bonzo

Yesterday was another fine day at Afton, at least in the morning. Soft snow and great groomers everywhere. Spent most my time on 2, 7, 16. Talked with call me jack working 13. Didn't see another carver. After lunch I was too busy to ride and the lines were long. Will be working with candidates, probably on 7, tonight. I'm not stoked about the rain.

It was nice to share a chairlift ride with you before I had to return to the patrol room. Busy day, only rode the snowmobile after lunch. Saw call me Jack working on 5. Looks like he had his hands full. Got in a few runs on 2 , 7, 12 and 16 before assisting in toboggan refresher evaluations.

Yesterday was very nice in the AM. Nicely groomed and firm. With the heavy traffic, calls were above normal levels by noon. I spent a fair amount of time on the snowmobile. I'm working again today. Hopefully it isn't to crazy. If we don't have too much to do to get ready for the day, I will try to get in a few turns on 2, 7, or 16 before it gets busy.

High Power + Short wheelbase + high center of gravity = easy to get the vehicle sideways and roll it To easy to do in wranglers and the result can be fatal, especially for an inexperienced driver. Don't drive it like you stole it unless the road is clear and straight. The easiest way to roll them is to get it sideways on ice and then hit clear pavement. Ugly scene will result at any speed over 25 mph. Just like a board that's built to carve on groomers doesn't mean you take it out on a major power day. Know the limits of your equipment.

After having worked 10 days in them I can say that I am pleased. They feel great and fit pretty well, though I may move up to a higher volume sock and/or footbed. I really wanted a 29, but the Head Rep said it would be close 2011 before any were in stock, so I settled for a 29.5 so I would have them before the start of the season. Strangely, they seem to fit my Catek bindings better than the UPZ's that they replaced (due to cracking).

Sorry, it sold on Saturday. You gotta love Craigslist (and getting 2 feet of snow last weekend). Just for a point of reference, it was a 1993 with 76K, 4.0L, 5 speed, 1 owner (me) and all the choice options. It sold for $5,500. I miss it already, but five cars is too many for me to keep running and with a soon to be teen driver, the Jeep is the wrong vehicle for him. The new owner didn't want to buy the Yakima board/ski and bike racks. If you get a Jeep, let me know.

Though this isn't the for sale board, I have a low mileage 4.0L Wrangler I am looking to sell.

Well, I bought a pair of Head Stratos Pros. It's a special order from my local shop. No returns accepted. Head rep had me try on an equivalent ski boot for size. I took the leap, placed the order, and they arrived in less than a week. They seem to fit fine, but a little bootfitting may be in order. I spent some time this weekend wearing them in the basement while watching a couple Warren Miller films on Netflix, just to make sure nothing funny happens if I am boarding at 65F. For lack of better terminology, the fit and finish of the HSP is way beyond my cracked UPZ boots. Not that how it looks and feels on the outside really matters, but it does make you feel better about your purchase decision in the preseason. I'll try them stock for a few weeks before I try any mods or do any bootfitting. Now all we need is some snow.

Curses, you've revealed my secret identity.

I wanted to go to the party, but family obligations took priority. I "abandoned" them too many times this season. Hope to see you out there in yellow next year.

The season is now officially over as of yesterday 5PM at Afton Alps. This is the earliest season end that I recall in years.

The word is that Afton is closing at 5PM all this week. Haven't heard about the weekend yet. Things change quickly.

It's a long time until November or December. Get out there and enjoy what is left before it's too late.

How timely. Now that UPZ's are cracked and no longer rideable, I have been torn between a pair of Trak 700, Head Stratus Pros, or another set of UPZ. Having a wider foot, I had to run a half size larger UPZ, but after the first season I had some heel lift. I may have to wait until next season to find a pair in my size, but not having a local dealer, finding the right size is problematic.

Add me to the growing list of those with cracked heels. I don't think my Cateks were adjusted too tight. Any looser setting and I tended to boot out. Should I get UPZ again or switch brands? Should I convert to step-ins? If I switch to Intec heels will I still be able to use my Burton race plates? Photo submitted for your enjoyment: John

I'd be there, except I have to be in Colorado. Riding, not working. Is this a once a year event?

Do they have a powerstrap?