Jump to content

Willow 15

Member
  • Posts

    303
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

Posts posted by Willow 15

  1. 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. 

    • Like 1
  2. 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. 

     

  3. 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. 

  4. 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.

  5. Those are  big for Europe, I'd say. Sure, lots of people on this site ride such things, but at your average European resort it's hard to get those big old tanks around the moguls and crowds. Back in the day we'd often get visitors from North America on 2.1m skis... they looked really impressive in the lift queue, not so good in actual use. I have a Kessler SL, a 156 as I'm 62Kgs.... it rocks at any resort at legal speeds. Sure, bigger will get you faster, but I'm already amongst the fastest on the hill and it's not a race...

    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 :)

  6. 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.

  7. 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. 

  8. Joined the club. Thanks for setting that up!!! I assume you're Darren?

     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.

  9. Don't really have a huge requirement for adjustment so the Doneks looks good, only thing is they are all the way out in the states! (wish I was there) And am worried they wouldn't come in time for my comp on the 28th. Any European options would do me best!

    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.

  10. 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!

  11. Excellent feedback and ideas guys! I suspect this event will change a bit as we get closer.

    So first, completely stole your idea on the name Willow 15, now called the "Carve Factor".

    What if we did this:

    Upload the video of the Final Five on Thursday on the forum (links to 5 YouTube video I suspect would be the way). You guys then have until the banquette that following Friday to vote via a poll on the forum. Then we all vote as well at the banquette, total ALL the votes and announce winner at Banquette. And of course announce on the forum as well afterward. The forum people would obviously be able to see the results as they come in but with over 100 of us at the banquette, it still could probably go either way with our vote.

    I hear you Dan on giving away the Final 5 by posting on the forum first but don't see any other way around it as you guys here on the forum would need time to vote. This would give you a day.

    I would also move this thread to the main forum if we do involve everyone here at BOL.

    Does that work?

    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.

×
×
  • Create New...