I got hooked up with a pair of Shred Soles performance snowboarding insoles ($45) a few weeks ago, intending to try them last Saturday but I forgot to trim them. With warm weather and rain in the forecast, I got out for probably my last shred day of the season last night. I made sure to trim the soles to fit my ThirtyTwo TM2 boots the night before.
I would’ve liked to give them a proper multi-day test, but unfortunately I only got about 4 hours to ride them, so here’s my review as...

This post originally appeared at Shredding Gnar Snowboard Blog, on January 14, 2010.

I was looking for an eff-around board and trying to scoop something up on craigslist or eBay for under $150. But then on Monday, as if in a dream, the 2009 Burton X8 came to me via SierraSnowboards.com blowout sale. I was on the fence (even though it totally matches my 32 TM2 boots) - should I buy the Burton X8? Or should I keep shopping?

I went for it.

...

I get it: you’re upset because the occasional gaper comes to ski or snowboard on your mountain. And you’re even more upset during the holidays when the gapers overrun the joint. Like we don’t have gapers in Michigan? Think again, broseph. We have gapers in spades.

Yes, lots of ski and snowboard vacationers are freaking gapers. But that doesn’t give you a free pass as a “local” to treat tourists...

Gear is expensive, and it doesn’t seem like there’s any end in sight. Some Burton snowboards — just the stick — cost $900 or more! But I suppose that most people buying $900 boards couldn’t tell the difference between a fall line and their own ass-crack. If they want to spend $900 on a board, let them. You don’t need to.


You can get excellent boards for under $500, and you can get very good boards for $400. If you’re a total n00b, you can get a decent freestyle board for $300...

Everything I need to know about vacation planning for Ski/Snowboard Vacations, I learned at Whistler, B.C. Here are six lessons I learned in February, 2006 on, during, or after returning from our trip to Whistler/Blackcomb. I've used these learnings (and others) to make subsequent vacations more enjoyable for all involved. If you're the one responsible for planning your winter holiday, make sure you take these into consideration before booking your trip.

About rental cars...If the...