Snowboarding's Reputation: My Take

     I was just thinking about snowboarding and it's reputation.  Or more importantly our reputation as snowboarders.  I mean granted we didn't exactly enter snow sports in the most acceptable manner (there is a great short rundown of the history of snowboarding here).  I mean we basically hit the mountains like rebels.  Have to give it to the founding fathers though, they had balls.  I mean let's face it, back then it was a suicidal idea.
     Once board innovation settled down enough for some type of fundamental  blueprint to be established boards started reaching the public.  We used to call them Snurfers!!!  Our reputation really begins here, where the boards reach the mountain.
     

Image Credits

     When this did happen obvious problems arose. In my opinion childish but hey, skiiers became territorial. As natural human tendency goes, they were afraid of what was different. I just don't get that. If you see something new, why not be curious to learn about it. Give it a shot, you just might like it. Anyway, long story short at first mountains banned snowboards to keep snowboarders off. It wasn't helping that almost all snowboarders were the young, hippy, all about life type crowd, while skiiers always had a pole up their ass.  This is also how "back country" riding came to play.  Because they couldn't go to resorts they had to find their own lines.

     After the intial introduction period if you will, snowboarders were slowly starting to be allowed to resorts.  Since then it has pretty much been all uphill.  Our presence on mountains is beastly.  We've been doing pretty well. 
     Until these "boarder thugs" started multiplying like cockaroaches.  Now I know I'm going to get ripped for this comment because many reading this are that guy/girl.  If it's you, you know who you are, but I'll throw in a description anyway.  Those people bullying around the mountain, littering, causing destruction and inconsiderate of anything. 
     Great you're a snowboarder, we get it. No need to go cursing up a storm in lift lines just because kids are around.  Or cutting people off, skipping in line, or the worst: running into people and not even stopping to see if they are alright.  You're not tough, punk.  It's because of scum like you that we get treated differently. You're not helping the sport.   I'm not saying that skiiers don't act the same way, but I'm a boarder, and this is about snowboarding.
     The whole point is our future.  These people need to realize that we have the power to take over any mountain we chose as long as we act civilized and not cause counter pressure.  I mean I can't begin to tell you how many times I've heard negative things about snowboarders in my career, and I mean just walking around.  This has to stop.  We want places to be snowboarder friendly.  It helps a lot. Grow in a positive way.  Small wake, big line.

Need To Find Snowboard Gear Deals!!

     This season should be interesting.  With the way the economy is going, but more importantly the fear that controls spending will definitely have an impact on our sport.  I mean let's face it if anything companies are just going to take advantage of the situation and cry "overhead costs are rising."  That only means that wicked deals now are necessary to life.  Like the "Summit Bar."
     Well, all I know is last season steals were to be found. I'm scrounging as I type.  I'm sure I'll find something, but this one will be tough.   I'll cover Brociety, Whiskey Militia, and Evogear just to name a few. Keep you posted.  Oh and you're welcome.

East Coast Season Is Almost Here. Time To Think About Your Gear.

     You know it is still only August, but it sure feels close to snowboarding season on the East Coast.  I mean guys in Northern Vermont are saying it is in the 40's at night already.  How exciting does that sound!? Pretty lame, but we are addicted to snow, and that is pretty close to thirty.  Fahrenheit that is.
     Anyway, it is also that time of year where great deals on new gear can be found if you know where to look.  Over the next week or so I will post regarding some of the best deals that can be found, and my experiences with the companies. 
     But also remember one thing, don't get caught up in spending all your money on new equipment.  With the way things are going, lift tickets, travel, and lodging are only getting more expensive every year.  Really assess your gear inventory and if you are only going to ride 4 or 5 times this season, you might not need new goggles.  Have an extra day on the slopes instead.
     Now is the time to buy equipment though.  The closer we get to mid September,  the harder it is to avoid paying full MSRP.  Well until next time, keep day dreaming and watching Youtube.....we're almost there.

Sunday River, ME: Drive and Arrival

Alright so spontaneously due to business, somehow I will be snowboarding. An early start considering the weather we have been having. Thanks Giving 'season opener' interesting.
My destination is Sunday River, Maine. The drive up was no let down. Everything from searching for gas stations that exist on signs but not in real life, to keeping eyes peeled for deadly moose while getting run off the road by a semi occured. You must earn your lines. Oh, not to mention the roughly 3 hours of driving through impenetrable fog.
The hotel/motel whatever it may be classified as is welcoming considering that there are a total of 2 resorts other than directly on the slopes. If I wasn't having such a short stay I would have spent twice as much for slopeside. However, considering I have WiFi, TV, a microwave, 1 hot pocket, no plates, and 6 beers, this place is a castle.

Anyway, tomorrow I will be hitting the mountain all day and seeing how good the supposed 4 trails that are currently open are. For the record, 3 of those 4 trails are actually Upper, Middle, and Lower Sections of the same trail. No judgements here...save it.

Oh forgot to mention thanks to a good friend who came half way up, I got a personal tour of the "Cider House Rules" property, and saw the house where Moby Dick was written; among other things. Pretty cool.

Review: Triple 8 Bumsavers Impact Shorts

They come in a mesh carrying bag with shoulder straps. Useless in my opinion for the shorts, but the bag would be good to put your dirty socks/clothes in while on a trip

Construction:
-Shorts are made of a great micro-mesh which is extremely breathable.
-Waistband is a thick heavy duty elastic, however it does not have drawstrings so they must be bought true to size.
- Seaming is double stitched seems fairly durable
-SUPER light!!!! I have to say I almost can't believe how light they are

Padding:
- Padding is perfectly placed throughout the shorts (they were designed for skating/boarding so this makes sense)
-Padding is fully integrated so it is not removable. Annoying if you need to customize ur padding areas, although for me they are placed perfectly
- Padding is just thick enough and for more flexability they are scored (small but amazing aspect!) When I bend my legs I almost don't even feel resistance from the pads.

OVERALL:

These shorts are extremely comfortable considering the fact they have 11 pads in them covering the entire buttocks area and the whole side of your upper leg. I purposely did a few "butt plants" on my hard wood floors to see if these things do their job. Result: the cushioning is amazing although I would say that for extreme circumstances, or long falls they may be lacking (but then again if you are falling 12-15 feet I guess any padding would make a minimal impact difference. Overall I am happy with my purchase and would say if you are on a budget, or looking for decent padding short of titanium body armor go for the buy!

Recommended Use: Any resort riding, park, Jumps not exceeding 10 ft verticals, glades, tame backcountry

Not Recommended for: Jumping off tall buildings, saving the world , or jumping Summit to Base in one single bound

Scale of 1-10: 7.65