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I guess they'd try and argue that snowy mountains are a generic snow sports motif. I wouldn't bet on them winning. IANAL
Chambery is Great if the weather is okay.
It's Bl00dy shi!e if the weather is not.
I have spent an hour circling waiting to land, we did in the end but nearly got diverted to Lyon. (Low Viz.)
Also spent hours waiting for our plane to take us home, (bad weather)
Flight before us got diverted to Lyon.
BUT, it drastically shortens the transfer to loads of great resorts, so on balance I would go for it..
Grenoble is also rubbish.
I have spent more time waiting for baggage than the flight took.
Facilities are next to useless. If there was an airport not to be delayed at its Grenoble.
Simply not enough check in desks for the sheer number of skiers that transit through there every saturday.
people must miss flights due to the multiple queues for check in , then queue again for oversized bags
Its also miles from Grenoble, so limited public transport options going forward
Le French also decided to use a long alluvial plain and build a tiny airport in a massive feild.
Flying into Turin this Jan so will see if thats any better. Did see a Neilson Chalet offer for £349 in Jan in Andorra if anyones tthinking about booking
Excuse me not going back a few pages to check, but what are expectations for early season. Wondering about a pre-Xmas few days in France (somewhere close to Geneva airport) - looked at a Grand Massif webcam for reference but only a v light dusting of snow so far. What are locals saying for Dec skiing?
The weather is looking [s]bad[/s] really good for the next week or so with 40-50cm of snow due at 2000m in the 3 Valleys and across the Southern Alps. Depends on what the jet stream does after that.
Check out this report from WePowder. They tended to be pretty good last season so worth keeping an eye on.
The comments on Chambery reminded me of this
http://www.spectator.co.uk/2015/01/the-charming-little-airport-that-ruins-thousands-of-holidays/
Chambéry airport in south-east France. Framed by mountains and fringed by Lake Bourget, it was founded in 1938 and has not grown much. On weekdays little disturbs the airfield daisies save the tinkle of distant cow bells and a cooling Savoyard breeze. You can imagine the Milka girl dating the guy with the ping-pong bats.Yet on winter Saturdays, Chambéry’s mask drops. There is weeping, wailing and gnashing of middle-class British teeth. Arguments erupt. Profiteers fleece desperate families. Children shiver. Chambéry airport, you see, is one of the main terminals for British ski-tour operators in the French Alps. Some 250,000 passengers use it annually, nearly all on a handful of Saturdays in December, January and February. The place cannot cope.
Yeh I read that too stoner. We have a friend working for the chalet were staying at in la tain who says chambery is getting an upgrade at the moment and Sundays aren't too bad so we've went with that option. Gonna miss tyrolean gristle though.....
The cannons are on at 1000m in Maria Alm, Austria.
Looking good for a late November start.
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I have on the on hand strolled through Chambery in January on changeover day. Once.
The difference with Grenoble is that it isn't stuck in between a bunch of mountains which means the weather isn't quite as inclement and is less likely to shut down.
We've been through on a number of busy weekends and whilst there are bodies everywhere we've always got through with no problem. They did a grand job of holding on to Jnr's Nintendo DS after he left it on the outbound flight. They couldn't lay their hands on it though when we asked and we were in danger of missing our flight so had to just leave it... Cue helpful handler sprinting across the tarmac with a Nintendo bag swinging around about 30 seconds before they closed the plane doors.
^^GHOSTS!^^
On-piste refreshment ski security
I pick my new skis up this week and with Junior 1 getting new ones too - rather than the conveyor belt of previous ebay and gumtree specials, so I've started to think about securing them whilst partaking in a cheeky mid morning espresso (or what passes for that in Glenshee).
So I'm considering a small cable lock to at least fasten them together or to a fence rail. Any other options?
Looking chunky here in Sweden 🙂
Geoff - check out Loqski. Saw it from a distance at the ski show. No idea if it is any good, but it looks better than the usual cable lock - which I've managed to break open with my bare hands after forgetting the code!
Flying into Turin this Jan
Flew into Turin in 2003 to get to valle d'aosta ... swore I would rather scoop my eyes out with the back of a soup spoon than go via Turin again ... following year went to vallee d'aosta via Geneva/MB Tunnel.
Flew via Turin again earlier this year thinking that things must have improved with the passage of time, and they have ... checkin was a breeze but boarding was full of the afore mentioned Brits wailing and nashing their teeth - I thought it was really gonna kick off! 🙄
TMH you can't tell this far out. Been plenty of snow in Val Tho last few days, Val d'Isere also posting snowy resort pics. More due in next few days. Verbier went from lovely sunny MTB closing day last weekend to snow this. Buy cheap retrun flights now and pick a resort later. Have friends who will be skiing weekend of Dec 15 in Verbier and I may join FYI.
Geoff - check out Loqski. Saw it from a distance at the ski show. No idea if it is any good, but it looks better than the usual cable lock - which I've managed to break open with my bare hands after forgetting the code!
Thanks, looks interesting - I think a cable lock might be lower maintenance (if not as secure) for locking a couple of sets together. I guess it's about making the thieves pick up another pair rather than stopping the determined tea leaf.
Alpine Elements reposted Les Arcs photos and report that 80cm is due by Thur. Early days and it can warm up bit looking good so far. Stevo from White Room also posting.
[img] http://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/zellamsee/#/2016/11/08/1900 [/img]
I'll just leave this here for you set as your desktop
http://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/zellamsee/#/2016/11/08/1900
[img]http:// http://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/zellamsee/#/2016/11/08/1900 [/img]
The webcams are looking amazing at the moment. Let's hope it some of it sticks around even if it's just the stuff higher up.
Has anyone seen the Saas Fee crowdfunding deal? 222CHF for a season pass, so long as 99,999 sign up for it by the end of Nov. They only take payment if they're successful. https://www.we-make-it-happen.ch/index.html#shop the local tourist office have confirmed that this is a genuine offer. Good deal if you haven't yet settled on where to go.
Can anyone recommend a backpack for snowboarding please . Needs to hold avalanche gear and I guess a bladder for water, plus a sandwich and a can of strong foreign lager. Would be nice if I can strap the shred stick* to it. A day pack, if you will ....
* powder plank, mountain missile etc
Tea Tray Tote?
My standard luggage response is Osprey, because they're good packs from good people. Kamber 22?
*Edit - Not sure you can strap your powplank to it. Might need to be the larger 32 and above.
Not a DaKine, though. Frightfully common.
😉
Can anyone recommend a backpack for snowboarding please . Needs to hold avalanche gear and I guess a bladder for water, plus a sandwich and a can of strong foreign lager. Would be nice if I can strap the shred stick* to it. A day pack, if you will ....* powder plank, mountain missile etc
I bought the dakine heli pro because I wanted helmet stowage too. Decathlon for budget and some pricier options including Bergans on THAT flash sale site.
Osprey Kode? Choose you size but a nice bag.
I worry about keeping the lumpy bit of the shovel away from my lumpy spine.
What size would i need in say the dakine? 32l sounds little big for a day bag
A shovel, probe and transceiver is quite bulky, but the Osprey Kode or Dakine Heli Pro are around the 23-30l mark.
Ta , went for this bad boy
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Quick look at the Serre Che webcams during a conference call earlier. Much snow. Much.
Nice choice howsyourdad1 ... clean and simple!
I like a lot Dakine's gear but I've never got on with the 'ubiquitous' HeliPro etc ... too many straps etc and it's not stable enough for strapping a long board on your back.
Never quite understood why so many people insist on wearing a chuffin' great big backpack when they are just cruising 'inbounds' ... and they can be a royal pain in the butt/downright dangerous when folk insist on wearing them on the chair lifts - especially when they are busy!
Nice sac, hyd1!
Lucky wife. No excuse for slow transitions now!
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[b]ned[/b] – are those Arcs? Are they a [b][i]lot[/i][/b] quicker to transition, or just a bit?
Cheers yes it is a clean sack 🙂 ta for the tips
bluebird, yup, last year's women's arc, slightly discounted from bluetomato.
Not sure about speed. I started with the Gen 2 Spark ignitions, then got the Blaze so mrsrapier could have the Ignitions. Personally, I'd sooner get a new board than upgrade the Blazes. If you're well practiced, it can't make a huge amount of difference time wise to pull the pin rather than pull the ramp. Could be 10-15 seconds. But it's definitely simpler, and if you're prone to flapping a bit when you're tired, it'll save more time.
There are other things that make them worth an upgrade: they're a load lighter than the ignitions - 1880g/pair > 1250/pair, the highback is easier to flip from tour to ride, the climbing wire is easier to use and has 2 steps, and works with the crampon without needing an additional wire on the crampon.
Most importantly, they're the right size for her boots. Possibly least importantly, they're the wimminz version, so they've got a slightly lower highback.
Thanks [b]ned[/b]. Me and mrsbluebird are both on Burners with the pin system. She's a little slower than me swapping over, but she's not a massive faffer. We usually ride in a mixed bunch with with skiers and they're ready to go in seconds, so anything to reduce the time to swap over would help.
Not worth 2 lots of £375 + £90 for the crampons, I'd say.
2 x 13.50 for these, though - well worth it!
They're a neat idea. We use cheat sheets, then roll them up and tuck inside our jackets to help warm the glue.
Yeap, £800+ is a lot of cash, especially when you consider we're lucky to use our gear than half a dozen times or so a season. I must try harder on the lottery and buy a cabin in the mountains.
Destination suggestions please!
Direct flights from Scottyland
Sub 3hr transfer
Chilled out, reliable snow, not fussed about the apres scene at all, just a couple of nice bars for an evening beer, no mega resorts but at least 130km of pistes. We're both knackered and are mainly looking to cruise around, so lots of blues and reds with the odd cheeky black run.
Advice and verbal abuse appreciated!
Time of year ?
La Tania below Courcheval or one of the lower Meribel villages - "mega ski area" but staying outside the main towns ?
Champagny-en-V below La Plagne
La Rossiere (White Room not operating there this year or that would have been my Chalet recomendation)
La Clusaz / Grand Bornand (only an hour from Geneva)
Peisey Vallandry - in the centre of mega ski area but smaller village feel
Last full week of January. Forgot to mention, preference for apartments for no particular good reason.
Was in Paradiski last season.
Cervinia via Milan Malpensa with the option of skiing Zermatt too.
Free skiing in Courchevel tomorrow...it's been dumping there for days now and they've been grooming the pistes since Monday. Oh for a private helicopter!
As per Jambas recommendations, la Clusaz was one of my trips last year and so easy to get to and from. Combine with Le Grand Bornand( which was surprisingly good) for a big ski area. Lower than stuff further afield, so time of year key.
Grand Massif ski area, 1 hr from Geneva and choice of Samoens, Les Carroz or Flaine.
We'll be there, did I mention for the whole season 🙂
Chilled out, reliable snow, not fussed about the apres scene at all, just a couple of nice bars for an evening beer, no mega resorts but at least 130km of pistes. We're both knackered and are mainly looking to cruise around, so lots of blues and reds with the odd cheeky black run.
If you have to ask.......
La Rossiere ticks those boxes.
serre che does as well
Praz Sur Arly . But I doubt you will find a package deal there.
Flaine
Andorra would also work if you can find a flight to a nearby airport
Any thoughts on Austria or Switzerland?
If you have to ask.......
I'd already been looking at THAT resort 😀
Ischgl , If you can fly into Innsbruck
Bit of a mission getting out of town but once you are up and away the skiing is ace
Switzerland - given you want lots of blues / reds I am struggling a bit
Lenzerhiede links to Arosa now - Arosa I like a lot, resort is a 2hr drive from Zurich or a great 3hr train ride esp last hour on cog railway (some bag porterage between trains - 2 changes). Arosa doesn't have the km of postes but together they do. Not been since the linking lift opened. Arosa is at 2000m and sunny but in Jan could be a challenge, horse drawn sledges (best looked at rather than ridden unless you've won lottery)
Crans Montana ?
Villars if snow is good (low and sunny but you are going in Jan)
Verbier and Zermatt imo are not what you are after.
Austria - it's donkeys years since I have been anywhere except St Anton, the linked resort of St Christoph could work if you want quiet-ish, hotels only I recall.
I'd already been looking at THAT resort
Why are you still looking, then? 😉
Seriously, however, it fits your brief perfectly. Big, cruising fun times, lots of variety, cheeky blacks and some great in bounds unpisted fun, as well as lovely tree runs. Short transfers (1hr to 1.5hr from Turin). Nice bars, good food. Not a big party town, just a nice place to ski.
Ischgl brings up this
Bold, busy, and yes, a bit brash, is Ischgl, catering largely for testosterone-fuelled males aged 30-50. If that’s your thing, you’ll find more pole-dancing and lap-dancing here than anywhere else in the Alps.
We may have different ideas of chilled out 😀
Austria, only seeing direct flights to Salzburg, not Innsbruck which is a shame. Unless we go with Cattle Ski which is fine.
Serre Che and Obergurgl are on the shortlist. The latter mainly for the name. La Crusaz and Big Bernard as well.
Serre Che and Obergurgl are on the shortlist.
Haven't been to the latter, but have heard good things. A quick glance at the piste map shows a nice area, but divided/linked by a cable car. Call me picky, but...
Serre Che is end to end stuff along a valley. You can ski up/down/across all day, the whole area is linked by pistes and/or lifts, without any connecting cable cars. Also, get it all wrong, and there are free buses running along the valley floor. Tidy.
The problem with Serre Che is flights. I would love to go for a cheeky short trip there in Jan but the flight options for us in the south west are rubbish. No flights to Turin from HR or Bristol. I'll check Cardiff but fairly sure ethers a no go too.
Good point! Hadn't checked Turin flights on that one. 🙁
@pie you can get to St Anton from Zurich, might be worth a look at other Austrian resorts accessible from there.
Not looking good for a solid base in Montana right now!
Mid mountain, Bridger Bowl.
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I went to Ischgl for a day from St Anton, and went back to St Anton that afternoon, hence I didnt get to experience the 50yr old germans enjoying the pole dancers.
Fiss - Landis might be betterer.
Again , I went for a day from St Anton. Its really quiet and its a huge easily linked area easily acccessable from Innsbruck that no big UK tour operators go to.
Actually , Kizbhul is ok. quick transfer big party town during race weekend but not so much at other times .
Haven't been to the latter, but have heard good things. A quick glance at the piste map shows a nice area, but divided/linked by a cable car. Call me picky, but...
Ive found an apartment block called Haus Gurgl in Obergurgl...
Whats not to like!
@pie you can get to St Anton from Zurich, might be worth a look at other Austrian resorts accessible from there.
Could be a good shout, just found the Arlberg Express which gives options
Good point! Hadn't checked Turin flights on that one.
Direct flights from Edinburgh which is less than 30 minutes away this end.
If it ain't cold and windy there's lot's of skiing at obergurgl but if it is you'll want to keep lower down.
We went at the end of the season last year and low down it was slushy in the PM and up high visibility was poor. We're going three weeks earlier this year to avoid the slushy stuff
Direct flights from Edinburgh which is less than 30 minutes away this end.
Well then.....
Piemonster,
Check out the Hochkoenig region.
1hr from Salzburg airport, 150km of intermediate skiing, pretty villages with nice bars.
[url= http://www.hochkoenig.at/en/vacation.html ]http://www.hochkoenig.at/en/vacation.html[/url]
Serre Che is defo worth a visit. We stayed in Chantmerle which is brilliantly located. No flights from Bristol so went from Birmingham instead, which really isn't far away (you can even get the train to the airport if you like!).
We stayed in Chanetmerle which is brilliantly located
*Highfive!*
Wallop, were you on charter or schedule? looking to do a long weekend so that knocks off the option of charter flights.
haven't seen any options from anywhere other than Gatwick to Turin and nothing to Grenoble, Lyon is too far at the other end to make any sense. And also the tunnel is stIll not repaired so the drive in over the Col de Lautaret will be a pita. If I were the Serre Che tourist board I would be having a word to the budget airlines...
Keeps it all quiet for the rest of you though I suppose.
If I were the Serre Che tourist board I would be having a word to the budget airlines...
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Ah right yes. We went for a week so it was probably charter.
What days are you going? Thursday to Monday is under £50 on Ryanair from Stansted! Does sound like a pita though.
I wouldn't worry Flashy, most will get stuck trying to find the bus transfer info on SADEM
Both St Moritz and Gstaad are good for intermediates and beginners and they can be done at less than the stratospheric prices their reputations suggest - still not cheap it is Switzerland - Obergurgl is quite smart too.
I'll second colp's suggestion of the Hochkoenig area (Maria Alm). Most of the Ski Amade resorts are great. Check out Flachau, Wagrain and Schladming too. Flachau can be reached in about 45 mins from Salzburg airport, the other 10-15 mins more.
Austria is a pain for a mini break from Bristol. My mate has a place about an hour from Salzburg, but there aren't daily flights so we always end up having to fly back into London, and somehow getting back from there. Which is why we more often end up in Morzine for our annual lads trip rather than Austria. (I am an honorary boy when it comes to the annual lads trip).
Managed to get out on the new splitboard last night up the Lecht. Mint!
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Good point! Hadn't checked Turin flights on that one.
It gets worse, there used to be a flight from LGW or LHR early so you could get there for lunchtime Friday and get a late flight back on Monday, thus maxing out the long weekend trip. We've had to book the Thursday pm flight out and stay an extra night on our March trip. Doesn't actually bother me mind, as the Friday was always a mad panic to get to the slopes, hoping we had no delays.
This is my first return to Serre Chev since 1986.....31 years! Where TF did they go! 😕
Lovely, Swavis! 😀
Great photo Swavis ... very moody! 🙂
Ace Swavis