DrCR

Hitting Snowshoe at the end of Feb., but I'm really not crazy about how Snowshoe closes their best terrain (e.g. all their blacks) at 4:30pm. A mid-week, one-day excursion to the Canaan Valley / Timberline area was decided upon as a remedy. Which should it be, Canaan Valley, Timberline, or some other resort in that area? Timberline has the nod right now, but I wanted to check in for the community's thoughts.

I'm hitting Utah this year with a few friends for maybe 10 days or so. My thought is to spend at least one day at every resort worth visiting, and then stay ski-in/ski-out at the best mountain or two for the remainder of the time. After a bit of homework, my initial thought is to say off mountain to the south/south-west and drive in to Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, PCMR/Canyons, et al., and then say ski-in/ski-out at Powder Mountain for the remaining days since, I've read, Powder Mountain's access road can be iffy. But I don't even know, for example, if Powder Mountain would be the best time investment or even worth visiting. I don't mind a bit of driving initially to check out all the resorts of interest, but I'd like to settle in a bit to have more chill time after the first several days. Any recommendations?

Dynastar "4807", correct?

UPM? I did not find anything regarding this on Coilers page when I just checked. I would have loved to come across this many years ago. Best success to you Excelsior -- there's someone out there who would love one of these.

Youtube is giving a "This video is unavailable." error message.

Well, this season I just held an old digital camera in front of me for a few runs, but it doesn't show the rider of course i.e. me, so I had to explain carving et al rather than just showing them. I've thought about getting a gopro or like camera and mounting it to my helmet, but would it just be more of the same? For trips that don't include other riders with helmet cameras, would it be better to just setup a comparatively bulky camcorder (cheap, better quality, greater battery life and storage) on the side of a run with a mini-tripod, press play, and get some footage on the next run (and edit out the initial footage later)? Just curious as to what ideals you guys may have.

Yeah, turns out I'm booked for tomorrow. I may see if I can get Monday off. I'll let you know if I do. (I've never boarded with another hardbooter before -- I'm a few days a year guy, so I'd enjoy getting pointers from you and learning from your technique, if it works out.)

4WD SUV. I'd be driving up from the south, so I thought about staying in a hotel in Banner Elk late Saturday and then hitting the mountain first thing Saturday morning. I kind of depends on how work works out though. I got really spoiled on Widowmaker at Snowshoe a few weeks ago too -- all I can figure is most everyone was intimidated by the steepness and taking the less intense side runs. So I could actually take up the whole width without worrying too much about getting slammed from behind. I was more than happy with the arrangement since narrow runs are an issue of survival for me. I doubt I will have that luxury on Southern Star and White Lightening at Beech on a Saturday though, and with ice being dumped on via snow making, and the tremendous noise they make, hum, I may call the mountain, depending on how work works out, and see if they are planning on making snow.

I saw that. Tempting. I only have so many days off though, and will likely be going out west next year. Any reason you are not a fan of the "Shoe"? I had a blast on Widowmaker a few weeks ago.

Good weekend for Beech? Or will it just be crazy crowded and too unsafe to carve? Do they tend to make snow, err ice, even when they are getting natural snow?

I may drive up for an extended weekend at some point. What's the dope on how good the weather will be this year? I may spring for one of the $99 unlimited pre-Dec25th lift tickets.

Please enable emailing so we can email you. Burton Diode Bindings - are these for the standard 4-hole insert pattern?

I need to look into that. I thought about springing for this route, but $360 is rather steep. Xion Protective Gear Jacket

I decided to pass. Thanks

Email sent.

A Mac user who doesn't like Safari and looks under the hood at the raw html code. You're 1 in 100 my friend. I guess that's why you're a Hardbooter as well. (Typed on a MBP3,1 still running 10.4.11)

Thanks, wvrocks. Bummer that's so out of our way though. We are driving up from the southeast. I had a poor experience with getting my old Deeluxe boots fitted at a western NC shop, so I'd kind of rather not repeat it. Maybe there's a good place I'm not aware in NC though.

Good bootfitter in the Snowshow WV area? I've got to get my RC10s bootfitted (stock liners), and I'd like to pick up a pair of softies and get them fitted then too for a powder setup.

Hi Bryan, That comment caught my eye as attempting to ride Mt Bachelor pow chop last year on an OSin 4807 was a total disaster. While I suspect my too far-foward center of gravity was at least part of the issue, I was eying the Hazelwood as a soft&hardboot board for PNW pow days (and for epic pow days there or elsewhere too) just the same, hoping the stiffer nose wouldn't take me for such a ride that the 169cm OSin took me on. Just how soft did the nose seem to you? I'm ready to put money down on a Hazelwood or a Furberg.

I have the opportunity to pick up a new pair of Burton Idiom 2008 boots for $120 shipped. They look like this. Good route to take, or would I be better off putting the green to a modern pair of softies for non-groomer days? Thanks! The lacing is not a con for me. I've never used a speed lace system before, but I'm actually kind of prejudice against them (and also I'm lurking ebay Nike Kaiju boots, vs Ions or the like, in part for that reason), so I don't mind the fact that they are traditional lace.

Anyone spent time with the Nidecker Megalight or Legend?

Just got it in today. Thanks!

Sorry, these are now sold.

That's pretty high praise. Do they have a big heal, like Timeless61 reported of the Vicious? That would be a con for me. Anyone have experience with the Nike Kaiju? I'm looking for softies for pow days, and may just buy Buton Rulers or Imperials retail but the Deeluxe Spark and Nike Kaiju caught my eye.

Does the spearhead have that much rocker though?