ealely

Treble Cone, New Zealand

I don't have many pictures but this is a "best carving picture" because the landscape was just amazing

As for me, 2007 and 2008 seasons have been the best ever. In 2007, I was still living in China and I had to travel around to get some snow:D ! Are u ready to read ?? it's summer time so whatever 1/ Time : february 07 - Travelled from China to Switzerland (Shanghai to Geneva area via Paris) around 20 hours to get there (door to door) just travelling (plane, drive..) I started with a week in Switzerland for the Extremecarving Session where I could ride about 4/5 days only, because of the weather condition and because I was too tired...but those tiny little villages in Switzerland are the best places on earth to rest (for me) :rolleyes:; 2/ Time : february 07 (Chinese New Year Break) - China to Japan. After Switzerland, I came back to China but a few days later, I was already on slopes for Chinese New Year Break. You don't want to know the time I spent travelling from Switzerland to Japanese slopes within a week So, I have been riding crowded japanese slopes for a nice week-end of snowboarding in Nagano area. The snow was melting very fast in the afternoon and I don't like it much . but well, first time riding in Japan..big time! 3/ September 07 Shanghai (China) to Auckland (NZ)... then to Queenstown (about 17 hours from door to door ) In September, I spent 2 weeks in New Zealand around Wanaka area with different types of riding, from carving, all mountain in powder and carving in water...I really spent 10 days riding snow but at the end, the snow was melting very fast, stopping the speed of your board suddenly...scary spring time oh oh. But New Zealand IS such a beautiful country, there you spend as much time riding than enjoying the landscape. 4/ Feb.08 From Paris (France) -- yeah finally I left China --to Geneva area, just a few hours drive. Back to Switzerland slopes for another ECS..with what I would call "so so conditions", not a lot of fresh snow and a warm weather so, by 3pm I would be at home watching my favourite US TV soap :p 5/ March 08 From Paris to Chamonix (Mont-Blanc), a few hours of train. One week of riding (everyday, yeah!)) Already spring time kinda weather but Awesome..fresh snow, fesh powder while snowing time, and nice groomed slopes sometimes. 5 bis/ March 08, from Chamonix (France) to La Thuile in Italy..about 1H drive I was tired to enjoy it 100% but "wouah", plenty of snow, good grommed slopes and good off-slopes rides..awesome :) That was my 07-08 season, life is beautiful:p Cheers,

Got step-in on one of my boards this season, I just love it

Ok thanks for your feed back. Got some answers there as well :http://www.alpinecarving.com/boot_models.html

What about Intec on Head Stratos Pro? Same as Deeluxe? Do we have to set up the T-nuts provided with the Intec Heels or can I fix the screws directly? If not, with what kind of tool do you take those off? No manual in the box...

When I got my first pair (Raichle 121) more than a decade ago, I never even thought about specific boots for women. When I got my new Head Stratos Pro 2 years ago, I knew the Vega were available but only on ebay. I couldn't try it on so I just dropped the idea. I also had the feeling the Vega were low end boots. (?) Besides having specific boots for women, it would be great to have a bit more small sizes available. My Stratos are a bit big and in 2 years I never found my size (26) in store. I don't even talk about the Deeluxe Track.. As for specific products for women in general, I think that for the brands, it's too complicated to deal with...this week I bought some googles but I had a hard time to find one confortable, the guy in the store told me to check the googles for junior:(

what? how can it be possible.. whenever I wait for my bag, I'm always stressed, fearing they would have lost it... I used to put board(s) and bindings in a padded bag, boards wrapped with some kind of pillow or towel, and with all my mountain clothes around. Doesn't look nice at all but till now, no problem and my boards have been in some airports lately. Now I think I'll definately take off the bindings to make the bag lighter and as for clothes in the bag, well it depends on what space I will have left in my luggage :D

Yeah but I don't want to bother anyone, it's not a big deal really. Eaglefly really means something special to me as an harbooter but well Ealely is fine too....what could that mean anyway? Ealely, Eaglefly, be aware that behind these names it is just the same French lady carver :rolleyes: Céline

Well, I totally agree there but if you plan to say one or two months somewhere, then it's not just about one good day but a good 'season'. I loved New Zealand and I love small alpine resorts but If I have to make a choice between Europe and NZ for a stay of more than a month I would choose Europe anyway. I would love to go in Canada or US to check it out but spending a long time there would be expensive for me so I am trying to make the best choice ;) don't thing i'll be mobile there, that's the thing. hum very interesting, don't like it too wet, icy doesn't matter...i'm thinking about joining an instructor training program, so i can ride and get a diploma if i'm not too bad.. ah ah. well, yeah but i never rode in Canada and lately, Canadians might be nicer than Americans to french ladies :D spent a great year in the US 12 years ago and I don't want to change my mind about that :p Zinal is cool for a week but for a month or 2 without going to Zermatt or any other resorts, hum, I don't know. euro compared to CHF is not too bad either for me, it's now or never so I guess i'm gonna do it, just not sure where yet....was also thinking about Japan to practice my japanese :rolleyes: but well, après six ans en Chine, la culture anglosaxonne serait un peu plus sexy :p Cheers, thanks again for your feedback

I am quite surprised by the results of this poll...thought I was spending too much money on gear so i feel much better now, thanks

Cool, Thanks for your comments so far LeeW, actually my name is a 'mistake' nothing special really....when I registered on BOL my keyboard was half broken without G F letters; I am known as Eaglefly on extremecarving.com....so it is just Ealely here. Avatar is from a lovely camel in the middle of Australia, I haven't changed it since I registered because as a woman in the alpine carving world, this is pretty close to my (prettier) face when I read some of the threads here :) I love being a woman :lol: Cool thanks for that feedback, I just love Val Thorens when not too crowded....as for Van, good to know anyway :rolleyes: Deep pow is not a priority because unfortunately I can't ride in that very wel yet.

I am wondering.. for you guys living in the States or Canada, what are the best resorts for carving and eventually go off piste (not freeride for experts though)? If you have a chance to compare with european resorts, even better :o I know pretty well French resorts and a few others european resorts, and then I have been to Lake Tahoe (Squaw Valley, Montrose and one else but can't remember the name), in Japan (Nagano Area) and New Zealand (Wanaka area). So far, considering only runs (number, length, steep, groomed and diversity of terrain....) and not signtseeing or party time, I must say that I haven't found anything better that what we have in the european Alps. I had a wonderful time in other continents but as for riding, the Alps look just SO big... Read Whistler is the number one, so what do you think...i'm considering going to canada because it is more exotic than France and I could practice my english but if the Alps are just so much better, then riding comes first Where would you go if you have the choice?

Difficult to give an accurate answer...besides personal status, I guess it depends on how often you ride and also 'timing'. For 10 years I used the same old board/bindings (400 dol) and boots (bday gift) and since I had to change gear in 2004, I spent on average (total amount divided by 3 years) more than 500/year (3 boards, boots, helmet, bindings) but average amount over the last 12 years is less than 200 a year ( a bit more incl clothes, gloves, iron and wax). Also, I spent more money over the last couple of years because I could...got more money now (31 years old) than when I was 18....not DINK but single, no kid...and for me it was an investment for the next 10 years :D

Sean has sent me some mounting instructions; binding on the front is ok but the other one needs to be more on the back; then the stance (now 46 cm) will be a bit larger (50 cm..hum maybe too large..)...will see if it's better that way in powder days. Thanks again for your advices...can't wait to ride again... :rolleyes:

Any idea what factory is making these boards and where??

Well, Thank you very much for all these advices and comments! The next time I have a chance to ride in 'powder', i'll make sure to have the best 'binding set up' for a start, and then I'll keep in mind your advices about weight, surface area, edge pressure, etc. I know that my boots are too stiff and i need to make some changes for the extremecarving technique anyway so i should have more flex soon... Even though i am aware that SB is the best for powder for a lot of people, it is just not so convenient for me. I ride only a few days a year so days with powder are too few to invest and carry each time HB and SB gear (just in case); then, my ankles seem to not like SB much..probably i haven't find the boots that suits my feet, ankles and legs but I just don't have enough time to do the testing when i have a chance to go snowboarding.... If in the end, I find the Axis not easy for me to ride in powder i might consider to get SB but I really hope I'll find a way to enjoy HB in powder :p got already the Donek, the Swoard and an old asym board for rocks....no more space left for other boots and board unless I move my @$$ in a some mountain area in a near future :p

ouah...great! Never thought about naming my boards after a male name... usually my boards are 'just' my 'babies', my 'little precious'.

Well actually it is a little of all of that, depending on the moment!! I am aware of the differences of riding and settings while carving on piste and while in powder....but sometimes in powder it's like too slow and sinks, sometimes, it is too fast and when i want to control the speed I just stop and fall...it also feels like the weight of the snow on the board is suddenly too heavy. My bindings are Tiger force so i guess it's like snowpro...maybe too heavy? Boots are Head stratos pro, too stiff maybe. I agree Axis and HB might not be the best tool for powder but I wish i can improve my riding in powder/backcountry without buying SB or another board cause usually i spend most of my time carving....but when there is powder you know...i wish i could enjoy another playground...it's not like freeriding really, I just want to be able to go 'off piste' (but not too far), on non groomed slope.. I didn't have this kind of issues when using skis 15 years ago!!!

Phil, I got your point. I'm european and I have no right to make comment about the US but as said BlueB, thanks for the 'humorous tone' anyway. Hum...but well you know, most of people living in our world are in the dark anyway, no matter the country or their political system...in the end, power always controls media, unfortunately even in democratic countries... In some way it's often the best way they have to keep social peace without too much frustration you know Carpe ride :D

Riders, I know there is a lot to talk about THE country and I might give you some feedack sometimes :D but please, just for a month or 2, don't make too many serious comments on BOL otherwise I might not be able to read this forum in the near future ....thanks!

Hello there, I think the problem is the rider who is not used to 'off piste' riding but if you have some advice, well, I'll take it. I have an Axis and now I am very happy riding on piste with this board; it took me a little while to get used to it and find the right setting but now I find it great, it's a good carving tool, also good in soft snow, little jumps.... However, off piste, I'm having quite a hard time. I was in New Zealand last month and we went 'backcountry' in about 30/40cm of fresh powder, I had a very bad time that day, seemed like I was too heavy for the board and turning without falling was a big issue...my guide said 'yeah it is more difficult for you in HB' but I don't buy it good rider go everywhere! So I don't really think it's about the bindings setting, more about my technique but I was really disappointed and I wish I rent softboots that day to make it easier and enjoy the powder...what is wrong with me any idea guys ???

My brother got the Speedcross last season. He rides HB. He likes it but I need to say that for years he has been riding (not a lot though) with a F2 Firebird really to small for him as he grew up a lot (from 16 years old to over 25)...so in my opinion he likes the speedcross because it's easier and more fun than with his old 'too short' board.. but still quite easy to ride with a little bit of powder or on non groomed runs. I guess he will keep on liking it for a little while because he only rides a few days every year....for other riders riding more often or looking for more 'radical' stuff, I guess it might not be the right board....many riders don't like it that much, that is true...I haven't tried it so, I can't really compare with my other boards.

ouah...besides visa issues, timing is not right for me, tooooooo baaaaad! I would have loved it!

I have a rat in my apartment , I am afraid, I won't sleep tonight and will rest in my morning flight BACK HOME:lol: