There may be as many reasons for riding as there are riders. But here are a few of the most common reasons that adult snowboarders give for taking up the sport. Happiness Learning something new is good for you: "The temptation [for midlife adults] is to opt for stuff that seems fun or easy, especially if you are getting run ragged at the office. But studies indicate you will likely be happier if you make a point of trying activities that are enriching or challenging, such as volunteering or taking up a new exercise program." -- Wall Street Journal, 5 October 2005. Riding is indeed fun, once you get the hang of it. And learning is certainly challenging. Once you get past the initial learning curve, snowboarding offers many other opportunities to improve yourself through setting new learning goals, and achieving them. Family Snowboarding is a family activity: Snowboarding is the new family pastime, as skiers find their minor children (or grandchildren) taking snowboarding rather than skiing. Some parents take it up to join their adult children on the slopes. As an expert skier with 25 years of experience told a Wall Street Journal writer, "I don't want to ski by myself." It may even impress the kids. Enjoy winter in a new way Others emphasize the way that it rejuvenates their time on the snow: For accomplished skiers, snowboarding makes an otherwise boring, small (shorter) ski area interesting again. It's a new way to enjoy the winter; snowboarding is a new challenge, and a change of pace. As one 34-year old instructor put it, "the breakthroughs happen quickly in snowboarding." Free to fly? It's easier on the knees than skiing. Even with shaped skis, skiers cannot duplicate the carving performance of snowboards. Some people have compared snowboarding with surfing. "It's the way the board effortlessly floats over crusty, windblasted and cruddy snow that really gets you hooked." "The feeling of boarding in deep, untracked powder is incomparable. Your hands are free. It's as close to flying as anything." "The freedom and fluidity I found on a board was something I had never achieved on skis, despite having reached a good level of competence with them." Exhilaration There are also physical and mental benefits to snowboarding: "I never enjoyed anything so much as snowboarding. I don't know, it's like a natural high." "It feels like you're floating." "I wanted to play hard, to do something just a little out of reach." Snowboarding is a great workout. "It is an exhilarating experience [that] requires speed, skill, and coordination." It's a better way of spending winter than sinking into the couch. Depending on where you go riding, you can enjoy some spectacular scenery. Get a bigger brain Did you know that snowboarding can give you a bigger brain and reverse the mental decline of aging? We're exaggerating, but perhaps not by much. Is it worth the effort? Learning to ride will take work, and a willingness to return to that awkward "beginner" status. But many people have found that the rewards are worth the trouble. Maybe you'll be one of them. Discussion board Stop by the GraysOnTrays discussion board to add your comments or questions about snowboarding for adults. What do you enjoy the most about riding? Let us know! Return to the home page.