need advice for big mountain riding

[snobsessed]

heya! i've been reading and learning lots on this forum but now i'm full of even more doubt and confusion than i began so i was hoping maybe some of you could clear my head. i'm planning another trip out west over the holidays to do some big mtn riding cuz well we don't call ontario onterrible for nothing ;) anyway, the bf is coming with me this time around and i was wondering if his old skool groove taxis will hold up with the terrain associated with big mtn? i believe his taxis are between 75 to 80cm...he is about 5'6'' and 140lbs. i was thinking if he does need an upgrade i could just surprise him with a new set for xmas...perhaps the tanshos? or the ktp? i have no idea so any thoughts would be great. thanks in advance!

[Faceplant]

hi,

he'll definitely need an upgrade if riding out West over the holidays. i'm exactly his size and i recommend Spruce 120s for out here. he could get away with KTPs and they'll be fun even in powder but if you're heading to the big mountains, then erase any doubts and use a more-than-capable tool for the big terrain. you can read mine and countless others' reviews of the Spruce 120 in the reviews section. they'll be light years different than the lengths he's using now and won't lose hardly any maneuverability, and he'll appreciate the stability at speed.

[Dave Bloom]

I'm the exact same size and in powder out here you shouldn't really be on anything less than a 105. You want the length for maintaining speed. Also, you need to consider that newer boards are designed more to flex and float in deeper conditions. Of course it is doable with Taxis, but the stress will ruin the enjoyment.

[SkaFreak]

I'll vouch for this too. They Taxi's are fun in flat, hardpack conditions, but if you two plan on venturing off the groomers at all then you will want something more. KTPs would probably hold up to him if he really prefers that super short feeling, but if he is willing to sacrifice a little bit of that for the extra float, the Spruce 120's or Revel8 Condors would be great for him. The Spruce Sherpas are my personal favorite board for those conditions, but they are probably overkill for him and would take pretty aggressive riding from someone that light.

[sempai]

I think at his size he could even manage most conditions on 110's. 120's are a big leap when you are used to 75 to 80 cm.

[snobsessed]

mind = clear :)

thx so much for all the insight everyone it really helped alot...i was kinda stressing out about it lol
i gotta say i'm a bit envious of the community you have going on in here. i really dig the supportive, unpretentious vibe. i also belong to a snowboarding forum (please don't ban me!) and let's just say it's not as warm over there. as for you lads that are the same size as my bf...start eating more cheeseburgers :P

[shortydude]

Do you know what kind of bindings he likes?
If you order the boards here with the releasable bindings and risers they will drill and mount the bindings for free. Look at his ski boots. Somewhere on the sole or side of the sole will be a 3 digit number, that's the length of the sole on the boot that they will fit the boards to..

[snobsessed]

Do you know what kind of bindings he likes?
If you order the boards here with the releasable bindings and risers they will drill and mount the bindings for free. Look at his ski boots. Somewhere on the sole or side of the sole will be a 3 digit number, that's the length of the sole on the boot that they will fit the boards to..

i know he really loves his non-release bindings but if i'm going to get him a longer board i think i'll also be getting him release bindings...he's young at heart but his body is a different story altogether lol and it's not getting any younger!

[PeteJE]

Those brand new condor rockers sound like the perfect thing.

[Solarmoon]

Hey, Any chance I can get advice too?

(Sorry to steal the spotlight! I'm such a newb to this).

I live in the west, and was looking to get 98 Slapdash. I'm 5'8 and weigh roughly 155 lbs. I know these will hold up on groomers, but on the days when we get fresh powder, would these hold up as well (Not into doing back country yet)

Thanks :)

[sempai]

Hey, Any chance I can get advice too?

(Sorry to steal the spotlight! I'm such a newb to this).

I live in the west, and was looking to get 98 Slapdash. I'm 5'8 and weigh roughly 155 lbs. I know these will hold up on groomers, but on the days when we get fresh powder, would these hold up as well (Not into doing back country yet)

Thanks :)98 cm are great on groomers, but they aren't very good in powder. You'd be better off going with something longer and wider IMO.

[Solarmoon]

98 cm are great on groomers, but they aren't very good in powder. You'd be better off going with something longer and wider IMO.

Blah, I thought so. But like I said, it's only for the days when the groomer's haven't been groomed yet (So nothing too deep).

Next year i'll look into getting longer and wider boards, but this year all I can afford is one set. And I still am a begginer (Don't want to go to advanced yet!).

Thanks :)