That was for Pierre who was asking about hurty snowboard boots.
After a 5 year hiatus i am actually going to go skiing this year.
Its been difficult as my 20year skiing partner died from cancer during covid . We went away for a week to Europe every year as he was allowed a week away from his family after a troubled week with family ( dont just pop out for some things when you arrive in resort tired , in the dark, and forget to take note of where you are staying so you spend an hour lost in the cold + helmets can save you from concussion and memory loss for real ) We went to Switzerland , France , Austria and Italy and always managed to have a great week whatever the conditions.
A brewing friend mentioned he was going to Les Arcs and there was a spare room so I took up his offer . 24th Jan , usually reliable snow by then and before the french school holidays. Flying to Lyon then messing around with trains to Grenoble - Chamberry - Bourg and funiclar up the mountain.
Started the pre season exercises already and thinking about some dry slope sessions to see if I can remember how to link turns. Everything seems to have doubled in price since my last trip! I blame Thatcher . ( Cameron )
Should be Ok but the group Im going with are all pretty much beginers, and I like a challenge . Still, I dont have to ski with them all day every day .
Everything seems to have doubled in price since my last trip!
Yep, it's possible to cut some corners but it's a hobby for those that want to/can afford it these days. I wish I lived in Bourg SM, at least for winter, although access to the Alps in summer would be great too.
Bicester? I get nose bleeds that far south.
Sheffield is marginal.
Rivington Alpine get a lot of good feedback. I had my boots done there, and Mrs NBT's
Just seen a message on radio les Arcs reminding us that ski helmets are obligatory on piste in Italy as of now. I'm wondering if my Petzl ski mountaineering helmet is going to be acceptable if I drop down the Italian side of La Rosière.
Useful note, thanks @Edukator. I'd be wearing mine anyway, but visiting there at the end of Jan and hadn't seen anything to say this was now mandatory. I wonder what they'd do if you skied over from France and need to get back from the Italian side but are lidless?
Just seen a message on radio les Arcs reminding us that ski helmets are obligatory on piste in Italy as of now. I'm wondering if my Petzl ski mountaineering helmet is going to be acceptable if I drop down the Italian side of La Rosière.
Me to, Ive checked that mine has passed the ski safety test aswell as the climbing and mountaineering one. In reality unless you have a bad accident i suspect the check will be no more than a lifty or ski patrol checking there is one on your head
Ah thanks @singletrackmind! May try them.
Sorry to hear about your skiing partner, it must feel very painful to go skiing without them. It's been a couple of years since I was last on snow, I'm debating spending a day at Hemel to try and remind myself how to do it...
"Look at UCPA, it’s aimed at the younger crowd but as long as you’re aware of that and keep it in mind, they offer very good value: prices include full board, equipment, lift pass and instruction. Book via Action Outdoors and you can arrange a transfer too"
My son has used UCPA for both skiing and a summer holiday. He's not bothered about sleeping in a dorm, it keeps the cost down especially with food as he has a cyclist's appetite! Earlier in the year he went on an off-piste course and he's off again in December.
"Does anyone have a recommendation for snowboard boot fitting places?"
Son has been using SkiExchange, around 10 miles west of Cambridge. Easy parking too. If it's your own boots then it will be pre-booked during the week and not Saturday. However, if you're buying boots on a Saturday then they will fit them. Be aware that we were there about 4 weeks ago and boot fittings were very busy, ie back to back. Son also had skis serviced there. Very helpful people.
My great friend/ski chum, the lady Rosemary, died a couple of years ago now. We'd skied together every year since meeting on a chalet holiday in 2001, one of those amazing friendships that just picked up where we left off (we'd only see each other skiing as she was near inverness and I'm in Essex).
We think of her every ski holiday and remember the good times (there were a lot of those with her around). Miss her 🙁
Have pulled the trigger on two weeks in Norway (Jan/Feb), travelling on the train from Oslo to Bergen 5 and 6 nights respectively in Gelio and Voss. It's not going to be cheap, but will be good to see something other than the alps this year.
Might do another late season trip to somewhere high if we have time & money left 🙂
I used to go skiing before kids arrived, a couple of school trips then some trips with uni mates which usually ended with more progress in the apres department than my skiing technique. After a 15 year gap I had the itch to go skiing again and managed to persuade my wife (never done ski school, just had instructions bellowed at her from her military father in Germany) and kids (11 and 7, so less persuasion needed) to go skiing by selling it as a 2-day Oslo city break with 5 days of skiing in-between.
We did Geilo (Dr Holmes Hotel). The train from Oslo was great. We were very lucky with the snow conditions considering it was mid April, fresh snow each day, basically overcast days then thick snow each night. The instructors said usually it's mostly snow-making by the last couple of weeks. The slopes were so quiet it was perfect for getting the family into it. Geilo isn't a massive resort and the town was quiet in April but Jan/Feb should be great. The Vestlia ski area of the town is much better developed and has more beginner-friendly runs and lifts. I spent an afternoon skiing the Hovsdalen side (behind Dr Holmes Hotel) and I didn't see anyone else other than ski patrol and lift operators for about 2 hours! The town is kind of spread out in the valley, with the actual shopping/bars etc over near the train station but the bigger ski-in/out hotels near the Vestlia slopes. There's a shuttle ski bus that goes between each side every 15-20 minutes.
I probably wouldn't go back to Geilo just because it's a relatively small ski area and the family have progressed. As an excuse to ski in a different/beautiful country and visit Oslo though I couldn't fault it! Great little resort for a few days!
A follow up to the above ⤴
Confirmed the son and I are booked to go back to Isola 2000 in our Feb half term (14th-21st) 🥳
My wife and daughter are ignoring us this year and organised a rival trip elsewhere in protest of the pain and general awkwardness of ski equipment - entirely fair to be honest.
It will be our 3rd visit to Isola 2000. Love it. A small French 70s purpose-built resort. Some of the older lifts are a bit agricultural and the button lifts to the red runs can be rather aggressive (no problem for the youths wearing French national ski team kit who always seem to have a training camp the same week) but the ski area feels massive for the relative size of the resort village. Busy at the weekend with Côte d'Azur day-trippers helicoptering up but always feels quiet during the week (compared to Les Trois Vallees during British half terms anyway - hate it - never going back). Easy ski bus directly over the road from the BA arrivals area at Nice airport too and when it comes to skiing I am a sucker for repeat logistics.
Anyone who happens to be in Isola 2000 that week and fancies a beer/hot choc and bike/ski chat, or even just any Qs about the resort before going, then feel free to drop me a message.
Anyone watching webcams already and silently shedding a tear that they aren't out in the alps this week? Looks like the season is off to a snowy start!
Don't forget that UCPA do family and family plus weeks. They're an absolute bargain and great fun to be in a hotel full of other families.
Family plus weeks will take kids from 3 and will have piou piou lessons in the morning or afternoon, then there's a (free!) kids club if you want for the other half of the day.
3 square meals a day and we'd meet up with our kids at lunch and ask what they wanted to do for the afternoon and 9/10 times they'd want to go to kids club. It was only last year that our 10 year old wanted to start skiing with us in the other half of the day, and his brother was still happy to kids club it up.
It's our first year on just a family week at christmas so will see how they 7 year old does with a full day skiing or messing about making snowmen
I mentioned earlier in the thread that my daughter landed a ski rep job with Crystal in Andorra. She is now confirmed to be based in Pal - Arinsal so we've booked a week there in January. Looks quite family friendly (blue heavy) so perhaps not first choice of resort if we were not going to visit her, but still seems to be plenty to keep us entertained for a week. Webcam showing awesome snow already.
Well, I never thought I'd be contributing to this thread, but just booked two weeks (business class LOL - a long story) to visit family in Utah and planning on getting some skiing/boarding in whilst we are there. Should be guaranteed nice powder conditions.
I think you need to get your priorities right and that should read “planning on fitting in a family visit whilst we are skiing there”!
I’m heading to Val d’Isere on Sunday and it appears as though most of the resort is going to be open from Day 1 after some of the best early snow of the last 20 years. Can’t wait.
Turns out I’m not working over Christmas so we’ve just booked to go out early. Means changing apartments after a week but that’s no big deal
I think you need to get your priorities right and that should read “planning on fitting in a family visit whilst we are skiing there”!
Yeah, probably, but we have a wide range of age (some now simply too old to ski, but won't want to be left by themselves) as well as experience, so dawn until dusk skiing every day won't be an option unfortunately.
If you’re doing Utah make sure you buy your passes as far ahead as possible. The price of day tickets for walk up now is eye watering across most of the US. I’m still envious mind, some great places to ski and board in Utah (apart from Snowbasin where I fractured my spine).
^ Yes, I have seen the prices – some of the prices are mad.
I’m sure you don’t need educating, but Ikon Pass is the way to go if possible. More reciprocal arrangements with European resorts might help lower the cost per day if the excuse can be found to use them.
Puy Saint Vincent this year.
Booked for a few days.
Wow, love this thread, awesome. If I wasn't riding I would be skiing (given the time). Booked for Norway in Jan, never been but my other half hasn't skied for years so needed somewhere not as huge as the usual places I go but snow sure. Very small resort but they also offer snow shoeing and fat biking, so if her love for skiing doesn't reappear, we have options.
Booked a couple of trips today
Week in Passo Tonale with the better half in March. 3rd year going there and she feels really comfortable there and it's helping her progression
Also booked a week in Les Deux Alpes for me and my mates at Easter
Might try and squeeze a wee short weekend somewhere in January
Avoriaz is opening a few lifts and pistes this weekend, gonna head up there early tomorrow...loads of snow late last week and earlier this week
Quick report from Val d’Isere - best start of season snow in 30 years according to the locals, bluebird skies, bearably cold and next to no one on the slopes! Weather on the turn and modest snow top up expected. Courchevel has reportedly done best out of the recent dump and conditions said to be best in 70 (!) years.
Puy Saint Vincent this year.
Booked for a few days.
Snowbizz? I've been there a couple of times with them (and wife and son) and they were lovely. The night skiing is a fun thing to do too.
Peisey X-C this afternoon in nice weather. It officially opens on Saturday but there was 10cm of fresh on groomed piste for those of us who took a chance.
Skinned up to the top of la Marquise at Sainte Foy on itinéraire balisé #3 then down the groomed pistes. Lovely at the top, less so at the bottom but I'm sure they'll improve it for the opening weekend. Went up in a T-shirt hoping to maintain tbe cyclist tan.
The forecast snow turned ou to be a few flakes above 1850m. Despite the lack of new snow the pistes in the Tarentaise remain skiable. Off piste though is a crusted refrozen mess - not fun. Sorry, forgot to take pics this morning
Thanks for the update.
Despite the lack of new snow the pistes in the Tarentaise remain skiable
We spent three weeks in Ste Foy in 2022 and had only one fall of snow in that time, 5cm of snow laden with saharan sand. We skiied La Plagne, Tignes and Les Arcs as well as SF over that period and honestly the pistes in SF were LEAGUES better maintaned than the other areas - probalby due to the significantly lower skiier numbers
Sainte Foy isn't particularly high but gets very little sun at this time of the year so the snow stays quite good Early today on piste was fine, good even in the shaded areas. I skinned up through the boulders below the Marquise arrival,. started down the same way but after about 20 turns scuttled off to the red (Camp Filleul) to preserve my knees.
No, staying in à hôtel .
So none of the forecast snow has fallen in theTarentaise so we're still skiing on nearly month old snow. We paid a reduced entry for X-C today because there's only partial opening and the snow there is is now crap after a few mild days. In the alpine resorts it's OK high up but increasingly crap low down. Good news is that it's snowed in the Pyrénées.
After the initial big snowfall I was hoping to see more, but it's been like a drought ever since. Hope you find somewhere to enjoy what's left of the snow Educator. Also, really hoping for some more regular refreshes to fall through January.
Well we're in resort and I've been out every day. Mrs NBT is unwell, huge coughing fits (possibly COVID as she has no symptoms to suggest a cold or anything) so has mostly been in bed. Pistes are suffering due to the lack of snowfall, they're getting very hard packed with traffic and the freeze thaw cycle, mostly you're skiing in rock hard pistes with a layer of stuff scraped off the top, but there are no lift queues at least. Better than being in the office though!
We’re in Utah (30 mins from Snowbasin resort). Over the last few days we’ve been watching what little snow there was on the mountains slowly melting. It was meant to be our first day today but they cancelled lessons at the last minute (our kids needed them) so all lesson fees, hire and lift passes being refunded.
Ordinarily there should be perfect conditions by now, but it’s been around 16degC day / 8degC at night so they can’t even make snow! Fortunately it isn’t a ‘ski holiday’ as such, we were just getting a few days in, but this really is crap.
That’s proper rubbish johndoh. Go and watch the Jazz / NBA, on tomorrow
Feedback from around the Tarentaise says that it's icy and the wind has blown the loose snow off so it's really not good except in sheltered bowls. I made the most of the good early season conditions but haven't been up the last couple of days. Time to head to the Pyrenees where the web cams tell me conditions are pretty good.
Some Americans in the saying it's cheaper to ski in France in better conditions without the queues. There's something of a controversy around Vail resorts hiking day pass prices to 300 dollars and poor service. Google it.
Thanks @scuttler - it actually appears to be tonight at Salt Lake City (and again on 30th). The family seem quite interested. 👍
Ah yeah it was 230am on the 27th so timezone messing with me. I went to NBA when I skied in Cottonwood Canyons and really enjoyed it after a day out. Hope it bucks up…
Sorted! £100 for four tickets. My daughters are big netball players/fans so they’ll really enjoy. Thank you!
That was fun! Utah were drawing 129-129 with Detroit with 2.1 seconds to go, then scored! Scenes!
But 2hrs 30mins for just 48 minutes playing time (plus foul throws) is bonkers!
Feedback from around the Tarentaise says that it's icy and the wind has blown the loose snow off so it's really not good except in sheltered bowls. I made the most of the good early season conditions but haven't been up the last couple of days. Time to head to the Pyrenees where the web cams tell me conditions are pretty good.
Some Americans in the saying it's cheaper to ski in France in better conditions without the queues. There's something of a controversy around Vail resorts hiking day pass prices to 300 dollars and poor service. Google it.
Funnily on the one evening we've had a drink in the village (a swift hot chocolate white we waited for the laundry to finish) we ended up chatting to a couple who've come over from America because it's so much cheaper to ski here: and the conditions are better, even though they're not great here.
Been a bad few days though with avalanches and other incidents leading to multiple skiiers injured and some fatalities in La Plagne, Les Karellis and other resorts in the French alps
First day of a week on Serre Che today. Alarmingly little snow in the town. All of the runs to the bottom are closed - although people are getting down them.
Snow at the top was a pleasant suprise. Really good cover and condition. Holding up well through the day so I think it will be fine all week. Not a pow week but far far better than we feared. 
Keep us posted through the week! Heading to Serre Che for the first time ( staying in monetier) on the 10th. Think my wife is as excited about the spa as the skiing to be honest!
currently snow forecast after new year but we will see….
All beginners lessons in Snowbasin, Utah cancelled until after we leave. FFS.
One month Saturday till I head out, at the moment most of the red pistes and pretty much all the black runs are closed. I'm praying for a snowy January. It looks like there is some coming on Friday evening so hopefully this is first of several!
@johndoh - Having done lessons on a low resort in Austria once I can totally understand the cancellations, learning in hard packed or absent snow conditions isn't fun, I think it took months for hips to recover from the bumps and bashes on the glassy piste.
Junior went into les urgences in BSM on an erand for the boss, nbt. It was more than a little bit busy with lots of skiers/boarders in various states of disrepair. The helicopter overhead on its way to the landing pad on the hospital roof became familiar sight on the last few days of our stay. Take care those of you who don't have the luxury of only skiing when weather and snow conditions appeal.
Every single day that we've been in St Foy the forecast says snow in 6 days, meaning the goalposts keep moving. Snow is forecast in 4/5 days, but I'll believe it when it actually happens. Nice to have blue skies for many, but for most skiers we need some snow, pretty please.
Managed to get a day in yesterday at a different resort in Utah (Powder Mountain). They only had two runs open (a green and a blue, which was patchy). Cost? Almost £1,200 for 2 x full day lessons, 4 x single day lift passes and 4 x equipment hire. WTF!
Edit: It was a successful day though - it was the first time for both my 16 yr old girls and they were flying down by the end of the day, and I managed not to fall much despite it being about 18 years since I was last on a mountain boarding and I only have a total of two weeks experience.
Wow! Our week on Serre Che won't have cost much more than that all in! Madness.
I haven't partaken in these threads for years because, well, I haven't ski'd in years. Crap conditions and expense put me off going to the Alps, rightly or wrongly.
However for a combination of big birthdays I've had my arm twisted for a trip to Georgia, cat skiing. Its costing that same arm plus a leg but my word if it delivers on the promise I'd say it'll be worth it.
Friends of mine are going cat skiing in Georgia in Feb ..... I'd never heard of it but they're excited to try it (they live in Verbier so it must have good reviews)
Friends of mine are going cat skiing in Georgia in Feb .....
A mate went there last season and did Cat skiing. It wasn't good. Based on his pictures, it'll be a world away from Verbier😂
Just checked back in our WhatsApp chat from last year. He was there at the beginning of March
"We literally drove about an hour in the cat today to see if we can seek out the good stuff. We rode one time down the cat track, one bit of heavy slush, then drove back again. Total riding time today: 6mins."
I was watching a YouTube video a while back about cat skiing in Georgia (this one). It looked amazing from a ski point of view, less good when the power went out and they were stuck for a while.
The boy is off to Tignes (Val Claret) on Sunday. The forecast for next week sees some days at -20. How cold does it need to be for the lifts to close?
Terrible news from Crans Montana this morning 😔
What we know about the Switzerland ski resort fire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dvyyjyj18o
We’re off in the camper van next week, tunnel booked for the 9th so should be in resort somewhere to start riding on 10th.
We’ll be keeping an eye on forecasts this week before finally deciding on destination.
I’ve got best part of a fortnight but my wife & dog get to stay down there for an extra week.
From my experience it depends on the resort, the lift and wind chill. Obviously any surface lifts are generally fine to keep running, chairs are more of a problem as if they break down then the risk to those on it is greater as takes longer to evacuate if it can’t be restarted. I tend to find that lots of people vote with their feet and not go out when it gets super cold, and even then they’ll be in and out of bars and restaurants to warm up. The coldest I’ve done was about -30 with windchill in Fernie when I did a season there, the risk of frostbite on your face is very real so ended up doing a couple of runs and then in the canteen for a hot chocolate
He might not want to be on a lift at -20. The coldest I ever experienced on a lift was -28 Whistler (mostly wind chill was creating that low), it was a horrible experience, also -21 in Arapahoe basin, Colorado. The advice is double up with everything you normally wear.
We had a cold week in Tignes at Christmas in 2010 or 2011, I just remember junior was about 12. Minus 20 not including wind chill in the resort on several days and somewhat colder high up - happily not much wind. Everything was running and it was fine with down jackets under ski jackets, down mittens and lots of layers.
And here in Utah, it’s a single base layer under a half-unzipped jacket, gloves and helmets off between rides because it’s so warm 🙁 It’s more like late season, not December.
And it’s currently sleeting and 40 degrees F at 8,000ft. Really?
Thanks all, I asked the same question on Snowheads and got the same responses.
Orders have been issued and extra layers dug out for him to take. It's a university trip, so I suspect it will be used as an excuse for extra time in the bars in the village.
I've some old vids from that stay in Tignes, here's junior on the Face de Bellevarde black:
How to keep warm when it's really cold:
Thanks, oldtennisshoes, he's made the best the opportunites he's been given. I was happy to read that your son's on a university trip, I hope he makes the most of those (uni and the trip). As parents we can show them some of the world and lend a helping hand but they still have to find there own way and capitalise on the talents they have.
Absolutely pissing it down at base level now (at 10pm, with warming conditions) - any snow they had/made will be gone by tomorrow. Gutted.
Heading out to Morzine on Sunday for the first time ever skiing at nearly 50.
Very excited and have pretty much everything sorted. Quick question tho regarding drinking water during the day. Do people take backpacks and hydration packs?
I've heard mixed reports.
I avoid carrying a backpack, and especially as a newbie because of the risks/ hassle with lifts among other things.
if you feel you need to carry water versus stopping in bars and cafes, I’d use a foldable water bottle in your pocket, but I’ve never felt the need.
If it's cold I suggest a small plastic bottle that goes in an inside pocket. Anything in a backpack or outside pocket is unpleasantly cold to drink or very quickly solid. If you do use a hydration pack insulate the pipe. Also be prepared for being refered to as a "collant pipette" 😉
If you’re skiing for the first time at nearly 50, I doubt you’ll be skiing such long days and far from bars that you’d need to carry water with you.
I like to take a small backpack with a bottle of water and a snack or two. If it's a nice day it's nice to sit at a viewpoint and take it all in. Hydration packs do ice up though so I use a metal bottle now although a small plastic bottle inside your jacket is a nice idea
As a beginner you might welcome the chance to give your unaccustomed legs a break for a hot/cold drink. I don't generally take water unless we're touring.
I buy a tall skinny 750ml water bottle and fill it 3/4 and add some Go energy iso powder, A little bit of electrolytes plus some quick sugar boosts. The bottle slips inside my jacket which holds it at an acceptable temperature plus if i do have a big crash the bottle is not going to hurt me , and being part full will have a degree of give so hopefully doesnt burst on impact. Its also accessable on the chair lifts without having to get a rucksack off .