Jack M

Sorry, my "side note" was a tangent, I shouldn't have mentioned it. But my point is that the force applied to the board by your ANKLE <i>does</i> change with binding angle. At 90 degrees your ankle can apply no force to the edge.

Yes, the leverage your c.o.g. has over board inclination is not affected by binding angle. I believe this is Bob's argument. This neglects the leverage your FOOT has over the board, which is significant. If you're doing it right, an edge change starts in your ankles. I'll bet Phil and Kent will back me up here. The closer your binding angle gets to 90, the less control you have over the board with your foot/ankle. At 90 degrees, such as on a Skwal, your ankle is completely removed from the equation, and your foot has zero leverage over board angle.

Yes, it does! :) I'm happy to discuss carving physics any time, either here or in email.

http://www.bomberonline.com//articles/physics.cfm

Great news Bob, that must be a relief.

you won't get a response out of me. oh wait.... damn.

here's an article about buying an alpine snowboard: http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/how_to_buy_snowboard.cfm

Only for AARP members. You can polish aluminum to a mirror finish.

I NEED the Aunt Edna kit. by the way - most impressive. indeed you are powerful, as the emporer has foreseen.

M&Ms turned down the opportunity to be used as a prop in the blockbuster movie E.T., thereby squandering one of the biggest product placement goldmines in Hollywood history, and allowing it to pass to their competitor (Reese's) who benefitted mightily.

and it happens to be my favorite. I find it pretty easily here.

check out this article... http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/how_to_buy_snowboard.cfm

I've taught hundreds of never-evers how to snowboard. Believe it or not, all the skiers I taught who started in hardboots had a markedly easier time than just about anybody I taught in softboots. I've elaborated on learning in hardboots here: http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/snowboarding_day_one.cfm

it's like a Tierney board.... without the board!

kjl - your difficulty making the switch underscores my lament of the demise of 3 strap bindings. Going from 2-strap softies to 3-strap softies isn't a big deal. Going from 3-strap softies to hardboots is an epiphany.

ugghh... no. You really should take a lesson. A lesson will save you at least a week's worth of flailing about on your own.

Recalling my days of jumping off "the trestle" at UNH, I'd estimate that's at least 60 feet. at least.

Unfortunately the code is ambiguous. One item says to ski/ride in a manner in which you can avoid people and objects below you. Another says to yield when starting downhill or entering a trail. Another says do not stop where you are not visible from above. So it gives one rule and then two rules that let you break the first rule. Which one takes precedence? Are the rules weighted? But I agree, random turns or being in over their head do not excuse you if you hit them. If they are underway and below you, you have to avoid them.

Sounds like something in the low 170s would probably work. Check out this article on buying an alpine board... http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/how_to_buy_snowboard.cfm

In that case, I'd look for a Donek 171FC-I (11.2m sidecut, 18cm waist), or a Volkl RT 173 (11.7m sidecut, 19cm waist)

I've heard some good things and some not so good things. I've never ridden one. iirc, I think Oxy's are generally a bit softer than other boards.....? I'd check out bobdea's used Donek before a used Oxygen. But if it's a brand new Oxygen for cheap, it could be worth it. Oxygen was made by Atomic, so the quality is there. But I'd go Volkl or F2 before Oxygen, both of which can sometimes be found cheap. You say some conflicting things however. You say you like to go fast, you like steep wide runs, and GS turns. Then you say you like a deep sidecut. Those things are mutually exclusive. Longer radius (shallower sidecut depth) = more speed and stability for fast GS carves.

I will be trying your zylon. Oh yes.... I will be.

here's an article about bying an alpine board... http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/how_to_buy_snowboard.cfm Boots - check out the Deeluxe Indy. (Deeluxe was formerly Raichle) Boards - Donek, Prior, Coiler, Madd, F2, Volkl (in no particular order) Bindings - Bomber, Catek. F2s are decent if you find a used pair.

great job Scott, thank you!

I haven't ridden one, but I believe they're the real deal. Especially after inspecting Ray's boards at SES and seeing him put them to work. Just be prepared to plunk down four figures for one.