johnstewart

Is this plastic, or just a foam piece? I stopped by a dive shop today, and headed back tomorrow to get some scrap neoprene to see what I can cobble up for cheap. =)

Aye; I do have thermoforms in the Raichle's, and they are damnned comfortable... until now. =)

Ouch... $62 for a pair to the US. Pretty pricey. So have you had them one week, or 5 weeks? Anyone else tried these? thanks johnS

I've heard that suggested... but I don't think they'd work with my boots. I have 123's (attached picture). I modded these by taking off the top velcro strap and replacing it with a buckle (as with the other 3 below it). I don't know where a booster strap would fit; there's not really much room above the top strap.

I've read about it before here, but thankfully never experienced it. But crap, I've got it bad now. Probably it started with a few crashes with big chatter on an icy day last weekend. My rear (left) shin hurts like hell every time I pressure into a turn. Freeriding I can manage somewhat okay (on a small hill), but every time down the race course is an exercise in masochism. I've tried a different liner; I've tried shoving some extra foam in the boot next to the area that is sensitive. Nothing really seems to help. I've got soft Raichle 124's. I've been thinking of upgrading my boots anyway. A good idea? I've had my eye on those Head Stratus Pros for a while (though never tried them on). Perhaps a higher boot? Any other suggestions? This is killing me because I may have just found a way to get out to nationals for NASTAR, but hell, I don't know if it's worth the expense and the drive if I'm not going to be able to ride. I've broken my wrist, my finger, smashed up my face, and bruised up every part of my body in this sport. This is the worst injury yet, because it's stopping me from riding!! =(

I never go without a helmet, but never put the bar down. At home (Tyrol Basin), it's sort of pointless, the ride is so short. Elsewhere, I guess it's just force of habit.

I'm definitely Tivoing it... if possible, I'll try to make up an .avi to bittorrent out.

Awesome shots! Very jealous...

What the hell are y'all doing to those things? I'm 220lbs (or so), and have ridden the hell out of my Volant; still chugging along.

Magnets will stick to yours? They don't to mine! I think generally stainless steel is not ferromagnetic (magnets won't stick).

Anyone have a line on lodging for NASTAR Nationals that would be interested in renting out some floor space to a fellow carver? I could probably barely swing the vacation time and airfare, but so far I'm not finding any way I could afford a hotel room... thanks

I've got a Volant Excel 162 board with the stainless topsheet. It's become my favorite board (awesome edge to edge speed and great pop), but it's a little bit too turny for some race courses, so I'd like to find one with more of a GS size/sidecut. I see some of these Aggression snowboard come up for sale with aluminum topsheets. A buddy on my team insists that they must have come from the same place, and that they're likely not correct about the metals being different (i.e. maybe mine is really aluminmum, or maybe the Aggression is really stainless). Does anyone know for sure, because if they really are the same thing, I'll perhaps pick up an Aggression in a GS size if I see it (otherwise just a Volant is what I want). thanks!

Ya, I often get that at certain temperatures and snow conditions. I always keep a can of altoids in my jacket, and this makes and excellent scraper for that packed on ice/snow.

Finally did this one, too... http://johnstewart.com/pics/snowboard/MN-Carve-20060110/John2_small.jpg http://johnstewart.com/pics/snowboard/MN-Carve-20060110/John2.jpg

On my 2nd day at Park City last week, I was hitting the King Con lift (run was Sitka) over and over. There were some piles of soft stuff, but the Axis was plowing through them nicely. My legs were very weak by then, so I was carving as slowly as I could, huge semicircles. I heard someone behind me, so I sat down for a rest to let them pass. They stopped next to me. A group of 3 boarders from Hawaii. The dude said my carving looked smooth and they were following me because they liked the pace I set. He said it looked like I was surfing out there. Best compliment I've ever gotten. =)

I emailed Ernie. Linus, if I find the 2nd set, or if Ernie falls through, I'll get in touch. thanks

Hah... only Bordy beat me on a snowboard at Park City yesterday NASTAR: http://www.nastar.com/index.jsp?pagename=raceresults&race=45386&year=2006 I think I can live with losing to him. =) Pretty sure I'll be back tomorrow. Hope it didn't get too warm today. My wife talked me into Sundance today (the combined lift tickets did cost less than a single one at PCR). Definitely the Tyrol Basin of Utah (i.e. tiny in comparison). One good carving run at the top, though.

At Sundance today, a *liftie* asked me what the hell was I riding. I didn't see another carver out there at all.

Kick ass day at PCR. Ran into Bordy on my first lift up; good to meet you! I headed over for King Con right away (I didn't see your post, Jared), and the snow was firm but truly amazing. I think some of those runs have to be close to 100 yards wide, all beautiful white carpet, and pretty much empty (the Sundance folks appear to have stayed in town). Actually, Jared, I think I may have met your wife over there, who was on a carve board for her first day? An F2 Sliverfarfennugen or whatever. =) Hands down, no doubts, Park City is the best place for carving I have ever laid eyes on. Wow. I did some racing on some public NASTAR after a couple of hours on KC. Very nice course. Courses, actually. Nice to be able to get an edge in the slope reliably, as opposed to the ice cube that Tyrol Basin usually is. http://www.nastar.com/index.jsp?pagename=results&page=comp&compid=309793 Rode the day out (until 2; I couldn't hack any more) over on the runs under the Payday lift, which were nice even greens with acres of beauty groomers, which was all I could manage by then (my legs gave out racing; I blew out 3 out of my last 4 runs). Definitely carver mecca. I'll be back either tomorrow or the next day. My wife is lobbying for a day at Sundance (and with 2 of us, PCR would be pretty pricey). You guys there are some lucky sons of bitches.

I spent the last 2 days at the Canyons; my buddy and his wife have season passes there so it is free for them and a discount for me. We found some excellent stashes of powder in some of the tree runs (very nice yesterday), and did a bit of carving today - there was at least one excellent carving run far skiiers left; Boa I think is the name. Deceptively fast at times, actually. Pretty boring runout though. I think the wife and I (if she gets over the altitude sickness) are going to hit Park City tomorrow (Monday). Hopefully the Sundance crowd won't be hitting the slopes too much (the Canyons wasn't bad at all for crowds this weekend). So I hope to hit the slopes early. The wife hasn't been out yet this year, so I'm hoping to find a mellow nice groomer which will be easy enough for her and good for me to make some carves. Any suggestions on what lifts/runs? I see lots of blue under King Kong. Good bet? I'll be out on a Donek Axis 177; give me a shout if you see me. I'll have my phone on me, too (608-212-3612), though I usually can't hear it but on the lift. =)

I've got an extra set of 3-hole TD2 center discs (I may actually have another extra set in the future), for Burton boards. Unused, still sealed in the package. $20 including shipping to anywhere in the continental US. They're $25 from Bomber direct. I'm headed out of town for a week beginning Friday. Can bring them to SLC area if anyone wants them there, or if anyone is interested while I am gone, can ship on 1/30.

Cool; I'll be in the Park City area for this; I wouldn't mind checking some of these out. Definitely want to try a 4WD. Do you have more info on this? Just look for a Prior tent someplace at the base??

Thanks for all of the input, everyone; I really appreciate it. Re: powder day... it's looking like I'm a week late; 1-3 FEET for Park City tonight? Holy ****! But on a powder day, where to go? I've heard Solitude recommended. Does that sounds good?

I'm headed to the Park City area on Friday for 8 days (my first time in the area). I've got a buddy with a house just outside of Park City. I've got a buttload of questions, so if you have suggestions to any of these, I'd much appreciate it! - Does anyone know of any good deals for lift tickets in the area (grocery stores or something?)? Holy crap... $75 for a day at Park City! - Where should I go? If there is powder, I'll go wherever that is. If not, I'd like to find some nice medium pitch groomers for carving. I understand Park City itself is good for this. Anyplace else? Any other resorts I should not miss? Solitude was mentioned to me as an awesome hill, and no crowds. - I'd like to get some NASTAR in while I am there. Any recommendations on days/resorts for some good gates? I'm used to racing on hideous icy conditions, so anything will be a step up, but it would be nice to find a nice length, rhythmic course that would be good for boarding on. - Does anyone know of an alpine teacher in the SLC area? I feel like I've plateaued in my 3rd season of carving, and I would like to spend some time with an expert on a good hill for it. I'm sure there are some things I'm doing wrong (actually, I know I'm dropping my back shoulder on my toesides, but aside from that). - Would anyone like to get together at some point for a little mini expression session? =) - Is there a good tuning shop in Park City? I've got to get at least one base grind done, and the last time I got this done in the midwest it SUCKED. - Is there a good bootfitter in the area that would carry the Head Stratus Pros? I'm toying with upgrading my boots. thanks!

I ended up passing; I would need to get it by Friday and it doesn't look like that is easily going to happen.