Erik J

My location and schedule make it difficult for me hook up with other riders. The forums allowed me to take in a lot of information. When I found BOL (and freecarve, carvers almanac, etc) I re-taught myself how to snowboard through Jack's articles, pics, videos and forum conversations. I see people knock the "internet carver" but what is the other option? Not doing it? I used to carry a note pad and pen in my jacket pocket. I would note changes that I had done, things I wanted to work on, snow conditions etc. Yes I am a nerd, plus I forget things..a lot. I was determined as hell to improve. And I did. Going to ECES gave me a big jump in seeing first hand what people were doing and not doing. this

Interesting read as I know nothing of the politics of professional racing. Is there a committee of racers or coaches that can advise rules or changes to the organizing associations?

If you are moving to the area that's different story. I was talking about the current conditions when I replied. Overall MC is great. Season pass is cheap. If you are close to MC it is definitely worth it. Mid week is empty there. This was a very difficult winter for any ski area around here.

MC could be doing much better. They could have made snow last weekend when it was 15 deg and colder multiple nights in a row. They are closed weekdays now. It has been a rough winter around here but every other mountain is making the best of it and making MC look bad. Management has been a bit of a shitshow. I'm off to Mt Peter now as they are open and committed to finishing the season strong.

Welp, this thread went to hell. My work here is done. I have no good advice, as usual. But I can definitely relate to being locked into a carve. When I was younger and more stupider, cranking a turn near the bottom towards the lift, I got stuck in a deep heelside. So much so that I just sat and watched as I plowed through a wooden fence into the lift area. I sent boards flying. One of the fence boards flew over the lift shack and into the bull wheel. The lifty was trying not to laugh as he checked on me. He says all he saw was a cloud of snow and pieces of wood in the air, then me laying in a tangle of broken wood and rope. Amazingly I was unhurt so we both laughed for a while over that one. I came back the next day to fix my eff up.

If this phenomenon is accompanied by temporary blindness and hairy palms then the the cause was frequent masturbation in your younger years. The nuns warned me of this. Confession is the only fix.

Winter is all but dead here. My sister lives in Mammoth. Brother in law lives in Tahoe. Time for a trip I guess.

One board all day. I learned on one board and made it work for whatever I was riding. Force of habit I guess. That and I don't like stopping and swapping.

Holy shit those Miller bindings look like a terrible idea. What about instead of a releasable plate, you put another plate on top your plate with a selectable release. The under each foot you could put another releasable binding. Then you can pick which plate you want to release when you crash. So simple. But why would you want a plate to release from your board in the first place? All it does is send a land rocket down the mountain to impale someone while your legs are still stuck to one board.

that's a good point. wedge the boot between a couple of fuego boxes. Or clamp your boots into the mounted bindings

"shivers" I would skip the pee and go right to poo. Or maybe both. Probably throw in some vomit too just to really drive the point home to bystanders.

Buy the board but don't rely on it to make you a better rider. Use it as a tool to get better. Skill of the rider trumps all.

lol, sous vide your liners. This hot water method sounds great. It's time for me to remold. Also the Anova is a great unit for sous vide. I have a lot of hours on mine.

at those pics

I can't imagine the tech and testing involved to make a releasable snowboard binding work. My worst nightmare on a board is one foot releasing and one staying planted. I think mentally I would have a hard time trusting the system if it were to develop. I've been on step ins for a long time for just this reason. Steep section that I hiked to where I have a narrow shelf to get my board on...Stepins with a leash for security. Fall in a tree well upside down or bury the board from a fall...Step ins for quick release. Looooong traverse with lots of flat areas...Release rear step in while cruising, then push a few times to maintain speed, then click back in while not having to stop. I kept a tool handy to clear soles of boots before clicking in after a hike.

Yes, It has been niiiiiiice!

Quoted for posterity. Great review.

There used to be a few shops in Aspen that stocked gear. I could stroll in hung over and blow my rent money on carving gear any time I wanted. It was pretty sweet. Those are good looking racks full of boards up there.

Did you get a wider board yet?

Love this thread. I was stuck on the chairlift alone for 30 minutes this week so I watched ATC videos to kill some time.

I went unlocked on my raichles for many many years with no problems. I now have BTS w yellow springs on my deeluxe which I do like better. I get further range of motion now. I prefer this setup at steeper angles 55+. I felt it gave me good range of motion in bending my knees fore and aft to absorb bumps, landings etc, while giving stability side to side. With that said many here will tell you that it's a bad idea.

If you're not wearing the dead skin of your conquered enemies then you're doing it wrong.

They should not have stopped at 10. They need to go to 11.

Different music would change everything. It will improve technique, attract friends and lovers, make you smell better, promote peace and prosperity etc. Also, bend knees more