todd

I said to my friends "that looks like Tom", but I didn't think you were around. How long are you guys in town?

Must have been you on Elk Camp on Wednesday? Snow is fantastic right now! What fun with 2-5" of fresh on top of firm cord.

Fin, Awesome job on these interviews!

Ray, How will I even have a chance of keeping up with you with the new gnarly board, and the perfect tune? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looking forward to seeing you both this winter! Will talk soon.

Killer - don't pass up the opportunity to ride with Ray - you won't regret it! Ray, I am off Sat and Sun now. I will be teaching all this weekend, but will try to connect maybe the following Sunday 1/24.

Beautiful Ray! And looking forward to seeing the two of you too! The snow has been stellar! Great soft snow over Christmas, finally firm enough to carve around Jan 3rd. I'm off Sat and Sun now, so we'll have to connect for a few early mornings in town. Looking forward to seeing you both, and your new arsenal!

Tom, Great videos. Thanks for taking the time to share. I am sad I didn't get the chance to join you guys this year. But wanted to tell Lisa that it looks like she has made huge leaps in her riding in the last year, especially those heel sides down Aztec - awesome!

Sorry about all the new snow. Think over 20" in the last couple of days. Snowmass over 400" so far for the season. Wish we could have some good firm snow for carving, but the snow gods only want Ray riding powder. Let me know when you guys are going out, may be able to join for a couple of hours.

I am at Snowmass on Sat, big race day for my son. Any plans for Sunday yet? Weather has been cold, and is keeping the snow increadibly soft. Road/skiied 3 days this week, just awesome conditions.

"We found this out just after we bought one at full price for my wife. :(" The Aspen Skiing Company is great about giving you credit in a situation like this. Not sure if it is too late, you might try giving them a call- should have all information in computers under your name. Try (970) 923-1220 and ask for one of the ticket supervisors.<!-- / message -->

No bucks this year, but not a bad bull. Hunting in Colorado on a great friend's (and fellow carver) ranch. We was a 6 x, but he had broken off one, so guess he's just a 5x6. But a beautiful bull. European mount.

You guys, I actually got to see this board in person today, and even touch it (even though Ray made me put on a pair of completely clean gloves). It is absolutely more beautiful that even the pictures can show. And I got to see her touch snow for the first time, appropriately on Aspen Mountain. Yes, she and Ray both loved it. That board, with Ray on it, just rips! I think now we all have to pitch in to buy Ray a complete matching chrome outfit!

Hey Ray, Mark, and Paul, I might be able to join you guys for part of Sunday, have to figure out baby-sitting. Ray, call me on Sat when you guys have the plan. Looks like decent carving on Saturday, and part of Sunday, but snow moving in on Sunday afternoon into Monday, with quite a bit of pow forcast. Hopefully see you all on Sunday!!!

Hey Mark, Welcome also. There are quite a few riders around area. Keep an eye on the rider board to see any official outings. If I was you, I would plan on attending the SES this year - there you can try a huge variety of boards, and really get a good feel for what you might want. I work at your local grocer (early am) in your town, say hi sometime when you are in. Or see you on the hill, Todd

We were getting nervous for a while, but the official tally is in, and we got 6 ft of snow in last 8 days in Aspen. Was up at Buttermilk tonight, they are blowing snow like crazy (for all the x-games huge features), and it is covered with snow! Ye haw!!!!!!

If you are flying, also think about the option of Eagle (EGE). Lots of direct flights into there from all over the country. It's about an hour and a half drive to Aspen. Or only about 20 minutes to Glenwood Springs. Colorado Mtn. Express (www.ridecme.com) has scheduled vans directly from Eagle airport to Aspen/Snowmass. Oh ya, count me again Michelle! Looking forward to ripping with everyone.

We use the Eagle airport the most. Lots of direct flights around the country without having to go thru DIA. CME will get you out of there. Also remember you guys, if you have 4 people in the vehicle, parking at Highlands is free. (who said nothing was cheap in aspen). Give us an idea for where you might try to stay, and we can give you a better idea about transportation. The following airlines service the Eagle County Airport. (EGE) <TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 width="80%" summary="The following airlines service the Eagle County Airport."><TBODY><TR borderColor=#eeeee3 bgColor=#ffffff><TH>Airline</TH><TH>Contact Numbers</TH><TH>Service</TH></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>American Airlines </TD><TD align=left>Main 800-433-7300 Spanish 800-633-3711 Local 970-524-8213</TD><TD vAlign=top>Nov-April June-Sept</TD></TR><TR bgColor=#eeeee3><TD vAlign=top>Continental Airlines </TD><TD align=left>Main 800-523-3273 Local 970-524-3056</TD><TD vAlign=top>Dec-April</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Delta Air Lines </TD><TD align=left>Main 800-221-1212 Spanish 800-511-9629 Baggage 800-325-8224</TD><TD vAlign=top>Dec-April </TD></TR><TR bgColor=#eeeee3><TD vAlign=top>Northwest Airlines </TD><TD align=left>Main 800-225-2525 Spanish 800-345-7411 Local 970-524-7631</TD><TD vAlign=top>Dec-April</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>United / United Express </TD><TD align=left>Main 800-864-8331 Spanish 800-426-5561 </TD><TD vAlign=top>Year-round </TD></TR><TR bgColor=#eeeee3><TD vAlign=top>US Airways </TD><TD vAlign=top>Main 800-943-5436 Baggage 800-371-4771 Spanish 800-842-5374</TD><TD vAlign=top>Dec.-April</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></ECM_CONTENT>

Ray, Anja and I had an absolutely amazing day yesterday on Aspen Mtn. The Grooming was impecable, and the cordouroy was perfectly firm. At the bottom of Copper I told Ray my gloves were getting hot from the friction on the snow. That's when he showed me "the gloves." I know what my next purchase is going to be. And if it helps me ride even a little bit more like Ray, I'm stoked! I really think this is the answer to everyones problem with glove wear.

I agree with most of the above. For me the biggest thing was getting my body, mind and muscles used to resisting and holding some awesome G-forces in each turn. When you get to one of those steeper hills, try linking 2 to 3 turns only, and on that final just lay it all the way over and rip it all the way back up the hill. Keep forcing all your muscles to rail that board, don't give in to the Gs.

Except for those of us at Snowmass this morning. Great group of about 25 riders hit the Burn with avengance (sp). We had between 2 - 5 inches of powder on top of firm groomed. What a kick. After 3 hours of this, my legs are toast! By the way, for the visual learner this event is awesome. What a great chance to watch a variety of great riders. What a blast!

By far, the best site for accurate weather for Aspen is: http://www.snowforecast.com/coloradofcst/aspen.html Doesn't look like any huge dumps in the near future. Like Ray says, still nothing but sun. But the snow on the hill is awesome. And it is finally warming up a little bit.

Hey Ray, Sorry, had to head to Denver for the weekend. Would love to try a Virus. I'll call. How does Thursday morning look? I may be able to go up for 3-4 hours. Geez, we gotta get out and rip!

I'll be on the hill with everyone whatever chance I can get. Just some FYIs for everyone: For any speed freaks, the Town Race Series is running a Super G on Tiehack on Sat Feb 10, snowboards are welcome. And the town downhill is being run on the 11 and 12th. Also, there is a ski and snowboard slopestyle and superpipe competition happening on the front of Buttermilk (x-games venues) on Feb 8-11. Sorry, no border-x though. Should be a busy opening weekend at Buttermilk, but going to be lots of fun. We have a new gondola at Snowmass. Starts just below where the tents were last year, and takes you midway up Elk Camp, to the Cafe Suzanne restaurant. It sure has improved access to that side of the mountain.

I am driving over to the big city tomorrow and thought I might try to hook up with you guys, but that weather doesn't sound too thrilling. Maybe next time. Or maybe I'll try to catch a couple runs on my way back over the mountains. What areas of the mountains are you guys usally on?

Have to add another vote for the Donek. I went to two SESs and demoed everything until I settled on the Donek FC 1 171. I'm 5-10, 200. This board rips!