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[Closed] The STW Ski & Snowboard thread. The 2016-2017 season

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Is there such a thing as a snowboard magazine in the UK. Been looking in the usual places and can't find anything.

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 5:19 pm
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Whitelines stopped printing only a year or so ago, but exist online.
You can still get Onboard, I think

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 6:10 pm
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Just bought a new jacket online from TK Maxxxxx . Anyone had one , seen one , tried one on?
Its an O'Neill Jeremy Jones Schoeller Shell

[url= http://www.oneill.com/gb/en/variation?pid=550008&dwvar_550008_color=5500 ]Maxxx Jacket[/url]

£70 , which seems silly cheap. As far as I can tell its a reasonable spec fabric , with what appears to be a slightly longer length body than alot of shells which are 4" shorter than the arms.

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 7:10 pm
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I wouldn't expect it to be water resistant / water proof. it will be breathable.
As a general rule, if the blurb says
"highly breathable" = not waterproof
If it says "highly water proof" = sweaty, not breathable.

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 8:16 pm
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Schoeller make some great fabrics. And some shit ones.

HTH.

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 8:21 pm
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Schoeller C - Change . Their product to rival Gore- Tex .

Schoeller C-Change

But there are some other technologies also competing with Gore Tex, namely Schoeller C-Change out of Switzerland. This is also based on the same technology – a polymer membrane. The C-change story though is based on weather changes, as you heat up, the pores ‘open’ , enough for a water vapor, but not droplets. When you’re inactive, or if its cooler, the pores ‘close’ to keep heat in. This model is based on nature, for example a pinecone. As it sun hits it, it opens up, during cooler weather, it stays closed. Many have found this technology preferable over GORE-TEX as it tends to be more breathable, and offers stretch, for a more flexible comfortable fit. Schoeller C-change fabrics can be found with Mammut, Perfect Moment, and KJUS.

10k /10k rated . Whatever that means and DWR , snowskirt . We will see when it rocks up in a few days .

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 9:29 pm
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10k will refer to the waterproof rating

http://www.evo.com/guides/outerwear-waterproof-ratings-and-breathability

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 9:38 pm
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To be fair I may have been a bit hasty.

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 9:43 pm
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10k/10k is low....

Sorry!

Does it look all of teh sexeh, though?

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 9:48 pm
 zyfy
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im off to morocco at xmas...might check out theyre resort whilst im bimbling about...anyone been?

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 11:01 pm
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10k/10k is the best I've ever had. Cold blooded though.

 
Posted : 05/12/2016 11:53 pm
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Fruit booting is back!

 
Posted : 06/12/2016 5:36 am
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Experts, eh?

 
Posted : 06/12/2016 8:16 am
 nbt
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that still looks like Val d'Isere, Grand Pré piste. I'm going to have to watch the video now to check

 
Posted : 06/12/2016 9:10 am
 nbt
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Nope. Fierberbrunn.

 
Posted : 06/12/2016 9:12 am
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Olympic sport in ... Um .....

 
Posted : 06/12/2016 9:12 am
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Found this web site recently...for all info on every ski resort.

[url= http://www.skiresort.info/ ]Clicky[/url]

 
Posted : 06/12/2016 10:50 am
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im off to morocco at xmas...might check out theyre resort whilst im bimbling about...anyone been?

We tried but couldn't get up there as road was a total jam, first snow of the season (mid Jan) and it was the weekend. Had wanted to ski a few runs. Turned back half maybe 4km from resort, cars on way down said car park was full so no stopping anyway. Will dig out some photos, quite cool to see the white snow against the dusty red rock and the locals having fun throwing snowballs ! Definitely spend time in the mountains, beautiful and less of an attack on the senses (patience) that is Marrakech. Private car and driver is cheap, the slightiy cheesy touristy stop at a locals house for mint tea was surpringly wonderful, slight chill in the air looking over a valley with red mountains, a ribbon of green by the river and apple orchards.

 
Posted : 06/12/2016 11:56 am
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Fieberbrunn? I'll be skiing there in two weeks time.

Are those boots just like... http://sleddogs.com they're used on the celebrity death trap that is Channel 4's The Jump. We went to a Crashed Ice race last year and they had a stall there, didn't see anyone buy any.

 
Posted : 08/12/2016 12:14 am
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Well, me and the bump (and the husband) are off to Tignes tomorrow and we can't wait! Got a great deal on what looks like a fantastic chalet, so hopefully it works out fine.

Can I ask a quick question about skis? Despite having skied since I was 4, I have no idea about what sort of ski I need to ask for in the hire shop. I learned on long narrow skis (the last pair I owned were 185cm - I'm 165cm tall!) and have never quite got to grips with the "new" technology skis.

The only pair of hire skis that I've properly got on with were Salomon BBRs. All the others have felt unstable, like I can't put much weight through them when turning. I pretty much ski exclusively on groomed pistes, and have tended to go late in the season in changeable conditions (although obviously am going early this year). I feel like most skis try to "knock" together when I'm turning on hard snow, and feel unstable at speed. The BBRs were great for doing long sweeping turns on the piste.

I've booked fairly high end skis at the local hire shop but, in my experience, there's usually the chance to guide the shop-people to what I want. Any suggestions on what I should be saying to them?

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 11:24 am
 nbt
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Tell them what you've said above, basically. Your skis probalby fel like they're "knocking" as you;re skiing old school with your knees and ankles as tight as possible - with the new style waisted skies (especially as you get fatter and fatter underfoot) you do need to widen your stance a bit so perhaps consider an hour or two with a private instructor to work on how you can adapt your technique

Stewart Woodward is a british ski instructor with the ESF in Tignes, he posts regularly on Snowheads (like STW for snowsports but a bit more well behaved - worth asking there too perhaps) and seems to be well regarded. He was very helpful when we had a chat with him in the bar one evening, though we didn't get instruction on that trip

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 11:44 am
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Cheers. Do you think there's a particular property of the skis that I should be looking for (width/camber/rocker/length/weight) or do you think it's mainly down to my 80s style of skiing?

Have thought about doing some private lessons in the past (last did an ESF lesson aged 14) but will probably give it a miss this year due to the pregnancy. Next year!

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 1:36 pm
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Well this is depressing. We're going to a ski resort this weekend on a work jolly and we've only packed our hiking boots.. That's a first for early December..

The webcam isn't looking good...
[url= https://villars.roundshot.com/bretaye/ ]Villars Bretaye webcam[/url]

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 2:31 pm
 colp
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Had 5 cheeky days in Maria Alm, most of the pistes are open and the conditions are ace really.
Until yesterday I was the only snowboarder in the resort I think.

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:37 pm
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That is what is known as 'millionaire's snowboarding"

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:40 pm
 colp
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Its amazing. It's normally quiet (never any lift queues) but we've been the only people on almost every piste.

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 3:47 pm
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Legolam
Try Newgeneration ski in Tignes
Way better than ESF IMO
Had 3 x 3hrs private lessons with them and learnt alot
Not cheap but better value than ESF

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 7:54 pm
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Beanum Villars wasn't the greatest choice tbh for this early. Verbier (Les Chables) is an hours drive.

Legolam - you just want piste skis. As for 80's style that will work but try and keep your feet a little further apart than you are used to and weight a bit more evenly balanced. Have fun, watched this today

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 8:43 pm
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Do you think there's a particular property of the skis that I should be looking for (width/camber/rocker/length/weight) or do you think it's mainly down to my 80s style of skiing?

Your height and weight should come in to it a bit. For cruising the groomers, and having some fun, I'd be asking for something along the lines of these as a women's ski;
[img] [/img]

Salomon Astra. Wide enough to cope with some floaty fun in the slack country, but still a nice carver. Obviously, you're at the mercy of your hire shop, but if you've paid for a "premium" package (Well done!) you can try something, then head back in if it's not quite right.

FWIW, I hire skis, and also use the shiny shiny option. Means I can play around with all sorts of stuff. My ski highlight last year was from Nordica, their NRG skis. The women's version is called the Belle, and looks ACE! Nordica Spitfires are rocketship fast piste skis as well.

Oh, and BBRs? Erm....an acquired taste! I demoed them. They were rather fun, if a little compromised. Goodish on piste, and goodish off, but not really great at either. Also, I got bored of answering questions about them at every lift!

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 8:54 pm
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Thanks again everyone. I'm so excited, especially having watched that FB video! Hope the baby enjoys it too...

Oh, and BBRs? Erm....an acquired taste!

That's what everyone I've spoken to says! But I really loved them - hired them for 3 years in a row. But I've no idea what I liked about them. I think I'll just be a bit braver this year about going back to the shop and changing if I'm not getting on with the ski that they give me.

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 10:34 pm
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I think I'll just be a bit braver this year about going back to the shop and changing if I'm not getting on with the ski that they give me.

Also good if the weather changes!

 
Posted : 09/12/2016 10:37 pm
 igm
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Sorry about this colp

"I am the only tray in the village"

Just jealous

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 8:29 am
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"I am the only tray in the village"

[img] [/img]

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 9:06 am
 igm
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I apologise. Really. But I couldn't resist the free shot at an open goal.

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 9:31 am
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I have Nordica Wild Belles and they are lovely, responsive, easy to turn. Tend to chatter when you really try on piste but they are great in the fluffy stuff.
I prefer them to the K2 lotta luvs I had before which were probably more piste biased than the wild belles.

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 2:19 pm
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Just been looking as some webcams - where has all the snow gone? Grands Massif looks awful. I was planning a quick three days pre-Chrimbo

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 2:29 pm
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[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/77/31517728696_700fc4e7d4_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/77/31517728696_700fc4e7d4_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Q27AFs ]Whistler[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/75523014@N08/ ]Jamie Carson[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/181/31517728716_2cf58dc6d7_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/181/31517728716_2cf58dc6d7_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Q27AFN ]Piste[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/75523014@N08/ ]Jamie Carson[/url], on Flickr

Been very cold in whistler the last week or so. Some stunning days for skiing and very quiet slopes. Only problem is I didn't notice my toes freezing and I've given myself frostbite. No skiing for me for a good few days 🙁

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 6:51 pm
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I've given myself frostbite

😯 'kinel

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 6:56 pm
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Pics!

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 7:12 pm
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Frostbite or Frostnip (less severe)? Either way take care. Sweamrs got frost nip in some toes a few years ago and it still causes her problems. Having said that -33C in Canmore this morning 😯 and she still went for a hike.

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 7:25 pm
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[img] [/img]

This view probably doesnt even show them at their worst. The full frontal shot you can see how much they've swollen up. No black or white spots though, so I guess thats a good thing.

Went to the clinic for them to have a look at, advice was just to keep em warm and watch for signs of infection and death 😯

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 7:43 pm
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Ugh cut your toenails and heal up fast! 😀

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 7:54 pm
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Ugh cut your toenails and heal up fast!

They've already been trimmed to a more appropriate size!

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 7:55 pm
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Ouch. That's a good one. From bitter experience the blackness doesn't show for a few while so you're going to have to be careful for the rest of the season I reckon. Toe warmers would be high on my agenda.

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 8:17 pm
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A thread full of wonderful alpine scenery and whatno's feet ... on a serious note tale it easy as above you can have long term consequences.

TMH plenty if good skiing about, friends in Val Tho right now. Some nice footage from Val and Tignes on resort facebook. It got warm after the early snowfall, Verbier re-opened the lower bike trails (1650 and down) but still skiing uptop

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 9:01 pm
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Toe warmers would be high on my agenda.

As they are on mine now.

on a serious note tale it easy as above you can have long term consequences.

Indeed. Easy to forget that the weather has the same effect in bounds as well as out 🙁

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 9:34 pm
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Whatno I recall you've been there before but in case no when I lived in NY and skied in NA I had to buy new kit as all my Alps stuff wasn't warm enough. Included a powder mask.

 
Posted : 10/12/2016 10:04 pm
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Got to try a few boards today at a snwobkard test weekend here in Åre .

I wanted to try both of these as I want tk add them to the quiver , plus maybe a skeleton key from Burton but they didnt have that.

Spring Break/ Capita slush slasher 147

[IMG] [/IMG]

Bataleon Camel Toe 158

[IMG] [/IMG]

Also saw this bold statement car

[IMG] [/IMG]

Guess it is to tell you whose tyres to let down in the car park?

 
Posted : 11/12/2016 2:03 pm
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[URL= http://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r587/legolam/IMG_3596_zps7xwvtfng.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r587/legolam/IMG_3596_zps7xwvtfng.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

The view from our bedroom window to Tignes Le Lac this morning 😀

Very cold all day today, with a mild breeze on the tops. Clear and sunny though, and forecast for similar weather all week. Pistes hard but in good condition, and virtually empty. Great day on the slopes!

 
Posted : 11/12/2016 5:06 pm
 colp
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Those toes look nasty! I'd be looking at heated insoles.

Had a morning starting at Leogang yesterday, went over to Saalbach and back, nice lunch in Mama T's chicken and fish restaurant at the top of Asitz.
Didn't take many pics but here's one looking down at the bottom of the bike park.
My lad wanted me to hit the cannon on my snowboard but I've pushed my luck a bit much this year already!

[img] [/img]

 
Posted : 11/12/2016 10:59 pm
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@Howsyourdad1

If you are looking for a short, fun, powder board try and get a test ride on a Salomon Derby. I got a 150cm one last season and it's so much fun. Normally ride 155 - 158 boards but didn't miss the length. Performs amazingly well in the powder and just kept me smiling every minute I had it strapped to my feet.

Quick update on the snow conditions here. Had a blast around above Mottaret and Meribel yesterday. Higher up conditions are good, pistes grippy and fast, a bit like a January during a cold snap between storms. Lower down it's all narrow pistes with cannoned snow. Very surreal riding on a 10m wide strip of snow down the Saulire to Mottaret. Should have more open for Christmas I reckon, looks like they are holding some pistes back for next week. Definitely need more snow though!

 
Posted : 12/12/2016 11:27 am
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Medium term weather forecast for French Alps suggested no significant new snowfall before the end of the year. Static high pressure 😐

 
Posted : 12/12/2016 11:30 am
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Thanks meribelmtb, I hadn't seen that Salomon . There are a lot around at the moment , really fancy getting one .

 
Posted : 12/12/2016 4:00 pm
 colp
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In at number 5 this week pop pickers..

[url= http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/18/travel/europes-best-hidden-ski-resorts/index.html ]Hochkoenig[/url]

 
Posted : 12/12/2016 4:37 pm
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I've been to three of those , go me!

 
Posted : 12/12/2016 6:48 pm
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@howsyourdad1 the base on the Derby is bombproof too if that helps. FWIW buying your missus the ladies equivalent (pillow talk) will get you serious brownie points

 
Posted : 12/12/2016 8:31 pm
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Colp - keep the photos coming, especially if you head over Saalbach way again. We're in Hinterglemm next week. Looking forward to sampling Mama T's renowned chicken!

 
Posted : 12/12/2016 9:43 pm
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Skiworld discounting xmas week heavily now. Big gamble on snow though as there is zero forcast for the next week +.
However £299 for a week in a CC incl flights and transfers is as cheap as very expensive french chips.

 
Posted : 13/12/2016 7:52 pm
 nbt
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bloody hell that's tempting. Alpe d'huez, st anton, courchevel - all ensuite, all at £249. means travelling to Gatwick (manchester is still over £500 pp)

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 9:39 am
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My best mate shattered one wrist and broke the other at the weekend in an over the bars moment, he reckons he'll still make the ski (board for him) trip on the 21st Jan, although he might not ride that much.

Stay safe out there people!

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 9:52 am
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Just booked to go back to Serre Che on the 15th Jan.
Can't wait. All new gear. Except a board.

Hope it gets a decent dump of snow beforehand. Looking at the snow history early January is normally pretty good for snowfall.

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 10:17 am
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Big gamble on snow though

Hit the park all morning, boozy lunch , more boozey dinner, repeat!

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 10:22 am
 nbt
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🙁

Mrs NBT doesn't want to go skiing over Christmas 🙁

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 11:38 am
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Les Gets Are re opening Mt Chery bike park till snow arrives.

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 11:44 am
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Yes, looking rather thin, we're off to Les deux alpes in 2 weeks, all the lower slopes are bare 🙁

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 11:51 am
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At least at L2A the easier slopes are up high so lackmof snow just hits the better skiers.

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 12:35 pm
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Yes, looking rather thin, we're off to Les deux alpes in 2 weeks, all the lower slopes are bare

Mind all the drunk students - hope it snows for all your sakes!!

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 12:46 pm
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Yes, looking rather thin, we're off to Les deux alpes in 2 weeks, all the lower slopes are bare

At least at L2A the easier slopes are up high so lack of snow just hits the better skiers.

Note to Footflaps....its L2A (apparantly), not Les deux alpes! 😉

Its like Val Thoren....no one (in the know) calls it that....its VT! 🙂

Also, every time I open this thread I have to look at whatnobeers toes, so the sooner we move on a page the better!

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 4:42 pm
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Val Thorens used to be shortened to Valto.

If you can understand French I recommend watching Les Bronzes font du ski.

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 4:47 pm
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Also, every time I open this thread I have to look at whatnobeers toes, so the sooner we move on a page the better!

Sorry! You better hope I don't post an update on the next page 😛

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 8:09 pm
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Please bear in mind that I have moderator rights in this thread. (Thanks, mods)

Oh, and we're on another page at last.

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 8:12 pm
 igm
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Can one be thrown out for dissing Serre C then?

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 8:18 pm
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Can one be thrown out for dissing Serre C then?

Possibly, although dissing it discouraged popularity which helps the Cap.

I suspect the threat is more to do with toes.

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 8:36 pm
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🙂

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 8:41 pm
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😛 😆

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 8:54 pm
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Seriously though, things seem to be healing well at the moment. Doesn't look like there's was much/any deep tissue damage, so hopefully back on the skis in the near, rather than distant future.

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 8:55 pm
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Glad to hear it whatnobeer. How are we progressing on the toenail front...?

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 9:24 pm
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L2A has some interesting visitors over New Year. For some reason it becomes home to hundreds of very rowdy, very dodgy Italians. Apparently the spend pre Christmas in Cervinia, then New Year in L2A.

We encountered them in Cervinia about 5 years ago. By day they're out of control knocking people over, by night they're drunk and fighting. The amount of jewellery on show would make Mr T blush.

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 9:26 pm
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So reading the comments here about serre che.
Should we be organising an stw plus friends group trip or 2 next winter. Should get the word out a bit and make it more popular

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 9:27 pm
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howsyourdad1 - Member
Glad to hear it whatnobeer. How are we progressing on the toenail front...?

😆

grahamt1980 - Member
So reading the comments here about serre che.
Should we be organising an stw plus friends group trip or 2 next winter. Should get the word out a bit and make it more popular

Don't make me do it....
[img] ?noredirect[/img]

 
Posted : 14/12/2016 9:30 pm
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