cliffh

Chill...we had a great early season and it will recover in no time after this January thaw. You have my personal guarantee that it will be the snowiest March on record and those without a big nosed powder boards will be bitching and moaning about the lack of groom! Your not missing anything this weekend anyway so if it has to be ****ty out this is the best weekend for it, right?

I rode one for a couple of seasons. I liked it a lot. I had the 171. It had a very ‘turney’ side cut – I forget the exact numbers but it was some kind of ‘elliptical side cut’ like 9/10/11. It would come around real quick on transitions. All and all a very fun board and very lively. More like an SL board IMO. It actually threw me off a number of times before I came to terms with its snappy nature – You throw energy into it and it will throw it right back at you in spades. I finally learned to ride quieter and we got along quite well. I wound up trading her in for a Donek FC 171 which would handle my masher style without throwing me off like an angry wife discovering I had an affair with her sister. I weigh in at 215 lbs – perhaps for a lighter rider the Elan would be less temperamental. Regardless – I loved her during our time together. Construction was top notch and the topsheet was a beautiful pearlized green – real nice looking deck.

Conditions were sucking as of Tuesday and getting worse every day. I know the Donek is new so I'd bring an older stick if you have one. Lot's of rocks being brought to the surface by the groomers and some thin spots starting to pop up. Real shame considering how good it was just a couple of weeks ago.

Well - if is not the one Mr D. got screwed on it is a great powder board. It has a huge nose with inserts set way back. I've had one for years and love it. It's not bad on the groom either but I use mine strictly for the powder days.

My Stats: 6'3, 215 lbs. Favorites - Donek FCI 171 and Nidecker GS 170. Same 11.2 sidecut, Nidecker is a 19 vs Donek 18 cm waist. Both are great boards that can turn super tight or can do larger turns at warp speeds with no problems. If I could only have one it would be the Donek. I found the Madd and the Volkl's too soft for my weight.

I'm sure others will disagree but I prefer something in the 170 +/- range for icier conditions. I think long boards rule on the hero snow but I feel they get a little much to handle when a delicate touch is required. I'd prefer your Volkl under those circumstances. That being said - the FC II 179 is a great board though I personally prefer the 18cm FC I version. Better yet - the 185 version Bomber sells!

board is sold

Have you asked if anyone wants to sqp in the classified?

Volkl Cross 167. Rare chance to own one of the greats. This classic BX board is in very good condition, base and edges are fine, topsheet has a slight chip on the nose which I epoxied and it’s fine. Rest of the topsheet in very good condition. Just waxed and ready to ride. $200 plus shipping. I’ll post pics Sunday. board is sold

Nidecker GS 177 – Brand new 2005-6 model. Perfect condition – as new. Ridden twice, waxed three times. This thing is fast - 13.5 sidecut radius, 19.5 waist. $425 shipped or can be picked up in southern Fairfield County or at Stratton Mountain, VT. Pics on the website or I can send. http://www.nidecker.ch/snowboards/snowboards.php?board_id=85 board is sold, sorry

detail of nose

I never rode a 'regular' one so I have nothing to compare it to. I find it's too soft for me - I weigh in at 220. If your ever back at Stratton and I still have the board your welcome to try it. Personally I prefer my original series Donek FC. Cliff

Madd 170 For Sale – no more then 15 days riding on a PTC tune. Excellent condition - $400 plus shipping. Can be picked up at Stratton, VT or Fairfield County, CT. BTW - I am told the black lines you see running vertically through the board is additional carbon fiber not found on others you may have seen. On most 170 Madd's these lines are barely visible. This is supposed to make the board a bit stiffer then the standard ones. Sold - 12/29/05

The Starting Gate by Stratton has everything you need - great boot fitters, Delux and Head boots, Donek and Nidecker carving sticks, Catek or Bomber bindings, all in stock. Most important are the boots - get them fit properly. Plus if you ride Stratton there's always hard boot riders around to get pointers from. Good luck and welcome to the club.

Bromely has some nice wide blue trails and lift ticket prices and crowds are less then neighboring mountains but less terrain choices. Nice mountain for your purpose. Good Sunday deal as well.

Int’l - Snow Sims Wished to Reassure Dealers Sims new General Manager, Michael Tadgell recently announced smoother waters for the long-time snowboard manufacturer following the company’s acquisition by Itochu International. “We felt that in the face of constant and persistent negative trade rumors that we needed to let our dealers know in a public way that Sims is focused on supporting their efforts," stated Tadgell. “Specifically, we have added a Canadian-based Customer Service office to serve our dealers, installed a new information system and have open purchase orders supported by ‘letters of credit’ to all our key factories. In short, we’re open for business and Sims’ plans to be for a long time." ITOCHU International Inc. (www.itochu.com) is the North American flagship company of ITOCHU Corporation (www.itochu.co.jp), a Japanese company. ITOCHU International consists of over 21 companies across a diverse industry base and business model investment. One of ITOCHU International’s core competencies focuses on brand management and marketing, which has involved the company in the negotiation of licensing distribution agreements with J. Crew, Tumi luggage, Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Armani, Guess, Converse, and others. For more Information call Michael Tadgell at Sims (905) 696-0879 or Chris Chang (212) 827-5641.

On my Donek FC I ride centered. I found my new Nidecker 177 GS has a long nose and I need to mount the bindings as far dorward as I can. I rode it centered the first day and moved them forward after a few runs because things didn't feel right. Centered on the Madd also BTW.

what brand/model boot do you have? to you ride in flex vs locked mode? which leg - front or back or both? what width board at what angles?

I will second Mike's observations - I own both - and the Donek is definitely stiffer. BTW - I think I have one of the stiffer versions of the Madd (wider CF stripes going through the topsheet - the Madd kid looks like he's behind bars!)

ditto - never used the things

Board - I would go with something in the 170 range. My favorite is the 171 Donek Freecarve I, but a close second is the 170 Nidecker GS. One I'd like to try is the F2 Silberpfeil. All three coincidently enough are available through Bomber! These are all great general Freecarve boards - not race specific boards which can be a handful. If you do a lot off piste riding then the Donek Axis/Prior 4WD would be a more appropriate choice. Bindings - you’re a big boy - get big boy bindings. Bomber or Catek. Personally I prefer the simplicity of the Bombers but you can't go wrong either way. At your size stay far away from Burton Raceplates. F2 plates are another popular option. Boots - I know debates have raged about snowboard boots vs ski boots but I think if you have the money a good snowboard specific boot that is fit properly is the most important component. There are basically two choices Deelux (Raichle) or Head. I'm very happy with my Deelux Suzukas good luck

Gerbing heated jacket liner and gloves. Heated grips are amazing. You can ride down into the 40's with regular gloves. I find mid-40's or below though the electrics rule. www.gerbing.com

how come that never happens with my auctions? good lord.

Inhd?

get another job with intolerant people such as yourself. Perhaps the Bush administration? get a life.