Carvin' Marvin

This board does most everything very well. I've had it out in every condition from firmish groomers to 15" fresh. It is the wider version at 270 so better clearance for carving. The flex is pretty soft and that helps manage the length in the moguls and trees. It turns much tighter than the turning radius would imply but it also runs long. Excellent all around board.

Finally got on a decent softboot board a few weeks ago. The 176 Tanker is awesome. I liked it so much I bought it!

I really like my medium/mediums but I had to cut out a half moon on the inner part over the top of the foot to relive pain. After that they are great.

I used to downsize but regrowing my big toenails every spring became too much of a hassle. I'd much rather put on an extra sock then deal with "performance fit" boots again. And yeah, my toes were curled all day. Not in a good way either.

I usually tape my sandwich to my helmet

Push harder or on a different fore/aft section of the board if using variable radius. Tip board higher or lower on edge. Yes, along with early turn initiation. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You can either have speed control or not be slowww. Gotta pick one. Given that steep slopes are indeed steeper I would expect there to be more gravitational force to deal with. Conservation of energy and all. Same technique just more force and speed. For me at least. I try to get on the nose earlier so the board has less time to point straight down and pick up speed.

You can send it to my house and I can get it to Vail no problem (20 mins from Copper). DM me if it works out that way. I'm in Gypsum about 30 mins west of Vail.

First dibs on the 176!

Thanks! 30f and 21r. Felt pretty good for mobility. Nidecker Kaon cx bindings I got from Shred. Board is a Jones Ultracraft I've been using as my hardboot pow stick.

Everyone else makes it look so fun so I got some used gear off the forum and got in softies for the first time in ten years. It was super fun.

Strange fantasy you have.........

Seems like y'all aren't riding fast enough. But in all seriousness, I started checking my 6 on every single turn instead of every other.

Did you remold the power wraps? I recently ditched my zipfits in place for power wraps. The heel hold isnt as good but they cause fewer issues with my feet. Zipfit will always be best for performance but are hell on your feet in the long run, I've found. You can also cut some boot fitting foam to arch over the heel of your liner to increase heel hold. Put the red springs on before stiffer tongues. This doesn't have to be a wildly expensive venture. Don't make the same mistakes as me.

Yeah and now I'm being forced to come ride with you kooks again so I can try one!!!

I'm also curious about what people have to say. I just got my first softboots in 10 years but I don't have a board. Looking for a decent carving all arounder. I have a dedicated powder board but it is a 152 and only thrives in powder. Was leaning towards Tanker

There is. It comes with several different pieces to tune to your liking.

Speaking from very recent experience it is going to be hard to find someone that will want to fix that. I took mine to several people in the Vail valley and they all told me any attempted repair would only make the board weaker and is not worth it. The ding on mine is A LOT bigger than yours though. Definitely shop it around but don't be disappointed if they tell you to sharpen, squirt some super glue in the gaps and send it. I cant even tell on mine and the edge is displaced about 5mm north (over 3 cm) of its original resting place. Is the base as raised as it appears in the photo?

I hope that author has plenty of cheese to go with his whine. I agree Vail sucks something awful. I've never had fun there and neither will anyone else. Stay away for your own sake.

This. They also introduce a failure mode into the equation. Cables break, ice builds up. Fair enough, but why though? The bails offer way more consistent flex. Flex helps all mountain maneuverability. I rode step ins for five seasons, and after coming back to bails I'm never going back.

Ive ridden both extensively and believe that step ins have no place in all mountain hardbooting. The flex characteristics are just.....off

The musings of......... Hunter S Thompson?

First day of the season? I'd be surprised if you DIDN'T have issues in your tissues. The yellow are probably perfect for when you legs are stronger but lack support for early season noodle legs.

Was the water in the pool cold? I'm sure they're much bigger in person.

It’s fake, don’t believe everything you see on the internet!

Sorry I couldn’t make it today. COVID’s still got me down. I have an extra ticket for anyone that wants it. PM me your address and I’ll send it down