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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!
 
#3,594 ·
It's not 100% at this point, so I'll let you know if it changes. If my buddy can't go Sunday then I'm probably staying in the area. You know how this shit goes....
 
#3,596 ·
Let me know if you go Friday night. My wife's sister and mom are coming down for an overnight visit so I can justify leaving her home with the kids.
 
#3,597 ·
Last week at Highlands was pretty sweet. Left Wed. Morning n got back Sun. night. Did couple hours at Nubs Sat. nite.

Leaving tomorrow to do it again!!! :D should b EXCELLENT this week, although they've all stopped night riding for the season. :(

I'll let you guy's know how it goes. Hope they're as deserted as they were last week. Man,.. NOBODY THERE fri. Sat. or Sun. Had a couple of runs pretty much to myself for an hour or two Sun. Put first tracks on 3-4 in. of fresh! :)

That's where the "Creepy Ol' Dudes" been lately! ;)
 
#3,602 ·
Crystal is official for me Sunday, so no Hawk Island. Sorry Dave. If you and/or Leo want to ride up with us, we're leaving my place at 7am sharp. There are only two of us right now, but there may be a 3rd so let me know.

My mom said they got a foot and a half of snow at her place yesterday and last night.
 
#3,604 ·
I grew up 15 miles from Lake Michigan so it's not quite as unusual for me. It's amazing how comparatively mild the winters down here are compared to up there with it only a few hours' drive away. Despite the unseasonably warm weather last March I seem to remember a pretty big 15 inch overnight dump we got late last year up there; we went to Caberfae that Sunday to take advantage of it. I don't remember exactly which weekend that was though.

My mom still tells stories of how when I was a kid and we lived near Arcadia (just west of Crystal Mountain, actually) there were winters where we had to actually park a mile down the road and walk to the house because the plows couldn't keep up with all the snow. She has pictures of plow piles on the sides of the roads (not in big parking lots) that were 8-10 feet high. And no, these photos were not photoshopped!

Still, having said all of that, compared to the recent winters we've had I'll have to agree with you.
 
#3,605 ·
Boyne reported an additional 8" overnight. This shit is insane.

It's not unheard of, but it's especially welcome given how bad last year was and how shitty this season started out.

At this point, I think my travel is pretty much limited to Hawk Island as long as they can hold out.

If anyone is still open on 4/13 (Saturday) I might be able to swing that, but next weekend is Easter and the following is Zoey's first birthday, so I'm definitely on lockdown until after that.

As for 4/13, I will keep my eye on the weather and resort news because those places out in NY about 5 or 6 hours from here have been getting hit with a lot of snow, too. I'd possibly be game to drive out there for a day if they're still open.
 
#3,606 · (Edited)
Boyne reported an additional 8" overnight. This shit is insane.

It's not unheard of, but it's especially welcome given how bad last year was and how shitty this season started out.
They may be reporting they got another 8", but what they've actually gotten is about 18" or so!!! They have got some AWESOME fucking snow here!!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Deepest shit I've ridden since I started 2 years ago!! I'm finding I have to learn how to ride all over!!! IT's GREAT!!!!

Here's how I looked the first time I fell,.. beard froze solid and I had to ride like that for an hour or so!! :laugh: :eusa_clap:
Helmet Personal protective equipment Goggles Glasses Diving mask



Best of all,.. It been puking snow since about 3:30! ...and tomorrow they are going to open back up the North Side via "Interconnect!!" Nobody's been riding there all week! It will have almost TWO FEET of UNTOUCHED POWDER!!!! :yahoo: :bowdown:

I CAN'T WAIT!!! I'm doing stuff and making moves I never thought I could at this stage of my riding!!! I look like a pro running down the narrow chair lift gully winding in & out, up the sides and staying on my feet with all the bumps & moguls piled up in it!! I've even done a 7-8 small "Pop's" off some little features! Not much height, but I managed to cover 8-10 ft between liftoff & touchdown!!! I even nailed it switch at least three times!!!!

I LOVE THIS!! (Leo,.. the NS is AWESOME in this shit!!!) :bowdown:
(...sorry Dave! Come sunday I'll be at 43 days riding for the season!) ;)
 
#3,609 ·
Hawk Island is blowing snow again tonight.

They plan on staying open through April 7.

I don't think I can make it out tomorrow. Friday and Sunday both seem likely for me at this point. MTH on Friday, possibly Hawk on Sunday, or MTH/PK.

I do want to get to Hawk again before this season ends but if they're open through 4/7 I can probably squeeze in a night session next week.
 
#3,611 ·
Sounds awesome Chomps. If I didn't have to be here today I'd make the drive up there for it! Hopefully I can find some fresh stuff at Crystal on Sunday if I can get there early enough.

I'm in limbo regarding what I'm going to do Friday night. I'm about 50 percent as to whether I'm going to make the hike over to Holly for the night session.
 
#3,614 ·
OK no MTH for me tonight Dave. Since we have sitters over the wife and I are going out for sushi.

In other news, my new Capos arrived today. Got them mounted and I guess I'll see how they ride. They seem a bit stiffer than my old Missions, but not overwhelmingly so. I suppose the true test will be riding them.
 
#3,616 ·
Crystal was really good yesterday. I'd say in general the conditions were even better than they were St. Paddy's day weekend. They pretty much groomed over everything, including the moguls on Thor and Wally's. Steeps were showing less ice than the previous weekend, with the exception of Gorge which looked just plain scary, even from a distance. It was clear that they had really gotten a lot of new nice snow the last week, even after a couple of clear days with no additional snow. Still some powdery spots left here and there in the trees, but I only went in and out of the edges so there may have been more I didn't see.

If anyone gets a chance, get the hell up there. They're supposed to get more snow this week as well. Yesterday felt more like mid-February than late March. It's completely awesome. I will probably be there again Saturday with the fam.

As for the new binders, a big thanks to Leo on the recommendation for those Capos. I'll admit I was a bit hesitant to assume they'd make much difference until I actually rode them. Not only were they WAY more responsive than my old Missions, but they were super comfortable. I didn't realize how uncomfortable my old ones were until I rode these. Didn't have to tighten them down nearly as much and the toe straps were amazing. My left knee didn't hurt at the end of the day like it usually does as well.

My only two gripes on them are minor. One, for most of the day they were a bitch strapping into, with the ankle strap constantly getting in the way stepping in (I strap in standing up). The system they have put in there supposedly to avoid this problem this year doesn't work that great, at least at first. But by the end of the day the memory of the straps improved and it got better. They may have just needed breaking in.

Secondly, I am slightly concerned on the long time durability of the straps. Not necessarily the toe cap like Leo had mentioned to me, but the actual ladders. The ladder on my back ankle strap is looking a bit chewed up after only 7 hours of riding.

Still, these were small gripes compared to the positives. I'm pretty happy with this purchase at this point. Now I will end this rambling fucking post. Good day, sirs (and madams).

Edit: I wanted to mention that the improved responsiveness of the new binders made the blues on the Ridge that I previously struggled with feel easy. And I did Loki without too many problems, which is a marked improvement for me.
 
#3,617 ·
I went to Cannonsburg on Sunday for their last day. They had plenty of snow but it wasn't very good, basically full on ice crystals. My son kicked some butt skiing so that was cool, but this means I need to hunt for a deal on a kids setup for next year. Need to get him into lessons next year though, he'll be almost 5 at the start of the season so hopefully he will do it. I also decided I am getting some new boots and a regular width board...currently have 11.5 Burton Moto boots (prior to shrink tech or what ever) and a NS Legacy. Found some K2 size 11 boots that fit great, but want to hunt for the smallest profile boot I can. Talking to the guys at Marhar and thinking about getting an Archaic....we shall see!
 
#3,622 ·
I went to Cannonsburg on Sunday for their last day. They had plenty of snow but it wasn't very good, basically full on ice crystals.
Mt. Holly was fairly similar conditions yesterday, overall pretty enjoyable though especially for a closing day. It was a bit firmer when I got there around 1230 but then the sun kind of poked out and softened it up a bit.

Rumors that Pine Knob is contemplating re-opening for this coming weekend...

Talking to the guys at Marhar and thinking about getting an Archaic....we shall see!
Word on the street from the only guy I know who has ridden them, is that the Archaic is basically a "better riding version" of the NS Proto.
 
#3,619 ·
Trapper, contact ride ad ask for spare parts. That way you're set for next season. Just say you booked a trip somewhere for next season and you want to be prepared.
Done, but I didn't lie outright about having a tip booked. Just used the phrase "when I'm out west next season" which I tentatively will be. We'll see what they say; I've read the bad things about their customer service on this forum but I'll remain optimistic for now. Thanks again for another good tip. I owe you.
 
#3,620 ·
Hey there fella's! Here is a brief edit from the week up @ highlands. I wanted to post this one because it shows a run I did down the narrow gully with the line of lift towers on Amy's run. In the flat light you can't really see how bumped up it is, but it was damn near a "Mogul" run! :laugh:
Critiques welcome! (Not making excuses, ...just remember, this was my first time using a pole mount for the GP! It was distracting & throwing me off a little bit!) :blink:



I didn't get any footage from the day before with the Deep POW, but if you notice near the end of this clip, where it is up to my knees? There were places the previous day, where I was riding shit UP TO MY THIGHS!!! It was "Fukin' Awesome!!!" Absolutely the BEST snow I've ridden since strapping on a board!
:yahoo: :bowdown: :yahoo: :wavetowel2: :tongue4:
 
#3,621 ·
I think it looks good, the pole is a little weird at first. You found some powder stashes there...it always seems slower when you watch it than when you are going down the hill. Here is my first time with the pole and my contour out in whistler...fell in the middle cause a sudden drop I couldn't see. Nothing exciting though besides my 2-week stache!

 
#3,626 ·
Holy shit, my mom just emailed and said she bought me and my wife season passes for Crystal Mountain for next year as an "early Christmas present." Unbelievable!

That's a good mom right there! I feel like I should pay her back and not let her do that for us though.
 
#3,633 · (Edited)
Yup!!! I hope u don't think I'm so thick that I'd pay $390 just to ride late season shit!! ;)
I think the deals still good till April sometime. Check it out!

You can see why I couldn't pass on that deal!! (I sure hope next season has some EPIC snow conditions!!) :D. Shit, I hope we get 5 more weeks of late winter storms up north!! I'll make out like a bandit!
 
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