Anyone been to Zell am see?
Going for a week in feb boarding
It’s linked to Saalbach now via Viehofen so part of a mahoosive area.
Great little burger place by the lake.
That would be me @stoner. They are fantastic , I get messages every now and again from satisfied nazi glove wearing STWers!
Arrived in Levi (Finland) this morning and got on the (nursery) slopes for a couple of runs. I was surprised how quickly it took me to get back into it after a 7 break.
Got back onto the proper slopes soon after and looking forward to a good day tomorrow and ice karting in the afternoon!
My mates in Cervinia for Xmas and I'm joining him on Friday.
Phoned me earlier to say his board was stolen today outside one of the mountain restaurants. Stopped for a coffee, put his board alongside multiple other skis and boards. Came back out 10 minutes later and it was gone.
Absolute scum. It's not a common board so chances of it being mistaken identity are slim
He has insurance through RBS but I'm imagining the theft cover will be void as it wasnt locked up and was out of his sight?lets be honest, no one locks their skis or boards up when they stop for a drink etc.
I always lock my board up if it’s on a rack.
You don’t see many T.Rice Pros (at least in Europe). Mine’s a great board, I’d be absolutely gutted to lose it and locking it takes two seconds to do.
Just spent last two days in crappy weather up at Arc 2000 - wet snow, windy, not many lifts.
All of that has been made up for an awesome day today, fresh snow, blue skies proper bluebird day.
Found my limit trying to ride switch in foot deep powder, which is a good day in my book 👍💪🏂🤟
Yup, we lock our boards, normally end up locking them together and round something to make it bloody awkward to make off with
I am going on my first skiing/boarding holiday for 20 years in March, Saalbach Hinterglemm. Struggled to find some suitable accommodation, the usual hotel booking sites don't seem to have much coverage in the ski resorts. Anyone got recommendations for better sites or tips to find places in ski resorts?
Booking.com and Airbnb are my 2 staples. Pretty mainstream, so I guess you’ve tried them? You could also try homeaway
Original tip off
🤣
Anyone done a weekend trip using the Caledonian sleeper to Fort William to get there for ~10am to ski for the day? Not got any holiday left for this season and spotted I can the do the reverse 7pm Sunday evening to get back to work on Monday. This should give 2 days (or 1 2/3 to be precise) of skiing for £145 although will have to sleep in the chair which I imagine won't be overly comfy!
I've probably missed something obvious but it looks doable as long as I can get to crewe for 11pm (easy) and on the return I may a little late for work but nothing crazy.
The other option to get a weekend fix is to wait for good snow and skin up on the lakes or maybe do a day on the Raise tow assuming it's not a members only weekend.
The fort William sleeper gives you easy access to Nevis Range and less easy access to Glencoe. It’s definitely worth considering. Just remember that it doesn’t run Saturday night in either direction. I also think that the sleeper should actually be called the dozer. I’ve never had a good nights sleep on it. The recently refurbed carriages may be better. If you can, get a berth in the centre of the carriage, being over a bogey is not good.
You can always get to CairnGorm on the Inverness sleeper, but even if there is snow, uplift is going to be problematic with the train currently borked.
Yeah I'd ruled out Cairngorm from the lack of train up and Glencoe from the long walk from the station, also lack of cheap accommodation at the lift.
Yeah lack of sleep is my main worry, can't justify a cabin as can do a all inc france weekend for similar money (can get to London/Birmingham airports easily). Will have to see nearer the time if the snow is worth it!
Been a leisurely start to the season with low snowfall over all. Despite that Sweajnr managed to ski some "fresh tracks" one day at Nakiska.
And sweamrs has continued to enjoy practicing racing gates on her fast GS skis (which apparently only really start to work at 60kph+
I spent a few days at Sol Mountain lodge doing some backcountry touring during the first proper storm of the season with over 1m of snow in 5 days!!
We're going to try Whistler for the first time in a couple of weeks. This is the last year sweajnr is free to ski there and he's of an ability where we're no longer just shadowing on greens and so can do some proper exploring.
I am going on my first skiing/boarding holiday for 20 years in March, Saalbach Hinterglemm. Struggled to find some suitable accommodation,
We left it late to book a lads trip to Saalbach In March and really struggled. We eventually found a place that I reckon could only have been a cancellation as it was perfect. so keep looking in case you get a similar situation.
Just back from åre.
should Ave been back yesterday but the rain on top of frozen roads and particularly runway caused the plane to need a good check over before flying again.
interesting place åre, but the different areas felt a bit disjointed, and beginners would need to use the buses to get around a lot.
But really enjoyed it and want to go back.
Just in case anyone doesn't know - Ski Sunday is back this weekend.
BBC 2 18.00
:O)
Woo, we get coverage of very nearly HALF the season!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-sports/50871178
One week done.
Another week booked.
Just back from a week in Flaine, NY week so expected it to be busy - and it was. Stayed at Eos which was quite nice - pool etc useful and good ski in and out location. Snow was good at start of week after dump the week before but the whole weeks weather was warm and clear so snow was suffering a lot. Queues were busy over in Samoens and Les Carroz as not much snow lower down. A significant number of mentalist skiers bombing everything and some pretty average behaviour - honestly some of it was just dangerous. Pisteurs were onto it though. Nice area and would be a playground in fresh snow. Not sure we ever found the town centre though - odd place as purpose built and lacks a bit of soul for that reason.
Flaine is famous for its brutal architecture. Nice area but struggles in bad viz due to a lack of trees. Also has a few nasty holes to fall into if venturing off piste without guidance in some areas.
When I worked in Les Caroz we had a poor snow season which was made worse by the various villages not combining their efforts and operating the lift system together. Lifties also all stoped for an hours lunch break on occasion which made getting back to work tricky on the odd times
Just booked for NY next year! Got so fed up milling about at home this year. mottaret 3v all inc. full board on the piste. We can cancel up yo 30 days before at no cost, so nothing ventured till then.
If any of you are on 'Snow heads', you will see I've had a mini rant about lack of hygiene in ski resorts. Mostly from Chalet/hotel staff but also from guests themselves.
The lack of hand washing before eating or using facilities is notable in French properties, as they don't always have a washbasin in with the loo,meaning people are too lazy to go back to their room.
As someone who suffers from a low immune system I don't want to spend yet another skiing holiday ill, due to people not adhering to basic hygiene rules.
In the many years I've been skiing I've witnessed, kitchen staff coming in not bothering to wash there hands before preparing/cooking food.
Children licking fingers and sticking them into cakes around the buffet table. Also Guests themselves coming in from a full day on the slopes, getting to the afternoon tea table and diving into the bread, jam and cakes without washing their hands.
Maybe this year I will be brave enough to politely as them.
The lack of hand washing before eating or using facilities is notable in French properties
Guy at the table next to me in Cervinia went for a big shit then went back to dinner without washing his hands (I was outside the toilet waiting to get in. No basin in the cubicle)🤮
went for a big shit then went back to dinner without washing his hands
Maybe he had some alcohol gel in his pocket.
(or maybe he's a dirty sod. )
Anyone else take both skis and board when they go away? I'm considering taking my fatish skis and a board when I visit Les Arcs in Feb. Haven't been on a board in about 9 years as I fell out of love with it before my kids were born (held my instructor certificates prior, so was pretty handy) and have been really enjoying my skiing. But i'm starting to get the nagging idea that if my knees can take it, then boarding again would be a good idea. That and deep down inside I feel like I've turned to the dark side...
Anyone want to convince me that it wont be a terrible idea? Getting the kit out there isnt an issue, I just dont want to take it out and not use it.
Wife and elder son both did a couple of days on their boards the rest on skis at Christmas.
I was on the board younger son on skis.
Different days would have been better on the skis or board according to conditions.
If any of you are on ‘Snow heads’, you will see I’ve had a mini rant about lack of hygiene in ski resorts. Mostly from Chalet/hotel staff but also from guests themselves.
The lack of hand washing before eating or using facilities is notable in French properties, as they don’t always have a washbasin in with the loo,meaning people are too lazy to go back to their room.
Self catering??
I haven't got ski's, but will likely be taking my ski boots and hire ski's for a day or so when not boarding on our next trip in a few weeks.
Good being able to do both.
I do still prefer boarding though
Heading to Mayrhofen at the end of Feb. Bit nervous as I've only been to Tignes before which is pretty snow sure. We have passes for the whole Zillertal area, so hopefully plenty to explore. First skiing holiday for me that isn't UCPA.
Need to get to the chill factor for a practice.
ads678 - on the one year we went self catering, it was myself and 3 guys.
The loo was separate from any hand washing facilities, meaning once or twice I had to remind the boys to go and visit the sink in the bathroom in another part of the apartment. They took it well, but I still got ill on that holiday too. Rolls eyes.
It hasn't snowed here in the Tarentaise since Christmas. Finally snowfall is forecast for Friday.
Finally snowfall is forecast for Friday.
Flying in to Chambrey on the 25th and heading to Meribel, hoping this isn't the only snowfall between now and then!
Maybe this year I will be brave enough to politely ask them.
Sounds like you'd enjoy self-catering, we've never used catered accomodation. I saw a programme about where the bugs were in a typical restaurant (and other places). The toilet seat was one of the lowest counts, some of the bad ones I can remember were the door handles, the cash, the credit card machine... . You're more likely to contaminate yourself getting cash out of the bank than using the toilet in a restaurant. Don't worry about what others are doing, just make sure your own hygiene is impecable.
Week in Flaine - gotta be half term I’m afraid due to a 15 and 12 year old but hey ho. OH has just mentioned about resort staff striking - anybody know anything about this?
Bit late for a report, but we had excellent conditions for 4 out of 5 days over Christmas in the PDS. Plenty of good condition hardpacked base, a bit of fresh on top, but most importantly blue sky and sunshine and perfect temperatures.
Half way through the break I realised my 19 Yr Old Northwave snowboard boots had had their soles ripped off sometime last year after the glue had failed. Knackered, but still comfy as slippers. But time for a change.
A quick browse on ebay while I was out and by pure dumb luck these Salomon Launch Boa SA in my size were just about to close, New, in box and delivered for £65. Bargin. Fit a treat, and light as a feather compared to old boots.
New board and absolute hoot. Ridiculously fast, carves nicely, but doesnt catch when flatboarding. Really sympathetic. Again, excellent VFM (€385) for the spec. http://pathron.com/products/snowboards/carbon-gold/
Just booked flights to go back out with Mrs S for a long weekend in Feb. Just needs a fresh dump before then, I gather there's been little new since Xmas.
Hoping there's a bit more after this weekend in the 3 valleys too,in 1650 for a week from the 27th.🙏
Just booked flights to Geneva for a long weekend mid March, now trying to decide where to actually go. Chamonix is the current favourite.
Whistler for a long weekend with sweajnr coming up. Our first time outside the local resorts.
This one is for Timbog - the snow is holding up very well in Flaine and there is 27cm forecast tomorrow afternoon/night. We've had 10 days of cold temperatures and blue skies, lower runs in the villages of Carroz and Morillion have some stones but they've worked hard at keeping them in good condition.
If you are staying in Flaine during 1/2 term and have the GM pass then I would ski in Flaine first thing before heading out for a tour of the villages. The lift queues to get to Flaine start to build from 10 ish and the Grand Van lift back is massive from 3.15 ish.
We've not heard anything locally about the lifties striking but will ask and let you know
enjoy @sweaman2
i buggered my ankle getting off the lift helping my son, who is a little nervous on a certain lift with a high 'drop' from the seat. Still, he enjoyed the scooter ride down, best part of the day he said.
2-3 weeks of non white wave surfing for me 🙁
Ooh nasty HYD!
Off to Courchevel on Saturday.....can’t wait! I see the temps are dropping considerably and some snow forecast, so looking good!
i've actually timed it quite well, not much snow here at the moment so hopefully I will be fit and firing for when they days get a bit longer and we get some more of the white stuff
Can anyone please recommend me a place to go next year early January. On a tight budget. Does bansko have snow in late Dec early Jan?
Tignes is good early Jan. snow sure and you'll get some bargain deals for chalet or apartments if you go first week after new year.
Ringo, I snowboarded in Bansko for around 10 years and it was always a bit dicey whether they had snow or not Dec/Jan. They've got a lot more snow making kit nowadays though. We went either just before or just after the mid-term holidays in February and the conditions were always fabulous.
As a budget destination, I don't think it can be beat. I'd be back there in a second if I was allowed, but the whole week of intensive care in a very dodgy Bulgarian hospital followed by repatriation in an air ambulance (funky wee 6 seater jet, very cool when minced on morphine), means that my wife, who doesn't accompany me on winter holidays, has pretty much banned the 'B' word from our household.
I'm off to La Plange in a fortnight with my mate to ski. The 'snowboard' word has also been banned from our house.
Prices as I remember from four years ago....
We used to drive down to Manchester and fly return to Sofia for around £250 on Easyjet
The ski pass was around £170 for 6 days
We used to hire a 2 bedroom apartment via Alexander's Letting Agency, I think it was in an apartment block called Damianitza, which was only a 10 minute walk from the gondola and was £250 in total for the week (i.e £60pp for the whole week).
Food and drink worked out about £15-20 for a three course meal and all the drinks you could manage.
The mountain is a bit wee, but has plenty of off-piste through the trees and the powder days can be magical on a snowboard. I'd honestly go back in a shot, I really liked the place. You just have to remember it is a budget destination and is therefore a bit 'rustic' at times.
C.
