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The nearest thing I'll get to skiing this season is the 10 minutes sledging I did on Saturday. It put down over 17cm of snow in our garden on Thursday. It's snowman city around here 🙂
Quite enjoyed 'The Jump' last night. Actually recognised some of the slebs on there.
Surfanic do decent sized split rollers at £40-50 - stitching on of zips can be hot and miss with Surfanic so check before you buy but decent quality other than that.
Used them summer and winter for three or four years now.
Harryjan
Easily possible BUT you have to be brave with waiting till 6 days to go before booking, and accept that the choice will be limited.
You might need to book a 1/2 day holiday on monday am to get the very best prices.
SuperBudget . Crystalski
Budget Ski world last minute chalet deals
Then Iglu /Ifyouski lastminute bargains
If still no joy Ebay for accom and train / bus / drive out
Slightly more expensive, but still discounted Neilson and Mark Waner
Won't somebody think of the base!
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No treble?
No, Graham. Because you know I'm all about that base. No treble.
Be alright, couple of sticks of p-tex and a light belt sand, maybe.
To be honest I've seen worse conditions at Cairngorm.
Where's good for base layers these days? All my previous HH ones are a bit knackered and need to get a couple each for mrs DD and myself. Found some bargain jobbies from Dare2B on outdoorclearance.co.uk - mix of cotton and bamboo 😕
Anyone else found anything good for less than twenty calamari?
I use Aldi stuff when they have it. On-one merino is good too for the price
where did you book for in the end?
Not much wrong with Smelly Hellys - you can usually find them fairly cheap somewhere. Likewise the Aldi (Crane?) stuff is fine. Tinky Maxx sometimes have stuff in too at this time of year.
Personally I'd avoid cotton as a base layer as unless it has something clever done to it then it just doesn't breathe well enough. Merino is supposed to be great but I've never found one that doesn't itch a bit (including all the "non-itch" ones). Maybe I'm just a sensitive type.
Worth looking on [url= http://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/S/Buy_THERMAL_UNDERWEAR_base_layers_skiing_mens_extra_small_SALE-%28234%29.aspx?sort=1&ViewType=GridView ]Absolute Snow[/url], [url= http://www.sportpursuit.com/join/graham_getsmoneyfromthis ]SportPursuit[/url] and other bargain sites. Plenty on there for less than £20.
If you are going in March then there is a fair chance you'll end up in a t-shirt anyway 😀
Sports direct have their own brand ones for £6.25
I decked out the whole family with Devold merino thermals, when they were on offer at Sportpursuit.
Really comfy, great fit, no itching and no smells.
Merino comes in different grades, you need the finest that you can find: Ultra fine (under 16.9 micron) or Superfine (17 micron to 18.9 micron) should not itch.
HH stuff is still very good too.
Ok, thanks folks. Plenty of options to go and look at. Yeah, won't be touching cotton. Oh hang on, just realised I was talking out of my arse (nothing new under the sun) about those Dare2B ones - they're a mix of [i]polyester[/i] and bamboo.
Dare2B is the worst name for a clothing brand ever.
What I normally do for baselayers is look for a local outdoor store that has been acquired by JD Sports and is in 'closing down sale' mode, then stock up. I have a mix of Helly Hansen (the 'Warm' stuff is good), Columbia (still undecided about the stuff lined with tin foil dots), and various brands of Merino stuff. You do get what you pay for with Merino I find.
If you can leave it until the last minute you can easily do a ski/snowboard holiday for £5-600 (if you've got your own gear anyway). I've had half board accom./flight in Austria for around £250-300 a couple of times. Lift pass is usually around £170.
Beers etc out there aren't generally too pricy but you do have to be a bit strict about not eating/drinking out too much if you want to stick to the budget.
Dare2B is the worst name for a clothing brand ever.
I stopped giving a shite about that kind of thing years ago tbh. If it works, and is good value, then who cares what it's called.
Crap (Winter) Sports brand-names (not necessarily crap gear though)...let's have 'em. 🙂
Trespass!!
Avalanche ski gear might not crap but the name is.
am now awaiting delivery of a new Dakine Split Roller... this bastard website! 👿
You've made a good choice there. Could have gone a bit more budget-conscious, and gone for an Animal, but you'll be pleased with your choice.
I've been using heat tech long sleeve t shirts for base layers now for ages from Uniqlo, they seem ok. Am I missing something? My inner snob has never tried Helly Hansen as its a brand for posh sailor lads ?
Agreed dare2b is an appalling name. Trespass, Protest, Head .
I've got a couple of decent Dare2B bits that were super cheap. Don't really care about the name.
BTW for Lancashire/Yorkshire folk, Another World in Ogden has decent snow and is plannin to open every night this week under the floodlights. It's short but there's a few different runs and jumps and a great friendly setup. Get down there! Check em out on Facebook.
Could have gone a bit more budget-conscious, and gone for an Animal, but you'll be pleased with your choice.
I dunno. I've been using my Animal bag for skiing, normal holidays and bigger work trips for about ten years now and it's nearly flawless. One buckle broke, but the lovely people at Animal sorted me out a replacement without even asking about any sort of warranty period.
Normal work travel bag for 3 day trips is a top end Samsonite that gets used a lot more, and sadly is soon to be replaced. Am pondering going for Osprey to replace both eventually.
The DaKine ones are damned good, mind you.
Actually.....Animal is a rubbish name! I remember buying one of their watchstraps in about 88 and loving it, but they've just got too big now. And their "sponsorship" of Mitsubishi plumbers wagons is awful.
It's ok flashy, I'm sure yours works fine. Sometimes, the budget option Is worth the risk.
🙂
If it works, and is good value, then who cares what it's called.
As a wise man once said......
😉
(I also remember when Animal was all kinds of cool btw.)
I also remember when Animal was all kinds of cool btw
Sad, really. Only good thing now is it stands out nicely on the baggage carousel! Always a problem when you have something really common (No, not like that!) like a Samsonite on a business flight or a DaKine on a ski flight.
Other brands that have died a death include No Fear (used to wear it in early MTB years and when I was in to skydiving, wouldn't touch it now!), OceanPacific and Gotcha.
I'm sure I had a No Fear t-shirt at Uni. 😳 Only barely remember Gotcha. OceanPacific doesn't ring any bells.
Timely reminder - I must remember to get some nice ****y straps to pop round our split rollers (We've got two y'know 😀 ). Might get some matching Mr Darcy and Mrs Darcy ones. Well, if you're going to be a ****, you might as well go the whole hog. 😀
Might get some matching Mr Darcy and Mrs Darcy ones. Well, if you're going to be a *, you might as well go the whole hog
😀
How about one saying Mr * another saying Mrs * and one more saying Young Master *?
😉
FWIW, I've always preferred using either a BA luggage tag on hold bags, or something like a piece of brightly coloured accessory cord from a climbing shop looped around a luggage strap. Both help me easily spot mine among the masses.
Every time I see those personalised luggage straps, I immediately think of Daily Mail readers in driving gloves and velcro strapped shoes.....Sorry!
I just use the built-in ID label:
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Nice big obvious initial with details concealed below and more details on the reverse.
Should be Gee!
(And on the back: "Whizz")
[b]PSA: bunch of Arc'teryx gear on SportPursuit now. [/b]
Mens Alpha SL or Beta LT Hybrid Jackets for £149! (RRP £300)
If you are not already a member then [url= http://www.sportpursuit.com/join/graham_getsmoneyfromthis ]follow this invite link[/url].
Mens Alpha SL or Beta LT Hybrid
Good jackets but bear in mind they're the lightweight/packable versions, I doubt if they'd last the 10 years my last Arcteryx Beta jacket did. On the other hand if they had Beta ARs for £149 I'd be all over it.
New skis and skins arrived this week courtesy of Sport Conrad - K2 Wayback 88 with Fritschis, for bit all round fun. Would've preferred Dynafits to the Fritschi for the cool factor but couldn't justify (afford... 🙁 ) the extra cost...
First test run out this weekend I think, as long as the snow lasts - tour up and over Helvellyn and ski down the Lakes Ski Club runs on Raise.
I have nothing to do with these boards but there are some absolute killer snowboards on ebay at the moment. Two of the best from 'modern' times in my humble opinion
Nice skis, davetrave!
I'm always amused that K2 have someone working on their back country stuff with the brilliant job title of "Director of Backside Development"
My best mate lives in Innsbruck, spent New Year getting round the Tirol, using his and decided they were exactly what I wanted for a bit of everything. Helped that Sport Conrad were knocking them out for 220 Euros - new skis, bindings, skins and poles for £500, with free delivery too.
That's an awesome job title!
New skis and skins arrived this week courtesy of Sport Conrad - K2 Wayback 88 with Fritschis, for bit all round fun. Would've preferred Dynafits to the Fritschi for the cool factor but couldn't justify (afford... ) the extra cost...First test run out this weekend I think, as long as the snow lasts - tour up and over Helvellyn and ski down the Lakes Ski Club runs on Raise.
Got the same setup, been on them for a season now, they ski well, very soft though, the Fritschi bar bindings are a heavy bulky lump, Dynafit Speed Radical are cheaper than Fritschi anyway, i would have put them on if i were you.
Just got a pair of Dynastar Cham 97 HM with Fritschi Vipec on from Conrad, worked out at pretty much 30% less than I could have got them here.
Oh and be prepared for a decent carry in to Helvellyn, we were over Dollywagon on Saturday, its heavily wind scoured now but managed to skin from the sheep fold on sticks to the summit of Dollywagon but had to walk round the tops as the snow depth is next to 0 up there.
I've got 2013 waybacks with Plum bindings and love them coming from Bandit B2's and Fritshi's. Wayback's are now available in different widths.
Got the same setup, been on them for a season now, they ski well, very soft though, the Fritschi bar bindings are a heavy bulky lump, Dynafit Speed Radical are cheaper than Fritschi anyway, i would have put them on if i were you.
Wanted something with a DIN setting and brakes though otherwise, yes I was looking at the Speed Radicals as they're 250 Euros from Sport Conrad...
they ski well, very soft though
Yeah, that was the only real problem I had with them, on piste, hitting really bare, icy patches and the lack of bite, dumped me on my backside once. But then, there were a lot of people on purely piste skis who were sitting down a lot on the same run...
Interesting video about the saftey aspects of the Freeride World Tour
My split roller just turned up, nice piece of kit. flipkin massive too!
@nbt, makes you think - i've been off-pisting and slab has started to move, you think if your try and outrun it it will be fine, but then you can't outrun what you're already on! Tis a bit scary, but also weirdly cool (assuming you walk away)
Chamonix 10 days to go 🙂
Ah yes, we've been there a couple of times (even went off piste in the woods). However you need to take your own skis/board as the hire ones are (cough) a little on the old side.Another World in Ogden has decent snow and is plannin to open every night this week under the floodlights. It's short but there's a few different runs and jumps and a great friendly setup. Get down there! Check em out on Facebook.
[url= http://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/2015/02/04/gourette-sous-la-neige-le-reportage-de-france-2,1231501.php ]Lots of snow[/url] up the hill but I'm staying on the plain for a few more days. Play the vid full screen.
The avalanche from the Z couloir went further than it's ever gone in living memory doing a section of flat then uphill before flattening the trees you see littering the slope. We were pleased to see our "safe" line hadn't been touched. The buried wheel at the very top is the result of avalanches from the face above rather than just snow fall. In fact when you know the resort well you can see several areas that have avalanched and then been covered and will no doubt avalanche again when temperatures rise.
Edukator,where was that?
Also, I would like to see a wider angle on the Freeride Tour avalanche.
Did the slough, from above, load the slope after he landed or was it a long pause whilst the layers broke down, before it slid?
have nothing to do with these boards but there are some absolute killer snowboards on ebay at the moment. Two of the best from 'modern' times in my humble opinion
I've got a 158 in my wc - unused of course...
[url= http://www.burtonvault.com/search.php?year=2005&model=uninc&size=158&modifier=&color_tag=&graphics_tag= ]http://www.burtonvault.com/search.php?year=2005&model=uninc&size=158&modifier=&color_tag=&graphics_tag=[/url]
Gourette as in the headline.
@Earl sounds tasty. Massive Uninc fanboy here, really love them. I'm very tempted with them both but have recently bought two old boards so my wife is getting worried about the growing collection
Another World in Ogden has decent snow and is plannin to open every night this week under the floodlights. It's short but there's a few different runs and jumps and a great friendly setup. Get down there! Check em out on Facebook.
Ah yes, we've been there a couple of times (even went off piste in the woods). However you need to take your own skis/board as the hire ones are (cough) a little on the old side.
I pretty much taught myself to snowboard back in 98 at another world using one of their very old boards and wearing walking boots. Great place, haven't been for a couple of years but they seem to be expanding and have apparently got snow making there now!
I don't think has been posted. Series of films about Banf - Sculpted in Time
[url= http://www.skibig3.com/sherpas/ ]website with full films (shorts)[/url]
Sikk edit, dood!
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Clip from last weekend (alas not mine)
Nobody on here been out and about this week? Thinking about weekend or midweek touring options with a relatively OK forecast? Any info on conditions or inspiration from anyone lucky enough to have been out and about on these shores lately?
Areyou on the British Backcountry FB page bajsyckel? Lots of reports on there. I've been in climbing mode so I haven't been touring of late, might head out on Sunday though.
^ Spin, aye I am, and couple of others that are handy. Not too many reports in the last few days though, and I won't be able to get up north until at least mid week so thinking of other options to tide me over till then.
thanks btw - would have thought this past spell of weather has been good for climbing conditions, and looking ahead is promising too.
Best sustained spell for climbing in a few years.
Flashy - love those models, made me giggle and cheered me up no end.
Definitely a day for being stuck indoors... 😐
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not sure if these will auto update, but for the avoidance of doubt, wall to wall sun on the tops... trying hard not to feel jealous...
You're right - it was crap on Cairngorm today too 8)
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Beautiful in Whistler too... 🙁
Aww man that looks dire! I thought things were improving. How is it higher up?
Anyway just packing my bag for our family trip to Les Deux Alpes.
Wow is that whistler? I saw on Leanne Pelosi's Facebook that there was loads
of snow on the way though? Hope it gets better for you!
Yup, Magic Chair, so the bottom of Blackcomb, so it's not a totally fair representation.
We've got a pineapple express storm at the moment. So a lot of snow fall higher up the mountain, but it's also really warm. There was 15cm of fresh snow at 1800m yesterday which was great, but it rained from about midday onwards. And as far as I can tell it's raining there today too.
It's below freezing at the top of the mountain but it's too windy/poor visibility so it's not open. Hopefully the next few days will be a bit better and they can get the high apline lifts open as the conditions up there should be excellent.
There's still a lot of terrain to ride, but the lower part of the mountain is suffering.
Shit that's bad... I'm of to Cham next week and it's stopped snowing and some crazy high temperature are forecast after all the recent dumps.. That said Sestrier in Italy has fooooking shit loads...
Same here in Sweden / Norway . Had shed loads of snow the last two to three weeks, now plus degrees and sun . It's twisting my melon man
I'm of to Cham next week and it's stopped snowing and some crazy high temperature are forecast after all the recent dumps
No, just nice sunny Winter days with an overnight frost then a max of around 5 in the Chamonix valley. Perfect.
I reckon it's safe to venture out again in the Pyrenees now but won't be heading out of the safe zone for a while yet.
At the airport on way to la plagne happy times
Apologies if this has already been done, but what's a good free ski tracking app?
I've currently downloaded Trace Snow. Is there any better etc?
Just had an amazing week in morzine. Fresh powder down into les gets on the Sunday then fresh tracks down the Swiss wall on Monday. So good we did it 3 times as the vis improved every time. Went back yesterday to challenge ourselves on the moguls!
Vis was up and down all week but on the whole, fantastic conditions.
Same here in Sweden / Norway . Had shed loads of snow the last two to three weeks, now plus degrees and sun . It's twisting my melon man
It's been snowing heavily most of this afternoon in Trysil.
I've had a ****ing cracking week. Not so good for the off piste crowd, but I'm still learning so stacks going on for me.
Piemonster that's good to hear about the snow. Was it sunny most of the week? Any pictures ?
It's been raining solidly here in Fernie B.C. for the past two days - freezing level is about 1600m -> 1900m which is above most of the ridable terrain. The resort didn't even bother opening up any of the lifts on the 'new' side yesterday.
In more postive news I've managed to catch up with my reading and watching box sets. 🙂
A question for French residents...perhaps Edukator can advise?
Snow chains...as I understand from reading, we [i]have[/i] to have them in the Alps. We're renting a car in Lyon on 7th March and driving to Reberty in the Trois Vallees...rental company want €50ish for snow chains...they wouldn't cost much less to buy here but I'm not keen on having to carry a set with me. 😐
Any suggestions or experience?
(and yes, I can put snow chains on wheels)
So after a bit of soul searching following comments last week, I happened to be in Kendal yesterday and now have a set of Fritschi Vipec Mark 2 mounted on my Waybacks instead of the Scouts which were originally destined for mounting.
Anybody want to buy a brand new, unused, boxed set of Fritschi Scout touring bindings...?
@howsyourdad
Would have preferred the snow to have arrived on Wednesday, but hey ho. I'm transferring today, but will get a couple of photos posted later.
First 4 days where cold enough, -6 to -12, plenty of sun especially Wednesday. Warmed up for Friday then colder yesterday when the snow arrived along with some wind which closed the upper mountain. Which was fine as we saw it coming a few days out do booked a xc ski two hour taster session. Although it would have been cheaper to just head out onto a trail and just face plant the snow, seeing as that's mainly what happened. -6 and clear sunny skies this morning on the fresh snow. I'm feeling a little aggrieved. 🙂
@deadly, you don't have to have chains. If the roads are clear, you will be fine. If it's snowing, you won't.
Your shout. Is 50€ much in the grand scheme of things?
Nasty avalanche in La Plagne.
Forecast risk was 3/5. Instructor with ten years experience in the area, properly equipped, skiing with two others. Deployed his airbag and was found relatively quickly but died later. 🙁
http://tarentaisesourcemagazine.com/la-plagne-instructor-dies-avalanche/
Be careful out there folks.
Your shout. Is 50€ much in the grand scheme of things?
He splurged all his cash on designer luggage and heated wing mirrors. Barely scraping by now.