questions about Burton boards

[Ray(ottawa)]

From the number of Burton Alps that appear on e-bay, it must have been a popular board. Would it be an appropriate board to recommend to someone wanting to get into alpine gear? I have experience with the FP, UP and the Wire but not the Alp. Also, Burton made a board called the Coil that looks the same as the Wire, does anyone know what the differences are. Thanks guys.

[Jack Michaud]

The Alp (the symmetrical ones anyway) would be good for a light to average weight beginner. Heavyweights should look elsewhere. The Alp and Coil were quite different. The Coil was an all-mountain carver with a round tail and more nose. The Alp was a softer, wider, kinder, gentler race shape with a square tail and less nose than the Coil.

[Derf]

I just got a used Alp this year, but I have not ridden it yet. From what I read, the Alp is an easy going, forgiving board. Some consider it too soft, but I have also read that the 171 (the one I got) is much stiffer and carves well. So in essence, it would be good for starting, but may be limited if you really want to carve hard. The Alp should feel in between the Wire and the UP.

The Coil looks like a Wire, but it is a renaming of the Alp with a rounder tail.

Edit: Jack may be right (I saw his message after I posted mine since we posted at the same time). On paper, the geometry is the same, but they may ride different.

[bobdea]

you can EC on a alp 171 pretty easily.....
good beginner deck since it's forgiving but will still lay out a nice turn if you press on it

[Derf]

you can EC on a alp 171 pretty easily.....
good beginner deck since it's forgiving but will still lay out a nice turn if you press on it

I can't wait to try!:biggthump

I we could only get some snow here...:(

[bobdea]

in soft snow the nose can fold on you easily
other than that they are not as bad you'd think