December 1, 1998

Burned By The Flame

Juan Antonio Samaranch is the devil. Jeez, what a freaky-lookin' guy. And think about how positively fat his Swiss bank account is after being courted by all those cities wanting to host the Olympics. I saw this special on 60 Minutes on Samaranch and the IOC that aired right around the same time the Nagano Olympics were happening. What a racket! The members of the IOC basically get brown-nosed like crazy by the cities fighting to host the Olympics. Gifts, trips, business propositions-the works! There are no rules for those IOC guys, see, no checks and balances. They do whatever they want and make big Olympic decisions based on God knows what. Their accounting books are closed and so is their club. If you saw 60 Minutes, you know what I mean. I grew up in awe of the Olympic Games, and was stoked to see snowboarding get the Olympic nod, but now the whole thing stinks to me, reeks of back-room deals for ungodly amounts of money. It's all about revenues and kickbacks and commercials and licensing deals. The saddest part is that the best athletes in the world in all the Olympic sports are getting used and abused, all in the name of cash. Just go freeriding with your friends and forget the whole damn thing.

Richard Cousy Lake Oswego, Oregon

Reformer

I'm a fifteen-year-old home-schooled snowboarder. This is my first year boarding and your magazine has been very helpful. I really think we need to reform snowboarding. We have one of the worst reputations among winter sports. Everyone thinks snowboarders are rude and reckless. I admit I've been reckless sometimes, but I'm always polite and helpful to fellow skiers and boarders. My friends and I are all trying to get a good rep on the mountain and I'd like to see more of that.

Nickolas Chaney, North Idaho

We'd like to see more of that, too. Thanks for being part of the solution.-E.M.

Strapless One

I read your article "Strapless-The State of Step-Ins" (March 1998) and I own a pair of step-ins. They are killing me. I have a somewhat small, narrow foot (size seven), and after a couple of runs I am on my toes. I can't get my boots tight enough not to have heel lift. They're always loose. However, my biggest complaint is the pressure I feel right under my ankle bones. The pain is nothing nice. Next season I am going to look for a better boot. I hope I find a step-in that's comfortable, but if I can't, I'm going to straps. Your magazine blows Snowboarder off the mountain. I love your great articles and pictures. Keep up the good work.

Sarah Martins

You're not alone. More snowboarders than you may think-step-in users or otherwise-suffer from the boot-related problems you described. Fortunately, there are solutions. Check out this issue's Tech column for tips on customizing your boots for a better fit.-E.M.

Strapless Two

What a bunch of wussies. You boldly print "Step-in Binding Revolution" on the cover, then run and hide! You might try actually recommending a step-in system, rather than giving a friggin' history lesson. That was by far the least I have ever gotten in return for my $3.95 magazine investment.

Lunkhead

Strapless Three

Thank you for the thoughtful article on step-in bindings systems. This year I bought K2 Yak boots and three sets of Clicker bindings so I can hop from snowshoes to powder board to carving stick to freestyle lunch-tray all in the same day. The setup worked great in every situation: heliboarding at Whistler, popping in on the fly on cat tracks and off chairlifts, and I'm even able to rock the carving board over to lay out some Euro carves. Now, I've forgotten, what were the advantages of straps again?

Robert Bergeron Seattle, Washington

Strapped Seeing this whole step-in craze absolutely baffles me. All these sheep milling toward the day that they will never have to do anything except eat, shit, and breathe-all other experiences will simply be virtual. How convenient. I tried 'em again this winter-and they still suck. They kill my feet, and my heels lift like crazy on toeside. They're stiff and heavy and uncomfortable. And all this for what? So we don't have to bend over for ten seconds to tighten down a ratchet? My straps and highbacks work so good. Why would I give them up?

James Sonja Denver, Colorado

To strap or not to strap, that is the question. And as you can see, there's more than one answer.-E.M.

Wit, wisdom, comments, criticism, venom, and vitriol-bring it all on. Sorry, no letter bombs. Send all correspondence to: Snowboard Life, 353 Airport Road, Oceanside, CA 92054; FAX: (760) 722-0653, or e-mail: [email protected] Snowboard Life Magazine | Vol. 4 Num. 2 Letters