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Updated 3/26/2007
Venom Switchboard from Venom Snow
When we saw the
video on this product, we had to have it! While not technically a
skibike, its one of the coolest new products we've seen for the hill in
a while. We were able to get two the new Venom Switchboards in this
season for demo. We received them after a bit of conversing through e-mail
with Venom Snow folks.
When we received
them in, we were not even sure it was them as the shipping box that
contained 2 of them was really small comparatively. The product folds up
into about 33" x 18" x 5". This makes it easily shippable across the
world or in just about any type of vehicle. (Motorcycles...?) It
unpacked fast and was assembled in about 15 seconds at 17.5 lbs. No
special boots or foot ware is required to ride it except, warm and
weatherproof. A good pair of winter boots is all you really need. The
product is quality built, and looks incredible in person.
We demoed it during
late March in Southern Colorado at Telluride Ski area and Durango
Mountain Resort. Snow very much in spring conditions. While the snow was
not ideal, we felt the spring snow would be the worse case we would have
this type of product on. I started on basic green runs for the first
day. The first run down was tough. I found it very different than
anything I had ever ridden before. With that said, I ride just about
anything. I found myself trying to man handle and muscle the bike around
way too much! On the second run down, I finally got my wits about me 1/2
of the way down and was finally able to relax and let it ride. Finally
after a few more runs, I was relaxing much more letting it fly...yes I
said fly down the runs. I was never asked if it was fun. I'm sure the
grin on my face told the story. I was asked several times if it was as
easy as it looks? I answered up appropriately..yes and explained it was
only my first day on the Venom Switchboard. Most could not believe it. I
finished up a second day at Durango Mountain resort on some incredible
spring snow. I was able to step up to Intermediate (Blue) runs on the
second day. Folks I'm here to tell you I was ripping them on this thing
in only 2 days!
The Venom
Switchboard does require more effort than those lazy bikes we currently
ride but what a blast it was. While it requires more physical effort to
ride, I at no time felt discomfort on my knees or legs. This is a huge
win for you folks that have knee/legs issues that have kept you off the
hill. We also fell this product could be used in the adaptive crowd as
90% of your weight and actual ridding in on your front foot only. The
back foot just goes along for the ride. You really don’t even need to
strap in the back foot unless you are going air bound. We never
presented this up as a skibike. We would advise you don't. We went to
two SkiBike friendly resorts but had some frowns at Durango Mountain
Resort lifty until we made a few runs and they saw I was very capable on
it. Offer it up for what it is, It’s a cross between Skiing and
Snowbaording. The best of both sports rolled into one.
Key Highlights:
- Very light
weight, Folds up for very easy/small travel. Small enough to be
checked on Airlines.
- Feels like a
cross between Skiing and Snowboarding..only better.
- 17.5 Lbs.
Lighter than anything I've ever ridden.
- Mastered
intermediate runs on second day!
- Quality made
product with lots on innovation.
- Rock start
status on the hill..once again!
If you are looking
for something different, Venom Snow offers up and incredible new and
innovative product that can be mastered by just about anyone. We promise
you haven't ridden anything like this one.
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