Who is going skiing and where in 2016

[a311]

I hear good things about the ski mojo, I'll see what I'm like by the start of next season but I'm expecting 6-12 months rehab after the second op.

I'd recommend Snoworks if you're looking to do solo ski trips or with the Mrs very cost effective way to getting guiding and tuition. They're based in Tignes but offer 'courses' all over inc Chile, Japan, and NA. Back country and off piste courses are good with the former being a mix of mountain guides and instructors. It's a while since I've done UCPA, I can't knock them at all for what they offer, any negative comments are usually on the level of English of some of the instructors. Snoworks also do race training/courses the guy who owns the companies wife was a former international racer for GB. I toy with the idea of doing the Euro test, racing isn't really my thing but in the past could clock up reasonable time due to me being on the fat side of thin!

I've always struggled with the Euro-test requirement, as in I don't see how being within so many tenths of a second of a pro racer eqips you to teach better but it does make it prestigious and allow the locals to make a living.

[Nobby Diesel]

Off to Chatel and the Portes du Soliel tomorrow, for a few days.
Sunday looks wet in town but nearly 3 feet so snow forecast up top!

[lemmingjames]

a311 said:

I hear good things about the ski mojo, I'll see what I'm like by the start of next season but I'm expecting 6-12 months rehab after the second op.

I'd recommend Snoworks if you're looking to do solo ski trips or with the Mrs very cost effective way to getting guiding and tuition. They're based in Tignes but offer 'courses' all over inc Chile, Japan, and NA. Back country and off piste courses are good with the former being a mix of mountain guides and instructors. It's a while since I've done UCPA, I can't knock them at all for what they offer, any negative comments are usually on the level of English of some of the instructors. Snoworks also do race training/courses the guy who owns the companies wife was a former international racer for GB. I toy with the idea of doing the Euro test, racing isn't really my thing but in the past could clock up reasonable time due to me being on the fat side of thin!

I've always struggled with the Euro-test requirement, as in I don't see how being within so many tenths of a second of a pro racer eqips you to teach better but it does make it prestigious and allow the locals to make a living.

I had considered the ski mojo but read it wasn't good for off-piste?!? But for people with more severe knee issues/advanced years then it does sound ideal for piste skiing (bar turning it on/off each time for lifts).

Whats wrong with your knee?

I looked at snoworks and they seem expensive (pending on how deep your pockets are) for what they offer. Maybe i looked at or misinterpretated what it was. Though id probably go clubmed with the missus. I guess each ucpa centre is different as the guides for the English/Scandanavians/whoever wasnt french had very good english. I joined a French group for the day and the guide/instructor knew enough to explain to me what he wanted etc. The French really dont like close together skis

As for the former racer thing, i guess it also elevates the instructors status in the clients minds if they have a former 'pro' racer teaching them, therefore they must be good. I had something pop up on FB the other day in that Manchester are going to hold a ski x event, didnt think it was big enough to get any sort of speed on or offer a 'variety', might just enter it and see

[Welshbeef]

A month to go

No time now to sneak in a long weekend so will have to maximise my 6 days on the piste.

[a311]

lemmingjames said:

I had considered the ski mojo but read it wasn't good for off-piste?!? But for people with more severe knee issues/advanced years then it does sound ideal for piste skiing (bar turning it on/off each time for lifts).

Whats wrong with your knee?

I looked at snoworks and they seem expensive (pending on how deep your pockets are) for what they offer. Maybe i looked at or misinterpretated what it was. Though id probably go clubmed with the missus. I guess each ucpa centre is different as the guides for the English/Scandanavians/whoever wasnt french had very good english. I joined a French group for the day and the guide/instructor knew enough to explain to me what he wanted etc. The French really dont like close together skis

As for the former racer thing, i guess it also elevates the instructors status in the clients minds if they have a former 'pro' racer teaching them, therefore they must be good. I had something pop up on FB the other day in that Manchester are going to hold a ski x event, didnt think it was big enough to get any sort of speed on or offer a 'variety', might just enter it and see

I shredded cartilage which has hopefully been successfully repaired now and ruptured ACL which I hope to get sorted next month. Done playing rugby, which I love but for the first time has had a negative effect on my skiing! I'd like to go back to rugby but whilst I've maybe a few years left I hope to have decades of skiing ahead of me.

I think the full day Snoworks courses are now approaching the £500 mark, which considering on the backcountry courses it's effectively 5 full days of guiding isn't bad IMO, your free to book your own accommodation etc but they tend to use nicer hotels etc so you won't get much (if any) change for a grand. I think for price you probably can't beat what UCPA offer. The director of Snoworks Phil Smith is arguably one of the best instructors around IMO. I've done quite a few now when solo trips have been my only option, they attract a strong return following so it's good meeting up with old friends and familiar faces in the instructors/guides too.

[marcosgt]

2 ft of snow forecast Saturday night/Sunday, so it could be a good week in Zermatt!

M.

[lemmingjames]

a311 said:

I shredded cartilage which has hopefully been successfully repaired now and ruptured ACL which I hope to get sorted next month. Done playing rugby, which I love but for the first time has had a negative effect on my skiing! I'd like to go back to rugby but whilst I've maybe a few years left I hope to have decades of skiing ahead of me.

I think the full day Snoworks courses are now approaching the £500 mark, which considering on the backcountry courses it's effectively 5 full days of guiding isn't bad IMO, your free to book your own accommodation etc but they tend to use nicer hotels etc so you won't get much (if any) change for a grand. I think for price you probably can't beat what UCPA offer. The director of Snoworks Phil Smith is arguably one of the best instructors around IMO. I've done quite a few now when solo trips have been my only option, they attract a strong return following so it's good meeting up with old friends and familiar faces in the instructors/guides too.

Have you considered knee bindings? Ive got them on mine and are ok but you need to crank them up past your weight if your an aggressive skier as i had them set to 'my weight' last year but kept getting popped out every know and then (mainly in a jump turn esq turn) which i never got with my old Salomons. Still theyve done the job i guess but ill never know if the release saved a knee injury or not.

Think thats why i dismissed SW when you suggested it last time as it was coming into £1k without travel etc (so £1.5k all in) for one week = might as well go to UCPA.

Still if i win the Euro's tonight, i can just buy some ski buddies

[ColdoRS]

Off to Alpe D'Huez in the morning! Cracked a bottle of wine with the missus when she got in from work to start our holidays as we mean to continue.

Will upload some weather and condition info in the week should anyone be planning a trip in the next few weeks.

[anonymous-user]

Against my better judgment have just booked the half term week with my wife and youngest kid.
Have ended up in St.Anton. Have only ever been on boys trips there.

First ever catered chalet as well.

Not sure whether I am dreading it or really looking forward to it.

I was trying to air bnb but was really struggling to make the flights work.

[SS9]

I'm in the 3 valleys at the moment, arrived Tuesday and here until Tuesday next week.

There hasn't been a lot of snow recently so the off piste is absolutely pants, but the on piste is coping well. The groomers are doing a great job maintaining a good surface, using off piste snow at times to keep it topped up. It's very hot here at the moment, but this is giving superb visibility and combined with relatively quiet slopes I'd consider the conditions very good.

There's a nice amount (about a foot) forecast to drop late this weekend, fingers crossed this pulls through as it would be good to play in some powder before heading back.

Obligatory phone photo taken from the VT/Meribel peak:

[alfa phil]

ColdoRS said:

Off to Alpe D'Huez in the morning! Cracked a bottle of wine with the missus when she got in from work to start our holidays as we mean to continue.

Will upload some weather and condition info in the week should anyone be planning a trip in the next few weeks.

Been there many a time ,great resort and skiing, you will have a great holiday,

[mondeoman]

Val Thorens next weekend for a week, then Mayrhofen 2nd week in March.

hoping the snow gets better.

[Mr E]

Just returned from 3 valleys. Good week, but the place could use some snow for next week. I think there's some forecast for Sunday?

[EdJ]

Tuna said:

Useful stuff

Thanks for posting this - I played the youtube clip to my wife and it does perfectly capture the essence of what it would be like skiing with young children who are just beginning.

[gl20]

Finally booked. Les Arcs 2000 starting 5 March. Looking at snow history they have more now than in either jan 15 or 14. Seems odd given just how warm it's been but not complaining. Looking forward to getting across to le Plagne where it all began for me in 84

[a311]

A bit daft but you can overlay French ski resorts over your home town etc

http://frenchskiareaovermytown.com/les-portes-du-s...

[downthepub]

a311 said:

A bit daft but you can overlay French ski resorts over your home town etc

http://frenchskiareaovermytown.com/les-portes-du-s...

That is a bit random, fun though!

[a311]

downthepub said:

That is a bit random, fun though!

Bonkers isn't it? Kind of makes sense overlayed in my area-the lakes.

Makes you appreciate how big some of these ski areas are though.

[jonny996]

Make you think how long some of the runs are.

[Petrol Only]

Very variable conditions in La plagne snow/rain/snow is making things interesting! Very much like spring conditions on and off piste. Had a good dump today so hopefully a good finish to the holiday.