Learning To Snowboard

By Suzanne Plaut

Our instructor looks little more than 20 years old, with a sinewy build and keen eyes. He smiles at us as we trudge toward him and drop an awkward pile of gear at his feet. "First time snowboarding?" he asks. We nod. We have paid $30 for gear, $30 for lessons, and $30 for a lift pass. We hope that in the next two hours he can help make this new sport fun. "All right then, let me start with the basics."

His style sets me at ease. He looks straight at us when he speaks, and his voice lilts with a clear playfulness: I can tell that he likes what he does. His name tag says "James"; underneath boasts the ski area's staff catch phrase, "Here to help." I hope he can.

James asks our names and remembers them immediately. I wonder how many students he has each day. He asks what we do for work. My partner Thom says, "Her work is easier to explain than mine," and I add, "I teach." But both Thom and I are eager to leave our workweek behind, preferring just to recreate and enjoy the blue...