MNSurfer

When are they going to get the webcam(s) working???

Hello, I'm working in the east-side of Portland (Gresham?), this week. I'm half-tempted to drag-along the gear, as it looks like Skibowl is about 56-minutes away. I was thinking of hitting that up for some night skiing, one or two days this week. Anyway, I've never ridden in Oregon (just the cold, frozen north). How is it? Would it be worth the trouble? I see there are other places around, but that's about as far as I'd want to drive, I think. Thanks! -Brian

*** Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert carver, racer, etc. This is just two-cents I thought I'd share *** Short Review: This board is incredible. Buy it. Long Review: SPECS: Custom, 175, SSR 10M, 21.5, Standard Flex ME: 6'2", 175 lb, M30 Now on my second season on the REV, I find myself enjoying this board more, and more, with each run. I ride this as an all-mountain board, taking it on groomers, shoots and glades, and powder-filled bowls. That's in Colorado. In MN, it handles the rock-hard ice groom with ease. I think the width helps with powder days. As stated above, I'm not a perfect carver/booter. What I've found with this board is that I can take it out in any condition, and know that it will track perfectly, and respond instantly and expectedly. It can carve through several inches of CO fresh without any issue. I love being able to carve on Powder Days! What I love most about this board is the confidence, and absolute control it offers. It's like a freaking surgical knife. I love knowing if I lean a bit on the tail, it'll respond instantly. Oh, and did I mention the out-of-the-pocket speed this has? Straighten it out for a second, and this thing is moving. Simply put, for someone who's an 'average' carver, I find this board to be the one board I keep going back to. I'll head-out with one board, do a few runs, and then go get the REV. Every time, no matter what the conditions. Maybe I'm riding it wrong? All I know is this thing will do whatever you ask of it (except maybe go switch). Cheers! Brian

Anyone out-and-about over the Holidays? I've been out the last 4-days, and haven't seen another 'booter. I know, I know; LCI, etc. But Epic-Pass + House-next-to-Shock-Station = I'm riding Breck (and maybe A Basin). It's been surprisingly mellow, this week, given the holidays and all that. Nice fresh yesterday, but the wind is roaring today. We'll be here through the 30th.

Wetsuit technology has advanced leaps and bounds, in the last 10-years. We surf Lake Superior year-round, and for 6 or 7 months, the water temp is 32F, and during the winter, being out in -10F to 20F is par for the course. Anyway, many of now wear 5/4's on all but the absolute coldest days, as a modern 5/4 is arguably warmer then a 6/5 from several years ago. And of course more flexible! I like the Xcels. I'm broad-shouldered, 6'2", and 175, and a LT fits perfect. And I agree with Zone; the hood fits better than most. I tried a Patagonia, and man, that thing fit funky. Yes, lots of good options out there. Be thankful, as this wasn't the case a mere decade ago. http://www.cleanlinesurf.com

Ditto. I watched Endless maybe 20+ times before ever even first attempting to go surfing. I was enamored with the idea of the 'Surfari', which led to countless trips up and down the east, west and Lakes coasts, and internationally. Priceless experiences that I cherish, more than any ski trip, and that would never have happened had it not been for Bruce. Till the waves quit rolling in...

The guns are running full-bore. Right now not much is open, but starting regular hour on Friday. On the way to WI that day, so I'm hoping to get an hour's worth of turns in, on first lift.

Nice! And extra points for Landscape-mode.

I like the Gorilla Tape idea. That seems like it would actually work! Maybe my multitool won't be quite as multi, anymore.

Thanks for the info, Dan. yes, that's been confusing, when looking at ski areas. It's just totally different, and makes NA mountains look simple. I'll certainly need to try to figure this out. The one thing that's made things even more difficult, is that US resort maps are far, far more detailed, than European places I've looked at. Every trail is marked, base village maps, etc., where Euro piste maps are very uninformative. I like you comment about the pace of the day. That'll drive me a little nuts, but the old lady will certainly appreciate keeping it mellow.

While indulging in an impromptu, early-season session the other week (even got to take a few rides up the hill with Ryan Knapton. Closest I've come to a celebrity.), I found I had a problem; Ice on the rear heel == no clicky clicky. In my haste to get to first chair, I forgot my trusty ice-remover/Fireball-holder (pictured below). It was a pain to get the ice off, and it got me wondering; What do you use? Or better yet, how do you avoid/prevent ice build-up?

Side-by side, how I have they're almost exactly the same height, cant, etc., as my TD3's, and that's without using the risers. With the risers, it's like wearing high heels. Err, uh, so I'm told. Suppose I'll try it both ways. Yes, the F2's have a rubber bumper/ring on the bottom of the binding, so direct-to-board shouldn't be an issue. I do like Bombers use of hex, vs. Phillips/PoziDrive. Just a preference.

Thanks so much for the information. We don't have dates, as this is still a couple years away. Maybe 2020 or '21. But with one kid, and another in the works, I need to start getting my schedule/plan together as soon as possible. I like the idea of being able to ride several resorts; It seems like it would make lodging a lot easier, as you could just stay in one place for a few days.

Thanks for all the helpful tips. The bindings will literally go no wider/larger. They are at the end of adjustment. Fortunately, it works. I don't think there is any ability to tighten them. When the boot is engaged, yes, the toe bail moves forward a bit, but does not create any leeway for adjustment. Which I guess is fine. What do people with boots larger than M30's do? Probably ski. Regarding the foam pad, it sounds like something was not shipped correctly? It makes sense to me that, regardless of use of heel cant, you'd want one beneath each heel and toe. So if you were to go without one of them... the rear toe? I did notice that top cover piece feels kind of sloppy, and might require additional securement. All-in-all, and without riding them, I like the TD3 system better; Simple, few parts, metal. I just wish I had more confidence in actually being able to have gotten them.

I'm just getting into my first set of F2/Intec system and I have a few questions. First off, I have TD3's and Catec's on other boards, as a reference. 1. In the first pic, am I missing a part? I'm assuming each one of these pads goes beneath the toe, and heel. It seems as if one of pads is missing the, well, pad. If what I have is right, where does this 'in-padded' piece of rubber go? 2. Size. These are the 'L' version, and by gunboats are M30's. I have the bindings as wide as they will run, and the heel does click-in, and releases easily enough. Feels completely solid. What concerns me is that it's not a straight up-and-down motion, like I'm used to with the FinTecs; Instead it seems to slide forward a bit, and lock-in. Is this how this works, or am I running the risk of damaging something? 3. On another note, I've been told you can use Intec heels with Fintec receivers, but not the other way around. Is this right, or do I have that backwards? And why? The only difference I notice is the Intec heels have plastic guide tabs(?) on them, where Fintec are metal. Sorry for the dumb questions.

Fresh from fine folks at Donek. 175/11.5/21 Voyager.Hopefully get her out, next week. Thanks, Sean!

Doesn't look to be much traffic in here, but it can't hurt to post. Coming-up on 45, and I'm looking into taking the wife to the Tyrol/Bolzano area. I've always wanted to go there, as my grandmother and grandfather both emigrated from this area. We're the only family with our last name in the United States, and thought it would be fun to meet some distant relatives. And burn a few runs. So a couple of questions: If there for say a week, skiing 5-6 days, and not sure where we would stay (on or off mountain). 1. Where would you go? Again, in the Tyrol/Sudtirol region. 2. Are there certain dates to avoid, so as to avoid crowds? Even odd ones (think Presidents Day weekend, in the US)? I've paged-through dozens of resort webpages, and admittedly, it's a bit overwhelming. We're not looking for the biggest and baddest; Fun skiing, and as few a crowd as possible. And at 40-something, we don't really care about nightlife and such. Thanks! -Brian

Thanks for all the good info. Very much appreciated!

Probably a dumb question, but... How important is it to have the liners thermoformed at a Deeluxe outfitter/shop? I just get a new pair of Track 700's, and in several places it says to only have them formed at an authorized Deeluxe location. I guess they have of proprietary forming tools, or something? Is this accurate, or can a guy simply go to any reputable ski shop? Like I said, dumb question, but this is my first pair of new boots/liners, and I'd rather not mess them up. Thanks!

Oddly appropriate post. These were waiting for me what I got home from work! Bought and delivered in just a shade over a week. Thanks YYZ!

#1 Goal - Don't break anything. Equipment included.

Solid couple of days, on the Big Lake.

Speaking of points... This little gem should be firing the next couple of days. Cough cough. Here comes a sick day.

Thanks, all. I've poked around their sites, and it does look pretty light. I'll might have a stroll around. I was really hoping to find boots, but that doesn't seem all too likely.

I'll be working in SLC this week, and was wondering if there were any shops in the city that carry alpine/HB equipment. Thanks. -Brian