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Set of ski's? A snowboard? A BMX? Those seem like the obvious suggestions 🙂
Actually a set of shortish can rid'em one a straight line carvers might be nice. I fancy seeing if my knees can take skiing 20 years since I last tried and it would have to be parallel from the first minute.
Or maybe boots with the same thought in mind.
Suspect I'd be doing very well to get something that big.
First dibs on the jones if they a come to selling !!!
There was definitely 18 boards .. No jones twin here
You'd have a choice of sizes of Jones Twins that weren't there. And Mountain Twins or Twin Sisters.
They still haven't got back to me. Answephone full, no reply to my email...
How long do they get?
The sisters the ladys version not for my big feet and the colorway oooh - id be interested in the Mountain twin 161 ideally a wide, but my other gun's a 159 zeppelin standard so not a deal breaker .. ok id say till morning ... you need new bike parts don't you :]
May take a while but someones gonna miss 4k's of stock.. next trips not till Jan so i can wait a while - you have done your bit id sit on them .. but whatever happens there were only 18 boards
Edit the 161 is an xl as standard .. oh my
my other gun
FFS. That's worse than "steed".
This is a gun.
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This is a snowboard.
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Gun = fast all mountain board , well it does for me and my homedudes brahhhh 🙂
Jibbing board = park and rails
Powder board = well self explanatory
Sad I know , I'm 36 and have a small knob so begone with your negativity and leave me with my delusion that I'm remotely rad !! 🙂
I'm 36 and have a small knob so begone with your negativity and leave me with my delusion that I'm remotely rad !!
😀
Sikk, braw!
begone with your negativity and leave me with my delusion that I'm remotely rad !!
And of course the delusion that I won't be getting a call in the morning along the lines of "those boards, we can pick them up or if you want to keep them here's the price... "
Of course if I can negotiate trade price in that scenario, who's in?
And yes Captain, that is most very definitely a very nice snowboard - have you seen the light and bought yourself one yet? You know you want to...
Enjoy Montana. My trip to Lake Tahoe today got canned on Friday.
Is there a ‘best' package firm for families/beginners?
That's not a gun, [i]this[/i] is a gun
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That is a gun !!!
Unfortunately i cant surf for toffee-
Yes that other delusion that they wont come back is still present for now .
Would be likely that i would be interested at cost
Boxelder, I've been very happy using Neilson for packages in the past. Used Crystal once, and they were good, too.
Boxelder - unless you are looking for a "family" company that specialises in making sure young children are happy / looked after, then resort and transfer length are probably more important than company. There are of course better and worse companies.
If you have children too young to ski, I've previously been very happy with Ski Famille. Their offering has changed this year so I can't tell you until Easter if I'd still recommend them. I'm hopeful.
With youngish children, later season is slightly (sometimes a lot) warmer and the snow can be pretty good still. You do run a risk, but equally I've watched the rain at 1800m in February in Courchevel.
General tip. Research your ski school - ESF is great in some resorts, poor in others.
Woohoo, job offer confirmed, minimum of 3 months work, plus somewhere to live in Whistler, leaving next month 😀
You won't enjoy it. You'd much rather be in the grey rain of the UK.
And I'm not jealous. Oh no. Not one bit.
Bad news Makkag.
They would like their boards back.
All of them.
Not unreasonable really.
Story of my life -- I was waiting for my dreams to shatter - I didn't need a new board anyway honest ..
What was the trade price on that board BTW - might go and have a haggle with my local shop ?
About 55% of list depending on model
Simple question for the room:
I have been skiing twice, planning trip 3 this year, I have so far not really liked hire boots, they have been ok fitting and not very comfortable.
I'm not looking for advice on what pair to buy (planning a trip to Ellis B for some advice on that), more asking SHOULD I buy at this stage, obviously I'm still in the early days, still learning etc but I feel like I am able to ski now so would like to do it more comfortably.
Anyone agree, disagree with me making a purchase at this stage?
if you're confident you will carry on skiing/progressing then buying boots isn't a bad idea. Just be honest with yourself and the boot fitter about how good you are, how quickly you pick things up/expect to progress and the type of skiing you want to do.toby1
Thanks BB,
I'm under no illusion about speeding round, racing or my lack of grace. Competent and keeping on the ground, so I need intermediate level boots for a heavy bloke, progress is slow but steady so far, I'd love to go more and learn quicker, one day!
Have you tried different brands of boots or have they been the same brand?
I can not stand Salomon boots to the point that I was very nearly in tears after just 5 mins of wearing them. Atomic boots bit me much better and I didn't have any pain at all. It is the other way round for my brother in law.
I don't ski anymore because I have a bad ankle and it hurts too much to turn right. Snowboarding hurts my ankle much less but causes quite a lot of pain elsewhere.
I am going on a ski/snowboard holiday in Feb but due to me having an operation on said ankle in two weeks I very much doubt that I will be able to do any snowboarding. If I am lucky and recover quickly I will get a day or two in but if not I will be spending the entire week drinking beer and eating as much as I can. Its a shame the chalet doesn't have a hot tub.
I_ache. They have always just been the default hire boot. Buy as I have learned a bit more control I've noticed it hurt less, but I also want to make sure the boots fit to avoid too much movement. I know ski boots will rarely fit like a pair of slippers. I just want as much comfort as is possible if that makes sense.
As for hanging round in the mountain air for a week I reckon you'll still have a great time and the air will clear your head each morning meaning you can get back to the beer 🙂
It makes perfect sense. The hire shop we use in Morzine has a few different brands of boot for exactly this reason.
I was thinking about saving the holiday time for later in the year for something else but I thought the same as you that it will still be relaxing and a break from work, just wish I could board. However I'm not sure that getting my kids (7+5) ready for ski school in the morning will help my head very much. I am looking forward to doing next to nothing for a week tho.
An excuse to try parapente? Lift up to Avoiriaz for the water park place (at 7 and 5 they'll love it even if you don't)?
I did think of that but am concerned that if my ankle is too bad to snowboard it wouldn't be too clever landing on it. When I did a sky dive it hurt quite a bit and that was before I hurt my ankle.
Aquariaz looks good fun but they are at Ski school until about 2pm so by the time we get in the water it will be a little on the late side. All they will want to do is ski more, which they will have to do with their Mom, or sledge which we can do outside the chalet as it is on the hill just at the bottom of piste b.
I was thinking about a day on a snowmobile but it is 90eur for an hour!
Any sledge runs around Morzine?
I did a long (5km?) one in Val Thoren a few years ago.
Thats a good call, I'll have a look.
And if it gets really bad, there's always the museum of mechanical music at the Morzine end of Les Gets.
Night sledging on the Pleney! How good does that sound!
Could be painful but is guaranteed to be loads of fun.
Anyone know of a decent hotel or B+B in the Troyes area, or south of Reims?
We stayed here in the summer on our way down to Bourg. A few km off the main road but nice accommodation and a quick drive into town for some decent scran in the evening.
If the link doesn't work, it's Le Marsonnet in Marson.
If you fancy an earlier stop off we just had a weekend here [url= http://laloge.pagesperso-orange.fr/acces.html ]La Loge - Moussy[/url]. Might be too early for a stop off but the Champagne is a decent price and it might buy you some brownie points with the wife?
If it's just in transit, Ibis Styles at Zeebrugge was very nice for the money and they have one opposite the Carrefour in Riems I think.
Hi all,
Any thoughts on the best way to get a cheap ski holiday, probably some time in January? Will I be able to beat my uni ski trip for price? Happy to try out less popular resorts (Buglaria etc?)
Tignes, 8 days (6 days on the slopes), flights from London, 4 star accommodation (claimed), lift pass (not the full one), for £569.
(That is the alumni trip, so pay extra for accom and flights). No hire or lessons. I know that's (very) cheap, but would rather go on a trip that focuses a little more on skiing than drinking if possible!
Ta,
Duane.
[b]whatnobeer [/b]
Woohoo, job offer confirmed, minimum of 3 months work, plus somewhere to live in Whistler, leaving next month
Congrats!
If it's ok, could I tap you up (email?) in a few months about skiing Whistler & Blackcombe? The GF and I are visiting Vancouver in late January so we'll be grabbing 3-4 days in Whister and maybe another in Squamish mid-week. Ella's really keen to find out where the best bits of accessible off-piste are (we don't mind a bit of a hike or skinning).
Duane check out actionoutdoors....it's the UK booking agent fot UCPA (French version of youth hostel association)
very good vfm and full of cool people if my 1 trip with them is anything to go by.
Hey Jon,
By all means! Not sure how much help I'll be, I'm a very very average skier at the moment, but I'm sure I'll have a few bits of inside knowledge by then.
Duane - as someone has suggested, check out UCPA. Great all-in deals in either Paradiski or 3V.
cheers whatnobeer - if you think of yourself as an average skier then you might have a good idea of what I'd enjoy, where to try and find untracked terrain 😀
so I need intermediate level boots for a heavy bloke,
First off it's a really good idea to get your own boots. But as for type of boot, it's more a matter of fit, weight and your range of ankle flex rather than beginner, intermediate or expert level boots. A good boot fitter will put you in the optimum boot for your foot shape, weight and ankle flex while taking account of your skill level. Basically there is a trade-off between comfort and close fit. An expert racer will demand a mega-close fit to the point of being uncomfortable for all day use. A more casual intermediate will be fine with a bit more boot volume in the right places.
EB is not generally the best place to get a decent boot fit, although some are better than others. EB is the Evans Cycles of the ski world.
Where do you live? I may be able to recommend a good boot fitter.
Just out of interest is snowboard boot fit as important as ski boot fit?
Obviously you can get different stiffness boots but they all tend to have quite a lot of padding and in general are more comfortable than ski boots.
Quick one, I've been snowboarding quite a few times now, always booked in advance.
Smaller gorup this time 2-3 people. We are thinking of booking an agreed week off work early March, then going last minute depending on snow. Is this a good idea? is it significantly cheaper and it it possible? All flying from London probably
thanks!
Thank moshimonster, I'm Cambridge based so was looking at MK EB, based on a friend having been and saying he'd had a fitting, been out and used the boots for a trip then come back to exchange after finding problems with them and had no problems with the exchange - however, does suggest they weren't right first time, but I assume boot fit/comfort is a difficult thing to judge without a handy slope to use for a day or 2.
Willing to consider recommendations though so please let me know if you have any.
🙂
I-Ache - ask my wife about snowboard boot fit.
She thought pain was normal after about an hour, to the point she was taking her boots off at every stop (read beer). Then she tried some Northwaves on. Less foot movement than her previous Burtons and more comfort too.
She just didn't have Burton shaped feet.
Bought the Northwaves and it transformed the holiday.
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.
.
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Toby1 - Ellis Brigham / TSA at Castleford let you try demo boots on the slope I think, if that's any help (it may not be)
Thanks igm, just like ski boots then.
Quick one, I've been snowboarding quite a few times now, always booked in advance.Smaller gorup this time 2-3 people. We are thinking of booking an agreed week off work early March, then going last minute depending on snow. Is this a good idea? is it significantly cheaper and it it possible? All flying from London probably
thanks!
@howsyourdad - this is an excellent plan and one I have used frequently. Book time and flights now. Pick the cheap weeks in early March (after half term before easter). Then look for deals, there are always some (can be 30-50% off). You will definitely get good snow as if its a poor season you pick a high resort, if it's a good season you go where you want.
Jon Taylor - regarding Whistler, you could ask over on snowheads.com. They are the skiing and snowboarding version of STW.
As I understand it Whistler and Blackcombe are ski areas (inbound), rather than piste and off piste. If you want to ski out of bounds it's better to find a guide and pay for a day out. Or even better if you can afford it, go heliskiing.
OK STW, more advice. Seeing as I'm going to be working in Whistler for a good chunk of the winter now would seem like a good time to invest in my own gear - Skis, bindings and boots. I plan on getting these when I arrive in Canada, so just looking for advice on what to look for? Thinking new boots, 2nd hand skis and bindings? What models/features are best to look for for a decent, but not amazing skier?
I-ache:
Snowboard boot fit is indeed just as important as ski boot fit.
Important points:
Width is pretty crucial.
Too wide and your heel/ankle will not be held down properly and you'll get heel lift when you try to ride on your toe edge.
Too narrow and it might feel OK in the shop, but when you then strap bindings on and start crushing your foot from two directions at once, you'll get mega foot-pain.
If it feels really cushy in the shop, it'll probably feel sloppy on the mountain pretty quickly. But don't go for the "2 sizes smaller than your trainers" nonsense either.
There is such a thing as too stiff. Ankle flex is essential in snowboarding and if you have a boot that sets like concrete, you won't be able to flex your ankles. If you ride all season long and will quickly break-in and soften your boots, go stiff. If you're a 1-2 weeks a year rider, maybe look at something softer.
I've had my last couple of pairs custom-fitted by Sole in Chamonix (I have weird square feet - 5'11", 14-stone bloke with size 7 feet, so they're really wide!). Highly recommended! They're pretty opinionated in there and the only snowboard boot brands they'll consider are Salomon, Ride and Deelux.
I'm riding Salomon Malamutes at the moment (stiff!) which are probably my favourite boots ever but the recent Ride boots look awesome as well. Last pair were Deelux which were eventually a really, really good fit, but the breaking-in process was painful, even with the boots heavily customised.
So what are everyones targets for the year - either specific lines / activities or improvement goals?
I'd like to ski something steep off piste and feel like I've skied it, not just hacked my way down it.
I've got loads of lines I'd like to ski in Scotland but that's largely outwith my control.
I'd like to do some proper ski-mountaineering in the alps.
and finally I'd like to sort my arms out.
That'll do for now. 🙂
keen to find out where the best bits of accessible off-piste are (we don't mind a bit of a hike or skinning).
If you've fancy a bit of lift assisted hiking on Whistler you should get yourself on the Symphony Express. There is an inbound hike into Flute/North Flute which are patrolled but ungroomed bowls. They groom a cat track up to the summit so the hike in is straight forward and only about 20 minutes.
If you want to go out of bounds you can skin off the back and over to Oboe from the top of the Flute hike. And if you're fit/fast enough and there's enough day light push on to Cowboy Ridge. (Obviously I'd recommend getting a guide unless you're very competent in the back country).
On Blackcomb Spanky's ladder will give you access to some great ungroomed, but patrolled skiing/riding. It can be busy if it's dumped, but worth joining the line and waiting if it has. The Everglades in 7th Heaven are also great if it's dumped.
Whistler/Blackcomb is a race to get fresh tracks, if it dumps get up early, grab a coffee and join the lift queue early. The fresh stuff really doesn't last for long.
Specfic targets?
Even more smiling and laughter than last year.
Beyond that... well actually beyond that nothing. I'm never going to be great on a snowboard, but I am going to cruise around, look at the views, enjoy food and drink I bars in the mountains and watch our boys become far better on the snow than my wife and I.
Life is good.
One thing about boot fit that's easily overlooked is volume.
I knew my feet were relatively wide across the forefoot, but with a narrow heal, Salomon and 32 were pretty good, but never quite right until someone pointed out my feet were "thin" - I made myself a few different volume reducer insoles (2, 4 and 6mm out of sheets of paper and parcel tape) and take them with me when I when I'm trying on boots.
Very happy with 4mm in Malamutes. They're getting a bit soft and packed out after a few years and a fair bit of hiking and split-boarding, but I took all the stiffening plastic inserts out when I bought them, so there's a bit to win back there.
Plus I'm interested in the deelux style mountaineery snowboard boots, and another year of development can only be a good thing. Maybe Salomon might even jump in at some point.
nedrapier - I had the Deelux Sparks. They're good (very good in fact). Very comfortable, stiffness is just right and the vibram soles works very well for splitboarding/mountaineering. The down-side for me was that the sole is very thick and relatively narrow. This means that you can feel a bit high and wobbly when riding in them and your feet can slop around a little in normal bindings.
I went back to a more standard boot (Malamute) for my next pair. For the amount of touring I do, the difference is pretty marginal and they feel more stable for day-to-day riding.
Ideally, I'd have 2 pairs of boots, one for normal riding, one for big tours, but can't really justify that right now.
Season's goals? Get my head around boardslides and smash some boardercross races.
If I am allowed any time at all, ride as much steeps and powder as possible.
I'm riding Salomon Malamutes at the moment
These are my default boots as well, but a boot-fitter once told me I had typical 'Salomon Feet', suggested Malamutes and I've never looked back!
I've had a few pairs of Malamutes 'pack down' rather quickly but for the past couple of seasons I've been rotating the liners and just using the newest liners for day-to-day riding and the older liners for touring (with a pair of outers that I've cut the 'Integrated Heel Strap' buckle out as this was causing pressure pain when my boots were cranked up tight.
I've definitely come to the conclusion that touring dramatically accelerates boot pack-down ...
I was also interested in the Deelux Sparks you mentioned stevomcd - sounds like there's a bit of a compromise when using normal bindings
Seasons goals ... well this is likely to be my last 'big season' so I'm also hoping to ride as much steep & deep as I can!
I'd also really like to do a stylish method that doesn't look like I'm just trying to b1tch-slap my board! 😳
If I am allowed any time at all, ride as much steeps and powder as possible.
you're the boss 😉
Just looking at winter and especially summer bookings FYI (need to be quick as they are selling out !). I see season doesn't start till 20th again with you, looking for an early week again.
I was also interested in the Deelux Sparks you mentioned stevomcd - sounds like there's a bit of a compromise when using normal bindings
It's noticeable, but still very slight - I wouldn't let it put you off.
It's noticeable, but still very slight - I wouldn't let it put you of
cheers for the feedback stevomcd! greatly appreciated 🙂
Just looking at winter and especially summer bookings FYI (need to be quick as they are selling out !). I see season doesn't start till 20th again with you, looking for an early week again
We're starting on 13th December in some of our chalets. Special offer price for the week - €499 with lift pass.
Nice, let me discuss/email you.
So what are everyones targets for the year - either specific lines / activities or improvement goals?
Its just me and the wife going snowboarding so it shall be a fairly chilled affair this year. Mostly cruising and taking in the scenery.
Have been recommended hot chocolate and brandy as the ideal mountain tipple....so this year I shall mostly perfecting ordering and drinking those.
So what are everyones targets for the year
actually go? might fail on that one though.
actually go?
That would be a start!
Get back to skiing with a bit of confidence, bust my ACL in Dec 2012 and last year's skiing was pretty tentative to say the least, delighted to have been on the snow but it was all very cautious.
My target is to get much better at riding in powder....full time lessons in Tignes hopefully in Feb so this should help!
Also really want to get my 180s and Tailslides nailed (snowboarderist aint I)
....and to get monumentally pissed on the Tuseday night UCPA blowout again, that'd be nice 🙂
Also really want to get my 180s and Tailslides nailed (snowboarderist aint I)
I think there are 64 different 180s , which ones do you want to get? Good target mind, 180s are crucial crucial crucial
Just off my heels, maybe with a grab in there 🙂
In about a zillion attempts I've landed 1 perfectly!
There's already plenty of snow on the peaks here in Montana! 🙂
Sadly, not sure there's enough to open yet, and besides I'm stuck in the office. 🙁
As I understand it Whistler and Blackcombe are ski areas (inbound), rather than piste and off piste. If you want to ski out of bounds it's better to find a guide and pay for a day out. Or even better if you can afford it, go heliskiing.
While in NZ we rarely ski groomed trails. Ella's a real good skier and I'll try and follow her down some stuff but she's quite interested to find out how much ungroomed stuff there will be accessible form the Whistler/BC lifts.
Most of the ski fields we ski round here are patrolled but ungroomed bowls/terrain see my pic on the previous page 🙂
Her current plan is for 3-4 days in Whislter/BC and then a day touring around Squamish. She has the backcountry skills - I tried to do some avalanche skills stuff this season but the snow wasn't good enough to run the courses while we were around in the early part of the season. So yeah - we may choose to do that guided so we get the most out of it and stay safe.
bluebird - cheers - that's the sort of stuff Ella's keen to find out 🙂
Re: Targets.
Pass the addiction to snow onto the next generation. My elder daughter is the same age as I was when I started, no pressure, just mucking about on and in snow. We will be on a big family ski trip with three generations, including, my Sister, my Nephews and Niece.
Can't wait.
there is TONS of ungroomed stuff which is lift accessible in Whistler, even more if you are prepared to hike foir a few minutes - try Spankys ladder for access to the Gemstone Bowls (Sapphire, DIamind, Ruby etc)
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It won't be untracked, but it won't be groomed
If you are serious about finding the best stashes, are happy looking after yourself in terms of terrain and related dangers and don't want to hire a guide, you could try this
My pal had the first edition when he was out there for a season and used it quite a bit. He took us on a 20 minutes hike round Flute Bowl for some of the loveliest fluffy powder I've ever ridden. They've now built a lift up there 🙁
edit - found a few of my pics showing the bootpack along the ridge at the top of spankys ladder and our descent through Ruby
[url= http://www.snowmediazone.com/the_zone/data/500/thumbs/IMG_2237.JP G" target="_blank">
Heading up on the bootpack
[url= http://www.snowmediazone.com/the_zone/data/500/thumbs/CRW_6556_JFR.JP G" target="_blank">
Looking back along the bootpack (at least one person said it was easier on skis)
[url= http://www.snowmediazone.com/the_zone/data/500/thumbs/CRW_6557_JFR.JP G" target="_blank">
One dropping into the chute, one waiting - the skiier in the photo has admitted it's the one time he was genuinely frightened, and this from a chap who broke his arm ina fall at Jackson Hole the previous season!
[url= http://www.snowmediazone.com/the_zone/data/500/thumbs/CRW_6558_JFR.JP G" target="_blank">
One clear, time for the next one to drop in
[url= http://www.snowmediazone.com/the_zone/data/500/thumbs/CRW_6559_JFR.JP G" target="_blank">
Wooo, steep!
[url= http://www.snowmediazone.com/the_zone/data/500/thumbs/IMG_1460.JP G" target="_blank">
Did we really ski that? Yes we did. The "chute", as far as I can make out, is the wider openeing directly under the sun, although I'd be very happy to be corrected (my pics seem to show untouched snow in the narrower chute to the right). The line of trees in the centre of the photo pointing to the bottom right divides "Playland" from the bowl itself
Off to Lofoten for 10 days snowboard mountaineering in April 😛
[url]
Thank moshimonster, I'm Cambridge based so was looking at MK EB
In that case, I would recommend driving a bit further to Solutions 4 Feet in Bicester. They are one of the best, if not THE best boot fitters in the UK. Different class to MK EB and not just for experts, all levels. Last time I was there Graham Bell was in there having a boot fit. So he obviously thinks it's worth the trip.
oooh, nick. oooooh.
Where are you staying?
I am tucked up in bed with a stinking cold so downloaded Higher, the third of the Jeremy Jones films.
It is abolutely mind blowing, the first two were good, but this is a whole new level of mental!
I can't recommend it enough
Lofoten looks amazing!!! Wow!
Cheers moshi, tip duly noted 🙂