So, who's buying a new snowboard for 2010/11 then?

Winter is upon us, sort of.

I'm going to replace my battered 2007 Stepchild Simon Chamberlain (157.5) with something suitably all mountain freestyle (the snowboarding equivalent of a 6" travel skill compensation device).

I've always fancied a Lib Tech deck and am tempted by three of their models…Jamie Lynn pro-model, Travis Rice pro-model and the TRS. All three offer Lib's unanimously praised Magenetraction, Banana (still haven't really worked out what that is, somethign to do with flexy camber) and come in my favoured length of 157.

Anyone else buying a new deck for the coming season?

Nah, but probably getting some new skis and boots! 😉
(Gay on a tray….! 😉 )

New boots – my northwaves are foooooo ked.

not me infact the opposite…1st baby due in Jan so i will most likely be selling my gear 🙁 Im sure I will get new gear in a few years though.

CaptainFlashheart – Member
Nah, but probably getting some new skis and boots!
(Gay on a tray….! )

Pricks with sticks!

It's alright, I ski too. I've got some K2 Public Enemy which I'll be taking along.

Not this year I got a super duper new snowboard last year from Mr MC, not sure WHERE or when we are going in 2011. Suggestions for intermediate (happily do reds) and advanced boarders (boarding for 10 plus years).

Not this year I got a super duper new snowboard last year from Mr MC, not sure WHERE or when we are going in 2011. Suggestions for intermediate (happily do reds) and advanced boarders (boarding for 10 plus years).

Austria: Saalbach-Hinterglemm (££)
France: Meribel (£££)
Canada: Banff (Sunshine Village/Lake Louise) (££££)

That said, you used to be able to do a week or two in Canada for the same price as France, that was prior to Sterling going into freefall though.

Thought of Banff but (1) can't face the long trips to the various slopes, 40 odd minutes between them (2) need somewhere cheaper we have 2 big holidays this year. Snowboarding in COlorado for 10 days (Winter Park) awesome place, then we went back to Colorado MTBing for 2 weeks in the summer!! I'll look at Meribel and never been to Austria. As long as there aren't any drag lifts!!! 🙂

Nah. Got a new Bataleon Goliath last season so I'll be sticking with that.
The Triple Base Tech is quite fun, though the sintered base needs constant waxing.

http://www.bataleon.com/en/

Get along to a demo day at one of the domes – it's a great chance to try out loads of boards on actual snow.

I got a YES 162 last year- its awesome- super stable in the chop whilst still being flexy enough to play around.

Sintered base is fast too.

I'm going to saalbach for Christmas, I'll be buying some new boots cause I'm size 15, not sure to buy skis too or just rent them.

I'm going snowboarding for the first time tomorrow, so who knows 😛

Munqe-chick – Member
Thought of Banff but (1) can't face the long trips to the various slopes, 40 odd minutes between them (2) need somewhere cheaper we have 2 big holidays this year. Snowboarding in COlorado for 10 days (Winter Park) awesome place, then we went back to Colorado MTBing for 2 weeks in the summer!! I'll look at Meribel and never been to Austria. As long as there aren't any drag lifts!!!

I've done two seasons in Banff.

Norquay is the local hill, it's got some amazing steeps, but is only really any use for a half day/after work session for locals really. That said, it's great for beginners, they have a decent park and they also have floodlit slopes off the Cascade life once each week.

Sunshine Village is only 30 mins by bus, Lake Louise is more like 45 mins.
I've never got the objection to that really, especially from Brits who often seem happy to embark on a 5 hour round trip to go to Xscape or similar ice boxes in the UK. There are a lot of buses so you can get a full day in, relax on the ride back, possibly spot some interesting wildlife beside the Trans-Canada Highway and laugh as you pass the sign for Lake Minnewanka! :p

Generally, I've always thought that Austria is better for the pretty Alpine village experience and France has the edge in terms of apres ski. Obviously, there are pretty French resorts and some gopping Austrian ones too. Austria is better value though and you can't beat the food.

Becky in Milton Keynes or the place over by Birmingham?

or the place over by Birmingham?

Tamworth, Staffs.

The original.

Milton Keynes, 'tis a bit closer to me than Tamworth

Bravohotel9er I agree now we would never bother going snowboarding in the UK or even trekking to do it. I like the conveniece of going on holiday and bowling out of hotel with only a short trip. We have been to Winter Park, CO the last three trips we've been and it's phenomenal love everything about it of which you get none in France. I have become a snowboard snob I've afraid, but this year it'll be back to Europe, but Austria sounds interesting. Cheers.

not me infact the opposite…1st baby due in Jan so i will most likely be selling my gear Im sure I will get new gear in a few years though.

+1 except my baby is due in nov!

Rode Lib's for the 5 seasons I spent snowboarding,went last winter after a break of 8 years!Got a Travis Rice 162 for free riding and a gnu carbon credit 159 for messing about in the park.I actually rode the Gnu 90% of the time.The softer flex was more forgiving and with the banana rocker it was great in powder (even switch!).The Rice was great as I got back into it,especially on the steeps and at high speed but was quite tiring to ride as it is very stiff.The gnu was much more fun for playing around doing butters and jibbing off stuff (still got front side rodeos at 36!!!).

Not me, I bought a lovely Lib Tech TRS early this year but with a baby also due in November I'll be sticking with it at the local hills of Cairngorm and Glenshee this season. Although I wouldn't want to change it anyway, it's ace!! 😀

swavis – Member
Not me, I bought a lovely Lib Tech TRS early this year but with a baby also due in November I'll be sticking with it at the local hills of Cairngorm and Glenshee this season. Although I wouldn't want to change it anyway, it's ace!!

What do you make of Magnetraction then? Has the TRS got as much 'pop' as the reviews make out?

No more equipment this year

We had a good time in Val de Fassa this year, dont know where we will be going next year yet

http://kevinlawton6103.fotopic.net/c1887310.html

Also had a good day at Langsett

http://kevinlawton6103.fotopic.net/c1802664.html

Tracey

Sweet, was thinking of getting some ski lessons before I go to the alps to make the most of it. Indomt want to spend the first 3days messing around on the nursery slopes.

Nope as I'm still getting fun out of my old Oxygen. But ripping pow with one of these on my feet would bring a massive smile:

Mine arrived 6 weeks ago 154 Burton Malolo series 13, can not wait for the season to start t 😀

I'll add my usual point:

JOIN Snowboard Club UK before buying new gear!

Snowboard equivalent of Ski Club. £15 to join and you get 10% off at the big snowboard shops (boardwise, ss20, snowboard asylum etc) so you easily make that back and more besides if you are looking to buy a new board. Plus you get discounts on slope time at all the big fridges.

http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/

K2 Slayblade is fantastic. Best board I have ever owned and a good compromise between traditional camber and reverse camber. Super fast, super stable, super edge hold and super fun riding normal or switch.

If you want something a little softer then try the K2 Believer.

My Volkl Wall Pro is totally ****, 3 dings in the toe edge and 2 in the heels including a 6'x2' p-tex repair where I landed on a rock. I really like the look of the LibTechs but I'm trying not to think about it because I don't think I'll be able to go this year. Buzz I had a Yukon, actually not the best board in deep powder because its so stiff but they track through choppy snow like nothing else.

Compared to bikes snowboards seem good value.

Nope

Still mega happy with my Palmer Carbon Circle (2007)which I got from Chain Reaction for a knock down price at the end of 2007.

Amazing all round board. Can't wait to ride it again this season.

I've been thinking about buying a new board as my 2006 Burton Uninc and 07 Rome Agent are getting tired. I'm probably going to hunt for a few on ebay to get a last season bargin – can't justify spending £350 – £400 on a new board just for holidays.

I bet the Travis Rice board is pretty special if its anything like his riding.

What boots/bindings are folk in at the mo?

I've got a pair of Vans Cirro boots – dual BOA closures, little bit stiff for freestyle but good for all day riding.

Paired with K2 Auto bindings. Almost as quick in-and-out as old school step-ins (basically you only undo/redo the heel strap, the toe strap tightens automatically), comfy, fit my big feet well, pretty light and decent lateral flex.

🙁

Only been snowboarding once….would love to go again, but the other half really didn't enjoy it that much and we don't spend enough time together as it is…..not sure I'd get away with a snowboarding holiday & a mtb holiday without her…….!

Does anyone know what the deal is with Magnetraction and servicing? Can you drop it into any old ski shop in a resort and expect them to fix your edges or is it a specialised job?
I've read the reviews and the Jamie Lynn graphics are always cool but that issue has always put me off buying a Lib Tech..

Gah!! All this talk of expensive holidays and equipment!

Luckily, the wife and I are packing our bags for Banff this winter for a fortnight for a lot of skiing (her) and snowboarding (me). I just need to decide what to impulse buy before I go out there.

Credit card to the rescue!

I also think that we'll be spending the large bulk of our time at Sunshine Village. Lake Louise is nice, but sunshine just has miles and miles and miles of fun. Norquay was an icy deathtrap when we were there a couple of years ago and really put my wife off.

http://roblock641.fotopic.net/c1896555.html

here she is complete with c02 bindings

Nope, I'm still quite happy with the Rome Anthem than BA bought me a few years ago after taking 2 weeks to get my board to Fernie. The Burton Cartel bindings are pretty ace too. I'm not sure if I'll get away this year though as all my riding/skiing mates are now married and/or have kids.

Lake Louise is nice, but sunshine just has miles and miles and miles of fun.

Love Lake Louise. I remember boarding there with the missus and hardly seeing a soul all afternoon.

Go over the back. You have to take the leg-numbing, bollock-crushing "Summit Platter" to get there – but your reward is huge bowls of untouched powder. 😀

GrahamS – Member
What boots/bindings are folk in at the mo?

32 Lashed boots and Burton Cartel bindings.

No keeping my Hatchet for all that powder at good old Sunshine again this season YAHOO !!!!!!! bring it on I may just stop out there for good this time.
Burton boots & ride Sp1 bindings are the muts nuts IMHO.

I had my best session ever at Sunshine, fresh powder, beautiful sunny day, going through the trees, jumps, berms, the lot, it was like riding fine singletrack, beautiful, just beautiful.