Mr Wonton

Was good seeing you too while being outside! I don’t want to be a mall rat just yet but things are looking grim. Going in august is one thing, mid February is a bubbling caldron of shit.

Yes. For that place and that place only especially for Saturday afternoons. I wonder what Mark could be working on….

Not many goons since it was a Wednesday. No wait at lift or for fries. It made me want to order an 8rw.

I went on Wednesday. Coverage was good and snow was soft. Rode the XC for 13 runs and had a blast.

I got 2 split board comments today and a ski board comment.

My wife is from the Island of Length so I’m familiar with the horrors of traveling it. I go with the 6 pack to save a few bucks. if you’re gonna give it a try maybe buy a single pass to see if you like it before committing to a 6 pack.

I haven’t been in a few weeks but it seems to get a bit busier as the temps drop. People start dusting off their shit and go there for some prep. I’ve found the best way to maximize the experience is to get there for the first time slot since you’ll get the best groomed conditions. The next tip is to get fully geared up in the retail area before they start letting people in. That way you can stuff your bag in a locker and be on the slope while others are getting dressed/being fitted for rentals. This way you get about 30 minutes of relatively empty riding with freshly groomed snow. As the freaks start trickling in it gets more busy. There are times when there’s lessons and people flopping around that make it frustrating. An hour and a half to two is about all I can stand in there. For me, it’s been a great tool to help me get used to hard booting. I’ve been boarding for 35 years but last winter was my first with hard boots. The retail area opens at 12:00 and slope access starts at 1:00, 10:00 on weekends. I’m “lucky” enough to work 4 minutes from the mall(I timed it) and I get out at 12:15 so the location and timing really works. Being able to go all summer and fall has really helped me make the switch from soft boots. For what it is, it’s done very well. That being said it’s still a mall. In Jersey. Also, don’t listen the Kneel about his griping. He’s an absolute joy to be around even if he finds it confusing to be simultaneously snowboarding while not being able to see any trees. If you’re anywhere within a reasonable distance it might be worth a try, even if it’s just to dial in some gear or temporarily quench your Thirst(see what I did there @Kneel ). If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Wait….what?!?

They need a web cam. It’s gonna be a wreck.

I’m off tomorrow and was tempted too but somehow I’m going to resist the inevitable shit show. Might go next Friday.

Yesterday I got asked “is that a carving topsheet?” I replied “pretty much the whole board is for carving”.

This time I got “you flew past me and I was like what is that?”

Today on the lift at the indoor slope I got a “whoa! It’s a ski board!” yup. Sure is.

I’ve heard the mall isn’t doing well. I hope it does enough to stay open. I’ve been enjoying being able to ride there.

$39 to $45 for two hours depending on what time you book or you can get a 6-pack for $179 which is 6 two hour blocks.

The quick answer, for me, it’s worth going. I get out of work at 12:15 and the first slope access is at 1:00 so the timing is good. I ve been going on Friday’s. At 1:00 when they first let people on the slopes, it’s groomed and not too crowded. It does get busier as the time goes on but it’s never any kind of long line at the lift. Pretty much always just hop right on. The tickets are sold in 2 hour blocks and that’s about as long as I’d want to be there. The hill itself is not very big, you can prolly get 7 or so turns per run. Maybe a few more, maybe a few less depending on how tight you carve. Last time I went I did 21 runs in the 2 hours. I’ve been boarding for 34 years but last winter was my first hard booting so I find the place great for practice/learning/keeping myself doing turns even when it’s 90 degrees outside. Only you can decide if it’s worth the trip.

I’m lucky enough to work near Big Snow in Jersey. It’s an indoor snow slope that’s maintained at 28 degrees so you can ride year round. Yesterday at the top of the hill a guy next to me leans over and says “is that a full alpine set up?” Emphasis on “full” for some reason. I just said “yes. Yes it is” and rode away.

Mrs Wonton is fine with tattoos. We’ll see how the next board goes over.

Had a scar that I didn’t like and thought that the Thirst snowdrop would cover it nicely. After 33 years of softboots I decided to switch to hardboots. I did some research last summer and decided on a Thirst xc171. Mark made the whole process super smooth and answered all of my questions. After getting the board and figuring out the binding set up that worked for me my love for snowboarding got renewed. Also a big shoutout to @Kneel for meeting me at Creek and helping me out! This tattoo is more to me than just a company logo. It represents all the wonderful and fun experiences that snowboarding has given, and continues to give. At almost 52, snowboarding still makes me giddy and I’m sure it will for years to come. (the redness in the snowflake is because the picture was just at the end of the tattoo session)

What size is the energy?

Today some kid about 12-13 on a board asked me “what is that?” so I told him ”it’s a snowboard for old people” and he said “that’s so cool”.

Avalanche with hardboots like Damien Sanders?

That’s fantastic.

“Much better off” except for lack of ability. Even on that 162 you were doing some beautiful carves. Thanks for the binding help. Can’t wait to go again.

I did horribly my first day in hardboots. I’ve been soft boot riding for 34 years. It was very humbling and frustrating. I think o need some binding adjustments but I sure thought I’d do better than I did.