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Miguel

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Posts posted by Miguel

  2. Salomon Malumates - Sweet Deal

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    Bought a Pair last Feb. have used them about 110 days and yesterday

    while cranking a turn I hit a ridge of snow when loaded and the back right boot just plain disintegrated into putty with outer shell stiffness no longer there at all. That was with 3 strap bindings on as well? My ankle is fine?

    anyway went to shop in town were bought last year and they gave me 40%

    off on a new pair and are going to send the old ones in for Warranty replacement as well....:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

    these boots are really good with my 3 strap bindings.:biggthump

    Where do you buy three strap bindings and who makes them. I had a pair of Burton three straps years ago and loved them. I've been looking for a three strap with no luck. I'd love a pair for my powder board.

    Miguel

  3. I think i've hit a wall....

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    I've made major breakthroughs regarding carving steeper runs and the key for me was indeed whipping those turns so that you actually wind up carving uphill. My key was in inclinate more than I thought need be and having the balls to stay with it until it comes around. Tight turns are key as long as your legs are up to it. It creates some serious Gs....need to ride real relaxed.

    Regarding the heel turn...I make a conscious effort to lead with the hip by moving it to the front of the board. It moves the weight forward and creates inclination at the same time. Upper body must stay parallel to the slope. Imagine holding a tray of drinks and closing a door with your hips....that's the motion.

    It is such a thrill when you master this. It's a whole new level of carving pleasure. My hands never touched the snow before progressing to this point and now they do all the time. It's so freaking sweet. Stick with it!!

  4. Temporarily lost but have found my way home.

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    Miguel,

    I'n glad you've found a way to ride off piste with your hardboot rig. I think I use 413s and previously had 224s. Never really thought about buying a boot that was softer, just was cheap at the time. I'm not sure how much the boot as to do with my riding ability off piste, but I'm happy with what I have and will go anywhere on a mountain with my boards.

    I ride with the cant locks in off or on depending on the conditions and how loose I feel for the day. Sometimes I ride locked, but more upright, say if its snowing, but not much accumulation, and the conditions are similar on and off piste. I'm sure you will find the right times to use both to your advantage, and its nice because you can just reach down and flip the level and change mode. Definitely riding in deep powder, you'll want to be un locked to get the flexibility in the upper boot.

    good luck in your riding and I'll wave as I pass you by, heading down Scott Chute or through the trees up on top of Heavenly.

    Yeah...I often ride with the knob turned turned to the side but with the other thingy in the walk mode. It allows you to flex all the way down but only to the third position coming back up. That seems to work best for me. But frankly I don't really notice all that much difference even when it's on full walk mode. I may take out my Coiler AM tomorrow and will probably have it locked and loaded for that. I'll be experimenting. Can't believe it....over twenty years and still experimenting with my freaking boots...is that unreal or what? What do they say...it's the journey...not the destination. Yeah....that's it!;)

  5. Temporarily lost but have found my way home.

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    I have the 224s as well, they're pretty darn soft. Do you feel the need to go softer?

    That's a good question. I really don't know if there's a significant difference between the 224s and the 123s. Anyone know? When I started riding hardboots I had an old pair of Raichles with the golf ball dimples...white with some other day gloish accent colors. I think they were three strappers with maybe a power strap..not sure of the model nember or age. I bought them used...shoulda kept tnem. That was meny years ago.

    Basically I was looking for something lighter and easier to walk around in. BTW..I'm putting my softies on my Prior powder board....like we get a lot of that in upstate NY.

  7. Temporarily lost but have found my way home.

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    Last year I basically took a hiatus from the hardboot world and rode (about to perform sacrilege) softies. Basically my reasoning was that I found the alpine setup limiting my non groomed riding potential. I like going in the occasional bumps, trees etc. I know some seem to be able to do it all on their carving boards but I just found it too much work.

    Well...as you might expect...carving was in my soul and the softies just weren't getting it done. Reenter the Donek Incline. Just yesterday I busted out my step ins, hardboots and my old Donek Incline which has both ends rounded. I think I've found my marriage made in heaven. I was able to go anywhere on the mountain while still being able to lay down very sweet carves. I experimented with riding in walk mode which I found very relaxing. I believe combining hard boots with that boards really bridges the gap between the two riding worlds. In fact the Incline is very similar to the Axess on Doneks stiffness index. In any event it's good to be back. I also have a Coiler AM and Donek FC which I'll save for special days.

    I do have a question. Which hardboots are the absolute softest/flexy? (reasonably past and present)

    I currently use Raichle 224s.

    Any other Incline riders out there and do you agree?

    Miguel

  8. Greek Peek - Binghamton / Cortland Area

    in Southwest Northeast

    Posted

    I ride at Greek. I've been riding about twenty years....mostly on Alpine. Have Donek FC, a Donek Incline and a Coiler All Mountain. Oddly enough after a year layoff from alpine riding (switched to softies) I'm back to hard booting, mostly on the Incline due to it's great versatility. I just retired so I can go anytime. Don't let the "retired" thing fool you....I can still get er' done.

    Mike Supple, Elmira NY

    msupple@gmail.com

  10. how to remove a stomp pad

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    I've used my wife's hairdryer to remove a few. It takes a while and leaves residue from the old pad. I've never tried to remove the residue...I was simply applying a different style pad. Just work from one end and keep prying with steady pressure. It'll come off.

    Miguel

  11. Best carving mountain in Southern California?

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    Miguel, that is the pass that I have also, I prefer to do my riding midweek. Not only is that pass good for Bear Mtn but it is also good for any night session that Snow Summit has, even through the holiday period when the 299.00 pass is blocked out. The good thing about going at night is, the night session starts at 3:00 and ends at 9:00, the day session ends at 6:00 pm so that is three hours that you can ride most of the mtn. At 6:00 pm they start kicking the day skiers out and then you can have the mtn to yourself!! I like the night sessions. You can turn up the speed quite a bit and not get yelled at.

    Hiya Blake, gonna see ya on the mtn this year I hope!! Still flying planes from a desk??

    Sweet...I'm used to riding at night back in NY State. Bring it on! Night riding can be very cool...there's a certain serenity to it.

  13. Best carving mountain in Southern California?

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    I was about to buy a season pass at Bear....seems like that would have been a mistake. I'll check out Snow Summit....look forward to making some turns with you guys. I'll be back in touch when we get some snow. I brought four boards with me and hope to use them all. I can't wait to take advantage of my retirement status and lay down some mid-week turns. Speaking of retirement....I highly endorse it. :biggthump

    Miguel

  14. Best carving mountain in Southern California?

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    I'll be spending the winter in Temecula, CA...between SanDiego and LA. Can anyone recommend the best carving mountain within a 2-3 hour drive. The only one I'm even remotely familiar with is Bear Mountain. I know about the big resorts and will travel there occassionally but am loking for something more "local". BTW....I just retired and will be hitting it up during the week.

    Thanks, Miguel

  15. The more I read, The harder it is to ride

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    It seems like the more I read about good form the more my riding suffers. Cross over, cross under, angulate, inclinate, drive the knees, hands off the snow, ect... I used to just go ride, now I think I think to much. I still feel good about my riding, but there is just so much info.

    Does anybody else feel overwhelmed with info sometimes. I am hoping I am doing myself some good by learning what works better for me and against me, and that eventually my style will emerge better for having taken the time to experiment on the hill.

    That's funny! I've often felt the same. It's amazing the amount of contradictory information I've read on this forum. That's not to say the info is incorrect but it sure can be confusing at times. More than one way to skin the proverbial cat, I suppose. I'd have to say the most straight forward and useful information I've read about carving has been over on Scott Firestone's site, The Carver's Almanac. You only get one opinion over there! :biggthump

    http://www.alpinecarving.com/

  16. Hard boots for freeride and powder

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    I ride my hard boots in pow all the time. I've tried softies a few times and hate it. I just put them in walk mode. I really should get some BTS for them and soften up the spring settings in pow. One of these days.

    My only problem is on really wet/heavy/sticky pow days it can be hard to clip into the intec heels because snow gets stuck in there. I should probably put some sort of scraper in my pocket on those days. Or maybe spray Pam on them.

    For the snow try a Dakine "Spike" stomp pad. It has huge nubs and works great at removing snow from boots.

    I ride a Prior Khyber with hardboots in the walk mode for for powder and other "soft snow" days. It's also a great board and settup for bumps and trees. For a powder board it'll also hod an edge on hard pack incredibly well.

    Miguel

  18. Any opinions on a Dodge Magnum AWD as a snowsports vehicle?

    in The Lodge

    Posted

    I'm trying to decide between a Magnum and a Subaru Outback. I fell in love with the chopped look, ride and feel of the Magnum. I don't feel all that comfortable in the Subie and the Magnum feels like a kid glove. The Subie has a bit more ground clearance. I can get a 2006 Magnum for $16999 and a 2005 Legacy Outback for $17999. I know the Subaru is considered the Vermont state car but I've fallen in love with the Magnum. Anyone out there with any Magnum experience? Owner reviews on the web are overwhelmingly positive.

    Thanks, Miguel

    Here's a pic.

    http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/dodge/magnum/100531258/photos.html

  23. WOW Spring Freeriding

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    Couldn't agree more! I had my Prior Khyber at Killington last weekend...it was a full on slushfest with the whole mountain bumped up. I had a ball! I should add that I also bought a soft boot setup for the board but after riding it a couple of times the boots and bindings are collecting dust....just didn't feel right. I mounted my plates and loosened my hardboots a bit and have been tearing it up. The only real advantage I see with the softboots is when I'm walking to and from my car. Of course I'm no park monkey and never will. I'm hoping to get in at least one more weekend before it's all said and done.

    Miguel

  24. What do you love more, snowboarding or your spouse??

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    I made it crystal clear to my lovely bride BEFORE we were betrothed that this is what I do. After ten years of marital hiss....err...I mean bliss she has not once asked me to forego snowboarding in the winter or kayaking in the summer. Of course it helps that she also skis and kayaks but she's not nearly as fanatical as me. With me it's a definite need. Without my periodic fix no woman in their right mind would want to be around me anyway. It's really a moot point.

    Miguel

  25. Bail safety

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    I came out of one of mine last week. The adjustment thingy on the front bail worked it's way through the threads to the point that it was not locked down properly and consequently allowing it to release. Definitely pilot error... something to check now and then. Fortunately no damage done...to me that is!

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