Who's going skiing and where? 23-24
Discussion
Whoozit said:
tvrolet said:
But as per another post...Japan beckons, but the flights are crazy expensive 
Makes the US seem like a giveaway.
I flew JAL in economy from LHR to Sapporo via Haneda on my trip last year. The tickets were £1400 so not cheap. However the long haul seats in economy have so much legroom and recline, they are like 1980s era business class seats. And the food on board was amazing. If you were to break your business class habit, that could be a cheaper way. Makes the US seem like a giveaway.And while on the three hour layover in Haneda I went to the rooftop deck and saw Mount Fuji
tvrolet said:
Whoozit said:
tvrolet said:
But as per another post...Japan beckons, but the flights are crazy expensive Makes the US seem like a giveaway.
I flew JAL in economy from LHR to Sapporo via Haneda on my trip last year. The tickets were £1400 so not cheap. However the long haul seats in economy have so much legroom and recline, they are like 1980s era business class seats. And the food on board was amazing. If you were to break your business class habit, that could be a cheaper way. Makes the US seem like a giveaway.And while on the three hour layover in Haneda I went to the rooftop deck and saw Mount Fuji
Sapporo is on the north island Hokkaido which gets more snow. Biblical amounts of snow, down to the shoreline. Sapporo is the main airport in south Hokkaido. IIRC many of the big ski resorts like Niseko are in the southern half of the island. We got a minibus transfer around 90 minutes, there are scheduled snow express buses from the airport. Snow is... well if you enjoy skiing well spaced trees in 20-25 degree slopes, always in powder...
The language isn't a massive barrier in areas which are geared to tourists. However Google Lens was amazing and saved you from pressing the wrong buttons on the toilets, as well as from buying icing sugar instead of flour.
Definitely a worldview-broadening experience. I'll go back happily.
Japan is a good experience - I avoided the second flight by going to Nagano rather than Niseko, so just a bullet train & then connecting bus from Tokyo.
Japan also have a great luggage concierge network, so you get your bags at the airport, walk across to another counter and for not much money, your bags meet you at your hotel. Ideal as I did a couple of nights in Tokyo on the way out, so the bags went ahead, but even on the way back it was very efficient and saved me lugging them on trains.
For a skier, it should be on the bucket list.
Japan also have a great luggage concierge network, so you get your bags at the airport, walk across to another counter and for not much money, your bags meet you at your hotel. Ideal as I did a couple of nights in Tokyo on the way out, so the bags went ahead, but even on the way back it was very efficient and saved me lugging them on trains.
For a skier, it should be on the bucket list.
thepritch said:
Left Tignes (Val Claret @2200m) this morning, after skiing there for just under a week. Had a headache the first night but after that no issues at all. HR obviously elevated by about 10-20bpm so you know you’re at elevation but any out of breath moments I just put down to my lack of fitness!!
Great resort, quite Britishy, but would definitely go back for the extensive pistes.
For people who can comfortably ski trickier stuff, Tignes is brilliant. It's well-linked, especially if you're happy using Trolles (er... sorry... Johan Clarey) as a commuter run and yet no matter where you are there's a fun option to escape from the crowds; Épilobe to avoid the chaos when Bluets gets cut up, Aster to cut off that corner where Piste H always seems to be carnage, and of course Sache for the beautiful run down to Les Brevieres which you'll quite often get entirely to yourself, give or take a bunch of French military recruits stumbling their way down it in massive backpacks and camo gear.Great resort, quite Britishy, but would definitely go back for the extensive pistes.
It's a little bit less good on the rolling blues and motorway reds for more casual skiers unless you go over the other side of Val d'Isere, but for runs with character and a bit of challenge I love it. (And also the guilty pleasure of sitting outside on a terrace in Lac for kicking-out time at the Folie Douce, watching 300 drunk people take "unconventional" approaches to descending Trolles and feeling glad you've not had to be in that Tommeuses queue)
Whoozit said:
tvrolet said:
Whoozit said:
tvrolet said:
But as per another post...Japan beckons, but the flights are crazy expensive Makes the US seem like a giveaway.
I flew JAL in economy from LHR to Sapporo via Haneda on my trip last year. The tickets were £1400 so not cheap. However the long haul seats in economy have so much legroom and recline, they are like 1980s era business class seats. And the food on board was amazing. If you were to break your business class habit, that could be a cheaper way. Makes the US seem like a giveaway.And while on the three hour layover in Haneda I went to the rooftop deck and saw Mount Fuji
Sapporo is on the north island Hokkaido which gets more snow. Biblical amounts of snow, down to the shoreline. Sapporo is the main airport in south Hokkaido. IIRC many of the big ski resorts like Niseko are in the southern half of the island. We got a minibus transfer around 90 minutes, there are scheduled snow express buses from the airport. Snow is... well if you enjoy skiing well spaced trees in 20-25 degree slopes, always in powder...
The language isn't a massive barrier in areas which are geared to tourists. However Google Lens was amazing and saved you from pressing the wrong buttons on the toilets, as well as from buying icing sugar instead of flour.
Definitely a worldview-broadening experience. I'll go back happily.
Edited by Rich_ on Wednesday 27th March 19:58
thepritch said:
And the snow at Tignes was full on. Superb coverage this late in the season, with snow forecast the rest of the week. Felt like deep winter, not early spring.
Really looking forward to my trip to Tignes in a couple of weeks. Not been to here or Val d'isere before, having skied pretty much every else in France. Is it me, or has the last few Easters had a last blast of snow? It seems more likely to get snow at this time than earlier in the season.I always fly to Japan finnair via Helsinki. Admittedly starting from Amsterdam so maybe less relevant for the UK but the flights are usually fairly affordable that way.
Hokkaido snow is as insane as they say but when the weather turns it’s suddenly 10 degrees and everything melts. Then the next day it’s -10 and there’s a metre of fresh pow!
Awesome ski touring and cat skiing available too. Then the onsen in the evening. Food can be done for around the same costs as Europe but easy to spend much more if not careful.
I love Japan but wouldn’t take the family there as they aren’t into the pow and touring and like their visibility and sunshine.
Hokkaido snow is as insane as they say but when the weather turns it’s suddenly 10 degrees and everything melts. Then the next day it’s -10 and there’s a metre of fresh pow!
Awesome ski touring and cat skiing available too. Then the onsen in the evening. Food can be done for around the same costs as Europe but easy to spend much more if not careful.
I love Japan but wouldn’t take the family there as they aren’t into the pow and touring and like their visibility and sunshine.
Driving out to the Portes Du Soleil this Saturday for our usual 2 weeks at Easter.
It's a gorgeous holiday as in years where it has been sunny, you get an early morning of bulletproof, icy piste, so very few people go out early. So Lady F and I put our slalom skis on and ski SL turns for a couple of hours, with nobody else around, you can get some serious pace up. You see a few junior racers out skiing like demons at that time, which is a pleasure to watch (and somewhat humbling).
Then it turns warm and slushy, so back to the car to swap to fat skis with detuned tips and tails on them, and a few hours of drifting around on poor man's powder, popping and doing low level tricks off side hits and bumps, often just wearing a T-shirt. Heaven.
Back to chalet for lying in the hammock with a book, a bit of work if required, maybe a nap (I'm old now!). Pick kids up from childcare (not in ski school yet) after a couple of hours to ourselves. A friend from my time living in Morzine has set up a catering business, so she does all the food (and joins us for dinner), so I avoid the self-catering hassle: I normally love cooking for myself, but doing children early is a pain.
If weather is bad, hot tub or fire instead of outdoors and sunshine.
First week is with my best mate (godparents to our kids) and his family. This year, in-laws join from America for the second week. We will ski, for the first time, with the children (3 and 5) and their grandparents (82 and 76). This will be an amazing day.
I love Easter skiing. Having been a dedicated off-piste skiier for years and a bit "meh" about piste, I rediscovered a love for piste skiing about 8 years ago after doing race training - it's a whole other level of learning and fun. I also love moguls, so spring conditions deliver this with nice, slushy afternoon bumps.
Easter has become my favourite ski holiday.
Have also treated myself to new mid-fat skis this year after my ancient Whitedot Preachers have finally reached the end of their lives. A set of Line Blade Optic 104s in 184cm length are waiting for me in resort. Can't wait to put them through their paces in the slush. Lady F has done the same with a set of Blizzard Sheeva 9s, a 96mm ski in 174cm length. Both are quite different to our old fatties, with deep rocker lines and quite a lot of tip splay. Should be very playful in afternoon spring conditions.
Can you tell I'm excited?
It's a gorgeous holiday as in years where it has been sunny, you get an early morning of bulletproof, icy piste, so very few people go out early. So Lady F and I put our slalom skis on and ski SL turns for a couple of hours, with nobody else around, you can get some serious pace up. You see a few junior racers out skiing like demons at that time, which is a pleasure to watch (and somewhat humbling).
Then it turns warm and slushy, so back to the car to swap to fat skis with detuned tips and tails on them, and a few hours of drifting around on poor man's powder, popping and doing low level tricks off side hits and bumps, often just wearing a T-shirt. Heaven.
Back to chalet for lying in the hammock with a book, a bit of work if required, maybe a nap (I'm old now!). Pick kids up from childcare (not in ski school yet) after a couple of hours to ourselves. A friend from my time living in Morzine has set up a catering business, so she does all the food (and joins us for dinner), so I avoid the self-catering hassle: I normally love cooking for myself, but doing children early is a pain.
If weather is bad, hot tub or fire instead of outdoors and sunshine.
First week is with my best mate (godparents to our kids) and his family. This year, in-laws join from America for the second week. We will ski, for the first time, with the children (3 and 5) and their grandparents (82 and 76). This will be an amazing day.
I love Easter skiing. Having been a dedicated off-piste skiier for years and a bit "meh" about piste, I rediscovered a love for piste skiing about 8 years ago after doing race training - it's a whole other level of learning and fun. I also love moguls, so spring conditions deliver this with nice, slushy afternoon bumps.
Easter has become my favourite ski holiday.
Have also treated myself to new mid-fat skis this year after my ancient Whitedot Preachers have finally reached the end of their lives. A set of Line Blade Optic 104s in 184cm length are waiting for me in resort. Can't wait to put them through their paces in the slush. Lady F has done the same with a set of Blizzard Sheeva 9s, a 96mm ski in 174cm length. Both are quite different to our old fatties, with deep rocker lines and quite a lot of tip splay. Should be very playful in afternoon spring conditions.
Can you tell I'm excited?
Timberwolf said:
For people who can comfortably ski trickier stuff, Tignes is brilliant. It's well-linked, especially if you're happy using Trolles (er... sorry... Johan Clarey) as a commuter run and yet no matter where you are there's a fun option to escape from the crowds; Épilobe to avoid the chaos when Bluets gets cut up, Aster to cut off that corner where Piste H always seems to be carnage, and of course Sache for the beautiful run down to Les Brevieres which you'll quite often get entirely to yourself, give or take a bunch of French military recruits stumbling their way down it in massive backpacks and camo gear.
It's a little bit less good on the rolling blues and motorway reds for more casual skiers unless you go over the other side of Val d'Isere, but for runs with character and a bit of challenge I love it. (And also the guilty pleasure of sitting outside on a terrace in Lac for kicking-out time at the Folie Douce, watching 300 drunk people take "unconventional" approaches to descending Trolles and feeling glad you've not had to be in that Tommeuses queue)
Had first trip to Tignes at Feb HT this year. Loved it and will be going back next year. Ticks pretty much every box for me.It's a little bit less good on the rolling blues and motorway reds for more casual skiers unless you go over the other side of Val d'Isere, but for runs with character and a bit of challenge I love it. (And also the guilty pleasure of sitting outside on a terrace in Lac for kicking-out time at the Folie Douce, watching 300 drunk people take "unconventional" approaches to descending Trolles and feeling glad you've not had to be in that Tommeuses queue)
The_Doc said:
timlongs said:
Humping it down with snow here right now (well rain at the brewery but we are only at 666m)
Anyone coming out soon will have a good time!
Anyone coming out soon will have a good time!
remind us where "here" is for you, Tim....
I get this taken 9 mins ago at Morzine, which puts a snow level at about 1300m
We're here on the map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1NikdpWRUr4G5uAZ7
Mr E said:
Like, 9 days time. Not that I’m watching webcams
Given the forecast I saw before I left, quite very possibly. To those in this part of the world - is it usual for it to feel so ‘wintery’ right now? A few friends suggested Easter seems to always be good snow but constant sun and blue skies? Intrigued as I love the area, but it was my first time there in the snow.
Harry Flashman said:
(A lot of skiing stuff that went over my head!)
Can you tell I'm excited?
Yes! And I love that excitement in people . enjoy!!!!Can you tell I'm excited?
Wow, I’ve been skiing since a wee kid, but didn’t understand half of that! I simply point my skis downhill and go. Thought I was ‘ok’ but think I need to up my game and start to learn more. You’ve just planted the seed for me that I’m going to take lessons again, to improve further rather than simply accepting that’s how I ski. Ta!
thepritch said:
Mr E said:
Like, 9 days time. Not that I’m watching webcams
Given the forecast I saw before I left, quite very possibly. To those in this part of the world - is it usual for it to feel so ‘wintery’ right now? A few friends suggested Easter seems to always be good snow but constant sun and blue skies? Intrigued as I love the area, but it was my first time there in the snow.
Right now we're in a very weird weather system though, think the jet stream could do with shifting a bit further north and we can get some sunshine again!
Harry Flashman said:
Driving out to the Portes Du Soleil this Saturday for our usual 2 weeks at Easter.
It's a gorgeous holiday as in years where it has been sunny, you get an early morning of bulletproof, icy piste, so very few people go out early. So Lady F and I put our slalom skis on and ski SL turns for a couple of hours, with nobody else around, you can get some serious pace up. You see a few junior racers out skiing like demons at that time, which is a pleasure to watch (and somewhat humbling).
Then it turns warm and slushy, so back to the car to swap to fat skis with detuned tips and tails on them, and a few hours of drifting around on poor man's powder, popping and doing low level tricks off side hits and bumps, often just wearing a T-shirt. Heaven.
Back to chalet for lying in the hammock with a book, a bit of work if required, maybe a nap (I'm old now!). Pick kids up from childcare (not in ski school yet) after a couple of hours to ourselves. A friend from my time living in Morzine has set up a catering business, so she does all the food (and joins us for dinner), so I avoid the self-catering hassle: I normally love cooking for myself, but doing children early is a pain.
If weather is bad, hot tub or fire instead of outdoors and sunshine.
First week is with my best mate (godparents to our kids) and his family. This year, in-laws join from America for the second week. We will ski, for the first time, with the children (3 and 5) and their grandparents (82 and 76). This will be an amazing day.
I love Easter skiing. Having been a dedicated off-piste skiier for years and a bit "meh" about piste, I rediscovered a love for piste skiing about 8 years ago after doing race training - it's a whole other level of learning and fun. I also love moguls, so spring conditions deliver this with nice, slushy afternoon bumps.
Easter has become my favourite ski holiday.
Have also treated myself to new mid-fat skis this year after my ancient Whitedot Preachers have finally reached the end of their lives. A set of Line Blade Optic 104s in 184cm length are waiting for me in resort. Can't wait to put them through their paces in the slush. Lady F has done the same with a set of Blizzard Sheeva 9s, a 96mm ski in 174cm length. Both are quite different to our old fatties, with deep rocker lines and quite a lot of tip splay. Should be very playful in afternoon spring conditions.
Can you tell I'm excited?
Sounds an absolute blast, especially with all the generations out!It's a gorgeous holiday as in years where it has been sunny, you get an early morning of bulletproof, icy piste, so very few people go out early. So Lady F and I put our slalom skis on and ski SL turns for a couple of hours, with nobody else around, you can get some serious pace up. You see a few junior racers out skiing like demons at that time, which is a pleasure to watch (and somewhat humbling).
Then it turns warm and slushy, so back to the car to swap to fat skis with detuned tips and tails on them, and a few hours of drifting around on poor man's powder, popping and doing low level tricks off side hits and bumps, often just wearing a T-shirt. Heaven.
Back to chalet for lying in the hammock with a book, a bit of work if required, maybe a nap (I'm old now!). Pick kids up from childcare (not in ski school yet) after a couple of hours to ourselves. A friend from my time living in Morzine has set up a catering business, so she does all the food (and joins us for dinner), so I avoid the self-catering hassle: I normally love cooking for myself, but doing children early is a pain.
If weather is bad, hot tub or fire instead of outdoors and sunshine.
First week is with my best mate (godparents to our kids) and his family. This year, in-laws join from America for the second week. We will ski, for the first time, with the children (3 and 5) and their grandparents (82 and 76). This will be an amazing day.
I love Easter skiing. Having been a dedicated off-piste skiier for years and a bit "meh" about piste, I rediscovered a love for piste skiing about 8 years ago after doing race training - it's a whole other level of learning and fun. I also love moguls, so spring conditions deliver this with nice, slushy afternoon bumps.
Easter has become my favourite ski holiday.
Have also treated myself to new mid-fat skis this year after my ancient Whitedot Preachers have finally reached the end of their lives. A set of Line Blade Optic 104s in 184cm length are waiting for me in resort. Can't wait to put them through their paces in the slush. Lady F has done the same with a set of Blizzard Sheeva 9s, a 96mm ski in 174cm length. Both are quite different to our old fatties, with deep rocker lines and quite a lot of tip splay. Should be very playful in afternoon spring conditions.
Can you tell I'm excited?
I wish we had started before our 40s….our kids (mid-20s!) are fearless, but we are full of fear & fairly clueless, if I am honest….
Had a great day yesterday, & an absolute shocker today: visibility awful, snow falling (heavily early on), felt like I was fighting every turn. *sigh*
Gave up, came in….the sun is out
Still, tomorrow is another day.
Enjoy!
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