fishrising

Here I am skiing with my buddy today (my 4.5 year old daughter)! Perfect spring CT conditions, and maybe 15 other people there today, plus the whole mountain (15 trails) was open. My first day on skis in 15 years. Oh yeah, it was at Ski Sundown in CT. Hopefully bact to VT in mid-April. Otherwise I'm done until next season.

Ski Sundown on the afternoon of Friday the 20th, but on skis for the first time in 15+ years, with my 4 year old daughter.

Thanks All! I obtained a pair 08/09 Nordica Hot Rod Nitrous XBi CT 178 R17.5 124-78-108at a price I couldn't refuse! Hopefully I'll get out on them in the week or so!

I don't want to go with "park type" twin tips. But the Nordicas do have a pretty good tail up rise.

OK, so I've found some skis on end of season clearance that I like. I want an aggressive all mountain ski that I can "grow back into" as my 15+ years of skiing comes back to me. I don't want to have buy another pair for several seasons. Here they are in order of my initial preference: Nordica HOT ROD NITROUS XBi CT 178 R17.5 124-78-108 Head iSUPERSHAPE MAGNUM 177 (R13.5@170, 121-71-107@170, couldn't find 177 specs) Salomon XW TORNADO 178 R16.2 124-76-108 K2 APACHE RECON 177 R18 119-78-105 Salomon XW FURY 177 R18.4 128-85-111 Does anyone care to comment on the above skis, for a 6'7" 260# guy? Does anyone have suggestions where on the web I can go to research these skis?

Was there today, lots of golf balls. Saw two riders on the race course in the AM and only one other around midday. Never got to talk to any of them.

I was at Stratton today and bit the bullet found some deeply discounted Salomon XWave 8 in a mondo 31/31.5 that fit. Next is to pick out some skis. Anyone recommend some good carving sticks? So that every once in a while I can give them a run without my daughter.

Thanks all again! I haven't made my decision yet on what to do. But I am leaning towards alpine skis, then snowblades or teles. Reason for alpine skis is so that my daughter can see what I do, and I can show her something if she has questions. What about using my Head Stratus Pros as ski boots (saw crote123's comment)? I'm not intending to push the skis hard, while riding with my daughter, but I may at some point. So maybe the stratus pros will be too soft and I would risk breaking them (I am a pretty big guy). But being able to bend down and help while on teles with a free heel is a plus. I guess snowblades or approach skis will be my last resort, with snowblades being the cheapest option. Thanks againg and keep the comments coming!

Thanks all! So far it looks like snowblades are the consensus. So, are some better than others? Do I even care? Where can I find them cheap? Any online resources to read about them? I'm 6'7" 265+#s, does that matter in snowblade selection? Are snowboard softboots sufficient to use in them? I can't believe I am going to be riding snowblades. No offense to anyone here, but whenever I see them, I begin laughing.

Hey All, So my 4 year old daughter has begun taking her first ski lessons this season, she is going for her 4th all day group lesson tomorrow. I drop her off around 9am, the ski school gets her into rental gear, gives her a 1-2 hour lesson in the morning, take her in for lunch, than a 1-2 hour lessons in the afternoon, and I pick her up after 3pm. All while I check in on her every hour or so to see how she is doing, take some pics/videos and I get to ride all day. However, next year or whenever she "graduates" from the ski schools and I begin to take her up on the mountain, I am not sure that me on an alpine snowboard setup is quite the ideal mechanism in the beginning while riding with her. I've been skiing/boarding since the mid-80s, and when I last skied (before shaped skis) I could "do it all." My question(s) is(are), since I would rather not be on a snowboard setup with her in the beginning, what should I do? (1) pick up a set of alpine skis, boots, poles and ski with her? (2) pick up a set of telemark skis, boots, poles and learn along with her? I've always wanted to try telemarking. (3) pick up some snow blades, use my alpine snowboard boots in them, and ride with her? (4) other? I think the cheapest option is 3, then 1, then 2. But I am not that worried about cost. I would look for used or old new stock (Sierra Trader, etc) gear to keep costs down. I also think the snow blades would be the easiest option if I could use my hardboots with them (and if I could summon up the guts to actually ride them, because I don't even like the idea of them). I think the telemark would be the most fun (if you call learning fun) for me, but its not about me, its about her. And that alpine skis would be the best to be able to show her things and control her if I go with some sort of child "tether" system. How hard is to snowplow with telemark skis? What are your thoughts, opinions, and/or perspectives? I am believer of learning to ski before snowboarding for kids under 6 or 7 years old. MODS - IF THIS SHOULD BE MOVED, PLEZ MOVE.

I can vouch for Ken! And now he makes me think hard about this one!

Planning on riding this Friday, just not sure where. Anyone else riding Friday? I am thinking either Stratton, Okemo, or Sunapee...

Great to see some old faces and meet some new ones! It was fun, can't wait until next time. Thanks for snapping some pics Bob! And yes, I can make a 187 Tanker look small...

Heading out shortly, see you guys somewhere, after I get my daughter situated in ski school...

Now I am worried, how crowded will it be, NH vacation week, plus 2 for 1? I am putting my daughter in ski school for the day. Decisions, decisions, decisions...Sunapee with everyone or Stratton??? Anyway, where would I find everyone? What are the go to lifts and runs at Sunapee?

Planning on coming and putting my 4 year old daughter in ski school for the day. Yes, ski school, I am a firm believer of skis before boards for the little ones.

I'll be there tomorrow. Hopefully someone else will be. Everything should soften up nicely. That is unless I go to Stratton or Okemo (they are a bit closer) because no one will be at Sunapee.... I'll check back here in the morning and see if anyone is still going.

2/11, mini-quasi-ECES?

'04, really? I vote for '06, maybe '05. I think the last time was at Okemo and Bob J let my buddy try hardbooting on some of his spare gear. I may not get to the mountain until 10:00 or thereabouts, as I may have to drop the kids off at daycare. Unless I can get my wife to drop off and then I pick up... Anyway, I'll find you guys. What are the "go to" carving runs at Sunapee?

Geoff, if it's me on your list, I am in, but not for the 2 for 1. I've got a pass and this particular day will be the last one to account for the pass, after that riding is free! If it's not me on your list, then I am still in. Hopefully some of you guys can help me get break free of the plateau I am on...

Steph, was that you in the gate this morning? I walked in with black Head boots over my shoulder for a fitting, tall guy, short blonde hair. Anyway, if it was you, sorry I didn't say "hi." I can vouch for the conditions at Stratton right now, they are good, I was there today.

When is the crew going to start going? I need to ride with other hardbooters.

Got comfy boots now (thanks to Gary) and 4 hours in at Stratton! Great day on the cord!

Off to Stratton and the Starting Gate instead. All of the guys I was going to go with bagged out on me...

I'm heading up again tomorrow, Monday, this time 10*, sounds good! I may be riding softies, on an earth tone Donek Delrossi Freeride. We'll see ifI want to put up with my Head boots and the pain on the red Donek FC179, or just ride softies. maybe at lunch I will head down to the boot fitter at the bottom of the access road.