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~Favorite Board: Ride Profile 157 (2001)
~Newest Board: Option FreePlus 157 (2002)
~Bindings:
Flux Jamie Lynn Custom Pro (2002)
~Boots: Vans Millenium (2002)
~Favorite Mountain: Kirkwood, CA
~Highest Vertical: 13,174 ft
~Most Vertical Feet in
a Day: 22,500
~Season Pass: Wild Mountain, Taylors Falls, MN
~Favorite outerwear: Quiksilver
~Favorite Pro Rider: Trish Byrnes
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| Christmas Mountain, Jan. 2001 |
My passion for snowboarding began in 1996. My best friend in college introduced me to the
sport at Powderhorn in Ironwood, MI. I rode her Nidecker board with big pack boots on, no 'real' gear at all! I was hooked
after a few times out, and have spent 30+ days on snow every season since - until I had kids! Now I am lucky to get
out a few days each season.
I've ridden everything from stiff to flexible, super long to super short, click-in bindings
to traditional straps. In my 6th season as a rider, I think I finally got my set-up tweaked. It's a good thing, too,
because kids cramp our "snowboarding budget" (ha, it's non-existent!)
I've ridden at many resorts, from Michigan to California. I have yet to explore the east
coast and the Pacific northwest. Maybe once our kids can join us! My favorite resorts are Kirkwood, CA, an isolated
resort in the High Sierras, and Vail, CO. In the midwest, I enjoy the resorts of Michigan's upper peninsula, as well as Wild
Mountain in Taylors Falls and Welch near Red Wing, MN.
I am a freeride addict, enjoying carving and some mild
exploits into the terrain park. I enjoy taking simple air off natural obstacles. Katrina tells me I am not much of a "risk-taker",
though! Someday I'll show her...
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| Aaron & I at Hyland, 02/02 |
Resorts I've Visited
Midwest: Lutsen, Ironhead, Powderhorn, Wild, Welch, Afton Alps, Coffee Mill, Hyland Hills, Buck
Hill, Andes Tower Hills, Christmas Mountain
Colorado: Vail, Breckenridge, Winter Park, Loveland, Arapahoe Basin
California: Kirkwood, Heavenly
Ride Profile 157
A pro-level free-ride board with progressive sidecut radius, internal carbon torsion forks, sintered 4000 base, and full capped
construction, this board is a stiff, energetic board that will hold it's edge under any conditions. The only drawback I've
found with this board is that it is too stiff to decamber and carve in very icy (i.e. Midwestern!) conditions. It would be
my first choice for packed powder. Visit the Ride website by clicking on the link below:
Ride Snowboards
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| OPTION FREE-PLUS 157 |
OPTION FreePlus 157
This board is a softer flex freecarve board manufactured by a small company in Breckenridge, CO, and sold out of Canada.
It features a Millenium biaxial glass and P-tex base (the best made). REALLY fast! Internal carbon torsion forks decrease
chatter on ice. It has sandwich construction, which means it is more flexible than my capped Ride board. The graphics are
awful, but it truly IS the best mix of features for Midwestern riding. Visit Option by clicking on the link below:
Option Snowboards
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| 2002 FLUX JAMIE LYNN CUSTOM |
Flux Jamie Lynn Custom Pro
These bindings are a pro level binding with a 30% tri-axial glass hybrid highback with memory foam padding that bring
stiffness and response to a new level. Other features include a unique Cordura/PVC composite strap that allows for flexibility
combined with rock-solid hold. The straps also have a unique rachet system that allows you to release the strap without
losing your setting for the next ride. Visit Flux by clicking on the following link:
Flux Bindings
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| 2002 Vans Millenium Boot |
The best thing about being a snowboarder is
helping other beginning snowboarders! If you have any questions about getting started in snowboarding, buying equipment, or
where to find information on the web, please e-mail me. You can do so by clicking on the link below, or sending mail to gmthul@yahoo.com:
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