Monarch Invasion

[D.T.]

A bunch of us are headed to Monarch. Anyone in the area (tpalka, Lisa...), please join us!

Concussed, Inkaholic, Shelly, and I arrive the evening of the Feb. 28th and ride 29th, 1st, 2nd. It is reported that big mario will ride at least one of the days (1st?) with pcdenver possible making a cameo appearance as well.

[newcarver]

I could probably make one of those days. I think Fri the 29th is open for me. Hope I'll have some hardboots by then. I bought some from a guy in CAN and should have them by then. I am new to carving so hope you don't mind having a newbie tag along and get pointers.

[D.T.]

hope you don't mind having a newbie tag along and get pointers.Newbies are always welcome:biggthump

[RDY_2_Carve]

Marking the Calander!

Will work on the kitchen pass for Sat+Sun.

Worst case I will be there on Saturday.

Party at Tom's house? ;)

Also get with Tom as he knows a couple Hotel owners in Salida.

[RDY_2_Carve]

I will probaly have two softbooters in tow (bro-in-law and best friend).

Oddly enough this just showed up in my inbox:

Monarch Mountain Extends Season

Monarch adds another week to 2007-08 ski season.

Monarch, CO. Monarch Mountain has announced that the 2007-08 season closing date has been moved to April 13, 2008. Scheduled closing had been April 6, 2008 but due to a record amount of snowfall in December and January the season has been extended. Total snowfall for the two month period has been more than 259 inches.

Monarch opened for the season on December 8, 2007 with a 51 inch mid-mountain base depth and is currently reporting a 100 inch base depth. “We opened late this year missing Thanksgiving but we have more than made up for the late start” said Greg Ralph, Monarch Marketing Director. “We are going to add 7 days to the end of our season, we missed 16 days early, it sends a good message to our season pass holders that we are committed to giving them as much skiing as possible” added Ralph.

Being located on top of the Continental Divide in the center of Colorado Monarch averages an annual snowfall of over 350 inches. This season is on track to exceed all records in Monarch’s 69 year operating history. Having received over 332 inches so far this season Monarch’s management is confident that the area will have great conditions through mid-April. “Traditionally our snowiest months are still ahead of us” said Ralph.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___





TWO PEOPLE EAT…ONLY ONE PAYS
AT THE WEST END CAFÉ!
Special offer for Monarch Mountain season pass holders…buy any breakfast, lunch or dinner entrée and get a second entrée of equal or lesser value free by showing your 2007-2008 season pass.
OFFER VALID THROUGH THE END OF THE SEASON
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___


FREE HOT WAX!
Yep. All Day. Every Day.
Brought to you by Headwaters Outdoor Equipment
Salida's Premier Ski & Snowboard
Tuning & Service Shop

[inkaholic]

Besides carving boards we will all be bringing the BIG Tankers and Dupraz to play in all the soft stuff that the SW has been receiving. Should be fun and yes, newbies are welcome to get pointers.

Ink

I can't wait.

[newcarver]

Ink, Can I try out your Dupraz:D I am really considering purchasing one next season. Would love to test ride one before commiting.

[D.T.]

Ink, Can I try out your Dupraz:D I am really considering purchasing one next season. Would love to test ride one before commiting.Ink actually has a 200cm Tanker. The Dupraz belongs to Shelly and it is the 5'5" variety (not 6'). I'll see if she will play nice-nice, but it's questionable, at this point anyway, because the board only has a total of 3 hours ride time since new.

[RDY_2_Carve]

Couple recently aquired boards I will be bringing:

Coiler 172 AM-T (7.3 +3 Stiffness built for my 170lbs)
Palmer 164 Channel (Titanium/Carbon BX)

You might have to pry the Coiler from my dead hands though for a demo...

[inkaholic]

Ink, Can I try out your Dupraz:D I am really considering purchasing one next season. Would love to test ride one before commiting.

As DT said, I ride the 200 tanker. I will however talk to Bola at All Boards Sports and see if I can bring a demo Dupraz with me. I am curious too and would like to try one.

What is your weight and size? Bola will need to know if a D1+ or D1++ is needed but I don't know if he has any ++ in the demo fleet.

Ink

[newcarver]

I'm 5'9", 160 lbs, size 26.5 boot. Does Bola ever sell any of his demo fleet? I am interested in the 5'5" board possibly for soft boot use, or maybe for everything if it as fun as their web site videos look. If you could bring a demo that would totaly rock! I'll gladly buy you a beer or 2.

[inkaholic]

I'm 5'9", 160 lbs, size 26.5 boot. Does Bola ever sell any of his demo fleet? I am interested in the 5'5" board possibly for soft boot use, or maybe for everything if it as fun as their web site videos look. If you could bring a demo that would totaly rock! I'll gladly buy you a beer or 2.

I will talk to Bola and see what I can come up (down) with for you.

Aloha,
Ink

[D.T.]

I will talk to Bola and see what I can come up (down) with for you.We at least need a + if not a ++ since Bola wants us to make the switch from Tankers to the Dupraz





























One of each would be even better!
:D

[inkaholic]

We at least need a + if not a ++ since Bola wants us to make the switch from Tankers to the Dupraz :D

I already said that I would see what I can do. Geez.

Anyway, I could probably get away with the + if I don't use my legs to push too much. But I'm not so sure that you could. Heh heh heh (insert emoticon here)

Ink

[tpalka]

Very cool -- I look forward to riding with you all again! We'll be there...

tom.

[inkaholic]

It looks like I will have at least one dupraz to bring along. Probably a 5'5 D1 and we will see if one or both of the others in Bola's demo fleet free up. More info on that later.

Ink

[newcarver]

Awesome:biggthump Can't wait to try it out. Will definitly determine if I splurge for one next season.

[RDY_2_Carve]

Any chance we can get a Donek Razor (the softboot one)? :)

[inkaholic]

Any chance we can get a Donek Razor (the softboot one)? :)

Bola is a busy man so I haven't been in touch with him much in a couple weeks, SES and moving stores, but I will see what I can do on that request. I don't recall seeing one in the demo fleet.

Ink

[RDY_2_Carve]

Bola is a busy man so I haven't been in touch with him much in a couple weeks, SES and moving stores, but I will see what I can do on that request. I don't recall seeing one in the demo fleet.

Ink

No worries either way. Assuming it's not a powder day I'll have trouble getting off my 172 AM-T anyways.

JPW

[inkaholic]

We may have another rippa from NM coming for Sunday. NJB is going to let me know later this week.

Rdy2carve, if you get a chance ride with NJB, do so, he has skills even if he doesn't ride very often anymore.

Ink

[RDY_2_Carve]

We may have another rippa from NM coming for Sunday. NJB is going to let me know later this week.

Rdy2carve, if you get a chance ride with NJB, do so, he has skills even if he doesn't ride very often anymore.

Ink

Who is this phantom NJB guy?

Where does he reside? Why haven't I heard of him before?

PM me any contact info if possible. Or let him know I'm at Angel Fire every Sunday.

[inkaholic]

Who is this phantom NJB guy?

Where does he reside? Why haven't I heard of him before?

PM me any contact info if possible. Or let him know I'm at Angel Fire every Sunday.

Former athlete of mine.

Not sure of residential location.

He operates under the radar.

He now knows you ride AF every Sunday.

I emailed him to contact you through BOL.

Hope you have a sighting or make contact with another carver in NM. Did you ever hear from my friend Pat? I think he has only made it out once this season.

See you soon. I can't wait for this trip!

Ink

[RDY_2_Carve]

Hope you have a sighting or make contact with another carver in NM. Did you ever hear from my friend Pat? I think he has only made it out once this season.

See you soon. I can't wait for this trip!

Ink

Interesting...

So that makes six NM carvers I've "heard" of counting me. Damion and Mark J are the only ones I've ever ridden with though. Bamboo Girl would be the 3rd but she's not even on plates yet (she's a BOL member).

Total number of HB riders I've ridden with this season: 2

Quadrupling that number on March 1st: Priceless

;)

[tpalka]

I went to Monarch this morning and thought I'd give you a heads-up on current conditions.

We had 2" fresh last night, 7" over past 48 hours. Snow was a bit soft for carving, at least anything other than just riding the sidecut. Some nice freshies in the trees, but my 4WD is in for repairs and I was on a metal WCR, so I stuck to the piste.

It was crowded. I was there at 9am in time for the 4th chair, and by 10am the parking lot was full and slopes were getting a bit crowded. Perhaps the Mtn Dew Vert Challenge could be to blame?

Anyways, keep an eye for conditions next weekend, and regardless of the snow do plan on starting to ride early!

Let me know which is your first day of riding, would love to join you,

tom.

[D.T.]

Let me know which is your first day of riding, would love to join youI'll e-mail you my phone #. Shelly and I arrive Thursday night. Friday morning we'll eat breakfast, walk the dogs, then be on the mountain.

[big mario]

Day shot from denver sat, hoping for clear roads thru southpark sat morning.
mario

[RDY_2_Carve]

Kitchen pass is a go for 3/1.

I would stay for 3/2 as well but my brother-in-law is flying in from Tampa that same weekend. My wife was being nice letting me go 3/1 so I'm not complaining.

So it'll be myself +1 (best friend who rides softies) for Saturday. I'll bring the 3CCD camcorder for some video and I'll see if my best friend will take on that duty so we all can ride!

What's the gameplan for meeting spot, etc? Tom any suggestions? I assume the lifts start at 9am?

Pray for firm cord!

JPW

[tpalka]

John -- it'll be great to see you again! Glad you can make it.

As far as the meeting place goes, I think that it might make the most sense to just do a few runs under the Garfield lift. It's the left-most one as looking from the parking lot at the mountain. The runs Romp (or Upper Tango if groomed) leading to Sidewinder with the run-out back to the lift are pretty good for spotting other riders. Lifts open at 9.

http://www.skimonarch.com/images/Monarch-trail-map.gif

I'll try to hook up with DT and Shelly for riding on Friday, hopefully I can skip work for a few hours in the morning. DT -- I got your email and will reply shortly!

tom.

[inkaholic]

Janet and I arrive Thursday evening and will also be riding Friday with DT and Shelly. Tom, can't wait to see and ride with you again.

As for the Dupraz: I will be bringing a 5'5", a 6' D1 and a 6' D1+. THANKS BOLA for allowing me to bring these down for us to test out.

See you all real soon.

Powder, powder, powder, powder, powder, powder, powder! Oh yeah, and a little bit of firm cord if I have too.

Ink

[RDY_2_Carve]

As of right now it looks like cord on Fri/Sat with powder a possiblity on Sun. Of course this may change as we get closer...

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/7185/monarchmonxf3.png

[newcarver]

I'll be going for the day on Fri. Will be driving from Montrose so hope to make it there by 9. Depending on conditions will be riding an older Proto, or dark blue Generics or maybe my freeride board with plates. Have only got to ride with 1 carver in my entire life so I'm looking forward to this. Hope to learn alot from you seasoned carvers!

[arneburner]

I plan to leave early Sat AM (6) and return Sunday PM from Morrison via 285. I am staying in Salida and I have room for one passenger.
Arne

[D.T.]

I plan to leave early Sat AM (6) and return Sunday PM from Morrison via 285.Arne, glad you'll be joining us!

Dustin

[D.T.]

Anyone have recommendations of restaurants we check out while we are in town?

[tpalka]

Anyone have recommendations of restaurants we check out while we are in town?

Good listing here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g33630-Salida_Colorado.html

and if you let me know what kind of food you're looking for, I'll be able to tell you more :) Talk to you this evening!

tom.

[newcarver]

I recommend Amicas Pizza in Salida. Great brick oven fired pizza and micro brewed beer. Try the winter ginger if they have it. There is a little Thai place in Poncha Springs and a great BBQ place there too.

[D.T.]

Thanks for the input :biggthump

[big mario]

Anyone have recommendations of restaurants we check out while we are in town?

laughing ladies, spendy but worth it. get resseys.
mario

[RDY_2_Carve]

Looks like a nice day for carving tomorrow...

I hope the snow isn't too soft from these crazy temps!

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/189/monarchfrijm1.png

See you guys in the AM over by the Garfield lift. I'll be riding Upper/Lower Tango until we all meet up...

[newcarver]

Really nice weather yesterday. Had a great time riding and watching all of you guys/gals rip up the cord! Ink, thanks for the tips. Will definitly try them out. DT hope your knee isn't too bad:( Enjoyed riding the Dupraz. I think I would have liked it better with some softboots though. Still very fun and adaptable. Hope to ride with you guys again!

[tpalka]

Richard -- was great riding with you, let's hook up at CB sometime! I posted some pics from yesterday here:

http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=20205

Cheers,

tom.

[tpalka]

Check out the video and some stills from it on this thread:

http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?p=187184&posted=1#post187184

Was great riding with you all! Hope we can make it to Loveland before the end of the season and get some more riding in with you. It's snowing in town now, 1.5-2" since morning... so the Dupraz boards would be perfect for tomorrow!

tom.

[Concussed]

Hey all - Had a great time riding with you, even if I did sit out many a run with a sore back (40% of sore back translating into: camera shy!).

tpalka, you're the best on-mountain host ever - I don't think anyone in the group could guide us around their home mountain with as much clarity and attention to the skill levels of all group members. Thank you very much for your time and effort: if you were on Trip Advisor, I'd give you five radio buttons.

See you all at Lovey soon!