Loc

Andrea, when Julian asked you to change his angles I bet you were thinking: "Now he is truly my son!" :D

See, I've got the opposite problem. My feet measure 24.5 so I downsized to mp24 boots and my toes are always hurting if I'm not riding. Waiting for the lift and sitting on it, walking around, etc my toes are seriously in pain. I know, if it works fine while riding why change it? But it's not just discomfort - during breaks I sometimes have to take my feet out of the boots because they are hurting that much. After a run I open up the buckles to loosen the toebox for the ride up. I'm thinking of upsizing to mp25 boots with this spring sale but I'm weary of trading one set of problems for another. Sigh, help.

Do you think the Track 700T is too stiff of a boot for someone in the 150-160lbs range, like the OP? That's with BTS yellow.

I like to mix up the resorts I go to. June, Summit, High, Mammoth, and Tahoe. Local mountains are coming up next in the rotation so hopefully I can synch up with you guys. I want my pic taken too Hey, get some of your friends into carving. There's gotta be some who have never ridden before but want to learn. We can start them off right ;)

Damn, I was young last year when I started! Now that I'm 26 I feel those bones creaking like a lot of the old timers here. My doctor thinks I even have arthritis in my thumb joint Carving isn't dangerous and and rebellious enough for teens. Just like young 'uns today I grew up watching skateboarding and half pipe and all that. It's just cooler and more flashy to watch. I've found the best way to spread proper carving is to offer time teaching newbies. Most just want to freeride and cruise with their friends so they're receptive to anyone who wants to help them learn.

Hope I'm not hijacking, but I'd like to throw in another question that's related to the 225. I've got the Deeluxe Le Mans and from glancing at the new 225/325 boots, I don't see a big difference besides the buckles and a paint job. Is this right? If so it doesn't seem like it's worth the "upgrade."

This one time I was riding up the lift and I saw this couple having a lovers' quarrel in the middle of the run. Can you believe that? Sheesh, how rude!

3ft and more coming. Booyeaaaaa ;) Anyways, as a newbie I have to say the snow has a bigger effect on me right now. Hero snow gives me a lot more confidence to practice angulation, inclination, boot cuff reaching, pencil pinching, looking uphill, etc.

Wow, condolences to his family. This just made me think about all those times I waited until the very last second to make my turn.

Don't dramatically change your angles so suddenly. Increase your angles to 0* in the back and get comfortable. Then try increasing them just a bit more after lunch. I remember my first time out on HBs, a 171 board, and 40* angles - almost went into the trees if it wasn't for a butt slide! Enjoy, I think you'll grow to like alpine very much.

Squaw's crowds are a turn off. Of all Tahoe resorts I like Alpine Meadows the most. It's cheap, staff is friendly, and the runs on the backside are pretty awesome. I had my first eureka carving moment on one of the blue runs back there. Here's a trail map: http://www.skialpine.com/mountain/maps/

Yea, I know, another one of those time wasters the young folks are into. Just wanted to see if anyone else here is on it. I'm http://twitter.com/locn and I just created http://twitter.com/alpinecarver I found this guy and pointed him to BOL, hopefully he finds other carvers to ride with at Killington. Anyone got a good pic for me to use as my avatar?

There's a huge storm coming into the Sierra and blessing us with feet of powder. Anyone going up? I'm trying to get some of my wishy washy friends to go. Check out the projection: http://forums.mammothmountain.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1845&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=75#p33467

just asking for a friend...really...how much for local?

I thought about getting one for my John Muir Trail hike last year. It's pretty expensive when you factor in the service and insurance. Alternatively, you can rent a satellite phone which isn't cheap either. I would look for user reviews of the SPOT device. I remember seeing anecdotes about spotty coverage etc when shopping it last year.

I'll third the foam roller suggestion. My IT band doesn't tighten up from riding but in the summer when I'm hiking it gets pretty bad. The foam roller and IT band stretches fixed it real good.

How about moving out west to California? Along Hwy 395 are many small towns with tiny populations. The first that comes to my mind is Bishop. It's located in the Sierra Nevada and about 40 minutes south of Mammoth Mountain. It's a gorgeous mountain and some folks are predicting snow past Memorial Day It becomes a mountain biking resort in the summer. There's great fishing and some of the world most beautiful backcountry along the John Muir/Pacific Crest trail in this region. I don't whitewater so I can't speak to that. Bishop is sort of a pass through town LA folks eat lunch at while driving to Mammoth. Added bonus: it's about 5 hours from Lake Tahoe

Board is here! Man, Derek did too good a job of packing it. Took me awhile to unwrap everything - so cruel

Yay for Tahoe, June, and Mammoth! I love the Sierra. But part of me hopes it doesn't last TOO long. I need to get back on the John Muir Trail and start hiking

The Hazard, but once I ascend above newbie status I hope to be the Hula Dancer. I love watching vids switch between styles - so versatile!

Sent ya an email.

Finally, I have a clear photo I can ask you guys to critique my form on. This is my 2nd year in HB (or 1st since an ankle break ended my season in Jan). On heelside I've been focusing on squaring up my torso to the front of the board so I don't sit on the toilet. I was experiencing a lot of chatter earlier in the season but I seem to have that under control...most times. http://www.flickr.com/photos/loc_nguyen/3274037354/sizes/o/ If you stare long enough, I look like a midget :lol: I just hope it means my knees were bent and compressed. So have at it, help me get better

These are great pictures, Sean! Makes me so envious. Someday I will have to attend SES and get my picture taken

I'll be somewhere on the mountain tomorrow. Riding with a bunch of softbooting friends. Let's see how the ATV does in powder

How about one of the new metal WCR decks? http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24496