The STW Ski & Snowboard thread. The 2015-2016 season

😆

I can’t believe you read that far down the page!

More misery in the Alps

Pistes are definitely firm, but they’re very skiable.

First clouds in a while too.

If it goes on like this DD will have to leave the country. I give him less than a week before he does a runner.

I can’t believe you read that far down the page!

Neither can I! Just glad I’ve made everybody else read it as well now. 😀

It’s been a lovely day here, haven’t seen the piemonster, but have stacked a good few times, first day over exuberance and I’m really not as good as I like to think I am! No long term injury though so it’s all been in the name if fun. My face is tingling too, despite the factor 50 being lathered on this morning.

Toby, head to 1800 tomorrow at 10:45

Then look to the skies and be afraid, very afraid 😈

piemonster – you’re trying too hard.

Which run is the middle pic, PM?

@Grum, rubbish. I’m alway this much of a ****. (Tomorrow is paragliding)

@wallop, it’s the black natur piste Ours that runs under and alongside Bois de l’ours.

20°C this afternoon in Pau, sunbathing after a poddle on the tandem in Summer cycling kit. Meanwhile the snow is at November altitudes. And the daffodils are out.

Spring has arrived. Feels like about 4-5C with Bourg at 8C.

Another absolutely glorious sunshine day with the pistes softening up beautifully. I’d post a photo, but how many fracking photos of a snow covered alp in the sun do you really want to see.

Right…have tried the Oakley Airbrake vs Smith I/OX

First impressions on un-boxing – Oakleys much better presentation with a carry case to give some protection in luggage and a microfibre carry/wipe bag. The Smith bag had a nice touch in that it has a separation within the bag to save contact between the goggles and spare lens, if you want to take them off and put in your jacket in the pub afterwards. The Oakley bag has just the one compartment. Both come with spare low-light lens.

I thought lens change was easier with the Airbrakes. Flip a lever, hinge lens out, pop new one in. Takes a few seconds. The Smith lens change was a bit faffier, with 6 points of contact (two on nose, two across top (hinged) and two outriggers (hinged)). There was a slightly nervous squeezing-the-lens-out-of-shape to get it out of the nose-bridge moments. (Especially as I’m going to be returning one of these.) I’m sure it would take less time with practice but definitely took longer than the Oakleys.

Comfort-wise, there’s not much between them. The Smiths feel like they sit lower on the nose. Due to the size (and they are frickin massive…both of them!!), it seems I won’t be suffering with gaper-gap too much. Field of vision slightly better with Smiths (just from looking around…the frame is less visible in periphery). Looks wise, think I prefer the “frameless” look of the Smiths and not keen on the outside of the frame of the Oakleys being proud of the sides of my helmet (Anon Blitz).

Anyway…it’s a Monday, you all need a laugh. 😀
Airbrakes:

I/OX:

The display on the Carreley lift above Arc1800 was reading 11C at 12 today. Doesn’t feel quite that warm but still not very typical for Jan!

(Oakley, DD.)

Smith – the Oakleys cause your halo to slip.

Blue steel!

Bugger off wallop… 😀

I was wavering towards the Smiths, and Flashy’s advice has cemented it. Seems to be a better field of vision and not quite as “in your face” white as the Oakleys.

Smiths it is then…

Or maybe the Oakleys…

Get the Oakleys. In black.

No time now…

I’d go Oakley – if only for the prizm lenses (which are amazing)

These ones aren’t Prizm lenses (which I’ve heard aren’t great in low light…)

Anyway, Oakleys are boxed up and on their way back to Amazon.

*Despairs*

😉

I like the Smiths better but both look okay to me (Note: I have the fashion sense of a goat).

Hard to tell from the photo, but are you Strap Inside or Strap Outside?

Strap-on!

EDIT: Strap Outside. My head seems to fit somewhere between M & L in most helmets, so I’m going with the M Blitz (helmet) which is too snug to try and get the goggles inside. The insert that comes with it is lovely and comfy anyway, so the straps are staying outside. I’ve never felt the need for a beanie inside a helmet anyway – they’ve always been warm enough for me if the fit is snug.

Strap-on!

That explains the pout. 😉

Yeah I’ve never seen the appeal of putting the goggle strap inside, it’s nice and comfy on the outside.

I think it is purely driven by fashion as the competition riders sometimes do it (shows off their sponsor’s stickers on the helmet, hides non-sponsor logos on the straps, and means they can quickly whip the helmet off at the finish)

Prizm lens is great in low light. Sorry DD

No need to apologise, it’s only a pair of goggles! Maybe it was in bright light…can’t quite remember. Anyway, something, not least the price, put me off them… In the end, it came down to comfort and how they felt with the helmet, and that the Smiths make me look like more of a fighter pilot. 🙂

Quick takes your clothes off, oil up and let’s play some volleyball.

whatnobeer and anyone else out in Whistler may appreciate this:

DD – you suit the Smiths.

Piemonster – thank you so much for posting the photos, it’s seriously cheering an unhappy bunnyhop up 🙂

in the end, it came down to comfort and how they felt with the helmet

Hehehehehehe

This really is a very good holiday day 😀

Anyway, off out for a meal. Fuelling up for La Plagne tomorrow!

Lots of pics of LP tomorrow please!

I did a tandem paraglide in the Alps once. It’s up there alongside gliding as one of the most boring things I’ve ever done. Landing on the town football pitch on skis was fun though.

I can’t imagine it being boring in Les Arcs – that valley is packed with rivers, train lines, bridges, power lines – the lot!

I couldn’t either. Nearly fell asleep. 🙂