[Closed] The STW Ski & Snowboard thread. The 2013-2014 season

Val Cenis? Tell us more... Which of the villages would you prefer if you had a 5 year old to drop off to ski school and some seventysomethings in tow who don't like too much of a walk to the lifts, but plenty of vin chaud?

We usually go to mega resorts in April, but unfortunately the school holidays aren't going to allow us to do that next year so we're opting for a slightly smaller area (although I appreciate that Val Cenis is a good size for a week) during the last week of half-term in March.

We have a shortlist of Val Cenis, Valloire or Valmorel. Val Doonican didn't make the cut, too many cardigans if you get my drift.

Hmmm. We have only stayed in Lanslevillard, both summer and winter, with 3 kids under 11.

Lanslebourg probably has the most concentrated collection of restaurants and bars but these extend along the main valley road. The accommodation is mostly located along this and the streets behind. The ski lifts are all located on the opposite side of the river so you would have to walk to the bridge. It is all flat however. There is a modern complex slightly further up the valley on the same side as the lifts which you can ski into but it is more remote from the main centre.

Lanslevillard is more hilly but is perhaps more centred around 3 main areas with further shops and bars along the main road.

Balcons (villages and le haut) are the furthest up the valley and are both modern purpose built accommodation. Both are within an easy walk of the new Le Haut gondola and the swimming pool, a supermarket and a few bars and restaurants. ESF and ESI ski schools both meet there.

There is the old town where we stay. It is a steep walk uphill from the shops and bars on the main road but has one restaurant and the essential food and gear shops. The accommodation is mostly traditional houses with a few purpose built apartment blocks. We stay on rue des Essarts and have a 50 foot walk to the piste and an easy slide down to the colomba chair lift where ESF also meet. There is lots of accommodation on the snow front in this area.

Finally there is purpose built accommodation around the old Vieux Moulin gondola. This also has some shops and restaurants but is some distance from the main shopping area, including the excellent boucherie and fromagerie. There is a free bus though. I think ESF meet there.

Personally we like the old town, we don't mind the steep walk down to the valley road and Essarts suits us with its rapid piste access and proximity to a boulangerie for breakfast. We tend to eat in at night.

Be aware that there are some modern accommodation complexes between the two villages which are luxurious but are a long way from all of the services and you would need to rely on the ski bus or a car.

[url= http://www.snowandrock.com/skis/ski/fcp-category/list#sortOrder=dfreshness&page=0&productsPerPage=32 ]S&R have updated with many 2013-14 skis here. [/url]

[url= http://www.ellis-brigham.com/equipment/ski-equipment/skis/ ]And EB here. [/url]

Line have lost it this year...
Base of the Sick Day skis..
[img] http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/TheGoods/line_1314_sick-day-110_base?hei=780&wid=200&resMode=bicub&iccembed=1&fmt=png-alpha&op_usm=1,1 [/img]
Just too childish.

Even the Sir Franks look a bit rubbish, IMO. Not 100% sure why, but I'm not keen.
[img] http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/TheGoods/line_1314_sir-francis-bacon_top?hei=2000&wid=888&resMode=bicub&iccembed=1&fmt=png-alpha&op_usm=1,1&op_sharpen=1 [/img]

Thanks for the info on Val Cenis, the snowfront at Lanslevillard sounds pretty close to what we like.

I guess if I was 19 and had parents with money those sick day bases would appeal to me. Obviously I'm not their target market 😆

Any advice for a beginner looking for a first set of non-hire boots? I've seen a set of Head Next Edge 80 in the local shop for 100 quid. I tried them on and they feel good but don't have experience to know if its a good deal. I'm a beginner looking to progress off the starting slopes this year. Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Matt

Any advice for a beginner looking for a first set of non-hire boots?

There will be much, I suspect!

From me - Find a good boot fitter. Cheap boots might be tempting, but if they don't fit and/or work for your skiing? Pointless.

80 is a pretty soft boot, and Head are, IIRC, quite wide. If you're a big/strong skier, an 80 flex boot will be like skiing in a pair of boots made of overcooked spaghetti!

Whereabouts are you? Am sure we collectively can point you towards a good fitter.

Cheers CFH,
I'm in Stavanger(Norway) so there are plenty of fitters about but they cost a pretty penny!I'm trying to avoid too much outlay as a new baby is getting through the funds fast and at £100 these are best value I've seen.
EDIT: should add I'm 11 stone and would say I'm more of a graceful skier than powerful.
Matt

Cascades?

I had my first ski trip from Flaine (le Hameau de Flaine) and had picked up the basics in a fridge in the UK. So after a day blasting around some blues decided to hit up the Cascades and go over to Salvagny, Sixt and work our way back.

Fine at the top, lots of poling all good. Then at the end was an apparent lifetime of narrow forest track icy death.

Anyone know anything about Saalbach Hinterglem? My mate is suggesting our annual Boys trip there.

I'll just leave this here:

[url= http://www.tainbraeworld.co.uk/nose-warmers.html ]Hand Crocheted Nose Warmers for Skiers[/url]

😆

Just booked New Year week in Val Thorens with Crystal 🙂

Anyone know anything about Saalbach Hinterglem? My mate is suggesting our annual Boys trip there.

Graham, I've had an electric blue one of those for years now, the best bit of kit I've got since getting my nose frost nipped in Vail at minus 25. The looks the French give you are priceless.

Val Cenis - The link to Termingnon from Lanslebourg is ace for fresh snow fun or low cloud days.

They look silly. But then I guess frostbitten nose probably does too.
Tend to wear a buff thingy (mainly cos I get handed a new free one on every ski trip these days), but they do have a habit of freezing up a bit when yo breathe out when it's -29C. Although after a few runs in that we'll all be in the restaurant sitting round the fireplace.

Graham, I've had an electric blue one of those for years now, the best bit of kit I've got since getting my nose frost nipped in Vail at minus 25

Aye I've been in similar conditions, but I find a Buff round my face is usually warm enough, Merino buff if I feel cold, jacket zipped up over my face if the wind is really biting. (My jacket also has an emergency balaclava built into the neck, but never needed that yet).

It'd have to be pretty dire before I considered a nose warmer 😀

Even [url= http://www.emilysarsfield.com ]Emily Sarsfield[/url] struggles to pull that look off:
[img] [/img]

I was about to sat how she makes that look good!!!

So, anyone know of any ski schools hiring BASI level 2 ski instructors for this season around Europe???? 😐 ... I really want to find something.

Michaelmc, you're much more likely to find something on google!!

Check out the Natives website too, that has info on working. Really though you need to work out where you want to go and then find out the ski schools that operate and contact them directly.

On the nose muff flex, I made one a few years ago out of a mini bobble hat that I got on a bottle of juice. I only ever really wore it to wind my sister up and would take great pleasure in giving her a big hug whenever we walked past any boys!

Thanks yeah I've been on google loads, just hoping to make direct contact with someone here. It is a bit depressing that there seems to be far more ski instructor courses than there are jobs! 👿

Ahoy. Considering driving for one of our trips this year, anyone have a rough idea how much the tolls would be from Calais to the Alps?

which bit of the Alps?

ca. €70 each way I think for French Alps, but potentially less than €10 for Austrian Alps (depending where, exactly). edit: actually some could even be toll free.

I meant les French ones - thanks for that Andy.

shifter - via michelin is a good site for route planning, and gives toll and rough fuel costs.

Cheers Ned, Michelin reckon 65 quid each way.

Hi I'm looking at getting a new wind shell for under my instructor jacket, something not too bulky but good at stopping the wind. Was thinking something like [url= http://www.backcountry.com/salomon-s-lab-light-jacket-mens?ti=UExQIENhdDpNZW4ncyBXaW5kIFNoZWxsczoxOjI5 ]this[/url].

Anybody have any experience of it? Or recommendations? Thanks.

What temps you working in 10?? The north face down jacket works a treat under mine but only if it goes below -15 or so.

Probably around that kind of temp. I have had a few days over the past couple of seasons where wind chill gets down close to -50, but that's thankfully not the norm! More likely low of -20 during midwinter. The idea for this jacket is not to be too warm in itself but to reduce wind without being too bulky so during the middle of the day I can stow it in my pocket.

You shouldn't need to take it off at all once you have it on, the good quality ones like my north face one are quite breathable and I don't tend to over heat in it ever.

Some more ski-pron to brighten a grey Monday morning...

http://www.ripnwud.com/html/design_gallery_0.html

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

Like those Flashy.

Not a skierist, but a sucker for anything where you can see the wood grain.

Not a skierist, but a sucker for anything where you can see the wood grain.

Likewise, I'm not a boarderist, but I do love a bit of Arbor woodgrain board action!

[url= http://www.snowandrock.com/casco-sp-3-limited---peacock/helmets/ski-snowboard-outdoor-sports/fcp-product/50075?listing=true ]The Peacock limited edition SP-3 helmet is an aesthetic masterpiece that combines safety and luxury. More than 250 Swarovski stones have been hand-applied to the helmet to make a peacock feather. The stones provide a glittering light effect and make the helmet truly unique.[/url]

[img] [/img]

The Russians will be snapping that/those up.

Coming to a Courchevalski near you.

And the goggles are extra!

Saw the Snow and Rock "premium" kit email, £1,200 for a jacket, nuts.

Ski movie season has started.

[url= http://intothemindmovie.com ]Into The Mind[/url] is on iTunes.

Unfortunately, it's not very good. I know these kind of films are hard to make original, but this looks like an hour long promo for HD cameras, intercut with footage that wouldn't be out of place in an insurance advert, some sort of 'it's spiritual, maaan' storyline and the odd bit of skiing (generally dull slow motion pillow lines/powder face shot).

Hopefully TGR and MSP can come up trumps.

and absinthe

Edit: trailer for Dopamine. couple of cool things in there that I'd like to see more of. God, it's depressing to think that you're looking at some of the best bits of months and months and months of work from some of the the most talented people in the world, and you think "meh..." Tough gig!

some of the best bits of months and months and months of work from some of the the most talented people in the world, and you think "meh..." Tough gig!

But then, every now and then, something like this comes along....

Not long to wait now

Off to Val D'Isere for the opening weekend Go on 29th November for the 30th opening.

Hope its as good as last year 🙂

So I got offered full time instructing work at Mt Seymour over in Canada! I know it might seem a bit lame compared to whistler where I've spent a season but should still be sweet as there doesn't seem to be many jobs going in the Alps.

Now the question of do I take it or not? 😛

^^^^^ Would be better than sitting in the grey UK if no Alps jobs come up! 🙂

So I got offered full time instructing work at Mt Seymour over in Canada

Michael, Seymour is a cool little hill especially if you're in to park. The ski school boss Johny (IIRC) is a super nice guy.

I work at Cypress and will be heading out at the end of November. If you want any advice on accommodation or transport etc. just give me a shout (email in profile is probably the fastest way to get in touch!).

Good luck, Gregg

 

I love that video flashy but I cant help feeling sorry for the poor skis.

There's a sequel to the street scene from All I Can:

Got our holiday all booked,: Road trip to Mayrhofen, this time with our latest addition who seems keen already:

[img] [/img]