Keenan

For what it's worth, I've been riding freeride boards with plates and hardboots for quite a while, it's nice to be able to go from deep snow to groomers on the same set up. It takes a little getting used to not shoveling the edges in the deeper stuff, but it's definetely quicker edge to edge. As far as width, the Salomon I ride is 25.5 and the F2 is 26. Just take tools with you and don't be afraid to adjust the stance until it feels right.

By the way, Alaska air has dropped all flights to Kamloops. I don't think there are any other U.S. airlines flying there either. The only other option is to fly to Kelowna and take a 2 1/2 hour shuttle. Our spring break plans have now changed.

Thank You, I will be content catching flies with chopsticks until then.

I tried to place an order 3 weeks ago but haven't heard anything. I sent another e-mail last week and still no reply. Short of defecting to Canada, does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks for all of the help, I'm going to try moving the rear binding toward the toe edge slightly before I mess with the angles. I have never adjusted the 3 degree cant disk, just kept it in the center, I'm not really sure if raising the heel would help much, but that will probably be my next adjustment. I'm sure that I've been carrying enough speed into the turn, and now I'm convinced my boot is hitting, followed by other parts.

I'm looking for some insight, I can lay down a heelside on my freeride board but when I try to do the same on my race board I find myself sliding on my butt. I see very little overhang on the heelside when I clip my boots in, is there a magic number as far as how hard I can angle the board without my boots interfering? Are F2 RS 183's not meant for turns like this? At 180lbs am I too light to flex the board properly? Are 50/45 angles not steep enough with size 28 boots? Thanks in advance for any help, I'm considering attatching a snowskate horizontally on the back of my pants.

I'm in for whaterver day you decide at Crystal in late Feb. I have a mid-week pass so I can't contribute to the fund for lift tickets, but I'll buy a pitcher at the Snorting Elk.

I'm in for the session in February, not sure yet if I'll have the early dates available, but the later dates are good for sure. I was at C.M. yesterday and rode the lift with a full time snowboard instructor who had never seen or heard of hard boots, what's the world coming to ?

Jon and Art - I'd be up for a mini-session at C.M. in February, midweek is good. I'll tell everyone I'm networking, then I can write off the miles. Jim - I will be at Crystal Tuesday morning (tomorrow), blue jacket, silver helmet, hard boots.

I should be able to make it, with one or two more in-tow. There are some groomers left that don't have parks and pipes right?

I was at Crystal Monday, better coverage than I had expected, but I'd suggest taking a rock board. I'm going back tomorrow, there should be 1-2 of new hiding the rocks from sight.

I used to work in a pretty busy repair shop, they always used Scotch-Brite pads. I've asked a few other shops about it and the answer I have gotten is, "we sell brushes to people who want them but they're a waste of money for a recreational rider".

Before you spend the extra cash on a Burton you may want to look into a couple of other boards in the same length. Print the stats on the Canyon and compare. Last year I picked up an F2 Respect 168 new for $220. I ride TD2's and this thing rails on hardpack and floats through powder. My issue(s) with Burton are that they soften up and decamber too quickly, I've also had the bindings pull the inserts out of the board on more than one occasion.

So it looks like the Kahru and change of bindings or the Rosi Free Trek which isn't listed on their website, so I'm not sure if it's still in production. The Kahru says it will work with any boot, but If the strap system is anything like my snowshoes, when hinged, the toe of the boot will hit the ski preventing it from pivoting all the way. Unfortunately, I can't find a retailer in my area for either ski, so I'm relying on input from the bank of knowledge in the Bomber Carving Community. Thanks for all the help!

From what I understand the Kahru is a 3 screw system and the Voile is a 4 screw. Do the bindings that you have work with the 3 screw system? I'm not very knowledgable with free heel bindings, so any insight would be great.

I'm wondering if anyone knows if there are approach skis that can mount to plate bindings? I understand the superiority of the split board, but the only one that I've found that would be stiff enough is over $1,000. Any ideas?

I've got that board in my garage, it's in excellent shape. I'm willing to sell it.

That would be Peak Adventures out of Cataldo, ID. We had to cancel our trip last year because not enough people had signed up. Tell Terri I sent you.

I don't know if this link will work, but Crystal Mtn. has finally fixed their webcam, I like what I see. http://skicrystal.com/1712.html

Since you are looking for opinions...you don't neccesarily need an AM board, a stiff freeride board with good sidecut might be all you need. Last season I purchased a F2 Respect 168, slapped on the TD2's, rode bumps, powder, cliffs, ice, and when I took it to Schweitzer Mtn. I had many of the locals on carving and race boards keep asking me how a freeride board could trench so deeply. I'm not discounting the Prior or Coiler, they are great boards, but I got mine for $220.00 U.S. - new.

Yes, it is a day trip. It starts at 7AM and we ride until it's almost dark.

We have 3 people booked for cat-boarding April 1st in Cataldo, ID. We need at least 3 more for the day to happen. I did this a few years ago and it was worth every penny. Check out www.peaksnowcats.com for info and pricing.