Inauspicious start to the new season [Archive]

Richard Henry

December 7th 09, 05:20 PM

On Dec 7, 8:54*am, lal_truckee > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. *Not
> > the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
> > toes.
>
> You, of course, have been expecting this event and long ago picked up a
> pair of identical boots from a garage sale, right?
>
> > My son told me I need new boots. *I told him I could use superglue and
> > epoxy to fix it.
>
> Forget that - just superglue your feet to the skis ...

My previous pair of boots (Trappeur Killys) broke on the last day of
skiing on a trip to Lake Tahoe. The tongue broke completely away from
the rest of the boot. I dodn't know it until I took the boot off.

Yesterday my son and I were riding up a lift at Bear Mt. and he said
to me "You boot is cracked." I had put the boots on loosely after we
had driven over from Snow Summit to take advantage of the one-ticket-
two-mountains deal. When I got to the top of the lift, I sat on the
snowboarder bench to tighten up the boots and i saw little chunks
falling out of the crack.

The left boot has a half-inch gap right below the bottom latch and a
few radiating cracks. The right boot has a copule of cracks in the
same area.

The cracks and holes didn't seem to affect my skiing much (except I
was spending too much time looking at it thus feeling awkward).

Evojeesus

December 7th 09, 05:22 PM

On Dec 7, 5:34*am, The Real Bev > wrote:

> A little duct tape over the repair might not hurt.

Helicopter-tape should be better?

Gonar the Incontinent

December 7th 09, 06:29 PM

Walt

December 7th 09, 06:35 PM

Stuart wrote:
> "Richard Henry" > wrote in message
> ...
>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>> toes.
>>
>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
>> epoxy to fix it.
>
>
> You are going to love some of the new boots available. Salomon Verse if you
> like comfy soft fit...
>
> Put away the glue..

oh, c'mon.

Who can read this newsgroup without ready access to glue?

//Walt

Walt

December 7th 09, 06:40 PM

Gonar the Incontinent wrote:
> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>> toes.
>>
>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
>> epoxy to fix it.
>
> Your son is correct. Technica's of this vintage tended to crack due to
> an issue with the plastic formulation.

I thought it was Nordica that had the "exploding Nordicas" problem. Or
maybe the onset was just earlier with that brand.

Anyway, the fact that the plastic cracked suggests that it's lost it's
structural integrity; you don't know what part of the boot will crack
next, but you should expect more failures. I'd prefer not to have that
in the back of my mind when cranking a turn at speed. YMMV.

//Walt

Bob F

December 7th 09, 07:00 PM

Walt wrote:
> Gonar the Incontinent wrote:
>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>>> toes.
>>>
>>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue
>>> and epoxy to fix it.
>>
>> Your son is correct. Technica's of this vintage tended to crack due
>> to an issue with the plastic formulation.
>
>
> I thought it was Nordica that had the "exploding Nordicas" problem. Or maybe
> the onset was just earlier with that brand.
>
> Anyway, the fact that the plastic cracked suggests that it's lost it's
> structural integrity; you don't know what part of the boot will crack
> next, but you should expect more failures. I'd prefer not to have
> that in the back of my mind when cranking a turn at speed. YMMV.

Really. Once plastic gets brittle, it's gone.

VtSkier[_3_]

December 7th 09, 09:21 PM

Richard Henry wrote:
> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
> toes.
>
> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
> epoxy to fix it.
>
>
He's right.

VtSkier[_3_]

December 7th 09, 09:26 PM

Walt wrote:
> Gonar the Incontinent wrote:
>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>>> toes.
>>>
>>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
>>> epoxy to fix it.
>>
>> Your son is correct. Technica's of this vintage tended to crack due to
>> an issue with the plastic formulation.
>
>
> I thought it was Nordica that had the "exploding Nordicas" problem. Or
> maybe the onset was just earlier with that brand.

Yes, but not exclusively. Mostly Nordicas, but a personal
experience with Technicas (not unlike Richard's). I skied
all day, clicked out of my bindings (I thought) and left
part of the sole attached to the ski. I think someone
mentioned "awkward"?
>
> Anyway, the fact that the plastic cracked suggests that it's lost it's
> structural integrity; you don't know what part of the boot will crack
> next, but you should expect more failures. I'd prefer not to have that
> in the back of my mind when cranking a turn at speed. YMMV.

My ski shop owning buddy has last year's rental boots
on sale for $50 or $90 for "performance" boots. Look
around for deals.
>
>
> //Walt

Stuart[_2_]

December 8th 09, 02:38 AM

"Walt" > wrote in message
...
> Gonar the Incontinent wrote:
>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>>> toes.
>>>
>>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
>>> epoxy to fix it.
>>
>> Your son is correct. Technica's of this vintage tended to crack due to
>> an issue with the plastic formulation.
>
>
> I thought it was Nordica that had the "exploding Nordicas" problem. Or
> maybe the onset was just earlier with that brand.
>
> Anyway, the fact that the plastic cracked suggests that it's lost it's
> structural integrity; you don't know what part of the boot will crack
> next, but you should expect more failures. I'd prefer not to have that in
> the back of my mind when cranking a turn at speed. YMMV.
>
>
> //Walt

Yar, the structural integrity of the whole lower limb/boot/ binding/ ski
thingymabobs has been engineered to work as a single integrated unit whilst
gliding and carving up thy snow. If one component fails, usually others
follow, and it might not be pieces of boot that break off next time
gramps....Open thy wallet and let out some of the moths..it'll help end the
recession too..Do your bit, spend your money wisely on wine women song and
skiing...

Set an example for the rest of us...

Gonar the Incontinent

December 8th 09, 06:43 AM

On Dec 7, 11:00*am, "Bob F" > wrote:
> Walt wrote:
> > Gonar the Incontinent wrote:
> >> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
> >>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. *Not
> >>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
> >>> toes.
>
> >>> My son told me I need new boots. *I told him I could use superglue
> >>> and epoxy to fix it.
>
> >> Your son is correct. Technica's of this vintage tended to crack due
> >> to an issue with the plastic formulation.
>
> > I thought it was Nordica that had the "exploding Nordicas" problem. Or maybe
> > the onset was just earlier with that brand.
>
> > Anyway, the fact that the plastic cracked suggests that it's lost it's
> > structural integrity; you don't know what part of the boot will crack
> > next, but you should expect more failures. *I'd prefer not to have
> > that in the back of my mind when cranking a turn at speed. YMMV.
>
> Really. Once plastic gets brittle, it's gone.

I only heard of Technica's and the Technica TNT was famous for it, but
you know plastic isn't forever.

Makes me worry about plastic binders as well. It should be noted that
I am rough on equipment and will destroy a foam core ski in two
seasons, a wood core ski in four seasons, (shorter if I ski any
significant amount of time in the Rockies) and binders in ten seasons.

Moving to a quiver of skis has increased my net equipment lifetime,
but 15 years is long enough. Get thee to Craigslist. Bought an
excellent pair of boots for my son for $50. It was sweet.

pigo[_2_]

December 8th 09, 03:42 PM

On Dec 7, 11:43*pm, Gonar the Incontinent > wrote:

> Makes me worry about plastic binders as well. It should be noted that
> I am rough on equipment and will destroy a foam core ski in two
> seasons, a wood core ski in four seasons, (shorter if I ski any
> significant amount of time in the Rockies) and binders in ten seasons.

Ahhhhhhhh that brings back memories. And the days of the Atomic Red
Sleds and Elan Titanium SL's up through my good ol Solomon SL's (all
wood). I'd get them in Feb. or so of the year before they came out in
stores. It was all I could do to make it until the next Feb. They were
rock ski's by the time the next season started. Good one's though!
Some were flat,some broken in 1/2, some with edges ripped out. I got
a good 3 or 4 seasons from boots, 1-2 from liners. I had some problems
with the plastic cracking but they'd lose flex and the inside walls
would get pretty thin.

It was said that I was rough on equipment.

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 9th 09, 04:55 AM

Richard Henry wrote:

> Yesterday my son and I were riding up a lift at Bear Mt.

I haven't been to Bear Mt for a LOOOOONG time before Bear and SS joined
together. Which do you like better and why?

> and he said
> to me "You boot is cracked." I had put the boots on loosely after we
> had driven over from Snow Summit to take advantage of the one-ticket-
> two-mountains deal. When I got to the top of the lift, I sat on the
> snowboarder bench to tighten up the boots and i saw little chunks
> falling out of the crack.
>
> The left boot has a half-inch gap right below the bottom latch and a
> few radiating cracks. The right boot has a copule of cracks in the
> same area.
>
> The cracks and holes didn't seem to affect my skiing much (except I
> was spending too much time looking at it thus feeling awkward).

Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you probably
deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I advise you to splurge.

--
Cheers, Bev
================================================== ========
There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 9th 09, 04:56 AM

Evojeesus wrote:

> On Dec 7, 5:34 am, The Real Bev > wrote:
>
>> A little duct tape over the repair might not hurt.
>
> Helicopter-tape should be better?

Is that better than gaffer tape?

--
Cheers, Bev
================================================== ========
There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 9th 09, 04:58 AM

VtSkier wrote:

> Walt wrote:
>>
>> Anyway, the fact that the plastic cracked suggests that it's lost it's
>> structural integrity; you don't know what part of the boot will crack
>> next, but you should expect more failures. I'd prefer not to have that
>> in the back of my mind when cranking a turn at speed. YMMV.
>
> My ski shop owning buddy has last year's rental boots
> on sale for $50 or $90 for "performance" boots. Look
> around for deals.

Play It Again says their boots -- certainly newer than mine -- are generally
$30-$40. It they weren't on a shelf 10 feet off the ground I'd know more.

--
Cheers, Bev
================================================== ========
There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'

Walt

December 9th 09, 04:59 AM

The Real Bev wrote:
>
> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you probably
> deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I advise you to
> splurge.
>

Who are you, and what did you do with the Real Real Bev?

//Walt

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 9th 09, 05:13 AM

Walt wrote:

> The Real Bev wrote:
>>
>> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you probably
>> deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I advise you to
>> splurge.
>
> Who are you, and what did you do with the Real Real Bev?

Having spent an inordinate amount (for me) on new bindings, it would be
hypocritical to discourage a fellow skier from purchasing essential equipment.

I had a [used; $25] pair of the exploding Nordicas. I got one or two seasons
out of them, and both of them split in half while I was walking back to the car
on the last day. I often wonder what miracle I gave up for that bit of luck.

--
Cheers, Bev
================================================== ========
There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'

Bob F

December 9th 09, 05:34 AM

The Real Bev wrote:
> Walt wrote:
>
>> The Real Bev wrote:
>>>
>>> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you
>>> probably deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I
>>> advise you to splurge.
>>
>> Who are you, and what did you do with the Real Real Bev?
>
> Having spent an inordinate amount (for me) on new bindings, it would
> be hypocritical to discourage a fellow skier from purchasing
> essential equipment.
> I had a [used; $25] pair of the exploding Nordicas. I got one or two
> seasons out of them, and both of them split in half while I was
> walking back to the car on the last day. I often wonder what miracle
> I gave up for that bit of luck.

Mine dropped the toe in the condo garage on the way to the slopes.

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 9th 09, 05:46 AM

Bob F wrote:

> The Real Bev wrote:
>> Walt wrote:
>>> The Real Bev wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you
>>>> probably deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I
>>>> advise you to splurge.
>>>
>>> Who are you, and what did you do with the Real Real Bev?
>>
>> Having spent an inordinate amount (for me) on new bindings, it would
>> be hypocritical to discourage a fellow skier from purchasing
>> essential equipment.
>> I had a [used; $25] pair of the exploding Nordicas. I got one or two
>> seasons out of them, and both of them split in half while I was
>> walking back to the car on the last day. I often wonder what miracle
>> I gave up for that bit of luck.
>
> Mine dropped the toe in the condo garage on the way to the slopes.

Thus is balance in the universe restored.

--
Cheers, Bev
================================================== ========
There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'

Bob F

December 9th 09, 06:28 AM

The Real Bev wrote:
> Bob F wrote:
>
>> The Real Bev wrote:
>>> Walt wrote:
>>>> The Real Bev wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you
>>>>> probably deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I
>>>>> advise you to splurge.
>>>>
>>>> Who are you, and what did you do with the Real Real Bev?
>>>
>>> Having spent an inordinate amount (for me) on new bindings, it would
>>> be hypocritical to discourage a fellow skier from purchasing
>>> essential equipment.
>>> I had a [used; $25] pair of the exploding Nordicas. I got one or
>>> two seasons out of them, and both of them split in half while I was
>>> walking back to the car on the last day. I often wonder what
>>> miracle I gave up for that bit of luck.
>>
>> Mine dropped the toe in the condo garage on the way to the slopes.
>
> Thus is balance in the universe restored.

And then the rental place refused to let me use my skis with the ski
mountaineering bindings (liability?) with their boots, and insisted I take a
pair of their demo skis (no charge).

VtSkier[_3_]

December 9th 09, 07:21 PM

Richard Henry wrote:
> On Dec 8, 8:55 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>> Yesterday my son and I were riding up a lift at Bear Mt.
>> I haven't been to Bear Mt for a LOOOOONG time before Bear and SS joined
>> together. Which do you like better and why?
>>
>>> and he said
>>> to me "You boot is cracked." I had put the boots on loosely after we
>>> had driven over from Snow Summit to take advantage of the one-ticket-
>>> two-mountains deal. When I got to the top of the lift, I sat on the
>>> snowboarder bench to tighten up the boots and i saw little chunks
>>> falling out of the crack.
>>> The left boot has a half-inch gap right below the bottom latch and a
>>> few radiating cracks. The right boot has a copule of cracks in the
>>> same area.
>>> The cracks and holes didn't seem to affect my skiing much (except I
>>> was spending too much time looking at it thus feeling awkward).
>> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you probably
>> deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I advise you to splurge.
>>
>> --
>> Cheers, Bev
>> ================================================== ========
>> There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'
>
> My history with Bear Mt. goes back to the time when it was called
> Goldmine. It was a sad story then - the best terrain at Big Bear, but
> it was never open. Things improved when they were bought up by the
> big chain (forget the name) in the 80's (early 90's?).

ASC. you know, Les Otten and more skiing! (WKRP in Cincinati reference).
>
> When the snow is good and the weather is friendly, Bear Mt. is
> better. When the snow needs help (snowmaking and grooming) Snow
> Summit is better. SS has better ambience, customer service and lift
> layout.
>
> Intangibles: If I stick to my ski-day routine (on the road by 4:30
> AM), I get good parking at either place. Even last Sunday, with
> delays caused by chaining up and snow-scared traffic, I parked half-
> way down the top lot at SS, and found an empty space in the top lot at
> BM when we drove over.
>
> As for splurging, I will repair and haul the broken boots, but look
> for attractive demo-rental deals.

Don't do it Richard, That crack is only the beginning. You'll
find yourself walking down the mountain in your boot liners.
PLEASE don't make that your next TR!

The other Richard.

>

Richard Henry

December 9th 09, 10:06 PM

On Dec 9, 11:21*am, VtSkier > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > On Dec 8, 8:55 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> >> Richard Henry wrote:
> >>> Yesterday my son and I were riding up a lift at Bear Mt.
> >> I haven't been to Bear Mt for a LOOOOONG time before Bear and SS joined
> >> together. *Which do you like better and why?
>
> >>> and he said
> >>> to me "You boot is cracked." *I had put *the boots on loosely after we
> >>> had driven over from Snow Summit to take advantage of the one-ticket-
> >>> two-mountains deal. *When I got to the top of the lift, I sat on the
> >>> snowboarder bench to tighten up the boots and i saw little chunks
> >>> falling out of the crack.
> >>> The left boot has a half-inch gap right below the bottom latch and a
> >>> few radiating cracks. *The right boot has a copule of cracks in the
> >>> same area.
> >>> The cracks and holes didn't seem to affect my skiing much (except I
> >>> was spending too much time looking at it thus feeling awkward).
> >> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you probably
> >> deserve new boots. *Although this is very unlike me, I advise you to splurge.
>
> >> --
> >> Cheers, Bev
> >> ================================================== ========
> >> There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'
>
> > My history with Bear Mt. goes back to the time when it was called
> > Goldmine. *It was a sad story then - the best terrain at Big Bear, but
> > it was never open. *Things improved when they were bought up by the
> > big chain (forget the name) in the 80's (early 90's?).
>
> ASC. you know, Les Otten and more skiing! (WKRP in Cincinati reference).

I've been doing some research. I found a Snow Summit history page

http://www.snowsummit.com/snow-summit-history.php

>>
Also in 1988 a major competitive threat arose when a large U.S. ski
company, S.K.I., bought the neighbor resort, Goldmine, and renamed it
Bear Mountain. S.K.I put in millions of dollars in improvements
causing Snow Summit to respond with even better marketing and
services.

Then in 1995, S.K.I. sold Bear Mountain to another company, which in
turn sold it to Booth Creek Ski Holdings in 1997...

On October 10, 2002, Snow Summit purchased Big Bear Mountain Resort,
including the Golf Course, from Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc.
<<

> > When the snow is good and the weather is friendly, Bear Mt. is
> > better. *When the snow needs help (snowmaking and grooming) Snow
> > Summit is better. *SS has better ambience, customer service and lift
> > layout.
>
> > Intangibles: *If I stick to my ski-day routine (on the road by 4:30
> > AM), I get good parking at either place. *Even last Sunday, with
> > delays caused by chaining up and snow-scared traffic, I parked half-
> > way down the top lot at SS, and found an empty space in the top lot at
> > BM when we drove over.
>
> > As for splurging, I will repair and haul the broken boots, but look
> > for attractive demo-rental deals.
>
> Don't do it Richard, That crack is only the beginning. You'll
> find yourself walking down the mountain in your boot liners.
> PLEASE don't make that your next TR!
>

The associated image that comes with that is the boot sole firmly
clamped in the binding, and the ski/sole combo racing off into the
woods somewhere.

Where are my powder straps?

Bob F

December 9th 09, 10:15 PM

VtSkier wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
>> On Dec 8, 8:55 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
>>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>>> Yesterday my son and I were riding up a lift at Bear Mt.
>>> I haven't been to Bear Mt for a LOOOOONG time before Bear and SS
>>> joined together. Which do you like better and why?
>>>
>>>> and he said
>>>> to me "You boot is cracked." I had put the boots on loosely
>>>> after we had driven over from Snow Summit to take advantage of the
>>>> one-ticket- two-mountains deal. When I got to the top of the
>>>> lift, I sat on the snowboarder bench to tighten up the boots and i
>>>> saw little chunks falling out of the crack.
>>>> The left boot has a half-inch gap right below the bottom latch and
>>>> a few radiating cracks. The right boot has a copule of cracks in
>>>> the same area.
>>>> The cracks and holes didn't seem to affect my skiing much (except I
>>>> was spending too much time looking at it thus feeling awkward).
>>> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you
>>> probably deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I
>>> advise you to splurge. --
>>> Cheers, Bev
>>> ================================================== ========
>>> There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'
>>
>> My history with Bear Mt. goes back to the time when it was called
>> Goldmine. It was a sad story then - the best terrain at Big Bear,
>> but it was never open. Things improved when they were bought up by
>> the big chain (forget the name) in the 80's (early 90's?).
>
> ASC. you know, Les Otten and more skiing! (WKRP in Cincinati
> reference).
>>
>> When the snow is good and the weather is friendly, Bear Mt. is
>> better. When the snow needs help (snowmaking and grooming) Snow
>> Summit is better. SS has better ambience, customer service and lift
>> layout.
>>
>> Intangibles: If I stick to my ski-day routine (on the road by 4:30
>> AM), I get good parking at either place. Even last Sunday, with
>> delays caused by chaining up and snow-scared traffic, I parked half-
>> way down the top lot at SS, and found an empty space in the top lot
>> at BM when we drove over.
>>
>> As for splurging, I will repair and haul the broken boots, but look
>> for attractive demo-rental deals.
>
> Don't do it Richard, That crack is only the beginning. You'll
> find yourself walking down the mountain in your boot liners.
> PLEASE don't make that your next TR!

It's just an opportunity to practice skiing on one ski with the other on your
shoulder.

VtSkier[_3_]

December 10th 09, 12:30 AM

Richard Henry wrote:
> On Dec 9, 11:21 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>> On Dec 8, 8:55 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
>>>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>>>> Yesterday my son and I were riding up a lift at Bear Mt.
>>>> I haven't been to Bear Mt for a LOOOOONG time before Bear and SS joined
>>>> together. Which do you like better and why?
>>>>> and he said
>>>>> to me "You boot is cracked." I had put the boots on loosely after we
>>>>> had driven over from Snow Summit to take advantage of the one-ticket-
>>>>> two-mountains deal. When I got to the top of the lift, I sat on the
>>>>> snowboarder bench to tighten up the boots and i saw little chunks
>>>>> falling out of the crack.
>>>>> The left boot has a half-inch gap right below the bottom latch and a
>>>>> few radiating cracks. The right boot has a copule of cracks in the
>>>>> same area.
>>>>> The cracks and holes didn't seem to affect my skiing much (except I
>>>>> was spending too much time looking at it thus feeling awkward).
>>>> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you probably
>>>> deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I advise you to splurge.
>>>> --
>>>> Cheers, Bev
>>>> ================================================== ========
>>>> There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'
>>> My history with Bear Mt. goes back to the time when it was called
>>> Goldmine. It was a sad story then - the best terrain at Big Bear, but
>>> it was never open. Things improved when they were bought up by the
>>> big chain (forget the name) in the 80's (early 90's?).
>> ASC. you know, Les Otten and more skiing! (WKRP in Cincinati reference).
>
> I've been doing some research. I found a Snow Summit history page
>
> http://www.snowsummit.com/snow-summit-history.php
>
> Also in 1988 a major competitive threat arose when a large U.S. ski
> company, S.K.I., bought the neighbor resort, Goldmine, and renamed it
> Bear Mountain. S.K.I put in millions of dollars in improvements
> causing Snow Summit to respond with even better marketing and
> services.

Here's more:
S.K.I. was the parent company of Killington when it decided
to go into the business of owning and managing other ski
areas. Pres Smith was the president/CEO of S.K.I. Ltd. The
areas they owned were (maybe not necessarily all at the same
time):
Killington (of course)
Pico
Mt Snow
Bear Attitash (NH)
Waterville Valley (NH)
Sugar Loaf (ME)
Bear Mountain (CA)
Sunday River (ME) which they subsequently
sold to Les Otten, which was his base
of operations.
ASC (American Ski(ing) Company) was the creation
of Les Otten who bought S.K.I. who, in
addition to the S.K.I. holdings, bought
Sugarbush and Heavely (CA) and Steamboat (CO).
Bear Mountain (CA) was the first ski area from
the deal to be sold off to Booth Creek in 1997.

The Securities and Exchange Commission wouldn't
let ASC keep Waterville Valley so it was REALLY the
first to go, but Bear soon followed.

Then the locals gave Otten a very hard time about
the time share hotel he wanted to build, so Sugarbush
was next to go (in a hissy-fit, I might add).
Sugarbush was happily sold to group of Warren/Waitsfield
sort-of locals, including a past manager of MRG. It's
a really great ski area again.

We were unhappy when a local group didn't get
Killington/Pico, but current group seems to be doing
a good job even though they ruffle some feathers from
time to time. They are operating a ski area, not an
amenity for a destination resort. There is a distinction
there that isn't lost on most of us.

>
> Then in 1995, S.K.I. sold Bear Mountain to another company, which in
> turn sold it to Booth Creek Ski Holdings in 1997...
>
> On October 10, 2002, Snow Summit purchased Big Bear Mountain Resort,
> including the Golf Course, from Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc.

This is past what I know.
> <<
>
>
>>> When the snow is good and the weather is friendly, Bear Mt. is
>>> better. When the snow needs help (snowmaking and grooming) Snow
>>> Summit is better. SS has better ambience, customer service and lift
>>> layout.
>>> Intangibles: If I stick to my ski-day routine (on the road by 4:30
>>> AM), I get good parking at either place. Even last Sunday, with
>>> delays caused by chaining up and snow-scared traffic, I parked half-
>>> way down the top lot at SS, and found an empty space in the top lot at
>>> BM when we drove over.
>>> As for splurging, I will repair and haul the broken boots, but look
>>> for attractive demo-rental deals.
>> Don't do it Richard, That crack is only the beginning. You'll
>> find yourself walking down the mountain in your boot liners.
>> PLEASE don't make that your next TR!
>>
>
> The associated image that comes with that is the boot sole firmly
> clamped in the binding, and the ski/sole combo racing off into the
> woods somewhere.

This has happened. Don't let it happen to you!

>
> Where are my powder straps?

OK, but you are still walking down in your boot liners.
>

lal_truckee

December 10th 09, 02:43 AM

VtSkier wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
>>
>> The associated image that comes with that is the boot sole firmly
>> clamped in the binding, and the ski/sole combo racing off into the
>> woods somewhere.
>
> This has happened. Don't let it happen to you!

I've seen it - sole came off cleanly, leaving skier mid-mountain in
inner boot and plastic spats. Of course, these were genuine Exploding
Nordicas.
>
>>
>> Where are my powder straps?

Anyway, you don't tie powder cords (straps, ribbons) to you and the ski,
only to the ski. Perhaps you were thinking of leashes - those connect
you to the ski. Folks of a certain age should have some leashes in the
garage , so go take a look around. I've got some on some randonee mounts
I occasionally use. Clumsy - reminds me of 1950s skiing.
>
> OK, but you are still walking down in your boot liners.

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 10th 09, 03:32 AM

Richard Henry wrote:
> On Dec 8, 8:55 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>> Yesterday my son and I were riding up a lift at Bear Mt.
>>
>> I haven't been to Bear Mt for a LOOOOONG time before Bear and SS joined
>> together. Which do you like better and why?
>>
>>> and he said to me "You boot is cracked." I had put the boots on
>>> loosely after we had driven over from Snow Summit to take advantage of
>>> the one-ticket- two-mountains deal. When I got to the top of the lift,
>>> I sat on the snowboarder bench to tighten up the boots and i saw little
>>> chunks falling out of the crack.

*******s never put up benches for us skiers :-( I usually leave my boots loose
until the top because I can sit on a bench to do it. And the chains on the
public tools are too short if you want to change a boot setting.

>>> The left boot has a half-inch gap right below the bottom latch and a few
>>> radiating cracks. The right boot has a copule of cracks in the same
>>> area.
>>
>>> The cracks and holes didn't seem to affect my skiing much (except I was
>>> spending too much time looking at it thus feeling awkward).
>>
>> Certainly sounds like a job for superglue and ducttape, but you probably
>> deserve new boots. Although this is very unlike me, I advise you to
>> splurge.
>
> My history with Bear Mt. goes back to the time when it was called Goldmine.

I started skiing after that -- maybe 1988 or 1990.

> It was a sad story then - the best terrain at Big Bear, but it was never
> open. Things improved when they were bought up by the big chain (forget the
> name) in the 80's (early 90's?).

I started going to SS when they either opened earlier or charged less than BM.
Senior moment.

> When the snow is good and the weather is friendly, Bear Mt. is better. When
> the snow needs help (snowmaking and grooming) Snow Summit is better. SS has
> better ambience, customer service and lift layout.

Something led me to believe that BM was more boarder-friendly than SS. True?

> Intangibles: If I stick to my ski-day routine (on the road by 4:30 AM), I
> get good parking at either place.

Weekdays only. Up at 5:00, out of the house by 6:00. Generally no traffic to
speak of on the 210, much enjoyment watching westbound traffic inching along.
I miss seeing the diminishing mountain in Colton, but not enough to go that far
out of my way.

I put my chains, instructions, ramp and raincoat for lying on the ground trying
to reach the inner fastening device in my trunk today. Maybe I'll go up
tomorrow if they take chain control off during the night. If not I'll wait
until next week. Only crazy people go up during the holidays.

Waterman is expecting to be open this weekend if we get more snow. $20 for
seniors, a short drive, no crowds and I can sleep late :-)

> Even last Sunday, with delays caused by chaining up and snow-scared traffic,
> I parked half- way down the top lot at SS, and found an empty space in the
> top lot at BM when we drove over.

Top lot? there's a bottom lot? I generally park in the first row about
opposite the SS ticket window. What I really hate is that nasty curve where
you suddenly face directly into the rising sun and get blasted directly, from
the reflection off the hood, and from the general flare from the filth that's
accumulated on your windshield on the ride up. There used to be a dead tree
about 1/4 mile before the curve, but that disappeared a couple of years ago.

> As for splurging, I will repair and haul the broken boots, but look for
> attractive demo-rental deals.

Do you have a local Play It Again? Their boots looked reasonably newish, as
were their skis.

--
Cheers, Bev
================================================== ==============
Bluetooth is especially problematic in San Francisco, because it
makes it nearly impossible to tell who is hearing voices and who
is just talking on the phone, and in this city their numbers
seem about equal. --Shaun Nichols

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 10th 09, 03:37 AM

Richard Henry wrote:
> On Dec 9, 11:21 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>> >
>> > As for splurging, I will repair and haul the broken boots, but look
>> > for attractive demo-rental deals.
>>
>> Don't do it Richard, That crack is only the beginning. You'll
>> find yourself walking down the mountain in your boot liners.
>> PLEASE don't make that your next TR!

And if you choose to disregard this excellent advice, make sure you take pix.

> The associated image that comes with that is the boot sole firmly
> clamped in the binding, and the ski/sole combo racing off into the
> woods somewhere.

Movies would be better.

> Where are my powder straps?

I was going to say something about brakes when I realized...

--
Cheers, Bev
================================================== ==============
Bluetooth is especially problematic in San Francisco, because it
makes it nearly impossible to tell who is hearing voices and who
is just talking on the phone, and in this city their numbers
seem about equal. --Shaun Nichols

Richard Henry

December 10th 09, 04:33 AM

On Dec 9, 7:32*pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> Something led me to believe that BM was more boarder-friendly than SS. *True?
>
>
> Top lot? there's a bottom lot? *I generally park in the first row about
> opposite the SS ticket window. *What I really hate is that nasty curve where
> you suddenly face directly into the rising sun and get blasted directly, from
> the reflection off the hood, and from the general flare from the filth that's
> accumulated on your windshield on the ride up. *There used to be a dead tree
> about 1/4 mile before the curve, but that disappeared a couple of years ago.
>

BM made its marketing niche by hyping their boarder-friendly
attitudes. They converted one trail (and essentially, therefore, one
lift, since there was nothin else interesting off that lift) to a
terrain park that was impossible to ski. Of course, they also kept
one lift off-limits to boarders to please the diehards, I guess.

SS followed with a one-trail terrain park off to the side of Chair 3,
and then parked up the whole length of Westridge, which used to be one
of my favorite long, easy cruisers.

I don't know where SS's remote lots are because I have never used
them, but I have seen the signs and the shuttles. BM's remote lot is
at the far end of the golf course.

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 10th 09, 05:55 AM

Richard Henry wrote:

> On Dec 9, 7:32 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>> Something led me to believe that BM was more boarder-friendly than SS. True?
>
> BM made its marketing niche by hyping their boarder-friendly
> attitudes. They converted one trail (and essentially, therefore, one
> lift, since there was nothin else interesting off that lift) to a
> terrain park that was impossible to ski. Of course, they also kept
> one lift off-limits to boarders to please the diehards, I guess.
>
> SS followed with a one-trail terrain park off to the side of Chair 3,
> and then parked up the whole length of Westridge, which used to be one
> of my favorite long, easy cruisers.

The first time I did that run was late in the morning with lots of slush. I
suspect I could have run faster...for a while, at least.

> I don't know where SS's remote lots are because I have never used
> them, but I have seen the signs and the shuttles. BM's remote lot is
> at the far end of the golf course.

<sigh> I pray that I never have to find that out for myself.

You need to go during the week rather than on weekends. Jobs are over-rated.
Remember, I was canned with 700+ hours of unused sick leave that could have
been spent in mental-health therapy.

--
Cheers, Bev
================================================== =====================
"Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the
bodies of the people who ****ed me off."

Bob F

December 10th 09, 04:00 PM

lal_truckee wrote:
> VtSkier wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>>
>>> The associated image that comes with that is the boot sole firmly
>>> clamped in the binding, and the ski/sole combo racing off into the
>>> woods somewhere.
>>
>> This has happened. Don't let it happen to you!
>
> I've seen it - sole came off cleanly, leaving skier mid-mountain in
> inner boot and plastic spats. Of course, these were genuine Exploding
> Nordicas.
>>
>>>
>>> Where are my powder straps?
>
> Anyway, you don't tie powder cords (straps, ribbons) to you and the
> ski, only to the ski. Perhaps you were thinking of leashes - those
> connect you to the ski. Folks of a certain age should have some
> leashes in the garage , so go take a look around. I've got some on
> some randonee mounts I occasionally use. Clumsy - reminds me of 1950s
> skiing.

Or 60's, or 70's.

Richard Henry

December 10th 09, 04:18 PM

On Dec 9, 6:43*pm, lal_truckee > wrote:
> VtSkier wrote:
> > Richard Henry wrote:
>
> >> The associated image that comes with that is the boot sole firmly
> >> clamped in the binding, and the ski/sole combo racing off into the
> >> woods somewhere.
>
> > This has happened. Don't let it happen to you!
>
> I've seen it - sole came off cleanly, leaving skier mid-mountain in
> inner boot and plastic spats. Of course, these were genuine Exploding
> Nordicas.
>
>
>
> >> Where are my powder straps?
>
> Anyway, you don't tie powder cords (straps, ribbons) to you and the ski,
> only to the ski. Perhaps you were thinking of leashes - those connect
> you to the ski. Folks of a certain age should have some leashes in the
> garage , so go take a look around. I've got some on some randonee mounts
> I occasionally use. Clumsy - reminds me of 1950s skiing.

When I have used powder straps, I tucked the loose end into my boot
cuff. If I can find them, I will tie them to something on the boot. I
found the box in the garage attic (a storage platform on the high side
of the sloping garage roof) with the outgrown kids gear, unmated
gloves, motheaten hats, etc. but no powder straps. Maybe they are in
the ski-tuning tool box.

Meanwhile, things look bad for the boot repair plans. I pulled the
liners out to get access to the inside of the shell and even they have
some cracking and missing pieces. Even my non-skiing daughter was
laughing at them.

There is a used sporting goods store across the parking lot from my
wife's office, so maybe I'll look there for a lucky break on boots
this week.

Stephen B.[_2_]

December 11th 09, 03:01 AM

"VtSkier" wrote in message

<SNIP>
>
> We were unhappy when a local group didn't get
> Killington/Pico, but current group seems to be doing
> a good job even though they ruffle some feathers from
> time to time. They are operating a ski area, not an
> amenity for a destination resort. There is a distinction
> there that isn't lost on most of us.

<SNIP>

What are you seeing that they are doing or not doing that you say
"They are operating a ski area, not an amenity"?

--
Stephen B.
Remove the first Spam only to e-mail directly

VtSkier[_3_]

December 11th 09, 02:57 PM

Stephen B. wrote:
> "VtSkier" wrote in message
>
> <SNIP>
>> We were unhappy when a local group didn't get
>> Killington/Pico, but current group seems to be doing
>> a good job even though they ruffle some feathers from
>> time to time. They are operating a ski area, not an
>> amenity for a destination resort. There is a distinction
>> there that isn't lost on most of us.
>
> <SNIP>
>
> What are you seeing that they are doing or not doing that you say
> "They are operating a ski area, not an amenity"?
>

Please don't trim my thoughts, then the meaning
becomes clearer. I said, "They are operating a
ski area, not an amenity *to a destination resort*."

In the latter the "resort experience" or "vacation
experience" is paramount. The skiing amenity to this
"experience" is often not run as a business with
little or any effort to make money from the skiing
end. Les Otten stood in front of us back in 1997
and said essentially that skiing was a losing business
and that money was only to be made in the hospitality
and real estate ends of the business. History has
proved him wrong. The hospitality ends of the business
cost him so much that ASC was bankrupt by the time
it had sold all of its assets and folded. Killington
as a ski area in the meantime was a cash cow for ASC
and tended to provide the wherewithal that held it
all together.

The current management of Killington appears to see
this and is operating a ski area to:

1) Make money, first and foremost. They are not
a charitable orgnization.

2) Provide a great product AND cater to hard core
enthusiasts in order to (see 1 above).

Skiing through ticket sales and ancillary activities
(eating) are the sole means for (see 1 above).

There are plans afoot to create a large development
at the base of Killington, makes sense, one part
of the ownership owns the land around Killington.
This, I believe, is being seen as an amenity to the
skiing and is intended to bring more people into
skiing, especially during mid-week which is typically
the doldrums for skiing in the east.

Richard Henry

December 11th 09, 03:36 PM

On Dec 11, 6:57*am, VtSkier > wrote:
> Stephen B. wrote:
> > "VtSkier" *wrote in message
>
> > <SNIP>
> >> We were unhappy when a local group didn't get
> >> Killington/Pico, but current group seems to be doing
> >> a good job even though they ruffle some feathers from
> >> time to time. They are operating a ski area, not an
> >> amenity for a destination resort. There is a distinction
> >> there that isn't lost on most of us.
>
> > <SNIP>
>
> > What are you seeing that they are doing or not doing that you say
> > "They are operating a ski area, not an amenity"?
>
> Please don't trim my thoughts, then the meaning
> becomes clearer. I said, "They are operating a
> ski area, not an amenity *to a destination resort*."
>
> In the latter the "resort experience" or "vacation
> experience" is paramount. The skiing amenity to this
> "experience" is often not run as a business with
> little or any effort to make money from the skiing
> end. Les Otten stood in front of us back in 1997
> and said essentially that skiing was a losing business
> and that money was only to be made in the hospitality
> and real estate ends of the business. History has
> proved him wrong. The hospitality ends of the business
> cost him so much that ASC was bankrupt by the time
> it had sold all of its assets and folded. Killington
> as a ski area in the meantime was a cash cow for ASC
> and tended to provide the wherewithal that held it
> all together.
>
> The current management of Killington appears to see
> this and is operating a ski area to:
>
> 1) Make money, first and foremost. They are not
> a charitable orgnization.
>
> 2) Provide a great product AND cater to hard core
> enthusiasts in order to (see 1 above).
>
> Skiing through ticket sales and ancillary activities
> (eating) are the sole means for (see 1 above).
>
> There are plans afoot to create a large development
> at the base of Killington, makes sense, one part
> of the ownership owns the land around Killington.
> This, I believe, is being seen as an amenity to the
> skiing and is intended to bring more people into
> skiing, especially during mid-week which is typically
> the doldrums for skiing in the east.

Where do you see my favorite Eastern ski area, Jay Peak, going? They
recently opened that resort necessity, a golf course, and are building
an ice arena at the edge of the parking lot. Interestingly, the last
time I visited Jay Peak was in the summer of 2005 when we went back
for a family reunion and summer condo rates were very friendly.

And another topic: competition. The last wave of obvious
improvements in the Big Bear area were when SKI and Booth Creek were
pumping money into Bear Mountain and Snow Summit responded in kind:
Detachable quads, new lifts and re-alignment of some of the old lifts,
trail widening and smoothing, base lodge upgrades. There have not
been any visible improvements at either resort since they merged. Snow
Forest, a smaller area tucked under Snow Summit's western shoulder,
folded when they could not compete. with the big boys.

Skier's dreams:
Interchange lifts between SS and BM: There is an out-of-bounds Forest
Service road that allows a skier to go down from top of SS to bottom
of BM, but it is not patrolled and rarely has adequate coverage, but
no return except the free shuttle.
Connecting with the old Snow Forest area: That could be done with one
trail and one lift, but would probably take years to get a permit.
Expanding eastward from the top of Geronimo at BM into the slopes of
Sugarloaf, which goes up higher than anything developed now.
Infill projects at SS: add a trail from the base of Chair 3 (you
either have to ride up or climb out now); HSQ replacement for Chair 7.
Infill projects at BM: open up Deer Canyon; upgrade Geronimo lift.

lal_truckee

December 11th 09, 04:25 PM

VtSkier wrote:
>
> There are plans afoot to create a large development
> at the base of Killington, makes sense, one part
> of the ownership owns the land around Killington.
> This, I believe, is being seen as an amenity to the
> skiing and is intended to bring more people into
> skiing, especially during mid-week which is typically
> the doldrums for skiing in the east.

That's exactly how these wretches screw up the skiing. If they built
moderate cost lodging for moderate rent it might work, but they can't
help themselves. They build these elaborate "villages" purely to bring
in midweek skier (so they say,) overextend and crash. It also happened
at Mammoth and Squaw where both base developments are in trouble. These
guys all want to build and flip real estate, leave town with their
money, and to hell with the skiing, ski town, and skiers.

It's a hoax; don't believe them.

Have you read "Downhill Slide: Why the Corporate Ski Industry Is Bad for
Skiing, Ski Towns, and the Environment" by Hal Clifford?

Good book, recommended to skiers. Published in Oct 2003, before the
lying real estate crooks started crashing ski areas.

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 11th 09, 10:57 PM

Richard Henry wrote:

> On Dec 11, 6:57 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>
>> There are plans afoot to create a large development at the base of
>> Killington...,
>
> Where do you see my favorite Eastern ski area, Jay Peak, going? They
> recently opened that resort necessity, a golf course, and are building an
> ice arena at the edge of the parking lot. Interestingly, the last time I
> visited Jay Peak was in the summer of 2005 when we went back for a family
> reunion and summer condo rates were very friendly.
>
> And another topic: competition. The last wave of obvious improvements in
> the Big Bear area were when SKI and Booth Creek were pumping money into Bear
> Mountain and Snow Summit responded in kind: Detachable quads, new lifts and
> re-alignment of some of the old lifts, trail widening and smoothing, base
> lodge upgrades. There have not been any visible improvements at either
> resort since they merged.

Hey, their only competition is Mountain High, which is closer to LA and is
more expensive and has worse runs, bigger crowds, ruder lifties and patrollers
who don't seem to give a ****. It will get even closer if they ever finish
Highway 39, which maybe has already been done. If I were Mountain High I would
have spent a LOT of money "lobbying" the right people.

Did you ever go to Green Valley or Sunrise?

> Snow Forest, a smaller area tucked under Snow Summit's western shoulder,
> folded when they could not compete. with the big boys.

THANK YOU. I found that on google maps a couple of years ago and wrote to
somebody at Big Bear asking about it, but I can't find the email. It's a
really striking-looking thing and seems to have a road going directly to it. I
swear, THIS year I'm going to try to find it...maybe...

> Skier's dreams: Interchange lifts between SS and BM: There is an
> out-of-bounds Forest Service road that allows a skier to go down from top of
> SS to bottom of BM, but it is not patrolled and rarely has adequate
> coverage, but no return except the free shuttle.

Interesting. So it's accessible after a foot of natural snow? Since I always
leave before 1:00 I don't want to waste an hour checking BM out, but maybe it's
worth a half hour...

> Connecting with the old Snow Forest area: That could be done with one trail
> and one lift, but would probably take years to get a permit. Expanding
> eastward from the top of Geronimo at BM into the slopes of Sugarloaf, which
> goes up higher than anything developed now. Infill projects at SS: add a
> trail from the base of Chair 3 (you either have to ride up or climb out
> now);

Is that the one that requires a slog just to get back to the bottom? I did
that by mistake once.

> HSQ replacement for Chair 7. Infill projects at BM: open up Deer Canyon;
> upgrade Geronimo lift.

--
Cheers, Bev
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
"Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it
everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every
human being who ever was, lived out their lives." -- Carl Sagan

Richard Henry

December 12th 09, 07:38 AM

On Dec 11, 2:57*pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > On Dec 11, 6:57 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>
> >> There are plans afoot to create a large development at the base of
> >> Killington...,
>
> > Where do you see my favorite Eastern ski area, Jay Peak, going? *They
> > recently opened that resort necessity, a golf course, and are building an
> > ice arena at the edge of the parking lot. *Interestingly, the last time I
> > visited Jay Peak was in the summer of 2005 when we went back for a family
> > reunion and summer condo rates were very friendly.
>
> > And another topic: *competition. *The last wave of obvious improvements in
> > the Big Bear area were when SKI and Booth Creek were pumping money into Bear
> > Mountain and Snow Summit responded in kind: Detachable quads, new lifts and
> > re-alignment of some of the old lifts, trail widening and smoothing, base
> > lodge upgrades. *There have not been any visible improvements at either
> > resort since they merged.
>
> Hey, their only competition is Mountain High, which is closer to LA and is
> more expensive and has worse runs, bigger crowds, ruder lifties and patrollers
> who don't seem to give a ****. *It will get even closer if they ever finish
> Highway 39, which maybe has already been done. *If I were Mountain High I would
> have spent a LOT of money "lobbying" the right people.
>
> Did you ever go to Green Valley or Sunrise?

No, and my two attempts to ski at Mountain High I abandoned because of
the traffic backup soon after getting off I15. (I only wanted to go
there because ALL the roads into Big Bear were closed).

>
> > Snow Forest, a smaller area tucked under Snow Summit's western shoulder,
> > folded when they could not compete. with the big boys.
>
> THANK YOU. *I found that on google maps a couple of years ago and wrote to
> somebody at Big Bear asking about it, but I can't find the email. *It's a
> really striking-looking thing and seems to have a road going directly to it. *I
> swear, THIS year I'm going to try to find it...maybe...

Better hurry. It is getting overgrown since no one is trimming out
the trails anymore.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=big+bear+city+ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=51.222969,78.837891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Big+Bear+City,+San+Bernardino,+California&ll=34.221313,-116.883631&spn=0.052731,0.07699&t=h&z=14

or http://tinyurl.com/y9p4m5w

Ghost of Snow Forest on left, SS in center, BM on right.

> > Skier's dreams: Interchange lifts between SS and BM: *There is an
> > out-of-bounds Forest Service road that allows a skier to go down from top of
> > SS to bottom of BM, but it is not patrolled and rarely has adequate
> > coverage, but no return except the free shuttle.
>
> Interesting. *So it's accessible after a foot of natural snow? *Since I always
> leave before 1:00 I don't want to waste an hour checking BM out, but maybe it's
> worth a half hour...

I have driven up the road and hiked down the road in the summer (after
riding up with mountain bikers), but I have never tried it in any
fashion in winter. Leave word with someone you trust before starting
out - it's not marked as a ski trail and there are other roads up
there.

> > Connecting with the old Snow Forest area: *That could be done with one trail
> > and one lift, but would probably take years to get a permit. Expanding
> > eastward from the top of Geronimo at BM into the slopes of Sugarloaf, which
> > goes up higher than anything developed now. Infill projects at SS: *add a
> > trail from the base of Chair 3 (you either have to ride up or climb out
> > now);
>
> Is that the one that requires a slog just to get back to the bottom? *I did
> that by mistake once.

It can get difficult at times, but I never thought of it as a "slog"
unless you want to climb out the trail (maybe 30' rise) to get back to
the base lodge without riding up again. There might be some confusion
due to the fact that at some time (mid-90's?) they renumbered the
lifts. What is now 11 is the bottom two-thirds of what used to be 1,
the current 1 was originally called 10, and when they built what is
now called 10 they changed the numbers around (I might have missed
some other changes).

twobuddha[_2_]

December 14th 09, 07:58 PM

On Dec 9, 9:55*pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > On Dec 9, 7:32 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> >> Richard Henry wrote:
> >> Something led me to believe that BM was more boarder-friendly than SS. *True?

> <sigh> *I pray that I never have to find that out for myself.
>
> You need to go during the week rather than on weekends. *Jobs are over-rated.
> Remember, I was canned with 700+ hours of unused sick leave that could have
> been spent in mental-health therapy.
>

Nice to see Fugly Bev admit that she needs extensive mental health
therapy. Unfortunately, there are no treatments effective for
psychopathic liars.
No wonder they canned you: decent people saw you for the freak you
are, eh? Caught you lying too many times?
Does my heart good to see a couple vile assholes discussing the crappy
areas they ski. Never skied any of them, never will, and never will
have to.
Life is good.
Seven days in already this season on four different BIG mountains.
Kewl.

Richard Henry

December 14th 09, 09:53 PM

On Dec 9, 9:55*pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > On Dec 9, 7:32 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> >> Richard Henry wrote:
> >> Something led me to believe that BM was more boarder-friendly than SS. *True?
>
> > BM made its marketing niche by hyping their boarder-friendly
> > attitudes. *They converted one trail (and essentially, therefore, one
> > lift, since there was nothin else interesting off that lift) to a
> > terrain park that was impossible to ski. *Of course, they also kept
> > one lift off-limits to boarders to please the diehards, I guess.
>
> > SS followed with a one-trail terrain park off to the side of Chair 3,
> > and then parked up the whole length of Westridge, which used to be one
> > of my favorite long, easy cruisers.
>
> The first time I did that run was late in the morning with lots of slush. *I
> suspect I could have run faster...for a while, at least.
>
> > I don't know where SS's remote lots are because I have never used
> > them, but I have seen the signs and the shuttles. *BM's remote lot is
> > at the far end of the golf course.
>
> <sigh> *I pray that I never have to find that out for myself.
>
> You need to go during the week rather than on weekends. *Jobs are over-rated.
> Remember, I was canned with 700+ hours of unused sick leave that could have
> been spent in mental-health therapy.
>

I was laid off from one job in mid-January after working through the 2-
week holiday plant shutdown (charging to holidays and vaction time)
with a promise of comp time off after the project shipped. We worked
through a few more weekends for free, then late Monday night, got the
shipment out in Time for Fed Ex, and got laid off Tuesday morning at
9AM. When I mentioned the comp time, the Chief Engineer and HR
director told me I should have gotten it in writing.

My brother-in-law, a few months younger than me, just retired last
week and is moving ot Argentina to live with his girlfriend and dance
the Tango every night. He said Argentina will let him stay if he can
show an income of $500 a month. He is keeping his US citizenship and
renting his San Diego house to his sons for just enough to cover his
20-year-old mortgage (both sides are happy with the arrangement).

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 15th 09, 01:55 AM

Richard Henry wrote:

>> You need to go during the week rather than on weekends. Jobs are over-rated.
>> Remember, I was canned with 700+ hours of unused sick leave that could have
>> been spent in mental-health therapy.

I'm going to SS tomorrow arriving at 7:30 or so and leaving at 1:00. If there's
a chance you can play hooky, email me.

> I was laid off from one job in mid-January after working through the 2-
> week holiday plant shutdown (charging to holidays and vaction time)
> with a promise of comp time off after the project shipped. We worked
> through a few more weekends for free, then late Monday night, got the
> shipment out in Time for Fed Ex, and got laid off Tuesday morning at
> 9AM. When I mentioned the comp time, the Chief Engineer and HR
> director told me I should have gotten it in writing.

****heads. I was promised comp time too, but it turns out -- as they told me
later on -- that if you bill the government comp time reduces the hourly charge
for OH/G&A and the company LOSES money. They're all ****heads.

> My brother-in-law, a few months younger than me, just retired last
> week and is moving ot Argentina to live with his girlfriend and dance
> the Tango every night. He said Argentina will let him stay if he can
> show an income of $500 a month.

So somebody is going to pay him $500/month to dance. And he doesn't have to
take his clothes off? Cool!

> He is keeping his US citizenship and
> renting his San Diego house to his sons for just enough to cover his
> 20-year-old mortgage (both sides are happy with the arrangement).

I truly regret having lived such a responsible life. Even when I was young I
was sensible. What a waste.

--
Cheers, Bev
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^
"Even Islamic terrorists don't hate America like liberals do.
They don't have the energy. If they had that much energy,
they'd have indoor plumbing by now." -- Ann Coulter

Richard Henry

December 15th 09, 07:13 AM

On Dec 14, 5:55*pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> >> You need to go during the week rather than on weekends. *Jobs are over-rated.
> >> Remember, I was canned with 700+ hours of unused sick leave that could have
> >> been spent in mental-health therapy.
>
> I'm going to SS tomorrow arriving at 7:30 or so and leaving at 1:00. If there's
> a chance you can play hooky, email me.
>
> > I was laid off from one job in mid-January after working through the 2-
> > week holiday plant shutdown (charging to holidays and vaction time)
> > with a promise of comp time off after the project shipped. *We worked
> > through a few more weekends for free, then late Monday night, got the
> > shipment out in Time for Fed Ex, and got laid off Tuesday morning at
> > 9AM. *When I mentioned the comp time, the Chief Engineer and HR
> > director told me I should have gotten it in writing.
>
> ****heads. *I was promised comp time too, but it turns out -- as they told me
> later on -- that if you bill the government comp time reduces the hourly charge
> for OH/G&A and the company LOSES money. *They're all ****heads.
>
> > My brother-in-law, a few months younger than me, just retired last
> > week and is moving ot Argentina to live with his girlfriend and dance
> > the Tango every night. *He said Argentina will let him stay if he can
> > show an income of $500 a month. *
>
> So somebody is going to pay him $500/month to dance. *And he doesn't have to
> take his clothes off? *Cool!
>
> > He is keeping his US citizenship and
> > renting his San Diego house to his sons for just enough to cover his
> > 20-year-old mortgage (both sides are happy with the arrangement).
>
> I truly regret having lived such a responsible life. *Even when I was young I
> was sensible. *What a waste.

Too short notice, I'm afraid.

A curious note - my son and I were planning to go today, but we had to
cancel because he found out only last night that the team he is
coaching (and for which I do the website reports) had added a game to
the schedule at the last moment.

That's right - an actual emergency soccer game.

Richard Henry

December 16th 09, 01:38 AM

On Dec 6, 8:19*pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. *Not
> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
> toes.
>
> My son told me I need new boots. *I told him I could use superglue and
> epoxy to fix it.

Enough fun. Back to my original problem -

My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. I normally wear a 9 or
9-1/2 shoe. The broken Techicas are marked so:

Liner: "10 - 11 1/2 SX"
Molded inside the cuff: "10 - 12 1/2 SX"
Molded inside the shell: "10 1/2 SX"
Moded on the bottom: "10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.

I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
early 90's sizes). I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. Any
advice?

VtSkier[_3_]

December 16th 09, 02:06 AM

Richard Henry wrote:
> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>> toes.
>>
>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
>> epoxy to fix it.
>
> Enough fun. Back to my original problem -
>
> My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
> deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. I normally wear a 9 or
> 9-1/2 shoe. The broken Techicas are marked so:
>
> Liner: "10 - 11 1/2 SX"
> Molded inside the cuff: "10 - 12 1/2 SX"
> Molded inside the shell: "10 1/2 SX"
> Moded on the bottom: "10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.
>
> I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
> early 90's sizes). I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
> same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. Any
> advice?

You are trying to cheap-out aren't you?

Well anyway. Modern ski boots are *usually* sized
using the 'mondo' system. So if you wear a 9 to 9.5
shoe, your mondo size will be no larger than 27 or
27.5. It may be smaller.

The way to find out is to go to your local ski shop
and try on a few pair. Maybe even have the tech
do a 'shell fit' and show you how the boot is
supposed to feel.

Then, go online and match what you tried on in the
shop. There's one method.

In my area, shops will sell what is simply last year's
brand new stock at a huge discount. You can try them on
just like new stock and usually get the store's fit
guarantee.

Further, some of the better shops use really good
boots for 'performance' rentals. They sell them off
each year. These are available usually for under
a hundred bucks. Same guarantee should apply as for
the last years new stock.

Then, again. Learn what the boots are supposed to
feel like. Do a shell fit at your local shop.
Pick a boot online which has a heat
mouldable liner. This will come with instructions
for final fitting using heat. Pad up 'hot' spots
on your foot and do the heating and fitting as
directed.

You might want to do any of these with a good orthotic
insert. If your feet are very problematical, have the
insert made professionally. If they don't usually
give much trouble, then a pre-made insert (specifically
made for ski boots) is available and MUCH cheaper. If
you had comfortable ones in your old boots, re-use those.

Richard Henry

December 16th 09, 07:19 AM

On Dec 15, 8:23*pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > On Dec 14, 5:55 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> >> Richard Henry wrote:
> >> >> You need to go during the week rather than on weekends. *Jobs are over-rated.
> >> >> Remember, I was canned with 700+ hours of unused sick leave that could have
> >> >> been spent in mental-health therapy.
>
> >> I'm going to SS tomorrow arriving at 7:30 or so and leaving at 1:00. If there's
> >> a chance you can play hooky, email me.
>
> >> > I was laid off from one job in mid-January after working through the 2-
> >> > week holiday plant shutdown (charging to holidays and vaction time)
> >> > with a promise of comp time off after the project shipped. *We worked
> >> > through a few more weekends for free, then late Monday night, got the
> >> > shipment out in Time for Fed Ex, and got laid off Tuesday morning at
> >> > 9AM. *When I mentioned the comp time, the Chief Engineer and HR
> >> > director told me I should have gotten it in writing.
>
> >> ****heads. *I was promised comp time too, but it turns out -- as they told me
> >> later on -- that if you bill the government comp time reduces the hourly charge
> >> for OH/G&A and the company LOSES money. *They're all ****heads.
>
> >> > My brother-in-law, a few months younger than me, just retired last
> >> > week and is moving ot Argentina to live with his girlfriend and dance
> >> > the Tango every night. *He said Argentina will let him stay if he can
> >> > show an income of $500 a month. *
>
> >> So somebody is going to pay him $500/month to dance. *And he doesn't have to
> >> take his clothes off? *Cool!
>
> >> > He is keeping his US citizenship and
> >> > renting his San Diego house to his sons for just enough to cover his
> >> > 20-year-old mortgage (both sides are happy with the arrangement).
>
> >> I truly regret having lived such a responsible life. *Even when I was young I
> >> was sensible. *What a waste.
>
> > Too short notice, I'm afraid.
>
> Your loss. *It was a truly memorable day.
>
> TR: *Mostly what they call packed powder at Snow Summit is churned up ice --
> sort of like what snow cones are made of. *This stuff was firm and smooth --
> like buttah! *I don't know if the effect was due to the snow or to the
> absolutely virgin bases on the Volants, but it was wonderful.
>
> And it turns out that I like...no, LOVE... heavy stiff 177cm skis. *I skied
> faster and with less muscle tiredness than ever before. At my first rest stop
> (about 2 minutes into the first run -- that's what I have to deal with) I
> nearly cried with joy; *I certainly giggled.
>
> According to the sensor in my car it was 16F when I got there at 7:30.
> t-shirtsweaterfleecevestNorthFacejacket and I was perfectly comfy.
>
> This day was so good that I have to keep looking up to see what godawfulness is
> about to fall on me.
>
> Holiday rates and crowds start next week, but January always comes...so far,
> anyway.

Let me be the first to offer a congratulatory "Bite me".

Monday was going to be our last chance before the holiday break to get
in a true mid-week day. Today we had a high school teams and coaches
meeting (at which my son found out there might not be funding for his
job as Freshman coach - but I think he will do it for fun anyway) and
then the monthly club league meeting, tomorrow is a game against a
rival school in our district (a school whose coach is also a local
college coach who offered my younger son a scholarship that he turned
down in favor of a scholarship at a UC school), Thursday is the
varsity pasta party, held at our house this week, and Friday and
Saturday are holiday tournament games. And then next week all the
schools will be on break and SS/BM will be a zoo.

> > A curious note - my son and I were planning to go today, but we had to
> > cancel because he found out only last night that the team he is
> > coaching (and for which I do the website reports) had added a game to
> > the schedule at the last moment.
>
> > That's right - an actual emergency soccer game.
>
> I won't hold it against you and will never refer to it again.

Just to clear up how there can be an "emergency" (or at least
unplanned) game - a new school just opened in our district, and they
have only Freshman and Sophomore classes in attendance. As a result,
they have no varsity teams, and thus don't appear on any other
school's schedules, which are mostly based off what the varsity team
is doing, so they have to look for random opportunities for their
Frosh and JV teams to play. Last week we had a cancellation of
Freshman and JV games due to transportation issues (the other school
didn't have money to pay for their buses), so the coaches got together
over the weekend and agreed to schedule Frosh/JV games Monday. We
heard about it Sunday night about 7PM, and there was a bit of
scrambling Monday to get all the players and their gear to the game on
time.

Richard Henry

December 16th 09, 07:22 AM

On Dec 15, 6:06*pm, VtSkier > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
> >> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. *Not
> >> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
> >> toes.
>
> >> My son told me I need new boots. *I told him I could use superglue and
> >> epoxy to fix it.
>
> > Enough fun. *Back to my original problem -
>
> > My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
> > deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. *I normally wear a 9 or
> > 9-1/2 shoe. *The broken Techicas are marked so:
>
> > Liner: *"10 - 11 1/2 SX"
> > Molded inside the cuff: *"10 - 12 1/2 SX"
> > Molded inside the shell: *"10 1/2 SX"
> > Moded on the bottom: *"10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.
>
> > I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
> > early 90's sizes). *I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
> > same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. *Any
> > advice?
>
> You are trying to cheap-out aren't you?
>
> Well anyway. Modern ski boots are *usually* sized
> using the 'mondo' system. So if you wear a 9 to 9.5
> shoe, your mondo size will be no larger than 27 or
> 27.5. It may be smaller.
>
> The way to find out is to go to your local ski shop
> and try on a few pair. Maybe even have the tech
> do a 'shell fit' and show you how the boot is
> supposed to feel.
>
> Then, go online and match what you tried on in the
> shop. There's one method.
>
> In my area, shops will sell what is simply last year's
> brand new stock at a huge discount. You can try them on
> just like new stock and usually get the store's fit
> guarantee.
>
> Further, some of the better shops use really good
> boots for 'performance' rentals. They sell them off
> each year. These are available usually for under
> a hundred bucks. Same guarantee should apply as for
> the last years new stock.
>
> Then, again. Learn what the boots are supposed to
> feel like. Do a shell fit at your local shop.
> Pick a boot online which has a heat
> mouldable liner. This will come with instructions
> for final fitting using heat. Pad up 'hot' spots
> on your foot and do the heating and fitting as
> directed.
>
> You might want to do any of these with a good orthotic
> insert. If your feet are very problematical, have the
> insert made professionally. If they don't usually
> give much trouble, then a pre-made insert (specifically
> made for ski boots) is available and MUCH cheaper. If
> you had comfortable ones in your old boots, re-use those.

My hope is to find a good pair of used boots at Retro Sports or Play
it Again, but I wnat to make sure I have at least a good chance of
them fitting my existing bindings.

By coincidece, when my son showed me tramdock.com, the items up for
sale were new Technica boots at 40% off - none in my size, though (I
think).

VtSkier[_3_]

December 16th 09, 01:27 PM

Richard Henry wrote:
> On Dec 15, 6:06 pm, VtSkier > wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
>>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>>>> toes.
>>>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
>>>> epoxy to fix it.
>>> Enough fun. Back to my original problem -
>>> My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
>>> deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. I normally wear a 9 or
>>> 9-1/2 shoe. The broken Techicas are marked so:
>>> Liner: "10 - 11 1/2 SX"
>>> Molded inside the cuff: "10 - 12 1/2 SX"
>>> Molded inside the shell: "10 1/2 SX"
>>> Moded on the bottom: "10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.
>>> I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
>>> early 90's sizes). I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
>>> same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. Any
>>> advice?
>> You are trying to cheap-out aren't you?
>>
>> Well anyway. Modern ski boots are *usually* sized
>> using the 'mondo' system. So if you wear a 9 to 9.5
>> shoe, your mondo size will be no larger than 27 or
>> 27.5. It may be smaller.
>>
>> The way to find out is to go to your local ski shop
>> and try on a few pair. Maybe even have the tech
>> do a 'shell fit' and show you how the boot is
>> supposed to feel.
>>
>> Then, go online and match what you tried on in the
>> shop. There's one method.
>>
>> In my area, shops will sell what is simply last year's
>> brand new stock at a huge discount. You can try them on
>> just like new stock and usually get the store's fit
>> guarantee.
>>
>> Further, some of the better shops use really good
>> boots for 'performance' rentals. They sell them off
>> each year. These are available usually for under
>> a hundred bucks. Same guarantee should apply as for
>> the last years new stock.
>>
>> Then, again. Learn what the boots are supposed to
>> feel like. Do a shell fit at your local shop.
>> Pick a boot online which has a heat
>> mouldable liner. This will come with instructions
>> for final fitting using heat. Pad up 'hot' spots
>> on your foot and do the heating and fitting as
>> directed.
>>
>> You might want to do any of these with a good orthotic
>> insert. If your feet are very problematical, have the
>> insert made professionally. If they don't usually
>> give much trouble, then a pre-made insert (specifically
>> made for ski boots) is available and MUCH cheaper. If
>> you had comfortable ones in your old boots, re-use those.
>
> My hope is to find a good pair of used boots at Retro Sports or Play
> it Again, but I wnat to make sure I have at least a good chance of
> them fitting my existing bindings.

If you haven't learned anything else here...
THE BOOTS FIT YOUR FEET
Then adjust, or even remount your bindings.
By the way, are your bindings still covered
by the manufacturer's indemnity?

>
> By coincidece, when my son showed me tramdock.com, the items up for
> sale were new Technica boots at 40% off - none in my size, though (I
> think).

You can probably do better than 40% off.
For instance, I bought my Scarpa Tornados
for half-price at the beginning of the season.

DON'T SWEAT THE BINDING FIT.

Walt

December 16th 09, 02:59 PM

The Real Bev wrote:
>
> According to the sensor in my car it was 16F when I got there at 7:30.
> t-shirtsweaterfleecevestNorthFacejacket and I was perfectly comfy.

I find that I'm more comfortable if I wear pants too. YMMV.

//Walt

Walt

December 16th 09, 03:09 PM

VtSkier wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
>>
>> My hope is to find a good pair of used boots at Retro Sports or Play
>> it Again, but I wnat to make sure I have at least a good chance of
>> them fitting my existing bindings.
>
> If you haven't learned anything else here...
> THE BOOTS FIT YOUR FEET
> Then adjust, or even remount your bindings.
> DON'T SWEAT THE BINDING FIT.

Right. The boot-binding interface is highly standardized and any boot
younger than Brittany Spears will mate with any binding that the shop
will still service. Mechanical things can be manufactured this way -
google "interchangable parts" if you'd like more information on this
technological breakthrough.

However, feet are not standardized. Far from it. That makes the
boot-foot interface a bit tricky and highly individualized. You'd need
hundreds of parameters to quantify this relationship and the "size 9"
designation is far too crude to be of much value other than determining
what *doesn't* fit.

The only option is to actually try them on, and it helps to know what a
good fit feels like. If you don't know yourself, an experienced
bootfitter can help.

//Walt

Richard Henry

December 16th 09, 04:20 PM

On Dec 16, 5:27*am, VtSkier > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > On Dec 15, 6:06 pm, VtSkier > wrote:
> >> Richard Henry wrote:
> >>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
> >>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. *Not
> >>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
> >>>> toes.
> >>>> My son told me I need new boots. *I told him I could use superglue and
> >>>> epoxy to fix it.
> >>> Enough fun. *Back to my original problem -
> >>> My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
> >>> deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. *I normally wear a 9 or
> >>> 9-1/2 shoe. *The broken Techicas are marked so:
> >>> Liner: *"10 - 11 1/2 SX"
> >>> Molded inside the cuff: *"10 - 12 1/2 SX"
> >>> Molded inside the shell: *"10 1/2 SX"
> >>> Moded on the bottom: *"10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.
> >>> I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
> >>> early 90's sizes). *I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
> >>> same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. *Any
> >>> advice?
> >> You are trying to cheap-out aren't you?
>
> >> Well anyway. Modern ski boots are *usually* sized
> >> using the 'mondo' system. So if you wear a 9 to 9.5
> >> shoe, your mondo size will be no larger than 27 or
> >> 27.5. It may be smaller.
>
> >> The way to find out is to go to your local ski shop
> >> and try on a few pair. Maybe even have the tech
> >> do a 'shell fit' and show you how the boot is
> >> supposed to feel.
>
> >> Then, go online and match what you tried on in the
> >> shop. There's one method.
>
> >> In my area, shops will sell what is simply last year's
> >> brand new stock at a huge discount. You can try them on
> >> just like new stock and usually get the store's fit
> >> guarantee.
>
> >> Further, some of the better shops use really good
> >> boots for 'performance' rentals. They sell them off
> >> each year. These are available usually for under
> >> a hundred bucks. Same guarantee should apply as for
> >> the last years new stock.
>
> >> Then, again. Learn what the boots are supposed to
> >> feel like. Do a shell fit at your local shop.
> >> Pick a boot online which has a heat
> >> mouldable liner. This will come with instructions
> >> for final fitting using heat. Pad up 'hot' spots
> >> on your foot and do the heating and fitting as
> >> directed.
>
> >> You might want to do any of these with a good orthotic
> >> insert. If your feet are very problematical, have the
> >> insert made professionally. If they don't usually
> >> give much trouble, then a pre-made insert (specifically
> >> made for ski boots) is available and MUCH cheaper. If
> >> you had comfortable ones in your old boots, re-use those.
>
> > My hope is to find a good pair of used boots at Retro Sports or Play
> > it Again, but I wnat to make sure I have at least a good chance of
> > them fitting my existing bindings.
>
> If you haven't learned anything else here...
> THE BOOTS FIT YOUR FEET
> Then adjust, or even remount your bindings.
> By the way, are your bindings still covered
> by the manufacturer's indemnity?
>
Indemnity? The skis have a shop sticker dated 1997 on them. What do
you think?

VtSkier[_3_]

December 16th 09, 05:01 PM

Richard Henry wrote:
> On Dec 16, 5:27 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>> On Dec 15, 6:06 pm, VtSkier > wrote:
>>>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>>>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
>>>>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>>>>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>>>>>> toes.
>>>>>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
>>>>>> epoxy to fix it.
>>>>> Enough fun. Back to my original problem -
>>>>> My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
>>>>> deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. I normally wear a 9 or
>>>>> 9-1/2 shoe. The broken Techicas are marked so:
>>>>> Liner: "10 - 11 1/2 SX"
>>>>> Molded inside the cuff: "10 - 12 1/2 SX"
>>>>> Molded inside the shell: "10 1/2 SX"
>>>>> Moded on the bottom: "10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.
>>>>> I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
>>>>> early 90's sizes). I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
>>>>> same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. Any
>>>>> advice?
>>>> You are trying to cheap-out aren't you?
>>>> Well anyway. Modern ski boots are *usually* sized
>>>> using the 'mondo' system. So if you wear a 9 to 9.5
>>>> shoe, your mondo size will be no larger than 27 or
>>>> 27.5. It may be smaller.
>>>> The way to find out is to go to your local ski shop
>>>> and try on a few pair. Maybe even have the tech
>>>> do a 'shell fit' and show you how the boot is
>>>> supposed to feel.
>>>> Then, go online and match what you tried on in the
>>>> shop. There's one method.
>>>> In my area, shops will sell what is simply last year's
>>>> brand new stock at a huge discount. You can try them on
>>>> just like new stock and usually get the store's fit
>>>> guarantee.
>>>> Further, some of the better shops use really good
>>>> boots for 'performance' rentals. They sell them off
>>>> each year. These are available usually for under
>>>> a hundred bucks. Same guarantee should apply as for
>>>> the last years new stock.
>>>> Then, again. Learn what the boots are supposed to
>>>> feel like. Do a shell fit at your local shop.
>>>> Pick a boot online which has a heat
>>>> mouldable liner. This will come with instructions
>>>> for final fitting using heat. Pad up 'hot' spots
>>>> on your foot and do the heating and fitting as
>>>> directed.
>>>> You might want to do any of these with a good orthotic
>>>> insert. If your feet are very problematical, have the
>>>> insert made professionally. If they don't usually
>>>> give much trouble, then a pre-made insert (specifically
>>>> made for ski boots) is available and MUCH cheaper. If
>>>> you had comfortable ones in your old boots, re-use those.
>>> My hope is to find a good pair of used boots at Retro Sports or Play
>>> it Again, but I wnat to make sure I have at least a good chance of
>>> them fitting my existing bindings.
>> If you haven't learned anything else here...
>> THE BOOTS FIT YOUR FEET
>> Then adjust, or even remount your bindings.
>> By the way, are your bindings still covered
>> by the manufacturer's indemnity?
>>
> Indemnity? The skis have a shop sticker dated 1997 on them. What do
> you think?
>

Since you didn't tell me what brand your binding were
here is the '08-09 indemnification list
http://www.nssra.com/2001/nssra/index.asp
Some bindings as old as 1997 may still be
indemnified. All metal Salomons, for instance
may still be on the list. If your bindings are
mostly plastic, they may go the same way as your
boots... fairly soon.

I worked in a ski shop at the base of the
most notorious bump run in the East. Outer
Limits at Killington. We had a window sill
lined with broken bindings. The bindings
most in evidence were late model (early 90's)
Geze. Other bindings showed up from time
to time, but not as frequently as the Geze's.
Geze is no longer in business, the brand was
bought by Rossignol and the brand thankfully
retired. If you buy Rossignol bindings, the
toe pieces will be a descendants of the Geze
toe pieces of the middle 90's and heels will
be Look.

Richard Henry

December 16th 09, 06:04 PM

On Dec 16, 9:01*am, VtSkier > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > On Dec 16, 5:27 am, VtSkier > wrote:
> >> Richard Henry wrote:
> >>> On Dec 15, 6:06 pm, VtSkier > wrote:
> >>>> Richard Henry wrote:
> >>>>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
> >>>>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. *Not
> >>>>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
> >>>>>> toes.
> >>>>>> My son told me I need new boots. *I told him I could use superglue and
> >>>>>> epoxy to fix it.
> >>>>> Enough fun. *Back to my original problem -
> >>>>> My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
> >>>>> deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. *I normally wear a 9 or
> >>>>> 9-1/2 shoe. *The broken Techicas are marked so:
> >>>>> Liner: *"10 - 11 1/2 SX"
> >>>>> Molded inside the cuff: *"10 - 12 1/2 SX"
> >>>>> Molded inside the shell: *"10 1/2 SX"
> >>>>> Moded on the bottom: *"10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.
> >>>>> I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
> >>>>> early 90's sizes). *I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
> >>>>> same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. *Any
> >>>>> advice?
> >>>> You are trying to cheap-out aren't you?
> >>>> Well anyway. Modern ski boots are *usually* sized
> >>>> using the 'mondo' system. So if you wear a 9 to 9.5
> >>>> shoe, your mondo size will be no larger than 27 or
> >>>> 27.5. It may be smaller.
> >>>> The way to find out is to go to your local ski shop
> >>>> and try on a few pair. Maybe even have the tech
> >>>> do a 'shell fit' and show you how the boot is
> >>>> supposed to feel.
> >>>> Then, go online and match what you tried on in the
> >>>> shop. There's one method.
> >>>> In my area, shops will sell what is simply last year's
> >>>> brand new stock at a huge discount. You can try them on
> >>>> just like new stock and usually get the store's fit
> >>>> guarantee.
> >>>> Further, some of the better shops use really good
> >>>> boots for 'performance' rentals. They sell them off
> >>>> each year. These are available usually for under
> >>>> a hundred bucks. Same guarantee should apply as for
> >>>> the last years new stock.
> >>>> Then, again. Learn what the boots are supposed to
> >>>> feel like. Do a shell fit at your local shop.
> >>>> Pick a boot online which has a heat
> >>>> mouldable liner. This will come with instructions
> >>>> for final fitting using heat. Pad up 'hot' spots
> >>>> on your foot and do the heating and fitting as
> >>>> directed.
> >>>> You might want to do any of these with a good orthotic
> >>>> insert. If your feet are very problematical, have the
> >>>> insert made professionally. If they don't usually
> >>>> give much trouble, then a pre-made insert (specifically
> >>>> made for ski boots) is available and MUCH cheaper. If
> >>>> you had comfortable ones in your old boots, re-use those.
> >>> My hope is to find a good pair of used boots at Retro Sports or Play
> >>> it Again, but I wnat to make sure I have at least a good chance of
> >>> them fitting my existing bindings.
> >> If you haven't learned anything else here...
> >> THE BOOTS FIT YOUR FEET
> >> Then adjust, or even remount your bindings.
> >> By the way, are your bindings still covered
> >> by the manufacturer's indemnity?
>
> > Indemnity? *The skis have a shop sticker dated 1997 on them. *What do
> > you think?
>
> Since you didn't tell me what brand your binding were
> here is the '08-09 indemnification listhttp://www.nssra.com/2001/nssra/index.asp
> Some bindings as old as 1997 may still be
> indemnified. All metal Salomons, for instance
> may still be on the list. If your bindings are
> mostly plastic, they may go the same way as your
> boots... fairly soon.
>
> I worked in a ski shop at the base of the
> most notorious bump run in the East. Outer
> Limits at Killington. We had a window sill
> lined with broken bindings. The bindings
> most in evidence were late model (early 90's)
> Geze. Other bindings showed up from time
> to time, but not as frequently as the Geze's.
> Geze is no longer in business, the brand was
> bought by Rossignol and the brand thankfully
> retired. If you buy Rossignol bindings, the
> toe pieces will be a descendants of the Geze
> toe pieces of the middle 90's and heels will
> be Look.

They are Salomon S800, which are in the "Retail Bindings Salomon non
current" list, which I guess means ok, but no longer for sale?

VtSkier[_3_]

December 16th 09, 06:41 PM

Richard Henry wrote:
> On Dec 16, 9:01 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>> On Dec 16, 5:27 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>>>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>>>> On Dec 15, 6:06 pm, VtSkier > wrote:
>>>>>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>>>>>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
>>>>>>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>>>>>>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>>>>>>>> toes.
>>>>>>>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
>>>>>>>> epoxy to fix it.
>>>>>>> Enough fun. Back to my original problem -
>>>>>>> My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
>>>>>>> deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. I normally wear a 9 or
>>>>>>> 9-1/2 shoe. The broken Techicas are marked so:
>>>>>>> Liner: "10 - 11 1/2 SX"
>>>>>>> Molded inside the cuff: "10 - 12 1/2 SX"
>>>>>>> Molded inside the shell: "10 1/2 SX"
>>>>>>> Moded on the bottom: "10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.
>>>>>>> I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
>>>>>>> early 90's sizes). I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
>>>>>>> same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. Any
>>>>>>> advice?
>>>>>> You are trying to cheap-out aren't you?
>>>>>> Well anyway. Modern ski boots are *usually* sized
>>>>>> using the 'mondo' system. So if you wear a 9 to 9.5
>>>>>> shoe, your mondo size will be no larger than 27 or
>>>>>> 27.5. It may be smaller.
>>>>>> The way to find out is to go to your local ski shop
>>>>>> and try on a few pair. Maybe even have the tech
>>>>>> do a 'shell fit' and show you how the boot is
>>>>>> supposed to feel.
>>>>>> Then, go online and match what you tried on in the
>>>>>> shop. There's one method.
>>>>>> In my area, shops will sell what is simply last year's
>>>>>> brand new stock at a huge discount. You can try them on
>>>>>> just like new stock and usually get the store's fit
>>>>>> guarantee.
>>>>>> Further, some of the better shops use really good
>>>>>> boots for 'performance' rentals. They sell them off
>>>>>> each year. These are available usually for under
>>>>>> a hundred bucks. Same guarantee should apply as for
>>>>>> the last years new stock.
>>>>>> Then, again. Learn what the boots are supposed to
>>>>>> feel like. Do a shell fit at your local shop.
>>>>>> Pick a boot online which has a heat
>>>>>> mouldable liner. This will come with instructions
>>>>>> for final fitting using heat. Pad up 'hot' spots
>>>>>> on your foot and do the heating and fitting as
>>>>>> directed.
>>>>>> You might want to do any of these with a good orthotic
>>>>>> insert. If your feet are very problematical, have the
>>>>>> insert made professionally. If they don't usually
>>>>>> give much trouble, then a pre-made insert (specifically
>>>>>> made for ski boots) is available and MUCH cheaper. If
>>>>>> you had comfortable ones in your old boots, re-use those.
>>>>> My hope is to find a good pair of used boots at Retro Sports or Play
>>>>> it Again, but I wnat to make sure I have at least a good chance of
>>>>> them fitting my existing bindings.
>>>> If you haven't learned anything else here...
>>>> THE BOOTS FIT YOUR FEET
>>>> Then adjust, or even remount your bindings.
>>>> By the way, are your bindings still covered
>>>> by the manufacturer's indemnity?
>>> Indemnity? The skis have a shop sticker dated 1997 on them. What do
>>> you think?
>> Since you didn't tell me what brand your binding were
>> here is the '08-09 indemnification listhttp://www.nssra.com/2001/nssra/index.asp
>> Some bindings as old as 1997 may still be
>> indemnified. All metal Salomons, for instance
>> may still be on the list. If your bindings are
>> mostly plastic, they may go the same way as your
>> boots... fairly soon.
>>
>> I worked in a ski shop at the base of the
>> most notorious bump run in the East. Outer
>> Limits at Killington. We had a window sill
>> lined with broken bindings. The bindings
>> most in evidence were late model (early 90's)
>> Geze. Other bindings showed up from time
>> to time, but not as frequently as the Geze's.
>> Geze is no longer in business, the brand was
>> bought by Rossignol and the brand thankfully
>> retired. If you buy Rossignol bindings, the
>> toe pieces will be a descendants of the Geze
>> toe pieces of the middle 90's and heels will
>> be Look.
>
> They are Salomon S800, which are in the "Retail Bindings Salomon non
> current" list, which I guess means ok, but no longer for sale?

Decent bindings, I have a couple pair of skis
with these mounted. They usually have rental
tracks so boot sole length is not a particular
problem. The toe height is self-adjusting, so
no problem there either. This binding was made
in great quantities and served well as rental
bindings. My wife's skis are almost ten years
old with these bindings and a release check
recently showed that they worked withing
tolerances.

I found a pair for sale on ebay but couldn't get
tiny URL to work so I didn't send.

The forward pressure setting is a tab down low
and in the rear of the heel piece. Lift this with
a screw driver and the heel piece will slide fore
and aft. Set it so the lines on the tab are
approximately centered on the triangle arrow head
inscribed on the plastic sliding piece of the
heel with the boot in place. The arrow pointing
anywhere within the lined area is correct forward
pressure.

Google for a DIN chart and set accordingly by using
the appropriate screws on toe and heel. It would be
wise if the AFD (anti-friction device) were in
good shape. This is a teflon coated piece of plastic
that mounts under the toe of the boot. These may
be available if yours isn't any good at ski shops
because of the high usage of this binding for
rentals.

Richard Henry

December 16th 09, 07:44 PM

On Dec 16, 10:41*am, VtSkier > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > On Dec 16, 9:01 am, VtSkier > wrote:
> >> Richard Henry wrote:
> >>> On Dec 16, 5:27 am, VtSkier > wrote:
> >>>> Richard Henry wrote:
> >>>>> On Dec 15, 6:06 pm, VtSkier > wrote:
> >>>>>> Richard Henry wrote:
> >>>>>>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
> >>>>>>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. *Not
> >>>>>>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
> >>>>>>>> toes.
> >>>>>>>> My son told me I need new boots. *I told him I could use superglue and
> >>>>>>>> epoxy to fix it.
> >>>>>>> Enough fun. *Back to my original problem -
> >>>>>>> My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
> >>>>>>> deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. *I normally wear a 9 or
> >>>>>>> 9-1/2 shoe. *The broken Techicas are marked so:
> >>>>>>> Liner: *"10 - 11 1/2 SX"
> >>>>>>> Molded inside the cuff: *"10 - 12 1/2 SX"
> >>>>>>> Molded inside the shell: *"10 1/2 SX"
> >>>>>>> Moded on the bottom: *"10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.
> >>>>>>> I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
> >>>>>>> early 90's sizes). *I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
> >>>>>>> same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. *Any
> >>>>>>> advice?
> >>>>>> You are trying to cheap-out aren't you?
> >>>>>> Well anyway. Modern ski boots are *usually* sized
> >>>>>> using the 'mondo' system. So if you wear a 9 to 9.5
> >>>>>> shoe, your mondo size will be no larger than 27 or
> >>>>>> 27.5. It may be smaller.
> >>>>>> The way to find out is to go to your local ski shop
> >>>>>> and try on a few pair. Maybe even have the tech
> >>>>>> do a 'shell fit' and show you how the boot is
> >>>>>> supposed to feel.
> >>>>>> Then, go online and match what you tried on in the
> >>>>>> shop. There's one method.
> >>>>>> In my area, shops will sell what is simply last year's
> >>>>>> brand new stock at a huge discount. You can try them on
> >>>>>> just like new stock and usually get the store's fit
> >>>>>> guarantee.
> >>>>>> Further, some of the better shops use really good
> >>>>>> boots for 'performance' rentals. They sell them off
> >>>>>> each year. These are available usually for under
> >>>>>> a hundred bucks. Same guarantee should apply as for
> >>>>>> the last years new stock.
> >>>>>> Then, again. Learn what the boots are supposed to
> >>>>>> feel like. Do a shell fit at your local shop.
> >>>>>> Pick a boot online which has a heat
> >>>>>> mouldable liner. This will come with instructions
> >>>>>> for final fitting using heat. Pad up 'hot' spots
> >>>>>> on your foot and do the heating and fitting as
> >>>>>> directed.
> >>>>>> You might want to do any of these with a good orthotic
> >>>>>> insert. If your feet are very problematical, have the
> >>>>>> insert made professionally. If they don't usually
> >>>>>> give much trouble, then a pre-made insert (specifically
> >>>>>> made for ski boots) is available and MUCH cheaper. If
> >>>>>> you had comfortable ones in your old boots, re-use those.
> >>>>> My hope is to find a good pair of used boots at Retro Sports or Play
> >>>>> it Again, but I wnat to make sure I have at least a good chance of
> >>>>> them fitting my existing bindings.
> >>>> If you haven't learned anything else here...
> >>>> THE BOOTS FIT YOUR FEET
> >>>> Then adjust, or even remount your bindings.
> >>>> By the way, are your bindings still covered
> >>>> by the manufacturer's indemnity?
> >>> Indemnity? *The skis have a shop sticker dated 1997 on them. *What do
> >>> you think?
> >> Since you didn't tell me what brand your binding were
> >> here is the '08-09 indemnification listhttp://www.nssra.com/2001/nssra/index.asp
> >> Some bindings as old as 1997 may still be
> >> indemnified. All metal Salomons, for instance
> >> may still be on the list. If your bindings are
> >> mostly plastic, they may go the same way as your
> >> boots... fairly soon.
>
> >> I worked in a ski shop at the base of the
> >> most notorious bump run in the East. Outer
> >> Limits at Killington. We had a window sill
> >> lined with broken bindings. The bindings
> >> most in evidence were late model (early 90's)
> >> Geze. Other bindings showed up from time
> >> to time, but not as frequently as the Geze's.
> >> Geze is no longer in business, the brand was
> >> bought by Rossignol and the brand thankfully
> >> retired. If you buy Rossignol bindings, the
> >> toe pieces will be a descendants of the Geze
> >> toe pieces of the middle 90's and heels will
> >> be Look.
>
> > They are Salomon S800, which are in the "Retail Bindings Salomon non
> > current" list, which I *guess means ok, but no longer for sale?
>
> Decent bindings, I have a couple pair of skis
> with these mounted. They usually have rental
> tracks so boot sole length is not a particular
> problem. The toe height is self-adjusting, so
> no problem there either. This binding was made
> in great quantities and served well as rental
> bindings. My wife's skis are almost ten years
> old with these bindings and a release check
> recently showed that they worked withing
> tolerances.
>
> I found a pair for sale on ebay but couldn't get
> tiny URL to work so I didn't send.
>
> The forward pressure setting is a tab down low
> and in the rear of the heel piece. Lift this with
> a screw driver and the heel piece will slide fore
> and aft. Set it so the lines on the tab are
> approximately centered on the triangle arrow head
> inscribed on the plastic sliding piece of the
> heel with the boot in place. The arrow pointing
> anywhere within the lined area is correct forward
> pressure.
>
> Google for a DIN chart and set accordingly by using
> the appropriate screws on toe and heel. It would be
> wise if the AFD (anti-friction device) were in
> good shape. This is a teflon coated piece of plastic
> that mounts under the toe of the boot. These may
> be available if yours isn't any good at ski shops
> because of the high usage of this binding for
> rentals.

In the back of the heel piece there is a notched adjustment rail which
looks like it has about a half inch or more available in either
direction.

VtSkier[_3_]

December 16th 09, 10:33 PM

Richard Henry wrote:
> On Dec 16, 10:41 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>> On Dec 16, 9:01 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>>>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>>>> On Dec 16, 5:27 am, VtSkier > wrote:
>>>>>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>>>>>> On Dec 15, 6:06 pm, VtSkier > wrote:
>>>>>>>> Richard Henry wrote:
>>>>>>>>> On Dec 6, 8:19 pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. Not
>>>>>>>>>> the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
>>>>>>>>>> toes.
>>>>>>>>>> My son told me I need new boots. I told him I could use superglue and
>>>>>>>>>> epoxy to fix it.
>>>>>>>>> Enough fun. Back to my original problem -
>>>>>>>>> My son is cluing me in to websites that offer 40-80% off ski gear
>>>>>>>>> deals, but I don't want to buy the wrong size. I normally wear a 9 or
>>>>>>>>> 9-1/2 shoe. The broken Techicas are marked so:
>>>>>>>>> Liner: "10 - 11 1/2 SX"
>>>>>>>>> Molded inside the cuff: "10 - 12 1/2 SX"
>>>>>>>>> Molded inside the shell: "10 1/2 SX"
>>>>>>>>> Moded on the bottom: "10 1/2" and "45" in two little rectangles.
>>>>>>>>> I am assuming that means the boots are US size 10 1/2 (at least in
>>>>>>>>> early 90's sizes). I wouuld like to get any replcement boots with the
>>>>>>>>> same sole length so I don't have to disturb the bindings much. Any
>>>>>>>>> advice?
>>>>>>>> You are trying to cheap-out aren't you?
>>>>>>>> Well anyway. Modern ski boots are *usually* sized
>>>>>>>> using the 'mondo' system. So if you wear a 9 to 9.5
>>>>>>>> shoe, your mondo size will be no larger than 27 or
>>>>>>>> 27.5. It may be smaller.
>>>>>>>> The way to find out is to go to your local ski shop
>>>>>>>> and try on a few pair. Maybe even have the tech
>>>>>>>> do a 'shell fit' and show you how the boot is
>>>>>>>> supposed to feel.
>>>>>>>> Then, go online and match what you tried on in the
>>>>>>>> shop. There's one method.
>>>>>>>> In my area, shops will sell what is simply last year's
>>>>>>>> brand new stock at a huge discount. You can try them on
>>>>>>>> just like new stock and usually get the store's fit
>>>>>>>> guarantee.
>>>>>>>> Further, some of the better shops use really good
>>>>>>>> boots for 'performance' rentals. They sell them off
>>>>>>>> each year. These are available usually for under
>>>>>>>> a hundred bucks. Same guarantee should apply as for
>>>>>>>> the last years new stock.
>>>>>>>> Then, again. Learn what the boots are supposed to
>>>>>>>> feel like. Do a shell fit at your local shop.
>>>>>>>> Pick a boot online which has a heat
>>>>>>>> mouldable liner. This will come with instructions
>>>>>>>> for final fitting using heat. Pad up 'hot' spots
>>>>>>>> on your foot and do the heating and fitting as
>>>>>>>> directed.
>>>>>>>> You might want to do any of these with a good orthotic
>>>>>>>> insert. If your feet are very problematical, have the
>>>>>>>> insert made professionally. If they don't usually
>>>>>>>> give much trouble, then a pre-made insert (specifically
>>>>>>>> made for ski boots) is available and MUCH cheaper. If
>>>>>>>> you had comfortable ones in your old boots, re-use those.
>>>>>>> My hope is to find a good pair of used boots at Retro Sports or Play
>>>>>>> it Again, but I wnat to make sure I have at least a good chance of
>>>>>>> them fitting my existing bindings.
>>>>>> If you haven't learned anything else here...
>>>>>> THE BOOTS FIT YOUR FEET
>>>>>> Then adjust, or even remount your bindings.
>>>>>> By the way, are your bindings still covered
>>>>>> by the manufacturer's indemnity?
>>>>> Indemnity? The skis have a shop sticker dated 1997 on them. What do
>>>>> you think?
>>>> Since you didn't tell me what brand your binding were
>>>> here is the '08-09 indemnification listhttp://www.nssra.com/2001/nssra/index.asp
>>>> Some bindings as old as 1997 may still be
>>>> indemnified. All metal Salomons, for instance
>>>> may still be on the list. If your bindings are
>>>> mostly plastic, they may go the same way as your
>>>> boots... fairly soon.
>>>> I worked in a ski shop at the base of the
>>>> most notorious bump run in the East. Outer
>>>> Limits at Killington. We had a window sill
>>>> lined with broken bindings. The bindings
>>>> most in evidence were late model (early 90's)
>>>> Geze. Other bindings showed up from time
>>>> to time, but not as frequently as the Geze's.
>>>> Geze is no longer in business, the brand was
>>>> bought by Rossignol and the brand thankfully
>>>> retired. If you buy Rossignol bindings, the
>>>> toe pieces will be a descendants of the Geze
>>>> toe pieces of the middle 90's and heels will
>>>> be Look.
>>> They are Salomon S800, which are in the "Retail Bindings Salomon non
>>> current" list, which I guess means ok, but no longer for sale?
>> Decent bindings, I have a couple pair of skis
>> with these mounted. They usually have rental
>> tracks so boot sole length is not a particular
>> problem. The toe height is self-adjusting, so
>> no problem there either. This binding was made
>> in great quantities and served well as rental
>> bindings. My wife's skis are almost ten years
>> old with these bindings and a release check
>> recently showed that they worked withing
>> tolerances.
>>
>> I found a pair for sale on ebay but couldn't get
>> tiny URL to work so I didn't send.
>>
>> The forward pressure setting is a tab down low
>> and in the rear of the heel piece. Lift this with
>> a screw driver and the heel piece will slide fore
>> and aft. Set it so the lines on the tab are
>> approximately centered on the triangle arrow head
>> inscribed on the plastic sliding piece of the
>> heel with the boot in place. The arrow pointing
>> anywhere within the lined area is correct forward
>> pressure.
>>
>> Google for a DIN chart and set accordingly by using
>> the appropriate screws on toe and heel. It would be
>> wise if the AFD (anti-friction device) were in
>> good shape. This is a teflon coated piece of plastic
>> that mounts under the toe of the boot. These may
>> be available if yours isn't any good at ski shops
>> because of the high usage of this binding for
>> rentals.
>
> In the back of the heel piece there is a notched adjustment rail which
> looks like it has about a half inch or more available in either
> direction.

Yes, the tab I mentioned controls a pawl which
clicks into this 'notched rail'. I would think
that a half inch of adjustment in either direction
would allow almost any possible variation in boots
for your size.

Richard Henry

December 17th 09, 06:10 AM

On Dec 16, 4:16*pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
>
> *> Monday was going to be our last chance before the holiday break to get
>
> > in a true mid-week day. *Today we had a high school teams and coaches
> > meeting (at which my son found out there might not be funding for his job as
> > Freshman coach - but I think he will do it for fun anyway) and then the
> > monthly club league meeting, tomorrow is a game against a rival school in
> > our district (a school whose coach is also a local college coach who offered
> > my younger son a scholarship that he turned down in favor of a scholarship
> > at a UC school),
>
> Good choice. *However sucky the California k-12 system has become, the UC
> system is still first class.
>
> > Thursday is the varsity pasta party, held at our house this week,
>
> I suddenly envision a lot of healthy young men throwing spaghetti and meatballs
> at each other. *Not a pretty picture.

It is a sort of organized pot luck - the host family provides
spaghetti and sauce, players are assigned bring in plates, cups,
utensils, drinks, salad, breadsticks and desert. The dinner usually
turns into a poker party, but no food fight.(yet).

The interesting pasta party is the last one every year, when the boys
team and girls team get together at one house.

Walt

December 17th 09, 04:00 PM

The Real Bev wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
>
>> They are Salomon S800, which are in the "Retail Bindings Salomon non
>> current" list, which I guess means ok, but no longer for sale?
>
> Small world, that's what the Volants came with and they looked brand new
> just like the skis. All the 800s dropped off the 09-10 list :-(

Do you have a pointer to the 2009-10 list?

//Walt

Walt

December 17th 09, 04:04 PM

The Real Bev wrote:
> Marker Titanium 12.0 EPS bindings
> They have a piston (?) which is supposed to be 'on' for hardpack and
> 'off' for powder, but I can't find an adjustment and the guy who was in
> the shop when I picked them up didn't know either. If the adjustment is
> 'off' now, I can't even imagine how ecstatic I might be with it 'on.

The Marker piston bindings have a switch on the toe-piece to engage or
disengage the piston. I've tried skiing with them on and with them off
and haven't detected a difference.

BTW, Whenever TSA inspects my skis they turn one of the pistons off -
I'm not sure why, perhaps they can sense the difference.

//Walt

Richard Henry

December 21st 09, 02:58 AM

Dave Cartman

December 21st 09, 03:20 AM

In article
>,
Richard Henry > wrote:

> On Dec 6, 8:19*pm, Richard Henry > wrote:
> > The toe of my 18(?)-year-old Tecnica boots cracked open today. *Not
> > the part that mates with the binding, but the top shell above the
> > toes.
> >
> > My son told me I need new boots. *I told him I could use superglue and
> > epoxy to fix it.
>
> Followup:
>
> Snow Summit today. Beautiful conditions, not too crowded. Rented
> "Performance" gear. Didn't like'm.

If you got good conditions, low crowds, and good friends... you can duct
tape cafeteria trays to your feet and have a good day :)

(easy Pigo, you know I'm VERY sensitive to snowboarder jokes)

A mighty Hungarian warrior

December 21st 09, 10:49 AM

On Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:26:48 -0800, The Real Bev
> wrote this crap:

>It was a nice day today, but I've spent it all inside tweaking around with the
>settings on my new Garmin Nuvi255WT GPS.
>
>It just occurred to me to wonder: can it record my wanderings rather than
>giving me directions?

It does on my nuvi1300. But the first thing you do is go to the
volume screen and press the MUTE button. I'm sick of always saying,
"Don't tell me what to do, dumbass."

Merry Christmas and remember to vote for Palin-Ahhnold in 2012.

A mighty Hungarian warrior
The blood of Attila runs through me

VtSkier[_3_]

December 21st 09, 01:18 PM

The Real Bev wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
>
>> Snow Summit today. Beautiful conditions, not too crowded. Rented
>> "Performance" gear. Didn't like'm.
>
> There are real advantages to not being picky about hardware, not all of
> them monetary. Amazing that it wasn't crowded; perhaps everybody is
> shopping, but Best Buy wasn't crowded either.
>
> It was a nice day today, but I've spent it all inside tweaking around
> with the settings on my new Garmin Nuvi255WT GPS.
>
> It just occurred to me to wonder: can it record my wanderings rather
> than giving me directions?
>
my Garmin Etrex (a handheld) can do this well.
It's called 'tracking'. It can remember the
track, which is a set of waypoints with the
meander remembered. This can then be input to
your computer via a serial cable (it's an
old model) to, say, National Geographic's
"Topo" program or even Garmin's own topo
maps.

Richard Henry

December 21st 09, 03:08 PM

On Dec 21, 5:18*am, VtSkier > wrote:
> The Real Bev wrote:
> > Richard Henry wrote:
>
> >> Snow Summit today. *Beautiful conditions, not too crowded. Rented
> >> "Performance" gear. *Didn't like'm.
>
> > There are real advantages to not being picky about hardware, not all of
> > them monetary. Amazing that it wasn't crowded; *perhaps everybody is
> > shopping, but Best Buy wasn't crowded either.
>
> > It was a nice day today, but I've spent it all inside tweaking around
> > with the settings on my new Garmin Nuvi255WT GPS.
>
> > It just occurred to me to wonder: *can it record my wanderings rather
> > than giving me directions?
>
> my Garmin Etrex (a handheld) can do this well.
> It's called 'tracking'. It can remember the
> track, which is a set of waypoints with the
> meander remembered. This can then be input to
> your computer via a serial cable (it's an
> old model) to, say, National Geographic's
> "Topo" program or even Garmin's own topo
> maps.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

My old GPS (for the car - too big for the pocket) shows a dotted line
for the last 100 miles travelled. I haven't tried to zoom in real
close to study its detail

My new pocket model (actually mulri-pocket - you have to carry all
those batteries somewhere) seems to remember everything, including
every little touch on the screen from trying to hit the menu buttons
and not intended to be waypoints.

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 21st 09, 04:23 PM

A mighty Hungarian warrior wrote:

> > wrote this crap:
>
>>It was a nice day today, but I've spent it all inside tweaking around with the
>>settings on my new Garmin Nuvi255WT GPS.
>>
>>It just occurred to me to wonder: can it record my wanderings rather than
>>giving me directions?
>
> It does on my nuvi1300. But the first thing you do is go to the
> volume screen and press the MUTE button. I'm sick of always saying,
> "Don't tell me what to do, dumbass."

I'd hoped for a Darth Vader voice, but the best I could get sounded kind of
dumb. I NEED a voice. What seems like it will be what I use it for the most
is finding a business or shop located on a main street who figures they're so
famous they don't have to bother putting a number on the door, especially in
Monterey Park or Alhambra.

> Merry Christmas and remember to vote for Palin-Ahhnold in 2012.

Sorry, fella, I don't think either of them could cut it. Not that any recent
winners have been able to do it either...

--
Cheers, Bev
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look
of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs
think humans are nuts." -- John Steinbeck

Richard Henry

December 22nd 09, 03:49 AM

On Dec 21, 2:50*pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
> Richard Henry wrote:
> > My old GPS (for the car - too big for the pocket) shows a dotted line for
> > the last 100 miles travelled. *I haven't tried to zoom in real close to
> > study its detail
>
> > My new pocket model (actually mulri-pocket - you have to carry all those
> > batteries somewhere) seems to remember everything, including every little
> > touch on the screen from trying to hit the menu buttons and not intended to
> > be waypoints.
>
> A friend wore her exercise GPS on a driving trip through Ireland. *She dumped
> the track to her computer when she got back and laughed at the monumental knot
> when they got lost somewhere. *She said she didn't think it was funny at the time.
>
> If you deviate from your projected route, the nice lady's voice stays
> maddeningly calm as she says "Recalculating...". *I think it would be cool to
> have her sound increasingly ****ed off as you ignore her instructions, possibly
> ending with "Look, dumbass, if you don't get back on track I'm going to
> [randomly selected threat]!"
>

The first time my wife bought a car with a GPS, she let me drive it to
her office to drop her off, and then take the car home. She
programmed the GPS to give audio directions to her office. Since I
did not turn off the car when I dropped her off, all the way home the
GPS kept reprating "Make a U-turn now!"

The Real Bev[_4_]

December 22nd 09, 04:27 AM

Richard Henry wrote:

> On Dec 21, 2:50 pm, The Real Bev > wrote:
>>
>> If you deviate from your projected route, the nice lady's voice stays
>> maddeningly calm as she says "Recalculating...". I think it would be cool to
>> have her sound increasingly ****ed off as you ignore her instructions, possibly
>> ending with "Look, dumbass, if you don't get back on track I'm going to
>> [randomly selected threat]!"
>
> The first time my wife bought a car with a GPS, she let me drive it to
> her office to drop her off, and then take the car home. She
> programmed the GPS to give audio directions to her office. Since I
> did not turn off the car when I dropped her off, all the way home the
> GPS kept reprating "Make a U-turn now!"

Heading into Mexico to see the 1991 total eclipse, we saw a large road sign
with directional arrows. City1 to the left, City2 to the right, and City3 had
a big U-turn arrow pointing (obviously) back the way we'd come. Somewhere I
have a picture of it. I think one of the cities was Nogales.

Gotta figure out a good way to mount the thing. It seems to work if I put it
on the center console, but the suction cup won't work on the surface. I was
thinking of getting a 5" glass round to set on the non-skid thingy I put there.
I don't want it to be conspicuous, and just setting it on the passenger's
floor and tossing a towel on top of it (hey, it worked for my violin when I had
car doors that didn't lock) seems possible. Maybe a glass ashtray...

--
Cheers, Bev
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look
of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs
think humans are nuts." -- John Steinbeck