Coldrider

Would you be looking for carving or powder? For me, deep, untracked powder, accessed by heli or snowcat, would be the best, most memorable way to celebrate 50 years. <img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/105tfns.jpg" border="0" alt="Jack Seddon above it all, New Zealand"> Congratulations and best wishes!

Cool Peahi footage: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZHvPM0-m8KI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

...of course! Great hiking, amazing views, and thrilling descents. <img src="http://i39.tinypic.com/20it05l.jpg" border="0" alt="Jack Seddon, TrebleCone, New Zealand"> http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1205&bih=674&q=highlands+bowl&gbv=2&oq=highlands+bowl&aq=f&aqi=g2g-S7g-mS1&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=955l3345l0l4139l14l14l0l1l1l1l300l3025l0.3.9.1l13l0 Hope it's snowy where you are, COLDrider

If you're snowboarding for more than 5 days, the Epic or Summit Pass might be worth considering. http://www.snow.com/epicpass/home.aspx

...Palmer 1cm and 2cm risers I'm happy to sell. PM me if you're still looking. Cheers, COLDrider

...some pics, footage, and info here.

If your board tends to drift when straight running, you might want to check your upper/lower body alignment. My understanding is that it helps to be in neutral alignment when straight running. Amongst other things, this means minimizing the twisting of your major body segments. If your upper body is rotated relative to your lower body, this creates unnecessary muscular tension, and can result in your body trying to untwist--especially when the board is ridden flat. If you find your board is always trying to unwind in the same direction when straight running (i.e. pivoting to the heelside), it might indicate you are riding with a twisted upper/lower body. It's a relatively easy fix to neutralize the steering input by reducing upper/lower body twisting. To be in neutral alignment, your shoulders and pelvis should be perpendicular to your feet. Of course, you don't want to ride this way all of the time, but it is a useful tactic for straight running. I used to train with a coach who asked us to perform a drill where we rode the board absolutely flat from top to bottom. It required a high level of precision with steering input because of the risk of a high speed edge catch if the board pivoted at all. It was an exciting drill and a good way to develop a functional, aligned stance and pinpoint accuracy with steering movements. You might also check your tune to make sure your board is not edge high, which results in a hooky, nervous, edge-catchy ride. Good luck, Go straight.

More info here.

IIRC A-Basin closes June 7. The snowfields on the high peaks are your best option after that. Plenty of good turns still to be had. Have fun.

IMO ankles are very important, as they allow you to make quick, fine tuning movements to adjust edge angle, manage pressure against the board, and adjust steering angle. Ankles help to control small levers, which give you much higher levels of accuracy and precision (think of a small child learning to color--they start with big, sweeping movements of the whole arm to control the crayon, later they develop smaller, more refined movements of the fingers to stay within the lines). Your ankles work in a similar way to work the board.I can't say for sure with your medical condition and surgical repair, but it sounds to me like you can still use your ankles to adjust edge angle on the heel edge. At first it might sound crazy but you can actually push your toes down to engage the heel edge. If you push down, just a little, with your toes, you drive the rear of the boot cuff against your leg shaft. You can then simultaneously press your leg shaft against the boot cuff to tilt the board on the heel edge. This is what I feel when riding heelside, anyway. I feel the balls of my feet pressing down (opening the ankle joint), not pulling up. I also feel pressure of the shaft of the boot cuff against my lower leg. I can then press back against this pressure with my lower leg to tilt the board heelside. Sounds wacky, but maybe you'll find that it works for you, too.

Wondering if you'd consider a trade for a Donek 182 GS in similar condition...

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B28kpDuqXVo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B28kpDuqXVo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPQQPMhWi4k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPQQPMhWi4k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EtS6S1zTzI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EtS6S1zTzI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-wM_Uash7E&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-wM_Uash7E&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Me too. Thanks for the reminder.

In addition to the different orientation of the upper and lower body already noted, the two riders are using different movement of the legs to transition between turns. The first rider extends his legs during the finish of the turn, often 'popping' or catching air at the transition. Rider #2 flexes his legs through the turn's finish, giving his turns a lower, smoother look. In addition to the suggestions you've already received, if all of your turns resemble rider #1 (extending the legs through the transition), IMO it would be a good idea to develop the ability to flex through the transition as well. It's a useful move to help manage forces through the turn's finish. Keeps you low to the snow and feels good too.

Like the other posters, I think waxing sidewalls isn't necessary. It is a good idea, IMHO, to regularly check the sidewalls to ensure they are smooth, and to repair any small nicks or gouges that might impair gliding performance. <img src="http://i29.tinypic.com/xo2lv6.jpg" border="0" alt="Jack Seddon, somewhere near Mt. Aspiring, Southern Alps, New Zealand"> You can use a sidewall planer, a surform, rasp, sandpaper, or emery cloth to smooth out any small dings you might find.

I've has good results with Skyauction.com if you are looking for international airfare deals. <img src="http://i7.tinypic.com/6k8cgg8.jpg" border="0" alt="Hiking above Lake Wanaka, NZ"> Go global--your adventures on a snowboard are as big as your imagination. .02 COLDrider