The new flatlines are a really good price this year... we should be getting ours in in a couple of weeks. They'll still not be as good a deal as this thing, but they are really really cool bikes. WAY better than the older models!
dude- hillside has a dope underground area- not big, but its got cool stuff and always a few palletts. (it's around the shelbourne side) also, Tuscany Village up by McKenzie has the best underground in the city, but security's getting worse all the time.
Mt wash is more slopestyle and less DH now. It used to have some gnarly DH, but they mellowed it out. 5" is perfect there now, since there are a bunch of DJ/ Slopestyle runs, and more wall-rides.
We're gonna have the first 2010 flatline on the island, in small, ready for you to ride in a week or so. I'll let you know. should be a bit cheaper, too... Oh, and his name's Jon. Grab me next time, eh?
Ridiculously good. While most of their lineup is lackluster, Norco's BMX and steel DJ bikes are amazing. Dialled geo, the BMX's are super light, and good parts spec on all of them.
Depends. For slopestyle-type freeride, yes. For DH, no.
If I were to ride at Hartland, lower whistler, or Mt. Wash, I'd take a Empire 5, if I were to ride the top of whistler, or race, I'd take a new flatline.