plankton

I have a set of Intec Titaniums. I replaced the T-nuts and bolts after they failed me a few seasons ago, and haven't ridden them much since because I have another pair of F2s. Please DM your email and I'll send you pics. Think snow, Mike

Hey Toodles, I have a bunch of disks (metal and plastic), and a couple sets of race plates. I'll send pics and a list if you'd like to send me your email address. Think snow! Mike

If you’re still looking for a slalom board, I have an old but barely ridden 158 Killer Loop with cap construction. Waist is 19.5 nose 25cm, 24.8 tail, and a 9m sidecut radius afaik. Almost full cm of camber in this lively little thing. $200 plus shipping from Philly burbs, obo. Thanks!

My old and battered body is making me slow down also, particularly with ankles that have been broken and sprained through the years. I got the Burton Step On bindings with a Coiler BXFR board thinking that it might make life easier to ride a soft boot system. What I found was that the support from my hardboots is almost like a fountain of youth for my aging ankles.

I picked up this mask from backcountry.com. https://www.backcountry.com/backcountry-backcountry-face-mask?s=a Didn't like it for "normal" wear because it goes around the back of the head, rather than hooking behind the ears. It's great for riding because of the way it fits on the helmet. I keep it attached to my helmet using the same clip in the back that secures my goggles. It doubles as a cover to stop my goggles from getting scratched after I'm done riding. It's effective protection from COVID. It has double-layer fabric that can hold a filter and includes two PM2.5 activated carbon filters. I'm usually breathing pretty hard during and after a run, so I usually have it below my chin while riding, then pull it up to my nose before getting to the lift line. So far, so good. Ducked the virus in some crowded Hunter Mtn chaos. Preview attachment IMG_5428.jpg Stay safe and think snow, Mike

A chain is only as strong as its' weakest link, so no matter what bindings and heels you end up getting, check your hardware on a regular basis. I'm ~250lbs and have been riding F2 titanium step-ins for about 6 years. I love the functionality but have had some issues. My Deelux hardboots had bolts fail at the intec heel, and after I fixed them, the bolts failed on the heel of the binding. That was probably after 4 seasons of riding ~15 days per, but I was beating them up on bumps when the stuff broke. (There's a nice long bank on the side of Superstar at Killington that lends itself to surfing up toeside to get air and then landing on heelside to carve back down again. Old fat guys probably shouldn't be hammering like that) I replaced all the bolts (stainless steel from the hardware store) and rode the rest of the season without issue. Being cautious, I then bought new UPZ RC10s, Fintec heels and a new set of titanium F2s that I rode for about 1.5 seasons. I had a crash last year that broke a T-nut that holds the heel in place. I'm not sure if the bolt failed and that caused the crash, or if the crash made the bolt break. It resulted in an ankle injury that ended my season (along with COVID) so I haven't ridden them since. I bought all new "official" hardware from Sean at Donek and will probably ride the F2s some more, but will be very cautious about checking all the bolts, but am also planning on borrowing a set of TD Sidewinders from a friend for a bit to see how they feel. Bombers are supposed to be bomb-proof, but afaik they still have to just use the same bolts as any other binding and based on my experience, that's where the weakness is. If you just carve like a normal human hardbooter and are only getting out 5-10 times a season, you'll be fine and they will last for years. Good luck and THINK SNOW!!! Mike T PS - Good to see Bobby Buggs back on the forum!!!!

Thanks for all the tips. I'm amazed at how quickly you all replied. Wasn't sure who would be looking at the site this time of year. I guess I'm not the only one that constantly thinks about riding... I'll look for the threads about the F2/TD comparison, too.

I ride the Step In Titanium F2s. I love the light weight and simplicity of the bindings, but had some issues over the past 2 seasons. My first pair lasted a couple seasons but then I had a couple of catastrophic failures not in the bindings themselves, but in the bolts that hold the intec heel into the baseplate. I replaced all the hardware in the boot heels and the binding heels, but just to play it safe, I bought a new set of F2's last season. On day 13 of the season, I had a high-speed crash at the Canyons. (I was trying to slow down before I came to an unfamiliar steep section) When I tried to get up and keep riding, I noticed my heel was moved back about 1cm from where it started, making it so the toe bail wasn't engaged with the boot anymore. I was able to make adjustments on the trail and get myself down, but I trashed my front ankle in the process and messed up the last trip before COVID. I wasn't sure if the binding failed and caused the crash, or if the crash caused the binding to move. When I was taking my bindings off the board for the season, I noticed that the T-nut in the heel piece was missing a little piece. Am I asking too much of these bindings? I like going fast, but don't want to end up injured again due to equipment. I'm thinking maybe I should be using heftier gear, lose weight (I was about 250+lbs at the time but dropped some since COVID), and/or not ride like an idiot. That said, I'd prefer to just keep doing what I'm doing. Thinking about going to TD's, and considering the sidewinders to get a bit of flex for the all-mountain riding I prefer to do. Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Mike

I'm staying with Epic, and sent in a deposit back in the before-times. Seems like a great value, and forces me to get out to justify the expense. Also like the military discount. Only bummer is Sun Valley and Snow Basin don't honor military Epic passes. Love those mountains, but plenty of others to ride.

I was sad to hear that Sherman Poppen passed, but glad it didn't go unnoticed by the major media outlets. Growing up Snurfing with friends was fantastic. Hiking out across snowy golf courses and riding in the moonlight was a totally different vibe than where we are today, but I'm not complaining. I love the new technology (hardboots, duh), and still appreciate the simple fact we have lift access on "ski" hills. I sent Sherman this email on Christmas day, 2015: Dear Sherman, I want to thank you for bringing joy to the world in the form of the Snurfer. The gift you made for your daughter 50 years ago has also made a positive impact on my life, the lives of my friends, and now our children as well. As I gather with family counting my blessings, your name came up in conversation and prompted me to send this long-overdue note. Merry Christmas, Mike Tokar Yardley, PA Snurfing with a smile since 1973. As an old Snurfer Fan Boy, I was thrilled to get this short reply a couple weeks later: Thanks Mike..l wish you a fantastic 2016....Sherm Sherman Poppen Sent from my iPad pow4ever - thanks for posting that video. It was great to learn about roots going back that far, and see they're still riding the same way for so many years. Think snow!

I'd withhold judgement until I had a chance to demo them. I normally ride an All Mtn Nirvana at 45 degree angles with a fair amount of flex in my boots, so this is really intriguing to me. Ideally, this design would offer: Enough lateral stiffness to get torque to the edge at angles exceeding 36 degrees (max setting on the Burton Step On is 36, so that may be the point after which you're not on toe/heel and would need a third strap on a highback to get leverage) Enough ankle flex to suck up bumps and landings. (I don't look for bumps and jumps, but always seem to end up in them at some point) Easier/better fit and comfort. (I haven't tried any Boa-laced boots, but they look more comfortable than buckles.) Less weight than standard hardboots. (I'm all for losing weight without giving up bacon cheeseburgers) If I didn't just spend on new UPZ's this season, I'd be clamoring to be the crash test dummy.

They should keep the PSL and add a pure downhill race for good measure. It's easy for people to relate to and understand, and makes for dramatic viewing. To related it to the alpine skiing events, I think there are a lot of non-skiers that can appreciate the downhill more than SG, GS, and SL. There would be big air off of some of the headwalls, too. Think snow! MT

I don't get to the gym as often as i should, so when i'm not following the 12-oz curl regimen one cool exercise for getting ready for the season is goblet squat (Hold a kettlebell upside down or a dumbellat about chin height) while standing on a BOSU (one of those half ball things on a board) to get the balance thing going. I've been thinking about the rowing machine. Good call, Buggs. The shin flagellation with hangers is very interesting, too. Will have to get on that just to make my wife think i'm truly insane... Think Snow!!!!

Hey Curt, It's good to see you back on BOL, and I hope to take some runs with you this season. I plan on being at least at the tail end of the ECES. I can't make any promises about bringing the Bucket of Love*, (the other BOL) but if I do, we will FEAST!!! I can promise to have a beer or two at least. Congrats on the new baby. Being a father may change your riding style, so be careful. You may end up riding more like me and the other poor souls that don't get many riding days in a season: coveting every single minute available on the mountain, doing top to bottom speed runs until the legs give out, and then keep riding until they close the lifts. It has been a trip seeing some of the older names mentioned. It's funny to hear about CF and sometimes when i drink Jameson's I think of his lengthy, crazy and entertaining rants. It would be good to see/hear from PSR again, too. Does anyone know what he's up to these days? I changed my online name when i had to re-register on the new site, and haven't posted much, but plan on getting back into the habit again. Even though I've been at this a while (Snurfing since '73), there's always new stuff to learn and this forum is the place to get info you won't find anywhere else. Fin and the others that keep this site going don't get enough thanks! BOL deserves a Bucket of Love from the whole alpine community. I wish everyone a great season!!! Think Snow!!!! Mike Tokar *For those that care to know, the Bucket of Love is a pasta salad with smoked mozzerella cheese, prosciutto chunks and other tidbits of goodness that is a staple on multi-day snowboard and mountain bike trips. It was kept in a large plastic container and after a hard day of riding one of my friends said it was a bucket of love, and the name stuck. I can post the recipe on the waaaaay OFF TOPIC forum.

Sold! Think Snow!!!!!!!!

Sale is pending to a good home in Burrrrrlington, VT.

One board to do it all! The Coiler All Mountain 177! This board would be ideal for a larger rider or someone that rides aggressively and wants a board that can hold up to speed and hard G's. Ride it hard, but don't put it away wet! This is board is used to being treated with love and respect. Specs are as follows: Coiler AM177, circa '02, stiff flex with carbon fiber reinforcement Waist width: 21.5cm Nose width: 26.7cm Tail width: 26.2cm Taper: 5mm Sidecut radius: 11.5m Base edge bevel - 0 degrees Side edge bevel - 89 degrees (or -1 if that's the way you like to call it. It's sharp) New base grind with fine structure Camber: 3mm+ (If that really indicates anything. I was just having fun with my ruler. It's a lively board with plenty of pop) Full disclosure: The top sheet has some nicks on some of the edges, but nothing that compromises the ride or the structural integrity. Ships from Yardley, PA (btwn Philly and NYC) History of this awesome board (if you care): This my "extra" All Mountain. This board was originally made in '02 for a friend of mine who wanted the same board I had after he rode my AM177, even though he ways about 30lbs less than me. He rode it for about 4 seasons, averaging about 10-12 times per season and then bought an AMT that wasn't as stiff. I bought it as a backup to my AM177 and rode it a few times. I had them both ground and sharpened late last season, mine with a coarse structure and the one I'm selling with a fine structure. It hasn't been ridden since the base grind, but I put a layer of wax on it for storage. Bruce made this board to last, and it's been well taken care of. The recent grind was the only one that has been done. It was always hand waxed. Base and edges were treated with respect and love. Please email me at mwtokar at gmail dot com if you're interested in giving this awesome board a good home. Think Snow, Mike Tokar (proud owner of a brand new, pointy-nosed Coiler AMTVSR Woody 178. My Precious)

Stratton and Okemo are within about 45 minutes of one another and have great trails for carving. You can get great rates for mid-week stays at the plush Long Trail house at Stratton. It's not ski in/out, but is part of the base village and easy to manage. There are ski-in/out condos at Okemo, though i don't know the rate. There used to be a reciprocal deal which allowed you to ride one day at the other mountain if you had a 3-day pass. I'm not sure if that's still the case. Stowe and Smugglers Notch are also right next to one another. If you want to hit something with some real vert, go for Whiteface in NY. The only issue there is that there isn't really any on-mountain lodging AFAIK. The village of Lake Placid is about 15 minutes away and is great for hanging out at night. Killington is also worth a look... Enjoy.

Heading up to Okemo with my non-riding wife this weekend. Wanted to see if there were any hardbooters planning to be there. I'll be starting at the Jackson Gore area at 8AM, working my way across to the main mountain and then back again. Mike T

I have a yellow FP 185 that's in decent condition. Haven't ridden it in years. It has hand-lettering on it showing the specs, and there's a mark on the topsheet where it looks like they started drilling out the inserts but messed up and fixed it, so it's technically a "blem". It replaced a FP185 that i had broken earlier in that season. I normally don't sell my old boards for sentimental reasons, but would consider letting it go to a good home. It took me a lot to get the original one, as it was an olympic year (1998) and they only were selling up to the 178 in the states at the time. They let me use a 178 for some races while i waited for the 185. It's got some cool history, considering that it was the first year that they allowed snowboarding in the Olympics. Let me know if you want to set up a phone call or private email chat. MT

if you want to be on skis for teaching kids, and wear snowboard hardboots, you can use a set of snowblades/bigfoot skis that come with non-release bindings. I did that about 8 years ago with my old burton hardboots and it fit the bill pretty well. Worst case scenario you may need to put the bindings on in the reverse way they clip onto normal ski boots. The shorter skis allow you to skate around and ski backwards which is great for little beginners. No poles, no long planks, minimal hassle. I haven't taken them off the bunny slope and really stressed them, so don't bet your life on the set up in serious conditions.