End of Season Rant!

This is the sanitized rant, produced for public consumption...
There was another rant, it was deemed unsuitable. I liked it better; it was unedited and more genuine.
This one plays more like an audio podcast after the first few minutes though there is a lot of previously unreleased footage to enjoy.
carversconnection.com

[@Justaride-Snowboard-Channel]

Hey James,
 First of all: I’m coming in peace! No ranting here from this guy. No bad vibes either, just want to point out something that could be of value to your subscribers and maybe to yourself.
 -
 Can you clarify who your audience is supposed to be and who you think your audience really is?
You’re calling yourself the King Of Carving Steep Groomers In Softboots, basically stating that nobody out there can do what you can do on a snowboard. Yet you suggest that everybody should have the same gear or at the very least the same approach to gear.
 - Both your rants are free of the very much needed subjective nuances in gear choice. You’re saying that you’re at the top of the food chain, which makes you require certain gear. Since you're alone at that top, conclusively nobody else needs that same gear. You are not including your actual audience and are looking at snowboarding through your very own eyes only.
 -
 When I read through your subscriber comments I see a lot of people thanking you for those great carving tips. Those people are miles and miles away from your ability level, because if they weren't they wouldn't have such great epiphanies...
Then the people who agree with you on wider boards are often stating their 13+ boot size, while you’re in a size 9 on a 29.6cm waist width…
 -
 I’m genuinely asking you, do you believe that in order for anyone to improve their carving abilities they all need a board that leaves them with ZERO boot drag, tongue stiffeners in their boots and canting in the bindings? Or are you actually talking to the 0.05% of snowboarders that do in fact need such gear?
 If the latter is the case, then why ranting against an industry that has to follow the mainstream in order to make money?! 
-
The gear you suggest should exist. I’m 100% with you on that, and I think it’s great that you’ll provide the world with it.
However, the way you portray things and drag companies through the dirt, because they don’t offer WHAT YOU YOURSELF DESIRE is simply unreflected and unnecessary.
 -
 There is an entire world of top notch softboot carvers out there that rides so beautifully clean and with so much style on standard production boards, boots and bindings that I can’t help but interpret your rants on all these little topics as arrogance and close mindedness. 
 - The way you carve in the terrain you have available to you in regards to steepness, snow quality, grooming quality and lack of people on the runs is literally representing the tiniest percentage of snowboarders, and it makes absolutely no sense to go on these hour long rants to a public audience that can't even relate to any of this other than liking your turns and also wanting to ride like that.
 - Just do your thing for that small crowd you’re trying to reach, but maybe don’t make it sound like your way of carving and your gear choice is the only right thing to do. You’re literally telling your subscribers that everything out there - whether it’s gear or riding approach - is garbage, but yours. And that is simply „not true by any stretch of the imagination“ (to quote Jordan Peterson… :-) ).
 - Anyhow, I wish you a great end of the season and peace in the mind. Thank you again for being very kind in the opinion you hold of me! I truly appreciate that, since I respect you for where you've taken your own level of expertise. Ride on!

[@cherrycarves]

Thanks for the comment Lars. There's too much to reply to in this format but I'll just mention two things: 1. The boards JJA and I are building are specifically designed for and tested by intermediate and advanced carvers, and they love them! 2. Many carvers benefit from adding lift and cant, it's not just for the expert or elite level. It also works great for freeriding, try it!

[@Justaride-Snowboard-Channel]

Thanks for the reply, James!

[@matthewallen4366]

What confuses me with all this , is if you you choose to ride this style, which in my opinon looks very cool but also very limiting ,why not just stick with ski boots on a slalom board?

[@cherrycarves]

@matthewallen4366 I get this question about twice a week... I rode hard boots for decades, soft boots and the soft boot stance are simply more comfortable and versatile. Previously, it was impossible to get the same kind of smooth fast high g-force turns in soft boots, but I have helped develop boards, customized my interface and technique to make it possible!

[@ryanallen6092]

Just gotta say that I owe a lot to both of you guys! Please keep up the diplomacy efforts. But I do have a serious question - is a wide production board enough to carve the steeps? Not having tried something super wide, I would love to know before spending a lot of money on another board. I will say that riding my 155 Marhar LJX with a 273 width (290 under foot, zero boot overhang on back foot) on steeper groomers was very difficult. But it has a super short turn radius, too, and comes around incredibly quickly. Thanks!!

[@joeschmitz808]

Really enjoyed the rant James! thanks for all you are doing for the carving community. My last trip I was really able to start to put some amazing feeling turns together with both hands in the snow on toe side and coming together nice on heal side. It felt so incredible, and all thanks to your training and help! Have a great rest of your season and thanks again.

[@cherrycarves]

Hey Joe! I think maybe you've earned the "most improved carver" award for this season

[@joeschmitz808]

Thanks James! Hoping to have some video from my Japan trip for ya. I'll post it to Carver's connection. I had what would have been a great video in Tahoe, but later when we watched it my buddy's finger was over the lense, doh@@cherrycarves

[@alexisdunnigan9487]

Great video, one of my friend is Bruce’s graphic designer, i already got a hard boots Contrat ordered and i’m going to trow a soft boots in the order while it’s possible. You inspired me trough this season to get back at carving and all, thank you very much Sir !

[@cherrycarves]

My pleasure! Enjoy the carves! Thanks Alexis

[@ANETOKILLE]

Thanks, James for your commitment and for sharing invaluable knowledge. I like your style, both in words and on the snow. Direct and clear like a pencil line! Enjoy your off-youtube time, we will miss you.

[@cherrycarves]

Thanks for the kind words. Find me at carversconnection.com

[@iziKK666]

Thank you for all your Energy and Passion James❤ I hope your efforts pay off and someday even I can buy a metal wide cut board here in Germany😊

[@cherrycarves]

Exactly! I want to ride that big Oxess BX in a super wide version!

[@iziKK666]

Was about to ask this on your Forum.. Oxess was basically the only Manufacturer that i could find, but they build not as wide as coiler… however on their website it seems as if you could ask for a customized one. Wanted to know if you have ever ridden one of these and whats your take on oxess , much love, sensei❤✌🏻

[@cherrycarves]

@iziKK666 I don't think they'll make you a 296mm waist, I asked Marcel a few years ago. I like their hard boot boards, great feel and energy return. Their soft boot boards are too narrow for me.

[@scarlettohara7862]

Thank you for your work :)

[@cherrycarves]

My pleasure, it's been quite the winter.

[@katebosone9805]

Could we just know some specs of the board? Can't find them on the site.. length? Waist width? Taper? Width at the back binding? Sidecut? Would be easyer to commit buying one.. Thanks for the great content

[@cherrycarves]

We're still prototyping but it's looking like 166cm overall length, 12m sidecut average, 1430mm effective edge, probably about 9mm taper and 292 or 296 waist. There will be some custom options like stiffness and stance width, maybe others too. Once the 30 are sold I'll start a mailing list or a private thread on carversconnection.com and we'll work out some details together. There is more information on the website, click on "prototypes" at the top, there's video and some posts under it. 4 left, better hurry.

[@hamedizzy5137]

Will it be enough edge for a 230Lb person?

[@cherrycarves]

@@hamedizzy5137 Yes. They are all sold though. Find the waitlist on the store at carversconnection.com, that's the best I can do right now. I'm working on getting more.

[@elliotgaulin5217]

Hey James, I really liked this video (and all your other ones). I was wondering what you thought about Korua Bullet Train plus. I know that it isn't nearly wide enough for someone of your caliber but it seems like they're getting closer to a proper soft boot carver with the titanium construction, the bigger turn radius, etc. Btw thank you for your Secret's series, it really helped me get a better understanding of snowboard carving. I also tried posi/posi on my Korua transition finder and it's been doing wonders for my riding. Also, the width wasn't an issue for me since I have size 7 boots and my local hill in Quebec isn't very steep.

[@cherrycarves]

Nice, thanks Elliot. I've never ridden the Bullet Train but I've ridden three other Koruas. Fun boards, not real carving boards from my perspective, despite the titanal stringers by the edges. I still prefer NeverSummer for all mountain; they're wider and the base profile makes them quicker in the trees.

[@flyguyhelo]

I had listened to the first ran, pretty spicy. I didn't mind it but this End of season rant is much better. You were understatedly frustrated and angry but this second one is more true to your real nature and was very well presented. You put your points across in a mature fashion. on another note, your video's and description of the board got me dreaming. If I was 20 years younger and not shreading a small hill I would get one for sure. It would be like buying a ferrari and using it to go shopping. the hill where I am is literally a giant bunny hill. I will have to settle for something more modest. looking forward to next season. I am also curious to see the cants you were talking about. cheers!

[@henryouyang]

Love the message

[@technick007ify]

I'm at Panorama for the week, Lake Louise this weekend, then I'm flying back to Montreal. Would love to come back in BC soon and ride with you at Revelstoke! Love your ridding and caracter and thanks for the time you take to teach others in person and videos. I try to do my part in Quebec. I'm seeing a lot more people interested in carving, young and older. I'm always open to giving advice. I'm not the best but good enough to inspire and help others. I'm lucky enough to have meet both Bruce and JJA, I work with Bruce once in while making custom topsheet graphics for his clients. Did a small project with JJA too and visite his shop in Tremblant. Both great guys with moutains of build and ride experience. It's sad to think that Bruce is almost done building boards and his skill and knowledge could be lost in time. I'm so greatfull! Maybe one day I will also have to chance to ride with the great James Cherry! 😉

[@cherrycarves]

Hahaha, I'd love to ride with you too man but this weekend I'm booked at home, riding with my daughter, can't make it to the Lake. Next time for sure!

[@jonathanepstein948]

Always enjoyable and informative. What would you think of some kind of sign for our backs - "This rider makes wide, sudden turns - give him room!" with some recognizable logo. You do ride steeps beautifully. The premiere soft boot carver I've ever seen in person, though is PSR. He taught me a lesson in hardboot carving steeps (Standard at Stratton). I was on a Coiler 180 (I've been strictly hardboot since 1989), he was on some random soft boot board, post/posi, but riding SWITCH so he could offer realtime coaching.

[@lukejuras8024]

I learned the hard way this weekend. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaOYgJWMg7-Zf8ksi=eEAFogOBOvNbQX8c Now every toeside turn is also a head check, but I had to figure out how to head check in a way that wouldn't mess up my carving.

[@cherrycarves]

Yeah headchecking is hard without losing balance and focus. The shark fin is also kind of a safety feature.

[@melvindelrosario9503]

First, thank you James, I was able to do clean heelside carves after watching your videos. Next I think what’s wrong is some egotistic forum people tend to say there is only one way of learning how to carve and giving bad advice to real beginners. Sometimes the beginners buy a wide board way above their ability level just because carvers claim that’s the only way to learn “real snowboard turns”.

[@deanmccormick9384]

Good stuff man I hope some of these companies can step up and get some better carving boards added to their lines!

[@cherrycarves]

That's the idea!

[@nemojzaboravit]

I Think Nicholas Wolken and Korua should be mentioned. Korua videos got me interested in carving and + + stances. Further exploration led me here. Great stuff btw.

[@cherrycarves]

I rode a Korua Dart+ 156 about two weeks ago in deep Utah powder. Fun board for sure, it inspired a much more playful style than I usually ride. Korua are mostly high taper boards with big noses. Great for all around riding and slashing turns but they're not designed for the deep, long carves I like and they're too narrow for that anyway. But I still want one.

[@nemojzaboravit]

@@cherrycarves yep i have Cafe racer 164 (276 waist). 43.5 (+30+18) boot and still boot out on my back leg if i rly wanna go low but its a nice board for sure.

[@cherrycarves]

@nemojzaboravit Yeah, the waist is pretty wide but with all that taper it's just above average under the back foot. 28mm taper is a lot!

[@xintao0521]

super clean cut

[@rideordietheyretring2tranx382]

have you considered changing your stance to flatter, with less angle, with the spring season conditions or am I still the only one? ie speeds are slower and rougher conditions

[@cherrycarves]

Interesting... No, I haven't considered it. Until now.

[@nemdawg6342]

James your reply to one of my posts as well as your description of the Working Title in this video persuaded me. Hope I can do that puppy justice

[@cherrycarves]

You have nothing to worry about, we'll tune the flex for your weight and skill, snow density and terrain. You're gonna love it!

[@AndrewJacksonFitness]

I am here to dig deep trenches. Thank you James for all your content.

[@cherrycarves]

Looks like you have the power, just find the balance and the patience and nothing can stop you!

[@justintam498]

The last snowboard bender, I must say, the fact that none of the main stream manufacturers sells a proper carving board with the proper spec is truly the prohibitive factor in people getting carving imo, the carve itself is not hard as you rightly pointed out, but when you have insufficient equipments, an easy maneuver becomes almost impossible.

[@cherrycarves]

That's what I'm saying!

[@ohyeahbabyohyes]

I love the unscripted content! I also would say that you obvoiusly would do well with a list of points you want to hit, but without having to write everything out word-for-word, I love the off-the-cuff style. Your videos are GOLD either way.

[@cherrycarves]

Thanks!

[@ohyeahbabyohyes]

Anytime Brother.@@cherrycarves

[@maximelearning]

All 30 boards are sold!

[@zabriskieband]

very interesting! really wanna get more into carving myself, so your efforts are priceless! I bought the LibTech Skunk Ape II because it was the widest one I could find (with my limited knowledge) anbd it has a waist width of 285mm at 170 UW. It works for my size boots alright (EU 47), however I am not able yet to go really steep angles, so i might get into trouble further down the line...

[@mikeanshit158]

Is that the new camber one? I ordered it too

[@cherrycarves]

Try some lift and cant, that should make the posi posi stance more comfortable. Board looks cool. Maybe I'll get a chance to try one next season.

[@zabriskieband]

@@cherrycarves I didn't mean the binding angles, I meant the angle of the board vs. snow when carving, that is really where I'm strugglin, to get the board up more steeper so the carve is "harder" ! What do you mean by "lift" and "cant"?

[@zabriskieband]

@@mikeanshit158 It's the 23/24 one, it has that camber in front and back and rocker in the middle thing that Libtech does...

[@kitjunya]

@@zabriskiebandMe too

[@rosska99]

I thought you looked really GREAT on the Never Summer Proto! I have the Proto FR. I like the stability, power and ability to keep up with my skiing friends, but for my level learning carving, I'm struggling on it . I actually have small feet for my size (6'3, 205lbs, M 9-1/2). A friend says its the triple camber and I should try a single camber board ( He rides Burton custom camber).. His thought is it doesn't hold a consistent curve with triple camber(?)...But seeing you rip on it makes me think otherwise.. Maybe I just need to commit to a more positive stance on it.

[@cherrycarves]

There was only a short clip on the Proto FR DF, most of the NeverSummer footage is from last season on a West Bound DF 162. The Proto is slower for carving which has opened up some steeper terrain but usually I'm on a metal board for steeps.

[@Fadesign100]

Those runs look fun

[@cherrycarves]

Indeed. Revelstoke is a special place

[@sugarplumflyjelly]

I'm 6'3" and 225, carving since '89. Love to get one but need stiffer, longer than for average-sized humans. Possible?

[@cherrycarves]

Yes, possible for sure. Email me at [e-mail], I'll try to set you up for next season .

[@threeohm]

I would love some softboot risers that had built in cant and were not super expensive. Kind of like the Donek SBX, but with some cant. If you make 'em I will buy them!

[@cherrycarves]

Oh yeah, we'll have them for the fall. I also want canted risers, it seems I'm gonna have to make them myself.

[@threeohm]

@@cherrycarves - Sweet I'll keep my eyes peeled and buy a couple sets from you.

[@lukejuras8024]

1:08:14 I got nailed from behind this weekend as I was trying to make a video on my carving progress, so I turned it into a safety video for people who are carving 180 degree turns. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaOYgJWMg7-Zf8ksi=eEAFogOBOvNbQX8c In MT the law is "A skier has the duty to ski at all times in a manner that avoids injury to the skier and others" with no mention at all about who is uphill or downhill. I don't really care who is "at fault", I just want to stay safe and enjoy the entire season. You gotta be a safe driver out there on the slopes. Like my wife says when I'm driving up to the hill after a snowstorm, "it's not you I'm worried about, it's all the other people on the road!"

[@cherrycarves]

Brilliant!

[@davidmcfall5926]

James, you mentioned Jack/Jacque M. Could you provide a the correct spelling of his name and possibly direct us to where we can read his ideas on carving?

[@cherrycarves]

Yup. That's Jack Michaud, his username is "Jack M" on the forum at alpinesnowboarder.com. There are some technique articles there too, written by Jack and others too.

[@42dragonsawake]

I started carving in softboots 20 something years ago.

[@cherrycarves]

Nice!

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Is there a Stranda board you think is OK for Europe?

[@cherrycarves]

Dunno. I haven't ridden any Stranda boards, they're too narrow for my taste. Ask Lars @Justaride-Snowboard-Channel

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Yeah the widest they seem to do is 275. BTW the rant was cool, thought provoking, it explained what your style of riding is all about.@@cherrycarves

[@mikeanshit158]

James check out the new skunk ape camber from lib tech. I just ordered a 170 uw. 28.5 waiste. Its their 2025 model. They had an early release.

[@cherrycarves]

Nice! Happy to see more companies making wider boards!

[@ex_anykey2-hc5zb]

I didn't get... why don't you use hard equipment? Because of usability...

[@cherrycarves]

I like the comfort of the soft boots and the comfort of the soft boot stance better. It feels right to me. Hard boots are awkward and the stance especially. Carves are maybe smoother in hard boots, but I'm getting close to matching the smoothness on soft boots.

[@russbritt4100]

James is a master on hardboots where do you think he learned all this information. It's also why he has metal softboot carving boards already. James was already on the top notch alpine snowboard builders lists from previous boards he had made. In essence hardbooting is where it all comes from, all of it ......from equipment to technique

[@cherrycarves]

@russbritt4100 Once again, Russ Britt speaks the truth!

[@maximelearning]

The original was pretty spicy. Also thanks for hosting the community! I pointed a coworker to a volume shifted board after they complained about booting out on their old one and having trouble making turns on my loaned Salomon Highpath 162W. Can't wait for my Working Title. Is there a vote out on the name or can we keep it? EDIT: Add LTB Snowboards to the list of boards wider than 28.6cm! The Decent goes up to 32 cm (320mm).

[@cherrycarves]

Really? You want to call it the "Working Title"??? Maybe? Maybe a vote is a a good idea. Maybe a vote on the production waist width too. I vote for maximum waist width! 296mm probably. And thanks for the heads up on LTB Snowboards! I stand corrected, though the Decent is not really a carving board with that sub 5m radius.

[@maximelearning]

@@cherrycarves Definitely grant yourself and Jay veto rights if you put it up for a vote! It’s the same call of the silly void that has cities naming their coast guard vessels “Boaty McBoatface.” Maybe "Jaywalker" would be a good way of highlighting Jasey-Jay's craft against the grain of the industry? I’m in for the widest too. And good call out on the radius - I’ve been doing a lot of scrolling to the specs section on product pages this week. Hearing Bruce Varsava’s story hammers home how valuable iteration and testing is to get all those numbers working together for the perfect turn.

[@katebosone9805]

What's the board with the red base and the round tips?

[@cherrycarves]

@katebosone9805 That's a NeverSummer West Bound DF 162. Carves okay at slow speed, it's my all mountain.

[@cherrycarves]

@@maximelearning "Jaywalker" is pretty good! Thanks!

[@russbritt4100]

I've always wanted to ride with Bruce I bet he would trip out on me and probably make me a heck of a board

[@cherrycarves]

You know it!

[@soma808]

Getting wringing about your site from my browsers when trying to connect (from Germany)

[@cherrycarves]

I don't know what that means... Wringing? I'm not the tech guy in this operation but I can pass on messages to him.

[@soma808]

Sorry “warning”. But it’s working now!

[@katebosone9805]

Mitten Slasher

[@cherrycarves]

How about "The Operaror"?

[@hamedizzy5137]

What size are they

[@cherrycarves]

166cm, 143cm effective edge, 292mm waist, 12m average sidecut

[@brianp9268]

Appreciate your channel and the idea of someone like you sharing their knowledge with the people like this. My issue is when people like you or knapton talk like ‘get a board x wide and this custom shape’ when you aren’t thinking about who the people you are talking to on youtube. I see people wasting a ton of money on donneks that are way to wide for them and looking like they are getting worked on the variable slopes where I live. There are people you are helping a lot with this video, but also people who’s progression you might be harming. 99% of people looking up ‘how to carve’ videos have never booted out and ride boards that they follow the “size chart” on. Theres a reason board companies make the boards they do, and its not because they are just stupid or lazy.

[@brianp9268]

Looks like Lars beat me to it.

[@cherrycarves]

Yup he did... And in some ways you're both right. I reminded Lars that the boards we're making are designed specifically for the intermediate carver, and I'll just tell you here that these are not Doneks; we're working with each buyer to make sure the board they get is the right board for them. I've seen enough guys coming off Doneks and other production "carving" boards to be confident in saying that these boards will help people who want to carve better reach their goals faster.

[@brianp9268]

@@cherrycarves that’s really cool to hear. Its a good point that you mentioned these aren’t necessarily your boards. I guess its not just about the 30 people who are going to buy these boards, but for all the people who maybe have only owned 1 board, that maybe ride 10 days a year who WANT to ride like you and might think they NEED something like you ride with out really knowing what they want. I know for sure the boards you like wouldn’t be as enjoyable for me. But its like you mentioned, you were used to talking to your smaller audience. Now you are talking to all these people searching ‘what is carving’ as well. But even though I don’t necessarily want to ride the way you do, you have helped me out this season and I appreciate it. I even took a little fall spontaneously trying one of your spins to finish a carve lol.

[@katiekim5293]

​@cherrycarves do you have email I can reach out for lessons??

[@Michael-ej9oi]

Hi James, just went to site and you are sold out ? Congrats. ! But if not please let me know. Cheers Michael

[@cherrycarves]

Yeah, I should have asked for 60. No one was quite sure how many and how fast we could sell them. I'm working on getting more, make sure to join the waiting list on carversconnection.com at the store, click on the board.

[@jameskimpro]

Yo bro!!! Nice carving. I want to show my carving. I am james kim from Sunpeaks!!! See you soon!!!

[@cherrycarves]

Sunpeaks??? How are the conditions? Email me at [e-mail] please. I might come out there soon, I still have boards to test.

[@jameskimpro]

@@cherrycarves condition is very spring condition. Thats awesome you should come over!!! I will send you some clips from today!

[@cherrycarves]

@@jameskimpro Sweet! Post them on carversconnection.com

[@BenConlon]

SORRY i DIDNT ASK FOR SNOW IN MY DRIVEWAY PFUNK

[@cherrycarves]

I'd give my left testicle for some snow in my driveway right now...

[@BenConlon]

@@cherrycarves ahhhh me too mai dude

[@StockDrifter]

have heard for kessler ? thats the real deal for softboot carving..

[@cherrycarves]

Of course I know Kessler! They make some of the fastest race boards, that's proven. But they don't even make a soft boot freecarving board, and they don't make wide boards (yet). The Spectra is narrow and soft, it's designed and marketed as an all mountain board. The rest of their lineup is race boards.

[@StockDrifter]

@@cherrycarves kessler x-carve is a carving snowboard not wide but good . I have nobile n8 however my level is not as yours but working ... hope one day i can carve like you.

[@cherrycarves]

@@StockDrifter Keep your shoulders level!

[@sablinger]

@23:27 ...reckless skier

[@cherrycarves]

Right?

[@grub1962]

Love your riding, videos would be better if you didn't speak. Enjoy your winter :)

[@cherrycarves]

I'll consider that for next season, thanks!

[@martinasochorova219]

@grub1962 on your device it's magic button called power button. Use it and it helps to solve your problem with sound :)

[@cherrycarves]

@martinasochorova219 Mute button is better, we get paid by the watch hour... And what are you doing on KZbin at 1am? I left you passed out drunk in Evelyn's bed at 11. Let's ride today, after your hangover subsides of course. 😘

[@peterhoughton1731]

I'm your brother.

[@cherrycarves]

Let's ride!

[@peterhoughton1731]

@@cherrycarves I'd love to. But I'm from the England and that's a hell of a trip to Revelstoke. Can I ask how do you find the soccer shin guards?