2019 WNY Snowboarding Recap

[2kwik4u]

Tagging in some other interested partings from the other thread @YoDaddy292 @Thermobrett @Coult45 @AZMark

Building off these posts, thought I should start a new thread.

Post in thread 'Show us what you see!!!'

Feb 2, 2025

Took the oldest to go snowboarding. Kissing Bridge is only about 30min from the house. Was a decently warm day (around 25), and it dumped an extra 6in or so on us while we were there.

$55/EA got us both a 90min lesson, boots, boards, and helmets. Spent another 3hrs or so on the bunny slopes afterwards. I've been riding a wakeboard for decades now, this was weirdly different. The whole "standing on a board that's sliding" is the same, but weight placement and turning is pretty different. After the first lesson I had it pretty figured out, but I need a LOT of practice before we graduate off...

• 2kwik4u

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Post in thread 'Show us what you see!!!'

Feb 10, 2025

Took the oldest to go snowboarding. Kissing Bridge is only about 30min from the house. Was a decently warm day (around 25), and it dumped an extra 6in or so on us while we were there.

$55/EA got us both a 90min lesson, boots, boards, and helmets. Spent another 3hrs or so on the bunny slopes afterwards. I've been riding a wakeboard for decades now, this was weirdly different. The whole "standing on a board that's sliding" is the same, but weight placement and turning is pretty different. After the first lesson I had it pretty figured out, but I need a LOT of practice before we graduate...

• 2kwik4u

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Oldest and I went back for more punishment yesterday. We did SIGNIFICANTLY better this time than last we went out. Nothing really new this time except we've been watching about 600 million YouTube videos on "how to" with variations on staying up to learning the basics, etc. We managed to have several "clean" runs where we didn't crash on accident. I'm still calling a purposeful "take a break" moment a crash, and if you saw me sit down with a board attached to my feet you would understand why.

For me, the big wins were accepting "some" speed on the flat areas between slopes and transitioning around the lifts. With my neck injury I'm far more afraid of crashing than I probably should be. I'm sure this leads to me being overly stiff, and not flowing as well as I could. It also leads me to not going nearly fast enough most of the time. I've put our ride data from my watch down below. If you look at the final runs (run2), my max speed was barely breaking 20mph. I'm sure this is exceptionally slow, as even the 13yr old was nearing 30mph a few times. Catching an edge just has me spooked, badly. With that said I worked diligently on transitioning from heel side to toe side. I ride left foot forward, and coming "over the top", on the left side of the slope, to then lean on my toes feels quite awkward and unnatural. I managed a few time, and I can reasonably descend either way now. I'm still having to "pick my moments" though on the transition back over to heel side, and won't transition on a steep section. Just adds more speed than I like now, and feels overly risky. I'm sure a few more trips and I would have really gotten comfortable.

The oldest has taken to it like a duck to water. He only fell a couple of times all day, and really had a good time. His balance is coming along great, and he's definitely NOT afraid to go fast. He waited for me at the bottom on every single run. Even though I was faster in the transitions, he has more confidence on the steep bits, and just rockets past me. The more important thing here is that I don't have to beg him to participate. He's willing coming along, and actually says he enjoys it. Total dad moment here, but the chair lift conversations were a rare glimpse into his life that I don't usually get. I suspect this will get worse and worse as he gets older. That alone is worth the 16 Advil I've had since noon yesterday, and the giant bruise on my leg from the chair lift gigging me once.

I did snap some pictures of the rental equipment. Hoping others here can tell me if it's good/bad/otherwise. The resort offers "seasonal" rentals for $190/season. So I could ride this setup all next season, however they ask that the equipment "stays with them" so I can't try other resorts. There are some other local board shops that have similar seasonal rental prices, however you take the equipment home with you. I'm thinking that's the way to go, so we can try other locations. HOWEVER, I went ahead and bought season passes for Kissing Bridge for next season. They were having a "spring sale" where a normally $899 unlimited pass was marked down to $399, AND we could use it through the rest of this year. Seemed like a REALLY steep discount, so I went ahead and got them. It's only 30min from the house, so we can ride in the evenings as well as the weekend next winter.

Here's the rental gear:


Didn't snap a picture of the boots. Whoops. Any thoughts on rental equipment?

Weather predictions are in the 60's and 70's for next weekend (and I'll be in Jacksonville anyway), then continued 50's from there, so I'm 99% certain this is our last trip this season. Really wish we would have tried this sooner in the season this year. They have been open since just after Thanksgiving, and we didn't go until the beginning of February. Missed at least 2mo of riding there, and I'm sure we would have progressed quite a bit more. Oh well, we know better now. Feel like we've got a good new hobby for us in the winter now as well. Hopefully this will keep us fit in the off season.

Now to transition the boy from a snowboard to a wakeboard. I think I have a chance since he finally realizes what it's like to slide around on a board.

Garmin Connect Data
Last time - First time out on the "big hills" riding a chair lift, etc. - Concord Resort Snowboarding
Run 1 - Forgot to start on the 1st run, started at top of lift - Kissing Bridge Snowboard
Run2 - After lunch - Kissing Bridge Snowboard
Run 3 - Watch in G's Pocket - Kissing Bridge Snowboard

 

[zipper]

Here's the rental gear:


Didn't snap a picture of the boots. Whoops. Any thoughts on rental equipment?

Now to transition the boy from a snowboard to a wakeboard. I think I have a chance since he finally realizes what it's like to slide around on a board.

Garmin Connect Data
Last time - First time out on the "big hills" riding a chair lift, etc. - Concord Resort Snowboarding
Run 1 - Forgot to start on the 1st run, started at top of lift - Kissing Bridge Snowboard
Run2 - After lunch - Kissing Bridge Snowboard
Run 3 - Watch in G's Pocket - Kissing Bridge Snowboard

Get some Sex Wax for you and your son, a few gouges need filling... Sexwax Snowboard Wax | SBWX | Mr. Zog's Surfboard Wax

 

[2kwik4u]

Get some Sex Wax for you and your son, a few gouges need filling... Sexwax Snowboard Wax | SBWX | Mr. Zog's Surfboard Wax

I'll keep this in mind for next year. This was rental gear, so the resort maintains them. We picked up at the beginning of our day, and returned before we left.

 

[zipper]

I'll keep this in mind for next year. This was rental gear, so the resort maintains them. We picked up at the beginning of our day, and returned before we left.

I chose that brand just to get your attention, lol. Plenty of other generic wax available to apply to the bottom. I used to resurface my gouged skies by dripping on, scrapping and ironing out plastic material as gouges will happen and they were my rock skies. Dripping wax on minor scratches and ironing it out is something I did frequently when I skied alot. I have a special iron for this.

 

[AZMark]

That “all mountain” board and binding seem fine for your current ability and learning curve.

It does look a little dry and dinged up but fresh wax will make you go faster on those heel to toe transitions.

It’s awesome that your kid is loving it. Good family activity that lasts beyond childhood.

 

[WiskyDan]

Glad that you and your son are enjoying your time on the snow!!

As for the rental gear, Rossignol makes pretty good stuff and the plus for a resorts rental fleet is the board has the rubber edge guards on tip/tail which make the board more durable. This is what I found on the board:

“Rossignol's EXP Snowboard is a directional all-mountain ripper that is playful enough to butter around, but it can blast through choppy snow with authority too. Its directionality comes from a nose that is softer than its tail. Camber underfoot gives a sure footing for charging. Rockered nose and tail add float and maintain playful feel. This is a great beginer board but riders of any ability level will find something to like about this board.”

Sounds like it’s mid-flex which and has camber under foot and rocker in the nose/tail which is good. Lots of rental fleets use mainly softer rocker boards which make it easier to learn on beginner terrain but harder to progress once you get the hang of it. What boot size do you wear? They gave you a “Wide” (waist) version of the EXP which they usually do for larger boot sizes (size 11’ish and up) so you don’t have your boots over-hanging the edges of the board. If they just gave you what they had left, and your boot size isn’t 11+, it will make turning more difficult. At the beginner level, bindings are pretty much bindings so the rentals should be fine.

While we’re on the subject of boots, it would be good to know what they gave you. Boots are the most important part of a setup at any level and you may want to consider buying a good pair and rent the board/bindings - just my .02c.

I’m in Lake Tahoe this week and it looks like a late season dump is on its way for tonight through Thursday - we may be stuck here past Friday.