Some crazy russian rooftop snowboarding 🙂
edit: if someone knows how to embed it this week then please do. I no longer know, I thought we just posted links now. I have tried:
http url
https url
tags
using the Image button
nothing works. I'm off to try clicking my heels three times
using the 'share' link from Youtube?
nope 🙁
Well Sweajnr celebrated his 20th day on skis in the season <span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">by skiing all the way from the top of the Lake Louise gondola multiple times. It's been quite the progression for us going from barely managing the easiest magic carpet (and being velcroed to a parent) to happily skiing all the way down the mountain.</span>
Regular readers will remember earlier discussions around shorter skis and I'm glad we made the switch as it seemed to help and discussions with other parents have told similar stories that children don't "grow into" slightly longer skis.
Survived an awesome 36hr tour of whistler. A little bit of powder, lots of great condition piste bashing. Was snowing heavily when I left which made it hard to get on the bus back to Vancouver.
Got half price lift passes from my mate, which made it just expensive rather than ridiculous. Exchange rate helps at the moment. Back up to 1.85 from 1.55 when I was last in Canada.
Whole place seems to be full of posh English or Chinese.
Cool video from the Kitzsteinhorn, might take the DH bike as well as my board next week, I’m sure the lifties will let me.
Still great conditions in Serre Che at the moment. The pistes are in great shape. Very quiet on the slopes too. A possibility of cloud and snow later in the week glad we have had sun for the first two days. Chatting to a mate who owns a bar in Villeneuve and been here for 20+ years, he hasn’t seen as much snow this late in the season. Get out here if you have the time!
It's looks like it will be snowing part, if not all, of next week.... Damn
Best laid plans and all that... It has always my idea to take the kids at Easter when the weather in general would be more favourable with spring like conditions. I didn't want to make the mistake of them having to learn in cold, cloudy, snowing weather.
And I had been very much looking forward to hopefully boarding in a just a hoodie. I love spring conditions, reminds me of my season in southern california.
But we are in the mountains right? ... Always changeable and hard to predict weather... fingers crossed.
It does however lead me to worry about snow chains. I wasn't going to bother because of the above and the fact I've never know for the roads to not be open or opened pretty quickly.
Are snow socks any good?
With limited time, going friday, it is all I can get without asking a pal to borrow his chains that might not fit despite similar cars 4x4s.
I’ve never used my chains and our place is up a bloody steep hill. Good winter tyres will work.
Sometimes Aldi/Lidl have snow chains in though.
Try the supermarkets for chains too, in Casino in Bourg D’oisans they had them for 30/40 euros. There was a big notice saying no returns so they are well used to people rocking up getting a set before heading up to the Col de lauteret, alpe dhuez or deux alpe only to return the unused chains on their way home.
@Ro5ey Costco have Michelin Easy Grip for you to order.
They look pretty decent step up from a sock but not full on chains.
I would imagine you will be able to order them elsewhere if you are not near a Costco or not a member!
Well that’s the first time I’ve ever had enough snow to do the bottom half of Mont Cherry in Les Gets.
Soft and a bit slushy in places, but loads of snow.
Closed for the season tomorrow though.
Got back from Serre Chevalier on Sat night. We had a cracking week, great piste conditions and an empty resort. There's was another bit of fresh snow on Friday night so it was a real shame to leave. It looked beautiful as we we went over the col du lauteret. We did need to get the snow chains out, to get over and down the other side, no doubt that snow tyres would have made a big difference compared to the junk Oem VW supply.
So much snow out there, Serre Che is close to 4m for the season.. talking to friends out there, they need to clear as much of the piled up snow as possible as they are fearing a quick thaw and flooding, they Are actively dropping the levels of the reservoirs so there is space for the melt water. Good news if you are into rafting I suppose.
I expect that for as long as there continues to be snow, they'll keep some stuff open longer than planned IGM.
Just been for dinner with the family, general consensus is for a catered chalet for next year..
Any recommendations for a private catered chalet for 12? Nothing too flash, hot tub not essentioal, decent resort close to slopes. Easy drive from UK preferable.
Also Easter is a bit late next year so lets hope for another season like this one.
Ta.
Great conditions here today, more sun and snow on the way to finish the week and the season, here’s a few shots of my lad.
Stoner - This is France. The Mont Cherry lifts were not running today. And I made the mistake of trying to go to a shop at lunch time today. But I love the place.
Has been snowing pretty constantly in Scotland the last couple of days.
Facebook post from Nevis range suggests 40cm has fallen!
Hopefully get up to Glenshee at the weekend.
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First on the cord this morning #Cervinia
Just back from an amazing 8 days in Trysil, Norway. Only ever been to the Alps or Scotland so has no idea what to expect but really enjoyed it.
It's small and low but I skied more than I do in the Alps somehow doing 230km according to Ski tracks, the lifts were so quiet that more often than not you went straight on without a queue but for our kids 11 & 7 (& Mrs Tiger who is still building confidence) it was 100% better than the Alps.
They had free events for the kids that were very accessible that included Slalom races and a Burton Freestyle Jump Event that they got to go down the jump course with names called over tannoy and cheering and free race vest.
Quite smitten with Norway 🙂
Here's my 7 year old daughter with her race vest.
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and Skiing through close trees on fresh snow was something the kids totally loved.
(was quite cold at times though)
Any tips for US or Canada flying out next year on 13th April for, say, 10 days.
Sunshine Village looks interesting, or perhaps Snowbird or Whistler.
Mixed ability, extended family group, starting from U.K. and USA.
Thoughts on where to go, to stay, and how to book / who to book through?
My first family trip was a massive success .... from weather/snow to resort to accommodation to travel ..really not sure how it could have been any better.
Kids loved it, wife loved it, and it was great fun for me and not too much hard work making sure they all enjoyed themselves.
Not been boarding for almost 10 years but it come all came back amazingly well.... maybe it was the new board .. the Skate Banana was really very good ... from carving switch (never tried that before) to powder runs (with it set up almost dead centre) and dropping a nice sized wind lip, it did it all 🙂 .... Actually maybe that was the one thing my week lacked... no real board park to speak of.... it would have been nice to try the board out on a decent groomed hit.
At the moment the thinking is to do exactly the same next year. The resort/accom are brilliant for the family and there is enough to keep me entertained while they are in lessons. At some point we'll out grow the resort. But for the time being roll on next year, when I'll be buying a board for the lad and will spend some time teaching him..... I can't wait to be hitting powder runs with him ... 🙂
Ro5ey - can I ask which resort you were in?
I was in Grand Massif last week and couldn't have asked for better conditions. Pow, blue sky but also warm weather which kids love.
@igm - How old are the children? I live in Calgary so plenty of thoughts on Western Canada. Sunshine Village = Banff so tourist town with ski slopes close by but travel to / from each day. With 10 days you'd be covering all of the resorts (Sunshine, Louise, Norquay) as none of them are Alps sized. Weather in April is generally nice and warm with some fantastic ski conditions.
I've never skied in Whistler (Whatnobeer might be along soon) but it's a much bigger resort with possibly more entertainment that isn't ski related if that's important. In April I think the lower mountain might be soft
This year is the winter that won't end in Canada so back to Lake Louise we went. Fantastic snow in the morning more like mid-March before softening a bit more in the afternoon.
Sweamrs enjoying being in the sun and warm.
Sweajnr skiing with big kids all the way from the top.
Les Saisies ... about 20mins further up the road from Megeve.... Small, predominantly french, lots of greens and blues. The runs are pretty short but I think that helps for newbies/young ones and the main hill is about as safe/easy to navigate as you can get but all peaks had blue if not green off the top. And easy accessible, if short, bowls or tree runs for when you have time for a blast.
The top is only 1500 so snow has been an issue previous years (not enough to stop our friends, how we came across it, from returning) This year was obviously outstand snow wise and maybe I saw it at it's best. But again for newbies/ young ones/ family I'm going to gamble and make that sacrifice for a fantastic family hols.
@sweaman2 - we have an 11 and 7 year old and all the other children are in between.
The 11 year old is pretty handy, confident, competent and reasonably mature about his skiing. Rarely seen on the piste if there’s an alternative.
The 7 year old is in the mad snow plough phase. Quick enough, but blues and reds only.
They’ll probably both get a week in February though so they’ll have moved on again.
Calgary is a decent flight - did it for work a month or so ago - and I quite like the idea of Banff (though part of me is thinking Sunshine Mountain Lodge and hang the expense).
Might be in touch on PM after I’ve spoken with my wife if that’s OK.
I considered buying an apartment in Les Seisies. Went instead for Morillon. It's also low at 1100 but lifts up to 2100 and then over to Flaine.
We are 50m from what is considered one of the longest and best green family pistes in French Alps - Marvel. With young kids tree lined skiing is ideal.
Check out Morillon - if you are interested I can recommend a great two bed apartment 😉
Plus if you have friends the neighbours apartment is also great!
Cheers Doz
@IGM. PM is good. I remember your very brief trip and thinking pity couldn't extend for some sampling.
There's not a lot up at Sunshine village for more than a few nights at most. I think I'd go nuts if there for 10 days.
If you're hanging the expense (at least some of the time) consider Panorama. More of a resort right by the slopes and family friendly but a bit pricey. Although with Easter being late next year so not sure how much of it will be open.
Well, Glisshop had 20% off Jones Flagships.
Then they dropped me an email with a further 15% off.
Just need to tell my wife the great news that we’ll be expecting a delivery on Monday!
Nice board
Well, Glisshop had 20% off Jones Flagships
The flagship is a great board - stance could so with being a being a tad wider, but a great freeride board
Edit:
The Lofoten Islands were in great condition for some very good splitboard touring last week!
Lovely digby! Is that a teaser, or is that all we're getting?!
It's a tease ... but I can tease a bit more if you like! 😉
Very nice. I can guess where you went next assuming conditions favorable....
I can guess where you went next assuming conditions favorable….
Ok ... let's have a go at 'whose line is it anyway?' 🙂
Snow pack conditions were pretty favourable - there were reports of a persistant weak layer but this hadn't been observed.
So which line down do you think we took?
Yes, those 'drop in' platform/ramp thingies look scary.
I started a new thread for this when perhaps should have stuck this in here? Its a bit 'next yeary' though...
Any help appreciated!
I’ve joined up with a group that are far more organised than I’d ever be…already booking for next year.
I need accomodation for three people, each with their own bedroom, in a location very close to the centre of Meribel. Don’t mind if apartment or hotel but must be affordable.
Travelling Thursday to Tuesday in early Feb of 2019. Went to L2A this year and found reasonably priced apartment without a problem, seems harder in Meribel!!
Any suggestions please? I know a lot of folk on here are familiar with French skiing so hopeful someone might point us in the right direction. I realise that the Thursday to Tuesday thing is a major pain!
Cheers
Its a bit ‘next yeary’ though…
steady on ... this season isn't finished yet!!!
To be fair Digby, that’s probably my fault. Talk of Easter 2019 and all.
Sadly the season has been done for me since Feb, as a second trip got vetoed, 2 trips planned next year though.
1st one not sure where, second is Are for a week
Don't think we can embed from Vimeo, but this is a sick little edit from a couple of local shredders. I've skied 2 of the lines, though not with as much speed, a lot more turning and less air than these 2.
Afternoon all.
Just back from a week in Chamonix. Mixed week, some truly awful skiing, some staying in the valley working on the laptop cos it was raining, a day of top Bin GM laps in 30cms of powder, some great fun ski touring, and a thankfully injury-free slap in the face from the mountains on the last day.
Lorne's write-up: http://www.lornecameron.com/ Lots to dwell on and digest.
Careful out there, kids!
Interesting write-up nedrapier ... thanks for sharing the link!
Really pleased to hear you're ok!!
Heading out to Chamonix myself for a week this Saturday! Seems that the Spring thaw/freeze stability has been late to arrive this season ...
Cheers Digby, it was a much more valuable experience than the 8 or 10 turns I missed out on!
How was your week in Cham? Get much done?
Saw FreezePro shop also posted Lorne's write up of your 'experience'.
My week in Cham was good thanks - although we spent much of it in Italy. Did a splitboard tour of Gran Paradiso (4061m) & Pyramid Vincent (4215m)
2019 part 1 - booked.
where/when?
We've gone for Les Gets in Jan and Obergurgl again in March - I think the missus has got a crush on the instructor she had this year!
Lets Gets at half term. But only 3 of us. Our eldest is doing Courmayeur with school.
Part 2 is to be States/Canada at Easter. Probably somewhere out of Calgary.
Cervinia booked for New Year. Might try a cheeky week for later in the season too.
Deciding on either austria or la tania in jan. Then hopefully a trip to äre in March
LG booked for 29th December. Freestying it this year so will prob do less skiing and more hanging out with LittleMissNZCol
Flights booked for asSecond cheeky 4 day trip in February. Just need to decide on resort 🙂
OK, so where should a single bloke (as in going on without the family rather than single single - if you know what I mean) go to learn to snow board for a week in March. I'm a very average skiier so thought I'd give boarding a bash. I'm going to treat myself to a week away with lessons every day to give it a good go. Flying from Scotland, so GVA, MUC and MXP are all doable easily enough. Wheredya recommend?
Somewhere in Austria, or Chamonix which has a good bunch of Brits about so finding a group would be easy.
Serre Che (Via Turin or GNB) would be good, some good ski schools, UCPA and a great ski area and lift improvements due for next season.
March would likely be quiet but check the Euro holiday dates to be sure you don't end up in resort with the whole of Paris..
Other news, booked up for a big three generation family trip to Les Arc for Easter, 12 bed Chalet Altitude, Driving.
Easter is late so hoping for another season like this year...
CFH, Time for a new thread??
Patience, Grasshopper, patience...
New season thread soon! Compiling some news/kit/etc to kick it off with!
@oldtennisshoes, why not just learn to be a better skier? The progression will be easier, and all the cool kids are skiing these days. As above, Serre Che via Turin is ace. Hook up with Petit Paul at Ski Connections if you can, a great instructor and a great guy.
Thanks guys. Improving my skiing isnt a bad idea, but I'm board curious, so may need to get that out of my system.
Serre Che would be nice, but flights from Scotland to Torino or Grenoble are less frequent than the others. I'll have a shufty.
March conditions in the Portes du Soleil have been excellent for the last three seasons.
a little over an hour transfer from GVA. (highly recommend: http://www.alpnavtransfers.com/ )
the team at https://www.esf-montriond.com/ are fantastic for both skiing and boarding. The Slope options around Lindarets (in the woods), up into Avoriaz or over into Chatel means you can always find appropriate terrain for your lessons in just a couple of lifts.
Zeb and Amie are returning to the Chalet Montana this winter - which is oorsum newz - and so very good value single person accommodation in a very convenient location is nailed on.
https://www.chaletmontana.org/
Chalet Montana has its own navette bus stop at their front door from which you're a five minute ride to the ski station at Ardent
https://www.morzinesourcemagazine.com/the-winter-17-bus-timetable/
And https://lamarmottedor.com/ in the village keeps winning the Morzine Source Bar of the Year awards (they weren't nominated this year to give other bars a chance 😉 )
Hadn't spotted March as a time in your earlier post!
Not Serre Che, then. Flights aside, it's not the highest, so could be a bit of a lottery! What about Les Arcs 2000? Not a pretty location, but nice and high and lots of great terrain.
When does the 18/19 season thread start? Counting the sleeps already 🙂
Just booked for les gets in January.
First set of ski lessons for our 3 year old then
First tracks of the season - Zermatt glacier this morning. 6:30am lift and 3.5 hours of cruising around. Snow was quite nice before 10am. Back down, jaunt on bike up to glacier, quick shower and lift up hill for beer and rosti ! Awesome start to the season 🙂
edit: I wouldn’t have bothered but the chap we are renting an apartment off is an instructor and was keen for a slide so managed to find me a set of spare boots roughly the right size, skis etc and my pass was only another 26f to upgrade. Zermatt is without doubt the most expensive place on the planet !
Zell am See in Jan for the annual lads trip! Avios point to use up so business each way as well. Ding!
@oldtennisshoe
What about UCPA? They do inclusive weeks with accommodation, full board, gear hire and instruction. Like a posh, French version of YHA. Loads of singles there and sociable places.
La Plagne for Feb - first time for many years with tour operator - generally hate the organised nature of the things, the reps, the waiting for everyone to get their shit together before the bus can leave etc etc. But with a 1 year old in tow, we're going for the Esprit Ski option with childcare etc.
Then Les Gets in March for 11 days - missed my PDS trips for the last couple of years, so looking forward to getting back.</div>
double post
Wallop wrote:
Zell am See in Jan for the annual lads trip! Avios point to use up so business each way as well. Ding!
I think I see a flaw...
Token 😄
Bye bye 17-18.
The snow was good.