Snow Blades

[BladeGirl]

:confused: I have skied Tucks for the last three years in blades, and have never seen anyone else do it. Are there any other bladers out there?

I have a pair of Rossignol Bandit Xs I use during the season most of the time, but the blades are so much lighter and easier to carry on the hike I can't see hauling the extra weight up there.

-BG

ps: this past Sunday May 4 was AWSOME on Hillmans!

[RR]

Hi! Welcome to the fun...

I saw lots of folks on "Pocket Rocket" sized skis from three brands on May 3. There was a big guy, maybe 6-1 or 6-2, about 200lbs walking up with some...missed seeing them in action.

You are not alone!

[RR]

Shamless promotion post here..pay no attention.

[Skilasnow]

If anyone has used something to slide down a snowy slope, Someone has tried it at Tucks. :p

[loafnut]

my dad went down tucks on my journey skiboards last year. I was on the long boards.

[4 timer]

I've also thought about bringing up my shorties. I've got a pair of Bandit X's too, but if you're gonna have to walk down, those light weight shorties would be a lot easier. My question is on the really steep stuff. Can you get enough bite on the snow to stay upright over the lip?

[diehard]

Funny you should ask. I was there last Saturday with 100cm blades. Ever since last year, I've been trying to figure a way to cut down on the weight of my load up the trail. I bought the blades expressly for this purpose. I put them in an old lacrosse bag and used bungi cords to attach it to my pack. When I climbed up the slopes to ski, I simply used the lacrosse bag over my shoulder - like a quiver.

Getting them on is a bit tricky. First, you have to find a level spot, at least 6 or so inches wide, where you can put down the blade and bend down and pull on the front binding clip. Also, I tethered them to my pack so that they were never free to slide down the hill. Once I had them on and the safety straps on, I unclipped the tether. Then I rolled up the bag and put it in my fanny pack. This requires a lot of bending and fiddling that you don't have to do with step in bindings.

As you probably know, blades are also "squirrely", particularly on the steeps. I found that I could get down the slopes ok, but I didn't feel nearly as comfortable or stable as I would have on my real skis.

I'll give it some thought for next year... there's no question that hiking up and down is much easier. The skiing is a bit iffy, but certainly not impossible.

[RR]

Hey DieHard...we spoke as you got into the bowl. I had just tried skiing in my mountaineering boots in AT binders. I asked if there were Blades in that bag.

Great day!

[diehard]

Headwall Master,

I remember. I had a few people ask that question.

Yes it was an awesome day. My daughter and I had a day like that 5 years ago, and I never thought we'd get that lucky again. It was a beauty !

Too bad Lunch Rocks was off limits. I think it's more fun being down there, but the rocks below the Chute make for easier access to the left side terrain.

[SkiStooge]

Uh OH!!! Blades, Lacross bag (claim it as a backpack), Cog railway...I smell trouble!!! lol. Al

[BladeGirl]

diehard:

As you probably know, blades are also "squirrely", particularly on the steeps. I found that I could get down the slopes ok, but I didn't feel nearly as comfortable or stable as I would have on my real skis.
I have to disagree, diehard. Perhaps you are finding them squirrely because you only got them for this purpose. My husband has been skiing on them exclusively for the last five years and not only is he as stable as any skier, but almost as fast as well. It takes getting used to, with a different stance and pressuer to quiet the skis. That said, you do need a flat space to put them on because of the bindings.

[RR]

Yeah, I second that about the binders...my Silvretta 500's aren't step-ins. I have to line up the toe bail and lift the heel piece into place. But my 185's give so much edge, a space for one ski at a time is all I need. I can step down a bit so I can put on the uphill ski....see I have uphill skis, not downhill skis....

Ignore my pre-caffine babble.

[diehard]

Bladegirl,

I don't disagree. When I've used my blades for several hours at a time, I do feel them better and can eliminate much of the wobbly action. If I used them exclusively, it probably wouldn't be an issue. However, if you're skiing mostly on real skis for the season and then try to make the switch just for Tucks, it's only natural to revert to you're normal style, which for me, makes them squirrely. I never really get in enough turns to smooth out the roughness.

All in all, I'd rather put on and ski my 195's, but I'd rather carry my blades up and down.

Everything's a compromise.

[SkiStooge]

But thosee blades look like they are a blast. Gonna have to get some ( at least for on-piste next season). Have fun, be safe. Al :skifemcool:

[VTrider]

I have a pair of skiboards/blades (LINE) that I hiked up with a few years back with a friend. Hiked all the way up and over, just to the right of chute. It was fun, nice light load but for me it was a one time thing.