The feeling of pure adrenaline. Your blood rushes and your cheeks get hot as you race down the slopes with snow spraying behind you, the moment of absolute joy as you use your front edge without painfully face planting into the cruel expectation of soft and fluffy snow.

You zoom past your friends and the only glimpse you get is a blur and you smile to yourself as you gain more speed and dash down the hill. (This is usually the part where I fall on my tushie).

Maybe your favorite part is heading to the lodge for a fresh cup of hot chocolate as you feel your feet drag behind you as if there’s a ball and chain attached to your ankle.

There are tons of awesome aspects to being a snowboarder. But while that’s all fun and games, my favorite part most definitely has to be when it’s over and it’s time to go home.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking:  “Really? What could possibly be better than snowboarding?”

Sleep. That’s what. I absolutely love snowboarding, but what I love more is how it tires me out.

Going home after a long day at Sleeping Giant is heaven to me. I’m completely tuckered out, and the best part is I get to go plop down on my couch like a ton of bricks, with my chips and dip in one hand and my fuzziest blanket in the other, binge watching Breaking Bad without a care in the world.

After the point of inconceivable comfortability, I usually realize I forgot to make a trip to the bathroom. A part of me dies inside as I try to remember why I even went boarding in the first place. I decide these may be my final steps of the day (hopefully) and attempt to gain motivation.

As I start to hoist myself off the couch, an immense and overwhelming pain begins to engulf me. My thighs start to burn, my legs start to shake and the agony emanates.

I momentarily give up. Letting my limbs buckle beneath me and I go crashing to the floor. I lay there for a short while, enjoying my existence on the floor; before I courageously try to get up one more time.

I mentally applaud myself for finally making it to a full standing position before I limp to the bathroom, then the kitchen for more food.

Worth it.

I trudge back over to the couch with my cereal, another bag of doritos, crackers, a couple water bottles and some Ibuprofen. The couch once again welcomes me with open arms.

I’ll be here for a while.

At this point, you may be thinking: “Wow, that sounds awful.”

But the truth is, there’s nothing better. I don’t even mind the part where I basically face plant.

I love snowboarding and everything that comes along with it. But the aftermath is to die for.

(Mind you, I felt like I did about 672 times.)