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I'm getting a bit worried, I'm supposed to be here on the 27th....
@Hareydan I've not used them as I'm fine with straps, but the Burton step on bindings / boots might be worth a look if you're after minimum faff.
I’ve never used the more traditional strap in bindings so I’m wondering what the advantages of them are?
As a sweeping generalisation I think the step-in and flow type bindings have emphasised comfort and east-of-use, whereas the traditional two-strap bindings have emphasised 'performance' as your foot can be securely positioned and held in place thus allowing more 'control' via 'foot-steering'.
Whether this is important to you though is personal and above all any system your choose should enhance your enjoyment.
The new Burton StepOn system looks interesting, but as I think was discussed on last years thread it seems a bit like a solution for a problem that perhaps doesn't exist and pretty much ties you into narrower choice of boots. But if it works for you then go for it!
Haven't tried any Flow bindings for 10+years but I found them loose & sloppy even when cranked down. Other folks swear by them in particular some of the more recent models which are seemingly more of a hybrid of Straps and Rear Entry ... ahem .... 🙂
Nice one OTS. Cannae wait 🙂
I’ve got some newer Flow NX2 and they are great. You can get them with toe cups instead of toe straps.
The newer ones can act as standard dual straps too.
Use mine on piste, deep powder and park.
I bought some Burton step on boots and bindings last year, after using various strap bindings for 20 years. The step ons are fantastic, I find them more responsive than strap bindings, especially going from heel to toe side turns.
The ease of use is great, just being able to step into them straight off the chair lift.
If you can get hold of a pair to try out,I'd recommend it.
new flows are much improved from old flows, which were terrible. they arent as responsive as trad. straps, but that may not matter to you really. Apparently they work better with flow boots.
i tried the new Burton step ons at the end of last year and I was well impressed. However, you can't adjust the highbacks on them , so they aren't for me. They were insanely responsive, almost too responsive actually!
ads678 - where is that?
I have odd shaped feet (there I said it) and strappy bindings need to be clamped down really tight to get any response. Painful within 30 minutes.
Flows I can have looser (because they grip my foot in the right places) and still get decent response.
I am decidedly intermediate though - rarely leave the ground, cruising reds and a bit of off the side type off piste.
Short feet with a high instep if that helps.
Current NX2 bindings with the lift up as the back goes down all in one strap.
Previously ran Drake, Burton and Now strappy ones.
wallop
ads678 – where is that?
La Mongie, according to the image name
live webcams at La Mongie
http://www.n-py.com/en/grand-tourmalet/webcams
i tried the new Burton step ons at the end of last year and I was well impressed. However, you can’t adjust the highbacks
You can adjust the highback's forward lean on Burton Step-ons.
those step ons look fantastic. But pricey.
Cant quite justify them given I bought new ski boots a couple of years ago, and for piste bashing my ancient nitro board (14yrs old) and Northwave boots (16yrs old!) , with some s/h Flow Fives are still working fine. 🙁
Yeah La Mongie, Grand Tourmalet in the Pyrenees. Never been before and i'm not sure we're gonna get too much skiing in!! I'm driving so I might take a bike......
We're going Skiing in Austria for our first family ski holiday, can anyone recommend any insurance companies please?
Both girls are younger than the minimum age required for list passes but the eldest is having lessons, does anyone know how this works?
Finally any tips for taking a 5 and 2 Yr old Skiing? 2 year old will be in a Creche for some of it, both will have contact details etc written down and put in a pocket should the worst happen.
re: Flows - if you're a big bugger like me, then the older ones definitely aren't for you, unless you fancy vague response. I've not tried the newer ones since I've been on Burton toe cap and strap for 5+ years now.
I definitely want to try the step ins, but price is a bit too pricey for a once a year thing (£600 :O )
@bluebird yes but you cant adjust the angle of them in relation to the heel edge, i.e in the heel cup itself
Finally any tips for taking a 5 and 2 Yr old Skiing? 2 year old will be in a Creche for some of it, both will have contact details etc written down and put in a pocket should the worst happen
its a bit of a shock to the system if your used to being on the first & last lifts and just buggering off wherever you want! but definitely worthwhile to see them progress. be patient, they probably wont have your enthusiasm at first, make sure they eat and sleep well…
We take our time in the mornings, no early alarms, nice leisurely breakfast, then a morning on the nursery slopes, or just messing about on sledges, building snowmen etc.. then they both went into lessons (or crèche) after lunch - that way we could have the afternoon to ourselves.
Both girls are younger than the minimum age required for list passes but the eldest is having lessons, does anyone know how this works?
The turnstiles at the lifts have a little archway that the nippers without lift passes duck through.
Grown men on snowboards who’ve had a couple of pints definitely won’t fit.
@howsyourdad1 I thought I was the only person in the world who bothered to do that! 🙂 (I'm not sure if it actually makes any difference though.)
We're going to Austria in Feb and for the first time ever I'm going to buy some boots rather than rent dodgy sweaty ones that don't fit very well.
So what boot for the 95kg intermediate skier, 99% on pistes, wide feet, heavy and clumsy?
So what boot for the 95kg intermediate skier, 99% on pistes, wide feet, heavy and clumsy?
Ones that fit (typical STW smug answer but true) get yourself to your nearest shop and try a few on.
Where are you based? Then people can recommend potential bootfitters.
Both girls are younger than the minimum age required for list passes but the eldest is having lessons, does anyone know how this works?
The turnstiles at the lifts have a little archway that the nippers without lift passes duck through.
Grown men on snowboards who’ve had a couple of pints definitely won’t fit.
I'd check that, most places require young kids to go to the lift pass and obtain a pass, even though it's free.
Rotating highbacks to be parallel to the board edge makes &é"'-all difference. I think Burton are still the only brand who actually offer that feature? I've been off Burton bindings for about 5 years and can't say I've ever missed it or even thought about it. I did just receive a shiny new set of Burton bindings though and obviously I immediately rotated the highbacks…
Oh aye, I can confirm it's been pretty good in the western Alps over the past few days...
That video is not helping...
having to content myself with a bit of board demo at mk tomorrow and freestyle playtime on Sunday.
oh well it's still boarding even if it is in a fridge.
Hoping the yes pick your line lives up to the reviews
On airbags, for someone like me who rides 100+ days per year, probably about half of that lift-accessed or short hike off-piste, it's a no-brainer. However careful you are, the law of averages is a dangerous thing. Added to which, I'll almost always be first-in (on account of being the guide...).
I think for someone doing a week or two per year, especially if guided, then it's less clear. The cost and travel hassles are significant.
I'd somewhat disagree with DD though. Once I'm caught in a slide, I'm thinking of nothing else but pulling that handle. Once you're caught, there's no getting out of there. If I'm still on my feet, yeah, for sure, I'm going to try to get out to the side or break the sound barrier straight-lining down the hill, but if I'm off my feet and I'm on a slope of any significant size, I'm pulling that handle.
I was lifting my pack out the car last night and it was snagged on something. I started tugging and it didn't free up. I was about to start tugging harder in a grumpy I'm-carrying-all-the-rest-of-kit-in-the-other-hand-and-I-just-want-to-get-inside kind of way when I noticed it was snagged by the handle...
Recommend watching Snowman on Red Bull tv if you have an interest in avalanches and skiing
Elshalimo - I too am a 95Kg piste basheur.
I snowboarded for 15 yrs before trying skiing so slightly different route to boots, but I went here https://www.solutions4feet.com/ which is 1 1/2hrs away to get fitted properly. You end up paying RRP, but the fitting process took well over half an hour and now I'd be happier in that knowledge buying something discounted offline, but for a first boot, the conversation and information learnt was definitely worth it.
I ended up with some perfectly comfortable, but taught salomon boots.
FFS
18 days out from arriving in Morzine and eldest pedlad boy has broken a collar bone. Absolutely gutted for him. He’s been flying at lessons on the dry slope, building on first week skiing 3 yrs ago. I was so looking forward to really exploring with him and his brother round the vastness of the Portes du Soleil.
So stw- What is there to do for a winter week in Morzine with a broken 13 yr old??
The swimming complex is excellent (search Parc Dereches for opening times)
He can hire snow shoes and walk a lot of the pistes/ski du fond with cheaper ski lift passes as a pedestrian
There's a good cinema in town
i skied the rest of the week after i broke my collar bone one day in chamonix - had one arm in a sling under my jacket! nothing too tech, just cruised the pistes - but it was a lot better than not skiing at all!
ed. sorry i just read he is still learning... yeah prob not a good idea!
Snow depth is building nicely in the PDS and more to come this weekend. Xmas should be good! I'm even looking forward to teaching Stoner Jr to board for the first time.
He's getting better quickly but this is only his second trip. Definitely needs his hands visible to keep balance so cruising with it in sling not an option. Might look into snow shoeing with him.
@stevomcd That makes sense, in the days when I was riding 60+ days it would've been a no brainer, but these days it's closer to 30 and a good chunk of that is in bounds.
I went here https://www.solutions4feet.com
Me too, have a great pair of boots as does my wife. Local fitter who knows Colin did suggest that you may end up with boots beyond your level, so future proofing in a way that may not be 100% necessary. Still, would go back there again if I needed new boots, online recommended boots need not apply, all feet require a decent fitter.
Looks like the Tarentaise is getting all the snow this weekend.
Nice big dump for the PDS tomorrow as per forecast please to establish that base.
So my boy is being v stoic but must be gutted about not being able to ski at new year. I didn’t mention above, we have the car with us in Morzine,so if there’s anything worthwhile within an hours driving I’d appreciate any suggestions.
Once I’m caught in a slide, I’m thinking of nothing else but pulling that handle. Once you’re caught, there’s no getting out of there. If I’m still on my feet, yeah, for sure, I’m going to try to get out to the side or break the sound barrier straight-lining down the hill, but if I’m off my feet and I’m on a slope of any significant size, I’m pulling that handle.
@stevomcd - yeah - I was referring to those few microseconds when you are aware of the sudden change in the snowpack but the slide hasn't quite gathered momentum, and you are still on your 'feet' (and thankfully/hopefully your toeside-edge!): My focus was on picking my nearest exit/island of safety!
I've also considered getting an 'avalung' but again I'm not sure how effective they are in the 'moment': - if you are on your feet you'd want to be trying to get to the side etc and if you were off your feet I'd be trying to 'swim' etc rather than trying to fit the mouth piece in.
Completely agree about 'law of averages being a dangerous thing' though ... I've lost too many friends & acquaintances over the years! 🙁
When doing a serious number of backcountry days a year though like you - for sure, you need to mitigate risk in every possible way!
[I managed 50 days this year - but over 30 of them were 'inbounds']
I’m wondering whether to replace my snowboard. I bought it in 2009 and my question is how much things have changed since then?
It’s a Ride DH so a fairly top end board from the time, but it predates all the rocker boards. I used to be a bit of a gear whore but I haven’t really read any mags/websites for ages so I don’t known what’s good. It’s got a couple of deep gouges and probably needs a base grind as well as some ptex.
I would guess I’m at the good end of the punter spectrum - I’ve been a lot over the years but not in the last 3 years due to new child. I’m going for a week in March.
My inclination is to fix up my Ride, but accepting this will probably cost at least £50, am I going to be better off putting that money into a new board?
Superficial, I’m not a boarder but probably worth getting the board you have into ok shape then hire a board if you fancy a change. Or just hire and not bother taking and paying carriage to for your own board. If you are interested in getting a new one, use the hire shop and demo a few.
@stoner - thanks
I went to a local ski shop today and they sorted me out. (BAC Elland, nice people, not pushy, good customer service).
Only took about an hour, given my weird feet that's pretty good.
I’m wondering whether to replace my snowboard. I bought it in 2009 and my question is how much things have changed since then?
How has it been stored/kept? Much damage to the base/core?
If you lie it on say the kitchen floor does it still have it's 'camber' etc.
Do the four corners all touch the floor evenly? i.e. your snowboard isn't warped? (keeping your board in overly hot/damp storage can cause a board to warp or twist over time)
If you board is still fun to ride then stick with it.
Board shapes have seemingly remained pretty much unchanged for quite some time as the Snowboard industry matured and plateaued. There were a few 'quirky' ahem innovations like magna-traction but most boards fell into the slightly directional twin-tip design.
However in the past few years there has been some interesting innovation from smaller rider owned/led/focussed companies that are experimenting with shapes and designs again.
How relevant this is to you depends on the kind of riding you like to do and how often? i.e. we all might like the idea of riding bottomless powder in the backcountry everyday but the reality is not the case - therefore buying a Winterstick Swallowtail might be hard to justify! 🙂
If you are interested in getting a new one, use the hire shop and demo a few.
Unfortunately depending on the resort, snowboard hire often isn't as extensive as ski hire, so this might not be an option for you.
Shops like Zero G in Chamonix will be able to supply a different board to demo each day, but smaller resorts may only have limited brands/sizes to choose from - often because most snowboarders will buy their own board, bindings and boots
Just booked a week in Avoriaz at the start of February. A surprise xmas present for the missus who's only been snowboarding once at Glenshee years ago. She's booked into ski school every day which will give me plenty of time to charge about myself. Despite having been to Morzine every year in Summer for the past 8 years, I've never been in winter so looking forward to it very much.
Also have pencilled in plans for Cervinia in April
nice BB!
drop me a line if you want some ideas on where to go exploring when you're off the leash....