Tabatha

It is in the car for Tuesday - I will give it to Phil for you to try and see how it works. If it does; keep it. If not; we burn it.

Am I supposed to bring extra bindings that I have? I am not sure who they are spoken for. Ian; can you confirm. If I have time and energy (reading I am feeling very lazy today) I will remove them from the burn-board. If not, the burn-board will be at Vorlage on Tuesday with bindings for whomever needs them. I have a request: Can we start at 6:45? I find getting to the hill and being ready to ride for 6:30 really tight. Could we say 6:30 for 6:45? Unless people are really against this and need to start at 6:30. I know you said you would be open to how people felt about start time ... putting it out there. Maybe a poll?

Happy Dance!!!

I am up for a road trip ... would prefer to car-pool. I didn't think MSM would be great ... didn't realise it would be so BAD. Wow; last weeks weather really did a number on our hills. In other news however; it is snowing!!! Coffee time too!

Yeah!!! Hill party! I would be up for giving Calabogie a second chance, or even MSM. Rickety is interested in joining us, if he does, perhaps MSM is not the best choice. Ryans party-happy to go to his pick!

I used to work at Environment Canada, so I can safely say; don't believe anything anyone from Environment Canad a tells you. I am sure they will update that by Monday. I remember at one point they were saying that Sunday would be -20 as well!

Johnny, The sessions are a very gracious offer from Ian to help us with our technique on a weekly basis at Vorlage. Last week we went over balance and all learned from his insight. I believe there are six planned sessions, every Tuesday night at Vorlage. I am driving Rick up for the sessions. If you really need a ride, I can fit you into my car as well. Although I think if you ask nicely, you will find others live far closer to you ... I can't do pick-up because I am East and you are West, but I could pick you up at in the LCBO parking lot at Rideau and King Edward. DM me on Sunday to confirm. Tabatha

Your dad is going to have a busy weekend!!! Crazy snowboarders!

I do! I do!!! And Sunday should be warmer than ... well, warmer than this, but luckily not as warm as last week! Where are we going? I am open to anything. PS: We might have turned another one - after Tuesday night, Rick is pestering me to go out again!

And so the Proton returns to the "to be burned" pile ... are we actually going to do it? Does anyone want to help ... the only way I will stop offering it is if it isn't in my garage!!! Paul - Enjoy the Donek!

I am going to say it ... and Ian is going to shoot me down. But I have a board you can borrow; it is an Oxygen Proton and was my first board and JP's first board and neither of us did any harm to ourselves or the board. I will bring it next Tuesday. I will confirm bindings - not sure I have some, but just in case, let me know if you are goofy or regular.

What is this mythical beautiful fluffy white stuff of which you speak? We are in an ice-trap ... can you send some our way? Please?

I want to echo Ryan's comments! A big thank0you to Ian who came out, shared his passion and insight with us despite both terrible conditions and his lingering cold. Can't wait to see everyone next week - what a wicked group of people. Like I said; Ottawa is slowly become a small northern hub for carvers! :)

Storm passing over the Gats - can see it from the office windows ... confirming that the percipitation is white and fluffy! There is home for us.

Make the rain stop ... MAKE IT STOP! Urg. This is horrible.

I said it because I knew Ian would tell me to burn it! I didn't think you would jump on the Proton-hate band wagon as well! Where is the love people? And based on my life in 2012, I would prefer to not have a season ending fire! But if you like ... I can bring it and you can tell me if it sucks as much as he says it does! It is going in the car tomorrow. There will be one small girl, a brand new ski jacket at THREE snowboards for the dinkiest hill in Ottawa.

I have a Proton I can lead you. Gear update; new jacket was purchased this afternoon. I didn't go with either pink or purple so your eyes are saved the horror tomorrow from the possible glare or clash of the colours of a new jacket. It is actually a nice jacket and was a great price too! Happy Dance (well, apart from the fact that Ryan is also experiencing a gear crisis).

A friend and local skier put together a cheat sheet on deals in the hood. If you see Chris Dunn on the hills, buy him a beer as a thank-you (because he even called the hills to confirm the details!) Camp Fortune Tue - 2 for 1 nights ($29) Sat - 2 for 1 nights ($29) Edelweiss Tue - $17 nights (3-10pm) Sat - 2 for 1 nights ($33) Sun - 2 for 1 nights ($33) Mont Blanc Tue - Ladies Day - $20 lift ticket Wed - Mens Day - $20 lift ticket Mont Cascades Mon - half price nights ($32/$37) - to be confirmed Mont Ste Marie Mon - Ladies Day - $39 lift ticket with $12 lunch coupon included Tue - $20 Tuesdays Mount Pakenham Tue - 2 for 1 day & night ($30 day, $22 night) Sat - 2 for 1 nights ($22)

Party at Vorlage on Tuesday night ... a pre-lesson season warm-up? Especially since it is going to be warm and then rain on Wednesday. Rain? Really? Sigh ...

Anyone free tomorrow (Tuesday)? Pending the purchase of a new jacket ... mine met an unfortunate end yesterday during an all-out snow-war while snowshoeing! Who knew snowshoeing could be so dangerous! I can't do Wednesday or Thursday. But Sunday I am all about a bigger trip - anyone interested?

We are all really excited about the trip! Wow - just a few weeks and we will be rocking Owls Head and Jay Peak. And it is so nice to have friends joining us from the States as well. We still have (limited) space in the chalet, if anyone is interested. At less than $300 for six nights accomodation with a cool group of people who all revel in winter how can you go wrong? If you are still interested in joining for the week (or a few days) let me know!

I am sure we can help you out with rides. I would recommend that you look for when we are going out here: www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?38392-Ottawa-ride-thread And sign-up for Ian's awesomeness (don't tell him I said that - it will go to his head) here: http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?38724-Ottawa-Carving-Sessions-Jan-Feb There have actually been a few e-mails regarding gear in the Ottawa Valley, so the sooner you contact Ian, the quicker you can get into the loop. Seems like there is a lot of interest here to try carving. And even though Ian says I should burn the Proton - it is ridable in a pinch if the other boards are spoken for. Hope to see you on the hills soon

Vorlage it is! See everyone there. First chair is at 8:30!

Wow! Thanks Ryan - that was quite the reaction. I knew it was BAD, but not THAT bad! Note, I am trying to hit every hill again this season and Camp Fortune (for obvious reasons) is going to be the hardest to convince people to play with me on! Honestly, Sunday's are better there and yes, it is only worth it if you make it for first chair. My book marked website for all things snowboard in Ottawa: http://www.skiottawa.com/ Lists all the hills along with links to their websites and percentage open. The backside of Cascade looks open, although Vorlage currently has more terain open in terms of total runs. Chris - you in for tomorrow? Where do you want to go?

I can't believe I am about to suggest this ... but what about Camp Fortune? Since Ian isn't joining us ... ??? I would also be up for Vorlage!