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 .
I took a hydration pack when skiing in March, it was warm enough not to freeze it (it was also small enough to wear under my jacket) and I felt I needed the hydration. I've never felt the need in Jan/Feb.
It's -12 here in St Foy.
Also being Sunday when the 'nutters' appear (you know the type - dressed in black, standing up straight, blasting around and scaring old ladies such as myself), meaning we're going out a lot later. There is little if no warmth in the sun.
When it's this cold I'd advise having a couple of snacks in your pockets. I got quite cold yesterday and also skiing with a 12 year old (she's way faster than me), having a snack handy kept us going until the Chocolat chaud stop.
The boy is reporting a bluebird day in Tignes. He's been too busy to send any photos though apparently 🙄
The coming few days in France are going to be the coldest since 2018 according to Météo de France with snow for the Alps from Thursday. The episode is unlikely to last long though, these cold periods have been getting shorter and shorter. -16°C in the night and -3°C in the day for BSM on Tuesday. BSM is just over 800m, it'll be properly cold up on the glaciers of the resorts.
I always carry my MTB bag and put a bottle in it. Having been to Morzine 20+ times skiing I find it can be mixed re the rucksacks and the lift staff. Many will turn a blind eye and let you on, but.. occasionally, if there has been an incident they will insist you remove it and put on front, i.e. someone has their bag caught on the lift when getting it off.
There are many bars, cafes etc on the slopes so plenty of places to stop for a refuel and depends how far you plan to ski per days, you will find Les Gets and Avoriaz, both are great for shops/cafes.
Enjoy, as think you are there as I type this.
After appalling conditions for the whole of our stay in Utah, they’ve had 12 inches overnight, it’s still coming down and expected to carry on all week.
We got home at lunchtime.
After appalling conditions for the whole of our stay in Utah, they’ve had 12 inches overnight, it’s still coming down and expected to carry on all week.
We got home at lunchtime.
I feel your pain. Had a week in Baqueira Beret with limited snow cover and whiteout conditions for most days. Snow started falling on the last morning of our stay as we were out, then at lunch time they shut the entire mountain as the blizzard was so heavy, and we spent four hours in a mountain cafe on a roadside pass waiting to be ferried down on a small coach (18 seats or so) escorted by a snowplough. There were over 200 people waiting in the cafe so it took ages.
Even now, we've been in Ste Foy since before Christmas, but have barely seen a flake of fresh snow since we arrived. Forecast to start on Thursday though, fingers crossed 🤞
We go home on Sunday
Off to Flaine next week. Worried about the Reported French Medical Strike going on affecting the lift/piste openings. For the last few days there have been no blacks open at Flaine, less than 30% of the Reds open and about 75% of the Blues open. That might be Ok for me, but the better skiers in the party might feel a bit limited.
Even now, we've been in Ste Foy since before Christmas, but have barely seen a flake of fresh snow since we arrived. Forecast to start on Thursday though, fingers crossed
It's pretty weird that living just out of Cambridge, we've had more snow than the alps since Christmas.
I'm hopeful the end of the week sees the start of some gentle regular snowfall for the rest of the month, but the current snow-forecast is for about 1m over about 36 hours which is a lot in a short period and will probably just cause more problems than benefits!
That's perfect avalanche conditions. Heavy snow on old icy hardpack . That's not going to bind and full depth slumps are very likely. As there's been so little snow for a month all the powder hounds and season ticket holders will be out trying to make the most of the conditions.
Agreed stmind, it's likely to be a dangerous week next week so I hope everyone realises and is sensible, but unfortunately some won't be. If as bnb says above there is a medical strike on too it likely to be even worse.
Heading out the following weekend for a full week of backcountry snowboarding in Valais (Grimentz). Hopefully the big snowfall this week will have some to consolidate and we then get regular top ups throughout the week. Not quite sure what to expect as a completely new resort and not done much proper off piste stuff for a while, but the skills are buried in the back of my mind so just need to dig them out and dust them off. Transceiver training first morning I think.
Utah, they’ve had 12 inches overnight
20" in the last 48hrs. Screw you Utah. Your mother was a hamster...
@tuboflard who are you riding with? Spent a week in Grimentz off piste last year - one of my mates runs guided trips there ( amongst other places) Was a great trip!
It’s Whiteroom (so Stevo) who’s running the trip. Going with a good friend of mine who I did a season with many years ago. I don’t think I’m fit enough at the moment (not unfit but could always be fitter) so fingers crossed there’s not endless hiking every day….!@tuboflard who are you riding with? Spent a week in Grimentz off piste last year - one of my mates runs guided trips there ( amongst other places) Was a great trip!
We go to Flaine on Friday too @bentandbroken! If you see tall guy and short woman who will be rocking a green coat that makes me look like a small frog - say hello 🙂
Weather forecast for the drive is looking the worst we've had in a years, to the extent we've got snowchains as well as the winter tyres.
@tuboflard you will have an epic time!. Grimentz is a cute wooden swiss village. there's some really fun stuff you can traverse to from the top lifts and lap if its been snowing. Theres also some really fun back bowls that only require a 20 min hike. The run to the dam is a no hike route he probably take you on which has epic views then an "exciting" exit down an icy walkers path.
we only did two long hike splitboard days and had pow turns everyday of our week. there was lots we didnt even touch. ill find some pics in a bit and post them!
Screw you Utah. Your mother was a hamster...
But your father doesn't smell of elderberries, because you are a b%$£*&d
Transceiver training first morning I think.
Given the likely conditions I hope you'll be wearing an airbag too if you think a tranceiver is necessary. I won't be going anywhere near off piste in even low risk avalanche zones for a week or two. I'll be sticking no risk and zones cleared by Gazex, Catex etc. And even then being wary. Given who you'll be with this is probably unnecessay comment but it's here for all those who won't be guided. In fact the weather forecast is so good (snowy) we've decided to stay on the plain this weekend - proper fair weather fairies us.
Good to hear you're well equiped for the road, Sprootlet. Perfect conditions for verglas formation at present. I hope everyone you share the road with is equiped too because it only takes one to cause carnage. You're more likely to hit trouble on the plains on the way to the Alps than in the mountains where if conditions are difficult the Gendarmes will be stopping cars and turning them around if they aren't equiped.
@tuboflard here you go…. This was all lift accessed stuff rather than splitboard, mostly in the resort itself or in the back bowl.
im sure stevo will be suitably cautious - like I said there’s a lot that’s available without too much risk / effort and its a quiet resort so it won’t be tracked quickly
There’s a transceiver practice park on the Zinal side where you start a timer then search for multiple burials in a time limit and have to probe a pad to “find” them. All good fun but sobering when you think of being part of a real rescue. My friend is James Stentiford who you might have come across and is one of the best free riders the uk ever produced. He’s been involved in multiple real searches. It’s a scary thing but having someone who’s very experienced to guide you is the best way of minimizing ( not eliminating) the risk
