softbootsurfer

Buttah... everywhere i look

After 38 seasons, just yesterday riding up the chair, I was thinking how at the top of every run, that moment I start down, is the same moment on a wave when you jump up and take that first action….and how that has and Is, such a Wonderful Opportunity

The reason is the screed which is the last thing to touch the snow leaves these small current grooves, less down pressure, with faster Cats, have created crappy groom, this style is now prevelant world wide, the older larger groove groom is not coming back either…I have been complaining to the Management as well as mountain managers for over 10 years when the smaller grooves first showed up….they always play the stupid card with their responses, fact is, they are compressing the snow so much in places that there can be no grooves at all in those zones where people slide to a stop, as well as crowned areas… dangerous is what it is I hit a couple runs today that were 2 day old groom where I had to go numb as I slid through as if I was in and ice rink……for fun John Ask Travis Benson Aspen mt . Manager if he recalls me asking him before I asked Peter King another mt. Mananger, Rich Berkley who manages all skico equipment, we had email discussions starting 10 years ago… always the same responses then, they are the same size they always have been, or there isn’t enough snow this year…38 years at Milkland I remember the larger “Ride the Edge” Groom was Incredible!!! but it is gone forever

1st tracks and a blue sky Thinking that right at the top, right when you release the board to go down, feels the same as paddling for a wave, then standing up, each offering a wonderful opportunity...

Always a Joy, to be on the mountain

I thought I would add some....to my post about Milkland I get way more "go aways" from skiers, on the Groom, if I ride 12 waves on a run, they are in chaos, tips being directed away, from where they thought they were going.... I played in the park features myself for years, I know exactly what I can do in there, without harming the conditions... I also remember, our son 36 years ago, he walks in the door and starts talking about, meeting a school friend Jesse, at Milklands Timber doodle, deep in the woods, they had cleared a path, to these two dead aspen trees, then built some ramps with timbers, a left and a right...couple weeks later I followed their track in there to see what they were up to...they would slide up the one aspen hop to the other going down, then a left wall into a right wall, as they were both Goofys, they said the idea was from the Skateboard magazines, to slide and Carve off walls or pools...

They destroyed so many secret runs at Milkland with their parks, there were no parks years ago...I go into them all the time, sometimes the best grooming, I use the features as Slalom poles, put ruts right in front, I could care less what they think, go somewhere else and whine children, a month or so ago one of the rakers actually lunged at me to stop and be abused by his attitude, I simply went into the trees...

Have some issues keeping me off the mountain right now...

Seriously, this is Incredibly difficult...Amazing they didn't get hurt

76 but I do remember, that was a great day...good conditions

71 I guess "they" called a whole bunch of schools, to make threats...no violence or injuries however Today was a Wind tunnel day, left early... close to -20 wind chill

It was the Best of times, it was the Worst of times... 4" on Groom, Frosting everywhere, very few people...after an hour, the liftie tells me "There is an Active shooter at Aspen Elementary school !!" my Heart and Mind go numb, my wife was the Librarian there for over 30 years, long retired...I find out later, there were 5 Colorado school districts threatened ...Then the All Clear signal, No one Injured statement is released thank goodness...

More Anticipation less Reaction equals more fluidity in Transitions

Wanderful session 1st track Then a Pure Carver over at WesB Milkman stylin below

Thanks Ink... it was really a great Improvement, a board for Carving... Mass Crowd today... left at 11 but the groom was Surf Style comes from the same movements, you used while surfing, adapted to Snowboarding...This Pic exemplifies that, Makaha Surfing contest 65 2nd day at Milk in 85

sunday Been Surfing Milk for a long time...always Good Surf

somebody started some sort of snowboard event there

Serious Size at Jaws... 's

Impressive engineering Please make sure you have Medical Insurance

Presidents weekend All aboard I have noticed more people lately, on these Swallow tail Sticks following my Tracks.... This is not a good sign... Wonderful early, then went into the trees... Before and after shots

-8 at the house this morning, a slight breeze as well But...it was really Good...Holiday crowd starting to funnel in...

Wow, Blue Skies for their last day... Going to miss Rob and the Girls, Kiara and Lexi, they had 26 days this year, ripping the tree trails, the Pow Learning to Carve their turns and Smiling and Laughing the whole time...

Glad you found it Ink What a difference a day makes...30 to 40 knot winds today, Gondo closed, Tiehack closed WesB was OK for an hour, hiding in the trees, literally Blown Away after that...

Unbelievable Best Sesh this year Nice try... but it's not just a sticker

Happy Valentines Day