Who is going skiing and where 2015?
Discussion
Our last night in Les Saisies 
We had HUGE snowfall in Friday night. Woke up yesterday to a clear blue sky, which stayed that way until about lunchtime. It then clouded over and hoofed it down with snow last night and all day today. Strangely, the light wasn't too flat, making it eminently skiable. We had a belting day today. Got to be at GVA for 1630 checkin tomorrow, so plannibg to ski until 12ish, change and then shoot back.
Les Saisies is a lovely little place with a lot of very family orientated skiing. Nothing too taxing, but some superb cruising runs through the trees. It also doesn't have the bling of Megeve / Val etc, which is quite when you just want to mess about for a few days. There aren't many challenging runs, but I can do those with the lads in Cham etc. It's absolutely perfect for a chilled family ski.
Definitely coming back when the weather is better!!
We had HUGE snowfall in Friday night. Woke up yesterday to a clear blue sky, which stayed that way until about lunchtime. It then clouded over and hoofed it down with snow last night and all day today. Strangely, the light wasn't too flat, making it eminently skiable. We had a belting day today. Got to be at GVA for 1630 checkin tomorrow, so plannibg to ski until 12ish, change and then shoot back.
Les Saisies is a lovely little place with a lot of very family orientated skiing. Nothing too taxing, but some superb cruising runs through the trees. It also doesn't have the bling of Megeve / Val etc, which is quite when you just want to mess about for a few days. There aren't many challenging runs, but I can do those with the lads in Cham etc. It's absolutely perfect for a chilled family ski.
Definitely coming back when the weather is better!!
Just back from a week in Vail ... was my first trip to Colorado. Really enjoyed it ... we had sunshine for the majority of the week but unfortunately no fresh snow ... disappointing but I was with my other half rather than the lads so a week of 'piste bashing' was on the cards.
Definitely worth the long journey ... pretty large area meaning there's no crowded pistes of lift queues. They're pretty hot on keeping your speed down with various 'no turns, no tolerance' and 'no straightlining'. The only slight negative is the altitude ... Vail is at 2,500m with the highest ski area at about 3,600m so we struggled for the first 24 hours ... we were out all day but a banging headache and sickness feeling was far from pleasant.
Definitely worth the long journey ... pretty large area meaning there's no crowded pistes of lift queues. They're pretty hot on keeping your speed down with various 'no turns, no tolerance' and 'no straightlining'. The only slight negative is the altitude ... Vail is at 2,500m with the highest ski area at about 3,600m so we struggled for the first 24 hours ... we were out all day but a banging headache and sickness feeling was far from pleasant.
Well. We arrived home last night after a fantastic weekend in Les Saisies!
Having driven up the hill on Friday afternoon in blizzard conditions, we were greeted by the most beautiful little town. The hotel (Le Very) was basic, but well placed, very reasonably priced, clean and warm.
We hired through Ski Republic and their concessionaire, Star Ski sports (opposite the ESF building) kitted us out with very new gear and were most helpful. They have a ski locker near the Front de Neige that we rented for the weekend, which meant we didn't have to lug our ski's up and down the street at the start and end of the day.
It snowed hard all Friday evening and put down somewhere near 75cm overnight, but we woke up to crystal clear blue skies and plenty of fresh powder on Saturday morning. Had a fantastic day all day Saturday in increasing cloud. The snow started again on Saturday night and absolutely chucked it down all day Sunday. Visibility going up the Chard du Buerre lift was down to 150m or so at times, but the skiing was incredible - powder on the pistes, light wasn't too flat, quiet runs and lifts.
Overall, the skiing was excellent - lots of gentle blues down to the town, which really suited the family as they were able to really build their confidence without having to trek a long way to enjoy some more cruisy runs.
All in all, it was a fantastic weekend and, whilst not the most challenging skiing I have done, it was certainly some of the most enjoyable due to the condition of the pistes, the friendliness of the locals and the scenery while skiing through the trees. For sure, we'll be going back!
Having driven up the hill on Friday afternoon in blizzard conditions, we were greeted by the most beautiful little town. The hotel (Le Very) was basic, but well placed, very reasonably priced, clean and warm.
We hired through Ski Republic and their concessionaire, Star Ski sports (opposite the ESF building) kitted us out with very new gear and were most helpful. They have a ski locker near the Front de Neige that we rented for the weekend, which meant we didn't have to lug our ski's up and down the street at the start and end of the day.
It snowed hard all Friday evening and put down somewhere near 75cm overnight, but we woke up to crystal clear blue skies and plenty of fresh powder on Saturday morning. Had a fantastic day all day Saturday in increasing cloud. The snow started again on Saturday night and absolutely chucked it down all day Sunday. Visibility going up the Chard du Buerre lift was down to 150m or so at times, but the skiing was incredible - powder on the pistes, light wasn't too flat, quiet runs and lifts.
Overall, the skiing was excellent - lots of gentle blues down to the town, which really suited the family as they were able to really build their confidence without having to trek a long way to enjoy some more cruisy runs.
All in all, it was a fantastic weekend and, whilst not the most challenging skiing I have done, it was certainly some of the most enjoyable due to the condition of the pistes, the friendliness of the locals and the scenery while skiing through the trees. For sure, we'll be going back!
bigandclever said:
Me and the missus are a couple of days through a week in Salla, Lapland. I think we're the only ones here 
-15C at midday, snowing constantly, tiny place. Quite pleasant really.
Enjoy yourself - I was in Rovaniemi a short while ago. Wasn't skiing though. Finland is great! -15C at midday, snowing constantly, tiny place. Quite pleasant really.
Busa mav said:
Fly from a gatwick , first flight out so you are skiing by mid day.
Into Lyon or Grenoble , I haven't checked.
Flights also available from Manchester
Add 30 airport security charge !
Silver ski .
I've used them loads of times in the past, terrific value. Chalets are as you'd expect for the price, the Plagne Villages ones are in brilliant ski in ski out locations. Sunday transfer is a bonus although the early return coach transfer is a bit of a shock.Into Lyon or Grenoble , I haven't checked.
Flights also available from Manchester
Add 30 airport security charge !
Silver ski .
Great for boys trips and dirt cheap off peak. We looked at a week with them and using it as a long weekend making our own way there mid week, was still a bargain.
schmalex said:
Well. We arrived home last night after a fantastic weekend in Les Saisies!
I skied there for a day in each of the last two seasons. Did the circuit from Praz Sur Arly as was staying with friends in St Gervais. Decided to try it as it's just down the road, but Espace Diamant a different district to our usual Evasion Mont Blanc pass.Tried the little toboggan run too for a laugh. Nice area, but could do with some gondolas too, to move around a bit quicker, and take shelter when the weather's at you.
Off to Flachau, Austria tomorrow.
I'm out in the Monte Rosa area this week staying in Gressoney on a guided off piste week. Arrived Sunday to clear blue skies and good conditions. It was similar on Monday then Tuesday the light was flat and snowed a little. Yesterday visibility was difficult and snowed quite a bit. Today it's been dumping all day, the pistes became off piste and we had some superb tress skiing-just one of them awesome ski days.
It's set for more of the same tomorrow and sunny Saturday and next week. It's not an area I'd ever skied in but I' really impressed. For those who don't want or need loads of night life and non ski activities, and would rather have empty pistes and/or untracked off piste I've not been to any place better.
It's set for more of the same tomorrow and sunny Saturday and next week. It's not an area I'd ever skied in but I' really impressed. For those who don't want or need loads of night life and non ski activities, and would rather have empty pistes and/or untracked off piste I've not been to any place better.
I was over in new Hampshire before x-mas, great conditions in the white mountains and loads of resorts to pick from, 19 within about 2 1/2 drive. Heading back next year and well priced.
The last few weeks Glencoe, a couple hours drive has been very good so far this year, about as good as anywhere else I have boarded.
The last few weeks Glencoe, a couple hours drive has been very good so far this year, about as good as anywhere else I have boarded.
Just got back from a week in Morzine. What a fantastic place that is! It was my first skiing holiday (only did 8 hours before going) so I booked a private lesson with Avoriaz Alpine Ski School on my first morning which I'm glad I did. He showed me some nice easy blues to start on and build my confidence.
By the end of the week I'd managed to get parallel and was skiing hard blues with confidence and despite a few falls, managed to come home injury free (thankfully).
If you've never been to Morzine before, the Avoriaz side seemed to be much better and more varied than the Morzine/Les Gets side, with the added bonus of being able to ski into Switzerland too.
It may have been my first but definitely won't be the last skiing holiday I go on. Roll on next year!
By the end of the week I'd managed to get parallel and was skiing hard blues with confidence and despite a few falls, managed to come home injury free (thankfully).
If you've never been to Morzine before, the Avoriaz side seemed to be much better and more varied than the Morzine/Les Gets side, with the added bonus of being able to ski into Switzerland too.
It may have been my first but definitely won't be the last skiing holiday I go on. Roll on next year!
//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.
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.
I ended up going to Snow and Rock in Brighton yesterday. I spent a little bit more than I was hoping to (although not the £500 salopettes!) but have got some decent quality Schoffel ones which should last a few years and aren't nasty baggy things that make me look like a teenage snowboarder.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.
Roll on the weekend - driving down to Switzerland with the family for a week.
Busa mav said:
Deal on googles.
Oakley Airbrake , at eyewearoutlet.co.uk
Both Tinted and yellow lenses included £99 including a case.
Search out for a discount code as well. Try vip10 , but there are others out there.
Great tip - got a pair for my birthday last week - really good quality. Lens swap is really easy - can see it being no problem in gloves and they're really comfortable plus fit well with the helmet.Oakley Airbrake , at eyewearoutlet.co.uk
Both Tinted and yellow lenses included £99 including a case.
Search out for a discount code as well. Try vip10 , but there are others out there.
Just back from a week in Flaine. Loads of snow arrived on the arrival weekend then slowly turned to sunshine. Some runs closed due to avalanche risk with the fresh snow but a really awsome week was had by all.
How good are you all at choosing the right time to fit chains?
We arrived and I made the call just about perfectly. When we arrived I dropped the family and then went back down the mountain to pick up daughter and boyfriend from Geneva airport. On the way down it was clear that some jokers had left it too late and were struggling to fit chains in some very dangerous middle of the road positions. The resulting tailback ran 5 km down the hill and when I got to the bottom police had stopped anyone else from attempting to go up.
How good are you all at choosing the right time to fit chains?
We arrived and I made the call just about perfectly. When we arrived I dropped the family and then went back down the mountain to pick up daughter and boyfriend from Geneva airport. On the way down it was clear that some jokers had left it too late and were struggling to fit chains in some very dangerous middle of the road positions. The resulting tailback ran 5 km down the hill and when I got to the bottom police had stopped anyone else from attempting to go up.
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