Hestra and it's a no brainer. Mostly are leather gloves but are extremely comfortable, durable, and warm. Are more expensive but will last and are definitely worth it. I have hestra army gloves(pretty sure) but have skiied with a few and they have all been good.

I just got back from 3 days at Taos in New Mexico. It was my first time ever on a mountain and on day 1 I did a full day of snowboarding lessons. Then the next day I switched to snowblades at the recommendation of my roommate who is a really good skiier. Taos is wayyyy to steep to learn how to beginning board on, but I had a good time after i kind of figured out how to use the snowblades, for those who don't know, they're essentially really short skiis. It feels kinda like you're rollerblading down a steep hill. Enjoyed myself and did some blues on my second day on them.

Hey guys, I need new snowboarding boots as i have outgrown my last ones. I haven't snowboarded in a couple years so I am pretty out of the loop. What do you guys suggest? I'm willing to spend money for a good pair that will last me a while, but I don't go enough to deserve the top top of the line stuff.

I currently have a Nitro 162 Voltage. http://www.crazysnowboarder.com/EQUI...t.php?item=130

And Ride SPI bindings from 2005 I believe.

I picked up my DC boots about 5 years ago. Colorado ski and golf has a tent sale at the end of the season, think I spent about $70. Love the boots.

a few of my riding buddies just got new boots called thirtytwo's. they like them a lot.

I think my DC's will last another 5 years tbh. they are made very well, and comfy

DC makes nice boots, I have these and I love them:

http://www.the-house.com/tt2la05blkzz32lashedboots.html

can anyone explain how ski demos work to a ****** (me obv)? i've been using the same skiis for 4 years now, and am going to attitash/cranmore (nh) next weekend ($3 lift tickets at cranmore on friday, tough to find a better reason). attitash has a nevado ski demo w/ their new gear on saturday, is this like free rentals for the day or something? can i just leave mine at home and demo for the day?

edit: well nevermind, i ended up finding the info. leave a drivers license and you can demo anything for 1 hour at a time, for as many hours as you'd like. this is pretty nice.

When I was abroad in Madrid I sprained my ankle playing Rugby and I was in crutches for two weeks. I went to a PT instead of a doctor and he immediately took off my cast and told me to walk on it. I had a snowboarding trip to the Alps in Zurich coming up that I was worried I couldnt make and he was like what are you talking about you are gonna be wearing a brace (the boots) go and have fun. I spent three days on the mountains with my Swiss (hot) friend's cabin hitting up the most ridic mountain of my life. In the evenening/morning the light would reflect off this giant ice cliff and turn everything bluish/pink. I highly suggest anyone in Europe that likes to board/ski to make it a point to visit the Alps.

some questions:
i am currently in Whistler snowboarding, I've prob done about 6 lessons with others and ~10 days snowboarding in my life. i ride on Burton custom 08, mission bindings, Burton boots, regular stance. my board is set up with the most default 'newb' settings. I'd like to know the reasons for adjusting the angle of the back foot (i believe mine will currently be parallel?); i assume one is so you can ride goofy (switch?), something I'd like to learn how to do. I'm also wondering if maybe my toe side turns are a little bit painful because the angle on the back foot is not perfect for my physiology (it feels like i am going a bit bowlegged to turn; i understand that the knee tracks over the boot, but it feels like i am pushing the knee INWARD a little bit).

i can link turns, carve down pretty steep slopes etc, so the pain is not from lifting the onto the balls of my feet. or is it just standard to have a bit of soreness in your feet at the end of a run?

So basically just tell me all the reasons a snowboarder might change the angle of the feet? Depending on weather how would you adjust? how about if you want to ride switch? If you used to experience a bit of pain in one of your feet when turning and adjusting the binding angle helped, what did you learn that let you do this?

North Lake Tahoe, CA
Dec. 26- Jan. 1

We actually drove up on the 25th. We left the Bay Area at about 4PM, and got to tahoe at about 11PM. If your a skier or boarder, this is good news

Lots of fresh snow was falling. Unfortunately it only fell over the course of that night. The past years have not been kind and we have been getting bad luck snow-wise. So I was pumped about being able to enjoy some good snowboarding.

Day 1: I went to Homewood. It is a mountain with slow chairlifts, cheap lift tickets, and very surprising terrain. The entire mountain is hidden behind the initial (small) peak; so it dosnt look big (well it isnt 4,000+ acres like squaw or heavenly, but it is fine for me). I ski here alot b/c it is a 5 minute drive. If I had my way, I would ski at Sqaw Valley every day. But that can really be a bish sometimes.

There was a good 3-4 feet of snow. I fell down once on my snowboard while skiing slightly off road and it took me a good 3 minutes to digg myself out and crawl 6 feet over toward a more groomed area.



I usually skii around the Hobbit Land area, but my partner wasn't here on this trip w/ me so I didnt feel comfortable going there. Instead I spent my day across the ellis chairleft around a run called "Dutch Treat"

The camera died on day 2, and my dad bought a cheap camera, so the pics might not be great. Here are some random ones he took throughout the trip:



The low light performance of this cam is poor . This is one of the first days of the trip, still fresh(ish) snow lying around. I think this is a pier that located around Tahoe city, behind a sweet internet cafe.




A view of the East/Southeast part of Tahoe from the same pier area.



A view of the West side of Lake Tahoe.



All the boats are either parked, or have been transported to a warmer region. In the summer, there is a decent amount of boats on the lake. But not too much. Lake Tahoe is very heavily regulated, and you can see over 70feet down. This number has declined over the years and so they are pushing to get the visibility back to over 90 feet.



This is my pittbull/lab.
I picked her out from the dog pound about 6 years ago when she was a baby. She is fairly nice, but not very comfortable with little kids (under the age of 7 I would say) who touch her.



Me about 70% of the way up the mountain (Homewood). Man.... This was like day 5 or 6 or something and, the skiing was not the same; as you can see there is no snow on the trees. It was alllll about day 1 (sorry no pics). I had still had a good time b/c I spent time teaching my little bro how to perfect his turns on the snowboard.



My dad gets up early in the morning, so he was able to see the lake in ways I have never seen it before. This was my favorite pic of the trip.


Overall; snow conditions weren't great, but the first two days were cool. My best friends didn't come w/ me this year so I was kind bummed out b/c I was stuck in a cabin w/ my middle brother's World of Warcraft friends who did not bathe or shower for the entire 6-7 days.

But, yah Tahoe is a great place to see. Unfortunately the prices have not declined as much as I had expected. The prices to ski have actually gone up, and the friend who rents his cabin out to us raise the price slightly.

Sorry, this TR sucks, but I did not think of turning my trip into a TR on 2+2 so I didn't really take certain liberties during my trip.

dunno the answer to all your questions, but from the coach's manual for the canadian snowboard team (http://www.csf.ca/File/basic_coach_manual.pdf - you might find it useful):

those are the only reasons ive ever read about.

magicninja, just get a screwdriver and play around with stances in your hotel room and see what feels good to you. its mostly just a personal preference thing. play around with stance width also. in general bigger angles will help you transfer edges quicker, give you more of a racer approach. lower angles and big stances are best for freestyle/park. and can obviously go anywhere inbetween for a more freeride approach.

duck isnt necessary to ride switch. may be a good idea to try it out one day when you want to focus on learning switch, since it will make it slightly easier, and you can see if you like it.

fyi i think i rode mostly 24-21, 9-12ish.

oh and also make sure to swivel the highback so its parallel with your board. it helps a ton with being able to transfer power when doing heel turns. and give yourself a bit of forward lean.

I think I have mine set up at +24, -10. Just play around and see what's the most comfortable/maneuverable for you.

John, great pics...I'm drooling.

I was in Whistler last weekend, they are in desperate need of a couple feet of snow. Definitely check out the peak 2 peak gondola though, it's pretty awesome.

was some good powder today (the 10th), but yeah the conditions have sucked.
did some riding switch today on the green runs which went well, i have a feeling that maybe i am actually a goofy rider naturally (i am left handed and find my dexterity for different sides of my body really random in lots of things like kicking a ball or eating etc).

bought a #3 phillips head so we'll see how that goes tomorrow! pity my coxycx feels like it's broken from trying to floor it on an icy hill *sad face*.

I remember not being able to sit properly for two weeks after my first weekend on a snowboard. Suuuuucked.

If anyone comes up to Whistler, for sure would be good to get in some sessions and Apres.

Shoot me a PM

Well I'm finally going to write up my TR from when I went to Mammoth from Dec 20th-24th. Ok so I was super psyched about the whole trip because there had been that huge storm that had closed all the freeways in So Cal and we left about a week after that huge storm so the Mammoth's base had just been built up and by the time we got there the whole mountain would be open. This was only my second trip to Mammoth but I have been boarding for about 5 seasons now(only about 5 trips per season) so I'm not that great but I can actually ride all day and really enjoy myself.

Two years ago was the last time I had boarded and it was in Mammoth after a huge storm that dropped like 7 feet of snow and I started getting used riding powder not just grooming and I was very excited to actually use my new skills to ride some powder because its just so much better.

So the plan was to head up Saturday morning and see a show they were having that night and board Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and leave on Wednesday Christmas Eve. The drive up was really nice and quick and there was still lots of snow all through the high desert which was really quite amazing to see.
We were going up with two of my friends and friends family that owns the cabin. So I drove with my friends brother and my two other buddies following. It was really nice that no chains were needed because I really hate putting them on or paying someone to do it(do you guys pay the person or do you do it yourself?). We made good time and had a nice lunch at carls jr and smoke break in the parking lot.

When we got there we unloaded everything and got ready to the show that they were going to have at Canyon Lodge. It was a fireworks show with Pinback playing afterwards. I was really stoked to see Pinback for free just a really good mellow fun band you should check out their Summer of Abbadon album if you have never heard them before.

Ok so it wasn't just a fireworks show but they had all the grooming machines with lights on them and skiers with led outfights and it was pretty funny listening to everyone cheer and whatnot. The best part though was when everyone got super stoked when Santa came down the mountain to greet everyone.


Then the fireworks started and was actually a really enjoyable long show.


After the fireworks Pinback played and they were pretty sick. Funny part during the show people would randomly through beer cans toward the stage mainly falling into the crowd. The lead singer between songs announced that people should stop throwing cans and he looked pretty upset and said "So I'm not allowed to swear up here so you know can everyone please stop fuuck...um throwing beers cans."



Finally the show was over and it was time to get home and get some sleep so we could get to the mountain early for a full day of boarding.

My two friends and I wake up around 7 and make it to the mountain by opening at 830. There had been no snow the night before so there was basically no fresh powder which was pretty much a bummer but it was nice to get used to being on my board again. So the plan was to make it to the back side of the mountain to get away from the crowds and hopefully find some freshness.

We get to the back and make a nice run down but still no fresh pow. On the lift ride back up for the second run I'm having a cigarette and when Im strapping in at the top of the mountain a ski patrol guy comes up to me and is like hey if you are going to smoke go find some trees. And I was kinda like FU buddy if I werent ****ing 23 and was some 40 year old theres no way you would have told me not to smoke which is kinda annoying but whatever didn't care.

So this time I head far left and finally find some fresh powder. Im running through the powder and start to notice there are no tracks anywhere around. I pause. Start to get a little worried but do notice some ski tracks so I head to them and follow the path. So after the sickest powder run I end up down in a little valley and see that the ski tracks start head straight back up the hill. ****. Well take off the board and start marching through knee deep powder to where I see a path with no snow on it that I can hike up easier. Hiking through powder SUCKS. I had to stop and rest like every 15 feet. My friends and I had some walkie talkies so I was trying to radio them to send the ski patrol for me with a snowmobile to drag me out cause I was just so ****ing tired it was ridiculous. To bad the walkie talkies dont work unless you have a line of sight with the other ones. Bummer. Spent like 40 minutes hiking out and was totally worn out after.

So headed to the Main Lodge to rest and eat lunch. Spent about an hour there and headed back to Canyon where our truck was parked. Got there went to the truck chilled for awhile made a couple more runs but was basically way to tired to board anymore because of having to hike up that hill.
So we were supposed to meet up with another friend of ours that was heading up that day and even though I didn't and they did here is a shot of them riding the gandola from Main up to McCoy.


Oh and the other thing is it was really nice and sunny in the morning and early afternoon but while I was down in that valley I started to get worried because I could see a huge cloud heading towards us and this is what started happening during the second half of the day.


Looking good for Monday!
So we head back to the cabin and hot tub have some beers and crash out early. Well at least I did anyways not sure about everyone else.

So it snowed all that night and all day Monday and the snow was just amazing.

Im not sure which lift this was on because I didn't take the picture but it was the best picture we could have taken for this TR I know you will all love this one.


So Monday was just riding all day and having a blast not much that I remember but it was sick. Our group of 4 stayed together all day and had an awesome time couldn't have really gone any better.

After we were done we went back to the cabin and sadly our friend had to leave because she had to work the next morning at like 8 I felt really bad for her haha.

So it snowed all night Monday and woke up Tuesday morning and it was just gorgeous. Two feet of new snow and beautiful blue skies.

We head up the lift and our first run is through this little canyon that was completely fresh amazing powder. My buddies had me go first which I was happy to do. Going fast and slicing through awesome powder. This was going to be a sick day.

After a bunch of awesome runs we decide its time to go to lunch and decided we would take the gondola from Main up to McCoy so that we could smoke on the way up free of wind. So we smoke and here is a pic of us freshly baked. (Im on the right(just shaved my moustache off didnt like it as much as I thought)).


View from the gondola.



So we had the windows cracked to air out the thing and we finally make it to the top. We exit and start heading to the cafeteria. I look back and see the guy sweeping out the gondola and he sticks his head in and I see him take a big long wiff. He is like "Hey guys can you come here for a second." Yeah sure. "Alright so guys you know its not the GANJEHLA. There are plenty of trees out here you should use those. If my boss were here he would be pretty pissed and might even take your ticket." Alright for sure man sorry about that. The rest of the day we cant stop laughing about or ganjehla ride.

After lunch the open one of the lifts next to McCoy and we are some of the first people up the lift and get a super super sick powder run. But by the second run it was already cut up. So we start heading back and here is a pic of me before one of our last runs of the trip.


So after we head back to the cabin get drunk and wake up early and drive home. So it was certainly my best boarding trip and cannot wait to get back out there.

Ok well I hope you enjoyed my TR or at least the pictures I you 2+2

I have same setup as MagicNinja with last years Burton Custom and Mission bindings. My friends set it up like this: My stance is setting are 15,0. The high back plate is leaning forward quite a bit. When I am trying to keep the board flat so I can go faster I have to bend my legs quite a bit and it is uncomfortable.

I will try to adjust the high back today. Is my stance right for someone who just started snowboarding?

Source, great TR...I love Mammoth so much, it's great to see them getting some good snow this year. I think I'm heading up for President's Day weekend; it wasn't bad last year and now that I'm riding with a brain bucket I'm pretty much fearless.

ActionFreak, give your front a little more angle, like 18-21. You can even turn your rear binding to +3 or so just so you get more comfortable riding regular. Fyi, keeping the board flat is a really easy way to catch and edge and have a bad day. Tweak your highbacks so that they aren't making you bend your knees too much and your ride will be a lot more comfy.

Bunch of pics from breck here: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/92...lorado-348947/

Always looking for an opportunity to throw myself down a hill and risk injury or death, and for opportunities to squeeze value from my season pass, I eagerly watched the weather report in the second week of January.

Monday presented me with a rosy forecast. 16 inches of snow on Sunday and Monday, with a low pressure system hanging out until midday Friday. The situation only improved over the next four days, when, on Thursday, sitting on more new snow, there was a 100% chance of snow Thursday night with 4-8 inches forecast on Friday.

We're going to Vail! I decried.

We head up Friday night and have some drinks in Dillon, and crash out.

On the road first thing, the sky was an eerie deep color of blue-pink that only otherwise exists in birds of paradise. Even though the day was crisp, and I have fancy polarized sunglasses, I couldn't even see any snow blowing off of distant peaks. We arrive in Vail at 8:00, park, and get to the base as the lifts open.

As we make our way to the top it becomes evident that we're looking at a perfect bluebird day. Our destination is Blue Sky Basin.





Here's a patch of snow I hit in the Teacup bowl. Muy suave.



One lift later, we arrive at BSB to find knee high snow under sunny skies.

A local we were skiing with takes us through a gate into a "wilderness area." I've never seen snow like this:







Come lunchtime, we went to Belle's Camp. You may not know that there's a public grill at blue sky basin. I made marinated boneless pork chop sandwiches.



Main elements of flavor in my marinade were sesame tahini, sriracha, soy sauce, and garlic. We also packed in some beers, naturally. I gave a beer to some hunter types at our table and they repaid it with some venison steak and an antelope bratwurst which was just mind-bogglingly good.





Vail is the greatest ski resort in the world.

So I went ski shopping yesterday, and I have some issues with the boots.
I haven't bought ski boots in about 12 years.
The boots I bought back then obviously are old and very broken in. I tried a pair on yesterday and the feel was much different.

Pair I tried on were Solomon Mission RS 8's. My foot fit very well in the boot, but I had issues with the upper part of the boot.
They were very tight around the calves. Now after adjusting the upper buckles, the buckles could almost sit loose and the boot was still tight. Because it wasn't the buckles making the upper boot too tight, I think this is an issue with the boot just needing to be broken in. Agree or should I look at other boots?

The other issue I had was my old boots were a basic L shape. It seems all the new boots are built to push your legs forward a little bit, more of like an L at 70 degrees instead of 90 degrees. This felt uncomfortable, but it looks like all boots are made this way now, is this just something you get used to?

Anyway, I ended up buying the boots since they gave me a good deal on a package with skis (I think it was a good deal anyway), but I also asked 3-4 times about returning the boots, and if I don't like them, it isn't a problem.

If they are already too tight already when you wear them inside (they are softer when they are warm) you should propably return them.
But remember, they should be tight, they just shouldn't hurt. So if you are unsure then you should try them out.

That's standard. If you're using carving skis you need that kind of boot to be able to have your gravity center at the right point. I imagine it would be a dreadful to have a day of skiing with carving skis and those old boots.

i live in vail and can confirm that this is not the case!

Boots have different flexes to them. Some are softer and flex more, others are stiffer (racing boots are very stiff for example). You might have got some that are to stiff for you, but I suggest you try them out for a day or two first and if they still feel uncomfortable bring them back and get a pair with softer flex.