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

Some padding on the bars and some straps/rope. Same way you carry anything else on the roof bars.

Long old trip. You could use your double roof bar thing and cinch them up with hefty tie wraps. Carried a bike on bars with tie wraps before, no problems at 90+.

Pipe brackets round roof bars bolted into binding mounting points for the snowboard.

Skis? Cheaper just to rent some. Think of the fuel over 600 miles.

Never tried one of these new-fangled hybrid camber boards before but I liked it. Felt a lot easier to spin/play around on but still held an edge nicely – very confidence inspiring

I first tried one at The Big Bang Show (a board test at a snowdome).

Had been on a few boards by that point. Got on a Bataleon and giggled all the way down. It was just more “fun”. Riding it put a smile on my face even on the limited space of a dome.

Really hoping Friday’s snow doesn’t stop me getting to the airport on Saturday 😯

@ beanum

Cheers for the pointer but the deal was done this afternoon, were in Mottaret and ski in/out so it says not sure of the name but its a Mark Warner place.

Only once stayed in Meribel and from what i remember the main village/pubs are a free bus away from Mottaret …any idea what time the last bus is ??

Really hoping Friday’s snow doesn’t stop me getting to the airport on Saturday

x 2!

I’d set off now to make sure you get there 😛

Wallop/Shifter – Hope you get there ok. Our Christmas trip for the previous 2 years was effected by snow and freezing temperatures. The first year we were delayed as they were short staffed – they had to get cabin crew sent in from Manchester by taxi in the snow! The following year we had no issues.
Both times we avoided personal hassle by getting a hotel at the airport the night before.

This year weather was fine this end, we were thwarted by fog in Innsbruck and ended up getting to our chalet 8 hours after we should have.

Setting off now might be the best idea Dales! Forecast for here is snow from 16:00 Friday until well into Saturday. Forcast for LBA is snow from first-thing Friday until Sunday. Flight is 0830 Saturday 😥

At least there will be fresh pow on your first morning skiing.

There was a big dump of snow at my house* all day yesterday. The school bus wasn’t running upto our village, so Mini Mugsy spent the day at the school where his pre-school club is, rather than his school in our village (child ferrying on way to work issues make this more logical than it might seem).

Apparently all is back to normal today (I’m in Azerbaijan at present so not at home). Bit of a rnadom post, but I’m in the middle of nowhere watching a drilling rig not drill.

*This will interest those flying into ‘Grenoble’ as we live 5km from there!

Thanks for that Mugsy. Bus struggling 5km from Grenoble doesn’t bode well for bus from there to Alpe d’Huez! Oh well, it’ll be an adventure 🙂

I first tried one at The Big Bang Show (a board test at a snowdome).

Had been on a few boards by that point. Got on a Bataleon and giggled all the way down. It was just more “fun”. Riding it put a smile on my face even on the limited space of a dome.

Just found your other post where you said you have a Bataleon Goliath. Looks very interesting but I’m a bit hesitant to splash out without trying the TBT system. Arbor Coda looks really nice as well, but I’ve seen a Nitro Team Gullwing for £250 which looks like it might be fun.

It should be fine now, and probbly was yesterday as my wife got to work and didn’t say anything. Our village is up a small road about 300m above the airport. The road from the airport to the autoroute (15mins)is large and flat enough and currently being upgraded to dual carriageway. Have a great ski everyone. Be safe.

Just found your other post where you said you have a Bataleon Goliath. Looks very interesting but I’m a bit hesitant to splash out without trying the TBT system.

Do a board test. If you can’t find one abroad (or don’t fancy the hassle) then just go to a dome. TSA will let you take boards into the dome for test rides and even refund your session costs if you then buy it. Some domes do full test days that are definitely worth going to. This was the last one http://www.bigbang-show.com/

I’d be happy to lend you my Goliath if you like, but I don’t think you’re local to me.

Roads are currently fine in the Alps, driven up and down the Chamonix valley all week even up to Le Tour. OK there is snow on the roads but everything is on snow tyres or chains.
Will be popping into Avoriaz tomorrw also the Company Daughter works for Has been moving people all week from Cham to Geneva with no problems.

Off to Soldeu in Andorra on 27th Jan! Anybody else going or been and got any recommendations?

Good luck to everybody getting to an airport tomorrow!

Andy W
There are a couple of bars near the top end of Motterat . You take the free ‘Egg’ gondola car to the top.
One had a large central fire raised up which was lovely to sit near

We dont venture out into town ,being of old age , so have no idea about buses to meribel town center .
In fact we did go to a pub quiz to a grotty place with sticky carpets, and got tucked up for dead expensive beers

Dicks tea bar is the spot to head for in Meribel, also for apres ski the Rondpoint up by the altiport. Ski back after lifts have shut, good fun 🙂
In mottaret theres a cheap bar just before the bus turn around spot, where you finish your skiing, cant rmember its name but it has a giant black nd white cow outside with a big bell around its neck.

Forecast doesn’t look so bad now. Hey ho, off tonight anyway. You watch, we’ll get lathered in the hotel and miss the flight… 😐

Do a board test. If you can’t find one abroad (or don’t fancy the hassle) then just go to a dome. TSA will let you take boards into the dome for test rides and even refund your session costs if you then buy it. Some domes do full test days that are definitely worth going to. This was the last one http://www.bigbang-show.com/

I’d be happy to lend you my Goliath if you like, but I don’t think you’re local to me.

Thanks very much for the offer but I don’t think we are that near each other. Testing out some boards definitely seems like the sensible option. What I’ve done instead is buy one of these:

http://www.biker-boarder.de/shopware/Nitro-Team-Gullwing-2012-Snowboard_detail_17790.html

🙂

Couldn’t resist at around £225 delivered I thought it was worth a punt – gets pretty good reviews. ‘Gullwing’ camber so rocker in the middle and conventional camber at the ends. Seems to be the same idea as the C2 Power Banana and the Never Summer RC.

Will have to see what it’s like but should make a nice change to my mega stiff conventional camber board. Still interested to try the Bataleon TBT system though.

Thanks very much for the offer but I don’t think we are that near each other…Still interested to try the Bataleon TBT system though.

Well if you find yourself North East way and want to take a look at one then drop me an email. I’d be happy for you to take it away for a while (off-season!) to try it in a dome or whatever.

What I’ve done instead is buy one of these

Nice. Looks interesting.

Cheers for the info singletrackmind/dales rider, i did all my partying over the new year in Val but a few cheeky beers is needed after a good days skiing 😀

Found this earlier, looking forward to the next couple of years…

This post is just cos I’m bored , killing time on the cold hard floor of Geneva airport.

Noon flight delayed 2 hours, 90 mins circling above Geneva because it closed while we were in the air, then redirected to Basal (top of switzerland, Geneva is in the south), waiting in plane at airport 90 mins, off, waiting for bags for hour, then jumped on a bus to Geneva airport 3-4 hts awayI justmissed the Geneva airport info desk staying open, about 00:30. Ie, don’t now where to get a hotel. Heard a fella on the phone saying there wereno available rooms anyway. Queue for taxi was immense, airport is pepper mental witheveryone missing flights/transfers to resort. No minibuses going my way tonight. I’ve found a socket to charge the phone and am hunkering down for the night, like loads of people. There is a train to Tignes in the morning 10:00. Nighty night

Ps, geneva and surrounding airports are likely to be busy tomorrow

At Vancouver airport. Flight delayed 20 min. That’s not the bit that bothers me. It’s the weather forecast for heathrow tomorrow. Looks like a diversion is on the cards. Bollox.

I went skiing today in Hampshire
We had enough snow on friday to cover the ground up to 3 or 4″ deep.
Got kitted up and walked up Butser hill , its around 800ft asl.
There were hundreds of kids sledging and a few skiers and boarders . I did 5 runs down , but it took alot of walking for a 2 minute run down.
Still , all good practise and very good exercise .I was proper knackered by the end but really enjoyed it

Off the 3V next sat and the snow there is a little deeper

Ouch Jamie. Hope you’re on the move now. Hope everyone else has made it out ok too.

Well if you find yourself North East way and want to take a look at one then drop me an email. I’d be happy for you to take it away for a while (off-season!) to try it in a dome or whatever.

Cheers that’s very good of you. Mebbe we should try and hook up at a snowdome somewhere and we can try some swapsies.

This looks a pretty killer deal. Almost tempted to send the one I just ordered back and get it instead as I liked my mate’s and the mange-traction seems to really work.

http://www.surfdome.com/gnu_snowboards_-_gnu_danny_kass_c2btx_snowboard_-_158cm-87916

Sorry to hear of people’s transport woes – hope it all gets sorted.

Elan skis for sale on the website that shouldn’t be mentioned…..

santa cruz snowboards dirt cheap as well.

My girlfriend tried on these Solomen Quest 80 Ski boots from Snow & Rock.

http://www.snowandrock.com/salomon-quest-80-woman’s/ski-boots/ski-snowboard-outdoor-sports/fcp-product/29707

She was in two minds whether she should buy them or not. She normally just hires them.

Yesterday I saw pretty much the same boots in Decathlon for £129.99 special offer.

The only difference is the Snow & Rock boots are ‘energyzer 80’ and the Decathlon boots are ‘energyzer 60’.

I bought them anyway as there were only one pair left in her size. So it’s either a nice surprise or a big fat mistake. I’m a boarder so I don’t have much knowledge on ski boots.

Good deal? or different boots entirely?

The 80 will be a slightly stiffer boot. How much does your gf weigh, if that’s not too rude a question! Also, does she like a stiff one? Boot, that is?

The other major advantage will be that S&R would fit them properly. As in properly so that they are comfortable. They’ll be moulded to her foot shape and skiing position, and if they’re anything like my Salomons, they’ll be super comfy! From what I have seen, Decathlon won’t offer that level of fitting, but I may be wrong.

As you’ve already bought them, my best advice is to get her to try them on as a starter, as they may be totally the wrong shape for her foot. Then, if they feel OK (at least!) get to a decent ski shop for a fitting. Otherwise she’ll hate you. FACT.

😉

Ha! Thanks for the heads up.

At a guess she’s about 65kg.

I will get her to try them on later.

Just looking at this place for the fitting[/url]

Back from my Stag Do in Switzerland. An incredible 5 days with waist deep powder, blue bird skies, an immense day watch the Lauberhorn Downhill from the finish grandstand (including chanting and chatting with Ed Leigh and Graham Bell and running around the media and athlete area in a Gorilla suit) and more après ski than you can contemplate in only 5 days!

Will update with some pics and vids later!

Also well done CK – glad you took up a few of the suggestions and hopefully made the trip all that more special! Sounds like you have a great excuse to keep going back there!

Might be old news for a lot of people, but four people killed in an avalanche near Ben Nevis. Thoughts go out to friends and family.

Here

Yep, saw that earlier, Michael. Sad news.

Chuck, you’re a brave man buying ski boots without even a shell-check, I have to say! Fingers crossed you haven’t wasted your money…! Don’t know those fitters, but looks pretty comprehensive.

(Bear in mind, they may be a little like your LBS if you were to stroll in with parts bought online/elsewhere and ask them to fit and fettle them for you)

Proper Winter weather at the moment. After helping a guy trying to find a waterski in the powder (well that’s what the other one looked like) and failing it occurred to me that a RECCO pastille on each ski might be a good idea if you don’t use leashes.