Burton Ion + P1: PRE-ride review + flex question

I upgraded my boots and bindings this weekend. Previously I had: Northwave Master (top of line freeride boot), 4 years old; Drake F60 Ltd, 3 years old
I`ll do the new boots first. They seem fantastic, can`t fault them! The right combination of support, firmness and comfort. Having "ridden" them around the house, I?m stoked I`m amazed at how the technology has moved on. I had Burton Drifters 6 years ago and there is no comparison. I`m sure other manufacturers equipment has improved in the same way.
The new bindings: I got the MD (medium drive) version of the P1, there`s also a stiffer HD (high drive) version. I might have got the HDs if the shop had them. Again I`m impressed - here`s a summary of the good a bad: + Fantastically comfortable ankle strap (that`s worth a lot) + Big comfortable high back + Strap positions, forward lean, gas pedals adjustable in seconds making it easy to find the best settings - Design is highly functional but complex - lots of bits to break - Toe binding may shift forward when strapping in on the lift (I do this by hooking my toe under the toe strap, pushing my heel down the high back, fixing ankle strap, tightening toe strap)
A brief note on the flex: The flex of the baseplate is very noticeable if you strap in and move your knees laterally (i.e. towards the nose or tail of the board) causing the baseplate to twist. It`s much less noticeable when moving your knees across the board (towards you toes or heels, which would cause the baseplate to bend). Because of this I don`t think the flex will affect control of edge pressure that much, but it will make weight shifts and mobility along the length of the board easier.
What`s your take on this? Do you believe stiffer is better for freeriding/carving? Or is it a question of having the right amount of flex? Iain

Iain

Since 10 was not open our best runs were skiers right off of six and into that face above chair five. This typically is very rocky and treacherous but the snow was deep with some good texture and I had a rock board so we were charging it. Not many people are willing to go in that area because of the rocks. It was great.. The nice thing was that is was blowing so hard that it would fill in the ruts by the time we rode the chair back up. I only hit rocks a couple times.. resorts are closed today do to blizzard conditions. Another storm on the way for Thursday.
Conditions have turned excellent in a hurry which in Tahoe is no surprise.

I was just taking a look at your storms here http://grads.iges.org/pix/prec1.html It`s all nicely centred on Tahoe. If you scroll down to the bottom map it`s predicting 500% of normal precipitation over next 10 days. You is styling. There`s a temperature chart here: http://grads.iges.org/pix/temp1.html which predicts temperature 10 deg F below average. I`d say you`re set up! Let`s see LHR to SFO Thursday would get me there for chair 10 opening on Fri... Iain

- Dave.

pass in between Kirky and Mammoth, but WOW!
Anyway, what`s with Kirky`s website? Went to the old skikirkwood, told me it was going to redirect, and the new server isn`t responding. Doh!