THE RIDE DATE

SO, YOU'RE GOING OUT ON A DATE WITH A SNOW-SHREDDER. WHY NOT SKIP THE TYPICAL DINNER AND A MOVIE AND HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE MOUNTAIN WHERE YOU CAN REALLY DETERMINE WHETHER HE'S MR. RIGHT OR JUST MR. RIGHT NOW?

By suggesting the "ride date," you've already earned points with any guy. Snowboarding is fun and the mountain is the perfect setting to get to know each other. There's not too much pressure to pick the right attire, restaurant, or movie (where communication is stifled until the film lets out anyhow). The "ride date" is not to be mistaken with the ghetto date though. Think of it as testing the water to see if he has potential to take you out again sometime. Here are some guidelines to follow:

High Fives:

-He's patient and waits for you before getting on the lift.

-He offers to carry your board (even though you should decline).

-He lets you drop into the pipe before him.

-He's open-minded and down to ride different terrain.

-He listens to you instead of his iPod.

-He buys you lunch.

-He introduces you to his friends.

-He rides better than you.

-He compliments your riding skills.

-He sags his riding pants (but make sure they don't hang below his ass).

-He stays on the hill with you after his friends leave.

Warning Signs:

-He talks on his cell phone more than he talks to you.

-He listens to his beater Walkman instead of you.

-He makes you a ketchup, mustard, and saltine sandwich for lunch.

-He cuts off anyone and everyone while riding, including you.

-He rocks tight pants on the hill (Tight pants off hill are all right though).

-He's a namedropper and a shit-talker.

-He yells, "Not feelin' it, dog!" after every run.

-He thinks he rides better than you.

-He asks, "Did you see me?" after every jump.

-He gives himself props.

-He complains the whole time.

You'll find out about his dirty habits and whether they're something you can deal with or not. Does he need a ton of caffeine to function? Does he have his shit together or is he all over the place? Is he a smoker? Does he chew? Does he drink from a flask the whole time? Does he talk constantly without giving much thought to the words that spew from his mouth? Does he listen?

The best part about the "ride date" is knowing you'll never suffer that moment of awkward silence. You know, that moment in the middle of a meal, when you order steak and a beer and he's a straightedge vegan? This pain could have been avoided if you opted for the "ride date" in the first place. There's always something to talk about while shredding ... be it the weather, the terrain you're riding, or his opinions on life. You can keep it surface level or really get to know what he's all about. That is, if he isn't rockin' headphones and his iPod the whole time ... but don't worry, if this occurs, you can always just ride away.

If everything goes well and your "ride date" is a success, you can take it to the après relieved that you missed out on all the awkwardness that usually accompanies a first date.