jatkinson Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Hi All! I now have a whopping 2 days under my belt in hard boots and am really enjoying the new challenge. I have spent more time reading this forum than my employer should know about, and by midway through my second day things are starting to click. My carving has improved drasticly from day 1 and while far from perfect I am pleased with the progress so far. This winter has not been kind to Whistler (4cm of snow in the past month or so), and as a result many of the runs look more like inclined skating rinks than ski runs. Are there any specific techniques I should be concentrating on when I hit those patches of bulletproof ice? I suspect that the perfect technique is pretty much the same, but ice exposes flaws more than softer snow. I have managed to find a rythym on icy spots from time to time and managed some decent carves, then other times I am sliding all over the place. I have not managed to nail down the differences in my inputs that are causing this. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers, JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) My suggestion is to try a plate on your board. As a new rider most will say this is a bad idea but if you do a little research on plates you will read that plates will make a board work better in poorer snow conditions. It's just what it does. Of course you have to have done all the other things first, sharp edges, proper technique etc. Perhaps someone in your area has one you can try. There have been a few for sale recently for really good prices. As a recreational rider I would recommend one like the Bomber 4mm lite. As an Ontario rider on mostly boiler plate conditions it is always on one of my boards, we'll three actually. You can ride longer with more confidence without getting beat up in the slough. When conditions are good put the plate away. Edited March 3, 2015 by lowrider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queequeg Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Remaining compressed and angulating as much as possible with your waist hips and abdomen is tremendously helpful on ice. Stand up tall and you're toast. Razor sharp edges help too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jatkinson Posted March 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 Thanks for the suggestions. My suggestion is to try a plate on your board. As a new rider most will say this is a bad idea but if you do a little research on plates you will read that plates will make a board work better in poorer snow conditions. It's just what it does. Of course you have to have done all the other things first, sharp edges, proper technique etc. Perhaps someone in your area has one you can try. There have been a few for sale recently for really good prices. As a recreational rider I would recommend one like the Bomber 4mm lite. As an Ontario rider on mostly boiler plate conditions it is always on one of my boards, we'll three actually. You can ride longer with more confidence without getting beat up in the slough. When conditions are good put the plate away. The plates look interesting, but as I don't even have my own carving board yet, that will have to wait for a bit. Stand up tall and you're toast. I figured that one out pretty quick and have the bruises to prove it. Staying low and angulating, keep weight directly over the edge (no toilet sitting or snow reaching) did seem to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 (edited) Yep stay low edges sharp and keep having fun. A little bit of body armour might be a good choice as well. Edited March 4, 2015 by lowrider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckmann AG Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 http://beckmannag.com/hardboot-snowboarding/riding-ice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breeseomatic Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 (edited) http://beckmannag.com/hardboot-snowboarding/riding-ice TL;DR JJ, You can start by riding lower to the ground and you should be less affected. The problem is that the ice patch has less edge hold than the snow you were just on, so no matter what you are going to be driving your edges harder than the ice can hold. You will slide, period. With experience and different technique, you can hold the pose, slide across the ice, and hook up when the snow provides more edge hold. I experienced this while being coached by the Pureboarding instructors and it's a pretty good technique for safe boarding on variable snow conditions. I'm going to be in Whistler this Thursday to Saturday, we can hit those ice patches together if you want. Send me a PM for my contact info. Edited March 4, 2015 by breeseomatic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jatkinson Posted March 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 That would be great to have someone to ride with. I have not seen a single hardboot rider in weeks. Sadly, I won't be back in whistler until Sunday. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sealcove Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 (edited) I am going to throw out my 15 year old perspective on technique. This goes back to my days as an instructor; I have no idea what current thinking is, so please chime in if outdated. The general rule is the same technique is used for all conditions. You can get away with bad technique on great snow, but good technique is essential when it is hard or icy. Edited March 4, 2015 by sealcove 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darko714 Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 jatkinson, My wife and I will be staying at Whistler Sunday through Thursday (coming from Toronto). Good to hear that conditions will make us feel right at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik J Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 2nd reading this - http://beckmannag.co...ding/riding-ice Keep your shoulders level and stay compressed. Arms forward and held like a gunfighter. Relax your shoulders. It can help you to react quicker. Stay light on your feet, ready to pressure the edge. IMO, control on the ice is all about subtle movements and finesse. Jerky, exaggerated movements are usually punished severely. The problem is that the ice patch has less edge hold than the snow you were just on, so no matter what you are going to be driving your edges harder than the ice can hold. You will slide, period. With experience and different technique, you can hold the pose, slide across the ice, and hook up when the snow provides more edge hold. I experienced this while being coached by the Pureboarding instructors and it's a pretty good technique for safe boarding on variable snow conditions. Would you care to elaborate on that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jatkinson Posted March 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 jatkinson, My wife and I will be staying at Whistler Sunday through Thursday (coming from Toronto). Good to hear that conditions will make us feel right at home. Hi Darko. PM sent about Sunday Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aracan Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Would you care to elaborate on that? See the recent PB technique thread: http://forums.bomberonline.com/index.php?/topic/40944-who-rides-the-pureboarding-style/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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