Squaw cuts pass prices by $1k

I’m sure you’ve heard it by now, but as everybody is asking me about it I feel like I should drop a quick post on it so that they know yup, I heard about it.

Squaw, a mountain for which I’ve lusted after a season pass to for years, will officially cut their pass prices by up to $1k!  They are calling these passes the “50/60 Pass” in honor of the 60th anniversary of the resort AND the 5oth anniversary of Squaw hosting the 1960 Olympics.  Of course the economy and the fact that most (all?) the other Tahoe resorts have a similarly priced pass had nothing to do with this decision.  More than one Squaw local has commented (with a smile and sparkly eyes) on how empty the resort has been this year, probably due to the economy, though I sure didn’t notice any lack of crowds two Thursdays ago.  I guess powder days > economic downturn.  That or everyone up there was unemployed and trying to cheer themselves up.

Summary of the pass options below.

Bronze: $369
Valid 7 days a week beginning November 20, 2009
* Not valid:
o Saturdays from December 27, 2009-February 28, 2010 (uhh…no Saturdays for two months=good deal for locals, bad deal for anyone else)
o December 27, 2009-January 3, 2010
o January 16-17, 2010
o February 13-14, 2010
* Includes FREE night skiing/riding

Silver: $469
Valid 7 days a week beginning November 20, 2009
* Not valid:
o December 27, 2009-January 2, 2010
o January 16-17, 2010
o February 13-14, 2010
* Includes FREE night skiing/riding

Gold: $949
Valid 7 days a week beginning November 20 through the end of the season

Perks include:
* 4 vouchers for $20 off an Adult All Day lift ticket
* 4 FREE Adult group lessons
* 15% off Squaw Valley retail purchases
* Hosted passholder party
* Summer Cable Car with purchase by May 11

Platinum: $1499 (nobody notified Squaw’s marketing dept that Platinum isn’t actually the color of an Olympic medal)
Not that it matters, if you’re looking at the Platinum pass you’re probably not looking for information on their reduced pass prices.

Valid 7 days a week beginning November 20 through the end of the season

Perks include:

* Invitation to 1 early up date per month
* Access to Squaw out of bounds program
* Ski with Jonny Moseley dates
* 2 complimentary Adult All Day lift tickets
* 10 FREE Adult group lessons
* Hosted passholder party
* 20% off Squaw Valley retail purchases
* FREE 10 Wax Card
* 4 vouchers for $20 off an Adult All Day lift ticket
* Summer Cable Car with purchase by May 11

Of all of those I’d have to say the silver rubs my rhubarb in the right way and looks like a solid deal as you don’t want to be near Tahoe near any of those holidays anyways unless you like massive crowds and 6+ hour drives back to the Bay.  If I were planning on staying in these parts I’d take a good long look at the Silver pass, but I’m hoping for a pass to Crystal Mountain for the first time in over 10 years.

Also, if you’re reading this, it’s worth thinking hard about your local shop and your purchase habits.  If the economy is hitting well capitalized (I’m assuming) businesses like Squaw how do you think your local shop is doing?  Will they still be in biz after you go in to try on a pair of boots, only to order them online for $20 cheaper?  I know that nobody is made of money, and by all means if you are finding something for a few hundred cheaper I don’t blame you for ordering online, but in the grand scheme of things is $20 going to affect your day-to-day?  Cut three lattes  and a beer out of your week and you’re there.  Also, it’s worth giving your local shop a chance to match a price you find online.  Afterall, if you keep going in to try things on and leaving with nothing they won’t be there for you to try things on in the future.    /rant

March 16th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: News | , , , , , | Category: News | k">2 comments

Lange AT boot spied

Skiers, you’re getting your <3 today, first with the how to and now with this peek at a Lange AT boot for 2010.

Found some info on the 2010 Lange Super Blaster.  Looks pretty solid, but as it was on a German site I couldn’t really make out what they were saying using my limited German skills and Google translator.  Here’s a sample translation “To the best compromise between comfort and sportiness to find the developers of scanned feet long by several hundred people”. Huh?  I can haz touring boot?

It’s got a walk mode, that much I know, but the rest of the details are sketch.  As it’s Lange I’m certain it will be a top-notch boot.  Two things seem odd to me though:

1)  “Gecko-sole” – not sure why they didn’t go with Vibram??

2)  Lack of Dynafit/tech fitting means the hardcore guys are out of luck with this one.

Seems like a minimal good first effort, will be interesting to see if the market responds positively, allowing them to put a bit more time and effort into developing more alpine touring focused boots.

If you can’t find the Super Blaster’s at your local shop you can buy ‘em online at REI and evoGear.

Lange Super Banshee

Lange Super Blaster

March 16th, 2009 | Tags: , , , | Category: New Gear, News | 2 comments

How to: refilling old binding holes

So this is an easy one, but as I see questions asked about it all the time and as I’m in the process of rehabbing a pair of new (to me) Volkl Gotamas I figured I’d snap a few quick pics and post up a how to to hopefully help at least one other out there. I’m one of those people that can read a how to a million times and still be a little unclear, but feel like I could perform brain surgery on someone if I had a few pictures to guide me along.

There’s ongoing debate as to how many mounts a ski can take before losing structural integrity. Three seems to be an accepted norm, but there are quite a few other people out there skiing on skis with swiss cheese underfoot with no problems. Ultimately what are you trying to do is not add additional strength/structural integrity to the ski (though I’m guessing that’s a side benefit, but probably minimal at best) but trying to make the ski waterproof. You don’t want water getting into the ski’s core and causing degradation from the inside. Yes, you can do it the easy way and use those hammer in plastic plugs that some ski shops use, but I personally don’t trust those staying in on their own and they just look goofy to me (odd comment, I know).

So, materials list for this one is similar to last time, though the clamps aren’t needed so play make believe that they aren’t there.

  • Epoxy
  • Cup or other object to mix and hold epoxy
  • Small objects (toothpicks work great) to get epoxy into holes and pop bubbles
  • Fiberglass or steel wool (not necessary, but if you’re planning on drilling back INTO the same holes you’ll want)
  • Gloves (optional, I opted out of them)
  • Dremel tool (if your topsheet is puckered you’ll need, if not skip step 2 below)
  • Beer (not optional, I subbed an Avery Brewing Co. IPA this time.  Again, play make believe)
Materials. Pretend the clamps arent there.

Materials. Pretend the clamps aren't there.

Step 1:
Make sure your skis are dry. If you’ve recently skied them odds are they aren’t dry. You want to make sure they are dry so you’re not sealing moisture INTO your skis so let them sit for a day or two.

Step 2:
In my case the old bindings had pulled out of the ski causing a bit of topsheet puckering where they were previously mounted. As these upward dimples would keep my new bindings from sitting flush on the topsheet I opted to Dremel the bumps down.  I didn’t take any action shots of this step as trying to juggle a Dremel in one hand and a digital camera in the other seemed like a good way to shed skin.

Topsheet dimples

Topsheet dimples

Step 3a:
Mix your epoxy per directions. If you can mix it a little thin it will help you on this step, but if not no worries. Using your toothpick or other implement fill each of the old binding holes with epoxy. Make sure you poke around to get any air bubbles out of the epoxy. This step will start to suck as your epoxy starts to set, so mix small batches and work quickly in lieu of mixing one larger batch.

Alternatively, a host of other items can be used and give you a pretty similar outcome – though not quite the same level of adhesion to the ski/core.  Hot glue or even bathroom caulk can be subbed out, but as I love geeking out in the garage and wanted a bit stronger of a bond I opted for the epoxy route.

Step 3b:
If your plan is to reuse the same mounting holes pull out your fiberglass or steel wool and mix a little into the holes that have been filled with epoxy. You’re trying to add a little additional stiffness and integrity to the plugs in this case.

Step 4:
You’re done! Set your skis aside to dry and assume the victory pose.

VICTORY POSE!

VICTORY POSE!

March 16th, 2009 | Tags: , , | Category: How To | Leave a comment