⛷️ ❄️ The STW Ski and Snowboard thread : the 2024-2025 season

We finally found some reasonably priced accomodation in the centre of Bruil-Cervinia in March 25 for our lads trip.  We’ve stayed at three different areas in the Dolomites for the past three years, Cortina, Ortesei and Campitello di Fassa.  All of which were great successes and we’ll defintely go back….but the draw of the Zermatt and the Matterhorn had to be done.

Just sorted Tignes out for the mates trip in Jan because it was the cheapest option.

Have also booked Tignes again at Easter for a surprise trip with our eldest as he’s learning at the mo and is desperate to go to an actual mountain, it’s high up and a mate’s going with his family at the same time so hopefully there’ll still be snow, but there’ll definitely be someone to go to the pub with.

There’ll definitely be snow at the Easter in Tignes. Probably one of the most extensive areas at that time of year, been late April before and everything was still open.

Got a session booked at the Snozone in Castleford next week. Its 14 years since I was last on a snowboard but I want to see if my knee can handle some general riding. My days of freestyle/trick riding ended when I tore my ACL in 2006 but hoping to be able to wear a brace (got a cheapish Donjoy one but will replace it with a better one if necessary) and just do some piste bashing, hopefully some powder in the long term.

Also looking at maybe a week away somewhere in December so I can get some proper snow experience other than the indoor centre. I can only do December as Jan-April I’m unable to take time off but have seen some reasonable deals for Mayrhofen (right over Christmas on a B&B basis which could be tough food wise), Courmayeur, Passo Tonale, Bulgaria and Norway (these are earlier in  December, around the 14th). Anyone been to any of these in December? Good enough for a weeks riding?

I’ve got a mate who runs a ski company in Japan and I’m heading out there in Jan 2026 for a 10 day trip. Japan has been on my list of places to snowboard since I was working ski seasons from 2002-2006. Hoping my knee can manage this hence the Snozone trip and also a week away somewhere.

My first ever trip was Bulgaria at Christmas (albeit Dec 1997 so some years ago). The resort was green.

I adore Courmayeur, and I’ve enjoyed Passo Tonale a couple of times. I reckon both would be fine by Christmas in terms of snow covers, though not sure about mid-dec. THey’re not huge resorts – you could ski every piste in Courmayeur in one day if you go hard – but there’s enough to go at for sure

@Creg which knee is it? I always find that if anything is going to ache after an indoor visit it’s either the knee or hip of my leading foot because of all the twisting you have to do on the drag lift as a snowboarder. I guess I’m just saying that if it hurts, try and note what made it hurt.

Oh and have fun!

It’s my left one, I ride goofy so my “back” leg so to speak. I overshot a jump and landed badly, twisted the knee out and broke my ACL and partially tore two others. I had surgery to correct it but that failed and I’m now left without an ACL at all. Last time I was snowboarding it held up fine without a brace but I’m now a lot older, more unfit (read fatter) and have had some knee issues over the last 5 years. I’m also really lazy and don’t do enough physio, which I keep get yelled at for by a phsyio colleague.

Hopefully it’ll hold up OK, I can build some strength in it and I’ll be fit and capable enough to enjoy Japan as best I can…and hopefully some snow in December if I’m lucky.

Plus I also get to go snowboard shopping.

Where/how do people buy skis these days?  We have been serial hirers as it was cost effective vs cost of carriage and servicing, but hire costs have rocketed in recent years.  So, we think we have identified what we would like to buy but the number of physical retailers is severely limited.  Do you trust/use online or buy in resort or make a very long journey in the UK to an actual shop?  I’m based in Suffolk which doesn’t help but prepared to make a day trip to pick up if viable.

Ellis Brigham. Go to one of the indoor snow centres and have a go on a few pairs after giving honest appraisal of your skiing to an experienced sales person.

Biggest issue they have is getting customers to be honest about their ability so they can advise what would suit and what length.

That or do your homework online and get some ex hire off Ebay.

@blackhat

Agree with DT, I have sold some good skis on ebay that have been well looked after.

Ellis Brigham (there is one in Chelmsford) and Snow and Rock tend to be the big shops we go to.

An independent is Snowfit https://snowfit.co.uk/collections/skis which is in Norfolk. I narrowed down the skis I was interested in to Blizzard black pearl, nordica wild belle and volkl kenja. Spoke to Snowfit, ended up buying the Wild Belles and they were/are perfect. I regret selling them to a friend but she has given them a good home (except when she skied onto a road in them after a spot of apres action).

My latest skis and boots came from Ekosport in France, I bought them online and they have been fine. I know buying boots online is risky but try finding a boot in size 21.5 that is not made for a child in the UK proved to be an impossible task.

https://www.glisshop.co.uk. Have a online tool to help you pick your skis which is pretty good. Its called “5 secs to find my skis”

Hope this helps

I bought my last pair from Sportpursuit but I knew what I was wanting from my next skis. I don’t mind using the likes of Snow and Rock but also like supporting small independent shops. I get my boots and bindings mounted from Glide and Slide in Otley, not on my doorstep but always had a good experience with them.

@blackhat depending on how deep you are in Suffolk there also Skiexchange in Dry Drayton (an easy run off the A14). Top team and shop. I say that not having bought skis but used them as boot fitters and adjusters, but may be worth checking too. I’ve not noticed a massive increase in hire costs, but maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention!

Thanks for the replies.  Went into Snowfit a while back and found it just a bit weird – couldn’t put my finger on it and maybe it was just the warehouse nature of the shop.  Might have to try one of the snow slope outlets.  TBH I think I know what I want (Black Crow Serpo) having hired a pair last winter but now realising I maybe should have been a size up, the rubbish snow masking their true nature.  Online Q&A throws up two different answers depending on how ambitious I feel.

I last bought skis at Decathlon, I bought their own brand skis as they looked interesting online and had good reviews and most importantly had both a great price and were available at the Decathlon we passed in La Plagne while driving up to resort. I bought the Patrol 95 for both Mrs NBT (in a 165) and myself (in a 175) – although I actually bought the 95W version for us both which is technically a women’s ski. Meh. I’m not a big bloke and I’ve really enjoyed skiing it. Best bit is they were €300 a pair, including bindings.

Ski Exchange looks promising, will be in touch with them.  And quite close to parents so a trip will feel more justified.

My snowboard needs waxing, do I pay someone to do it or get the kit at a greater expense now but save in the long run by being able to do it myself? Is it that difficult?

That said I’ve also stumbled upon SNOcoat and am now wondering if any of you lot have experience of such a thing? Easier to apply than wax and longer lasting, albeit more expensive.

I’d happily take a spin on the glencoe slopes.

but, the bindings on snowboards still look mediaeval to a beginner.

wouldn’t it be simpler and less egregious to peoples knees to utilise the ‘Time’ pedal clipless system?

easy release, etc.

what are the options for attaching feet to board at the mo?

wouldn’t it be simpler and less egregious to peoples knees to utilise the ‘Time’ pedal clipless system?

Mmmm. Imagine one did disengage but the other stayed on….

bought the Patrol 95 for both Mrs NBT (in a 165) and myself (in a 175) – although I actually bought the 95W version

95 underfoot… I didn’t have you down as a powderhound NBT.  The guy in S&R last week insisted my son shouldn’t go wider than 80mm on an all mountain ski. I was dumbfounded but the guy was insistent. He said all his skiing was on 80 mm, and that was plenty.

I think mine are a bit wide at 102, the kid’s mum is on 88mm I think and you’re both on 95.

Seems to me S&R man was talking pisch

Opinions on ski length and width for 70kg 178 cm 19 year old to explore the full mountain?

what are the options for attaching feet to board at the mo?

Most (including me) will use regular bindings because that’s what we’ve always done and they just work, doing their job with no fuss at all. They’re a fair bit cheaper and the lack of tech/moving parts means reliability too.

That said, nowadays you’ve got easy entry offerings from the likes of Nidecker, Flow and Burton.

Personally I’ve just updated my bindings for more of the same, I don’t actually know anyone that rides step-in’s so can’t pass comment on the differences in use other than spending an extra 30 secs at the top of the hill strapping in.

I am an uncommonly inflexible individual and can’t strap in standing up (or sitting down sometimes) – Burton step ons have definitely decreased the “we’re waiting for the snowboarder again” incidences. Being able to just clip in direct from a chair is also pretty handy.

My snowboard needs waxing, … Is it that difficult?

No, but it is messy-ish

Hard to think anything with an 80 width would be classified as all mountain – that’s front side territory.  All mountain to me is high 80s up to 100-ish.  As for length, I think the general rule of thumb is something between one’s height and 10cm shorter but it will depend as much on skier aggression and fitness as much as height and weight.  Skiessentials.com is a decent internet rabbit hole to lose an afternoon to.

I didn’t have you down as a powderhound NBT

i have done a few off piste trips and enjoyed North America where you can ski anywhere

I’d say up to 90mm would be fine, maybe even 95. Mrs NBT went from 72mm underfoot to 95mm and skis just fine, in fact she loves the new skis. As always it’s about the technique: if you’re good you CAN ski the whole mountain on 72mm underfoot, or even on 122mm underfoot, but there’s a balance point to be had for those of us who do a week or two each year

My snowboard needs waxing, do I pay someone to do it or get the kit at a greater expense now but save in the long run by being able to do it myself? Is it that difficult?

I keep thinking about getting a kit but then a wax only (no edge) is only €10 at the local Intersport so it’s too easy to keep doing that.

I went straight from a set of hire shop piste skis which I had a few lessons on to a pair of 98mm underfoot and was only skiing blues at the time. They were absolutely fine and lasted me about 8 years and only replaced them this year with 96mm albeit about 8cm longer too. And they work perfectly well on groomers all day long if that’s where you end up.

@the generalist

https://www.glisshop.co.uk. Have a online tool to help you pick your skis which is pretty good. Its called “5 secs to find my skis”

Just to give you some ideas.

I’m sure some people can ski the whole mountain on <80mm under foot. That doesn’t mean everyone has to or wants to.

I had 88 under foot which were my favourite skis, now on Santa Ana 93 under foot. The new skis require more effort and are not the best in hard, icy conditions but they are still a fun ski and great in powder.

If I was buying another pair I’d probably be going back to 88 under foot. Just not that many powder days these days

The same as bikes there is no pair of skis for all conditions. Best to have a quiver??. Three pairs of second hand is better than one pair of new ime. I spent a few days in Cham on my off piste skis (dad was in my piste skis) conditions were hard pack and frozen. It was hard work on a pair of  180 x 100mm planks.  Dad was fine though!

Anyone stayed in the Maurienne valley and driven around to different resorts? Done some research and it looks like an alternative to the Aosta valley where we’ve employed this approach successfully a few times but fancy a change. It has a number of medium sized resorts to choose from and then also the option for the back door Orelle lift into the VT slopes of the 3V – which I’ve not skied.

Any opinions?

Not been but it’s on my radar. The 6 day lift pass covers one day out in each of the other resorts, and the dynamic pricing varies by resort, so buy early in the smaller resorts. Plenty more info on snowheads

Following on from above, Mrs BH and I paid a visit to Ski Exchange and…….it underlined why physical retailing very much has a place – a large range of stock (actually in stock), knowledgeable and engaging owners and staff, and two satisfied punters at the end of the day.  Highly recommended.

Three pairs of second hand is better than one pair of new

I don’t agree. Just costs too much to transport the damn things.  If you drive there then fair enough, or fly alone..

Glad it was a useful trip @blackhat!

Can anyone recommend a good hotel for 8  blokes (40+) in a top Austrian resort please? St Anton, Mayrhofen, Ischgl….

looking for 4 or 5 nights in Jan / Feb but never done Austria before and really keen to try it.  needs to have lively apres too…!

Sestriere for the family Akers this year. Going high, to try and mitigate the chances of another bad season. Mrs Akers and I have been to the Milky Way ski range before, but we stayed in Montgenevre, so the top of the range was at the edge of what was skiable in a day. Fingers crossed for some decent snowfall from now until February!

Opinions on ski length and width for 70kg 178 cm 19 year old to explore the full mountain?

I’m 65kg and 1m74 . I use 165/65, 170/79 and 170/88. The widest ski’s I’ve used are junior’s Head Core 93s. On soft groomed piste I’m quite happy on all off them, if it’s icy then the Dynastar Omeglas 165/65 win hands down, and in powder the wider skis are much easier. In heavy fresh snow I should really leave the slalom skis in the cupboard:

@pedlad

We have skied quite a bit in the Haute Maurienne.

Before we had kids we used to do ski-safari trips, skiing a new resort every day. We went to the Haute Maurienne for 5 days. Aussois, Val Cenis, Bonneval sur Arc, La Norma and Val Frejus. All very different resorts, and all worth a visit.

We chose Aussois when looking for a resort for our kids to learn to ski. Cheap, compact, and simple, with sunny slopes and accomodation right at the ski school meeting point.

From Aussois you can easily get to Valfrejus, La Norma and Val Cenis.

An HMV pass gets you unlimited skiing at your home resort, and one day at each of the others. The only difference is if you stay at La Norma or Valfrejus you get unlimited skiing at both those resorts.

There is a bus linking the resorts, but only with one destination per day, so it is way better to have a car.

We would put the kids through ski school in the morning, then jump in the car for a 30 minute shuttle to a different resort for an afternoon adventure.

We moved to Val Cenis with a large extended family group, and VC has something for everyone. We have always had good snow in Haute Maurienne.

Look at the resort websites for insane skipass deals. If you time it right you can get 60% off, but you need to get in quick. I bought 4 passes for 60% off on the day after the season finished, ready for the next trip.

Sunweb have good value deals for Val Cenis and Valfrejus. We got a week for a family of 4, including 3* self catering accommodation with a pool AND lift passes for £536 all in. Had a brilliant week, skiing every resort in the valley.

The mistake I made was to give my graduated-from-ski-school kids a taste of La Plagne/Les Arcs, so now they are truly spoilt. This year a week at La Plagne/Les Arcs followed by a week at Alpe d’Huez. They don’t know they’re born…

We have also skied at Les Karelis, Valloire/Valmeiner and at St Sorlin d’Arves, all of which were great, especially when bargain prices were had…

I have skied 3v from Orelle, but access and return takes such a chunk of time that for better 3B skiing you are better being somewhere more “in” the 3V. For accessing spring laps high above Val Thorens it is great.

My experience of Valmorel and St Francois de Longchamp brings to mind tenuous links and unmemorable skiing. We skied there for one day and have never been back.

Thanks for the great write up @TroutWrestler. Sounds like a definate option for the future. I was struggling a bit for NYE accomodation and there’s just two of us going this year so the whole car-multi resort financials don’t stack up quite so well. Off to Cervinia instead which will be cool.

OK well the lads are narrowing down on an airbnb in Mayrhofen.

Any opinions on Mayrhofen? i have reservations looking at the piste maps – looks relatively low down, highest lift station only 2500m and resort is super low down at 600m, plus it looks like you cannot ski home!? i have never heard about them having poor conditions tho?

i am an veteran of Tarantasie valley, paradiski, three valleys etc. How does Mayrhofen compare? should i be pushing for Ischgl or St Anton instead??

TA

We love Mayrhofen. It has everything. A Zillertal superskipass lets you ski there, on the hintertux glacier, the Zillertal arena (the Gerlos tour is a mammoth day out – you’ll not use the same lift all day), hochfugen. Kaltenbach and spieljoch. You can get a free bus/ train from Mayrhofen to each of them. We’ve never been without snow / somewhere with good snow in the 30 or so years we’ve been heading there

it’s pretty good for nightlife too.

im going twice this year: once with some mates in Jan and again in February with the family.  Really looking forward to it.

So, in the absence of snow this weekend, has anyone seen any Black Friday ski/snow bargains? Looking to pick up a few bits of gear for myself and some for the kids if anyone has seen some good sales to trawl through.

Boarders – has anyone one here run a Burton step on set up? Worth it over a conventional set up??

I’m a convention punter these days – once a week or so a year and want the convinience of being able to get off theift and move around the hi easier in groups with skiers… With that in mind these appear great but it’s a fair cost.