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Do you use stone or file on the edges? And do you use a clamp to make sure you are at 90 degrees? Are we talking about a light run-over with a stone or file or something more substantial?

How often do you guys: Wax? Sharpen edges? Base grind? Just looking for a rule of thumb. The loss of edge is often not noticed until you hit some ice and it so gradual that I'm never sure if my board is at peak condition. I like to avoid oversharpening and overgrinding. HK

There used to be a "Jet T-Bar" at Jay Peak that took you straight up the face of the mountain at extremely high speeds. The snow and ice would build up at the sides of the track to the point where you couldn't see over the sides. It was like riding in a bobsled track. If you let go or fell, you were screwed. You had to basically take off your skiis and slide on your ass all the way back down. It was the first time I had ridden a lift that was for experts only. The lift, not the trail. That was 20 years ago. That Whistler T-bar is a killer. I've hung onto that thing and been dragged up the last few yards. My arms were killing me at the end of it.

It's not like you sign up and you get the jacket. It's a major commitment of time. First, for the training and then for the assignments. I tried it a few years ago and resigned half way through the season due to conflicts with work and family. That's why you see so many 50 year olds with stained teeth - they either have no family or they've grown up and moved out.

I switched to my soft setup on Sunday afternoon and hated the vague, skiddy feeling. I think I'll buy some slalom skiis so I can hit the bumps and avoid the people.

Do you pack it in? Or do you try to steer around the crowds and bumps? I found my 174cm Prior with the 11.5 meter radius to be too much board this weekend. I was at Bristol Mountain and it got crowded. By noon, all the runs had mounds of loose, semi-moguls. I was really getting knocked around and tired. And too many people on the slopes to do any relaxed carving. I found I was fighting the turning radius, trying to do tight slalom turns. I'm thinking seriously about buying some skiis for those kinds of afternoons.

What time do you think you'll be there? Maybe you guys can teach me how to steer an alpine board through packs of school-kids and snowplowers. I had a hell of a time this weekend with it.

I had a '94 850 Turbo wagon. I now have a '99 Audi A6 wagon. I miss the Volvo. I hate the Audi. The Volvo was a rocket. The Audi is an over-designed pig.

Just wondering if anyone rides at Bristol Mtn. in New York. I'll be there this weekend with the family and am hoping to see some fellow hard booters. I'll be the old guy with the Prior 4x4, Black Tusk graphics. Henry

I used to be pretty inconsistent about wearing a leash until one episode where I took a big spill and got tangled up in a snow fence. To get un-tangled, I had to release both bindings. Guess what happened - yep, the board slipped outta my hands and took off down the hill. Lucky for me, it didn't kill anyone but it ended up about 40 feet in the trees and 200 yards down the hill. What a pain in the ass retrieving it. I use a leash at all times now.

I've been there many times and the main attractor is size - both in amount of terrain and vertical. The big problem though is lack of elevation and the accompanying weather problems. I'd say that more than half the times I have been there, I've ridden or skied in the rain. My vote goes to the BC backcountry accessible only by hiking or helicopter. I've never done it which is why I want to.

Based on recommendations from a friend who used to build sailboards, I used 24 hour epoxy. The key was to use heat to help draw the epoxy into the wood fibres and aid the setting. The 5 minute stuff sets too fast, apparently. It turned out very nicely. Unfortunately, I did not add pigment. If I had, the work would've been invisible.

but if you also need to drive a lot of bare pavement, go with the Pirelli Snowsport 190 or 210. Fabulous tire for my BMW 325iX.

Somehow, one of my boards has a very small chip taken out of the nose. The wood is exposed so I'm worried about water getting in there and delaminating the board. What's the best way to repair this? I'm thinking, sand down the rough edges, put on a glob of two-part epoxy, wait for it to set and then sand it smooth. Am I on the right track?

I'll be in the area on Saturday (Jan. 3) and planning to spend the day in the Gatineaus. Anyone want to hook up? Any suggestions on the most carve-friendly hills in the area? I haven't been there in years.

I'll be in the Ottawa area over New Year's. Would love an excuse to get away. Anyone planning on riding at Camp Fortune or Edelweiss?

Jack: I have the same heel-side skid out problem. I checked the welcome centre but don't see anything specific about this issue. Can you tell me what article discusses it? Thanks, Henry

The annual dues are probably in the neighbourhood of $1,500 or $2k. Still, I paid $149 for a weekday pass at Blue.

I finally got out riding on Friday at Craigleith. For those not from the area, a private ski club is this weird Ontario phenomenon where you pay upwards of $25,000 initiation and $5,000 a year for the priviledge of riding and skiing on uncrowded slopes. Luckily, I have a few friends who throw me the odd guest pass. I have never seen so many people riding plates as I did on Friday. I saw perhaps 12-15 hard booters throughout the day and it wasn't even a busy day. Lots of nice equipment spied on the racks. Surprisingly good riding conditions if you like it hard and fast. Does anyone here ride at Craigleith?

The Prior is my one and only carving board. I have been offered a good deal on the Volkl, used. Can anyone contrast the riding characteristics of the two boards? The Prior is a 174, the Volkl is 168. I weigh 190 lbs and ride mostly Eastern hardpack and groomers.

Got out on Boxing Day. While everyone was shopping, I was riding some empty slopes. Conditions were much better than I expected. It was mostly groomed crud turning into loose granular by afternoon. The really steep runs were scrapped down pretty good with some bare spots and loose dirt/rocks. I stayed away after one run and found plenty of good riding elsewhere. I expect conditions to be similar throughout Collingwood. Mind you, this was before the last couple of days of +8 weather. Now, as for my form - I sucked! I was constantly skidding out on my heel side turns. I have some work to do!

Make sure you post details here. I'll be there for sure. Weekday evenings work well for me.

41, turn 42 in January. Got my first snowboard when I turned 40. Got my first carving board last fall. What the hell was I waiting for?

After trying just about every thing on the market, I find the most effective treatment is liquid soap. Make sure the lens is clean, then put a drop or two of soap on the inside. Use a clean, DRY cloth and wipe until you see no more soap. Works like a charm.