Brent had made the front half of a foot out of wood and hollowed it out so it fit snug against the guys foot stump. He then cut a boot in half, put the wooden foot into it, and fused it back together so the pilots bad foot would be supported.
Awesome!
Well, varying levels of snow reports are predicting varying levels of snow for the weekend and next week. So, here's the question - Which is the most reliable online forecast for Serre Che?
AKA Boob Pudding. Yum.Germknoddel
Just got back from a week's snowboarding in Bansko (Bulgaria). Ridiculously cheap, decent hotel and good quality, if a little limited, boarding. Can definitely recommend if you want a MUCH cheaper option to the Alps, although if apres and luxury are your thing, this ain't for you - this is Eastern Europe and things are basic to say the least. Nor is it for the piste-bashers. But we went for the express purpose of honing skills and gaining confidence on steeper sections/ going faster and for this the place was perfect. 7 weeks and 4 days to go until we next hit the slopes in Passo Tonale!!!
The OH all but agreed to booking our 2nd trip of the season, likely to be Kitzbuhel. It being our 2nd trip this one is based pretty much on price, so we have a shortlist of Kitzbuhel or Soldeu (we've found places with free kids places which makes a hell of a difference!). We've skied the Granvallira before and loved it, but I'm really keen on going somewhere new - it's really hard to beat Austria.
being our 2nd trip this one is based pretty much on price
Having got the lowdown from jamiep of this parish I am now seriously considering a sneaky 2nd lads-only trip to Jasna (Slovakia).
And I have wife approval!! 😀
(though I'm not proud of how I earned it... those images will haunt me for long time to come...)
Hello, first post on this great thread though have been reading forever! Going to 3 Valleys on Saturday - can't wait and BBC thinks that the snow'll be starting again on Thursday - woop 😀 😀
Add Kassspatzl to the list of Austrian delicacies - it's like Macaroni cheese on steroids, lovely stuff. A bit of leberknodelsuppe always goes down well too.
One thing to bear in mind should you visit Austria and go to a sauna/steam-room - nakedness is strictly enforced!
I just have a big fondness for Austria - lived there as a kid for a year when I learned to ski and I just love the way they have a proper mountain culture where are the kids learn from about 3 etc. And they do seem to take a lot more pride in the mountain restaurants than in France. They are generally massive rednecks though - there's a lot of awful awful ooompah folk music jazzed up with dance beats. 'Tis quite funny though.
GrahamS - I've been to Jasna, I didn't find it that great tbh but it was lashing it down with rain when we were there. People who had been there a week or two earlier said it was awesome when there was lots of powder though. And beer/hotdogs etc by the ski runs are very reasonable indeed.
Welcome, Shifter!
I'm off next week as well, and all the forecasts I can find have snow for Friday/Saturday of this week, and then more from Wednesday of next!
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GrahamS - I've been to Jasna, I didn't find it that great tbh but it was lashing it down with rain when we were there.
Yeah that would put a (literal) dampener on things. 🙁
jamiep has been 5 times and kindly showed me his holiday photos. They were enough to convince me. 😀
Careful what you wish for CFH, given very recent history, that snow Friday/Saturday could impede your progress in to resort or bring lockdown in it!
Good point, Hammerite!
Been speaking to a couple of folks out there, and they reckon it'll only be about 5-10 inches at most, so unlikely to shut things down. The main road from Turin to Briancon/Serre Che, through Montgenevre and Claviere way is usually pretty reliable. Coming over the Lautaret way is the more likely to be shut down.
But yes, fingers crossed....! 🙂
Thanks for the welcome 🙂
Did someone say oompah? Was in Serre Chev last year, saw a great oompah band on the Friday up the mountain at Serre Ratier. Cafe du Soliel I think it was. Great spot for sunny lunch.
A quick chorus of "Anton aus Tyrol" anyone...
I think DJ Otzi is actually from St Johann where I went. Amazing.
5-10cm (of snow :wink:) should do very nicely indeed then CFH.
Serre Ratier. Cafe du Soliel I think it was. Great spot for sunny lunch.
And MAHOOOSIVE pizzas!
However, my choice is the Bercail, at Aravet. No oompah band has been spotted there as yet. Thankfully!
Oh, and surely we can hijack this somehow!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/9020275/Live-webchat-ski-and-snow-holidays.html
Seriously tempted by [url= http://www.igluski.com/verbier/chalet-hotel-de-verbier_p924?holidayid=43797330&referrersiteid=340&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=16_jan_12_ingflash_&utm_source=igluski ]this Verbier Chalet deal[/url]. Only drawback is Birmingham departure.
Should I hang on and wait for something even better nearer the time (10th March)?
Any feedback re Verbier appreciated.
Cheers
Woody - I think that's an Inghams property, if so check out the same place on the Inghams website directly, you'll probably find a flight somewhere more convenient for you.
I know what you mean about holding on for last minute, I never can, get too excited looking at deals!
Cheers, you're right. £513 from Newcastle.
Good deal I think but the mate I'm going with is keener to wait and he's probably right. It'll let us see where the best snow is too the longer we leave it 🙂
I went with Inghams at Christmas to Cervinia. Thought they were excellent all round really, especially the food at our hotel (Inghams employed staff).
Verbier is a great resort, one of my favourites, for anyone from intermediate upwards, although it is wallet lightening. That hotel is very central, near where I have stayed, you can walk to the lifts or get the bus if hung over.
Can I jsut give a big "WOOO!" to the folks at Crystal? Just had a voicemail from the in resort rep (Who sounded lovely!) to see if I had any questions before heading out there, feel free to call etc.
Really impressive little service touch there!
I did wonder about 'in resort' prices in Verbier after a [b]very[/b] expensive trip to St Moritz a few years ago! Looks good though.
Verbier is ace - some brilliant terrain with easily accessible backcountry provided you're happy to hike and know what you're doing. I'd go back in a flash, rode some real memorable stuff there.
Can't comment on the resort itself - only went there once for a pizza. I daresay its not the cheapest if you're doing the full chalet/apres ski type thing. I'm a total cheapskate and HATE wasting an hour by stopping for lunch (baguette and cheese on the chairlift type of guy) so tend to avoid cafes on the mountain.
When I went, we stayed in a cute wee house just above Nendaz (nearest village on the Mont Fort side) owned by former Swiss world cup skier Steve Locher. It was his dad (Alain) that handled all the rental stuff, the house had loads of mementoes from his career, it was ace.
Sounds brilliant 2tyred.
Not too worried about mountain eats as I'll wager I'm more of a cheapskate than you (Aberdonian 8) ) but while I don't mind paying a bit extra for a decent chalet/hotel, at my age I need it, I do resent being financially raped when I fancy a few beers.
I do resent being financially raped when I fancy a few beers.
Might not be the place for you, there are some cheaper places but its also hosts hedge fund managers who spray magnums of vintage champagne over night clubs. My guess is it is easier to find the cheaper places in Verbier than St Moritz but they are still not cheap.
Maybe you should be looking at Jasna too Woody?
60p a pint sounds much more Aberdonian-friendly 😀
Worth considering but as it's my only trip this year I want to make as certain as I can that it will be a good one and I know very little about it .,,,,.....but 60p a pint <Homer voice>.hmmmm beer
Definitely want to go high and as I've skied loads in Tignes/Val d'Isere and Val Thorens/Courcheval I fancy a change.
Also first hol in 6 years where I'll be skiing rather than boarding 😀
Another one turns to the good side of the force! 🙂
Another one turns back to the wrong side of the force 😉
This place is very different from French ski forums. I don't think I've ever seen the price of beer in bars mentioned let alone head the list of important things to consider when deciding where to go! Just how much do STWers drink?
22 days up the hill so far his year and I haven't bought a single drink in a bar. We've got through a few bottles of Champagne, Bordeaux and Jurançon in our flats though.
Jurançon
When I lived in Pau I used to knock around with a guy called Pierre whose dad owned a vineyard in Jurançon.
And yes, it's about the skiing not the drinking. I can get leathered at home. Then again, I can get leathered on two pints now so I can still afford to do it in a ski resort 😀
I hope you've kept in touch so he can send you a case now and then.
This place is very different from French ski forums. I don't think I've ever seen the price of beer in bars mentioned let alone head the list of important things to consider when deciding where to go! Just how much do STWers drink?22 days up the hill so far his year and I haven't bought a single drink in a bar. We've got through a few bottles of Champagne, Bordeaux and Jurançon in our flats though.
Some trips are more about spending every possible minute skiing/boarding - the last one I did was a much more sociable one. I was with my gf and another beginner and we had a very relaxed time with lots of stops, as much about soaking up the views and atmosphere as the boarding, which was also awesome btw. It's not so much being able to drink loads for me - we didn't at all - it's just nice to have some proper warm hospitality and not to feel like people are out to rip you off at every turn.
Sampling local food and drink is a really fun part of a holiday for me - this being STW though of course anything less than 8 hours a day of hard skiing makes you a wuss. What's the ski equivalent of a rigid singlespeed? Telemark?
let alone head the list of important things to consider when deciding where to go! Just how much do STWers drink?
On holiday? Not unusual to have 4 or 5 pints in a day,I'd say.
More on a night out.
It's mainly a [i]cost of living[/i] indicator though isn't it?
We usually have lunch and sometimes evening meals out. Cheap beer usually equates to cheap food costs.
Oh no....he's mentioned telemarkers....
Thread explodes! 🙂
It's only taken 17 pages 🙂
I read that initially as 4-5 pints on the slopes then more on a night 😯 I assume it's 4-5 total, which seems entirely reasonable.On holiday? Not unusual to have 4 or 5 pints in a day,I'd say.
More on a night out.
The problem this time, is that both my mate and I are skiing as 'single blokes' for the first time in ages and there may be the odd temptation............
[i]skiing as 'single blokes'[/i]
Austria then, with a stop off in Germany at the border town of Fussen. After a quick Google the girls in the Villa Allgäu would be a more tempting way of disposing of cash than beer were I a single man.
You can't beat a bit of local knowledge. 😀
And there's been plenty of it on here!
Hmm. Take two pairs of ski trews or just one?
This whole 20kg limit is a pain!
ski trews
ski trousers???
I don't think I've ever taken two pairs of salopettes, except for the roadtrip round scotland where weight wasn;t an issue as we were in the caravan. Even for two weeks in Canada, one pair is enough
Yep, trousers.
Am always paranoid about shredding a pair, for some reason!
Tend to take two jackets most times as well. Either one warm/one shell, or one to wear in day and one to wear in evenings.
2 pairs of skis or 1??? 😆
I rent, so I can have as many pairs as I like during a week!
"Oooh look, it's snowing hard. I think I shall change my skis this morning!"
🙂
This whole 20kg limit is a pain!
Cram stuff into the ski/board bag - that's what we do.
You're usually paying extra for its carriage and typically you are allowed 10-15kg in it (check!).
I rent,
Aaah...
Renting? Isn't that a bit y'know, "common" for you Flashy?
CFH is renting. Wear it. The classic mountaineering trick is to wear everything you can including the boots. A sauna for an hour rather than pay the excess baggage. In these days of security searches and scans it might not go down as well though. Check terms and conditions and print them out so you can argue your case.
Last time I flew to the Alps, Sleezy Jet were checking ski bags to make sure they only included "sports eqpt" - that'll be socks, gloves, etc, etc, then...
Graham, it just makes sense! Especially with all the other toys I have already, skis seem a bit much for one or two weeks a year!
wear everything you can including the boots
On one trip I was told I couldn't have my helmet strapped onto my backpack, which I was taking on as hand luggage. So I put it on instead, there seemed to be no problem with that.
Two pairs for a weeks skiing? Ones good enough for a season (apart from the comedy onesie from the charidee shop)
skis seem a bit much for one or two weeks a year!
Fair enough.
I have the option to head up to Scotland when the snow is good (or when I fancy a blast at Sno!Zone) so my own board makes sense. That's how I justify it anyway.
Plus rental boards are typically awful and you have to spend the first morning of your holiday queueing at a hire shop.
Graham, when I get to play at Hemel, I have free use of the S&R test pool of skis to play with! 🙂
RE hire kit in resort, I always go for the uber-shiny option, and having my own boots means none of that queue rubbish! Also, we tend to arrive on a morning flight, and then go to the shop after a spot of lunch. Last year I had some brand spanking new Salomon Enduros, which were ace.
free use of the S&R test pool of skis
Oh, nice! I bought my board from TSA after spending a day demoing stuff at the "Big Bang Snowboard Show" at Xscape. I'm typically sceptical of such things, but it the variety in the boards was amazing, even to an old bumbler like me.
I always go for the uber-shiny option
Been a while since I've hired right enough, but resorts never seemed to offer the same performance range of boards. I guess it may have changed.
I was always a bit restricted on choice anyway as I'm a big lad with clown feet.
but resorts never seemed to offer the same performance range of boards. I guess it may have changed.
From what I see/know about it, the range of boards available tends to be a lot lower quality than that of skis. Not sure why that is, perhaps more people buy their own boards than skis, meaning that there's less demand for them. With skis, you can get anything from a really basic ski, all the way to some pretty hardcore stuff at the other end. Taking a while to chat to the hire guys, and/or ring in advance, has always really helped me in terms of getting the right sort of skis for me.
Still tempted to buy some, though! 🙂
Still tempted to buy some, though!
prolly won't save you any money but it is nice having the consistency of performance to rely on/guage against, plus there is no running round shops looking for a specific skis in your length and having to patiently insist to the ski tech that your don't want skis that are the wrong size just 'cos he says that it won't make any difference.
plus I always seem to like Rossi skis best, and want a 50/50 ski, so it narrows down the choice a bit.
Not sure why that is, perhaps more people buy their own boards than skis
Yeah I think the other thing is that in snowboarding comfy bindings with the right flex are fairly crucial, as is proper stance (angles, width, layback) so it's a bit easier just to have your own board with good bindings set up just the way you like them.
Maybe that's it. The boots are key for skiing, and more and more people seem to have their own.
Cram stuff into the ski/board bag - that's what we do.
You're usually paying extra for its carriage and typically you are allowed 10-15kg in it
you're board/ski bag is allowed up to be up to 32kg (max manual handling) with easyjet. i can get a week's worth of gear in there easily. usually cram my board & boots and a mate's skis in one bag with a few pieces of clothing then have separate 20kg baggage with his boots and the rest of the clothes/gear. works out well - we're paying £85 each to get to Geneva and back next month!
Ryan Air max allowance for a ski/board bag is 20kg.
We've always managed fine with 20kgs up until the last trip. I had boots for the first time, so 2 pairs of boots and 3 x 20kg luggage allowance becomes hard work. I'm dreading it when Jnr's feet stop growing (he's 10 and is already in a size 26 ski boot), 3 pairs of boots with only 60kg allowance will be a pain.
We hire skis, for 2 weeks away it seems to make sense. Although for our upcoming trip ski hire looks like it's going to be over £100 each, the OH said "shall we just both buy skis?"
Anyone been on SportPursuit recently? Haglofs sale (I love Haglofs stuff even though I can't afford it), Bolle Goggles and K2 helmets. I might get some new goggles, but the lens tint always baffles me, what conditions is a vermillion lens for?
Suggestions please-
Feb/March 4/5 dayer inc weeekend, flying from Midlandsish airport.
priorities-
Snow sure (genital deep powder prefered)
Intermediate /expert terrain
Easy access to lifts
Good food
Quick transer
Like gladed / tree runs
Not too bothered about nightlife, dont need any rentals.
Scruff.
rkk01 - Member2 pairs of skis or 1???
Yep, I'm starting to build up quite a quiver of skis this season so this will soon be my question! 🙂
Ryan Air max allowance for a ski/board bag is 20kg.
Yep, and [url= http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions#regulations-tableoffees ]they charge £50 each way[/url]!!
Suddenly my budget £60 return flight looks a lot more expensive! Gits! 👿
Why is it that 98kg of me can fly for £30, but 20kg of gear in the baggage hold costs £50???
scruff - someone will probably be along to make a good suggestion for resorts. We always tend to go high as we go early/late season so there tends we're usually above the tree line.
I'd probably recommend early March if you're thinking of a France trip. The different areas of France have their half terms on different weeks in Feb so resorts can be busy/more expensive to stay in.
Why is it that 98kg of me can fly for £30, but 20kg of gear in the baggage hold costs £50???
I often wonder this. I reckon we should all have 110kg limit, that includes our body weight and whatever cargo we want to take. Being a lightweight I'd have nearly 40kg spare.
I don't see why I can't just book two seats and have my luggage on the seat next to me 🙂
I'd probably recommend early March if you're thinking of a France trip. The different areas of France have their half terms on different weeks in Feb so resorts can be busy/more expensive to stay in.
FWIW, the first full week in March is still half term in some parts of the country: Marseille, Nice, Strasbourg...
At least Paris go back a week earlier, they're the crowd to avoid (18th feb - 5th mar)
Still no news from hospital for my shoulder op and didnt think we would be going this year. Ive been looking at deals all week and was going to go for my birthday on the 29th Jan leaving the girls with my parents for the week.
Just seen a good deal for 5th Feb to Sestriere from Doncaster and impulse booked it. Not told the girls yet but didnt realise I was taking them to see Snow Patrol on the 7th. They arnt happy that they arnt going boarding yet. Need to sort the gig before I tell them
Tuner's just called to say my ski's are ready 🙂 One week to go then I'm off. I can't wait.
Jet 2 are 60 for ski carriage (50 if you book online, and free if you use the "Freeski" code).
Suggestions please-
I'd just book a flight to Geneva and then sort out the accommodation when you know where the snow is. Transfers are going to be 90 mins plus in a car though wherever you head to.
Just seen a good deal for 5th Feb to Sestriere from Doncaster and impulse booked it.
Nice, that's the spirit! You could take the kids with you though? I have a week's pass, back for a week then we're all going. If they weren't getting a trip I don't think I'd be welcome in the house.
Anyone been on SportPursuit recently? Haglofs sale (I love Haglofs stuff even though I can't afford it),
Never seen that site before but thanks for pointing out somewhere else to waste my money.
Cant take them out of school, if i havent had my op by Easter may take them then
What skis is everyone on then?
Is it holiday time tomorrow?
Better start packing 😀
New boots purchased last night, goggles also finally turned up, ski servicing equipment should be arriving today and its currently snowing in Les Menuires! 1 Week to go with a weekend spent learning to to service ski's. Should be fun!
This whole 20kg limit is a pain!
Just trying to figure out baggage for our trip.
We plan to put both boards and bindings in one bag, along with gear up to the 20kg max.
Hold bags are only 15kg max (blimmin RyanAir), so we may end up wearing our snowboard boots on the plane to save weight 😀
What skis is everyone on then?
Mostly, 169 movement flames with Vist 412 Titanal bindings
Less often, 183 Movement Gladiators with Vist 412 bindings
Is it holiday time tomorrow?
It certainly is! 😀
And its looking pretty white out there on the ole webcams!
What skis is everyone on then?
Forum Seeker 158 with Forum Platform v1.8 bindings and 32 Lashed boots 😉
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Yep, and they charge £50 each way!!Suddenly my budget £60 return flight looks a lot more expensive! Gits!
Why is it that 98kg of me can fly for £30, but 20kg of gear in the baggage hold costs £50???
didn't realise that - ****ers!! i try my hardest not to fly with them any more though - last time was a few years ago now when the decided to charge me £40 extra for a tripod on the return flight...which they'd happily let me take onboard for nothing on the outward journey.