lonbordin

Wasn't planning to be there... but the best laid plans. Hey... the loaf had fresh... was nice... too bad about the wind. I only did the hike to the T-bar twice... whew... Still, I rode many runs all by myself... at the Loaf! Unbelievable. The snow was soooo plush... had to not push it too hard or you'd just slow down. (The roads to the Loaf from Camden were... difficult in the rental van... easy does it!) Rode the lift multiple times with a Canadian ski team coach... he was cool said he has a couple of carving sticks. He told me I'd like the conditions and he was right! That could spoil a feller'. https://photos.app.goo.gl/akJ8DsQotbAnH2x29

Yup... I follow the freeze thaw cycle... The runs are so much longer... Hit it last Thursday. Decent snow Photos-https://photos.app.goo.gl/JNNXqUz1yMSbK45fA Was going to go Sat and Sun but they closed due to conditions... so... da' Loaf.

Pics not working.

One thing was solidified in my mind with this video. There's some seriously fantastic snow in Korea. Every freaking video is showing seriously plush snow. Also that the Czech Republic makes boards for everyone.

Last day was yesterday. The difference between Saturday and Sunday is due to Vail Co. HQ's mismanagement saying Paoli could no longer make snow so long ago. Regular years they would've made some snow stores which would've allowed them to patch the runs. The rainstorm Saturday night completely erased most of the snow on the top of the hill. Without that snow we could not access half of the resort. So, while there was plenty of snow on Grabers and Wallnut Alley we could not reach them, so Paoli ran only one lift. The family trail was actually fairly normal. The park was deteriorated but not terrible. Mindbender and powerline (powerline didn't really exist) were actually dangerous as the snow was melting underneath at such a rate that fissures were opening up everywhere on the upper part of the run. It was warm in the upper 60's. A fitting end to a poorly managed EPIC experience. I got 28 "days" out of the 31 "days" they were open. I will not renew my EPIC pass next season. I will buy the local pass and travel to independent resorts when I travel. I've learned my lesson MTN. Those who (SORRY!) have looked at my photos over the years will know that this was the worse day I've ever shot, not even close. Photos-https://photos.app.goo.gl/4oKEVvRT2urbxhme7

Did ya' know we don't have vehicle inspection in Indiana... always interesting vehicles on the road. Speaking of interesting, stepping onto the snow at open today wearing a t-shirt, my impact vest, and a pair of surf trunks because it's 66f. That was a new one. Speaking of new, got first paying customer tracks on Mindbender and Grabers... it wasn't busy. Since we are a top-down resort and snowmobiles are now highly restricted the lifties ski or board down, then the ski patrol, and then the paying customers. Speaking of paying, the "slopeside shop" is now open... you can pay $35.00 to advertise Vail Co and cover your skin at the same time. Speaking of skin, I did get some scrapes on my one wipeout in the park... maybe going for fully laid out toe side wasn't my best idea, especially later in the day. Speaking of ideas, I'm glad I decided to go. The conditions were far better than expected and held up under the heat much longer than I expected. Speaking of heat, it got to 73+ at 12:15. The grass beside the snow was shimmering from the amount of melting snow running off and the "creeks" beside the runs were babbling. Babbling is what I'm doing because I'm tired so I leave you with some pictures. Rain in the forecast tomorrow, this might have been it. Photos-https://photos.app.goo.gl/T553dteFHjnMojMf9

Ah, I was right... You're used to very little ankle articulation. Here's a video of someone going the other direction I'm not here to tell you one is better than the other... But I will suggest there's a happy medium that might lead to greater performance. Good luck.

Stay calm @slabberand carve on! (this is "normal" here ) Vail Co. is just providing an EPIC experience at Paoli Peaks.* Back at Paoli this afternoon. We have three runs open on Thursday and Friday, thank you very much! Saturday and Sunday we will have FIVE runs open. FIVE! I heard @Mike Blanz will also be there tomorrow morning. Should be chilly 66f/18.9c at open. Will peak at 76f/24.4c... bring your sunscreen! Snow was decent to start with as it had reached freezing overnight... but softened quickly. I really focused on tight carves, staying stacked, maintaining speed. Had a blast. The park was super fun... plenty of hips to work into your carve flow. Some of my carves were so deep... all the way to the ice baby. Sorry skiers! Photos (NSFL)- https://photos.app.goo.gl/kswTYGhbEpnbRD7Z9 *We would have more snow, hell we could've been 100% open, but MTN (Vail Corporate) decided the Midwest shouldn't blow anymore snow way back in January because they have absolutely no clue how to run a Midwest resort. None, nada, zero. So thankful for the hard-working local mounting operations folk. Without them we wouldn't have had a season at all.

Paoli will be open @bobble 61f low/ 77f high predicted... Perfect...

When it lasts 200 days of riding before having to be replaced.

Got there around 1700... Snow was SOFT. Super soft. Dangerously soft. Paoli Powdah. Had some fun laps through the park... Like @GeorgeSsaid... pretty empty. I saw him on the cam earlier today. They did a good job with snow management. Looks like we'll make it through the weekend. Photos - https://photos.app.goo.gl/c7SpXQ7zyLcapUyf7

They are the same, I've owned both...

I don't have those anymore. The grey tongue is considerably stiffer/thicker than the rest of the UPZ shell and cuff plastic. As such when you lean into the boots the tongue will deform the plastics around it before it starts to bend. You're 85 pounds less than me and I'm going to guess shorter as well. I've owned DeeLuxe 700s with the stock lean setup and 425 Pros with the green "stiff" tongues so I'm aware of the feel of those boots. I'm guessing you are just not used to riding with any ability to articulate your ankle. You are now able to articulate your ankle and you're thinking this is soft and soft is bad or at least soft is really different for you. I would encourage you to try your newfound ankle "freedom" as you might find it allows your riding to improve or maybe you prefer the Nevin camp-

Wait... That's not normal?!

W00t. They are going to be open... last four days. I'll probably be late for you Thursday...

Swoard Extremecarver gen. 5 168 cm H hardboot snowboard https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/spo/d/brighton-swoard-extremecarver-gen-cm/7441560581.html

@Carvin' Marvinyou wrote that you asked to carry additional thickness to the edges. How does that change feel underfoot? Did it make a big difference in torsional stiffness? Mahalo...

Saw this https://www.ebay.com/itm/284637936542 Description says selling 26.5 Head boots. Good luck.

Gorgeous day... warm... got up to 49f. Still the snow held. Fun runs to be had all over. My last run through the park was super fun. Really enjoyed riding with @Mike Blanz Good turns! Have to wonder if this was it... cover on the top part of the hill was thin... They have snow on the tube hill they could bring over, but I don't think that will happen... we will have to wait-n-see. Photo- https://photos.app.goo.gl/MzgaY61SVpZ9wNMg6

Shred's 168SGX- https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/spo/d/chicago-oxess-168-alpine-snowboard/7450393388.html It was for sale on the forum a little while back- https://forums.alpinesnowboarder.com/topic/49460-oxess-sgx-168/ 186 Virus WC- https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/spo/d/chicago-virus-gs-186-worldcup-evolution/7450393070.html Rabanser Alpine Race Snowboard 180 on fleabay- https://www.ebay.com/itm/334306749184?hash=item4dd63c2b00:g:lQUAAOSwkY5h8kZ2 More interestingly there's a carver in Carmel selling the Rabanser...

How old are those?

So, the Triple is on hold as they extricate a guy and his backpack from hanging off the lift at the top, and I head over to CTEC1. In line about to get on when out of nowhere I hear "Oh, man!" I look behind me and one of the heads of operations (also chief groomer) walks up and says, "Man, those new morning guys hate you!" I blurt out, "Whaaat?" He says, "They can't get rid of your trenches." We laughed and fist bumped. Apparently, the new morning groomers don't know how to operate the groomer blade as most of PP "grooming" consists of running the groomer over an area and use of the rear grinder and sweep. This place...

Sorry, work had issues. We can both blame Putin as he caused those issues... jerk. Back today. Firstish run... it's a top-down resort people everyone gets to go at the same time! Legs said no mas at 1600... Great riding all day. The park was awesome later in the day. What a blast. The fields are turning green... time is short. https://photos.app.goo.gl/nbuujU56ves3vcRX9

Arrived later, ~5pm. The runs are ribbons again. Conditions were challenging and the Coiler isn't as good as my Donek was... ah, well. Saw some tracks in the park... Who? https://photos.app.goo.gl/UCYdDxQTxUAn9e2b6 Closing date is set for Sun, March 6th. Looking at the forecast tomorrow could well be Paoli's last day for this season. This am should be good.

I only made it to 16:15ish... I was done. Five hours with a brief water break was sufficient for these ole' legs.. plus it got up to 65f (18c) so it was quite warm. PaOLi pOwDeR!?! Open to close will have to wait another day. I did an interview for the local PBS station WTIU at PP. I let Vail Corporate have it while praising the local MTN OPS. I hope my sincere sentiment came through. **** Vail Corp leadership. I'm glad the stock analysts are saying much the same thing, funny how that happens when the stock drops $100 per share. The 22 March Vail statement ought to be interesting as the stock market is waiting to hear their plan for getting their sh*t together. It was classic Vail as they told the station they could be there, then they told them they'd have to leave, before finally telling them they could shoot B role. All of these decisions, like everything else, coming from Colorado not locally. Here I am at Paoli Peaks on President's Day, historically on of their biggest days, and only one lift is running, only half the hill is open, and the number of guests is ridiculously low. I've never seen the hill so empty on a holiday. Crazy times. I kept to one run for a few hours before eviscerating the rest of the hill. Photos- https://photos.app.goo.gl/QCbsbw4Gbtk9JtGF9