Most snowboards take a few runs to figure out. Burton’s recently released Custom V-Rocker? Last spring, in the midst of testing several new boards, I scrawled something in my notes to the effect of “Getting used to this board is about as difficult as getting used to a warm bath filled with nymphs.”
All righty, then.
Utilizing Burton’s venerable Custom deck — arguably the best one-board quiver out there — the V-Rocker this season adds new rocker, or reverse-camber, technology. Burton was late to the reverse-camber game, not releasing its first model until last season. That was years after Lib Tech brought the technology mainstream.
2010 Burton Custom V-Rocker
But with the Custom deck, the first name in snowboarding has finally got a great handle on reverse camber, which essentially means the board, when flat on the ground, is bowed up from the edges of the deck like a “U.”
The advantages to reverse camber include more float in powder and forgiveness that means it’s close to impossible to catch an edge. And most advocates will even say that they feel more “fun.”
After putting more than 10 days on the board at a Mammoth, I found the V-Rocker predictable (in the best sort of way), consistent and fun in conditions ranging from pow to spring snow and crusty stuff. And the twin flex, directional deck felt better switch than any deck I’ve ridden of late. It had pop, to boot.
Like most rocker boards, the V-Rocker rides looser than traditional camber decks. It’s likely the non-rockered Custom — which was originally released in 1996 with its sister model, the Feelgood — will be around for a while for riders who prefer traditionally-cambered decks.
This year, there’s no choice — the $580 V-Rocker deck is only available with the Channel system. Although I didn’t have any problems with the system, some critics say the Channel adversely affects the flex of the deck.
All in all, the the $580 V-Rocker is a great deck and maybe the quickest way to get close to imaginary bath nymphs would agree.
Portions of this review originally appeared on GearJunkie.com
It’s a sunny day here at Mammoth and the weather folks are saying there’s 90% chance of snow for tonight. So do what you gotta do to get out early tomorrow morning. And if you’re in town already and looking to get some cross-training in, the road to Main is mostly clear. By the looks of the handful of cyclists on the road yesterday, there’s still plenty of riding to be had! And we’ve been riding up as well and have a tiny bit of advice: it’s good out there, but due to sand and occasional black ice this is not the time of year for entering turns at 40 mph. Even if you have studded tires.
7am-9am – Side Door Cafe – Happy Hour — discounts on coffee and pastries. Goodies start at 55 cents.
All Day – Side Door Cafe – 10% off your bill for all locals.
3pm-6pm – Auld Dubliner – Happy Hour, which includes 1/2 off appetizers, $3 wells, $3 drafts and bottles (except Guinness). And hipster happy hour never stops: draft PBRs are $2 all day and night.
3pm-6pm – Happier Hour at Gomez’s - With Mexi Fries, quesadillas and chimichangas for less than $3 and great beer specials it’s a great Happy Hour. Our faves? The Mexi Fries and shrimp tacos.
4:30pm-6pm – One World Eats – Happy Hour with $5 falafel sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and $2 domestic beer.
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour at The Bistro at Snowcreek – 50% off well drinks and draft beer and appetizer specials.
5pm-6pm - Happy Hour at Whiskey Creek. 50% off all food, except desserts, in the bar and $1 off pints. If you’re looking for dinner it’s the best deal in town. And the food is really good. If you want a table, get there before 5:30pm.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Cafe 203 in the Best Western – $8.99 all-y0u-can-eat Indian buffet. We’ve only been there once but it was tasty, albeit on the spicy side. There are also drink specials like $3 drafts.
8pm – “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Luxury Outlet Mall. $20. Presented by Mammoth Lakes Repertory. More info at 760.709.1981.
10pm – Sushi Rei – Video screening of Forum’s “Forever”, which is almost as good as the Judy Blume book by the same name. Just kidding. But there’s a huge buzz about John Jackson’s part. And there’s a good chance that it may be segment of the year. Cool fun fact about him? He’s a Crowley native.
It’s a new season and time for a change: below you’ll find the first installment of Locals’ Knowledge, a regular column from a passionate group of skiers and riders who work here on the mountain. We’re proud to introduce Ray M., a jack-of-all-trades, who spends his winter in Main Lodge’s Sport Shop and his off-time on the hill. Without further ado, here’s Ray:
Hello skiers and snowboarders! We are now in our second week of the season and the snow conditions have been great! Cooler temperatures means the snow guns have been going and since Mother Nature provided 4.5″ to 5″ of new snow last week, we are off to a great start.
Saddle Bowl, off the back of chair 3, has been the favorite of many skiers and snowboarders. And Cornice is open with some great natural and manmade snow. Last week, our snowmaking crew had the guns going almost non-stop on Cornice. I recommend skier’s right along the snowmaking guns if you get out later in the day. (The snow from the middle tends to get pushed over to the side of the runs later in the day.) But don’t get too far off to the sides or you might find a couple of treasures just under the surface!
Forest Trail has had some fun features lately. Thanks to Unbound Director, Oren Tanzer, and his awesome team, we have seen some super fun jibs and mini booters, which translate to a fun way to get the first slides and spins in for the new season.
Remember, early season obstacles exist! I recommend skiing on trail until we get a few more storm cycles. We all know the weather is going to start rolling in here soon and conditions are only going to get better. So, stay in control and get the feeling of your gear under your feet. It’s not a race right now. Be considerate of the skiers and boarders in front of you, they do have the right of way!
And have fun – it’s going to be a great season and I want to see everyone out there having a great time from now till we close in the spring! Stay posted for more updates on our ski conditions and other run openings.
7am-9am – Side Door Cafe – Happy Hour — discounts on coffee and pastries. Goodies start at 55 cents.
7:30am-8:30am - Base Camp Cafe – Early Bird Special, $5. Breakfast bagel and small bevvie.
All Day – Side Door Cafe – 10% off your bill for all locals.
3pm-6pm – Auld Dubliner – Happy Hour, which includes 1/2 off appetizers, $3 wells, $3 drafts and bottles (except Guinness). And hipster happy hour never stops: draft PBRs are $2 all day and night.
3pm-6pm – Happier Hour at Gomez’s - With Mexi Fries, quesadillas and chimichangas for less than $3 and great beer specials it’s a great Happy Hour. Our faves? The Mexi Fries and shrimp tacos.
4:30pm-6pm – One World Eats – Happy Hour with $5 falafel sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and $2 domestic beer.
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour at The Bistro at Snowcreek – 50% off well drinks and draft beer and appetizer specials.
5pm-6pm - Happy Hour at Whiskey Creek. 50% off all food, except desserts, in the bar and $1 off pints. If you’re looking for dinner it’s the best deal in town. And the food is really good. If you want a table, get there before 5:30pm.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Cafe 203 in the Best Western – $8.99 all-y0u-can-eat Indian buffet. We’ve only been there once but it was tasty, albeit on the spicy side. There are also drink specials like $3 drafts.
7pm – Murder Mystery Dinner at Tom’s Place – $35. Join Sierra Classic Theatre for this entertaining event that blends delicious dining with riveting mystery theatre. Call Tom’s Place for reservations at 760.935.4239.
8pm – “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Luxury Outlet Mall. $20. Presented by Mammoth Lakes Repertory. More info at 760.709.1981.
All Day – Side Door Cafe – 10% off your bill for all locals.
3pm-6pm – Auld Dubliner – Happy Hour, which includes 1/2 off appetizers, $3 wells, $3 drafts and bottles (except Guinness). And hipster happy hour never stops: draft PBRs are $2 all day and night.
3pm-6pm – Happier Hour at Gomez’s - With Mexi Fries, quesadillas and chimichangas for less than $3 and great beer specials it’s a great Happy Hour. Our faves? The Mexi Fries and shrimp tacos.
4:30pm-6pm – One World Eats – Happy Hour with $5 falafel sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and $2 domestic beer.
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour at The Bistro at Snowcreek – 50% off well drinks and draft beer and appetizer specials.
5pm-6pm - Happy Hour at Whiskey Creek. 50% off all food, except desserts, in the bar and $1 off pints. If you’re looking for dinner it’s the best deal in town. And the food is really good. If you want a table, get there before 5:30pm.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Cafe 203 in the Best Western – $8.99 all-y0u-can-eat Indian buffet. We’ve only been there once but it was tasty, albeit on the spicy side. There are also drink specials like $3 drafts.
7pm – Murder Mystery Dinner at Tom’s Place – $35. Join Sierra Classic Theatre for this entertaining event that blends delicious dining with riveting mystery theatre. Call Tom’s Place for reservations at 760.935.4239.
All Day – Side Door Cafe – 10% off your bill for all locals.
All Day – Tipsy Tuesdays at Auld Dubliner – $1 tacos and $2 PBRs.
3pm-6pm – Auld Dubliner – Happy Hour, which includes 1/2 off appetizers, $3 wells, $3 drafts and bottles (except Guinness). And hipster happy hour never stops: draft PBRs are $2 all day and night.
3pm-6pm – Happier Hour at Gomez’s - With Mexi Fries, quesadillas and chimichangas for less than $3 and great beer specials it’s a great Happy Hour. Our faves? The Mexi Fries and shrimp tacos.
4:30pm-6pm – One World Eats – Happy Hour with $5 falafel sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and $2 domestic beer.
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour at The Bistro at Snowcreek – 50% off well drinks and draft beer and appetizer specials.
5pm-6pm - Happy Hour at Whiskey Creek. 50% off all food, except desserts, in the bar and $1 off pints. If you’re looking for dinner it’s the best deal in town. And the food is really good. If you want a table, get there before 5:30pm.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Cafe 203 in the Best Western – $8.99 all-y0u-can-eat Indian buffet. We’ve only been there once but it was tasty, albeit on the spicy side. There are also drink specials like $3 drafts.
7pm – Murder Mystery Dinner at Tom’s Place – $35. Join Sierra Classic Theatre for this entertaining event that blends delicious dining with riveting mystery theatre. Call Tom’s Place for reservations at 760.935.4239.
7pm – International Film Night at Mammoth Lakes Library. For more info call 760.934.4777.
Happy Saturday. Hope you’re on the hill and not behind a computer. Conditions are killer out there. Chairs one, three and the upper gondi are running and there are good turns to be had all over. Saddle Bowl, as usual, is a standout. And if you ever want to session the park by yourself, all you have to do is show up between 8:30am and 9:30am, if today is any indication.
But save some gas in the proverbial tank for tonight because it should be a great night in town with an art show celebrating the life of Mammoth native Jeff Anderson, the world premiere of the film “Hot Laps” that was shot exclusively at Mammoth and the immediate backcountry and, finally, a set by Shiny Toy Guns. So power nap, or do what you have to do to get ready — it’s gonna be a great night. More info on all of this goodness is below.
3pm-6pm - Happier Hour at Gomez’s - With Mexi Fries, quesadillas and chimichangas for less than $3 and great beer specials it’s a great Happy Hour. Our faves? The Mexi Fries and shrimp tacos.
4pm-6pm - Base Camp Cafe – Burger & Beer special - $5.95. Pint of Mammoth brew (or your favorite beverage) and burger and fries. Vegetarians be prepared for a let-them-eat-beef tax: veggie burgers are an additional $2.
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour at The Bistro at Snowcreek – 50% off well drinks and draft beer and appetizer specials.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Whiskey Creek. 50% off all food, except desserts, in the bar and $1 off pints. If you’re looking for dinner it’s the best deal in town. And the food is really good. If you want a table, get there before 5:30pm.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Cafe 203 in the Best Western – $8.99 all-y0u-can-eat Indian buffet. We’ve only been there once but it was tasty, albeit on the spicy side. There are also drink specials like $3 drafts.
6pm-9pm – “I Am Snowboarding” Art Show Opening Reception at the Village – Celebrate the life of pro-rider Jeff Anderson through the works of 40 of the snowboarding community’s most high profile artists.
6 to 9pm @ The Village. Info: 800.MAMMOTH.
8pm – World Premier of “Hot Laps” – The Village – Filmed 100% in Mammoth and starring the Unbound Pro Team and friends, this flick showcases an incredible amount of terrain on the mountain and in the backcountry. Pro-rider appearances, beer garden, DJ and giveaways round out this showcase night.
8pm – “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Luxury Outlet Mall. $20. Presented by Mammoth Lakes Repertory. More info at 760.709.1981.
9pm -Shiny Toy Guns Live – Canyon Lodge -After Hot Laps keep the party rolling with an incredible set from alt-rock stars Shiny Toy Guns at Canyon Lodge. Tickets are $15 until 5pm today at the ticket counter at Main Lodge or the front desk at The Village Lodge. Tickets are $20 at the door. There will also be complimentary bus transportation between The Village and Canyon Lodge.
or $20 at the door. 21+ only. We chatted with the band recently, check out our preview.
7:30pm -Classical Music Concert at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Free. An evening of pleasant music with the Eastern Sierra Chamber Orchestra and guest conductor Brian Shuldt. Call 760.934.7015 for info.
10pm-11pm - Westin Monache – Late night Happy Hour and DJ Clearly spinning dance music until 2am.
All Day - Side Door Cafe – 10% off your bill for all locals.
All Day - Angel’s – Sports Bar Sundays – $4 Build your own Bloody Mary bar, $2 Coors drafts, $1 Silver Dollar pancakes and huge brunch menu that includes a Cap’N Crunch encrusted French Toast.
7am-9am - Side Door Cafe - Discounts on coffee and pastries.
11am-close – NFL Football Happy Hour at Whiskey Creek. 50% off all food from the special, smaller than the regular menu, Sunday menu in the bar and $1 off pints.
3pm-6pm - Happier Hour at Gomez’s - With Mexi Fries, quesadillas and chimichangas for less than $3 and great beer specials it’s a great Happy Hour. Our faves? The Mexi Fries and shrimp tacos.
4pm – “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Luxury Outlet Mall. $20. Presented by Mammoth Lakes Repertory. More info at 760.709.1981.
4pm-6pm - Base Camp Cafe – Burger & Beer special - $5.95. Pint of Mammoth brew (or your favorite beverage) and burger and fries. Vegetarians be prepared for a let-them-eat-beef tax: veggie burgers are an additional $2.
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour at The Bistro at Snowcreek – 50% off well drinks and draft beer and appetizer specials.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Cafe 203 in the Best Western – $8.99 all-y0u-can-eat Indian buffet. We’ve only been there once but it was tasty, albeit on the spicy side. There are also drink specials like $3 drafts
Happy Friday the 13th. We just got off the hill and the conditions are scary. Scary good. The snow off the back of chair three is great and the park crew did a great job on Forest Trail where there’s boxes, rails and a few tabletops. And they’ve been blowing snow on Cornice so that’s going to be the move tomorrow morning when the gondi starts turning from mid-station. As of tomorrow, the gondi is scheduled to run daily.
But before you can get into the fun of tomorrow, think about tonight. There’s a big party going down in The Village. It kicks off at 7pm with a beer and drink garden and a bunch of giveaways as well as the unveiling of the brand new Village fire pit that’s complete with a few benches. Get there early to check it out and get a good seat for the movies, which include the Billabong/Transworld film “Get Real” and the all-women “Stance”. The movies start rolling at 8pm and will run until 9pm. So bundle up and come on down/up.
Oh yeah, one last thing, Chair 1, 3, and the upper gondola are slated to turn tomorrow. And at 10am tomorrow morning there will be a special ceremony to commemorate the life of the legendary ski racer, conservationist and long-time Mammoth Lakes local Andrea Mead Lawrence. If you’re interesting in taking part, just meet at the top of the Far West ski run at Mammoth Mountain at 10am. In honor of Ms. Lawrence’s achievements at the 1952 Olympics, where she won gold medals in the slalom and giant slalom, Far West will be renamed “Andy’s Double Gold”.
All Day – Side Door Cafe – 10% off your bill for all locals.
7am-9am – Happy Hour at Side Door – discounts on coffee and pastries.
3pm-6pm – Auld Dubliner – Happy Hour, which includes 1/2 off appetizers, $3 wells, $3 drafts and bottles (except Guinness). And hipster happy hour never stops: draft PBRs are $2 all day and night.
3pm-6pm – Happier Hour at Gomez’s - With Mexi Fries, quesadillas and chimichangas for less than $3 and great beer specials it’s a great Happy Hour. Our faves? The Mexi Fries and shrimp tacos.
4pm-6pm – Base Camp Cafe – Burger & Beer special - $5.95. Pint of Mammoth brew (or your favorite beverage) and burger and fries. Vegetarians be prepared for a let-them-eat-beef tax: veggie burgers are an additional $2.
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour at The Bistro at Snowcreek – 50% off well drinks and draft beer and appetizer specials.
5pm-6pm - Happy Hour at Whiskey Creek. 50% off all food, except desserts, in the bar and $1 off pints. If you’re looking for dinner it’s the best deal in town. And the food is really good. If you want a table, get there before 5:30pm.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Cafe 203 in the Best Western – $8.99 all-y0u-can-eat Indian buffet. We’ve only been there once but it was tasty, albeit on the spicy side. There are also drink specials like $3 drafts.
7pm – Snowboard film screenings in The village – Grab the stoke with a couple of great new boarding flicks on the big screen in The Village Plaza. First up is “Stance”, which features the world’s best female riders and it’s followed by the Billabong /Transworld’s joint production, “Get Real.” For info call 800.MAMMOTH.
Family Movie Night @ Mammoth Lakes Library
7pm @ Mammoth Lakes Library. Info: 760.934.4777.
8pm – “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Luxury Outlet Mall. $20. Presented by Mammoth Lakes Repertory. More info at 760.709.1981.
The snow started coming down at 7:45am today and hasn’t let up since. From our fourth floor window at Main it looks like the Big Man Above is shaking his head vigorously and has never, ever heard of Selson Blue. Dandruff be damned, it looks like there’s going to be some great skiing in the near future. Maybe, if we’re lucky and the boss isn’t looking, lunchtime today.
Welcome to winter 2009/10 in earnest — although some hardcores already have a handfull of days in, today is our scheduled opening day and the official beginning to the Big Winter Kickoff, which begins at 4pm today at The Yodler with food and Red Bull drink specials, a DJ and a screening of the latest from Matchstick Productions, “In Deep.”
This ski film is selling out big rooms across the country. Unlike most of these shows, tonight’s show is free. Checkout the trailer at the top of the page or keep reading for a taste.
Right out of the gate, the movie starts off strong with 16-year-old Sean Pettit. No stranger to the camera, after making his first appearance in Tanner Hall’s first film “WSKI106” five years ago, Petit slays huge AK lines and navigates B.C. minigolf lines with ease as The Who’s, “Baba O’Riley” plays in the background. Teenage Wasteland, indeed.
Mark Abma, in typical fashion, kills everything he touches, whether it’s backcountry pow, AK heli lines or park jumps and gets our vote for the most solid all around performance in the film.
While the majority of the film consists of backcountry and heli shots, there is a nice segment of polished park jumps at Squaw being destroyed by Colby West, Sammy Carlson, TJ Schiller, Jacob Wester and others. And it’s the opposite of Level 1’s “Refresh” – there’s not handrail to be found in the whole, hour-plus film.
Other highlights include: Eric Hjorleifson showing his big mountain prowess with solid lines, big drops and one of the sickest straightlines we’ve ever seen and MSP newbie Henrik Harlaut annihilating huge park jumps with every combination of spins and double flips. Henrik is still the only person we’ve ever seen capable of making a switch 1440 stylish.
While this film is absolutely stacked with great athletes, the most memorable section is the final few minutes – a tribute to Shane McConkey, the skiing legend who inspired countless people over the years. MSP’s lump-in-the-throat inducing tribute honors Shane by showing vintage clips of McConkey ranging from naked backflips in powder to AK lines on waterskis and ridiculous base jumps (ahem… Mandalay Bay). A noticeably choked-up JT Holmes gives a very touching description of his friend and the fateful day that they parted ways. Come on out and tip your glass his way. The movie starts at 6pm.
Today’s Calendar
All Day – Side Door Cafe – 10% off your bill for all locals.
All day-11pm – All you can eat beef ribs at Angels, the 2009 winner of the Mammoth BBQ Cook-off. $10.99
7am-9am – Happy Hour at Side Door – discounts on coffee and pastries.
3pm-6pm – Auld Dubliner – Happy Hour, which includes 1/2 off appetizers, $3 wells, $3 drafts and bottles (except Guinness). And hipster happy hour never stops: draft PBRs are $2 all day and night.
3pm-6pm – Happier Hour at Gomez’s - With Mexi Fries, quesadillas and chimichangas for less than $3 and great beer specials it’s a great Happy Hour. Our faves? The Mexi Fries and shrimp tacos.
4pm-6pm – Base Camp Cafe – Burger & Beer special - $5.95. Pint of Mammoth brew (or your favorite beverage) and burger and fries. Vegetarians be prepared for a let-them-eat-beef tax: veggie burgers are an additional $2.
4pm-8pm – Red Bull Party and MSP Film Screening of “In Deep” – The Yodler -
Checkout The Yodler after the lifts stop turning for a killer party with Red Bull drink specials, cheap grub, a DJ spinning and a screening of Matchstick Productions “In Deep” at 6pm. Free buses will run from Main Lodge to The Village until 8pm, so party down without worrying about how to get home.
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour at The Bistro at Snowcreek – 50% off well drinks and draft beer and appetizer specials.
5pm-6pm - Happy Hour at Whiskey Creek. 50% off all food, except desserts, in the bar and $1 off pints. If you’re looking for dinner it’s the best deal in town. And the food is really good. If you want a table, get there before 5:30pm.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Cafe 203 in the Best Western – $8.99 all-y0u-can-eat Indian buffet. We’ve only been there once but it was tasty, albeit on the spicy side. There are also drink specials like $3 drafts.
8pm – “The Diary of Anne Frank” at Luxury Outlet Mall. $20. Presented by Mammoth Lakes Repertory. More info at 760.709.1981.
8ish? – There’s a fishing movie at Lakanuki. We’re still looking for info on this film that’s purported to be Bassmasters meets genre-assassinating “That’s It, That’ All” but with a lot more dudes in thigh-high rubber boots.
8ish? – “This Video Sucks” at Whiskey Creek – The new snowboard video from ThirtyTwo, Stepchild and Etnies. Wish we knew when it was playing, but it’s not on the flier.
All Day – Old New York Deli & Bagel – $3.99 breakfast special (two eggs with a choice of bagel or toast). $5 lunch special (hand-formed Angus beef hamburger with a side).
All Day – Side Door Cafe – 10% off your bill for all locals.
7am-9am – Happy Hour at Side Door – discounts on coffee and pastries.
3pm-6pm – Auld Dubliner – Happy Hour, which includes 1/2 off appetizers, $3 wells, $3 drafts and bottles (except Guinness). And hipster happy hour never stops: draft PBRs are $2 all day and night.
3pm-6pm – Happier Hour at Gomez’s - With Mexi Fries, quesadillas and chimichangas for less than $3 and great beer specials it’s a great Happy Hour. Our faves? The Mexi Fries and shrimp tacos.
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour at The Bistro at Snowcreek – 50% off well drinks and draft beer and appetizer specials.
5pm-6pm - Happy Hour at Whiskey Creek. 50% off all food, except desserts, in the bar and $1 off pints. If you’re looking for dinner it’s the best deal in town. And the food is really good. If you want a table, get there before 5:30pm.
5pm-6pm – Happy Hour at Cafe 203 in the Best Western – $8.99 all-y0u-can-eat Indian buffet. We’ve only been there once but it was tasty, albeit on the spicy side. There are also drink specials like $3 drafts.
