Skwalleur

Hey carvers! Does anyone have any thoughts/experiences on setting up the Heads? What is the major difference in adjusting the flex versus using the stiffer tounge? I've only ridden with the softer ones so far, coming from many years on the Burton Winds and Reacts. /Teddo

It makes my 188 Burner look slow.

Looks like I made OK deal on the new 163 after all. New ride for the weekend!? Hope so!

The above is sold.

It actually feels more natural than one could imagine, because you get less difference between heelside and toeside. Also, walking a straight line isn't that hard if you got the speed - it's like riding a bike. It takes a little getting used to, but for me it's often feels weird on the first turns on the days I use a regular alpine.

Guess I'm the genuine smug jackass :) I just find it more ugly than useful. I usually don't put any weight on my loose leg. Harder to do with softies.

I don't get it. OK for protection of the board (protection film sounds great btw), but aren't stomp pads for newbies with softboots? Edit: Why would you like to put something on your board that works like sandpaper on your precious Intec heels and clothes?

Man, I have got to get those Aunt Edna base plates for my Thias 178! Bomber's gotta feel the pressure...

I've got Salomon soft shell pants and they are really easy to grab through.

http://www.skwalzone.org/videos/SkwalMasutra.wmv You gotta love the outfits. Never would have thought that front flips were doable on the Skwal...

I just mean that sometimes backcountry you follow someones tracks and think you're going to be safe...

Crazy. I'm glad I haven't followed in this guy's tracks in Engelberg, Switzerland.

It was a problem when I started out actually... I made these 180 degrees turns uphill. Of course you can skid it, but it's not a natural move. I guess I just got used to the high angles and my regular alpine boarding skill suffered from it.

I just personally find it easier to put more pressure on the edges when I'm riding Skwal, compared to my Burners...

It shouldn't be that different from riding a Skwal with 12cm waist... I use 85-90 degrees. It all lateral pressure, and your weight will be close to the edge allowing loads of it at the right place. I often skid when riding alpine boards with lower angles, but that'll never happen with the Skwal.

On that topic - I love what Rossignol writes about the Undertaker in their catalog; "Every year, the "suits" tell us to squash this model because sales are very small and unprofitable. And every year, we refeature this ultimate powder weapon in our range…" You gotta love the attitude.

Right. Too bad I missed that one. They're still available here i Europe, but now they go under their sibling brand name - Dynastar. They received a makover in graphics too. I love my F2 Lancelot in the pow, but wouldn't mind adding one to the collection.

I got this from a cute 8-year old skier: "Is it hard to ride on only one ski!?" But my favourite is one I overheard carving by some dude in the slope (about myself on the Skwal): "Check out that guy! He's only got one leg!"... (OK, I've got a narrow stance on the thing, but seriously... one leg?)

Better late then never... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lacroix-Skwal-w-Elfgen-binding-like-Monocarver-Thias_W0QQitemZ8730470606QQcategoryZ59756QQssPageNameZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Did you get the board drilled and good to go? I've got the old Lacroix with drilled bindings if you need some pics to go by.

I don't get it. It's $300 for a $600 board... Are they that easy to come by in the US?

I've been riding more or less happily on Burtons for many years (first Reacts, then Wind), and when they broke down I had to start looking on other brands for obvious reasons. Sadly my feet aren't compatible at all with any of the Deeluxe range - I don't consider myself to have problems with sizing in general (not on Burtons or any ski boots), but on the Deeluxes I could pull the second buckle to the max without feeling a thing. It doesn't have any adjustments to allow tighter fit either. Was sooo happy to discover that Head is shattering the Deeluxe monopoly, so I got the Stratus Pros and a pair of Cirrus (for sale in the Classifieds btw), and love them! All the benefits are covered nicely in the reviews, so I don't have to rave about them.

I usually reply to #2 that it probably was a skier trying to ride a snowboard. Also applies to #4. (Probably the same person from #3, before giving it up)

Not €275... $275.

Checked postage for Canada - it was CAD 63. Guess it's about the same for US.