Ekuhn

I went back and told him (and showed him after I remounted). We both got a chuckle out of it. He was super apologetic. And yeah, I would normally take off the bindings- but I was feeling lazy. The good news is he did a nice job on the base and I was going to tweak my stance a little anyway (gotta make lemonade )

...without telling me that the tuner at the local hill doesn't do hardboot setups often... The shot isn't of the full board- but I am regular, and the nose is pointing up... I took a couple of boards in, including this one, for an early season stone ground (they had to remove bindings), and got it back like this. LOL

i havent been skating much the past couple years after destroying my ankle- but still get out a few times (and my goals are now much smaller). A couple decent walls on concrete- good cross training

Yeah I can feel that I’m reaching and breaking. Trying to work on trusting the board (seemed easier out west with less fear of ice) but yeah something to work on for sure!

Just realized that the end of the season got crazy busy and i never posted an update. I got to spend a couple days out in Beaver Creek and rode the Hard Boot set up for one of them, big fun, felt some improvement (man, nice long runs with good pitch are a beatiful thing). A video below that i made my wife take. Now it's time to get in some off season training, so next fall i'm in better shape and can get working on better turns. Thanks to all again for all the tips along the way.

Seems like Boyne highlands--- errr Highlands Harbor Springs is having some DNS issues today...

I’ve taught people that pole trick for years on skis… may have to take my own (and your) advise and try it on board.

I also found that first video super helpful.

Update on progress after some more days and laps. Things i've learned. Wedges for toe and heel lift helped. Took the advice from a few of you, added toe and heel lifts on respective feet. Felt more natural and I think helped with issue of my bad ankle on rear foot. I've Been keeping the feedback about shoulder and upper body positioning on the top of mind and that has been really helpful (also watched a few times a great video from Donek rider Lexi Bullis with some really clear explanations on exercises to help focus on body position https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOJ3u64cvgU) Conditions matter! We haven't had great snow here in the midwest this year- and lots of REALLY hard/icy man-made conditions (a Michigan specialty ) have had me feeling pretty nervous about loosing an edge, and speed control. I was at Nubs Nob yesterday after they got about 5 inches of fresh snow on Saturday, so i was able to ride some really nicely groomed and a lot softer conditions than i have seen so far. I almost immediately felt more confident and trusting of the board, and my ability to adjust to conditions- without worrying so much about a crazy ice patch sneaking up on me. Still learning on every run- but yesterday was the most fun i've had on this set up, and was able to get on some steeper pitches, add some more speed, and was able to keep track of some of my good turn lines from the chair. Posting video to remind myself to loosen up a bit (both upper and lower body, not sure why my rear arm is frozen in the same spot for this entire stretch of a run, must have been thinking about something else- and left it dangling out there . And open for more feedback.

I’d be interested in meeting up. either place would work for me.

Yes. I’m also at schuss a lot. would be great to ride with others.

6 years later and you helped me find how to access the screws for the toe. thanks -saved me from asking the question to the group

@Eboot and @bigwavedave thanks for the feedback! And yeah I’m seeing that back shoulder dropping now when I watch the video. Putting that on my list to work on. I read in another post about pressing back knee towards snow on toe-side and front knee on heel side. Was working on that and felt like it helped (and gave my brain something to focus on). Will try the tip about reaching front hand to edge (may take some more dedicated yoga work to get there but I get the idea). really appreciate the tips and yeah it’s super helpful to have video to review, got my wife to film this time so it’s less shaky

Ok so I’ve had a couple more days in. Feeling a little more comfortable and feel like I’m getting into my turns a bit more and trusting the edge (still pretty sloppy Towards end of this run). I think I am over the trust issues I had with my back binding (I am know super attentive to make sure it’s properly Clicked in). every day is feeling a little better and looser, enjoying the challenge for sure. Next up, putting in the toe wedge and seeing how that might change things.

@SunSurfer Thanks - yeah i saw that other thread- and will be going back into to do some studying. @lowrider thanks - i may take you up on that. And figured i would also post my other big lesson learned from day 1... Was busy effin around with my phone at top of hill to record a run. And not paying enough attention to bindings. Snow was getting sticky as it warmed up. Boot had snow on bottom of heal, so mid way through first real toeside turn, damn boot popped out of binding... and I went full belly flop to the snow... end scene. If you listen closely you can hear my soul leave my body for a quick second as the video ends. I won't let that happen again.

AHHH! Good to know! The instructions were not clear on that, but makes total sense. And now that i look back at the picture - makes even more sense- Thanks!

@Deuxdiesel Thanks and yeah, I was definitely feeling that "first day out for the season, i should have done more leg and cardio work in the offseason" stiffness. And yeah i set everything up pretty stock- bindings centered and 50-45, the boots i left pretty much as they came from @gpg760 except for adding my own ski boot inserts(they felt great by the way), and bindings with preset cant inserts and nothing else really adjusted. Also thanks @AgassizSkidder- the board felt great and i think it will do me really well. Now some fine tuning. I am definitely thinking about some heel lift in back foot, About 5 years ago i broke and badly dislocated my right ankle in a skateboarding fall, and my forward range of motion is pretty much crap, and never gonna get much better. I'm thinking a little lift to push that heel up may be good to offset that. With bindings came a tall lift and a short one- will probably try the short one under front foot to see if i like it as well. Will also be playing with boot angles and canting as well now that i have a first day done. @Neil Gendzwill thanks for that, i've always tried to get some good carving in on my soft boot set up, and one of my favorite things for past couple years has been really working on getting switch carves down, I need new challenges to keep it interesting here in the midwest on our small hills (which is one of reasons i've pursued the hard boot set up this year). @icebiker I fully agree, the knowledge i've picked up on this thread and reading many others on this site have been invaluable to getting this going. And yeah, I am generally not one to obsess over every angle, adjustment and gear tweak, but focusing on getting things set up well and having some fun!

First day out today at Schuss mtn michigan today. Big fun, sunny and warm, a good day to try all my new gear. felt pretty good if a little weird to start, a big difference from my normal soft boot and 5 and -5 degree set up or my ski set up. a dozen or so runs (according to slopes app), only one hill open today, pretty mellow but narrow run, kept my on my toes felt pretty skiddy, but had a couple decent turns, much to learn yet! video proof below, this was pretty late in day and it was getting slushy and a little chopped up (sorry for the shaky, 12-year-old-girl follow cam), I told her she had to film one if she wanted a ride home thanks all for the gear and advice so far!

Good to know. starting here and will then Play with angles cant and lifts.

Set up and ready. Michigan resorts are starting to open up…

Binding purchase from @Alexey was great. And I was surprised how quick they got here from Europe. I’ll prob mostly be riding up at schuss but do weds night race league at cburg. Will send you a pm. Any and all tips will be appreciated. now just some snow…

And the final piece of the puzzle just arrived. Now to get everything set up, a quick tune on the board and wait for snow here in Michigan... Thanks @Alexey

Part 2 has arrived (and yes thats an old Bryan Iguchi pro model hanging on the wall in my office- I've always loved that graphic). New to me... Prior 4WD 169cm - a few years old but in really good condition. Thanks to @AgassizSkidder for making it happen. Bindings have made it across the pond, and should be here any day...

Well, the first (and hardest) part of the puzzle has arrived, now just waiting on board on way from Canada and bindings on way from Spain. I was a little nervous about getting boots as I start this whole thing, because as well know finding boots that fit is tough. But after some help from lots of you and a little bit of luck, I’ve got boots that fit really well. These UPZ RC10s were a great price and @gpg760 was super helpful in making sure it all went smooth. I just got them, I did a liner test, then shell test and length was good, fit was OK when all put together, but not great (the heel cup in the liners was a bit aggressive for me). With a little adjustment and some time with my father-in-law boot-fitter, they would have been fine. But I’m lucky that I’m a skier and have ski boots that I love, so I grabbed my Dalbello liners and put them in and we are in business. I’ve ended up with a bit of a Frankenboot, but I’m ok with it and my feet will be much happier).

Thanks- i've got custom insoles in my ski boots that may transfer over, and my father in law is a boot-footer. So i am sure we can get those boots tuned in nicely.