Jenn Fields

So psyched you're super stoked on snowboarding this season! But when I said, “this winter's gonna be so sick,” I didn't mean it was OK for you to sneeze all over the dashboard of my car while I drive you to the mountains.

It's a drag to come down with a cold and be forced to stay home. You miss out on fun stuff, like powder days at Vail, or a long Saturday working problems with your friends at The Spot, or making out with a chick whose name you can't remember at the Walrus.

That's why some of you come out and try to do the fun stuff while you're sick, anyway.

We love your company. But we don't love your barking cough (seriously, it sounds like you swallowed a seal that is choking on green Jell-O). Even if you don't want to think of strangers, think of your friends: Your FOMO (fear of missing out) shouldn't trump spreading your disgusting virus to your bros or brahs or whatever. But here are some signs that you're doing just that:

Hotzone carpool

If you've done the aforementioned spraying of the dashboard, not cool.

Also not cool: Sneezing on the steering wheel, window, driver's iPod or driver's dog, Max.

You'll be sneezing into open air once you get to the ski area. But meanwhile, you're open-mouth breathing -- yes, we know Max does it, but he's a dog -- all over the inside of your friend's car, exchanging your hot-zone air with air that is choked with exhaust (assuming you're heading up I-70 on a weekend).

Stay home. Or at least wear your goggles over your mouth. Even Max is hiding his nose under someone's jacket.

(Containment) hut trip

You've had this weekend trip in the Fowler-Hilliard Hut planned forever, and you are super psyched to lay down some fresh tracks there, woohoo!

Then you got a 24-hour virus that left you kneeling before the porcelain throne.

You're totally skinning into that hut anyway. You don't care. You want to ski, and share an awesome weekend in extremely close quarters with your friends, and roll up your sleeves and prep for meals with them. Besides, you think it's only a 24-hour virus. Probably.

When your friends get it -- while still on the hut trip -- you'll know for sure how long it lasts.

Thanks for sharing.


Hand to hold

This winter you're training yourself into a pulp at the climbing gym on a regular basis.

It's awesome. You're strong. So strong! Sick!

So strong that you feel like you can climb even though you have a heinous cold. So you go to the climbing gym on a busy evening, cough into your hand, then place that hand on multiple holds at the gym.

You're totally going to get sponsored this year. By Team Kleenex. Sick.

Spin spread

Sometimes, if you just hike or run or work out a little you feel better. Yeah, that's what it is -- you just need to work out a little and you'll feel fine.

Besides, doctors and studies and stuff say exercising is good for your immune system. And stuff.

Your chafed lungs can't handle a run or a bike ride in the cold air. So you head to the gym, where you chafe something else on a spin bike.

Unfortunately, the instructor's shouts over the loud music aren't enough to cover up your  cough, seal pup.

I'll drop off green Jell-O at your house if you promise to stay home.

Gross.