• Berkeley Snowboards I work at this shop, and I can honestly say that it is one of the finest board shops I've ever been to. If you're ever in the area, I suggest you stop by.
• Northern California Snow Report
• GORP-Utah Resorts A great review of Utah ski resorts, a must see for those who plan to take a trip to the land of the greatest snow on Earth
• Transworld Snowboarding/SOL Business
• SOL Carve Archive: this page is a great resource for those of you who want to improve your snowboarding technique, especially as far as alpine carving is concerned. Cranking turns has never been so fun.
• CERN Snowboard Page An interesting snowboard instructional resource for those who want to work on technique
• USASA The United States Amateur Snowboard Association Home Page. For those of you who are into competition.
• rec.skiing.snowboard

For lack of a better thing to do, I'll list my quiver for the 1999 season. Pictures soon to follow (hopefully).

• 1999 Burton Factory Prime 160-200s
• 1998 Burton Race Plate Bindings
• 1996 Raichle 124 Snowboard Hard Boots
• Stance: 17"
• Angles: 60 Degrees front and rear

• 1999 Morrow Master 163
• 1999 Burton Freestyle SI Bindings
• 1999 Burton Drifter SI Boots
• or
• 1999 Morrow Engage Step-In Bindings
• 1999 Morrow Engage O9 Boots
• Stance: 20"
• Angles: 24 degrees front, 9 degrees rear

FYI I am 6'1", 155 lbs, size 9-10 boots

'97 Burton Rippey 154

I've used this board as my main freestyle/freeride board for two seasons now. At 154 cm, it is a little undersized for me (6'1", 160 lbs.) on powder days, but for spring days, it works well in the bumps, groomers and park. Having demoed many other boards this season, I've found that I still really enjoy riding my Rippey. Although it is a little undersized, it's fairly stiff for its length, so it rides a few centimeters longer than it measures. It carves moderately well, pretty maneuverable in the bumps, and floats very well through the powder. The damage resistance is incredible, too. After two seasons, it still looks brand new. On the downside, it's a little unforgiving in the park.

'97 Burton Alp 163

I just started riding an alpine board this year, and I think this is an excellent transition board for riders coming from a freeride background who want to accelerate their carving. I thought this board to be very good for West Coast conditions, i.e. sun-softened hard pack with an inch or two of give. I also found that it performs well well in slushy bumps. My main complaint with this board is that the nose is a little too soft. I also wish it had a sintered base, because the stock litespeed base is pretty crappy.

'99 Morrow Master 163

This board is beautiful. Its looks are sleek, clean, and techy in that way that only Morrow knows. The topsheet really is an attention-grabber, I just wish that the base graphic was of equal sophistication (but it is still cool). This board rode a lot shorter than its published length would dictate. It felt as if it had power steering, and it handled powder effortlessly. Its torsionally stiff chassis made for excellent carving, and its light weight made me want to throw 540s. What a great board. A must have for 1999.

'99 Winterstick All Mountain 159

I loved this board! I demoed it on a powder day at Northstar and came away very impressed. This first thing I noticed about the All Mountain was the classy topsheet graffics which are reminiscent of an old longboard surfboard. My first run was a blue groomer in between lifts, and this board carved it up like a dream. A very quiet ride with nice edge hold and a carvey sidecut. Through the trees, it was quick handling and very stable on landings. It also planed well in the powder; no powder leg here! I could see myself riding this board next year.

last updated January 16, 1999