Freezer

Anybody have a source/recommendation for board bags? Looking for something to put the alpine boards in to throw in the back of the SUV. Want to protect from scuffs/scrapes, but don't need an airline/wheeled bag. Thanks!

I'll be the contrarian here. I've been hardbooting since 1992 and love it for carving on groomers. I've hardbooted plenty off piste, backcountry and heli, and I feel that while it can work, it's not optimal. Why? With hardboots I feel that you don't have the range of motion and mobility to move your body in the best way to ride powder and it ends up feeling restricted and your riding looks pretty stiff. If I were you, I'd look for some backcountry soft boots and pair them with some three strap bindings. Horses for courses and all...

I just got a new Angrry from Bruce last week. July build slot.

Just added a new Angrry, second from left, to my Coiler collection! I'll try it out this weekend.

Ha- love the color scheme. Reminds me of an airplane I had built that I spent a ton of time designing the color scheme on.

Good idea- I'm Epic, so will be at Kirkwood and Northstar mostly. Possibly a trip to Park City as well.

So that's why my new Angrry is still in the ether!

Wow, game on!

I have an ECVC 168 12/13 and it's an amazing board. Highly recommended.

Hey has anybody heard from Bruce recently? I have a summer build slot and have been trying to get in touch with Bruce for a few weeks, but radio silence. Last year he went on a big kite sailing vacation in the summer, so he may be doing that, but thought I'd check. LMK thanks!

Beware. I sent payment in early 2018 for a fall delivery and never received the gloves, a return of payment or any email responses after multiple attempts to contact Thor.

Amusing video for hot summer days... https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-makken-hits-freeride-powder-lines-in-alta.html

They say that your taste in music is pretty much set for life when you're in college. I think the same is true for carving style... Back in the day when I was learning to carve, the ideal body position was shoulders and hips square to the board and a lot of angulation. The big faux pas of heelside was to "sit on the toilet", and while I know that it's a strong and fast way to carve heelside, it just doesn't look like the the prettiest style to me. Just sayin'...

Thanks for posting the video Rob. Those short radius turns on a black diamond and carving board basically devolve into kicking out the tail to scrub speed. If you have a video of what you're describing on a black diamond and a carving board that would be interesting to see.

That sounds tough. I’d be interested in seeing a video if you have one.

Now that is friggin' genius!

You're lucky. I get tired of looking up hill every friggin' turn to make sure some jackass skier isn't straightlining at mach speed down the middle of the piste.

Nice stuff! That place is deserted- where is everybody?

As the carving season in NorCal comes to a close, I've been reflecting on the season a bit. In particular, I've been thinking about avoiding getting hit by a skier either straightlining or just misjudging where I'll be on the piste if they want to pass. I carved a couple of weekends with large groups (10+) of good skiers and found it pretty tough to do my thing safely on steeper runs. Being a curious guy, I calculated the angle on a particularly nice carving run (Burnout at Northstar) at about 21 degrees, which requires crossing the fall line at 90 degrees and using nearly the width of the run to keep speed in check. After a couple of runs with the skiers, I bailed for the lower angle runs (maybe 7 degrees?) where I could do more race style carving down the fall line like a skier to avoid potential conflicts. I end up going a lot faster on the lower angle stuff, but I'm minimizing potential conflicts with skiers because I'm going as fast or faster than they are, and I'm not cutting across the fall line. You guys have any thoughts?

As long as we're getting all misty about old snowboards like former girlfriends, this was one of my favorites of all time. Mistral 174, cap construction and an edge like a razor blade.

No, but I learned to carve on a Burton Alp just like this. The green stained wood top was beautiful!

Intec Titanium. Because they have enough flex and locking in on the fly is effing brilliant.

Welcome to the sport! Given your background you should do well carving. Since you asked for advice, here are two high level recommendations from my 25 years of trenching: 1. Since you're near Bruce, talk to him about an appropriate board and boot setup. He's extremely experienced, practical, a great dude, and his board prices are a steal. Follow his advice assiduously and you'll save yourself a lot of time and frustration. 2. When selecting boots and bindings, err on the side of flexible vs. stiff. A flexible setup allows you to move your body dynamically and carve fluidly and with style. Stiff/rigid setups can be great for experienced carvers on a specific type of terrain and snow quality, but for learning and for potentially varied terrain they can be frustrating. If you've ever seen somebody carving awkwardly like a rigid stickman, chances are that their boot/binding setup is too stiff, making it difficult or physically impossible for them to position and move their body appropriately. Good luck and have fun!

I've got a June build spot. My current thoughts are an ECVC 168x22, 10/11. I have an ECVC 168x22 12/13, and I'm looking for something more turny for tighter runs.

I'll also agree with Scully. The last day I skied was the day at Squaw Valley in 1994 when I was on the ski lift and saw a ski patroller on a carving board making perfect controlled carves with his hip on the snow every turn. It absolutely blew me away and took me back to skateboarding hills, pools and reservoir spillways in NorCal when I was a kid. I said to myself "I'm going to do that", ditched the skis the next day and haven't looked back. I think the bottom line for any sport is that if it grabs you at a visceral level, you'll do what it takes to make it happen.