Miltie

Anybody heading up for the weekend? Will probably be at June on the 11th and possibly Mammoth on 12th. Post up if you will be there. Thanks! Tom

Theo, Shoot me an email. I have TD2 or TD3. Also have E rings. Thanks! Tom

Mark, Nice work on the videos! Good luck to you and your team. Hope you have some success in Europe! Thanks! Tom

John, You are correct - the weak link on the SB series is the outside cant mechanism. I weigh about 160ish and have blown out the outside cants on all my SB boots over the years. :( The inside mechanisms seem to hold up better. When I lived in Japan, I could get some aluminum inserts at my local alpine shop to replace the outside serrated cant mechanism. I have also done the epoxy route when I could not get the insert parts. You might try the epoxy route as an option. I ordered new cants from Michelle at BOL and epoxied them before installing. That way I had all the necessary replacement bolts/hardware and new serrated pieces. There was a thread here on BOL detailing how to do the epoxy route but I am unable to locate it. I agree with Snowboardfast that you should consider a stiffer boot at your weight. I run Track 700Ts with BTS when I am riding my longer/stiffer boards. They seem to provide more support. I still use my SBs for powder days and when I am out with my kids on shorter boards. Hope that helps. If you want a photo of a cant mechanism that I have epoxied, shoot me a PM. Best regards, Tom

Fin and Michelle, Nice new site! Like the updates. The Store functions including "shopping bag" and "continue shopping" are much improved. Thanks for your hard work and keeping the stoke for Apline riding alive. You guys rule! Tom

Alex, Got mine this week. Fantastic job! Nice content and print quality is excellent. Looking forward to the next edition. Congratulations on making this happen!! Best regards, Tom

Lowrider, Great topic. Last season I was running front axle under ball of foot and rear axle under the heel of rear foot when possible based Fin's suggestion. This was pretty much when I could get the plates mounted the way I wanted. I REALLY like the UPM set-up and prefer this over using the 4X4 mounts because this makes mounting easier. Just FYI - Most of my riding was freecarving and most of experience is with Bomber BP and Donek Plate. I just got the new Donek 4X4 hardware but have not had chance to mount it yet. Seems like it will help a lot with positioning. As Bryan mentioned, there are so many variables depending on board inserts and plate dimensions/hardware dimensions. Positioning is key. Think there is much more discussion to be had on this subject. Thanks!! Tom

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for a fun day! Wish my "desk legs" would have lasted a few runs longer. Guess I need to get in shape for SNES this year. Thanks for Andrea and Mike for taking the time to shoot photos and carrying that extra weight on the hill. We have a good crew and lots of stoke for carving! See you guys again soon. Thanks again!! Tom

Will be heading up for the festivities but will probably need to leave mid-afternoon. Looking forward to meeting everyone. Should I bring a rock board? Updated list: Andrea....carvingchef Julian......Arclite Lance.....Slopestar George....GeorgeS Aaron.....OVR Albert.....bullwings Kerry......surfnsnow Mike.......swiss racer Rob .......rus_11 George....Gcarve Brooke....SnowNBeachAddict Carlo..... Luca.......Zeta Tre Mary.......Majoan Tom........Miltie

Marc, That stance explanation is part of VHS video released in Japan around 2002 or so. Sigi was on the cover. I have a copy somewhere in a box which is still unpacked after my move back to US. That entire video is pretty good. The stance section with Nicolas Conte was definitely a game changer for me as it helps you understand how the alignment of your knees, hips and shoulders all need work together. Thanks for sharing! Tom

Digger, Just did a quick comparion of 3 degree base plates. The new BP has a smaller footprint compared to TD2(middle) and TD3(right). For height.... the new BP is roughly 15mm, the TD2 is just under 19mm and the TD3 is about 23mm. As far dampening... the isolation plate itself does most of that so the base plate / elastomer rings can be less substantial. Photos attached for reference. Happy New Year! Tom

George, Thanks for the tip! Does this price include holidays and weekends? Thanks! Tom

Ink, Tell your little dude he looks like a pro already. How old is he? My daughter (7) is finally linking solid turns in softies and my son (just turned 5 and also named Kai) is about ready to starting linking turns. My son is already trying to hit jumps and is sliding boxes. Guess I better order that P-Tex gun. Cool video! Enjoy your quality time with KarverKai! Tom

My new custom widened 167 Ax arrived. Waist is 23.5 cm with glass construction but VSR/decambered nose/tail from Metal Ax. Will be running Bomber Power Plates on this with soft bindings (small feet). Plan to try a plate on this too so I had Sean build it with UPM inserts. Hoping we get some snow soon!

Hey Lance, Glad to hear you had a fun day. How was the coverage over at East? Any bare or thin spots? Are they planning to put in the rails/jumpsd this year? Thinking of some possible weekday runs up there. Thanks! Tom

Al, Just got back from Mammoth/June yesterday. Went to June on 12/20 with my wife and little kids. Only the lower J2 lift was running because that is where their snowmaking equipment is located. Only one run was available. Gunsmoke had several small bushes or pines poking through the snow. They need a 2 foot dump or more to get the place up and running. We stayed in June and the hotel owner was watching the weather several times per day. Apparently no significant snow is forecasted through December. :( Start praying dude! Happy Holidays! Tom

Neil, Interesting you should post this today. Was at Mammoth with my family today. You are right they must have the code incorrect or must have been be brainwashing those on the mountain today. Was over by Canyon Lodge and watched my 5 year old almost get run over several times. He was side slipping down the fall line most of the time. I ended having to provide a human shield and slide slip behind him. So much for the down hill skier/boarder having the right of way. They need snow here bad! Tom

Gainor, Welcome! I have also used SkiNet Sports and was pleased. Claude knows his stuff when it comes to boot fitting. Tom

Yo Theo, Nice. Looks like a steep pitch. Mt. High? How are the USASA events going? Have fun! Tom

Went to upper mountain with my family today. Mainly stayed around the main lodge most of the day. A few bare spots here and there and got a few nice digs in my base and edges. They really need some snow!! Bring your rock board until they get a major dump.

Mine arrived today. Nice work Fin!

Fin, I watch what the racers are using for brands/set-ups...etc. When it comes time to buy gear for freecarving, I try to practically apply what is possible from the racers (usually SL decks). I don't get enough time on the mountain and lack the intestinal fortitude to push a 185 race deck around the mountain. I do, however, like the new race VSR deck shapes but of the freecarve variety. My buying decisions, however, are usually based on brand loyalty, geek factor, quality, durability and availability. Some of the racer gear is hard to get and less than stellar quality. I am into gear that lasts. Thanks for asking. Tom

Tommy - check your email. Thanks! Tom

Tommy, Sent you a PM. Let me know if you don't receive it. Thanks! Tom

Thanks Big Canuck dude! I want even more now. Thanks! Tom