Started in France in early 90s, hardboots setup was the only available. Did it sparingly for a few years before moving to the USA. I was impressed seeing the first carvers and what looked like the first ECs
Got back on it 13 years ago and looked for HB there as I wasnt interested in skidding in softboots. I've always remembered the carvers in the french alps... Bought a Donek FC171 on Ebay and tried to figure it out myself, sprained my ankle bad, stopped for 12 years ( life happened too...). I still love the board anyway...
Went back a few weeks ago and loved it all over again, so I came back to bombersonline... I mean alpinesnowboard.com.
I did pound my sacrum on a hard fall on my last day, but still want more.
Next year, I will go to Mammoth or a big mountain west and find an instructor to help me out.
PS. I'm a Caribbean boy, was windsurfing and sailing early on, discovered the white funny stuff at 18... Still scared of the slopes, and the water is softer than snow/ice when I fall, but will go back on the slopes. Freezing temperatures is a pain compared to complaining when the water temperature dropped below 78 in the winter.
The feeling in the turns reminds me of some good jibes and days on the water sailing.