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Stoner - Member
You two can be as nasty as you like. I'm the one sitting in the apres ski barso thhhhrrrrpppppp to the pair of you
How thoughtless. You've just posted to rub our noses in it. I bet you're the kind of git that'd post photos of beers in the sun with the pistes as a background.
Barsteward
Some [s]retro[/s] obsolete boardage for you.
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Top is a Nitro 164cm wide, from c.2002. I bought it for $100 in an end of season sale in Whistler on a hockey club ski trip. I got it since it was cheap, and thought Id use it as a powder day board.
Interestingly it's no wider than my main board. A 2000 Scott 160cm.
But the Scott has done probably 15 weeks over those years, and while I'd never noticed it losing it's "pop", it sits almost flat comapred to the virtually unused Nitro. The Scott barely 5mm above the floor, the nitro a good 12mm.
I'm going to take it out tomorrow morning and see how it fares.
I spent a bit of time late this pm wandering around some board shops in Morzine, I dont have a clue what most of the boards are supposed to be selling to me. CambeRock this, side cuts that, standard camber there etc etc.
However, there's a couple of nice basic boards I like the look of. There's also some "directional" ones, which given my aversion to switching might be quite a nice idea. Anyone got one?
I was skeptical of some of the fancy board designs but I like my Nitro 'gullwing' hybrid camber board. Worth trying a few if you can.
You should try Lib Tech NAS, Stoner.
Lib Tech NAS
no speakay inglesie
Jfgi.
😉
i prefer my feet on terraferma
but here is someone i knows photos to get you in the mood
[url= http://portfolio.rosswoodhall.com/#!/index/G0000qw5jY1wRqlU ]ross the boss[/url]
Stoner - don't take gifts from Greeks, or snowboard recommendations from Mr Skier. You might end up buying skis by mistake.
😉
The menace, more often than not, is a super-charged young adult on a flying missile — a snowboard.
www.vaildaily.com/opinion/letterstotheeditor/20396027-113/vail-daily-letter-dangerous-snowboarders
First time I've been called 'young' in a bit.
Or an 'adult' come to think of it.
Middle-aged teenager perhaps?
Definitely a menace, BAN ALL THE SNOW SPORT USERS EXCEPT OLDER FELLOWS ON SKIS!!!
I thought that generally this view has moved on somewhat, but some of the older resorts in the states seem to have frequent "open letter" whingers that are best ignored.
I think the problem is that of familiarity and predictability, if you're a boarder then you can get pretty good at predicting what a boarder will do next, and likewise if you are a skier. Generally it's the beginner's decision making skills that creates the nervousness about what is happening behind them and leads to unpredictable manoeuvres, always best to give people who look unstable as wide a berth as possible I find. Skier or boarder.
It's just mad how people have those views and that someone actually published them!
I have a confession - I hit a skier last year. First time after 12 years or so on a board.
Playing in the soft stuff down the side of the piste (still on piste) in the shade of the trees. Skier goes by me on my left (further on piste) looks over his left shoulder for his mates / family, and hockey stops to his right - bang in my line.
I had enough time to wrap my arms round him to minimise the damage from the impact (think the difference between a proper rugby tackle and a spear tackle) and down we went.
Crawled 5 yards back up the slope to shake hands and check everyone was ok and off we both went (after he'd found his skis another 5 yards up the slope).
I went into him, but he looked left and turned right without checking. Knock for knock on the insurance?
Do I qualify as young and super-charged?
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igm , see that boarder doing a handplant on the skiers head, that's you that is
Wish I had the skillz
[i]It's just mad how people have those views and that someone actually published them![/i]
perfectly acceptable view, if you've just been taken out by an out of control Boarder(who didn't even stop)...however having just done a week on pretty empty slopes, despite my casting some nervous glances over my shoulder on hearing the sound of an approaching speeding board, my closest call was with some twonk on skis, nearly taking me out, despite me being the only one on a 75m wide piste.
was hugely unimpressed! 😡
but you didnt get hit?
I can definitely recommend Courchevel 1850 for anyone lunching on a budget in the 3V. 😆
My current board is 160cm. At 193cm in my high heels how long a board should a piste basher be using these days?
@Stoner - Height has little bearing on suggested board length: board design, your weight, skill level, budget and desired use are more important. (not to mention the graphics!)
Weight is a good starting point as a longer board will distribute the rider weight and allow for more float* in powder.
However since you are only riding the groomers, a shorter board (perhaps even shorter than your 160) will allow for a more 'responsive' board on account of the shorter turning radius.
More expensive 'top end' boards tend to be stiffer (often too stiff for mere mortals) especially if you have to ride ice, chop and crud, so caution is advised if you've got a chunk of change burning a hole in your pocket!
WRT 'directional' boards i.e. a non 'twin-tip'/swallow-tail board then these tend to be carve/race/powder boards so perhaps best avoided unless they are your thing.
A 'directional' twin-tip however is probably what you need (as apposed to a 'true' twin-tip for freestyle etc)
I've tried to keep this jargon free, but most online sellers have fairly good board guides to give you an idea. Best bet though is to go into a shop and talk to the guys in there - they are usually pretty good in the reputable winter sport shops.
*Many modern boards can made 'shorter' due to design changes in the nose etc.
@dd after 3 trips to Courchevel I've yet to find anywhere budget - whereabouts are you referring to or am I missing some humour here?
Cheers Digby, very useful.
I've had a surprisingly good morning on the big Nitro. Possibly down to the factory fresh base/wax. It seemed to run faster than the Scott with a shabby rewax. Floated nicely in the powder too.
At 95kg I don't think I have much room to go a lot shorter than 160cm,but I'd like something that turns in a bit more readily.
No worries Stoner - have a great trip!
Yeah - at 95Kg you probably won't see much benefit in dropping below a 160 ... For comparison, I'm 85Kg in the niff and I ride a Jones 163W Flagship (with an extra set of holes drilled at the back), a 164W Mountain Twin and a 168W Solution.
Have a look at the video GrahamS linked to recently that discussed some of the recent shapes if you are looking for something more responsive/initiate turns earlier - you can then take that info into a shop
[url= http://mpora.com/videos/AAdlp8no10li#L4wtTG5kVekwDoEY.97 ]http://mpora.com/videos/AAdlp8no10[/url]
Stoner, Much the same size and weight and after much questioning and trying different boards at CasVegas I settled on a Jones Aviator 160 Wide (big feet too). So much more responsive, easy to flick about and generally a hoot to ride.
Was on a ~2005 K2 Nemesis and a K2 FatBob before.
Just need to get out to a mountain and use it. Damn life getting in the way!!
Cheers guys.
Out of interest, how wide is wide?
Both my Scott (not wide) and the NitroW are 27cm wide between the bindings.
That Jones sounds interesting. Will see if I can find one to fondle in Morzine.
I'm 6 2" 79kg and have a 156 159 and 161. Quivers my boys quivers
The wide is not actually that much wider that the normal board, but it is just enough for my size 12s not to drag. I ride a +15, -10 stance or there abouts.
Waist is 26cm wide (not mine, the boards).
Ah, just seen the 26cm on the specs.
I ride +21 +6
Out of interest, how wide is wide?
Depends - but the general rule of thumb is that if you have size UK10 boots or larger, you should consider a wide board - especially if either of your binding angles aren't very high (+/-) - i.e. close to zero degrees. The point is to avoid toe and heel overhang & drag when on an edge.
The width of the board at the widest part of the nose and tail is what is relevant when discussing a 'Wide' board.(the width in the 'waist' will determine the 'sidecut radius' and the boards turning characteristics).
Wide boards used to be thought of as a disadvantage, but many modern designs have seemingly got around it.
So generally speaking a wide board will compensate for big feet with little or no impact on performance.
I ride +21 +6
euro carving stance? Most folks have roughly 30 degrees diff in their stance - do you mean +21 -6?
As I said, and others above seem to agree, Jones boards are lovely. That's why I have two and my wife has one. She said she didn't need a new board until she rode it.
Oh god don't start the stance thing again - we'll have [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/snowboarding-problems-feet#post-7314399 ]bluehelmet showing up telling everyone to ride zero/zero[/url] 😆
Crikey ... I hadn't seen that thread - I certainly didn't expect to see a picture of Keith when I clicked on the link ... 🙁
Zero/Zero? 🙂 Some fantastic comments on that thread! 😆
Being the absolute F****** genius that I am I managed to strip the skin off the top of my foot yesterday moving a sofabed.... 2 days before flying out to Avoriaz/Morzine.... Genius.
0/0 stance is.... interesting... I'm 17/17 proper duckfeet. My knees will explode and my feet will hurt apparently... (actually my foot will hurt but that's got nowt to do with the angles...
Anyone know somewhere that sells bulk quantities of Compeed in Sheffield?
No, I really am +21 +6. I've tried duck but didn't get on with it last time I tried.
Might have a go playing around again as this trip is the perfect time. Got to sort out a problem with heel lift in my old boots first though.
Aldi have spray bandage, but that stuff hurts worse that the injury 😯
New boots time, Stoner.
I made the mistake of trying on a few when I demoed the board. Soooo comfy.
No chance! Only bought a new pair of ski boots at the beginning of the season!
As it is I'm eyeing up some flow hybrids as well as a new board. I'll have to earn some pocket money over the summer to treat myself for next season.
No, I really am +21 +6. I've tried duck but didn't get on with it last time I tried
Well if it works for you and you are having fun! (that does explain some of your reluctance to ride switch btw - as it can be quite tricky when riding with positive angles)
Got to sort out a problem with heel lift in my old boots first though.
Try popping another insole in - this should reduce the 'volume' in your liners and remove the heel lift
Off to Flaine for half term with 3 kids, driving to keep costs to merely exorbitant. Really looking forward to being there if not to the drive.
That's the plan. I expect 15yr old inners aren't as plump as once they were.
I can definitely recommend Courchevel 1850 for anyone lunching on a budget in the 3V
How bad is it there these days? I'm off there in a couple of weeks. Been to 3V a few times before so know roughly what to expect, has been about 5 years since we last visited though.
How did I miss that stance thread? 😆
I can confirm (having ridden with him a few times) that Neil McNab does indeed ride duck! As does every other high-level snowboard coach I've ridden with.
RE: new boots. A copy of Le Dauphine in the bar has given me the inkling of a cunning plan, Baldrick...
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How did I miss that stance thread?
I know .. I know ... I can't believe I missed it either ... do you reckon there's any mileage left in resurrecting it - purely for the comedy value? 😉
And yeah - I can also confirm that Neil McNab rides 'duck' - having borrowed his boards on a few occasions I've had to swap the bindings from his goofy stance to my regular stance ... although I ride with a wide(ish) stance, it's not as wide as Neil's!
do you reckon there's any mileage left in resurrecting it - purely for the comedy value?
I dunno - tempting but bluehelmet went very quiet when I posted that video still of McNab clearly riding duck last season.
Mind you he did call me his "duck riding friend" in the [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/doctors-on-strike/page/17#post-7431897 ]doctors on strike thread[/url] a couple of weeks ago, so he clearly remembers it 😀
Neil McNab does indeed ride duck! As does every other high-level snowboard coach I've ridden with.
Just a thought: I'm guessing there's a lot more emphasis on switch riding for instructors (both in the the courses they take and the courses they teach) compared to e.g. me, who's never been much of a freestyle kid and doesn't ride switch very often (or regular either, to be honest!)
Is there still a benefit from ducked stance in a front-foot-forward turn?
Awesome day today. Un jour de petit peuf ((c) wallop 2016) so we headed over to Les Arcs and played in the trees - my first lengthy foray into some low key off piste stuff. Quite funny ending up on the VTT trails we ride in the summer 😆
Beautiful day.
Is there still a benefit from ducked stance in a front-foot-forward turn?
Good question! My first thoughts are that it probably depends!
From my own perspective I ride +21 / -6. I will often tweak +/- 3 on the rear as a season progresses depending on where/what I'm riding and any muscle aches/pains/niggles.
In theory if I were to amend my angles to say +27 / 0 then this should just open up my downhill view more (as I'm looking over my shoulder less).
However what happens is I end up twisting my body, bringing my right (rear) arm round more and I can no longer carve/finish turns properly as my body isn't aligned with the board.
If I return to 'duck' (with the same 27 degree difference) I can ride properly again.
So I would say yes, for me - there is still a benefit from ducked stance in a front-foot-forward turn, although that's possibly more to do with learned behaviour /muscle memory than much else
Is there still a benefit from ducked stance in a front-foot-forward turn?
I was a life-long (OK, age 19 - 29!) forward stance rider before I saw the light... (Terje stance 21 / 9 but 27/12 on my freeride board 'cos I was SO freeride!). 😆
I'm a full duck convert these days, can't imagine riding any other way. Even raced SBX duck last year (savouring my many victories in the over-30's, duck-stance category!).
There's no right or wrong, but, for me, there are some fundamental differences in technique between the two stances. With a forward stance, it becomes hard to ride in a low position without rotating/breaking at the waist. This tends to mean a more active upper body and dropping the hip in to get edge angle on the board. It's also harder to twist/pedal the board.
In a duck stance, the upper body can remain more neutral and you are (or should be....) very stacked over the heel edge to stay super-stable and really get some pressure on the edge.
The have pros and cons really. For the purest carved turn, with no torsion in the board (e.g. on a race carving setup which will be ludicrously torsionally stiff anyway), there's little advantage to duck, forward stance might even have some pluses. In tighter, steeper terrain, the stronger stance and easier pedalling of duck has advantages.
Most of the SBX dudes were riding a forward stance, I wasn't going to switch right before dropping into a race track! I reckon forward might have had the edge in the corners, duck on the jumps and rollers.
Digby - your post went up while I was still writing mine! Interesting that we've (more or less) said the same thing re. twisting. I just got of my seat and tried it - stand with feet in a forward stance and try to squat low - it's really hard without twisting!
I started with an 18, -9 duck stance and I'm now riding 15 / -15 mega-duck. Originally tried this to encourage me to sort out a flaw in my riding (back knee collapsing in) and just stuck with it.
Just to add to my post above - the pedalling side of things is not just a minor add-in for me, it's incredibly powerful. Adding a counter-pedal to tighten up the radius and finish up turns has transformed my riding. If I could just sort out the first bit of the turn, I might even pass that damn exam...
Oh yeah - ludicrous face-shots up the top in Sainte Foy today! 
Vis was coming and going though. Managed to get lost in an area I know like the back of my hand and ended up down-climbing a cliff with snowboard for crampons! Fortunately, there were trees to hold on to.
With a forward stance, it becomes hard to ride in a low position without rotating/breaking at the waist. This tends to mean a more active upper body and dropping the hip in to get edge angle on the board. It's also harder to twist/pedal the board
Yeah stevomcd - but you said it much more eloquently! 🙂
It's the 'breaking at the waist' for sure.
I'm guessing there's a lot more emphasis on switch riding for instructors (both in the the courses they take and the courses they teach)
Yeah, there is, but most of those guys just have freestyle built in as part of their riding. Popping a spin into the middle of a powder run is second nature.
Obviously you have to be able to ride switch fairly well to teach people who ride in the opposite stance from you too.
I got some new Flow Talon Focus boots for last week.
Incredibly stiff the first few days, had to really adapt my riding as they simply didn't flex forward at all.
End of the week they've softened up a bit and are fantastic. Totally waterproof, still plenty stiff for piste blasting, but worked great in the park too.
On the stance thing, I changed to +12 -12 last year to focus on riding switch more, it's been great, much better at switch (so I can do little 180s), no hip pain.
I've also bought a new Skate Banana 159W. Loads of edge grip in icy or hard packed stuff, only tried a little off piste but seemed good, combined with Flow NX2 bindings which have a couple of degrees tilt in towards your hips. Really comfy setup.
Back out to Austria for half term, can't wait.
Managed to get some freshies today in some nice powder at Montgenevre which I totally wasn't expecting. Good day to switch to the snowboard. Few nice little lips to jump off and some fun stuff through the trees. My impression of this area remains that they are a bit slack with their route marking, mapping and attempts to keep all the pistes open where possible though.
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Nice pic.
Only a few moments of blue in PDS today. But snapped mossettes catching some sun.
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And a mandatory no-mates selfie with regulation STW bobble hat. Looking over to Switzerland. It's a fine hat by the way.
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I'll keep an eye out for the hat when we are in Morzine in a few weeks 😆
Unfortunately for you, the lesser spotted super hat won't be in full plumage again until the end of March.
Booooooooo.
Anyone looking for some last minute half term action? Reasonably priced flights here... http://www.rocketski.com/flight-only
[i]How bad is it there these days? I'm off there in a couple of weeks. Been to 3V a few times before so know roughly what to expect, has been about 5 years since we last visited though.[/i]
Re1850...there are a few places around at normal prices. Even the s****y Cap Horn above the airport has a burger bar at the front that does a top burger and fries for 15 euros. My best meals were all at Bouc Blanc though . Great food and service at reasonable prices. (Loved the Tartiflet!
The omelettes at Bouc Blanc are enormous, must be 5 eggs in them, and only 14 Euros.
You can eat for 15 euro at the Fole Douce (sp?) at the buffet too if you're into that sort of thing, the show was pretty good the day we went.
If it's a nice day then lunch on the veranda at Chenus is fab but closer to 20 euro per head. The sun doesn't go of the balcony until nearly 3pm so a late one misses the crowds.
Only 14 euros for an omelette? Wow. 🙂
Nowhere in a French ski resort is reasonable IME.
Off to Zell am See tomorrow - yes a bit of a gentle place but my Partner's first attempt at Skiing...
Wish me luck... 😯
Bit shit here.
EDIT: not as shit as my photo posting attempts.
Anyone know why imgur images aren't posting?
Try their bb code link with the img tags already included. The direct link doesn't seem to work for me.
Another lovely peuf day today. We were reminded of Stevo earlier when we saw a golden eagle soaring above Peisey - Stevo reckons you know you've seen a golden eagle when you go "****!!! It's a golden eagle!" 😆
Yeh, if you ask yourself "is that an Eagle" its not.
Big old birds
Ooorsum day today.
Decided to retrace the route I took by MTB last summer. Châtel was fantastic, round into Switzerland, Morgins, Champoussin, Les Crosets and back over into Lindarets.
I'm knackered.
Chuffed with my board handling though, but heel lift getting to be a problem on the snappiness (and a 164 board needs all the snappiness you can muster, it's like steering a ship) . You won't believe how hard it is finding insoles in size 13 in France. Sheesh. But have managed to find some.
Last time I was over this bit in châtel 14yrs ago, we had to get a chopper to take a mate off the hill after a quality spill off piste.
Oddly they have since roped off "Rob's Folly". Can't imagine why...
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Stoner - these might help if you can find them.
[url= http://www.skiequipmentuk.co.uk/shop/products/Nordica_Ski_Boot_Heel_Retainers_and_Volume_Reducers.htm ]Nordica ski boot heel retainers[/url]
I got some from TSA for a fiver
Cheers, igm, they look exactly the solution. If the insoles don't work I'll track a pair down
Tongue in cheek there I hope DD. Or did you spend the day on Ours Bleu?
Absolutely LD! Had beautiful conditions today. A foot of new snow. Blue skies. No wind. Even managed a bit of off-the-side-of-the-piste to link up with Mrs DD on her blue runs. You'll have a blast here next week.
We were reminded of Stevo earlier when we saw a golden eagle soaring above Peisey - Stevo reckons you know you've seen a golden eagle when you go "****!!! It's a golden eagle!"
Top mountain-leadery advice that! Same applies to Crows vs Ravens.
That said, you do see vultures around Peisey way occasionally. Also ****ing enormous - bigger wingspan than the eagles, but not so chunky. And with a big vulturey neck / head /beak.
Heading out to Peisey on Sunday, can't wait. Snow looks like it's should be okay.
looked like a nice day out there today, should have been working but did have few cheeky looks on the webcams.
I'm sure Edumakator can confirm, but I'd imagine the Pyrenean resorts to be good for Vultures and Eagles.
At least I saw enough out there for them to become normal. That wasn't in resort mind you.
Saw quite a lot of eagles and vultures in Namibia. They are reasonably easy to tell apart IMO mainly because vultures usually look quite scratty. 🙂 The head/neck shape is distinctive too.