**OFFICIAL** Snowboarding and Skiing Thread! Plans? Gear? Tricks? Conditioning? GTFIH

[Corbi]

For those of you in the Wisconsin/Ill area, Devils Head opened today but I don't know how many lifts or runs are open since all we all have is man made snow for now.

Cascade & Granite Peak will be opening tomorrow. I checked out Granite Peak in person today & they have had some natural snow but are also making a ton of snow & had at least 3 groomers out at noon. from what I could see it looked like virtually the entire mtn was covered in snow but most likely they will only have a handful of runs open for now.


Cascade as usual will have 3-4 runs & maybe 2 lifts open, what sucks is 2 of those runs are the beginners and are very short. Better off waiting until we get some real snow & they have at least half the runs open.

[nwskier]

Pretty filthy opening day in Jackson! Historic opening- pretty much got the entire mountain open top to bottom and wall to wall. I got an early start this morning and cranked out tram laps until my legs were shot. Really solid base for early season and lots of powder enjoyed. Didn't bother bringing the camera today but here's a few shots from the last few days

Getting the Tram ready for opening (2 days prior)


Yesterday - looking all pimped out and ready for the Prom


I've been hiking the nearby Pass all week. Friday we were able to clear the cloud deck on the summit.


Spectactular early season conditions


More snow in the forecast
Also some friends checked out the new Stash parks. I'll have to grab some photos- they sound legit.

[Irishpandah]

rode sugarbowl yesterday and conditions were prime! 12" of fresh snow over nite and the resort was almost empty! Only bad thing bout this early season powder is the cover isnt all there. I was floating through some powder when i took a turn and gashed the hell out of my board, down to the core. =( i was gonna try to ptex it myself but I dont have the welding gun so i gotta run it to the local shop, $35 fix fu*k


still got a broken camera so only got a lift pic from the cell. Bluebird day with no wind till 3 was awesome

[MiKey4]

BRB moving to somewhere I can go skiing on a whim, rather than have to book 3 months in advance and pay £600 for a week.

[Skunk]

rode sugarbowl yesterday and conditions were prime! 12" of fresh snow over nite and the resort was almost empty! Only bad thing bout this early season powder is the cover isnt all there. I was floating through some powder when i took a turn and gashed the hell out of my board, down to the core. =( i was gonna try to ptex it myself but I dont have the welding gun so i gotta run it to the local shop, $35 fix fu*k

Sucks brah, but at least you're out there boarding. I'm going thru finals right now, so I have to wait a couple weeks! Gotta go out and buy some new chains today tho, I chewed my chains up pretty good last winter

[drgnframe24]

our hill opened friday. not much of a place to snowboard but gotta work with whats close. my board should be here thursday and were hopefully going this weekend. i ended up getting a Rome Machine 161 and Burton Infidel bindings and 32 boots, super excited to board again

[Berts]

our hill opened friday. not much of a place to snowboard but gotta work with whats close. my board should be here thursday and were hopefully going this weekend. i ended up getting a Rome Machine 161 and Burton Infidel bindings and 32 boots, super excited to board again

Where do you ride around Minot? I grew up in Fargo so was wondering.

[drgnframe24]

only places i know are Botineau and Huff Hills. were checking out botineau. its really just a hill but has a terrain park so thats good.

[MinuteMan.]

BRB moving to somewhere I can go skiing on a whim, rather than have to book 3 months in advance and pay £600 for a week.

This.

One of the few ****ty things about living in Australia. I want to move to America when I get an opportunity in a few years

[Kaptn Krunch]

This.

One of the few ****ty things about living in Australia. I want to move to America when I get an opportunity in a few years

Is there not a ski areas in AUS? I've always wanted to go to NZ and go snowboarding in August...The wife and I are planning a trip there in a few years, but OMG it's expensive to spend a week in AUS and a week in NZ!

[Skunk]

My goal this winter is to hit up most of the Cali Ski Resorts. Here's my checklist so far:

Alpine Meadows
Bear Mountain
Bear Valley
Dodge Ridge
Heavenly
Homewood
June Mountain
Kirkwood
Mammoth
Mountain High
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Snow Summit
Squaw Valley
Sugar Bowl

Let me know if I missed any notable locations. Plus I'll be doing my annual trip to Steamboat Springs (I might even hit up Park City on my way back to CA). Plus I'll be heading up to Timberline / Mt. Hood Meadows as usual too.

In other words, my goal this season is to ride until my heart is content...

[MinuteMan.]

Is there not a ski areas in AUS? I've always wanted to go to NZ and go snowboarding in August...The wife and I are planning a trip there in a few years, but OMG it's expensive to spend a week in AUS and a week in NZ!

Yeah there are a few but the resorts aren't that great (and the snow cover is inconsistent), plus its november now and I already feel like going snowboarding again haha

If I were you, I'd do my riding in NZ instead of Oz, and spend more of your time in Australia doing the touristy stuff.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

I picked up a couple of Airblaster Terryclavas, here is a pic with the yellow one. I really like the fit of these things, nice material. The eye hole stretches out with no problems but doesnt get permanently stretched either. Long enough to cover my neck as well.

[Irishpandah]

My goal this winter is to hit up most of the Cali Ski Resorts. Here's my checklist so far:

Alpine Meadows
Bear Mountain
Bear Valley
Dodge Ridge
Heavenly
Homewood
June Mountain
Kirkwood
Mammoth
Mountain High
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Snow Summit
Squaw Valley
Sugar Bowl

Let me know if I missed any notable locations. Plus I'll be doing my annual trip to Steamboat Springs (I might even hit up Park City on my way back to CA). Plus I'll be heading up to Timberline / Mt. Hood Meadows as usual too.

In other words, my goal this season is to ride until my heart is content...

the only one i see ur missing, which isn't a cali resort but still in tahoe, is Mt. Rose.

Also how did you forget the best mountain in the tahoe area, Boring hil..i mean Boreal!!

[Skunk]

the only one i see ur missing, which isn't a cali resort but still in tahoe, is Mt. Rose.

Also how did you forget the best mountain in the tahoe area, Boring hil..i mean Boreal!!

Ah yes, can't leave out Mt. Rose from the list. I excluded Boreal from the list because it's already on my sled hill checklist.

[Irishpandah]

Hey 2rude have you gotten a chance to ride your Sierra board yet?

[Seal16]

Ive gone skiing a few times and I find it pretty fun but I was just wondering what the learning curve is for snowboarding. I know after the first time your ass hurts from falling and theres a good chance that you'll break your wrist whne ur starting but anything else?

[Irishpandah]

Ive gone skiing a few times and I find it pretty fun but I was just wondering what the learning curve is for snowboarding. I know after the first time your ass hurts from falling and theres a good chance that you'll break your wrist whne ur starting but anything else?

if i remember this correctly it goes, snowboarding is harder to pick up but once you do its easier to progress while skiing is easy to pick up but harder to master.

Snowboarding in the beginning is all about learning to 'link' your turns without catching an edge. After of course you get off the chair lift which is its own problem for most beginners since you aren't locked in like a skier.

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

Hey 2rude have you gotten a chance to ride your Sierra board yet?

Not this particular one, i bought a 151 which is pretty small for me, but ill be trying it out on Monday most likely.

I rode the 155 Reverse Crew for a day last season that i borrowed from a friend. Its really a great board for the price (back then it was $160). The conditions i rode it in werent really ideal but it held up well, especially for being rockered. But any rockered board is going to feel a little sketchy on an icy day.

Its nice and stable, has decent pop, and handled speed well. The base is a pretty standard sintered one, no complaints there. I really cant think of anything that i disliked about the board.

[nwskier]

if i remember this correctly it goes, snowboarding is harder to pick up but once you do its easier to progress while skiing is easy to pick up but harder to master.

i'd agree with that ^

btw, more snow on the way to Jackson the next couple days. conditions are some of the best early season ever! you're gonna be stoked when you get out here

[Irishpandah]

Not this particular one, i bought a 151 which is pretty small for me, but ill be trying it out on Monday most likely.

I rode the 155 Reverse Crew for a day last season that i borrowed from a friend. Its really a great board for the price (back then it was $160). The conditions i rode it in werent really ideal but it held up well, especially for being rockered. But any rockered board is going to feel a little sketchy on an icy day.

Its nice and stable, has decent pop, and handled speed well. The base is a pretty standard sintered one, no complaints there. I really cant think of anything that i disliked about the board.

yah ive been riding the 155 this season so far and im happy with. Its been all pow days so far tho this year, or well atleast 'fresh' haha so i havent had to try it once ice, thanks for the heads up tho, now i know to bring my other board for those days.

Ive been happy wth the speed that was my biggest concern going in, it really does just float n powder tho, so amazing.

Cant wait for jackson! so stoked for all the snow you guys are getting over there. Its gonna be hard to coem back and ride the cement out here after. Do you keep a count of your riding days for the year? How many you already have?

[nwskier]

Cant wait for jackson! so stoked for all the snow you guys are getting over there. Its gonna be hard to coem back and ride the cement out here after. Do you keep a count of your riding days for the year? How many you already have?

haven't kept track but around 12-15 so far. 7 days on the mountain since it opened two weeks ago and another 7 or 8 days hiking up on the Pass. I do need to get those numbers up

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

yah ive been riding the 155 this season so far and im happy with. Its been all pow days so far tho this year, or well atleast 'fresh' haha so i havent had to try it once ice, thanks for the heads up tho, now i know to bring my other board for those days.

Ive been happy wth the speed that was my biggest concern going in, it really does just float n powder tho, so amazing.

Cant wait for jackson! so stoked for all the snow you guys are getting over there. Its gonna be hard to coem back and ride the cement out here after. Do you keep a count of your riding days for the year? How many you already have?

Rad, glad you like the board man. Ill be sure to post a review of my 151 after i use it. Still not sure which board im taking up this Monday though, ill see what the conditions will be like. Ive never been on a reverse camber board this small before so im a little anxious to see how it holds up.

Just waxed up all of my boards and boy do they look pretty.

[cbad7676]

Ah yes, can't leave out Mt. Rose from the list. I excluded Boreal from the list because it's already on my sled hill checklist.

il be seeing you at Mammoth or Bear if you ever make it here

[those]

Whistler just passed 12 feet of snow this season - can't wait til Christmas!!!

[Echo399]

Can't WAIT to get out this year. Was too busy last year and never got out..now all we're getting is rain and crap....

Any Sugarloaf fans here? Maine is great for snowboardin

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

Finally got day 1 under my belt and had a chance to try out some of my new gear. Conditions were pretty whack for the most part but we had a little bit of natural snowfall plus they were blowing snow on just about every trail. A few good spots out there though.

Here is a pic of me at the top modeling some of the new gear like a *******.



Took the Sierra Reverse Crew 151 up even though conditions were less than ideal. Wanted to see how the new board handled. A 151 is very short for me but i really liked how it rode for the most part. It has a lot of pop for a reverse camber board and is very light weight. It wasnt squirly at high speeds at all, but it wasnt as stable as a traditional camber board. Im thinking that mostly had to do with the combo of a short board, garbage conditions, and tons of wind. Its soft enough to press and take into the park, but can carve hard with no problems at all.

Airblaster Ninja Suit, Awesome Pant, and AK Blaster jacket were all agreat. 20k waterproofing kept me dry as hell and the Ninja Suit kept me warm in temps around 10-20 degrees.

Highlight of the day was the Nike Zoom Force 1 boots. They are just what im looking for in a boot. Supportive, comfortable, quality materials for a reasonable price. Even after 1 day i can tell that they are the best boots that ive owned so far.

[MinuteMan.]

Now I'm getting jealous, what resort were you riding at?

[2Rude4MyOwnGood]

Now I'm getting jealous, what resort were you riding at?

This was at Whitetail in PA. Its small but its close to home so i go there quite a bit.

[MtnJax]

Anyone here ever been to Taos or Santa Fe? I'll be making a trip out there in January with my sister and he family...be my first trip out west to ski.

Hitting up Beech Mountain tomorrow for my first time out this season