News for March 2023

Prepping For Spring Boarding …

So – Gavin and I will be boarding over the next few days. He’s been a few times now, had a few private lessons. I told him a few times ago that once he’s comfortable (using edges, etc), we can look at getting him his own board rather than renting.

I have Burton Step-Ons. Boots and Bindings. Comes from when I learned in the late 90s when I had Device Bindings (same – but much earlier – concept). I loved them. And migrated to Burton once I started boarding again (15 years later – kids made it hard, but now I can take them).


So – Gavin and I will be boarding over the next few days. He’s been a few times now, had a few private lessons. I told him a few times ago that once he’s comfortable (using edges, etc), we can look at getting him his own board rather than renting.

I have Burton Step-Ons. Boots and Bindings. Comes from when I learned in the late 90s when I had Device Bindings (same – but much earlier – concept). I loved them. And migrated to Burton once I started boarding again (15 years later – kids made it hard, but now I can take them).

So – in prep for this week, I used the Burton rental service. They ship you a board, bindings, and boots – with a return label. Cheaper and easier than getting locally on the slopes.

Today, the board and gear arrived.

WOW – Brand New board (still in shrinkwrap), Brand New bindings (I know, because when I bought the same one a few years back, they arrived the same way with all the same pac

So – in prep for this week, I used the Burton rental service. They ship you a board, bindings, and boots – with a return label. Cheaper and easier than getting locally on the slopes.

Today, the board and gear arrived.

WOW – Brand New board (still in shrinkwrap), Brand New bindings (I know, because when I bought the same one a few years back, they arrived the same way with all the same packaging, etc), and Brand New boots (not used). HOWEVER …

As we unpacked everything (I was unwrapping the board while Gavin was trying on the boots – 1st one fit perfectly), Gavin said … “I think they sent two lefts”.

This was a confusing statement. “What?” I responded.

“The left fits great. The right seems like another left.”

I went over to look as he was putting the other boot on his right foot. Sure enough, we were sent 2 left boots.

How disappointing. Enraging? Everything to that point was perfect. But 2 left boots?

I immediately contacted Customer Service (could only do so via email). Had to cancel the hotel (we live very close to many hills – but I like to get there the night before, hotel, eat, chill, and drive out early to be there at opening).

Where the hell (locally) could I get Step-On boots on rental. Nowhere. The Step-On system is all inclusive – you can’t have any other boot with these bindings. It’s all or nothing.

To make it short – we had to drive to a local shop in ABQ to purchase new boots (damnit – we are going boarding – and he has great equipment otherwise waiting). On the way, I got a full refund of the rental fees. Still have to return everything by the original due date – no problem. But now we have a left and right boot.

Got home, rescheduled the hotel (going to Wolf Creek), and are ready.

Tomorrow, Gavin and I drive to Pagosa … should be awesome Spring Boarding (nice temps, 300+ inches of snow). Reserved 2 nights should we want to do 2 days …

But somewhere in Vermont, there’s a boot-packer I’d like to have a word with …

Posted: March 18th, 2023
Categories: sports
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