Most Mondays I never get out onto the slopes but when I shadow the lifts, it means a couple laps to myself for an afternoon of helping out. Today was that day, getting turns on chair #3 before heading to chair #23 for the afternoon.
Amazing how much the snow has started to melt since the sunny spring days have arrived. It’s still good but noticeably disappearing.
Most of this year my powder board has been the NS Raptor. But I received a softer flex version from the factory which meant I couldn’t review it (because it wasn’t what was production). I rode it some amazing days and really grew love for the board over time. Well last week, NS sent out the Infinity and Raptor so I could review them. I was stoked to see the Raptor in the box because finally I could get a feel for the different flex and get a real review out of the board. Today was the first day I rode it and I can’t wait to write about it!
Mark
August 18, 2011 at 3:56 amHi Shay
Looking forward to reading your review on this. Is this production version going to remain your powder stick? That would be interesting if so since it seems it wouldn’t just be dedicated powder ride, nice to know if it can rip pow and charge groomers equally well. Might be one for the quiver if its a big thumbs up in the pow.
Shay
August 20, 2011 at 7:50 amMark,
It’s coming up! This production version is going to be my powder stick for this season so I’ll definitely be updating the review as the season goes on. I rode the softer version on powder days in deep conditions and it was fine. There’s a video of the softer version here http://www.vimeo.com/21735166
Shay
Mark
August 21, 2011 at 6:58 amSweet! Can’t wait to read it, video looks great, looks like the tip floats nice and high. Would be great to hear your thoughts on how this compares to buying a dedicated pow stick that’s limited to only riding pow, vs having the Raptor’s all mountain capabilities as well.
Shay
August 25, 2011 at 2:30 pmMark, you know I rode the Jones Hovercraft on pow days this year and with pow sticks, you work less and it’s easier to stay centered…on a freeride stick like the Raptor, there’s still some leaning back to keep the float better.