harrysiii
02-16-2007, 11:21 AM
Man these are big! That was my first thought when I saw them in person. I love the shape and size of them, though. I also love the fit and finish of the Line bindings. (These were just the right size on the mountain, and actually felt small again (as skiboards should), once I got used to them).
So, I took them out for the first time last Saturday. I went to Killington and the conditions were wonderful. There were some trails that had a little bit of all conditions, but for the most part there was packed powder and unpacked powder every where.
First ride....took some getting used to. They weren't as easy as I expected when I first ventured out onto the mountain. Granted, they are very easy to use...I just thought I would be better at them right out of the gate. The hardest thing for me to get used to right off was the long tail. I kept forgetting there was so much back there, so I wasn't accomodating for the extra length when carving, landing, skating, etc.
Once I realized the length was there and just rode...MAN what a blast! They were so easy to use and so much more versatile than skiboards I had tried out in the past. These things carve like a dream! I was pulling some very impressive speed down the mountain and carving with no problems at all...and full confidence! There were times when they carved a little TOO well, so I really had to get used to that tight turning radius.
Glades.....I love 'em. This was my first day ever having fresh powder in the glades. I made fresh tracks and had no problems at all. When people would write on here to "lean back," I think I thought a little too far into that. I mean, I had to lean back...but barely. I was in about 8 inches of powder. I slightly leaned back, raising the tips up a little, and MAN was it nice and easy to carve through that powder!
My friend was on some skiboards that resembled more of a snowblade...but he wasn't having any trouble either. well, at first he was; he kept falling the whole way down the powder glades (or at least coming to a stop). I told him to lean back; "but I will lose control." I said "lean back and just turn a little...it makes it easier." he leaned back and was amazed at how easy it became to steer through the trees.
But, let me say...I seemed to have a much easier time getting through the glades and turning through the powder.
this was also my first day I pulled 180's and 360's in the glades! I couldnt believe how easy it was! I just decided to go for it, and it worked! it was so smooth and easy to land these EMP's...I just couldn't believe it! some times they picked up a little too much speed for me. hehe
My biggest complaint of the day was my lack of strength and boots that were killing me. I have yet to find a good pair of boots (but just ordered the new Deeluxe 225's), and MAN, I didn't realize how out of shape my legs are!!!!!
I was absolutely BURNING from skiboarding. My friend cycles hundreds of miles a week, so I knew he would have no problem with his legs. There was one steep mogul trial that started burning HIS legs, so imagine the burning torture I was going through. well, just goes to show what getting old, not doing any legwork, and eating like crap can do to you. lol I guess I haven't skied in so long I didn't realize how much I needed my quads! I knew it was worse than snowboarding for those muscles...but didn't expect that much pain!
so, I have very much motivation to workout my legs 3 times a week now, because I cant wait for my next run to the mountains soon! We still managed to be on the slopes for about 6 to 6.5 hours that day, so I'm still impressed. hehe, i dealt with the pain because these things are so amazing. I'm really not sure I will ever ride anything else again. They really fulfilled my "all mountain dreams," and i can't imagine not using the whole mountain again. I even hit moguls, and succeeded! (something I was never able to complete before).
These are also VERY fast, as every one has mentioned. I had no problems keeping up with skiers or snowboarders (except for my lack of strength in my legs). I would cruise for a little while, then slow it down to relax my muscles. I also rode switch (fakie) quite a bit to try and put stress on the other parts of my legs. Let me tell you how easy it was to do that, too! I was amazed at how confident I felt while riding/carving backwards. It felt so good that I sometimes forgot that I should probably be looking behind (in front of) me! hehe. so, i remember some one on here saying that they just looked over the shoulder on the side they were carving. I did that and had no problems. it took a little getting used to looking backwards, but the skiboards gave me no troubles at all, and never skipped a beat!
so, i can't say enough about these boards or the experience they gave me. I'm so glad I found them and this place, because my mountain days have just become longer again (and I get to see the whole mountain again!).
Thanks Greco and all of SBOL for all your help!!
~Harry
PS..Ethan....you have awesome tastes on skiboard dimensions! Perfect for what I need! ;) lol
So, I took them out for the first time last Saturday. I went to Killington and the conditions were wonderful. There were some trails that had a little bit of all conditions, but for the most part there was packed powder and unpacked powder every where.
First ride....took some getting used to. They weren't as easy as I expected when I first ventured out onto the mountain. Granted, they are very easy to use...I just thought I would be better at them right out of the gate. The hardest thing for me to get used to right off was the long tail. I kept forgetting there was so much back there, so I wasn't accomodating for the extra length when carving, landing, skating, etc.
Once I realized the length was there and just rode...MAN what a blast! They were so easy to use and so much more versatile than skiboards I had tried out in the past. These things carve like a dream! I was pulling some very impressive speed down the mountain and carving with no problems at all...and full confidence! There were times when they carved a little TOO well, so I really had to get used to that tight turning radius.
Glades.....I love 'em. This was my first day ever having fresh powder in the glades. I made fresh tracks and had no problems at all. When people would write on here to "lean back," I think I thought a little too far into that. I mean, I had to lean back...but barely. I was in about 8 inches of powder. I slightly leaned back, raising the tips up a little, and MAN was it nice and easy to carve through that powder!
My friend was on some skiboards that resembled more of a snowblade...but he wasn't having any trouble either. well, at first he was; he kept falling the whole way down the powder glades (or at least coming to a stop). I told him to lean back; "but I will lose control." I said "lean back and just turn a little...it makes it easier." he leaned back and was amazed at how easy it became to steer through the trees.
But, let me say...I seemed to have a much easier time getting through the glades and turning through the powder.
this was also my first day I pulled 180's and 360's in the glades! I couldnt believe how easy it was! I just decided to go for it, and it worked! it was so smooth and easy to land these EMP's...I just couldn't believe it! some times they picked up a little too much speed for me. hehe
My biggest complaint of the day was my lack of strength and boots that were killing me. I have yet to find a good pair of boots (but just ordered the new Deeluxe 225's), and MAN, I didn't realize how out of shape my legs are!!!!!
I was absolutely BURNING from skiboarding. My friend cycles hundreds of miles a week, so I knew he would have no problem with his legs. There was one steep mogul trial that started burning HIS legs, so imagine the burning torture I was going through. well, just goes to show what getting old, not doing any legwork, and eating like crap can do to you. lol I guess I haven't skied in so long I didn't realize how much I needed my quads! I knew it was worse than snowboarding for those muscles...but didn't expect that much pain!
so, I have very much motivation to workout my legs 3 times a week now, because I cant wait for my next run to the mountains soon! We still managed to be on the slopes for about 6 to 6.5 hours that day, so I'm still impressed. hehe, i dealt with the pain because these things are so amazing. I'm really not sure I will ever ride anything else again. They really fulfilled my "all mountain dreams," and i can't imagine not using the whole mountain again. I even hit moguls, and succeeded! (something I was never able to complete before).
These are also VERY fast, as every one has mentioned. I had no problems keeping up with skiers or snowboarders (except for my lack of strength in my legs). I would cruise for a little while, then slow it down to relax my muscles. I also rode switch (fakie) quite a bit to try and put stress on the other parts of my legs. Let me tell you how easy it was to do that, too! I was amazed at how confident I felt while riding/carving backwards. It felt so good that I sometimes forgot that I should probably be looking behind (in front of) me! hehe. so, i remember some one on here saying that they just looked over the shoulder on the side they were carving. I did that and had no problems. it took a little getting used to looking backwards, but the skiboards gave me no troubles at all, and never skipped a beat!
so, i can't say enough about these boards or the experience they gave me. I'm so glad I found them and this place, because my mountain days have just become longer again (and I get to see the whole mountain again!).
Thanks Greco and all of SBOL for all your help!!
~Harry
PS..Ethan....you have awesome tastes on skiboard dimensions! Perfect for what I need! ;) lol