Who is going skiing and where 2015?
Discussion
I normally go to a little place called Sollia - very small, but 20 minutes drive so not bad. For a 2 hour trip there is Narvik and Riksgrensen. Narvik is pretty special in that you basically ski down into the sea, so great views that are different to the Alps (not my picture).
I also do a lot of ski touring in the area. This is the site to one of the local guides where I've been learning my avalanche courses.
http://www.alpineguides.no/norway/lofoten-ski-guid...
I also do a lot of ski touring in the area. This is the site to one of the local guides where I've been learning my avalanche courses.
http://www.alpineguides.no/norway/lofoten-ski-guid...
Edited by NRS on Tuesday 20th January 11:57
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.
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.
Welshbeef said:
That skip level is actually really good - reading that I'm a 6, I've no passion for doing Blacks/the one I went on was sheet blue ice horrible and totally took the wind out of my sails/confidence for the next few days on the mountain.
Another important point you've raised-difficulty is more often than not very dependant on conditions. Blues can become a darker shade, reds become blacks..... Conversely in optimum/good conditions true blacks can be a doddle.Skiing is all about having fun to me. That's not to say some focused lessons wouldn't give the tools to open up more of the mountain. Off Piste is the pinnacle IMO, it isn't all necessarily 'gnarly' with a guide/instructor you can get away from the crowds, enjoy the scenery, and feel like you're [I]really[/b] in the mountains.
The skiing in reality doesn't have to be any more difficult than your average red run.a311 said:
Another important point you've raised-difficulty is more often than not very dependant on conditions. Blues can become a darker shade, reds become blacks..... Conversely in optimum/good conditions true blacks can be a doddle.
Skiing is all about having fun to me. That's not to say some focused lessons wouldn't give the tools to open up more of the mountain. Off Piste is the pinnacle IMO, it isn't all necessarily 'gnarly' with a guide/instructor you can get away from the crowds, enjoy the scenery, and feel like you're [I]really[/b] in the mountains. The skiing in reality doesn't have to be any more difficult than your average red run.
True I've done many blues which say in the morning have been really lovely however a busy morning means come afternoon full of moguls so difficulty level is up. Skiing is all about having fun to me. That's not to say some focused lessons wouldn't give the tools to open up more of the mountain. Off Piste is the pinnacle IMO, it isn't all necessarily 'gnarly' with a guide/instructor you can get away from the crowds, enjoy the scenery, and feel like you're [I]really[/b] in the mountains.
The skiing in reality doesn't have to be any more difficult than your average red run.I love being first up the mountain the piste all to myself (friends too) but me creating the S really enjoy that.
CAPP0 said:
I'm looking at trying to crack in a couple of long weekends early Feb/early Mar but I'm getting very mixed opinions on snow quality in the French Alps. Anyone got any real, unbiased views?
The french are the french there is no denying that. Best to go when they are not in abudnace and you will be fine if you stick to these parameters. I find just after xmas all the way up to Easter holidays as prime time to avoid them on mass in general. The weekends will be an exception so book your nice eateries in advance but still hold your own with these arrogant surrenderers. There is no friendship what so ever when it comes to the ski-bus too and forth from the resort. jogon said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm looking at trying to crack in a couple of long weekends early Feb/early Mar but I'm getting very mixed opinions on snow quality in the French Alps. Anyone got any real, unbiased views?
The french are the french there is no denying that. Best to go when they are not in abudnace and you will be fine if you stick to these parameters. I find just after xmas all the way up to Easter holidays as prime time to avoid them on mass in general. The weekends will be an exception so book your nice eateries in advance but still hold your own with these arrogant surrenderers. There is no friendship what so ever when it comes to the ski-bus too and forth from the resort. 
It's starting to look like the higher resorts are booked out with more availability lower down?
jogon said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm looking at trying to crack in a couple of long weekends early Feb/early Mar but I'm getting very mixed opinions on snow quality in the French Alps. Anyone got any real, unbiased views?
The french are the french there is no denying that. Best to go when they are not in abudnace and you will be fine if you stick to these parameters. I find just after xmas all the way up to Easter holidays as prime time to avoid them on mass in general. The weekends will be an exception so book your nice eateries in advance but still hold your own with these arrogant surrenderers. There is no friendship what so ever when it comes to the ski-bus too and forth from the resort. 
CAPP0 said:
jogon said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm looking at trying to crack in a couple of long weekends early Feb/early Mar but I'm getting very mixed opinions on snow quality in the French Alps. Anyone got any real, unbiased views?
The french are the french there is no denying that. Best to go when they are not in abudnace and you will be fine if you stick to these parameters. I find just after xmas all the way up to Easter holidays as prime time to avoid them on mass in general. The weekends will be an exception so book your nice eateries in advance but still hold your own with these arrogant surrenderers. There is no friendship what so ever when it comes to the ski-bus too and forth from the resort. It's starting to look like the higher resorts are booked out with more availability lower down?
CAPP0 said:
I'm looking at trying to crack in a couple of long weekends early Feb/early Mar but I'm getting very mixed opinions on snow quality in the French Alps. Anyone got any real, unbiased views?
Generally Austria has had a much better start to the season. For a long weekend I'd look at Innsbruck plenty of local hills plus buses and trains which will get you to some bigger areas.a311 said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm looking at trying to crack in a couple of long weekends early Feb/early Mar but I'm getting very mixed opinions on snow quality in the French Alps. Anyone got any real, unbiased views?
Generally Austria has had a much better start to the season. For a long weekend I'd look at Innsbruck plenty of local hills plus buses and trains which will get you to some bigger areas.REALIST123 said:
CAPP0 said:
jogon said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm looking at trying to crack in a couple of long weekends early Feb/early Mar but I'm getting very mixed opinions on snow quality in the French Alps. Anyone got any real, unbiased views?
The french are the french there is no denying that. Best to go when they are not in abudnace and you will be fine if you stick to these parameters. I find just after xmas all the way up to Easter holidays as prime time to avoid them on mass in general. The weekends will be an exception so book your nice eateries in advance but still hold your own with these arrogant surrenderers. There is no friendship what so ever when it comes to the ski-bus too and forth from the resort. It's starting to look like the higher resorts are booked out with more availability lower down?
897sma said:
Just got back from my 3rd break in Grand Massif (2 weeks at Christmas and 2 long weekends so far), the snow was poor early on in the season but last weekend was some of the best skiing and snow I've ever seen. Back there this weekend and it's been snowing all week which is set to continue at least for the next few days so should be fantastic.
Bloody hell - guess you don't have summer hols as all leave used up skiing?897sma said:
Welshbeef said:
Bloody hell - guess you don't have summer hols as all leave used up skiing?
I'm only just getting started 
55-58 days in Grand Massif (22 days gone so far) and 8 days in St Anton this year. None of the above (apart from spending the kids inheritance). We rented somewhere for the season which worked out quite reasonable. We drove out there at Christmas and had a couple of weeks there. We've left the car out there and park at Geneva Airport and fly out every Friday at 6.30pm and return every Monday at 9.45pm, so we get three full days skiing every week for one day off work. We also have 2 full additional weeks booked in. I work for myself so can be flexible about days off and the OH has worked a deal whereby she gets Mondays off until the end of April without using leave in exchange for additional work the other 4 days. Averaged out the cost of flights, accommodation, ski pass, car parking, etc, works out at around £200 - £250 a week plus spending money. We'd committed to St Anton before we booked all this otherwise I would be happy staying in GM.
Edited by 897sma on Wednesday 21st January 11:02
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