Neil Gendzwill
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Posts posted by Neil Gendzwill
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OK, would that be Ice Coast steep, or really steep? 'cuz there's some shit you just can't carve.
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You've got to try them on, because people's head shape varies. Mine is quite long and narrow, which is why I have such a hard time fitting helmets. Some helmets fit round heads, some fit oval. Some motorcycle helmet manus even make the same helmet in different shapes for that reason.
Bottom line - I'd never buy a helmet by mail unless I'd tried on the same model and size in a shop somewhere.
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Originally posted by Miguel
Along the same lines but with a slightly different twist, there was a lift at Whistler that scared the bejezus out of me.
The Summit Poma at Louise is no picnic. It serves some pretty steep terrain, and one of the pitches it goes up is well over 30 degrees. There's knotted ropes on either side in case you fall and don't feel like sliding through all the other skiers and riders equipment on your way down. Totally worth it, though - they keep it a poma for the express purpose of discouraging the tourists from going where they don't belong.
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Originally posted by willywhit
The best part about wearing a brainbucket is when the paranoid knucklehead pulls the bar down just as your feet leave the snow it won't piss you off as much when it clips the back of your noggin.
The flip side of that is that the bar hits you on the head more often because your head is that much bigger (at least for us tall guys it's a problem).
Aisling, I agree - find something that fits. I'm in a Giro Ravine, which I really like but mainly it was the only helmet big enough for my XXL cranium.
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Not sure how many of you have seen this, but Tara Dakides fell 25 feet while doing one of Letterman's stunt on the street routines. She's going to be OK.
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I've ridden at Island Lake Lodge (Fernie, BC) and can recommend it without reservation as the best riding experience of my life. I think they're booked 3 years in advance these days but you never know...
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I'm happy to stand corrected on the level 4 issue, my statements were based on the way things were last I checked into lessons, which was 2 or 3 years ago. My fault, who knew so many level fours would spring up in so little time?
Maybe I'm just a little bitter about the whole process. I have twice signed up for an "advanced" lesson, got stuck with a bunch of people who were lucky to skid their way down a blue run. Look at the programs posted on the wall, there's 9 levels of progression for skiing and only 4? I think for riding. It basically stops after you can stay on edge on a blue run.
When I was skiing, I could take a group lesson and guaranteed the instructor could kick my ass and teach me something. For riding it appears I need to sign up for a private and hope it's good. Do they give you a refund if you can ride better than your instructor? That's what happened last time I was at an "advanced" lesson.
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Originally posted by Matt D
Since all Level 4 Instructors in Canada have to ride a carving board, any of them in that area (and there are a few) should be able to help you out.
No such thing as a level 4 snowboard instructor in Canada that I've heard of, and only a dozen or so level 3s. I think the director at Sunshine is level 3, but all the other guys are ones and twos. I'd be surprised if there is anyone at Sunshine or Louise equipped to help her. My experience with enquiring about the level of lessons I'd need has been negative. I even got some attitude when I suggested that their regular "advanced" instructors might not have what it takes.
Most of the local carving crew hangs out at Norquay and Nakiska, according to a couple of guys I talked to last weekend. Might be worth your while to head out there for a day and see who you can hook up with. I know they used to even rent carving gear at Norquay a few years ago, not sure if they still do.
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Paypal works fine internationally, I just bought a pair of bindings from a fellow in the Netherlands (hi, Hans). He hadn't heard of the service before, but once I explained it he had no problems using it: everything worked smooth and way more cheaply than trying to do a bank transfer or send a money order (which has costs on both ends).
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Why not just learn to ride the bumps? I loves me some bumps.
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For my money, Victoria Jealouse has had some of the best photos of any rider, regardless of sex. I've had a centrefold from Snowboarder hanging in my office for years of her tearing it up down some 50 degree face in Valdez. She rawks!
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Happened to have the March 1995 issue of TWS sitting here, open the front cover and what do you see - a 2 page spread ad from Burton, featuring Victoria Jealouse ripping a carve and looking fine. My how things have changed! For my money, the only magazines worth buying are Powder and Ski Canada.
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Originally posted by thulsadoom
It looks like more of a racer rather than a free-carve?!... ?
Thanks.
It's a free-carver, pretty wide across the middle IIRC (21.5?).
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Actually I don't think it's an issue for computer geeks in either the US or Canada to work in either place. Computer geekery is on the list of occupations that you can easily get permission for, its a NAFTA thing I think. The easiest way to do it is to obtain the job offer first. With job offer in hand, the visa is easy. Or at least, it used to be.
Commercial diving/welding combined with skiing is a no-brainer, Vancouver would be your choice. It's a 2 hour drive to Whistler which isn't exactly handy but beats the hell out of access where I am.
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If you go to Prior's website they've got quite a few factory seconds/demos on for good deals. Note the prices are in Canadian dollars.
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I never get negative comments. If they ask what it is, I tell them. If they call it a race board, I tell them it's an all-mountain board - I try to make sure they know that I'm on a versatile tool, not some specialty racing equipment.
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Originally posted by Kent
I was being a bit anal today and timed some runs. The skiers were avging in the low 40s. Boarders were in the high 50s. EEEK!
Is there really any doubt about the superiority of skis as a racing tool? Not to mention jumping big and sticking it with speed.
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I'm happy with my Smith Triads, the way the strap attaches to wings off the front of them really works well with helmets. I've never heard anything bad about Briko goggles, so you might want to go with the matching equipment - I just found them hard to find and even harder to get a good price on. At least with the Smiths I could get my hands on a pair locally to see if they would match up with my helmet.
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One just got posted with pic to the buy/sell forum
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Rats, only 310.5. I did get 206 with the javelin-style finish, though.
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Cassandra - just measure the length of your foot, mondo 25 means a 25 cm long foot.
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(416)503-9923
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Originally posted by Todd Stewart
try some angles in the 60s
60s are too steep for a Coil - that board has a 21.5 cm waist. I have size 27.5 and can get angles down to 40 degrees or so with my 4WD, which is the same waist width. Maybe try 50 front, 40 rear as something that will work on the Coil but is not too far off your current setup?
Chooding a binding: to step-in or not.
in Carving Central
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I'd go for the plain Burton Race, the Automat is kinda kludgy, not nearly as nice as the newer Intec or FAST design step-ins. I think the simpler design of the race will work better and more reliably. Others here will try to steer you away from the Race but for a beginner's binding it is fine. Make sure to inspect the plastic bits before you buy for any cracks or other signs of wear, and inspect them regularily while you use them.
If you really want step-in, you can get into a set of F2 Intec Challenge from Blue Tomato for around $US106, and the heels to match them go for $50, so you're double your budget on the Race. Which should be cheaper than $75 used anyways IMNSHO.