Thnx Jarvis - I think I'll check out the GNU's, but will shy away from magnetraction until I have more experience. Will take a look at Capita too. Good to know that I should def ask around about the support of the newer flows. :)

Oh...and I meant to ad, you are very pretty.

The most comfortable pair of boots I've ever worn were '93 Airwalk Freestyles, and they were the WORST boot for heel lift I've ever had. Comfort isn't the main thing here!

I've been riding in DC pumps (Revolutions) boots for the last few years that honestly are the best boots I've ever worn. The removable liners (to dry them out overnight) pump up across the top of the foot and along the sides giving your foot an air cushion that stops binding bite and keeps your heel down in the boot cup to stop heel lift (bad on frontside turns). My oldest daughter "borrowed" them one weekend for a Tahoe weekend and I didn't see them again for three years! Had to buy a new pair just because... She gave them back last season finally because her brother got her a new pair from his rep for xmas. Now I have two! The new ones I wear are stiffer backed than the earlier pair which was the second year they made them, but I like the stiffer in hardpack or crud. The old pair works better in pow because they're more flexible.

Also I agree with Jai on laces being the way to go. Far more adjustable than some of the new lacing systems out there. And yeah, realize that you're going to be doing heavy workouts on your feet and snowboard boots, no matter what brand, get heavy and make your feet tired so you need the support. Both my DC's are lace liners and shell. You can lace the inside to fit, pump them up and then lace the shells to a real comfort level with all the support you need. Try those boots, too, when you get ready to get your own pair.

As to board sizes etc basic rule of thumb is a board that you can set your chin on. There's a myth that women need little boards, like 151 or something, because they're girls. Baloney! Little boards don't float pow worth a shit, and anyone who's seen the kids leaning waaaaay back trying not to do the submarine dive knows better!

And yes, just get as much ride time as you possibly can! And stretch, really get into stretching to keep your muscle injury rate down. And stop when you get tired. You don't have to ride the whole day. I've seen more injuries and wipeouts in the last two hours of the lifts than any other time of the day combined. People get tired and get injured.

There really isn't a secret handshake (you're teasing this person, Jai!) but I'll bet that there certainly is a secret smile after a day of thigh-deep 10% that us old powhound riders all know! I see it in the mirror a lot...

Four inches since dark out my window. It's going to be good again in the morning up above me!! ta-taa all!