chaoticbiker

Had a new ski patroller ask me if my board was allowed on the lift…. At Okemo, where I demoed and bought the board.

I was wondering if anyone on here was out at Okemo on a Skwal today. Saw someone heading down Arrow as I was heading up on my sled. It’d be only the second time I’ve seen one on Okemo, the first was mounted with television bindings (not sure if that’s a different name).

Next time your up by Killington, check the back of First Stop Board Barn. I’ve seen a few alpine boards cycle through there quite inexpensively.

I get a kick out of the wide eyed looks when we put a bubble chair on line mid day, usually after polishing out graffiti too offensive to leave until the end of the day.

One advantage of working at the hill is coming in on days off, helping the lifties set up and getting first chair. We used to use irrigation tubing hooped into 2x8s to set up lines. One morning I came riding into the line on an upper mountain lift before official opening, clipped one of the corrals, and ended up getting tangled up and stuck in the rest. Of course, the whole lift maintenance crew (my dept.) happened to be there to watch the whole show.

Take it even further to Kia vs. Formula One.

I’m quite thankful for this forum, I was just about to buy just the step in receivers. Now seeing the whole conversion kit is $200, I’ll just work on flexibility.

Looking at the parts diagram on Bomber’s site, the heel bail and block on the standard binding is the same as the toe bail on the step in. There is a kit with the heel receivers and hardware for the conversion for $65. Am I missing something, since I’m considering the same conversion.

Out riding Friday, I was testing out a new binding set up (6 degree straight toe lift up front with 0 in the back on TD3s). It made a night and day difference for the quad burn on cat tracks being in an upright stance. Feeling pretty good about the set up I was headed over to the Solitude area of Okemo from Jackson Gore, which has a lovely bridge with two way traffic and 4 trails converging there. Needless to stay I got tangled up with a skier while slowly working through traffic. Does anyone have any tips for low speed maneuverability other than detaining at the contact points? I ended up finishing the day in soft boots since it was just to crowded for my beginner self in hard boots.

This article shows how you can use a file for trimming sidewalls: https://www.slidewright.com/planing-cutting-back-sidewalls/ I have boards and skis with all sorts of constructions, so I was thinking that a file would handle cutting the different material transitions easier.

That is correct. Depending on who you’re talking to, I’ve heard 7 or 83 or even 97. This is the one I’ve found so far: https://www.artechski.com/artech-side-edge-file-guides/

I’m looking for a 7 degree file guide for trimming back sidewalls, seems cheaper and easier than a plane. Does anyone know if Artech is the only manufacturer of them?

I guess they wised up. I got a similar deal on crampons a month ago. It seemed too good to be true, so I jumped on it and a day later the price went up $200.

For anyone that tunes with it, Amazon has a 120g bar of Toko Performance (low fluoro) Black wax for just over $11. It’s usually about $50. The picture shows a 40g bar, but I did receive the 120. https://www.amazon.com/TOKO-5502018-120g-Performance-Black/dp/B07Z6JDNGT/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=toko+performance+black&qid=1603325123&sr=8-2

Vail Resorts decided to close for a week to evaluate the situation. Ludlow (Okemo) currently has 2 cases of COVID-19, half of Vermont cases, one being a New York resident. Side note: great time to get out the split board.

Good to know, I looked at them when they first came out and the face shield was a flimsy wind protector.

Has anyone tried the Giro Disciple S helmet (not the bike version). I’ve been looking for a full face helmet designed for snow that actually provides face protect, unlike Ruroc. Anecdotally, an acquaintance used to use a motorcycle helmet, until a minor fall ended in a good case of whiplash from the excessively heavy helmet.

Finally got this Proteus 170 all set up thanks to @Wolf for the TD3 bindings and @patmoore for loaner bindings, first tune, lessons, and getting me hooked. I’ll be testing it all out together Friday at Okemo.

Guess I should double check with Stratton to see if my registration is good, otherwise it’ll be an Epic day.

March 13 is A Day for Jake, in honor of Jake Burton. Stratton will be giving out free lift tickets for snowboarders to get out and ride. https://www.adayforjake.com/en/ I’ll be heading down with my soft boot gear, any recommendations for a first time at Stratton?

It’s been a rough season in Vermont for good snow. Okemo has a two step grooming where they start with a mountain tiller (it’s like a disc harrow with spiral galaxy finger blades, not sure it’s actual name) which processes the snow fairly deep. Then they come back around with the normal power tiller to lay down corduroy. It doesn’t make up for a poor operator, but conditions are usually better than the other nearby (similar weather) resorts. If you can tail the groomers in on an early run, it’s hero snow the whole way.

I’m looking for a set of TD3s to set up a new Proteus with my tax return. Can be either step in or standard. Hoping to buy by the end of the month.

Do you have any available?

I ended up taking the Proteus 170 home today. Rode a Rev 175 and the Metal FC 163 just to make sure. The Rev was an amazing board, but it was definitely above my skill level. I’ll add one to the quiver if I ever feel the race bug. The short FC was just too twitchy. I keep wanting to like it, but it never felt right. Okemo update, they still have (at half price): 2x Metal FC 163 x 19 w/ UPM inserts Proteus 175 x 19 Rev 175 x 20 w/ UPM inserts Pilot 153 x 18

I might be interested. Do you happen to have any spare parts as well? Can you put up pictures, please?