Jack M

I am going try to wrestle a Proto 163 away from my buddy, who has two.

Flexing by hand, I’d say it’s stiffer than a stock Kessler 162.

Bought this 2019 F2 World Cup SL 163 on clearance from @i-carve.com for the director of CVA snowboarding. Took it out yesterday to see how it is. VERY impressed!! Edge hold, smooth, air between carves, perfect flex, great turn size. Tight enough to only use half the trail, but not so tight that you're making 1000 turns in a run. F2 is back on my radar! Hadn't been on one since SES 05. A friend who loves F2 tells me they were the ones who made the "Made in Austria" Kesslers. Based on the top shelf build quality I'd say it certainly seems possible. Don't worry, this pic is low on the mountain, there's more snow up higher. But we are off to a bad start here in the east. Hoping for a big dump tonight.

What size FC? I know who this is, buy with confidence!

https://www.facebook.com/alpinesnowboardlaboratory/videos/197488348628779 Respect!!

I'm digging so much about that picture, @queequeg! Loving The Matrix graphics, @Technick!

What is the distance from the front inserts for the front foot to the front inserts for the rear foot? (the 4x4 inserts that is) Thanks.

True, however I thought this was going to be a big deal for me but it turns out it's just not. In UPZs I had to stop and buckle my 3 lower buckles at the top of each run anyway. In Deeluxe, I'd have to buckle the ankle buckle. I don't have to mess with buckles on my .951s, so doing just the one toe clip is actually saving me time, lol. And it's not like step-ins are instant-in every time all the time. They require confirmation. And right around 32F/0C they can be a PITA with ice buildup.

Good thing they would not be his 1st hardboots.

Absolutely, Mountain Slope .951 are awesome. Got a pair last year, love them. However they’re the most expensive, and I admit I always assume people who are just getting (back) into the sport are on a budget.

Currently the only boots you can buy from UPZ are the RC12, XC12, and RCR. Either the RC12 or XC12 will do great. You probably don't want the stiffer RCR, it's for racers.

Welcome back! You are in for a treat, boards have come a long way. If you need a board right now, look to Donek or Prior. Thirst is also popular in the Rockies but I don't know their availability. For Donek, you probably want a metal Freecarve. Prior, FLC or WCRM. Either way, boards with Titanal (aluminum alloy) construction are smoother and easier to ride. Coiler is awesome but there is a waiting list. Unless you have small feet, avoid boards less than 20cm wide. I thought Deeluxe was working for me until I tried UPZ. Much better heel hold-down for me. This is a fairly common experience, but ymmv. upzboots.com. Bomber bindings are nearly indestructible. A good place to start with cant/lift disc setup is with toe lift in the front binding and heel lift in the back binding, and no cant. If using Deeluxe boots I recommend 3 degree discs. If UPZ, get one 6 degree disc and one 3 degree, and use the 6 for the toe lift. F2 Race Titanium bindings are also popular. They come with one lift kit, buy another. If you are on a budget we have classifieds. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Pirate walks into a bar with the helm of his pirate ship stuffed down his pants. Bartender says “hey buddy, what’s with the steering wheel down your pants?” Pirate says “Arrrrgh, it’s drivin’ me nuts!”

I agree, but it hasn’t been a problem.

@Tigers196884, you can ignore these posts, they are not directed at you. @west carven, linking to an auction is expressly permitted "within reason". It has never been a problem. If it becomes a problem, we will deal with it. Not sure what you mean but here it is: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Iconic-Madd-Original-158-SL-Alpine-Carving-snowboard/233799302534?hash=item366f863d86:g:RxEAAOSwEV5fwUc1 Nice S5!

I have to remind myself to breathe while carving. I work on exhaling during the carve, and inhaling during the transition. I feel it helps with lots of stuff. Try to ride more two-footed. A lot of people really lean on their front leg a lot more than the rear. Don't squat too much during carves. Of course you have to bend your knees, but some people over-do it. You only need enough bend for suspension. If you don't have toe lift on your front binding, get some. At least 3 degrees if using Deeluxe boots, 6 for UPZ and Mountain Slope. Also relax the forward lean of the front boot. I'm reminded of my favorite pirate joke...

This series at Shawmonix is great fun, highly recommended. You can be very competitive or totally casual. It's part of the NASTAR system, so you can virtually race against friends around the country. Only downside is skier gates, but the slope is legit. Similar to Sunday River's race trail, Monday Mourning. https://www.shawneepeak.com/racing/

Indeed, to buy this board new would be over $1100. I got a discount so I am passing that forward for my ASB peeps. Fast board, would do well in a BX or BSL course.

Still available. Thanks for asking, Tddragon.

SOLD. 166cm, 27.5cm waist, 10.5m avg VSR. Excellent condition, built in fall of 2018. BX-ish carvey freeride board. Premium construction with Titanal inlay, carbon fiber net, p-tex topsheet can be waxed and ground. Decambered nose and tail, mellow camber. 4x2 ten-packs. Used only by me in combination with my alpine boards, so not a lot of use. Never used with hardboots. 1 grind, edge bevels at 1-base, 3-side. No damage, no issues. Some liftline scuffs. Awesome board, just selling to fund my next custom Winterstick! $600 plus shipping. Bindings not included.

Agreed all around. Indeed if I could only have one board, this is "the one". Simply my favorite in 30 years of carving. So far!

My understanding about masks, even the disposable medical masks that pass as acceptable in polite society, is that they are about as effective as coughing into your elbow. Their only purpose is to knock down sizeable droplets. They do nothing for vapor. They don't filter very small particles or protect the wearer. Most of your breath goes out the sides of a medical mask also, like your bandana. You can easily see this on a cold day. Or if you clamp one tightly to your face with your hands, suddenly the breathing experience is more difficult. So I don't see why any special kind of mask should be mandated for skiing/snowboarding beyond what we typically wear on a cold day.

Got the Proton 164, thanks. You, my friend, win the prize for best board packing!!

It would be great if you or they could post it here, that is a private Facebook group. Would they be willing to ship to the US? I might know a buyer here.

Is this stock or custom? Are there more undrilled inserts under the topsheet? Made in Switzerland or Austria? Year? I might know a buyer.