Gabe T Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 If you saw 2 carving lines in the snow that were both nicely shaped, which one of these would you prefer to have made?: 1. Thin Pencil line 2. Deep trenches Assume that snow conditions are such that both can be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queequeg Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryj Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) Third option? I'm more the "Tight Arch". deep or not! Edited January 31, 2018 by barryj 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st_lupo Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 If it's me it's probably #2. Buuuut here's my stupid question: given equivalent snow conditions and identical tracks, how do you choose? I always thought depth was a function of turn radius, snow condition and speed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carvin' Marvin Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Deeeeeeeeeeeeep. More spray better day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 31 minutes ago, st_lupo said: If it's me it's probably #2. Buuuut here's my stupid question: given equivalent snow conditions and identical tracks, how do you choose? I always thought depth was a function of turn radius, snow condition and speed. I'm with Mr. Lupo. If I want to make pencil lines in soft conditions, I need to be very gentle. If I want to make deep trenches in hard conditions, I need more cheeseburgers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanglefoot Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 This is indirectly related to an issue that has been puzzling me lately. I share my home hill with two riders that are respectively "somewhat" and "significantly" heavier than me. In soft conditions, they always dig deeper trenches than me, but I can also carve tightly and maintain grip. But when conditions get harder, my fellow carvers can still turn tightly and dig trenches, whereas I have to throttle back and go for pencilling out large radius turns to avoid skidding across the surface. Am I just coming up against the laws of physics here, or is it my technique? For the record, I weigh 72 kg (159 lbs). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkoonyMcGroomer Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) 1. Any questions? Really, it depends on the day, snow conditions, terrain, board that I'm riding, who I'm with, etc... Edited January 31, 2018 by SkoonyMcGroomer 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queequeg Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) I based my response on the statement "assume snow conditions where both can be done". It is possible to lay pencil thin lines on hero snow and softer snow (if you are moving slow, or making very long gentle turns), but attempting to lay trenches into east-coast chalk would probably result in a compressed spine; hence: any snow condition where both could be done would *have* to be on the softer side of things. Edited January 31, 2018 by queequeg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoffV Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) #1 my favorite conditions are chalk snow Edited February 5, 2018 by GeoffV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertrash Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 41 minutes ago, GeoffV said: #1 my favorite conditions are calk snow Geoff loves the calk! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2012Alpine1 Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Deeeep it slows me down to stay on carve and not speed ck. Ya its an east coast dream and once you got it ....its gone but fun while it lasted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckmann AG Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 1 hour ago, Tanglefoot said: This is indirectly related to an issue that has been puzzling me lately. I share my home hill with two riders that are respectively "somewhat" and "significantly" heavier than me. In soft conditions, they always dig deeper trenches than me, but I can also carve tightly and maintain grip. But when conditions get harder, my fellow carvers can still turn tightly and dig trenches, whereas I have to throttle back and go for pencilling out large radius turns to avoid skidding across the surface. Am I just coming up against the laws of physics here, or is it my technique? For the record, I weigh 72 kg (159 lbs). Try a softer board. Or borrow a weight belt from a local salvage diver and see if that changes things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVR Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Borrow a weight belt.. I love it man !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabe T Posted January 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 This topic came about as I joking asked a buddy of mine to ease up on the trenches as I didn’t want to get sucked into one those during my runs. Plus I had to ski through that later in the day! By then, he’s long gone of course having left a path of destruction on our poor tiny hill! Tried to convince him (unsuccessfully) that trenches were overrated. : ) There’s no arguing that hardness of the snow and rider weight will have a direct impact on the depth and the width of your lines. I think a lot of it comes down to your preferred riding style. It’s a lot of fun to dig up some trenches and pound hard into a turn. That was predominantly my style too in prior years along with more forward leaning and body drag (forearms and hip) As I explored different styles, I did notice a difference in the lines I left. All things being equal, a thinner line requires one to be a bit more nimble and light with more precise timely edging. I would describe it as more as racey freecarve style like those seen in the Japanese videos. A hybrid of race technique and freecarving with more full complete turns. It’s a style that generates speed as well and I find it allows me to ride with a more relaxed body position. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workshop7 Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 2 hours ago, st_lupo said: I always thought depth was a function of turn radius, snow condition and speed. I agree with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursle Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 Trenching is like the golf swing, you use the same swing for every club. You make the same turn for all conditions, well, if you know how to swing a golf club, and if you know how to carve a snowboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st_lupo Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 1 hour ago, TVR said: Borrow a weight belt.. I love it man !! Actually, I'm pretty sure it can be done. However, I can recommend a strict diet of Carne Adovada, it'll get you there as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st_lupo Posted January 31, 2018 Report Share Posted January 31, 2018 1 hour ago, Gabe T said: This topic came about as I joking asked a buddy of mine to ease up on the trenches as I didn’t want to get sucked into one those during my runs. Plus I had to ski through that later in the day! By then, he’s long gone of course having left a path of destruction on our poor tiny hill! Tried to convince him (unsuccessfully) that trenches were overrated. : ) Woe is he (me) who crosses my trenches while brushing a hand on the snow. Those f'ers will suck your fingers right in and jam them up good. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRAZZ Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 3 hours ago, Gabe T said: This topic came about as I joking asked a buddy of mine to ease up on the trenches as I didn’t want to get sucked into one those during my runs. You would not like riding Loveland on Sundays where a favourite pastime is to mess up a run and watch the carnage from the lift. Following @big mario down a run can be *interesting*. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Brammer aka PSR Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 4 hours ago, Beckmann AG said: Or borrow a weight belt from a local salvage diver and see if that changes things. So, with CG added, would that be around the Hips, Knees, or Ankles?? ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabe T Posted February 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 2 hours ago, ursle said: Trenching is like the golf swing, you use the same swing for every club. You make the same turn for all conditions, well, if you know how to swing a golf club, and if you know how to carve a snowboard. I'm not sure what was meant by the same turn for all conditions, but the way in which I execute a turn is often times influenced by the snow conditions. I like to ride with high edge angles with the hip close to the snow. This is best done when conditions are firm or even icy. There is a threshold for snow softness in which this can be done. Once it becomes too soft, that same type of turn will result in the board edge sinking too deep to the point where there is not enough speed to continue carving. Also, any looseness and bumps in the snow is going to hinder getting low to the snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursle Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 Good point,carving can only be done with hard snow, in up to 12" +- of fresh powder, and when it warms, sorrow sets in. The same golf swing works in sand and water;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 1 hour ago, Eric Brammer aka PSR said: So, with CG added, would that be around the Hips, Knees, or Ankles?? ;-) I'm thinking necklace. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted February 1, 2018 Report Share Posted February 1, 2018 I can only do the thin in the hardest... I'm too big... Sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.