Westward bound

[Gary]

Just wanted to let any of you that are teetering on the precipice of go or no go again to the Rockies given the great snow they've been getting.

Greg, Ron and I are heading to Loveland and A basin on the 11th of April and skiing for 3 days. If anyone wants to join us or meet us there, sweet. Flights are much more reasonable and hey.....we're all great company.

And what about the snow they've been getting....Snow and weather still look like primo winter conditions.

Ron and Greg both have new skis to play with....I'm waiting on new boots to show up and will take those if I can get a couple of days on them here.

Even though some of us have been swinging the clubs, the snow still beckons!! 

Best,
G

[speed163]

Gary,

my deductive reasoning leads me to believe your three days will be another "leave the seat up" sequel.

The skiing should be sweet...as my western reporter confirms great conditions in the Rockies.

Report back on the "new" gear.......

Terryl

[midwif]

Gary,

my deductive reasoning leads me to believe your three days will be another "leave the seat up" sequel.

Terryl

 

Can I borrow that one?

[midwif]

Very tempting, Gary.
The skiing, not the beer mug.

Fortunately for the pocketbook, I am committed that weekend, to a dinner celebrating the many "spring equinox' birthdays that occur in the first month of spring in our family. ( my son, sister, niece, bro-in-law and his so)

My idea, so can't back out now JUST TO GO SKIING AGAIN. ( my family doesn't really understand)

Hope you have great conditions. Let us know what the skiing is like, whether you like Loveland as much as Todd, Jim and I did. Also, where you stayed and where you dined. You get the idea......full trip report with cost/benefit analysis.

See you guys next year, hopefully. Though I must be honest. Considering HH Camp in december, which would preclude RS4 for me. Maybe we could do a mid winter meet up instead.

Hey, how about a 6 bedoom house in Deer Valley for a week??? Rent a group van and hit all the good snow at the different mountains. Ron would just have to make coffee every am.?

Thinking ahead for next season, I am.

Lynn

[gregmerz]

Loveland has an excellent demo program that Ron and I have checked into.? Note to Alice:  Gary will be coming home with some new skis.

[jim-ratliff]

I think Gary may have quietly bought and sold more skis this year than Ron.? ?

'Fess up Gary, give us the list of ski comings and goings for you and family.

[Svend]

Yeah, and he keeps goading me into buying more, the rascal! Got a message recently from a certain compadre of his, asking if I wanted to buy a very nice pair of barely used Magnums.? Used only on Sundays by a little old Italian nonna on the green runs at Streamboat.? Seems Gary told him I was "in the market".....a sure sale...one born every minute.....? I never said I wanted Magnums...nope....n ot ever.? Honest Terryl! (Gandalf, I need a smiley with a halo here, and make it snappy!).? Gary knows full well that I've bought five pairs of skis this year already -- one for every member of the family (except me? ? who got two? ).

Speaking of Westward Bound, there's still lot's of snow in the Canadian Rockies, folks (yes, I'm trying to create jealousy).? I'm in the Banff area this week on business, and Lo and Behold, I have the day off tomorrow.? Wonder who planned that?? Looks like Nakiska is the place to be (where I was in January) .....70 cm of fresh snow there in the last week, and more snow in the forecast tomorrow.? Yippee! Too bad I have to work Friday?

Cheers,
Svend

[Ron]

I think Gary may have quietly bought and sold more skis this year than Ron.? ?

'Fess up Gary, give us the list of ski comings and goings for you and family.

Ahh, so lets see, yup lots bought and sold but only have 3 pairs really.
Hellbents- which will most likely be sold end of january/feb for new Icelantic Rockers
Nomads- these are the used demo pair, they are going to be replaced by the new Soft version.
Pilgrims- bought in 169, not sure if I shouldn't have gone to the 179. I will be demoing up at LL.

I have the Shamans but not for use, they are too cool looking and will go up on my condo walls

I am selling my SS mags...... any one interested, let me know. 450 shipped.

[Perry]

Buying skis as art.......hadn't thought of that   They are very cool looking.  I dragged my son to some stores and gawked at the Icelandic skis.  Who knows, may pay off at Christmas   I remember when my oldest was 3 we rehearsed over and over "Ben Hogan, 60 digwee wedge." and sure enough, Santa brought one!

Went to A basin and loved it.

[Ron]

Yes, definitely art!  These Shamans are from 2 seasons back they have the whales on them in an ocean scene that is incredible, Travis Parr is the artist who desing Icelantics. You can actually buy the original artwork.



If you like the Icelantics, now is the time to buy. Not a lot left and they are really gaining popularity so its not like they (never summer) can produce at the level of K2 or other major brand. I would check out Pilgrims to start as a soft snow ski for all around use or go right to the Nomad for decent float and off-piste performance.

The Pilgrim is the perfect soft snow ski IMHO, and for some one Gary's height/weight has proven to be a great powder ski as well. My favorite bump ski.

[midwif]

Those are beautiful skis, Ron. Good decision to keep them for their artistry.

[Ron]

thanks, They rock in the pow as well but rocker is the only way to go.

[Gary]

All this talk of vertical toilet seats....well it really is the ONLY pleasure of the all male ski adventure....

As far as new skis for me....well.....I blew out my Head SS after 1 season and although was very disappointed, I couldn't be happier with my Fischer Progressor 8's...and tied for my all time favorite ski...my Icelantic Pilgrims which are for me the best crud, bump, powder even ski hard snow like champs.....very happy with my combo.

But as far as coming home with another pair of skis....IDTS....... .but I am looking forward to trying Ron's Hell Bents (very cool grahics) just to experience this rocker phenomenon!....Will post back on my thoughts. 

Jim...selling your mags you say.....so are chasing the POW MAN RON for his elusive dream of skiing powder everytime out? What is replacing the Mags...the 78's? I'm guessing you're not planning on to many hard snow days and know the 78's can cover a wide variety of snow conditions...still. ...having that hard snow and versatile 71 underfoot....is very nice.

Best,
G

[Ron]

As an FYI- my friend Jon, who lives in steamboat and an incredible tree-skier skied pontoons this weekend. This was an interesting test as Jon skis on 177 Mantra's (the red ones), 130-94-113 pretty stiff boards. Now he skis lots of pow, broken and leftovers in very tight trees. He skied the pontoons, 160-130-120, wich tip/tail rocker, reverse camber and pretty soft this weekend in 5" of fresh over soft base. He was blown away by them! very floaty over the 5", made it feel like deeper powder. No issues in the tight areas. I was suprised by this. He is going to try to get on a pair of HB's but he's sold!

[Philpug]

Have a great time..I cannot promise that I didn't use all the snow...( I did hide some stashes for when I go out to A-Basin for Mothers Day).