Who is going skiing and where in 2017
Discussion
Kwackersaki said:
We're looking at Cervinia next year but have read it can get very windy and everything shuts down. Anyone have any experience or alternatives for Italy?
I've skied in Selva Gardena in March, that was really nice. The whole Sella Ronda circuit is massive, and wasn't affected by windBack to Breckenridge as it ticks all the boxes - wide open and pretty quiet slopes ranging from family friendly to well above my ability, well policed, good accommodation and a great town. I won't bore you all with the videos 
Regarding boots, we found the local hire place took their time to give you the right boots, and now have all our measurements on file. They still insist on a full fitting though. That allows for small adjustment from one year to the next, but the boots we've had have always done us well even on longer breaks. Each year we've skied on new skis, so I find it hard to understand why anyone would buy outright when a couple of years down the line you end up skiing on old equipment.
Regarding boots, we found the local hire place took their time to give you the right boots, and now have all our measurements on file. They still insist on a full fitting though. That allows for small adjustment from one year to the next, but the boots we've had have always done us well even on longer breaks. Each year we've skied on new skis, so I find it hard to understand why anyone would buy outright when a couple of years down the line you end up skiing on old equipment.
Tuna said:
Each year we've skied on new skis, so I find it hard to understand why anyone would buy outright when a couple of years down the line you end up skiing on old equipment.
you've obviously never skied in Scotland on a busy weekend and had to wait in a queue of 100 people to get whatever crappy old rental gear they have left!but on a more serious note, last year I had 1wk away in January, a long weekend away in February plus 3 or 4 days up north in Scotland on an ad-hoc basis when I had time or the snow was good. oh and maybe a few hours at the indoor place in Glasgow across summer to keep the hand in. so I suppose I do get my monies worth out of my gear (last skis and boots lasted 5 winters), but I do like know what gear I will using and know how my kits going to perform when I do get to go skiing.
Tuna said:
Back to Breckenridge as it ticks all the boxes - wide open and pretty quiet slopes ranging from family friendly to well above my ability, well policed, good accommodation and a great town. I won't bore you all with the videos
Regarding boots, we found the local hire place took their time to give you the right boots, and now have all our measurements on file. They still insist on a full fitting though. That allows for small adjustment from one year to the next, but the boots we've had have always done us well even on longer breaks. Each year we've skied on new skis, so I find it hard to understand why anyone would buy outright when a couple of years down the line you end up skiing on old equipment.
approx €150 to hire the top-end skis for a week at feb half term.Regarding boots, we found the local hire place took their time to give you the right boots, and now have all our measurements on file. They still insist on a full fitting though. That allows for small adjustment from one year to the next, but the boots we've had have always done us well even on longer breaks. Each year we've skied on new skis, so I find it hard to understand why anyone would buy outright when a couple of years down the line you end up skiing on old equipment.
I do two, maybe three trips a year as well as occasional evenings in the snozone. Granted the kit at the snozone is included in the price, but with a couple of trips away in one year, you've paid for your skis in rental prices. By the time you're onto a third trip you're better off and if they last a couple of seasons, it's far cheaper to own your own kit than to rent. (Fwiw, I tend to drive to the alps so I'm less bothered about carriage charges on airlines)
Owning my own stuff also means I can pick and choose what I'll be skiing on each day, depending on conditions and terrain.
Tuna said:
Regarding boots, we found the local hire place took their time to give you the right boots, and now have all our measurements on file. They still insist on a full fitting though. That allows for small adjustment from one year to the next, but the boots we've had have always done us well even on longer breaks. Each year we've skied on new skis, so I find it hard to understand why anyone would buy outright when a couple of years down the line you end up skiing on old equipment.
out of interest how long do you spend each trip queuing then getting fitted with your rental gear.jonny996 said:
Tuna said:
Regarding boots, we found the local hire place took their time to give you the right boots, and now have all our measurements on file. They still insist on a full fitting though. That allows for small adjustment from one year to the next, but the boots we've had have always done us well even on longer breaks. Each year we've skied on new skis, so I find it hard to understand why anyone would buy outright when a couple of years down the line you end up skiing on old equipment.
out of interest how long do you spend each trip queuing then getting fitted with your rental gear.The hire place we go to is rarely that busy - they've got plenty of staff, and a lot of the locals have their own gear, so you don't seem to get the vast holiday queues.
I can understand people buying their own gear for more local trips, or if they can keep them on site - but watching the baggage handlers manhandle skis after an exhausting slog through the airport doesn't strike me as a fun experience. I priced up skis one year (after really getting on well with the set we rented) and with transport costs and wear and tear just couldn't make it add up.
To be clear though, we're once a year skiers and don't do weekend and last minute trips, so it doesn't hurt us that we can't just set off for the slopes on a whim.
Kwackersaki said:
We're looking at Cervinia next year but have read it can get very windy and everything shuts down. Anyone have any experience or alternatives for Italy?
We were in Zermatt last year (my wife broke her leg, so probably our last skiing holiday after 20+ years!), but went over to Cervinia one day as she'd always suggested we go there instead of Zermatt as it's the 'cheap way to do Zermatt'.Sure, they're linked, but the runs in Cervinia are very tame and wide open. It's a lot cheaper to eat and live in Cervinia, but I wouldn't recommend it at as a base to ski Zermatt, it will take you an hour minimum to reach Zermatt slopes and the lifts up ARE prone to closure in the wind apparently (The day we chose to go was glorious, clear blue sky, no wind to speak of), so you could be trapped on the lower reached in Cervinia.
We liked Zermatt and the Matterhorn is an awesome backdrop, but I'm not sure I'd ever bother going again.
The scenery in Wengen is much prettier and the skiing is better in Verbier or the Portes De Soleil and that's before you think of leaving Switzerland!
I can't say I've great experiences of Italy. I had a nice holiday in Bardonecchia, but I was very new to skiing then, and hated a holiday in Sauze enough to swear I'd never ski in Italy again (another resort with 'links' that close at the drop of a hat when it gets windy).
Cervinia didn't do anything to change my mind, but wasn't objectionable in its own right
M
downthepub said:
malks222 said:
you've obviously never skied in Scotland on a busy weekend and had to wait in a queue of 100 people to get whatever crappy old rental gear they have left!
No fecking way I'd ski my own gear in Scotland. Heather, stones, grass and rock are not uncommon! Hire every time!
jonny996 said:
Tuna said:
Regarding boots, we found the local hire place took their time to give you the right boots, and now have all our measurements on file. They still insist on a full fitting though. That allows for small adjustment from one year to the next, but the boots we've had have always done us well even on longer breaks. Each year we've skied on new skis, so I find it hard to understand why anyone would buy outright when a couple of years down the line you end up skiing on old equipment.
out of interest how long do you spend each trip queuing then getting fitted with your rental gear.You should have
Own boots
Own skis
Own helmet
Own ski poles.
These will last so long - plus on the skis front they can be sold second hand for pretty good prices meaning you can have rolling refreshed kit. Boots I've had mine 6 years they are superb stilll like new not going to be changing them plus they are a perfect fit. Hire boots have not Ben very good.
Welshbeef said:
Totally agree
You should have
Own boots
Own skis
Own helmet
Own ski poles.
These will last so long - plus on the skis front they can be sold second hand for pretty good prices meaning you can have rolling refreshed kit. Boots I've had mine 6 years they are superb stilll like new not going to be changing them plus they are a perfect fit. Hire boots have not Ben very good.
Not sure you want your own skis and poles? Id rather pay the pretty small fee to hire some decent skis and not have to worry about them for the week or 2, rather than pay the excess baggage, faff around at the airport and then need the skis refurbishing again at the end of the week. You should have
Own boots
Own skis
Own helmet
Own ski poles.
These will last so long - plus on the skis front they can be sold second hand for pretty good prices meaning you can have rolling refreshed kit. Boots I've had mine 6 years they are superb stilll like new not going to be changing them plus they are a perfect fit. Hire boots have not Ben very good.
Boots and helmet totally agree, being able to throw on a pair of boots and knowing they fit and are comfortable is worth any amount of money, because if your boots dont fit you'll never enjoy your holiday.
Welshbeef said:
Totally agree
You should have
Own boots
Own skis
Own helmet
Own ski poles.
These will last so long - plus on the skis front they can be sold second hand for pretty good prices meaning you can have rolling refreshed kit. Boots I've had mine 6 years they are superb stilll like new not going to be changing them plus they are a perfect fit. Hire boots have not Ben very good.
It's possible we've been very lucky with hire boots - really never had a problem despite being out for 10+ days. Helmets came cheap from Aldi(?) when they had a special offer a year or so back. Spent a bit more on goggles and jacket etc.You should have
Own boots
Own skis
Own helmet
Own ski poles.
These will last so long - plus on the skis front they can be sold second hand for pretty good prices meaning you can have rolling refreshed kit. Boots I've had mine 6 years they are superb stilll like new not going to be changing them plus they are a perfect fit. Hire boots have not Ben very good.
Tuna said:
It's possible we've been very lucky with hire boots - really never had a problem despite being out for 10+ days. Helmets came cheap from Aldi(?) when they had a special offer a year or so back. Spent a bit more on goggles and jacket etc.
I hired for 3 seasons never again - first one was dire, second gave me bad pressure sores and the last smelt bad. I bought firstly a good set of Solomon but after a day using them on a dry slope I realised hey we're not right. Somehow I ended up in Decathalon and one of their special offers on boots were on I tried a pair and they were perfect and remain so - sold the Solomon's.
Skis I replicated the Decathalon deal so got a set of Head Skis for £199 (given my ability are fine). The amount of times I've used them so far has more than paid for themselves outright in hire.
Now a big fan of Decathalon I buy a new helmet every couple of years likewise gloves - I donate both to charity shops (if I knock the helmet it's binned).
feef said:
S47 said:
Anyone else on here ski on one of these??
>
>
Yup, got a Rossi mono-ski hanging up in the workshop. Will get a pic later>
>
I never quite mastered it to a level I looked any good on one
NRS said:
downthepub said:
malks222 said:
you've obviously never skied in Scotland on a busy weekend and had to wait in a queue of 100 people to get whatever crappy old rental gear they have left!
No fecking way I'd ski my own gear in Scotland. Heather, stones, grass and rock are not uncommon! Hire every time!Like my ski trip today for example,
marcosgt said:
Kwackersaki said:
We're looking at Cervinia next year but have read it can get very windy and everything shuts down. Anyone have any experience or alternatives for Italy?
We were in Zermatt last year (my wife broke her leg, so probably our last skiing holiday after 20+ years!), but went over to Cervinia one day as she'd always suggested we go there instead of Zermatt as it's the 'cheap way to do Zermatt'.Sure, they're linked, but the runs in Cervinia are very tame and wide open. It's a lot cheaper to eat and live in Cervinia, but I wouldn't recommend it at as a base to ski Zermatt, it will take you an hour minimum to reach Zermatt slopes and the lifts up ARE prone to closure in the wind apparently (The day we chose to go was glorious, clear blue sky, no wind to speak of), so you could be trapped on the lower reached in Cervinia.
We liked Zermatt and the Matterhorn is an awesome backdrop, but I'm not sure I'd ever bother going again.
The scenery in Wengen is much prettier and the skiing is better in Verbier or the Portes De Soleil and that's before you think of leaving Switzerland!
I can't say I've great experiences of Italy. I had a nice holiday in Bardonecchia, but I was very new to skiing then, and hated a holiday in Sauze enough to swear I'd never ski in Italy again (another resort with 'links' that close at the drop of a hat when it gets windy).
Cervinia didn't do anything to change my mind, but wasn't objectionable in its own right
M
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