Kurt Swanson

We will be at Park City Thursday and Monday, Brighton Friday and Solitude Sunday

I think the (mainstream) snowboard industry is missing out on an opportunity here. My impression is that they could care less about anyone over thirty-five. What about the guy/girl who is thirty-five or older, has no interest riding in the park or hitting jumps (bad knees?) anymore, has been riding for fifteen years and now is maybe looking for a bit of a change? Why not focus on boards for grown-ups? Make them stiffer and better at holding an edge. Suggest more of a forward stance for carving, if they like that sell 'em stiffer soft boots. A small portion will get hooked and will make the jump to hard boots. I'm amazed at how many people ride with a duck-stance and never ride switch. You're body is facing forward 90% of the time, shouldn't your feet as well? Okay, rant over

I'm going to be in Park City next week and was wondering what runs people might suggest for carving out there. I'll be riding there Thursday and Monday. Thanks!

No boot fitter, I just went up a size. The funny part is that when I first started my stance was much wider, too wide as it turns out, so I was fighting that combined with poor carving technique. No wonder that my feet couldn't wait to get out of those boots.

I have struggled with getting my boots to fit properly for several seasons. My feel are long, narrow and very flat. It was suggested a few years back that I go up one liner size and that should take are of the the "volume" issue inside my boots. Well my current liners are packed out enough to where I needed to replace them. Went from a M27.0 to M28.0 Intuition power wrap liner that fit surprisingly easy into my Deeluxe Track 325 boots with footbeds inside as well. The fit feels very snug and I can't wait to try them out.

The speed, acceleration, precision are what keeps me carving and trying to improve. Also the relentless pursuit of the "perfect" turn. On a good day I can still feel the turns in my head and body hours later...

We have already made reservations to stay in Park City. I'm planning on riding two days there and one day each at Brighton and Solitude. In the past we have purchased lift tickets in Salt Lake on our way up to the mountain, but I'm wondering if anyone knows of discounts online or in Salt Lake?

My wife and I are planning a trip to Utah this March and we will be staying somewhere in Park City. (haven't nailed down lodging yet) Where are the best deals on lift tickets for Park City, Brighton and Solitude to be found? Thanks, Kurt

Thanks for the info guys! Winter started really strong for us here in Michigan, but it kind of ran outta' gas for January & February. In fact it's raining here (again) today. Grrrrr...... How's a guy supposed to get in shape for a ski trip, if he can't get a bunch of runs in ahead of time? Dang.

Planning a trip to Denver the second week of March. I will be going to Vail, Keystone, A-Basin and Copper while I"m out there. Just curious on the snowfall this year. Launched a new business last year and have had my head so buried in the sand I haven't' been able to keep track of what's going on out west. Haven't seen any of the the Olympics and I heard there was some sort of election a year ago?

Holy crap. Someone put my picture on the homepage of my local hill. http://www.crystalmountain.com/ I had know idea that they were going to do this. So glad I'm dragging my inside hand (again) in the shot....... 'doh!

Any suggestions on a really good edge/ base tuning tool?

west carven, More pictures here: http://s655.photobucket.com/user/Tsunamibay/library/Stingrays?sort=3&page=1

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I will contact those places you came up with. I'm really hoping to find a buyer closer to home (Michigan) as the bikes, even though they are stored in crates, are not sturdy enough to be shipped. I would most likely have to deliver them myself. A delivery to Colorado this winter could be interesting though...

...Or maybe I should ask if anyone out there knows of someone with lots of disposable income and a fondness for vintage Schwinn bikes. Let me explain. I participated in a big art show in my hometown of Grand Rapids MI last year. My entry was three full-size Schwinn Stingrays made completely out of wood. In a public vote my work finished in the top twenty out of 1,500 other artists. I've been trying to sell the bikes for the past year. I contacted bike shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants. But no luck yet. Anyone here know of someone who might be interested in taking one, or all three off my hands? I'm starting at asking $4000 for each, but that is negotiable. More pictures here: http://s655.photobucket.com/user/Tsunamibay/library/Stingrays?sort=3&page=1

Board has been sold. Thanks Neil!

nekdut, I have a new email address. It is kurtswanson dot mi at gmail dot com. The old one is not valid anymore. I just updated my account to the new address. Sorry for the confusion.

Up for sale is my Donek Freecarve 1. This is the one with the "Olympic" construction. Board is in great shape with the usual blemishes one would expect of a board of this age. I've owned the board for 5 years and I believe I'm the 3rd owner. I had the base ground once. Plenty of edge left. Fun board to ride. Asking $150 plus shipping. Thanks for looking. SOLD Kurt

Yes, they are gone. Shipped last week.

Email me your address and let me know what stiffness you want for your springs. Soft medium or hard.

I won a BTS Kit at a raffle recently and since I already have a BTS Kit on my current boots, I have no need for an additional set. So, since I got 'em for nothin' that's exactly how much I'm selling them for. Nothin'. I only ask that if you already have a kit or could easily afford one you let someone else (maybe someone you know) have these. I can get whatever spring combination you need, just let me know. My email is kurtswanson dot mi @ gmail dot com

Hey, thanks for all the info on the parking situation. I'm assuming it's possible to rent lockers to stow a backpack at all locations as well?

So what's the deal with parking at Buttermilk, Snowmass and Highlands? I'm staying 10 miles out from Aspen. Should I drive in and try to find parking at the resorts, or drive in and park near a local bus stop?

Hey Tim, I remember riding with you a couple of seasons ago. I'm looking to get some feedback in improving my riding technique. I know I'm doing some things wrong, but not sure what. I plan on being at Crystal Mountain Sunday February 1st. We can meet at Buck first thing in the morning if that works for you. Thanks, Kurt

Crystal Mountain in Michigan, that is.