Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 Greetings The long story. I started snowboarding in Switzerland in the 90s. I returned to South Africa in 97 with a Nidecker Extreme GS 172 and Raichle 125s which I am still using. In 2005 I came to the US and for the first 6 or so years was a regular at Mount Snow. Since then I have only boarded a handful of times until 2 weekends ago when I had a great session at Stratton and have the bug again! I have a young daughter and I don’t see a lot of time on the slopes in the near future but I want to make the effort as often as I can. I live outside of Boston. Short story. My board’s rails are not going to last much longer and being both out of practice and older I would like to supplement with a board with shorter radius that will allow me to carve In tighter areas, my legs ain’t what they used to be Unfortunately I don’t know a single other carver or anywhere to discuss board options. I have spent some time now looking at everything that is for sale on bol and the associated comments and then researching the boards I find of interest. There are a lot of options and new names since the 90s and I am finding it difficult to make an informed decision. A Freecarve board seems to make more sense than a race board but a race board is all I know. Also I need to replace my boot liners but can’t find any guidance on options for the old shell. Finally mount Snow and Stratton are reasonably acessable for me but I was wondering if there are any other carving mountains nearby. Other than this forum is there a shop / location in New England that specializes in alpine boards and where I can perhaps get to demo some? Any help, advice is welcome. PS great forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmorita Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 The shop at the base of Okemo has Donek boards and Deluuxe boots for demo. You can pick up some Intuition liners at Totem ski shop on the base road. Don't know of any other shops in N.E. that are lending out alpine setups. Welcome back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 5 minutes ago, pmorita said: The shop at the base of Okemo has Donek boards and Deluuxe boots for demo. You can pick up some Intuition liners at Totem ski shop on the base road. Don't know of any other shops in N.E. that are lending out alpine setups. Welcome back Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryj Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 Hey Eboot ....... the Okemo shop also has Bomber bindings...one of the few places in the US with standard TD3's!!!! Call 802-228-1548 and ask for Dirk, the manager I believe..... Go with the modern boots/board/bindings and you won't believe the difference! I had the Raichle 125's and unless your 125lbs they won't cut it for typical New England (icy) conditions...but they could be great for pow! ........and welcome back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 4 hours ago, barryj said: Hey Eboot ....... the Okemo shop also has Bomber bindings...one of the few places in the US with standard TD3's!!!! Call 802-228-1548 and ask for Dirk, the manager I believe..... Go with the modern boots/board/bindings and you won't believe the difference! I had the Raichle 125's and unless your 125lbs they won't cut it for typical New England (icy) conditions...but they could be great for pow! ........and welcome back! Hey Barry - thank you. I will reach out to Dirk. Looking forward to the new experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexJ Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 Ask for Sean at the Okemo shop he is the head of retail and will assist you. (Dirk I think is his screen name here) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursle Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 Totem at the base of okemo, na, bought a set of heated insoles, new, the batteries had been replaced with used batteries, the owner told me to go pound salt, what goes around comes around. The boot pro 802 2282776 at the bottom of the access road, yes, great tuners, Sean is the owner, Randy is downstairs in the tune shop, but, you found the one spot this forum that will answer any snowboard question, and your first question should be about used boots, what size do you need, then ask for used F2’s bindings and a board, welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexJ Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 "Finally mount Snow and Stratton are reasonably accessible for me but I was wondering if there are any other carving mountains nearby." I wouldn't actually call Stratton a "Carving mountain". From Boston you will probably find better and closer carving at Wachusett and specifically Berkshire East. Look at the Regional threads for Beast 2018, that is where all the carvers go regularly and you can ride with other people.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 Welcome back. Unfortunately the simple reality is that now it's time to open your wallet. You'll have a much better time on modern gear. A new metal board will be the biggest bang for your buck. I recommend a Donek Metal Freecarve 171, Coiler Nirvana Balance, Prior FLC 169, Prior WCRM 169 or 173. You could wait for just the right board to pop up in the classifieds here, but you might be waiting a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 Welcome! How young is the daughter? You might need to look into the skis or a very mellow all-mountain board if she is to be on snow with you.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 You guys rock - thank you for all the responses, this is kind of unexpected and heart warming. As this was my first post I wasn’t sure what to expect and was wary to commit to submitting. I will respond to each response individually. brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 3 hours ago, AlexJ said: Ask for Sean at the Okemo shop he is the head of retail and will assist you. (Dirk I think is his screen name here) Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 2 hours ago, ursle said: Totem at the base of okemo, na, bought a set of heated insoles, new, the batteries had been replaced with used batteries, the owner told me to go pound salt, what goes around comes around. The boot pro 802 2282776 at the bottom of the access road, yes, great tuners, Sean is the owner, Randy is downstairs in the tune shop, but, you found the one spot this forum that will answer any snowboard question, and your first question should be about used boots, what size do you need, then ask for used F2’s bindings and a board, welcome. Thanx ursle, much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 1 hour ago, Jack Michaud said: Welcome back. Unfortunately the simple reality is that now it's time to open your wallet. You'll have a much better time on modern gear. A new metal board will be the biggest bang for your buck. I recommend a Donek Metal Freecarve 171, Coiler Nirvana Balance, Prior FLC 169, Prior WCRM 169 or 173. You could wait for just the right board to pop up in the classifieds here, but you might be waiting a while. Thanx Jack. Great input. I would need to look for second hand and willing to watch and wait. Identifying what to look for is helpful. brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 11 minutes ago, BlueB said: Welcome! How young is the daughter? You might need to look into the skis or a very mellow all-mountain board if she is to be on snow with you.... Hey blueB. My daughter is 9. She has taught herself to snowboard (down the hill and stop) but will not take instruction from me so advancing to critical basics that would allow her to join me on the mountain is a slow process. I am working to get her to take some lessons with younger teachers, so far mixed response. Of all of my sporting activities, getting her onto a mountain with me is the highest goal. I would be happy to get her onto skis but she is not interested. b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 2 hours ago, AlexJ said: "Finally mount Snow and Stratton are reasonably accessible for me but I was wondering if there are any other carving mountains nearby." I wouldn't actually call Stratton a "Carving mountain". From Boston you will probably find better and closer carving at Wachusett and specifically Berkshire East. Look at the Regional threads for Beast 2018, that is where all the carvers go regularly and you can ride with other people.. Thanx. My house looks at Wachusett in the near distance so that is certainly practical. Having ridden there a few times in poor conditions I did not get the impression that it offered much, need to check it out seriously. That would certainly help my riding frequency. I don’t know anything related to Berkshire East but will gladly start tracking the Beast thread. b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 Curious: do the locals pronounce Berkshire like they do in England (barkshur) or more as written? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 23 minutes ago, Eboot said: Hey blueB. My daughter is 9. She has taught herself to snowboard (down the hill and stop) but will not take instruction from me so advancing to critical basics that would allow her to join me on the mountain is a slow process. I am working to get her to take some lessons with younger teachers, so far mixed response. Of all of my sporting activities, getting her onto a mountain with me is the highest goal. I would be happy to get her onto skis but she is not interested. b Uhh, I know the scenario, very frustrating... My son wouldn't learn from me any more by the age of 5 (and I'm a pro :( ). He was already pretty good so the solution was to put him into a ski club. Maybe fun group lessons for your daughter, or a winter break snow camp, or one of those programs organised through elementary schools? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 11 minutes ago, BlueB said: Uhh, I know the scenario, very frustrating... My son wouldn't learn from me any more by the age of 5 (and I'm a pro :( ). He was already pretty good so the solution was to put him into a ski club. Maybe fun group lessons for your daughter, or a winter break snow camp, or one of those programs organised through elementary schools? My frustration as well - I was a snowboard instructor in Switzerland and feel that I have so much to share!!! Have successfully completed 1 lesson with a young instructor, working on the next. Ski school would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 1 hour ago, Eboot said: Thanx Jack. Great input. I would need to look for second hand and willing to watch and wait. Identifying what to look for is helpful. brian When watching the classifieds, also look out for Donek Proteus, F2 Speedster SL, Volkl 168 or 173. Basically anything Donek/Coiler/Prior and metal, you should jump on and determine if the size is good for you. Avoid Burton, Rossignol, Oxygen, Nidecker. And I don't think I've never known anyone who loved their F2 Silberpfeil. Anything non-metal you will just replace in short order, so IMO it's money wasted. 1 hour ago, Neil Gendzwill said: Curious: do the locals pronounce Berkshire like they do in England (barkshur) or more as written? I've always heard and said it as "burk-sheer" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 33 minutes ago, Jack Michaud said: When watching the classifieds, also look out for Donek Proteus, F2 Speedster SL, Volkl 168 or 173. Basically anything Donek/Coiler/Prior and metal, you should jump on and determine if the size is good for you. Avoid Burton, Rossignol, Oxygen, Nidecker. And I don't think I've never known anyone who loved their F2 Silberpfeil. Anything non-metal you will just replace in short order, so IMO it's money wasted. I've always heard and said it as "burk-sheer" Thanx. This is the kind of feedback that I was hoping to see. I will try to get to Okemo and demo some boards of different lengths to determine what works for me as a starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 By the way... we have spies. You should probably hire @Eric Brammer aka PSR for some professional lessons. You'll be glad you did. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eboot Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 14 minutes ago, Jack Michaud said: By the way... we have spies. You should probably hire @Eric Brammer aka PSR for some professional lessons. You'll be glad you did. What - you don’t think I can scrape my way down a hill? Thanx I have PMd him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 2 hours ago, Jack Michaud said: Avoid Burton, Rossignol, Oxygen, Nidecker. And I don't think I've never known anyone who loved their F2 Silberpfeil. Jack, have you ridden the Silber? I actually liked that board a lot. Also, my all-time favorite hardboot freeride board is a Nidecker... But yeah, good suggestions in general... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 OP, are you planning to have only one board for all conditions, or a small quiver? If only one, I'd actually look into a metal alpine all-mountain, like Coilers AMT or wider Nirvana, or Donek metal AX... They still freecarve great, yet perform when the conditions are choppy, bumpy or a bit of pow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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