sickmove

Hi All, I'm pretty new here.. I did a search for "kids hardboots" and yeilded nothing helpful, so can ya'll help? I'm looking for boots for smaller riders- size 4-7. Do I put them on ski boots? Thanks, KC

The current Pres. is Eric Sheckleton...a former (and perhaps current?) hardbooter that rides out of Montana. I'm sure he'll be saddened to hear about your experience. If you wouldn't mind, shoot me an email with the details and I can pass it on, as well as use at eastern examiner training this season to help remind the crew that we're supposed to be serving the members! kgandee@killingtonmountainschool.org -KC

I can only comment from my experience- I was in Phil's Level III group and he stomped it. He's being humble- actually did switch rails. Easy rails, but damn bro!!! It's not the equipment, it's rider. As an AASI examiner and the examiner coach for the eastern division, I would never tell anyone to ditch equipment and I would encourage all our ed staf members to be inclusive. I'd like to think I welcome the challenge helping all riders (me included) perform at a higher level. I coach hardbooters in GS and SL for Killington Mountain School and will even be on my setup weekly this season for the first time in years... I'm super impressed by alpine girl's and phil's comments, and find them to be dead on. AASI (at least the eastern division) tries to respond to demand from our guests and from the industry. Mostly that demand is for freestyle. If it swings back to hardbooting, we'll respond accordingly! Just try not to judge us all (AASI) by some of the less open minded dudes. Thanks, KC

Killington was a nightmare on Saturday, fer sure. But as new terrain opens, that will change. A little. By the time you come up, everything will be different though. We're supposed to get snow tomorrow and again thursday! Another thing to think about. If you're into the party scene, Killington is a better option.

Honestly, the mts are similar. Nothing steep, but good snow and grooming. Both will be crowded, no doubt. Killington is also an option, but crowds will be an issue there as well. Good Luck!!

From what I hear. I was at Copper, where there was no snow, until I left I live in Rutland, 20 minutes from Killington, and it rained about a half inch here last night. Don't worry about your board, bring your party shoes. -KC

At least with Helis, seems to have been dominated by soft booters. Correct me if I'm wrong (happens too often), but most of the first decent footage I've seen since the late 80's has been by soft booters- Salasnek, Rippey, Tex, Farmer, Goodwill, Kelly, Donnely, etc. Hatchett hasn't been riding since the hip/femur break... Would be nice if they spotlight Tom Burt though. We'll see, right?

I thought Brammer invented the halfpipe....

I like it! Thanks. Not going to ask about boy scout leaders though:lol:

I'm 5'11" 200lbs and ride a...well...I ride a frankenstien type pow board- a RS Emery 161. A buddy and I cut a swallow tail into it, removing about 10 cm effective edge and plenty more surface area. I mounted the bindings as far back on the inserts as I could and I have had a great time on the board. It's a 151 with the same edge as a 161. It floats well and is incredible in the trees here in the east (tight). Too fast, just stomp on that back foot a little...trim, right Bordy? (BTW- you know Cattanach?) A little OT, but my point is that the size hasn't been a problem for me yet. -KC

What's a poodle turn? What's PSR? I'm in, if I can make it. Love to be coached...er...taught...er... :D Couldn't resist:eplus2:

Cindy- I'm also bummed that you had that experience. I know that I have been lucky that all of my experiences with AASI have been very positive. I echo Phil in that I am stoked you are still in the industry. I hope that you realize that we are not all like those you speak of. Phil- I'm with you for sure about the manual. It's a base point for those who want to learn about riding, teaching and learning. I have my own ideas and theories that move away from the manuals and handbooks, and have brought them up and backed them up at exams and what not. From my experiecne, those who can back up their ideas has always passed an exam, even if they were debating examiners. Alpine- I was rebelious with my twin tip expecting to get flamed for being involved in AASI and for not rocking hard boots. That was silly of me. In fact, I'm looking at my Burton Reactor boots right now, thinking about finding some plates (a little help?) and giving it another shot this season. I didn't realize that hard booting was as large as it obviously is. Don't get mad :) I just don't see it on the hill. BOL has changed the way I think about it. SYOTH- KC

It's a shame that someone like Chris thinks that we (AASI) are a bunch of geeks.:( Of course there is a difference between coaching a team or individual, and teaching a snowboard lesson. I still think, based on my experience with coaches, that there is very little difference between a great coach and a great instructor, besides the environment that they work in. This statement is based on the volume of high level instructors I know (AASI Education Staff) that have become competitive coaches. Thanks for letting me play. Try to overlook the PSIA bs. That was a long time ago and we're working dilligently to be seen as snowboarders again, not a ski instructors with snowboard equipment. SYOTH, KC Gandee AASI Snowboard Team

Well said. Can't wait to ride. Three days away!!!

should have read:seasoned pro instructors. Thought I wouldn't have to repeat that word. Maybe some insight will help. Instructors have been bashed a little on this thread. Not by everyone, but none the less, I want riders (and coaches) to know that there are some of us who take their jobs very seriously, no doubt as seriously as you take your job. I'm not trying to compare my job to yours, just me dedication to it. It smokes me that I work as hard and as long as I have, and do my best to go above and beyond the call of duty, and have people see the word "snowboarder" by my name and immediately rule me out. It seems as though there are those on this sight who may look at the word "instructor" in a similar light. I am a professional. -KC

Definitions are like statistics Dragonfly...especially with no context. Wait a minute, are you really apllying websters definitions to snowboarding???? But I do see your point, Since "I" follows "C" in the dictionary, instructors must be below coaches. How about this- there has also been no distinction made here about the differences between new instructors and seasoned pros. I use the word pro, because there are many of us, despite what some may think, who have put in the time, dedication and study to be regarded as professionals. I'm a sensitive little guy, so my feeling get hurt easy :( This is sweet- KC

Hey y'all- Getting ready for the season, checking on my hardboot brethren when I roll up on this:( :o Have I worked, studied and trained so hard to be called a whore (although I really do like the analogy). It seems to me that the person called "coach" and the person called "instructor" have a lot in common, and are often distinguished by their "clients" or "athletes". Oh yeah, I'm an instructor. Or am I a coach. Maybe you all can help me figure it out. Some days I take a private lesson with some one I've never met, sometimes even a hradbooter (gasp!), and I talk to them, get to know them as much as possible, find out their goals and help them make their snowboard do what they want it to do. Some days I take a private lesson with a client that I have been working with for several seasons. We talk about work, kids, hobbies, exchange drinking stories, and I continue to help them progress towards a big pivture goal with their riding, tweaking here and there for the day's conditions, etc. We might discuss tuning or ways they can build muscle at home to make their riding better given their setup. Most days, I work with a staff of snowboard instructors, who are working towards professional goals, in riding and in understanding the nuances of snowboarding, teaching, coaching and learning. They also have riding goals. For most, this involves many discussions, chairlift rides and homework assignments, all personalized. When they go to cert exams, if they chose to, I go with them (okay, I'm there anyways...) and support them as best I can with advice and feedback based on thier perceptions of the day. I have been working with some instructors for 6 years. I was hired as a race coach for a week lasy season. I worked with the UVA snowboard team for a week, running slalom and gs. 70% of the work we did was away from the gates, although 100% of the work was on skills they needed in the gates. I left the team with detailed training drills and concpets to continue to work on for the season. So what am I? I have my own idea, but I'm interested in what you all have to say BTW- Dragonfly: I heard you're a great coach and I wanted to share something with you (not a flame, just a moment of clarity). Although almost all of the riders at the three mountains that I am a staff trainer at are AASI certified, I can tell 75% of the riders from the botom of a lift. To me, they each have their own unique style. Lots of hardbooters at Stratton, and I always looked at them and thought "Wow, they are all making the exact same trn down the length of the mountain. There were a few exceptions, for sure, dudes who made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, but that was my impression. Maybe I'll take a closer look from now on... One more BTW- I'll be in Copper to ride in a week, and it sems like some of you fellas may be from that neck of the woods. Beers? Thanks for letting me join in- KC