Dave Pushee

After many many days on Burton Race Plates, broke a heel bail. After several more days, broke a toe bail and then quit using Burton. Weight 155 +/-, Age 55+

I had a pair and liked them... until the shell developed a crack. That happened after about 50 days of riding over a year and a bit. I don't know if this was a common problem though. If they fit and they are not too expensive, I'd say go ahead.

No, it not ALWAYS icy. In fact, today was a total blast at Loon Mountain in NH. :D However, most of the Eastern areas need to employ snowmaking in order to have a decent length season and that tends to form a harder surface than natural snow. It's not all that unusual in January to have a rain storm followed by a deep freeze. Even excellent grooming work is still going to make for some pretty firm conditions. Some of the Eastern mountains do a better job of snowmaking and grooming than other areas. Jay Peak IVT) and Cannon (NH) tend to not do as much in the way of grooming and snowmaking. However, when they get snow, they can both be awesome. Jay does get a lot of snow, and when there is snow, the glades are great. However, some of the regular trails tend to be icy and windblown - even just after a dump of snow. So, if you don't have any snow where you are, come visit and see for yourself.

Thanks Bricky!

I heard someone talking at lunch today about having a few boards he wanted to sell. I think he mentioned a couple of RTs. If I remember correctly, it was Ron. Show up and ask around.

I had a great day at Okemo today with the Carvers Gone Wild crew. Unfortunately, today was my only opportunity, but if anyone out there is sitting on the fence, hesitate no longer, pack the car and head for Okemo now.

Glad you liked it. After I demoed an Axis 167 last spring, I asked Sean if he would extend the line down one more notch. He did, and I'm happy with mine. - Dave

I have them on my K2 Recon, and use TD1s on my Axis. The flex of the XBones helps in the trees. I'm just under 160 and haven't had any problems yet. I bought them towards the end of last season when I snapped yet another heel bail on my Burton plates - that was just the last straw for me.

I'm tentatively planning to hit Loon on Friday

I think that's why the locals refer to the American Flyer lift at Jay Peak as the Flying Freezer. That wind blows a long way unobstructed before it gets to Jay. I once spent over an hour in the Jay tram just above the mid-tower. It was the last tram of the day and high winds hit just as we passed the tower. They eventually tried to back us down, and then finally crawled us to the top. It was nearly full dark when we got to the top. I was not at all looking forward to belaying down in high winds. I did get a voucher for another day though.

I suspect different people have different perspectives because the visibility can vary considerably depending on trail and lighting design. A straight trail with a consistent pitch and good light coverage should be fine. I recently encountered a trail that fit the above description, but only across 3/4 of it width. The right 1/4 shouldered down about 10 feet and leveled out again. Lights were on the left side, so there was a hollow in deep shadow. - Dave

Sean extended the Axis line down a notch this year. The 162 has a sidecut of 8.9.

Maybe he was trying to find a way to collect from the mountain. It couldn't have been that he didn't know I was there. I was wearing my bright yellow (mountain employee) jacket.

Hmm, I managed to avoid him, but how about the **** who passes and then immediately pulls up in a hockey stop?

I'm probably pretty twisted, but I just got this mental image of a passing truck kicking up a stone and what might happen.

Absolutely, My direct experience was with Sean at Donek, but all 3 have great reputation. - Dave

I suspect there are very few on this forum that will disagree with the original poster. My wife and I visited Colorado last spring to board with my son (he's at U. Colorado, Boulder). I had been contemplating an Axis for some time and e-mailed Sean to see if I could set up a demo. It turned out that Sean's fleet of demo boards got delayed on their return trip from the last ECES so I couldn't pick up the demo on the day we arrived. I probably made a real pest of myself calling Sean every day to see if they had come back yet. If my persistence bothered Sean, he never let me know it. Finally, the boards had arrived, so we drove down to pick up the demo. Sean gave us the grand tour and sent me off with an Axis 167 and instruction to not bother knocking early Sunday but just leave the board in his garage on our way to the airport. I loved the board, but thought the 167 just a bit much for a smaller, older, Ice Coast boarder to use in crowded conditions. Sean agreed to extend the Axis line down a notch and I am ecstatic with my 162. In summary, I give Sean excellent marks for: - Patience with the public; - Flexibility in matters relating to customers; - Justifiable pride in his workmanship; and - An awesome product.

Not sure if it was from Breck, but I spotted this photo on the Sports Illustrated website. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/scorecard/ When I looked at the detail I saw the Donek logo on the base of the board. Caption with photo was: American Michelle Gorgone rides the edge of her snowboard during a Parallel Giant Slalom competition. Photo by: Donald Miralle/Getty Images

As a citizen of the Live Free or Die state, I am opposed to government mandating things for the "good of the individual". That being said, I always wear my helmet while cycling or snowboarding.

My term for catching the heel edge is Power Snow Angel.

Amaze your friends. Here's the translation: If the grate be empty put coal on. If the grate be full stop putting coal on, you'd be an ass to risk it!

I'm waiting for a TD1 retro kit. If you are still looking when it comes, we can talk about my leftovers. - Dave

Sean, It looks like the Effective Edge values for the Axis line are messed up (longer boards with shorter edge, etc.) - Dave

The first thing I checked was the specs page. I see the Axis 162 that I requested has been added to the line. Great job Sean. Also, thanks again for the Axis demo and shop tour when I visited Colorado last spring. - Dave