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

We haven't been out for a while due to high temperatures and avalanche risk. This morning it was -1°C in the resort so we headed up the Sanctus. It's an easy climb though picking a way up this bit takes patience and many conversions;

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Once above the steep bit it's easy going through the avalanceh
debris

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The up some gentle slopes that are fun on the way down

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Near the top you get an idea how much snow has fallen this year, all the features are buried

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Skis off for the trudge up to the top. The flat bit is the top of a huge cornice.

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Very nice pictures. My sister tried snowboarding for the first time on Friday: she now has a broken scaphoid 😆

Taken with a cheap Nokia phone. I've given up on the Panasonic Lumix which would have been unusable in that bright sun.

Roller blade wrist protectors are a must when new to boarding.

I'm about to buy some-I teach guitar for a living so could do with preserving the bones in my hands and wrists!

Looks like a nice day out Edukator.

Tom - have a look at the different types of guard available - some are better than others, and some will suit different people. There were a few early designs that were too stiff and saved your wrist at the cost of your forearm - not common but it happened. I'm sure they're all gone now, but...
Also if you've grown up with rugby or judo then you may well have learned to fall and be better without them. I learned to snowboard at a time when I'd been playing rugby for 25 years - I rapidly concluded that wrist guards were not for me as they actually hinder my natural (ingrained) falling response.
That said on balance and for most people, wrist guards are good when starting out.

Helmets on the other hand I regard as essential for all. I wouldn't go down those slopes on my bike at that speed without a helmet. Your choice though.

I wouldn't go down those slopes on my bike at that speed without a helmet.

<helmet_debate>

Ah... so you openly admit that wearing a helmet makes you take risks that you wouldn't otherwise take...?

</helmet_debate>

😉

Never bothered with wrist guards either. Just don't stick your hands out and roll with it - much like going over on a bike.

Anyone else hoping that conditions are good enough for a mayday skiing weekender in Scotland? It's almost a given that Cairngorm will open, the only question is how much snow there will be. Nevis range has already called an end to the season as the visitor numbers were so low during the week they could only justify running the uplift at weekends: the weekend's storms put paid to the rest of the season sadly. I'm hoping that Glencoe will open, if so then it'll be up to Glencoe for one day then over to Cairngorm. As The Lecht has also closed (storm again meaning there's not enough cover), I'm not hopeful that Glenshee will manage to stay open either

Just had a sneaky peaky at the Serre Che webcams, and it looks like there's been a fresh dusting atop the Cucumelle. Mental! Untracked snow all the way from the peak by the looks of it.

I'm still not kean on wristgaurds personally for pretty much the same reaons as igm but the general concensus is that they are very good and essential kit for beginners.

I rather stupidly (various reasons including running late/injured Mrs etc.) went out without my bum, knee protection or helmet last Saturday on a powder day and never thought about it until I nearly went over heelside on a heavy patch while going reasonably quickly - for me at least 😐 Shook me so much I went straight down and hired a pair of the Movement ? Turbos (bloody massive purple things anyway) and ........oh my........a whole new world opened up 😀

Upshot is that I've now decided to concentrate my limited abilities on skiing, rather than switching from one to the other over the past few years and am seriously tempted to buy a pair of 'proper' FAT ski's even if it's just for the odd day! Saw a pair of Storm twisted Sistas in Flaine(didn't realise what they were at the time) and they appealed as they looked so ridiculous. I didn't catch the guy as he went past the cafe but all I could say to The Mrs was WTF....want!! Not sure if Storm are going to be continuing (reports say probably not) but some real bargains on their ski's at the moment!

ps Thanks again to Grahams for leting me borrow his K2's, I'll be in touch to arrange dropping them back. Preferred my Flow's though 😉

No worries Woody - just give me a shout next time you are round my way.

Preferred my Flow's though

Yeah - but apparently you prefer skiing too, so there is no accounting for taste 😀

Not sure if Storm are going to be continuing (reports say probably not) but some real bargains on their ski's at the moment!

Apparently not.

Movement are pretty much at the top of my list of skis these days. Really like everything of theirs I've tried. Super Turbos are like waterskis, though!

Oh, and welcome to the good side of the force! You can now tell your parents, they'll be so proud. 😉

😆 I asked for that!

Board was brilliant though (Flow Solitude) and I was sold on the double rocker. Just seemed to do everything well on the mountain and I had very few 'moments' and didn't catch an edge once.

Oh, and welcome to the good side of the force! You can now tell your parents, they'll be so proud.

The Movements look really nice but a bit pricey for an occassional use 'fatty'. [url= http://www.stormskis.com/shop/freeski/superforce-ti.html ]These Storm Superforce[/url] look wicked but I think I'd have to go shorter than normal as they are very very stiff and I've slowed in my old age. Plenty others similar on fleabay for around £100 which is ridiculous for that standard of ski. Even the Twisted is on there for £135!

Edit [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160725923266?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 ]And these!![/url]

I've been skiing movements for five or six years now. Movement skis *ROCK*

Didn't get many pics in Flaine (and these are rubbish) but to give you some idea of conditions....

This was last Thursday (pre-tumble and she couldn't ski for last 2 days 🙁
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and this was what I woke up to Saturday morning - 2ft + on the balcony and the sun came out not long after the pic was taken 😀
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mumblemumblemumblesomethingaboutlovelylookingpeaksmumblemumblemumble

😉

Looks ace!

This was last Thursday (pre-tumble and she couldn't ski for last 2 days

Blimey! That must have been some tumble you gave her... 😯

this was what I woke up to Saturday morning - 2ft + on the balcony

Glory be. Now why on earth would you be wanting to hit that beautiful pow on anything other than a snowboard?!?

woody - wouldn't you be better buying the 'Movements' and hiring fat boys on the odd days that justify them?

That would be an option but I have a virtually unused pair of Scott Aztec Pros and Head M75's for piste duties + there is no guarantee that any fatties will be available to rent if there is powder day..............and ......as I've resisted the urge to buy a fatbike, the opportunity to buy something fat, at a fraction of the cost, is becoming irresistable 😉

Mrs N in Courmayeur
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Morning play in the fresh with doggy at the Chardonnet hut in the Vallee Claree
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Skintrack of the other 4 before we turned off our own way.
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After 2 1/2 hours skinning with no sign of others we get to the ridge.
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And see 5 tracks coming in from the other side!
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They didn't get the blower pow on the north face, though! Mrs N in the White room, good girl!
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Mmmmmm beer.......................and the other pics look ok to 😉

Cheers Woody. That there is a tasty, tasty beer. If you see it, drink it!

I will and that looks fantastic.

Oddly enough I've been trying to persuade my mrs that Courneyuer might be a good bet for next year. She's only had 9 days on snow and I've promised her nice cruisy wide blues to make up for some of the 'interesting' grading in Flaine.

I'll not show her those pics 😀

I want to go skiing this week, any suggestions for a cheap couple of days away?

All those pics look great Edukator, Woody & Ned.

Greg - I'd just see where you can get cheap flights to (assuming you're flying) as that will take up the lion share of the cost and just pick a resort that's still open and high.

Christ I have got to get a winter holiday booked!!

Split board I assume Ned?

If anyone's happy going unguided, I just found out the Lyngen Alps is rather accessible. return flights to tromso from Gatwick from £200 full board bunk accom from £33 pppn. Quite tempted by a cheeky weekend!

Yes, Ed., Venture Zephyr for me, K2 Panoramic for her.

So, the lifts are all closing, the season is drawing to a close.....

Now would seem a good time to gather your;
Highlight
Lowlight
And what have you learned

For me, highlight was this thread, and the vicarious season it gave me!
Lowlight - first year in ages that I've not been skiing, and it was one of the best! Bah!
What have I learned? Done loads of research for taking Little Miss CFH out to Serre Che next year!

So, the lifts are all closing, the season is drawing to a close.....

Meanwhile the Scottish gully season is just getting under way...

And I might be off to the Lyngen Alps in 3 weeks!

Highlight? First red with my 6 year old - must convince him he doesn't have to ski 6" off the tail of my board though.

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Highlight - either (1) a 100km in a day or (2) a day on Stöckli FIS slalom skis.
Lowlight - knowing that an avalanche occurred within spitting distance of where we'd skied earlier, and that a life had been taken
What have you learned - that (1) slalom skis are way better on the Gran Risa Alta Badia WC GS run than K2 Rictors, and (2) I want a pair.

Highlight was fabulous hospitality of The White Room Chalet and the lovely early season snow
Lowlight was a stupid fall and a broken ACL

Fingers crossed I'll be back next season to do all the skiing I'd hoped to do this year

I meant to add that the photo above was taken in Scotland on Saturday so there's still plenty to go at if you don't mind carrying your skis.

Ned.
would love to get up to Lofoten/Lyngen but going to wait until next spring...

nice pics from Courmayeur.

Ta, nick. Only the first one's from Courmayeur, the others are from the Vallee de la Claree, near Briancon. Lovely spot!

Sure you need to wait? Wednesday afternoon 15th to Sat 18th. Direct flights from Gatwick to Tromso, £240 inc board carraige, £155 car hire which we could split, full board accomm about £43 a night. 2.5 days off work, 2 full days touring, midnight sun.

???

new baby on the way 2 weeks later so highly unlikely!!!

Season's not over yet. Still lift served skiing up in Scotland - hoping to go up this weekend, got to decide if it'll be Glencoe or Cairngorm, or maybe even one day at each

Highlight - perfect snow conditions in April in Austia. Skiing in the Dolomites for the first time. Watching Jnr change from skiddy turns to lovely carves in the space of about 2 hours (although he reverts to skiddy turns when being lazy).
Lowlight - Being moaned at all morning one day, because all that fog we were trying to ski through was my fault obviously.

And what have you learned - I ski like John Wayne about to have a duel, legs wide open (but am trying to do something about it).

Spin - looks like Tower Gully? Could be wrong though, one looks a lot like another once you're in it!

Me?

Highights:

Best powder season ever. More "best days ever" than I can count.
Still finding new lines in Sainte Foy after 6 seasons.
Massive progress up to and, especially, during my Level 3 Tech exam.

Lowlights:
Not seeing the sun for weeks on end.
Nearly, but not quite, passing my Level 3 Tech exam. Next year!

looks like Tower Gully? Could be wrong though, one looks a lot like another once you're in it!

It's Easy Gully on Creag Meagaidh.

The nice man from the SAIS took some photos of us from the other side of the corrie.