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Hi Nick, That's a great question and I honestly don't know. There are some similarities particularly in the being balanced over a board while locked into the bindings. With regular skis if you get off-balance you can swing a leg out to act as a counter weight. Being an experienced snowboarder means you'll understand how the snow moves beneath you and how your edges work, just at a 90 degree angle from what you're used to. The benefit is you'll have poles to help balance and to move you through the flat spots. I do think that if you're going to learn one or the other starting on a mono might take a bit longer to learn than two skis but is well worth the effort. Good luck. If you choose to mono, let me know how it goes. Jim

I forgot to ask, what's your home mountain?

@pnwmonoguy thanks Jim. I'm sorry for the slow reply. I appreciate you getting back to me. I'm actually based in the UK, although I used to do seasons in Europe. Back when I started there was a very cool guy in Courchevel who I believe actually made monos too. We always shouted Vive Le Mono! To him from the lift. I can't believe I never tried it. I'm going over to Bulgaria for a while this winter. Maybe I'll try it there and I'll certainly let you know. I've got nothing against skiing at all. I just never got round to learning. Something I regret now.

It was the first Board I tried and it was good to learn on. Now I ride a Faction LeMono and the TT Hammer, because it has demo bindings, has been passed around to anyone on Mt. Hood who wants to try it. That TT Hammer is drawing in new converts to the Monoski world. Now that you have one let me know how it goes. Also, if you're new to monoskiing I put out a "How to Monoski" video that may be of some help to you.

Thanks David, I appreciate the feedback. It was fun to do and hopefully helps someone along the way. Where's your home mountain?

Monoskis are just such a different and fun way to enjoy the mountain, you won't regret it. What did you order and where will you be skiing?

I don't know what width my shop installed. I will say that as close to the edge as the bindings are mounted you shouldn't have to go with a very wide brake. I think the toe and heel piece placement has as much to do with the boot spacing (between the two boots) as anything. Given that the forefoot is wider then the heels once the toe-pieces are set the heels should should just line up accordingly.

Monoskiers were facing downhill long before anyone started riding sideways on a wide board. There's a reason they call it riding "goofy."

What, doesn't less comfortable boots and limited balance sound appealing to you? 😁

Hey Rob, Did you make Monopalooza this year?

I'm glad you find the video helpful. I hope you had a great day monoskiing. It gets more and more fun as you pick it up so keep getting after it.

I'm excited you're getting back into monoskiing. I'll be honest that I don't know what size the bindings are. The shop (Evo Portland) that installed them picked the appropriate ones. I know for my Faction LeMono the bindings are set fairly close to the edge because the waist of the ski isn't that wide so I doubt you have to have wide brakes. Someone smarter than me will need to tell you how wide though. My original monoski had demo bindings and I really like them for two reasons. Fist, I could let others try it. Second, I could move them forward and aft to play with how the monoski handled at different points. The biggest downside is a demo binding seems to be much heavier than a fixed binding. I will say the since I made this video I have learned a lot more about the ProFX bindings that don't release and are much lighter. I plan to install these for my next monoski. In fact I just installed these on my 14 year old daughters new CODA monoski. I think they are worth looking at but getting a local shop to install them might be difficult due to insurance reasons. A nice benefit of the ProFX is their design inherently makes them adjustable to different boot sizes so you could likely share with you son but with a much lower weight than a demo binding. I hope this helps. Let me know what you decide and how it works out for you.

yes, makes sense. I just got my board yesterday (super stoked!) and i had forgotten that the waist on these things is so narrow. i can barely get my 2 feet side by side on it, lol. I will probably go with the 90 or 100mm. Thanks again!! @@pnwmonoguy

Happy to help. Have a great season and let me know how the LeMono compares to the monoskis from the 80s.

I have to say my opinion on this topic has changed in the last couple of years. Previously I stuck with traditional bindings mostly because I was familiar with them. I've had the chance the last couple of years to use ProFX bindings on a few occasions and whatever my next ski is, I will put them on it. The biggest reason for me is the weight savings. In my experience the drawback to ProFX is having to physically reach down to release manually as opposed to using a ski pole with traditional bindings. I am also uncertain if local shops will do the install for ProFX, their insurance company may not allow them to. One other note about the demo bindings. I had those on my first ski and it was great. Like you, I could play with the placement front to back and I could let other skiers try it without much hassle. The problem is the demo bindings are even heavier than regular bindings. This is another advantage of ProFX, by their design they can be moved forward and back or be changed for another boot size however within a smaller range than a demo binding. Basically it comes down to personal preference and you really can't go wrong. The tech at Evo was Shad. I don't know if he's still there or not. Are you in the northwest?

Hey Rob, are you ready for the season?

I don't think there is a set rule on the length of a monoski compared to the height of the rider. Generally, I think taller riders will feel more comfortable on a longer mono. As a comparison with regular skis, my monos are a bit longer than the last pair of skis I bought.

Pretty much! And I will quote you forever.

Don't base your decision on buying a mono on what you see this dad of new/young skiers do. My time is spent on the groomers because I want to ski with my kids. There are plenty of videos out there of the fun you can have on a mono and if you need a little inspiration go search for Glen Plake taking on a mogul field on a mono. He's one of the best all around skiers ever and occasionally straps on a mono for fun. As for keeping up, you won't have a problem once you get the hang of a mono.

Getting up tends to be by pushing yourself up with your arms or using your poles to get up. And sometimes I still have to unclip a boot to get myself up. In reality it's not as bad as you might think. I'm not sure about using a snow board as a substitute because I have never done it. I do know that you can find used skis around. I found my first one on craigslist about 5 miles from my home and I don't live in a ski town. I also know there are Facebook groups you can check out including a monoski exchange group or MonoPalooza which has a lot of members who have skis they will lend or sell. It's a very friendly and encouraging community.

John, I appreciate your insight and it's given me a lot to think about. I'm looking forward to MonoPalooza next month and seeing what others in our community do. I may have to give non-release bindings a try.

I wouldn't say it's more difficult than it looks it's just a different motion than skiers are used to. Your balance is limited compared to two skis. More like a snowboard because you are locked to it (just a different orientation). It's a new challenge that is so much fun. Hopefully this video was helpful if you try it and you definetly should. If you give it a shot let me know how it goes. Have fun on the slopes no matter what you ride.

Here they are. I haven't checked in about a year so there may be more. Good luck. Aluflex - shapersalpins.com/fabrication-ski-monoski-snowboard-splitboard-skateboard-skwal-snowscoot/fabrication-monoski-aluflex-fiberflex/?cn-reloaded=1 Boheme - www.boheme.fr/gb/12-monoskis CODA - codaboards.com/monoski_models.php Cool Attack - cool-attack.com Donek - www.donek.com/product/monoski/ Duret - www.duretskis.com/en/produits/monoskis Faction - us.factionskis.com/collections/outcast-series Hattori Hanzo - hattori-hanzo.at/ Nidecker - The Mono 2021 | Nidecker - 178 Snowgunz - www.snowgunz.com/ Snowshark - www.snowshark.com/index.html Spirit - spiritmonoskis.com/ WhiteKnuckle - www.whiteknucklemonoskis.com/

It was really fun to try and the results were interesting. It changed how I mounted my next monoski.

Glad you like it!

Hey Hunter, Timberline was awesome this week. More snow is coming and I plan to be back up there next weekend. You should give monoskiing a try, it's a fun new challenge for most people. Thanks for the comment about the mask, I really like the Ruroc full face helmet. Keeps my face warm on those 10 degree days. Keep shredding.

I'm on Instagram as @PNWMonoGuy also. You can DM me there if you want.

Hey Miles. My new mono is a blast but I still have my old one with demo bindings if you want to give a go sometime. Probably won't be at HooDoo much this year as we are setting up basecamp at Welches and bought Timberline passes. Just trying something new that's a little closer to home. Have a great season.

@@pnwmonoguy I'm planning on skiing timberline a lot after memorial day weekend this year, would love to meet up there and try it

Hi Jeff, yeah give it a shot. I've snowboarded a little over the years and monoskiing is a different experience. It's even very different from skiing but it's a lot of fun. Have an awesome season.

Mono's are more fun. Have a great winter.

@@pnwmonoguy thx and lot's of "pow-pow" to you ;)

@Gordon Geoffrey thanks Gordon, I appreciate you sharing your experience and that's a great point about the ease of using the toe clip. I went with the ProFx, the board just arrived from Snowgunz in Chamonix the other day, all looks great and now we just need some white stuff! Cheers!

Gordon - Thanks for taking this question, I don't have any experience with the ProFx's. Simon - Glad to see you're back on a mono. Have fun!

I recently asked this question in the MONOSKI facebook page if you want to see peoples discussion. The end result seems to be that people have different preferences, but there aren't studies to show one is safer than the other.

It's an exciting day when you first click into a monoski, not one you will forget. What mono did you pick up?

Hey Scott I want to but I've just confirmed with my orthopedic surgeon that my ACL and meniscus are torn. No Mono for me this summer. Got to get it fixed quick so I can see on the slopes in the winter. Thanks for the invite and I yeah I need to add a new board to the collection.

Hi Scott, I'm a little shorter than you at 5-5 and weigh about 160. I ride a 184 and feel really comfortable on it. I think it would be a good length for you to start on. My Faction mono is easy to turn and lots of fun. Like you, I had skied a long time on two skis but I definitely find my knees fair better on the mono. A mono does require a lot of hip motion but I don't think it's as strenuous on the hips. I hope this helps and if you do get a mono I put out a "How to" video that might be of some help to you. Good luck.

Thanks for the feedback. It's funny how I hear that from the monoskiers I talk to, once you go mono it's hard to go back.

That rationale made me laugh out loud. How do you like the Atomics?

They work great. Just had it at Break in early April. Got a base grind on it and shop guys were excited to work on it. Not sure if they removed the bindings for the time but I had to move them back a little on the first run. Took about 30 seconds to do on the fly!

Hi, here's the names I know of that recently were selling monos. Some are major ski industry players and some are boutique shops that make custom monoskis. I seem to learn of a new company every month so I post the updated list to Twitter when I can. Hope this helps. Aluflex Boheme CODA Cool Attack Donek Duret Faction Hattori Hanzo Nidecker Snowgunz Snowshark Spirit WhiteKnuckle Best Board Monoski (only a little info on Facebook)

I like that description of your technique. I'll have to think about it that way the next time on the hill. Thanks for sharing. Keep making magic!

Love the video. Your tips are spot on. I spent 16 years playing with it (more off than on, doing pretty good, until I met up with a group of monoskiers in 2006, since then my skill level is through the roof, it really helps to be able to actually ski with someone when learning. Video is the next best thing. Just want to add that you and anyone interested in monoskiing are welcome to come join us at our annual Monopalooza. Details can be found on the monopalooza group on Facebook. There are always new and used demos to try before you buy and many people willing to teach from beginner to bumps, jumps and trees... We are just a bunch of crazy monoskiers from around the globe that get together every year for a great people, great places & great memories. There is a short clip of us from Warren Miller's Chasing Shadows called "The Monoski is Alive & Well in Wyoming /Season Pass. Mono Mike Powder Mountain, UT

@@michaelhibbetts3597 I will be there next year. Have they announced a location yet?

@@pnwmonoguy Awesome! I'll see you there then. North Tahoe area, list of resorts is one of the recent posts on the monopalooza FB.

@@pnwmonoguy you will be able to find out who the monoskiers are in your area; that you can meet up with.

@@michaelhibbetts3597 I can't wait.

Hey Scott, it's a great question that I can't directly answer because I never got a chance to ride the old Rossignol, Head, or Dynastar monoskis of the 80s. My guess is the big differences are that the new boards have modern materials (including carbon fiber and other lightweight components), modern shapes, and sidecuts. My new mono was designed with a freeride flat tail shape and is fully rockered, something that didn't exist in the 80s. In general I believe the new monos are lighter and easier to turn. Mine is a blast. You should give it another try.

@@pnwmonoguy yep monoskiing was fun. What do you recommend for length? I'm 188cm tall. I've seen that same faction ski you have in the video for sale. I was in a ski resort for whole season in Lapland Finland and skied a lot on the monoski. Suited the knees together style of the 80's

@@alexsc01 I'm 165 cm and I ride a 182. I don't think I would want to go too much bigger. At 188 I think you could easily ride a mono between 180 and 190 cm. Both Duret and Snowgunz have a number of models in that size range. Faction also makes a longer version of my monoski that's 190 cm. I've shared on Twitter the list of companies that make monoskis if you want to check that out. I'm PNWMonoGuy on there also.

That's an interesting idea. It would be like having tracks that allow the binding as a whole to slide back and in, to facilitate the knee tucking in behind the other knee. It would be a huge engineering challenge but I could see some logic and advantages to it.

@@pnwmonoguy thanks for replying, i can imagine it like a bicycle shock absorber with elastomer+springs in closed system from the elements and aerodynamic. could give some weight to the whole system, but better experience overall.

A dutch guy did this. Forgot the brand. Very heavy system and awkward (riders told me, i didnt try it). In my opinion, absolutely not necessary and outside of flat to medium slopes contra productive ;)

I ride at 6 DIN on two skis and I set my new mono to 8.5. I've had no release issues on it. You are right that some people just modify their toe pieces so they don't release. I don't know enough about that to recommend it. I realize in some respect it's the same as running a high DIN but I still like the fact that with a high DIN the binding will still release at some point. A locked toe-piece sounds dangerous to me but it works for some people.

Awesome. I love to hear of people getting on a mono. Let me know how it goes.