It's here! Rejoice!
So, what's new, what's planned, what's hoped for?
Montana is on the cards again for me, and still angling to get the family out as well. Japan remains that great white whale I'm desperate to tick off. Maybe this year...!
Oh, and these K2 Marksman skis in all of their retro glory....!
Wooooo!
Awesome.
No new toys for me this year after the purchase of a salomon huck knife for playing last year.
This year is les gets at the end of jan.
Hoping to get my riding up higher again, freestyle is fun if a bit painful.
Looking to get at least one day off piste in pow if possible. So will be hunting for a guide
First season that the little one will be able to go on ski lessons! Woop woop! Probably back to Ardent and a lads week at some point.
Still trying to find some Norrona trousers on sale to replace my 12 year old westbeach's!
On the hunt for a new Bern hard hat.
2nd season on NTN bindings so no hardwear required.
Woooohooo! Big family trip to Les Arcs2000 at Easter so a long wait for us. Looking forward to Easter it’s going to be 3 generations of us and have always enjoyed skiing with my dad and the kids. Maybe a cheeky trip without the kids in Jan if we can find the cash. I hope we get as much snow as we did last season.
Kit, need new boots as I have given my Garmont to dad as he was finding it hard to get into his Nordica nxt’s. looking at touring/alpine crossovers and that’s now a “standards” minefield with binding compatibility.
No new gear this season. Hoping to get 2 trips in before Brexit, just in case the economy tanks and we can;t afford to go for a while. Not booked yet though
Bindings?
These look a bit clever;
http://www.skiessentials.com/Chairlift-Chat/2019-Salomon-S-Lab-Shift-AT-Ski-Binding-Review/
About bloody time too 🙂
2 trips to Italy already booked. If I meet my weight reduction target I'm booking a week solo either learning to board or some serious off-piste stuff on planks. I'm also going to do all the Scottish resorts this year.
Gear wise I'm up for some new skis. I bought Head Monsters, season before last, but I've not really got on with them. BUT if I do learn to board, I'm gong to look at the step in (on) Burton bindings.
Oh and I've bought some avalanche stuff (transceiver, probe & shovel) which I need training in how to use - maybe a course at Glenmore lodge.
Edit - I forgot I did buy some new Smith goggles in the Ekosport sale.
http://www.ekosport.co.uk/smith-vice-klein-blue-split-grn-sp-cp-evrda-18-p-9-35211.html
Those SLabs are v clever.
Les Gets for new year and first week Jan, probably back Feb school week as well. Might try and bag a week at easter but v late, might be a Scotland campervan mission instead !
will pick up some new all mountains for this season and retire the Qsts to touring duty , they had a hard season last year.
and I’ve already had my first turns 2 weeks back on the Zermatt glacier ⛷
Like those SLab bindings. Pair of them and some QuiverKillers and I’m sorted. NZ col how do you find the qst ‘s. looking at a pair of last years on Sale with Ellis B?
Old tennis shoes, Ellis brigham do Ava training in various parts of the country. Have a look and see what is on near you. Did it last year and it was v good. Got odd looks from dog walkers while running about with transceiver.
Let gets back end of Jan and obergurgl again later season - think the wife liked the instructor. After my first off--piste day last year I think I'll get another one booked this year too,
Got my boy (4) skiing last year. Fair play to SMT in Mayrhofen. He's a stubborn little mule, but came away each day bouncing with joy. Topped the week off by being able to ski with my dad (77), my sister, her daughter and my son all together for our last run. My eldest daughter (3) is desperate to have a go.
Will be back in Mayrhofen in half term no doubt.
First season ticket booked. OK it's for Nakiska in the rockies which is nothing to write home about but hoping sweajnr continues his excellent progression. Have brought some Scott "the ski" in anticipation of spending more time on groomers.
This year the money will be spent on trips not kit. Honest.
Les Gets, Courmayeur (eldest only, school trip) both booked.
Calgary/Banff still to book.
PS - those are some narrow snowboards in that picture at the start of the thread.
As well as surfing the white wave here in sweden , i will be purchasing some new xc skis. I got into last winter and it was brilliant. Superb fitness training and nice to learn something new at 36 years young.i also get to wear retina searing awesome tight trousers
TheDTs - I like them, I’ve got QST 92s and as all rounders they are fantastic. Have skied them in everything from crud to 2 foot fresh and while they weren’t amazing in super deep they were ok. Good all rounders and held up well to some abuse. Prob best suit strong skiers to get the best out of them as you can drive them quite hard-in back teaching and I used them on my assessments as well. I think the 99s would be good as well, I only managed an hour on them but they were pretty capable too
not intending to go anywhere this year - first time in 18 years and I'm kind of glad in a way
The DTs - Arcs 2000 will have a couple of new lifts this season. Pre Saint Esprit is already done and Comborciere is underway 👍🏼
There will be at least a couple of days at Idre in north-western Sweden, but I do need to get my shit together and sort out my own boots and some better, newer skis. Something all mountain that can deal with powder and piste.
The big discussion is how long to go fo and whether there will be a southerly migration in the early new year to spend a week skydiving as well.
howsyourdad, XC is the way forward; I have been told I need to buy a pair as well.
A lot of people down here use the roller variants for commuting, so that could be something to consider if you have not already got them. If you are down this way in winter, bring your skis and head to Gärdet. They set up a short XC course for people to practice on in the city. It lasted until well into April this year.
@willard if you ever catch me bin lining ( roller skiing) put a bullet in my head. No way!
My home town is like Sweden's national training centre for xc. They have tracks set up by november with saved snow from last year. Winter is coming and it is loooong, hence switching to skis for fitness.
Japan remains that great white whale I’m desperate to tick off. Maybe this year…!
Japan has been on my list for years as well, but I'm hearing numerous reports about how busy the resorts and backcountry trees etc have become in recent years. Seems like a long way to go for a busy resort ... when I can go a similar distance West to the likes of Bristish Columbia and have completely empty runs mid-week.
Still fascinated and keen to see and experience the culture of Japan though!
In terms of trips for next year, I think I will struggle to beat this years grand total of 50+ days on the snow, however I've got Lofoten Norway, the Pyrenees and Italy all pencilled in!
This recent hot weather has left me craving zub-zero temps ... as the French [might] say 'long live the difference!' 🙂
Did Japan, Banff, and Garmisch last year - dont think I'll get as lucky this year, but I'm hoping to get a week somewhere.
Don't be put off going to Japan by the crowds - the big resorts are pretty horrible (Niseko) and do get tracked out quickly, but the smaller resorts have arguably better terrain, no crowds and lift accessed deep powder, with a shit load of touring/skinning ops. If I was to go back, I would be in Niseko for no more than 2 days.
I have to work this Xmas, so won't be getting away then. Have an inkling of a boys weekend away (probably Morzine) in March but that will probably be it this season. Sob.
Last bit of kit was replacement lenses to last a lifetime on my Smith Turbo goggles. Sweaty head loves the fan.
Howsyourdad, noted.
Are you planning to enter the Vasaloppet? I was tempted by the bike version, but there was no way I could get enough fitness in time.
Digby, look up John Falkiner, Aussie guide living in Switzerland for 30 years, trips to quiet places, getting into the c<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">ulture always part of his trips. Greece, Lebanon, Kashmir, Iceland... Been spending a few weeks a year at least in Japan for a good while. He's on fb, or ping me a mail if you want me to put you in touch. I've probably only got the same email as he's got on his website, though! </span>
Planning Christmas back here in the PDS. Jr mk1 was promised I'd teach him to be a social pariah (snowboarder) as soon as he'd passed his 3rd EDF star... Which the cheeky blighter did in the same session as passing his 2nd star at Easter! So hiring Diddy board and boots for an 11yr old to come.
Easter is v late this year so we won't come back out for that (and Mrs S has qualified for the world Duathlon Champs in Spain so we'll go there instead) but annual lads trip in March and a few other long weekends with Mrs S should mean a good 20+ days or so over the season.
@gahamt1989 look up Nicolas Tricou for guiding in Les Gets - would unhesitatingly use again. Lovely guy who lives in LG and knows PDS like back of his hand - his son also guides.
And would agree with Japan - avoid Niseko and the place is amazing!
Just want the snow that last season brought, to be the norm.
Just want the snow that last season brought, to be the norm.
Yep, putting the chains on to get out of Serre Che at Easter was not what we expected. More of that please.
Risking a stoning here maybe...but what's the logic of buying skis when you have to pay to transport them and service them? I like shiny stuff as much as the next...err...shiny stuff buyer but it doesn't make sense to me unless you live local.
Local to where? We try to ski in Scotland every weekend when possible.
If you want standard kit then little logic, but we have touring kit with quiver killers and a couple of sets of skis for different conditions - huge luxury and doubt it ever comes close to cost of hiring, but we love our touring and want kit that allows us to maximise enjoyment of conditions, whatever they are!
Depends on how much you ski really and where to an extent. Having your own kit means no queueing to pick up rentals, you get to ski on them a lot and really figure out how the ski feels and how best to ski it. Maintenance isn't a big job, waxing is super easy and edges are pretty simple too. Plus, skis don't have to be mega expensive, ski hire for a high end ski is what, £100 a week or so? 5 or 6 weeks and you'll be getting close to breaking even.
cb - good question. We have our own because we ski in Scotland (1hr from Glenshee), but rent in resort to reduce faff. We take our own boots and helmets though.
Whatnobeer if you fly, you need to consider sports equipment carriage costs and maybe car hire size upgrade if you don’t use transfers.
I have a few of my own skis and share a couple of pairs with my dad, he gets first choice! Always had my own kit, it was cheaper to buy in Tax free Livignio when I first went as a kid and got lots of hand me downs. Never bought this years kit always last seasons or more or second hand. Tonnes of good used kit on Ebay. Never used boots though. And we tend to drive for one trip a year and fly for the other. I take three pairs when We drive. I declare that I only have one pair when we fly. I have loads of old skis knocking about, some frighteningly long! Would make a nice garden bench one day. Also been known to do a few circuits of the golf course when the conditions are right.
We love having our own boards.
Ride a lot during the summer at snozone then take them with in the winter.
We have definitely felt the benefit of being used to the same boards over time. Plus having tried a fair selection of diferent boards over time we now know what style we like so it takes the chance away of not liking the hire boards.
It is hassle but nothing horrific and saves on messing about in a hire shop.
I can only imagine that ski's are the same as boards in having a preference on style
You have to have a snowboard for all conditions. Swallowtail pow stick , icey gripper and ripper, short and detuned jib wand, splitty , no board for the bbq at the chalet. Christ renting one board would be like owning one bike!
I was reading some industry stuff and the marketing bods seem to think that everyone invested in backcountry / tour kit and the next thing they are going to push is the dedicated piste / groomer / detuned race skis.
detuned race skis
Yep, the next big thing apparently. Really brings the snowflakes alive...
Oi. CFH. No Brexit references on here.
The shops will be all be stocking 80’s style spyder race pants next.
Possibly looking to do my basi level 2 snowboard next year. That’s 2 weeks. Prob a week with some mates and a week with the family also.
Right then. We have a new recruit for our annual lads trip! If we are travelling from Bristol, which is the best fridge to take him for a pre holiday lesson followed by a civilised night out for us all?
Wallop. Same distance to Hemel or Tamworth, always gone to Tamworth. Don’t discount Avon Ski centre or Gloucester though. Lots to be learnt on a dry slope at considerably less cost. H8ters are gonna h8 but always worked before fridges were about. Good to get a first go at the dry slope as it makes the lessons in the fridge much more worth the investment in time and money. Skiing or boarding btw?
Marvellous - thanks! He will be skiing.
next thing they are going to push is the dedicated piste / groomer / detuned race skis.
Could believe it. It's the only real gap in my ski selection. I tried a set of Head SuperShape things last season and they were stiff as ****, and absolutely ripped. A set of the new blizzard firebirds would be sick too.
Always fancied a blast on a pair of factory race skis. Not sure my legs or knees would last much more than a couple of runs though.
TheDTs, I had a go on some Atomic factory super g race skis in the Hemel fridge years ago. They were scary fast!
Ive got race stock slalom and gs skis. The slaloms are fundmanetally worrying if you ever get in the backseat. I had to take a lesson on them once as i was late for it and had been race training. Was a nightmare.
My new skis are certainly the narrowest I've ever owned but as Nakiska is home to the Canadian Alpine DH some of the runs are just ice.
Going to make an effort to do all my own tuning this year including edge sharpening.
My regular group is lead by a central figure, he has a child now at school age and has doomed himself to going in school holidays, I think with him out the rest of his group will bail 🙁
I'm starting a new job in October where I know there are some skiers so hoping to make some new ski friends!
We've been to Les Arcs 1950 for about the last 4 years, I love it round there and want a similar ski in ski out hotel and some reliable snow. We also dropped to Chamonix in March and the hire skis we had there were eye opening over how crap our hire skis had been before then! Open to suggestions from the room on places we should try.
Any of the big French resorts will tick the same boxes as Les Arcs. Tignes, val Thorens are both great and have more mileage and variation than anyone could need if that’s your thing.
Any suggestions for resorts that are, to quote Mrs Lunge, "like Obergurgl but not Obergurgl"? So quite pretty and not a super-resort/Ibiza on ice, high altitude, relaitvely quiet lifts and lots of blues and reds? Don't mind the country, though I'm not sure budget stretches over the Atlantic this year sadly. We've done 3 years in the 'gurgl and it's about time for a change of scenery I reckon.
Flights booked for Les Collons (4 Valleys) at the end of January! A friend of a friend has a chalet right on the piste so I was going to turn down that invitation. I hope to get in a long weekend in December too, just need to choose between Turin and Munich...
Was on the verge of booking a holiday in a 4* chalet - 50 yards from the piste in Meribel Mottaret - when we discovered that the "en-suite" really is en-suite, in that the shower opens into the room. Not paying 4* prices for 2* or 3* quality, thanks
might leave it now till last minute as we seem to have missed the really good early bird offers
any recommendations on trips for the perennially single? None of my mates ski/ snowboard. I'm itching to get back out on my board
UCPA if you are young enough, or if not then UCPA off-piste if you are Gnarly enough.
Snowheads organise several trips ("bashes") through the season - always very sociable, you will be allocated a roomie and there'll always be someone to ski with
Not booked yet, but I've already bought a Helly Hansen insulated jacket which I've already decided is too hot, so that's for sale as soon as we get close to ski season(sneak add This one: https://www.outdoorlook.co.uk/walking/clothing/jackets-coats/helly-hansen-mens-alpha-3-0-waterproof-breathable-stretch-jacket-coat-
how about it for £175 posted- still with the labels on!) so I've bought a goretex shell instead as well as some bright orange trousers. Can't bloody wait! Oldest (7) was skiing reds last year and youngest (5) was on the blues. Will be a top year as I think we'll all be able to ski top to bottom together for the first time. I get to dick around in the mornings while the nippers are in ski school and as long as I go for it, I'm normally pretty relaxed after lunch and happy to bimble.
Very tempted by a pair of skis, I drive normally and self cater so don't need to worry about the carriage costs. Still won't pay admittedly, but shiny is nice!
Les Gets, end of Jan, Lads holiday 🙂
Re - perennial single... Def worth trying UCPA. I went with a mate last year for a cheap late season trip to Argentierre and really rated the place. Like a posh youth hostel basically. We did our own thing and pretty much just used the place for food and accommodation, but loads of singles in there and a good vibe. Very friendly over dinner and in the bar. We're mid 40s and plenty of folk around our age. Various instruction and off piste groups etc if you wanted to get involved in that too.
There's a thread on snowheads about the various UCPA venues and how good they are (some are more recently refurbed than others).
Looking for a new jacket (well not really looking, it sort of found me 😉 ) and I'm considering a Patagucci Untracked Jacket. It's more than I've ever paid for a jacket, even reduced, but I loved the fit and feel of it.
https://www.snowmagazine.com/ski-gear/1247-ski-jackets/patagonia-untracked-ski-jacket
Whaddya think?
Avoriaz with the family again 🙂
Airbnb for the first time. Hoping for fewer transfer issues than this year 😯
My Patagonia jacket is coming up for 10 years old and has seen countless ski days (I probably average 20 resort days / year). I love it and with appropriate layers it works for everything from -30C to about -5C
It's proven durable and worth the initial outlay for me.
Hoping for fewer transfer issues than this year
I cant rate AlpNav highly enough, although the business may be changing soon as the owner is retiring. It costs a little more, but it really is the best transfer service Ive used to the Morz valley over the years.
I'm plotting to better my 30 days from last season - it will all be in Fernie BC as its the only place we've been to in the past 10 seasons and we've still not skied it out. Last year through January it snowed pretty much every day and the biking pre-skiing each morning is superb. Got a 3 year old pair of Armada JJ's still on the go and no plans to change unless a pair of DPS Wailers come my way. Happy skiing, biking and hot tubbing. Why waste the time getting pissed each night when there is more powder to trash the next morning?
Wasn't planning to be skiing this year (settling into new job, not v flush, living room needs sorting etc) but my mate has just messaged me asking if we want to go to morzine for new year - accommodation provided! Whoop and indeed whoop.
Only problem is Mrs P may be of the opinion that a new sofa is preferable after banging a rib last time we were there on thin snow. It's work in progress but She won't deny me and the the two younger Pedlad lads fun in the snow Shirley?
Stoner - you out w/c 23rd Feb?
igm - no, we're going out on the 2nd March.
Wave to you at Geneva.
Any recommendations for private transfers Geneva to Les Gets?
smokey: http://www.alpnavtransfers.com/
Ive used 4 or 5 companies over the years, these are the only ones I recommend.
However, I know Richard is planning on retiring soon, so things may change but I gather this winter season is still business as usual.
Thanks Stoner, they seem a bit on the pricey side but I'll check them out
Henry's Avalanche Talk dates are up. Well worth it if you're going off piste IMO
they are more than most other operators smokey_jo, but I just found that I was so tense after poor quality service from others that I really didint care about dropping an extra €20-30 for a better service.
Good quality, smaller vans (9 seaters, not 16+) with mature professional drivers, means if you're first pick up (and I often was) youre not getting smashed around the valley for an hour (up to Prodains, down to Essert Romand, back in to Morz, sheesh!), breaking the speed limit doing 10 pick ups on a collapsed rear suspension before finally heading over the hill and on the way to the airport. Im looking at *YOU* AlpyBus. I dont care that Alpbus or Easyjet are only €20 e/w, theyre shit.
Life's too short to lose an extra couple of hours you could have spent on the piste/in the bar in the back of a stock trailer.
First snowfall of the season in the Rockies this morning. Sweajnr dragged his new skis upstairs and was all for shuffling in the garden on an inch of slush. Much tears when we told him mountain not open yet.
