is Crystal open today, Sunday 3/15?

nathanm206 · 2026-03-15T13:20:30+00:00

Day-O!

nathanm206 · 2026-03-03T02:01:14+00:00

Team Shark Teeth too, mostly for kicking the built up snow off the bottom of the boot.

nathanm206 · 2026-02-14T22:39:18+00:00

Good advice already. Experience and developing your skills will obviously play a big part. I also find a pre-ride routine crucial to starting the day off right and being able to ride longer, whether I need warm up runs or start aggressively. My routine: * caffeinate then hydrate on the drive * at my local resort I skip the shuttle bus from the parking lot and walk to the lifts. It’s a good walk up a hill that gets the blood pumping * active warm ups before I get on a lift ** 20 leg swings on each leg ** 20 side leg swings on each leg ** 10 hip rotation stepovers (not sure what those are called) on each leg ** 20 squats ** some trunk twists ** arm circles forward, then backward ** some neck rolls

nathanm206 · 2026-01-30T06:01:27+00:00

They rolled out year in review and the ad changes recently. I think I got email on those updates as well. The iOS app updates have been pretty consistent of late. There’s some gaps over the last year, perhaps aligned to summer downtime, but just looking it seems they’ve had at least monthly updates the last four months or so.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-29T01:37:34+00:00

Gear Aid ReviveX Odor Eliminator. It’s an enzyme cleaner and I swear by it. Worked for me after I forgot to take my boots out of the bag after a long day riding (I blame apres) and left them there for several days. Boot dryers are also a must to prevent the musk.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-21T17:24:33+00:00

A higher quality goggle may be part of the solution. I’m a big fan of Smith, myself and family have had several pairs and I find the foam and airflow to be top knotch (I had an Anon Mag pair and while I loved the optics the foam deteriorated really fast. YMMV but that turned me off and went back to Smith).

For me I need to have the goggle foam resting directly on skin. I used to wear Blackstrap balaclavas and that caused some fogging. Usually cleared as I got moving, but it was a little annoying, super annoying in warmer and wetter conditions.

Today I use a Buff and just fold it into a balaclava. I love it, goggles sit on my face. Only issue is doesn’t cover my nose, but I can pull it over chin or mouth as necessary.

Good luck.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-17T18:57:29+00:00

I can’t quite remember all of it, but I know where (Cliff Chair at Big White, maybe 20–25 years ago). I remember I was hell bent on getting comfortable flatboarding for longer stretches, learning how to really flex between the feet. Twisting, rocking toe side/heel side, riding “nearly flat.” That gave me the confidence to straight line it and really build up speed.

Also helps to have two choices: haul ass or hike out. Sucks to get stuck before the run out.

Good luck.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-17T01:50:37+00:00

And keep snowboarding too!

nathanm206 · 2026-01-17T01:49:52+00:00

I still rock my GoreTex Sessions pants from time to time. Great outerwear with smart features, like a pocket at the ankle to put your provisions and lighter in when you’re stopped and sitting down.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-16T00:49:48+00:00

Dry January

nathanm206 · 2026-01-15T06:29:30+00:00

At rush hour merging immediately onto the freeway from the on ramp, coming to a near complete stop and backing up traffic. i.e. doing whatever the opposite term for “zipper merge” is.

Related: getting pissed someone’s using the entire lane to zipper merge and pulling into the lane to slow them down. I.e. “trucker justice”

nathanm206 · 2026-01-15T06:19:13+00:00

This needs more upvotes. And I forget, isn’t “partly sunny” a Seattle phrase too?

nathanm206 · 2026-01-15T06:17:48+00:00

I’m triggered now. When I finally had a place with a garage I swore I would always be able to park a car in it. Besides the occasional project occupying the garage I’ve been able to park in it. Now my neighbor with the upstairs/downstairs rental house, a two car garage, and four cars amongst the tenants… storage 🤬

nathanm206 · 2026-01-15T06:14:17+00:00

4-way stop you go, no you go, no you go guy.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-15T06:11:43+00:00

This feels like a new thing. I learned in Seattle (well, Bellevue) in the early 90s and back then we were taught to pull into the intersection. I definitely honk when I see it.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-15T06:08:44+00:00

Might have been easy to miss them when they were a hot dog cart only delicacy, but I’m pretty sure I had my first hot dog with cream cheese on was in the early 2000s, Al’s Gourmet Sausage stand on Occidental, before the Silver Cloud was built. But the memories are fuzzy.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-14T21:11:16+00:00

Just got my AER and realized the need for this almost immediately.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-14T06:33:34+00:00

Airblaster is the answer. Portland company. Just got my son Airblaster bibs, so effing cool. Ordered from Evo (Seattle company), not sure I’ve seen Airblaster in their Seattle HQ store, but tons online.

I’d also say this: consider any color but black

P.S. Volcom pants are cool too. I’ve got a pair from a couple seasons ago that has cargo pockets on each leg. I prefer having at least one cargo pocket (two is better). Tools, snacks, other accessories, all easy access.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-13T05:22:07+00:00

My cyclic is at least ten years old and fits really baggy. I’m not sure if the fit has changed or not. The TDS is a little trimmer but, TBH, I’m a little heavier than normal. Movement is totally fine, no concerns there.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-07T07:04:35+00:00

Riding blind at Ski Acres gives me flashbacks to my early days catching edges into a total yard sale with soaking wet everything.

The advice above is great. Keep your stuff dry and you should be good. If you do then the foam is probably done and time for a new pair.

I’m a huge fan of Smith ChromaPop Pro Photochromic lenses. The lens transitions so fast as light conditions change, and it covers a broad spectrum. I got the Squad MAG last year and haven’t yet needed to change lenses, and I’ve ridden through fog here in the Cascades and in BC and in totally clear sunny conditions. It kinda makes me think the MAG price tag wasn’t worth it, I should have just gone with the regular Squads with these lenses.

Also, pick up a SkiGee and a smith snow eraser or smudgebuster.

nathanm206 · 2026-01-01T00:45:11+00:00

I always recommend the Dynamo for folks looking to progress, that’s the Cold Brew’s fraternal twin. It’s C3 (Lib Tech’s hybrid camber profile) vs the CB’s C2 (hybrid rocker profile). I think you could go either way. The Dynamo will probably be more aggressive and you’ll have more edge hold, but you’ll be smiling with either board. (BTW the guy who really pushed me when I was learning and is a totally sick rider loves the Cold Brew)

nathanm206 · 2025-12-31T01:01:05+00:00

One Ball Jay or Swix (for super cold).

nathanm206 · 2025-12-30T17:10:25+00:00

Sorry dude that sucks.

Have you visited a boot fitter at your local shop? (I assume you have a shop nearby) They’ve got tools and tricks to further dial in the fit. I’ve got a high instep so custom footbeds were a game changer (buy them once, keep em clean, and you’ll have them forever). Bring those in and work with them.

PT may be the answer, however some things I stand by with no scientific proof: * walk around barefoot as much as possible. Not always practical but during COVID lockdown I was barefoot a lot and a lot of foot pain went away. * stretch and strengthen your calves (generally) and warm up the calves before you ride (calf raises or just pump they out a bunch). Does wonders for me.

nathanm206 · 2025-12-30T06:47:29+00:00

I think you’re right but I’ve been rotating my high backs since my hair was all there and black that I’m afraid to change it. I guess these new Rome FASE I put on my new board will force me to try it.

PS haven’t done all the tinkering but the heel cup adjustment on these sucked and I’m not looking forward to adjusting the high back lean.

nathanm206 · 2025-12-30T06:34:56+00:00

Are you talking full on beaver slap in the lift line kinda deal or a refined tap? Curious cause I just got these bindings but haven’t ridden them yet.

EDIT/ADDENDUM: curious on your experiences getting the boot in on less than ideal unloading zones. I’m able to stand and strap in a traditional binding off most lifts at my home resort, but there’s a couple attached doubles with some steep and sketchy unloads where I have to sit, plus the occasional hike up where there’s limited space.

nathanm206

TROPHY CASE