Who is going skiing and where 2015?
Discussion
Welshbeef said:
Multiple long weekends will be very pricy those flights will add up very quickly - far better to get a full 2 week skiing break.
I'm not keen on full weeks, been there done that for a very long time but my ageing bones are not really up to a full week of hammering around these days. I'd end up spending every afternoon with my feet up and beers on the go. I'd rather ski full-on for three days and know that I have another to look forward to in a month's time. I went in Nov and currently looking to go Feb, Mar and Apr.If you get the flights in early they are good value, <£100 Swiss to GVA. However we often drive down. I live about 30 mins from the tunnel and between those of us who go regularly, we work on being able to get a D3 or a FFRR there and back for approx £550 all in. Divided by 4 people it's similar to bargain flight costs and it's a lot more flexible. Weekend accom in a chalet/chalet board with unbooked rooms normally works out sub-£300 for three nights. Then it's just lift pass which you'll pay wherever/however long you go for, and beer. Great way to do it.
I've got a ski holiday booked in Pamporovo for a week from 3rd Feb.
It'll be my first time so I'm going to get kitted out this week and I'm totally buzzing about it. I intend to go snowboarding rather than skiing as I spent my teenage years on a skateboard and I've tried mountain boarding a few years back. Hopefully this means I can cut down on the tuition time as I know all the theory, I just don't have any practice.
It'll be my first time so I'm going to get kitted out this week and I'm totally buzzing about it. I intend to go snowboarding rather than skiing as I spent my teenage years on a skateboard and I've tried mountain boarding a few years back. Hopefully this means I can cut down on the tuition time as I know all the theory, I just don't have any practice.
a311 said:
DoubleSix said:
Welshbeef said:
Personally I'd be classing an intermediate skier as a confident Red skier with the odd taste of black
Beginner (as in beyond novice) should be comfortable on blues with the odd Red run to gain experiance.
Am I wrong?
No, on this you are correct.Beginner (as in beyond novice) should be comfortable on blues with the odd Red run to gain experiance.
Am I wrong?
Something like this is better chances are you'll see someone resembling yourself in one of the videos:
http://www.insideoutskiing.com/level.html
robsuddaby said:
Any tips or recommendations for Courmayeur (intermediate Boarder and skier, probably not ready for reds going into the weekend) ?
Specifically, are there any slopes or areas where no lift pass is required... or any half day passes etc.? We're arriving fairly early on the first day but would be gone 2pm before we get out if at all so rather not spunk 40 euro on a few hours familiarising ourselves!
Cheers all
As for Courmeyeur half day passes are possible but you may find as I did that half a day isn't half the cost of a full day but cheap if you think how much a couple of hours in a fridge costs.Specifically, are there any slopes or areas where no lift pass is required... or any half day passes etc.? We're arriving fairly early on the first day but would be gone 2pm before we get out if at all so rather not spunk 40 euro on a few hours familiarising ourselves!
Cheers all
If you're not ready for reds Courmeyeur may not actually be for you as it's mostly long but wide reds. I've taught there and it's ideally suited to what I'd class as proficient intermediates, but there's very little available for progression for total beginners, the beginners area AKA 'Baby Bowl' is up the mountain which is good but from there, there are some blues that have one or two relatively steep sections in them. Courmayeur is an old area, pre where they bothered too much or had access to heavy plant machinery that could be used to 'sculpt' the mountain for pistes.
There is or at least there was a free tow in Dolonne. For reference if saying in Courmayeur proper you have to upload or download in the cable car Dolonne is a small (very) hamlet over the river from Courmayeur but has it's own gondola and you can ski right back down. For mileage hungry piste skiers you can easily ski it in a day and I think the resort are liberal with the KM's of piste so it's ideal for a long weekend or the gateway to some of the best off piste around. But if you're happy with quality over quantity, quiet pistes, with friendly and reasonably priced mountain restaurants with awesome Italian food you'll enjoy it. Day trips to other resorts in Aosta are included on you're pass and easily accessible.
Makes me feel quite smug
Rosscow said:
I am level 7, possibly level 8 according to that list.
Makes me feel quite smug
I wish I could ski more often to improve but its a once a year thing for a week and we go as a family I'd not go on more difficult runs if they are unable/don't want to push ditto to me. Makes me feel quite smug
Not sure I ever want to be doing blacks - that one bad experience has put me off for good. I'd spent the day really enjoying the blues and more reds than I normally go on then accidentally went the wrong way resulting in a choice of a short (but steep black) or a long black. I elected the short and steep. I also carried a lot of speed going into it so had air into a black which took a huge distance to slow to a stop. Then the fear kicked in it was super narrow with drops either side and unprotected gondola post in the middle. I spent probably ten mins looking at the routes I could go and realised the only was was to go straight for 40-50 meters... Gulp. So off I went - note in that ten mins noone had appeared on the piste nor did I see anyone else on it. Pushed off as slowly as I could then turned into the drop f
k me I've never been that fast before and as soon as I could turn I did and I turned hard but nothing I turned as hard as I could but my skis edges were rubbish so I kept going straight even faster and then my inside leg went and I was a passenger down the entire slope. I tried kicking boots and posts into the slope to slow me but nothing. I eventually came to a stop. One ski half way up and one pole mid way the other ski and pole further down but safe. I was 12 km from the gondela. I waited ten then 20 mins no other skier came down. So I had to climb back up sheet ice (broke one toe kicking the ski boot into the slope to get some traction.
Anyway got all the kit.
It went from that into what is call a really nice easy red however I'd totally lost confidence to the point I came to a stop on every turn. I think I smashed my back hard on the piste or the duration I was sliding it battered me.
The next day up early 7am to the slopes got onto a blue and hated it. Tried another and barely 2 hours I was back in the hotel not wanting to do any more. The next day did half a day. Rest of the week I kept to blues but so much slower and really didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as I had been.
Next holiday though I kept to blues and was happy as Larry now I'm ready to try some reds again but I've no desire to do blacks - even if it was kit not up to the job.
I think it also depends on the black though, there can be a huge difference between a steep narrow black and one that is a lot more open but a similar steepness.
Rosscow said:
I am level 7, possibly level 8 according to that list.
Makes me feel quite smug
Not really sure what I am! Hardly done any black runs (very few in area) and never had a lesson, but am pretty happy off-piste. Probably level 7 on-piste, and perhaps nearer level 9 off-piste from their descriptions. However I could improve my technique a lot.Makes me feel quite smug
Just back from St Anton, snow was a bit hit and miss.
I've got a question. What on earth is base snow depth really? The reason I ask is that according to the St Anton website depth was 155 cm! However when going up lifts even way up it was plenty bare in places.
Just wondered if anyone knew
Cheers,
T1b
LOL! that level list has me as a Level 9! I wish! Ski Coach in Whistler had me as a confident lvl 5.
I've got a question. What on earth is base snow depth really? The reason I ask is that according to the St Anton website depth was 155 cm! However when going up lifts even way up it was plenty bare in places.
Just wondered if anyone knew
Cheers,
T1b
LOL! that level list has me as a Level 9! I wish! Ski Coach in Whistler had me as a confident lvl 5.
Edited by T1berious on Wednesday 21st January 16:00
Rosscow said:
a311 said:
DoubleSix said:
Welshbeef said:
Personally I'd be classing an intermediate skier as a confident Red skier with the odd taste of black
Beginner (as in beyond novice) should be comfortable on blues with the odd Red run to gain experiance.
Am I wrong?
No, on this you are correct.Beginner (as in beyond novice) should be comfortable on blues with the odd Red run to gain experiance.
Am I wrong?
Something like this is better chances are you'll see someone resembling yourself in one of the videos:
http://www.insideoutskiing.com/level.html
robsuddaby said:
Any tips or recommendations for Courmayeur (intermediate Boarder and skier, probably not ready for reds going into the weekend) ?
Specifically, are there any slopes or areas where no lift pass is required... or any half day passes etc.? We're arriving fairly early on the first day but would be gone 2pm before we get out if at all so rather not spunk 40 euro on a few hours familiarising ourselves!
Cheers all
As for Courmeyeur half day passes are possible but you may find as I did that half a day isn't half the cost of a full day but cheap if you think how much a couple of hours in a fridge costs.Specifically, are there any slopes or areas where no lift pass is required... or any half day passes etc.? We're arriving fairly early on the first day but would be gone 2pm before we get out if at all so rather not spunk 40 euro on a few hours familiarising ourselves!
Cheers all
If you're not ready for reds Courmeyeur may not actually be for you as it's mostly long but wide reds. I've taught there and it's ideally suited to what I'd class as proficient intermediates, but there's very little available for progression for total beginners, the beginners area AKA 'Baby Bowl' is up the mountain which is good but from there, there are some blues that have one or two relatively steep sections in them. Courmayeur is an old area, pre where they bothered too much or had access to heavy plant machinery that could be used to 'sculpt' the mountain for pistes.
There is or at least there was a free tow in Dolonne. For reference if saying in Courmayeur proper you have to upload or download in the cable car Dolonne is a small (very) hamlet over the river from Courmayeur but has it's own gondola and you can ski right back down. For mileage hungry piste skiers you can easily ski it in a day and I think the resort are liberal with the KM's of piste so it's ideal for a long weekend or the gateway to some of the best off piste around. But if you're happy with quality over quantity, quiet pistes, with friendly and reasonably priced mountain restaurants with awesome Italian food you'll enjoy it. Day trips to other resorts in Aosta are included on you're pass and easily accessible.
Makes me feel quite smug
Big, big snow currently forecast for the northern Alps from Friday 30th Jan to Monday 2nd Feb.
Sadly, we fly out for 3 days skiing on Friday 30th Jan
I love fresh powder, but the thought of skiing in a whiteout for 3 days isn't most appealing. Here's hoping the long term forecasts moderate a little as we move forwards
Sadly, we fly out for 3 days skiing on Friday 30th Jan
I love fresh powder, but the thought of skiing in a whiteout for 3 days isn't most appealing. Here's hoping the long term forecasts moderate a little as we move forwardsT1berious said:
Just back from St Anton, snow was a bit hit and miss.
I've got a question. What on earth is base snow depth really? The reason I ask is that according to the St Anton website depth was 155 cm! However when going up lifts even way up it was plenty bare in places.
Just wondered if anyone knew
Valley is meant to be 25cm with 175 up top. When I was there last year, the base was meant to be 45cm at the bottom but I have never seen St Anton as green as it was. Having said that, there was till some excellent skiing to be had if you knew where to go.I've got a question. What on earth is base snow depth really? The reason I ask is that according to the St Anton website depth was 155 cm! However when going up lifts even way up it was plenty bare in places.
Just wondered if anyone knew
With the snow starting to come down properly, it seems some are suffering pow-fever.
Take care out there:
http://www.planetski.eu/news/6656
Take care out there:
http://www.planetski.eu/news/6656
PlanetSki said:
Two Germans have died in the resort of St Anton. The accident comes after heavy snow and warnings of considerable risk. The authorities are urging people to be cautious across the Alps. Six people have died in Austria this month in avalanches.
krallicious said:
Valley is meant to be 25cm with 175 up top. When I was there last year, the base was meant to be 45cm at the bottom but I have never seen St Anton as green as it was. Having said that, there was till some excellent skiing to be had if you knew where to go.
We were with an instructor who wanted to take us off piste but as much SWMBO was up for it I was having none of it. Just looked way too bereft of the fluffy stuff to fancy interfacing with a rock.Hopefully Whistler will be powder central in March
(Usually is and they are a little less er full of BS when it comes to snow depth)T1b
T1berious said:
krallicious said:
Valley is meant to be 25cm with 175 up top. When I was there last year, the base was meant to be 45cm at the bottom but I have never seen St Anton as green as it was. Having said that, there was till some excellent skiing to be had if you knew where to go.
We were with an instructor who wanted to take us off piste but as much SWMBO was up for it I was having none of it. Just looked way too bereft of the fluffy stuff to fancy interfacing with a rock.Hopefully Whistler will be powder central in March
(Usually is and they are a little less er full of BS when it comes to snow depth)T1b
Busa mav said:
DoubleSix said:
Busa mav said:
Just about to book Courchevel , again.
Hard to beat.Been over 10 years on the bounce now , cant risk anywhere else
Been doing Meribel for 10 years+ but last few years have been persuaded to venture further afield. Nothing has compared to the 3 Val yet!
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