Ski/Board Set-Ups!

[Danaldson]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

no way! makes you a complete Og baller. Must be a pretty heavy set up though haha.

[Tuna]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

I have some of these.....



And something similar to these....(mine were all metal but I can't find them on google and too lazy to take an actual picture. Probably can't find because they are before the internetz). The power ramp was so innovative!!



My Board is "new" though (it's only 6 or 7 years old haha) A Burton 167 (I actually never got around to using this board or my "new" bindings they just sit in my closet).

Does that make me old?

[Danaldson]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

good point in that skiing/boarding is a rich man's sport. its a really expensive day including the food and stuff you buy, hell even if you have to rent equipment. and i would love to be able to skate but i dont think its possible due to the fact that im so tall and the board isnt very long... :/

[P Arkus]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

Thats a sick pic Dan. Is that in your garage or your basement?

[100%VAGitarian]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

the closing of Skaters Sportshop was the saddest day for me. i hate mall stores and those who purchase from them.

i have a snowboard and skis. started skiing in '80 and boarding in '88. i barely ride either of them anymore. i've maybe gone snowboarding 5 times in as many years have past. it's a rich mans sport, as far as i'm concerned. i might get a day in this year but realistically, i would rather go skateboarding, so that makes my current ride, and preferred location, this:



SKATE OR DIE!!!

[cam_wmh]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

Cam,

You know I worked in the industry when the takeover happened. We had been told that Forum (et all) were shutting the doors, as they were no longer profitable. Some of the usual suspects stepped in (Quiksilver, Vanity Fair, Rossigol), but details of actual offers were never disclosed. Could all be speculation.

As for the image taking a hit, I agree entirely. Core brands do not belong in big box stores. Mission, the source, and Skaters all sold Forum for years after the takeover. Furthermore, Burton is available at Sport Check, so logically they would distribute all their brands.

Lastly, as far as charity, Burton built forum an entire new boot factory, they took over 100% of the warranty and distribution, and they bought out all their facilites so they wouldnt have to displace the employees. Obviously, this was done with profit in mind, but every effort was made to keep Forum true to its roots (Ask Mike Wilson, they offered to let him keep his job as the rep).

The one thing i really agree with, though, is that this sucks. Forum played a huge role in shaping the sport for the last 16 years. Oh, and the new video is sick.

Word. I only heard rumours that Burton was the only real bidder.

We (WMH) wanted $/product support from 4*, but that 2005 turbulence affected that from happening. Burton were awesome and helped though.

[miketweedie]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

Cam,

You know I worked in the industry when the takeover happened. We had been told that Forum (et all) were shutting the doors, as they were no longer profitable. Some of the usual suspects stepped in (Quiksilver, Vanity Fair, Rossigol), but details of actual offers were never disclosed. Could all be speculation.

As for the image taking a hit, I agree entirely. Core brands do not belong in big box stores. Mission, the source, and Skaters all sold Forum for years after the takeover. Furthermore, Burton is available at Sport Check, so logically they would distribute all their brands.

Lastly, as far as charity, Burton built forum an entire new boot factory, they took over 100% of the warranty and distribution, and they bought out all their facilites so they wouldnt have to displace the employees. Obviously, this was done with profit in mind, but every effort was made to keep Forum true to its roots (Ask Mike Wilson, they offered to let him keep his job as the rep).

The one thing i really agree with, though, is that this sucks. Forum played a huge role in shaping the sport for the last 16 years. Oh, and the new video is sick.

[cam_wmh]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

they also kept those brands alive for 8 years longer than the industry initially allowed

Mike how do you know that? Were there competing bids?

The Program brands werent producing, plain and simple. If the snowboard community wants to see these brands survive, then they should step up and start buying the product.

Now all we can do it hope that someone out there steps up and buys out what is left, to keep them alive. wouldnt get your hopes up, though.

The image value takes a massive hit, when you're reduced to the Sport Marts, and Sport Cheks. So of course they aren't producing, when the Forzani Firefly brand has similar quality, for %33 less, on the rack right beside it. The snowboard community didn't have the opportunity to give them the chance, when they were reduced from the core shops.

Now all we can do it hope that someone out there steps up and buys out what is left, to keep them alive. wouldnt get your hopes up, though.

From the most popular team to now. Nice of Burton to be keep them "snowboarder" owned, but to hear that it was these philanthropic or charitable angles, is laughable.

It's too bad. The damage has already been done. They'll never be what they were again.

[miketweedie]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

Disappointing, as those brands had teams that really pushed it over the years, but ever since Burton acquired them from 4* and then started to marginalize them to the big box shops, you knew their days were numbered. (concerns over cannibalizing sales etc; )
Good news, is my friends involved will come out relatively unscathed.

While I agree that Burton did sell them to the box-shops, they also kept those brands alive for 8 years longer than the industry initially allowed. It is always sad to see a major influence in the sport go down like this, but at the same time I cannot hold Burton accountable. They are a business, and they have margins to maintain. The Program brands werent producing, plain and simple. If the snowboard community wants to see these brands survive, then they should step up and start buying the product.

Now all we can do it hope that someone out there steps up and buys out what is left, to keep them alive. wouldnt get your hopes up, though.

[cam_wmh]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

Heard on the radio this morning that all the hills are opening this weekend because of all the snow they got.

Which hills? I know of Nakiska. I just checked biglines/skilouise/skibanff and they don't have any updates.

Also, anyone hear the huge industry news yesterday? Jake Burton announced they're shuttering the Burton "Program" brands. (Forum/Special Blend/Foursquare).
Disappointing, as those brands had teams that really pushed it over the years, but ever since Burton acquired them from 4* and then started to marginalize them to the big box shops, you knew their days were numbered. (concerns over cannibalizing sales etc; )
Good news, is my friends involved will come out relatively unscathed.

[asp gti]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

nakiska will be open this weekend! sat and sun 10-3 for $39. Shine and louise looking at a nov 9 opening day.
http://www.skinakiska.com/news-and-i...ems.aspx?a=819

[cam_wmh]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

Sweet, a shred thread & my 20th season.

I can't recall the GNU model off hand, been riding Mervins for quite a few seasons now.

Ben totally agree on Sunshine's park being a bit boring, but at least it was predictable. I've seen a dozen T.P strategies from RCR then Louise in my time. Glad that they're doing it properly again.

This will be my 3rd straight season without a pass, so I can be a genuine pow slut, and chase the dumps wherever.

Anyone got trips planned? I haven't been to Baker for a couple years, hopefully I'll be heading back this winter.

[P Arkus]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

My proper setup is a Lib Tech Skate Banana, K2 Indy bindings, and some form of newish Burton Boots. Got a beater board or some sort with Burton bindings for those early days when the snow isnt that great yet. Cant wait for this season to kick off!

[stuvy]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

I've got a couple of snowboards and a couple sets of bindings and boots.
1 burton custom something, drake bindings of some model that slips my mind
some other board that I cant remember and burton bindings, they are a Heineken edition.
I really cant remember what the brands/models are.

[Fated]

Re: Ski/Board Set-Ups!

Really looking forward to the hills opening, Sunshine has a boatload of snow already. Hopefully it's a nice snow filled year out there.

My go to board is the Burton Nice Guy, with Cartel ESTs on it. It's a shorter board but wider than average. I love how easy it is to whip around. My boots are some entry level Thirty Two's. They've held up pretty good a few seasons now, but I may start looking for a new pair at the end of the season.




Here it is with my older board (Step Child Chi-Borg, Burton Mission Bindings), and my girlfriend's new Burton Social.