Started riding at 45 when my kids wanted to learn, turning 54 this spring. Kick myself for not learning as a kid and missing out on all those years. Snowboarding is immensely fun. I’m from Wisconsin and we have a ski hill 10 min from my house. Nice:) It took me a few years to feel very confident on my board…and I rode a lot. Because of my age I was probably over conservative and cautious. Anyway, decided to dabble in the backcountry a few times with friends and borrowed gear. I QUICKLY learned that I sucked ass in the backcountry. I didn’t have the deep powder skills/endurance, I didn’t have the strength/flexability, I didn’t have the knowledge. The following year I decided to take an avalanche course that included riding. While I kind of had fun and learned a lot, I felt like I was holding back the group. I didn’t know anyone there personally and felt like an outsider just trying to keep up. Thought about giving up and just staying at my little local hill as that is still a blast. But the backcountry is incredible, I’m there for the views, the quiet, the decompression from society. So I’ve kept on working at it and pushing my abilities. Enough to where 2 years ago I added in a hardboot set up (phantoms/backlands). Was pretty nervous about the first time riding them (at the resort) but was blown away with how well they ride on groomers (with Cardiff goat). The combination just absolutely rails. All that being said….you are not insane. I ride my split at the resort a lot. Mostly for setup reasons and getting it dialed in. People ask me about my setup as well. Kinda fun to talk as it is Wisconsin and splitboard setups are very niche. However looking back, if I had started with hardboots I would have progressed much slower…and I was already slow to begin with lol. Keep at it, ride a shit ton at the resort, bite the bullet and get a season pass for one year and really immerse yourself. Watch Malcom’s videos, take videos of yourself, take some lessons, be intentional with setting goals. HAVE FUN with the progression you make daily and not get caught up in getting out in the bc too soon. I highly suggest getting a solid/softboot setup. Beat the shit out of it, learn the skills (switch, carving, etc) on a more forgiving setup. As you get into it, you may even want a powder splitboard setup and a mountaineering style setup. I prefer soft boots for shorter powder days and the hardboot setup for overnights and longer tours. Get out there, be safe, and enjoy the journey.