GSXRSteve

Thanks for the offer Russ, if things work out, and I hope they do, I might be in a position to take you up on the kind offer. In looking at your post #12, we are just about opposite at least on the size issue. With the bone grafts and muscle flap they added to cover the exposed bone my lower leg is actually larger than the other but due to the internal damage to the muscle probably 50% weaker and with less range of motion.

For a guy totally new to the idea of a carving board and having seen only one mono at Snowshoe WV a few years ago this is great. I'm still recovering from an injury that won't let me use conventional skis, so it's nice to know there are options, Hoping to get on a board next season. Cool innovation BlueB!!!!!

I'm brand new to the list so I won't make an judgement calls on what's right or wrong, acceptable or not acceptable but I can see very easily how the accident happened, wide open trail, no one around, board carving nicely, you get into flowing down the hill get lost in the moment, good idea to check six from time to time but hell I probably won't have looked back up hill myself in those conditions. I've done a few figure 11 runs over the years but I figure I get more bang for the buck if I make a some turns along the way. Glad the injuries were minor, no fun riding the sled to the bottom!

I love Mt. Hood, took several summer ski camps there. You think you're pretty fast until the pros run in the lane next to you at two or three times the speed, amazing stuff. There was a hardbooter, instructor in one of our groups, don't remember what year (early/mid 90's) or his name but he rocked. Bad deal on your buddies son, but it sounds like he's going for it and isn't let it slow him down much.

Sounds interesting, I'm definitely going to keep digging through all the newbie FAQ stuff on board and boot "stuff" before heading to Denver next month on a business trip and hopefully a side trip by Bomber to chat with the folks one on one. Realistically it'll be next season before I'm ready to commit to some on snow activity but it's sounding pretty good. 2 years ago I didn't think I was going to walk again and now I'm talking about getting back up on the hill so that's pretty cool.

Sounds like you have adapted well to the challenge, with some fairly simple but thought out changes/equipment, . While not technically handicapped I've managed to reduce the strength in my right leg a significant amount due to breaking it twice, the last time 2 1/2 years ago needed multiple operations, pins, plates, screws and bone grafts. Sooooo I was an avid skier and am now looking at a carving board to get back on the hill. Visited a board shop in SLC a few weeks ago that carried a few carving boards but they didn't have anyone there really up to speed on the sport, good group of folks though, very friendly and they tried to help. Anyway seems like a good way to get back on the hill and have some fun with my buddies here on the "least coast" and ultimately get out west and get back into it. The Skwal deal, if I understand it sounds like a carving board with a different foot position, more like slalom water skiing than boarding?????