Miguel

Thanks D-Sub...you just made my day! I did have a hard time explaining to my colleagues why I had tears running down my cheeks. As you see...I'm easily amused.:D

Ha! I doubt there's a reader here that hasn't experienced a "broken butt" sometime in their snowboarding career!

In the bumps etc. I ride a 164 Incline which I believe is ideal for riding bumps and other less than carvable terrain. I classify it as a Bordercross type board which translates to being very forgiving in rough terrain but still being able to lay down some serious carves and accept plates/hardboots. I can't remember the waist width but it's around 23-24 cm which allows me to run 35/30 angles. Regarding technique, I find myself using a lot of weighting and unweighting sometimes actually hopping. I also use the sides of the bumps themselves to initiate the turns so looking ahead and planning your route is critical. I also use a lot of body rotation similar to the "Swiss" style of riding. I've been considering buying some Flow bindings and soft boots just for days like that or for specifically riding bump runs. I believe the soft boots and bindings give you a much better feel for the snow because your boot rests directly on the board. I aso have wondered if riding zero degree angles might make it easier for riding bumps. Any opinions about that?

I was there Saturday and Sunday. I brought three boards and thank God one of was my Donek Incline. I rode it both days with hard boots in the walk mode. It really pays to have a board like that when it gets sloppy. I had a lot of fun but frankly it was a lot of work. I use days like that to explore more challenging runs that I wouldn't normally take the carving board. Double Diamond and Outrage were a hoot. My runs down them were not pretty by any means but I did get down them. I took a peak at Super Nova but decided discretion was the better part of valor and kept on cruising. By Sunday noon my thighs were fried and I was whimpering for my Mommy. I did finally hook up with a few of the guys at the bar and managed to get my car stuck at the Black River Brew Pub.....but thats another story! I swear it had nothing to do with Long Trail Ales! Sorry we missed you guys that left before the weekend. Kudos to Had for putting this together and either make up a sign next time or at least keep wearing orange! Miguel

Four to eight inches of fresh predicted for Okemo within the next 24 hours! Now I have to bring all three boards to cover all the varying conditions I might encounter. I hate it when that happens!;) Hmm...sounds like a perfect Coiler All Mountain day on Saturday. My wife and I are hitting the road at 3:00 this afternoon. I can't wait to hook up and meet everyone Saturday morning. Anyone else staying at The Motel-in-the-Meadow in Chester? ($70.00 including kitchenette - not bad) Miguel

Being the cyberly challenged one that I am, I'm amazed at what you are doing right now. For the benefit of us poor folks that won't arrive until Friday night, perhaps you can see fit to post up your impressions of the runs after you've had the chance to ride tomorrow. Have a blast and drive carefully. Miguel

Now that's funny Jack!

From a BOL Junior Member to a Senior Member that is! Kewl man really kewl! Does that mean people will finally take my advice seriously? Also, does this qualify me for the BOL Secret Decoder Ring and/or access to the Secret Handshake? All congatulative gifts, cards and gratuities should be forwarded to the Okemo Main Lodge. I'll be picking up my loot at the Carvers Gone Wild Fest. I'm feeling the love already. Senor Miguel :D

It probably has to do with how badly you broke it. I broke mine in two places and was out for most of the season. I think I broke it the second time out. Most bones typically take about six weeks. I had quite a bit of lingering pain and range of motion issues but eventually it all went away. It also leaves a really cool knob on your collarbone. Mine was big enough to hang your clothes on...a great conversation starter in the hot tub. You seem to making good progress so maybe it's not too bad. Good luck!

I reread your post, especially the part about the speed. If you're getting lower, angulating more and setting your downhill edge sooner, the speed will take care of itself. Your turns will tighten up like you've never dreamed. This in turn will blead off speed. I've found that I actually NEED steeper runs to accomplish the tight angulated turns that I now crave. I mean, there's turning and then there's TURNING! When I attempt turns like that on the mellower runs I used to seek, the speed diminishes to the point where it won't sustain the centrifical force needed to keep me up. Discovering this new level of riding is like receiving the keys to the kingdom, snatching the pebble from the master's hand and having the proverbial lightbulb turned on all at the same time!:D Can you tell I'm psyched or what? I'm not by any means trying to blow my own horn....I kinda feel like I've been "born-again". I recall attending the ECES a few years ago and watching with envy as guys like Shaggy, PSR, CMC and others came down the steeper runs with such grace, power and control. It's really quite simple...stay low, angulate, and get on your edges sooner. Well....maybe not quite that simple but it's a darn good start.

This thread really hit home for me. To begin with, forget about the age thing. I started boarding at the age of 41...that was 17 years ago....do the math. I too have always had a fear of carving hard on steeper runs....until this year. I feel like I've made a drastic breakthrough this year and no longer avoid steep runs but actually seek them out. I feel confident on all but the hardest ice. I've concentrated on three distinct areas. 1) Staying much lower...always thought I was but was just fooling myself. 2) I angulate much more. When I think I've angulated enough I push it just a bit more and don't let up. 3) I switch edges sooner...before the nose of the board ever starts to point downhill. I'm always on the downhill edge before the nose heads south. I also always make sure the turn leads straight across the fallline to keep the speed somewhat in check. I'm having more fun and riding better at the age of 58 that ever before. You can do it...just be persistent and work on the basics. Oh yeah....sharp edges help too! One more thing....relax! Hope this helps.

Ha.....you think it's just kids praying for snow days off? How about their teachers! (read....me!) I'll be setting my alarm even earlier for tomorrow except I won't be heading to school!:D

I agree with carve2carve. I allow width to dictate angles. On my 19.5 Donek I ride 55/50, Coiler all mountain 21.5 I ride 45/40 and my 23 Incline I ride 35/30. The past couple of years I've drifted to lower angles but recently I find myself liking steeper angles. Go figure! Is there ever an end to the search for the perfect setup? I'm bringing my freakin' wrench to the slopes this weekend! I LOVE experimenting!

I was riding the lift up at night when I heard a sickening sound, that without even looking, I was able to identify as a human body hitting something very hard. Sure enough, at the base of a telephone pole, laid a crumpled up skier. It seems he went off a natural jump on the side of the run but failed to see the pole in the shadows. That was many years ago but I can still hear that sound as if it were yesterday...not a pleasant experience.

I break out the Donek Incline with boots in the walk mode. I guess I'm not good enough to ride the skinny board in the bumps.

If you all recall, I started a thread asking advice abpout a tuning vise. A total stranger (Rusty), said he had just purchased one that day at TJ Max's for $7:00 and that he would be glad to pick one up for me. Well...guess what...he did and it's in the mail as I speak. Mind you now, he doesn't know me from a hill of beans, other than the fact that I'm a fellow carver. Also keep in mind that no money has yet been exchanged. I think that's a really kewl thing to do and wanted to publically acknowledge it. Rusty is going to the SES in Colorado. (which I'm frankly a little jealous about) I wish him days filled with sunshine, perfectly groomed hero snow and copious amounts of good karma! Thanks, Rusty PS...the cash will be on it's way this afternoon. :)

He he...the joys of teaching...I'm on my prep period, thank you very much! Who's to say what I'm preparing for! Awesome about the vise...maybe it'll get here in time for me to use it this weekend. I'll check my email next and get that money in the mail. Muchas grassy ass!, Miguel

I'm there! Thanks for the Mt Ellen tip. One more question if I may....any leads on reasonable lift/lodging combos. Thanks, Miguel

Because EVERY turn is a bottom turn!:p I'm no Gerry Lopez or Mike Doyle but I was surfing when they were surfing and thus know the joys of a bottom turn. IMHO, surfing is great but carving is even better.

Tommy I appreciate that response about the crowds. I had wondered about the crowds in the southern part of the state. We're not limited to anywhere...it just means a bit more driving which I'm more than willing to do. I will definitely look into Sugarbush. I think I was there once years ago and remember it being quite nice. Isn't that the one with the almost endless view at the top? I also recall one trail with many hairpin turns that was really kewl. Yeah....I think I'll go to Sugarbush!!:)

Where's the best bang for the buck in Vermont? We're going to Vermont for the President's Weekend. I'm considering Mount Snow but I'm not sure of the quality of the carving. The lift tickets are reasonable and they seem to have quite a few lifts for the size of the place. We're open to any place other than Stratton, Okemo and killington as we've been there several times in the past. Any suggestions? Looking for cruisers.

One of my boards is an Incline and I ride it with hard boots all the time. That little sucker carves like a Banshee! Having said that...it is a board that could easily be ridden with either hard or soft boots. Don't be afraid to crank it up though...it'll stick just like it's big brother! It's a really fun all around board. Enjoy!

One of my boards is the Donek Incline, which I suppose would be considered a BX board. I'm always amazed at how well that board holds an edge. It's the best do anything...go anywhere board I've ridden. If I had to settle for one board only, that would probably be the one.

Rusty Hell yes!!! I hate to put you out but if you're willing to do it I'd really appreciate it. Let me know how much to make it work and I'll fire you off a check or something. That's really generous of you. If you want to email me it's msupple@stny.rr.com Thanks and a handshake in thought, Miguel

Has anyone used the Swix snowboard vice that has the four suction cups attached to it? There are two cups that attach the vice to a smooth surface and two more that attach the board to the vice. It also has a slot for edge tuning. It seems like it would be an inexpensive, simple vice that would be great for traveling. Any experiences with this vise? BTW...it would be my ONLY vice.