Southern Ontario Session '06 (New Thread)

[veector]

Full name is Victor Plopeanu

and im still looking for a ride, il pitch for gas

[Tolik]

Full name is Victor Plopeanu
and im still looking for a ride, il pitch for gas

Victor I could help you with that. I'm in etobicoke too.

[veector]

Victor I could help you with that. I'm in etobicoke too.

Il send you an email in a few minutes regarding...



aha, i see what happend, may i have your email?

[csquared]

.. I need your last name for the guest list.

[John H]

Full name is John Hevesi.

[Rob-CanCarve]

Chris:

I think you know mine, but to keep it easy:

Rob Sydia

All the best,

Rob

[CarveItUp]

Chris,

I finally found my brother (funny his office is about 100m from mine, but one or the other of us was away for the past week and he was having e-mail problems). He'd like to come if there is a spot. His name is Colin McNally.

thanks!
beth
carveitup.net

[csquared]

This year it is going to be known as the McNally Clan Session. Welcome to the MCS everyone. Sorry about the sarcasm Beth. Yes, Colin can come.

Fear not Rob Sydia, you know I know you. I was just trying to be discrete with names here because not everyone likes to be public with such things.

Watch for updates next week and if you have any contacts in high places make a plea for snow.

[csquared]

Apologies, I mis-reported the ticket price (sigh). For Fridays it is $50 (the $40 is Monday through Thursday). If you all want to pull out, I wouldn't blame you.

[CarveItUp]

Joking aside, I think the McNally Carving Session is scheduled for reading week at Holimont this year. The video on carveitup.net at Sunshine is from our trip there 3 years ago. There are 3 McNallys in Toronto who ride but they didn't respond in time. There are also 3 west coasters who ride and others sprinkled across the country. I think we have 11 or 12 people riding plates total.

beth
carveitup.net

[csquared]

Veector:

Osler has the highest vertical drop of the Collingwood hills at 800 vertical feet They are all pretty close to this but Osler's part of the escarpment doesn't start out with that typical minimal slope table land drop for the first 100 feet so the real riding starts right from the chair terminus. The runs are mostly blue with a few black runs that have 400 foot drop pitches. Most of the runs have ample width for carving and the grooming and snow conditions are quite good (to the extent that the weather cooperates). The club works well for carvers of all ability levels but I think experienced carvers get the most pleasure. Being a private club, the traffic is light and the skiers are mostly of a high ability level (less issues with novice skiers in the way but more issues with racers and pretend racers running you down).

You could visit the club web site here for more info but the web site is not that informative.

[veector]

csquared: Thanks for all the info, i was just having a look at the trail map and some of the pictures and i cant wait to get out there! And the whole low traffic thing puts a smile on my face beucase theres nothing worse than waiting in lift lines.

[Chris Houghton]

Chris - I'm in, should I bring skates instead of a board? Praying for snow!

[CarveItUp]

I've got all of my fingers and toes crossed that it cools off a bit. This could be an interesting session.... Collingwood is showing rain and/or freezing rain and/or snow for 3 of the next 4 days, but hovering around zero for temperature.

beth

[pm_wizard]

The good news is that Osler has a very good thick ice base built up, so as long as it gets a bit colder the crew will be making snow and it will stay. Unfortunately, the longer term forecast is not promising.

What an odd season we are having.

John

[eaglez]

Hey all,

Do we have an itinerary for the Day. When and where to meet etc.

Darren

[Chris]

This from Osler Bluff web page this morning...

"UPDATE FOR SATURDAY JANUARY 21, 2006

22 cm FRESH SNOW OVERNIGHT!"


Please tell me it's true!

[sleevez]

Hey looks like i will be joining you guys next friday.. but i have to go into work for a bit. so probably be up there after lunch. (i know one of the instructor there so he will walk me in, so don't worry about putting me on the list.)

but where will you guys be mostly? im sure it wont' be hard to spot 20 hardbooter zipping down a run.

looking forward to friday.

cheers.

[csquared]

The rumours are true. A bumper crop of the white stuff last night. It made for a difficult day out today but it will be great by the end of the week if the weather holds. The new stuff was damp and heavy so it isn't going anywhere once they get it groomed in tonight and the base under it is hard but moist so it should bond well. Weather for the coming week looks reasonable with flurries most days but some mild temperatures.

I have been a bit silent because I was concerned about whether there was going to be anything left to ride on. However, based on the snowfall today, I think Friday should be okay. So, back to Plan A. We ride Friday

Will post more details this week on meeting places, times, hills we will be riding, radio frequency etc.. Have to send the contract and the list of names Monday morning.

[pm_wizard]

Everyone:

Osler is in great shape from Friday night's dump. They groomed it up beautifully Saturday night, and it was cold enough to harden nicely.

The weather forecast for the week has the brief reference to snowsqualls, which usually give snow to Osler when they happen. A really nice sunny day today at Osler, just to add to expectation.

BTW on Saturday it looked like alot more than 22 cm! Just really heavy!

John

[Gabe T]

We pretty much had a mini SOS today at MSLM. I counted 8 people on your list that were riding today. I saw at least 16 hardbooters on the hill.

They got a good dumping up there yesterday and it was great today after it got groomed.

I won't be joining you guys on Friday, but hopefully it will be a great day.

Gabe

[veector]

Looking forward to this guys

I was out at alpine and georgian peaks today and the conditions were amazing, hopefully it holds up.

[csquared]

I have to travel this week so I am going to try to get all of this down for everyone tonight.

If you need driving directions you can find them here. I am sure that there will be many people coming from the Toronto area and you could probably snag a ride if you need one or want companionship.

You will be looking for the main lodge. The drive to the main lodge has the Osler Bluff sign out by the road. There is a second lodge which is quite close to the road called the Orchard Lodge (we met there last year). You will only be able to pick up tickets at the main lodge. The lodge is the most prominent building once you are in the parking lot. The ticket window is in the passage under the building that passes from the parking lot area to the base of the hill. Your ticket will be reserved under your name and you will be paying for it at the window (cash or visa). You will also be signing a waiver. If I don't have your name, its too late and you won't be riding. If you enter the lodge by the doors adjacent to the ticket window, you will find lockers and changing facilities. Be nice, leave your board outside (stuff rarely gets stolen at Osler but if you want to lock up go ahead).

Lifts should start running between 8:15 and 8:30. If you are there early enough, we will ride up at 8:30 on the high-speed quad.

The best riding in the morning will be on the Orchard side (southeast end of the club or left side as you look up the hill) which will get any early sun there might be. This is also a good place to get limbered up and build confidence before hitting the tougher stuff. Snowridge is a good warm up. Exhibition and Valley can keep me amused for hours. The Gulch can be a lot of childish fun with a group. The Orchard has a perfect pitch down the right hand side if you are just learning your technique for steeper terrain. If the light is good, we should shoot some video on the pitch of Exhibition.

The runs around the main high speed quad will tend to get more skier traffic and will get cut up faster. If you are feeling confident, take your runs on these hills early before the ski groups arrive. Slalom will challenge your steep technique to the max. Sleighride is good for steady pitch rates with no appreciable cross fall but watch the chop in the middle of the hill as the groomers always seem to leave a ridge down the middle. Rattler is like a boardercross without the gates. Marshall is a good confidence builder but watch out for ski classes.

We will meet at the Upper Chalet at 12:00 for lunch. The Upper Chalet is at the top of the high speed quad. If you pack a lunch, remember to bring a backpack. There is limited food service at this chalet but you should be able to find something you can eat.

In the afternoon, I would suggest we head over to the north side of the hill where the Poplar chair is. This side of the club sees very light traffic usually and is in good shape most afternoons. Also the light gets better on this side after lunch. Shaws Run, Lookout, Breakaway are all great runs. If the light is good, we should shoot video on Lookout or Shaws.

If you start at 8:30, you are likely going to be thinking fondly of something wet and cold by 2:30. We will start meeting at the main lodge at around this time. At 3:30 I am guessing that everyone will likely be off the hill as the light gets really miserable after 3:00. If anyone has gear to sell / swap / or just show off, we will be getting together in the "race room" at 3:45 to 4:45. The race room is directly under the ski shop (in the building to the right of the main lodge as you face the hill); enter by the sliding door that faces the parking lot and the race room is immediately on the right. There are benches and tuning equipment there. If anyone needs tuning tips I am sure that we can arrange an impromptu demo. Then its back to the main lodge for whoever is left and interested in a beer.

If you have an FRS radio, tune if to channel 7 / 21 (for no other good reason than the fact that mine is already tuned there). Photographers, bring your cameras. Videographers bring your gear.

There are no demos organized but if you want to share the love with your brother (or sister) carver, feel free. The race room (mentioned above) is a good place for repairs or adjustments but you should bring your own tools.

Looking forward to this. Lets hope the weather holds.

[skategoat]

This is going to be great! (said in my best Flounder voice)

Osler has the nicest snow and the most consistent pitch in the Collingwood area.

I'm going to bring a couple of boards for people to try out - a Prior 174 4WD and a Volkl 168 GS RT. If anyone has any small boards (<150cm) that they want to move, please bring it. My daughter has caught the racing bug.

If anyone wants a ride from West Toronto (Etobicoke), email me.

[skategoat]

I can bring TWO Workmates and a cheap tuning vise. I'd love to see a tuning demo at the end of the day. I suck at sharpening edges.

Dave, I'd love to try those two longer F2s.

[veector]

o wow, id like to try out some of these boards (looking to buy something from f2 for next season) Would you have bindings on them or would i have to transfer my race plates?

[pm_wizard]

Dave,

I will try to call someone at the club about doing much of a setup. One workmate on the deck should be okay, as long as we are tidy and don't block anyone. It is a Friday this time not a regular club day, so there are fewer members and more guests (works in our favour).

The club does organize demo days with Squire John and sets up tents and racks for skiis, so it is not that unusual.

IF the weather forecast holds true (major leap of faith) it should be a sunny day.

John

[pm_wizard]

Everyone:

I called the club, and it is a clear NO to setting up anything like a tent, table of workmate on either the snow or the deck. I was quoted a series of "health and safety" rules and policy of the club maintenance department. We must use the wax room (race room) for work surfaces.

Sorry about this. The only other allowed area is beside your vehicle in the parking lot. On the other hand, the race room is a nice new setup, and has snowboard clamps and good usable counter space.

Squire John's apparently gets a dispensation from the board of directors of the club for their demo day setup!

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday.

BTW Chris - if you are reading this, Jennifer needs your contract ASAP!

John

[skategoat]

You'll be putting YOUR bindings on these bare decks... please ensure your hardware (ie: mounting screws) are in good condition and won't damage the board inserts. Everything will be M6x1.0 thread pitch.

If you're riding on the OS2s, that could take the most part of the morning.

[Chris Houghton]

Depending of course on how mechanically adept you are.