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haha that's awesome. ride it like a wakeboard lol never thought of that.
Yea I'm going to keep at it for sure. It's also an expensive sport to keep up with too. All the initial gear and then basically min $100-$150 each time to go out to the mountains. All good. Pay to play. :D
arian_ma's basic advice is good.
I suggest that you look for a stomp pad with some serious teeth (remember that this thing has to bite through packed snow to grab your boot). Most of the ones I've seen are pretty useless, if it is rounded, or is made of foam/neoprene skip it.
I've found the trick to riding up a t-bar is to lean back a bit. This will lower your center of gravity with respect to the tow-bar and give you a bit more stability.
Also, since you are still learning your edge characteristics, all I can recommend is practice. This builds the muscles and technique which later allow you to regulate your speed & stay off your ass. Once you are comfortable traveling on both edges, then start to focus on your transition between them.
I think the best way to learn smooth transitions is to lead with your upper body. For example if you're holding both arms outward, use your leading hand to point where you want to go. First begin to point downhill to begin the transition, and continue to point ahead of yourself till you are on your opposite edge. Then do the reverse to transition back. With enough practice you then simplify it down to pointing your leading shoulder where you want to go.
P.S: I don't know anyone who likes riding the T-bar, but sometimes it is a necessary evil to access better untracked terrain (esp at Louise). Good Luck.
Haha, that T-bar (a disc thingy isn't it?) at Louise is so much hurt, freaking long and steep but yes so much worth the pain when the condition is good.
I found both Louise and Sunshine not too friendly for beginners. I used to go to Nakiska a lot when I started. I found it easier to work on your turns there since the runs are so consistent, not a lot of bumps, no sudden drops or long flats. You can pretty much carve from top to bottom. The shorter drive is another bonus.
I recommend staying away from the T-bar until you are quite comfortable on your board.
Quote:
Originally posted by max_boost
I went to Louise again today. Fuck snowboarding is such a bitch. Mind you it was my second time out.
Day started off shitty, I couldn't get the hang of the T-bar. The guy literally strapped that hook between my legs (insert :love: joke) and I couldn't even move a few meters before my balance fell apart. It was beyond embarrassing so I had to hike up the bunny hill and that gets tiring fast.
I tried to practice toe edge and that just resulted in face plants, thank god for wrist guards and my knees hate me right now. I got annoyed of all that so just went up the chair lift.
Here is the good though, I went up the chair lift and only fell once out of 4 tries getting off the lift. I made it down the hill slowest time 16 mins and fastest time 13 mins. The first time I went on Sunday it took me almost an hour hahaha Because I couldn't ride toe edge I was just switching all the way down. Almost destroyed my fingers on one fall as I used it to cushion all my weight for whatever reason.
All in all, will make attempt #3 and #4 this weekend. I refuse to give in and be a loser who can't snowboard.
Try not to concentrate on timing yourself on the way down the hill. Its not how fast you get down the hill, its how you do it.
Your determination will pay off Sam, snowboarding is the most rewarding sport in the world and everyone in this thread will agree with me. Once you get good and can flow a run together you will feel like a billion dollars. I've been snowboarding for 14 years and year after year I learn new things and have the time of my life on the slopes. Nothing pays off like snowboarding.
I avoid the T-bar like the plague =.=Quote:
Originally posted by almerick
I personally still avoid the T-bar if I have a choice
Anyone take any pictures up in the hills?
I remember being dragged like 10 meters up at COP when I was young.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...82259161_n.jpg
Here's a pic I snapped last week (Nov 10) at Lake Louise. Only the first chairlift was open and this was a bit further down. Snowed all day and the run after lunch was amazing with fresh snow.
Anyone here ski powder king? Skied it a bunch last year. Probably the most epic snow days of my life. Every time I went!
I've been itching to make a holiday there. I have 2 concerns however.Quote:
Originally posted by lasimmon
Anyone here ski powder king? Skied it a bunch last year. Probably the most epic snow days of my life. Every time I went!
1. Driving there. Its a pretty sketchy road from what I hear.
2. The vertical. Not really much of it.
It seems the powder is really out of control.
Yeah that's like a 15 hour drive from Calgary!!
I lived in GP last year so I made it out a bunch.Quote:
Originally posted by dimi
I've been itching to make a holiday there. I have 2 concerns however.
1. Driving there. Its a pretty sketchy road from what I hear.
2. The vertical. Not really much of it.
It seems the powder is really out of control.
Road was not that bad.. just like any other winter driving if its snowing or whatever. Never had any road issues, just checked in advance if there were any closures.
As for vertical, your right its not the greatest vert. But From my experiance the conditions make up for it. As long as you do not go for like a week, but a couple days is all good.
I've only been in pow maybe 3 times since I started last year. Ya I learned that you definitely have to put a bit more weight on your back leg to have your nose up to keep it from digging into the snow and causing you to either get stuck or bail. But falling in deep pow is so nice haha, like falling on a pillow, cold pillow albeit but soft none the less.Quote:
Originally posted by arian_ma
I always found it easier to lean forward on grooms and lean back in powder.
Also, max, get a stomp pad immediately. I bet you won't fall off the chair lift anymore after you do. How far apart are your bindings from each other, and where on the board is your weight? (IE are the bindings exactly in the middle, or set a little back, etc)
Are the lift ticket prices at Louise still at a discounted price since not all runs are open yet?
Max, I'll be going to Louise on Sunday, is that where you're gonna be?
Louise is still discounted at $40 but not sure for how much longer.
I'll be stuck at COP with a couple beginner friends on Sunday. I'm trying to convince my friends to take me to Nakiska or Sunshine on Saturday lol
Falling is the easy part. Haha its getting back up in powder. When you put your hands down and they sink to your shoulder sometimes you feel helpless.Quote:
Originally posted by mdeleon
I've only been in pow maybe 3 times since I started last year. Ya I learned that you definitely have to put a bit more weight on your back leg to have your nose up to keep it from digging into the snow and causing you to either get stuck or bail. But falling in deep pow is so nice haha, like falling on a pillow, cold pillow albeit but soft none the less.
On a serious note. After a true powder day your legs feel like they are going to fall off. Its glorious.
:werd:Quote:
Originally posted by wintonyk
On a serious note. After a true powder day your legs feel like they are going to fall off. Its glorious.
And you can't wipe the smile off your face either ;)
I think its ~$55 at Louise this weekend (taken from their website).
Look at the snow forecast for Whistler next week, almost 2 m at the top :eek: Problem with that though is there is supposed to be a lot of rain at the bottom, which almost negates the entire fun of powder when it is heavy as shit.
http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts...kcomb/6day/top
Once you get the balance on lockdown, and are comfortable at speed on steeper terrain, and confident enough to"let go" of your board or skis, you'll find that leaning back is not as crucial as you think.Quote:
Originally posted by mdeleon
I've only been in pow maybe 3 times since I started last year. Ya I learned that you definitely have to put a bit more weight on your back leg to have your nose up to keep it from digging into the snow and causing you to either get stuck or bail. But falling in deep pow is so nice haha, like falling on a pillow, cold pillow albeit but soft none the less.
Are the lift ticket prices at Louise still at a discounted price since not all runs are open yet?
Max, I'll be going to Louise on Sunday, is that where you're gonna be?
Too cold tomorrow. No boarding.
You guys still going? Hardcore man! :eek:
-15 is cold?
I dunno man.
Louise is showing -30 in the morning and -18 in the afternoon.
I'll be gone by 2pm cause I have to work at 4:30pm.
My buddy was going to give me some more pointers but he would probably freeze just standing around.
Good call. Nothing discourages you more then being cold. Makes you frustrated easier and would might give up quicker. Also it will likely be windy so you would be even colder haha.Quote:
Originally posted by max_boost
I dunno man.
Louise is showing -30 in the morning and -18 in the afternoon.
I'll be gone by 2pm cause I have to work at 4:30pm.
My buddy was going to give me some more pointers but he would probably freeze just standing around.
Yea I figured as much. It's one thing if I was constantly moving but if I'm getting my ass kicked, that's a losing battle haha
Last weekend I was sweating like crazy and my buddy said it was a bit chilly, again it was because he was just standing there lol I have mad respect for his patience. I have no patience for myself, let alone trying to teach someone! haha
Max when you get off the lift you dont need a stomp pad, just squeeze the outside of your back foot into the side of your binding.. it's usually pretty solid.