A True California Biathlon

On May 7th, I got to check one more thing off of my bucket list. For many years I have wanted to snowboard and surf all in one day. This winter has been one for the record books. The Central Coast received the most rainfall in decades and the reservoirs that were alarmingly low last year are now filled to the top. The total seasonal snowfall amount in the Sierras was in the neighborhood of 750 inches! That is over 60 feet of snow. A telephone pole is about 30 feet high. So just imagine snow on the ground two times that height. It is just staggering to consider. What is even more amazing is the fact that just the day before we achieved our goal, the Sierras experienced another snow storm that left six to twelve more inches of snow in the mountains…in May!

Very early Sunday morning, May 7th, I left Santa Cruz with three others for Dodge Ridge Ski Resort. It is the closest resort to Santa Cruz; a 3 ½ hour drive. When we arrived we found fresh, untouched snow waiting for us. The temperatures would be in the forties and rising. No heavy winter gear required. This was the last day of operations for the season and what a way to end it. Very small lift lines and plenty of places to go through powder. We snowboarded until lunch time. Part one was complete. Now it was time to get back in the car and make it home for a surf session.

As luck would have it a south swell had appeared the night before and surf was up. We got back to Santa Cruz well before sunset. Exchanged snowboards for surfboards and slid into our wetsuits. The wind had picked up a bit so the waves were a bit bumpy but that did not dampen our spirits. We surfed for a bit and finished the day with wide smiles all around.

Here is a short clip of our day. BUCKET LIST. Go ahead and find something to check off of your bucket list. I’m sure you got one or two in mind.