Coldrider

<a href="http://www.telemarkski.com/html/how_AT_size_boot.html" target="http://www.telemarkski.com/html/how_AT_size_boot.html">Here's</a> a boot sizing conversion chart. I'm afraid I can't say exactly if they tend to fit wide or narrow feet better; they will accomodate my slightly wide forefoot without any pinching or squeezing, but then again they are a full size too big for me. <p></p><img src="http://tinypic.com/oekad" alt="" border="0"><p></p>Hope you're finding DEEP snow!<br> COLDrider

The boots, which I purchased online, don't fit so I haven't tried them on snow. I wish they did fit, they are great boots. The construction and features compare favorably to the other high-end four buckle boots out there (I currently ride Deeluxe Indys and rode Burton's high end product for many years). For the buckles alone (beefy and smooth-working--light years better than the flimsy Indy buckles), I wish my feet were a bit bigger. <img src="http://tinypic.com/mt11z"> Probably get more dates, too.

I use Koflach Valuga light boots on big mountain ascents, where the vibram sole allows good traction on long approaches. Comfortable for hiking/climbing, good for kicking steps on steep, hard slopes, and quick and easy with crampons. Downside, IMO, is that the boot cuff is nowhere near as supportive as a hard snowboard boot, so you have to make bigger movements to get the same response (like play in the steering wheel). I find it hard to sting the edge and get off of it quickly. Also, as Neil said, the boot flex stops when you reach a certain point. It works great for riding in forgiving conditions and on BIG mountains (multi-day climbs), but I've wished for my regular hard boots on more than a few white-knuckle descents in steep, icy chutes, where an unarrested fall or big slide would have been disasterous. <img src="http://tinypic.com/msmc1">

Thanks for the pics. I'd love to demo one. <img src="http://tinypic.com/moad5"> COLDrider

<a href="http://tinypic.com/" target="http://tinypic.com/">Here's a way</a> you can upload your photos to individual threads.<BR><OL><LI>Follow the link to tinypics.com</LI><BR><LI>Upload any image you'd like to post (Browse>Host it!)</LI><BR><LI>Copy the <U>entire</U> tag line (2nd box down, This will create a link in HTML)</LI> <BR><LI>Paste in your post where you want the image to appear.</LI><BR><LI>Volia! Image in your post.</LI><BR></OL><BR><img src="http://tinypic.com/dw9vp"><p></p><BR>All pics are automatically resized if larger than 250kb, but you might want to <a href="http://www.pantos.org/atw/35273.html" target="http://www.pantos.org/atw/35273.html">optimize your image</a> using image compression software for even faster downloads.<p></p><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=image+optimization+freeware" target="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=image+optimization+freeware">Links</a> to image compression freeware.<p></p>Good luck!</font>

Hey if it's no trouble, how 'bout posting a pic or two of the Virus anyway. I've never seen one. Thanks!

<table bgcolor="#06065E" bordercolor="#C0C0C0"> <tr> <td><font face="'Arial Rounded MT Bold','Arial Black',Arial" size="+2" color="#FFFF00">For sale:<p>OXYGEN PROTON Snowboard Boots<br>size 30.5<br>New In Box</p></font></td> </tr><tr> <td><div align="center"><img src="http://tinypic.com/lglxw"></div></td> </tr><tr> <td><font face="'Arial Rounded MT Bold','Arial Black',Arial" size="+2" color="#FFFF00">This high-performance four-buckle boot features:<ul><LI>Rugged buckles with micro-adjust</LI><LI>Cuff cant adjust</LI><LI>Heel-lift adjust</LI></ul></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center"><img src="http://tinypic.com/lglyp"></div></td> </tr> <TR><TD><font face="'Arial Rounded MT Bold','Arial Black',Arial" size="+2" color="#FFFF00"><ul><LI>Multi-position forward lean adjust <br>w/ 'ride/walk' mode</LI><LI>Forward flex adjust</LI></ul></font></TD></TR><tr> <td><div align="center"><img src="http://tinypic.com/lglz4"></div></td> </tr><TR><TD><font face="'Arial Rounded MT Bold','Arial Black',Arial" size="+2" color="#FFFF00"><ul><LI>And a big, beefy powerstrap for precise fit <br>and instant energy transmission!</LI></ul></font></TD></TR> <TR><TD><font face="'Arial Rounded MT Bold','Arial Black',Arial" size="+2" color="#FFFF00">$225 plus shipping<p></p>These boots are new and are a great buy. You'll be stoked <br>and will enjoy many years of high performance riding in them!</font><p></p> </TD></TR> </table>

There are, of course, some similarities. From another thread:

I would consider booking an early season trip to Summit County, Colorado. This would give you the option of hitting Loveland, A-Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper, and Vail/Beaver Creek within a forty minute drive. Any one of them would meet the requirements you stipulated; together they allow you the opportunity to get great snow and variety. Plus, you can rent snowmobiles nearby (if the coverage is OK). Unless it is a early season, capital "D" drought, you'll find good conditions for cruising the groomers on snowmaking trails--at the very least. As many have mentioned, you could luck out and hit some good natural snow and pow as well. Lastly, you and your beginner friend could stop by Bomber's store to pick up any additional gear that you can't live without--or to go holiday shopping for your friends. Good luck and have a great trip. It's snowing on the peaks here in Leadville today, auguring well for an epic season!

I think angulation and so-called 'Eurocarving' are antithetical to one another--and if you're angulating as the primary way you're tilting the board on edge, it may likely be the reason you're unable to lay it down as far as you'd like. I don't think it is an equipment issue. Obviously, both techniques are useful and if you ride icy, hard-packed slopes regularly, it might explain why you're more practiced at angulating--it simply works better on ultra-hard snow. Have you actually rode with someone who is turning as you'd like to? It seems to me that it would be the best way to see--and duplicate--the moves they make.

If you have any quality high-rez images, you can make 'em ($15-20) at Kinkos. If you ain't got the image, you might be able to score some from BOL members. Cheers, COLDrider

Gatorade. Lemon-Lime flavor. $7.50 for 6 gallons. Cheers.

Does anyone have any information on speedboarding? I've read that Aussie Darren Powell holds the current world speed record, set in 1999 in Les Arcs, at over 200 kph on a custom-built Cuccoon board. Can anyone point me to a good resource to learn more about this high-speed fringe of the sport? Anyone participated in a speed event?

Martin Freinamedetz? Jose Fernandez? They were both getting press and riding hard boots in the mid/late 80's.

Thanks for the info. It would seem to suggest this. It would be helpful to know if the total # of lessons were up, or if children's lessons only occupy a larger percentage of the lessons that are given. Here's a link to the release.

You're right. But that's mostly because I was shooting the photo. Image is of a friend surveying North Pole Chute at A-Basin. Short hike. Steep chute. Good ride. Here's another image from the same session, with actual turns.

My limited understanding of the laws of physics tells me that the board has to be anchored, somehow, to generate a spin. You can not generate rotation without having something to push against. An astronaut in space, for example, would not be able to start spinning unless they could push off another object--nor could they stop spinning once they started. On earth, the same principle applies. You can not gererate rotation in the air. You need a stable platform under your feet while generating torque, and rotation, by throwing the upper body. You can perfom counter rotation movements in the air, contracting the muscles of the torso and scissoring the legs to effect a big movement of the board (counter rotation of upper and lower body; most folks are able to get at least 180 degrees of redirection of the board in the air, and use it to make 'late' spin or recovery moves) but the net rotation of your entire body is still zero. I guess the question I have is: Does the board need to be on edge to provide this 'anchor', or is the friction and incidental resistance of the side edges contacting the snow on a flat board, plus the friction of the base against the snow sufficient to anchor the board?

And AIR! Snow and Air!!! I still ride beater boards over rails, stumps and blow-downs, and sometimes mud. In spring I skim every puddle I can find. Call me crazy, but it's kind of fun.

Both <a href="http://www.skiclubvail.org/" target="http://www.skiclubvail.org/">Ski Club Vail</a> and <a href="http://www.teamsummit.org" target="http://www.teamsummit.org">Team Summit</a> offer snowboard race training on a regular basis. Although their programs primarily target young competitiors, my understanding is that they are happy to accomodate any athlete interested in developing their racing skills and work out a training schedule to meet individual needs. Hope this helps. Cheers, COLDrider

Thanks, Baka, for the kind words. <p></p> Avatar image from Sept. '03 New Zealand powder session. <p></p>I was lensman, not subject. Did get first tracks, though...<p></p> Another image from same session:<br> <img src="http://www.keyssonline.com/ncprojects/Tubed-in-New-Zealand.jpg" alt="Tubed in New Zealand" border="0">

Anyone heard of this stuff ?

Thanks, Michelle, for your and Bomber's efforts and hard work in putting together such a terrific event. I'm already looking forward to the '05 event. I must ask, however, if all of the days are scheduled for resorts in the Aspen Valley (which is in Pitkin County), and no days are scheduled for any resorts in Summit County, wouldn't it be more appropriate to call the '05 event the AVES? (or PES?) (or ES?)

The Colorado backcountry is still going strong, with great spring riding. Mt Elbert, highest in the Rockies, yesterday. You can still ride right off the highest point in all of the Rockies. The upper cirque is a convex slope and is some of the best riding out of Leadville, Colorado.

Cool. Can you tilt the thing heelside? Does it have highbacks?

Another Heli-tip: If possible, book the entire chopper with similarly skilled riders. This ensures you aren't shackled by a less-able rider obliging you to ride easier slopes. If your entire group has the skills, your guides will bring you to exciting steep slopes that will challenge your abilities. For budget minded travelers, the NZ exchange rate (1 USD = 1.60 NZD) make heli-boarding a very viable option. NZ Rocks. Go if you can.