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The Official Michigan Winter Thread

490K views 8K replies 153 participants last post by  sabatoa 
#1 ·
Alright everyone since Summer is over, fall has just begun and we've already had our first rail jam of the year, it's time to start a new thread for the 10/11 winter.

Last year we had the "Southeast" michigan thread, but I think we should do all of Michigan. Sure, most of population lives in S/E michigan but we all ride the same resorts in the LP and even the UP if we get a chance, so we should have one thread to bring everyone together.

Cheers everyone we're probably only like 70 days from open resorts!
 
#1,771 ·
Depending on the weather 'n' such, I'll probably try to get out both Sat. & Sun this week. I would like to finally check out Mt Holly & see what it is like, but if It starts to look like I'm only gonna get one day in this weekend, I'll most likely stick with what I know, which is PK.

Oh, If I haven't mentioned this b4, let me say it now. While I am definitely hoping that eventually I will find a couple of "Bud's" that I can hook up 'n' ride with on a semi regular basis, I can see that most of you guys here are riding a way's out of my league. So, If we should meet on the slopes & take a couple of runs down the Blues sometime, that would b great, But I definitely DON'T expect anyone to "Hang" with me all day. I've got no problem riding "Solo". I am not going to have my "Feewings" hurt if anyone want's to bail for the terrain park after a few runs. ;) :)

Right now, it would just b cool to take a few runs with someone who has more riding experience. Someone I could evaluate, compare & judge my progress against!

So,.. don't hesitate to say hello if you see me on the hill, I guarantee I'm not gonna b followin' anyone around like some sort of NooB puppy,.. ;) & I especially WON'T b following anyone headed into the Park anytime soon! :)
 
#1,775 ·
Yeah, actually if the snow's soft or slushy enough to easily carve, I kinda like that black run out front there @ PK!! If it's Icy or real hard, I tend avoid it though. Don't like to get that fast & steep when I got so much less edge hold on the hard shit.

So anyway,.. When U guy's know when & where you'll b headed this weekend, post it & I'll keep my eyes open for U. (...you & all the "Little Pink Toddler Missiles" out there!!!) ;) :laugh: :rolleyes:
 
#1,785 ·
Hey Dave,
Thanks for the update. If anyone else is interested, im gonna plan on hitting PK tomorrow early.

Since it's supposed to get colder tomorrow nite, and b colder Sun. I think I'll wait till Sunday to give Holly a try.

Hope to C sum of u out there.
 
#1,788 ·
Hey Guys,
If you're on the fence about PK, it's not bad at all out here.

Groomers are NOT that hard icy cheese grater shit ! The snow is firm but soft enough to carve not at all slushy.
Best of all, it's deserted out here! If there's 4 or 5 dozen people on the entire hill, I'll eat my face mask.
(...speaking of, dont let ambient temp fool u. Wind is blowing & it IS cold. )

Its great out though, come on out if u can. C Ya!
 
#1,789 ·
Inaugural soft opening at Hawk Island Snowpark in Lansing today. They did everyone a solid and didn't charge for lift tickets.

Only had a couple features out and the tow wasn't set up yet but it was still a damn good time and it gave us an idea of how killer this will be next season when weather is better.

The snow was glacieresque, not sure what that was all about but once I got used to it it wasn't so bad. I stuck to 50/50s on the flat box. If I had more time I would have graduated to boardslides. Maybe. hah

Talked to one of the guys that set up the features, he said they're buring in 2-3 feet of snow so there's a solid base after all the blowing they've been doing so it should be open for a few days at least. Maybe more if weather cooperates.

We gave them some ideas on additional features and where to put them, they're still learning so there's room for improvement.

oh and my kick ass wife nailed her first boxes today. hawt.
 
#1,791 ·
Yesterday @ Pine Knob was pretty good! Snow conditions were WAY better than I expected after all that warm 'n' rainy all week. I'm gonna give Mt. Holly a try today. Never been there before so we'll see how that goes. If it sucks, or I just don't like the hill, I guess I can always split for PK.

Oh yeah, As for my progress on riding switch. Did 3 or 4 runs down the 1/4 mile blue run, (...or "quicksilver or whatever it's called) @ PK yesterday where I rode the entire run top to bottom "Switch"! Didn't fall once!! I was pretty stoked about that!

It still doesn't feel quite "Natural". The toeside turns and edge traverses still feel a little forced & awkward, but a LOT less so than when I "Biffing" EVERY time I tried one.

Dave, If your still planning on hitting Holly today, let me know. I'll keep an eye out for you in your "Lumberjack" jacket 'n' hoodie! ;) :D

Hope 2 C-ya there!
 
#1,792 ·
I'll be at holly for sure, leaving shortly should be on the hill 10-1030ish.

congrats on the switch riding, many people never learn that. keep working at it, I don't think it will ever feel quite "natural" but you'll definitely be able to get a lot better/more confident.

And that trail at PK will always be called the "Quarter Mile" in my book. I don't know when they changed the name to "Quicksilver"...
 
#1,794 ·
Chomps good seeing you today, despite the hilarious coincidence of how we met :) hopefully I can get out to ride a few more times before all our snow melts.

Gprider I don't think anyone here has been up to those places - but there might be some discussion in one of the other midwest threads (maybe Wisconsin???)
 
#1,798 ·
Probably riding Thursday PM at Pine Knob. Would like to peep their park again before it all melts.

Will be riding Saturday at Crystal Mountain, possibly Sunday as well.

The following weekend March 2nd I'm driving somewhere but fuck if I know right now. Options are Marquette MI, Elicottville NY, Seven Springs PA or whatever else I can think of...
 
#1,800 ·
Went up to Hawk Island park in Lansing today. Snow was good. There was one rail feature, one flat box feature, and a small kicker.

Hiked a bunch since the rope tow was not operating yet, but it was free ($3 parking fee). Definitely a good time and if you are looking to work on freestyle this is a super low cost way to get tons of good practice runs in. Not sure how much they'll be open the next few weeks with this weather, but it should be pretty awesome next year.
 
#1,802 ·
anyone looking to blow off work on monday feb 27th? i have limited times to go this year because i coach both my sons hockey teams. on the ice/at the arena 5-6 days a week. wish i was on the mountain 1/10th of that. i have 3 skifree passes that i haven't had a chance to use, so i would gladly go halfseez.

but then we would be limited to alpine day sesh, brighton, but there is always cannonsburg!
 
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