Metz the Jersey boy

Yup, seeing now that you're from Philly I'd definitely say hit up Nestor's. I can't speak from experience, but I've never heard a bad thing said about their work. Whatever you do, don't buy boots online. You'll never get the correct size. I've been through 2 pairs of boots in the past 2 years, and I STILL need to get smaller ones. Anything under 350 is not going to be worth your time.

I guess it all really depends on how strong of a skier she is. Jeff could be very right, since the LT's are a lot of ski. I would definitely not want to be on a junior race ski at 16 though. The flex is just way too weak. Even if it might be what she should be in now, skis are a significant investment. Jr. Skis would be below her level in a year.

I'm definitely with Phil on this one. The AC3 is a greagt ski. If I were you, as far as sizing goes, I'd not go any higher than a 165. I'm 23, 5'9", 200, been skiing 20 years, and I ski a 175. Trust me, the 165 will be all that you need. Phil hit the nail on the head with boots. If there is one thing that you don't go cheap on, make it boots. Find a solid pair of boots that you can flex. People wear boots that are WAY too stiff for them, generally. Take some time with a good bootfitter. Depending on where you're from I can recommend one, as some are just WAY better than others. Boots will really make or break your experience.

Hmm.... a couple ideas: Atomic LT:11's are like a GS Light ski. (Jeff, eat your heart out, I just recommended someone Atomics) Some places even list them as a ladies race stock. Either way, they're a great all mountain ski as well. Volkl Allstars are another fun ski, even tighter turns than the Atomics, and they're great anywhere on the hill. I have seen women racing on them in ASRA. You could look into the Volkl Queen Attiva's as well. They're about the same ski as the Allstar, only made strictly for women. I haven't skied a Rossignol race ski yet, but Rossi's tend to have a pretty forgiving flex pattern as well. Just my two cents.

My recommendation is to find a good race oriented shop. Skidude might be able to help you out there, since he's somewhat in the area. I know I have to drive about 40 min. to get the race shop by me... Any race shop worth its salt will carry demos for all ages. If they don't, seek out opinions from 3 or 4 differnet shop owners as to what they feel the strongest junior ski is. Personally, I've seen a lot of kids doing well on Nordica Dobermann GSJ's and SLJ's. That, and, I hate to say it, Atomics.

Yeah, I have to admit. Up here in the Mad River Valley things could be a little better. Sugarbush had some really grippy snow today though... too bad they couldn't open more than 2 lifts due to wind...

Or volkl racetigers, or nordica dobermanns, or... Best idea- demo all of them. See what he likes, and what he's most comfortable on.

Those 5-stars are great for racing nastar. Don't let anyone talk ya out of them! No need to drop extra money. And no, Atomics are not the be all, end all of race skis (jeff, please don't throw anything at me). They just pay athletes a lot of money... hehe.

If I haven't said it enough, i'll say it again- I gotta give it up for you guys on the CB Ranger/Ski patrol. The sled ride was first rate guys. thanks a ton.

Wow.... he'd burn the place down. Its interesting though. I can't see Montage going boards only. I can definitely see Bear Creek doing it, however. I'd hate to see that happen, though. I liked that hill the one time I was there... Mountain Creek could pull it off too. I'd say that roughly 50-60 percent of the snowsports enthusiasts at Creek are boarders. I'd be curious to know the exact statistic. They do have a strong racing program there, and that would be something that would hurt them if they went boards only. Still, with terrain parks set up mostly for boarders, and their clientele, it might work...

they run it on spring fling in the arena, or on racer's edge. Heard you're getting some serious sticks this week... See ya thursday.

Wow. the nastar course they set at Sugarbush is amazing. Always a dual, tomorrow's race will be in the Legends Race Arena. It sounds pretty cool, but it needs like a grandstand or something. Anyways, Doug would love it. He'd feel like he was mad max about to get into the thunderdome with master blaster. werd. Its going to be SILLY fun. The course is much steeper than any i've seen in the Poconos, and its got 4 compressions on it. Awesome. Check the results to see if I survive tomorrow. PEACE.

Alright, I am in the Mad River Valley as we speak. I am currently skiing Sugarbush. There is about a 12-1 skier to rider ratio here. Frankly, Mad River should be able to do whatever they want, because they're really not missing out on much. I don't say this to be snobby, since I ski and I ride. I'm just saying, if getting out to mad river is such a big thing, broaden your horizons and strap on some skis.

Well, your recommended first step is to come out to the Blue Mt. NASTAR on Thursday nights. There are a group of 4 or 5 of us that show up religiously. I'll be in Sugarbush this week, so i won't be there, but I'll be back next week. If you want someone to show you the ropes, AtomicSkier would be the one to do so. He's at blue every week on thursday night. It starts at 6:30. You can register for free online at nastar.com, and unlimited runs down the course will cost you 15. They tend to set a course that is fantastic for the intermediate or beginner. I struggle with it myself. Hopefully I'll see you out there next week. Feel free to PM me with any questions. Also, if you move out to Mt. Hood, you're living a dream my 23 year old rookie racer self would love to be living.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it down there... how old is your son? If I remember correctly I think he's rather young, like 9 or 10? If so, it doesn't really matter much what he's got now. Get him into a race program like the CAT development team at camelback or something similar at one of the other mountains. He's still young enough to learn. You're going to spend 450 for the season next year, and its a heck of a time commitment, but that is what racers give up- a social life. As a parent its as much your decision to make as his, due to the fact that you, too will be giving up your weekends. All of them. And driving a lot. A whole lot.

As glenn said, you will not find super-g or downhill events in PA for the most part unless they might be part of a USSA event. USSA is only open to persons 17 and under. ASRA hosts two Super-G's a year, one at windham and one at Sugarbush. As I started racing this year, I have to say that no matter how fast you think you are, you're going to need a lot of work. Unfortunately for you, you're going to need to get into GS and Slalom. GS at the least. Understand that you will need to be turning even in downhill or Super-G. There are, in fact, gates that you must pass through in Downhill. I can't tell you enough how much you should work on your turns, as being unable to turn upright sufficiently will mean you won't be able to turn in a tuck...

lol, yeah, there most definitely are.

To each his/her own. I, for one, love smuggs. Stowe is worth the trip as well. I'm leaving for Sugarbush on Wed. and I really hope that they've fared well with snow. Hope your next trip up presents you with some great snow, though.

I don't even want to hear it! You're the one that broke it off with me!!! Mom- that is probably a fantastic idea. Where else could you find someone who wants to freeze with you for 8 hours starting at 8 a.m. or not go to the bar on a saturday night because rocking your skis on edge is much more fun than rocking out to a horrible 80's cover band...

First I will address the man stripping out of his long undies. To you sir, I ask: WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? Its bad enough that 50 year old women had to see this... but couldn't he be locked up for doing that in front of the high school girls that were there??? That was truly something I never saw coming. Second, thanks 'mom. I appreciate getting the go-ahead to wear the suit again. lol. Jeff and I both picked our suits based on the most important factor- they matched our gear...

lineski- I was more or less joking about easton... lol I'm more referring to the part by the wawa close to 78 where some guy tried to sell me crack. Didn't mean to offend. duchess... didn't know ya cared. Didn't know you were eligible... and now I REALLY think you and doug got it going on... you guys argue like you're married... why don't you two just spite f--- and get it over with...

NO, no, not from easton. sorry folks. lol, keep trying. besides... easton? never. I had a girl in bethlehem... but never in easton... i avoid the crack runners

Lol, yeah doug, i got really jealous of what you and jeff have together.

hell yeah I would! if there is, I owe him a beer for being the biggest MB pimp ever.

So yeah, park ettiquite always comes up in every thread... I'm noticing this... we need to stop worrying about the kind of boxes that are in the park and start worrying about the kind I saw in the parking lot... I mean, how cool was that??