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Bluebird, pizza at the Orso Bianco and steak at The Village.
In a fit of being prepared, I'm using some time off to pack all our kit into one of my DaKine Split rollers. It's really reassuring to be using such nice luggage, with lots of features and compartments to separate everything. I'm so pleased I didn't go for a budget :cough: Animal :cough: roller. 😀
(Glad you've enjoyed Montana O'Flashearty...back when I had a real job, I managed a week in Crested Butte on the company credit card as a result of a 3 week project in Dallas turning into a three month one. It was a blast!)
While we're on luggage - the douchebag ski/snowboard bag is ace. does exactly what I've always wanted a bag to do. pricey, but 50% off shop soiled plus buthdy voucher and I couldn't say no!
CFH - hadn't twigged that it had been so long. must be amazing to be back on skis, and in such a great part of the world, too. 🙂
Ooooh keep sending these wonderful photos please. It's keeping me sane and aiming to ski next season.
Have fun everyone.
Three days of falling/drifting snow has left some excellent conditions in Coire Cas today.
The Lecht was also superb today 🙂
It's snowing hard outside the office today!
What's the chances of the only day I can ski this week involving 70mph winds?
Glenshee was sparkling this morning. The bloody snow clagged in just after lunch though.
Might head back up tomorrow.
Some more piccies from today:
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If anyone's interested - these were all taken with my Fuji XF1 compact. Great little camera for the £100 it cost me.
Lovely. You have a great eye grum.
Out of interest how much post work have you done on those?
Cheers Graham (oh and CFH from earlier!) - I've done a bit of processing in LR but it's a pretty quick job. I shot in RAW and I have a standard preset I apply that adds clarity, lifts shadows and pushes down the blacks. Then I tweak exposure and sometimes crop etc. With some of them I've applied graduated filters over the sky.
At some point I might post some before/after shots and a bit more detail about my processing but probably not on this thread. 🙂
I'd be interested to see that grum - but yeah, maybe a different thread.
(I got into Nikon's CaptureNX for a while, but they've dropped support for it (gits) so I may need to look at Lightroom sometime soon)
I would be very interested in that, grum! I do like your photos.
Great shots!
Where abouts are you staying?
How has this video been shot? Is it a drone?
They haven't half got some bad technique too!
Helmet mounted pivoting gimbal thingy. Looks like one of those 70s reading lamps
Edit: think it's called a [url= http://www.gospin360.com/product.php ]gospin[/url]
Ah I see, I bet that's fun when you do a head plant!
It's on a gert propellor thing fixed to his helmet.
I wonder if the French police will ever let on about schuey's crash and the involvement of his helmet cam. There's loads of rumours going around within the ski/boarding community that the gopro was a key factor.
Why? Did the go pro make him crash?
Thanks nedrapier - not sure if I should reveal my secrets but it's really nothing clever/fancy!
colp - staying at the Salzburgerhof hotel in Dienten with my brother, my mum and her husband. My other brother and his kids are staying elsewhere in the resort. It's a great hotel - the desert buffet is astonishing. 🙂
I've not really skied in about 20 years - it's like riding a bike though (awaits dissing of my technique). 😛
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I still maintain on normal hard-ish pistes skiing is more fun than snowboarding, but then I'm not that into doing loads of little tricks like butters and spins and stuff which I guess makes the piste more enjoyable.
I've had great fun here on skis just doing really big fast carving turns down wide, relatively empty pistes.
We did have a bit of powder too and I've been practising my off-piste ski technique which is getting a lot better. I still don't reckon that will ever be as good fun as snowboarding in powder though.
Grum - why do you feel it can't be as good off piste?
Skiing off piste is effortless once you get it right. I used to race and spend my life on hard packed pistes. After stopping ski racing I spent a long time skiing off piste, to the point that it is actually easier skiing off piste than on.
Do you feel that off piste is hard work?
Do you feel that off piste is hard work?
No, I used to though - still is occasionally but mainly on inconsistent snow. I enjoy skiing off piste now and am constantly seeking out bits of powder like I do on a snowboard. There just hasn't been masses of it to go around this week so I've been enjoying trying to carve fast on the piste.
I've got to the point where on nice powder it feels pretty effortless - it's still not as good as snowboarding on powder though!
Admittedly I've not tried it on those really big, fat skis - the skis I hired are pretty standard piste skis I think.
Why? Did the go pro make him crash?
Supposedly the mount went through the helmet.
I doubt this is actually correct, I could foresee a gopro mount making a helmet shell deform in an undesirable way during an impact though
There's a nice off piste route we call the "field of dreams" in Dienten.
You cut across the drag lift by Burglalm and head out across the fields, end up at the lower end of Dienten with a 10 minute walk back up to the 2-man lift base. It's awesome with fresh powder.
I'm back out there in 2 weeks, can't wait!
Does anyone know where I can get some new legs?
Boot packing in to untracked powder fields this afternoon after a morning smashing between the pistes in floaty pow. Don't want to leave this place.
A propos of nothing, does anyone else sometimes feel an intense hatred for someone they've never actually met? 😉
FFS...heading out tomorrow for a three nighter Boys trip near Garmisch and forecast is shite!
😥
I'm off to Arc 2000 on Sunday. Forecast looks interesting... lots of snow without much let-up! Thankfully there are trees further down the mountain!
So the Canada roadtrip for the big 4-0 is over. That's not only my age, but also turned out to be a statistic: 4 resorts - 0 powder. The west of Canada is being hosed by the jetstream, so less snow than usual (which is now turning into a drought) and unseasonably warm temps to start the season. All the locals and season workers are walking around with a haunted look in their eyes. Tourists rolled out the 'well we could be in the office' cliches, while some Australians we spoke to were just glad it wasn't raining - they had four days of skiing in the rain in Fernie. Heli and Cat ski operations are cancelling trips, and smaller resorts have closed down.
Of the resorts we visited, conditions at Revelstoke were absolute dogshit, think late season Morzine slush and moguls, but frozen solid. Lake Louise and Sunshine OK, luckily a dusting of snow in Kicking Horse, so one good day's skiing there, then bulletproof with patches of sheet ice on the bottom of the mountain the next.
Anyway, still had a good time, lovely scenery and the guide managed to get me into some boot deep powder on the last day.
Blame Canada.
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/16029711924_4c1f0860ab_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/16029711924_4c1f0860ab_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/qqusTw ]DSCF0547[/url]
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[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/16464450888_3e01d9b344_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/16464450888_3e01d9b344_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/r5UBCU ]DSCF0598[/url]
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/16470205399_42b92d181f_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/16470205399_42b92d181f_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/r6q7fB ]S0080736[/url]
Big sale just kicked off at the Westbeach site. 🙂 Gee2DaEss, t-shirts are reduced. 🙂
A propos of nothing, does anyone else sometimes feel an intense hatred for someone they've never actually met?
Every time I open the thread
[b]torsoinalake[/b], that's a shame you didn't get better conditions.
Revelstoke and Kicking Horse are not places I'd want to ride when the conditions are bad. We spent a week in Kicking horse a few seasons back and conditions were terrible – an unusually dry season and bear size moguls everywhere. On the flip side we had a few days in Reve last season when it was dumping and the place was fantastic.
We had a couple of weeks in Japan (Niseko) at the start of Feb, like everywhere else it's not having it's best season, but even so it was great. If it's like that during a so-so season I can't wait to go back and experience conditions during a good one.
One week till Whistler. By the sounds of it we'll be spending most of the trip in the bar 🙁
whatnobeer: you still out there? What you doing with your days?
2.5 hours left at work for me, it can't go quickly enough! Snow cams at Alpe D'Huez look suitably inviting 8)
One week till Whistler. By the sounds of it we'll be spending most of the trip in the bar
whatnobeer: you still out there? What you doing with your days?
POSTED 49 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
Take bikes? Mate of mine who lives in whistler appear to have been riding Squamish a bit recently.
they had four days of skiing in the rain in Fernie. Heli and Cat ski operations are cancelling trips, and smaller resorts have closed down
Yep ... 3 weeks in Fernie was supposed to be Part 1 of 'My Last Big Blow-Out on the Snow' as I'm not getting any younger. Has a great time but the conditions were not the 'All-time-epic' I was expecting (or become used to in B.C.!!)
Really felt for the locals and the independent retailers. A friend who normally works for one of the Cat-Ski operations has been fishing recently since there's no work and no ice in the rivers!!
Part 2 begins this weekend with 3 weeks in the [European] Alps ... fingers crossed for some good conditions - I'm a bit reluctant to look too closely at the forecast though! 😆
Take bikes?
Unfortunately the two guys I'm going with both have blown shoulders (too much climbing) so bikes are out. (Not really into big mountain or DH anyway).
I'd quite like to go snowmobiling as that is always fun but same issue. 🙁
Phew. I thought I was the one that had jinxed it.Yep ... 3 weeks in Fernie was supposed to be Part 1 of 'My Last Big Blow-Out on the Snow' as I'm not getting any younger
bluebird, I thought both Reveljoke and KH had the potential to be fantastic, if only there was more/fresh snow.
Phew. I thought I was the one that had jinxed it.
To be fair ... it probably was you! 😆
Was that aimed at me, nbt?
😉
If it's any consolation, I have a roaring hangover this morning.
[quote=CaptainFlashheart dijo]Was that aimed at me, nbt?
If it's any consolation, I have a roaring hangover this morning.
gosh flashy, whatever gave you that impression? I adore reading your stories of skiing fun while I sit at my desk, know I won't get away again this season...
😈
😀
Sorry .
Not sorry.
To be fair ... it probably was you!
BURN HIM!
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Just in case.
I remember being in Banff a few seasons ago when it was less than ideal, we took a day trip to Kicking Horse and it was horrid, not quite boiler plate but pretty bad. We were just glad to get back to Sunshine & Lake Louise.
We were up the Lech this afternoon and had a great time doing laps of the Falcon, I wish we could've stayed longer but had to get back for the kids, better than an afternoon at work though 😉
We've booked up to go to Val di Fassa in the Dolomites next year, anyone been?
We've booked up to go to Val di Fassa in the Dolomites next year, anyone been?
Yep was there two years ago. Cool place. Scenery in the Dolomites is stunning, though I did find the runs were mostly suited to people wanting to put a lot of miles in (or do the circuit) rather than being interesting runs in their own right.
Good holiday though. I'd go again. Great being able to drop into little villages for lunch.
I've just been catching up on snowheads. The Pyrenees have pinched all the snow.
Some of the lifts are completely submerged.
I've never seem as much snow in my life in the western Pyrenees. They managed to open six of the twenty nine pistes today. And the road at midday after a few days with the road closed due to avalanches. Fortunately we had some classic x-c skis in the cupboard and spent our time scooting around the only bits of the resort without steep slopes above.
50% off everything Trew Gear at the moment. Google the website. I'd post a link but (HELLO?!) I'm on the phone on a plane to Tromsø.
Trew Gear is really good kit. Nicely designed and built to last. Great value at 50% off. Not site what postage and tax will put on top, but if you're in the States, or know someone who is...
Ask Flashy nicely, he might bring some back
Too late, ned, am already at the airport. Staring wistfully at the mountain range that runs parallel to the runway.
BURN HIM!
Someone needs to burn.
The brochure:
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The reality (or as one Australian resort worker on the bus put it "Most vertical ice in North America"):
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/16663387602_374729966d_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/16663387602_374729966d_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/roudAf ]DSC00250[/url]
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/16485258670_d7920ce503_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/16485258670_d7920ce503_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/r7Kg4L ]DSC00272[/url]
P.S. Grum, if you could let us in on a few of your secrets, that would be amazing. I have the exact same camera, and get variable results. Aperture not being able to process Fuji RAW and the weird way that it seems to flip between jpg or jpg and RAW depending on which mode you are in are a bit of a hinderance at the moment.
Anyone in Les Menuires / Val Thornes. This is going to take some moving;
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[url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11443072/Skiers-trapped-in-the-Alps-after-huge-boulder-blocks-mountain-road.html ]link[/url]
That happened on Saturday didn't it? Transfer day and the road was closed to coaches. 😯
We'll be driving up there on Saturday. There is a route for cars avoiding the main road. Hopefully it'll be shifted by the weekend.
GrahamS - MemberYep was there two years ago. Cool place. Scenery in the Dolomites is stunning, though I did find the runs were mostly suited to people wanting to put a lot of miles in (or do the circuit) rather than being interesting runs in their own right.
Good holiday though. I'd go again. Great being able to drop into little villages for lunch
We'll be there with the wee ones so that sounds perfect, thanks 😀
Cool. They have some great facilities for kids. Our eldest had first ski lessons there when she was two.
@dd, yes. The rock has gone now, they dynamited it and repaired the road I understand
[url= http://www.bfmtv.com/mediaplayer/video/savoie-d-enormes-rochers-bloquent-la-route-des-menuires-et-de-val-thorens-457459.html ]A few more photos here and a video[/url]
Impressive. That would have taken six months in the UK (if it happened outside London).
I've never seem as much snow in my life in the western Pyrenees.
Oh yes indeedy! Just back from a week in El Tarter - the middle few days were a pain as the lifts and pistes above mid-station were closed because of the weather, but by the end of the week, with so much undisturbed pow pow... Wow wow! IGMC...
There must have been well over a metre of fresh snow. Off-pisting 46 degree slopes in the trees, awsumz...
No apologies, but here's a few more pics from Montana!
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You know what they say about the sky in Montana? Well, it's not a lie. The sky is MASSIVE!
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Epic nu-skool clothing!
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Epic old skool fartbags!
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On an ordinary week day as well, not a retro day! Glorious!
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This was at the top of Bradley Meadows, a little out of bounds, and a boothike up, and just over the lip was a glorious, untracked powder field which then led in to glorious untracked tree lines back down to the base station. Stunning.
20mins from Bozeman to Bridger Bowl. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend skiing there! 8)
Don't leaver it too late if you haven't skied yet:
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Stop it. I go at Easter.
Two mates have just spent the day at Cairngorm. They got 6cm of fresh overnight. That's more than Whistler has managed in about three weeks.
I'm. Really. Happy. For. Them.
[i]*chews through lip*[/i]
Just back from a week in Gressoney and catching up on the thread and pics. Here's one from me, never a bad start to your morning 🙂
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Taken on a Lumix LF1 after I too got sick of hauling the DSLR around!
Ok, (reassuringly quality) bags nearly packed, fresh snow this week, temperatures low enough to keep snow in good nick forecasted next week, bad back sorting itself out. I'm going to allow myself to get a little bit excited. 🙂 Six bloody years...
Fingers crossed I'll be in Zermatt in 10 days ...
Norway was nice. Relentless snow every night, POW madness I tell thee. However I can confirm that Avocados are very expensive
DD, make sure there are pics! And, have a bloody great time! Back in time for the rugby?
I had a two year break, and getting back on snow felt brilliant, just brilliant.
Dashed, that looks OK, I suppose. I mean, just OK. 😉 (LOVE IT!)
I know we're a little way off, but once again I have to extend my MASSIVE thanks to everyone on this thread. It's an annual highlight for me, over the last couple of years it's given me vicarious ski trips through your adventures for example, but every year, it's a beacon of what's ace about STW. People sharing their experiences, opinion and enthusiasm with a great sense of humour.
Everyone, give yourselves a hearty pat on the back and a cold beer.
Steady on some of us have still to go on our first trip of the season 😮
Steady on some of us have still to go on our first trip of the season
Get a wriggle on!
She's nearly here!
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😉
Hey Flashy - get thee to Instagram and do a search for #retroski 😆
Quick PSA. Sportspursuit have Dakine heli pro rucksacks at £41.99 at the moment.
Does anyone have experience of Blue Tomato? Do Ellis Brigham price match them? I'm after a Jones Aviator 160w, but the wide boards are not reduced in the EB sale yet.
Even in a sale EB are ridiculously expensive. I last used Blue tomato nearly 10 years ago I think. Seemed OK at the time.
Love the retroski stuff!
Funny thing about the fartbag couple above was that they were skiing on an ordinary midweek day, were late 20s to early 30s, and didn't seem to be doing it for the giggles. I got the feeling that was just the kit that they had. Brightened up an already bright day!
Normally I'd agree, but the non-wide aviator at EB is the lowest price I can find at the moment (plus I can pick up from the CasVegas store)
[Edit] Do prices tend to drop any further than the current March sales?
I must say that snowboarder looks like a right t*t. I imagine he had a TechNine board and an irrational hatred of skiers.
Quick PSA. Sportspursuit have Dakine heli pro rucksacks at £41.99 at the moment.
And those fancy schmancy Split Rollers too: £63 for men's 65L, £65 for women's 100L.
I used Blue Tomato last year for a Jones Mountain Twin.
No problems and probably the best delivery tracking system I've ever experienced. From their shop/warehouse to the local depot, regional depot, their airport, my airport and so on - about 15 or so tracked stages right to my desk at work. Fantastic.
Of course a good tracking system is no reason in itself to buy from them and they may have changed couriers.
And Flashy, it's not spring. It's not going to be spring until after Easter. Hopefully. Although someone is mowing grass outside at the moment. Cold weather, think cold weather.
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Nevis range up in the top 5 for freshies this week with 30cm of new snow.
5 pyrenean resorts in the top 10 for total snow depth. Spring might well be on the way but there'lkl be skiing in the pyrenees for some weeks yet. this is how Gavarnie looked at the weekend after the last storm
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Nevis range up in the top 5 for freshies this week
Blimey that's not something you see every day! (sauce?)