Ultimate Ski/Snowboard Interest thread!!!

Well said and although there is no reason to justify, you finding a way to keep riding is inspirational.

I'm just middle aged and lazy so the supermatics are appealing. I've done 2 strap starting before toes straps were a thing, OG Burton cartels when toe straps dropped, flows without any straps, flows with straps, and have been happy with the flux bindings I've been on for a few seasons. I've used my past experience to know what I want, and dont and have customized them to my riding style. Each had some pro's and con's. The supermatics look like the perfect hybrid. I wanna compare the weight of the added mechanisms, and wait a season or two for Nidecker to dial it in, and to allow me to buy prior seasons versions on discount.

 

And another one finds the thread…
East Coast Dad here, skiing my whole life and alpine raced high school and college. 80s and 90s, my slalom skis were 200cm and my GS skis were 207s. Started to get bored (6-7 days a week on the hill running gates) and started playing with my bc ski gear. Coaches didn’t seem to notice when I ran the course in my tele gear with my heels down…so I spent more and more time in those early leather/plastic dancing shoes. Went to work at a BC shop in Syracuse and ended up with my first plastic tele boots and haven’t looked back. Even my wife is a Tele-momma now, and my daughters would like to try it. Someday, kiddos.
Pass wise, we’ve had passes to the Ski3NY (Gore, Whiteface and Belleayre) Bromley, And a variety of Champlain Valley passes (good for 1 day at about 10 different areas). And we’ve been members to our local ski co-op, ski venture (.org)
Dumping at midnight and you want to slide? Call a friend (need two people) and head to the hill, fire up the woodstove, lights and lift and tear it up! The annual contributing family membership is $175 and is recognized as a season pass at most ski areas for discounts. The place is only 110 vertical ft but gets the tail end of lake-effect snow (like what is burying Buffalo in 4-6 ft currently) and is run by skiers so the slopes are steep and the woods are thinned. We groom with light equipment (snowmobile towing a grooming frame) and work to preserve our snow. The kids love it, bring a crockpot and a growler and spend the day.
Edit: I’ll add that the rope tow at SkiVenture runs at over 20mph which makes it a 20-30 second ride to the top. Even with a dialed technique, my arms often give out before my legs. It is definitely cardio-skiing.

 

That's so rad dude. I got two flurries so far this year in southern NH.. just itching now to get out

 

That sounds amazing. There used to be one similar to that in Big Bear when I was a kid. I'd be shocked if it was still there.

 

This is more a Northeast page but it’s fun to get lost in, and a good guide for some backcountry exploration trying to find old skiable trails.
https://www.nelsap.org/

 

How have I not seen this form!? I'm a snowboard patroller from Wisconsin got to travel a bit and am going to big sky in March for the first time!!!

 

I used to have three strap burton bindings. I think mine were called freeride bindings. I used them for a long time until one of the high backs got crunched under the chair lift. Now I have Burton Mission bindings. I can strap in around 30 seconds. I always strap in while standing or sitting on a bench, never sit on the ground.

 

I ran union contact pros and stood up to strap in. Right now I'm running newer Burton step ons hoping they have some improvement over last year. The step ons aren't bad but they have pluses and minuses especially in patrol. Easy to step in at the top.. not as great if you're not on a pretty flat surface. Like if I sat down on scene I can't put them on them stand up.. I need to get my board flat. Not ideal when trying to run a toboggan and get strapped in mid hill

 

How do you clip in if you aren’t on flat ground?

 

Difficult balancing act or lean against something

 

That's why the traditional bindings are better, you chop your heel into the ground a little and learn how to strap in while standing up. Keeps your butt dry.

I understand a guy like jon might need some help due to physical issues.. but how much time are you really saving with step-ins?

I like the constant adjustability of trad bindings. Depending on what I'm about to go down sometimes I'll go a little snugger or looser. I can change it on the fly without having to even come to a stop

I also have worries about the quick release coming apart when it shouldn't.. especially if snow gets packed in there and it can't fully latch.

 

I don't chop my edges into the ground when I'm clipping in, it's a pet peeve when people take chunks out of the hill.. I get back on edge as far as I can then just kind of push off and go. Then once my board is flat I can kick my foot in.. it is faster to get in, but the contact pros were faster to get out of. Using the heel as a pivot is also hard mid hill ..

Instead of perpendicular to the hill I end up tip facing down hill when I flatten out

 

Anybody ski here. I love my boarder brethern, but you guys lose me on the tech talk. Sounds like there's a new iteration of step ins Nideckers? Have boarded a little, but the whole strapping in thing is hard on me.
Here's to a great NE season!

 

I used to ski as a kid but hit a tree.. I'd rather break an arm than tear my knee.

Yeah kind of a spin on old step INs but they are step ons. No front strap to slide under it's basically a strapless binding and looks like it. The from part of a ski binding how it catches the toe, catches the 2 outsides of the toe on the board boot. Then a clip catches a mid ankle spot too!

 

here's a followup review video of the Nidecker Supermatic. (side note: i was also considering Clew)

https://youtu.be/RrBhAWoURiU

 

Skier, but long time worker in a shop so I understand the board gear as well.

 

I look at boarding as something I will most likely enjoy the hell out of in the right conditions. Unfortunately, those are the same conditions in which skiing is also unbelievably good. I’d be afraid that with two sliding passions, I’d always wonder if I chose the right gear that day.
So, in conclusion, I am saving golf, fly fishing and snowboarding for my old(er) age.

 

If I could snap my fingers and be a intermediate boarder I'd love to take it up. I just don't feel like starting over as a beginner.
Plus I have way to much ski gear. I got 3-4 sets in the truck every day I go to the mtn and more at home.

 

@rexford and @Hawkshot
these are my tips if you want to fall in love with snowboarding as a beginner or even beg-intermediate:
1) go to a resort that doesnt have flats or catwalks. the times you spend being stuck, unstrapping and walking, or falling onto hard-pack will inevitably make you
regret the day and wish you were on skis
2) go on a day or in the middle of days where it is lightly snowing. the cushion of freshies and the experience of turning in freshies will immediately give you a positive experience of the ride.
3) change your expecation of how you use turns to get down the mountain. long sweeping turns and (as a newer rider) traversing back and forth across the run vs. essentially a straight line down, managed with many quick turns. do not try to ride the same lines on a board as you would on skis.
Its a completely new way to experience the snow, in my opinion.

also, I've been told that taking a private 1/2 day lesson is really worth it to help you get from beginner to intermediate.

 

That is pretty much exactly what I tell all my customers that are getting into the sport. Add in to not get frustrated day 1 when you are struggling.

I just don't want to go from being a very good skier, to newbie boarder.