘dinner’ due to the importance of music while one is cooking. The music you listen to after a day of shredding is key to putting you in the right mood for the remainder of the evening. So, what I recommend is throwing on some classic rock. Classic rock before dinner, during dinner, and after dinner. The oldies are good for the soul, so if you don’t listen to classic rock, I encourage you to listen and learn, because the vibe of the oldies is really like no other.

Anyway, once you have the oldies blasting throughout your home, it is time to fire up the grill. After a day of riding, you want to eat well. Even though there are many meals to make on the stove and oven, you definitely want to use the grill after hitting the slopes, that is if you eat meat. As for what exactly to grill, I have several different recommendations. The first is pretty basic, but it always does the trick. What I am referring to is burgers and brats. This combo never fails to hit the spot. Although, do not forget to toast the buns a bit, too. That’ll give you a soft crunch when you take a bite, which is honestly very good. Throw some chips or fries on the side, and that is dinner recommendation one.

My next recommendation is a classic steak. Whether you like New York strip, filet mignon, etc - they will all do the trick. Just make sure you cook it just right and add some mashed potatoes and veggies on the side. Do not forget the veggies, they are good for the heart.

Meal recommendation number three is pork chops. If you season and cook these babies right, they are absolutely incredible. What I usually do is just lather them up in duck sauce, and throw them on the grill. The duck sauce gives them this amazing savory taste that is unlike the other two meals I have mentioned so far. If you add mashed potatoes and maybe some rice on the side, well that is a dish and a half right there.

Meal four is a popular one, as well. Meal four is kabobs. It does not matter which meat you choose, whether it be steak, chicken, or whatever, but make sure they are on a kabob stick when you are grilling them, because that is half the fun. But yes, kabobs with rice or chips on the side make a tasteful meal, too.

Okay, so after you grill and eat while jamming out to the oldies, you have completed step two. By this time, it should be dark and the night should be coming to a close. There is one more step to ensure you finish your day of riding off the right way.

Step 3: Getting Cozy

Once the moon is out and your stomach is full, step three has arrived. I call step three, ‘getting cozy’. Getting cozy is the favorite step of many of my friends; I just like to cook, so I like step two the best. But anyway, ‘getting cozy’ involves lots of blankets, a television, and some sort of comfortable furniture and something to heat the room. In a perfect world, you have a fireplace as the heating device, because nothing compares to an all-natural fireplace's coziness. If you do have one, make a fire and then go sit on the couch or whatever furniture you have in front of the tv with the homies or your loved ones.

Once you are all cozied up in front of the tv, it is movie selection time. If you are with the homies, I would recommend a snowboard movie. They always keep it real, they are cool, and it will get you pumped for the next time you ride, too. One of my personal favorites is, “Oakley: Snowboarding For Me.” It is an incredible film about a bunch of riders with some amazing shots and even greater views. If you are with your family, then most likely it is the kiddies’ choice and there is nothing you can do about it. Although, whatever your situation may be, once the movie concludes, you have completed the perfect day.

These steps I have outlined above have taken years of experience to perfect. They may seem like simple steps, but it is very easy to get distracted once you get home from the mountain. If you can remain at ease and follow my suggested steps in order, I can assure you, you will be more calm and relaxed than you thought would be possible. Following my post-snowboarding routine will unlock for you an amazing and restful night.