UPDATE: CLASSIFIEDS section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
Prompted by @toby1, we're past the midpoint of the year and the season has kicked off big time in the southern hemishere - I understand Chile got HAMMERED with snow last week, as in well over 2 metres, so it's time to kick off this year's thread
Season 25-26 went pretty well for us and we've already booked next year's trips.
As for last season - We'd booked 4 weeks in the Tarentaise in 2 blocks, with 2 weeks in Ste Foy over New Year and the first week of January, then back there in late March before moving up to Tignes for the frst week of Easter. As it turned out I had the opportunity to take Christmas week off work as well without using actual holiday leave, so we did three weeks in Ste Foy - though we had to book a separate apartment for the first week./ That was a bad idea as it was a LOVELY apartment, and the one we moved to was not quite as nice. While there was a great start to the season with a HUGE dump in late November the next decent amount of snow didn't come until the Wednesday of the last week of the frst trip. They'd been closing pistes one by one as the snow cover shrank then BOOM it was everywhere. So much, that an avalanche damaged a pylon on the one of the four main lifts, the one serving the highest area - thankfully despite initial fears that it was shut for the season for replacement over summer, the team did a fantastic job and replaced the pylon in time for our return visit. Snow cover was much better on this trip, and we had a private lesson with @Edukator Jr - he quicklly spotted things like i am duck footed so my tips diverge unless I concentrate on steering properly. Still got plenty to work on in that area. It was also great that with the new snow falling in March, I ticked off the black "natur" pistes that are in essence off piste, patrolled and made safe. I may not have been elegant, but I got down safely.We had a day out in Les Arcs which was nice, but still doesn;t tempt us to go back.
Tignes was great, but by that point we (Mrs NBT especially) were feeling the effects of so much skiing. We had the skis serviced one day and I don't know what they did (or didn't do) but after the service we realised that we were both struggling with the skis, I think they may have got the edges wrong but in essence both of us were fighting skis and struggling to control things like flapping tips - to the point where I said I might have to admit my skis were too big and and get something smaller. We went back and they said they'd service them again loaned us slalom skis, whcih were equally bad if not wors. One run was enough to take us straight back to the shop to say "no". The re-serviced skis were fine for me but I think Mrs NBT had spent so much energy fighting them, she struggled for the rest of the week. We had a lovely morning with Edukator who got up at 6am to get the bus up to Tignes, but Mrs NBT was so tired we had to drop her off late morning to head back. Nice apartment in Tignes and thanks to whoever recommended Peak Feeling, not sure if that was here or on Snowheads but they were great - would happily book with them again
Over all though, 35 days skiing in one season was great, but maybe too much.
Next season then we've planned 2 weeks in Vaujany in January. Yet to decide whether we're going to drive down as usual, or take the train. I love travelling by train (we had a few days in Paris earlier this year) but the car offers flexibility and means we could even nip over to Les Deux Alpes). I've also got a one week trip to Meribel Mottaret booked, which Mrs NBT is not joining. We scored a relative bargain with that one as we got free lift passes for the whole group - but it as almost £1500 each, whereas a one week trip to Val d'Isere 13 years ago (2013) was about £750 incuding lift pass. If the Vaujany trip goes well, I may consdier a second trip (thrid for me) with Mrs NBT
Picked up some new (second hand) skis off facebook, £130 for a pair of 165 Salomon slalom skis,so I have something shorter and snappier to use when conditions are not great
Planning to get new boots before the season, but Rivington Alpine have been shut over summer while they relocate, so I'll have to get in touch with them soon and see when they're starting up again
What about you guys and girls?
You've screwed up the thread title...
Given the state of the glaciers in the Alps this summer, I think it could be a late start to the season!
Really saddening to see how they have shrunk in the past 20 years or so let alone over a longer period of photographic evidence
Given the state of the glaciers in the Alps this summer,
Yeah I saw pics of the Tignes "glacier" last week, it was horrific
I’ve got a long weekend in January planned and a slightly longer weekend in April also planned with flights booked for both but no resorts locked in yet.
Would like to go somewhere new as covered a large percentage of resorts especially in France within reach from Geneva so keen to do a bit of exploring. Maybe Crans Montana as know the train route there from the January trip to Grimentz from this year and it should be nice and straightforward. And for April I might just get a car and drive to the Tarantaise as would like to get back to Tignes or Val d’Isere. We will see. But no week long trip planned so far which is niggling at me…!
January trip to Grimentz
How did that go? If you did a report I must have missed it, the Grimentz valley has long been on my list of places I fancy visiting. I even found a nice looking B&B there recently when i was looking at options for the Christmas week when we ended up in Ste Foy
It was great @nbt, proper old town feel and really quiet at that time of the year. Went with White Room Snowboarding (Stevo on here) and it was definitely a low snow year at that point with some pretty slim pickings for fresh lines.
But we did some split board touring as group which was a first for me and really enjoyed though cruelly exposed my lack of fitness. Stevo’s “mini tour” almost broke me and ended up boarding back to the resort in twilight as a result.
I’d definitely go back in a good snow season as there is a lot of potential with minimal hiking required. Avalanche risk was really high when we were there though even with the low snow pack so had to take it steady.
Also really easy to get to with the train straight out of Geneva airport direct to Sierre and then the post bus up the valley. The road is pretty hairy too so prefer to leave that job to the bus driver and don’t need a car once in the resort as it’s a really compact town.
Here’s a couple of photos to get a sense of the place.
Thanks @nbt!
La Rosiere in Jan for 26, nothing arranged for 27, but likely to be early March as we are going to Finland in Jan (although mostly for looking at the sky as opposed to skiing for some daft reason - something to do with my wife's birthday). Probably a me and my mate trip so usually ends up as Tignes, Les Mens or Meribel, we might venture elsewhere, but we likely won't.
Given the summer we are having, and reports from my mate who cycled the Marmotte this year of 32 degrees at the base and not much cooler further up it sounds like we'll be lucky to have any glaciers left and no snow to ski on at this rate, terrifying.
Sainte Foy earlier today. As noted by Ginger and nbt the mountains are pretty much devoid of névés and the glaciers in a sorry state. The isotherme is over 500m higher than on my first Summer trips to the Alps half a century ago. Chamonix was hot when we went a few days ago. We're out early on the bikes and back for lunch then venture back out in the evening.
My good intention is to get out on roller blades in the autumn and hopefully start the ski season a bit stronger than last year. Whatever we do will be within a car charge from BSM or Pau. Peisey, Les Saisies, le Braca etc. for X-C, maybe use the touring skis a few times.
There are some X-C resorts in the Massif Central we've been planning to ski for years before they close down completely but whenever we've driven through they've been devoid of snow. Hautecam has closed for good leaving us memories of X-C racing and junior's early races.
Might try skiing instead of snowboarding this year.
Had an all day lesson at Xscape and spent the last hour or so going top to bottom (slowly, still snow ploughing) on the main slope.
I could feel how parallel would work on the flatter bits at the bottom.
Will I regret this?
Yours,
A nervous 55 year old
Will I regret this?
Two of my good friends have recently seen the light after decades of snowboarding and realised that - especially given typical conditions in Europe, where we normally ski - they may well find it easier to ski rather than board. Both have elected to swing both ways, as it were, taking the board for use on the odd day when the need becomes too great, or there is actually enough snow to enjoy the board, but I can honestly say that neither seems to have regretted the move.
I'm guessing the Capt' is still missing in action.
Yes lack of snow is a huge concern for the snow sports enthusiasts, the snow industry and tourism in those countries lucky enough to have snow sports facilities.
For the first time ever at the end of the 2026 season I lost my mojo. January where the conditions were just hardpacked scratchy horribleness was tiring and I was still trying to find confidence after a skiing accident in 2024.
The great lesson from Edukator Jnr really helped.
Here's to a good 2027 season and hopefully better conditions.
For the first time in 10 ish years we're heading back to the snow in late Feb. Mrs Lunge did not have a great experience last time so we're into "throw some money at the problem" area and have booked a stunning spa style hotel in Obergurgl. The plan/hope is that she can ski mornings then go back and relax whilst I can ski and meet her at apres.
Absolutely buzzing about it!
@lunge, that's pretty much my wife's approach, a morning ski, usually through to early afternoon, then heads to the spa for a relax. She also benefits from some refresher/improver lessons, instructor this year was really complimentary which helped her confidence lots. I improved a bit skiing with him too.
Annual ski club trip to celebrate 50 years of the club.
This year we're off to Les Arcs on the 30th of January.
Hoping for some decent Scottish ski days as well!
Our annual trip is going back to Cervinia in March. Love spring skiing and the longer warmer days it offers. Sure the home run goes sloppy at the end of the day but it’s a small price to pay. We were there last week riding and they were still skiing on the glacier in the morning
My mate Bazz and I are aiming for the slopes of La Plange at the start of February. He's an exceptionally good skier. I'm a very nervous, slow intermediate. I'm thinking of treating myself to a pair of shiny new skis (I already have a good pair of boots), and wondered if anyone here could recommend skis for a 183cm, 115kg bloke who pees his pants at any speeds over 25km/hr or slopes over 20 degrees.
Funnily enough, the above loose bladder description also applies when on my bikes. 😛
