Who is going skiing and where 2014?
Discussion
Only 6 weeks until we go for a mates' long weekend skiing.
I decided to try and prepare as much as possible and get the rhythm back after a year or so since my last ski, so am doing a weekly lesson at our local skiplex (revolving carpet thing). Whilst it is a very different feeling from that on snow (you remain stationary for a start!), it's a bloody good workout for the hips and quads!!! Plus, I've always worried that I'm a little twisted when turning and, as they have a mirror in front of you and an instructor alongside you, it's pretty easy to work on improving technical faults. Here's hoping!!
I decided to try and prepare as much as possible and get the rhythm back after a year or so since my last ski, so am doing a weekly lesson at our local skiplex (revolving carpet thing). Whilst it is a very different feeling from that on snow (you remain stationary for a start!), it's a bloody good workout for the hips and quads!!! Plus, I've always worried that I'm a little twisted when turning and, as they have a mirror in front of you and an instructor alongside you, it's pretty easy to work on improving technical faults. Here's hoping!!
Edited by schmalex on Monday 3rd March 11:03
Just finishing a week in Breckenridge. First time skiing in the states for me, and on balance I think I prefer Europe:
- I like being able to ski from one village to another
- Much bigger resorts
- Better on-mountain food (there isn't a single 'proper' restaurant on the hill in Breckenridge)
- Greater abundance of interesting runs
That being said, the Americans do do some things well:
- Lift queue management (singles lines, ensuring every chair goes full, etc.)
- Signposting, availability of maps etc.
- I like being able to ski from one village to another
- Much bigger resorts
- Better on-mountain food (there isn't a single 'proper' restaurant on the hill in Breckenridge)
- Greater abundance of interesting runs
That being said, the Americans do do some things well:
- Lift queue management (singles lines, ensuring every chair goes full, etc.)
- Signposting, availability of maps etc.
I'm in Argentiere, Chamonix, until the end of the season. Knee rehab is going well and I'm now booked to have a crack at Mont-Blanc at the start of April. The snow is thin in places, which means my boards have taken some abuse, but we've had lots of great days. Happy to show fellow PHers around some of the more interesting lines if I'm free.
brickwall said:
Just finishing a week in Breckenridge. First time skiing in the states for me, and on balance I think I prefer Europe:
- I like being able to ski from one village to another
- Much bigger resorts
- Better on-mountain food (there isn't a single 'proper' restaurant on the hill in Breckenridge)
- Greater abundance of interesting runs
That being said, the Americans do do some things well:
- Lift queue management (singles lines, ensuring every chair goes full, etc.)
- Signposting, availability of maps etc.
Tend to agre with your +/-'s I think only Whistler and maybe Apen/Vail can compete with the big euro resorts in terms of size. I like if you can see it you can ski it attitude with being able to ski off pist know it’s avi checked and patrolled.- I like being able to ski from one village to another
- Much bigger resorts
- Better on-mountain food (there isn't a single 'proper' restaurant on the hill in Breckenridge)
- Greater abundance of interesting runs
That being said, the Americans do do some things well:
- Lift queue management (singles lines, ensuring every chair goes full, etc.)
- Signposting, availability of maps etc.
Depends on ski level too IMO, in NA they’re not generally as fastidious over their piste grooming so it gets ‘interesting’ if there’s been allot of snow otherwise it’s mogul city. The lift passes given the amount of terrain you get are relatively expensive compared to Europe.
Overall IMO it’s worth trying NA, but in all honesty I couldn’t justify the extra expense over skiing in Europe for me. Skied allot in Canada as we’ve family over there.
Just booked a week in Val Thorens. We've got some friends staying in Les Menuires, but their accom was full and we didn't much fancy the alternatives on offer.
It's a while since I've been to the 3 Valleys and have always stayed in Meribel so never really paid attention to the route back to Les Menuires from Val Thorens, am I right in thinking that VT is above LM and at end of day we could finish up skiing in VT, with our friends then being able to continue on down to LM from there without having to take a lift up?. Any ideas on what time they'll be able to ski down from VT to LM?
It's a while since I've been to the 3 Valleys and have always stayed in Meribel so never really paid attention to the route back to Les Menuires from Val Thorens, am I right in thinking that VT is above LM and at end of day we could finish up skiing in VT, with our friends then being able to continue on down to LM from there without having to take a lift up?. Any ideas on what time they'll be able to ski down from VT to LM?
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Tuesday 4th March 19:55
PurpleTurtle said:
Just booked a week in Val Thorens. We've got some friends staying in Les Menuires, but their accom was full and we didn't much fancy the alternatives on offer.
It's a while since I've been to the 3 Valleys and have always stayed in Meribel so never really paid attention to the route back to Les Menuires from Val Thorens, am I right in thinking that VT is above LM and at end of day we could finish up skiing in VT, with our friends then being able to continue on down to LM from there without having to take a lift up?. Any ideas on what time they'll be able to ski down from VT to LM?
I'm doing an Off Piste Clinic with a company based out of St Martin just below LM they tell me I can get back to Val T using the lift but there's a bus at 1715 if I end up too far off the beaten track.It's a while since I've been to the 3 Valleys and have always stayed in Meribel so never really paid attention to the route back to Les Menuires from Val Thorens, am I right in thinking that VT is above LM and at end of day we could finish up skiing in VT, with our friends then being able to continue on down to LM from there without having to take a lift up?. Any ideas on what time they'll be able to ski down from VT to LM?
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Tuesday 4th March 19:55
Looking at the piste map it seems your friends will be fine-looks downhill which is better than what I have to do! When you out? I'm out a week on Sat.
Edited by a311 on Tuesday 4th March 20:53
PurpleTurtle said:
Just booked a week in Val Thorens. We've got some friends staying in Les Menuires, but their accom was full and we didn't much fancy the alternatives on offer.
It's a while since I've been to the 3 Valleys and have always stayed in Meribel so never really paid attention to the route back to Les Menuires from Val Thorens, am I right in thinking that VT is above LM and at end of day we could finish up skiing in VT, with our friends then being able to continue on down to LM from there without having to take a lift up?. Any ideas on what time they'll be able to ski down from VT to LM?
]
Yes , straight back along a very flat green track though, makes you sharpen up your skating. It's a while since I've been to the 3 Valleys and have always stayed in Meribel so never really paid attention to the route back to Les Menuires from Val Thorens, am I right in thinking that VT is above LM and at end of day we could finish up skiing in VT, with our friends then being able to continue on down to LM from there without having to take a lift up?. Any ideas on what time they'll be able to ski down from VT to LM?
]
Probably no more than 15 minutes to get back .
Busa mav said:
PurpleTurtle said:
Just booked a week in Val Thorens. We've got some friends staying in Les Menuires, but their accom was full and we didn't much fancy the alternatives on offer.
It's a while since I've been to the 3 Valleys and have always stayed in Meribel so never really paid attention to the route back to Les Menuires from Val Thorens, am I right in thinking that VT is above LM and at end of day we could finish up skiing in VT, with our friends then being able to continue on down to LM from there without having to take a lift up?. Any ideas on what time they'll be able to ski down from VT to LM?
]
Yes , straight back along a very flat green track though, makes you sharpen up your skating. It's a while since I've been to the 3 Valleys and have always stayed in Meribel so never really paid attention to the route back to Les Menuires from Val Thorens, am I right in thinking that VT is above LM and at end of day we could finish up skiing in VT, with our friends then being able to continue on down to LM from there without having to take a lift up?. Any ideas on what time they'll be able to ski down from VT to LM?
]
Probably no more than 15 minutes to get back .
You are right that LM is down the valley from VT, very nice long but narrow blue/green run BUT, depending on where you stay, this run comes out below the centre of LM so you've either got to get a short lift back up or walk it. We found this out to our cost last year and had to hike back up to our flats in Les Bruyeres which is right next to LM.
The lift that goes from the bottom of the run (if my memory serves right) that goes up to LM is a very random old style tea-cup shaped thing.
a311 said:
I'm doing an Off Piste Clinic with a company based out of St Martin just below LM they tell me I can get back to Val T using the lift but there's a bus at 1715 if I end up too far off the beaten track.
Looking at the piste map it seems your friends will be fine-looks downhill which is better than what I have to do! When you out? I'm out a week on Sat.
Same dates as you. I've looked as some of those off-piste clinics too, would be interested in hearing how you get on, as I'm a good intermediate on-piste/light powder but technique all starts to go AWOL in anything deeper than that. Alas ditching the missus to join you isn't an option! Looking at the piste map it seems your friends will be fine-looks downhill which is better than what I have to do! When you out? I'm out a week on Sat.
Just return from four days in the 3Vs. Stayed in La Tania which was great. Arrived on Sunday at around 1pm and it was sunny so we got our skis and hit the local slopes for a couple of hours. Monday was a whiteout so that wasn't ideal, Tuesday wasn't much better. Yesterday was fantastic though. Got the first lift up and we went as far as we could to be back in time for our 4.30 transfer. It's difficult to comprehend just how vast the area is. I'm looking at the stats now, mental.
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