spartanskier10

Loon Lake has/had a course. I haven't skied it in a couple years, but used it often prior to that. It generally doesn’t go in until after Memorial Day. As I remember, they are also required to pull it out on weekends boat traffic. The course runs parallel with Dixie Hwy on the Southwest side of the lake. It’s in shallow water and you can see many of the the sub-buoys from the boat. If you run into any skiers out there, offer to help put in or pull out the buoys. Weekday mornings were always the best conditions.

Notre Dame (South Bend) and Purdue (West Lafayette) have collegiate ski teams. About 1 and 1.5hrs away respectively. Unsure if they have a reliable places to ski but it might be worth reaching out. There’s a great site in South Haven, MI about 1.5hrs north.

We sold our ‘00 Lx back in 2017 for 12k. Similar boat, only noticeable difference being ours had no working speed control. Very clean. 980 hours. It sold in under 2 weeks.

Looking for a size recommendation, 82 vs 84inch. Skier is 5’4 with an average of ~70 feet. Has been jumping for 2.5 years and progressing well. Originally rode 78’s. Torn between an easier transition and more control with 82s or a bit more room to grow into 84s.

Bump. Slalom ski has been hibernating for about a month now. Lots of resorts are beginning to open, what's on the list for 19/20? Squaw, steamboat, and park city are on my short list

I don't have the 40 years experience like many of you. But I shared this with my former collegiate team and thought it would fit here as well. Long story short, always be ready for the unexpected. A few nights ago I experienced a jump crash that I hope to never see again. It was a casual open ski night at a local private lake. He was someone I didn't know, but I decided to stick in the boat for a few more skiers after riding for a friend. He was just taking some soft singles... and he looked pretty good. But then he lost his tips. Head to toe, everything hit the water simultaneously. Similar to a big belly flop or barefooting faceplant. It was nasty. He popped up momentarily with his hand in the air but the boat still spun right around to speed back to him. That little hand motion after impact was the only one. He then rolled face down in the water. We pulled up yelling his name to no response. He was knocked unconscious. I jumped to him, lifted his head, and wrapped my arms around his waist. He suddenly sparked back and coughed up lots of water. I slowly brought him to the platform and we let him rest for awhile. He remembered the jump, the impact, but the rest felt like a dream. Clearly sore and was later diagnosed with a concussion. This wasn't a tournament. There was no safety. I've ridden in the boat for numerous collegiate jumpers and friends. I grew up on the water. I'm sure there's clearly things I could have done better or different. But with a relatively unaware or no passenger at all in the boat who knows what would have happened. If you have similar experiences, feel free to share. This isn't meant to be a pat on the back, but rather a reminder to practice safety and have proper measures in place. It goes to show that this can happen in any event... at any speed.

No issues the first 4 sets this year until last night... check engine alarm came on sporadically and boat went into limp mode with no throttle power. Never happened while accererating or at speed. Only when putsing or dropping a skier at idle. Temps, oil pressure, voltage all good. Boat just returned from a winter servicing... frustrating. An ‘05 with only ~200 hours. The boat is babied. Any thoughts?

I’m a recent Midwest grad and had heard this suggested at regionals last weekend. I was shocked at he notion that teams don’t want to ski Division 1. I skied in 3 nationals for Michigan State, all D1, finishing in the bottom couple each time. But I wouldn’t change a thing! Personally, I would much rather compete with the best skiers in the world standing on the dock behind you as opposed to going at it in D2 with many of the same teams you did a weekend prior at regionals. How many times on your life will you get to say you stood on the same dock and skied in the same round as Freddie Winter, KC Wilson, etc... there's something rewarding about saying you're D1. As for funding, i'm not sure how it works at other schools but division would have no impact on how much we get. The school sets aside a lump some for club sports, we apply, and either get a very very small stipend or don’t. For me, natty’s was all about the experience. A reward for your teams success throughout the season. We knew we weren’t going to win, but we competed for ourselves, each other, and against the best in the world. Michigan State is going D2 for the first time in a 5+ years and it’ll be interesting to hear their perspectives this year. Maybe mine will change.

Bought this bag earlier this year and have flown with it about 6 times, no issues at all. Although I do use a neo-sleeve with fin protector on the ski inside the case as well. Lots of space. Ski, vest, handle, towels, shoes, swim suits, ect you name it it'll fit. It's not at all a hard case, the outside fabric will see some wear and tear from dragging it around, but it's very padded and gets the job done. I'm satisfied with it

Graduating this spring and will be making the trek south from MI to the Fort Payne, AL area to start a full-time job. Looking for any recommendations, whether it be public or private lakes, to get some access to a course. Skied 4 years in college and you can sure bet I won’t be letting it go that easily! Thanks for any tips in advance!

Anyone have a conditions update on Park City? Heading out there Saturday for the week

+2 on what's been posted. Helping all skiers, beginners especially, feel equally comfortable/ less-intimidated skiing against those older getting many many buoys is a big factor. Spartan Buoy Bash and State Games did an great job incorporating all age groups and levels alike. At State Games last weekend, I paid just $60 for 6 sets (2 in each event). That was awesome and commented on positively by much of the younger, broke crew. Most college kids get to jump only ~5 times ALL YEAR so tournaments with a ramp are a huge draw to the M1/W1 age groups imo. Thanks to all putting in the effort to crank out some awesome tournaments!

Ordered an Eagle vest through Masterline and had it at my door in 5 days. This was just last week. Excellent service and will use them again.

@Luzz sure is! Looking to qualify for D1 nationals for the 5th consecutive year. Not to shabby for a team that gets 6 months of skiing a year! On the topic of locations, housing isn't necessary. Many of the places listed thus far are ones we've looked into, just interested in hearing about personal favorites. Any coaching is good coaching for us...

Few of us college kids are heading south for spring break and plan to grab some sets at a couple different places throughout the week. We did Jodi's for a week last year, loved it, will definitely stop in again. What are some other recommendations? $ is obviously a factor here.

Coming from a college skier, I would have far less interest in skiing tournaments (awsa or ncwsa) if I wasn't up against people of the same age. Although I probably will never finish near the top, I still love going up against these guys and seeing how good some are. Thoughts may change as I get older but I love the current atmosphere skiing against all people my age.

Going to bump this. Anyone have additional thoughts on these? How do people like them?

The MSU ski team was training down at Jodi's this week and we were lucky enough to take our slalom set with Aidan at his lake each day. His coaching was excellent and his passion is second to none. Definitely one of the nicest and coolest skiers we've had the chance to talk with!

Tommy's Michigan not only provided a killer boat for the Michigan State Ski Team, but they have also been an outstanding sponsor to work with! We couldn't be happier to have them as part of our team. Be sure to check them out!

@gt2003 Our ski team had a 2009 lxi this past season and it was purely analog. Would assume it is like that for all.

Saw one on SIA today.. 66'. Going to go quick at that price http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Slalom&postid=34729

@Horton yep, 5'10 145

To all the trickers out there... I am an intermediate tricker who learned earlier this fall and am looking for quick progression. Have learned sideslides, B and F 180s, wake fronts and backs, and surface O's in only about 6 sets. Seem to be catching on pretty quickly. I have been bumming trick skis off teammates this year but am in the market for a new one of my own. I found this one on ski it again for a fairly good price: http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Trick&postid=30002 Any recommendations on Reflex? Good ski to progress on? I have rode D3 and Radar, and was able to do the same tricks on both. The price is just to steep to buy one of these new. Should I just bite the bullet and spend the money or will the reflex be suitable? Any advice helps, thanks guys.

Interested to here the responses here. As I am having the exact same issues.

If you want to release on a hard fall go with the larger. I wear 10.5 shoe and I went with the 10-14 and love them. The 7-11 were extremely tight. These boots are nice because even with the larger boot, you can basically tighten it as much as you need, you wont be moving around inside. My opinion is absolutely go with the larger