In st anton now. Pistes are bullet proof and icy, visibility is poor, so not much good skiing to be had.
The burton step on bindings are good however, work very well,not many negatives.can provide a more detailed review when in front of a real keyboard
Has anybody tried putting 2 pairs of skis in a board bag?
Just trying to work out the best way to fly with 2 pairs (165s & 155s) so not long skis
No, but I've travelled with two boards in the same board bag without any issue.
Any recommendations on a wheelie bag for planes, like the look of the Dakine ones but always driven to Alps so never needed a bag.
(also why is it skiing just wipes money out? I um and argh about bits costing a few quid for my bike like new bibs which I'll use week in / week out but then blow £100s without thinking on a sport I do for a few days a year.... odd psychology)
Has anybody tried putting 2 pairs of skis in a board bag?
Often flown with two sets of boards in one bag. Just need to remove the bindings. As long as they fit no problem.
Friends use the Dakine ones.
We go a week on friday to Les Arcs on the train.
Yep Dakine Low Roller does the job for me. Mine's been on the go for at least a decade and is still good.
Oh and keep an eye on your weight limits on the board bags. Can creep up if you are putting two lots of boards/skis and bindings in there along with the usual jackets, boots etc. Most airlines say 15 to 20kg. Check!
Flown with more than two in a bag!
Take bindings off the track.
Also Dakine double roller at the moment, got the long one but should have got the short. Waiting to use the 205’s again
We go a week on friday to Les Arcs on the train.
Train? Wowzers, have you not fixed that flat tyre yet?
Another nice vid from the Whistler guys on their European vacation, this time enjoying some off-piste in Morzine:
I think it was day 25 on skis this season. On the first lift then skied till the queues started. - 6 on the balcony and -12°C at the top. A few days off now to let the aches and pains subside.
Gents .... Silly question ... I've heard that there is an age restriction on young snowboarders in Megeve ...they have to be over 10 !?!.
That can't be true can it ???
Taking my kids (7 and 9) to Les Saisies (which isn't too far away) and wanna teach them boarding for a couple of afternoons, after they have ski school in the morning.
Ta
No age restriction on boarders in Megeve. The ESF Megeve offers snowboard group classes for kids over 8 so the 7 year old would have to have individual classes. Ski group classes from 5. There will be a height limit to using chairs as in most resorts whether on skis or a board.
Flew with 2 pairs of skis in my boardbag with easyjet a few weeks back. No probs at all, and my big skis are 185s so it was a big bag!
So a more detailed review of the burton step on bindings,after 6 days of use.
The good:-
- they feel as good if not better than a traditional strap binding when riding,they are very responsive with no noticable play, i suspect there is some play(ive seen go pro footage of play in the toe clips ),but you cant notice it when riding.
-stepping onto them is very easy, i had no issues with ice or snow build up, ita great not to have to bend down to get strapped in.
-if the ground you are on is not flat, you can still just sit down and clip in like you would a regular strap binding, ita pretty easy.
-the boots were comfy and supportive, i have the ruler boots ,these were a little painful over the first two days,but after they were broken in they were very comfy.
The bad (and these are imo really minor negatives,but thought id put them out tbere in case these are big deals to you)
- you need to make sure you clip your trouser into the clip on the back of the boot,if you dont do this your trouser can get jammed in the mechanism ,making it hard ti get your boot in or even out - i rally manged to get mine jammed up on the last day because i forgot ro clip the trouser in.
-you need to make sure your foot fits the boot well, if it doesnt then these are nit the boots/bindings for you.
- the price, theyre not cheap.
-i think they could do with some sort of latch to keep the high back upright when on the lift etc so you can just step back in without having to first kick the high back up with your foot. As it stands the high backs are quite free to move and fall back down into the binding quite easily, it might be possible to tighten up the screws the high back hinges on to make it a bit less easy to move.
-the release lever could be a bit larger, i sometimes had a bit of trouble getting hold of it.
These negatives really are minor imo, and i suspect future iterations will address them, id wager that these bindings will become default for most people over the next few years as the cost comes down and the range of boots increases.
Overall theyre great, as good as a strap binding in terms of performance,but with no bending down or messing around getting strapped in. Will be selling my strap bindings now.
What i cant comment on is reliability/longevity, i guess its posaible that the binding could develop play over a longer period of use,but i guess well hear about this over the next few months if its an issue.
Thanks julians that’s really useful.
For contrast this is about the worst review I’ve found (and even then it’s not bad):
(Caution: some swearing)
Very tempted myself, but we’ve decided to move house so I guess I’ll be limping along with repaired K2 Autos till the gear budget recovers. 🙁
Anyone sking in France this week needs to pack some extra layers and some down filled mitts.
Edit to add: Madame went to help a skier yesterday who was hunched up on her knees looking injured. To cut a long story short it's the first time I've ever seen someone evacuated in a barquette with cold hands
im nowhere near an expert rider,im probably ust your typical intermediate,so i cant argue with his view that agressive riders wont like them,but for me they work great, as good as if not better than a regular binding.
The other comments i think are a little over emphasised, especially the comments about it being hard to get properly locked in, its very easy to lock into position 1, and then all its takes is a hard heel edge turn and the binding then automatically locks into position 2 . This is how i used them all the time, gentle push of boot into binding to engage position 1,then hard heel turn to after setting off to finally push the boot into position 2.
I found what worked well was just locking into the back binding while riding the chairlift up,its easy enough to do from the chair, if you know that the run out at the top doesnt require any pushing.
I didnt get any issues with the screws loosening off,but i am using it ona burton EST board,so maybe thats an issue if you use it with other boards.
i will add that i dont think a single day is enough time to get to grips with them ,i think you need a good few days to get your muscle memory remembering how to step in and out without you having to think about it (probably quite like spd pedals in that respect) .
Just left Obergurgl after one hell of a week. Massive amounts of snow, blue skies and cold without being silly cold. Anyone going this week can expect some awesome, if somewhat cold conditions.
Quiet in here?
I'm off to Serre Che on Saturday, woop woop. Any tips for "must not miss" things to do?
Currently torn between wishing for lots of fresh snow, which there should be, and wishing for not too much so I can drive over Col du Lautaret on Saturday!
The forecast is fresh snow every day so the "must not miss" is the first high lift of the day so you're the first person to hit the powder. You'll probably wait less time to be first on the first lift than for any lift anywhere at 11:00 so it's time well spent.
For anyone who suffers from painful cold fingertips I can really recommend Happy Hot Hands gloves from Sport Pursuit. Used them all last week in Austria. Normally I’d be in a fair bit of pain but they kept my hands comfortable all day on the low or mid setting. The gloves themselves seem pretty well built so should hopefully last well.
Phew, the building work is looking likely to be close to budget. So we are going skiing, looks like a trip to Serre Che. Not been for ages but have worked there many moons ago. Also still have a few friends hanging about, so I have to recommend the Grotte du yeti in Villeneuve.
Can’t wait to get back on skis in my old stomping ground.
Practice on the local golf course may be an option for the kids this week!
thanks for the Sports Pursuit mention... needed some gloves myself, but have now got a new Sweet Protection jacket that i didnt need on the way that was at least £150 cheaper than anywhere else i could find!! but no gloves...
back to Sainte Foy Friday week for us. not been this late before, its usually a distant memory by now!!
I got one of those Sweet Protection jackets from Sports Pursuit a couple of years ago.
Good kit. Simple design with nice attention to detail.
yeah looks good, and looks like i might get some use out of it at home too... deliberating over some matching pants now tho!! argggh wasnt buying owt new this year!
Hey folks, quick question!
Getting excited about my trip to Val d'Isere next Saturday. Now, I need to book beginner ski lessons. Would you recommend booking them now, whilst I'm over here? I'm looking at a company called Evolution 2. Or would I get a better deal if I wait till I'm there?
went riding in the summer with the fella who runs Progression Ski & Snowboard School in Val. recommend giving them a shout... we always book our kids lessons well in advance - be a nightmare to arrive and discover there is no space!! less of a problem somewhere like val tho i suspect?
Cheers for that Mahalo! I did look at the Progression guys but from what I can see they run their lessons Mon-Fri. We're arriving on the Saturday and will be on the slopes the next day. So I'm either looking for Sun-Thur or Sun-Fri lessons. My lack of confidence on the planks means that I'd really prefer to start my lessons on the first snow morning and Evolution 2 are one of the only ones that I found online who start lessons on a Sunday. I'm leaning towards booking my lessons before I go, just to be on the safe side, but then the Scotsman in me would hate to turn up at the place and find out I could have gotten lessons at half the price if I'd been a bit more patient! Decisions, decisions....argh!
but then the Scotsman in me would hate to turn up at the place and find out I could have gotten lessons at half the price if I’d been a bit more patient! Decisions, decisions….argh!
Im fairly certain that would never happen. if anything they will offer discount for booking early/online. they will aim to pull your pants down in resort.
nothing is ever cheaper in resort! look at reserving your hire equipment in advance too...
>Anyone sking in France this week needs to pack some extra layers and some down filled mitts.
Yep, last two days have been the coldest I've ever felt skiing....
Down mitts + hand warmers + toe warmers were required to stay comfortable...
Regarding board/ski bag usage, as GrahamS says, just keep an eye on the weight. (Park Tools Bike Scales are pretty useful for this - and accurate).
Flew out here to Canada with 3 x boards 1x bindings 1 x boots and assorted kit all under 23Kg:
I frequently fly with multiple boards and backcountry kit like ice axes and crampons etc and I've never had an issue or had to have my bag inspected as long as I'm within the carrier's specified weight limit.
I have both the Dakine High Roller and Low Roller - the High Roller is more robust but eats into your weight allowance. Both bags are good and have lasted years of baggage handlers abuse.
nothing is ever cheaper in resort! look at reserving your hire equipment in advance too…
I disagree, the past couple of years, hiring in resort has been cheaper than booking in advance online from the same shop. Maybe it's because it's late in the season and therefore quieter when we go, but I won't be hiring equipment in advance anytime soon.
For lessons, I'd book in advance. Evo2 are populare
As an alternative there's this company:
http://www.tdcski.com/val_disere/
I know one of the directors. Not used them myself but my friend who is an excellent skier has for years and rates them highly.
its an interesting one. id expect them to be cheaper in low season / quieter times but then again from their POV the average punter through the door is absolutely not gonna shop around, they have probably been sent to the shop by their operator, are either super eager to hit the slopes or get on the lash after a long journey and are 100% going to spend their cash either way.
im tempted to now to book online but not mention it when we show up at the shop, get a new price then go with the best..
I disagree, the past couple of years, hiring in resort has been cheaper than booking in advance online from the same shop. Maybe it’s because it’s late in the season and therefore quieter when we go, but I won’t be hiring equipment in advance anytime soon.
Just to add clarity we had the exact opposite, knew the in-building shop was Skiset linked, looked at online costs and thought I'll just hire in resort, (end of season lifts only open for another week must be bargains to be had), they just laughed and said they are online in advance prices and after a bit of negotiation I got the price down but they wouldn't match the online price.
Tried all the other shops in resort and they were all the same price, like a cartel, so ended up back at start and had to pay more.
I have an Intersport code if you need it.
Cheers for all the advice guys. I went ahead and booked the lessons in advance.with Evo 2. I went skiing (after Xscape lessons), with my mates in Stubai last year, and ended up in a worse state at the end than I was at the start! So I'm really keen to get proper lessons on the slopes this time, and I really wanted to get on with the lessons on my first day so Evolution 2 ticked all the boxes.
Thanks again!
C.
Almost enough to ski in York tonight. Just need some hills.
Recommendations please for premium chalet holiday companies catering for the larger French resorts, eg Val, Courcheval, Meribel. Friends asking for 2018/19 season. Thanks
Scott Dunn are always in demand.
Posh Chalet companies - VIP ski, Oxford ski company, le Ski. Alternatives look at the signature range of Skiworld, we stayed in a 6-8 person chalet in 1550 Courchevel-it was lovely but not Scott Dunn lovely
Thanks, Scott Dunn is a bit too premium (as is Powder Byrne who don’t do Frabce anyway). Asked them to quote Zermatt once, arranged my own trip at same hotel for a much lower price.
Anyone else not make it out to the alps this morning due to cancelled flight? Managed to rearrange for Tuesday flight but having to drive to Serre Che from Milan. Hoping Italian roads are not as bad as their reputation suggests!
I completed the 21km circuit of the Loch Leven Heritage Trail on XC ski yesterday. It took about 5 hours and was brutal on unprepared and very variable snow. Despite being essential flat the accumulated height gain must have been in the 100s of metres climbing over endless sizeable drifts. I was fully gubbed by the end.
DD did I see you on the 12.50 out of Brizzle yesterday?
my Sweet Protection Sport Pursuit special turned up, i was disappointed that its basically a gore-tex shell, no thermal properties at all. but it looks cool and fits really nice so am gonna keep it. I have been told its all about the layers, last few years ive just worn a base layer under a north face jacket, was either too cold, or if i added a fleece - too hot.
just deliberating what to run underneath it now, i have a montane featherlite down jacket i could use, but i also picked up one of those £30 x-light hiking jackets from Decathlon. that slots under the sp jacket a treat and the hood fits over my helmet, but im dubious about how it will perform in the cold?
A shell is much more useful than an insulated jacket. You can layer appropriately to the temp, insulated jackets are less versatile
My current jacket is the Westbeach Backcountry and it is just a breathable shell too (20k/20k - made out of some weird Goretex infused with coconut fibre).
As per Tiger, I like it a lot. Much more versatile that way. Allows you to add/remove layers or even just unzip some layers while keeping the jacket closed. Generally speaking I layer:
Warmish weather: long-sleeve base, cotton t-shirt, micro fleece gilet, jacket
Colder weather: long-sleeve base, t-shirt, thick hoodie, jacket
You do need something between jacket and skin if it is windy, as even though the jacket is windproof it does suck the heat.
*( yes I know I shouldn't wear cotton but I've never found it to be a problem to be honest).
yeah, thinking long sleeve base with a micro fleece rab hoody under the jacket for milder days, but swap the fleece for one of these on colder ones... just unsure whether than deacthlon thing will be warm enough when it really cold!? not that im expecting really cold in March, but it was last week!!
I have a Nike down thing pretty similar to that Quencha that I sometimes wear under my jacket when I'm wearing it casually. Pretty toasty, but I wouldn't want to board in it as it can get a bit sweaty.
Booking up a few days in Chamonix at the end of March now, getting excited all over again! Won't be same as Les arcs ski in/ski out, but will be nice to go somewhere different for once!
You can layer appropriately to the temp, insulated jackets are less versatile
Absolutely.
On a really cold day in Fernie B.C:
1 x Merino Shortsleeve
1 x Merino Longsleeve
1 x Arc'teryx Fortrez Hoody (with handy intergrated hood and neck gaiter)
1 x Arc'teryx Proton Hoody (breathable low bulk synthetic)
1 x Arc'teryx Alpha SV Shell jacket
On a less cold day in Fernie B.C:
1 x Merino Shortsleeve
1 x Merino Longsleeve
1 x Arc'teryx Alpha SV Shell jacket
So that's pretty much every temp from minus 20 to zero celcius. I don't think you can get that flexibility with an insulated jacket.
Double hoodie Digby? Blimey! Never had to resort to that. Brrr.
Double hoodie Digby? Blimey! Never had to resort to that. Brrr.
Aye - first time for me riding whilst wearing a double hoody - twas pure baltic for a while... I didn't even ride with double hoody in Greenland!
I have to say I like my insulated jacket but agree it lacks flexibility... luckily it's still -20C in Calgary this morning so I also use it to walk to work.
Rockies at -30C. To be honest though even with this lot it's still a bit of an exercise in endurance and extremities start to chill.
Midweight base layer.
Rab Powerstretch fleece.
Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
Patagonia Primo Down Jacket
I usually just ride in a T shirt and insulated coat, on really cold days I’ll put a long sleeve on too.
I mess around a lot off piste and on piste try lots of little 180s etc so warm up pretty quickly.
I reckon a heated gillet could work well, give you control without having to add/remove layers.
I have never been anywhere colder than Fernie. (Although Zermatt was close.)
It was warmer stood still than skiing, which is rare.
The wind chill was extreme, one of the party got frost nip on the cheek, we called it a day and went for hot choc then beer...
Also, good news, were off to Serre Che on the 24th, woooohooo! I can't wait.
I reckon a heated gillet could work well
Great until the batteries run out at the top of the mountain or you get stuck somewhere and need to stay warm.
My gloves last all day, no reason a gillet couldn’t do so with higher battery capacity.
http://happyhotfeet.com/heating-jackets/
When I lived in the US (East Coast) I had to buy all new kit to ski in. Conditions there are very different.
Quite a sobering video
Yeeesh nasty! Looks like it is the convex slope that goes first then pulls the rest with it.
Do we know if the skier made it out?
I have never been anywhere colder than Fernie
To be fair there was only one week and another weekend out of the entire 6 weeks that I was there when it was super cold - the rest of the time is was the usual -4 to -10 or thereabouts (and it only rained twice this time - once to the top of the ski hill!). Although I didn't see the sun for the first 3 weeks!
Like most continental mountain ranges, the East Kootenays where Fernie sits will have a few cold spells each season when a 'modified arctic air mass' sits over the Lizard Range ... and when it does it's bone-chilling!
Looks like it is the convex slope that goes first then pulls the rest with it
Aye - it looks like a 'remote trigger'. The skier appears to be on a concave section just below the large convex area (skiers right), that slides first before the whole slope goes from the top as it propagates ... fortunately the convex area that goes first, appears to be a relatively slow moving slab avalanche ... the slide from the top is much faster and catches up with the slab. Hopefully the skier was well clear of it and could exit skiers right and there were no terrain traps.
DD did I see you on the 12.50 out of Brizzle yesterday?
Hey wallop, sorry, not been reading the thread much but yes, you would have seen me. (And Stoner - the giant hairy thing that EasyJet only allow on the plane as long as I have him on a lead.) He was very well behaved on the plane though. You should have come and said hello! Where were you off to?
The skier was well out of the way, GrahamS. It was his lucky day. a few seconds from being in the middle of it.
Yesterday we saw some skiers taking a totally unreasonable risk on a well-known high risk slope on which one skier died a few years back. Most of the nutters get away with it.
30cms of fresh brought the slopes to life yesterday. Not quite as busy now the locals are back at work but junior said one of his clients had been waiting since Sunday for her first lesson as the ski school is fully booked.
ski - an - Duro, at Fort William this weekend looks interesting. Spotted on the bike thread.
Boarders .... Will i notice a big difference in a new board compared to my 10 year old one.
The new rocker/camber/hybrid goings on... whats that all about?
I dug my odd board out yesterday morning and still love the shape of it compared to the modern angular tipped boards ... although swing weight is of little interest the longer effective edge, I've been lead to believe a newer board gives, might be.... your thoughts please.
And my style ... well it used to be intermediate/advanced all mountain messing about and was happy to hit kickers (including the bigger ones)
ta
Will i notice a big difference in a new board compared to my 10 year old one
That depends to some extent on the condition of your 10 year old board. Since the core is [probably] made of wood this can sometimes warp or deform over time thus losing its original shape/camber etc. The conditions your board has been stored in can effect its useful life - e.g. damp garage, hot attic etc. whether the ptex base has been stored with wax on it can also impact 'useful life'.
Not quite sure what you mean by 'modern angular tipped boards' - do you mean powder boards with a 'pointy nose'?
There is a plethora of quite inovative snowboard designs at the moment, with a move away from the standard directional twin-tip, however many of these boards have specific uses such as carving or powder, although to be fair there is often some cross-over and a decent rider should be able to adapt most boards to a variety of conditions ... but a pointy nose fish-tail board is always going to be best in powder and perhaps not so suitable for rails and kickers! 😉
If you still want an all mountain board, then there are plenty of directional twin tips still around. In terms of 'effective edge' then perhaps ask want you want from a board? Do you want stability at speed? Control on steep/mixed conditions? Float in powder? Is carving important to you? Flatland tricks/butttering ? Side-hits? Spinning off those bigger kickers? (in which case a board with less difference between contact length and effective edge might be considered).
Interms of camber/rocker then [in quite simple terms]when looking at the profile:
Camber is a traditional snowboard shape where the centre of the board is raised off the snow.
Rocker is where the centre of the board is on the snow but the ends are off the snow - i.e. shaped a bit like a banana
Hybrid incorporates both of the above, but the permutations for this are too numerous to mention. the rocker could be at both ends or just one:
Whitelines did an article on this:
https://whitelines.com/snowboard-gear/before-you-buy/camber-rocker-snowboards-differences.html
However if your old board is still in reasonable condition fun to ride then why not use that? Or replace it with something very similar if it worked for you previously - if you are hitting the bigger kickers then you are clearly used to 'charging it' on a board! 😉
Not much to add to what Digby said except, if you have never tried any of the newer board profiles and cambers then I highly recommend trying to do a test day somewhere and trying them all out. (If you are in the UK then see if your local fridge is running one).
I did one a few years back, tried loads of boards and found that I loved the Bataleon shape (confusingly a medium/traditional camber but 3BT shaped base which means the edges are off the snow a bit like a rocker). It honestly just brought a smile to my face when I rode it. 🙂
Sweet few days in the PDS with a friend and deadlydarcy. arf.
DD landed this. Well, I say "landed", but gravity was running the show....
(BTW that's not a tail grab, that's a "where the **** can I flap my hands and save this" stance)
Great breadth of conditions last weekend from warm sun and blue skies to fresh slack country. We were bloody lucky to be on one of the first flights out of Brizzle after the cancellations with Wallop. Orsum few days.
Most air ever. It really didn’t deserve what happened next. But as no photo exists, yes, I landed it. 😂
It’s not looking good at that point!
Do you have your bindings +15 +15 ?
Do you have your bindings +15 +15 ?
To be fair the binding angles in the picture above do look very 'euro-carve' 🙂
... I'm guessing +24 +18 ... and given the amount of upper body rotation and the impending body/ground interface, I'm also guessing 'faceplant'? 😉
Hope you got up with a big old smile on your face! 🙂
It’s looking a bit like one of my tamedog efforts.
Had a go at a few this winter, at 48, the old body doesn’t seem to want to tuck into the right position!
Managed to bounce off my head and ride a couple out though.
DD is proper duck. He's just so out of shape in that move that I think he's dislocated his knees. And brain.
at 48, the old body doesn’t seem to want to tuck into the right position!
Nah! ... I'm 50 this year and still like to 'throw some shapes' from time to time!
Granted, not as many tricks left in the bag ...
Now I don’t want to question your genius DD, but there’s a yellow strap in that picture holding you up by your left hip. This explains the odd stance too.
🤔
Just jealous. Last time I was that far off the ground the hostess was asking me if I wanted another glass of wine before dinner. ✈️
So since getting the board down from the loft, Im getting double excited to be heading to the hills. All be it, in the knowledge, that the Holiday and boarding will be different with a wife and kids to look after.
I know the joy will be to see them improving, especially the kids, but how have you guys still enjoying the boarding for yourselves. The odd stolen morning/afternoon to have a charger or does generally going slower, with the family, allow all the little on/side piste stuff you messed about, on when you first learnt, open up to you again ? See Digby's Tripod above ... 🙂
And will I see a difference in the board/terrain/features parks since I last went 8 odd years ago? I'm hoping, in general, there are more of them ?