[Closed] The STW Ski & Snowboard thread. The 2015-2016 season

Oh, and I'd mentioned it earlier in the thread, but a heads up for anyone [s]flying Sleazy[/s] booking thomas cook and taking a snowboard (bag),

So the thing I was worried about that put me off getting a last minute deal has happened anyway when we booked in advance, grrrrrr!

Bunch of tw*ts. Can you get one of the luggage transport firms to take it and charge it to Thomas Cook?

got links for any recommended firms?

As for charging it to TC I think they'll wriggle out of that one due to the way the shyster who dealt with my mate played it. Unless they do it out of good will due to aforementioned shyster's behaviour.

Never used any D0NK - I think you have to pick them based on your destination.

You might find one with a suitable discount here:
http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/category/discount-type/travel

cheers for the link, doesn't look like they have any partners in les deux alpes.
The couple of companies google threw up looked pretty pricey, >£65 eachway

Looks like Luggage Mule do Les Deux, £100 return for a snowboard bag (minus 12% SCUK discount), which is comparable to some airline prices.
http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/discount/luggage-mule

BUT it is collected from your house four days before departure so probably to short notice for you, sorry 🙁

Have you been to Les Deux before by the way?
I've been there the past two years with the kids. Nice place.

Be sure to check out the weird little underground "funiculaire" at the glacier - it's like getting a subway train up a mountain, very odd experience.

yeah went few years back with my mrs, I liked it*. Went for a walk round the ice caverns on the glacier but don't remember a funderground.

Might have changed a bit since we went, they've built a proper blue run in the town now apparently in stead of the choice of a black run or 4km narrow access road green run.

*That possibly read like my mrs didn't, she thought the hol it was ok too but her first ski trip and she didn't catch the bug unfortunately. I thought it compared OK to ther places I'd been.

don't remember a funderground

You might have missed it - I think a lot of people do. We did for several days! It is a fairly unassuming entrance below the restaurant.
It gives you an alternative to taking those long T-bars to the top (which my missus hated).

They had plans for that new blue when we were there last year - that'll make the last run a bit nicer.

Wish I was going this year. Fond memories of a good view, nice steak, red wine and too much of that herbal digestif liqueur at the Diable restaurant.
And the nice big omelettes over at the shack on Valle Blanche.

The boarding was okay too 🙂

🙂
still no luck with carriage but they're stumping up for "superior" board hire in resort (own boots) gratis.
Not especially happy I have to say. Anyone comment on superior board hire?
Will it have more pop than my 11 year old board 😉

Aw that's not so bad then. Been a long time since I've rented but I suspect a "superior board" will actually be fairly reasonable these days and it's still early in the season so it won't be completely destroyed yet.

Definitely take your own boots though - rental boots are minging.

Awful conditions on the hill today #badtimes

[img] [/img]

I rent 'superior' skis, own boots, obviously. Always excellent so far. Almost always this season's ski and the better stuff doesn't get rented out as much so usually less wear. It also means you can try a load of stuff out, which can be both fun and convenient, if the conditions change.

[img] [/img]

Yeah hopefully should be good gear and I've just realised I've not ridden my board for over 6 years(!! how time flies) so it's not as tho I'm perfectly in tune with my own board and it'll throw me off my game

It also means you can try a load of stuff out, which can be both fun and convenient, if the conditions change.

However I probably need a brush up on the basics of kit, mines a 162 I assume I should still aim for that length but rocker camber etc anyone got any links for a quick tutorial?

I would be stunned and amazed if Thomas Cook's preferred snowboard rental option gives you that much choice...

I rent 'superior' skis, own boots, obviously. Always excellent so far. Almost always this season's ski and the better stuff doesn't get rented out as much so usually less wear. It also means you can try a load of stuff out, which can be both fun and convenient, if the conditions change

+1 plus cant be bothered with the transport pfaff these days

The quality of superior rentals has risen considerably over past few years IMO as has the amount of change

Exception being place that MW used in Mottaret a few years agos. Sons bindings fell apart on Suisse on first week of rental and they tried to pretend this as his fault. A real test of my French vocab and diplomacy!!

What height/weight are you? 162 is a big board these days (I ride one, but I'm 15 stone, 6'1 and size 12 feet).

The rental shop should (if they are decent) let you swap boards a few times - so take the opportunity to ride a different style each day and see what you like.

(Just try to remember which board is yours when you come out the bar!)

This video might help explain the difference between rocker and camber, though as said earlier there are quite a few hybrid styles these days.

http://mpora.com/videos/AAdlp8no10li

6'2" 13 and a bit stone, size 12 (it's a 162 wide)

will check the vid later

is it worth taking my own bindings too or are they likely to be much better now also? they are 4 (or 3 mr burton) bolt jobbies.

i would use their bindings and try a smaller board. have fun!

[img] [/img]
-- from http://www.snowboardingforum.com/boards/37496-rocker-camber-everything-between.html

Are your own bindings good? I'd be tempted to say don't bother unless they are. (But do take a multitool so you can tweak the rental bindings properly once you leave the shop)

as an "Intermediate" boarder, I once booked an "intermediate" board from Intersport, Morzine for the week.

First day out, Mrs Stoner, my board, and I got up to the top of Chamossiere on a particularly cold and icy day. I could hear skis and boards scratching down the early ice but I've boarded worse in St Anton, so set off.

Stood up and....whoomf...straight on to my arse.

Maybe I'm a bit rusty, let's try that again.

Whoomf!
and again
Whoomf!

And then I start sliding down the piste on the ice.

I just about manage to dig an edge in and sit there at the top of a steep, straight, icy dragstrip, holding my breath and hoping I can sort something out - because if I start to slip, I'm not stopping for a loooooong way. Panicy.

I manage to scoosh to the side, carefully get out of my bindings, and using the pisted edge piles, walk down to a service road. My mojo, having completely left me. I took a gentle blue down to Intersport and as calmly as I could muster yelled something about their ***** board nearly tried to kill me and there's no ***** edge on it at all!

"Yes, sir. We detune all our boards for beginners so they are less likely to catch an edge."
Gah! But it was supposed to be an intermediate board.
"They're all the same really"

Would you be so good as to put an edge back on this one for me please? It's mighty icy out there. And might I use your toilets.
😯

"They're all the same really"

I often suspect this as I wander in with my snowbrainer e-mail voucher. The guy just bumbles about and finds the size I need (from the kids section). It's not in some gleaming "Top Board Only Cabinet". I've never felt that they really separate them out and would only give you something better if you kick up a fuss.

If only you (one) knew what better was in terms of the selection of boards you've never heard of that they have...

I've never liked rental boards, but rental skis seem fine (not that I use them)

Yeah I remember having a go on Dan's (him from [url= http://chaletslovakia.com/ ]Chalet Slovakia[/url]) noodle board (a K2 World Wide Weapon)

He rides with absolutely no edge whatsoever on his board, as I soon discovered trying to take it down some crusty ice off piste. It was uncontrollable.

Doesn't seem to hold him back right enough! 😯

If only you knew what better was...

Quite.

Well, I don't care this year because I'm taking my own little piece of shit. It's about the size of a long(skate)board anyway, so I might even get it into hand-luggage. 🙂

Do your boards come with a pull-cord darcy?

[img] [/img]

😉

Oooh...nice idea. Might get me one of those!

First time we went away we ended up with palmer carbon boards, pretty pricey numbers, certainly better than the 152 flexy thing I'd been sold when I walked into our local ski shop as a complete ignoramous. Yeah snowboarding, that sounds cool I'll have one please. It managed ok on artificial tho.

You should check out Burton's Throwback DD:

https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Burton_Throwback_Reverse_Camber_Snowboard_100cm-(112117)

Kidding, though it does look fun in the vid 🙂

Skateboard?

U IZ WELL DWN WIV DA YOOT DEM, BLUD!

[img] [/img]

It's called a snowskate Grandad

so after watching the whitelines vid graham posted (and looking half of it up on the snowboard dictionary) I guess I could probably do with a rocker or a flat board, I won't be doing much jibbing, I'm not an airdog and mainly just cruise the groomers so reckon the reduced chance of catching an edge should help prevent me flyswatt or poptarting while also helping with my dolphin turns. Although I do a pretty sweet falling leaf so not sure if the raised edge will lead to more faceplants.

...erm I think 🙂

Oh and given my stats does a 162 board still sound big?
(6'2" 13st size 12 feet)

D0NK - 162 doesn't sound too big for you, although on the longer end of "personal preference".

Just to contradict your post above, if you just cruise the groomers, you probably want a cambered board! More stable at speed, better carving, more power out of one turn into the next. Better for dolphin turns too!

Yeah a rocker should minimise scorpions and yard sales in your garlands.

Better for butters too

@howsyourdad

Do I recall you went up to Rikgränsen last year?

Not as good at tickling the anchovy, though.

Thought that was aprés, captain

No, you're thinking of chiselling the sardine.

Knew I was pushing it with the dolphin turns stevo 🙂 pretty sure I don't do dolphins, I definitely do catch an edge and go sprawling tho so I liked the sound of the rocker.

Garlands eh graham, if you say so 🙂

Garlands:

(I'm guessing you are probably past this stage) 😀

Riksgränsen Planning on going in May for the Ingemar Backman King of the hill . 20 years since THE method

http://riksgransen.se/event/king-of-the-hill/

The instructor In that video has a Uninc Puppy. A modern classic

[IMG] [/IMG]

Garlands:

Dunno what I do in boarder slang but the mtb equivalent would be trail centre mincing with the odd bit of floundering/getting lost on natural stuff. But I enjoy myself 🙂

Sounds like you do precisely what 95% of us one-week-a-year gapers do once we leave the bunny slopes then. 😀

Dunno what I do in boarder slang but the mtb equivalent would be trail centre mincing with the odd bit of floundering/getting lost on natural stuff. But I enjoy myself

Aha, intermediate

If you can find the bar on the piste, it's advanced intermediate.

I'm not really taking this seriously am I? I'll be losing merit points in a minute.

Piemonster - I should be very jealous of a piste side beer photo. But I see you had to endure drinking out of a plastic pint pot, so I'm not at all jealous, honest.

Mate posted from Davos, lovely powder conditions on a blue bird day and he gets to call this work 😐

Whistler's getting hit by a pineapple express at the moment. Snowed about 12cm overnight consistently from the valley to mid station with another 50cm or so forecast to full between this morning and tomorrow. Only problem is the freezing level has shot up to around 1800m and the snow that fell was really heavy and wet. Great fun if you were hooking, not so great when the gradient was mellow. The alpine (1800m+) was all closed today due to winds and avalanche risk so we'll see what tomorrow brings.

@hammerite, tell me about it. And then there was the crowds at the pool/jacuzzi
[img] [/img]

Looks horrible. You can tell there's a complete lack of snow too, I mean just look at the windows!

At home with Jnr today as he is off sick. So far watched Super G from Kitzbuhel, now watching the half pipe from Laax. Beats Bargain Hunt.

That Backman air has the nostalgic juices flowing. Brings back memories. (Rushes off to watch Afterbang and Jussi's sumptuous pre-kicker butters).

I'm flying tomorrow, I'M FLYING TOMORROW, I'M FLYING TOMORROW!!!!

Woohoo!!!!!

I'm excited, can you tell?

Beware Les Arcs, I'm a liability on skis.

Biathlon now. Some banging Austrian après tracks being played, the crowd are having a party. Although the athletes are spraying around nearly as much snot as there is flying around this house.

[IMG] [/IMG]

La Plagne today

Anyway, off to Facebook to remind out friends heading home today over in La Plagne that we're staying on for another week like a total smug ****

Reported. BAN HIM!

🙂

I won't post a pic of the Pyrenees today. 8°C and pouring down, you'll be getting the same air mass shortly.

I tried my shiny new torture instruments. Something of a disappointment; no worse than sticking pins under nails or blows with a toffee hammer.

And bought some waterproof mitts.

Yep, looking warm all week.

Fortunately the pistes are in good enough shape to withstand a warm spell and they've been making lots of snow to top things up. Some of the lower runs will probably best avoided.

Weather today looks pleasant tbh.

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

And beer in a glass

[img] [/img]

Awful day really

Much better effort PM. Also a more interesting colour beer too. Although I can't be critical on that front, I just ask for a beer and don't worry about which type I end up with.

Sitting in Geneva airport reflecting on an amazing week at Corchevel. Finished off with a half day pass this morning and did 23 miles in just stunning conditions.

Was very lucky to get that week!

La Plagne next weekend. Hoping it doesn't all melt before we get there.

Much better effort PM. Also a more interesting colour beer too. Although I can't be critical on that front, I just ask for a beer and don't worry about which type I end up with.

It was a near perfect pint I'm happy to admit. Sat in the last of the day's sun after cruising down from the top of the Varet lift and a damned nice beer at that.

Could only really be improved by the French smoking less 😛

@Wallop

I was over at La Plagne Thursday and the pistes where in excellent condition, plenty of snow to withstand a warm spell. The runs down to the Vanoise Express are icy in places but nothing too bad.

I'll post up some photos next time we head over. Not that it'll make any difference of course.

Excellent - thanks! We are staying in Les Coches so will have to endure a bit of rain next week on the way home but I'm keeping optimistic 😆

6 sleeps. 🙂

(Great to hear how good a time everybody has had since all the snow fell!)

So which googles fit the Anon then DD?

Ooooh yeah...picked them up yesterday. Narrowed it down to Oakleys v Smiths. Going to take some selfies in a bit and put them to the [s]sword[/s] thread for opinions. Watch this space. 🙂

EDIT: when I say "narrowed down", I just didn't order the M2s as they all looked a but gopping. (Much as I liked the whole magnetic lens attachment geekery stuff.)

Pictures of the "gap"?

Putting your choice to a STW vote?

Gaper time!

#strangest

Lovely sausage salad for lunch today. Perfect balance of cheese and meat.

Are we still talking about DD's selfies?

LOLlage you ****ers. 😀

EDIT: And those of you bandying about the term "gaper" would do well to have a read of definition #5 on urban dictionary. 😮 😡 😆

And those of you bandying about the term "gaper" would do well to have a read of definition #5 on urban dictionary.

Are we still talking about DD's selfies?