Just got back from 7 full days skiboarding in The Three Valleys, France. Conditions were WAY beyond perfect. These were the best conditions I have seen in 3V in 20 years of going there. There were three of us, all long time ski/skiboard buddies, with a collection of boards from 99 to 130. My two friends were to ski the Spruce 120 for the very first time this trip, and I was really up to see how they got on with longboards. Previously, they had only skied 99s.
Well, the answer is, Fantastic! They both agreed that in skiing terms, the switch to the 120 was life changing :-).
We skied hundreds of kilometers and many thousands of feet vertical over the seven days, in all conditions from deep fresh powder off piste to groomed resort snow. From powder covered steeps to flat groomed pasture, and all agreed the 120 is just the most perfect All Mountain skiboard ever. It has the lightning agility of the true skiboard, but enough flotation to deal with real powder. It is easy going enough to allow six hours of full on skiing every day without totally exhausting the rider (well, maybe a bit), but sophisticated enough to allow totally full on skiboarding.
This was the first time I have ridden the 120 with other riders of this level, and I was really surprised just how hard this board can be pushed. I certainly never found its limits.
The 120 has a reputation as a big soft cruiser, and that is justified, but it is also a total full-on all mountain missile if you want that, and we did :-).
We took gigabytes of video clips too. Loads of technical skiing demos showing incredibly fast short swings, deep carves, powder bumps, and three guys just having the time of their lives. Yes, there are crashes too; including what happens when the cameraman falls, and the nasty results of attempting sex with a piste pole! All the clips have sound, and it is surprising how much laughter you can hear! Also, no ugly gorilla stance here folks :-). I will try to get to grips with U-Tube to make it easy for you guys to see some of this stuff, but it will probably be easier for me to drop it onto a DVD and post it to anyone who is interested. I may make up a batch and send them off to Greco so they can be made available thru this site.
In 20 years, no snow sliding device of ANY description has given me the versatility and pure out and out thrill of the Spruce 120. This trip has confirmed once and for all that this will be my ‘go to’ board from now on. So do I think the 90 – 110 range is still relevant? Of course they are. I cant ever imagine parting with my 110s, but when I am out with guys who can really get it on, and want an all mountain missile, its going to be the 120 every time!
Let me know if you want a DVD……no charge :-), you can request one via email, drs2@freeuk.com
Rider – Dave Stevens – Expert Skiboarder
