Jack M

Generally speaking: Longer boards are usually more stable and better at higher speeds, and used with longer sidecuts. Shorter boards are more nimble and able to change direction more quickly. Wider boards are better for bigger feet. Narrower boards are better for smaller feet, quicker edge-to-edge, and better if you like high binding angles. Personally I don't think edge-to-edge quickness is a big deal, and it is worth noting that World Cup SL and GS boards are the same width. Longer radius carves longer and can carve at higher speed. Shorter radius carves shorter and has a lower speed limit for carving. More on that here. Shorter radii are better for steep icy slopes where you want to get the turn around in a smaller space while keeping speed down. Longer radii are better for high speeds, and cruising on less steep slopes. The stiffness of the board supports your weight and the forces of the carve. Boards that are too stiff for their sidecut and your weight will be more difficult to carve. Boards that are too soft will fold or lose edge hold or turn too short.

Ahh, the old days with knees jammed together.

100% just slacking off here. Moved.

They need snowboarder gates! https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiVEbq2utlR/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Ha! Shoot me a PM if you want to discuss.

Foliage report from Sugarloaf Happy Oktoberfest!

The 150, 171, and 180 versions are not offered either. The 150 and 171 are junior race boards, the 168 is not used in World Cup, and the 177 replaces the 180 for lighter weight GS. And F2 with their Proto line, which are also built differently and come with Allflex inserts. And SG has the Full Race Pro Team, although I believe historically it has been identical to the Full Race Titan just with special graphics and Allflex inserts.

Whoa http://www.kessler-swiss.com/en-US/products/snowboard/theAlpineWorldcup

Well, note the difference between "duplicated" and "replaced". This board has a different feel than the K168 due in large part to the stiffness. This makes it more aggressive and exciting but also less maneuverable. The stiffness was achieved with 4 sheets of carbon instead of 2. I think if they made another version with 3 sheets, it would feel closer to the K168, but it would still be different. It "replaces" the K168 for me because it serves the same purpose in the quiver (similar turn size, a go-to board for moderately icy or better conditions), and because I love it so much as to not miss my K168. But they're not the same. Cost is a little less than a Kessler... bought from all-boards.com. Of course i-carve.com is cheaper. Winterstick is a tiny company. Sidecut on the 163 will be 9-11.5-10.5m. It will be an SL turn size for early season, crowds, narrow trails, and ice. I mean it as nose/middle/tail radius. Seems to be a pretty common way people describe variable sidecut radius shapes around here. Not sure if it's standard. But like I said, Winterstick also (wisely) blends the 3 segments, so it's an approximation.

Welcome, and, interesting! You should be able to post a few pics here.

So glad you like it. That one also has the extra torsional reinforcement between the feet.

I just double checked with @Donekand Sean confirmed these numbers.

@Winterstick has come a long way with their full metal construction since first dabbling in it in 2018. In fact I would put their construction at least on par with Donek and Coiler now, and that’s saying something. I spec'd this board as a full custom to see if it could replace my beloved stock Kessler 168. Winterstick is made right at my home mountain, Sugarloaf, so it would be great if I could have a local custom alpine board maker! Long story short, mission accomplished. The numbers: 170cm long 21cm waist 10-13.5-11m VSR sidecut Got camber? I asked for extra torsional stiffness between the feet, and the result is what I hoped for. The idea is to achieve what I think are some of the big benefits of a plate - that is to reduce the amount you can twist the board with your feet, and reduce the tendency for the board to kink in the middle - without having to use a heavy plate. I learned this while testing plates like the Donek AF and Allflex Spring Plate. These significantly limit you twisting the board, but unlike an Apex or Boiler, they also limit mid board flex. https://www.jmphotocraft.com/Sports/Skiing-and-Snowboarding/Misc/i-qBFvqv8/A (3pm, mediocre conditions) It took 2 builds to get the result I wanted. The first was softer and with a 9-12-11m sidecut. It actually worked great but it turned more like a slalom 163 for me, which was not the goal. This is supposed to be an all-around freecarver, longer turning than an SL but nowhere near a GS plank. The second build is majorly stiffer and with the slightly longer sidecut above. I asked for it 50% stiffer and it's at least that. It's probably the stiffest board I've ever had. However at my midlife crisis weight, this turned out to be a good thing for serious carving. This makes it a little less friendly than a stock Kessler 168 for general maneuvering and skidded turns, but the combination of the stiffness and high camber make it very exciting up on edge, and it will launch you airborne between carves. I can really feel the board pressing the tip and tail down into the snow. Edge hold is excellent. https://www.jmphotocraft.com/Sports/Skiing-and-Snowboarding/Misc/i-WRxvDpw/A The sidecut is something special. It's not just 3 different radii butted together. There is some proprietary mathematical blending going on between the segments that make the sidecut feel like a continuous curve. The sweet spot is large and the flex and shape of the board are in harmony. I've owned and tried other VSRs with small sweet spots where the different segments of the sidecut felt obvious and like they were fighting each other if you weren't exactly positioned in the right place over the board. https://www.jmphotocraft.com/Sports/Skiing-and-Snowboarding/Misc/i-nCtQn38/A (sometimes getting bogged down in loose sugar all the way down the left side) New matte topsheet - I like this better than Carbonium and it seems tougher. I'm loving this board and cannot wait to ride it again this season. Indeed I sold my Kessler 168 as this will be my path forward for a midsized go-to freecarver. Based on this experiment, I've ordered a 163 version.

Wow, nice @svr! I demo'd a stock Tom Burt 172 once and loved it. Enjoy!

Hey not bad. But wouldn't a vasectomy be easier?

Good morning! (Not my pic, found on Facebook)

I love this. So fun to tailgun a friend with the same board and ability. https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChxHfJXLJ6f/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Sounds like a dream for use with a Donek F plate, or Vist plate. I think a plate like the Apex or Bomber that allows the board to flex freely would not be a good idea. What rider weight did you tell Kessler?

Guy uses a lot of words to say nothing!

@Beckmann AG‘s footbeds changed my riding, I would not ride without them!

A step forward - Carrabassett Valley planning board accepts Sugarloaf’s West Mountain Expansion plan: https://www.theirregular.com/articles/planning-board-accepts-sugarloaf-west-mountain-expansion-development-plan/

Yeah we were both pleasantly surprised at how much Old Quebec felt like Europe. Much more so than Montreal. It was very clean within the walls of Old Quebec, outside there was a little homelessness on display. Cost seemed typical, but the exchange rate is nice. A tip I would offer is that if you want to stay in the Chateau Frontenac, which is exquisite, book well in advance. We did not and all that was left was the "Gold" level. This was awesome but we paid the premium for those two nights. I justified it by getting 2 free nights at a Marriott just outside the wall on points. There are also lots of little hotels and b&b's inside the walls that looked like fun. We would definitely go back someday.

Anybody do anything fun over the summer? We went to Quebec City for the first time. Highly recommended! Very European and charming. Got to stay in the Chateau Frontenac two nights. Also highly recommended! Full set of pics here: https://www.jmphotocraft.com/Travel/Quebec-City-2022/ At the end of the week we went to Le Nordique Spa in Stoneham, about 30 minutes from QC. It made me thirsty…

The force is strong with this one. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgHP0dAF8em/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=