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Zell am Ziller / Zillertal Arena on Saturday:
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Kaltenbach / Hochzillertal yesterday:
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Most of the pistes were like that. Bit of fresh on top of scratchy hard base. Snow cannon snow down in the valley (fair enough - the valley is *really* low).
The Eberharter black run down to Kaltenbach would be ace in good conditions. Think I hit it at the wrong time of day, so was a bit busy, and lumpy.
"Just bought some new skis, Rossignol Experience 88s"
What size did you go for ??
I was going to demo some in Val the other week but never got round to it...will deffo try some next time out
I need something a bit longer and wider under foot than my 162 Rossi Zenith 7 iv have had for a few years (great on piste but thats about it)
Not sure if the 178 E88 may be a bit too long for me but will try a couple of sizes if i can (im just short of 6 foot i guess and about 12/12.5 stone)
Wee up date. No upgrade on flight to Vancouver. My mates getting in shit for that. Transfer bus driver couldn't find any gears between the airport and whistler. Digs are good. Other halfs friends (whistler employee and other is ski patrol) took us on some of the best runs I've ever seen! Watched snow and fire show from GLC balcony. Cloud inversion on the way up to blackcomb glacier. Hiked up to the top of glacier. Proposed to girlfriend. She said YES! Cue group of ozzies cheering me on! skied down to crystal lodge for WAFFLES!!!! Then went up whistler peak to creek. Beer in roundhouse. Back down to hot tub. Now back in hotel after celebratory sushi! Hope you're not struggling in the cold in the UK! Will update in the next few days! 😆
Andy W - Member"Just bought some new skis, Rossignol Experience 88s"
What size did you go for ??
5' 10" and 15 stone porker I went for 178s, good shop in Cham lent a pair for the day. A hefty 20% off made them a bargain.
Going to Lange XT 100 boots from Technica Icon Alu Comps has made driving skis a new concept.
[quote=cobrakai ]
Proposed to girlfriend. She said YES!
Yay! All the best people propose in ski resorts 🙂
I tried making a thread but as no-one answered i'll ask here - can anyone recommend me some goggles? Ideally no more than £50. I've been looking at some Dragon DX that seem quite nice. Good anti-fogging is the main priority.
Most of the pistes were like that. Bit of fresh on top of scratchy hard base. Snow cannon snow down in the valley (fair enough - the valley is *really* low).
I was in Zell am Ziller on Friday and the snow was lovely and powdery almost everywhere apart from the lowest runs - seems weird it would have changed so quickly. Never made it over to Kaltenbach as it looked a bit drag-lift heavy on the lift map and my GF hates them.
I have these and a quick lens change means I can use them on my bike too. I found the persimmon lens to be great for most of the conditions I encountered, it was just the properly sunny bluebird conditions where I needed something darker.
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Oakley o-frame persimmon here, all the time everywhere
MAM TOR yesterday ..... bit ****in tufty.
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I just have to post this. The best short movie ski clip Ive seen in a long time! Such creative urban stuff
Tut - they'll ruin those skis...........
Cobrakai - Superb news! Congratulations!
Yes congrats CK.
MAM TOR yesterday ..... bit ****in tufty.
Good effort! Did you ride off the front side or the backside of Mam Tor?
Hiked up to the top of glacier. Proposed to girlfriend. She said YES!
Nice one!
I proposed to my now wife on the Hintertux Glacier near Mayrhofen.
I blamed the altitude. 7 years, one kid (+ one in the oven) and a lot of laughs later I can say it worked for us - hope it has the same good omen for yours. 😀
So Graham, if I get this right, propose on a glacier and you're allowed boys ski/board trips to Slovakia and beyond forever more?.....
I have a cunning plan. 😆
Yep, that's the way it works. 😀
Actually the transaction this year was more like:
Her: [i]"Can we have another baby?"[/i]
Me: [i]"Only if I get to go to Slovakia again."[/i]
Her: [i]"Deal. You get your trousers off, I'll get the mask and the Astroglide.."[/i]
😆
Not sure I can manage the baby part of the deal (I'm capable, just not keen!).
Rode cliff side of Mam Tor looking towards Winnats pass, guess that's frontside? Followed the footpath down mostly as more snow had collected there into little drifts. Drifted off the path a bit and started getting a bit stuck. Touched a few rocks on the way down but thats the risk you take. Worth it though. Been a long wait to ride the Peaks this season. Saw someone boarding down winnats pass as we went home.
Whoops had to google astroglide!........
Whoops had to google astroglide!........
Makes your base really slippy...
Even the best skiers snow plough 🙂
Had a brief ski with Yves detry yesterday, he is just too the right
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Cobrakai - Congratulations.
I wanted (read we) to get married in Whistler, however my father was ill and he probably wouldn't have coped with the journey or cold too well. So we opted for England. It did snow on the morning of my wedding, which I took to be a good omen.
ratswithwings - we skied a couple of years ago in Hayfield, hoping for some more of the white stuff to give it another go in the Peak District.
Rode cliff side of Mam Tor looking towards Winnats pass, guess that's frontside?
It is in my head as I always think of 'Coldside' as the backside
Touched a few rocks on the way down but thats the risk you take
So pretty much 'Scottish' conditions at the moment? 😆
Might have to dig out an old board for a giggle if we get a bit more snow!
Crikey, there's plenty going on in this thread - never bothered looking at it before 'cos 40+ pages is a lot to skim through.
Is anyone else planning on taking advantage of the weather in Scotland over the next couple of days?
Also, I might as well post this thing;
Little vid of our family ski jaunt in Morzine over new year. It's my first attempt with the GoPro/ any form of video editing. I'm quite pleased with it but I won't be offended if you don't bother with all of it, as it's pretty longwinded...
Crikey, there's plenty going on in this thread - never bothered looking at it before 'cos 40+ pages is a lot to skim through.
We did the same last year! It was ace!
Welcome!
Nice vid. Lots of "Le style British". 🙂
No much action but I thought I would share this little film from Shaun White.
What happened to his hair?
Lots of access roads and resorts closed due to avalanche risk in the Pyrénées. Something over a metre has fallen since Sunday. They're hoping to open a small part of the resort this afternoon.
Her: "Can we have another baby?"Me: "Only if I get to go to Slovakia again."
Her: "Deal. You get your trousers off, I'll get the mask and the Astroglide.."
Probably the funniest posting I've read on STW for some time! 😆
Well done GrahamS!
Last time I was in Scotland they had 20ft of snow. Was a spectacular year though.
Hitting the Peaks again this afternoon so hopefully there's been a bit more snow. Off to Scotland at the end of the month.
There's an mtbing thread over on snowheads atm. Doubt it'll reach the 47 page mark though.
Thanks for the goggles recommendations folks. Now I'm getting tempted by a new board after trying out a mate's last night. Never tried one of these new-fangled hybrid camber boards before but I liked it. Felt a lot easier to spin/play around on but still held an edge nicely - very confidence inspiring. Hmmm.......
@Andy W
If you decide to stay in Méribel I can recommend the Hotel Genepi. We stayed there a couple of weekends ago and liked it.
It's in central Meribel-Mottaret and not too expensive. Compared to the Roc and Doron hotels for similar prices, it's a palace...
[url= http://www.merinet.com/accommodation/hotels/hotel-le-g%C3%A9n%C3%A9pi.html ]Hotel Genepi[/url]
Never tried one of these new-fangled hybrid camber boards before but I liked it. Felt a lot easier to spin/play around on but still held an edge nicely - very confidence inspiring
I have a YES with the camrock profile, I really like it, but it is the first board I've owned, but I preferred it to the rocker I hired last year and the cambers i've hired in the past.
I ordered some HEAD I-Titans 😀 .
Thanks for all the advice, even though I didn't really take some of it 😉 .
Can anyone recommend some cheap accom in Verbier? Need somewhere for three weeks, last week of feb and first two weeks of march. The hostel looks booked up 🙁 .
Plenty of snow inChamonix today 🙂
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Thanks for all the advice, even though I [s]didn't really take some of it .[/s] completely ignored it
😉
Hope they're awful! 🙂
Also, nice vid from Serre Che here - http://www.serrechevalier.org/videos/serre-chevalier-gopro-video/
This is why I love the place - Sunshine, snow, and sweet, sweet tree lines to play in!
Looking to carry two sets of skis and a board on a set of normal roof bars. Have a spare set of bars from an old car so thinking of putting some pipe lagging round both sets of bars and getting some U bolts to clamp the upper and lower bars together sandwiching just like the Thule carriers.
Will this work? How do other people attach skis/boards to the roof? Don't want go to the expense of buying the proper thing as this maybe a one off.
How far are you going? Technically you could hold the board with the bindings.
600 miles, Flaine from Kent.
Some padding on the bars and some straps/rope. Same way you carry anything else on the roof bars.
Long old trip. You could use your double roof bar thing and cinch them up with hefty tie wraps. Carried a bike on bars with tie wraps before, no problems at 90+.
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Pipe brackets round roof bars bolted into binding mounting points for the snowboard.
Skis? Cheaper just to rent some. Think of the fuel over 600 miles.
Never tried one of these new-fangled hybrid camber boards before but I liked it. Felt a lot easier to spin/play around on but still held an edge nicely - very confidence inspiring
I first tried one at The Big Bang Show (a board test at a snowdome).
Had been on a few boards by that point. Got on a Bataleon and giggled all the way down. It was just more "fun". Riding it put a smile on my face even on the limited space of a dome.
Really hoping Friday's snow doesn't stop me getting to the airport on Saturday 😯
@ beanum
Cheers for the pointer but the deal was done this afternoon, were in Mottaret and ski in/out so it says not sure of the name but its a Mark Warner place.
Only once stayed in Meribel and from what i remember the main village/pubs are a free bus away from Mottaret ...any idea what time the last bus is ??
Really hoping Friday's snow doesn't stop me getting to the airport on Saturday
x 2!
I'd set off now to make sure you get there 😛
Wallop/Shifter - Hope you get there ok. Our Christmas trip for the previous 2 years was effected by snow and freezing temperatures. The first year we were delayed as they were short staffed - they had to get cabin crew sent in from Manchester by taxi in the snow! The following year we had no issues.
Both times we avoided personal hassle by getting a hotel at the airport the night before.
This year weather was fine this end, we were thwarted by fog in Innsbruck and ended up getting to our chalet 8 hours after we should have.
Setting off now might be the best idea Dales! Forecast for here is snow from 16:00 Friday until well into Saturday. Forcast for LBA is snow from first-thing Friday until Sunday. Flight is 0830 Saturday 😥
At least there will be fresh pow on your first morning skiing.
There was a big dump of snow at my house* all day yesterday. The school bus wasn't running upto our village, so Mini Mugsy spent the day at the school where his pre-school club is, rather than his school in our village (child ferrying on way to work issues make this more logical than it might seem).
Apparently all is back to normal today (I'm in Azerbaijan at present so not at home). Bit of a rnadom post, but I'm in the middle of nowhere watching a drilling rig not drill.
*This will interest those flying into 'Grenoble' as we live 5km from there!
Thanks for that Mugsy. Bus struggling 5km from Grenoble doesn't bode well for bus from there to Alpe d'Huez! Oh well, it'll be an adventure 🙂
I first tried one at The Big Bang Show (a board test at a snowdome).Had been on a few boards by that point. Got on a Bataleon and giggled all the way down. It was just more "fun". Riding it put a smile on my face even on the limited space of a dome.
Just found your other post where you said you have a Bataleon Goliath. Looks very interesting but I'm a bit hesitant to splash out without trying the TBT system. Arbor Coda looks really nice as well, but I've seen a Nitro Team Gullwing for £250 which looks like it might be fun.
It should be fine now, and probbly was yesterday as my wife got to work and didn't say anything. Our village is up a small road about 300m above the airport. The road from the airport to the autoroute (15mins)is large and flat enough and currently being upgraded to dual carriageway. Have a great ski everyone. Be safe.
Just found your other post where you said you have a Bataleon Goliath. Looks very interesting but I'm a bit hesitant to splash out without trying the TBT system.
Do a board test. If you can't find one abroad (or don't fancy the hassle) then just go to a dome. TSA will let you take boards into the dome for test rides and even refund your session costs if you then buy it. Some domes do full test days that are definitely worth going to. This was the last one http://www.bigbang-show.com/
I'd be happy to lend you my Goliath if you like, but I don't think you're local to me.
Roads are currently fine in the Alps, driven up and down the Chamonix valley all week even up to Le Tour. OK there is snow on the roads but everything is on snow tyres or chains.
Will be popping into Avoriaz tomorrw also the Company Daughter works for Has been moving people all week from Cham to Geneva with no problems.
Off to Soldeu in Andorra on 27th Jan! Anybody else going or been and got any recommendations?
Good luck to everybody getting to an airport tomorrow!
Andy W
There are a couple of bars near the top end of Motterat . You take the free 'Egg' gondola car to the top.
One had a large central fire raised up which was lovely to sit near
We dont venture out into town ,being of old age , so have no idea about buses to meribel town center .
In fact we did go to a pub quiz to a grotty place with sticky carpets, and got tucked up for dead expensive beers
Dicks tea bar is the spot to head for in Meribel, also for apres ski the Rondpoint up by the altiport. Ski back after lifts have shut, good fun 🙂
In mottaret theres a cheap bar just before the bus turn around spot, where you finish your skiing, cant rmember its name but it has a giant black nd white cow outside with a big bell around its neck.
Forecast doesn't look so bad now. Hey ho, off tonight anyway. You watch, we'll get lathered in the hotel and miss the flight... 😐
Do a board test. If you can't find one abroad (or don't fancy the hassle) then just go to a dome. TSA will let you take boards into the dome for test rides and even refund your session costs if you then buy it. Some domes do full test days that are definitely worth going to. This was the last one http://www.bigbang-show.com/I'd be happy to lend you my Goliath if you like, but I don't think you're local to me.
Thanks very much for the offer but I don't think we are that near each other. Testing out some boards definitely seems like the sensible option. What I've done instead is buy one of these:
http://www.biker-boarder.de/shopware/Nitro-Team-Gullwing-2012-Snowboard_detail_17790.html
🙂
Couldn't resist at around £225 delivered I thought it was worth a punt - gets pretty good reviews. 'Gullwing' camber so rocker in the middle and conventional camber at the ends. Seems to be the same idea as the C2 Power Banana and the Never Summer RC.
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Will have to see what it's like but should make a nice change to my mega stiff conventional camber board. Still interested to try the Bataleon TBT system though.
Thanks very much for the offer but I don't think we are that near each other...Still interested to try the Bataleon TBT system though.
Well if you find yourself North East way and want to take a look at one then drop me an email. I'd be happy for you to take it away for a while (off-season!) to try it in a dome or whatever.
What I've done instead is buy one of these
Nice. Looks interesting.
Cheers for the info singletrackmind/dales rider, i did all my partying over the new year in Val but a few cheeky beers is needed after a good days skiing 😀
Found this earlier, looking forward to the next couple of years...
This post is just cos I'm bored , killing time on the cold hard floor of Geneva airport.
Noon flight delayed 2 hours, 90 mins circling above Geneva because it closed while we were in the air, then redirected to Basal (top of switzerland, Geneva is in the south), waiting in plane at airport 90 mins, off, waiting for bags for hour, then jumped on a bus to Geneva airport 3-4 hts awayI justmissed the Geneva airport info desk staying open, about 00:30. Ie, don't now where to get a hotel. Heard a fella on the phone saying there wereno available rooms anyway. Queue for taxi was immense, airport is pepper mental witheveryone missing flights/transfers to resort. No minibuses going my way tonight. I've found a socket to charge the phone and am hunkering down for the night, like loads of people. There is a train to Tignes in the morning 10:00. Nighty night
Ps, geneva and surrounding airports are likely to be busy tomorrow
At Vancouver airport. Flight delayed 20 min. That's not the bit that bothers me. It's the weather forecast for heathrow tomorrow. Looks like a diversion is on the cards. Bollox.
I went skiing today in Hampshire
We had enough snow on friday to cover the ground up to 3 or 4" deep.
Got kitted up and walked up Butser hill , its around 800ft asl.
There were hundreds of kids sledging and a few skiers and boarders . I did 5 runs down , but it took alot of walking for a 2 minute run down.
Still , all good practise and very good exercise .I was proper knackered by the end but really enjoyed it
Off the 3V next sat and the snow there is a little deeper
Ouch Jamie. Hope you're on the move now. Hope everyone else has made it out ok too.
Well if you find yourself North East way and want to take a look at one then drop me an email. I'd be happy for you to take it away for a while (off-season!) to try it in a dome or whatever.
Cheers that's very good of you. Mebbe we should try and hook up at a snowdome somewhere and we can try some swapsies.
This looks a pretty killer deal. Almost tempted to send the one I just ordered back and get it instead as I liked my mate's and the mange-traction seems to really work.
http://www.surfdome.com/gnu_snowboards_-_gnu_danny_kass_c2btx_snowboard_-_158cm-87916
Sorry to hear of people's transport woes - hope it all gets sorted.
Elan skis for sale on the website that shouldn't be mentioned.....
santa cruz snowboards dirt cheap as well.
My girlfriend tried on these Solomen Quest 80 Ski boots from Snow & Rock.
[url] http://www.snowandrock.com/salomon-quest-80-woma n's/ski-boots/ski-snowboard-outdoor-sports/fcp-product/29707[/url]
She was in two minds whether she should buy them or not. She normally just hires them.
Yesterday I saw pretty much [url= http://www.decathlon.co.uk/quest-access-cruise-womens-ski-boots-id_8225424.html#avantages ]the same boots in Decathlon[/url] for £129.99 special offer.
The only difference is the Snow & Rock boots are 'energyzer 80' and the Decathlon boots are 'energyzer 60'.
I bought them anyway as there were only one pair left in her size. So it's either a nice surprise or a big fat mistake. I'm a boarder so I don't have much knowledge on ski boots.
Good deal? or different boots entirely?
The 80 will be a slightly stiffer boot. How much does your gf weigh, if that's not too rude a question! Also, does she like a stiff one? Boot, that is?
The other major advantage will be that S&R would fit them properly. As in [b]properly[/b] so that they are comfortable. They'll be moulded to her foot shape and skiing position, and if they're anything like my Salomons, they'll be super comfy! From what I have seen, Decathlon won't offer that level of fitting, but I may be wrong.
As you've already bought them, my best advice is to get her to try them on as a starter, as they may be totally the wrong shape for her foot. Then, if they feel OK (at least!) get to a decent ski shop for a fitting. Otherwise she'll hate you. FACT.
😉
Ha! Thanks for the heads up.
At a guess she's about 65kg.
I will get her to try them on later.
[url= http://www.skiequipmentuk.co.uk/services/ ]Just looking at this place for the fitting[/url]
Back from my Stag Do in Switzerland. An incredible 5 days with waist deep powder, blue bird skies, an immense day watch the Lauberhorn Downhill from the finish grandstand (including chanting and chatting with Ed Leigh and Graham Bell and running around the media and athlete area in a Gorilla suit) and more après ski than you can contemplate in only 5 days!
Will update with some pics and vids later!
Also well done CK - glad you took up a few of the suggestions and hopefully made the trip all that more special! Sounds like you have a great excuse to keep going back there!
Might be old news for a lot of people, but four people killed in an avalanche near Ben Nevis. Thoughts go out to friends and family.
[url= http://www.****/news/article-2265049/Bidean-Nam-Bian-Four-climbers-dead-seriously-hurt-avalanche-Scottish-Highlands.html ]Here[/url]
Yep, saw that earlier, Michael. Sad news.
Chuck, you're a brave man buying ski boots without even a shell-check, I have to say! Fingers crossed you haven't wasted your money...! Don't know those fitters, but looks pretty comprehensive.
(Bear in mind, they may be a little like your LBS if you were to stroll in with parts bought online/elsewhere and ask them to fit and fettle them for you)
Proper Winter weather at the moment. After helping a guy trying to find a waterski in the powder (well that's what the other one looked like) and failing it occurred to me that a RECCO pastille on each ski might be a good idea if you don't use leashes.