The STW Ski & Snowboard thread. The 2013-2014 season

Nice.
Still going thru the Sport Conrad catalogue.

Anyone know a decent Stöckli stockist?

I got the Dirty wife (sounded better than Mrs Dirtycrewdom) some skis from America on the net over the summer. Got a bit stung by my supid calculations and then import charges. Have got away without any charges quite a few times though so I guess it was about time!

Got some ski gear in TK Max at the weekend. Their stocks are starting to dwindle so if you wanted any last seasons clothes I suggest you get down there pronto. I picked up a nice pair of Vans snowboard trousers for £50 down from £135. She got a nice Bilabong jacket for £50 down from £180, and my sister got a really good Salomon jacket for £80 instead of £220.

okay, so I am going to buy a helmet Ive decided. The next question is….do I buy one online? S & R is a rip off joint and I know my size, so what could possibly go wrong? 😯

However, being a cool dude, 8) I want a white one…or maybe lime green one 😆 and it needs to look half decent. Ive got a mate whose helmet made him look like the Human Cannonball which clearly I’d like to avoid!

Thoughts anyone?

Do you have your own goggles? That is one thing that you need to try with the helmet really to check they fit well.

rockape, you could, but even if you know your size in the model you want and you know it fits you well, you could still end up with something not quite right. I’ve tried on Specialzed helmets of the same size, same model in the same shop, and one was nicer than the other.

I’m still trying to find a helmet that’s comfy enough that I’m confident I’ll reach for it rather than a favourite beanie when I’m getting ready in the morning. I need to like it, or I know I won’t wear it. Everything I’ve tried so far has been a bit meh. This season, hopefully! Small, but long front to back and narrow side to side.

Sweet are close, but not quite there. Giro and Salomon have a nice ratchet fit thing, but leave too much of a gap for the wind round the ears.

Any other suggestions?

I bought a quicksilver one on my second season, back in 2005, still going strong. Has got a few battle scars but nothing serious.

It was £40, the following season all the helmets seemed to be a minimum of about £80! Can’t really fault it. Wouldn’t mind a new one but there is no way I could justify it!

On a bike I’ll regularly hit 48-50km/h.
On skis, 45km/h is really going for it

I have to dissagree there Andy!!! Unless you’re talking about mph on the skis and km/h on the bike for the same figures! Saying that, Ive never skied with a GPS but I wouldn’t be surprised if I often went over 45 km/h.

Seeing as top downhill racers go 125 km/h I think 45 would be easiliy achaievable for most skiers.

we all get very competitive on our Boys ski trip trying to hit the fastest speeds on our GPS. Ive managed around 55 mph a few times and that is really travelling! I do realise that they are not very accurate ALL the time, but you get a feel for the speed you are doing after a while.

On an mtb Ive hit 40mph a couple of times and that was down the grassy slope of Box Hill in mid summer!

I’m after ideas and recommendations here.

My wife is getting fed up of skiing with much inferior skiers (me and the kids) and is seriously considering going on an organised PdS day trip when we are over there.

I havn’t got a clue where to start when looking for this sort of thing so has anybody done it before and could recommend who to go with?

Thanks

I_Ache – Portes du Soleil ? The day trip is just a slog really, one of those tick the box things but it’s just miles of similar pistes flat out to try and get round.

I recommend she takes a guided day (off piste / intro to touring) or a small group lesson. Where are you going ?

Have a google of people like The Development Company (TDC) in Val d’Isere or Piste to Powder in St Anton to give you an idea of the sort of things companies run.

I_Ache, FYI on a 1 week holiday I used to do 1 guided day like the above, and then one or two mornings/afternoons on my own to do some more challenging runs. Rest of the time I spent with the family/kids.

Very chuffed for nonstop adventure:

The Best UK Mainstream Tour Operator was won by Non Stop Ski and Snowboard and Snow+Rock took the title for the Best UK Specialist Retailer awards. Both were decided by public vote.

However there were some post-awards grumbles from the larger UK tour operators.

What’s that, larger UK tour operators? Couldn’t motivate your legions of clients to click a couple of links on a websurvey? I wonder why not. Too complacent? Or just selling on price, so no great customer loyalty?

We are staying in Morzine. So she will probably be better with something starting out of Avoriaz. She should be fine with an off piste day, at least she tells me she can do it. A 121 lesson might not be a bad idea either.

L Ache, I’m going to be in Morzine from the start of December so I’ll try and remember to enquire at a few places and get back to you.
121 lesson could be good but there are always some advanced groups just cruising about.

When are you going to be there? If I’ve figured out the area by then I could show her a good time, take her out for a ride, show her around.

I’ve got a week off from the 25th of Nov. Looks like saas fee is open then but I’d prefer to take the missus to Zermatt but all the website is saying is it will be open at the end of Nov. Think I’ll be holding off on booking the digs until I know!

Dom we are going out in the first week of Feb. It would be good if you could ask around thanks. I’m struggling to find much info online but then I could be looking in the wrong places.

Where are you staying in Morzine?

I’ll be working in Chalet Amber for a company called Snowytrees. I think it’s about 10 mins walk from the super Morzine lift. To be honest my boss will probably provide this info for me as I’m sure our guests will have similar enquiries at points.

I will report back as soon as I know anything!

I came accross this site for guiding. £180 for a half day or £355 for a full day. I’ll offer unlicensed guiding for cheaper than that! 😉

http://www.billski.co.uk/prices.html

Nice location, we are at the north of Morzine this year so have to get the bus in unfortunately. The past two years we have been on Route de la Plange and only a 10-15 min walk and a bus stop outside if we felt lazy.

That is pricy isn’t it.

I will relay your offer and let you know.

Thanks for your help dom.

Snowdome action:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/66692/winter-tyres-4×4-grip-test-video

Finally after 5 years my work schedule aligns so that I can get on the Ski Performance Course for Mountaineers course in Chamonix mid-December. Should be a great start to the season.

Sooo., women’s ski jackets? My sister wants a new ski jacket, something “cool” in her words. She’s 32. I know if I was getting one I’d look at Armada and Picture but not sure about the women’s ones!

Thanks for any input!

eBay for new old stock C&A (someone must have some)

Retro-chic

Michael, try some Toni Sailer for her! 😈

Lordy.

Can’t wait for this:

@mugsy – that just sounds amazing

@nedrapier – Teton Gravity Research – on my Vimeo feed

Bit of a long shot this but has anyone done any snow shoeing around Morzine?
I’m out there boarding for the season staying in Montriond – girlfriend is coming out for christmas and thinking of some alternative things to do. There seems to be some routes around Lac du Montriond and up to Lindarets or up the Vallee de la Manche but was wondering if anyone had any experiences or recommendations.
Thanks.

@schnullleiber – I’ll ask the question, good mates mum has a place in Avoriaz and she goes snow shoeing up there I believe.

@Jambalaya – thanks that would be really useful.

Schnullelieber there is a company in Morzine that does winter MTBing. Sounds interesting but not sure if I would fancy it. There are also specific snow shoeing from the top of the pleney bubble all the way over to Les Gets, I would imagine it would take most of the day to do that.

igm, why buy C&A when you can rent it.

http://retro-rentals.eu

schnullelieber: yes, I’ve done some snowshoeing around Morzine. Some of my snowshoe guide training/exams took place in that area in fact!

There is some waymarked stuff near the resorts, but I’d really recommend getting a map and a guide book and going slightly further afield. It’s a great area for snowshoeing (makes sense seeing as it’s a bit flat for skiing/snowboarding 😉 ).

The area from Le Sincerneret over to Chapelle de Jacquicourt (just outside Les Gets) is really beautiful. There are also quite a few “snowshoe summits” that are do-able too. I’d have to look at a map to make more specific suggestions. There are some good snowshoe guidebooks to the area (in French):

http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/275-2807459-8635924?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=raquettes%20haute%20savoie&sprefix=raquettes+ha%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Araquettes%20haute%20savoie

Gareth Jefferies (endlessride on here!) and Caroline Hale are both British snowshoe guides working in the area. They’re both pretty helpful and would probably give you a few suggestions.

I_ache – Worryingly some of that retro stuff looks similar to the stuff currently in TSA. What goes round, I suppose…

@stevomcd & I_ache. Thanks for the info.

Anyone posted this yet:
http://www.sportpursuit.com/blog/snow/21-spectacular-must-see-vintage-skiing-photos/

Some cracking photos.

Folks needing some advice. I’m on leave the last week of November and it’s a coin toss between Saas Fee and Zermatt. I really want to take the other half to Zermatt but the clincher will be what area has the most open? Does anyone have any knowledge?

Advice Please
Complete beginner/new convert.
Both of my brats have skied/snowboarded for years. I now have more free time and decided to learn to ski this summer and join them.
Short story, took a lesson, loved it, bought some gear, have had a few sessions at a dry ski slope, and the Glasgow fridge. Mrs clav has now joined me. For the life of me I cannot understand why I did not do it before now, enjoy it immensely. Must get onto a proper mountain soon.
Personal gear purchase, so far, Rossignol S3 skis & 110 Sensor2 Boots, Scott ski poles, Giro Surface lid, Norrona Jacket, HH and Haglofs salopettes, Seal Skin ski gloves. Still to get goggles?

So I have booked flights to Norway for Easter. Mrs clav’s brother lives just outside Oslo.
Really looking forward to it
I would appreciate any hints, must see/do list, and general advice.

Sold my VW golf. Spending money for zermatt in a weeks time! Woop woop!

20 sleeps til trip 1 of 3
Webcams are looking good.

Clavboy. Head to Hemsedal.

Cobrakai, Saas Fee and Zermatt are very close to each other so will have similar snow fall. Both have glaciers but I think Zermatt has more runs open during the summer/early season. Zermatt accommodation is more expensive and there are more bars but it’s quite upmarket. Saas-Fee has more of a German beer drinking, glass clashing vibe.
Also, Zermatt is IMHO better for skiers and Saas-Fee is better for boarders but this early in the season not so much so…