Snow Sports and/or Surfing

herzalot said:
I started with Flow bindings and thought they were the bees knees, so I bought a second set with my new board back in 2019. Then I found out why no one good uses them. I fell on a steepish run and while I was trying to get my feet around to arrest my slide, both bindings opened by dragging on the snow. That left me no option but to slide until I stopped. Glad it wasn’t in a chute. I taped them shut subsequently and strapped in like normal bindings. Then got a set of Burton Cartels and haven’t looked back.

As for the step ins, I am skeptical. Never tried them. Moot point since you already bought your boots. I think bindings matter more in snowboarding than skiing. They determine the feel of your board, and the power transmission. As a skier, I like a relatively stiff binding boot combination for my snowboard. And I weigh 210.
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The step on basically takes the straps off of the binding and moves them into the boot. It feels like Burton worked really hard to make them ride just like straps. If you ever tried the old Shimano/K2 boot & binding…those just didn’t feel right.

I’m intrigued by the Phantom Snow setup. I think they are on to something but I won’t spend $1500 to find out. They aren’t a finished product but I like the way they’re thinking.
 
I used the K2 Clickers when I switched over to snowboarding in 1994. I loved them and only moved on after I couldn't find boots I like. I tried the next version of K2 step-ins for many years. I tried 3 days of the Burton Cartel bindings last season and they felt great when riding but bending over to strap in and out was terrible for my lower back. I demo'd the new Burton step-in's and it was LIFE CHANGING. I rented them the rest of the week and bought a full new set-up for this season. When you're riding, you have no idea you aren't strapped in.

@Redman I can't answer your question but my daughter runs Flow bindings and they've been bulletproof for her for several years. That being said, she is PG this season and plans on getting the Burton set up next season.
 
Update: Flows are a pain in deep snow. My son struggled to get a repeatable fit all day.

We got to Solitude last night, been snowing lightly all day but yesterday’s crowds turned everything blue and above into bumps. Still some fun off to the sides but bumps plus flat light isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Plus side, zero lines, so we stayed warm and got the laps in.

Very happy to miss yesterday. As we were driving up, the traffic coming down was stupendous.
 
Had another good day at Cherry Peak. Snowed the whole time I was riding!!

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Redman said:
Snowboarders what bindings are you using? And, why did you chose them?
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Late to the party on this one but here ya go if still interested. I am rocking Union Atlas bindings. A partial reason is the adjustable heel loop. Meaning it can slide forward or back to get your boot centered on the board. That way it gives more freedom for stance width with a 4x4 or 2x4 disc in the tip to tail orientation vs the edge to edge orientation if that makes sense. Another reason is I realize that I like a stiff binding which is probably because most were that way in the 90s / early 2000s. Having crappy arches in my feet don't play well with softer bindings I have found. Union also sells replacement parts that are easy to come by. I actually bought my Atlas' used so I picked up unions hardware replacement kit for $27 just as backup and peace of mind. Had days ruined because of not being able to find replacement parts on the hill in the past.

Other brands I looked into where Burton because that is what I used in the past but they don't have the adjustable heel loop unfortunately. The Cartel and Malavita were what I researched. Still obviously great bindings but they don't meet the requirements I want. Now bindings also look great and they were founded by JF Pelchat one of the crazy mad men from the Wildcats. His whole skate tech design is highly praised from the research I did. No heel loop adjustability so they didn't make the cut but I still really want to demo a pair though. Their concept is fascinating. Another brand I looked into was Rome in their Katana bindings. It has the heel loop adjustment and a crap ton other adjustments as well. The ankle strap is the best I have ever felt. I may have received a bad pair but I wasn't impressed with the fit and finish so I returned them and ended up back on the Atlas I am currently running. Probably will grab another pair of Atlas for another Capita I'll rock next season. :whistling:

I'd stay away from Flow regardless. I have heard quite a few stories similar to Herz's over the years.
 
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Mt. High session today with @tbarnesarc, but sans my munchkin. Easy drive up from Laguna: 6:45-8:00. Breakfast burrito in the lodge before the lifts opened.

Cloudy, breezy and right at about 30°. A dusting of snow overnight. A little ice in the atmosphere (sticking to goggles) and intermittent fog made visibility a little sketchy all day. Still fun. Good snow. Moderate crowd - but taking the Conquest lift gave us nearly all of the vertical drop with no lift line.

8 runs on skis and 7 on snowboard for me. It started snowing for real around 12:30. We left at 1:30 and it was snowing pretty steadily. Other than some traffic and parking along Highway 2, the drive from Wrightwood to home was easy breezy. Long line of cars still headed up there however (crawling). We did the mandatory stop at Village Grind for a dirty chai, grabbed some gas at the Shell station and still dropped Taylor at his house in Laguna around 3:20.

Great day up there! I hope it keeps snowing and doesn't rain.

15 runs 13,750'
 
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I operated a snowblower today. The wife is taking friends up to Mammoth next weekend, but we heard that the cabin’s porch had 4’ in front of the door, after being blown clean 2 weeks ago. So we went up yesterday. No sliding, just digging this weekend-my pass is blacked out, and most of the hill is on wind or avy hold anyway.

Town felt relatively empty, though the road up to the hill did seem busy. There is next to no parking, as most lots are functioning as LADWP reservoirs.
 
tick said:
I operated a snowblower today. The wife is taking friends up to Mammoth next weekend, but we heard that the cabin’s porch had 4’ in front of the door, after being blown clean 2 weeks ago. So we went up yesterday. No sliding, just digging this weekend-my pass is blacked out, and most of the hill is on wind or avy hold anyway.

Town felt relatively empty, though the road up to the hill did seem busy. There is next to no parking, as most lots are functioning as LADWP reservoirs.
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This was the view we were greeted to when arriving in town after a similar series of storms a few years back. The next morning it was drifted to mid thigh level on that landing. It was pretty surreal.

I've had some pangs of regret over selling this place during the pandemic. I had more or less made peace with the fact that it was the right decision at the time, based on what we knew, and what we feared could happen. But then I made the mistake of looking at the ballpark value of the place we sold about a month ago, and wanted to commit hari-kari.

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tbarnesarc said:
Yeah, Blue's episode was inspiring as you witnessed as well. One of those people you could just sit there and listen to all the time. They've had some pretty amazing episodes beyond his as I'm guessing you've heard/seen. KJ's was gold as to be expected but Danny Davis had my dying of laughter. Currently chipping away at T Ricky's over 5 hour episode. I'm still hoping they get Jamie Lynn, Guch and Terje at some point.
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You've probably already seen, but Jamie Lynn episode drops tomorrow. I'm stoked to listen.
 
buggravy said:
You've probably already seen, but Jamie Lynn episode drops tomorrow. I'm stoked to listen.
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Funny you said that because I just now came here to post the same thing. About an hour in so far and it's awesome as to be expected. Met him back in his prime when he dropped by Laguna Surf & Sport a day I happened to be in there. Couldn't have been a nicer guy. Became an even bigger fan of his after that day.

PSA: If you consider yourself a snowboarder a requirement is you must know who Jamie Lynn is;). Full stop. If you don't then here is his BH episode which will be a nice history lesson for ya:geek: :

 
Another weekend - another Mt. High Session with @tbarnesarc

Again - left Taylor's house at 6:45 and arrived in the parking lot at 8:00. A few more people than last weekend. Breakfast sandwich and suit up. Let's go!

Hero conditions for the first ten runs - very consistent snow that was firm, but easy to sink an edge into and make wonderful, g-force carved turns. All runs at West were open. A kids' race team was practicing slalom on Conquest. I told the coach my credentials and asked if I could run their course. She looked at my wide-ish skis and said "this is a 6-7 meter course, it wouldn't be safe for you." I laughed. But I didn't get to run the course. If I did, it would have been the first time in a course since 2004.

Scarfed down some yummy grilled burgers on the deck. Changed to my snowboard and took 7 more runs. The snow somehow got a little more firm and hardpacked as the day progressed. Usually it softens up. Weird.

Taylor was completely stoked on the conditions of the first ten runs and said it may have been the best he's ridden since rekindling his snowboarding passion. He looked solid, comfortable, quick and highly competent.

Obligatory stop at Village Grind in Wrightwood and home before 4:00.

17 runs, 15,000' Snow sliding with a good buddy is a hoot!

Notice not only the beautiful backside of Baldy, but the ocean to the far right!
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Video capture of Taylor:
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And my apres ski beer (looks like I need to paint my deck railing!)
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The gnar was shredded. No not really but good times as always. Finally started to find my groove with the Merc. It's a lot of board and aggressive. A 161 wide is the biggest board I've ever owned to boot. Also fun to watch someone who knows to how to ski as well but forget the guys name though.:whistling:
One correction in your post though grampsAlot oops I mean @herzalot, that wasn't the best I've ever ridden just the best I've ridden since getting back into boarding again;). There were no front 5s over 40+ footers today like in my youth. All good though bruh.
 
tbarnesarc said:
The gnar was shredded. No not really but good times as always. Finally started to find my groove with the Merc. It's a lot of board and aggressive. A 161 wide is the biggest board I've ever owned to boot. Also fun to watch someone who knows to how to ski as well but forget the guys name though.:whistling:
One correction in your post though grampsAlot oops I mean @herzalot, that wasn't the best I've ever ridden just the best I've ridden since getting back into boarding again;). There were no front 5s over 40+ footers today like in my youth. All good though bruh.
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OK - fixed it.

But even though you were throwing 5s, and hucking over 40 feet, maybe your actual riding is better now? Meaning quality turns on varied terrain? Tricks and riding are two different things, no? I submit that they are definitely different things in MtB world!
 
Not really. I had better board control on the groomers and also in the air back then. I see your point though. Regardless today was the closet I had felt to my riding ability back then (on groomers) since getting back into boarding again. Not sure if that helps clarify what I was trying to convey.
 
herzalot said:
OK - fixed it.

But even though you were throwing 5s, and hucking over 40 feet, maybe your actual riding is better now? Meaning quality turns on varied terrain? Tricks and riding are two different things, no? I submit that they are definitely different things in MtB world!
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I tend to ponder fairly esoteric things when I ride my bike alone, and had a somewhat similar mental dialog the other day. I'd been listening to the Jamie Lynn/Bomb Hole podcast, and it got me thinking about style. It occurred to me that the style vs. technicality discussion in snowboarding doesn't really translate to mtb. Like a triple cork vs. and super laid out method or a floaty no-grab backside 180. I guess it's harder to express real style on a bike. Conversely, I never think of strong snowboarders in terms of fast vs slow.

On a sadder note, my Mercury has yet to touch snow. Possibly this coming Friday, but we'll see.
 
Drove out to Summit County for a week of snow sports and almost didn’t make it thru Vail Pass due to Jack knifed semi’s in the snowstorm. All’s well that ends well though as we found plenty of leftover snow in the trees at Keystone yesterday. Today at Beaver Creek was a Top 5 days in my 40 years of skiing & boarding. Snowed 4” overnight and then all day. With it being a weekday, the place was empty. It was trees, trees and more trees today!!

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