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Just back from Sauze D'Oulx. I remain convinced the place would be amazing if you had the right conditions. This was our third visit and conditions were poor, again. Two trips this season - different locations, one in Jan, the second just now – both pretty ropey. Sadly, I don't think there's time or money to chance a third week in the hope for better snow. Roll on 2021.
in market for new jacket... seem to a be few new brands knocking about; Montec, Planks, Dope, Wearcolour... (as sported by Ed on skisunday) seem pretty stylish and decent prices.
anyone partaken?
Wearcolour… (as sported by Ed on skisunday)
Probably be some cheap stock around soon... https://wearcolour.com/
WearColour Sweden AB, reg.no 556804-0397, was declared in bankruptcy on February 11 2020. No orders can be placed or processed at this moment. The bankruptcy estate is currently seeking a solution to recommence the e-commerce.
i have a couple of wearecolour fleece jackets. nice stuff. shame its gone t*ts up.
Montec, Planks, Dope
Planks have been around for a while and kist seems pretty decent if a little dull (design-wise) at times.
Montec looked good on people wearing it around Meribel last month, no idea on actual quality but looked nice.
Dope saw a few people fully kited out in it in Meribel too, noticeably they were always in a bar and always snowboarders, didn't actually see any obviously in the piste, but perhaps they were all off piste, or going too fast for me to see it 🙂 Looks good enough if you like the styling.
yeah the Montec stuff is my favourite out of those mentioned, but im put off them and Dope by their overindulgent Instagram pages. and Dope because its called Dope. and im a 40 year bloke from the north who cant even bring myself to 'throw the horns' and cringe every time i hear the word 'stoked'
i ordered a Burton one from S&R last night, seems a little too bargaintastic to be true so will see, may still have another look at a Montec one...
There is snow in Andorra but with the lovely and warm weather not sure for how long.
Perfect for 3 days but not sure I would stay here a whole week.
40 year bloke
&
?
😉
ha. yeah, killin' it for the gram!!
tbh i had instagram when it was just an app for making nice pictures!
Been considering a cheeky second week sometmie in mid march but goodness me conditions don't look great. Saw a pic from the Grand Massif over on snowhead and Vercland is GREEN. Snow in Tignes today apparently so that might be an option, anyone out at the moment who can give us on-the-snow reports from anywhere reasonably high / well-covered?
Forgot to relay the experience we had over in Morgins
4 of us snowboarding, 3 guys and a girl.
The girl was riding down and began to catch up with a beginner on a 1-2-1 ski lesson. She slows up to pass her and she's side slipping down waiting for an opportunity to pass. She goes for the pass at a slow pace but the beginner makes an unexpected turn and they have a coming together at less than walking pace. They both fall but there's no speed involved, no one is injured, both girls laugh it off, apologise to each other and my friend rides away.
Unbeknown to her, the skier girl's boyfriend was skiing behind and has taken offence at what's just happened. He chases after my friend at speed, deliberately barges into her and uses his ski poles to knock her down. She's lying in a heap and he starts screaming and shouting at her.
I'm slightly further down the hill at this point. I'd seen the initial coming together and it was nothing so I'd ridden on but I hear the commotion and stop and look back up.
My other 2 mates are behind and they catch up to the incident. Mr Angry Swiss Ski Bully did not anticipate that my friend would be riding with a 6'5 260lbs former Royal Marine.
His demeanour rapidly changed when my big mate appeared and calmly told him if he didn't **** off immediately, he'd be getting smashed to a pulp. I reckon the guy set a new speed record trying to get away as quickly as possible!
typical skier
typical skier
I must therefore be an a-typical skier, as it doesn't sound reasonable to me.
Aye, it's just typical douche bag behaviour, not skier specific
hook, line and sinker 🙂
Watching the Zermatt/Cervinia webcams and snow forecast with interest. Out for a second week @ Easter. Would like a couple of decent storms between now and then 🤞
hook, line and sinker 🙂
Lol 😂
Tough skiing at Courmayeur yesterday with snow high winds and lots of scoured ice. Was a bit a shock after hero conditions (piste ) at cervinia the day before.
Back to blue skies today and tempted by Monterosa I’d anyone can advise on conditions there.
If anyone follows jerryoftheday on Instagram my lad just made their story thingy trying to ollie over 2 little trees.
https://www.instagram.com/jerryoftheday/?hl=en
You have to click the blue thing, top left corner
Not sure how to link instagram video direct, but surprised @howsyourdad1 wasn't all over this local action... Usually I would set aside pedantry to avid spoilers, but as it seems that ship has sailed an Älg is not a moose, it's an Elk (unless you're over the pond whereupon all bets are off).
Älg is Swedish for Elk, and the same animal (Alces alces) is called moose in N America. An Älg is a moose, and a moose is an Älg. That's straightforward. The confusion only arises if you bring Elk into it, because an Elk in N America is a different animal (possibly one of several different animals).
Been considering a cheeky second week sometmie in mid march but goodness me conditions don’t look great. ... give us on-the-snow reports from anywhere reasonably high / well-covered?
Well this, and my other photos above, was just 8 days ago. Looks good to me....
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Going to book a long weekend at end of March. If the weather gods could see fit to dump half a metre on Les 2 Alps between now and when we go that would be lovely.
nice to see Åre making the big time for it's älg. Poor thing!
Couldn't see your lad on jerry of the day @colp , if you open the instagram post in question and paste it here it will come up as a direct post
hook, line and sinker 🙂
Typical skier 😉
4 weeks till Grand Massif trip for me, feels like too long!
thread buried (under all the fresh snow) on page 4
how were your half term weeks? not great according to a couple of different friends who returned at the weekend, apart from the bluebird skies!
this time next week will be day 1 in AdH for us. looks like some fresh snow is due this week. hopefully temperatures stay low enough to sustain it...
Stoner Jr back from a school trip week in Sestriere. Looked like blue skies all week, hardpack and no freshies and quite cold on a few of the days. He enjoyed it a lot though. I gather it's quite warm in the PDS right now but forecast is for a massive dump of snow this midweek with colder temperatures afterwards. Im not back out for another fortnight yet so fingers crossed the conditions continue to improve.
Was a bit a shock after hero conditions (piste ) at cervinia the day before.
Can you get hero conditions on piste? I thought that by definition hero snow was off piste. Nobody looks like a hero skiing on piste, surely......
No?
Spent the day at Sierra Nevada yesterday, was ok for the day but wouldn't hurry to travel there for a week. Very little snow and really icy in the morning
Only cost me 20 euros for the board & boots for the day though which was ok
I on the other hand thought that on piste was the very definition of hero snow - a few inches of fresh on top os a perfectly groomed corduro piste can make anyone look halfway decent, and it feeld brilliant (though not a good as deep deep powder)
Rather than an piste/off-piste debate, the use of the word "hero" v definitely applies to my thoughts about myself in htose conditions and what limited skiing talent I think I have ;->
just makes me happy... LOL
Great skiing from Super Hansi!
We had a good split yesterday. I have been utterly cream crackered all day.
Advice wanted...
Think the time has come to invest in some ski boots. Trouble is I live in N.Lincs and not really near many shops that do fitting. Closest seems to be Ellis Brigham at Xscape, anyone had any experience of them?
This weekend I'm up in Glasgow, so thought about having a look in Nevissport. How do they stack up? Would they be preferable to EB?
Any other midlandsy/S.Yorks recommendations?
Avoid Ellis Brigham - buying boots from them is like buying a bike from Halfords. you might be lucky and find someone who know what they're talking about, but you might get served by the saturday boy who know what shelves the boots are on...
Two places in the midlands, but my geography is hazy so may not be close to you
Solutions 4 Feet in Bicester
https://www.solutions4feet.com/about-us
Lockwoods in Leamington Spa
https://lockwoods.com/
There's Rivington Alpine in Rivington, north of manchester.
Might be worth checking recommendations over on Snowheads
Nevissport in Glasgow is OK. The shop is at the wrong end of Sauchiehall St and is a bit run down, but the staff seem to know what they are doing. If they have stock is another question.
Ellis Brigham at Snow Factor at Braehead (near Glasgow) are pretty good.
https://www.ellis-brigham.com/shops/braehead
You could also try the Decathlon across the road.
*I think* that Alain Baxter's place at Stirling is no more, otherwise that would be the default choice.
In Glasgow you've also got Tiso https://www.tiso.com/shops/glasgow-outdoor-experience
The challenge you're going to have though is having somewhere with enough stock of different sizes and styles to try. That's why decathlon is a reasonable choice.
@andeh - If you are happy with a bit of a road trip, then Ski Exchange would be worth a trip. Top people and very popular fitters too.
I also stand by getting you own boots, worth every penny!
Cheers guys.
I was skeptical of EB, having heard various tales of all kinds, but it seems the biggest problem was consistency. I do like the option of popping back in to get them sorted if I have any trouble though. Plus, the one at Castleford does seem to have a very large range.
Again, I've heard mixed reviews of Nevissport, some saying the staff are a bit unhelpful. Stock could be a problem
Both Bicester and Leamington Spa are a bit too far for me, sadly. I think Cambridge might be also pushing it (though I think Mrs Andeh may be having to head down that way on a course in a couple of weeks, which could work out).
Leeds isn't too far from me, so Snow and Rock?
I'd count S&R as being equivalent to EB - you may strike lucky, but not necessarily
I have no knowledge of these places personally but you could check out:
Glide 'n' Slide in Otley - https://www.glideslide.co.uk/
Backcountry UK, also in Otley - https://www.backcountryuk.com/
Ski Racing, in Sheffield - https://skiracing.co.uk/
would advise doing some internet research to see if you can find feedback on the above
^ Ask on snowheads. YOu'll get same advice on SfF in Bicester, Profeet in that London etc but you may get more. Avoid Decathlon, S&R etc. Blues Edinburgh good though, dunno about Gla though.
EB at Castleford do seem to have some folk who know how to do ski boots.
They did my wife’s and took a couple of hours plus. More interested in finding a shell that fitted out of the box than modifying the first one she tried (which I think is the right approach). Must have tried two or three to get an approximate shape then a fair few more to get the fit.
Then came the fitting of the liner.
A few weeks of riding in she’s very happy with them.
What's the view on buying in resort? I'm off to Saalbach tomorrow and wondered whether expertise outweighs ability to alter locally?
@cb - I suspect it's a similar situation, depends totally on the fitter you get at the time and it's not like the Euro rate makes it more attractive as an option right now. Again, snowheads forum will tell you if there is a preferred boot fitter in resort to aim for.
Anything Technical in Kendal - they did a shell mould, inners and a custom footbed for me. Definitely the best fitting boots I've had.
I've just watched footage of 11 year Fox Campbell skiing off piste (inbetween 2 pistes) and getting buried in a mini avalanche.
He was buried for 29 minutes. Luckily his father Gillon Campbell realised he was missing and went back asap to find him. Amazingly he found his son, using his transceiver.
Sobering stuff.
Hadn't realised it hadn't been posted here.
Discussion on snowheads: https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=151904&highlight=
Direct link to the FB story :
Scary stuff that video. Poor lad.
My son and I are both sick, sat on the sofa and planning the weekends shredding. That video ‘makes you think’ , as it were.
view from my lounge window
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It's an interesting video but as per my comments on SH, education is everything if you venture at all off piste. That is a classic terrain trap that while Fox may be a rad young dude with a bleep on should not have been led into there or indeed been anywhere near a stream bed no matter how much snow. And you don't have to be einstein to see its a stream. Anyhoo, he was lucky and perhaps these young riders type groups will teach better skills rather than give them a false sense of safety with technology. Albeit in this case it saved his life. As for his skiing, well, he needs some tuition as well.
Yours a grumpy ex patroller and instructor !
It wasn't an avalanche was it? Seems like he just dropped into an empty space and the snow fell on top of him. Obviously scary, but imagine he would have been able to breathe...unlike when tons of snow if rolling on top of you and compressing.
Anyway, glad it all ended well and hopefully will show a lot of people to be careful out there!
....anyway, off to Saalbach Hinterglemm on Wednesday for a five day Lads trip. How's it looking CB?
Most of Northern Italy closed.
France maybe about to follow suit.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the whole of The Alps closed by the end of the week.
Must be terrible for the businesses that rely on the snow season ☹️
Most of Northern Italy closed.
France maybe about to follow suit.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the whole of The Alps closed by the end of the week.
Must be terrible for the businesses that rely on the snow season ☹️
I hope you’re very wrong. Granted Aosta valley resorts look to be closed but aside from the connection at La Thuile Rosière they might as well be miles apart. More risk from the Mont Blanc tunnel.
Anyway I’m flying to Geneva on Saturday come what may for a week in La Plagne so **** this panicking.
Anyway I’m flying to Geneva on Saturday come what may for a week in La Plagne
Fingers crossed for you, but I'd be looking carefully at insurance and cancellation options.
I know someone, not a friend but friend of a friend who is intensely annoying and lords it up about having no kids and being able to ski whenever they want. Flew to Cervinia yesterday for a month, ahahahahaha, bugger.
Members of our ski club flew out yesterday to La Thuile and it looks like bugger all is happening lifts wise on the webcams.
I'll message somebody later to see what's happening.
A few people had cancelled before they went as employers were telling them they would have to self isolate (with no pay) when they returned!
La thuile is in the aosta valley - all lifts closed in the aosta valley as of today, including the monterosa, and I had jheard that La Rosiere which links La Thuile into the Tarentaise valley in France will also close - but it does seem to be open
https://www.lathuile.it/en/index.html
https://www.larosiere.net/en/ski-runs-opening/
Plan to be in Courchevel Fri > Mon via Geneva airport. Keeping a close eye on things!
Snow looks very good so will be hacked right off if it gets closed down!
Dolomites all closed now as well. Expectation of France doing the same!
Ski club being repatriated this evening, not sure if they'll need to self isolate upon return yet!
not sure if they’ll need to self isolate upon return yet!
If it's from north italy, then yes
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public#returning-travellers
Mrs Dubs cousin's lad is coming home early from his season in Austria.
We've cancelled plans to head out to Morzine in a couple of weekends time - one of our party is already forced to self-isolate on return by his work so it's too much of a ballache for a weekend away. Glad we decided to (not) book last minute.
I'm going bikepacking somewhere in the UK instead, unless there's still snow in Scotland?!?
According to Government advice Bob they should be okay as they are in the Category 2 zone.
Snowing at both Nevis & Glencoe yet again this morning; epic conditions in the back bowls at Nevis last week with miles of untracked freshies available for only the price of a small cornice drop to get in. Coe has the best cover they've had for some years and with spring just around the corner, conditions well into May should be excellent up there. Touring in the Cairngorms is excellent again; the 4x4000 route was skied last week with good snow the whole way around.
Both Glenshee & Lecht are open; Shee having the better conditions and a lot more terrain open. Looks a bit sad on the webcams down near the road, with heather showing between the pistes but higher up in Coire Fionn and up on Glas Maol, it's great snow. Backcountry touring is good, with lots of steep options available. The Lecht is still open but is beginning to look a bit sad.
Now that our own 21st March Monte Rosa trip has been cancelled by Inghams, we will have to give them the opportunity to offer a re-book or refund.
Plan B is therefore several days in Scotland mixing between skis and bikes. That's not the end of the world... We get the two extra days that would have been wasted travelling.
Just seen some Brit Skiers hospitalized in Saalbach....where we are heading to on Weds. 😬
Rockape - it was my first trip to Saalbach so can't compare year on year etc.
Ski hire is bloody expensive IMO so worth looking around b4 you go. There are sales in the big shops though but I only noticed that at the end of the stay! Might have been tempted to buy boots at those prices.
They are struggling lower down, its like a giant slush puppie but also some great snow a bit higher up. We didn't get to Zell am See but really liked Leogang area and parts of Fieberbrunn.
The black down into Saalbach was by far the best run of the lot. Enjoy!
EDIT crossed with your follow up - hope the Brits are OK
Fingers crossed for you, but I’d be looking carefully at insurance and cancellation options.
Thanks @oldtennisshoes, insurance is very comprehensive but likely only able to claim if travel advice for France changes. I’ll be really hacked off if it does though as I look forward to my winter holidays more than any other and have had this booked for 10 months.
Thanks CB, it’s funny old weather at the moment, getting warmer but also brighter, so will be mixed. Obviously now got other issues to consider than just the weather!
We did look at Italy when we booked this Hinterglemm trip, so at least dodged that bullet. I think we’ll try and avoid visiting every bar and restaurant and stick with the hotel area only.
Off to Kaprun on Saturday, first boarding trip for about 8 years! Unfortunately the neck injury I sustained about 15 years ago (desiccating 2 discs and causing impingement onto the spinal cord) has just flared up as it does every year or so. However, instead of just giving me a bit of a sore neck for a day, it's got progressively worse over the course of the past several. Not ideal 🙁
Eek. Be careful not to catch a heel edge. That could be very bad....
Just got repatriated by Crystal yesterday - very quick turnaround.
We'd been in Aosta Valley for a week already, but folk arrived on Sunday midday, the announcement was made about the whole valley's resorts closing was made Sunday afternoon and by Monday evening everyone was flown back out of Turin on 'special flights' late at night just before the entire country was locked down.
Top marks to Crystal and their staff. Real shame for all the hotels, bars and restaurants etc ... not a good prospect as the season had been pretty quiet already.
Off to Mayrhofen early tomorrow for a lads trip. Conditions look OK and Webcams look quite quiet. Anyone heading off to Austria?
Information we have is all resorts are open.
@thegeneralist I should probably resist the urge to sharpen my edges to a more aggressive angle too 😀
Back from a good trip to Alpe D'Huez. disappointed not to get stranded there for a few more weeks tbh. saw no sign of the virus over there at all, except a few punters wearing masks at grenoble.
Resort wasnt exactly quiet all week either! unless that was quiet. in which case i wouldnt want to return.
lucky with the conditions, woke up to freshies on 3 of the mornings! there were 2 whiteout days, one of which was wet and rainy, but clear sunny skies the rest of the time.
@andeh – also look at BAC Elland
Bloody hell, is that place still going. I bought some snowboard trousers from there about 25 years ago!!
Anyone heading off to Austria?
Yes we’re off to Ischgl on Saturday.
There’s a list of 10 or so apres bars that are closed and apparently they’re only half filling gondolas and buses. Hopefully apart from that it’ll be business as usual 🤞
Update: Ischgl closed from this weekend.
That’s the end of that then.
Should we rebook for France or just sack it off this year 🤔🤷🏻♂️
Also looks like Snowbombing is cancelled too for anyone that was planning on going