and snowcard – I wonder why they bump snowboarding up a level from skiing – even including the on-off piste bit. Weird

As was mentioned earlier BMC do this apparently because of a number of big snowboarding claims from North America. Seemingly big claims = increased premiums for that ‘risk group’.

Whilst in Europe I’m not sure much distinction is made between Skiing & Snowboarding (from an insurance perspective at least), however in North America you frequently have to sign a number of additional ‘waivers’ if you are snowboarding.

Some of this is concerned with the rise in Backcountry adventures and based around the notion that in an avalanche skis will come off, but a snowboard won’t – thereby potentially dragging the person down.

Only been once for my first trip 20 years ago. there’s a small are near town. Much of the skiing is way up the mountain at the top of the gondola, though you can ski back down to town. If your 4 year old will want to pack in half way through, you’ll have to take him back down the mountain so maybe not ideal

Right, practical question time. Just bought new (old stock) skis for both Mrs NBT and myself. Both are fitted with rail-mounted bindings. Are there any practical aspects I need to consider if I dismount one or both sets of bindings for transport?

NBT, Yes there are practical aspects.
Some used to be a PITA to get back on.
If there are plates which the rails are fixed too, possibly un screw them, and take the whole assembly off?
It does depend on the type.
It certainly does help with transportation costs though..

Both heel and toe piece are on a single plate. That plate slides onto the rails and locks into place. Marker bindings and volkl skis so I think the marker motion system?

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTqlv10_TqM[/video]

Troutwrestler
The standard of instruction in Borovets was very poor when I was there. Add to that there is very limited beginner skiing at the bottom of the resort. It looks like good value but it’s really not.

I learn’t more in a day in France than I did in a week in Borovets.

A semi competent intermediate could ski everything in a day if pushing it and definitely in 2 days.

Looks easy enough.

I was more asking about practical things like “wrap in a towel” or “ensure the settings don’t change” – I’m happy enough removing that plate

There may be a smear of grease on parts of the binding so yes I would wrap them up in something, not Mrs BBT’s best undies.
Pack in the middle of your bag / case and they will be fine.
You are not likely to be able to knacker the settings without a screwdriver.

As was mentioned earlier BMC do this apparently because of a number of big snowboarding claims from North America

thanks for that @digby. I might just go with my car breakdown cover again as it covers me for skiing and for everything else for the rest of the year for almost the same amount. I don’t understand this stuff sometimes

Thanks.

Anyone seen any good deals outside of French/Austrian school holidays?
Cant find much that works out less than about £850 PP.

We’ve managed to do it for about £650 PP last few years!

Struggling!!

A little ski porn for a Saturday

Nix.

Powder oriented?

How appropriate.

Hello all, I need some advice:

Mrs is keen to go away in Feb half term. I think this is madness.

We got as far as the final booking screen on Crystal last night before I got cold feet.

– Three adults (me, her and my non-skiing mum) and two kids (4 & 7)
– flying from Newcastle (10th Feb)
– Staying half-board at Les Menuires (3 valleys)

By the time we add in area lift passes, plus lessons and ski hire for the kids, we’re talking £6500. 😯

She is of the opinion that this is just what you have to pay for a holiday at half term i’m of the opinion that is an insane amount of money to drop for six days skiing. (We stayed at the same place last year for £3500 and I thought that was nippy!)

Any thoughts?

(For ease of comparison the per person price was £953, which doesn’t seem outrageous, but the kids are full price and obviously that’s before adding passes, hire, lessons etc.)

Graham, I am going over half term but booked it independently with total price approx £4000 (price was approx £6k with package). £500 for flights, £1500 accomm, £750 kids ski hire/lessons/crèche/, £250, transfer, £350, ski passes and £650 spending money (mostly evening meals). We are a family of 4. Easyjet into Gva then transfer to Morzine staying B&B. We are only going 5 nights/5 days which I think is long enough when we’re all in one room. Arriving Sunday departing late Friday evening.

Unfortunately in peak periods you pay what you have to pay. For 5 it’s not too bad*.

* It’s all relative, you could buy a bike for that !

FWIW I’m away before schools and it’s 3k for 3 of us

Unfortunately in peak periods you pay what you have to pay. For 5 it’s not too bad*.

Actually seems cheap to me for Feb half term (for 5). We normally pay £1500 each all in for Xmas / NY week which is almost as expensive. That’s catered chalet, but no lessons. If we hire an instructor that’s £300/day on top for two….

I’m hunting about for a multisport jacket that will stand up to the rigours of Scottish snowboarding and able enough for walking and possibly biking. Alpkit have nice offering but none in stock. I’m kinda reaching saturation point with outdoor kit and really want kit to have a cross purpose.

After the Borovets query above, we have just booked for Aussois for Easter. Ski in-out apartment, lift passes for 2 adults and a 7yo, plus lessons for the 7yo and 4yo (he gets a free pass).

Total 852 euro.

Yes, we have to drive out, and yes it is self catering, but at that price we can eat out in the evening, and have lunch at the apartment.

Aussois is a very small resort with only 8 lifts, but there are plenty of other things to do. Apartment has a small swimming pool and there is an open all year Via Ferrata nearby.

We are not taking up the offer of an ESkiMo liftpass, but before the kids we had one and had a great week in the Maurienne.

Never heard of Aussois but looks nice TW. Might try somewhere like that to get mine back on skis.

Graham – that doesn’t sound too bad, but we are going at Easter (fly out 31st March) for less than that.
Looking at the sums for this year, it will come in at just under £4k (flights, accommodation, car hire, passes & equipment) + spending money for family of 2+2.

That’s to Cervinia, so high enough for late season.

Week in Alpes d’Huez booked for february half term , french holidays .

750 euros for a small flat , 5 of us . we can drive there .

Aah bollocks to it – small personal loan taken out – holiday booked. 😀

Bring on the snow. Three Valleys here we come!

(And you can *** right off cchris 😀 )

still going to cost 3.5k all in i think .

I’m hunting about for a multisport jacket that will stand up to the rigours of Scottish snowboarding and able enough for walking and possibly biking. Alpkit have nice offering but none in stock. I’m kinda reaching saturation point with outdoor kit and really want kit to have a cross purpose.

I’m skiing in an Oakley Gore Tex Pro shell at the moment. I wouldn’t use it for biking, but have used it for hiking on wet days. The Gore Tex Pro is pretty tough but light enough to walk around or tour in. Not as expensive as a Patagonia or similar offering. Style and colours may not be up your street though, depending on what you’re looking for?

Only one more day and the season pass will have been justified, 370e per year for downhill and X-C in the resorts I ski most. The bus up to the resort costs 1e each way. My boots cost 299e in a local shop’s Summer sale replacing ones I’d had for 8 years I think, my favourite Dynastar Omeglas 64 skis 90e and a few hours work, the sticks I’ve had for over 25 years

Aah bollocks to it – small personal loan taken out – holiday booked

People take loans to go on holiday!!! 😯

People take loans to go on holiday!!! 😯

I wouldn’t normally either, hence my initial reluctance, but I think it makes sense here.

Post-chrimbo we don’t have enough immediate access at hand to cover paying £6k without hitting either the overdraft or credit cards, and a loan makes much more sense than doing that (3.6% AER will only cost us about ~£90 all in, bit less when we repay early. Overdraft or CC would be ~18.9% AER plus fees)

…and significantly cheaper than a divorce 😉

Bring on the snow. Three Valleys here we come!

Good decision … [whilst being considerate of others] regret the things you do … not the things you don’t.

Whichever way you look at it, we’ve only got so many winters on the snow left …

Before you hit the booking button I would check you can get lessons for the kids (assuming you want them). Pretty much every ski school between Meribel and Courch is now fully booked for lessons that week….

Anyone hiked up to the cross at the summit of le Foglietta above Sainte Foy?

Is it doable without local knowledge? id love to ski back down the Col Granier, the North Face or The Monal too but i wouldnt attempt that without a guide – but just wondered whether the hike is worth it alone, from the top of the chair, maybe with the Mrs who doesn’t ski too well, just for the craic like, then back down again…

Whichever way you look at it, we’ve only got so many winters on the snow left …

And fewer still where the kids will be happy to come on holiday with mum and dad. 😆

check you can get lessons for the kids (assuming you want them)

Thanks for the heads up.

We already booked the 7 year old’s lessons (and kit) as part of the package. 4 year old will be a little trickier as the packages only officially start from 5yo.

Last year she was only 3 and we just sorted it out in resort when we got there – but that was week before half term, so not sure it’ll be as easy this year.

We’re in Les Menuires and will probably use Prosneige if we can, looks like they have places at the moment on the website.

each to their own but that is a bonkers amount to spend on a week.

wouldn’t it be cheaper just to pay the school fines and go out of the holidays?

Reckon thats not far off what its costing us all said n’done. for 2 adults & 2 kids; 4 lift passes, 4 pairs of skis, 2 pairs of boots, 2 sets of lessons, 4 beds in a fancy chalet full board, 4 plane tickets and 4 transfers and that is not at half term!

are there any apps or websites similar to Trailforks but for ski runs??

wouldn’t it be cheaper just to pay the school fines and go out of the holidays?

Much!

Did that last year (with the school’s permission) and the exact same holiday was about three grand cheaper.

Mind you I got roundly destroyed for it by the various hand wringers on here 🙄

Hey folks,

Any recommendations for a good ski school / instructor based in Val d’Isere / La Daille? I can just about link my turns but am still a bit snow-ploughy on blue runs. Hoping that if I took morning lessons it would maybe let me get out on a few runs with my mates towards the end of the week when we’re there.

I’m on a very, very tight budget though, so be gentle with me.

C.

Beagleboy: your profile suggests you are in Glasgow?

If so get yourself a head start by heading to Snow Factor at Braehead for a few lessons.
(Or head to the real hills if you feel brave!)