Board review
Dupraz D1 5'5"
Yet another aborted attempt at a proper back country tour gave me a chance to test out my new board for a day in a resort setting, both on and off piste. The review starts a few paragraphs below. First some touring trials and tribulations.
After a cycle of freeze-thaw up to 3000m the avalanche risk reduced and although the general snow conditions were not to the liking of a common powder addict, it was a perfect opportunity to attempt a summit and exposed descent with firm reliable snow. The target was a peak call Daniel in the Lermoos area of North Tyrol, Austria. It is a funny name for a mountain. On Thursday likelihood of a successful and relatively safe attempt on Sunday was quite high: fine weather, freezing nights, softening days, low winds and a solid spring-like snowpack. Unfortunately on Thursday night it snowed 20cm and winds reached 70kph from the W to NW. This resulted in E to SE aspects being quickly loaded with a thin wind slab that bonded poorly to the re-frozen base surface… and the avalanche risk was increased. Below 2000m the snow fell as rain. In addition, the forecast changed and offered only one day of clear weather on Saturday. Our plan was to do an easier recon tour on Saturday and then take on Daniel on Sunday, starting at 5am. However due to the windslab we had to cancel the thought of a summit day and planned to simply enjoy the easier reccon tour on Saturday. But on arrival we saw just how high the snow line was and the possibility of a rewarding lower altitude tour vanished. Avalanche risk at the summit, lack of snow at middle altitudes… this season is tough for touring. One positive was our car rental upgrade: they gave us a huge Volvo 4WD. Not good for the environment but excellent for sleeping in, bigger than our tent and cruises easily at 200kph. A pretty decent upgrade from the micro cars I usually rent.
After a cycle of freeze-thaw up to 3000m the avalanche risk reduced and although the general snow conditions were not to the liking of a common powder addict, it was a perfect opportunity to attempt a summit and exposed descent with firm reliable snow. The target was a peak call Daniel in the Lermoos area of North Tyrol, Austria. It is a funny name for a mountain. On Thursday likelihood of a successful and relatively safe attempt on Sunday was quite high: fine weather, freezing nights, softening days, low winds and a solid spring-like snowpack. Unfortunately on Thursday night it snowed 20cm and winds reached 70kph from the W to NW. This resulted in E to SE aspects being quickly loaded with a thin wind slab that bonded poorly to the re-frozen base surface… and the avalanche risk was increased. Below 2000m the snow fell as rain. In addition, the forecast changed and offered only one day of clear weather on Saturday. Our plan was to do an easier recon tour on Saturday and then take on Daniel on Sunday, starting at 5am. However due to the windslab we had to cancel the thought of a summit day and planned to simply enjoy the easier reccon tour on Saturday. But on arrival we saw just how high the snow line was and the possibility of a rewarding lower altitude tour vanished. Avalanche risk at the summit, lack of snow at middle altitudes… this season is tough for touring. One positive was our car rental upgrade: they gave us a huge Volvo 4WD. Not good for the environment but excellent for sleeping in, bigger than our tent and cruises easily at 200kph. A pretty decent upgrade from the micro cars I usually rent.
Daniel is the peak on the right. This picture was taken on the morning of the aborted attempt of the line down between the middle of the two peaks, which was looking ok, except maybe for the rock band that forces a traverse to skiers right. The vertical hike is 1300m
We had driven 600km and slept in the car on Friday night so wanted to get something useful out of the weekend. Our decision was to try the glaciated ski resort at Pitztal. This is not our idea of fun, but the day allowed Mio to work on her snowboarding technique as a day in a resort gives far more riding time than a day touring in the back country. The resort snow was actually quite good and there was almost dry powder off-piste, 20-30cm and in parts still untracked.
In the morning we noticed a medium sized east aspect couloir and bowl had avalanched. The slope was 35-40 degrees and the crown wall of the slide appeared to be about 40cm high. It wasn't a deep slab, but it ran for over 100m and cleared out the entire width of the bowl. Hmmm. A little later we saw another slide path, same aspect and slope. I picked out another couloir on the same face and predicted that if someone rode it then it would also slide. Sure enough - after stopping for a beer and pretzel our ride back up in the gondola gave us a full view of the same couloir with some guys trying ski it even though a dry slab avalanche had gutted nearly the entire line. By the end of the day we saw four medium sized slab avalanches on E and SE, 30-40 degree slopes, all in the resort area and all the target of skiers/snowboarders. These slides are the strongest confirmation we have received to date that our avalanche risk assessment is worth listening too. All of these slides were on the same aspect slope that we were heading for on Daniel before changing our plans after Thursday night's wind and snow. It is good to have our risk decisions validated by these real-time observations.
In the morning we noticed a medium sized east aspect couloir and bowl had avalanched. The slope was 35-40 degrees and the crown wall of the slide appeared to be about 40cm high. It wasn't a deep slab, but it ran for over 100m and cleared out the entire width of the bowl. Hmmm. A little later we saw another slide path, same aspect and slope. I picked out another couloir on the same face and predicted that if someone rode it then it would also slide. Sure enough - after stopping for a beer and pretzel our ride back up in the gondola gave us a full view of the same couloir with some guys trying ski it even though a dry slab avalanche had gutted nearly the entire line. By the end of the day we saw four medium sized slab avalanches on E and SE, 30-40 degree slopes, all in the resort area and all the target of skiers/snowboarders. These slides are the strongest confirmation we have received to date that our avalanche risk assessment is worth listening too. All of these slides were on the same aspect slope that we were heading for on Daniel before changing our plans after Thursday night's wind and snow. It is good to have our risk decisions validated by these real-time observations.
Dupraz D1 5'5" (167cm)
I am not one to care about aesthetics these days, but I will openly say that this is the nicest looking snowboard I have ever seen. The new short board has the same unique riding sensation as the original long 6' board yet it is easier for lighter people to ride it tighter situations.
Shape Comparison
The short 167cm D1 has almost exactly the same shape as the long 179cm D1. It appears to have almost the same side cut radius, the same contact points, the same waist width, same effective edge. In fact, the widest point of the nose is the same distance from the tail in both boards. Besides the length, the longer D1 simply has more nose volume. The tail is the same width, however the 157 is perhaps 4mm narrower as it runs up to the waist. Conversely, the black board is about 4mm wider from the middle point between the bindings until the widest point of the nose. Basically, the white board is 10cm shorter and has a slightly narrower bottom half and a wider top half.
In terms of construction, the short D1 has a cambered or angled sidewall whilst the long D1 has a square sidewall. I don't know what the technical terms is for this. As far as I know the flex is the same in both boards.
Despite so many similarities I found the ride to be a qiute different. I am light: 65kg without back pack. The short D1 felt much more lively under my feet. This came as a surprise as the area of the board in contact with the snow, particularly the effective edge, is identical for both boards. Yet I definitely found the shorter D1 easier to ride. However it still has the same powerful on-piste carving ability as is commonly reported for the long D1. For a powder board the D1 (long and short) really does outperform most normal freeride boards for powerful piste carving.
Off-piste, where it matters, was also a great experience. Over the day I rode a mix of low angle powder, 35 degree straight lining over chop, long easy curves on untracked 25 degree slopes and plenty of tracked out and chopped up fresh snow. In all cases I could ride as fast or as slow and easy as I wanted. The board turns extremely easily without all the rear leg laboring or off-set stance positions of a normal board. You still ride the short D1 with a centered stance and can still add considerable acceleration by weighting the front foot. Try that on the standard freeride shape and you will bury the nose. The D1 is a surfboard for snow.
Shape Comparison
The short 167cm D1 has almost exactly the same shape as the long 179cm D1. It appears to have almost the same side cut radius, the same contact points, the same waist width, same effective edge. In fact, the widest point of the nose is the same distance from the tail in both boards. Besides the length, the longer D1 simply has more nose volume. The tail is the same width, however the 157 is perhaps 4mm narrower as it runs up to the waist. Conversely, the black board is about 4mm wider from the middle point between the bindings until the widest point of the nose. Basically, the white board is 10cm shorter and has a slightly narrower bottom half and a wider top half.
In terms of construction, the short D1 has a cambered or angled sidewall whilst the long D1 has a square sidewall. I don't know what the technical terms is for this. As far as I know the flex is the same in both boards.
Despite so many similarities I found the ride to be a qiute different. I am light: 65kg without back pack. The short D1 felt much more lively under my feet. This came as a surprise as the area of the board in contact with the snow, particularly the effective edge, is identical for both boards. Yet I definitely found the shorter D1 easier to ride. However it still has the same powerful on-piste carving ability as is commonly reported for the long D1. For a powder board the D1 (long and short) really does outperform most normal freeride boards for powerful piste carving.
Off-piste, where it matters, was also a great experience. Over the day I rode a mix of low angle powder, 35 degree straight lining over chop, long easy curves on untracked 25 degree slopes and plenty of tracked out and chopped up fresh snow. In all cases I could ride as fast or as slow and easy as I wanted. The board turns extremely easily without all the rear leg laboring or off-set stance positions of a normal board. You still ride the short D1 with a centered stance and can still add considerable acceleration by weighting the front foot. Try that on the standard freeride shape and you will bury the nose. The D1 is a surfboard for snow.
So what benefit is the short D1?
The 5'5" board has the same potential negatives as the 6' model: a tendency to fish-tail at high speed. This is controlled by riding with a centered stance for which the board is designed. But still it throws me a few unexpected wobbles, especially on thin breakable crust. Perhaps I still need to fiddle with my binding placement. If only I could get the chance.
So many boards and mountains... 2 days a week to live. Working just isn't worth it.
- Less nose length and volume means less nose vibration and less 'leverage' and flex ahead of the front foot. This gives the sensation of a stiffer more agile board.
- The shorter length makes it more ideal for riding steeper tighter tree and rock lines.
- The short D1 is lighter and a little easier to back pack on a long tour. It also has less wind resistance when on your back (a bit of an issue with the big D1)
- The short D1 has less nose length and area and less relative flex… therefore less chance of 'catching' the nose when you stuff up a turn (i.e., if try to turn the board like a normal free ride by weighting the front foot before weighting the rear foot)
The 5'5" board has the same potential negatives as the 6' model: a tendency to fish-tail at high speed. This is controlled by riding with a centered stance for which the board is designed. But still it throws me a few unexpected wobbles, especially on thin breakable crust. Perhaps I still need to fiddle with my binding placement. If only I could get the chance.
So many boards and mountains... 2 days a week to live. Working just isn't worth it.
I already own the unique and extremely satisfying Dupraz 6' (179cm) model and when I saw Serge Dupraz was bringing out a shorter version, I ordered one. It arrived during the week. The black board is the 179 and the white is the new 157.
