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MNSurfer

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Posts posted by MNSurfer

  2. Buck Hill 20/21

    in Great Lakes

    Posted

    The sun is out (for the first time in what seems like weeks), and if people look at the forecast, I'm guessing they might see this as the last "warm" day, for quite some time. That could bring a crowd out, for sure!

  4. Back to Basics - An Introspection

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    Well, it's good to know I'm not completely nuts. @JRAZZ nailed it, with equipment getting the better of you.

    Yes, @lonbordin there's nothing like being stranded in rental softboots. My Track 700's (two pairs, both fairly new) have busted more times than I care to count, leaving me "limping" down the mountain, then struggling to find a boot place that can/will fix them. My UPZ RC12's? Bulletproof. 

     

    One or two more trips out West, yet this year. If this goes unused, to the Sale forum it goes.

    • Like 1

  6. Back to Basics - An Introspection

    in Carving Central

    Posted · Edited by MNSurfer
    spelling

    Disclaimer: The following is just a bit of an IMHO-style rant. Your mileage will vary.

    After riding the last 10-days at Breck and Beaver (not another 'booter in-sight, less we count Ryan K and his Crew), I've come to the conclusion that... perhaps simpler is better? I've spent the last decade or more experimenting with Plates, Step-Ins, etc., and what I've come-away with is that, for a rider of my ability (eg. non-racer, not exactly EC on every turn), this is all just Noise. And dangerous noise, at that.

    A younger me had the time to inspect every bolt, tweak, ride, tweak some more, inspect, repeat. That younger me also didn't think much about the repercussions of gear failure. Now, creeping through my 40's with two little girls, the thought of being on the AIL from something as trivial as a cracked heel nut, has become terrifyingly real (just peruse the Forum). An injury-inducing accident is always possible, of course. However this seems to become exponentially more likely as you add more and more hardware.

    My most enjoyable days are without plates, and without heels. Just 4-bolts through the binding. I still enjoy the ride of my AF and V2 Plates, and step-ins help keep me charging (I only ride with skiers). With every laid-out turn, I can't quite get past the thought of hardware failure, and that Less Is More. So here we are, pulling-off heels, and converting bindings back to their original form.

     

    Part of me feels as if this is a step (or several) backwards. Has anyone else come "Full Circle"?

     

    Cheers, and thanks for listening to my little rant. -Brian

     

  7. Stupidity in the liftline

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    On 1/23/2021 at 8:24 PM, JRAZZ said:

    That's easy. I have one from this week.

    The American Flyer lift in Copper is a "bubble covered" lift that is really nice when it's cold. It has some really nice padded seats, is exceptionally long and reaches super long groomers that are a blast to carve on. However, this design makes it so you can't hook your arm around or under the seat backrest. This causes people to fall off at loading with hilarious regularity. They usually sit down, reach for their phone (because how can you not check your phone while on the lift) and promptly fall off. I've lost count of how many I've seen.

    I've had a snowboarder come up and try to join me this week only to disappear under the seat as it was about to be picked up by the high speed line. Idiot.

    I was there, second chair, the morning it opened (what, 2-seasons ago?). Good god, what a disaster. I think it stopped no less than 10-times, on the way up the hill. I never rode it again.

  11. Altitude Advice

    in The Lodge

    Posted

    Cocoa leaves would be the bee's knees (mother in-law was in Peru, and it worked like a champ for her). Yeah, we have humidifiers in every room, running MAX the whole time.

    My water intake is about 2-gallons per day, which is just slightly behind the Coors input.

  12. Altitude Advice

    in The Lodge

    Posted

    We've had a place at Breck now for 6 or 7 years. It's at 9600', and I'm a flatlander. It doesn't matter if I'm out there for a few days, or an entire month, but I never feel 100%. Maybe 93% is the best I can do. Though I'm never 'sick', I always feel just a bit 'wonky'. I've been doing out-West trips for 20+ years, and this is always the way it's been; As soon as I get back to DIA, everything is back to fine. I've always just accepted this as 'way of the playground', but it's getting kind of old.

    Oddly enough, when there in the Summer, I don't have this issue. Weird?

    Anyway, just wondering if there is any tips or advice to staying as optimal as possible, when at altitude for extended periods of time. Oh and please don't tell me it involves less bourboun.

     

  14. Speed is my enemy

    in Carving Central

    Posted · Edited by MNSurfer
    Typo

    8 hours ago, Jack M said:

    Remember to LOOK where you want the carve to go.  In between carves, turn your head, and look at the spot where you want the next carve to end.  Carve there.

    If you're looking downhill you're doing it wrong.

    No truer words. 

    After years of 'technique building', this little piece of wisdom has been far and away the most meaningful. 

    Don't get me wrong, I still stuck at this. But I suck with waaaaaay more style and finesse. 

    • Haha 2

  16. Afton 20/21

    in Great Lakes

    Posted

    The first several days of January have been tip-top, in the Alps. Snow is shockingly good, both in quality and coverage (I think there we just two closed runs, yesterday). No crowds, or at least they're spreading people out, around the resort.

    As a season pass holder, reserving dates, etc., couldn't be easier. Four taps on the phone, and Done. A couple of friends had to figure-out their Passes, and the staff was as helpful and pleasant as can be. Say what you want about Vail Corp., but man they have their act together, big time.

    From a safety standpoint, it's 99% masks. For better/worse/indifferent, you could count the unmasked on a hand or two. Plenty of space in the lift lines. Outside bars aren't open (at least not on the weekdays), and apparently they're frowning upon Tailgating. We had a BBQ set-up at Chair 7, and maybe got the stink-eye, once.

     

    Hearing all BS at Buck, Welch, and that, I'm plenty happy to give Vail my money.

     

  20. Ski Lift Chair(s)???

    in Want to Buy

    Posted

    We're looking to buy one, two or three ski lift chairs, preferably 2 or 3-person. I've skimmed the cyberspace a bit, but have come-up short. Anyone have an idea of where to procure old chairs? I'm fine with refurbishing them, so condition isn't necessarily an issue,

    Thanks!

    -Brian

  21. River Surfing

    in Summer Carving

    Posted

    My last trip to Orange County (August), I was shocked at how many WaveStorms were in the lineup. And people were riding them really well! This was my first trip to Cali in several years. I paddled-out pre-dawn, and by the time I could make people out, I saw a half dozen Storms. I thought, When did Sunset go to the kooks? Then these guys were just ripping. So yeah, the boards can take a hit, but depending on the user, they can be fun.

    • Like 1

  23. New Board Porn 20/21

    in Carving Central

    Posted

    15 hours ago, Mr.E said:

    180x 21cm T4 Contra, custom long sidecut freecarver. With some juju and special requests.

    Nominally a 17.8m (16-26 Contra shakerupper). Ready to cruise into next winter.

     

    IMG_20200319_124738.jpg

    If you're ever looking to sell this, please, please, please keep me on the short list. 🙏 

    • Like 1

  24. Lutsen

    in Great Lakes

    Posted

    Looks like Lutsen is open, and is getting a nice amount of snow. The website doesn't mention anything about closures.

     

    Anyone have insight as to their operations? Like many of us, I all of a sudden have some free time. 

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