Hi Julia,Thank god the weather flnialy cleared at 12 o c'lock. Still, it's really a shame the weather was so bad for most of your stay here. There certainly would have been more spectators today and the atmosphere would have been better today had the weather been better in the morning. Well you didn't have your best day today too, but i nevertheless hope you liked your stay in Zwiesel and it was really cool to see you in action in real life.All the best for Garmisch,Tom

That's old news I was there during the icnstructoon several years ago.. The first indoor skii area was built in Tokyo 20 years ago and half the size of the one in Dubai. The King owns the one in Dubai. I bet its fun walking outside after skiing.. going from 38F inside to 115F outside.

This article was exemtrely helpful. The whole tele vs AT dialogue can get a little confusing, but after purchasing my AT setup, I know for a fact that this is what I need. I found it humorous that much of the talk between the two styles revolves around the whole cultural' aspect. I don't know how many times the word hippie' showed up when referring to tele skiing.While I may fit the stereotype of a hippy with my lifestyle, I don't cling to that image. And I certainly don't need skis to prove a point. I need skis, so I can go make some art. Unlike many skiers, my main goal isn't to bomb down hills like an all star (although with this setup I do, I have and I can't wait to do more), my main goal is to be out in nature, find some beautiful spot and to do some painting.The AT setup covers this flawlessly. The dynafit bindings I purchased are great lightweight solid pieces of engineering. Uphill, these things are super comfortable. Going down, super solid. For me the best ski days and the best painting days don't always match up so the AT setup gives me the comfort of knowing that I can handle whatever the weather throws my way.

typical elitist ocrkcbuntay frenchie attitude. But of course the euros are superior, no? Not really suprised to hear it from you two Also seems like a pretty narrow scope you speak so broadly of. After all, you are in Mammoth/Bishop pop: very small. To claim Americans (lol you dont seem to consider yourself one) are all trending this way is pretty far off base. True, you come from a Rando/race background most of us think you quite strange, but are you really following all trends in the ski industry or what the Mammoth locals are up to? Tons of light & fat gear coming out last year and this year. Take a look at blackdiamond.com or G3 or Voile. Very popular with us Americans. Maybe you'll beat a few folks to the top on those toothpicks, but keep your yapper closed on the way down or you'll be eating the locals pow spray. Also, be sure to stay in the backseat on the ultralite elite dynasaurs gotta keep those little tips up ;P Funny stuff.

Excellent summary of a luutcral difference. What you write is perfectly true on average but one should not forget that the spectrum of practices is quite broad in Europe, and I guess in the US too (a bit less probably). In France, you can even see noticeable gear differences between Chamonix valley (more diamir bindings, heavier skis) and the Grenoble region (dynafit bindings amost for everyone !, the capital city of typical elitist backcountry frenchie attitude' I guess ).I purchased Trab Freerandos in 164 length (I am 170 tall and 66 kg weight) and find them a little too short: shorter is less forgiving for your equilibrium position. This is not a problem in piste or spring snows, it can also be very nice in steep (~45 b0) couloirs but in other situations, particularly when the snow is difficult to ski or deep, I am sure it would be easier with 170.

Hey Greg loving your work. Met you back at Whistler in 2000/2001 turhogh Greg Earney (Tubby). Lived together briefly. Anyway glad to see you doing what you do. Hope all is well.Cheers Clint.

That appears to be me hbiend the shot ski but it really cannot be as I do not think I have ever committed an indiscretion at Crescent Spur. Your guides can vouch for that and so it must not be me.Jack Juusola