The STW Ski & Snowboard thread. The 2012-2013 season

Just booked for Mayrhofen – thanks for the advice folks. B&B this time so we get to eat out every day, woop! 🙂

Just hope we get some of the crazy pow the French alps has been getting.

rs – both on non-rocker boards. Never tried one but I might hire one to see what they’re like.

definitely worth doing grum, I have a Ride one which is flat between the bindings and just a little rocker at both ends and it made such a difference to confidence, especially on the flats but just going faster in general. The full rockers apparently have less edge hold, definitely worth renting or demoing a couple. I knocked off work early yesterday, was pretty nice 🙂

I knocked off work early yesterday, and sat in the middle of the piste all day. Was pretty nice

😉

haha, my legs tell a different story today!

Few pics from yesterday. Muhahahaha! 😈

The full rockers apparently have less edge hold

Dunno what’s going on with the rocker in your picture – are you sure that isn’t a banana? 😉

fwiw I’ve been riding a Bataleon Goliath with TripleBaseTech for a couple of years now. Not rocker, but not exactly conventional either.

Such a giggle to ride and frequently surprises me when I think I’ve definitely messed up a turn. Edge hold is amazing. Highly recommend trying one if you get a chance.

http://www.bataleon.com/boards

Oh and stevomcd: that looks glorious! Have fun.

Will see if there’s a decent rental shop in Mayrhofen – would like to try some new boards.

steveo that looks amazing – wish we could have come to you this week! Thanks for the info etc – I’ll try and work on a biking trip to yours next summer instead. 🙂

I would be super jealous of all your snowy antics, but i’m flying with my MTB to nepal tomorrow, so… :p

anyways, yesterday I won a pair of Dragon APX goggles, better get my hols booked then 😉 almost definitely a week in bernex in late feb, may preceed with a week in morzine. will see if i get a job i’ve got an interview for in jan.

BTW, dunno if this has been posted yet, but it gave me a giggle. NSFW

zapiks is pretty good on FB for regular ski/board vids btw

Any recommendations for a good ski helmet / goggle combo? I’ve never used a helmet before, but reckon it’s probably time to start protecting my noggin.

I’m thinking along the lines of a Giro 9.10 and a pair of Oakley crowbars – any opinions?

I’m thinking along the lines of a Giro 9.10 and a pair of Oakley crowbars – any opinions?

Crowbars are ace. IF they fit your bonce! Ditto the helmet.

Get thee to a shop. Try ’em on! They need to work together as a unit and fit your head as well.

Grum – Re rocker vs camber vs combo snowboards, a rocker board can have a little less edge hold but if you can get one with magnetraction then this is mitigated a little. Get a decent board with sharp edges and there isn’t much difference I reckon. I can’t say that I’ve found much difference when hooning at speed between rocker and camber, I’d say that it’s a stiffness thing more than a profile.

I will say that having ridden my new Nitro Rook (totally flat, no rocker or camber) in the pow this season I’m feeling it in my back leg more and it’s less forgiving than a rocker board too. After a few tomahawks I’ve got used to it but it keeps your concentration levels up as it’s more apt to nose dive. Awesome on the piste though, quick, good edgehold and nice and poppy.

Anyway if anyone is interested this was yesterday in the 3 Valleys. For some reason any bails, fails or cartwheels didn’t make the edit….

SamB – Don’t discount Giro goggles. Fit really well with Giro helmets and great lens and quality.

Steve that 3rd pic is pretty epic!!

Meh. Looks alright, I suppose!

😉

Cheers for the info meribelmtb – definitely need to try some. Been riding the same board for years (which I bought off my brother for £50!).

If I get conditions anything like those pics and video above I will literally be whooping with joy.

Last year in St Johann the last couple of days were like that and it was so much fun. Possibly my favourite thing to do in the whole world. 🙂

Grum, you’ll definitely notice the difference whatever the board then! I’m sure you mean it’s your second favourite thing to do after mountain biking…

Nah mountain biking is a close second. Maybe it’s just because (for me anyway) getting decent powder days is so elusive.

Mind you so is getting decent mountain biking conditions this year. 😡

You asked for photos (taken from the White Room Chalet fb page) – representative of the snow we’ve had this week and the sun came out on Wednesday

Hey kids, who’s this?
With a big red suit and a fluffy white beard…

Any recommendations for a good ski helmet / goggle combo? I’ve never used a helmet before, but reckon it’s probably time to start protecting my noggin.

I’m thinking along the lines of a Giro 9.10 and a pair of Oakley crowbars – any opinions?

I have a Giro G10 and 3 pairs of Crowbars they work great together,, no gaps at all on silly cold days ……but like said before try b4 you buy is the only way

GoPro Hero 2 people

What settings do you use when skiing/boarding with helmet and chest mounts?

And whats the best free software to get some stills of the video i take

Cheers

Video from earlier this week

Sunny up top, more fresh snow overnight, time to go skiing

OK I need a set of piste skis in around a 170cm length. Does anyone have any they’d like to give me/sell, or know where I could pick up a bargain? Thanks!

Just taken my boots off after 6 days in the 3 Valleys. Looks like this will be an awesome season. Brilliant week with great conditions. Three days of fresh powder and cold enough for conditions to remain good on sunny days. Not too many lifts open this week, but still only queued once all week. Great OP all sides of Tourgnette, Suisse, La Tania bowl and three great OP runs off cretes towards st martin de belleville this morning.

Some of the best skiing for many seasons!!

Happy skiing to rest of STW world!!

Hired K2 AMP Rictors – superb in all conditions

GoPro Hero 2 people
What settings do you use when skiing/boarding with helmet and chest mounts?

Not really used mine yet for boarding – don’t think chest mount would work very well. Thinking if getting one of those telescopic poles like in the video GrahamS posted.

THM – sounds ace. I’m praying (even though I’m not religious 🙂 ) for some nice pow on our trip.

Cheers Grum, yes I hope the snow conditions continue as this could be a great season. Have you decided where you are going yet?

Anyone going to meribel, I can recommend slidecandy for equipment hire. They deliver to chalet, great kit and service (so far). Plus good pricing vs local shops.

Lots of OP powder skiing today leading up to the end of the world. Just in case!!!!

K2 AMP Rictors – superb in all conditions

Not gonna disagree there 🙂

Anyone know any sites where you can stream ski movies?

K2 AMP Rictors – superb in all conditions

Not gonna disagree there

But….the graphics!

Gopping!

Great all rounder, mind you!

Just checked out passes at Chamonix

£250 😮 WTF ❓

I may be out 😐

Cheers Grum, yes I hope the snow conditions continue as this could be a great season. Have you decided where you are going yet?

Yup – went for Mayrhofen. It’s GrahamS’ fault if it’s rubbish! I’ve never had a bad time on a ski/snowboard holiday though.

cynic-al – £175 in Mayrhofen for the Zillertal SuperSkiPass. 😀

Chamonix is ace though.

Just checked out passes at Chamonix

£250 WTF

I may be out

if you want to do cham on the cheap. check out ucpa

My Dolomiti Superski pass comes in a smidge below €300 this yr. Would be €301, but the first day of 8 is still low season. Last yr was about €245, for the same week.

**** knows what’s made the price go up so much.

OH and yeah the Rictor’s are a bit “colourful”, but if you’re looking down at your feet/skis when skiing, then you’re doing it all wrong 😉

OH and yeah the Rictor’s are a bit “colourful”, but if you’re looking down at your feet/skis when skiing, then you’re doing it all wrong

True, but then you need some pimp-stylings, surely!

Such as;

or

Ye I’m not keen on the graphics on K2 skis. I thought the graphics on the Obsethed skis last season were pretty sick, not really keen on any of the graphics this year!

Graphics don’t seem so bad when you are wearing them!!!

Any space on any January trips departing the North between the 5th and 13th of Jan? My usual suspects have left me in the lurch 🙁

Slightly off topic from the current convos, but why can I not find any decent ski mags over here. I think Powder and Free skier are the best ones, but all I can seem to find here is that Daily mail ski and snowboard mag. Tempted to subscribe.