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Very Mondrian
Needs a matching bike.
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And goggles
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And.....
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Or just get a big old picture for the wall
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Off to Flaine in 5 days time...have I mentioned that? 😀
Quick question - I fancy some new bindings as my Flows are 8+ years old but do I buy them here or wait until I get there as I'm hoping there will be some bargains about being the last week they are open?
Cheers
I would buy in the UK. Easier to get support if anything goes wrong with them. And you don't waste valuable slope time in the shops.
Most of the UK board places have got End of Season sales on right now.
Most of the UK board places have got End of Season sales on right now.
Yep, very true. Also, given how good the snow is out there at the moment, many of the in-resort stores will be keeping their prices as high as they can for as long as they can!
I'm a little short of time as I'm working until Thursday late but [url= http://www.snowandrock.com/union-flite-12/13/bindings/ski-snowboard-outdoor-sports/fcp-product/32005 ]THESE[/url] look like a bargain and in stock at S+R in Gateshead. Maybe a touch freestyle/park orientated (which I'm not) but a decent all-rounder and I'm not looking for something super stiff.
You're in my neck of the woods GrahamS - any shop recommendations?
[url= http://www.thechaos.co.uk/acatalog/info_3876.html ]THESE [/url] too in Darlington................hmmmmmm
I'd get them from this country too. The end of season sales in resort never seem to be too good and generally only have stuff no one really wants.
Goggles are there......
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Well I've not bought bindings round this way, so don't know specifics, but...
The staff in Gateshead Snow+Rock are actually pretty good.
LD Mountain Centre in the toon have a pretty good range of bindings online (including Flow if you must) and they were extremely helpful when I was buying a jacket.
http://www.ldmountaincentre.com/snowboard-c23/equipment-c89/snowboard-bindings-c111
I've never made it to http://cabfive.co.uk or http://www.north-state.co.uk yet - but I get the feeling they are more freestyle oriented and would probably assume I was buying stuff for my children 😀
The resort closed on Sunday with some of the best snow of the season. Rando or X-C now then.
Scottish resorts are saying they might be able to stay open till May this year!
http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/news-12560.html
I'm considering a change from my flows as I haven't tried anything else since I became semi-proficient (I use that term loosely as I expect to spend a lot of time on my arse having not been on a board for a few years 🙂
Problem is they are just so comfy and easy to use I'm loathe to change.
I really like my K2 Autos.
The single ratchet strap means they are pretty similar to Flows in terms of quick entry, but they are a more traditional strap system, lighter and more flexi than Flows (at least the last Flows I tried).
Hard to explain how they work so here is a video:
The 2013 Auto model is called the "National".
http://k2snowboarding.com/bindings/national-1213
I like the idea of those but aren't they more freestyle orientated?
How did you find them off-piste or hard/icy conditions, if you've had an opportunity to try them in those conditions that is ?
Yeah I've had them off-piste in pow and on boilerplate and they feel good. (that is my preferred riding, I'd don't really ride much freestyle)
I'm on the original Autos and my mate runs Auto Evers - they are not super flexy like full-on freestyle stuff (e.g. Ride). They do have a fair bit of lateral side-to-side flex, but they are supportive on heel-to-toe so you can still charge on.
At least that is true of the old Autos. No idea what the National is like as I haven't seen one yet - but I'd imagine it'll be similar.
Cheers Graham I like the sound of them.
Now do I risk ordering online and hope they get here by Friday .... hmmm
Hmm.. I'd try before you buy if you can - everyone's feet (and boots) are different.
Snow+Rock might be able to get some in to try on.
I'll nip up Friday and see what they've got. Cheers
I'll nip up Friday and see what they've got. Cheers
I'd ring ahead if I was you.
Flashy +1: end of season with limited stock. Definitely ring in advance.
Had a look on the website and there is very limited stock in my size.
I'll take the Flows with me and hope I can find a ladder strap over there. If not I'll just have to buy something.
Lack of spares has definitely put me off another pair of Flows. I've tried 5 or 6 shops and not one of them can get me one or help. Not impressed 👿
Want to pop round and borrow my Autos Woody?
I won't be using them in the next few weeks so you'd be very welcome to try them.
They are Large size to suit my size 10.5 boots.
Email in profile if you are interested.
Right chaps, in a few weeks I'm doing a taster day thing a Chill Factore with my wife. We'll be snowboarding, and hopefully we'll both enjoy it, as we don't really have a shared hobby.
For years I've wanted to do a winter holiday over Christmas so that's something that we've discussed (realistically it'll be 2014 at the earliest).
What sort of money are we talking for budget but reasonable equipment ie Board, Bag, Bindings,Boots, Helmet, Goggles and whatever clothing would be needed.
I've had a read through a fair few pages of this thread, but can't find much of this info.....reading every page is too much! Ace thread though, some excellent pictures. Stew at it's best.
Tom, skis are way betterer! Don't be drawn to the dark side....
😉
Helmet - Anything £50 up would work. As long as it fits your head and....
Goggles - as above. Needs to work with the helmet.
Gloves - Don't go cheap on gloves, especially as a noob. Cold hands = No fun.
Now is a good time to be buying, as there are sales on. However, it's been such a good season, there may not be too much left.
Where are good places to buy? What is the Decathlon stuff like....similar quality to the bike stuff? What brands should I look out for? I've heard of Burton, Salamon? and don't Head do winter sport stuff?
Don't listen to the [s]Emperor[/s] Flashy. Boarding is the one true way. 😀
I'd hold off buying too much till you've had your taster days. I know a few people (women particularly I'm afraid) who have an attic full of decent snow gear after they gave up learning.
(the basics really aren't that hard to learn - but it will involve a fair bit of falling over to start with and some people just don't like bruises).
Board, bindings and bag are probably the last thing on the list you want to buy. Easy to rent a board+bindings in resort and the cost is offset by not paying for ski carriage on the flights.
After the basics of jackets, goggles, gloves + a helmet (if you want) then your own boots are the most important thing I think - in terms of overall comfort.
No real idea about prices these days but Absolute Snow is a good place to shop: http://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/
And if you are buying a lot of kit new from shops then it is worth (one of you) joining Snowboard Club UK which gives discounts at most shops and 10% off at Chill Factore. membership is £15 but it will pay for itself several times over if you are buying gear or riding in fridges a lot.
http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/
If I'm buying a load of kit for 2 of us in one go from one shop, then I'll be getting more than 10% discount overall no worries....haggling is the only thing other than playing the guitar that I'm good at!
We won't be buying anything until after we've really got into it.
Cheers for the tips!
Decathlon clothing is pretty good quality, not sure you'll get far with haggling, but worth a try. You can pick up decent kit at TK Maxx too if you keep looking. I tend to just buy stuff I need/don't need when it appears in a sale.
I too wouldn't worry too much about buying board and boots (or ski and boots) quite yet - if at all if you only plan on using it once or twice a year. Used to be worthwhile doing when hire kit was questionable & ski/board carriage cheap, but quality of hire kit is generally pretty good nowadays. Boots would be a priority over a board.
Last week was the first time we wished we had our own skis (we have our own boots). We got to resort quite early, so had time to get a good ski in. But it being Easter Sunday the hire shop was shut in the middle of the day (still open morning and evening though) and we missed out. We're thinking of driving out for our holidays in the future, so buying our own skis may become preferable.
GrahamS - RE K2 auto bindings. Mrs MeribelMTB has a pair of K2 Agogos this season and she's not been very impressed with them. They haven't been very durable and she finds them difficult to get out of.
The snow here in the 3 Valleys is still crazy good. We were hitting knee deep powder yesterday. The 11th of April. Insane. I'd be happy for it to start going soon though so the cols reopen for a bit of road riding and the trails start to clear so I can get the Zesty out.
I'm thinking that we'll be driving if we go away-my sister and her boyfriend are big into snowboarding, so we could all go in my car to France or up to Scotland and split the cost.
Also, Chill Factore is just under an hour from mine so I'll be able to go there quite a lot....teacher, so lots of holidays and nowt to do!
I'm hoping that Mrs B is going to let me book us in for a beginners session this Saturday 🙂
meribelmtb: hmm.. certainly not my experience, or my mate, but we are using the older models. Be a shame if K2 have changed the design as we find them really good. Getting out (for me) is very easy - just one swipe of the ratchet and step out.
That is one of the attractions for me because if you ride in a fridge (or on short Scottish pistes) then you can spend a lot of time strapping in and out of bindings.
Durability has been fine too for us. Admittedly we're not using them continuously but mine are ~5 years old I think and still look new.
Also, Chill Factore is just under an hour from mine so I'll be able to go there quite a lot....
Definitely look at SCUK membership then. Fridges are pricey. 10% off slopetime and lessons at Chill Factore will save you a fair bit.
Will do-cheers!
Decathlon clothing is pretty good quality
If you like loads of gadgetty things you don't want or need and unpleasant fabrics.
Tom, skis are way betterer! Don't be drawn to the dark side....
I can do both reasonably competently - snowboarding through fresh pow is still pretty much the best thing in the world.
TK Maxx is great for boarding clothes. Top tip when starting out - don't scrimp on the trousers, you will be sat down a lot.
Flash is right about gloves and goggles are far better than shades, pop over to eyewearoutlet for some Oakleys in the wacky colours that no-one wants 8)
I've only worn my goggles once this year in 40 odd days skiing.
You need to up your pace a bit Edukator 😀
Only 12 for me & goggs every day, each to their own I suppose.
Yep goggles every day for me too.
Don't like riding without them - my eyes water too much (contacts) and I like having the extra definition from the lens.
Another all day goggle skier here. Black Iridium for the sunshine, Persimmon for the non. Crowbars, as they were the best fit with my helmet. (Both of which were a nice present, thanks to the nice people at Smith and Oakley!)
And then, a nice pair of sunnies (Oakley, natch) in the jacket pocket for lunchtime [s]perving[/s] posing.
Edukator - for the odd week here and there people their kit is fine, not great but fine*, for more regular skiers like you then granted you probably need better kit. Plus they do sell lots of other brands too.
*the only decathlon ski kit I've had are liner gloves, gloves and a fleece which all served a purpose. But Jnr skied for years in the jackets/pants/fart bags and never complained.
Woohoo 6 hour beginner session booked for me and wifey on Sunday....saved 200 quid with a promo code 8)
Oh....my....
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Jealousy is a bitter mistress!
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1/2 day off work and nipped up to Glenshee ...
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Well that was rather teh awsumz!!! Chuffin loved every minutes of it! I did better than I expected-fell over quite a lot though!! My wrists are killing. By the end I could do linked turns and control my speed pretty well-got dragged halfway up the main slope an my arse on my first attempt at using the drag lift!!....I'll post the video of it at some point 8) Mrs B was not so keen....she was absolutely woeful at it though! She bailed two thirds of the way through (fitness thing I think) and doesn't really fancy going again, so my plans for winter holidays in France may be on hold 🙁
Did I mention that I loved it 🙂
got dragged halfway up the main slope an my arse on my first attempt at using the drag lift!!....I'll post the video of it at some point
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Give Mrs B time. I had to work with Mrs CFH to get her in to it. I actually found that a lovely Christmas ski trip to a beautiful resort with great food and tuition did the trick. She fell in love with the mountains on Christmas Day, over pizza and champagne for lunch!
I think that she fancies a crack at skiing rather than snowboarding-and six hours was definitely too long for her. I'll be back asap though!
I'm starting to ache now!
I think that she fancies a crack at skiing rather than snowboarding
You're a lucky man. I hope you realise that! 😉
Keep at it. She'll love it! (BTW, try taking her to Serre Che. Sunshine, blue skies, great skiing, superb food and, if you book lessons at the Si Connections, Christian and Petit Paul for her to ogle at as eye candy! Oh, and they're superb instructors, too. Mrs CFH has nothing but the highest praise for Christian, and Petit Paul has helped me become almost awsumz!)
Hooray!
I declare my recent holiday a success. Drove to Verbier on Good Friday with Mrs R, stayed in Le Chable, was taken round on Saturday by a friend who lives in Verbier. 20m of vis, spent the day following the purple trousers. Woke up the next day to snow falling, was supposed to clear later in the day, so we thought we'd go up for the sake of it (2 day passes already bought) and if it was horrible, sit with a hot chocolate and wait for it to clear. But...
Inversion! Sunny at the top, a foot of fresh and most people still in bed in the valley. Joined by our friend at 12:00, once we'd convinced her it really was sunny. No lift lines, no lunch, she spent the afternoon dragging us round all the pow stashes. Couldn't quite understand why she was so rabid until we saw the next day what normal blue sky fresh snow day lift lines look like...
Wallets weepeing, off to stay with friends in Cham. mixed weather, GM, Glacier de Mort just with the wife, first time I'd been that far off without at least a peer to bounce things off. All went well. Day trip to sunny Courmayeur, pizza terrace, couloirs, tried out a 5'5" Dupraz which was ace so I bought it.
Another overnight trip to the Langhe in Italy, [url= http://livinginthelanghe.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/lazy-sunday-in-la-morra/#more-215 ]more friends have bought a farmhouse there for conversion/split into a home for them and holiday home for rental[/url], [url= http://www.alpineeco.com/Alpine_Eco_%7C_Eco_chalets_in_Chamonix,_Verbier_and_Morzine.html ]our friends in Cham are doing the design work[/url].
Then off to La Grave, hit a sunny day with up to a foot of fresh in the hollows, long, lazy turns over virgin snow on the glacier to La Voute. Wife's first abseil into a line.
Then over the Col du Lauteret to Val Claree, up to the Chardonnet hut, only 4 other people there. Blue skies and 15cm of fresh the next day for our Tour de Queyrellins (2nd tour just with Mrs N also went well!). Down to the valley, up to the Buffere hut, mini morning tour and back down to the car in Nevache for 11am and a drive back up to Calais for an evening ferry.
😀
Pics to follow!
Plus they do sell lots of other brands too
Decathlon used to but their policy has changed. No more Millet, Hally Hansen, Lafuma or anything else of interest in my local Decathlon which is one of the biggest in France. Just lots of gimicky, gadgety, fussy clothing cut to fit people who never do sport. Stand outside Decathlon and watch the people coming out with bags full of cheap Asian tat, if you look like them then go in by all means.
Nedrapier - that sounds wonderful.
We're hoping to get some turns in at the end of April in Scotland, snow dependent of course.
the end of April in Scotland
Mental, isn't it? Best season in 50 years. And the first in ages that I haven't donned skis at all! BAH! But, then again... 😉
Flashy there's still time.
Regarding skiing in Scotland, we have managed not only April but early May too over the last 2 seasons, so have a tradition to uphold.
Edit: Just think in 5-6 years mini flash will be skiing along with you and the missus, it'll be fantastic. oh and mtbing too.
Edit: Just think in 5-6 years mini flash will be skiing ahead of you and the missus, shouting back "ffs Dad pull your finger out and get a move on."
Edukator - perhaps this is the sign of things to come in the UK as Decathlon stores that we've been to recently have had quite a bit of non Decathlon branded kit in.
Edit: Just think in 5-6 years mini flash will be skiing ahead of you and the missus, shouting back "ffs Dad pull your finger out and get a move on."
In that odd kiddie skiing style that's all speed and no control!
"YAY! A black piste! In flat light! And it's all tracked out with moguls and ice! Come on, Dad, let's go!"
🙂
After this years holiday my two year old can already ski better than I can 😀
Yep it'll be like that Flashy. Although very occasionally they'll overcook things, get (mildly) hurt and ski for a couple of hours with their tails between their legs.
Usually a drink/lunch stop makes them forget about that though.
Nedrapier,
Been meaning to go up the val Clarre for quite a while. How was it?Heard good things about the hut.
Mrs Mugsy just been upto the Refuge des Aiguilles des Arves to do the Aiguille d' Epaisseur and col de Aiguilles des Arves. Snow was a bit wet concrete in places apparently.
Lots of Avalanches around at present though with the warming up over the last 3 or so days.....
bunnyhop - it was!
mugsys_m8 - We loved it. Highlight of the trip for us I think, even though we may have got better snow elsewhere. Higher north faces were blower pow (dude) everthing else was a bit/very wet. Saw a few big ful depth wet slides.
Really lovely valley, huts were very nice. And plenty to choose from, I think five in the Vallee de la Claree itself and a few more in the neighbouring vallees. [url= http://www.refugesclareethabor.com/fr/il4-refuges_p2-les-refuges.aspx ]More.[/url] Mountains aren't the highest, but non-glaciated, reducing kit and complexity. Plenty of route choice from mellow to gnar. Looks like there are some decent rcok routes too.
We'll be back, for sure. (especially after shelling out €45+ for the map and the toponeige!)
A few thousand words worth of pictures to follow when I've picked through them.
nedrapier, just a headsup. Are you aware of www.skitour.fr? Very Grenoble centric and pleasingly for me does not consider the Chamonix Valley to be the centre of the Universe.
Lol @ flashy.
I love it when the wee ones speed down a hill in massive snow plough stylee, stop dead and flop forward. Such low centre of gravity, so hardly ever hurt themselves.
Coach crashed into a cliff going down from AdH and caught fire, full of Brits. Apparently one dead 🙁
Just heard that too, very sad.
The brakes failed going into the last bend before the bottom. The descent from my local resort is steeper but drivers rarely touch the brakes; the exhaust brake being adequate to maintain a safe descent speed. A gear lower and even a full coach with a trailer could be driven down on the exhaust brake.
People were jumping out before it crashed according to TF1.
Still planning to go to Scotland next week.
Here's our end of season last day in the Peaks just over a week ago. Tshirt weather indeed.
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Apparently one dead
According to the papers today the fatality was the driver, who died saving the passengers by steering into the cliffside to avoid going over the edge. [i]*salute*[/i]
More sobering footage. massive spring avalanche:
[url] http://www.zapiks.fr/spectaculaire-avalanche-de-p.html [/url]
According to the papers today the fatality was the driver, who died saving the passengers by steering into the cliffside to avoid going over the edge.
*Raises glass*
Brave man.
Is someone who dies descending a coll too fast in a full coach with a trailer a hero? Never speak ill of the dead but in all honesty if he'd been going slower there wouldn't have been a problem even if the brakes failed. A lot of people on here ride up and down colls, anyone who does knows that some drivers descend using engine braking and others come down with stinking, overheating brakes.
I know that a jury hasn't heard the case yet but commercial vehicle brakes fail on and the only reason they won't stop is because the brakes have overheated.
Too soon to call "hero" anyhow.
Someone who makes an error, then rectifies it by risking his neck, is a hero, yes.
So dangerous driving and risking all your passengers' necks is OK so long as you risk your own neck when your lack of caution cooks the brakes. I wonder how much experience/training the driver had in descending colls with a fully loaded coach and trailer. Even then, ignorance is no excuse.
Because it could not have been a mechanical failure then could it?
The driver died . You werent there so please stop with the blame game.
The coach might have had worn pads, less mass = more heat build up and possible fluid boiling .
I have never been on a coach down the mountain where the drier has been able to only ever use the gearbox and exhaust brake.
You weren't there
Amen.
Lots of unknowns but what we do know points to driver error. Best wait for the verdict then before declaring the man a hero.
Having used the local bus up and down the mountain all winter I can confidently say that the driver has never got the brakes anywhere near too hot.
In my own vehicle I have a choice: second gear - never need to brake except for the stop sign in the village; third gear - a few dabs before the tightest bends; fourth gear - sometimes used when there's nothing else on the road for long straight sections, changing down to third puts the engine close to it's rev limit but still avoids too much use of the foot brake; fifth gear - never tried. If I had 48 people in the back and a trailer on I'd use second gear all the way every time.
Is someone who dies descending a coll too fast in a full coach with a trailer a hero?
No.
But someone who sacrifices his own life to save the lives of others is a hero, regardless what bad decisions may or may not have lead up to that point.
Now let's please not let one of the best threads on STW end with a typical game of armchair-expert eh?
Best wait for the verdict then
exactly 😐
There's an interesting difference between English "driver hero" reporting of this and French media reporting that centres on "the brakes failed, we now need to find out why" with the obvious answer being overheating.
The suggestion of fluid boiling shows how much you don't know about commercial vehicle brakes, Singletrackmind. Commercial vshicles use fail-safe air brakes in which the brakes are held off with air pressure. Any leak or problem with the system and the brakes lock on. All the control systems are also designed to fail safe.
On a different note......
Sat in the lobby of the apartment in Flaine as it has been dumping snow for the past 3 hours and visibility is abysmal.
Can't complain as first 4 days have been fantastic spring skiing and it just 'might' be a big powder day tomorrow 🙂
Ps cheers to GrahamS for bindings - nearly got the hang of them now 😉
Enjoy tomorrow Woody.
How much longer are you out there for to enjoy the conditions?
Nice one Woody - looking forward to seeing some pics and hearing how you got on with [i]proper[/i] bindings 😉