skipuppy

If you can get to Kirkwood... 1. It's got some of the best snow conditions out of most of the mountains 2. It's a bit more "out there" and therefore has less of a crowd to deal with (the people that go there aren't going because its "there" but actually because they want to be there) ie- less tourists and once-a-years 3. Of all the mountains I've been to at Tahoe (Northstar, Boreal, Mt. Snow, Alpine, Squaw, Northstar, Diamond Peak, Sierra) that is the one where I have seen the most Alpine boarders If you are going during high season stay away from Northstar, Alpine and Squaw Otherwise they are awesome too- I personally like Northstar.. but thats because I used to get their season passes and was located in Truckee

aren't the best boats supposed to "slice/carve" through water? aren't the best airplanes supposed to "slice/carve" through air? aren't the best snowboards supposed to ..... scrape snow?

i started with a soft boot set up (three years ago) and looking back on it I spent most of my time on my A$$ anyway. I just didn't get how you could go downhill without pointing downwards and I am a fairly aggressive skier. At the shop after the board broke (yes) I was told that it would make more sense to just start hardbooting since they are significantly different enough. If you do start them on a soft boot set up I would recommend pointing the feet forward though. I think that would have saved me a lot of pain. Good luck!!!

Nah, in Europe its a whole different ball game. My parents took us (my little sister and I) back when we were younger. We were constantly being knocked down by "mature" adults in the lift line shoving their way through to the front with complete disregard for people who were there already. Its a cultural thing- you just gotta tough it and learn how to stand your ground. As 7 and 10 yros its a bit hard though. In addition, they also stand in line (sometimes even longer lines) and sit on the lift together. As was said earlier, they just don't TALK to each other. I personally think this is a cultural thing too and I have found that if you smile and start up a conversation there it is VERY EASY (unless it is an older "uppity" person) to get a great intellectual discussion on the ride up or joke around. It's just the first move of actually opening the mouth that isn't done all that often.

One other thing I have found insanely helpful: WEARING A BRIGHT ORANGE JACKET!!! 1. My ski club in Santa Rosa loved it the first season I had it because I was always the first to the bottom and in the crowds I was easy to spot. 2. People SEE YOU! Everyone will likely see you. As mentioned above- you stick out of a crowd. If on top of sticking out of a crowd you are going fast they know you know your stuff and give you room instead of trying to make the turn before you pass them. 3. People SEE YOU! If you are lying in the woods after hitting a tree you might be a bit easier to spot. You should never ever go into the trees by yourself in the first place, but being bright makes it easier for the ski patrol to find you. :o

:lol: I love watching them flap their wings. Honestly though, that takes mega guts that I doubt I will ever have. I think my neighbors in my dorm think I am weird- I keep reading your stuff and cracking up loudly and nobody is ever in the room. Just Tonja, in her room all by herself.. bursting out laughing.

Most of my potential head injuries come from "raising the bar" on the lift and knocking into my sister or mom while sitting together. Helmets allow us to be clumsy while sitting without hurting ourselves.

Smart Ass Answer #5: A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets. As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticket, instead he opened his trench coat and flashed her. Without missing a beat....she said, "Sorry, Sir, I need to see your ticket, not your stub." Smart Ass Answer #4: A lady was shopping for a turkey at the grocery store, but she couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked a stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?" The stock boy replied," No ma'am, they're dead." Smart Ass Answer #3: The cop got out of his car and the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. "I've been waiting for you all day," the cop said. The kid replied, "Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could." When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket. Smart Ass Answer #2: A truck driver was driving along on the freeway. A sign comes up that reads, "Low Bridge Ahead." Before he knows it, the bridge is right ahead of him and he gets stuck under the bridge. Cars are backed up for miles. Finally, a police car comes up. The cop gets out of his car and walks up to the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, "Got stuck, huh?" The truck driver says, "No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of gas." AND NOW........FOR THE BEST ..#1 SMART ASS ANSWER OF THE YEAR 2005... A college teacher reminds her class of tomorrow's final exam. "Now class, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow. I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury or illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!" A smart ass guy in the back of the room raised his hand and asked, "What would you say if tomorrow I said I was suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?" The entire class is reduced to laughter and snickering. When silence is finally restored, the teacher smiles knowingly at the student, shakes her head and sweetly says, "Well, I guess you'd have to write the exam with your other hand."

I like the Belgian chocolate that comes in the shapes of sea creatures: seahorses, shells, starfish etc. Although.. I have found that it typically tastes much better if bought in Europe (ie Germany) than if bought in the United States.

Yes beginner skiers use up the entire run... thats what they teach you to do. As an experienced person you expect that and plan accordingly- especially if its on a beginner run. Besides, if you can tell they are a beginner anyway you should give yourself even more responsibility because even if they wanted to be responsible for their actions they might not even be physically capable of skiing at the safe level. Everyone learns some time. As an alpine boarder you have to always take the responsibility on yourself that you aren't that predictable merely based on the fact that most people aren't familiar with how we ride: we cut across the entire run and do it beautifully. As a skier one of the first lessons I was taught is that you always look up before going down. If you are worried, you wait for people to pass you and then follow them instead of jumping in the middle. Kinda like merging on a freeway with an ultra-wide load. You wait for people to pass you instead of causing utter mayhem. Imagine mergine in front of a kid who just got his learner's permit??

My favorite quote came from a girl boarder: "Woah!!! How did you break your board?" "What?" "Your board.. its broken!!" Oh! Thanks for letting me know!

Found the pic online. It's Cute. Reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes. Gosh I miss them.

LOL. :lol: I JUST FIGURED OUT WHAT MY COSTUME OUTFIT IS GONNA BE!! I am going to be an alien on my board someday this season. Does anybody know if you can choke yourself laying trenches with a cape? Or if you have antennae's on your helmet if there is any "interference"? Rocky Horror Picture Show comes to mind.

Though they are annoying, as a skier most are quite valid comments. Don't know about 1 and 3 but ... It is a lot easier to learn how to soft boot than how to ski. Many more skiers who are in the process of learning how to ski actually do take lessons than the snowboarders who trying to learn how to ride. One of the things that the lessons teach you are proper mountain ettiquette. I am in no way saying that all snowboarders lack E, it's just that they are easier to scapegoat because the ones that do lack it are often rude and obnoxious as well and there is a fair share of them. The rude and obnoxious skiers tend to be the skiers that are actually very good at skiing but in the same age range: ie the racers that go extremely fast and go in front of your kids and pretend they own the mountain. Another aspect regarding snowboarding and run-ins is that as a beginner I think you typically have a lot less control over your direction (have you ever seen the people doing the falling-leaf?) than beginner skiers. I didn't teach my bf at the time how to stop on his snowboard until halfway through the day. Granted I also told him that he should fall down better getting into the crowds and then walk the rest of the way in because its more responsible that way. Re the scraping the hill part: Isn't that why you are on an alpine board??? Most skiers I know love us. If they have seen it they think it is one of the coolest things on the mountain. If they haven't invite them to take a run with you and maybe you will convert them

Thanks for the 18yro EDIT D-Sub- Much appreciated :D

I am not a beginner at skiing which is what I was planning on teaching at. Sorry for making that unclear. I have not yet had the opportunity to teach people skiing, however I have had the opportunity to coach friends at regular snowboarding at the beginner level even though I rode in my hardboots and was very successful at it.

Hi, my name is Tonja and I am a college Sophomore. I have been skiing since I was four (am 18 now) and started Alpine boarding recently and am good enough to get down blacks and carve decently on blues. I will be racing this season with uscsa (3rd division though because according to the ski club: "If you have ever seen any kind of racing on TV or on the slopes.... we don't do that. We are just happy if you make it to the top without getting help." This summer I would like to get a job and was wondering if it is possible to get one as an instructor and work on getting certified. Going overseas is definitely an option, however, I have heard that it is tough to do if you have never taught before because the positions are competitive. I can speak German too and might be willing to dive into Spanish. Does anybody have suggestions regarding mountains that are perfect for my situation? Regions? Past experiences especially? I can't really get certified during our winter because I am a college student after all and can't give the time comittment. Thanks!!

I wrote his name down. Thanks!

divorce appropriate

the stick peope (previous thread page) are definitely sex appropriate

Thanks. I had it originally set by the guys at Starting Gate and they got everything wrong including reversing the cant. I broke my leg my first season having the board (on skis) and then two or three days before the end of last season I finally got the cant figured out. This season will be for figuring out the degrees. I'm thinking of going more mellow and maybe moving the back foot parallel to the front. We shall see what happens. I will definitely decrease the difference between the two though. Thanks!! PS- my name is Tonja

I am always open to tips and pointers. I will get a more "modern" board eventually but not this season. For now I am just going to have fun. PS- can't make it to Okemo for those days because I've got finals on the 21st and 22nd. Will be there a day late though

Fifty bucks baby :lol:

thanks dan- you will probably get to too. My best friend moved to Australia and I HAVE to visit her!!! Maybe that is where I will go this summer!!! I want to get a job at a mountain.. what do you think? Any advice would be appreciated. Muchas gracias!

lets see if it works Why the stick people ceased to exist