Whoa! I guess I missed this blurb in all the excitement. No! Don't do it! And here's why:

Now I know that you said this will be your 4th season & that you're hoping to work on your carving, but I'm guessing you'll quickly "outgrow" the place. I don't hate Boreal or anything. I actually think it's really convenient for certain riders & skiers. For instance, it's great for park rats; families since it's small & easy to get to (but I think Soda Springs is much better for the family who only goes once a year & don't have any real "die-hards" in their group); or even if you're experienced (but not looking for a lotta freeriding that day) & wanted to bring some 1st-timers to take lessons & such. Understand that these last two examples are occasions to visit once or twice a year. I've actually done the last scenario w/ a bunch of co-workers "popping their snow cherries" & it worked out great w/ our wide mix of skill levels for that particular trip. Imho, only park rats benefit by getting the season pass.

So I'm assuming that you're looking @Boreal's Anytime Pass for $399 b/c you're also looking at the most bang for the buck, right? Basing this on ridable/skiable acreage only (since size does matter ), your $399 on 380 acres costs you $1.05/acre. Now I realize that you're coming fr: north of the Gate & that you probably hop onto 80 just north of my hood (Bankrupt City ), so north Tahoe is preferable. But if that's not a huge factor for you like it isn't for me (well... not major enough to make me not want to go to Kirkwood or Bear Valley via Hwy 12 to begin my trip east), then there are better options for you.

Now I'm gonna base these pass prices on the "Holiday blackout" ones b/c why would you bother going during the most crowded times (unless you were guaran-damn-teed fresh lines all day long), right?

* Sierra@Tahoe only 7-Day Pass (not the Double Whammy) costs $299 for 2000 acres... FIFTEEN cents/acre!!!

* The Double Whammy (for both Northstar's & Sierra's 4480 total acres) costs $379 for the Value Pass (7-Days @Sierra, Sun thru Fri only @N*... believe me this is a good thing to avoid Saturdays there) for less than NINE cents/acre! Even the Limited Pass, which includes Sat's @N* for $499, comes to just over ELEVEN cents/acre!

* Kirkwood's 7Wood is $439. On their 2300 acres, this is NINTEEN cents/acre!

* Sugar Bowl's Slightly Restricted is $529 to slide on their 1500 acres. At $0.35/acre, this still beats Boreal! Plus, this is essentially in their neighborhood.

Yeah, there are many other factors to weigh. And most people divide the cost of a pass by the number of days they need to go to break even had they just walked up to the ticket window "X" number of times. I look a li'l further. Considering the economic climate, who isn't trying to stretch their hard-earned dollars?

Will you be able to take advantage of all the terrain these resorts have to offer? Probably not immediately, but you'll have more terrain to move into as you progress every week. I don't call it "BoringHill" for nothing.

Sorry this is so verbose, but it's just one fanatic trying to take care of another. I'm sure some of the other "vets" might agree w/ some of my schpiel.

 

Ray...the Twinza is a 161 in actual length...This is a true powder board dude...just like the burton fish...you will be blow away on how it rides/floats on powder without any extra pressure on your back foot. No more cramping up on the back trying to keep the nose up and the heavy/slow turning of a big board...I'm telling you...this would be your only board on a powder day! Buy my Fish 160 for 150bucks and if you don't like it after your 1st day of use I'll buy it back at full sale price!

And you would be fine on the Twinza "159" if you got one of those too but you'll pay more than twice the price of the Fish

 

Doubly whammy ftw - you get the best of North Lake and South Lake for an awesome price

 

I just really like the all mountain abilities of the duo. I don't ride park but hell. I just wish they'd release a 162 or 163 so I could get a direct replacement for my current 163.

I could sell my GLX 166 and buy a twinza. Be weird riding a shorter board on big pow days than I do on average days. Seriously... if it said 162 on there I'd be all up on it. haaaa.

Gotta remember dude... I outweigh you buy like 30 pounds. Trying to change that. Hopefully I'll be about 225 when season gets rolling. But I'm not gonna bank on it.

You still able to get boards? Last time I just banked on what you told me and ended up with two boards I'm in love with.

You think the twinza could take over for the GLX limited as my deep pow board? I ride the 163 duo like 90% of the time. Basically anything under 18 inches of fresh.

I like the fish boards. Good board.

I'm just scared of boards under 160 these days. haaa. I have my burton cascade 159 and that was suppose to rip in the pow but it sank like no other. Rips for guys under about 180.

 

i feel you on the weight part. i put on a bunch right before last season (and a little this season as well). but, the best part is doing squats and jumping squats to get ready for the season.

good example is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lPrU5msoeg

do these every morning or evening until it hurts, and by the time you are sliding down that powder you will feel much stronger and will last longer.

 

So on a 160 Fish...it floats like a 166 but turns like a 160...dude it's amazing really. The only thing is its meant to be ridden in one direction...so if you ride around switch a lot in powder then not a good choice.

So I don't know if the Twinza could take the place of the GLX but the Fish 160 could for a pow board (deep or not).

 

+1
boreal is fun ,but after my 2nd or 3rd day i feel the run is too fast. on other places they have longer runs and they have park too

 

Yeah! Bottom line: I'm almost 100% sure he'll quickly outgrow "BoringHill."

Ain't Tahoe great that we have so many choices?

 

hmmmmm.....

I don't ride switch much. It's usually the kind of deal where I'll come in to a drop switch every now and again or switch up to switch to avoid something every now and again.

I used to ride a burton air man... square tail. So I was pretty set in my non switch riding by the time riding switch got big. haaaa.

 

Check out these two vids...

1st one is a guy I know "Ian" from Burton (Rep) Ian - Burton Rep

And this one with a guy riding one.

2009 Fish

 

Hell, if I was as burly as y'all, I take the deal on the Fish. Lance is guaran-DAMN-tee'ing that you'll love it by offering to buy it back if unsatisfied!

Also, w/ the 159 Duo or Twinza... if they offered say a 162, you're only getting just over an inch more of effective edge & maybe 12-15 sq. in. of more float. Now if you were looking for a something closer to a "two-size" difference, then it's more of a big deal.

For instance, my scrawny @$$ can't feel the difference from going fr: my trusty 152 to the 149 I have. But a 144? In the immortal words of Gov. Palin... "You betcha!" I'd be more concerned w/ diff. in flex & torsional stiffness than 3 or 4 cm.

 

I'm interested in that new channel set up burton has. I really wouldn't mind getting in to a fish or a Malolo.

Fish looks like fun in the pow. That video of the dude riding it... looked more like it was super floaty... more surf motion. Instead of just really cutting it up. Interesting.

 

When we get in the powder I can WAY tell the difference between my old 159 and my current 163 and 166 rides. The difference from the 163 to the 166 only noticeable in the real deep stuff or the slower wetter stuff.

 

what would be a good mountain to run that isnt hella advanced.

for example Squaw is way too much for me. I have been once and didnt enjoy myself, too many hella steep dives and all in all didnt have a ton of fun, i must say though it was an icy day that day.

#2 i havent really gotten bored of boreal yet, plus its closest to me. you gotta remember I am way up here in the upper northbay.

Bascially this is what I am looking for.

Something with "flatter" long runs. I am sure you have been to boreal. I cant recall the name off hand but you know that run to the very far left (if you are looking at the mountain) that is perfect. It has a couple steep dives but manageable, gradual down slope though, although the end of that run sucks. (obviously i want something deeper than the bunny they have there).

Also it has to be within a half hour give or take of boreal. it take sme about 3-31/2 hours to get to boreal. with non-****ty roads.

And season pass max $400. I know they are out there but i have only been to a few mountains. I kinda liked heavenly but my bindings broke halfway through the day so i didnt get to see all of it i wanted too, and that was a scrounge for cash trip so i couldnt buy replcements that day.

The distance isnt such a big deal, I am def willing to drive a lil further for a good run. but i dont wanna by a pass to a place i may not like. I guess in a way til i get better, someplace like boreal just a lot more space. let me know. i am def up for options

 

Nah, I hear your concern, Ray. Obviously, there is a difference when it's Dave Chappelle (me a la crackhead Tyrone Biggums) and Charlie Murphy (you ) riding boards sized up for their weight & smashing down Home Run or Snow Valley.