Sinecure

You might want to troll around over on TGR and Teletips to see if you can scare up a pair of sole blocks cheap from someone's Zzeus, Titan or Factor boots that they're retiring (they've been out long enough now). Looking at the UPZ boots on their site, I'm guessing the sole blocks attach in a very different fashion to the Dynafit or BD way. I'm not sure you'll have much luck finding samples in TN, but if you're in the Bay Area any time, I'd be happy to show you how the Dynafits work and swap ideas on this. Or could do on skype I guess.

After you see Randy, you can go to Elite Feet at Squaw and see if they still have some Heads in stock. They'll definitely be able to tell you which is the right size for you. Call ahead though, they're still geared up for golf at EF at Squaw this time of year. They may have some ski stuff over at the Northstar shop, but Squaw Creek is where the snowboard boots live in the winter.

I wonder if it would be possible to modify the removeable toe plates from a pair of Dynafit ZZeus/Titan or BD Factors to fit onto the UPZ boot. That would probably work better for the dynafitting than your idea, but yours isn't a bad one. Salomon made a removeable toe dynafiddle compatible boot last year but had to pull it off the market because of liability issues after someone was badly injured and the dynafit inserts were shown to be very low quality. If you could find one of those, it would be fine if you are just using it for the uphill. There are some threads over on TGR and an article in Powder Mag about frankenboots that Eric Hjorliefson made in his shop. Pretty cool work. If you're looking for dynafit toes, you'll probably have some luck over on TGR's Gear Swap section. Keep us posted on how this goes. I'm sending my Zzeus boots back to Dynafit right now for some warranty work. If they happen to replace the soles (mine are a bit beat up), I'd be happy to donate the spares to your project. I doubt they'll do that, but if it happens, I'll track you down.

Alpine ran Nastar last season. You can buy a "season pass" and run the gates as often as you like (they aren't always set up / open). But they are full-size skier race gates. I assume you know about the North Tahoe USASA League, right? http://usasa.org/regions/western-region/north-tahoe.html - They run a series of races, but not training. There's also something called Open League and Sierra League, which are weekend-warrior beer-leagues for old guys like me. They run some SB races - most exciting is Sierra League's Super G in early March that's open to anyone and includes a full day of training at full speed. You could also try tracking down Mort Nyberg at Squaw. I think he still runs their race team, and in the past he's been open to having outsiders come train with them. If you can do that, I'd jump on it. I hope that helps. I'll also PM you a couple of contact names that might help.

Scarpa's liners are made by Intuition. Some people have trouble with the overlap on the wrap liners causing problems right at the seam. I think this has as much to do with the person who molds the liners as it does with the liners themselves, but it may be affected by the boot mold and riding style.

Ernie, I'd look at the Power Wrap, Luxury or Pro Tour. I have Pro Tours in my AT boots and like them. With SB boots, you have similar properties to an AT boot with the walk/ride mechanism. The added flex panel on the pro tour means that the liners will break down less over time spent hiking in the boots. Fathead - you should be choosy about which SF tech you see. There are some threads over on TGR about the various SF shops in CO. Also, go in prepared for the full sales pitch. They aren't there to let you out the door cheap.

If you're using it for Bomber, for any kind of promotional use, then it isn't free. Just because something is on the internet without a watermark doesn't mean it isn't protected by copyright. If you're just using it for something personal, then I wouldn't worry about it.

With all the talk of Squaw buying Alpine lately (I've heard this is nearly a done deal), the condos at Alpine and the houses in the valley look incredibly tempting. I wish I had $250K to burn. If the two resorts are linked, we'll have a bad-ass resort along with dramatically boosted housing values for anything on either side of the ridge. Plus there's all the summer stuff to do around the lake. Incline only looks attractive if you have reason to factor in some tax savings by being a NV resident.

Taco Time!

If you can, I'd wait until last minute to book it. That time of year there are usually last minute discounts to fill rooms/seats, and you can base it off short-term forecasts.

I went skiing and snowboarding. It was great. Three days in a row. Also swam in Lake Tahoe (too choppy to waterski).

You know you can always camp out wherever I am staying in Tahoe as long as there's a spare room (changes a bit from year to year and weekend to weekend depending on my ski lease situation). Heck, having you in town might actually inspire me to get back on my board for a change. I pathetically only rode 2-3 days this season. Skied 70, but that's not the same.

This is great news for all of us. More Hardbooters and hardboot events is terrific. But it also means all the board manufacturers have to put effort into SL boards instead of just GS boards. A win for all of us since we'll have more board choices. What other innovations might we see?

Nice corduroy. Too bad it's so crowded. :) Now they need an editor to make people with polecams look like less of a tool.

I'll probably make it Memorial day weekend. Last weekend was cold and snowy, but amazing. Woke up to snow on the new tent. Chilly. But Monday was insanely good. This is from out second run. Still completely untracked.

The biggest problem you're going to face is bsl. 333 is crazy long for a sb boot. That board is pretty wide so you'll be OK in that regard, but I don't know if any hard boot bindings go that long. Maybe someone here has some experience with old Bombers? Ibex/Burtons may not make it that long. Other Dynafit/AT boots will work, but I'm not sure if any of the Dyna/NTN versions will have a short enough BSL.

Anyone going to Mammy for Memorial Day weekend? I'm thinking of heading down. Probably on skis, but not sure - I kinda need to do some riding. Last weekend was amazing. Hiked the Sherwins on Saturday. Skied amazing powder on Monday all day.

Anyone going to be there this weekend or the weekend of Memorial Day? I'm definitely coming down this weekend and maybe Memorial Day also. And for sure some weekends in June. July fourth also, unless Alpine Meadows reopens as they're trying to. I'll most likely be camping either along the loop road, or down across 395. Probably not bringing snowboards this weekend (skis only), but maybe for Memorial Day. I've hardly carved all season so I really should get out there a little.

I'll be there Fri-Sun. Should be good. Hopefully the new snow turns to corn. Probably go for a hike-ski on Monday if anyone is around and wants to join. Either way, I'll be skiing this weekend, not boarding.

two_ravens: Seems like you missed a perfect opportunity to impress on those young ladies that size doesn't matter - it's how you use your tool.

Last year I was sort of funemployed. I think I doubled my age. This season I just passed my age a couple weeks ago. I'm 47. But we've got until July 4 to get more days in, so no problem.

You are looking for the Jack Bauer model. :)

Battle of the Bands? Heh Heh. k2pXxHW1DHs <object height="350" width="425"> <embed src="%3Ca%20href=" http:="" www.bomberonline.com="" vbulletin="" view-source:http:="" www.youtube.com="" v="" 5jr9uagkov4"="" target="_blank"><http: www.youtube.com="" v="" k2pxxhw1dhs"="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350">edit: I can never remember how to embed video here: </http:></object>

nekdut, Yes, maggot weekend in Mammoth. Should be entertaining. Trigger pulled on MVP

Gilmour & socal crew, it looks like I'll be down at Mammoth the weekend of May 13-15. The date may change, but that's the plan for now. Meeting up with a bunch of my online friends from TGR forum. If you guys will be around, I'll make a point of bringing carving gear with me. Would love to compare notes on teaching carving. My snowboard teaching is limited to race coaching (and being coached) and PSIA Level 1 stuff. It'd be great to spend some time comparing notes, getting tips on both my riding and teaching, and doing some drinking. I'm seriously considering buying an MVP pass tomorrow. It is good starting May 1 through the end of this season, and all of next season. I usually get a few days each season at Mammy and if I had a pass I'd make a point of getting there even more. It doesn't hurt that there is free camping all over the place in Mammoth. Plus the bc options at Virginia Lakes and around Tioga Pass abound. One of these days I'll even get my butt up to bloody couloir.