New Zealand: Remarkables

I felt it time to review another mountain from my 2005 New Zealand Snowboarding Trip.

traveling the 18km bust trip from Queenstown up a tight narrow gravel road is an experience on its own. Having mainly snowboarded in Switzerland, the traveling up through grass and rocks with not much snow insight was different.

If your not scared of height then I suggest you try and get a seat which is on the out side of the mountain not close to the mountain face. This way you get a good view of what below you. On most of the track I would say it would be a tight fit too squeeze and two busses going in different directions.

Anyway once you finally get to the top you just pop up into a car park and there it is, Snow. All the way up the gravel track you think to your self is it every going to come, and there it is.

So lets get down to the important stuff.

When I was there, there was enough snow but there could have been more. You start of by taking what I call a baby lift, up to the first little hill. This a green run, but as long as you break away and head right to the next chair lift, you get up to some more exciting runs.

What I found was great at all the Mountains I boarded at in New Zealand were the set ups for snowboarders and skiers that liked jumps & rails etc... The Remarkables was no exception.

I was lucky enough to be there at the same time there were some pro's. Some of the things these guys were doing of the well prepared and built jumps was amazing.

Another terrific part about the Remarkables is up where the sort of snow park was they played music. It seems easier to move when something is playing.

There as another run which you got to from the Car Park or restaurant, but the snow was melting quite fast over there so I only did it a few times. The few times I did do it though, I thought it was fantastic.

There was something for everyone, if you were a novice snowboarder that wanted to try your hand at a snow park, they had a special novice snow park created. That I personally feel was a great touch, cause you offen wounder how with out putting your self through heaps of pain you are going to learn how to do some of these tricks you see.

Official Remarkables website: view

I would suggest any one novice to advanced check out The Remarkables if you are in New Zealand. I know I will definately be going there again.

Tags: Snowboard, Snowboarding, skiing, ski, snow, New Zealand

Burton Air

The classic.

Energetic enough for the park yet stable at speeds, the Air™ blends ollie energy and strength with smooth edge-to-edge transitioning in a fun ride for any style of riding. The directional shape of the Air possesses the potent snap, response and stompability of a Super Fly® core for lapping the park and floating through the trees. The engineered Dualzone™ EGD™ core construction improves edge-hold when carving through variable conditions and increases durability to make this one of the most sought-after boards on the planet.

Graphic Tech:

We stepped the graphics up on the 06 Air™ by adding colored wood veneer inlays, an automotive-quality air disc badge and a tonal metallic air disc pattern on the nose.

Features:

• Sintered base
• Super fly Core
• Dualzone EGD
• Lite Triax™ Fiberglass
• Infinite Ride®
• Positive Core Profile
• Feel: 6

Tags: Snowboard, skiing, Snowboarding, snow

ThirtyTwo: Vadar

A new addition to the ThirtyTwo line, this boot has it all. The Vader is designed to be the future in snowboard boot technology. It is a high-end, high-performance freestyle / freeride boot that delivers some of the most technically advanced features any ThirtyTwo boot has ever offered.

Flex Level
Forward (Medium / Stiff)
Side (Medium / Stiff)

Official ThirtyTwo website: view

These would have to be the meanest set of snowboarding boots I think I have ever seen.

Tags: Snowboard, Boots, Slopes, Mountains, Snow

My next snowboarding trip

For something different instead of just putting up reviews etc.. i decided to post this. If you don't like it thats ok the next posts will be of the usualy topics.

Well im still planning it. When I say planning im still trying to work out what time of year I can afford to go, then what country I will go to.

I have been invited to go back to Switzerland next Christmas which would be great, but I would need to start organizing people to come with me around now.

What are you favourite places to go?

The photo is of me in New Zealand last August which was great. Slopes where good, some great parks, and very very affordable, and I would definitely recommend New Zealand to anyone that needs a quick snow fix like I did.

Top 5 Skiing Destinations:

1. BRECKENRIDGE This is a very popular US resort with British skiers and has a good range of accommodation from self catering condos to hotels.

Official Breckenridge website: view here

2. WHISTLER This is one of the most popular Canadian resorts for British skiers. The ski area is suitable for all standards of skier and has some wonderful off piste skiing if you think you're good enough of course!

Official Whistler website: view here

3. VAL D'ISERE and the ESPACE KILLY area This area in France has been popular with British skiers for many years and as a result, the town has a very British bias with English being spoken in practically every bar and restaurant. The ski area is first rate with more than enough skiing and boarding for several seasons never mind a typical week's holiday!

Official Val D'isere website: view here

4. ST ANTON A traditional Austrian ski town with world class skiing and boarding, it recently hosted the World Championships.

Official St Anton website: view here

5. ZERMATT This resort in Switzerland has beautiful scenery and a very traditional alpine village, with access to a glacier. It is a car free resort, with a large selection of excellent restaurants.

Official Zermatt website: view here

I was able to get this list from the BBC Holiday website.

For those of you who read my more personal blog iBlab you would also know about my new girlfriend, who if I go I will definately want her to come as well. Anyway it is all still down the track. As I said in the opening few lines the posts will return to their original topics by tomorrow.

Tags: Snowboarding, skiing, snow, Travel

Whistler Blackcomb

If you have considered Whistler/Blackcomb but never finalized the decision you have shortchanged yourself. The mountain is huge at 8,171 skiable acres and a 5280 vertical. You might cry when you see it and then you will weep when you have to leave.
Pros

• The size of the mountain and the variety
• Blackcomb Glacier
• The Village

Cons

• Skied out base areas with toasted legs
• Calendars that makes us go back to work
• Rain can dampen the lower mountain

Description

• 2 Mountains 33 lifts, 8171 acres, 5180 vertical, 200+ trails. Why are you still reading this?
• 30 feet of snow annually
• Peak Chair on Whistler for steep, bumped, bowl skiing and Couloir extreme on Blackcomb for fear
• Cruisers off of Solar coaster and excelerator on Blackcomb
• Harmony Express lift on Whistler gets you the trees, the bumps the groomed all in one
• Whistler Kids provides excellent instruction and a ton of fun for the young ones
• The Village for food and nightlife is unlike anything in any ski town in North America
• The U.S. Dollar goes a long way in Canada. More money mean more days skiing.
• Accomodations in the Village afford you the opportunity to stroll after a big meal and great Skiing
• Simply the best place for a ski vacation on the planet

Guide Review - Whistler / Blackcomb: What a big mountain looks like
My days at Whistler always begin with a stroll through the village and they end the exact same way. Aside from that, everything else is different. With 200+ runs you might not ski the same line twice but there are so many epic places to make turns that you inevitably find your happy spot and never go anywhere else. You must however, get over to Blackcomb glacier. Put your skis over your shoulder and hike to the lip of the glacier and take the long 7 mile trip to the bottom. It’s a must to end your day.

Two mountains make things complicated because every morning I have to argue with my husband over which Gondola to take. Do we head to Blackcomb or do we head to Whistler? Let me see do I want the glacier, the chutes, some glades or some wide open groomers?

The on mountain restaurants are incredible and they rival the dozens found in the Village down below where the night can envelope you and carry you to the lift lines in the morning.

Try the early morning fresh tracks option and you get breakfast on the mountain and a shot at the mountain before the rest of the people in line waiting for the first ride to the top.

I could tell you to get to peak chair, harmony express, seventh heaven or the glaciers on Blackcomb, but I won’t. Take a chair to the top and just explore this magnificent mountain for a few days and fall in love with the gentle rises and the abrupt endings.

Official Whistler Blackcomb website: view here

Tags: Mountains, Snow, skiing, Snowboarding, Resorts

How to buy Skis

As many of you can remember the first time you had to buy skis/snowboard was a interesting experience. I know when i first went to purchase my first snowboard i had no clue about length etc... I was lucky i had a good friend of mine that had been snowboarding for years who was able to help me. But for those of you who don't have a good friend that can help you out then this guide is for those who want to buy Skis. I will post one for snowboards soon.

Test before buying
Some shops in the Alps provide a wide range of well-tuned test skis and offer a comprehensive test programme to help you find the ski that suits you. But in many resorts, choice and availability is limited.

So if you do have a local shop that can give you good advice, get down there and sort your kit out before you go on holiday.

Research & Guarantees
Read through every ski test and buyers' guide available. If possible ask your instructor what he/she recommends.

Look out for suitability guarantees, breakage guarantees, price guarantees and childrens' buy-back guarantees.

Din Setting
Ensure the bindings are checked before you leave the shop. The DIN release settings should be adjusted to suit your size, weight and ability.

Advice
Find a shop that listens to you and be honest, so that you buy a ski that suits your style, ability, weight and aggressiveness.

Buying a ski way above your ability will hinder your performance and hurt your pocket.

It's worth remembering that 80% of skiers are intermediates and 80% of those think they are experts.

Length
If in doubt go short. If you go too short, the only loss will be slight instability at higher speed and less flotation off piste.

You will, however, be able to bend the ski with ease, gaining excellent snow contact from tip to tail and consequently improved edge grip.

Bindings & Mountings
Take a boot with you, as this will be needed to mount the skis. The shop should do this free of charge.

Tags: Skiing, snow, Winter, Ski

Top 10 Snow Boarding Web Sites

These have been provided by LoveToKnow.com

Top 10 Snow Boarding Web Sites: Learn >>

1. Snowboarding.com
Yearly events and resorts listings for snowboarders, plus news, photos, videos, forums, and featured snowboarding package trips.

2. Snowboarding: About.com
Terrific resource for beginners details how to determine board size and stance, plus how to tackle your first day on the slopes. Learn the background of the sport and find articles on performance techniques.

3. Snowboarding Reviews
Reviews for snowboarders by snowboarders. Enjoy critiques of such brands as Hammer, Town & Country, Gnu, Airwalk, and many more. Find a buyer's guide and links to online shops.

4. TransWorld Snowboarding
Highly popular magazine's online home offers chapters on instruction, resorts to hit, competitions, and industry news. Buyer's guides, photos, forums, and message boards available.

5. Snowboarding2.com
"Over 2 billion boarders" have dropped by this site since 1998. Access weather reports for popular resorts, performance tips, a history of the sport, pictures, and forums on everything from events to tricks.

6. Snowboarding Tips for Beginners: Wintercream
Quick Find section offers easy access to chapters on basic terminology, how to ride, and necessary equipment. Learn about clothing to wear and dealing with injuries, too.

7. Beginner Snowboarder Tips
Step-by-step instruction in the basics of mastering a snowboard ride. Find info on intermediate and expert tips and a list of well-known snowboarding terms.

8. Snowboarding Technique: Ifyouski.com
Sections on getting started, basic stance, and how to use a ski lift. Eight-step guide to better boarding teaches jumps and 360 spins.

9. History of Snowboarding
Relatively new recreational sport's beginnings and basic how-to can be read. Find forums and awesome action pictures.

10. Google Directory: Snowboard Manufacturers
Connect to the official sites of over three dozen snowboard manufacturers and companies, including K2, Nitro, Elan, and Palmer USA. Check out the related boots and bindings category.

Top 10 Snow Boarding Web Sites: Shop >>

1. Snowboarderstore.com
Find boards, bindings, pants, jackets, goggles and much for sale. View the list of snowboarding retailers and learn how to subscribe to the magazine Snowboarder.

2. WinterSportX Snowboarding
Men's, women's, and children's snowboards for sale. Package deals and a handy manufacturer selector. Protective gear for sale, too.

3. Ski & Snowboard House
Great savings on everything from boards to step-in and traditional bindings. Find fitting guides and learn how to track your order.

4. Burton Snowboards
World's first snowboard company provides a look at its extensive product line, which also includes bindings and boots. Dealer locator allows people to find a nearby shop selling Burton boards.

5. Snowboarding: Amazon.com
Highly trafficked online shop offers great deals on boards, boots, bindings, goggles, helmets, and accessories for snowboarding. Browse by brand and view the day's top sellers.

6. Snowboarding: GearDirect.com
Everything from boards to car racks available for purchase. Closeouts and gift ideas under $50 are great spots for bargain shoppers. Snowboard videos and DVDs for sale too.

7. Snowboarding: eSportingGoodsStore.com
Purchase freestyle, freeride, and women's snowboards, plus all sorts of accessories, like pants, jackets, fleece tops, boots, socks, and step-in bindings.

8. The-House Discount Snowboarding Shop
Clearance page offers amazing deals on boards, boots, outerwear, and bindings. Check out info on free bonuses available with certain purchases. Order by phone or online.

9. Snowboarding Retailers: Yahoo! Directory
Listed alphabetically as well as according to popularity. Direct access to Balmoral Boards, Shoreline, and Flow USA. Find additional snowboarding products and resources.

10. Snowboarding Books: Barnes & Noble
Access reviews, used and new prices, and shipping info for a wide variety of books on boarding, including The Illustrated Guide to Snowboarding.

Tags: Snowboarding, Websites, Snow, Winter

Top sports mp3 players

Need some tunes while snowboarding, skiing or doing what ever tickles your fancy, then we have found the list of the top mp3 players for sports thanks to About, we have also added our best which we reviewed previously to the list.

In no particular order:

1) Rio Forge Series
The Rio Forge is encased in rubber and easily graspable. It integrates a stainless steel face plate for durability for its 128, 256 and 512 MB flash memory models. Storage can further be expanded up to 1 GB of MP3 or WMA music files via an internal memory card slot. The Rio Forge supports Audible audio book files, offers quick USB 2.0 file transfers, runs for up to 20 hours on a AAA battery, has a built in FM tuner and recorder and offers gym friendly features like a stopwatch and lap timer.

2) Creative Muvo Micro C100
Creative’s Muvo Micro C100 sports player offers 256 MB of internal flash memory and a SD/MMC memory card slot to hold MP3 and WMA music files. The player is housed in a rugged case and is splash proof. It offers support for quick USB 2.0 file transfers, drag and drop of files, a five band equalizer, blue backlit LCD, FM radio and up to 18 hours of play on a AAA battery. The main feature for the sports minded is the stopwatch, which includes a lap-timer, split-timer and countdown timer.

3) Samsung Yepp Sport YP-60V
This tiny 1.53” x 3.66” x 0.66” 256MB Samsung Yepp offers a variety of health tracking features, including heart rate monitor, calorie counter and stop watch. Capable of playing up to 15 hours on a rechargeable battery, the YP-60V supports MP3 and WMA music files. It’s equipped with an FM tuner and recorder and can double as a file storage device. Sound can be enhanced via simulated surround sound. An arm band is included in the package.

4) Rio Cali Series
Rio’s Cali is encased in a rubber design which can easily be gripped. It has 128MB or 256MB flash memory options, expandable to 1GB via expansion cards. Ear clip style headphones and an armband with carrying case come standard. Sound control can be enhanced with a five-band equalizer. Other features include an FM tuner and integrated stopwatch with lap timer. The Cali’s semi-circular design measures 2.5” x 2.6” x 0.8” and weighs 1.8 oz. It can play up to 18 hours of music on one AAA battery.

5) Nike Philips MP3Run
The Nike Philips MP3Run has 256 MB of internal flash memory to hold MP3 and WMA music files. Like other athletic type players, it is housed in a protective casing and offers an easy to read LCD. It has a rechargeable battery which provides up to 12 hours. Athletes will like the wireless Bluetooth pedometer which sends time, distance and pace data to the player that can be logged to a computer to track overall progress, on demand audio voice of the data being recorded and integrated stopwatch.

6) Creative Nomad Muvo² X-Trainer
This sports version of Creative’s Nomad player line is a bright yellow square, flavored in 512MB and 1GB internal flash memory configurations. The X-Trainer is protected by a durable rubber case and comes with an armband as well as a USB 2.0 cable for speedy MP3 and WMA music file transfers. It can playback up to 16 hours continuously on a rechargeable battery, also acting as a device for carrying any type of file. Customized sound control is available via a 4-band equalizer.

7) Oakley Thump2
The world’s first digital music eyewear is now available in a new design with the option of even greater memory. Built around the hard-edged style of our GASCAN™ eyewear, THUMP 2™ offers memory storage up to 1 gigabyte.

Tags: MP3 Player, mp3-player, sports, snow, Snowboarding, skiing

Design your own snowboard

This is a fantastic idea. Have you ever wanted to build your own board, with your own look & feel. Well know you can thanks to the people at Revolution.
I have not actually purchased one yet however i did play around with it when i first saw this about 2 - 3 months ago.

It allows you to upload your own photos as well as pick the top and bottom colours. There are also pre-made patterns and things like that.

Im not sure of the quality of the board but its a novel way of having a custom board.

Tags: Snowboard, Snow

Salomon 450

Now in its fourth season making snowboards, Salomon's entry into this industry was much like its entry to the skiing scene. The company's innovative designs and performance turned some heads and stoked some fires. This year's line-up includes the 250, 350, 450, 550, and a pro model series. Using input from pro riders, and with a thorough R&D team, the engineers at Salomon build rock-solid performance snowboards.

Lighter and snappier are two terms you can't shake from today's snowboard industry lexicon. It seems like every manufacturer has attempted to decrease weight while increasing board response. But many have failed, leaving a board that can't make it through a season. Salomon has managed to keep weight low and board integrity high and the 450 series proves this.

This line utilizes Salomon's patented "unibody" construction in which the wood core, fiberglass, a seamless 360º edge and multi-directional dampeners all run from the tip to the tail and perform as one unit, allowing for consistent flex. The tip and tail also have fiber crosses added to increase stability and place more power to the rails. While excess weight is kept to a minimum, the board never feels unstable or weak and at speed it holds an edge extremely well. The 450 series is designed for an aggressive freerider who wants a board that turns effortlessly and is built to last. It can also handle both riders who likes to jump off the huge kickers at the local terrain park and disciplined carvers alike.

"The toe-to-heel interface gives remarkable edge-to-edge response, allowing for quick maneuvering in tight situations, such as trees and bumps...."

Tags: Salomon, Snowboard, Winter, snow

Arbor Freeride

The Formula is a versatile All-Mountain board for riders looking for something straight " fun to ride" it's designed to be stable, controllable , and easy to turn. Its targeted Koa inlay reduces vibration, creating a smooth, clean ride. Built with an eye toward value, the formula is a durable, well built board that's priced right. The boards in the Inlaid Collection have targeted, real-wood deck inlays. The die-cut inlays are designed to enhance the boards flex pattern and ride characteristics. Each inlay functions like integrated carbon fiber, allowing for precise improvements to the way a board responds. This process allows us to design to the demands created by specific riding styles. Recommended Use: All Mountain Board Base: XTRD BASE - A durable, user friendly UHMW extruded compound that is light, easy to repair, and quick across the snow. Core: FULL-LENGTH WOOD CORE - A light, clean foundation for a smooth, even flex pattern. Construction: SIDEWALL CONSTRUCTION - ISODUR 2000 - Delivers lasting durability and improved edge control with an advanced ABS material. Stance: N/A PROGRESSIVE (BI-RADIAL) SIDECUT;Gloss/Matte Top - Design aspect that adds dimension by blending gloss elements with matte backgrounds.

Tags: Snowboard, Snow, Mountains

Red Board Lock

The Red Board Lock will ward off board-nappers. The recoiling cable with adjustable combo lock wraps around the board, through the bindings, to the ski rack. While we would recommend leaving your board tied up overnight, at lunch-time, it will deter thieves from grabbing it and nonchalantly walking away. The Board Lock's clean, low profile design fits neatly into your pocket. You love your board, so protect it.

Bottom Line: Don't let your baby get abducted.

Tags: Snowboard, Snow, Equipment

Oakley Thump 2

Thought i would change the subject a bit off the run down of top 10 snowboards, and move to something that can be used in all snow sports, along with all other snow sports.

No doubt most of you would have come across these, while flicking through mags or surfing the net. So here is a bit of information that maybe you hadn't thought about looking at. The first Thump series didn't really carry enough onboard space, and with no expansion slots it really wasn't worth it. I haven't been able to test the sound quality or anything for that matter, as i alread have an mp3 player and am not about to go by another one, so if Oakley would like to send me one to review properly then i would be more then happy to, but i can't see that happening.

Anyway to the info.

Specifications:
High Definition Optics® (HDO®) combines patented optics, 100% UV filtering, and unsurpassed impact protection.

The world’s first digital music eyewear is now available in a new design with the option of even greater memory. Built around the hard-edged style of our GASCAN™ eyewear, THUMP 2™ offers memory storage up to 1 gigabyte. That’s 240 songs in a fully integrated design that frees you from dangling cords and wires. Listen to music virtually anywhere with speaker booms that adjust easily for a customized fit, and just swing them out of the way when you need to hear your environment. For all-day comfort, the durable frame is made of lightweight O MATTER®. Patented XYZ OPTICS® extends clarity to the lens periphery, allowing for contours that open peripheral vision.

1 GB / 512 MB / 256 MB

• Absolute music freedom with no wires or cords to dangle or tangle
• Store up to 240 songs on the 1 GB version, up to 120 songs on the 512 MB version, or up to 60 songs on the 256 MB version
• Solid-state NAND flash memory with no moving parts
• Up to 6 hours of playback time on a single charge
• Three-color indicator light to show battery level
• 75MHz DSP with 18-bit Sigma Delta DAC for state-of-the-art audio fidelity
• Custom Mylar speakers with three directions of movement for precise positioning
• Patented XYZ OPTICS® for razor sharp clarity at all angles of vision, even at lens periphery
• Lens contours that maximize protection against sun, wind and side impact
• PLUTONITE® lens material to filter out 100% of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light
• Durable and lightweight O MATTER® frame material
• Supports storage of data files along with song files
• Includes High Speed USB cable for transferring song files from Mac* or Windows PC
• Prescription ready
• For more information on Oakley THUMP 2, please call 1.800.625.539

*Note: Songs transferred to iTunes from CDs are in the .m4a file format, which is compatible with THUMP 2. Songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store are in the m4p format and are not compatible with THUMP 2 because Apple reserves that format for iPod use only.

View Oakley Thump 2 website.

Tags: mp3, Music, mp3, mp3 players, snow, skiing, Snowboarding, Skiing, Sports