I see for some of you the anticipation is building!



Opening Dates:

Steamboat - November 24th
Vail - November 19th
Aspen - November 25th
Jackson Hole - November 28th
Park City - November 20th
Snowbird - November 20th
Heavenly - November 19th
Squaw Valley - November 20th
Sugarloaf - November 19th
Mount Snow - TBD
Whistler Blackcomb - November 25th
Snowshoe - could be worse; November 24th
Wintergreen - if you have to; December 10th
Sugar - seriously?
Beach - don't go here either...



If you're lucky enough to live out west or somewhere else more conducive to an early start, congratulations. Have pity on us still in NC won't you?

If you plan on picking up new gear, or already have, please show it off. Even if you're sticking with a setup from last year or seasons past, let's see it. Feel free to post pictures of your favorite new equipments designs as well.

10/27/2010 8:53:33 PM

Like I posted earlier, Arapahoe Basin & Loveland are already open

I got new snowboard bindings last year and freakin' LOVE 'EM:




[Edited on October 27, 2010 at 9:02 PM. Reason : .]

10/27/2010 8:59:57 PM

Union Forces...ever popular.

I'll be riding in my Rome Targas that I picked up about halfway through last season. Had 390s for a little while too, but I like the support the Targas give.

10/27/2010 9:17:45 PM

Headed to Steamboat on 12/26.

10/27/2010 10:00:32 PM

I ride Flows which means the rest of you snowboarders are my bff or you hate me now.

[Edited on October 28, 2010 at 12:16 AM. Reason : s]

10/28/2010 12:16:41 AM

Quote :

"I ride Flows..."

10/28/2010 7:20:25 AM

^Me

10/28/2010 9:09:32 AM

Bitch, I ain't no nerd!
(don't ski)

10/28/2010 10:03:05 AM

Boarding is for pretenders. Ski or go home!











I just use some old Solomon 1080s and Lange boots. They're about 10 years old and I only use them when skiing locally. When I ski out west I avoid the hassle (and sometimes the expense) of transporting skis. Instead I just rent out the best available demos. Not entirely ideal, but I can't justify spending a lot on new equipment every few years so I think it's a good compromise.

10/28/2010 11:58:52 AM

i'm going w/ my cousins sometimes in late january/early february. which one would be good for beginner snowboarders?

it'd need to be semi-local. we can't afford to go out west.

[Edited on October 28, 2010 at 3:25 PM. Reason : ]

10/28/2010 3:22:59 PM

I don't know anything about brands when it comes to snowboarding. We rented a burton clash board for him, and a salomon something or other for me. burton bindings & salomon boots for each of us also.

I will be sure to post a picture of one (or both) of us buried in the snow after our first attempt at riding.

^we're just starting out, and going to Mt Peter (uber small place) for our lessons, then Stratton in VT for several days. Apparently they have a lot of intermediate/beginner trails for us n00bs.

[Edited on October 28, 2010 at 4:51 PM. Reason : ^reply]

10/28/2010 4:49:56 PM

thanks, but we'll need to stick to NC/VA/WV

10/28/2010 5:17:15 PM

Snowshoe or Winterplace are about the only 2 places in those states. And as a last resort Wintergreen.

10/28/2010 5:51:37 PM

I refuse to go anywhere in the southeast other than Snowshoe. If you're anything more than a beginner skier it's an excuse in frustration and a waste of time.

10/28/2010 9:28:30 PM

^ Pretty much agree, but back in the day I'd hit NC/VA spots all the time just because I always had a place to crash for free. 30 MPG car + a friend or two + free housing (and usually a post mountain party) is always worth the trip IMO. There is more to the experience than the actual snowboarding.
Also...
Snowboarding > Not Snowboarding.

I just wouldn't personally pay hundreds of dollars to go to a NC or VA resort.

[Edited on October 28, 2010 at 10:42 PM. Reason : l]

10/28/2010 10:41:00 PM

^I somewhat agree. When I had friends at ASU it wasn't a big deal to crash for the wknd and then go a little ways down the road to Sugar.

But not skiing > skiing and fighting crowds at lift lines and 20-30 second ski runs down the mountain.

And the last time I went to Winterplace it was with a free lift ticket. It was so crappy that afterwards I vowed never to go again, free pass or not.

[Edited on October 28, 2010 at 11:41 PM. Reason : k]

10/28/2010 11:40:33 PM

Hey Ski'ers. A lady-friend of mine skis at a beginner/intermediate level and goes a few times a year. I found out yesterday that she's skiing on old ass straight skis! She's a bit more concerned about her wardrobe fashion than her equipment.

Can you guys recommend any good ski+binding and maybe +boot packages online? Some last years clearance or something? I searched for awhile but i'm not super familiar with ski brands and models, etc.

I told her to screw what she has and just rent for now. She's trying to avoid renting to avoid the rental lines.

10/29/2010 8:05:17 AM

http://www.departmentofgoods.com/skis

great discount site. also keep an eye out on whiskeymilitia.com

10/29/2010 8:51:09 AM

I am having some difficulties getting together a good sized group for this year's ski adventure. If any of you are interested in an early Feb Big Sky ski trip, send me a PM.

10/29/2010 10:01:23 AM

^ is Montana really known for their mountains?

10/29/2010 11:23:35 AM

can't wait to get on the slopes. been to whistler/blackcomb the last 2 seasons, but lost my hookup there...anybody been to Jackson Hole or Park City recently?

10/29/2010 12:03:11 PM

Does anyone have any L1 apparel? I really want a pair of their Generals pants but can't find the color/size combo I need anywhere on the internet. Never seen their stuff in any store.

10/29/2010 1:05:04 PM

Quote :

"^ is Montana really known for their mountains?"

Really? Its the northern rockies. With La Nina in effect for the season, the Northern Rockies are going to get slammed with Snow. Big Sky is one of the biggest and best ski resorts in North America. Areas like Jackson Hole and Big Sky are ignored more than Colorado because they are out in the middle of no where as opposed to big ski towns, but they get more snow on average than just about any other place on earth [no, I am not putting down Colorado resorts].

The snow mobiling is apparently bad ass there as well.

10/29/2010 2:42:08 PM

^Big Sky is pretty much the only good resort in Montana, and Jackson Hole is Wyoming. They are both great resorts, but the reason why they aren't as well known is because they are in the middle of nowhere like you said. Harder to get to and not a lot to do other than at the resorts. Great places to ski though.

I have heard great things about Big Sky

[Edited on October 29, 2010 at 3:57 PM. Reason : .]

10/29/2010 3:50:57 PM

^^^^I was in Park City last year. Good time, but the weather was too warm when I was there. What do you want to know?

Quote :

"She's trying to avoid renting to avoid the rental lines."

She could rent skis at a ski shop instead of the slopes. No rental lines that way (usually a cheaper price too).

I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to go to Jackson Hole this winter, but my group that goes out west every year decided on CO b/c this time around it's kind of a bachelor party trip and some people were invited that aren't expert skiers. Thus, no Jackson Hole

[Edited on October 29, 2010 at 4:17 PM. Reason : dammit.]

10/29/2010 4:16:43 PM

I fell in love with outback snowmobiling in Jackson Hole. I'd like to make it a feature of this trip. The trails in WY and Montana are apparently pretty amazing.

10/29/2010 4:17:31 PM

evidently i'm headed to fort collins in late november. whats decent near there?

10/29/2010 6:55:22 PM

Quote :

" Really? Its the northern rockies. With La Nina in effect for the season, the Northern Rockies are going to get slammed with Snow. Big Sky is one of the biggest and best ski resorts in North America. Areas like Jackson Hole and Big Sky are ignored more than Colorado because they are out in the middle of no where as opposed to big ski towns, but they get more snow on average than just about any other place on earth [no, I am not putting down Colorado resorts]."

Yeah, I had just never heard of Big Sky resort. Jackson Hole I definitely have heard of. I wasn't talking shit, just looking for information.

10/30/2010 9:53:17 AM

Free direct flights to every airport in the Rockies + 11 plus days off per month =

This year will be the year.

11/1/2010 3:20:25 PM

Just got a deal on a few nights at Stowe in Vt. So we've got the puny mountains around NYC for saturday or sunday day trips, five days at Stratton, and a long weekend at Stowe already in the books for this season.

do any of yall mount your boards/skis to the wall when not using them? I just ordered these:

http://shop.hangtimeusa.com/HangTime-Snowboard-Wall-Mount-Color-White-HT101-WHT.htm

11/16/2010 3:51:00 PM

where do the folks who head up to snowshoe for weekend trips usually stay? I'm looking to do at least 1 run up there for a weekend (likely solo), and am looking for something on the low'ish end, cost-wise. I went up several years ago and ended up staying in a cheapish hotel about 30 minutes from the resort, and might just end up doing that again.

11/16/2010 3:56:03 PM

I can't believe I didn't post this, but I went to A-basin last weekend Already got day 1 in.

Quote :

"do any of yall mount your boards/skis to the wall when not using them?"

yea, but i just use rubber sleeved wall hooks, use two for the bottom and one on top just to hold it upright.

[Edited on November 16, 2010 at 3:58 PM. Reason : .]

11/16/2010 3:56:28 PM

$220 (after 40% off) Gortex shell:
http://www.burton.com/mens-jackets-burton-shelter-jacket/232423,default,pd.html?start=5&cgid=mens-jackets&prefn1=techFilterIDs&prefv1=Gore-Tex

I'm not huge on Burton, but that looks like a solid jacket for the buck. I'm after a "technical" shell. Gortex would be nice. Thoughts?


I got my Salomon F22 boots in a few weeks ago. Man, they are NICE. Tiny ass footprint and they are super comfy.

[Edited on November 16, 2010 at 6:06 PM. Reason : ffff]

11/16/2010 6:05:29 PM

I had a blast when I went to Stowe a few years ago.

Guess I should start planning a trip somewhere...

11/16/2010 6:10:23 PM

I went to Northstar at Lake Tahoe, if you ever are in the area I definitely recommend it most runs are well over 15 minutes with short lines and fast chairlifts

11/16/2010 10:03:46 PM

^^^thats a solid jacket

Cant go wrong with the 2L or 3L gortex

11/17/2010 12:02:49 AM

Quote :

"do any of yall mount your boards/skis to the wall when not using them?"

I have a homemade rack. I was at a yard sale at a church at Lake Gaston and they had a set of wakeboard racks for a boat for $.50. It had the part that the boards slide into, but not the clamp to attach it to the boat. I happened to be replacing the stair treads in my house at the time, so I took one of the cutoff ends of a stair tread, stained it, and mounted the wakeboard rack to it. It holds one wakeboard, one snowboard, and I usually stack my boots & helmet on top.

11/17/2010 1:53:07 PM

CO trip at end of February is officially booked

11/17/2010 4:23:19 PM

Just booked Breckenridge Jan 3-8. Did Alta and Park City last year...worried that I'll be disappointed with Breck.

11/17/2010 10:02:08 PM

^i preferred Breckenridge to Park City, though when I went to Park City the weather was a little warm. I haven't been to Alta so I can't comment on that.

11/17/2010 10:04:52 PM

I was recently told I'm eligible for free lift tix at Park City.

If it's true, I'll be all

11/21/2010 7:29:55 PM

Any recommendations on getting a good deal on lodging/lift tix at Park City? We'll probably have 4 people....

11/21/2010 9:52:20 PM

^ along the same lines, i'm headed to Park City in late Feburary for 7 nights.

we have a group of 10-12+, and would like a centrally located house (ski-in would be optimal). so far we're looking at a nice 5 bedroom place for something like $6500 total

has anyone stayed in a nice, centrally located place for less?

also what about lift tickets? rentals? anywhere else to ski around there? general advice?

11/23/2010 1:33:55 PM

i stayed at the marriott mountain resort when i went there last december. It was super convenient as it was located right at the base of the lifts. when i was done i was able to ski right into the hotel since they can check your equipment inside. they had a few outdoor jacuzzi's as well which was amazing.

theres a few restaurants in the close vicinity, as well as shuttles that can take you right into town to expand your horizons even more.

I'm not sure of the cost, since it was a graduation present, but i think if i went back i'd definately splurge a little more due to the convenience.

11/23/2010 3:08:46 PM

Kinda wishing I was going to Jackson Hole again this year. They already have over 100 inches for the year!

11/24/2010 10:09:35 AM

dammit, I wish I was going there too

11/24/2010 10:17:58 AM

I got A set of AK pants and Jacket last year, really made things alot more fun (which reminds me they are still zipped up in my case and hopefully not moldy).

Wish i had more pockets

http://www.burton.com/mens-jackets-ak-2l-cyclic-jacket/232399,default,pd.html?start=8&cgid=mens-jackets

11/24/2010 10:18:01 AM

Sheesh, I jsut checked and Kirkwood has already received over 170 inches for the year!!

11/24/2010 10:18:56 AM

Yep. I got a season pass to Kirkwood and heading there tomorrow.

11/25/2010 6:23:49 PM

what is everyones fastest recommended route to snowshoe from raleigh

11/30/2010 10:18:04 AM