How to Attach a Snowboard Stomp Pad

Where to Place it and How to Make it Stay On

by G. Kunkel

If you’ve ever tried snowboarding, you’ve probably relied on a stomp pad to help you get off the chair lift safely. Stomp pads are devices designed to provide traction for snowboarders unattached foot and are attached to the top deck of a snowboard. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.

When you buy a new snowboard, one of the first items that most snowboarders attach is a new stomp pad. No matter what style or size of stomp pad you choose, you’ll need to know how to attach it. This is the method I’ve used for the past twenty years on my snowboards with great success.

Clean the Deck

Whether you are attaching a stomp pad to a new board or a used board, clean the board before trying to attach a stomp pad. The new board may have chemicals leftover from the manufacturing process and the used board may have dirt and other impurities on it.

Take some soap and water and clean…. read my article

Grocery store discount lift tickets in Colorado

I think everyone in the United States knows that you can purchase discounted lift tickets at Colorado grocery stores.  Advice and speculation as to which resort lift tickets are actually available can provide entertaining  exchanges on many internet ski forums- at least for those of us who live here.

The details:

King Soopers (City Market/Kroger) and Safeway in Colorado only sell discounted lift tickets in stores along the Front Range.  Stores in the mountains do not sell the discounted lift tickets.

King Soopers and Safeway only sell discounted lift tickets for Breckenridge, Winter Park, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, Ski Cooper, Sunlight, Solvista, Monarch, and Eldora.

King Soopers, Safeway, and other grocery store do not sell discounted lift tickets for Vail, Aspen, Steamboat, Beaver Creek, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Telluride, Silverton Mountain, and any resort not already mentioned in the above list.

If you want to find current pricing of the discount lift tickets, Google ‘King Soopers’ or ‘Safeway’ and call a local Front Range store location.

Don’t bother looking for discounted lift tickets for Steamboat, Vail, Telluride or Aspen that are not listed on their website.  They don’t exist.  Your best bet is to get lodging that has discounted lift tickets included or fly to Colorado when the local season passes are on sale and buy one.

Winter Park Ski Bike Program information

Winter Park Resort has updated its website.  It now includes pricing and information for its ski bike programs, lessons, and rentals.  You can now figure out a ski bike package that will work for you or someone you know.

If you are looking for a ski bike (aka snow bike, snow cycle, or skibob) that is quite easy to learn, choose the traditional ski bob.  It’s just like riding a bicycle.  Falling down is optional on this snow bike!  They are classified as a Type I ski bike at Winter Park Resort.

If you’re looking for something a bit more technical and requires a little longer learning curve, choose the Lenz Sport Alpine Brawler “peg” ski bikes.  They’re like learning to ski or snowboard but without all the falling down.  They are the Type II bike at Winter Park Resort.

Find out more information on Winter Park Resort’s ski bike programs at http://www.skiwinterpark.com/todo/resortactivities/winteractivities/snow_cycles.htm

Copper Mountain High Four lift ticket deal

Copper Mountain has started a new lift ticket promotion.  The High Four.

Purchase four lift tickets for $219.  You can use all four or they can be shared with friends.  They have only one blackout period and must be used by March 12, 2010.

From  http://www.coppercolorado.com/winter/highfour/index.html

The High 4 is also available to purchase at participating front range Safeway, King Soopers, Christy Sports, Colorado Ski & Golf, Breeze Ski Rentals, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and The Sports Authority locations.

*Purchase is non-refundable. Tickets are flexible – that’s 4 days on your own, 2 days with a friend, or 1 day with 3 friends. However you do the math, it always equals awesome. Blackout dates – Feb. 13-14, 2010 (presidents weekend/Sat & Sun only). 48 hour advance purchase required. Must be used by March 12, 2010 (no longer valid March 13). Not for resale. Limit 4 per customer. Limited quantities and subject to change.

2 for 1 Tuesdays at A-Basin

Every Tuesday in February skiers and riders can buy 2 for 1 lift tickets at A-Basin.

The details from A-Basin’s Pali’s Pitch newsletter:

Every Tuesday in January and February we are offering 2-for-1 lift tickets. Visit the Hot Deals page to print a coupon. Redeem this offer at any Arapahoe Basin lift ticket window. Lift ticket valid at Arapahoe Basin Only. Both tickets must be used on day of purchase and both ticket users must be present at time of purchase. Limit two tickets per offer. Offer not valid with any other promotion or discount. Offer cannot be refunded or sold. Coupons have no cash value. Void if reprinted or restricted by law. Valid January and February 2010 only.

Offer Expires: February 23, 2010.

The Pow Pow Platter is back

It’s back!  Just posted on the SkiColorado.com website.

Pow Pow Platter

There are 3 things you need to know: Winter Park, Steamboat and Copper Mountain. That’s right, you pay $33 per day to sample all three resorts. Make the purchase for the skier or snowboarder in your life, or just your hungry self. Limited Pow Pow Platters available, so buy now. No blackout dates, only whiteouts.

Act quickly! Limited time offer and limited quantity available.

• Must purchase minimum 48 hours prior to first day of skiing
• One day only at each resort
• Proof of purchase required (either Customer ID# or a print out of the confirmation email), can be redeemed at all three resorts
• Non-transferable, cannot be combined with any other offers
• Remaining Winter Park and Copper Four Pass days will be combined to your new Pow Pow Pass, which can be picked up at any resort season pass office
• Limit one pass per transaction
• Photo is required for pass activation
• Online sales only
• Other restrictions may apply

Only $99.00

http://skicolorado.com/pow-pow-platter-package.aspx

Tips for getting off the chairlift

How to Successfully Get Off the Chairlift Every Time

by G. Kunkel

Getting off a ski chair lift while using a snowboard is a challenge faced by every beginner snowboarder. While it can be challenging, every beginning snowboarder can learn this skill. These are the tips I give beginning snowboarders when they are learning how to get off the ski chairlift with a snowboard.

Use a stomp pad. Attach a large spikey stomp pad such as the DaKine Spike Stomp Pad to your snowboard. It doesn’t win any cool graphics awards but it will give a firm grip for….read my article.

Book Review: Wine, Women, Warren, and Skis by Warren Miller

The Original Guide on How to Be a Ski Bum

by G. Kunkel

In 1946 Warren Miller and friend Ward Baker packed up an eight-foot long tear drop trailer, attached it to an ancient 1937 convertible Buick sedan, and set out on an epic five-month ski bum adventure on a total budget of $268.00. What ensued was a tale of misadventure and high jinks that today’s ski bums can only dream of eclipsing. As a snowsport instructor and well-seasoned snow bum myself, I find this book gives a hilarious but accurate portrayal of life as an itinerant ski bum from the ultimate ski bum himself – Warren Miller.

For the past five decades thousands of people have celebrated the upcoming ski season by flocking to see the latest Warren Miller ski film in cities around the world. Most attendees never stop to think how Warren got started in skiing, writing, and film production. In 1958, Warren wrote a…read my article at Associated Content.

Where to Night Ski and Snowboard in Colorado

Yes, There’s More Than Just Keystone Resort!

by G. Kunkel

While night skiing is common at many ski resorts in the United States, it is still rather uncommon at most ski resorts in Colorado. During the day, Colorado ski resorts offer a variety of challenging terrain and in healthy amounts. Nearly all skiers and snowboarders are ready for some apres-ski or the hot-tub when the sun sets for the day.

There are a few ski resorts and ski areas in Colorado that turn on the lights at night and allow skiers and snowboarders to brave the frigid nights. Those who work during the day and vacationers arriving late can then enjoy uncrowded ski slopes and terrain parks at night. Many ski resorts offer reduced price lift tickets for their night ski sessions.…Read my article at Associated Content

Discount Military Ski Lift Tickets Available in Wyoming

Wyoming Ski Resorts Want to Honor Those Serving Our Country

by G. Kunkel

Wyoming ski resorts recognize the sacrifice our nation’s active duty military members are making in service of our country. To honor their service, Wyoming ski resorts would like to extend a variety of skiing and snowboarding discounts to active duty military to help them get out on the ski slopes during the 09/10 ski season.

These discounted skiing and snowboarding offers are available to all active duty members of the military with a valid military ID. A few areas even extend the military discounts to immediate family members possessing valid military ID. Active duty military members can then spend the day out on the ski slopes skiing and snowboarding with their spouses and kids.

Grand Targhee Resort
http://www.grandtarghee.com/the-mountain/rates/index.php

Located on the western slope of the Grand Tetons, Grand Targhee Resort is readily accessible from…read my article at Associated Content.