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The snow is falling in soft fluffy cushions of cold white mounds. Those perfect homogeneous runs are just aching for you to lay down the first line. Those soft snow drifts are sure to cushion you as you twist yourself off of gigantic kickers with reckless abandon.

This season could be the one where you master the 180 tail press or pull off that backside 360 over the 20 foot tabletop. Your friends will fall face down in the powder in obeisance and admiration. Even the wind will howl your name. Or, are you going to pull a muscle in your side on your first run and come crashing down, your dreams gone in a moment of pain and a flash of white light?

Don't let your dreams get twisted by not giving proper attention to your muscles. Stretch before and after you ride and you'll lessen the chances of watching the glory from the lodge. Here are a few important stretches that you can do anytime, on your board, or off.

HIT THE BIG MUSCLES FIRST

Stretch out those legs with some toe touches. Don't bounce like a middle school gym teacher, just lean in and settle, breathing deeply. Try to do all your stretches at least three times and hold them for a couple of minutes. While strapped in, alternate between touching one foot and then the other. Then just hang in the middle and breath.

THE CORE TWIST

Stand with your legs in your normal riding stance, you can also do this one strapped in while your waiting for your friends to catch up. Bend your knees slightly and rotate your torso from right to left. Go through your total range of motion, leading with your eyes and head. Just twist back and forth keeping your arms loose by your sides. This will keep your spine limber and lessen the chance you'll feel a nasty pop when you ollie up for those twists out of the pipe.

NECK AND SHOULDERS

Now its time for the neck rotations. Lower your head slowly till your chin is close to your chest. Rotate your head to the left slowly, past your shoulder and to the back. Then rotate it back to the front. Repeat on the right. Do each side three times being careful not to cross over the back and pinch a nerve. It also helps to concentrate on your shoulders, keep them loose and relaxed. That'll keep your neck ready to snap around and spot that landing.

Move on down to your shoulders, lifting them back and up and dropping them forward and down. Keep your hands at your sides at first and then put them straight out to either side. Let the rotations progress down your arms and finally end with a couple of wrist rotations.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

- Take care of your core muscles, the ones in your stomach and sides, they're the ones that will be pulling you through the heavy jumps and quick twists that's required to pull off some of the harder moves. They'll also take the brunt on any failed attempts you may have. But we won't talk about that will we?

- Most of all, ramp up to the season, take it easy that first day. Try to take some warm up runs after your stretches and then stretch some more. Also stretch after you've rested for more than ten minutes, that's all the time it takes for your muscles to tighten up and put you down for the count.

Just remember to ride hard, stretch before and after, and give your body some time to rest before you chuck it off that hand-made kicker for the sixth time. That way you'll keep going hard all season, injury free.

Learn more about this author, Orin Avila-Mooney.
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