Willow 15

Riding a PJ7 last season. T-nutted for a wider stance. Great fun.

Been riding SG's, Donek's and a Kessler race board for the last few years on hards. This has been interspaced with the odd day on softs (Burton driver X) on old boards, the favourite being an old Salomon Burner 172. Last season a friend hooked me up with a Jones Ultracraft 156. The conditions were sunny and hardpack. All I can say is wow, I am even contemplating ditching all my alpine kit. The board was a revelation, carving at speeds I thought were unrealistic on a soft board especially a 156. Unfortunately there was no freshies to be had, but I could just tell by its shape and characteristics that it would be amazing off piste. If you can get a test ride, you will not be disappointed.

Crazy Banana, such a classic 80's name with graphics to match. Loved my Mad Max until I snapped it.

That they are good, best liners I have used. I like to meddle around with kit so I am always on the look out for stuff on Ebay. Was looking for Zipfits as I had heard good things. Got some, tried them, love them. I've got the Grand Prix and when they die I will be buying a new pair. Look around ebay/ski forums for a cheap pair to try.

I've been using Zipfit for a couple of seasons ad really rate them. Easy to fit, plenty of vids on YouTube. They seem stiff at first but the comfort is superb. Great advice from blueb and beckman, another idea, although expensive, is different shells. Find a boot with less room in the upper shell. Maybe even try a women's ski boot as their calf shape is different. Full tilt plush 4 or dalbello kryzma. Great talking point in lift queue too, when someone asks the usual why are you wearing ski boots you can inform that you are only wearing one. There was a pro way back in the day who rode hard on front and soft on the back, can't remember his name though.

I'm using 275 Grand Prix liner in a 27-27.5 425 shell. I've used them for a week in the 425's but also used them in UPZ's and Full Tilt's. They work great in all shells and the performance/comfort ratio is very good.

Zipfit liners. They are superb.

This may be old but it's new to me. Enjoy if you haven't seen it.

http://www.yyzcanuck.com/E_tech_cooking.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMnuYC43Tr8 http://snowcode.org/how-to-bake-thermofit-boot-liners Zipfits are superb. I've used them in Full Tilt's, Dalbello's, UPZ's and they are going into my new 425 pros. They have all been improved by them. If you stick with the stock liners its fairly easy to do it yourself, just take your time and have everything prepared before commencing cooking.

Phil, when was back in the day? I was a ski tech from 85 to 89ish in France and Austria and every good skier then, was on skis above 2m. Slalom skis were around 2m, gs skis around 210 and the most fun I ever had on a pair of skis were on a friends super g Dynastar Course 215. Most Americans that were skiing Austria at that time were GI's from Germany and they mostly were definitely not good enough to be in a lift line with 2m skis. Just saying :)

I would say if they are comfortable, ride them. If you think the boots feel softer than they used to be or painful in places that should not be painful change them. It is hard to give a life span to boots, checkout Northwave's 950 on the World Cup circuit, although everyone of those will have a race tuned foam liner.

Just been watch Ryan's channel, it's great. Love the Lidnsay Vonn vid. Hell, the other vids are tempting me to dig out my soft boots, only after doing the edge mod on my board though ;)

Do you think this will work on alpine boards? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVHpkTeqtPY

Look around sites like http://www.extremecarving.com/forum/index.php for some great second hand deals then get two boards, a big un and a small un. I use a Donek Rev 185 and a 163 in the Alps and both are great. If you rode the Pure Race back in the day, I am positive you will find a modern big board a breeze. If you want new, don't rule out Stateside brands as they can work out to be cheaper even with a custom build.

Hey Kurt, is your art gallery open to the public?

Cool, I am surprised nobody has already done it. It was done super quick so if you can think of a better name feel free to suggest one. Looking forward to comparing rides.

Had a search on Strava and could not find anything so I quickly made a club for us hardbooters. https://www.strava.com/clubs/162507 Join up and enjoy.

That was a big off but he was not that bothered as the mountain may as well been our private play ground. Great day

I'm in the UK and have a set of Palmers, £25 and they are yours. If you are interested let me know and I will dig them out of my garage. Where you racing? The Brits.

Ask and you shall receive, http://www.lockwoods.com/index.php?act=viewCat&manuf=RnVsbCBUaWx0 Now get to B&Q and get yourself a riveter.

You may do this already, but I found that my shin bang disappeared when I put my booster strap around my inners rather that the shells.

Thanks CTS-V and YES bring on the snow. What you talking about Kieran, I seem to remember you giving the Donek candy store a few try's in the fridge.

There is a noticeable chill in the air in the north of England at the moment and I am really looking forward to 2013-2014 winter. I only got to use my Rev 185 twice last season and have been desperate to jump on that amazing ride again. NEED SNOW NOW!!!

At my local slope today (Yad Moss North England, very small, one lift but has a piste basher and sweet cord) and a nice gentleman says to me "You are the first person I have seen here all season who can ride a snowboard". Another young kid on his reverse camber jib stick asked me what I was riding. At that point I had retired my SG and was on my old PJ7 (for old times sake and it still rocks). Its hard enough explaining modern carving equipment so it took me a while to explain I was riding an antique. He was a cool kid though and thought my set up railed. He was right!

Works for me. If its a success you could have a International Carve Factor with nominees from around the world. Have it at the end of the season or July when most people are craving a snow fix. I do have one request as you have borrowed my idea. As I am a Brit can i be Simon Cowell the horrible judge.