Adas

Hi Jul, Thanks - but my wife already has 2 159s! :) We would really like a 164 or a 168, so that I can ride it on those powder days when she's riding her 159. Thanks for the offer, though. Adas

Hi all, Unfortunately my wife got nailed by another boarder, which pretty much destroyed our 164 4WD. A real shame too - as it was absolute mint! And something that we could both ride (great for me on powder days, and a great carving/powder board for her). If anyone has a 164 or a 168 that they're thinking of parting with, please let me know...we're based in Snowmass. Thanks Adas

Hey everyone - would be good for us regular BOL'ers to be super friendly and helpful to Lyn with this, like she said, she's not a snowboarder - she's doing this on behalf. :) Lyn - with those heel-pieces, it may well be that these boots have Fintec heels installed on the boots (although I can't see the cable handle coming out of the boot to indicate that), and those extra heel pieces were the 'standard' ones that came with the boots. If you don't mind taking a side-profile photo of the boot, then that might explain if there are Fintec heels on the boots or not. And/or take a photo of what you have in the box. Good luck with the sale! :)

I too apologise, LYN12345, for casting any aspersions. I think I can speak for everyone who has commented here that we are truly sorry for jumping to conclusions - we are truly sorry for your loss and hope that we have not offended. All the very best to you.

Thanks 'That Guy' - you're quite right, my apologies for making it sound like it was a dual-SCR. That clothoid sidecut arc is obviously a lot more progressive than 'just' being a dual SCR. It actually is a 9-16 (rather than a 9-12) - I think what surprised me was how easy it was to make it quite 'turny' on narrower runs - for some reason I thought it would be more of a GS board, but that progressive sidecut all the way from 9m up to 16 makes it very versatile. And the transition between carves is smooth. With a capital smoo. A change from being launched out of my turns on the Proteus! :)

Hey Purpletiesto, I have a SG Full Carve 170 (admittedly from the 12/13 season, so it is a couple of years old, so I'm presuming that Sigi hasn't changed his construction methods too much in the last 2 seasons) and when I first got it, I loved it (coming off an older Oxygen Proton 168). Then I discovered metal boards... And I got myself a Donek Proteus 170, metal but with some of the pop of glass boards (such as the SG FC) and there was no turning back. I actually would like to get a Coiler to add to the quiver - again, metal. My wife has a Kessler 171 - how cool is this, my wife and I can share boards! - so I have had some experience on the Kessler as well. I'm presuming you mean the Alpine (rather than their BX offering). The Kessler is awesome - you can't really compare the Kessler with the SG. Perhaps an SG Full Race Titan would be a better comparison. The Kessler is so stable - it's a real Cadillac - initiating carves is effortless, and the transition from turn to turn is smooth. The Proteus, by comparison, 'launches' you out of each turn. Also being a single sidecut (11m) v the Kessler dual-sidecut (11-15 I believe) it has slightly different characteristics. I notice on Sigi's website that the 170 FC has a 15.7m SCR which kind of surprises me. So I think you'd find the Kessler to be more versatile if your home-hill has narrow runs. So it really depends on what you like to ride - as well as where. I see you're in Australia - I'm from NZ myself, although now living in Snowmass CO. I would say for NZ/Aus conditions, you'd want to go metal. That extra dampness and edge hold is great in the uneven stuff and the ice. Don't get me wrong - the SGFC is a great board, but I personally wouldn't go back to glass (although I still have my FC sitting in the cupboard - I really should get it out on the hill this season!) The other thing to consider is price - both the SG and the Kesslers are pretty pricey. If you look into Donek or Coiler, you get darn good quality at a cheaper price, IMHO. But from memory, I think I paid something like $NZD1k (landed) for the FC, whereas I wouldn't have had much change out of $NZD1,800 for the Kessler. If you go for the SG Full Race Titan, you're getting closer to the Kessler price-point. I know that Kessler's are around the $USD1,599 here in the States, so that's heading upwards of almost $AUD2k...? Plus shipping (and any associated taxes). Hope that helps!

Might be a good idea to notify Sean, show him the picture of that board, he might even remember making that shape with that top-sheet - and see if anyone has reported a stolen board...?

Corey, in response to Fin's perjorative comments about your "stature", we will all band together and not attend SES in 2016...;) Love your quiver - do tell, what influences your choice of taking out the NSR v the EC? And I presume the EC is the same as the Stubby...?

Excellent breakdown, John - just like Corey said. I demo'd the 172 Stubby and 178 Nirvana Balance (at least I think that 178 was a Balance) and was torn between the 2. Obviously very different boards, and I was potentially leaning towards a Nirvana but wondered whether the Energy or the Balance would be the better option. I rode the 178 and loved the 'Cadillac feel' about it, and then straight afterwards rode the Stubby and really liked that too. It definitely didn't feel as 'stable' as the 178, I wasn't sure if that was a length issue or the fact that the Stubby is just set-up differently. Definitely felt like you could tip the Stubby up on edge more (as Bruce does 'market' it as a more friendly EC board) but I was surprised at how easy the 178 Nirvana was (I guess being a 12-14 SCR means you can make it quite turny when you want to). This is a great thread - because I too am thinking of a Coiler to add to the quiver, but just can't decide between a Stubby and a Nirvana - and even within the Nirvana option, a Balance or an Energy! Based on John's description, I'm thinking that a Balance (either 175 or 178) here in Snowmass is probably a better option for me...?

Awesome stuff Mike, great to see Benj carving it up with his Old Man! He's definitely got a great teacher and a great carving technique to aspire to! Look forward to him coming to future SES' with you as well. See you soon - you'll be en route as I write this!

Hi David, Yes - Harry and PJ are both still there, my wife and I always go to Harry for boot-fitting so he is definitely your man. He 'gets' the hardboot thing and does a good job of moulding (including toe-boxes if required - which is often the case with Deeluxes!) Adas

Yep - some good recommendations here. I'll say "here here" on the Stewpot - awesome stews and soups and the like, and reasonably priced. Plus, if you're into Lamb Shanks (and being a Kiwi, of course I am!) they do AWESOME shanks. At least, they've done that in previous seasons - but keep an eye out for those (but they are usually a limited daily run, but they do take 'reservations' on shanks so perhaps at the end of riding on Snowmass, duck in, reserve your shank, and come back later! :) The Big Wrap in downtown Aspen is awesome, as has been stated. Also - if you're in to Japanese, Matsuhisa is great (a little pricey if you want to sit and dine in the main restaurant, but the sushi bar is more reasonable). Aspen Over Easy for breakfast/brunch, and they've just started doing dinners. The best breakfast in town IMHO (although the Main St Bakery Cafe is also really good). And I would HIGHLY recommend the White House - check out the French Dip, it is AWESOME. Oh, and Justice Snow's is also really good and a local favourite. Venga Venga in the Snowmass Mall is fun - sitting out on the balcony by one of the fire-pits at the end of a day of riding, sinking a few Margaritas or Dos Equis' and their made-right-in-front-of-you guacamole is REALLY good... Lots of great options to enjoy!

Hey Mike, it's been an unseasonably warm and dry January - but it's still all good. Buttermilk snow is in primo carving conditions, as is Highlands. The groomers on Snowmass and Ajax are still great too. Don't let the warm weather forecasts put you off - it's still great riding, and of course, you don't want to miss SES! :) Especially now that it's dropping back to every OTHER year! There is a little snow in the forecast over the next few days as well, so hopefully that will just top-off the scraped areas and the groomers will get it all ready for us SES'ers...:)

A little 'local' update on weather and conditions, folks. Yes Corey, unfortunately the temps have been above freezing for some time now, but the snow is holding up - particularly at Buttermilk. Some awesome carving conditions out there, and the groomers on Snowmass and Highlands are great. Ajax - I haven't been there since early last week, but that was still pretty good too. So come on everyone, come to SES - it's going to be a blast! Just a little warmer than usual! :)

This thread is pretty comprehensive and has more than likely resolved the shin-bang issue and offered good advice, so apologies if I'm just restating what's already been said...:) I completely agree with Fin about BTS. I used to run some old Raichles, and several years back I managed to track down some super-cheap Indy's (effectively the Track 700 shell/stiffness but a lot older!) When I first got into those boots, I suffered SEVERE shin-bang. I did a couple of things: - Inserted the blue BTS springs, and it was like night and day. INSTANTLY improved the comfort level and shin-bang was effectively eliminated. - Got some new Thermoflex liners from Michelle at SES. They are a lot more 'voluminous' (if there is such a word) and provided a lot more support than my stock liners (which were obviously very old and packed down). I find this helped to lock the shin area in place as well. - Technique is also a big thing. Qualifier: I'm definitely not saying I'm an "advanced carver" but I have improved this season since moving to Snowmass...:) So the better you get, the less shin bang. Less skidding (particularly on an uneven snow surface) obviously translates to less vibration through the boot and into the shin area. - Oh, and on that point - good carving snow also helps! Stay away from bumps and there will be less shin-bang! But key recommendation is to get some BTS springs, and ride, ride, RIDE! The technique will fall into place and the relief on your feet (not just shins, but I find that my old foot pains are starting to go away) will amaze you.

Hi there, I'm keen - can you please message me via the forum, or if you'd prefer, let me know your number? I'm in Colorado. Thanks.

Oh well Alan, we had it in our hands...but full credit to OTUSA, that is just unbelievable to be getting their a$$es handed to them on a plate to then come back and win 7 straight - and it will be 8 straight tomorrow morning (NZT). Quite gutting, especially after having that huge lead on Friday and having both hands firmly on the Cup to only be called off because we 'ran out of time'! Plus, this warm, wet weather we've had means that all our snow here in NZ is being washed away, looking like it's going to be a premature end to the season. I might have to start planning and focusing on SES14 to break me out of these doldrums!

Hi Tom, At this stage, I have purchased a multi-mountain pass which unfortunately does not include Copper, but I will see what happens. I'll drop you a line if that changes! Thanks Adas

Hey there, Nope, not yet - in Atlanta at the moment, but heading to Breck tomorrow (Friday). Will be riding on Saturday - whereabouts are you at? Adas

Altitude sickness? I don't know...I have never stayed as high as Breck (even sleeping in the RSC lodge on the mountain at Whakapapa is probably only around 2,000 metres, whereas Breck is around 2,900 m), so it will be interesting to see. I have stepped up my running, and will hydrate big-time while in Atlanta, and take it easy those first few days I am there, so I can acclimate... You, fatter than me? Ceeeeoooome on speeeeoooort. I foind that hard to belooive, Pamm-ay!

Hmm. Swifty (I am protecting the names of the innocent by not publishing your real name), don't believe a word of this man. He may be a 'Carving Extraordinaire' Bomber, but he speak with forked tongue. (By the way, the references to Christie Brinkley and 500 foot drop offs refers to 'Maltese Flamingo', a legendary Greg Stump ski-movie, in case you didn't already know!) Kip, Swifty was going to show me the best spots on Keystone, now thanks to you, he will probably point me in the direction of the kiddie-lifts (or 500 foot cliffs) instead! Kip, I think you should fly over from Bangkok and come riding in Breck. You know it makes sense. I have suggested to Steve that he fly over from Reno as well.

Cool, thanks Fin! Sounds great. I would love to get to Aspen, but a 3 hour drive sounds like a lot...but looking forward to hitting town and checking out the other resorts. See you soon!

Fin, Thanks for the advice! Sounds like a plan. I have managed to find quite a nice little place in Breck for not much $s, so I may actually opt for that - but definitely keen to head to Keystone, and the Weds night session sounds pretty sweet. Soooo...if I am staying in Breck, any advice on great bars/restaurants/clubs would be appreciated...although carving it up at altitude, I probably won't be up for much partying the first night or 2! Also, I take it that Vail (as well as A-Basin and of course Keystone and Copper) is pretty close and easy to access from Breck? I hear Loveland is pretty cool too, being way up on the Divide, so loads of powder...? Is Aspen accessible from Breck, or just too far...? Adas

Hi everyone, I'm a rider heading up from New Zealand up to Colorado in late Feb - planning on being there between Feb 24 and March 2. I have never ridden in Colorado before, so am keen on advice on where to stay - I was thinking of somewhere like Keystone or Breck - close to the hills, close to some night-life, without being too expensive...I hope I am not asking for too much! Any tips on package-deals (i.e. accommodation and lift-tickets) would be greatly appreciated! Cheers Adas

Hi Gary, Do you have any pics of the deck of the board? And also, do you have any Burton race plates for sale to go with this? Thanks Adas