MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
So, who's going where and when? New toys? etc.....!
Off to Serre Che in February, at least according to current plan, and possibly getting a cheeky long weekend at Tahoe/Heavenly in January if certain otehr plans work out! Anyone skied around Tahoe with any tips/pointers?
New toys? Well, don't really [i]need[/i] anything after my expenditure last year. But I rather [i][b]want[/b][/i] a pair of these;
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or maybe these;
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So, what's in the diaries....?
[url= http://www.skischladming.com/ ]Schladming in Austria[/url] mid-term in Feb.
Hopefully a few runs up in Scotland.
Ideally might hop over to Switzerland for a lads weekend with a mate that lives there and drive down to [url= http://en.portesdusoleil.com/ ]Portes du Soleil[/url].
No new toys this years, but still getting used to my [url= http://www.bataleon.com/boarddetails.aspx?t=14&tn=GOLIATH ]Bataleon Goliath[/url]:
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with the weird but cool TBT base [img] 
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http://www.documentsnowboard.co.uk/news/gear-news/20092010-bataleon-goliath-review
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Got one of these in the garage that was awaiting the winter season, but now I'm off to sunny places instead.
Kind of 🙁
Kind of 😀
Tahoe is ok but better skiing to be had at Squaw & Alpine. Better atmos too - Heavenly is just a big american town. Mind you awesome view from the top of Heavenly, 10000ft up & its one of highest points around for miles.......
My plans? Dont know for sure. Ive got a heavy training load for next yr so not sure how much skiing Im going to get done, if I do it will more likely be the land of Chocolate, cuckoo clocks & dodgy bankers..
Looking forward to family trip to [url= http://www.lathuile.it/ ]La Thuile[/url] in Feb
It'll be Glencoe or Nevis as often as possible for me, with a sneaky trip sans-enfants to the Tarantaise some time in January.
I need these new snowboard designs explained to me though - my trusty Option Vinson (which, despite buying about 7 years ago and hammering off rocks at Glencoe ever since, I still consider my "good" board!) could do with replacing, but because I've not ridden anywhere near as much as I used to over the past 6 seasons I've not bothered.
Now there's all this TBT, reverse camber type and all these new manufacturers on the market and I can't grasp what it all means! In the past I always thought the choices were basically Burton or not, forgiving or stiff/snappy and short for mucking about or longer and wider for those all-too-rare deep powder days.
What's all that about then?
A week in Les Gets at the end of March... can't wait, even sent my board off to be repaired a couple of weeks back - completely trashed it in the trees in Courmayeur last year.
No new toys this year, although probably need a new helmet
re. Rockers, Cambers, Combo boards, it seems to be about 80% marketing and 20% substance. I ride a LibTech TRS which is a rocker design i.e. if you look at it side on it's a bit more banana shaped than a cambered board - the bit between your feet curves down rather than up, think of a stretched out U shape rather than a soft 'W' ([url= http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/snowboard.html ]A better description[/url])
In reality in powder it does seem to float a little better - the nose comes up more easily than my previous, longer board... I don't think it carves quite as well on piste and if you running flat it definitely wanders around a little more... fun in lift queues the first few times you use it. The differences really aren't night and day though.
To be honest, have a look at the specs, make sure you're chosing the right type of board (freestyle, freeride etc) then pick the one with the best graphics.
All current plans (we were supposed to be hitting up Canada again this year) have been placed on hold due to the re-fracture of my wife's leg in August.
Current planning is that she should be out of the cast by Christmas, but won't be making this season at all. Which means that I won't be able to either. Which sucks a bit.
What's all that about then?
Marketing. 😉 Skis are as bad these days, with all manner of rocker/camber lunacy going on!
Was planning Serre Che, but have now booked Les Arcs. No idea what to expect, it's only my second time skiing.
All tips gratefully received!
Wallop
Have a look at [url= http://www.snowheads.co.uk/ ]Snowheads.co.uk[/url] lots of good advice on there.
Nendaz (part of the Verbier area) for Christmas. I spend all my cash on bikes and a toddler so not bought anything new for a while!
Was planning a week in the Espace Killy, staying at one of the cheaper Tignes resorts the week before Christmas. However I can't persuade anyone to go with me, and although I'd be more than happy to board on my own all day, the prospect of a whole week on my todd doesn't really appeal 🙁
Will most likely be a boring sod and save my pennies instead.
Cheers, Rich
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Bad Gastein for Christmas - first time in Austria so quite looking forward to something new
Serre Che in March, with UIAGM guides for the week and possible daytrips to places such as Montgenevre and maybe La Grave, dependent on conditions
No new gear, the stuff I have all works fine 🙂
Markie - 1999 Burton Rippey 157.
Do I win a prize? 😳
(Could be a smidge earlier than 1999 - I had the 2000 one with the sparkly topsheet and nekkid girlies frolicking on the bottom).
I'm after some new boots as I just didn't get on with the new ones I bought last year. Anyone want to buy some Burton DriverX's in size 8? Only used for a few days, not even heat-moulded yet!
If anyone is interested I put together a 10 week fitness program for skiers and boarders, which I'm mainly marketing in Geneva - email me for details so I don't have to do any more blatant selling on here! The idea being to avoid injury and make more of every day of your trip.
Scotland at some point after Christmas, not going abroad anywhere though. Absolutely loved Winter Park when i went, but i just wish i'd been on skis rather than boarding. Altitude sickness wasn't fun mind....
WallopHave a look at Snowheads.co.uk lots of good advice on there
cheers!
Fernie, whitefish again for us over christmas
Same fish and malolo boards for me
No need for more kit than I already have just looking forward to plenty of powder and the nice food, not to mention cowgirl coffee
iDave, was that that thing you were antsy about hearing about a little while ago?
Was planning Serre Che, but have now booked Les Arcs. No idea what to expect, it's only my second time skiing.All tips gratefully received!
Yep, you should have gone to Serre Che! 😉
Les Arcs is ace, though. You'll have fun!
After last years rather expensive, shiny toy filled jaunt, I'd planned on finding somewhere quiet, chilled, with a good mix of fun for all abilities and great touring. Friend of mine's talking about a 2 week ski-mountaineery traverse in Iran. I'm trying hard to not be interested, and not quite succeeding.
plumber. I'm hearing rumours of a repeat of la nina this year. You could be balls-deep, as they say. Where are you staying in Fernie?
Yep, you should have gone to Serre Che!Les Arcs is ace, though. You'll have fun!
It wasn't down to me, sadly. There are 16 of us going! 😯
What's all that about then?
The TBT base on Bataleons is [u]very[/u] noticeable. (definitely not just marketing!)
Basically the cross section of the board looks like this graphic:
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When you are on the flat then only the middle section of the board is on the snow. No edges. So you can squirrel the board around underneath you. Makes riding long flat link trails a lot easier and you are less likely to catch and edge on boxes or dodgy landings.
As soon as you lean it flops onto the edge section, engages the edge and starts the turn.
Turns feel very "engaged" and you have to shift your weight a bit more to come out of the turn.
I like it a lot. The only downside is that the transition points on the base get bare VERY quickly so they need a lot of waxing.
If you're interested in new boards the get yourself to a demo day. I bought my Bataleon after trying loads of boards at the Big Bang Snowboard Show in Glasgow. Think you've missed this years though.
GrahamS, presumably you have to crank it over harder to get the same edge in the snow?
Whistler at Christmas then Meribel in Feb for us. No new kit this year. Bah!
Tahoe? Alright if you like gambling, the resort is a bit sh1t though... There's a resort near there (can't recall the name) where you ski the State line, Nevada desert (with Chicken Ranches) one side, snow the other. Heavenly's alright, just seems a bit small after the 3 Valleys, Milky Way etc...
Currently got Wengen for Christmas and 12 days in Whistler in march booked in. Might try and get a lads weekend back to Wengen for Mens Downhill weekend in too, funds and mrs allowing!
Wrecked my skis at the end of last season so going to get a new set off a mate, not sure what though, depends what he can dig out the garage!
Hmm. Thanks for notes re Tahoe. So, if I was in San Francisco and wanted to squeeze in a cheeky three day ski trip, which resort?
I have a Bataleon and agree with the above.
Still have an old Rippey somewhere.
Hey stevomcd, close enough for the prize I reckon! It's from sometime between 1994 and 1996, a Rippey Mission 56. Sparkly white top coat.
Verbier the week before Xmas, and St Anton the first week of Feb 🙂
on my new Rossignol S86 skis 🙂
Wallop
Have a look at [s]Snowheads.co.uk[/s] lots of good advice on there
Think snowheads.com is the official URL (without the www's), but it seems to redirect OK.
Planned so far:
Nov/Dec = Tignes
Jan = Zillertal
Feb = Arabba
Mar = tbd (San Cassiano maybe, but I don't want to be too greedy)
nadrapier - no the antsy thing is still up in the air. The slope fitness is bread and butter stuff.
I'm pleased to say that a good friend is having their apartment in the alps renovated in time for the season - deep joy
also want to do some nordic stuff
Jackson Hole - December
St Anton - January
Serre Che and a bit at La Grave - March
CFH - I had a pair of nomad crimsons - not bad at all
The planks I really want to use more this year are
[url= http://www.whitedotfreeride.com/skis2.php ]these[/url]
Andy - my first time not making it on the snowHeads Birthday Bash... 😥
No new kit apart from a new file and errr, I've bought my son a board having sold my own because I was fed up with hurting myslef on it. I might borrow it when there is some fresh powder - if my wife doesn't hide it or saw it in two.
Where? Up the hill and up other hills if I have to drive for my son's club.
Just looking at booking a Shallot for a group of us - possibly Zell if Austria, Serre Che if France. I've forgotten which are the cheapest weeks to go again - anybody enlighten me?
Stoats, Serre Che in March last season was roasty-toasty warm, but still good snow cover above the tree line. Only the Alphand back to Chantemerle was really doable, and even then not in the afternoon (Massively churned!) so we just stayed up high and then downloaded.
Have also been to Serre Che in March - it was bloody roasting!!
CFH and DD - Early March. I suspect most of the time we'll be heading over the pass if the lift at LG is open. Or bootpacking off the top of the lift system at Serre Che. And I'll have my skins with me... Nice getting away from the hordes...
Not last March, Darcy? 😀
I like Serre Che a lot. Especially now the new Cucumelle lift is open. Means I can go play on the Col du Vent and Monetier side of things as well. The Briancon side of the hill gets a little soupy in the sunshine of an afternoon, but the rest is ace, as well as being a mahoosive skiing area.
*Edit for Stoats - Plenty of fun stuff to be had over at l'Eychauda peak and the Pic de l'Yret. Also, very few hordes at Serre Che, especially if out of school holidays. Never had more than one person ahead of me in the queues.
Top tip - The Piano Bar in Chantemerle. A properly drunk old man of the village plays superb French chansons on the piano and they have a cracking wine list at very reasonable prices. Nice bike shop next door, too. They even had an Arantix in the window last time I was there!
Going to whistler for christmas, can't ****ing wait!!
hexhamstu - pack an umbrella... 😉
We're off to Les Gets at the begning of Feb 😀
Where do you find the best deals for st anton for late jan/feb? I think I deserve a holiday!
No, a good few years ago flashy. Tbh, I found the resort a bit tired but hear it's picked back up again recently. Maybe worth another visit.
I'm going to Serre Che with NBT and Stoatsbrother 😀
+1 for Glen Coe and Nevis range... no money to go anywhere abroad.
re: all the tech. just get yourself an nice normal cambered board, I have been riding since 1994 and the reverse camber thing isn't new. TBT as mentioned is pretty good i reckon but best used in conjunction with normal camber.
the best application of reverse camber is in freestyle boards specifally rails. half pipe and kicker is still best ridden on a norml cambered board.
Signal OG would be my choice for general mountain bit of everything deck.
K2 slayblade is also very nice, salomon have a whole range of boards as do artec, DWD, Ride, YES, Endeavour, weekend, Lobster, APO, LIB, etc....
Bindings.... BUY UNION! the force model are really nice.
Everyone pretty much makes nice boots but i like slaomon and 32 cos they fit best. all about the fit when it comes to boots...
most of all! Have fun 😉
Stoatsbrother - was gonna do something different this yr. ended up doing something different *and* the BB (subject to actual planning actually happening 😉 of course).
edit: still trying to figure out something in PdS. either on skis or bike. Not been there for years, and fancy staying over the Chatel side for a change.
I'm hoping to grab a couple of days next month, am out in Austria for work. Haven't skied since 93 and fancy going those new twins a go, but in the meanwhile I'm going to try the new fangled camber thingies, see how it goes.
I'm off to Niseko for the season, leaving five weeks tomorrow. Just need to sell a kidney and pay for some proper fat skis! 😀
Rhubarb - you bucky lucking fastard....
looking at a bit of Alp D'heuz action with the family in the new year, not been for 15years+. Had a bit of snow dome action last week just to remind myself, bring on the mountains!! 🙂
I think we can all agree on one thing. We all hate rhubarb.
😉
Got one of these waiting for its first run.
Salomon Official
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Just need to book a holiday or two!
Fair enough chaps. Fingers crossed for some snow here before I go, Scottish skiing is good for the soul!
What's with the British obsession with fat skis? Dare I venture that narrow skis are more fun in powder? If the skis don't sink you may as well be on a groomed piste. Euro powder is rarely light enough to be a problem with GS skis.
For some proper fat pow-munchers. Have tried these two
Rossi Super 7
Atomic Chettlers (If you can cope with the silly graphics, these are awesome!)
Two I'd love to try
Line Mr Pollard's Opus
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White Doctor TW10
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They look so good, I only hope they could live up to it!
@ ranger... thats a lovely stick you have there...! I had a salomon prospect which was similar to the official.
@ edukator.. seems you need educating about japanese powder, makes euro powder look particularly lame fat skis essential 😉
I've been on Pocket Rockets for years. I'm thinking of replacing them with Prophet 98s. Will get as much as possible in the Cairngorms this year and hopefully a week in the Alps. Being self employed has its benefits but time off for skiing isnt one of them. I used to get 2-4 weeks a season 🙁
Those canoe profile thingummy blobs would be good in pow but can't see they'll be any use in Europe. Not a good enough pow/piste ratio in most places.
Just got a new job in Chamonix! Moving there in 3 weeks time! Can't wait.
Going to try for an Alps trip this year. Mostly Weardale ski club and the mighty Yad if the snow falls and falls in the right place this year. As above some Scotish trips to Glen Coe and Nevis Range. Might even get round to going to Raise.
No new gear or toys this year, but going on a lads 3 dayer to cairngorm and Glencoe in december. Then going to Selle Ronda in Italy in January for a week (me and the mrs) Then Val disere in March again me and the wife, but this time with freinds of ours.
Cant wait, bring on da snow. love Val D, go every year and cant wait to get back there
Never bother with summer hols, me and the mrs prefer to go on winter hols. And i am to busy biking in the summer to be botherd to sit on a beach 😮
oap - we must join you (if the snow fairy plays ball).
Never bother with summer hols, me
I like doing both! 8) Wakeboard and sail in the summer, ski in the winter! 8)
CFH if you're in SF head for Squaw & Alpine. Very different scene to Heavenly. Also Tahoe is a generic term for the whole lake area so IMO those who say Tahoe is rubbish don't really know what they are talking about..
If in Tahoe then Heavenly OK for mileage and the double blacks ou tthe back on the nevada side, kirkwood in fresh snow is incredible, squaw very good as well. I enjoyed Sierra@tahoe a lot as well.
Yeah Kirkwood... Known for 'The Wall' IIRC?
Well this will be my second season living in the French Alps in the Portes du Soleil, pretty much learnt the basics of falling over with a snowboard on ice last season so looking to hopefully a bit more snow and a bit more progression this season! My new toy will be a full season pass and being able to do a bit more exploring. Same old second hand board, don't even know the make but its got a cool Ninja chic on it with a sword looking like she's about to about to castrate me....
[url=[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6279197395_d4dac10bb4_z.jp g" target="_blank">
This is mine. Off to Tignes in Feb.
Raymond in rear entry binding system shocker.... quicker? no! heavier? yes! more bits to break? definitley! flows and K2 cinch, apo expresso style bindings are horrid. some of the newer designs have ratchets too.. but just NO.
all based on my stick in the mud opinion and should be mostly ignored.
Off to Fernie for a month again in February. Hoping for a repeat of last years epic conditions and then heading to the Northern Norwegian Fjords for a week in April.
No new toys this years apart from a new pair of bindings as last years new pair were cannabalised to try and improve the performance and response of my splitboard bindings.
Have just watched 'The Art of Flight' and 'Twelve' so really looking foward to the coming season! 🙂
flows and K2 cinch, apo expresso style bindings are horrid. some of the newer designs have ratchets too.. but just NO.
K2 Autos are awesome.
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http://k2snowboarding.com/bindings/ever
Advantages of a step-in/flow system with flex and feel of "real" strappy bindings.
Perfect for old blokes that struggle to reach over their belly to do up toe straps. 😀
Flows: quicker; yes (can clip in while moving) heavier; yes, but does that really make much difference? (how heavy are your boots?)and I've had no breakages in 10 years of using them.
I hate sitting on my ar5e for 5 minutes at the top of each lift straping on my bindings and theres very little difference in control compared with normal bindings.
They may not be sick, phat or gnarly but then neither am I!
Toying with going to Jackson Hole over Christmas or maybe just Italy, then Kaprun in March if all goes to plan (maybe another cheeky few days somewhere in between if I can too).
On Tahoe - Heavenley is an impressive operation, but you pay for it, Alpine meadows and Kirkwood both had a nice vibe, and good riding. I wasn't so keen on Squaw but it was a flat light day. I got tickets in the UK which were redeemable at all of the major resorts. South Lake Tahoe town was OK, but not much of a party vibe, Truckee might be better?
...then heading to the Northern Norwegian Fjords for a week in April.
Whereabouts, Digby? I REALLY want to visit Lofoten and the Lyngen Alps. Torn between midsummer lolling, boating and biking and spring touring.
I hate sitting on my ar5e for 5 minutes at the top of each lift straping on my bindings
There's a very, very easy way to solve that.... 😉
Yup, it's called learning to get your foot under the straps and strap in on the move!