Christmas, Shredding, and all around fun..
We've finally been blessed with more snow here in CO, and the resorts are starting to open more terrain. I've spent quite a bit of time out on the snow trying out gear, and enjoying time with friends and family. This past week I ended up riding at Keystone and Winter Park, with some of the crew. Keystone was a blast, not only because the conditions were good, but it was Chris's first time ever riding a board with rocker. He rode a Never Summer Evo, and has nothing but great things to say about the board. Having never ridden a rocker board, he said he found it much easier to initiate turns on, and smoother feeling all together. It was good to get out and ride with him, and if you hit up Keystone, definitely hit up the backside of the resort. There are fewer people, and better conditions!
Yesterday I hit up Winter Park with Dave and Paul, who were taking out their new Never Summer boards. It was also the first time they've gotten to take a rocker board out. Dave picked up the SL-R, and Paul was riding the Heritage-X. After a few runs, it was obvious they were noticing the difference between their old camber boards and the new rocker & camber they were shredding with. I'm stoked to see people trying new things out, and honestly I really dig what Never Summer has done with their R&C tech on their boards. While still a slightly heavier or beefier board, the benefits of R&C tech are pretty awesome for shredding. Rocker in general has made things all the more interesting, and it will be fun to see what progresses out of the technology.
As for conditions at Winter Park here in CO, well... the front side of the resort was pretty icy, and gnarly, but Mary Jane and the likes in the back gave way to some packed powder. We hit a few places that were insanely fun in the pow, but had some gnarly moguls we needed to navigate. I rode the Never Summer Revolver-R, and it performed pretty well, although had I known we would be riding moguls/packed pow I would have opted for a slightly stiffer board. None the less, the Revolver was still fun, and very playful while moving through moguls.
Sorry I'm not as quick as writing and updating this blog as I'd like to be. Life kind of gets in the way, but rest assured I'm out trying out new gear. I'm rocking a BERN Baker Hard Hat right now, and will post a review shortly. Are you able to get out and ride? What are you riding this year, and how are conditions and such where you're at?
December 30th, 2009 - 02:19
Just got back from Switzerland and have been trying out the Never Summer Legacy and Union SLs. Conditions were pretty mixed.
I was initially disappointed by the Union's. Though the straps looked nice and cushiony, I found they created uneven pressure points up and down my foot and I had to really clamp them down to eliminate heel lift. However, after a few days riding and a little bit of adjustment they preformed much much better and I really started to enjoy them.
The board was fantastic. I had originally complained about the shabby graphics. seeing it out there, however, the vividness of the colours really set it apart from pretty much every other board on the rack, really looked first class.
On the first few runs the first thing I noticed was how easy it was to initiate turns, the board is super responsive. If anything I found that when you go to make a sharp heel turn the board bites so much it feels like its going to send you back up the mountain. Great once you've got used to it, but a little disconcerting at first.
The board felt pretty stable at high speeds, however, I did get a bit of chatter. I had the opportunity to ride and compare it to the CustomX which my friend was riding, and I got to say the Burton felt better at speed!
On a side note, my mate had nothing but trouble with the new burton ICS system. For one, its bloody difficult to get the bindings to stay still when your fitting them, and two, its equally as difficult to get them to stay still when you're riding the thing!! Don't know if we were doing something wrong, but the bindings kept changing angles!
December 30th, 2009 - 15:25
Rob,
Awesome feedback! The unions do take some getting used to, I completely agree. My first few days were love hate as well, but when I finally got them dialed in, I rather enjoy them now. The Custom X is going to be a slightly stiffer board, so yeah, I'd expect it to handle speed a bit better than the Legacy for sure. In more aggressive riding this season, I've also noticed a bit of chatter on a few of my NS boards, but nothing horrible. Ironically with the ICS system, I had the same issues. I couldn't get the binding to stay put, no matter what I tried. I want to try it out again this season to see if it was something I did, or if the system is still just quirky! Keep me updated as to his ICS system and if it settles down.
A few of my friends here, just switched to new NS Rocker & Camber boards this season, and I've heard somewhat of the same description of getting used to the board. I'm glad you're diggin the Legacy, it's definitely a fun board!
Btw I'm Jealous.. Switzerland!!!!!! That sounds like fun!
December 31st, 2009 - 03:12
Cheers. I’d keep you updated on the CustomX, but he bust the side wall open on a table so badly that its beyond repair!!!
Couldn’t believe it. the side-wall had just burst. Looked like the whole board was made of wax and he’d smacked it round a pole (if u see what I mean).
January 2nd, 2010 - 17:00
Whoa Really?!?! That's insanity!