Snowboarding Forum - Snowboard Enthusiast Forums banner

Snowolf - latest update 4-8-12

5K views 19 replies 8 participants last post by  firstx1017 
#1 · (Edited)
Just wanted to give you another update. I seemed to be struggling with the Roxy Ollie Pop board I have so I tried a Rossignol Diva Magtek Directional Board last Friday and OMG I LOVE THIS BOARD! I always wondered if I should try a directional board and maybe that may help me get over this hurdle I've been having troubles with. My Roxy Ollie Pop is a true twin and 151. The Rossignol I got is a 148 and I was a little worried because I am over the weight limit for this size of board - but wanted to try something smaller with the camkber between my feet rather than rocker. This board had Ride VNX bindings which did not have the new 1.5 canted footbed (they are last year's model) but it did have some lift at the toe area which I wonderd how it would affect my toeside turns. The Rossi board is 60% camber between the feet and 40% rocker at the tips - kind of similar to your Rossi Angus I think. I was concerned that it was reversed from my Roxy Ollie Pop which is rocker between the feet and camber under foot and rocker at the tips like your Billy Goat. Both boards have the magnetraction on the boards. Since I only ride groomers and icy packed conditions I thought maybe the camber between the feet would be better since I seem to have been having problems on the Ollie Pop.

Last weekend I also played with my angle again because of my knee pain. I decided to just stand on the board in a position where it did not hurt my right knee and go with that angle. So, the angle I settled on was +15/-21. I know the -21 seems extreme but OMG it gave me about 90% less knee pain than any other angle. Before just standing up from the bench my right knee would start to hurt. Now I can stand up and it doesnt hurt. woo hoo!

So, Friday I started with the Rossi Diva and wow - getting off the chairlift was SO MUCH EASIER! First toeside turn was really odd due to the fact that the bindings had lift at the toes - but on my second toeside turn I REALLY noticed the board turning for me in a way that the Roxy never did. I was having such a hard time going toeside on the Roxy but on this directional board I can't explain it but it really felt good. Turns seems to be a breeze and I didn't feel like I had to man handle the board around like on the Ollie Pop - so now I wonder if the 151 was just too big for me. Or, being that I am over the weight limit on the Rossi that it makes it ride differently. The magnetraction on this Rossi seemed much better than on the Roxy also in the icy spots I encountered. In any event, I really love the Rossi. I have tried a 148 in the Roxy but it it could have been my stance or angles affected why I didn't like that length or else having more time on the snowboard that I can now tell the difference.

I really think the standard camber between the feet and and the rocker at the tips and being directional is why I like it - could I be wrong or am I smoking something? It is a 7 rating on the stiffness and going down the diamond run on it over clumpy snow was WAY better than on the Roxy - but it could be that I am cutting thru rather than slidding over them? My Roxy is a 4.5 flex rating so maybe the 7 flex is what I am liking?

Went riding with Handscreate today and now I have a new knee pain - the pain from doing blues and diamonds over and over! All that bending is a new pain now! lol

Here are some videos. The first video is on the green run getting used to the new board.



The second video is upclose showing that I am getting somewhat on my edge on the blue and black runs.



I know sometimes I am still slidding, but it seems way better than what I was doing before. Any comments???? Next year I want to work on trying to not open my left shoulder on toeside turns and try not to make so many turns on the blue runs. I've been trying to find a board where I feel confident to excel on and now try to fix my problem areas and I think I finally found the perfect board! (for now! lol)

Vicki

[/IMG]
 
See less See more
2 1
#2 ·
Wish my wife could board like that but oh well. Looks good and you have come along way dont worry about getting a new board you need to feel confident. Like you pointed out you open your shoulder when you turn toe side, what works for me on moguls is to point where I want to go so your shoulder is pointed and your body lines up. Not a crazy point but a more just a casual in front of your board point. Also you look like you are treading water with your hands being so high all the time, if they keep coming up hold your pants till you get used to keeping them down. Over all for what knee problem you have you look very good, dont worry about sliding on the black it looked like a slush day.
 
#3 ·
it's nice seeing you progressing more and more.Snowolf will have you bombing those runs in no time

The 2nd video that skier has the whole mountain and yet he feels he needs to do a fly-by on you. The hands in the air, classic, never understood why people can't be more considerate. Especially since that hill was "SO" crowded....
 
#4 ·
...that skier has the whole mountain and yet he feels he needs to do a fly-by on you. The hands in the air, classic, never understood why people can't be more considerate. Especially since that hill was "SO" crowded....
I was thinking the same thing when I watched that vid! I will NEVER understand how stupid, in-considerate, selfish, self absorbed, and dangerously clueless people can be!!! See it ALL the time on the road as a truck driver!!! Someone tries to commit suicide in front of my rig on a Daily basis!


Back on topic,.. Vicki,
Looking good! I would echo the advice to slap that back hand firmly on your thigh, or grab the pant leg!! I catch myself goin' on that "Mystery Date" myself from time to time! ;) and when I do, I grab my own Ass!! ;):D:D It really does help with the turns as it keeps my arm & shoulder in proper alignment with the board & It will eventually stop requiring a "conscious" effort to avoid doing it!

Nice vids!!
 
#6 ·
I take it none of you have ever visited Los Angeles? Being self centered and self absorbed is not just tolerated it's celebrated....sigh


Vicki, I love seeing your videos. I learned to ride at Snow Summit on the same runs. It's a bit of a drive for me, so I don't go there much anymore. Next season I'd be happy to ride up hill and run interference for you, I have no problem body checking an out of control skier ;)


I just bought a new board and it's like night and day. I went from a trad cambered board to a camber/rocker/camber board. It's faster, much more stable and much easier to ride. I am glad I learned to ride on the beast but I am never going back!

Also, which black run is that in the video? it looks like you were on miracle mile and rode that back down to the bottom of the hill? Do you ever ride chair 5 and 6? It's a little steeper over there but in my experience it's better as far as avoiding people. It's all blue and black but nothing you couldn't handle. They don't always spin those chairs but there is a traverse across the top. Might not be possible this late in the year :(


I know it's the uphill skier that is supposed to watch out for you, however that is not doing any good as you see to be a magnet for people. Keep working on the head turning, and if you can get to where you're comfortable looking over your shoulder oh.....every 5 seconds or so you'll be able to see the trouble headed your way.
 
#9 ·
Also, which black run is that in the video? it looks like you were on miracle mile and rode that back down to the bottom of the hill? Do you ever ride chair 5 and 6? It's a little steeper over there but in my experience it's better as far as avoiding people. It's all blue and black but nothing you couldn't handle. They don't always spin those chairs but there is a traverse across the top. Might not be possible this late in the year :( QUOTE]

Hi Mixie - the blue run in the video is the bottom of Miracle Mile and the Easy Black Run is the Diamond Section in the middle of Miracle Mile - where you can take a blue run to the left or take the black run on the right - this is the right which is the black run.

Chair 5 hasn't worked in 2 years I believe. At least they never had it working this whole year and we've been up there every weekend. Chair 6 is for the harder Diamond and Double Diamond runs - not willing to do those yet! My husband tried the Wall 4 times two weeks ago and fell every time. One time he even fell twice! lol

I have major problems with getting off the lifts on Chair 3 (Ego Trip run) and Chair 10 (Perfect Pitches run) I fall everytime so that it makes it no fun to do those runs anymore. I CAN do okay on Chair 7 (7-down run) but it is such a short run to have to deal with that chairlift stress!

So I start off on Summit Run in the morning to warm up until all the crazy people show up. Then we go over to Miracle Mile and then we head over and take Log Chute all the way down. The end of that is a Diamond also so I get my diamond practice from the middle of Miracle Mile and the end of Log Chute. By noon this old body has had it and has to save something for the next day as we board both Saturday and Sundays every weekend up there!
 
#8 ·
Lol I had a skier yesterday almost get killed twice. I was coming down a groomed blue run going about 36 mph, he passed me... Cut in front and stopped..... Maybe 15 yards ahead. I was doing very narrow turns going almost straight down the hill, he was straighlining it. I cut to heel side HARD and sprayed the shit out of him but bailed to avoid hitting him whipping myself barely around him to miss him..... Literal split second decision to not plow him...

I cussed him out but he looked at me like he didn't understand English...... probably better he didn't say anything, might have beat him
 
#15 ·
Went riding with Handscreate today and now I have a new knee pain - the pain from doing blues and diamonds over and over! All that bending is a new pain now! lol

I know sometimes I am still slidding, but it seems way better than what I was doing before. Any comments???? Next year I want to work on trying to not open my left shoulder on toeside turns and try not to make so many turns on the blue runs. I've been trying to find a board where I feel confident to excel on and now try to fix my problem areas and I think I finally found the perfect board! (for now! lol)

Vicki

[/IMG]
I wasn't trying to cause you pain, I just really thought pushing you to ride some steeper terrain would force you (in the instructing sense) up on your edges more & get to really dig into your turns, hopefully getting you to bend your knees a little more thru turns - which I started to notice you did do towards the end of our hour together as we went down that last run (7 down I think?)

It was great meeting you & G. D & I loved your costumes! So glad she spotted you 2 in the lift line.


Well done Vicki!

Looks like spending some time with Handscreate helped you a lot. We can talk or type for hours but nothing beats one on one coaching...:thumbsup:

It totally makes sense to me with regard to the change in boards. Many people find the rocker between the feet profile a bit too squirrely for their liking and on those firm groomers, I also enjoy both my full camber deck and my Rossi Angus profile like your new board. In addition, a directional board will always handle cruising like this a little better than a twin. Once you get a little better and gain more confidence however, you will like the playful nature of that Ollie Pop, especially in powder or good soft corn snow. For now, I think that Rossi is ideal for your riding style.

As for your stance angles, this also makes total sense. I am riding with my angles at 15/-18 partly because it makes my knees feel better and also because I have a natural twist in my legs or hips. Not sure where or why, but I definitely have a slight left rotation in my hips (something AASI can`t quite seem to understand). So definitely ride what is most comfortable to you. I might suggest trying to widen your stance just a tad now that you have discovered this. Your stance is a bit narrow, and if you can widen it a little without causing pain, it can really help with balance and stability.

I really liked on your blue and black run that we can see the bottom of your board....:thumbsup: This means you are really starting to use your edges more and transitioning to a more carved technique. The progression you have made this year is really impressive.


Some goals for next year to improve even more:

Turn your head when making turns from toe to heel and heel to toe. Currently, I do not see you turning your head much. This is is especially effective for the toe to heel transition. Looking over your front shoulder to spot the place you want to turn to really sets your body up well to make this turn (it also helps you spot rude, inconsiderate skiers who think they they need to pass as close as possible to you).

We will work on your unweighting technique. If you watch closely, you are doing an up unweight to switch edges. This works okay, but a down unweight is better for carving. If you look closely, you will see that you hop up slightly, then switch to the new edge and settle back to your neutral position. Ideally, you will find doing the opposite will feel better and also really help you power through your carve better.

To do this, drop down lower to change edges, then gradually rise up through the turn. This rising through the turn actually will help you power through the turn and maintain edge hold better on those icy patches.

You already caught this, but yes, work on closing that front shoulder a bit to help you with your toe side turns and watch the back hand. While "throwing" your shoulder into each turn is not an ideal way to snowboard, positioning them in the direction of the turn adds a little extra rotational force to help add power to your turn.

We will talk more about starting to use fore-aft movements next year to also help you power through the carves better and make riding steeper terrain a piece of cake.

Greta job and like I said, your progress this season is awesome. Good job. I am still working on some ideas we have discussed via PM and will get in touch with you soon.
Thanks Snowolf, I tried to give Vicki as much input as I could in the little time we had together. Time flies when you're having fun! I also suggested she widen her stance a little more for better control, etc, but we discussed her knee pain & I think she needs to look at some Burton or Forum bindings with Auto Cant technology as opposed to a binding with a set canted footbed to help support her knees in the widened stance.

I take it none of you have ever visited Los Angeles? Being self centered and self absorbed is not just tolerated it's celebrated....sigh


Vicki, I love seeing your videos. I learned to ride at Snow Summit on the same runs. It's a bit of a drive for me, so I don't go there much anymore. Next season I'd be happy to ride up hill and run interference for you, I have no problem body checking an out of control skier ;)

Also, which black run is that in the video? it looks like you were on miracle mile and rode that back down to the bottom of the hill? Do you ever ride chair 5 and 6? It's a little steeper over there but in my experience it's better as far as avoiding people. It's all blue and black but nothing you couldn't handle. They don't always spin those chairs but there is a traverse across the top. Might not be possible this late in the year :(
I somehow attracted most of the d-bags when I rode with her, haha. I think she's a magnet for them in all honesty. It must be that positive personality that attracts them...

We did traverse across to the left side of the mountain for a couple runs & even though Vicki was a little nervous about riding the cat track across, she did a fantastic job of handling it. I love that side of the mountain so much, even if it is just a 3 min or so ride to the lift.

Also, which black run is that in the video? it looks like you were on miracle mile and rode that back down to the bottom of the hill? Do you ever ride chair 5 and 6? It's a little steeper over there but in my experience it's better as far as avoiding people. It's all blue and black but nothing you couldn't handle. They don't always spin those chairs but there is a traverse across the top. Might not be possible this late in the year :( QUOTE]

Hi Mixie - the blue run in the video is the bottom of Miracle Mile and the Easy Black Run is the Diamond Section in the middle of Miracle Mile - where you can take a blue run to the left or take the black run on the right - this is the right which is the black run.

Chair 5 hasn't worked in 2 years I believe. At least they never had it working this whole year and we've been up there every weekend. Chair 6 is for the harder Diamond and Double Diamond runs - not willing to do those yet! My husband tried the Wall 4 times two weeks ago and fell every time. One time he even fell twice! lol

I have major problems with getting off the lifts on Chair 3 (Ego Trip run) and Chair 10 (Perfect Pitches run) I fall everytime so that it makes it no fun to do those runs anymore. I CAN do okay on Chair 7 (7-down run) but it is such a short run to have to deal with that chairlift stress!

So I start off on Summit Run in the morning to warm up until all the crazy people show up. Then we go over to Miracle Mile and then we head over and take Log Chute all the way down. The end of that is a Diamond also so I get my diamond practice from the middle of Miracle Mile and the end of Log Chute. By noon this old body has had it and has to save something for the next day as we board both Saturday and Sundays every weekend up there!
D & I rode the wall twice & I ate it at least twice, haha. Really I just washed out in a toe side & heel side turn, which resulted in me sliding on my ass for about 15ft until I could get a good dig into the snow. I feel bad for whatever skier hit that massive speed bump I created in the middle of it. D had a good laugh at my attempt to go down it with some speed the 1st time & watching me slide on my ass. The toe side wash out was pretty minimal & I was able to recover relatively quickly, thankfully.
 
#18 ·
We did traverse across to the left side of the mountain for a couple runs & even though Vicki was a little nervous about riding the cat track across, she did a fantastic job of handling it. I love that side of the mountain so much, even if it is just a 3 min or so ride to the lift.

I like it over there too, lapping chair 6 is fun. There's always nice little rollers.

Log Jam is a pretty accurate name. I'm shocked it's getting so much love. So many people, so many features. I've had some bad crashes on those jumps down there, Im scarred for life! :laugh:
 
#20 ·
@handscreate - my knee pain is pain from the fun I was having! You didn't push me - plus this was our third day of playing there! Thank D for spending the time with us also - and glad you guys were able to get in some good fun before it got slushy! I appreciate everything!
Vicki
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top