Lots of snow in the Pyrenees. Hoping they'll be enough to hold out for the Christmas holidays, December being generally dry.
Went to the pro show in Tarbes today. Nothing radically new but I've never seen as much touring kit on the stands, especially bindings. It seems the pros think more of you will be using touring boots and bindings this season.
Madame equipped junior who's in Berlin and couldn't get there himself, I bought a roll of sticky tape for my X-C waxing skis from the Worden stand because I've got too lazy too faff with klister and poussette.
main valley roads around aosta have been good IME, it's the main motorway from turin through the mont blanc tunnel so the roads have always been clear when I've been
Anyone know a good source for secondhand splitboards?
I spent some time looking at accommodation all along the valley from there back up towards courmayeur with key things being parking, a decent kitchen and the right number of rooms and space for teenage boys. As a bonus we’re just 10 min drive from the Aosta gondola and so will do that for some of the days then play the rest by ear/conditions.
Yeah - we're an unfussy pair (brothers) who really just wanted somewhere to crash and spread the maps out in the evening! We've got parking and kitchen and the rather interesting bunker style layout!
It seems the pros think more of you will be using touring boots and bindings this season.
I'm definitely taking my touring boots - just can't decide if the alpine boots come too, will weigh my kit over Christmas as an extra pair of boots my need more luggage allowance! I am also definitely taking the 100mm NRGYs but may also take the Head Magnums if the snow is looking crap.
Which reminds me - I need to (thoroughly) clean and reglue my skins after a rather muddy tour last season!
main valley roads around aosta have been good IME, it’s the main motorway from turin through the mont blanc tunnel so the roads have always been clear when I’ve been
Awesome - I guess we'll go for the cheapest hire car and worse case if there's too much snow we can always tour from where we're staying or use the motorway to Aosta/Pila!
Has anyone been on any of the UCPA/Action Outdoors offpiste/touring courses. Being a skinflint nae mates, I'm thinking of booking onto one of these in Jan. Probably looking at Chamonix valley based, but not sure (trekking around the valley there early season to get to the best areas can be a bit of a PITA). Any feedback appreciated!
Yep, did a week in flaine a few years ago, great experience. Worth checking on snowheads, plenty of good feedback on there - search for me and I've posted in a few threads about UCPA feedback
My mate and I have booked an apartment in Plange 1800 for the week starting 1st Feb. Really excited! I'm a very nervous skier, I took a bad tumble a few years ago on a snowboard and haven't really managed to regain my confidence. I can ski most blue runs and some easy reds. My plan is to take lessons in the mornings while my mate, a very accomplished skier, wears himself out doing crazy stuff, then we can head out together in the afternoons for a few gentle runs and a couple of beers.
Any hints tips and suggestions for the area (it's new to both of us), would be greatly appreciated!
Stayed in Belle Plagne a few years ago. Nice and high so it's snowsure. The easier runs struggled in the afternoon with some big moguls on the steeper parts where less experienced folk snowploughed them to death. Apart from that it was great. I was there over New Year and it wasn't too busy. Easy to get over to Les Arcs too which has loads of variety. Not sure what 1800 itself was like but Belle Plagne was a very ugly purpose built resort. Wasn't the nicest place for apres but our chalet was lovely so we spent most of the time there. I would definitely go back for the quality of riding available.
Anyone know a good source for secondhand splitboards?
Not used, but Sick and Wrong in Keswick have some splits on sale. Good shop, helpful people.
cheers, will take a look
+1 for Sick and Wrong in Keswick
Really helpful and a pleasure to deal with. They do rent out splitboards so may well have some ex-rentals to sell!
splitboards?
I have a hatred of them even though I've never actually used them (I only ski). I was handed one (or a pair?) to wax and edge as a ski tech and was happily waxing away and heard a cracking/splitting sound when scraping. This was a lovely silly light carbon setup, and one of the boards had a proper crack right across the width. I'd checked for damage upon receiving them but hadn't spotted this due to the bad lighting - so assumed I'd somehow done this. Me having a heart attack thinking I was about to get the blame for this and thinking how I could potentially have done this goes to locate the customer - he knew about the damage but wanted to try them out anyway (they bent really easily in your hand so no chance in my opinion) the next day, as had broken them on the first run from new and injured himself so had 2 years off since.
From then on I ALWAYS asked if there was any damage or issues - not just reading the "Any other info, special requests or existing damage" part of the form. (which he'd filled out as N/A)
Beagle, the restaurant at the base of the luge/bob run is very nice.
^^^ thanks nbt, will check out snowheads for UCPA reports (might need a login to make sense of it by the look of things).
244cm due at Hintertux this week and sunny on Sunday. And I've a knee operation on Friday 🙁
At least I'm only off my leg for 2 weeks and the season is already looking good....
2.4m? That’s lots of snow!
I don't NEED a new jacket, but this is lovely!
Kind of on topic.
Looking for some rucksack recommendations.
It’s actually to be used as a winter hill running back, but I want the ability to carry snowshoes as well so I was thinking of a well fitted ski touring pack. Something around the 30-35l mark.
Any suggestions?
Excelllent first shred of the season with my boy here in Åre . Also got to test drive a 4x4
My calf muscles are singing today!
[url= https://i.ibb.co/rw8XrB8/20191116-110117.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/rw8XrB8/20191116-110117.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/kx6GpRt/20191116-112831.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/kx6GpRt/20191116-112831.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/1Q7NwdR/IMG-20191117-WA0012.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/1Q7NwdR/IMG-20191117-WA0012.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
ok second hand splitboard purchased. Can anyone recommend some folding ski/ snowboard poles? Light please!
recommend some folding ski/ snowboard poles
Black Diamond Expedition 3 fold up small (which is important for snowboarding as you have them on your pack when you're riding). They're not ultra light, but they last. I have the old version and they must be 7 or 8 seasons old now.
Their compactor poles are also worth a look. They're quicker when transitioning.
The super light carbon poles I've seen are expensive and only two pieces, so are longer when packed away.
Edit - what board did you get?
Got myself a Jones Solution 2014 163w. It's rad!
Cheers for the suggestions. the Black Diamonds fold up to 60cm apparently, which i think is quite big? I'm sure some i have borrowed were under 50cm...?
Sad news in the world of snowboarding, Jake Burton Carpenter the founder of Burton Snowboards and arguably snowboarding itself, has died of testicular cancer.
I think I'll dig my custom out for one last ride this christmas!
RIP Jake.
The mountains would be a less diverse place without his contribution. Also a reminder to give the plums a quick check..
ah man thats sad. 65. like my dad. Too young, but what a legacy.
That's sad news, I can't imagine what snowboarding would be like without Burton. They've been there from the beginning. I'd even go as far to say they injected life back into skiing. We'd still be jump turning on 215, stiff, straight skis without snowboarding.
howsyourdad1:
I recommend the Black Diamond Compactor poles. They are quick to assemble and fold up small enough to fit inside your pack. Not having poles sticking up / flapping around when you're riding is something you really appreciate, even if it's never bothered you! Some online reviews suggest people have had problems with them breaking, but I ride splitboards for a living and mine have done a couple of seasons without any problems at all.
Enjoy the board, which bindings are you using?
@stevomcd Do you do adhoc guiding or are you all in, ie accommodation, food, guiding? Where are you based?
+ for the Black Diamond Compactor poles and for being able to put your poles in your backpack.
My only criticism with the Compactor is that they would feel a bit flimsy/noodly if I had to put my full weight on them when negotiating certain technical kick turns or icy sections and I've managed to shave quite a bit of aluminium off the bottom section using them to stop my lower spitboard-half from slipping on short, but really icy traverse sections etc when using 'ski crampons' would involve a lot of faff for a short distance.
I'm now using the Grivel - Trail 3, which also folds up small but feel a bit more stable under full load. I also really like the grips but this is very much a personal choice
and yeah ... #RIPJakeBurton 🙁
@bluebird I do both. I run about 6-8 weeks of camps/courses throughout the winter and work as an independent instructor / splitboard guide in between. I'm mostly based in Sainte Foy, but also work regularly out of Tignes & Val d'Isere, Les Arcs and La Rosiere. I run a camp over in Areches Beaufort too. www.whiteroomsnowboarding.com
Yeah, RIP Jake. Sad day for a snowboarding. Absolute legend. I've gone back and forward with how much Burton kit I actually ride, but it's always bothered me that Burton got stick for being "the man" and too corporate. In a market filled with half-assed, rider-fronted but venture-capital owned brands regurgitating all kinds of re-branded gear, Burton, despite being by far the biggest snowboard brand, remained 100% owned by Jake. I firmly believe Jake always had a very strong eye on the good of snowboarding as well as his own bottom line. They have been continuous innovators of product tech over the years and were way ahead of the wave on many aspects of board shape or tech which we now take for granted.
First peau of the season, snow good, wind awful.
Yeah, been out a few times on the snow de phoque. Really good start to the season here in the Alps. Tignes is opening lifts ahead of schedule this weekend.
Picked up some Black Diamond Exhibition 3 poles for 45 quid. Cheers for the tip
@stevomcd - yep ... completely agree with your take on the industry and Burton!
I never understood what seemed to be some form of inverted [brand] snobbery.
I've never owned many Burton boards, but to be honest I've gone back to Burton's 'solid board' bindings again and again over the years ... the Mission & Cartel bindings just ticked all the boxes and could be considered design classics they now been around that long!
My fear with Private Equity and Venture Capital 'ownership' of so many ski, snowboard, outdoor & lifestyle brands is that when the brands have been 'bled dry' and crippled with massive debts, the Private Equity companies etc will just move on to the next market segment leaving a massive hole in the industry. I understand the need for such PE companies as otherwise it's very difficult for an organisation to grow and expand (especially since the banks aren't lending), but I can't help thinking of the PE companies as just 'loan-sharks' in designer clothing.
Just booked accommodation in Madonna di Campiglio for a week in February.
Anyone been? Care to share the good, bad and ugly?
Just booked accommodation in Madonna di Campiglio for a week in February.
Anyone been? Care to share the good, bad and ugly?
I don’t think they do ugly there do they? You’re not ugly are you 😉
Just booked La Plange for 15/12. #pray for snow!
Going to do a mates w/e at beginning of Feb plus another pre Easter at probebly Sainte Foy.
Bring it on!
I don’t think they do ugly there do they? You’re not ugly are you 😉
isworriednow
So after a steer from here, I ask the odd question on the snowheads forum - v informative and useful but whilst it looks like something from the early 90's OMG it highlights how clunky and frustrating this platform is. It's quick to load, has sensible links to your own posts at the top of the page etc etc. Appreciate this place has to wash its face with the ads, but performance is v poor in comparison.
Thats all...carry on!
pedlad wrote:
So after a steer from here, I ask the odd question on the snowheads forum – v informative and useful but whilst it looks like something from the early 90’s OMG it highlights how clunky and frustrating this platform is. It’s quick to load, has sensible links to your own posts at the top of the page etc etc. Appreciate this place has to wash its face with the ads, but performance is v poor in comparison.
Thats all…carry on!
quoting that for feedback for Dadmin on snowheads, he'll be pleased that his efforts have been recognised
SH Search works too! And the classifieds is easy.
So after a steer from here, I ask the odd question on the snowheads forum – v informative and useful but whilst it looks like something from the early 90’s OMG it highlights how clunky and frustrating this platform is. It’s quick to load, has sensible links to your own posts at the top of the page etc etc. Appreciate this place has to wash its face with the ads, but performance is v poor in comparison.
Thats all…carry on!
Burn the heretic, etc etc!
Any solo snowboarders who are also bikers (or just lovely people) want to come and keep my best mate company while I ski lesser distances and still feel knackered at the end of the day? Ski plans/groups are hard to arrange!
