No I've been riding for awhile but didnt bring my snowboard with me to Europe so I'm getting a new one. Going out next weekend. Snow making machines are the shit. I'm not really great in the park (I spin 3's + awful 5's) but I totally know wyhat ou mean about the rush. I <3 the backside of the mountain where I lived in Washington when it snows 2 feet and you just bomb down steep slope and bounce your way down just bearly in control. Then you fall over exhausted at the bottom, quality fun.