rjnakata

Really?! How did you feel about the patrollers there. Do you think they would evaluate the situation objectively?

After reflection I agree with this. If it were my 13 yo self (except with mad ski skills) I would probably be more focused on beating my buddy (behind or in front of me) to the bottom than be concerned with what's ahead. I would have probably been on this run 100x already so I'd be concentrating on my buddy. Seeing a small kid/dad ahead my much older self would break carve, skid, "waste" the run and try again...no problem. Some "expert" skiers/riders have unspoken rules: stay in your lane, don't cut in front, make only certain kinds of turns on expert runs, don't make ruts in the piste. Of course these are nonsense and more like self generated expectations. All we have to go by is an objective standard: the skiers code which mentions none of these.

Refer to Wolf's post above for SB and AF Deeluxe boot compatibility. Thanks Wolf! For the shorter sole length of UPZ the "short" may work for M28, but you might not have the ideal fore/aft adjustability you'd get with a long plate. For my M26 UPZ short works beautifully like non other. I suspect they would work for M27. Not sure about M28.

Kessler 171 sold

In reading the post, article and parents' letter to Squaw, it sounds like the father and son were skiing a black diamond near the Siberia Express lift poles. The father stated they are both double black skiers. The Dad says this: "[the injured child] was making a broad turn far downhill, in an uncrowded segment of the run. These skiers were barreling down at incredibly high speed. They saw my son far downhill and chose to ski right up in him. Like inches away." The first narrowly missed the child and the second crashed into him. It sounds to me the team members were skiing close together and maybe buzzing the injured kid. Other eye witness confirmed the team members were going fast. A "broad turn" is what our forum members do...and we look uphill even if not required by the code. But IF all the dad says is true, and if it were me riding there I'd think reckless. I look uphill all the time and I still miss the occasional straightliner. I've seen a greater prevalence of fast skiing (maybe its the equipment?) over the years and that is a negative for me.

Pm'd you for buddy

Collision with Child by Race Team members at Squaw Valley Facebook Post by Father ABC news article The child, who now has spine injuries, was hit from behind by the second of two (young teen) Squaw Valley Ski Team members who were free riding at the time. Part of Squaw's statement said: "...After an investigation, our ski patrollers concluded that this collision was not caused by reckless skiing, but rather was an unfortunate example of the inherent risk that all skiers and riders take on when they approach any ski slope..." It feels as if straight-line skiing/boarding has become more popular with riders and accepted by ski resorts, presumably in an effort to please guests.

This is a great place to start. I just set my daughter up with a carving setup (not a racer) with knowledge gleaned from sources here and from the two board manufacturers mentioned above. I'd say this: Most riders here are a lot heavier than 100# and their equipment wouldn't likely be appropriate for your girl. A suitable used board would be a rarity here. It was a paradigm shift for me to equip a 100# girl vs a 180# man because our needs are different. Donek and Coiler have a lot of experience with making things right for your situation. They can give you a lot of guidance ideally after you have lightly familiarized yourself with the "equipment, lengths and specs" you speak of. But really defer to their wisdom. They will not steer you wrong. But as we always say here start with the right (fit is key) boots. UPZ and Deeluxe are the most accessible and are made in small sizes. There is a Noram Snowboard Racers Facebook page which was helpful to me. You might check on that also.

I dislocated my knee playing basketball back in school so I quit skiing (never liked it anyway). My feeling is that boarding protects the knees but is hard on the head and wrists. For the first years riding (1990's) I dragged my back hand and dislocated my shoulder enough to make it chronically loose. Now when I crash I instinctively tuck my arms in to my chest to prevent another painful dislocation...never did much else. I thank God for the introduction of helmets tho. There's an old school thing in climbing: "the leader must not fall". These days I like that one.

SOLD: Jones Flagship 164 SOLD Not a carver, but a pretty darn good all-mountain/powder board - 164 x 25.5 cm waist. You might need this when your carving day is "sunk" by a powder day. Jones's "flagship" The top has some scratches and binding marks, The base has a few scratches also. Edges are wide with no dings or dents. $230 shipped to USA I have more pics if you like. Payment with Paypal F&F or add. PM me or email rjnakata (art) aol (dart) com

SOLD: CATEK OS2 standard short plate bindings.SOLD Here's a nice complete set of Short plate Catek OS2's with upgraded D3 Elastomers. The Catek website(!) says "short plate" is for size <US10 and <180lbs. I think these are the best for quick on-hill cant/lift adjustments and you can center the most difficult boot soles (think UPZ). All in nice condition, nothing stripped or buggered. The rear heel bail has a very nice adaptation that keeps the bail in the up position; without flopping back, while still allowing the bail to be folded for storage. It has a micro adjusting hex screw for height. It is very functional and elegant. Someone did some nice thinking/work here. $225 shipped to USA I have more pics if you like. Payment with Paypal F&F or add. PM me or email rjnakata (art) aol (dart) com

FS: Bomber (2) TD3 SW standard: #1) TD3 Standard: Yellow elastomers, 3/3 degree cants. In great condition. Includes mounting hardware, no stripped or buggered bolts or any other issues. $255 shipped USA SOLD #2) TD3 SW Sidewinder Standard: Yellow (or blue) elastomers/ blue epads, 3/6 degree cants. A bit scratched but all fully functional - bomber. Includes mounting hardware, no stripped or buggered bolts or any issues. $325 shipped USA SOLD #3) TD3 SW Sidewinder Standard: Yellow elastomers/ yellow epads, 3/6 degree cants. near perfect condition, used once. Includes mounting hardware. $385 shipped USA SOLD I have more pics if you like. Payment with Paypal F&F or add. PM me or email rjnakata (art) aol (dart) com

SOLD FS: Kessler Alpine 185 UPM white SOLD 1) Kessler Alpine 171 black: Stock - not custom, 4x2. good condition, Ptex top sheet is a bit scuffed with binding marks and there is a bit of chipping at the nose edge. Base/edges are clean, no gouges/no dings. Edges are +/-2mm 3/1. Listed weight range is 50-80kg (110-176lbs) but works for my 180 lbs fine. 19.5 waist. This board rides smooth and damp. $375. SOLD 2) Kessler Alpine 185 white: Stock - not custom, 4x2, UPM. Swiss Made. Superb condition. Originally purchased new in 2018, about 3-4 babied days on it. Stranded textured Ptex top sheet near perfect. Base/edges near perfect, Edges are basically untouched 2.0/0.8. Listed weight range is 75-100kg (165-220lbs) and turns well for my 180 lbs. 20.2 waist. This is a fun board, stable and calm, smooth at speed with large and small turn radii. I have more pics if you like, and can take pics of specifics for you. $800 + shipping at cost. Payment with Paypal F&F or add. PM me or email rjnakata (art) aol (dart) com

It was pretty cool seeing @Jim and @Gben a June this weekend. I didn't get to ride with you but I did see some sweet carves on Gunsmoke. Great soft carving also. Have a great week!

Very nicely done. Those green sidewalls are sick.

Another good source is Craigslist in the Winter months. You can sometimes get some great stuff for cheap without the shipping cost which can be high for a large bag.

Wow, Buttermilk sounds great. We're not steeps carving hard chargers (daughter and I) and like to avoid the uber skiers. For example I prefer June Mountain, CA (smaller, less crowded, close parking, nice people, great snow) over Mammoth (mammoth). I wish I had more days in Aspen. This is good to know. We're riding Sunday and flying out of DEN at 8:00pm. Should I go to Winter Park to avoid the traffic? I was hoping to do Arapaho (?) Sunday and fly out that night. Total newbie here.

I went yesterday...it was like spring conditions in December. 'Soft in the morning and softer in the day. It was definitely better than the boilerplate day I went after it rained. The coverage is spotty.. Here's a shot of chair 7 and the dirt spot I apparently like.

I have trip planned for early March and I have one day to carve in Aspen - Saturday March 14. This is my first time in Aspen! Where should I go for the best carving? Aspen, Snowmass, Buttermilk, Highlands? Thanks! I also have Friday the 13th and Sunday the 15th for Denver local mountains on the Ikon pass: Copper, Arapahoe, Eldora, Winter Park, Steamboat, Winter Park. Again I don't know a thing about the carving at these resorts...all new to me. thanks for your insight!

...Still have them...

I didn't consider this...I do see it now on their website install video. Interesting! thanks

Wow, I had to read this a few times through but you have really thought this through. I'd love to ride Aspen, but the flights are so dang $$$. I see your point about Mammoth and June. I'm really not a Mammoth fan and June gets small after a while. Keep up the thinking here. It's inspiring me to take off out of SoCal

SOLD: Apex Race V2 plate - UPM mount SOLD All parts and mounting screws included. No defects, no issues. Works with UPM mounting pattern only Check the review on this forum I was looking for one for a long time, and somehow ended up with two! $325 shipped USA PM me or RJNakata (art) aol (dot) com

You must have been hit by the same kid who hit me just out of the top of Stump alley...he hit me from behind, took off and left me dazed. An off-duty patroller retrieved him to tell me sorry, but what is he going to do? Are Aspen and Copper the best carving in CO?

Let us know when you're going! Never did...but am open. Mammoth is not my favorite when compared to June. I feel like I have to have eyes on the back of my head at Mammoth, what with the merging trails and bombers. June: one run, one lane to the bottom. The vibe there fits me, but their season is too short!