Hidden Valley Board & Ski Rental Shop

I manage the rental shop at HV. Any suggestions, comments, complaints, questions, etc.... will be considered and, greatly appreciated!

http://www.hiddenvalleyresort.com/Rentals.aspx

Exactly two years ago, I had my wife's skis and my skis tuned at HV prior to the season. The best tuning we ever had. Keep up the great work.

thats good info hockeydave, honestly I havent found many people that actually know how to tune a set of skis/board, especially at local shops.

I see alot of sparks flying from grinding wheels or, straight on files being used and want to puke when I see this.

A proper edge tune should never include a file or worse, a rotating disc running at thousands of rpms freehanded!

I wonder to what levels HV does to ensure their techs are checking base/edge angles, and using diamond stones in progressive grits to tune the edges.

While I'm sure there are some automatic devices out there that could properly tune a board/skis, I havent seen any used at any resorts that Ive been to. I carry with my 3 sets of diamond stones and a pocket tuner with a gummy and even a Arkansas stone for that fine polish.

Sadly, I'm in need of a GOOD base grind to get me back to square....are the guys at HV capable of this, do they have automated equip or is there someone there with years experience doing this? Generally, your smaller more part time resorts hire locals with very little experience other than ensuring a fingernail scraping comes off evenly then they hand over the skis/board after ripping off too much base unevenly, making matters worse vs what the base was..

Not saying that is HV at all, just asking as it is NOT a normal thing to go to a resort and actually receive a proper 'tune'.

Oh hey, since you work for HV 56fish, can you tell them to START SELLING FOOD at Glaciers! A man wants a beer and a sandwich in the middle of the day! Chili and nachos ain't cutting it.

Think snow fish, we are itching to ride!

Sincraft,

Thanks for the input - all good points. Check the link below.

http://www.hiddenvalleyresort.com/Tuningservices.aspx

Definitely bring your equipment in. We train all our techs on machine usage. Go ahead and, google the machinery we use - good stuff.

If you're particularly an#l like me, request Tom, Mike, Brendan or, Joe. I've been tuning (left & right coasts) since '77. If necessary, as part of the process, files/freehand prep may be used as part of my work. Variable bevels aren't possible on machines costing less than $100k. I used to use a variable 3/87 degree at outside edge tip/tail to 0/90 underfoot on my 215's back in the day. I still use files freehand and, Swix fileholders on my snowboard today. The key is to talk to your tuner - tell him what you want. Definitely request the iron wax at least every 30 hours or, so. Especially if you put your board on edge and, base burn rears it's ugly head.

When you bring your stuff in remember...good, fast, cheap....pick two! Our rates are good so, don't expect to wait while we tune.

As for the grub in Glaciers - post to our Facebook page...regularly. I'm a 'squeaky wheel' when I want something.

Good to know, I will check into it. Do they do base grinds?

Was there today. Was amazed that they opened another lift , and even more amazed at the crowd. How about that?! Both lots completely packed and even at the worst the lines were less than 10 minutes long. Traffic control then opening the other lift didn't go missed by the customers today. Kudos to the HV team. Also the lift operators on the bunny slope were very nice people. Especially the lady at the top.

As for Glaciers, I will start posting for it

Take the old food that you had at the HV Cafe(paninnis, soup, salads, sandwhiches, etc) and sell it at Glaciers. Not those frozen pizzas. No body at HV seems to understand how to run a restuarant or market a restuarant. It's "build it and they will come" and when they don't come, the first year, they shut it down. Suggest they look the words "marketing" and "advertising" in the dictionary.
I love the HV ski shop. They are very service oriented and do a great job.

Koodos to 56fish for reaching out and asking for suggestions for improvement on this forum! The ski shop seems to be one of the better run departments at HV, and it is refreashing to see an openness to suggestions.

Now for the food operations on the other hand, would have to agree with snowsmith, and would be great to see some suggestions being asked for and implemented in that department. Seems to be a big missed opportunity for HV to separate themselves from other area resorts by excelling in food, rather than slipping to below average. Would suggest they drive down the road and offer the chef at Out of the Fire Cafe to consult for them.

Was there this weekend... on Sunday (day 2 of their season). 7Springs was not open and the family "HAD TO GET OUT ON THE SNOW" (skiers and riders). Limited terrain and not great conditions but they were open and had good-enough conditions. Snow making was working (turned off where it was not adding value) but it was snow not that wet crap that some resorts pump out.
Most impressive was being welcomed at the front door by the CEO (Scott B) he held the door open for us, gave us the low down on operations and pointed out where we needed to go to get on the snow. Very welcoming! :-)
Great time and after 4 hours we called it a day - everyone tired but with great smiles for a long ride home. Well done HV.

I agree. I thought the conditions were pretty dam good considering they only had 3- 4 days to make and groom the snow. Even though the terrain was limited, I enjoyed trying out my new Dynastar Sultan 85's. Kudos to HV snow makers.

We grind. Put a new, harder stone on in November...really nice finish.

Thanks for asking.

Just want to reiterate what Dave said in the 2nd post. I was a little hesitant to weigh in on this one b/c some of you guys are obviously tuning fanatics and know a lot more about it than me. But I (like to) think I am a pretty good, and particular-about-my-equipment, skier. And the 3 tunes I've had at the HV shop in the last 2 years were top notch.

And go with what 56fish said...drop off on a Sunday evening with the intention of picking up later in the week and I guarantee you that you get a good tune at a fair price. I've been in the shop before on a Sat morning when someone thinks they can stand there and wait for a tune, it cracks me up...