Sean

So far, the following folks have said they would like to work the race with me on Mon & Tues: Art Weichbrodt Jon Garrison Bill Harper Jim McGrane Marty Thomas I have also received a few hits on doing a clinic on Sunday, so I'll plan to be on the hill that day as well.

FWIW, I really enjoy riding switch as well as goofing around in the bumps and powder. With practice you can adapt your riding style to accomodate all of these types of terrain. This can be made easier if you opt for a twin tip all mountain carver like an axis - not only can you float the freshies, but you can also crank some great rails when you transition back to the hard pack. Bottom line: It ain't the ride, its the rider, so hop on a pair of plates, pace yourself a bit, and carve on:cool:

...don't know if you got the reply from the last email you sent me. Drop me a line so we can arrange to hook up for some more turns up at Crystal.

We are already getting lots of inquiries about a March carve camp, so here is the scoop: Snowperformance's spring carve camp will be held March 28th thru 31st. Mark Harris has already signed on and we are again looking at the possibilty of bringing on a third coach if the numbers pan out like they did in December. In addition to the top drawer coaching we will again feature Donek and Bomber demo gear, daily video movement analysis, our own private course with SB gates, small rider-to-coach ratios and lots of socializing. We have also found better slopeside lodging facilities that include a fantastic workout room, on site pub and eatery and optional kitchenettes. For those of you interested in bringing out a skiing companion, we will be running the camp alongside one of our ski groups. Full details including pricing, registration and contact info will be posted on the Snowperformance site as they become available. Hope to see you at Sun Peaks this spring. I believe the previous camp reviews speak to the fact that we use highly qualified and motivated trainers and work extremely hard to provide a very fun and rewarding event. -Sean www.snowperformance.com

Race for the Cup at Crystal Mountain, WA: Attention Northwest riders: Crystal Mountain will be hosting a PGS and PSL on Monday March 1st and Tuesday March 2nd. This is a fully sanctioned USSA race and will feature some of the finest elite level riders in North America. I have talked to the organizers and USSA staff and they are very interested in having some of us alpine types on the hill to help out if possible. Perks include a free lift ticket for each day worked plus a bonus day’s ticket, lunch, and best of all, the ability to be front row center as well as forerun the courses. Details about the race can be found on the USSA site at http://www.ussa.org I also may have a line on some cheap digs to stay as well, depending on total turnout. Very seldom do events of this caliber land in our own back yard so it is very important that we come out and support this if we want to see more of them. Additionally, if enough folks are interested, I could arrange for a clinic the Sunday prior to the race (Feb 29th). This would include use of demo gear, digital video analysis and possibly gates as well. I would need a minimum of 6 riders to make this happen, so please let me know if I should start pricing it out. If you are interested in any of the above, please email me ASAP. Regards, Sean rideon@qwest.net .

How about we meet at the upper level of the main lodge, just inside from where Chinook Express is. 8:30-8:45ish ought to be a good time to get things rolling and we will be on 9/13. Don't think a tent is necessary as we will be a pretty well self contained group and ought to be able to do gear swaps pretty easily. See you Friday-Sean

One of my favorites is leapers. Rather than turning the board on the snow, you spring cleanly off of one edge and land cleanly on the other one to change directions. Simple drill to explain, yet great for working on fore/aft balance, edging and pressure control. If that gets boring, try it riding switch :>)

regular

Krstofer- Think I may have a line on a 168 Proton GS for you- been sitting around my shop gathering dust and the colors even match the tattoo. Drop me a line at rideon@qwest.net and we'll work on getting it out to you. Happy Holidays -Sean

Honestly ain't the man, but very happy to see that your gal is still diggin on the carve stuff. As Kenny T would say, the bag of voodoo just keeps on getting bigger, so I'm looking forward to getting with you guys again at SES and seeing what else we can do... Happy Holidays, Sean

All, I am seeing some great comments about the camp we just wrapped up at Sun Peaks and again wanted to thank everyone on this forum for their participation in our Snowperformance Carve Camps. We started these out of the belief that there is a need to create some fun, informative and structured training events for us alpine types and the question has been "if you build it, will they come?" The answer has obviously been yes. None of these events would have happened without the strong support of folks like Fin and Sean and the good words put out by our customers. Word of mouth is critical in this tight knit community, so we appreciate it greatly when someone new is pointed our way, especially when it is a first time carver. I look forward to some more fun events this season as well as seeing all the rippers at SES 2004. As we finalize dates for more events I will be sure to post them on this forum. Thanks again, and happy holidays. Regards, Sean http://www.snowperformance.com

Count me in for the 29th. If we will have a few folks I can bring up some Donek demos. If someone bribes me with, say, a Red Hook or two, I will bring a TD2 or two... -Sean

Point well taken Phil. I think the problem with lack of AASI involvement with the alpine world is twofold: First of all, even amongst the credentialed crowd that does ride plates, there are no folks at the DCL level and above really doing anything to promote hardbooting because the whole focus of the organization is to promote freeriding oriented topics. This has been the norm for some time and I have heard at least a few guys state that they were told not to show up for upper level exams on plates. Don't know when the last person passed a level III on alpine gear, but I wouldn't be suprised if it happened in the last millenium. Secondly, in its defense, AASI thinks it is doing a good job of catering to the public's needs, as there is no perceived demand for alpine related instruction. I believe their view in this respect is way too shortsighted. Just look at folks like Fin and Sean who are filling a void created by the departure of the bigger outfits. Since their sales numbers are up, these people must be going somewhere with the gear, and unless we do something to make their introduction to it a safe and enjoyable one, this sport will continue to be marginalized. The reason I attended the Canadian CASI program was not to collect more letters next to my certs, but to acknowledge, suppport and bring back a few pointers from a program created for and taught by current alpine riders. In the meantime it will take more of us guys with teaching and coaching backgrounds - certified or not - to get more folks on the hill as well as challenge AASI to devote more attention to the alpine side of their "Y" model. And it is possible - I have run a few well received clinics at Crystal to put some of the SB staff on plates, and this week the company I coach for will be working with 14 alpine riders, 5 of which are women and 4 of which are first time plate riders. We just need more people banging the drum...

Started teaching in Colorado in 82 and am a PSIA level III, AASI level III, and just got a CASI level II race coach cert this spring. I am rather disappointed in the way AASI has turned their back on the alpine world but I do see some value in doing the occasional clinic and get some good tidbits from their mag. It is rather unfortunate that you have to either go broke or have a "real" job to be able to afford all the training. I also have a PADI card, drive a GLX and do my banking with USAA. I'm sure there must be a twelve step program out there for folks like me...:p

Most boots have allen bolts on both sides of the hinge point of the boot. These can be loosened to allow the cuff to be moved medially ( twds the center of your body) or laterally ( away from it ). Bob's and Kent's advice is great - just remember to loosen all the bolts and have a friend or shop guy adjust them with your foot in the shell. FWIW I run cants in my ski gear which I feel is critical, but don't particularly mess around with my SB boots because they work great as is. And I do run custom footbeds in all my ski and SB gear ( a nod to Kent's spot on footbed rant.) If you begin to develop a hot spot against the side of your lower calf, chances are you would benefit from a canting adjustment. Because of the variation in binding cants and lifts as well as the greater flexibility of SB boots I don't feel that the canting issue is quite as critical as with skis, but there are definitely folks with alignment issues that could certainly benefit from a bit of tweaking of the hooves. Best bet- get with a knowledgeable rider/trainer who can not only look at the static picture in the shop, but also see how it affects your riding. Hope this helps - Sean

All, Just returned from some early season sliding at Sun Peaks and the conditions are fantastic. There have been a series of fronts moving through interior B.C. which have left a very nice base with some great carving snow. We currently have 8 guys and 5 gals signed up for our December 12-15th carve camp and will cut off the registration at 16, so if you are interested in joining us, Gavin needs to hear from you ASAP. The camp is open to riders of all levels and will feature demos from Donek and Bomber (Raichle demo boots available for first time carvers). Additionally it will feature digital video analysis, a private race course (with our own SB gates) and training from fully certified coaches. For complete details and registration info check out our web site at www.snowperformance.com or call Gavin at 253-569-3713. Hope to see on the hill. Regards, Sean

All, Maybe there is an opportunity for an enterprising alpine type who lives near the US/Canada border to join our growing ranks. Our tactical plan is to don anti IR signature stealthy ninja suits and sneak into the land of loonies with a cache of Bombers and Doneks. After making the connection at the LZ, the intrepid "entrepeneur" could then return with a new supply of Priors and Coilers to be swapped for good ole US greenbacks which could then be used to buy more inventory from our deep cover suppliers, codenames "Nif" and "Naes." I hear the border crossings around eastern Washington/ northern Idaho are kinda undermanned these days so the opportunity is strike is ripe. Please don't respond to this as the "company" may be monitoring this. Not to worry - we will find you. Regards, The Anti Gst Anti Pst Entrepeneurs ( A.G.A.P.E.)

Mike, 4AM PDX departure will avoid most of the SEA traffic and get you there around noon. Best routing is I-5 to Bellingham, take the Bellis Fair/Meridian exit, then cross into BC at Sumas. From there its HWY 1 east to HWY 5 (Toll road) to Kamloops. Pretty easy drive on good roads. I will be sending out all the camp info including travel suggestions a week or so out. Just talked to a pal at Sun Peaks and he sez its dumping up there - 15 in so far at mid station and forecast to chuck down all week. Opening day is Nov 22nd and I'll be up there over Thanksgiving holiday, so I'll post a scouting report. -Sean

All, Looks like we should shoot for Crystal on Jan 9/10. Since Al is semi retired and offered to help with this, I will have him start a roster. His callsign on the forum is C5 golfer, so please email him if you are interested in attending. If the numbers are big enough we should be able to get a break on tickets and work some angles out on lodging on the hill. I will plan to have a bunch of Donek and Bomber demos and maybe bring up some entry level gear and do an intro to carve clinic if there is enough interest. In the meantime, if anyone is heading up to the hills anytime soon, post it here and maybe we can get a group of alpine regulars together for turns at some local areas. I'm partial to Crystal midweek. See you on the slopes soon - it's chucking snow in the Cascades! -Sean

PNW area carvers: It's snowing in the hills and the local areas are already threatening to open up, so perhaps we ought to start throwing some dates out for some local carve get togethers. Just got off the phone with Art and we were thinking we could do a Fri & Sat local SES style event once a month beginning with either Jan 9th/10th or the 23rd/24th at Crystal Mtn. We could then horrify the fine folks at Baker and Stevens in the following months with our railing prowess. We figure the Fri/Sat deal should allow the folks with flexible work schedules to comingle with the nine to fivers for at least one of the two days, but we are always up for suggestions. As an added bonus, this season I will have on hand a selection of Donek demos as well as some TD's and TD2's that I could bring up to the hill if we have enough interest in checking out Fin and Sean's fine gear. Soooo, what do you guys think about the January dates? Hows about us guys & gals behind the Cascade curtain start to get the ball rolling on this! Takers? Anyone want to help organize it? -Sean:D:

All, Things are shaping up very nicely for our December 12-15 Carve Camp at Sun Peaks B.C. Some early snowfall, nice cold temps and fantastic snow making capabilities are all working in our favor, so things are looking very promising for some fun early season riding. So far we have a very fun group of nearly a dozen riders signed up with experience levels ranging from first time carvers to all mountain rippers. If we get a few more folks registered we will be able to bring on a third coach, so if you are thinking about attending this please give Gavin a call at 253-569-3713 as we will need to finalize our plans very soon. Hope to see you on the hill in December! Regards, Sean;) www.snowperformance.com