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Anyone know why EJ are cancelling the flights?
Got some booked March to Geneva and wondering if they're likely to get cancelled too.
In the short term this could have something to do with it... or maybe demand is just generally too low to make it worth their while?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55256248
We’ve decided that if the slopes are open and the Hotel is open in March, then even if the flights get cancelled, we’re going to drive out there.
I'm making no plans this year. We do have some leave in March though so *if* the resorts are open and *if* I get the camper finished we might drive out and stay in the van.
We'll hopefully get a couple of scottish days in.
I think I need to unsubscribe from some emails though, I've just got another Powder Alarm from Val T this morning 🙁
From what I read Scottish resorts do appear to be opening in some form? Looks like accessibility will be dependent on any travel restrictions at the time though.
And snow. Some more snow would be nice.
Posting an image here was harder than the 4 hour ascent in poor snow with lots of cold;cold wind. Oh the ironing!
Looks like some Brits have been caught out in Austria
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55888856
20 days on rando or X-C skis so far this season. The lifts are shut but the resorts are busy with trails of skiers and snow shoeers heading up and people having fun with sledges and other sliding objects lower down. We even skied past some MTBers last weekend.
Swow was great from christmas to a week ago but it's been mild and wet for a few days which has washed a lot away and brought down some soggy avalanches.
Touring and xc skiing has been pretty good these last few weeks in the eastern Highlands, Angus Glens for me and pals further afield in Perthshire, up at Glenshee and into the NE of Aberdeenshire. Between running on icy trails, fatbiking in the woods and out on the hills on skis, I've been out most days. The garden has been frozen solid since before Hogmanay and hasn't thawed out once in all that time.
Personally, it's very frustrating that the rules prevent someone who lives in Angus from getting to the higher and easier accessed better snow up at the Glenshee ski centre but to be fair, today's snow between 300m and 650m was surprisingly good on nearby Cat Law.
I've been snowboarding more than ever but it didnt feel right putting up pictures etc as most are in lockdown. Xc and skate skiing hasnt happened much mind. Too much snow and then too cold . Like -25c.
At last, the innovation in skis that we've all wondered about
HYD - I'd love to see your photos.
I've just seen those folding skis myself. I'd like to try a pair though I'm not sure I'd buy
https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/elan-voyager-folding-skis/
Launched on February 1 2021, the Elan Voyager is priced at €1,499.95 (£1,349.95) including skis, bindings, poles and custom bag.
That’s a lot of cash. What problem are they trying to fix?
Bunnyhop
Free Member
HYD – I’d love to see your photos.
I've got a few from the weekend just gone, some splitboarding and I've even given the xc skies a go. All within 5 miles from the front door.
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What problem are they trying to fix?
The hassle of taking on public transport I guess? As the designated mule in our family there have been times I'd have paid good money for more carryable kit. But ski length wasn't the main issue to be honest.
it’ll “allow you to carve up groomers"
I assume they have little motors on the back if you can go up groomers too... 🙂
One foot in Spain and one foot in France earlier:
The skis are 25-year-old Rossignol Delta Course. An exceptional pair Madame used when she was winning. So good I've just ordered some SNS to NNN adaptors for them so we can use modern boots and bindings.
Nice Edukator 😎
That Elan vid is so full of bilge. Why can't he just say it without the bullshit?
I've just started following this wee series from Antti Autti on youtube, I'm really enjoying the no nonsense bare bones style of it, well he is Finnish 🙂
Enjoyed that ^ must subscribe. I reckon I've heehaw chance of seeing snow this year. Unless somehow there is still snow up north for a day away when the restrictions are lifted.
Anyway now booked for 2022, Schladming in Austria snowboarding. Anyone been? Snowboarding seems promising.
2022 booked here too.
Sun Peaks BC. Anyone been?
If people are happy with a little action from Canada...
So it turns out when you're only 4ft tall 2ft of blower pow is a little bit too much to ski.
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After one disaster of a run we abandoned the trees and I resigned myself to sticking to more recently groomed pistes.
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In conditions more suitable for a 6 year old I'm starting to have to really work to keep up....
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We've had a low snow and warm start to the year which means some objectives that typically only happen later in the year have happened earlier due to lower avy. A day touring near Louise.
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Launched on February 1 2021, the Elan Voyager is priced at €1,499.95 (£1,349.95) including skis, bindings, poles and custom bag.
That’s a lot of cash. What problem are they trying to fix?
I wonder what the post pandemic flight situation will be. BA's race to the bottom with the budget lot could see the end of ski carriage included.
Once someone else joins the party and the costs come down I'd be interested for one - if they work as they say they do.
For someone of my ability ski development seems to have hit a plateau, so I'm no longer scared that as a one or two week a year guy I'd be buying skis that were obselete before they were worn out.
The obvious downside to those folding skis is the way the binding plate holds it all solidly together under the boot to prevent the joint moving when the ski is loaded. There appears to be zero flex in the ski under the binding . That's not a good thing. If you check out race slalom skis they use various systems to allow the ski to flex under the binding so it makes a nice arc when you load it up. Dynastar used a floating plate on their 64 Omeglas and rivals use rubber blocks under the binding plate.
The obvious downside to those folding skis is the way the binding plate holds it all solidly together under the boot to prevent the joint moving when the ski is loaded. There appears to be zero flex in the ski under the binding . That’s not a good thing. If you check out race slalom skis they use various systems to allow the ski to flex under the binding so it makes a nice arc when you load it up. Dynastar used a floating plate on their 64 Omeglas and rivals use rubber blocks under the binding plate.
I knew someone who knew what they were talking about would tell me what I've missed. As someone who is never going to be a competitive slalom-er would I notice? I do love carving some smooth arcs down a bashed blue run but I will not be approaching the limit of the equipment.
and would it actually be any different compared to a modern AM ski and binding set up (rather than a specialised racer set up)
The only way to find out if you'd notice is to try. I've skied some thoroughly horrible skis over the years; various generations of super-light race ski-alpinisme skis with rigid honeycomb cores. They have put me off skis that don't flex into a nice curve when you load them up.
Modern AM skis and bindings are wonderful things. This year I've been out on Head Core 93 with Marker Kingpins and Dynastar Mythic with Dynafit. They make things really easy even for an ageing bloke pretty much whatever the snow conditions. The Cores can be carved like a Giant ski without needing to be built like a giant slalomer.
My favourite skis on piste are still mid-range 165cm slalom skis, Dynastar Omeglas 64 pro for example. They're softer and suit my weight/level better than Junior's Head World Cup Rebel FIS (or the equivalent Atomics) which I'm not heavy/strong/good enough to bend. I've reached an age where I like skis that are easy on my knees.
Agreed, the industry has spent millions developing ways to allow the ski to bend nicely and stop the boot and bindings creating a flat spot in the middle of the ski. Anyone remember EssVar bindings?
It looks like the binding pivots and fixes front and back so it may still flex nicely if the fixings front and back allow it to move forward and back. It does seem like they have invented somthing we didn't need though. A pair of 160 skis aren't exactly tricky to carry and if you don't want to cary them through an airport you would hire at resort!
oldtennisshoes
Full Member
@sweaman2 great pictures – looks just like Glenshee 🤣
I reckon there'll be more powder at Glenshee after this weekend 😁
Most of the new snow on higher ground is blowing off in the consistently strong easterly in the Grampians. The Glenshee webcam shows this already, with significant drifting at around 700m.
However, what this also means is that with the snow line now down to about 200m above sea level, is that there are many areas at low levels that will be worth exploring, EG for me in Angus council area, there's upper Glen Isla, Clova, Prosen etc.
The outlook seems even colder into next week, so this snow looks set to stay for a while and continue to increase in depth. I'll be looking for some trees to ski in first as I suspect that the avalanche risk is going to be very high soon on many steeper slopes at 500-800m. There are layers in the snowpack, so risk will require careful consideration for some time to come. See SAIS.
Those with access to Deeside should be able to make the best of this snowfall with Scots pine forests to explore and ski laps on the best bits.....
I'm currently watching Natural Selection live on RedBull.tv and getting serious pow envy.
60cm of snow at just 400m alt in upper GlenIsla today. Main snowpack is quite wet and consolidated with a few inches of powder on top. Very windy, so went exploring on the Nordic skis today.
No vis to allow getting out onto open ground anyway; will leave it for a day or two and hope that colder and drier air conditions over the next couple of days may make a powder trip into the trees up on the The Crock at 550m possible. No shortage of snow; there's even more higher up. Quite a few skiers out.
OK, I admit the day that Crystal announce they are cancelling all 2021 ski holidays may not be the best day to be considering new ski boots but …
I currently have a pair of K2 Pinnacle 110 boots. When I was fitted the fitter said I have narrow ankles and a high instep and that K2 and Tecnica offered the best fit for my foot shape. I like the look of the new Salomon Shift Pro boots. Does anyone know if these work for someone with my foot shape? Obviously I'll get a fitting before buying, but I'm trying to draw up a short list at the moment.
Also, I feel I want some a bit stiffer. Is 110 to 130 a massive step, would 120 be better?
First up - GO SEE A PROPER FITTER
When I was fitted the fitter said I have narrow ankles and a high instep and that K2 and Tecnica offered the best fit for my foot shape.
I had mine done at Rivington Alpine, he put me in Full Tilt boots as they're about the narrowest you can get (99mm I think mine are). I'm in a First Chair 6, but I can just replace the tongue to get a stiffer flex. Not a huge issue for me as I don't drive hard and dont weigh a lot. Where are you based? There's probably a good fitter within a reasonable distance of you though seeing them in the current situation may have to wait until we are able to move more freely
Obviously I’ll get a fitting before buying, but I’m trying to draw up a short list at the moment.
First up – GO SEE A PROPER FITTER
Really insightful, thanks
Sorry - the point I should have made is that you shouldn't bother drawing up a list. A good fitter will fit a boot that fits you, regardless of what list you give you them, and if they have nothing to fit you will say so.
I agree to a point. I have no problem with boot fitter's recommendations, that's how I bought my current boots. But, I know my foot shape so it's a sensible bit of research to ask other skiers if they have a similar foot shape and do Salomon boots works for them.
I have wide long feet and I had a pair of Salomon ski boots that were a reasonable fit, but not as comfortable as my current Atomic boots.
I don't know this helps, but the Salomon Speedcross Trainers and Hiking boots I have are both quite narrow - but also fit me well 🤔
That doesn't really help does it.
IME the best way to chose ski boots is to walk into a shop with a good range, preferably in a ski resort with several such shops to go through and try on lots in different sizes. Somewhere there is probably a boot you'll put on that you know is right even before you start to think about customising.
You can't really say a manufacturer makes a boot that will fit a particular type of foot because each manufacturer will have a range of boots to suit different types of skier doing different types of skiing.
I tried on every type of boot Head make on their trade stand at a show, some in different sizes. The last differences were significant with differences in width, volume and shape. I was looking for something more comfortable and less racey than my Head Raptors and failed, the Raptors with some inner soles from some old 5:10 impacts fit, the others pressed on something or felt loose somewhere.
I will admit to having been too knackered and sweaty after all the straining with boots on the Head stand to go through the same ordeal on any others.
In answer to a question above you will notice 130s are good bit stiffer. If you aren't a racer/strong skier/heavy or all three you might regret. Some boots have screws you can remove to drop from 120 to 100. I always ski screws out. Junior only uses 115s and he's an 80 odd kg racer/instructor.
Bluebird, agree it’s nice to do a bit of research. Good to know what you are looking at and what’s being suggested. Happy with Technica Cochise 130. I think I would have been happy with the softer one too. Partly as I am spending more time with the kids than skiing more challenging stuff. I have always had stiff boots. Also wide feets. I guess that you want pin fittings if you are replacing the K2 pinnacle. The Shift were too narrow for me, the Cochise have been blown for me as well. Ellis Brigham fitted, expertly for me. Did a week long tour in them a couple of years ago, v happy.
Edit, May be worth waiting? Going to be some good sales on at end of “season”?
No chance of getting touring boots in the sales this year, no lifts has led to a rando boom and shops have sold everything. Not helped by a fire at the Fisher factory which means shortages. You'll be lucky to find the most popular touring boot of the moment, the Fisher Travers, anywhere.
Junior, Madame an myself all use the Travers, if they suit your foot they're fast up and perfectly acceptable down. Only 110 flex though, which feels more like 90 to me, stiff they're not.
Yes, Good point. Had forgotten about the touring boom. Should be good discounts on regular alpine gear though I would expect.
Well, I've just woken to see that the last of the snow has gone from our garden but the hills are still absolutely loaded in the eastern glens this morning. I've skied 7 days in the last two weeks, a mixture of nordic and alpine touring and on some of the nicest powder, which is saying something in terms of the places and experiences I've been lucky enough to have. The depth of snow still in the gullies and couloirs is still simply epic; it's settling, becoming denser and hopefully readying for good spring conditions soon. We shall see. What has been exceptional this year is how low down the hills the deep snow came, giving us tree skiing options in locations we could hardly have dreamed of being able to access. Frequently deeper and better than hoped for too. The difficulty then became one of finding slopes steep enough to make for good skiing, as the powder was so deep. A couple of sunny, windless days last week capped it all off, hunting and finding steep, pillowy glades around upper GlenIsla. Then on Saturday and despite a strong SE wind, the Mrs & I completed a traverse along the tops of the eastern Sidlaws to the north of Dundee. The cover was stunning, the conditions on the lee side, quite simply, alpine; the cover complete and smooth, almost featureless in some bowls. Traversing through, climbing and descending familiar hills and pinewoods on a reliable base of a couple of feet of snow was an amazing experience. I suspect I'll never again be able to ski off the steep rocky face under the hill fort on Auchterhouse hill. Capped with a final descent off Kinpurney hill on beautifully smooth, light pow to the road beside Newtyle village. About 250m vertical to end the day isn't much by Alpine standards but this winter, and just a few miles from the house, I'll take that.
The other thing to note with boot flex is that there is no standard - 130 flex in one boot might be 110 flex in another manufacturer.
My my was it icy up the hill this morning. Tottering around then ski crampons on for the steep bit. Feels like April in February. Rain tomorrow. ☹️
Well the season that never happened, for most of us anyway.
A nice vid from Scotland.
Scotland
Still going here in Sweden. Final weekend in åre this weekend, lift assisted, then its splitboard until end of may / early june. Problem is there are bloody reindeer everywhere!