Snowboarding

I have an AK stagger kit too so the cyclic doesn't get used... figure it should go to a good home...

Aren't cartels glass / plastic to give the right flex profile. 2012 ones have been pretty durable and seem to be the most ridden binding of choice (non sponsored riders). When i was buying mine the union forces I tried were always coming loose on every run. Also the 2010? forces I rode on a friends setup seem to eat in to the ION boot with the heel cup bolt making a little gouge.

That said if union have sorted the ratchets over recent years they are a better match with a capita deck.

I would send them back and change for Union's...specifically 2013's onwards. Cartels are really plasticy, and they're Burton. In 2013, this was the first time (for me) Union got their toestraps right...before that they were badly designed as a capstrap. As indra said, they're bombproof and are now extremely well thought out. If its what Gigi rides, you need it in your life.

Finally got the funds and freedom to learn to snowboard, I'm going to Hemel on Friday. Any tips/tricks for a newbie? I'm hoping board control might be a bit like surfing?

Are you having a lesson?

The number 1 thing I kept getting wrong when learning was leaning back. Once I started putting my weight onto my front foot things came along very quickly. I have only managed to stand up on a surf board once so I can't comment on that.

Awesome. Have fun!
Tips: When you feel out of control, just dig an edge in. Heel heel heel! Toe toe toe!
Bend your knees.
Lean forward.
Easy to say but I kept forgetting these simple but key things!

Its far easier than surfing. I'd get someone experianced to get you started though. I have my bindings set up in a 'T'. Much in the way I'd stand on a surf board. I get all sorts of comments. Cant seem to go back and relearn now.

The leaning forward thing is the same for surfing. The natural reaction of leaning back is what has learners spitting there boards forward all the time.

all good advice...

mine would be invest in some impact shorts before your first lesson. They seem unreasonably expensive at £50 but will make it a more pleasant experience. usually people have bruised tailbones after lesson 1. Forcefield are good but pricey.

I'm having a day of lessons, zero to hero (I can dream), because it was very discounted and I want to be able to be doing trips to snow domes with friends for fun instead of going to a lesson while they have fun, hopefully this will do the trick.
Thanks for all the replies! I had been thinking about wearing my cycling shorts and padding them with a small towel… I think your idea sounds a bit more effective.
I'm glad that the basic stance sounds similar, not that it will stop me making a tit out of myself.
I'm really looking forward to it! It's been so long awaited.

I found the board reacted with far less input than I expected. Coming from surfing. Still, at the same time, youre strapped in, the snows not moving, and its a lot more solid. Plus if you do tumble. You get up and continue. Compared to the faff each time you fall off a surf board to get started again. You get a 100 times more balance practice per hour.

board sports background will help you... I found windsurfing and skateboarding to be transferable skills when learning to snowboard.

TKmaxx on Green Lanes (near seven sisters), went there last night, loads of snowboarding gear. Fully kitted out atm the mo so didn't look to close, but did spot some DC boots and Vans trousers.

Well, I had a lot of fun, I've learnt I'm pretty rubbish at snowboarding, so I'm clearly going again as soon as I can, I need the practice! I have a crazy mental block about leaning forward, I can't articulate the precise frustration that comes from your brain screaming 'lean forward' and your body not responding, but I hope the feeling is recognised. I don't quite understand why I don't seem to be scared of falling over, but am clearly scared of falling over if I'm leaning back. Ah well. I'm still planning to see if I can get away this season, put the hours in a lot more.

Good luck, glad you enjoyed yourself and you're bound to have a million times more fun if you get to the mountains.

I think this season we're heading back to Avoriaz at new year and whistler during Easter.

Is it worth selling old boards and bindings? I have an Austrian made Elan Vertigo (154) with K2 V8 bindings, still in excellent condition and am debating keeping it or selling it. Given that I've ridden it since 2001 (not exclusively) and has been around the world with me I figure the sentimental value is significantly higher than the £40 i suspect Id get for it! BTW, not fishing for a sale. will post in classifieds if I decide to sell.

Well, I had a lot of fun, I've learnt I'm pretty rubbish at snowboarding, so I'm clearly going again as soon as I can, I need the practice! I have a crazy mental block about leaning forward, I can't articulate the precise frustration that comes from your brain screaming 'lean forward' and your body not responding, but I hope the feeling is recognised. I don't quite understand why I don't seem to be scared of falling over, but am clearly scared of falling over if I'm leaning back. Ah well. I'm still planning to see if I can get away this season, put the hours in a lot more.

I had the same thing about turning.

I'd be going a bit too fast, and think....'I need to turn to scrub speed'....but that means pointing the board more downhill for a moment.

Is it worth selling old boards and bindings? I have an Austrian made Elan Vertigo (154) with K2 V8 bindings, still in excellent condition and am debating keeping it or selling it. Given that I've ridden it since 2001 (not exclusively) and has been around the world with me I figure the sentimental value is significantly higher than the £40 i suspect Id get for it! BTW, not fishing for a sale. will post in classifieds if I decide to sell.

If you have the space to keep it it's probably worth keeping for one of your mates to use or something, I still have every board I've ever owned and frequently let others use them.

Well, I had a lot of fun.

great!

Is it worth selling old boards and bindings?

keep...

I think this season we're heading back to Avoriaz at new year and whistler during Easter.

lucky bastard, I still have nothing booked. My mate has said i can stay at his in whistler but i really can't afford it.

Definately keep old boards! I got something like 60 quid for a old board and bindings and then snaped my new board within 5 days. :(

Easter is so much cheaper and just as much fun.

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Definately keep old boards! I got something like 60 quid for a old board and bindings and then snaped my new board within 5 days. :(

given my luck lately, this is a very good idea! The board still rides really well and it is pretty much my favourite for fast carving and powder. Maybe it deserves an edge tune and new bindings. hmmm

I picked up a new board and bindings yesterday from sputnik. Bataleon Goliath and union force. Should be more fun for off piste than my old jib board and im going to try and pick up a second hand jib board just for playing in the snow dome.

has anyone got any recommendations for european resorts? for a week with a couple of mates, not really fussed about parks but some good off piste would be and some decent pistes would be good as it will be one of my mates first time on the mountain.

Brilliant combo there!

I can seriously recommend Avoriaz, the best euro resort I've been to without doubt, mad parks, huge area to ride and good off piste.

If you're looking to try a jib board before buying I've got a 153cm forum rat you can try out at a dome.

cheers man, i'll have a look, I've only ever been to one european resort as i always seem to have mates doing seasons there so it makes it easier finding accommodation.

thanks for the offer, I had (still have the pieces) a forum fuck-it 151 and really liked it so may just try and find another one or a scallywag or something

I'd also say Avoriaz, but I'd be riding more in the Ardent bowl (stash and other areas) and heading out that way in the morning on the bus rather then doing the schlep up from Morzine. Puts you straight into the action. Off-piste and natural jib is unlike most other places...so accessible, plus the transfer can be done in an hour...regular cheap flights to geneva...awesome off mountain stuff and a strong boarder resort ethos. If you can handle the transfer, then you have to go to Tignes once in your life. Its simply phenomenal and always incredible snow. I went late 2 seasons back and had simply the best trip of my life. Worth doing the run all the way over to Val D'Isere and back. Unlimited terrain of all types. Austria is also top draw. Flying out from Gatwick you can very quickly be at the doorstep of incredible resorts. Mayrhofen is a great party town, with an excellent mountain.

Anyway...

http://vimeo.com/79510434#