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Right. Where does one buy one some boots?
Where are you based? Plenty of great boot fitters around.
Remember, don't pre-choose on brand, style or (shudders) colour! Let the fitter guide you to the right boot for you.
Bristol. I think we have Ellis Brigham and Snow and Rock, but I don't know if these are any good or not. I [i]might[/i] be able to purchase in London if it is really worth the trip (I visit for work a lot).
I think mbydmt wins with that purchase list!!!! Can anyone beat it? 😀
And what skis did you buy anyway?
And wallop, I had a fantastic boot fitting session done a few years ago at Pro-Feet in London, I've heard mixed things about the place but they sorted me right out (before that I'd be in pretty much constant pain from my boots, for the 1st few days of the week anyway).
Given the carnage in today's Coupe du Monde I think I'll take it easy first time out.
To mbydmt's list I can add a third pair of skis, a skin suit, lots of waxes, knee/shin protectors and three pairs of ski crampons, but will be making do with last year's ski pants, sunnies, boots and pack.
Edukator - good work! I'm in two minds between whether to get waxing iron/edging tools etc. or not as I'm doing a season starting tail end of next month. New kit is nice 🙂
Forgot to add new boots as well 😆
EDIT: MichaelMCC
Got some Line Prophet Skis with Marker Griffon bindings (skis £165 from edgeandwax, bindings £120 from my-race (gloucester ski slope)) All new.
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And some COREupt Caspers (£80 from Sport-conrad delivered) with Squire Marker 11 bindings (£64 from Snowinn with some discount) all new.
[img] 
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Tried the COREupts on the dry slope 3 times this week, trying the lines out tomorrow
@edukator
Loving the apocalypse snow pic
One of my favourite ski films of all time for sheer
lunacy and outfits !!
@ mbydmt - thats really weird!!!! Thats the exact same ski setup I had for last season. I had bought the new (at the time) 2011-12 Prophets, but I imagine they haven't changed much apart from the graphics.
Was loving the Caspers, sketchy as hell on icy pistes though lol.
@michaelmcc that's really bizarre! Not like they're K2s & Sally's or anything, not overly common skis. How did you find them? Other than the COREupts on Ice? Caspers do seem great fun so far!
My purchases ready for the forthcoming season were...
1 pr Goggles (half price Oakley from that shop in Edinburgh)
erm and that's it.
@mbydmt ye its mad! I had Salomon STH 12 bindings on the Lines and Rossi Axial bindings on the Caspers. Loved the Lines, they were the 1st ski I ever owned and the fattest ski I had ever been on to boot! Although I was in Whistler and they soon felt narrow compared to all the other really fat skis around lol.
But a really capable ski in most conditions. There was only a small handful of days where I wished I was on a wider ski. I spent about 80-90% of my free ski time off piste, or in the slack country, or how ever you wanna call it lol. Was really happy with them overall.
Never ended up going in the park with the Coreupts believe it or not! I got them cuz I wanted to start doing park and was looking for a ski that could double up to instruct on (which it did do nicely). Guess the main reason was that I didn't bother going skiing if the snow was bad, and whenever it was good I just hunted out powder on the Lines lol.
http://www.serre-chevalier.com/en/winter/ski-area/resort-live2/webcam/
Snow! 🙂
No purchases for me this year, but bargain sniping nonetheless. Might buy some skis this year. To date, I've always been a huge believer in renting top end stuff instead. Flexibility, lack of need to store/service and the scope to try stuff out all counts. BA gold card though, means I have immense baggage allowance, so makes sense for next year.....!
Soelden is getting pummeled by snow for the mens GS! Good news :-).
Some Spyder, Mammut and Haglofs stuff in TackyMacks at the weekend (Salisbury branch). Could be worth a look in a local branch if you're that way inclined!
Wallop - you're not a million miles away from Bicester (90 mins max I'd guess). I'd recommend going to see Colin at Solution 4 Feet http://www.solutions4feet.co.uk/
anyone going to The Ski Show on Wed at Earls Court?
Look out for Eddie the Eagle if so...
Wallop - you're not a million miles away from Bicester (90 mins max I'd guess). I'd recommend going to see Colin at Solution 4 Feet http://www.solutions4feet.co.uk/
Certainly comes highly recommended.
Of the others, I'd say S&R, but with the caveat that the fitting team may well have changed since I was last there, but that their training set up is still very good indeed. Always best to find a good fitter, rather than necessarily a good shop, IMHO.
FWIW, my two pet fitters in That London's Famous Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (Neil and Christ at S&R Kensington) have now sadly moved on to pastures new. JP at Covent Garden S&R is very good though.
Thanks folks. I'll give S&R a try first.
Neil & Chris.
NOT Neil & Christ!
🙂
My auntie (in Switzerland) phoned this morning, she said it's even snowing there (Zurich) at lower levels now. Whoopppeeeeeeeee.
So... Who else wears a helmet? Slightly dull talk I know, but I wear one everywhere now on the basis of if I wear one for biking then why not for skiing.
And looks like its very good news about all the snowfall so far! Hopefully it hasn't peaked too early lol.
Yup, Giro. Much comfier than a beanie imo.
I wear one. Never used to but nearly knocked myself out on my last hol, so bought one.
BTW folks, Lidl are doing snow stuff on Thurs - their socks are the best snow socks I've used. Wool content for a fiver. the tights are good too.
So... Who else wears a helmet? Slightly dull talk I know, but I wear one everywhere now on the basis of if I wear one for biking then why not for skiing.
Can't ski without one now, and amazed that I did for so long, to be honest!
Smith Holt. Thanks to those lovely people at Smith. Super comfy, never felt too hot/cold in any conditions.
DezB - thanks for the heads up.
Been wearing a helmet for many years. Now onto helmet number 2, A Salomon Poison with Peak.
Not sure about the peak, it's great in sunny weather, however drives me mad when I just want to pop my goggles up.
Always wear a helmet. Keeps your heard warm innit 8)
Yep, was very glad of it when tree skiing in whistler and got a turn wrong...
I mostly wear a helmet, but it does depend what im planning on skiing that day.
If I am planning on skiing any off piste/park, going out on GS skis or skiing with mates then I will wear my helmet. At Christmas/New Year when I am just pottering about with my parents sometimes I dont bother.
Few years back, people were talking about helmet use being maybe aproaching the 50% mark. Now I'd estimate it's almost 100%. Certainly within the pretty extensive group I skied with, it's just the last few stragglers wearing hats, so usage is easily in excess of 95% there.
2 head injuries requiring hospital treatment within the group made a few people stop by the ski shop first thing the next morning.
I don't wear a helmet, if I was skiing some of the stuff I did a few years ago I would buy one, but I ski so prudently - the risk isn't significant.
It's other skiers I'm more concerned about.
Plus keeping warm in -29C which we had last year.
It's other skiers I'm more concerned about.
Agreed.
At the risk of starting an argument, it's more the "I don't need lessons" boarder-brigade* that worry me. Many of them simply cannot control their speed enough to really be safe on the piste, and I've seen many a smash as a result.
*Note - I know full well that there are masses of skiers who are equally rubbish, but I get the feeling that a lot of boarders don't/won't do lessons (too cool for school?) and just try and pick it up as they go along.
On another note, a friend had a lucky escape in Sauze a few years back, waiting for the ski bus up to the lifts, not paying attention, caught a wing mirror on the back of the helmet! Was fine, if a little dazed! 🙂
True, but I haven't had a collision/near miss or even a not so near miss for years so whilst not dismissing this risk, it has not manifested itself sufficiently for me to worry about it.
I have skied in those temperatures but never had a problem with being cold - I run hot!
Like MichaelMCCC I had the thought of I wear one when cycling, why not when skiing?
So started wearing one last season. I'm probably a more cautious skier than I am cyclist, but there are as many if not more hazards to be aware of when skiing.
[i]I get the feeling that a lot of boarders don't/won't do lessons (too cool for school?) and just try and pick it up as they go along.[/i]
There is a lot of that. Stupid really - lessons are great. I had a few years break, went last year with the family, no-one to ride with so booked up some lessons. Learned loads, was taken great places, had a fab time. Actually one of the powder days with about 20 boarders (all different abilities) and instructors to follow in the white-out conditions was one of my best days ever!
Probably will book em again if I'm on me tod. Always things to learn now matter how good you think you are.
I've been shoulder barged twice, both times by boarders on flat trying to maintain momentum. One hurt himself (fortunatley not others) as he subsequently crashed in to the lift queue 🙄
I've been buzzed by someone ski racing on open piste, who then shoulder barged a friend just ahead of me, with both of us on the verge of chasing, apprehending, and getting the Carabinieri involved. He was out of control, big time.
2 ski friends have had hospital trips for head injuries (one self inflicted, one not really sure - nobody knows, but he is one of the most careful skiers I've ever skied with).
1 with leg injury (OK helmet probably not much use there), requiring hospital treatment, after being skied into by a racer at speed, just while sliding off a chair lift!
Maybe helmets make the other skiers/boarders out there ski/board like invincible nutters?
Yep, I'm a fan of lessons as well, even if only part time when out there. Really good if you're new to a resort as well, as they'll take you to the places that will challenge your level, while staying safe! That way, you can really learn the resort a lot better than just winging it!
Plus, as you say, great for meeting people of a similar level to ski with if on your own ,or with a family/group that isn't at the same level as you.
We usually have lessons on one of our trips each year. It started out just Jnr and I with the OH going off by herself, or going out with a friendly group. But now I've got better the lessons tend to be closer to the OHs level so has them too. She still finds them useful as the instructor will always have something to say to her, even if it's a bit less feedback than most of the rest of us get!
We have 3 x 1/2 day group lessons booked for Arabba, so we still get a few whole days to explore the area by ourselves.
andytherocketeer - well I am not going to go skiing with you - seems dangerous!
I find a helmet handy around lifts, buses etc. There is every chance some dopey is going to clock you in the head with their skis or poles. My other favourite is people closing the lift bar on my head.
My other favourite is people closing the lift bar on my head.
Why does that always happen when you've got a first lift hangover?
CLANG!
I was the only one (apart from my kids) wearing a helmet when we went in Jan. I was thinking along the lines of I need it for MTB and I can do that quite well, I'm definitely going to need it skiing. I probably wore it 50-75% of the time because it was bloody hot that week.
As for lessons, I am a beginner so need them although I only did half days and will be doing half days again next season. Its nice to go out with the wife who is good and takes me down pistes that the instructors don't. I find I progress better when put in a challenging situation. I was comfortable, if not graceful, riding all the blues that we came across and even tried a red. I will be pushing myself to try a black next time out but I will definitely be wearing my helmet then. I am a big believer in having lessons to progress your skills but you (I) need to push your boundaries to make big steps.
As I said I'm a fan of lessons but I don't think they are a fan of me. I broke a couple of ribs on a snowboarding lesson at the Snowdome in Tamworth and I broke my leg on my first Skiing lesson in Morzine. I have a day with Jedi booked for the weekend after I get back from Morzine next year lets hope I don't break anything on either of those!
On another note, a friend had a lucky escape in Sauze a few years back, waiting for the ski bus up to the lifts, not paying attention, caught a wing mirror on the back of the helmet! Was fine, if a little dazed!
CFH - Can you explain that a little more? 😆 . I'm guessing some vehicle with a high wing mirror clotted him on the head while he was waiting? :-
And yes the risk of other numpties crashing into me is a big reason I wear a helmet. I actually find the last run of the day heading down to the village the most dangerous, less than desirable porridge snow conditions and loads of tired sketchy looking people about.
I find I progress better when put in a challenging situation
True, so long as you don't start picking up shoddy habits in the name of survival! We all get sloppy at times, but I like to keep myself in check with the odd lesson.
I'm guessing some vehicle with a high wing mirror clotted him on the head while he was waiting?
Yes. The ski bus! 🙂
last run of the day heading down to the village the most dangerous,
Hell yes! The Alphand on a nice sunny day becomes a flat-light soup of moguls and tracked out piste full of numpties who for some reason believe you HAVE to ski to the resort every day, regardless of how useless/pissed you are. I sometimes just don't bother and take a download instead!
I get the feeling that a lot of boarders don't/won't do lessons (too cool for school?) and just try and pick it up as they go along.
Sadly I think you are right CFH ... it's an odd mentally that does seem particularly prevalent with the 'one week per year on the snow in Europe with the lads' brigade, which, when combined with a hangover, some 'derring-do' and a big dose of testosterone can often endanger themselves and others when they crank up the speed etc without having complete control over the board. 🙁
I wonder if it's the same mind-set that dismisses MTB coaching as overlooks ski/snowboard lessons as a fundamental building block of winter sports?
Ski & Snowboard lessons are a fantastic idea I reckon. Whether you are starting out ("what we remember best is what we learn first"); as a refresher; or for progression when your riding is stuck in a rut.
Snowboarding has matured I think - the days of the 'punk-maverick-have-a-go-hero' are long gone and now that snowboarding is permitted in pretty much every public resort, a bit of consideration for your fellow snow-sport enthusiasts goes a long way, so at the very least a skier should be able to snow-plough to a halt and a snowboarder should be able to stop on either toe or heel-side edge before they leave the bunny-slopes!
michaelmcc - it's not a lesson at our stage of the game, it's "training". 😉
so at the very least a skier should be able to snow-plough to a halt and a snowboarder should be able to stop on either toe or heel-side edge before they leave the bunny-slopes!
Agreed in full!
I also think the lifites and pisteurs should be a little harder on people. "Seriously? You think you can do this piste? I've just seen you wobbling down the nursery slope. Go home!" 😉
[i]I only did half days and will be doing half days again next season[/i]
Half days are the norm. Never seen any full days ones. Although I'm sure you could book private lessons for a whole day.
[i]I wonder if it's the same mind-set that dismisses MTB coaching as overlooks ski/snowboard lessons as a fundamental building block of winter sports?[/i]
Er, nope... I can't bring myself to spend money on MTB coaching...!
I get the feeling that a lot of boarders don't/won't do lessons (too cool for school?) and just try and pick it up as they go along.
*hand up*
I very much picked it up as I went along. When I was learning, back in the day, lessons simply weren't an option - not many BASI-certified snowboard instructors cutting about Nevis Range in the mid-90s. And fewer still that would do a lesson for what I could afford as a poor student. 😀
Since then I've just bumbled through. Lessons always [i]sound[/i] like a good idea but when it comes to it I don't want to "waste" a day of my holiday. I can ride well enough to enjoy it and feel like I mostly know what I'm doing wrong anyway (which mainly comes down to commitment and practise). If I was out doing a season somewhere I'd get a ton of lessons - but when you've only got a dozen short days a year to ride it's a different story.
Oh yeah.. and helmets.. started wearing one a couple of years ago. Mainly cos I needed one for the snowdome. Smith Hustle. It's comfy enough that I don't have any reason not to wear it now. It's good for going through the trees without braining myself.
... I can't bring myself to spend money on MTB coaching.
Do you mind me asking why DezB? ... any particular reason why you make the distinction and are happy paying for one and not the other?
As an aside, I remember (from the old forum) reading about a now highly regarded MTB Coach from this forum heading out to Chamonix snowboarding with a group of mates a few years ago, being adamant that they wouldn't have any snowboard lessons and they were looking forward to the ensuing 'carnage'! ... 😯
I reckon I've benefited hugely from MTB & Snowboard Instruction/Coaching ... but I'm just interested in the [obviously very personal] distinctions that people make regarding both disciplines.
Did some lessons/coaching a couple of years back. That, and new boots, were probably my best investment for a long time.
Lessons went all about the mountain, not up/down one piste, so not really being "wasted" as such, and if anything, guided by someone better than me. Depends if you're a 1 week a year slider, or go more often. Having some coaching in December (6x3 hours, plus video etc.), and then getting another week shortly after to put it in to practice was ace. Got 3x2 hours and a bumps session booked for December, on what is potentially not brilliant snow (wasn't last year), then a real holiday in Feb.
In regards to ski/mtb training.
I need ski lessons because I can't do it, my wife has been skiing for about 25 years and is thinking about the odd lesson in a couple of years. This would be to improve her, already decent, skiing. Partially because she doesn't want me to be better than her partially because she actually wants to get rid of any bad habits.
I can MTB to a decent level, not as good as a lot of people but better than most. I am choosing to see Jedi because I know there are a couple of areas of my riding that need work. I can't get out riding enough to practice these things so some pointers from an expert should make me loads better.
I've had a few lessons on the board over the years but not many. I can get down pretty much anything I have the guts to try, though I hate flats (probably because I'm slow). I'm in control and the biggest danger to others is probably that they under-estimate my slowness.
I'm happy cruising reds and blues really.
However.
Elder son did his first full week on skis last year, and at five was already faster than his mother (and reasonably controlled). I will be doing more lessons this year, because I need to build my speed to make sure that for a few years at least I can catch him when I need to.
And I'm rubbish but safe on a bike too. Perhaps Jedi et al need a call.
Right then. These metal boom things you see on the side of the pistes.
You can see them in the Serre Ratier webcam at the bottom of this page, with bright orange padding wrapped around the base.
What are they!?
http://www.serre-chevalier.com/en/winter/ski-area/resort-live2/webcam/ <
They're part of the snow cannon system, IIRC.
I like that new Serre Ratier webcam by the way! Much like the Cucumelle one, it's a really cool view of the place!
Pizza at Café Soleil is lovely....! 🙂
Thank you Flashy. The mystery is now over, though I will confess to being a little disappointed with the reality.
OK, if you prefer.....
They're death ray laser beams, cunningly disguised as snow cannons. They are designed to spot anyone using blades and exterminate them in an instant. Vapourised. Blown to smithereens.
I can confirm that flashy got it.......on his second guess
The bladist vapourisation is a good thing. Except when we demo blades to let people have the experience of them so they can then genuinely argue with authority how cack they really are, and understand why the vapourisation needs to happen.
i've done 2 seasons but only had an hours lesson on skis (the very good billski in morzine) - just couldn't afford them. however, the lesson progressed me in 1hr as much as the previous 2 months. i'm quite keen on getting a mtb training day too, next year.
just got a call today to say that i've a job as a ski boot fitter until xmas in ellis brigham (bristol) starting tues - wish me luck!
just got a call today to say that i've a job as a ski boot fitter until xmas in ellis brigham (bristol) starting tues - wish me luck!
Congratulations! 🙂
Now, someone here was after a good fitter in Brizzle recently, weren't they? 🙂
Now, someone here was after a [u]good[/u] fitter in Brizzle recently, weren't they?
let's not get ahead of ourselves here 😉
😆 sort of my point! 🙂
Talking of snow cannons, they seem to be in full flow around the Sella Ronda looking at the webcams, which has surprised me. Lifts don't open until 1st Dec.
Seems a bit early, unless they're just checking them out or something, and hoping something will stick around till opening day?
(edit: T-94 days and counting... )
Les 7 Laux opens this weekend
Our FD has [b]just [/b]announced that the office will be shut on 31st Dec, when I'd expected to be working, so I might book 27/28 as well and see if I can find a cheap ski trip somewhere.
This is at 1300m which I find really surprising at the moment [img] 
[/img]
A fair bit higher, but mounds of the artificial (lots of the real stuff too)...
[img] 
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Just looked back at some webcam photos posted last week and it seems by putting these in here, they show the image as it is at the moment - so keep updating. Which is quite cool, but will also make whatever we've written at that time look a bit silly if we look back!
I picked up a new pair of Atomic slalom skis from the shop yesterday. It says 'rocker' on them, the first time I've seen it on full-on race skis. It'll be interesting to see if I can tell the difference. There's enough snow on the pistes to fall over on but not enough to ski on.
will also make whatever we've written at that time look a bit silly if we look back!
It doesn't need any photo trickery to achieve that...! 🙂
I picked up a new pair of Atomic slalom skis from the shop yesterday. It says 'rocker' on them, the first time I've seen it on full-on race skis.
Just stand the skis up base to base and look down them. Nearly every company is throwing around the rocker word at the moment. K2 are a good example with their jib rocker, speed rocker, and powder rocker. I think it confuses people, but I highly doubt a pair of slalom skis have anything like the amount of rocker on powder skis! 🙂
All skis are powder skis. 😉
Edukator - I agree all skis are powder skis!
I should imagine that the Atomic Slalom skis you picked up aren't the proper race ski. The proper WC race ski (or whatever they're calling them this year) often bare very little resemblance to the toned down ones they sell to the general public.
They're the [url= http://www.skipass.com/guide-matos/atomic/race-d2-sl.html ]Racz D2 SL[/url] which aren't FIS skis as I doubt junor will be doing any FIS slalom races (so the FIS label isn't obligatory) and weighing only 63kg (I'm 68kg) the FIS skis are a bit unbendy.
Death rays? I leave you boys alone for half an hour.....!
I was thinking more vin chaud dispensers.
Death rays? I leave you boys alone for half an hour.....!I was thinking more vin chaud dispensers.
Silly billy....
The death rays are for the bladers. There are [i]different[/i] posts which provide, as follows;
For boarders - Arse-warming jets of warm air. After all, that sitting around in the middle of the piste is hardly conducive to warm cheeks, is it?
For skiers - Vin chaud.
They don't need hot air to warm their little botty wotties - they have extra padding in their pants!
Nah. Those are incontinence pads. As any fule kno.
Good shout - the Atomic factory skis always used to be at the stiffest end of the race skis anyway!
Ive lost a bit of weight and weighing in at 68kg nowadays too, hopefully as ive got fitter my legs might still be ok with my Dynastar 64's!