what else am I looking at?
Korua Shapes 'Pencil' or Jones 'Mind Expander' might be worth considering
@jonswhite - interesting. Thanks for that. 🙂
Korua Shapes ‘Pencil’ or Jones ‘Mind Expander’ might be worth considering
Or a K2 Party Platter for a cheaper option? I love my Cool Bean but the Party Platter looks like it ticks more of your boxes.
cheers both, that gives me some idea of what the new fangled stuff looks like that I ought to be trying. Anything less than £400 is prob ok, will probably be made to last another 10yrs too 🙂
Party platter reviews not raving about its carve though...
Yes pick your line? Monster on the carves, really fast edge to edge, and apparently got tons of float (hoping for first pow on it in a week or so).
'ow much mister?!??!
And calling something "yes pick your line" does terrible things for thread comprehension!
Yeah, it's not cheap I agree.
have compared it against the Jones umt (loved it), Jones aviator (too twitchy), yes standard (too similar to my typo), bataleon goliath (don't like 3bt), and some others the pyl was the best of the lot.
just can't wait to get it in the mountains properly
Whilst were on about snowboard options. I've currently got a Burton custom X camber, and I love how well it works on piste,it carves like a demon,but it's a bit lacking off piste. I also have a custom twin flying V , which works quite well off piste,but doesn't have the grip of the custom X on piste.
doesanyone know of any board that goes like a custom X on the piste but floats better in the powder? I don't care about jumps,I just like to go fast.
I guess I want to have my cake and eat it,is that possible yet?
cheers guys
@jonswhite good call on the K2 Simple Pleasures.
I think Nidecker Mellow is similar and has piqued my curiosity for a pow capable carver.
Decisions decisions.
How about the salomon sickstick or the super 8?
Maybe even the yes standard
Jon Taylor
Anyone got any tips for Courmayer? Never been, haven’t ski’d for a few years. My Mrs and BiL is going to want to shred the gnarly gnar, I’m much more conservative and of average ability. I see some enticing itineraire from Helebronner and Creats Youla/Cresta D’Arp. Are they mega gnarly gnar? Necessary to bring skins/crampons? Other general ski area experience or tips?
If you do go off-piste from the Youla or Arp, you;re committed - they both lead off into valleys where you can't get back into the resort until you reach the lift at the bottom. Helbronner is completely off piste and is glaciated, so unless you REALLY kow what you;re doing, a guide is required.
Frustratingly, despite several trips to Courmayeur I've never really done any off-piste outside the resort as the company / conditions were never right (though I did have one FANTASTIC day of fresh snow and face shots on piste)
Some stuff here on snowheads: https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=140847
doesanyone know of any board that goes like a custom X on the piste but floats better in the powder? I don’t care about jumps,I just like to go fast.
I've got a Never Summer board that is good for charging about everywhere. Must admit I was very sceptical about the claims about being good on and off-piste but it's brilliant. It's a few years old now so they replaced it with a different model but it still looks brand new, even after the bashing they tend to get from lift queues. They're well worth a look.
Anyone got any tips for Courmayer?
You can take the piste down from the Youla (the lower lift) and you can go up the Arp just to check out the views etc, but the 'itineraries' and backcountry accessible off the Arp require solid backcountry skills, equipment and preferably a guide.
I've ridden there loads and was there in 2017 when a big slide happened in the area below the Youla (and the FWT couloirs) and next to the Gabba, killing 3 people. Please don't under-estimate the 'slack-country'
If the relatives want to tour near resort, then I can definitely recommend getting a local guide (there is a Guides Company in the town) and heading off the back of the Arp into Val Venny. There's a long summer road along the valley bottom to return to resort lift (Zerrota) but one of the restaurants near the lift will come and pick you up with a rope and skidoo/sled. (you don't have to but it's kindof expected to have a pizza in their restaurant when they've picked you up)
As others have said the Helbronner area is a step up from the resort area - it's glaciated and really requires a guide, plus touring gear inc skins; boot crampons; ski crampons; harness & glacier kit & ice-axe. If it's in condition it's a 2000m run down to the valley bottom. There's also the 'Marbre' on the other side of the lift/refuge towards the dent du geant. I've done both sides on both solid board & splitboard so touring might be optional depending on your route but boot crampons etc are mandatory. Your guide can advise further.
The main ski area is great - it has wide open slopes on the top and tree lined runs facing Mont Blanc/Monte Bianco. It's usually pretty quiet during the week (unless it is an Italian Holiday).
I've just picked up a S/H Hovercraft- it's an itch I've wanted to scratch for a while! Off to Thyon on Saturday for a week, hopefully should get to play in all conditions!
Anyone have any particular recomendations for ski hire in Morzine? We're staying at the Alte Neve Hotel and have a 500m walk to the lifts so using one in that area that ideally we can leave our skis every evening would be good.
I can recommend Star Ski. Although it's not on the route de la plagne, it's just above the town square. Ask for Claire (tall, long brown hair) , say Mark recommended.
Also Hubert sport comes recommended
Scaredypants, it's Tuesday live music in the marmotte d'or tonight, not to be missed.
BTW there's an exhibition match between the Penguins (Morzine / avoriaz ice hockey club) and Megeve tomorrow night. Also a league match on the 19th. Great fun of an evening.
@Stoner, in true recommend what you ride. Try a Burton Custom X, a true do-it-all board. Flat out fast carving, tight trees. Stable and predictable, but still responsive and nimble. You'll just have to hope you can find one in the sales.
Cheers bluebird. Burton would be an option as I'd like to see if I can get something from The Woods in Morzine as they do demos for day hire rates and of course refunded against purchase.
@julians How old is your Custom X? They changed quite a bit last season. It might be worth a look at the new one.
Scaredypants, it’s Tuesday live music in the marmotte d’or tonight, not to be missed.
Thanks, but skied my pretty little ass off today (blue sky, fresh powder 😎 ) and I'm off to bed as, sadly, it seems we're having the same again tomorrow.
Do they do decent food in there? We're fending for ourselves tomorrow
(Struggling to convince child A of the ossumness of a hockey game)
yep, great fud.
The burgers are orrzum.
Where did you get to today? Conditions sound great.
Mostly top of the mossettes and various routes back down (the chair up to the big unpisted bowl/face to the far right as you go up had been closed yesterday and reopened just as we were passing. Had been some biggish snow-slides on it but was great. Also the run down below the mossettes was nice)
Zeb and his Merry men did some couloirs off down the Swiss side and said they were running well too.
Actually, it's been pretty shit, now I think about it 😉
fantastic. Swiss side is great in fresh snow - huge snow fields with lovely shapes. They do deteriorate quickly in sunshine though.
v jealous. Will be out again in a few weeks hopefully.
Long shot for BC touring types or people headed that way. Sweaman? Digby?
Posting on behalf of a mate. They've got a spare spot they're trying to fill for a group trip to Boulder Hut in the Purcells: a couple of log cabins in the middle of a 13,000 acre play area.
More pics of the skiing: http://www.boulderhutadventures.com/see-it/
Heli in and out due to remoteness, guided, human powered touring while you're there. Great touring, good food, wood fired hot tub. I went there a few years ago and it was flipping amazing.
30th Jan - 6th Feb, but there might be an option to do 1st half or second half - 3rd Feb change over.
Which is pretty soon, so it's likely they'll be open to offers on the cost. Pm me/email if you're interested and I'll put you in touch.
Anyone have any particular recomendations for ski hire in Morzine?
Are you more likely to ski Avoriaz side or Morzine/Les Gets side?
Bluebird, nope, I've asked though. Guessing Mark Yancey and a tail guide.
Think you might be keen, or are you wondering if it's someone you know?
@nedrapier It could be a friend guiding as he does stuff in the Purcells and I think he's out that way around that time. I'll be in Whistler at the same time and wondering if I could get it past my wife to slope of for a few days, but it's highly unlikely. Would love to do a few remote days like that though.
Meet up spot is Kimberley, which is a mere 11 hour drive from Whistler. Or fly to Cranbrook and they can scoop you up on their way from Fernie. Go on, you know you want to.
Are you more likely to ski Avoriaz side or Morzine/Les Gets side?
Both apparently!
Sadly too soon for me to get away. I'm assuming that's Boulder hut which is definitely on my list (especially as they do short tours) but already going touring later in the year and more than one week isn't going to work with work.
We're taking the Eurostar snow train down to BSM in a couple of weeks. Now I'm aware of their (sensible) alcohol policy - nothing pre bought (sealed or otherwise) may be taken onto the train. Which from a point of view of not having to deal with lairy pissed up fellow passengers when I'm trying to sleep is A Good Thing.
However - I'm wondering how strict they actually are about it - traditionally we've always taken a wee hip flask each with a tipple of our choice for a cheeky nip towards the end of the day (we're talking a couple of double shots worth over the week). No point in buying bottles out there as we'd never drink it all. The hipflasks would be buried deep in our "main" bags. The contents would be disposable at a pinch, but I'd hate to have the flasks themselves confiscated, as they're both personalised.
As above, @stoner I’ve had a hovercraft for a few years and would definitely recommend. Nice and stiff if ever needed to carve on piste etc. Off piste it holds lines well but is quite forgiving on landings etc.
‘Unfortunately’ I live in le sauze, southern alpes, and we haven’t had fresh snow for a month so the hovercraft hasn’t been out this winter.
sweaman
Boulder hut which is definitely on my list
You should keep it there! pretty cool setup. You can tour in rather than heli, which would be a nice little adventure, but it's a 2 day trip each way, so eats into your holiday time a little!
Every year we go to Kimberley for a family long weekend and see the helicopters taking off and I wonder if I could just stay a few extra days.
The hipflasks would be buried deep in our “main” bags.
My understanding from a friend that did this journey a week ago is that Eurostar security is like airport security:
Given that they only allow 'soft drinks in sealed bottles' I'm guessing you would struggle to smuggle booze on board the night train
...and the 'Boulder Hut' is a great trip - one of my snowboarding highlights for sure!!
Genuinely dont know where to go this year. France,Austria or some other euro destination.
Done a lot of the french alps big resorts ive been spoilt tbh. The powder photos are NOT helping folks really want to go back to lake lue and banff.
Last year in tinges was fantastic ive never seen so much snow.
Will be keeping a close eye on the snow radar in February for the last week of feb first week of march.
Packing just now 😁 Hopefully I'll be in Cervenia on Sunday morning. Looks like it's going to be a coldun. Packing just about every base and mid layer I own.
flights booked to head back to morz in a couple of weeks. Here's hoping for extradump.
Decant booze into mini shampoo bottles for the rattler!?
Packed and ready for les gets on Sunday, can't wait to be back on skis again. Hopefully the missus won't kipper herself on a black this year 🤞
Any recommendations for decent but not silly money kids gloves ?
Off to Norway and it gets cold and don’t want the kids getting cold hands
So they aren't cheap but Hestra gloves all the way. Sweajnr is in the largest size of "baby zip long" at 5. The ability to zip over the jacket really means that you can avoid cold spots. He was using them today at -14C (-22C windchill) and lasted almost 3 hours before needing breaks.
Second the vote for hestra, try mitts not gloves for extra warmth. If they don't like mitts then hestra do a great lobster claw options.
My Raynauds has been much better since I swapped to mitts from gloves (should have done it years ago).
Weather update from the Grand Massif - cold temps and fresh snow mean the powder is great all the way down. Going to head out to Morillon and Carroz today to check the recent snow has improved the bottom of those resort runs.
Dakine do a good range of kid's gloves and mitts. Mitts are much warmer than gloves in my experience.
The added advantage of mits is that you can put a hand warmer in them and keep them on.
I had Hestra gloves and they were good unless they got wet. Then they were useless.
No good for snowboarding (I had them for skiing originally) and I'd imagine also not great for kids that might spend a lot of the time rolling around in wet snow?
14C (-22C windchill)
DDDDDDARRRGHH
Why do people do that. It was -14c. End of story.
Windchill matters in Canada. Time limits for how long children spend outside at various temperatures is based on windchill temperature and not "actual". If what you are wearing is 100% windproof then presumably the temperature is the same but I cool down faster at -15 with wind than -15 and no wind.
Technically I should have written "with windchill it felt like" but no one seems to do that.
I'll be in Vallandry on my own with a week to kill as of tomorrow if anyone is up for a skin up something easy or X-C ski.
We've just booked flights for another quick 3 night trip towards the end of March.
Landing in Geneva and probably going to head either to Les Gets or 3 Valleys.... But wondering about giving somewhere else a try.
Any recommendations of somewhere a little bit different within 2 hours of Geneva?
We love Les Gets (& PDS) because it's got plenty to keep us entertained and know it quite well. 3 Valleys I love the vastness.
Somewhere a bit traditional with some easily accessible slack country for me to play in if the snow's good would be good. Other half mainly sticks to the pistes.
Just come back from an epic week in Chamonix however we went for a day with a guide and headed through the tunnel to Courmayeur. Conditions are awful. Thin and windblown snow and we did some of the stuff off the back of the Arp and was bad enough for the guide to cancel the rest of the day. Instead we headed back for the tunnel and toured to some knee deep pow. Recommend doing that and use Stu at the Avalanche Academy if you are keen for an epic experience.
Got kids some decathlon mittens recently and it got down to minus 10 degrees c in austria and they were fine. They also have some of the zippy hestra mitts which are good for getting on but as above, not very waterproof.
If you suffer from Reynauds, get some Happy Hot Hands, game changers
tiger I have some super warm gloves for sale here.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/skiing-snowboarding-clothes/ski-gloves-up-to-8y/1325811062
Hey Earl, what happened to the BS3 repair cafe today? Was it cancelled for the lantern parade? Shame - I took my skis down and everything!
@phil
Cormaeur? Easy from GVA good off piste and eateries on slopes.
Nendaz? Cheaper than Verbier, great ski area for a skier not do go if you board (big traverses)
Grand massif? Nice area, not so good tree line.
I forgot about that!! They usually send me a email but I got nothing this month.
If you want your skis waxed bring them around to my house and I'll do them for you - Windmill Hill. I've just got datawax blue/red/yellow if that's ok.
PM me - I'm around late afternoon.
That’s so cool of you to offer, thanks! Happy to wait til next time though (I’m not about this afternoon).
Back from a frustrating week in Risoul. No new snow for 3 weeks , but heavy use of cannons plus harvesting meant the pistes were in very good condition. Lots of newbies moaning about 'ice' , when they mean compacted snow , not real ice at all.
Approx 1cm fell last week , so not enough to make any difference
As usual the plane out sounded like the plague plane with alot of coughing and sneezing, so after 3 days i get a sore throat , then the shivers , now a head cold.
I am seriously considering those surgical face masks like the Japanese wear as planes just make you ill. If it had been decent powder I would have been unable to enjoy it.
There was a restaurant fire under alift as well, inurance job probably as yet to open this season, which cloed down alot of the resort for a morning, they used the cannons water supply to put it out
Such a shame as the snofall across the rest of the Alps has been record breaking , but Risoul - Vars - Serre - Montgenevre -Sestriere all had next to nothing.
Cheers, we had talked about Courmayeur but hadn't really thought about it being so close to Geneva. But it's just through the tunnel so on the list.
Had a really rubbish day in Flaine a couple of years ago. We stopped for a day on the way home from Les Gets, it rained and I've never been so cold and wet. I'd like to give it another go in better conditions, definitely didn't see it in its prime!
Yes I'm a boarder that doesn't like the flat.
Off to Chamonix on the 3rd Feb for 4 days. Have skied there a couple of times but not for 10 years, any reminders on places to hit? We're all a reasonable standard.
Was thinking a day in Flegere-Brevent, 2 days in Argentiere wasn't going to bother with les Houches - one other area not to miss?
Also any good nightlife spots?
crankman - I always enjoyed Le Tour. Not too challenging but some really good stuff to play around in. Interested to hear about lift queues at Grand montet what with the gondola having burnt down, I'm off there after you get back. Can you post up here?
I'm off to morzine for 4 days next week, it looks like they've had some decent snow this week, but a first hand view of the conditions would be great, if anyone is there?
There's a thread on snowheads with regular updates from PDS. Generally OK conditions on piste - patchy in places and needs more snow, but perfectly acceptable.Bit more snow due over the weekend but nothing massive - 10cm at best probably. Next week, potentially a few more falls, but detail very unclear at present.
Zell am See this Saturday!
Off to Chamonix on the 3rd Feb for 4 days. Have skied there a couple of times but not for 10 years, any reminders on places to hit? We’re all a reasonable standard.
All depends on the weather/conditions I reckon - especially these days as it can be slim pickings in resort. (although there is always the option of getting the bus through to Courmayeur - when Chamonix is lacking, Courmayeur often gets the goods and vica-versa),
My pointers would be:
Brevent & Flegere are southerly facing so can get slushy late in the day. but during freeze/thaw conditions this means they are great from mid-morning onwards unlike Grand Montets which doesn't get the sun so when it's icy ... it stays icy. Brevent & Flegere are also close to town so get tracked out pretty quick after a storm.
La Tour - good for low vis storm days and low coverage (as it's a meadow rather than rocky mountain-side). Has the largest number of 'mellow' slopes for those wanting to take it easy.
Grand Montets - great if the slack-country/off-piste is in condition. Should also be good for touring over towards the Lognans since the cable car and top tickets burned down. Also good later in the season.
Les Houches - good trees on a storm/low vis day
Downside is that you can spend a lot of time travelling in Chamonix valley and there is always the panic that whichever area you choose you might be left wondering if you'd made the right choice ...
Buying individual day passes for each area can work out expensive so a 6 Day Chamonix unlimited *might* be better value but that depends on what you and your group have planned. The unlimited includes the Montenvers railway & the Midi, so if you get a guide for a backcountry day it can work out economical.
Can't really comment too much on the night life as these days I tend to be knackered from a full days riding.
There are a few places in town:
<slight-irony>
L'Amnesia has good DJs ... doesn't normally open until after mid-night
Chambre-Neuf tends to have people dancing on tables in their ski-boots & sweaty salopettes. Across the road at Elevation is more my thing - locals and a pitcher. Dancing in your harness with crabs attached is frowned upon ...
The Pub is owned by a brit and attracts brits ... usually telling the entire bar what an amazing powder run they've just had!
Beer prices drop a bit when you move away from the main tourist drag so around Cham-Sud is a bit more seasonaire vibe etc. So follow the happy-hour signs.
Argentierre used to have a cool vibe but everyone has now sold up and moved (mainly down to Les Houches).
</slight-irony>
Were having a great time in Meribel. Although there isn't as much snow as we'd like, its been well looked after and higher up around Val Thorens there's still some off piste to play around in which isn't too crusty.
The temps have been between -10 and -13, so pretty cold, especially on some of the slower lifts. I've been wearing 7 layers, this includes puffer under the outer jacket and thermals under my fleeced lined trousers.
On the first day 4 of us had a mornings refresher lesson and it's paid off.
Today one stupid woman cut me up, I chased her down and gave her a good talking too. She was a bit shocked when this older grey haired woman came after her.
Hoping for some snow tomorrow as its needed in places. However overall the 3 Valleys are holding up well and the snow so far has been a joy to ski.
Are you usually a cold person @bunnyhop, wondering how many layers my wife is going to want next week as the temperatures seem to be fairly consistent and low at the moment. We'll be in Tignes next week, I have no time for work this week, I just want to get to the weekend!
Off to geneva tomorrow to stay with a mate until sat then up to PDS with family ski for the week. Can't wait.
are you staying in Ardent then cobrakai?
Have a good trip and report back on conditions as Im back out there in a couple of weeks.
Where's scaredypants? Is he back yet, got ski report for us?
In Les gets this week, on piste is good, follow the sun and it's lovely. Everything between the pistes is tracked out. Couple of icy patches here and there but easily avoidable.
Would be nice to have some fresh to play in tomorrow though.
Nice one Bunnyhop! 😎
Yes in Ardent. Came out with them last year and the child care was superb, Our daughter loved it so it was a no brainer to come again.
I'm happy piste bashing this year but looks like a rise in temp and snow for next week. Fingers crossed.
theyre a great outfit. The only problem with Ardent is the remoteness, but since they now run the bar (that isnt Happy Hours) there are beer options later in the evening! And of course with a little one, you're not really hitting the town. Have a great trip. It will be nice once the temp rises as the forecast for this week looks bloody chilly.
My place out there is in the village below Ardent. Weirdly, the couple who own family ski live in a village a few miles from me in England.
We don't do apres any more so the remoteness doesn't phase us too much, but the quick access up top compared to the slog up from morzine is awesome. The home run at the end of the day can be a sight to behold though....
My cousin has worked out in the alps for 25 years and his company have based him in morzine this season so get a catch up with him too.
Where’s scaredypants? Is he back yet, got ski report for us?
Sorry, been busy
Back nearly a week, so I can't say what's going on now. The (30-45cm??) fall over the weekend (13th) just before we arrived was apparently very much needed as there'd been nothing for several weeks. It was really nice snow, especially the upper half of the mountain(s) - little bit damp/heavy lower down.
We had at least one day after the snowfall when temps were up close or at zero even at the tops so I don't know how good the less accessible off-piste will be.
It did snow fairly heavily last Thursday (my last day) and what fell was really nice up top again. Very misty so I stayed low with my daughter until dinnertime and then only skied down below a couple of higher lifts after that but it was skiing nicely.
In short: Was fantastic for 2 days and then I don't really know what happened
Been snowing in Les gets this pm, it needed to. Hope it continues all night
