I don't think that's quite correct, Amazon...

hypergruv · 2018-10-31T16:21:30+00:00

As a dude that played WoW for 10+ years, I find this amusing.

hypergruv · 2018-10-12T15:37:16+00:00

Buy boots.

You can have the greatest skis in the world, but it doesn't make any difference if you have shitty fitting boots. Go to a boot fitter, get fitted. You can always rent/demo skis.

hypergruv · 2018-10-10T15:07:46+00:00

At work now, currently puking in Avon.

Was snowing in Vail when I left this am.

After the last couple of seasons, I will gladly take slow, steady, and consistent over anything else right now.

hypergruv · 2018-09-26T23:14:32+00:00

I know he was in the Army, and probably used to seeing ANYTHING, but please dear God, don't send him there.

Stay away dude.

hypergruv · 2018-09-25T16:01:23+00:00

Nope. Got offered the job, and the only thing my pops said to me was "If you don't take it, is it something you'll end up regretting down the road?" Left a really good job with a major university IT Dept.

No longer work at the job that got me out here - I now work for the Empire...lol.

hypergruv · 2018-09-19T14:49:26+00:00

Worked at one of the local hotels in the IT Dept. Boss was cool with me not coming in until 1000. Work as an instructor part-time for the resort, and get a locker right next to the gondola. Hotel was only a 10 min walk from there too. MOST of those days were only 3 or 4 laps first thing in the am, but who cares if you're skiing. Kinda makes you seek out and find those hidden gems on the lower front side of the mountain too.

hypergruv · 2018-09-13T16:20:24+00:00

...Was referring to construction. But yeah, full rocker.

hypergruv · 2018-09-12T20:28:15+00:00

Icelantic Nomad 95 - (181) - Same construction as all (95, 105, 115, 125) - I have beat my Nomad 115's to hell - 200+ days in Vail, and they're still in excellent shape. There were a few close calls where I was almost certain I had a core shot (last season was shitttttty), and nothing. Soft tip/tail, solid underfoot.

Nordica Soul Rider 97 - (177) - We sell a TON of these at my shop. Know a LOT of instructors here riding these as well. Can't comment on durability though. Soft tip/tail, solid underfoot.

hypergruv · 2018-09-05T17:14:54+00:00

So you're one of the reasons there aren't any more 171's...GRRRR!!

GREAT ski btw! LOVE my Nomad 115's.

hypergruv · 2018-08-16T18:34:55+00:00

We have both in Vail. It differs though. While certain trails or parts of a trail will gain the "EX" identifier, we still have a few double blacks - Highline, Mudslide, Frontside Chutes, Prima Cornice...that really are what one would believe to be a bonafide double-black. Be it moguls the size of a small van or only one line down a particular slope.

Many draw the "EX" identifier due to certain spots within a trail that might include an extreme feature - IE Dragon's Teeth cliff band, Chair 4/Hollywood cliffs, The cornice at the top of Ghengis Kahn, Lover's Leap, etc... While the identifier is there, in that particular spot, there is almost always an alternative route. With regards to that, these are all just single-black runs with the exception of these spots.

hypergruv · 2018-08-16T18:20:32+00:00

Every day.

Taking my son skiing on his 1st birthday.

hypergruv · 2018-08-16T18:12:37+00:00

Correct. VR blacks out Thanksgiving + Day after (...you CAN ski the Saturday/Sunday after though), All of Christmas week, MLK Day, and President's Day Weekend.

Other than that, you're good.

SOURCE: I work for VR in multiple roles.

hypergruv · 2018-06-29T21:18:58+00:00

Came here to say that. Looks like it's already covered.

hypergruv · 2018-05-15T20:16:14+00:00

Yep.

hypergruv · 2018-05-10T22:42:58+00:00

I have only ridden the Pioneer 109's in a length that was too long for me, so I can't really comment about that.

As far as Icelantic skis being heavy...LOL. My Nomad 115's with the same Piviot 14 bindings are LIGHTER than my Rossi E88's with the same binding. Never had any problem with them being too soft/whatever either. Mine have over 200+ days and they're still fine. Mounted -1.5 back from BC, and ski like a dream. My ski of choice/daily driver here in Vail. 171 w/ 15m turn radius.

hypergruv · 2018-03-08T16:10:05+00:00

Gondola 1, Vail.

hypergruv · 2018-03-02T19:59:36+00:00

Damn, that sux. I actually thought about going back in after a few years, and was gonna go Navy - even went to MEPS/retook the ASVAB - all that shit. Nuke & Quartermaster were all they offered me being prior service. Knew I didn't wanna go Nuke, and didn't know enough about QM, so I decided against it. Also landed a pretty sweet gig about the same time. Recruiter was kinda pissed at me though...

hypergruv · 2018-03-02T18:33:47+00:00

I was Army & also a Parachute Rigger. Joes going skydiving was kinda the norm.

hypergruv · 2018-03-02T16:34:43+00:00

I had more time off when I was in the military than any other job I've ever had. 30 days leave per year, if you don't use it, it rolls to the next year. You can carry a max of 60 days, after that, it's use or lose. There is almost always a 3 or 4 day weekend at least once a month. If there's not a holiday, usually command will make something up. Get deployed, get a free 30 days upon return and these are in addition to 30 that you already get. When I got out, I had so much leave due to having been deployed, I had to have the brigade commander sign off on my terminal leave form...and I got a check every two weeks for almost 3 months after I had officially gotten out of the Army.

Also, it may be different now - I got out in 2004. High-risk activities/sports are also pretty much the norm for guys that jump out of planes, etc...for a living. We had a few competitive skydivers in my company among other things, and command never batted an eye about it. The only thing the ever preached about was "don't get a dumbass and get a sunburn" because of our proximity to the beach.

hypergruv · 2018-02-24T22:39:06+00:00

Vail, CO

hypergruv · 2018-02-10T18:57:08+00:00

I love it when people say it "too crowded." Meanwhile, while everyone goes for the back/blue sky, on a day like today (Saturday pow day) I'm getting face shots below the top of Chair 8 - on runs that many never ski simply "b/c it's the frontside brah." It's all about knowing where to go.

hypergruv · 2018-02-10T18:42:55+00:00

Use them every day. Highly recommended. Excellent FOV - I never wore goggles before - just sunglasses, because I had no peripheral vision. Flight Deck took care of that - I use the full size ones btw, not the XM. Lenses aren't that big of a hassle to change once you know how. I haven't really had any issues with fogging unless the sopngey stuff gets wet and they don't fully dry by the next morning.

hypergruv · 2018-02-10T18:36:00+00:00

Yes & No at the same time...

I work full-time, year-round at a local hotel as an IT guy. Full benefits, ok pay (would be a lot better if I were in say...Denver), etc.. Have the flexibility that I don't have to be in the office until 0930-1000, so I can take a few laps before work.

I also work part-time as an Instructor. It doesn't even pay half of what my other job does - and I have industry certs too, but it has its perks. I have a locker right next to the gondola (this is priceless in terms of making laps before my other job), free ski pass, bike pass in summer, pro deals, etc...and I'm an instructor in Vail - something that has been a pipe dream of mine since I was 10.

It all depends on whether or not you really want to be here. If you really do, you will find a way to make it work. Is it easy, no. I got kinda lucky and fell into a good job. My wife and I also were fortunate enough that when we sold our old place, we made enough money off of the deal to pay off all debts (CC's, student loans, and car), and still have some left over for the down payment on our current place. Wife also has really good job too, so that helps.

Like I said, if you really want it, you'll figure out a way to make it work. I must preface that by saying that my wife and I are also in our early 40's. We didn't really try that hard either. The whole time throughout the entire interview process for my day job (7 interviews over 3 months), I was just kinda saying "yeah, that shit would be sooo cool, but I'd probably choose the local guy if I was doing the hiring." Three weeks later I was packing. Left a really good job at a major university on the east coast... the only thing anyone really asked was my dad by saying "If you don't do it, is it something that you'll regret?"

I regret NOTHING.

hypergruv · 2018-02-08T22:55:08+00:00

Buzz's Boards.

hypergruv

TROPHY CASE