MN Surfer

It seems that I'm ruining a pair of gloves per year. Leather seem to be better, but they always wear-out/rip/shred in the fingertips, and on the outside of the pointer-finger. I attribute most, if not all of this to releasing toe bails. I've actually started wrapping the bails in electrical tape, and that seems to have helped a bit, smoothing out the edges and all that. Anyway, my $150 Swany's (which worked great, until...) from last season are now wood-choppers, so I need a pair. Any advice brands to look consider in the 5-finger format? I had an old leather pair of North Face (c. 2000) that lasted for nearly 10 years. Now I can barely muster a season out of a pair. Thanks! Brian

Meadows are now open, but still nothing on the front. Coffee Mill is looking to open on the 28th! Nothing like like old, rickety lifts and zero crowd.

Looks like Afton is planning on opening this weekend. Solidly cold temps for the next several days, so I'm sure they'll be making snow all day and night. Anyone have insight as to what will be open, trail/lift-wise? And on another note, can you renew your Epic Pass form last year, or does a guy need a new one?

Affirm. Since back in '99.

What, no actual surfing? Throw a fin on that sucker! I suppose it could put a real straining on a leash.

Love the style points at 0:55...

Better days...

Looks fun, and thanks for the report! Just about to leave for Lutsen, for Saturday and Sunday turns. Be on the look-out for a big, red blur. Brian

Last Hurrah before the big melt? Looks like a picture-perfect, bluebird day. Headed there with the better half...

You can definable pick-out surfers. Maybe not each one, but there's a certain style to someone who has a lot of surf influence. I surfed for years (still do, of course) before discovering snowboarding. Then a few years later I learned I could make more surfy turns on a different set-up. Haven't ridden the softboots much, since. It seems if you ride powder, you can get really close to mimicking the feeling of surfing whilst on softboots. Unfortunately here in the mid-west, that's not an option. So I've found that steep carves and hardbooting provides the necessary fix when the Lake Superior is flat or frozen (usually one of the two). As for style differences, whomever I'm skiing comments on how I have a different flow (not saying it's a good one!), even when compared to those on similar equipment. I tend to stay a bit farther back in the seat than a guy should, with maybe a little more Lopez/Thompson flare to the turns, and I can't help but hit the fall line and tuck under some overhanging branches. Brian www.superiorsurfclub.com

Fitger's El Nino IPA (7.5%) is a year-rounder, and always pleases. Starfire is their "lighter" (<6%) IPA. They do growlers, as well (can't bring your own; Must be the brewery's. MN Blue laws.). Good food at the Fitz, too. Try the Wild Rice burger. Avoid the Canal Park Brewery.

Essentially, it doesn't take any more time to sign-up than it does to purchase a single-day. You have to stay in the same line, regardless. Was out last Friday and with the preferred... $22. All day. Not bad. Maybe even a few inches to help freshen things up a bit???

Yeah, I'm sure I'm out there somewhere. But as the ex used to say, "You all look like a bunch of seals."

Thanks, all! One of the selling points of Whitecap is the trail-side, pet-friendly lodging. And it just looks classic. They've been getting snow (like most everywhere in MI), so that shouldn't be an issue, though I have had others tell me that yes, the grooming is not all too reliable, and you really need fresh. Would love to hit MQT someday (been surfing up there quite a bit, and it's a solid 7-hours from the Cities). Hoping I can cajole a couple friends to do a week-long UP tour, next winter. Man, there's a lot of good skiing up there.

Just wondering if anyone could offer thier 2-cents on Whitecap. Every year we do Lutsen for 3-days, and were thinking of mixing it up this year. Apples and oranges, obviously (when compared to Lutsen), but their both the same distance (4-hours) for us. - Can this be entertaining enough for two days of skiing? - How is the ski-in/out lodging? Looks a bit... rustic on the (rustic) website. - Is there a bar/restaurant? Thanks! Brian.

I gotta go with Lutsen. You can find 3-night/3-lift ski in/out condo packages for around $350 pp, which is a darn good deal. There's just nothing else like it in the Midwest. That being said.... The other alternative, taking into consideration the time and cost of the drive, is heading CO way. Flying to DEN is dirt cheap ($130 from MSP, anyway), and you could be clicking-in at Loveland by the time you're to Madison.

Fun. I feel a chest cold coming on... [Edit] Speaking of 'Epic'. We've been to Afton twice this year (yesterday was as good as it gets. Perfect snow conditions, and every lift open.), and each time they've had some serious trouble with ticketing. Fortunately we arrived pre-open and didn't have any issues, but others in our party, arriving around 10:30, waited over an hour in-line for lift tickets/passes. The Epic/Preferred thing is pretty sweet (I know I rode 40 lifts, and covered 9816 vertical! Still not sure what the 'points' are for, though.), but the system seems to have the staff baffled a bit. Okay, a lot. Anyway, probably not an issue on a Wednesday, non-holiday morning, but just FYI if you haven't dealt with this yet.

Didn't look like much fresh, so brought the hardboot rig, and ditched the Crystal plans. We went from slushy, incredibly crowded, Stevens on one day to cool and sunny, groomed and empty, Montana-esque beauty at Mission Ridge the next. Wow, what a difference an hour makes. It was only about 1/3 open, but boy does that look like a fun mountain!

Thank you, sir. I believe we will be staying on-mountain (Silver Skis?) so we'll be sure to get on it early. I'm with a group of skiers, so I'm sure they'll be up for your suggestion of hiking the last run. Thanks for tips!

Hello, all. I'll be at Crystal next weekend, travelling by air. First time there, and unfortunately I may be restricted to bringing only one board/boots. So the question is, what would a guy get the most mileage and fun out of; hard or soft boot set-up? It looks like the joint gets a lot of fresh, and from what I can tell the off-piste is a big draw. Anyway, any suggestion/advice is appreciated! Cheers. Brian

I've bought several items off this forum, and it's always been pleasant. Guess that's a favor to return when the ol' lady tells me to clean out the garage.

Looks like a lot of fun! On my List for next year's Montana trip.

Granite is one of my favorite joints in the Mid West. The mid-mountain lift and the new terrain help to keep different abilities separated. And I think they may have a new high-speed quad, though I might be mistaken on that. Up's and Down's in temps may have it a little icy at the bottom, and on the runs farthest east. There's plenty of terrain, and the chalet has a great selection of local craft beers. On the way to Lutsen for one final day...

Anyone think Afton will be worth a 'go' tomorrow (Tuesday 5-Mar) evening? 4-8" over the next 24, so I get worried about there being too much new snow, and being lumpy and unrideable. I haven't been there since Christmas, so not even sure what the current conditions are. Season's wrapping-up quick, and just looking to get in a couple more days before breaking out the storage wax. Cheers! Brian.

I'm in Denver (for work, not for fun) this week and was hoping to possibly go home with some bindings for a second board. Looking for standard (i.e. non-Step-In) Large (US11/M30) TD2/3's, Catek OS2's or similar. 4x4 mount, and Cants preferred 6-back, 3-front, but am flexible with the cants. Newer or good condition. I think that about does it. Cash and local pick-up. I am in Centennial and could pick-up either Wednesday or Thursday evening. Cheers! brianstabinger [at] gmail [punta] com Brian