CMC

For general carving on most surfaces a 2 degree side, one degree base will work excellent. Most boards that are ground properly will have some form of base bevel(allows edge to not kill the stone) and is furthur set to the desired base bevel after a grind. Some disciplines like slalom may want a tighter base bevel so the edge starts engaging sooner, some may like to open their base bevel on longer Gs/super G lengths. You can go to three degrees on the side making it very sharp but it will have a tendency to dull quicker and require slightly more maintenance.Overall, 2,1 works well. Once set, polish and maintain with stones or diamond files. Kent..are you still alive?

Not even worthy for a wall hanger or bench. I remember a few who had extensive dental work from riding those boards..constant teeth chatter on icey slopes.

..never seen you crash... at all.

The Downing gloves hold up well here in the East. Durability was better than any of the Level gloves for me. We often have lots of abrasive, man made old snow. I would aim towards not touching the snow before I made my gloves look like clown hands. To get to that goal quickly, leave your gloves off for a few runs.

I remember Glenn.

CMC,T-Thurs

shred...are you merlin wizard master carve yet?

Way to botch up the Poll Jack! I agree. Maybe we can change that aspect of the poll or add "pop" or "snappiness"

Nice answer Corey.

Camber flavored jimmies. I remember when you started a little cult at the loaf with these but Tim Sim stuck to his Rossis. Speaking of beta, I just got a betta fish for the office. Beckman, if that did happen, you would test it.

"Where you ride makes a lot of difference in the answer to this question" -- BigwaveDave is on the right track but there still is that ultimate board. Bryan, A poll would work. Many answered with boards they had. That's great. But not what I was looking for. I wanted to see what characteristics most guys are looking for if they get a carving board. For me, the ultimate carving board would have impeccable performance on icy and firm surfaces and it wouldn't be metal or have a need for a plate. Its quality would sit side by side with it's performance. After a few hundred days of riding this ultimate board, it would still ride like it was new and barely have a scratch on it. There wouldnt be your typical top sheet chunks taken out, etc. Its base would be almost gouge proof and have a high resistance to base burn/oxidation from man made old snow. There would be no graphics on the base or top. The edges would be tempered harder than the average soft edge..maybe a little harder to hand file but lasting longer. Quality and performance are the two characteristics I would look for. It must also have a very high fun factor. Would you want to spend almost 2k on a deck and have rusty inserts? Been there, kind of sucks. The ultimate board would almost have a cult following. The ultimate board would be somewhat "magical" allowing the rider to pull off turns he/she once before dreamed of. Where did free carving go? Did it sell itself to racing? The ultimate board wouldn't be a good race board. Maybe some day about 6 of the top manufacturers could collaborate and make the ultimate board because right now not one single one has it. I mean no offense by that statement because there certainly are some good/great product out there. But they are not the ultimate. We may see something come out of Europe, but I dont have any timeline or details for that at this time.

Ok..let's not mention any particular boards or manufacturers. If you were to get the best carving board what qualities/characteristics would be priority? Forget about Coiler being able to do this or Donek being able to do that or Oxess or Prior.. No names...looking for board characteristics. Somehow the boat was missed. Would performance be the top priority or would durability be in the top seat? Etc, etc.Some guys just like having a good looking board and would rather have it looking like a Ferrari and are satisfied with the board's ok performance. Some want top notch performance while they could care less about how it looks. Where do these things sit with you guys? Again..carving boards..no gates here.

Hans, thanks for your input. Sorry to bore you and no one is arguing (yet). For the sake of this thread, a board does exist that can almost do it all. It is always nice to have a quiver tho, I can agree with you on that. Ive had upwards of 15 decks at any given time and would bring three to the hill on a daily basis....good stuff. Slalom skateboard racing we can use one deck that will do it all for multiple disciplines, snowboard racing not so much. BUT..this thread relates to carving...carving on hard snow, not powder riding ,etc

If you could have the best alpine board ever, what qualities/characteristics would be priority? Please back up your answer with some substance. 1) Graphics-base and top sheet? 2) Durability-gouge proof base, bulletproof top sheet, edges that are harder than standard, etc? 3) Performance-would it be just a good board with good edge hold or what it blow your mind and make you want to purchase it after two runs? Would it be just a common, boring ride or one that you could not get enough of? High fun factor? Would it be a board that would allow your skills to match its performance so you wouldn't have to get a "better" board? 4) Does a high price tag affect purchasing the best? 5) Should the board be ready to ride with a "factory tune"? The focus is on the ultimate carving board, not the ultimate race board. No gates in this conversation.

I'll be there.

Ok..see you in the AM

Great analogy Sean. Can you please pass the fine wine, the filet mignon, and of course, the fine Donek knife?....

Any one hitting Stratton this week? Midweek?

Who ever smelt it, dealt it.

Would like to rip on a Virus one of these days.

Shred, We shall get drunk at the ECES and wait for your girl to call asking where you are. Right said CMC

I think I am there something like Dec 27 through the 2nd of January.

Lee..just sent you a PM. Skippy! I'll come visit...will need a buddy pass..buddy.

I'll probably see Bill this winter up at Stratton and will certainly tell him that you said hi. Bill is a great guy and awesome rider.

Spoke to PSR. He may be using Sunapee as his home mtn...second to Okemo. Probably see him closer to mid season. He says hi to all.