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lordm - don't let those emasculating comments get you down. my boy (aged 4) watched me play hockey the other week and when i asked him about the game he said, "You're the smallest guy on the ice." we move on . . .

saturday conditions: it's trying very hard to be melt freeze, but there was still consistent snow. top of 2 was fine, then drifter was funky. under 6 was good snow with an iffy groom. we spent most of our time off 6 on the run that heads down to the cabin: consistent, excellent snow. enjoy sunday. pc

A Loveland First was at loveland this AM, and caught 9 when it opened. great run: powder, windblown powder, windblown junk, etc. got back to 9 and it was closed: "too cold," said the liftie. ok, the light was marginal, the wind was gusting, the snow was variable, but too cold? loveland was too cold? is that possible ?

mario - i'm focusing on the riding needs of my little guy, which has definitely affected my schedule. he's been at keystone which has quality lessons and superb carving from 8:30-8:45, and then sucks.

monday report: i was the best carver on the hill. I was the only carver on the hill.

skoony - my goal is to ride on saturdays at beav, so let me know if you want my # or email. i talked to my beaver creek guy yesterday (local superb carver) and he said the groom has been generally good, but that friday was indeed a disaster and an anomaly. i'll be back, maybe next saturday. pc

Beaver Creek, 2015. January 2. well, they didn't groom rose bowl. they didn't groom larkspur. they didn't groom centennial, skier's R under the lift. this was, without question, the worst groom i've seen at the beav in 10 or so years. i kept wondering, what did those cat drivers do last night ? a very disappointing morning.

FYI - was on 3 from 8:30-11 wednesday, and it was a decent groom without many folks on the hill. i don't know how busy the main area was today, but 3 was solid carving. happy holidays.

b.free: why don't people ride keystone? me: crowds. if you ride on a weekend, for me, you get maybe 90 minutes. their uphill capacity is so great that it floods the trails. i think the carving at keystone is superb: terrific runs and excellent grooming. but only midweek. pc

shannon was involved in race2curecancer.org, to help those with cancer. here's a place to donate in his memory. for more info on shannon, google "shannon decker mountain bike action" and you'll get a 2 page spread. tough reading.

not this saturday, but soon. enjoy.

mario -- i would like pix and video

here/hear. sorry.

the memorial today was very sad and very powerful. i am sure he would want to here from fellow carvers. please email me for his email or #

Closing Day won't be there -- child care. once again, another solid year. we have a great group of riders and it was a pleasure riding with the gang for another season. thanks.

I went to the avy site this morning, and the length and width of the slide are daunting and terrifying. They chose a path with a terrain trap on their left and a huge 30+ degree slope on their right.

Saturday AM report: no melt freeze, good groom, good carving. spring attire.

Nirvana i agree with mike T. i have a VSR and a Nirvana, and i find i can make quicker turns on the steeper terrain. in addition, i find it stable at speed even though it is shorter than my VSR (179/174) an impressive board

complications: talon challenge will bring (i am told) 3000 people to bcreek. that will affect larkspur, at the very least.

plan is to meet again at centennial, saturday 3/2. centennial will be closed due to big race, but the hill is in good carving shape.

it's complex. it's simple. me: married for 10 years. i own a coiler VSR. terrific board. i own a new coiler nirvana. very terrific board. it's easy: life is short. very short. you have found something that brings you pleasure. buy it. good luck.

2/23. the beav should be terrific for carving until the melt freeze. centennail had a considerable line by 10:30, but it's fast to ride singles.

Nick -- one more point on loveland: a great crew of carvers. having said that, i hope to get to beaver creek on saturday for a few hours of carving (if the weather cooperates). let me know if that's of interest. i can save you a few bucks with my pass, but keep in mind beaver creek is $$$$$$. and for us, great groomers.

don -- as long as you can get out weekends, it's ok by me

some thoughts for you -- first, have a blast. we're getting much needed snow and both resorts should be fine for carving. i go to beaver creek, and here's one opinion: it's great carving. you can avoid a huge garage/parking fee by parking at the Bear Lot for free and taking a bus up to the Centennial lift. easy, fast, FREE. from the top of centennial, take a left and hit Rose Bowl for some easy carving. nice long run with some rollers. next, from the top of centennial take a right and drop down to Larkspur, which is often groomed wide. this area will be busier than rose but offers some excellent terrain. then drop down centennial. this is challenging, aggressive carving. you can also head to bachelor gulch and arrowhead. i haven't been there this year, but they also have good carving terrain. would love to join you, but my pass is blacked out for that weekend. have a great time --