Who's going skiing and where? 23-24
Discussion
At the risk of sounding like "my black cat is blacker than your black cat" I've just booked a week in the 3V too, but I'm going on the 9th Dec. Followed directly after I'm then going for the pre-Christmas week in Lech. And like you, I've worn the same ski gear for many years, so I've replaced that too for this coming season with some new Kjus gear in the sale. Finally, I am hoping to get some new skis... usually I chose Kaestle, but I'm thinking switching to some Stockli Monteros which get good review. Wife says I will look like 'all the gear, no idea' 
Harry Flashman said:
shirt said:
I'm enjoying the fact that absolutely everyone here is telling you to take boot fitting seriously, and you appear to just have your metaphorical fingers in your ears! But well done on getting everyone to agree on one point. Never seen that before on PH 
Not sure that's quite right. I wanted to know what the process entailed as to inform whether i knowingly took a punt or not. Bit different from ignoring what I'm being told!Anyhow looks like I might be back in CH end of August so will ask my friends there for a steer on a fitter.
EddieSteadyGo said:
At the risk of sounding like "my black cat is blacker than your black cat" I've just booked a week in the 3V too, but I'm going on the 9th Dec. Followed directly after I'm then going for the pre-Christmas week in Lech. And like you, I've worn the same ski gear for many years, so I've replaced that too for this coming season with some new Kjus gear in the sale. Finally, I am hoping to get some new skis... usually I chose Kaestle, but I'm thinking switching to some Stockli Monteros which get good review. Wife says I will look like 'all the gear, no idea'
Ha ha funny one. I bought a new ski suit for last season (in full Instructor Red), my wife said similar, but I swear it has improved my performance no end! Certainly appreciated decent waterproofing as I was out for a couple of full days in the rain without getting soaked to the skin.Not got a long trip planned for next year, a few days in Kitzbuhel in Jan with friends, currently looking at mid April to see if I can go away with my son for a few days before he goes back to school after Easter. Somewhere high like ValT, Tignes or Les Arcs. Just trying to work out if it's worth driving 2 people for just 3/4 nights though.
Talking of boots, after a few trips recently where I've noticeably experienced poor fitting and the low "one flex for all" boots, I decided to buy some of my own for the first time and get them properly fitted, as i didnt really think i was getting the best out of my skiing. I went with a friend to a fitting session at Ski Bartlett in Uxbridge. Good overall experience, my friend left with a nice new pair, but i wasn't sold with what they had (we were gambljng on picking up some late season bargains), the fitter agreed and wants me to go back in Sep/Oct for the new season stock as he reckons there'll be a pair of new variant Lange (Shadow?) or Atomics that will be perfect for me.
So being the sucker for a good sales pitch, I keep my deposit after all the initial measurements and pre fitting, and will go back later, and probably spend twice as much!
Interestingly, we found I've been getting boots a size larger than I should have, i certainly should be in a Low Volume (LV) boot, and have been flapping around on the slopes with my heel sliding all over the place, in over flexible hire boots. So I'm looking forward to seeing what skiing is like (I'll go and have a few sessions at Hemel to wear them in) with more direct control.
What everyone seems to warn me is to try and avoid doing the usual lads thing of turning everything to max and going 'too' firm in the flex (130 or higher), and certainly avoid out and out racing boots. I suppose its like trying to go on a long touring holiday on a motoGP bike. Brilliant for a couple of hours then agony, and exhaustion trying not to race absolutely everywhere for the rest of it!
Alhough I'm a pretty competent skier, you do want to be comfortable and be able to laze about in a slightly more flexible boot once in a while and make it through the day. So I'm looking at 110 or 120 flex. The last hire boots I had were 80 and felt like I was in wellies!
prand said:
Talking of boots, after a few trips recently where I've noticeably experienced poor fitting and the low "one flex for all" boots, I decided to buy some of my own for the first time and get them properly fitted, as i didnt really think i was getting the best out of my skiing. I went with a friend to a fitting session at Ski Bartlett in Uxbridge. Good overall experience, my friend left with a nice new pair, but i wasn't sold with what they had (we were gambljng on picking up some late season bargains), the fitter agreed and wants me to go back in Sep/Oct for the new season stock as he reckons there'll be a pair of new variant Lange (Shadow?) or Atomics that will be perfect for me.
Yep, this isn't uncommon with a good boot fitter. Unlike the high street boot sellers for who boot fitting/sales are just part of the business for a boot fitter/specialist ski shop like Bartletts reputation is everything and they would rather tell someone they didn't have the right boots for them and send them away empty handed than just sell them any old pair tonget their wallet open. Solutions 4 Feet have been known tell people to go to their competition because they knew they still had the boots that customer needed while they had sold out.prand said:
interestingly, we found I've been getting boots a size larger than I should have, i certainly should be in a Low Volume (LV) boot, and have been flapping around on the slopes with my heel sliding all over the place, in over flexible hire boots. So I'm looking forward to seeing what skiing is like (I'll go and have a few sessions at Hemel to wear them in) with more direct control.
That's standard, but the the first rule of ski boot club seems to be "Never tell anyone what correctly fitted boots SHOULD fit like". For most of us you wander into the hire shop on your first trip, they give you a pair if boots and ask you if they are OK and you just sort of shrug and reply "Yes?", Not knowing what you're looking for.The second rule if ski boot club is "Never tell anyone the correct way to put on/remove ski boots, or do up the buckles correctly.
prand said:
What everyone seems to warn me is to try and avoid doing the usual lads thing of turning everything to max and going 'too' firm in the flex (130 or higher), and certainly avoid out and out racing boots. I suppose its like trying to go on a long touring holiday on a motoGP bike. Brilliant for a couple of hours then agony, and exhaustion trying not to race absolutely everywhere for the rest of it!
Alhough I'm a pretty competent skier, you do want to be comfortable and be able to laze about in a slightly more flexible boot once in a while and make it through the day. So I'm looking at 110 or 120 flex. The last hire boots I had were 80 and felt like I was in wellies!
It's unlikely Bertletts will give you a choice on flex, mainly because it's meaningless. What they will do is talk to you about your ability, skiing style and how aggressively you ski and they will pick boots based on that.Alhough I'm a pretty competent skier, you do want to be comfortable and be able to laze about in a slightly more flexible boot once in a while and make it through the day. So I'm looking at 110 or 120 flex. The last hire boots I had were 80 and felt like I was in wellies!
That's mainly because those flex numbers are NOT some sort of standard, and never mind a Lang 120 flex being the same as a Nordica 120 flex or a Head 120 flex you often find the flexibility of two different "120 flex" boots by the same manufacturer.
You are correct to call it "the lads thing" though and the highest flex number has gone up and up over the years, not because the boots have gotten stiffer, just as the manufacturers know there's a ready supply of (generally male) suckers who HAVE to have stuffer boots than their friends so their friends all know they are an amazing skier. They then don't hit the slopes till 10, do a couple of blues and a single, easy red before lunch, barely able to make parallel turna, then being in the bar by 3pm!
Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 12th July 14:54
Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 12th July 14:55
Harry Flashman said:
Yup. Lads' thing is 120+ flex, DINs turned up to 10.
Painful.
Quite, though I still swear it was my bindings set too loose when I lost my ski on my first turn on the Swiss Wall and slid down half of it on my arse!Painful.
And also I agree that different manufacturers have different flex in their boots despite similar ratings. I spent a good while talking to the fitter about what I'm after and what sort of skiing I like to do(or am capable of, more like), he had a good idea what what would suit.
Well that’s Hintertux booked for October, all bar the return ferry.
It’s looking like being cheaper to fly and hire a car these days, rather than taking the ferry as those costs are through the roof. Now looking at over £1K for the ferry. Add a couple hotels in Germany out and back it’s getting near £1400. Flights and a car can had for a similar price, plus I get 3 more days skiing.
It’s looking like being cheaper to fly and hire a car these days, rather than taking the ferry as those costs are through the roof. Now looking at over £1K for the ferry. Add a couple hotels in Germany out and back it’s getting near £1400. Flights and a car can had for a similar price, plus I get 3 more days skiing.
Suspicious_user said:
Well that’s Hintertux booked for October, all bar the return ferry.
It’s looking like being cheaper to fly and hire a car these days, rather than taking the ferry as those costs are through the roof. Now looking at over £1K for the ferry. Add a couple hotels in Germany out and back it’s getting near £1400. Flights and a car can had for a similar price, plus I get 3 more days skiing.
I was looking at tunnel/ferry to get to Tignes in mid April. For only 2 of us (am going out with my son for 5 days), Eurotunnel was c£158 return, then you have at least £150 for tolls, and about £200 for fuel. So quite an expense for just 2 passengers, and the time to drive is definitwoy a consideration. I did look at ferries (from Dover) but apart from trying to navigate around P&O & DFDS websites and availability, it didn't seem that much less than the tunnel.It’s looking like being cheaper to fly and hire a car these days, rather than taking the ferry as those costs are through the roof. Now looking at over £1K for the ferry. Add a couple hotels in Germany out and back it’s getting near £1400. Flights and a car can had for a similar price, plus I get 3 more days skiing.
We don't live too far from Heathrow, but usually have to get cheap flights from Luton or Gatwick. I was looking for flights to Grenoble, Chambery or even Lyon but the timings didn't really work for a short trip.Finally found some with Swiss, from LHR to Geneva, £105 return. We're going to have to hire a car (cheapest I can find ins a £200 fiat 500) and drive the long way from Geneva, but it will still be cheaper and shorter than driving all the way.
So that's 2 short trips for me sorted next year, Kitzbuhel with friends in late Jan, then right at the end of the season with my son.
Does anyone go to the Snow show at Excel in October? Is it any good? I went years and years ago and found it was nice to get in the mood, and have a look at gear, but is it worth a day out still?
Harry Flashman said:
Yup. Lads' thing is 120+ flex, DINs turned up to 10.
Painful.
I ski with DIN set at 7, never really had an issue with pre release.Painful.
In my younger days I had some racing bindings, the DIN started at 14. I hit a snow wall in bad light and managed to face plant straight forward without releasing!
Don't get me started on people buying kit because it looks pretty Mr Flashman
Suspicious_user said:
prand said:
I was looking at tunnel/ferry to get to Tignes in mid April.
The past few years the GB Alpine Championships have been held in Tignes, last year was 25 March - 6 April that may impact your travel (though the dates haven’t been released yet as far as I can see)I thought picking a high resort to get snow, and I found a pretty cheap, but tiny self catering apartment in Val Claret next to the funicular.
Interestingly, Tignes seems to offer the best value self catering accommodation out of all the high French resorts, I know its not k own for its good looks but hopefully the mountains speak for themselves.
Looking forward to this trip as I've never been to the Val D'isere/Tignes area before, and me and my 12 yr old son should have a good laugh together discovering it.
OscarIndia said:
I ski with DIN set at 7, never really had an issue with pre release.
In my younger days I had some racing bindings, the DIN started at 14. I hit a snow wall in bad light and managed to face plant straight forward without releasing!
Don't get me started on people buying kit because it looks pretty Mr Flashman
Cheeky git! But on DINs, may I remind you that whatever you set them at, it isn't going to help when you get yourself airborne, buy misjudge the landing, and end up in a tree's foliage, downslope? Just saying...In my younger days I had some racing bindings, the DIN started at 14. I hit a snow wall in bad light and managed to face plant straight forward without releasing!
Don't get me started on people buying kit because it looks pretty Mr Flashman
But it's true, my friend. I do like a pretty pair of skis.
My most recent purchase, a pair of Atomic S9s, are very effective. But they look rubbish, so may not last!
We're out in the usual place at Easter '24 for two weeks. Join?
Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 15th August 15:49
prand said:
Quite, though I still swear it was my bindings set too loose when I lost my ski on my first turn on the Swiss Wall and slid down half of it on my arse!
And also I agree that different manufacturers have different flex in their boots despite similar ratings. I spent a good while talking to the fitter about what I'm after and what sort of skiing I like to do(or am capable of, more like), he had a good idea what what would suit.
My 110 flex Atomic boots are a little soft for me, but that is due to me getting fat, rather than my amazing ski abilities.And also I agree that different manufacturers have different flex in their boots despite similar ratings. I spent a good while talking to the fitter about what I'm after and what sort of skiing I like to do(or am capable of, more like), he had a good idea what what would suit.
Gym and proper eating are, I have come to realise, the best preparation for skiing! Especially when skiing with OscarIndia and his lunatic but extremely proficient son, who don't hang about, or Lady Flashman, who is a bumps queen and loves them more than anything else.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 15th August 15:55
Harry Flashman said:
Cheeky git! But on DINs, may I remind you that whatever you set them at, it isn't going to help when you get yourself airborne, buy misjudge the landing, and end up in a tree's foliage, downslope? Just saying...
But it's true, my friend. I do like a pretty pair of skis.
My most recent purchase, a pair of Atomic S9s, are very effective. But they look rubbish, so may not last!
We're out in the usual place at Easter '24 for two weeks. Join?
Tempting, we're going for 2 weeks at Xmas so that would bookend the season nicely!But it's true, my friend. I do like a pretty pair of skis.
My most recent purchase, a pair of Atomic S9s, are very effective. But they look rubbish, so may not last!
We're out in the usual place at Easter '24 for two weeks. Join?
Edited by Harry Flashman on Tuesday 15th August 15:49
BlackWidow13 said:
Err, I have 130 flex Atomics and DIN set at 10F and 11R… it’s not painful!
Each to their own, but I use a 7 DIN and 110 boots, and I don't have issues even when jumping and doing small tricks. So everyone is different.Having had a horrid knee injury (and worse rehab) when falling off a rail in the park, I have a fear of skis not releasing properly.
Mind you, my DINS were set to 7 during that accident too. The problem was the 5am drinking session followed by going to the park the next morning. A lesson learned, hard and with lasting effect.
Harry Flashman said:
The problem was the 5am drinking session followed by going to the park the next morning. A lesson learned, hard and with lasting effect.
You never learn do you, dragged your sister astray as well. She needs to be told that high heels (From the night before) on the slopes at lunch time is just not done.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff