Hello All, <BR> <BR>Well I just found out that I am going to be spending all next week with my girlfriend's family on Canyon Lake in Austin texas. I have never been there or heard of the lake. Could anyone tell me about it? <BR> <BR>Her family isn't really into wakeboarding as evidenced by my asking if i could bring my boat to wakeboard on and they answering "no need, we have a pontoon boat that you can wakeboard behind". So I hope that i won't be looking at great wakeboarding water all weekend and not be able to get a decent pull at all <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0> <BR> <BR>Also, we are going to schlitterbaun (sp?) while we are in texas and I was wondering how far away the cable park is? I've never been to one and I was wondering if anyone could give me some details like when the best time to go is when it's least crowded, how much it costs etc? <BR> <BR>Thanks!

I live there and I can answer all of your questions ;) <BR> <BR>1) Canyon lake is a wide open lake with only a couple of decent spots (West side near the dam and East side in the tributary). During the week, you should be able to find water, but on the weekend your screwed. Better water is in nearby New Braunfels (where schlitterbaun is) on Lake Dunlop. Its just a wide spot in the Guadalupe river a couple of miles long, but it has much much better water and very few people go there (compared to Canyon). The public boat ramp is just under I35 between Hwy 725 and Hwy 46. <BR> <BR>2) Texas Ski Ranch (the cable park) is about 5 minutes north on I35 from New Braunfels. If you bring all your own gear (including a helmet) a 2hr session is about $20 (though they have never asked me to leave when I am over my time). The best time to go (weekend) is first thing in the morning. In the afternoon it gets hot and all the kids start showing up. Night sessions last until midnight (I think) and are good fun. During the week, anytime before 5 is a good bet. <BR> <BR>3) Schlitterbaun... don't waste your money. Is $32 for an adult to get in the door. If you want to toob the river (Schlitterbaun sits on the river and dumps several rides into it), then just rent a tube (for $5) and ride. You'll have more fun taking the girlfriend and her family wakeboarding than going to an overpriced waterpark with 1000's of screaming kids. BUT, they do have some cool H2O roller costers that shoot you UP hill.. not worth $32 (or waiting in line), but still kinda fun. Be there when the doors open so you don't wait 30min per ride... even on a weekday. <BR> <BR> <BR>If you bring your boat and have a spot for an extra rider, id be glad to show you where the boat ramp is exactly at <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

Disagree about Schlitterbahn being a waste, it's super fun, but try to go during the week, and get there early. <BR> <BR>Take your own cooler full of food/drinks, stake out your table early, and enjoy all day. <BR> <BR>Just depends if you like the waterpark thing. Waterparks really don't get any better, rated #1 by the Travel Channel.

thanks for the answers! <BR> <BR>Well i guess it's not such a bad thing that I won't be bringing my boat if the water isn't all that good. I'll probably just bring my wakeskate and get tows behind the pontoon. <BR> <BR>We'll be bringing our own boards, but we don't have helmets... do you need to have one at the cable park? can you rent them? <BR> <BR>Schlitterbaun is going to happen midweek.. already been discussed so we don't have to put up with huge crowds... we'll be spending weekend days at the lake.

They do have helmets to rent there but im not sure if they inforce it or not... just go to TexasSkiRanch.com for any other questions.

Yep, you have to wear a helmet (and a jacket), and they do rent them (5$ I think). <BR> <BR>Boomer is correct about schlitterbahn being the #1 park, but I can stand waiting in lines. I was there (on a monday) a couple of weeks ago as the doors opened. It cost me $100 for myself, my 8yr old daughter and a friend of hers. By noon, the lines were over 15 minutes for each ride. By 2, most rides were pushing 30 minutes. I think we would have had just as much fun floating the river for $30, or hanging out on a pals boat (boomer <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> ) and paying for his gas $40.... But I just don't like lines, so I don't like waterparks, 6 Flags, Disneyland etc.