icebiker

Score one for those like us who still rock leashes and the lifties that appreciate it.... On a lift at Smuggs last week my board released from the front binding when I passed through the mid-station on my way topside and the board snagged on the midstation ramp due to poor clearance between the foot rests and the midstation ramp. My leash caught the board before it fell. I couldn’t clip back in while on the lift so I held the board in my lap for the rest of the ride. When I got to the top I motioned to the topside liftie to slow the chair down so I could walk off (this was an old school non-detachable lift). I scampered down the unloading ramp and proceeded to get clipped back in Topside liftie comes over to me with a bit of edge in his voice wondering why I took my board off on the ride up and telling me that was a dangerous move. I calmly told him the story and made sure to point out my leash and that it saved the day. He lightened up and said “ok, cool, right on!” then walked past a few softbooters and, motioning to me, called out to them and said “you need to be like this guy and use a leash so your board doesn’t run down the slope and hurt someone!” i thought it was a bit harsh since the boarders In question were minding their own business and seemed caught off guard. Later that day the reason became more clear to me. As i walked to the car after my last run, I heard the loudspeaker at the nearby lift (different from the one I had been on earlier) blare “Runaway Board! Runaway Board!! Watch out!!!” The liftie then ordered the boarder in question to approach the lift and said boarder got a bit of a dressing down. His friends in the meantime were mocking the liftie’s firm tone, to which said liftie admonished “just wait until you get hit by one of these, you won’t be laughing”. Sounds like Smuggs has sadly had a bit of experience with runaways. Come to think of it, I don’t recall seeing boarders using leashes anymore for quite some time, except of course for us hardboot types.

I’m heading up to Northern VT after New Years to try four mountains I’ve never ridden: Smugglers, Sugarbush, Stowe and Jay. I usually carve the wider blue groomers in the AM and then after the chop forms after lunch I just explore. Any guidance on the names of the good carving runs is appreciated! Thanks!

Greg Pier as per above. He used to be at Heino’s but they closed. He has fitted my Deeluxes as well as my son’s Lange ski boots. He’s at Ski Barn now from what I hear.

Like @SHREDSURF, I’m looking for large F2 intek titanflex too. Let us know! Thanks.

I’ve been very happy with my Donek. I too thought stiffer was better until I spoke with Sean about building me a board. Note that you and I are similar in weight, height, ice coast locale, riding level, etc Sean’s recommendation was a decambered nose with a shorter radius than the rest of the board. Enables you to enter turns with less effort yet the rest of the board remains cambered enough to give solid edge hold. Result? Quicker turns across the narrow ice coast slopes and a more forgiving ride when you hit the inevitable late day New England chop. As for boots, love my Deeluxes. Have two pairs. Can’t say I’ve tried UPZs but did try Heads and (way back) Burtons. If you have high arches like me, Deeluxe were the only ones I could wear comfortably. Bindings? I use TD SW SIs for my Donek and race plates for my twin tip board. I agree with others on here that the TDS are heavy and maybe overbuilt but they are rock solid. I am considering trying some F2s. Good luck and see you out there!

I ride Alpine as I prefer to stay glued to the ground (my aerial days skating are well behind me). I was perfectly happy carving on my Supermodel with 3-Straps until a business trip to Zurich that presented a chance to board at Wengen. Went to the rental shop the evening before and was presented with a step-in hardboot set up (they had no softies for rent anywhere (this was circa 98)). Had never seen or ridden such a set up and was skeptical. But beggars can’t be choosers. Needless to say I was hooked by the support the boots gave me (legs far less tired) and the ease of clipping in/out. Tried to find a similar set up when back in the US but really had no luck till I found Bomber. Haven’t looked back since.

I am a size 14 US. I first tried Head Stratos in 31.5 but returned them as my big toes had zero room and the bootfitter didn’t think grinding would help I then tried Deeluxe 31.0 and they fit great. I have been very happy. Have two pairs now (225 and LeMans). If the Stratos felt tight but you could get into them, I’d recommend you try the Deeluxes. They certainly had more toe room for me than the Heads.

Hi Ron, good to hear from you! Do you use the step in version or bail version. How much lighter are they compared to TD SW’s? Part of my attraction to them is the supposition that they are significantly lighter.

Pico is a great mountain to learn on by sticking to the Golden Express quad. Never crowded so you don’t often have to worry about straightliners as you make your wide turns. I get up that way a couple of times a year. I may be there 1st week after New Years and would be happy to loan you a board and ride with you. I’m not as smooth or stylish as many on here, but have learned a lot and happy to pass on what I know. Challenge will be finding boots unless you are 13/14 like me (MP 31/31.5). What size are you?

I was considering the step in versions of these as a second set but when I spoke with YYZ I was told they aren’t advisable if you weigh 200lbs or more. ?

Age is just a number eh, Pat? Thanks for sharing!

Thanks very much everyone. Lots of excellent perspective here. I agree that the race plates are the most appropriate setup for the board/terrain in question. I was just looking to simplify the launch/load sequence. SI’s are so much easier on my aging/aching back than stooping to flip the toe bails on the Race Plates. Seeing as the launch and end of run load is a microscopic part of the end to end process, me thinks it’s best to focus on the bigger picture (the run itself) and stick with the RPs. Many thanks again, The nerd in me especially appreciates (though doesnt necessarily fully grasp) the math that’s been shared.

Allow me to clarify since there’s only so much I can squeeze into the title line: Question: Would a board that is isn’t made by one of the more traditional carving board makers (Donek, Coiler, etc) be able to handle what I assume is the greater leverage applied to the board by a plate binding, particularly the TD’s? Reason for Asking: I have found riding my 2010 Ride Yukon 172 board (8m SC) is a better fit for the narrow and often bumped up trails at the small PA mountains I frequent than my 2012 Donek Axxess 172 (9-11 VSR). The Yukon has Burton/Ibex race plates. The Donek has TD SW SI’s I would like to try using the TD’s on the Yukon since I like the step-in set up, but before I do I want to be sure they don’t run any risk of pulling out inserts or other issues. I don’t pull serious g’s while carving but I do weigh 200 lbs. the Race plates have been fine on the Ride, but these as we know are not the stiffest if plate bindings My assumption (which is admittedly not well informed) is that makers of carving boards beef up the insert area to account for the stresses of carving and perhaps more traditional builders don’t given that thier clientele is more freestyle oriented. Then again, Park/pipe riding likely stresses the inserts quite a bit too? Please set me straight if you will. Thanks FYI I still plan to use the Donek at bigger mountains as it’s just too much fun not to.

Can’t hold a candle to the others on this thread, but doing my part nonetheless ;-)

Spent 3 days at Jackson this week, nary another hardbooter in sight the entire time....until late on the third day...I’m lining up to single my way onto the uncrowded Thunder quad when at the last second a firm hand lands on my shoulder and a voice with a hint of a German accent says “Ahh, another purist!” Head boots....check, F2 board....check, step-ins....check. We had a great chat on the way up and then went on our merry way. I go out west once a year and never fail to meet at least one of the tribe, BOL’er or otherwise.

+1 on Sean. Used to buy off the shelf until it became harder and harder to find mainstream boards over 170 cm. One patient phone call and a few even more patient emails later, I had a board that fit me perfectly from the very first turn. One thing I learned though is not to underestimate how a modern, “tailored-to-you” board will improve your confidence and technique and thus potentially your set up. For example I had Sean build me a board with a wider width than standard based on the angles I had been running for years on my Supermodel. After a year on the new board I started steepening my stance angles and now I have some underhang that I wish I didn’t.

Yeah, seemed a little dramatic and not entirely focused on the headline topic. Title could have been “don’t go snowboarding, you might get hurt”

Glad I don’t have the skills for this! I’m happy staying glued to the snow https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/01/magazine/winter-olympics-snowboarding-big-air.html

The fact that you checked uphill and they still nearly clocked you out of nowhere is pretty scary. I was at a small mountain in PA today and while it wasn't crowded for a Saturday, i was looking uphill on every turn (toeside and heelside). Glad you and your board were ok.

Thankfully, despite riding mainly on the crowded ice coast, I have had few such encounters. This is largely because if I sense oncoming traffic I pull aside, let the crowd by, then carry on. However, as with most things in life, education is key. Sadly no one reads the code...they buy their ticket, hit the lift and go rip. Given that people in the lift line are a captive audience, often staring in front of them as they watch the line inch forward, me thinks we could facilitate the education process by a simple sticker on the back of of our helmets that addresses the core aspect of the code in this case and reads "Know the code: Riders downhill of you have right of way"

Have a set of burton race plates and want to upgrade my toe and heel bails to the stronger ibex or carve company ones. Have only been able to find them on some European sites but shipping is pricey. Anyone have new or lightly used ones available closer to home? Looking for 2 toe and 2 heel. Thanks

Thanks again all...and yes, Big Sky is a hoot for carving.......oh, and powder too ;-)

Many thanks all! Reading the earlier 2009’ish threads from the links Pat sent initially reinforced my original suspicions that I should just take one board. But Doc and Allee make some good points. Will check the maps and make the call closer to the date. Any other trail recommendos welcome!

Tried to find the State/Country threads, but can't seem to locate them? In any case, my son (advanced skiier) and I are headed to WY (Jackson, Targhee) mid-March. Usually, on our trips out west I bring two hardboot boards. One for morning groom carving, and a different board (shorter edge length, twin twip) for the afternoons when things are a bit bumped up and/or soft. I've heard JH is limited in terms of moderately sloped, wide-open blues (unlike Big Sky, Breck, etc), and this will be mid-March (so likely softer conditions?), so am thinking my chances of making the most of the carving board will be limited and thus I should simplify and just bring the twin tip. Any advice from those familiar with these mountains? I consider my self an experienced rider (30 years), but at best an intermediate carver (can't quite truly carve the steepest blues and certainly not the blacks). Thanks!

My mom was cleaning out some mementos of various trips we've taken as a family and found this. She picked it up in Silverton when we stayed a night there in the summer of '76 on a roadtrip we took between Denver and SLC. Check out the package prices and lesson rates