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Glad to hear it whatnobeer. How are we progressing on the toenail front...?
😳 Trimmed and sexy (as sexy as a toe nail attached to a blistered toe can even be)
Trimmed and sexy
Glad to hear it whatnobeer. How are we progressing on the toenail front...?
This thread is going off the rails a bit, isn't it? How about a picture?
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The utterly charming, and brilliant, Darren Turner going postal in the trees.
At least at L2A the easier slopes are up high so lackmof snow just hits the better skiers.
I'd much rather it was the other way around...
Thanks for all the tips etc above. I ended up in Tignes in the end and have had a magnificent week on the slopes. The majority of the Espace Killy is fully open - the only place you can't get to by skiing at the moment is Les Brevieres. Conditions on piste are good but very hard snow, and there's no new snow forecast for a while. However, it hasn't got above freezing all week and the resort is virtually empty, so conditions have remained stable.
I got a pair of Atomic Redster ST skis from the hire shop and have been pretty pleased with them. I asked for a slightly longer pair (163cm, for my 165cm height) and they coped well with the hard conditions. They were happiest when going quickly but were by far the best skis I've hired for a long while. I suspect they wouldn't do so well in softer conditions, however.
Skiing whilst pregnant was actually totally fine, once I'd got over the nervousness of the first run. It definitely helped that the place wasn't busy (I wasn't so keen on slopes with lots of people, but they were easy to avoid this week). I also stuck to mainly easy runs, although that was partly due to my husband's longstanding knee injury (I did do La Face black run on the second day...). The baby enjoyed kicking me in the bladder whilst I was sitting on chairlifts though. And I have amazing blisters on my calves where my ski boots have rubbed on my slightly swollen ankles. All in all, I'm glad I made the decision to go skiing, although obviously it's a very personal decision and depends very much on the pregnant person and their attitude to risk.
Nice one. My wife fell off her MTB during both her pregnancies and our two seem fine. Though bad things can happen, dangers can be exaggerated too.
I fell off my MTB when (knowingly) 7 weeks pregnant, whilst on a skills course - although the baby is well protected in the pelvis until about 13 weeks anyway. I was a little nervous about falling on the slopes (am now almost 22 weeks so the baby is definitely higher up and more vulnerable to any abdominal trauma), but decided that I shouldn't do anything differently to normal as I haven't fallen over on skis since I was a teenager. I'm glad that I have a supportive partner though - I wouldn't MTB or ski if he wasn't comfortable with me doing it.
Looking forward to taking the wee boy skiing next year now!!
5 & 10 our boys now. Older one happy paralleling down black mogul fields (I'm not), younger one cruising blues
haven't fallen over on skis since I was a teenager
You are either utterly brilliant or not trying hard enough ! Glad you had a good time.
My first wife skied when 12 weeks with our second, she didn't have the best attitude / skill level and that certainly put an end to it.
@footflaps I was trying to have the subtlest dig 😉
Have canned the idea of a quick pre-Christmas trip.
Brrrr. -25C at Lake Louise today. Upper runs in good condition but lower down icy, hard with rocks. Not busy though. Plenty of time warming up between runs. Forecast to warm up and snow across Western Canada Monday which should improve things for the Christmas rush.
You are either utterly brilliant or not trying hard enough !
Yep.
Just seen this thread - I'm off to Fernie for a while on Tuesday to get some good old Fernie face shots. Going to ride the fattie every morning before heading to the hill thanks to a brand new MaxxD light from USE. Thank you USE.
Ferrnie, skied a day there, well it wasn't a whole day. It was so effiin cold. The only time I can tremember that it was colder when skiing than it was stood still. One of the chaps I was with got frost nip on his cheek and we called it a day. Must go back some day..
Defo not trying hard enough! I'm a big fan of pootling (both on skis and MTB!).
I'm a big fan of pootling
One doesn't pootle down Le Face although certainly easier with no bumps (see what I did there 😉 ? )
Fernie for a while on Tuesday t
Wrap up warm! Between -25 and -30 there at the moment.
Forecast to warm up and snow across Western Canada Monday which should improve things for the Christmas rush.
Yup, hoping the storm rolls in as expected and doesn't migrate south like the last one did. The snow here is apparently holding up well, but off piste it's so soft and light that some of the steeper runs get scoured very very fast.
I'm there for 7 weeks, so the next system will roll in and the Griz will do his thing for us.
It does get cold in Fernie sometimes, but that is why there is a turbo trainer in the basement!
I'm off to Fernie for a while on Tuesday to get some good old Fernie face shots
Have a fantastic time! Fernie is one of my favourite places to ride!
And yes it does get cold there. Got a little frost nip there one year right on the very end of my toes wearing a pair of boots with integrated liners in -22 celcius!
Nowhere near as bad as yours whatnobeer. Which reminds me - how are the toes? Any change in colour? Hope they are making a good recovery. Are you keeping a 'photo diary' of them? 🙂
Fernie is superb. Weather can be anywhere from Baltic to rain to the top though, and you'll get all at some point during a season. Did a year there a while back and never got tired of the terrain to go at, would much prefer that to having 100k's plus of motorway piste to go at. And there is some excellent side and backcountry to hike to as well left and right of the ski area boundary. Watch out for Bill Handley too (check out his blog, always a good read).
I went to fernie in 2010, the notorious dry year where it didnt snow in Banff in feb virtually once. Fernie got the goods though
I've had lessons with Darren Turner - he's ace!
We're off for a week in val d'isere on the 2nd.
Snow is pretty nice (apparently, YSE say best in 25 years, but they would), mrs M has new boots (which she likes very much), jr has a new balaclava (which she likes very much), all good!
Wallop, they're a nice family, that lot!
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
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Greetings from Neptune
Ice Station Zebra !
YSE say best in 25 years, but they would
That's ridiulous. 2012/3 and 2008/9 much much better for certain.
Footflaps met a guy last night who had just come back from L2A, very nice above 2500 and man made down to 2000. All very skiable.
All in one anyone?
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https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/788382
Can't decide if I love or hate it 😆
Post 666 on the thread......
Makes you think......
Id love one.
I've just bought an airblaster ninja suit all in one thermal. It's so comfy I want the outer gear all in one now too.
All in one were all the rage in the 90s.
I still have the Killy I bought in Val d Isere.
AFAIK, the modern fartbag is more for the powslayah who's spending all day at snorkel depth. Makes sense, as there are less places for all teh powz to get in.
Then there's this. Spotted on a sunny Sunday last year. Saw them on the hill a few times, and it seemed that they were just wearing them. Mid twenties couple. No fancy dress, no reason, just that this was what they were wearing. ORSUMZ!
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Nowhere near as bad as yours whatnobeer. Which reminds me - how are the toes? Any change in colour? Hope they are making a good recovery. Are you keeping a 'photo diary' of them?
Getting there! Right toe looks pretty normal tbh. Blister has gone right down and is now just some normal coloured, slightly floppy skin. The left toe is looking a bit worse, the blister has gone a nice shade of grey with added purple around certain spots at the edge.
Went for a few laps today, toe warmers didn't help too much and I popped inside for a cup of tea after 2 laps. Toe warmers then shifted inside my boot and gave me foot cramp. Not idea. Heated insoles/socks are probably the best bet.
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So, what did you do at work today, darling?
Oh, you know, the usual. Some modelling. A photoshoot actually.
Really? Tell me about it, I'd love to hear....
Erm...
Went for a few laps today,
Pleased to hear you're on the mend.
btw ... for those with a bit of Fernie Love/Stoke:
Great little vid - they just had 30cms in the last day.... good job I'm going that way to help trash it all tomorrow.
I didn't get the pizza one. Just plain blue unfortunately.
Pleased to hear you're on the mend.
Cheers. Warmed up a lot today, so a cheeky -4 and some repositioned toe warmers meant near enough a full day on the hill. 28 cm of fresh snow and not too crowded. Fresh snow on every lap 😀
28 cm of fresh snow and not too crowded. Fresh snow on every lap
Only in BC ... 🙂
Oh Canada!
Has anyone got any feedback on ski school for 5 and 8 year old kids in Avoriaz?
Both beginners though the older one will have done a few dry slope lessons while the younger one will be essentially a starting from scratch.
All of the schools seem to get mixed reports and since we're going the week before most schools' half term, I figure there won't be many English speaking kids around.
Not in Avoriaz. 360 in Les Gets has been good for us, but that's too far away.
They might give a recommendation though.
Threads gone a bit quiet, saw on another forum, thought I'll just drop this in here...
Wacky.
New skis arrived yesterday, mounted up and first laps today. Mountain was quiet, the weather was sunny, and the skis were sweet. Toes haven't fallen off yet either 😀
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Well 20cm of snow in Calgary meant it was time for sweajnr (2.5) to try out his new Christmas present a day early. After about 10 minutes of tantrums we succeded in getting him to do a lap of the street. Curious at what age people managed much success with toddlers and any hints or tips. First attempt wasn't duck to water but wondering if the fact we got him on them and shuffling unassisted was a victory in itself.
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Older son liked the idea, but not the reality, at 3.5. Loved it at 5.5.
Younger son quite liked it at 4, but not absolute love.
Nemesis, our boys have done well with ESF Montriond. They teach at the lindarets Bowl, still avoriaz sector, easy to get to from avoriaz itself. Up Tour, and down Prolays.
A bit breezy in Cervinia 😯
Having favourite lunch in favourite bar at Lindarets. We've had the best of the difficult conditions these last 4 days and today the temperature has started to rise and what had been astonishingly well kept pistes with little snow are deteriorating quickly now. I pity those arriving tomorrow for Xmas week, there will be little to enjoy. We're lucky to have had as good a time of it as we have before the hoards arrive.
On the bright side, I have a superb mountain walk lined up for tomorrow. High level but clear of snow.
Kids and actual skiing, 4 was too early 6 was ok. All 3 of mine where introduced to it before 7 and tbh none really love it sadly. They can all take it or leave it.
Stoner - which one? Really like petit lindaret, awesome croquet soufflé thingy 🙂
Looks like possibility the weather may change first week in Jan, but long way off yet and, as you say, pistes are going to take a hammering this week.
Oh Stoner, you git. I'm lucky enough to be lounging around in a Barcelona apartment today, but with you I would most definitely swap. 😆
Les Marmottes (last restaurant on right just before you head out of the bowl through the rock cutting) do rotisserie ham on the bone every Sunday lunchtime winter and summer. With the most perfect dauphioise potatoes. The pisteurs had done a great job of maintaining the snow that fell in November to form a good base. And reasonably low Temps meant it has skied well these last few days. But temp is now 5 or 6 degrees and the snow is melting under the skis as you ride. Changes by the minute.
I'm going to be out 3 or 4 more times this season at least so will catch better conditions as they occur.
And that there is an awesome boxing day walk.
The chalk boards at the lifts warning of ice pistes, not surprising after yesterday's warmth.
The walking on the other hand was sublime. Clear blue skies and 5-10deg.
Wistful Stoner is wistful @2080m Pointe de la Chavache
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does anyone have a dirt cheap transceiver for sale? I received a new one as a present for christmas but now would like a cheap one to throw in the snow and train with/ attempt to find. ta!
Take care anyone out at the moment. French family suing a resort for negligence after a fatality. Tough on resorts trying to keep things open over the busy holiday period.
Heard of an instructor who said even he was nervous today. Huge stretches of solid ice. Glad we have had no plans to go back up since Sunday and instead been enjoying walking and swimming
Yesterday walking above the valley all I could hear was a constant ferry of medi-heli from mountain to clinic following the thaw and freeze.
🙁
I think that's one plus of having a place Stoner is you are out there enough to skip it if it's not worth it. Link below, seems the skier went down a freestyle track
Having skied quite a bit NY and Vermont I am familiar with signs that read "New England Powder" - what I would say is the local skiers where ***** outstanding
Fernie does it again - we were even getting face shots on Emily's run today - the storms just keep rolling in and yesterdays dumped 25cms of dry powder. Shame I'm in a hotel rather than my cabin - its not working out keeping the fattie in the room so no biking before playing for me for a couple of weeks. I need to get some riding in soon or I'll go mad.
So back to that old thread topic about people using drones on the slopes:
😀
I need to get some riding in soon or I'll go mad
Are they intending to 'groom' the trails over on Ridgemont/Fernie Ridge for fat bikes this season?
Hope all the alders get filled in for you! Sounds like Fernie is having a good early season!
any hint of snow?
still pondering quick dash for 2-3 nights next week but need to be q close to Gva
I've heard talk of next week, but have not poured over the reports myself
There's 3cm forecast for le Corbier on Monday night, wahoo! Needs that every night 'til I arrive on the Saturday after mind.
Fingers crossed - fly out to sestriere via Turin on Tuesday for 5 days 😀
Anyone been to Breckenridge? Heading out there next month. Any tips?
Late getting on here, but we got back from a week in Hinterglemm on Tuesday. We had a great week skiing pretty much on man made. The pistes were hard, fast but very skiable and most of all very quiet. We did the Ski Circus challenge route on Christmas Eve and managed to cover 110km pistes/lifts according to Skiline - I don't think we've ever skied that much in a day which shows how easy it was to get around.
There was a dump of snow on Christmas Day which turned to heavy rain right up to the top of the mountain which trashed all the earlier snow. On our last day things were starting to look a bit brown. But then overnight it snowed on and off on the day we came home to freshen things up a bit.
They've done a fantastic job to keep as much open as they have. Not sure how the crowds of New Year week will have trashed things though!
Now got to see whether we can go at half term or Easter and work out where is best to go.
Have already booked flights for Mrs Stoner and I to come back at the end if the month for 4 days w/o the nippers as a treat before she goes back to work.
£60 return for the two of us. That's nuts. It's less than the €100 for return transfers to Morzine from GVA.
Here's hoping there's some decent accumulations over the next month.
@whatno it's a long time since I was there and we where unlucky with conditions so no great memories aside from mega rental condo. We did have good days out at A-basin and Vail as we had a rental car. That would be my tip, do at least one day at Vail. Copper Mountain is supposed to be good too.
Bound to snow now as I have abandoned plans to go for a few days next week.
currently waxing my shred stick in ready for tomorrow's pow day. early night for me tonight !
Snow. It's still not looking good forecast wise. I am sure the storms will come in Jan but in prior recent years when it's been dire a big fall has come to save Christmas/NY. Last year we had the best week of the season in early March.
[i]Late getting on here, but we got back from a week in Hinterglemm [/i]
We were also a week before Xmas in Fieberbrunn which is connected to Saalbach-Hinterglemm. I had the same impression as you hammerite. There was about 15cm of snow the day before we arrived and we had blue skies and frosty nights the entire week. But the best was the pistes were in pretty good condition and best of all practically empty. We went to Zillertal last year for Xmas and it was horrible. Pistes were knackered and the crowds horrendous. The rescue helicopters were in constant demand,
We skied down to Fieberbrunn a couple of times Roter and really enjoyed it over there.
Anyone else sat in Geneva? Chaos!
I was in VT all last week....they've done a great job with what snow they've got. By the end of the week, it was getting icy to the point where it just wasn't fun!
Off to Jasna in Slovakia in a few days, they seem to be having a decent amount of snow.
Friend missed his flight out of Portugal due to long security checks and flight disruption due to UK fog. He has had to rebook onto a flight tomorrow. Good luck.
Tom, just on our way to GVA now.
Our flight has been delayed which we were expecting. I'm only worried that the bars may be out of beer. Can you confirm I'll be OK?
I'm not going for another three weeks, but starting to get a tad nervous about the lack of snow. Last year I went on the 16th and it had been pretty poor then through December but had about ten days of mega dumps before we arrived. (the weather, not me! :-))
You'll all be relived to know I have successfully located beer. Am camped out in the bistro until chocks away.
Stoner - you out at half term?
No snow and positive temperatures for nearly a month but we have still been skiing down to 1400m over the last week. It never quite gets cold enough to get the canons à neige going. Junior had some kids to teach and we scuttled up and down on rando skis as there was nowhere to go X-C.
We skinned up to 2200m this evening at sunset; Champagne, huitres etc. (try eating oysters with down mitts on) then skied down before the Reds as hundreds of Chinese lanterns were set off. Fireworks echoing around the mountains. There's nowhere like a ski resort to celebrate the New Year.