Who is going skiing and where 2015?

[Zigster]

I'm driving again this year - makes a lot more sense financially than flying as we are going at half-term. Flights to Geneva were about £3k for the four of us (with transfers to the resort on top). I estimate driving will be about £1k including a couple of cheap hotels there and back as we're going to near Verbier so quite a bit further than some of the French resorts.

Any tips on where to get some salopettes at this time of year? I got rid of my last pair last year as they were worn out but have been so busy at work for a while that I haven't had chance to go to the shops and all that seems to be left are very expensive (I went to Snow and Rock at Monument this lunchtime), odd sizes or garish colours. Given the strength of the Swiss Franc at the moment, I'd rather buy before I go.

[TeeRev]

clarkmagpie said:

TeeRev said:

I'm going to ride the Olympic Bobsleigh run which is something I've always wanted to do, I'm also considering trying a tandem paraglide as well, has anyone ever done that?

I've done that bobsleigh run and it was terrific fun
Certainly something to remember.
Also done a paraglide, did it from Les Arc side though.
Also highly recommended, pretty traumatic as you ski off the cliff, felt like Bond!
Have fun

Thanks, I'm really looking forward to it.

The Crystal Rep has just emailed me the activity list and the decision is made, I'm definitely paragliding as well as bobsleighing and I've found a Zip Wire there as well so that's a bit more fun on the list.

We're also going to ski Les Arcs for a day so I'm tempted to look into whether the Speed Skiing run is open to ordinary skiers but I have a feeling my wife may veto that as a step of foolishness too far!!!

[//j17]

Zigster said:

Any tips on where to get some salopettes at this time of year? I got rid of my last pair last year as they were worn out but have been so busy at work for a while that I haven't had chance to go to the shops and all that seems to be left are very expensive (I went to Snow and Rock at Monument this lunchtime), odd sizes or garish colours. Given the strength of the Swiss Franc at the moment, I'd rather buy before I go.

If you went to Monument I'm assuming you work in the City so tomorrow lunch time jump on the tube to Canada Water and pop in to Decathlon (signed from inside the station). Will they be the best/most fasionable salopettes? No. With they do the job and be cheap-enough to leave behind if you need more space for duty free? Yes.

Not been in recently but they usually stock all their ski gear right through the season - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-313369-ski-pants-and-...


Either that or tube to Temple/walk up to Covent Garden where you get a choice Ellis Brigham, Snow and Rock, North Face, Cotswold.

There's also a Cotswold hidden in the back streets south to Liverpool Street station, but not the biggest.

Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 28th January 15:37

[Busa mav]

Zigster said:

Any tips on where to get some salopettes at this time of year? I got rid of my last pair last year as they were worn out but have been so busy at work for a while that I haven't had chance to go to the shops and all that seems to be left are very expensive (I went to Snow and Rock at Monument this lunchtime), odd sizes or garish colours. Given the strength of the Swiss Franc at the moment, I'd rather buy before I go.

Find a TK Max, cheap as chips and they have some good kit, just luck of the draw.

[five5]

TeeRev said:

Thanks, I'm really looking forward to it.

The Crystal Rep has just emailed me the activity list and the decision is made, I'm definitely paragliding as well as bobsleighing and I've found a Zip Wire there as well so that's a bit more fun on the list.

We're also going to ski Les Arcs for a day so I'm tempted to look into whether the Speed Skiing run is open to ordinary skiers but I have a feeling my wife may veto that as a step of foolishness too far!!!

Yes, I did that 2 years ago. Very icy stopping area resulting in a dislocated shoulder. Again.

[iiyama]

St Johann it is then. Wheels up 15.00ish on Saturday.

[Nobby Diesel]

Off to Argentiere tomorrow for a boys weekend.
Lots of snow due, which suits me as a boarder. Just hope the lifts are opened up.
Windchill looks a little tough though .........-34 at the top on Friday.

[a311]

I'm off to Northern Italy-The Aosta Valley at the weekend for a weeks off piste guiding. Some places will have had 1 to 1.5m over the week by time I arrive (apparently) will be putting my faith (and life!) in the hands of the guide to find some stable off piste!

Edited by a311 on Thursday 29th January 08:19

[taaffy]

Anyone planning to play in the pow in the next week or so should read this..
Enjoy the mountains but play safely.

http://www.chamonet.com/avalanches

[Asterix]

Yeah - the pattern of snowfall and weather for the last few months has not been conducive to a stable pack.

[Zigster]

TeeRev said:

We're also going to ski Les Arcs for a day so I'm tempted to look into whether the Speed Skiing run is open to ordinary skiers but I have a feeling my wife may veto that as a step of foolishness too far!!!

I did the speed skiing at Les Arcs a few years ago (10+). Got up to 135km/h, I recall, which felt very quick when my skis were clattering over the snow. Definitely got my heart going ...

[Zigster]

//j17 said:

If you went to Monument I'm assuming you work in the City so tomorrow lunch time jump on the tube to Canada Water and pop in to Decathlon (signed from inside the station). Will they be the best/most fasionable salopettes? No. With they do the job and be cheap-enough to leave behind if you need more space for duty free? Yes.

Either that or tube to Temple/walk up to Covent Garden where you get a choice Ellis Brigham, Snow and Rock, North Face, Cotswold.

There's also a Cotswold hidden in the back streets south to Liverpool Street station, but not the biggest.

I'm going to try the Decathlon in Croydon tonight as I happen to be driving past (almost). Online they seemed a bit low on stock in my size.
I work very close to that Cotswold behind Liverpool Street - they don't do ski gear and seem to be focussed on walking/climbing.
I might end up having to spend a bit more at Ellis Brigham or somewhere like that - that'll teach me to leave it so late to buy.

Busa mav said:

Find a TK Max, cheap as chips and they have some good kit, just luck of the draw.

I've tried a couple of TK Maxx's - they all seem to be out of stock of ski gear now - someone told me you have to get there early for their stuff - probably October.

I did look in a Mountain Warehouse this lunchtime - but didn't fancy looking like a teenage snowboarder with massive baggy pants ...

[CAPP0]

How quickly do you need them (sorry if I missed that above somewhere). I ordered some ski trous from Cotswold and they arrived in one or two working days.

[bullies180]

Zigster said:

//j17 said:

If you went to Monument I'm assuming you work in the City so tomorrow lunch time jump on the tube to Canada Water and pop in to Decathlon (signed from inside the station). Will they be the best/most fasionable salopettes? No. With they do the job and be cheap-enough to leave behind if you need more space for duty free? Yes.

Either that or tube to Temple/walk up to Covent Garden where you get a choice Ellis Brigham, Snow and Rock, North Face, Cotswold.

There's also a Cotswold hidden in the back streets south to Liverpool Street station, but not the biggest.

I'm going to try the Decathlon in Croydon tonight as I happen to be driving past (almost). Online they seemed a bit low on stock in my size.
I work very close to that Cotswold behind Liverpool Street - they don't do ski gear and seem to be focussed on walking/climbing.
I might end up having to spend a bit more at Ellis Brigham or somewhere like that - that'll teach me to leave it so late to buy.

Busa mav said:

Find a TK Max, cheap as chips and they have some good kit, just luck of the draw.

I've tried a couple of TK Maxx's - they all seem to be out of stock of ski gear now - someone told me you have to get there early for their stuff - probably October.

I did look in a Mountain Warehouse this lunchtime - but didn't fancy looking like a teenage snowboarder with massive baggy pants ...

The Bromley TK max had some quiksilver snowboarding jackets in there the other week

[AndrewIC]

Thought I would give a quick update from Lech/Arlberg region. Weather has been pretty mixed, dumped for a couple of days (the locals are very happy) and then a sunny day, which meant 2ft of pow which was great fun until it got tracked out, and then snowing on and off since. The pistes are good but very chopped up and turn into mogul fields by the afternoon as there is a lot of fresh snow. The runs seem to be getting the top up they seriously needed, still the odd patch becoming visible later in the day, but nothing serious.

Snow is pretty much on the cards every day at the moment for the next week, so should be good for those heading out for half term period. Was told a good website by a local that appears to be pretty on it with weather for Austria, www.bergfex.com

[IainT]

a311 said:

I'm off to Northern Italy-The Aosta Valley at the weekend for a weeks off piste guiding. Some places will have had 1 to 1.5m over the week by time I arrive (apparently) will be putting my faith (and life!) in the hands of the guide to find some stable off piste!

Edited by a311 on Thursday 29th January 08:19

We usually ski in Cervinia but decided to opt for a change this year. The of piste there isn't the wildest around but is generally safe - mostly well-sighted. Guide still a must though.

[DoubleSix]

AndrewIC said:

Thought I would give a quick update from Lech/Arlberg region. Weather has been pretty mixed, dumped for a couple of days (the locals are very happy) and then a sunny day, which meant 2ft of pow which was great fun until it got tracked out, and then snowing on and off since. The pistes are good but very chopped up and turn into mogul fields by the afternoon as there is a lot of fresh snow. The runs seem to be getting the top up they seriously needed, still the odd patch becoming visible later in the day, but nothing serious.

Snow is pretty much on the cards every day at the moment for the next week, so should be good for those heading out for half term period. Was told a good website by a local that appears to be pretty on it with weather for Austria, www.bergfex.com

Cheers for this!

[taaffy]

Back in Samoens tomorrow morning, they have had copious amounts of the white stuff.
Happy days.

[feef]

I'm off to ISPO in Munich next week to take a look at the 15/16 kit, and then off to Avoriaz again for half term the following week.

They had a pretty mental dump over the last few days, hopefully it'll keep coming.

[Merp]

Merp said:

Looks like I'm out of action for a few weeks!
Binned it and Twisted my knee night skiing on Wednesday.
I can put weight on it, but it's a bit tender either side of the knee cap!
My own fault really trying to keep up with the locals from work, whilst practicing for the company ski race on Friday.
Atleast the upside is - our apartment is currently sitting in a complete white out/snow cloud.

So that's my season over. Knee surgery on Wednesday. Apparently my patella had slipped out, broke off a piece of cartilage, so it had to go back in place. Cannot fault the austrian health care. In at 9am, X-ray CT MRI all before 10am, in Surgery at 11:30am. I thought I was going to be back in the office by lunch!