[Closed] The STW Ski & Snowboard thread. The 2012-2013 season

Just bought a pair of snowboard boots this morning! No plans yet!

Will be taking a 6y and 4y and want leasons/care for both. Can anyone recommend Bansko?

Any advice appreciated and also what is 'the schizzz' on womans ski gear this year, as she needs it all. No ski's or boots just yet, until she knows if she likes it or not

For a first time, beg and borrow. No point splurging loads if she then turns around and hates skiing! That said, if she's of the "needing to look "the schizzz" persuasion", might I recommend sir looks at the Toni Sailer range. 😉

It's going to be a very depleted ski season for me this year. We are getting married next summer do needs to save as much holiday, and cash as we can for that at the moment.

Saying that I'll be out in Lauterbrunnen for 4-5 days over new year visiting my parents so should get a few days in then.

Got my stag do on the slopes in January too! There's 18 of us heading out for the Lauberhorn Men's World Cup race in Wengen. A couple of days skiing, some great nights out and then one massive party day for the downhill! Can't wait for it!

LOL Capn, at least it's a bit cheaper than Bogner but still at little on the bling side and I know she would hate the 'all the gear, no idea' look.

I will take on board the 'fitted' look though, rather than baggy boarder style 😉

I know. I've been watching you...

lol ... you saucy minx CFH! 🙂

OMG IM SO EXCITED ALREADY!!!!

I will take on board the 'fitted' look though, rather than baggy boarder style

Whisper it quietly, TNF lady-gear is rather good for the mid-priced range. It has the advantage that she might "feel" better if she's in shinier kit, and therefore enjoy it more. It's a fine balance to strike.

Any advice appreciated and also what is 'the schizzz' on womans ski gear this year, as she needs it all. No ski's or boots just yet, until she knows if she likes it or not

However my first skiing trips were entirely kitted out in 'Rodeo by C&A' lol. Face palm.

However my first skiing trips were entirely kitted out in 'Rodeo by C&A' lol. Face palm.

Mine was in a shiny green onesie from the same supplier....

The shame! The shame!

Luckily, no photographic evidence exists....!

Luckily, no photographic evidence exists....!

I have too much photo evidence. Infact it maybe a laugh (seeing as it's still summer) to dig out some old photos and pop them up on this shiny new thread.

I was thinking of the old thread the other day.

I went on my first Skiing trip this year and managed to break my leg on the first day. Didn't realize it was broken so I carried on Skiing and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My kit was all very old crappy borrowed stuff so I ended up soaked through from the sweat and snow and falling over. I ordered some new Dare2B kit in May for a bargain price so at least this year I will look the part.

We are booked to go back to Morzine at the end of Feb and I cant wait.

As an aside does anybody use a GoPro when skiing? I'm not expecting anything amazing but thought it would be fun. Where do you mount it? I was thinking helmet, chesty, and possibly pole. Any better ideas?

to dig out some old photos and pop them up on this shiny new thread.

Will upload a few of my more recent ones too!

Where do you mount it?

I knew this was going to pop up soon 🙁 I will be missing my first season in 32 years! Booked in for ACL reconstruction in December after Januarys disaster in Norway!

When I succumbed to Strava and uploaded all my GPS tracks, I had my various ski trips in there as well.

Couldn't work out if Strava auto created a load of new tracks as I had a load of lift climbs listed. No descents were marked which I found slightly odd as this would be prime Strava material. And obviously sitting in a chairlift doesn't count for climbing.

Are there Strava tracks for European slopes (I've never skiied in Europe)?

However my first skiing trips were entirely kitted out in 'Rodeo by C&A' lol

I had the last laugh, when my mates, dressed in fully technical base layer outwards with Degré 7 goretex niceness, were freezing on the last lift home (Avoriaz IIRC) and I was warm as toast 😀

Earl -
Will be taking a 6y and 4y and want leasons/care for both. Can anyone recommend Bansko?

No experience of Bansko but after 3 failed attempts to get our kid[s] into skiing, we went with Snowbizz last year and they did exactly what it says on the tin. The kids (4-6) are now very keen to go skiing again - result.

Snowbizz over Christmas
Hopefully a week at Easter in Austria with friends
Also, hope top get a few trips to Scotland if conditions are as good as they were this May for more of the season.

Woody, not being negative but I don't think the ski in a day course is worth it. I was at braehead instructing and the best progression I achieved was through individual lessons on the level system. It works for some though. Would defo recommend some lessons before you go. Dry slope or sno slope would be fine.

Only got a week holiday left until April, so will be just the one trip for me. If late season conditions are as good as last season I might go early April as well.

I was considering going in my motorhome this year, anyone done this? Worried it'll be too cold!

Off the France Jan test riding next years kit for a long weekend

Then off on a road trip in the camper end of feb for 19days....boarding and split boarding.

Bit's up in scotland and local (lake district) if the weather plays ball

And there's talk of a long weekend in Austria speed flying....but we'll see 🙂

So hopefully get about 25 days in!

I was considering going in my motorhome this year, anyone done this? Worried it'll be too cold!

Have a read over on snowheads - Dave Barter's posted a link to his blog where he describes a 3 day ski trip to Les Arcs in his motorhome, and I've done 2 weeks round scotland's ski centres in a caravan

CaptainFlashheart - Member

And of course, in honour of me starting this thread, she will now send me a pair of FireArrows. Thanks.

Boots or Skis? 😉

Boots or Skis?

The latter please! Their boots don't fit my square plates, and so am happily tucked up in my Salomons.

Argh! I had a fantastic trip to Les Menuire last year, reading this thread is annoying as I dunno if I'm going to be able to afford to repeat it this year. We're supposedly meeting a friend who's doing a round the world trip in Rio in February for the Carnival which I think is going to cost a small fortune!

Also annoyed as I'm finally going to Japan but its not in the winter so no ridiculous powder for me.

Already bought - Rome 390 Boss bindings, new boarding pants.

On the shopping list, a board of the all mountain freestyle persuasion, maybe a Nitro Rook or Team Gullwing, maybe some boots, maybe a new helmet.

On the wishlist, as much pow as fell last season (and someone to clear our two driveways).

Hoping to do a week in late January. Went as a group to Les Arcs last year and had a great time, but I think this year it'll just be me and the OH (due to impending babies for the other guys).

What is the craic with going into a catered chalet when there's just two of you? Do you just share with other random people?

Any resort ideas welcome - liked the size of the ski area in Les Arcs but the apres was pants.

Also hoping for a cheeky weekend in Kreischberg.

For beginner clobber you can't beat the Helly Hansen outlet shop in Gloucester Quays.

liked the size of the ski area in Les Arcs but the apres was pants.

What sort of "apres" do you want?* Dancing on the tables in your ski boots, or coke-hookers-russian-discos sort of thing? 😉

* Apres = Getting pished. Somewhere expensive. Less important than the skiing, IMHO.....

TBH it wouldn't stop me from going back to Les Arcs, but we've just been there again for 2 weeks on the bikes - 3 trips in 12 months might be a bit excessive 😆

Just wondered what the alternatives are. I just like a nice lively bar for a couple of beers before dinner (Kreischberg is great for that). No nightclubs required!

I just like a nice lively bar for a couple of beers before dinner

Now I know I may sound biased, but I do so love the place!

Serre Che has a choice of;
The Station - At the foot of the Alphand, sitting in the sunshine drinking beer and watching the noobs fall down! House band the Harper Brothers are ace!
La Grotte - At the foot of the Casse du Boeuf in Villeneuve

http://plandespistes.serre-chevalier.com/

Massive ski area, really well linked by lifts. Lots of slack-country too.

It's not a party town, but it's my fave resort to ski, and has enough fun bars for a beer or few before dinner. Gets quieter earlier in the evening than some as well.

Yes, great shout CFH! As some will have read:

Doing a season in most likely St. Anton 😀 can not wait already, and will likely end up with new boots, googles, gloves and probably ski's by January if my spending (read splurging) on bikes is anything to go by 🙄

Currently going through last years thread, watched the art of flights and GNAR the other day and thoroughly in the mood!

Currently going through last years thread,

See you in a couple of weeks, then!

Ooooh, Serre Che - funny you should mention that, that's where we were supposed to go earlier this year. Good shout, ta!

If you go, let me know!

Plenty of good tips for you, and I may need you to deliver some marmalade to someone for me! (Don't ask....! 😉 )

Soll. Runs aren't too long so you feel like you're on a lift all the time, but the area is a massive tree lined play ground! Good apre too!

CaptainFlashheart - Member

The latter please! Their boots don't fit my square plates, and so am happily tucked up in my Salomons.

Jeez man, you can at least specify the model (80?) and length 🙄

84 EDT Evo XL CTs in a 168, please.

Or, some Unleashed Hells in a 177 would do as well.

Let me know when you can deliver, if you would. Thanks.

Nordicas wouldn't be my first pick, but if they're free...! 😉

Had a play on these last year for a bit;
[img] [/img]
Stupidly "Euro" graphics and definitely not a hangover ski. As in one where you just sit on 'em and meander down the piste. However, get on board and charge at the corduroy and oh my they were goooooooD!

Currently going through last years thread, watched the art of flights and GNAR the other day and thoroughly in the mood!

Find 'All I Can' - best ski flick of last winter: FACT.

FWIW (cheeky plug), if anyone reading this wants a stand at The Ski Show (london or birmingham), I might be able to get you 10% off - email in my profile if you want details.

Find 'All I Can' - best ski flick of last winter: FACT.

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FACT^^[/url]

JP Auclair getting all of teh radnezz on da streetz.

WATCH IT!

Flashy, am I right in thinking that Serre Che is the collective name for a ski area above a group of villages? Which would be your village of choice - Villeneuve?

Yep, you're right.

I favour Chantemerle. Few reasons;

The Terrace, The Station, the utterly superb http://www.hotelpleinsud.com/ , Sandrine's little coffee stop in the square before the first lift (Take Bletonet), the lovely Piano Bar on the main road (It's a quiet main road!), the odd little bar/shop/restaurant with the kinky sofa, and more.

Oh, and if you need a ski school - Use this lot - http://www.ski-school-connections.co.uk/ Davina and her team are acer than ace. (Especially Petit Paul and Christian)

Lunch? http://www.lebercail-serrechevalier.com/ up at the top of the Aravet bubble.

Need any more? 😉

Will try and get some Serre Che pics up tomorrow.

Oh that's good, found a trip to Hotel Plein Sud. I promise to smuggle your marmalade 8)

OMFG - that segment from All I Can was unbelievable.

Going to have to look into Serre Che, it's had a few recommendations now and has piqued my interest.

I will, funnily enough, be shredding the gnar in Sainte Foy once again! We have teamed up with some top snowboard guides/instructors to run some backcountry and splitboard camps, which I try to sneak along on, so pretty excited about that. Doing some BASI3 courses before/during the season and probably going to sign-up for the big one at the end. Wish me luck, I'll need it!

Trying to avoid buying any new gear, but looks like I'll need a board. Popped an edge on the last day of the season.

What is the craic with going into a catered chalet when there's just two of you? Do you just share with other random people?

Aye, don't know why some people think this is weird? Just think of it as a small hotel with one big table in the dining room!

Drove through Sainte Foy on the way to Tignes a couple of weeks ago - seemed really nice!

If you do go to Serre Chevalier, take advice from Flashy and DO NOT under any circumstances make the mistake I made this year and go to Le Grand Aigle in Villeneuve. Just awful.

Good skiing though and plenty choice, despite being limited by the rapidly melting snow 😀