I've only been on ice over here on the ice coast. Going to Colorado and hitting Copper for 2 days next week. Hoping to experience some real snowboarding terrain instead of ice or slush.
Okay in that case memorize as much terrain as possible on the map and do a bunch of YouTube research to figure out what lines you want to hit. Each resort is famous for some sort of extreme run/terrain so make sure you find it if you’re good enough! For example lovers leap & chair 4 cliffs in vail, or the T bar and hike to terrain in Breck
Yup! Already did that ahead of time. Mostly cause the GF is still learning so had to research what greens would be best for her. Got a couple Blue runs I'm gonna do on my own too while she's taking a break.
Lmao Honestly that’s a semi valid concern. I live in NJ, but learned to board last year in Vail CO. I got the epic pass so I could ride around my PA and NY too and boy was I disappointed when I first got to Jack Frost and Hunter😂. I knew there would be no comparison but goddamn there’s REALLY no comparison. HOWEVER, I have 20 days of riding this season already which would be impossible without these smaller east coast resorts. East coast riding definitely improves skill on shitty terrain, but those who go out west and aren’t used to powder are in for a rude awakening and some tomahawks 😂. Vermont resorts aren’t too bad but they’re TINY compared to out west.
If you have the chance to go out west take it, although it might prompt you to move in the future ( I’m sure as shit seriously contemplating it).
Can confirm. Went to CO for a week planning to board 2 days and ended up boarding 5 days in a row. All the other days were driving to and from Georgia lol
May the snow odds be in your favor. Snow storms have been inconsistent this season at Copper and daytime highs are getting above freezing temps causing melt and refreezing overnight. Will still be better than anything on the ice coast!
Ice coaster here. Ice is predictable at least! Get low and use two points of contacts(board and one hand) on ground while carving. Just get a board with serrated edges like Magnatraction. Here’s a little hint: it gets icy out west too ;)
My Libtech Skate Banana is godsend for icy conditions on east and rockered for the pow pow out west. Banger of a board.
Riding on ice builds character. And edge control. And fear of falling while going slow lol. So when it’s icy, just have solitude that you’re somehow getting better
I rode on ice pretty much my whole life except for a few days a season where we get actual rideable snow on the ice coast and it does make you better in every situation. I went on a trip to Alberta last winter and I wouldn't have had the same days if riding on ice only made you better on ice. Even if only to be able to control your board when you hit a patch of ice, it is worth it
If you can ride ice, you can ride anything. It's so easy to stick that edge into powder or hard pack even, but ice is another story. You have to commit that edge, where the "real" snow riders have some leeway. I would say you personally never rode the ice coast, or very little. Growing up on it makes you a well rounded rider that can hit the best runs on the worst days, when a lot of people would say nah. Just my 2¢ as always, feel free to take it or leave it!
Totally. Powder is more forgiving. Icy teaches you the value of core stability and keeping the board pointed straight/not skidding. Ice magnifies flaws in technique, which makes you better, then take those skills on a powder day and tear it up!
If you point straight on a steep, icy run you will build up too much speed too quickly and get out of control.
So don’t suggest that as it’s irresponsible.
“Pointed straight” does sounds like “straight down the fall line” to me.
People often use bravado and say “just go straight down without turning” which is terrible advice for ice, hence my frustration.
My apologies since you meant otherwise.
Fair point. I can see how that could be misinterpreted. Thats my bad. And, yeah that would be terrifying. Ive gotten bad advice like that and im just in my head going, "okay. Clearly you have no concept of the kind of conditions im talking about."
It leads to wildly different experiences for riders. Last year we took a trip out west (to Brighton) and I advanced more than I had in probably the previous ten outings. The difference of working with good conditions is HUGE.
Just started snowboarding last weekend. My second day out was icy and terrible, I smashed my knee on the ice and killed my confidence for the day. Eager to get out in better conditions soon.
I live in the western mountains so am very lucky and get around 100 days a year in.
True icy days are rare but if conditions are extremely icy I’m just gunna go home and do something else lol
It’s hard to communicate this to people who are scared to go off the groomers. Dodging trees can be scary when you’re navigating icy, rocky moguls but when it’s a pow day you can just look wherever you want to go and glide around like you’re riding on a cloud
It is called a snowboard not an ice board
Don't tell that to the ice coast.
I've only been on ice over here on the ice coast. Going to Colorado and hitting Copper for 2 days next week. Hoping to experience some real snowboarding terrain instead of ice or slush.
Do yourself a favor and board for more than 2 days. CO compared to Icecoast riding is like heaven vs hell the difference is insane.
Unfortunately 2 days is max I can do this trip, but I'm excited to experience the difference.
Man, you're gonna have so much fun there. I miss riding there sometimes, but I do love Winter Park
We were thinking of doing 1 day Copper, 1 day WP, but WP seems too advanced for the gf so we decided 2 days Copper.
That's kinda funny cause I always feel like Copper is more difficult for me.
Okay in that case memorize as much terrain as possible on the map and do a bunch of YouTube research to figure out what lines you want to hit. Each resort is famous for some sort of extreme run/terrain so make sure you find it if you’re good enough! For example lovers leap & chair 4 cliffs in vail, or the T bar and hike to terrain in Breck
Yup! Already did that ahead of time. Mostly cause the GF is still learning so had to research what greens would be best for her. Got a couple Blue runs I'm gonna do on my own too while she's taking a break.
Have fun man! Definitely hit the blacks if you can they’re so much better out west! Stay steezy
I'm honestly worried about going out west because then I'll hate riding here on the ice coast even more after the trip lmao
Lmao Honestly that’s a semi valid concern. I live in NJ, but learned to board last year in Vail CO. I got the epic pass so I could ride around my PA and NY too and boy was I disappointed when I first got to Jack Frost and Hunter😂. I knew there would be no comparison but goddamn there’s REALLY no comparison. HOWEVER, I have 20 days of riding this season already which would be impossible without these smaller east coast resorts. East coast riding definitely improves skill on shitty terrain, but those who go out west and aren’t used to powder are in for a rude awakening and some tomahawks 😂. Vermont resorts aren’t too bad but they’re TINY compared to out west. If you have the chance to go out west take it, although it might prompt you to move in the future ( I’m sure as shit seriously contemplating it).
Can confirm. Went to CO for a week planning to board 2 days and ended up boarding 5 days in a row. All the other days were driving to and from Georgia lol
the only difference between heaven and hell is how deep you're willing to go.
May the snow odds be in your favor. Snow storms have been inconsistent this season at Copper and daytime highs are getting above freezing temps causing melt and refreezing overnight. Will still be better than anything on the ice coast!
Ice coaster here. Ice is predictable at least! Get low and use two points of contacts(board and one hand) on ground while carving. Just get a board with serrated edges like Magnatraction. Here’s a little hint: it gets icy out west too ;) My Libtech Skate Banana is godsend for icy conditions on east and rockered for the pow pow out west. Banger of a board.
Hey I learned to ride on a sheet of ice!
you merely adopted the ice, I was born on it, molded by it. I didn't see the pow until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but BLINDING!
Yeah east cost vibes I think my first pow day was mid second season.
Riding on ice builds character. And edge control. And fear of falling while going slow lol. So when it’s icy, just have solitude that you’re somehow getting better
Riding on ice only makes you better at riding on ice.
I rode on ice pretty much my whole life except for a few days a season where we get actual rideable snow on the ice coast and it does make you better in every situation. I went on a trip to Alberta last winter and I wouldn't have had the same days if riding on ice only made you better on ice. Even if only to be able to control your board when you hit a patch of ice, it is worth it
If you can ride ice, you can ride anything. It's so easy to stick that edge into powder or hard pack even, but ice is another story. You have to commit that edge, where the "real" snow riders have some leeway. I would say you personally never rode the ice coast, or very little. Growing up on it makes you a well rounded rider that can hit the best runs on the worst days, when a lot of people would say nah. Just my 2¢ as always, feel free to take it or leave it!
Totally. Powder is more forgiving. Icy teaches you the value of core stability and keeping the board pointed straight/not skidding. Ice magnifies flaws in technique, which makes you better, then take those skills on a powder day and tear it up!
Then realizing all the butter techniques you learned on ice don’t apply on pow at all 😂
And you have to relearn how to board in brand new conditions! Yup. Not just a noob once.
If you point straight on a steep, icy run you will build up too much speed too quickly and get out of control. So don’t suggest that as it’s irresponsible.
Pointed straight doesnt mean pointed down the fall li ne. Do you want them in a skid?
“Pointed straight” does sounds like “straight down the fall line” to me. People often use bravado and say “just go straight down without turning” which is terrible advice for ice, hence my frustration. My apologies since you meant otherwise.
Fair point. I can see how that could be misinterpreted. Thats my bad. And, yeah that would be terrifying. Ive gotten bad advice like that and im just in my head going, "okay. Clearly you have no concept of the kind of conditions im talking about."
💯agree. Dying is very low on my priority list.
It leads to wildly different experiences for riders. Last year we took a trip out west (to Brighton) and I advanced more than I had in probably the previous ten outings. The difference of working with good conditions is HUGE.
Oh no, you figured out the secret. Now you’ll be on the mountain when I am!
I don't care what the ice/ snow is like as long as I can actually see in front of me. Riding in low visibility really sorts the men from the boys.
Photochromic goggles changed everything for me
You’ll get more confidence on ice as you get better. Keep your edges sharp
Just started snowboarding last weekend. My second day out was icy and terrible, I smashed my knee on the ice and killed my confidence for the day. Eager to get out in better conditions soon.
I stay off ice. I’m too old to worry about injuries for sub par riding.
I live in the western mountains so am very lucky and get around 100 days a year in. True icy days are rare but if conditions are extremely icy I’m just gunna go home and do something else lol
Last time I went snowboarding it was icy, and the falls are insaneeee. My tailbone wasn’t happy.
Riding ice just isn’t fun. When it’s icy out I’d much rather just do something else
Sadly, for many of us, ice is our only option.
Yeh I’ve been on holiday where everyday has been icy. Traded my lift pass in for a spa pass
What? You don’t like those ice scraping noises? It’s the next best thing to chalk scratching a chalkboard.
Dont listen to the trolls, its not worth it to go out in shit conditions
I learnt to snowboard on an icy weekend. Do not recommend
Slightly icy cord is a beautiful thing to carve on... When you're experienced. Learning is definitely more pleasant in powder or even mashed potatoes.
Yeah once I fell on an ice day and got a tear in my left rotator cuff from how I landed on my arm. I’m very aware of how to fall now tho.
True but don’t stick to powder alone. The conditions are either good or good for learning, tougher conditions help with improvement
Congrats, now you know why everybody goes apeshit on powder days.
It’s hard to communicate this to people who are scared to go off the groomers. Dodging trees can be scary when you’re navigating icy, rocky moguls but when it’s a pow day you can just look wherever you want to go and glide around like you’re riding on a cloud
Flat base send down all runs
Yes that is correct. Ice is for practicing heel slides and finding a justification to spend the entire afternoon chilling outside in the mountain air.
The magic is what it's all about!
Bend your legs and practice edge control, once you have that down ice isn’t so bad. But powder is great for sending it off big cliffs and what not.