Those Powder Days

[Greedo]

The season is approaching and there needs to be a thread to get people stoked and keep them that way throughout the season. So here's my contribution to get things started...

[McGovs2.7TB5]

I can't wait to see that in person. I'm gonna switch it up this year and get a Winter Park pass, been getting the 5 mountain for as long as I can remember. Anyone else getting this pass?

[SoCalS4Avant]

Lovin' the new thread. Tis the season!

[Greedo]

I can't wait to see that in person. I'm gonna switch it up this year and get a Winter Park pass, been getting the 5 mountain for as long as I can remember. Anyone else getting this pass?

Don't do that! Let me explain why...Winter Park isn't any better than what you get in Summit and the drive to WP sucks. Berthoud is sketchy as can be, and that's without snow on it. I actually find that the drive to WP is just as long as the drive to Breck. You may get a little less traffic too, but you're still looking at a long drive back from WP.

I'd get a WP pass if it was $150, but for the $350 you can get a Summit pass and have 3 mountains on it. Plus, you can't go to the Beav with a WP pass and the Beav is EPIC!

[kinnan12]

^^ Agreeing with Greedo. I just got my Colorado Pass and am stoked to ride this season!

[SoCalS4Avant]

Don't do that! Let me explain why...Winter Park isn't any better than what you get in Summit and the drive to WP sucks. Berthoud is sketchy as can be, and that's without snow on it. I actually find that the drive to WP is just as long as the drive to Breck. You may get a little less traffic too, but you're still looking at a long drive back from WP.

I'd get a WP pass if it was $150, but for the $350 you can get a Summit pass and have 3 mountains on it. Plus, you can't go to the Beav with a WP pass and the Beav is EPIC!

That or he could do the RM Super Pass + and do WP/MJ, Copper, and Steamboat.

Epic/Colorado Pass is better, though.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Blue bird @ Deer Valley

[McGovs2.7TB5]

Don't do that! Let me explain why...Winter Park isn't any better than what you get in Summit and the drive to WP sucks. Berthoud is sketchy as can be, and that's without snow on it. I actually find that the drive to WP is just as long as the drive to Breck. You may get a little less traffic too, but you're still looking at a long drive back from WP.

I'd get a WP pass if it was $150, but for the $350 you can get a Summit pass and have 3 mountains on it. Plus, you can't go to the Beav with a WP pass and the Beav is EPIC!

Oh I'm fully aware of how great the Beav is, def one of my favorites. The only problem is the drive there and back for single day is pretty brutal. I figure I've been to Breck, Keystone and A-Basin so much i could probably slide down blindfolded and make it ok. One of the main reasons I'm considering the WP is that my buddy works for Echo and gets passes to any mountain but the Vail resorts and the couple days I paid to go to WP last season were the best days of the season for me.

[Audi Skate Snow]

Here are two quick shreading clips. Switch 270 board slide 270 out. and a little meat helicopter

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...SSPX0045-1.mp4

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...SSPX0036-1.mp4

[Greedo]

That or he could do the RM Super Pass + and do WP/MJ, Copper, and Steamboat.

Epic/Colorado Pass is better, though.

Is Copper still on it? Copper was sold last season and is no longer part of Intrawest. I'm all about Steamboat, but WP just doesn't do it for me.

[Greedo]

Oh I'm fully aware of how great the Beav is, def one of my favorites. The only problem is the drive there and back for single day is pretty brutal. I figure I've been to Breck, Keystone and A-Basin so much i could probably slide down blindfolded and make it ok. One of the main reasons I'm considering the WP is that my buddy works for Echo and gets passes to any mountain but the Vail resorts and the couple days I paid to go to WP last season were the best days of the season for me.

If there's snow, I'll gladly drive all the way to the Beav. I lived in Avon the first year I lived here and it was nothing short of amazing. March, I swear every day I woke up it was at least a foot of fresh. 15" one day, 18" the next, 24" the day after, and it never seemed to end. So many unbelievable pow days at the Beav.

I'm down for some Echo...granted I'm not much of a park rider. Night riding at Echo can be fun.

[Greedo]

More pic whoring (just because going through my old albums is getting me stoked beyond belief!)

View from Snowmass:


Some of the Beav...
























Loveland Pass..






Random...












Some riding in May (first season here)...

[mdzaudi]

Rabbit ears pass, and of course couch surfing in FoCo.

[SoCalS4Avant]

A little spring mix...but I'm just jazzed for snow!

[Elliott]

TJ, you are so steeeeezy.

Charlie, I like those videos. Maybe this year you can school me in the park.

[Audi Skate Snow]

TJ, you are so steeeeezy.

Charlie, I like those videos. Maybe this year you can school me in the park.

I dont know about school.. but we can go and have some fun... and nothing wrong with some encouragement... for me I do liquid courage (budlight)

[Greedo]

TJ, you are so steeeeezy.

Charlie, I like those videos. Maybe this year you can school me in the park.

I'm only in a few of the pics I posted...but I'm sure you can sort out which pics are me.

[Audi Skate Snow]

I still have a ROME Artifact for sale if anyone is interested. with bindings.

[theredcaron]

I dont know about school.. but we can go and have some fun... and nothing wrong with some encouragement... for me I do liquid courage (budlight)

I like your style!

[Audi Skate Snow]

I like your style!

ahah liquid encouragement helps me throw meat helicopters ahahah.

[mikehawk666]

got a 5 mtn pass a while ago, first season

[DrkZide]

Awesome thread and I guess not better place to ask.

I moved here in June. This is my first season here, I haven't been snowboarding in ages. I live in Denver and I don't want to spend a shitload of money to have some fun this winter but I definitely want to take the wife boarding. Do you guys have any suggestions?

[BeitzDUB]

Some really good pics you have there Greedo! Im super stoked too for the pow pow as well:)

[Greedo]

Awesome thread and I guess not better place to ask.

I moved here in June. This is my first season here, I haven't been snowboarding in ages. I live in Denver and I don't want to spend a shitload of money to have some fun this winter but I definitely want to take the wife boarding. Do you guys have any suggestions?

Definitely get a pass. Even if you're a weekend warrior and make it up once a month, it will cost you less in the long run than buying tickets each time you go. If you don't want to spend a lot look at the Summit Pass (Breck, Keystone and ABasin all on one pass). I will say this, though, buying the Colorado Pass is always a great idea because one day at Vail or Beaver Creek and you just paid more than the difference between the Summit and Colorado (plus, the Beav is the best of all 5).

[Greedo]

S'more photos...




This was quite possibly the deepest snow I've ridden. You could not feel a base under it at all when you rode through.

[Elliott]

ahah liquid encouragement helps me throw meat helicopters ahahah.

I'm guessing you aren't familiar with meatspin.com...

[CoreyRS]

A. Back 7 tail gives me a woody.
B. If you open a Wells Fargo account in Boulder you get a voucher for buy one get one free WP/Copper season pass = $200 each.
C. I got summit pass
D. There was snow on top of the flatirons this morning. daily woody count = 2
E.
http://www.youtube.com/user/CoreyRS#p/u

[Audi Skate Snow]

A. Back 7 tail gives me a woody.
B. If you open a Wells Fargo account in Boulder you get a voucher for buy one get one free WP/Copper season pass = $200 each.
C. I got summit pass
D. There was snow on top of the flatirons this morning. daily woody count = 2
E.
http://www.youtube.com/user/CoreyRS#p/u

ahahah I have some more vids... just gotta upload them.

[DrkZide]

What do the passes include? Is it just admission and lift? I have absolutely zero gear.

[McGovs2.7TB5]

Ya the pass just gets you to the top, you gotta get the gear to get down

[Greedo]

What do the passes include? Is it just admission and lift? I have absolutely zero gear.

The pass saves you from having to walk up and down (plus you're not exactly allowed to hike, despite the fact that it's national forest which means you are allowed to use it, but with the rental rights and blah blah blah, the mountain has some legal rights to tell you that you can't hike). Anyhow, that's not really the concern.

I know Charlie has a board for sale and I could help out with hooking you up with some stuff as well. I will say this; do spend money on boots. In all the years I've ridden, worked in shops, had friends buy boots, etc I've noticed that boots are the one thing people feel the need to spend the least amount of money on. Boots are the most important piece of equipment you will own because if your feet hurt, the rest of it doesn't matter. There are a lot of shops around town and I'd suggest hitting them up and trying some boots on. You can save some money and get a set from last year, but definitely get what is the most comfortable for you. I'm a fan of ThirtyTwo and Rome boots (I ride Rome boots now, but have ridden ThirtyTwo boots in the past). I find Burton boots don't fit me since I have a narrow foot and always get slop in them. Keep in mind that boots packout (or you can have them molded), so if a boot is a little loose on your foot you should go down a half size so it will fit you nice and snug after a few days on them. I've never had my boots molded and always let them mold to my feet naturally. A good 5 days in a pair of boots and they will conform to the shape of your foot rather well. Also keep in mind that boots do break down over time, so if you want a stiffer boot keep in mind that a midflex boot will eventually become softer. I go through a pair of boots each season, but if you don't get up a lot, a good pair of boots can easily last you 4 or more seasons (which is more reason to spend the extra money and get something that you really like).

We can discuss boards/bindings upon request. A suggestion for outerwear: go to Colorado Mills and hit up the Oakley store. They have last years outerwear on-sale for half off. I've ridden a lot of Oakley outerwear since I moved here and find that it's actually extremely well made. I've owned Burton, Special Blend, Analog and Oakley (the main brands I've rocked over the years) and have not once had any issues with my Oakley gear whereas virtually ALL of my Burton brands (all of the other brands mentioned are under Burton) has had to be sent back for warranty (poor quality; the stuff falls apart, the waterproofing doesn't last, it's just garbage). I ride trees a lot and have not once had an Oakley jacket get torn when I get caught up, unlike the other brands mentioned.

[Greedo]

I forgot to ask yesterday, but Peak 10 at Breck over by Mustang and Wild Horse?

[DrkZide]

Is there a requirement for outerwear? I think I still have a lot of stuff from the Army packed somewhere, mainly Under Armour and Oakley since they're our main suppliers. What is a good type of board for someone who hasn't boarded in a while? My wife hasn't gone boarding ever.

[SoCalS4Avant]

I forgot to ask yesterday, but Peak 10 at Breck over by Mustang and Wild Horse?

Indeed! Was one of the best days I've had at Breck. Ducked the lines to the right, followed a couple patrollers, and found some amazing stashes.

[Elliott]

What do the passes include? Is it just admission and lift? I have absolutely zero gear.

I have some size 11 boots that are super warm. They aren't flashy but will get the job done. Let me know if you want them.

[Greedo]

Is there a requirement for outerwear? I think I still have a lot of stuff from the Army packed somewhere, mainly Under Armour and Oakley since they're our main suppliers. What is a good type of board for someone who hasn't boarded in a while? My wife hasn't gone boarding ever.

Not really any "requirement". Just make sure you have something with a DWR rating of at least 10,000 (the snow is dry here, so 20k and above isn't necessary). I'd also suggest getting something with light insulation (like Thinsulate). This will keep you warm without having to layer too much on "normal" days (days in the 20s), it will be just fine for those warmer spring days and it allows room to layer heavily on those cold days. Be sure you get a jacket with vents (it's hard to find a jacket without, but they do exist). This is just my suggestion if you don't want to own a plethora of outerwear.

As for a board, I'm a Rome guy so my suggestions will always be their boards. Assuming you don't want to spend a lot on a board right now the Headline is a great option. They based it off of the Anthem (which is an all-around board), but used more affordable materials (it's not as high-end of a core or base). I find that an all-around board is a good option to get yourself back out there and dialed in. They are stiffer and typically more stable (more aggressive sidecut whereas park boards have a mellower sidecut which allows for more play which transitions to being a little looser and can feel a bit sloppier). It will help you with getting accustom to riding again; the flex is a nice median that will keep you on your feet through all conditions, it's not too stiff for ollies (as a board gets stiffer, it becomes more difficult to ollie since it requires more strength to flex the board), the sidecut is a bit more aggressive so you won't get the feeling that it's washing out, it's a directional board so you have a slightly setback stance (meaning the nose is longer than the tail) which will help you on powder days, it has a basic sintered base which is a good base for speed and durability (the more wax the base absorbs the quicker it tends to be; an extruded base is more durable than a sintered base, but it's not going to be as quick since it doesn't absorb as much wax. As you work your way up sintered bases they tend to become more porous which absorbs more wax, which in-turn requires more maintenance (ie, waxing more often)), and so on and so forth.

That was a fair bit of rambling that may not be of much help, but hopefully some of it helps give you some insight into what to look for. And here's a link to the board I suggested...
http://www.romesnowboards.com/product/boards/headline/

[Greedo]

Indeed! Was one of the best days I've had at Breck. Ducked the lines to the right, followed a couple patrollers, and found some amazing stashes.

Do I know my mountains or what? There's a really good jump over there.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Do I know my mountains or what? There's a really good jump over there.

Jumps? I'm down.

HA! Not too bad with your mountains. These next two should be easy for you -

[DrkZide]

I just looked around on CL as well. Stuff seems like an expensive initial cost lol

[Greedo]

I just looked around on CL as well. Stuff seems like an expensive initial cost lol

You know what they say, keep skiing expensive and white! I keed, but that is the smartass thing people do say.

It's expensive, but most people use their gear for many years (unlike me). It all pays off because there is nothing quite as rewarding as faceshots on a pow day.