JJFluff

Hello Minnesotans- Headed to the in-laws for the New this year and was thinking about doing some riding on either the 30th or 31st. Anybody thinking of doing the same? They are in Plymouth. Had a good time at Buck a couple years back and rode some wet slush at Afton Alps once as well. Let me know if anyone will be out.

I ride both, and enjoy both the same. I probably split time on both boards. Maybe even a little more time on the softboard. I love it all.

Have not been there since Monday but with the sustained cold temps and the snow they should be in great shape. The website will display runs that are open.

My local ski hill will be opening this Saturday. They spent tons of money this summer and doubled the pump capacity for snowmaking. By next weekend the snow should be great with continued cold temps. See you there.

Hi Bryan, I was the guy riding the old burton fp and raceplates that day and still remember talking as well. Hope your leg has healed up well from the 07? SES. I've upgraded a bit but still ride a FP- picked up on ebay, although I did upgrade to the newer style raceplate binding that burton produced. But I digress... I always read your posts Bryan because you are very respectful to everyone who posts on the site. If more handled themselves the way you do, more would probably hang out and post their thoughts. I always try to make the point that if you have the money than spend it however you like. At the same time it certainly is not a necessity to drop 1000 bucks on a board to improve. In my opinion, save the money and spend it on a trip to a resort and rip on what you have. That is always my dillema. If I by a new board I won't be able to get to the mountains to ride it. So I guess I just have to move the family to Colorado so I can stop shopping on ebay. Or, get to SES and hopefully win one. But if I had the money I would spend 800bucks on a board. At this time 250.

Yeah, you should align your highbacks with your heel edge. You need to be able to push and pull your board through and into turns. And this concludes my first post of the 09-10 season.

I jumped back on a pair of skis and after about 5 hours of riding absolutely love the shaped stick. I am now 33 and the last time I was on skis I was 15. I find that I can really engage the edge better than most and know for a fact that the riding the alpine board for the last 15+ years makes all the difference. Engaging an edge (or two) is definately a skill not all can achieve. Some posts have eluded to the fact that 90% of snowboarders can't carve and the same goes for skiers. I have a lot to learn on the skis but after only a few hours being able to lay down "train tracks" in the snow has everything to do with the fact I can carve a snowboard. And now I can conclude that riding a race board is much more difficult than laying tracks on a pair of skis.

Wow, after hearing all these complaints I'm glad I wasn't there. Not. I've always looked at the banquet cost going towards the chance to win a board or bindings. Who cares about the food. Last year once the beer ran out I bought bottles. Oh well. It helped to ease the pain leaving without winning a board. Then I went out on the town and smiled the whole time because I was in Aspen, Colorado. In 05 I bought the package and demoed one board. I would have demoed more but I didn't want to take the time to get setup and lose time on the mountain. So in 07 I just got the lift tickets at a great price. Didn't demo at all, just rode with a ton of people and met some great new friends and caught up with others I met in 05. I will say this though, if the St. Moritz ever closes there outdoor pool, I will be pissed. See you in 2010, I hope.

This probably won't help much as far as describing technique but I find the days I struggle are the days that I don't go for it. Being tentative entering a turn never works out right. You need to have confidence entering and drive into the turn even on the hard stuff that you think might cause you to lose the edge. When you hold back your body position is wrong and not where it needs to be. The place where it is on those perfect snow days. So my best advise, be confident and trust the edge, ride consistently both on bulletproof and soft groom.

Of course there is always the celebrity hot tub for you old guys.

you bastard!!!!!! Oh yeah and Bill, don't break a leg.......or a rib..... or a hip.

Here I sit in Wisconsin reading posts of those who will be trekking to Aspen over the next couple of days wishing I was going to be packing to do the same. Whoa is me. But, alas I must stay home and take care of my new 5 month old son. A good consellation none the less but man do I want to be the one flying out this weekend. Granted he is the best, and soon we will both be at SES but it kills me to not be able to go. Anyways, see you in 2010. Enjoy the cord, sun, and company. And keep those knees together for the love of pete. Jon aka- jjfluff

This Burton made me smile!

A snowboard.

If starbucks has the nerve to just stick a can on the counter, and wants a tip after pouring my coffee, you better believe I'll take a tip after working hard to make somebody get the most from their lesson.

Just say no to angulation.

I love my Canon 40D. I took my avatar with it- my son Noah.

I ride a T-6 and love it. It's stiff, snappy, and lightweight. I split time between hard and soft setup because carving the T-6 is tons o fun. I will be buying another in the future.

Whats wrong with burton?

Yeah, I like beer.

For me I find altitude effects show up the most walking up stairs. Every year it is the same thing. By the third day your cruising up them like a local.

The answer is yes. When I go out west I take fulllll advantage. I don't even like stopping for lunch. Can't wait to get back out. And there is usually a tear in the eye when the last day is over, and I know its back to Wisconsin.

True that! At the same time give that 20-year old driver to tiger and he probably get 150 more yards out of it than you would. No offense. :D And then, he would give you that club back and respectively say, I think I'll keep using what I got. So yes, the new toys are better, but one can get a lot out of the old if used correctly.

No offense taken, I agree. I don't question that the board is better. But a expert rider can make a lesser board better too. A beginner to intermediate rider does not need to spend 800+ on a board. They will never get out of it what was put in. It would be like me going out and buying a $35 dollar box of golf balls because Tiger hits them 30yards further. I might as well take the 35 dollars and throw it in the water and save myself some time. A range ball would react the same off my club because of my lack of technique.

Bruce is a board builder. From what I hear a damn good one. I am not questioning his ability that is for sure. Just stating the truth....(In most cases) One doesn't need a new board to ride better, One may just want one. What I need to do is get a third job so I can keep up with the Jones' :D