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I'm super pumped for Les Arcs, already eyeing up slack country routes on fatmap. The 20yr old me would have hated the idea of staying Club Med. The 39 year old me is looking forward to it. I did it a few years ago in L2A and that was probably my best week on snow ever. This one is in Arc 2000 so the snow should be decent, hopefully the queues will be small, and the sun will be bluebird!
The big question now is do I want a new pair of skis?...
Heavy snow in Livigno yesterday, folks!
😁
No riding for me last year with a new tiny man. someone even tinier arriving in Feb, so looking dry for this season too. Unless I try and nick off on my own for a few days in Jan. Didn't go end well last time I did that with No.1 on the way, so we'll see!
Woohoo!
Massive congratulations!
Ta! I'll be back on asking for family ski tips before long! We were given a sledge last week by a friend having a clear out. Way too long to wait for snow, so I just pulled him round the grass on it. He flippin' loved it!
Started snowing at Nakiska today.
And sweamrs picked up a set of proper racer skis for this coming season as she's decided to train with the Alberta Masters team.... It would be fair to say the edges are crazy sharp currently...
I’m super pumped for Les Arcs, already eyeing up slack country routes on fatmap. The 20yr old me would have hated the idea of staying Club Med. The 39 year old me is looking forward to it. I did it a few years ago in L2A and that was probably my best week on snow ever. This one is in Arc 2000 so the snow should be decent, hopefully the queues will be small, and the sun will be bluebird!
The big question now is do I want a new pair of skis?…
Same age as you and did my first club med last season. bloody loved it. we were in La Plagne, the the weather and the snow conditions were absolutely perfect all week and i have never done more mileage in a single week before! i was dubious about going in ski school, especially as i ended up in a group without any others from our party, but it was great, basically like having a private guide all day everyday and we hardly set foot on piste all week! only 5 of us, all about the same standard, so it was flat out every day and never waiting around.
the hotel was alright, cannot fault the location for door step skiing but it was a little bit removed form civilization. the restaurant/food/bar/kids clubs/ski lockers etc were all spot on, just the rooms let it down a bit. We have stayed in some pretty salubrious chalets in the past so a very dated box room about the size of my downstairs bog on a noisy corridor was disappointing - it didnt really bother me tbh, im not that fussy (plus i was super knackered every night!!) but gave the women something to complain about.
Definitely gonna use them again this winter tho, weve even sold it to a few others too so just need to find one that ticks all the boxes...
I've skied those Dobermanns before. Scary fast!
Just got approval for a second April visit with just Miss OTS, who is now a better skier than me. Time to get some fitness training in to make sure I can keep up with her. Just need to decide on the resort.
New board arrived today. A Yes Optimistic 154.
My mate has one and I rode it for a couple of days in Cervinia this year. A ridiculous board. Rocket ship fast and mega stable through the rough churn. Will take it to the snowdome for a wee shake down this week but absolutely choking for winter now.
Just booking our 3rd visit to family ski in Ardent. Good ski area, close to Geneva and the little one absolutely loves the skiing/child care.
Had a blast with ESF on an off piste guided day last year so prob do that again.
Will also get an off piste Tellie lesson subject conditions. Happily drop the knee on any piste but just can't seem to get weight distribution right in powder.
No new kit this year. Finally got a set up I love!
Anyone been to Madesimo or Livigno? I know they are different beasts, but looking at alternatives from Malpensa.
Livigno, about 40 years ago, I was only little and it has probably changed a little.. I had a fab time though and have scars to prove it.
Anyone pre-booked with Crystal (parent company TUI on verge of bankruptcy)? Hopefully not, just surprised this thread hasn't bumped back up with the news.
Burton Step On bindings early release
Limited styles & colors of Step On are available for a 7-day early drop – get them here or at your local shop. Full lineup: 11/4.
https://www.burton.com/gb/en/c/step-on
Not my thing, but might be useful to some of the boarders.
Just bought the Step-ons from Absolute-snow, nicely coincided with the last day of my birthday 10% off voucher.
Wins all round 🙂
Be back out to Big White (BC) as usual this season. I'm looking forward to it after completely missing the last season for the first time I can remember. Hoping the snow gods perform their magic too!
45cm of snow local to Calgary due to an early season upslope storm. Over 60cm further south near the USA border. It'll probably all melt of course but still sweajnr was excited to get his new skis for the season on Wednesday.
Sweamrs has less luck finding an appropriate ski jacket. So ideas please for a warm, technical ski jacket. Her previous spyder has lasted 12 years with ~30+ days of skiing per year so if we can make the next one last as long then we're happy to spend a decent amount.
One option is the spyder blaze but the sizing seems to have changed in 12 years so she seems to be between sizes... Other ideas appreciated as traipsing around the local stores has revealed lots of fashion choices but a disappointingly limited selection of more technical options.
nice vid here
Anyone pre-booked with Crystal (parent company TUI on verge of bankruptcy)?
Source for this? I know TUI have issued some profit warnings recently especially since many people are apparantly delaying booking holidays until the Brexit situation becomes 'clearer' and the issues with Boeing’s 737 Max ... but I wasn't aware that TUI were on the verge of bankrupty!
A quick google doesn't show up anything apart from the recent profit warning ... TUI share value seems ok, in fact it seems to have benefited from Thomas Cooks demise ...
Hopefully Crystal are doing ok (they do seem to be pushing North America/Canada winter holidays at the moment - if my inbox is anything to go by)
Booked for Verbier in Feb, Big family group in a nice looking chalet, driving down (Some of us anyway) can't wait..
Sorry, sweams, can't help on the jackets as tech requirements in alps are much lower than for you guys, but just wanted to post I love seeing your posts and how you and the family are getting stuck in. Bon hiver! Best to you all!
Sauze D'oulx booked for mid Feb.
Thinking of Obergurgl for early Jan. Anyone been? What's it like? Good on a board or better on skis?
Any suggestions for good (and reliable) tree skiing in Europe, preferably not in France.
So ideas please for a warm, technical ski jacket.
If you can bring yourself to wear a snowboard brand Burton's LZ Down is great when it's really cold. Used mine in -10 to -20°C and it was excellent. The Helitack is essentially a synthetic down version. Neither are cheap though.
Always enjoy these
Can't wait - got the snow forecast sites added as bookmarks on my work PC again and flights and accommodation is booked for a week in the Aosta Valley exploring various resorts. Planning on spending a fair share of the time in Monte Rosa/Cervinia/Courmayeur (staying equidistant from them all) but will explore the other main resorts if possible! I know this commits us to driving every day but neither of us have skied this area at all so we're going with the attitude of this being an exploratory trip - plus the accommodation was £230 for the week!
Finding a hire car that guarantees snow tired is turning out to be a touch tricky - we think we've found somewhere but then read online that they can't guarantee it'll be snow tyres - you my get a suitable alternative (chains!) We'd really rather avoid chains if possible as will be doing ~50km a day minimum which will get very old very quickly if there's lots of snow and we're stuck on chains!
Any tips from Milan MXP airport? We're hiring at the ultra budget end of the spectrum but don't mind paying an extra ~£30-50 for 100% comfort we'll actually get snow tyres!
Just booked boys trip to Morzine for end of Jan. Replaced QST92s that I skied flat last 3 years, I do like them - Glisshop game up trumps ! Also going to Tahoe for ‘work’ 😂
Sauze D’oulx booked for mid Feb.
Pizza at Orso Bianco for lunch, steak at The Village for dinner. Happy days!
Mostly likely UK based for me Glencoe, Yad Moss and Weardale passes (as usual) - year 11 of not going abroad and still clocked up somewhere over 250+ days. Admittedly 30% are probably best described days for the devoted. Hopefully a bit more backcountry this year.
Thinking of Obergurgl for early Jan. Anyone been? What’s it like? Good on a board or better on skis?
Any suggestions for good (and reliable) tree skiing in Europe, preferably not in France.
Only done one day at gurgl, but pretty sure that tree skiing is something that it utterly lacks. Proper high resort.
I can't recall if we skied or boarded, and to be honest deciding based on the resort alone would be barmy. Are you going for a week or less?
Unless it's biblical powder then I'd be tempted to ski the first day and then scope out the best lines that don't involve flats....
Sorry, I'm waffling.
Pleasingly booked a trip for this year after a couple of winters off. Can’t wait!
Looking for ideas for the week before Christmas, it’ll be early of course so high is a good bet. VT? Where else please?
It’ll be me and Mrsbits, plus micro and nano bits. Youngest is 6 and now a pretty good skier, happy on reds and lift / tree runs (not fresh powder). However, he’s little and his energy falls off a cliff so need to be able to get back to base sharpish if needed. Have taken him to Sainte Foy a number of times and he loves it but it’s not exactly snow sure early season....
Ps - new atomic Vantage 90’s for me and K2 tough loves for Mrs. Never had my own skis before - I’m super excited!
Well badly broken ankle has thrown everything up in the air for me, so I have done the only sensible thing a brought a full new splitboard set up as an incentive to get better!
I hope everyone has a great winter and will be following this thread with much jealousy.
Are you going for a week or less?
The plan is to go for a week. We didn't expect any trees there, we're hoping as it's high (for Austria) there will be snow. The tree question was more general. We normally get some time in Whistler so get our fix there, but we're not going this season.
Well badly broken ankle has thrown everything up in the air for me, so I have done the only sensible thing a brought a full new splitboard set up as an incentive to get better!
I feel your pain. I spent a month in a cabin watching everybody go out riding everyday while I sat there nursing an atrophied shoulder following a break. And the ******s went split boarding for the first time too! What split did you go for?
What split did you go for?
Salomon Sickstick Split, I had the original sickstick and loved it, it comes with skins so actually not too bad price wise (relatively).
Just bought season pass for Cairngorm
*don’t all laugh at once*
Just bought season pass for Cairngorm
*don’t all laugh at once*
😳🤷♂️🤪
booked for a week in the Aosta Valley exploring various resorts.
Nice plan. I had a blast doing that a few years ago. Where are you staying out of interest?
Sorry Digby, I linked Thomson and tui before I dug into it more and realised there wasn't a connection. My mistake!
Sorry Digby, I linked Thomson and tui before I dug into it more and realised there wasn’t a connection. My mistake!
Thomson are now Tui. Thomas Cook had nothing to do with Tui.
After some help or suggestions as I know a few of you have apartments that you rent out etc. I've posted something on CHalets Direct solutions room but thought it worth a post on here too.
Looking for somewhere for 5 mates for a long weekend from 9 to 13 Jan (we can check out early on 13th but would need somewhere to leave bags as we'll ski all day and have a late flight). Flying into Geneva so within easy reach of there and we're 5 mates not couples so would need 5 beds (and would prefer proper beds / bedrooms than pull out sofa beds in the living area).
All married, will look after where we stay and are going for the skiing / boarding not the boozing!
Booked a week in aosta valley with the family. Looking forward to a bit of pila, Cervinia, Courmayeur and Champoluc. Woo hoo.
EXCITED
Booked a week in Ste Foy. Nice place for us gorwn-ups with no kids. Friends with kids in an apartment. There wil be snow, skiing and maybe some convivial beverages. What's not to like?
Salomon Sickstick Split
That's a good looking deck. I'd love a new split, ours must be 7 seasons old now. Sadly new boots are a more urgent requirement this season.
My local mountain is fillling up! Currently -10c and megasnow forecast for the weekend. was quite depressed about the end of riding season but this is getting me excited
That picture of Are is awesome. French Alps are also looking good - cold temps and more snow forecast for the next couple of days. Should start to build a nice base for the high up resorts.
107 days till I hit Les Arcs and I'm on webcam watch already.
50 cm of snow at Nakiska near Calgary as well so we're planning a few early morning runs on Saturday. See how much sweajnr has remembered from last year. Sweamrs also super keen to try out her new GS skis but I'm thinking that'll be like driving a Ferrari at rush hour if she's also going at 5 year old speed.
French Alps are also looking good – cold temps and more snow forecast for the next couple of days. Should start to build a nice base for the high up resorts.
107 days till I hit Les Arcs and I’m on webcam watch already.
Some promising pics on the Les Arc twitter feed yesterday. Only 45 days until we hit the slopes.
Nice plan. I had a blast doing that a few years ago. Where are you staying out of interest?
Saint-Vincent - seems to have a decent amount of bars/shops but no direct skiing so was pretty cheap accommodation. Seems about 35-60 mins on google maps from everywhere in the valley so reasonable central. Did look at staying in a resort but that added £200 minimum or Aosta (for crap weather access to Pila) but that added £100. Our hope is that the main valley roads stay clear plus both of us have done winter seasons so happy with driving crap vehicles in the snow...
Which reminds me we need to find a hire car, still no luck on guaranteed snow tyres, any pointers?!
EXCITED
Booked a week in Ste Foy. Nice place for us gorwn-ups with no kids. Friends with kids in an apartment. There wil be snow, skiing and maybe some convivial beverages. What’s not to like?
Not surprised - loved skiing there, especially the through the trees down the side of the Marquise chair and right down to Ste Foy proper in good snow! Also if you're after a good meal out, I know it's not actually in the resort, but where all staff would head when their family's came to visit on their night off was "Restaurant La Ferme" in Villaroger, best Raclette I've ever had an I'm 1/4 Swiss...
@sweaman i saw that it is record early opening for the big 3 huh? I was there in feb 2011 (i think) and we got 10cm snow in 6 weeks!
“Restaurant La Ferme” in Villaroger,
Ate lunch there when we skiied Les Arcs a few years ago. Was nice.
I did see a car hire place that offer a winter tyres option recently cost a fair whack extra though
Ah yes it was Sixt, from Greonble airport - "winter tyre option bookable", and extra 14 eur per day. might not be available from all locations
I did see a car hire place that offer a winter tyres option recently cost a fair whack extra though
Ah yes it was Sixt, from Greonble airport – “winter tyre option bookable”, and extra 14 eur per day. might not be available from all locations
Yeah France and Switzerland are easy as the winter tyre laws are widespread and enforced - far less so it appears in Italy. My brother worked there for a few years and said people just relied on chains where he was rather than winter tyres as they'd had 3 crap winters in a row.
Saint-Vincent – seems to have a decent amount of bars/shops but no direct skiing so was pretty cheap accommodation.
I spent some time looking at accommodation all along the valley from there back up towards courmayeur with key things being parking, a decent kitchen and the right number of rooms and space for teenage boys. As a bonus we're just 10 min drive from the Aosta gondola and so will do that for some of the days then play the rest by ear/conditions.
Lots of snow in the Pyrenees. Hoping they'll be enough to hold out for the Christmas holidays, December being generally dry.
Went to the pro show in Tarbes today. Nothing radically new but I've never seen as much touring kit on the stands, especially bindings. It seems the pros think more of you will be using touring boots and bindings this season.
Madame equipped junior who's in Berlin and couldn't get there himself, I bought a roll of sticky tape for my X-C waxing skis from the Worden stand because I've got too lazy too faff with klister and poussette.
main valley roads around aosta have been good IME, it's the main motorway from turin through the mont blanc tunnel so the roads have always been clear when I've been
Anyone know a good source for secondhand splitboards?
I spent some time looking at accommodation all along the valley from there back up towards courmayeur with key things being parking, a decent kitchen and the right number of rooms and space for teenage boys. As a bonus we’re just 10 min drive from the Aosta gondola and so will do that for some of the days then play the rest by ear/conditions.
Yeah - we're an unfussy pair (brothers) who really just wanted somewhere to crash and spread the maps out in the evening! We've got parking and kitchen and the rather interesting bunker style layout!
It seems the pros think more of you will be using touring boots and bindings this season.
I'm definitely taking my touring boots - just can't decide if the alpine boots come too, will weigh my kit over Christmas as an extra pair of boots my need more luggage allowance! I am also definitely taking the 100mm NRGYs but may also take the Head Magnums if the snow is looking crap.
Which reminds me - I need to (thoroughly) clean and reglue my skins after a rather muddy tour last season!
main valley roads around aosta have been good IME, it’s the main motorway from turin through the mont blanc tunnel so the roads have always been clear when I’ve been
Awesome - I guess we'll go for the cheapest hire car and worse case if there's too much snow we can always tour from where we're staying or use the motorway to Aosta/Pila!
Has anyone been on any of the UCPA/Action Outdoors offpiste/touring courses. Being a skinflint nae mates, I'm thinking of booking onto one of these in Jan. Probably looking at Chamonix valley based, but not sure (trekking around the valley there early season to get to the best areas can be a bit of a PITA). Any feedback appreciated!
Yep, did a week in flaine a few years ago, great experience. Worth checking on snowheads, plenty of good feedback on there - search for me and I've posted in a few threads about UCPA feedback
My mate and I have booked an apartment in Plange 1800 for the week starting 1st Feb. Really excited! I'm a very nervous skier, I took a bad tumble a few years ago on a snowboard and haven't really managed to regain my confidence. I can ski most blue runs and some easy reds. My plan is to take lessons in the mornings while my mate, a very accomplished skier, wears himself out doing crazy stuff, then we can head out together in the afternoons for a few gentle runs and a couple of beers.
Any hints tips and suggestions for the area (it's new to both of us), would be greatly appreciated!
Stayed in Belle Plagne a few years ago. Nice and high so it's snowsure. The easier runs struggled in the afternoon with some big moguls on the steeper parts where less experienced folk snowploughed them to death. Apart from that it was great. I was there over New Year and it wasn't too busy. Easy to get over to Les Arcs too which has loads of variety. Not sure what 1800 itself was like but Belle Plagne was a very ugly purpose built resort. Wasn't the nicest place for apres but our chalet was lovely so we spent most of the time there. I would definitely go back for the quality of riding available.
Anyone know a good source for secondhand splitboards?
Not used, but Sick and Wrong in Keswick have some splits on sale. Good shop, helpful people.
cheers, will take a look
+1 for Sick and Wrong in Keswick
Really helpful and a pleasure to deal with. They do rent out splitboards so may well have some ex-rentals to sell!
splitboards?
I have a hatred of them even though I've never actually used them (I only ski). I was handed one (or a pair?) to wax and edge as a ski tech and was happily waxing away and heard a cracking/splitting sound when scraping. This was a lovely silly light carbon setup, and one of the boards had a proper crack right across the width. I'd checked for damage upon receiving them but hadn't spotted this due to the bad lighting - so assumed I'd somehow done this. Me having a heart attack thinking I was about to get the blame for this and thinking how I could potentially have done this goes to locate the customer - he knew about the damage but wanted to try them out anyway (they bent really easily in your hand so no chance in my opinion) the next day, as had broken them on the first run from new and injured himself so had 2 years off since.
From then on I ALWAYS asked if there was any damage or issues - not just reading the "Any other info, special requests or existing damage" part of the form. (which he'd filled out as N/A)
Beagle, the restaurant at the base of the luge/bob run is very nice.
^^^ thanks nbt, will check out snowheads for UCPA reports (might need a login to make sense of it by the look of things).
244cm due at Hintertux this week and sunny on Sunday. And I've a knee operation on Friday 🙁
At least I'm only off my leg for 2 weeks and the season is already looking good....
2.4m? That’s lots of snow!
I don't NEED a new jacket, but this is lovely!
Kind of on topic.
Looking for some rucksack recommendations.
It’s actually to be used as a winter hill running back, but I want the ability to carry snowshoes as well so I was thinking of a well fitted ski touring pack. Something around the 30-35l mark.
Any suggestions?
Excelllent first shred of the season with my boy here in Åre . Also got to test drive a 4x4
My calf muscles are singing today!
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ok second hand splitboard purchased. Can anyone recommend some folding ski/ snowboard poles? Light please!
recommend some folding ski/ snowboard poles
Black Diamond Expedition 3 fold up small (which is important for snowboarding as you have them on your pack when you're riding). They're not ultra light, but they last. I have the old version and they must be 7 or 8 seasons old now.
Their compactor poles are also worth a look. They're quicker when transitioning.
The super light carbon poles I've seen are expensive and only two pieces, so are longer when packed away.
Edit - what board did you get?
Got myself a Jones Solution 2014 163w. It's rad!
Cheers for the suggestions. the Black Diamonds fold up to 60cm apparently, which i think is quite big? I'm sure some i have borrowed were under 50cm...?
Sad news in the world of snowboarding, Jake Burton Carpenter the founder of Burton Snowboards and arguably snowboarding itself, has died of testicular cancer.
I think I'll dig my custom out for one last ride this christmas!
RIP Jake.