First lift was Telford dry slope, first snow was Schladming.
Currently trying to decide if I can justify 2 trips this season. A week in Obergurgl is a given, another few days in France (I fancy La Grave and Deux Alpe) appeals as well.
So I'm off to Sainte Foy Tarantaise to work the season as a ski tech. Really looking forward to it and especially looking forward to improving my off piste skills with that being what the resort is primarily known for!
Anyone from here skied there and have any tips? I know stevo (I think that's his name) operates white room from there and I've heard it's great but any particular things I should do?
Only slight concern is that I'm going to be off the bike for 5 months, anyone know if there are places in Ste Fly that have fat bikes that can be rented? Either that or some in Les Arcs, Val D'Isere or the surrounding area?
Oh and my first lift was the maenlichenbahn in the grindelwald area
any particular things I should do?
All of it, your there for the season, make friends find ski buddy's, ski Loads. There will be loads of nice road riding and bikes of all types available to hire I am sure. Have a great time. *no jealousy here, reminiscing of seasons past. Oh heady days.
Oliver, also get a bit of Avy training in if you haven't already.
Who are you working for Oliver?
Skiing-wise, there's an incredible amount of terrain, far, far more than the piste map suggests. You really need to get out and ride with locals to get your head round a lot of it though. The more obvious stuff gets skied-out pretty fast these days (or maybe that's just my rose-tinted glasses).
Nobody rents fat-bikes in resort, but there's a few places around the valley which do. We've thought about it, but never gone for it. Doesn't seem worth the investment in cash for the likely number of clients. There would be some cool stuff to do in Sainte foy though. Riding from resort level or just above and going down into the valley. Honestly though, just forget bikes for the winter season! Come March, some of the stuff down at valley level will start to open up again, can be fun to get out on a bike if the snow isn't great. There's always a few days at the end of the season where they start letting bikes on the funi at Les Arcs!
I am going to try to run some seasonnaire stuff just before the season starts, probably including some avalanche training.
As for me, I will mostly be on my snowboard this winter: www.whiteroomsnowboarding.com ! 
I'm working for the Auberge & Chalets sur la Montagne.
I'll definitely attempt to get out with as many locals as possible, plus a few of the guys I'll be working with have done some seasons in the area already so I should have plenty of people to show me what's what!
Thought that might be the case, guess I'll be fine bike free for 5 months just not something I've done in the last 8 years!
I know I'll be doing some avalanche training in the first few weeks of my job, plus I'll supposedly have access to all the safety gear so I'll have stuff to use before I get my own!
Haha, I'll be on skis, no chance you'll catch me on a board....
You'll be down in La Thuile rather than up in resort, which is a bit of a pain but doable with the right attitude. It would help to have your own car.
Been to the Lorian lots of time but dont think it was my first lift .
Planning a week on 17th feb , french holidays . not sure where yet but french Alps .
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Serre Che this morning! Mid mountain, below L'Yret.
Yeah I had worked that out, and supposedly after dropping the guests off at the slopes (9-10am depending on the day) the staff normally just ski from there. Taking my car is not really possible as it's up there with the least winter-proof vehicles possible (fibreglass kit car), plus the insurance would be silly.You'll be down in La Thuile rather than up in resort, which is a bit of a pain but doable with the right attitude. It would help to have your own car.
Is it often possible to ski right down to the base of the valley (ie where I'll be in La Thuile) or does the snow cover/terrain make that difficult?
Seeking advice on Swiss ski resorts. Help me STW, you're my first port of call (will be going on snowheads later)
I've never skiied in Switzerland. Mrs NBT's aunt lives there, so we'd like to combine a ski trip to a new resort with the opportunity for some quality familial time. We're thinking of spending a week in march in a resort that's accessible and has something for non-skiiers for a day or two
At the moment we're looking at Davos (Platz) as I've seen a good deal for a week's half board in a hotel. As Mrs NBT's aunt lives in the Zurich area, Davos is a fairly short journey too.
However I've seen that Powdair are offering very reasonably priced flights to Sion, which is close to the Val d'Anniviers (Zinal, Grimentz et al) where I've fancied skiing for some time, and Crans Montana, as well as Verbier and so on. It's a lot further from Zurich though, and a fair whack more expensive, and I'm not sure about non-skiiers. I'm working on the idea that Dearest Aunt will only be in resort for a couple of nights, and will entertain herself in the daytime while we ski, meeting us in the evening for a repast of epic proportions.
Constructive feedback and suggestions welcomed - is it worth us looking at Western Austria for instance? We're both experienced skiiers but happy with a medium sized ski area. Last season was Passo Tonale and a late season last minute week in Meribel - previous to that we've enjoyed Courmayeur, and both love the Espace Killy and Les Arcs
Not stayed in Davos but have stayed in Klosters. As you say easy to get to from Zurich and final train forms part of the lift system. Doing the run down to Kublis, sitting in the station bar waiting for the bell to indicate the train is coming, is one of the great skiing experiences. Good mountain restaurants etc, really good trip for us as a couple.
Verbier has a lot going for it, as does Crans Montana, but if I was you I would go to Davos.
EasyJet flights released today.
Cervinia / Zermatt trip flights and accommodation booked for Easter 😀
Is it often possible to ski right down to the base of the valley (ie where I'll be in La Thuile) or does the snow cover/terrain make that difficult?
I've never bothered myself (never lived in La Thuile), but I had some mates who used to do it pretty regularly. Getting out of resort is slightly awkward, but it's then mostly fields down to La Thuile so it's supposedly pretty doable in a good snow year. I wouldn't be relying on it though.
There's a shuttle bus between the resort and La Thuile as well, although it's not super-frequent (4 or 5 times per day).
[quote> http://rideeasy.co/how-it-works/
Er...no. Thanks.
Seen that pop-up on Facebook a few times. Hysterically shite.
nbt - have a look at Arosa. I went there with mrs r and some mates a few years ago and had an awesome time. Quiet, great pistes, pretty village, good lift and train connections - we did a ski tour over to Davos and back one day.
Ay-may-zing lift served off piste. Steeps, cliffs, bowls, looong tree runs. Most people stick to the pistes or the winter walking trails.
Would go again. Don't quite know why I haven't. It was really good.
Oh, mountain meal and pissed up tobogganing down the hill again. It doesn't [i]have[/i] to be dangerous, but...
Snow falling at high levels in Austria. Too early to get excited but it's good for the glaciers at lest.
Fall has arrived in Whistler, but not full winter yet. We've had a few dustings up top but nothing in the valley yet, which makes a change from last year where it snowed in the village at this time of year then rained pretty much right through until the week before opening. Currently dry and about 8 degrees.
Hopefully going to get into touring this year. Finally have a job here that affords a little more spending money and the time to get out when the snow conditions are good. Just need to decide if I want to go whole 9 yards and buy tech boots and bindings or get an alpine touring boot and go from there. Decisions decisions....
*whispers*
After spending my first 4 years and 9 snow holidays on a snowboard, I'm learning to ski over Xmas!!
Did a full day lesson at Chill Factors the other week....much less painful than learning to board innit!!!
I think it depends on what type of touring and what your partners are using. If you're the only one on AT gear it's going to be a long day when they scamper off ahead of you on tech bindings. But if it's mostly slack country then less of an issue. Personally I'd go tech bindings and then choose the boot to match expectations. The walk mode on tech is still way better than any frame binding I've tried. I notice flexy ski boots way more both uphill (good) and down (bad)
I've got dynafit with Maestrale boots and marker's with Freedom SL. I didn't mix and match last year but this year will try the freedom with the dynafits.
If you're the only one on AT gear it's going to be a long day when they scamper off ahead of you on tech bindings.
The fittest guy will still be the fastest. My times weren't much improved when I went from Silvretta steel to lo-tec twenty five years back. I reckon my current gear saves perhaps 3 minutes per 1000m vertical.
In the Silvretta days I used to use Asolo plastic climbing boots to gain speed/comfort uphill when the snow was in good condition. 1.95m straight skis with a camber like cross country skis so the skins made next to no contact when you lifted your weight off. Looking back they were dreadful to ski, slow, steep turns were a series of jumps.
Glenshee planning permission approved to replace Cairnwell T with a chairlift. Perhaps this year the snow will stick around ?
The fittest will be fastest; my comment was as much around comfort. I much prefer the walk mode of tech bindings (pivot at the toe) to the walk mode of frame bindings (even modern ones) and find it more efficient over a long day.
As with Nordic good technique helps and people adapt.
Too good not to share!
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At the ski resort. Photo by Yuri Somov, 1982.
HT - @sovietvisuals
Glenshee planning permission approved to replace Cairnwell T with a chairlift.
*likes*
I think it depends on what type of touring and what your partners are using. If you're the only one on AT gear it's going to be a long day when they scamper off ahead of you on tech bindings. But if it's mostly slack country then less of an issue. Personally I'd go tech bindings and then choose the boot to match expectations. The walk mode on tech is still way better than any frame binding I've tried. I notice flexy ski boots way more both uphill (good) and down (bad)I've got dynafit with Maestrale boots and marker's with Freedom SL. I didn't mix and match last year but this year will try the freedom with the dynafits.
Mix of split boards and tech bindings.
Grabbed a pair of these today:
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Both my resort skis have WTR bindings and these should be stiff enough to ride in bounds if needed. Next decision is on bindings and if I want to get my Slant Ambushs remounted or to spend the cash on a dedicated touring ski.
Met Jenny Jones today at ski bartlett whilst getting my new bindings fitted. Nice lass. Posed for a picture so I could show it to the wife as I told her my wife's the snowboarder of the family and huge fan.
Anyways, more Importantly, after 13 years it was time to give up on my garmont 75mm tellie boots and join the ntn crowd. Settled in Scott boots and ntn freestyle bindings.
Went straight to Hemel to try them out. Mixed reaction to be honest. Everything felt stiff. Legs, boots and bindings. Felt like a newbie all over again but I love the step in bindings and ski breaks, so no more bloody safety straps.
I know 13 years for a tellie boot will make them softer than cling film but I'm hoping the Scott's (softest shell available) will loosen up.
Well the backcountry set up is coming together, got a storming deal on a set of 2017 Salomon Mtn labs today. Just need to find some bindings. Thinking Ion 12's or similar.
Met Jenny Jones today at ski bartlett whilst getting my new bindings fitted
She is lovely isn't she? and very funny! A great ambassador for UK Winter 'Sports*'.
*I say 'sports' in the loosest sense ... but then I generally think of skiing & snowboarding as a hobby or activity - or my obsession according to the missus! 🙂
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getting whiter here in Åre. Bike park shut now , couple of months until the lift start turning again.
Anyone have a splitboard for sale, 159-163 ish?
Finally able to contribute properly to a S&SB thread as I'm heading out to L2A for a week on the 3rd Feb. Having been a seasonaire and 2/3 weeks a season punter during my twenties I realised I hadn't been on proper snow since before my eldest was born (8 yrs ago) and now I cannot wait.
Any recommendations for runs / guides much appreciated 🙂
Been to SHs’ ski fest night at Hemel. Bit too busy early on to get a decent run in, much better later on. Never been on a fattish ski, but loved the White Dot Preachers.
Jnr on the OH, predictably, loved the most expensive skis on test. The very pretty, custom made PFDs.
I've been fairly lucky in that most of skis I've demoed I've not liked as much as the ones I have. The only ones I really liked a lot were DPS Wailer 112, but then I would, as they're very very similar in profile to my Slants. I think that I've gained most of ski experience on fairly heavy, stiff 'charging' skis, anything that either isnt that or a total park style noodle just feels very wrong.
We have little need for fatter skis unfortunately. My job means I’m stuck to going away on school holidays. At Christmas OP is virtually non existent and not much better at Easter. We don’t often go away at half term when conditions should be the most ideal. Although we’re probably going to be driving out more often in the van. So can take as many pairs of skis as I like!
The above being said, Hemel is hardly the ideal testing ground for them yet they still felt great.
Step on bindings are here!
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can you actually buy them now?
I love the idea but burton boots just don't fit me that well.
Won't be long until other boot manufacturers pick it up if it takes off so will have to wait
Yes available now, although sold out until November! Patented so I guess it will take a while before others filter through. I'll be getting them next season when my boots wear out and a year of reviews are in.
It should still be worth them licensing the design for boots as it will only increase the numbers with the bindings over time.
Step on bindings are here!
I can't help wondering whether they are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist ...
But I guess the winter-sports industry needs to keep 're-inventing' itself.
howsyourdad1 - Member
Step on bindings are here!
Doesn’t that statement come round about once every 5 years or so?
I can't help wondering whether they are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist ...
The problem of sitting on your arse at the top of a slope in the freezing cold, trying to get that little strap into the doodad - I could go for an easy solution to that if I spent more than a week every two years on the slopes.
I used to love the convenience of Flow bindings, but they always seem loose compared to "normal" bindings.
I had some of the original Burton step ins, they weighed a ton and the hinge bits froze up.
