todd

Hey Ray, Am thinking maybe Thursday morning would work. Need to be back home by noon to 12:30. I'll call you tomorrow afternoon.

Are you guys headed out on Saturday 2/3? Am headed to denver, may stop by for a couple of runs on Sat around noon.

They built and tested a final jump during colder conditions. Many of the crashes (both men and women) occurred during the warmer time of the day, slightly slower speeds. Thus, instead of landing on the downhill side of the jump, many were just landing on the flat, and getting launched before the drop off of the jump. Pretty funny, it was supposed to be just one last fun air time, but ended up being a major challenge for the competitors. The entire thing is well worth seeing in person. Until you are right there and see those guys flying so far out of the pipe, or watching the snowmobiles launch forever right over your head, you just can't imagine.

I just retired my Heavy Tools bindings, after 10 years of dedicated service, never a mishap of anykind. If that's any indication, that board should be great. The board looks beautiful.

The four Aspen mountains have been pretty dang good. In places the snow is getting firm (by colorado standards), but for sure Snowmass has very good coverage on the mountain. Conditions are perfect for carving. Photos were taken a couple days ago at Snowmass, near the bottom, lots of snow. My son loves trying to stay right in my tracks. Getting close to being able to do so too.

The other tool I have used with my 7 year old son is something called a Sno Skate, basically looks like a skateboard deck, made for sliding on snow. He can use it on any little pile of snow. It is great for them to work on their stance/balance. If they are not balanced directly over the board, over they go. So we talk a lot about being centered, and flexed ankles and knees. And now he is building small jumps to go off, landing in a good balance stance is critical.

Not sure about the "icy" either. In Basalt, right now it is 38 degrees. Snowing, but still melting on the ground. But "lots" of snow is on the way, and temps are supposed to drop drastically. Yes, currently ideal conditions for carving. And after 5 days of snow, and people packing it down, maybe we will have some good carving next week. (sorry to rub it in to all those out east. I really wish you guys would get some snow)

KJ, Agree with changes recommended, and would add: Notice the impact of your ankles moving/pressuring inside your boots. On heel-side, to take that turn from a 20 meter radius to a 10 meter radius, try to really pressure your ankles against the "heel-side" of the boot. This goes along with moving the knee that direction.

I chose the FC1 over the 2, just had more zip in the all out carved turns.

I hate to say it, but take the soft. Looks like we are going to be getting snow every day thru Monday. But dress warm, even though it is 38 F now, the cold front will be moving in.

I agree with RicHard, if you want the correct feedback, a good teacher needs to understand exactly what you look like before, during, and after when you feel like you are "sitting on the toilet". And to know your motivation: what were you trying to do in that part of the video.

Yes, the front range did get dumped on with those storms. Each one brought only 12-18 inches to Aspen. And another storm finished Friday brought another 17. Prior to that the snow was getting perfect for carving. Now it is just too soft! Was out at Buttermilk yesterday - great soft snow for skiing, just had to be a little cautious laying out an aggressive carve. Coverage here is exceptional. But more is yet to come.

Sorry, the "Blue Door" is no longer. It has become a private club: valet ski parking, meals, drinks, etc. Cool, but a little pricey. But the new gondola from base of Fanny to midway of Elk Camp is really nice. Should work well to get everyone up to some good cruising groomed blues. Fin, count me in most of the week. And Dylan is stoked to go out on the carving board again.

If you're headed to Colorado, try to get to the SES in Aspen Feb 10-16. Even if only for a day or two. That is where I figured out exactly which board was right for me. Think I probably demoed 20 boards before deciding. And remember we all ride differently, and have different preferences.

Hey Ray! You should see it here- it's dumping!!!!!! I can barely see your house! Well, maybe I can see a little bit of it. 18" new on the hill, and still more today thru tomorrow afternoon. Roads are horrible. I might be able to go up on the morning of Dec 21 (thurs), or maybe on Sunday the 24th. That's all I can get away from work. Then from the 25th on I will be with a family on the hill every day. Maybe Tim (the father, and hardbooter) and I can meet up with you guys for a morning before the rest of the family gets on the hill. Looking forward to seeing you guys.

Heard a great interview on the radio this morning with Chris Klug, and thought should share it with everyone that doesn't know all about Chris and his transplant. He's another Lance in my mind, and is doing great things to promote organ transplant awareness, etc. Chris is fully behind a benefit being held in Aspen on Dec 2. Know most can't make it, but check out what Chris is working on, and participate in any way if you can. http://www.summitforlife.org/ This guy is awesome. ALSO !!!!! We are at 18 inches and counting, with up to 24 additional before storm departs late tomorrow!

I am the proud owner of the FreeCarve 1. Of all the boards I've demo'd, it had the biggest sweet spot for some great short radius turns. But I'm pushing 2, so I'm definitely heavier, but maybe not as good of a rider. Any chance you can get to SES, or ECES, and you can try them all yourself? That's how I made my decision.

Not on a board, only on my Elans. The trick: start your turn onto a side-hill, so when you go past the 180 you are already going back down.

I have been teaching for the Aspen Skiing Company for 21 years now. Initially skiing, but now some soft set-up boarding, and hard boot carving. I was fortunate enough to be one of the initial testers in Aspen for the SCX 15 years ago. I still ski on Elans. This is one of their new skis, it is absolutely phenomenal. I am 5-10, 195 lbs. And the 168 I am on is plenty long enough - remember - the shorter you go, the smaller the radius. Elan, Magfire 10 Length 168, Radius 13.3 125/75/109 This ski can do it all! I think your basic descriptions of being "long legged" in the middle of the turn, and flexing/absorging legs between turns is a great way to begin the process of getting further over on your skis. Keep the feet way apart, and keep rolling the outside ankle into the side of your boot, try to get it to press hard towards the edge you are trying to carve on. Work on the carve all the time. On flats, try to leave only "railroad tracks." If you are in the Aspen area, let me know, and I can try to get you on a pair of these skis to demo for a couple of runs. And of course, there are lots of us who teach who love to rip, and lay it over as far as you can. I have to always put in a plug for some coaching.:)

The course has approximately 12 "gates" that you have to go around. Each "gate" is made up of five small cups or feather dusters anchored in the snow, placed horizontally on the hill. If you go around the first of the inside, you get fewer points than if you can go further out. So it's a delima to get more points on each turn, or go faster. x x x x (x 1 point? x x) x x x 2 points? (x x x x x 5 points? x x x x x etc. Way fun. And a great challenge to make the perfect carve and keep your speed. To me it's a lot like running a water ski slalom course, and taking lengths off the rope each time.

Once we find out specs, I would love to set this up at SES. I can work with mountian operations for locations. I ran the trench warfare on skis many times in Park City back then, what a kick!! On a board, it will be even better. There was a maximum amount of time (could be dependant on pitch), and additional points for each bouy out on each turn. Let's try to get it going again.

Hey Jim, Lots of us fly in the valley. Anyone would love to help. Lots of guys fly electrics on Sunday am at Marolt ranch area. Mine are too big and fast for there, so I fly down at our flying site by CMC spring valley campus. I encourage everyone to have a coach for a while. The "buddy box" system works really well, you fly until the plane's in trouble, then the instructor lets go of a button and takes over control. Electrics have come a long ways. Tons of power, good flight times, and lots can be bought pre-built. Anyone in Colorado, there is an auction in Lakewood the first weekend in February, with unbelievable prices (cheap) on stuff (boats, planes, cars, etc) that are ready to go.

My best client now is in hard boots, and either on his Eldorado or Swoard. So I log almost 3 week teaching just one client on alpine gear. There are a couple other instructors here at Snowmass who teach to selected clients on alpine setups too. You just never know. And congrats to Alpine girl on level 2! I am still a firm believer in the certification process, even though there is a complet lack of focus on alpine riding. I know the level 3 alpine I have has helped me tremendously in being able to analyze movement patterns, and then instruct accordingly, no matter what snow sport discipline.