Timeless

Skimom's point about being able to come and go during the day is valid for us locals, I didn't really think of this but it's quite appealing. My suggestions for additional perks were: discounted instruction free board / ski locks or preferably a board check like they do at Killy. preferential access to some lifts (speedpass or similar)

No one said the lockers were going to be free, carefully worded as "available"

Camelback are considering offering a "premium pass", initial thoughts they are looking for feedback on as follows: "Sample amenities that might be included are: One lodge building reserved exclusively for premium season passholders. This lodge would include a bar and food service, with higher-end offerings (both food and drink) available. Tables would be set with tablecloths, glassware, silverware, etc. (in other words, "no plastic"). Reserved parking near the exclusive lodge. A second "members-only" lounge elsewhere on the mountain, again with a bar and food options. Available lockers inside the exclusive base lodge. Selected lifts may open a half-hour early to premium passholders." I've sent in some thoughts on this, only the lift opening really appeals to me but I guess some of the spandex brigade might find the "exclusive" factor a plus point. They're talking about an additional $100 minimum per pass for this. Dont all rush out a get one at once.... I wonder if this is the first of the "improvements" from the new management?

Depends what you mean by fast, speed straight down the hill is going to be affected by (your) weight (or more accurately your mass) and the amount of drag on the base of the board, (wind resistance as well but thats not going to affect your board). Generally speaking, assuming all bases to be the same co-eff of friction (determined by base material and how well cared for / waxed), a long, relatively wide board will go faster on our icy / groomed slopes but will be harder to turn. In powder none of this makes any difference. Look at boardercross set-ups for the best approach to fast straight-ish stuff. If you really just want to go very fast in a straight line, I would suggest 2, long, very narrow boards with forward facing hard bindings. You may also find some poles and a fluoro-latex speed suit useful.

I'd not really been so interested in this thread until I saw the kite page on that link, what a great idea.....

I'm good at wearing clothes, send me free snowboards....

A what storm? winter seems like a distant dream now... You really are lucky to live in such a beautiful place.

Before I put this up on e-bay, my 9 year old daughter has outgrown her first set-up, anyone interested? Any view on the pricing for e-bay? K2 mini-luna (115cm, red) - 20'ish short days use, could use a tune now. Burton bindings (freestyle jr's I think, black) : 1 ratchet replaced Salomon boots (red/grey) size 13 (small) Rather sell the whole lot ($110) but would break up ($70, $40, $30). Can post or e-mail pictures if anyone's interested.

Are you implying that atomic's father is ugly?

CB would just open CBeach earlier, as long as the bar was open Bode wouldn't mind. As he does most of his downhill runs on his face anyway, a water slide would probably feel pretty similar, and I imagine Bode in his "speedo's" would be an attraction for the local ladies.

I thought the tomcats were the coolest looking bindings I've seen, but the cost was a little higher than I wanted and no-one I knew or on the board had tried them. I think MFM sold out and let T9 make the "solo" to cash in on his rep', I dont think it will do either of them any good in the long run.

Damn, don't you ever get tired of being so bitter and sarcastic? If he wants to play on baby ski's then that's up to him. During the summer he can put on his little flouro lycra shorts and his rollerblades and he and his friends won't even miss the snow.

Broken and replaced by the CB shop? Seriously though, if you like Burton stuff and have the cash, then stick with what you know. Personally I would recommend the Technine Pro-Series or Dominators, I have the "Justin Hebbel" pro/dominator and they have been great this season. Very responsive (due to baseplate, not the funny strap), very comfortable, nothing came loose, nothing broke (lifetime warranty anyway), ratchets always worked well. The only possible drawback is no tool-free lean adjustment, this doesn't really matter to me (had it on my sims, used it once), but some people might think it's important.

Do the poles help the old people get around more safely on the snow?

Well, it was good, but not worth the (incredibly long / slow) journey up there, highlights were as follows: Very quiet, with some very cool trails, strangely with just numbers (1 to 11, plus some "alpine" (flat) trails), no trail names. Rental equipment was surprisingly good (rossignol board), though the whole rental experience was somewhat troublesome, with lots of pointing and arm waving. I signed up for a lesson, with a very funny instructor who wasn't any better than me but at least knew his way around. by our standards it was reasonably priced for the package (about $200) but this is a fortune by their general income level. I seemed to be a bit of a novelty, as both a foreigner and a snowboarder, but everyone was very friendly. Other points, very slow lifts, kinda icy but it's late for them (I think they are closing this week so I got lucky really). It's a beautiful area of the country, so much nicer than the city areas. All in all, it was worth a look, but I don't think I'll go again, it was just too far to travel for limited runs. A nice way to end the season though , I came back to the aftermath of the floods, and all the areas around here looking very sad.

That's for the "snowboarding is the easy way out" comments.... They say revenge is a dish best served cold It's nice to see someone so supportive of their kids' habits, I hope mine come on as quickly and as well as yours, first signs for my son (at 4) are good, with his first black (raceway at Blue) in 2 months of "explorers" classes, and his instructors only criticism "he has a tendency to just point them straight downhill and ...." .

Why does age have anything to do with it? I'm more than 20 years older than you but I can guarantee that I am not as good as either of you. If your reasoning were correct, your Dad would be a better skier than you Be thankful that you have the opportunity and support to do what you may be good at.

No joke, it's a present to myself for a long and very hard weeks' work over here, I'm taking the train tonight, flying back sunday. If I can buy a cheap camera I'll post some piccies from the slopes.

So tonight I'm getting on a train for 22 hours to visit the Yabuli ski resort in northern China, though I can't find any confirmation that they still have decent cover, they claim a 6 month season so I should be safe. The locals in Bejing are telling me it's a certainty From the train I can get a helicopter transfer to the resort on "mostly reliable russian aircraft"..... Renting a board and a lift ticket will apparently set me back about $80 US, a fortune to the locals, no details on the type of gear available. It has however got a 2000 ft vert, plently of trails (though only a couple of blacks, and I have no idea how their grading system compares), and an average attendance of just 400 people. I'll let you know how it goes.....

My wife bought Chulksmack for me, very disappointing. Not enough backcountry stuff and dubious music choices. I've got a couple of older boarding DVD's called Arrival and Perception (I think), they're OK. I like the Warren Miller stuff, most of my ski-ing pals have a lot of them but they have some good boarding sections. Completely unrelated issue, I'm in China with work and have the weekend free before I head back. I'm going to fly north and find some snow I fear that rentals could be interesting....

http://www.killington.com/KillingtonWeb/Re...loodWeekend.mov Now how many of you want to go.

Yeah, they have the signs up for the mountain bike trails already, it's kinda strange halfway down the mountain seeing a sign saying "danger mountain bikes" as you ride past. Last year by mid-may, superstar was the only thing open and it was a thin strip of mogully ice, there was not a trace of snow to be seen anywhere else. Go as early as you can. Nice place to camp / mountain bike though, and a good time of year for it.

Don't rely on any amount of trails / parks being open past the end of April, the only way they can claim to be open is to pile as much snow as they can on a trail that gets the least direct sunlight (Superstar) and just keep re-grooming (as infrequently as they can) until the grass comes through. Those of you that want to hit the park / pipe, should remember that Bear Mtn is a suntrap and will close first. Everyone who can, should get up there in the next 4 weeks to close their season. Those claiming financial hardship, do whatever it takes to get there, you'll have the next 7 months to pay it off. Go on. you know you want to......

Just got back from a fantastic weekend at Killington, great weather, great conditions, hardly any crowds (no queues for lift all day, both days). Anyway, I didn't post this just to tell you that, the thing that really struck me was how F'in amazing the stuff they've put over on Bear mtn is. Please remember that I am NOT good enough to judge the park properly, but I have seen the local parks, and I did manage to successfully ride my first rail this weekend. The terrain park on Bear Claw just looked frightening, with massive features, all on a very steep blue/black run, there was hardly anyone in the park and no newb's (except me and my friends (they're all skiers)). Then there was the slopestyle course on Grizzly (I think), 'kin huge jumps,some with other "features" and anyone who's ski'd bear at Killy will no it has some real pitch. Then there were the now officially designated tree skiing areas, both at bear and on some other peaks, my first time, much fun, very bad for my board no lasting damage though so all's good. Finally there was the most perfect looking (super) pipe I have ever seen, in full view of the deck of the lodge (you can decide if that's a good thing or not ) They also have other park areas on some of the other peaks, but they have really made Bear a feature area this year. So all I really wanted to say was, if you like the parks, get up there before the season ends, It'll blow you away (and it may even kill you).