Pat Donnelly

Northern Lower Michigan - Petosky/Harbor Springs area. Your dates put you into the "low" prices as far as lift tickets plus most lodging may offer packages. Check out http://www.nubsnob.com/ Will have the best snow & grooming + very few others on the hill during the week. 5 minutes away is Boyne Highlands http://www.boyne.com/BoyneHighlands/index.html Boyne Mountain is within an hours drive and your Boyne ticket is good at either BOYNE resort http://www.boyne.com/BoyneMountain/index.html http://www.goskimichigan.com/ - check out the link at the bottom for SkiFreeDeals.com as you might be able to score a BOGO deal by buying Shell gas in Michigan. Lodging nearby http://www.troutcreek.com/ plus http://www.petoskey.com/condominiums-232/ Let me know if you need more detail.

Starting soon . . .

http://www.skifreedeals.com/ CALIFORNIA & NEVADA COLORADO & NEW MEXICO MICHIGAN

Check out goggles and lenses at Habervision.com you can order replacement lenses of different colors. I use clear for poor light or night riding but they also offer optic orange or vermillion.

http://youtu.be/7gA6bmuXqRY

FedEx + SporTube is our choice. Shipped direct to your destination. It can be a pain lugging gear from the parking lot and through the airport, then trying to get everything into a rental vehicle. Edit: no last minute (excess) fees at the check in counter. You might want to check liability coverage from United for loss or damage. I have seen gear dragged on the tarmack and soft bags destroyed. The last time we flew with gear, our equipment did not make the flight. Northwest offered to deliver to our hotel sometime the next day, driving from Denver to Glenwood Springs. We ended up waiting six hours killing time in Denver for our gear to arrive on the next flight. This delayed our daylight drive from Denver well into the evening and we encountered full on winter driving conditions in the dark. Thankfully we arrived Glenwood around 1:30 a.m. But after that experience I vowed never to fly with gear again. Checking from a link posted early on in this thread . . . United is not liable for damage to water ski/snow ski/snowboard equipment. Excess Valuation may not be purchased for water ski/snow ski/snowboard equipment.

E-rings . . . Try applying electric tape or a few drops (melted and spread thin) paraffin to either surface. I don't have this problem on my Angry Coiler with a P-Tex top sheet

Shintronics might help you http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?40557-Manoove-Shintronics&highlight=manoove

For Goggles, check out http://www.habervision.com/ I have the Riva which offers the widest view. Suggest ordering with a spare CLEAR lens for either night ridding or low visibility days http://www.habervision.com/product/Riva.aspx Sunglasses (with air shield) http://www.7eye.com/AirShield-c-253/ BOMBER eye glasses - most frames have foam on the outer edge to block wind. These frames are great for water sports as they float. http://www.bombereyewear.com/shop/glasses-d1/polarized-sunglasses-c3/

If the shells are in good shape you may want to consider new liners?

Go Pro of the Winter Teaser

SportLegs - Try these "little helpers" http://www.amazon.com/Sportlegs-SportLegs-Supplement-Bottle-Capsules/dp/B002VTWW3Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383569140&sr=8-1&keywords=sportlegs+bottle+-+120+capsules

I ride with Thor gloves and also wear WRISTBANDS to help keep my hands warmer. Thor gloves do not have a wrist cuff so the sweatbands help. The idea is the viens/arteries carrying warm blood in our wrists are not well insulated as they are close to the skin on the inside of our wrists. Unlike Thor gloves, some gloves have cuffs or wristbands incorporated. Try the wristbands around your house when it's cooler and notice the difference.

One set complete, size M, used once. $45 shipped lower 48. Cherokee Gray is the color. http://www.manoove.com/

On sale through Nov 10 http://winter.schweitzer.com/tickets-passes/ski_three/ New for 2013/2014 http://http://www.firsttracksonline.com/2013/09/27/schweitzer-adds-new-downhill-race-course-and-terrain-park/

Any non-locals who plan on returing to ride ASPEN over the next few seasons may want to consider flying into Denver during Oct and or Nov to get in on SkiCo's Classic Pass. Once purchased in person, subsequent years can be renewed on-line and must be done so every year so as not to lapse out. We initially bought into this in Nov of 2004 and it has worked out well. Classic pass details along with locations and dates: http://www.aspensnowmass.com/classicpass

PHOTOS: Pre-Season Snow Falls West and East Sept 23, 2013 http://www.firsttracksonline.com/2013/09/23/photos-pre-season-snow-falls-west-and-east/

Book by Sept 30 for travel from Oct 4 through Feb 12, 2014.

Thanks for the clairifcation Clebner! We are planning to stop by Crystal en-route to Traverse City to have a look at the progress. Nice perk on the Nubs offer, may have to plan to meet up again.

Looks like new slalomn gates. I think the former placement off to the side was better for us crossing the fall line. PS - Edit. Looks like the skiers left has become a PARK.

Peaking at 7,000 to 9,000 gallons of water per minute. . . .http://www.firsttracksonline.com/2013/08/15/okemo-spends-nearly-1-million-to-upgrade-snowmaking/

http://aspenjournalism.org/2012/04/02/the-aspen-50-forbes-billionaires-in-pitkin-county/

Thanks for the post Scott and R.I.P. Dick. I have the same T-Shirt as the one Dick is wearing which states "Carve Your Enthusiasm"

Hey Buggs, almost as much fun as an impacted tooth! Rethink your footwear. I had certain shoes and boots that could aggravate the pain. Have since changed out to mostly New Balance and/or Dunham. Search for models for PF condition. In sneakers, always opt for running shoes as they offer more cushion / support. Around the house I wear Crocs, never go barefoot. Orthotics can help too, but the NEW shoes and boots helped me the most. You may need to replace your footwear more often to maintain good support and heel cushion, usually before the soles wear out. Last year I bought a few pair of MBT shoes; basically no heel so the point of impact is near the arch or forward of the heel. Takes a few steps to get used to the rocker sole. Some streching demo's