Who's going skiing and where? 23-24
Discussion
Just back from my 1st ever time skiing. Took me 47 years to do something I had quite fancied doing and it was really enjoyable.
Arrived in evening but floodlights meant we could go out which was cool, although spent most of the time falling over.
2 hr lesson the next morning, a 3 to 1 session, changed everything. People say it's important to do and absolutely correct. It did and the rest of the time I could really enjoy the experience. Fell 1 or 2 times for the rest of the trip versus about 30 falls the day before.
Resort was Bialka Tatrzanska in Poland, 2 hrs south of Krakow. Great facilities, not too crowded, no real queues to speak of and hotel was fabulous. Didn't feel out of place on the slopes despite being a newbie and I kept my bearings and looked out for other people and they were doing the same for me. Not getting too close despite me moving at a quarter of the speed they were so that was nice as well, not feeling that I was going to career into someone.
Will definitely do it again. It's a nice feeling just sliding down and I especially enjoyed the flatter parts where I could just go straight downhill without gathering too much speed, a nice pleasant drift with no effort. You can see that with a good technique the whole run is fairly effortless for good skiers and it would be nice to get that skill level. I found it hard on the thighs and without having the proper technique, the twisting and turning was no doubt more physically demanding, meaning I had to stop during the run to take a rest.
It's easy to see the appeal when you watch the more experienced people make their way down, they're having a blast doing it. Had great fun learning though, and you can feel the little improvements each time as you get more used to it.
Arrived in evening but floodlights meant we could go out which was cool, although spent most of the time falling over.
2 hr lesson the next morning, a 3 to 1 session, changed everything. People say it's important to do and absolutely correct. It did and the rest of the time I could really enjoy the experience. Fell 1 or 2 times for the rest of the trip versus about 30 falls the day before.
Resort was Bialka Tatrzanska in Poland, 2 hrs south of Krakow. Great facilities, not too crowded, no real queues to speak of and hotel was fabulous. Didn't feel out of place on the slopes despite being a newbie and I kept my bearings and looked out for other people and they were doing the same for me. Not getting too close despite me moving at a quarter of the speed they were so that was nice as well, not feeling that I was going to career into someone.
Will definitely do it again. It's a nice feeling just sliding down and I especially enjoyed the flatter parts where I could just go straight downhill without gathering too much speed, a nice pleasant drift with no effort. You can see that with a good technique the whole run is fairly effortless for good skiers and it would be nice to get that skill level. I found it hard on the thighs and without having the proper technique, the twisting and turning was no doubt more physically demanding, meaning I had to stop during the run to take a rest.
It's easy to see the appeal when you watch the more experienced people make their way down, they're having a blast doing it. Had great fun learning though, and you can feel the little improvements each time as you get more used to it.
JakeT said:
Thank you. They must be popular, they’ve sold out!
Well it is almost the end of the season 
I got mine from here & they still have some models left - though I was coming from the same model helmet without a visor so didn't really need to try one on - and they had a 25% Black Friday discount so I jumped at that. https://www.tradeinn.com/snowinn/en/helmets/11588/...
Bill said:
Not sure there's a 24/25 thread yet...
We're looking at going to Les Arcs over New Year but staying in Bourg and using the funicular. We've found a good flat near the bottom but my concern is the funicular queue. Anyone got experience??
I live in BSM so use the funi all the time. It's only really busy when a TGV comes in at the same time as ski school/ski club etc is starting, so the 8.40/9.00 funis are normally the busiest. Generally it runs every 20 mins - however when it is super busy they just run it non stop - so every 10 mins or so to clear the queue. We're looking at going to Les Arcs over New Year but staying in Bourg and using the funicular. We've found a good flat near the bottom but my concern is the funicular queue. Anyone got experience??
Getting back down the hill can be a bit busy if you stop at the same time as everyone else, but if you stop for a apres beer in 1600 or on the hill and head down, you'll never really see a queue. Or if the snow is really good you can ski all the way to BSM if you don't mind bushwhacking (I've only done this once in 10 years!).
I normally have a drink in 1800 then hop on the bus to the funi (takes 10 mins) and walk straight on when I'm heading home.
timlongs said:
I live in BSM so use the funi all the time. It's only really busy when a TGV comes in at the same time as ski school/ski club etc is starting, so the 8.40/9.00 funis are normally the busiest. Generally it runs every 20 mins - however when it is super busy they just run it non stop - so every 10 mins or so to clear the queue.
Getting back down the hill can be a bit busy if you stop at the same time as everyone else, but if you stop for a apres beer in 1600 or on the hill and head down, you'll never really see a queue. Or if the snow is really good you can ski all the way to BSM if you don't mind bushwhacking (I've only done this once in 10 years!).
I normally have a drink in 1800 then hop on the bus to the funi (takes 10 mins) and walk straight on when I'm heading home.
Thanks for this, i'm thinking of catching a train next time and Bourg and the Funicular up to Les Arcs sounds like a reasonable option. Skiing all the way down would be quite a challenge i can imagine!!Getting back down the hill can be a bit busy if you stop at the same time as everyone else, but if you stop for a apres beer in 1600 or on the hill and head down, you'll never really see a queue. Or if the snow is really good you can ski all the way to BSM if you don't mind bushwhacking (I've only done this once in 10 years!).
I normally have a drink in 1800 then hop on the bus to the funi (takes 10 mins) and walk straight on when I'm heading home.
Looks like it runs from 7.30am-9pm so loads of crowd dodging time too. timlongs said:
Or if the snow is really good you can ski all the way to BSM if you don't mind bushwhacking (I've only done this once in 10 years!).
I've been heading to Les Arcs for 18 years now following a season there in 2006 and only had the chance to ride down to Bourg once... it was a lot of fun though and felt like a real adventure (Started at Malgovert and just kept on heading down).Very envious of you living and building a business out there, it's one of my favourite places in the world and is still my favourite place to snowboard when conditions are good (On a good day i'd take it over Japan or anywhere in North America).
@Prand - good news is if you arrive by train but are sticking in Les Arcs, the funi is free to get up/down if you show your train ticket. We have a very 'eco' mayor in BSM (for good, and bad)... The train does seem live a very civilised way of doing it, especially on a busy Saturday transfer day and you can skip the massive queues of traffic.
@Bill - no problem! let me know if you do make it out. Yeah and on Thursday it runs until 11pm so if you fancied a late one in the pubs in resort or dinner up in resort, then you can get back down.
@milfordkong - Thanks! Yeah there was years and years and years ago a piste all the way down to BSM which I found on an old map. You can just about follow it's trace if you start below Courbaton/Malgovert like you did. It is pretty good although I'm more into the mountain biking than the skiing these days. They've started to let bikes on the funi year round so we were riding it in January this year.
Les Arcs allegedly has 99% bed occupancy this week - and is at least 20% busier this year than last. I think we're seeing the impact of people heading to higher resorts in search of snow.
Oh and since this is a car website after all, I was surprised to see this parked up in Tignes last night.
@Bill - no problem! let me know if you do make it out. Yeah and on Thursday it runs until 11pm so if you fancied a late one in the pubs in resort or dinner up in resort, then you can get back down.
@milfordkong - Thanks! Yeah there was years and years and years ago a piste all the way down to BSM which I found on an old map. You can just about follow it's trace if you start below Courbaton/Malgovert like you did. It is pretty good although I'm more into the mountain biking than the skiing these days. They've started to let bikes on the funi year round so we were riding it in January this year.
Les Arcs allegedly has 99% bed occupancy this week - and is at least 20% busier this year than last. I think we're seeing the impact of people heading to higher resorts in search of snow.
Oh and since this is a car website after all, I was surprised to see this parked up in Tignes last night.
Edited by timlongs on Tuesday 5th March 14:58
Bourg is a really nice town, never actually been in winter though! been there quite a lot for training on the canoe slalom course in summer. It’s a shame they don’t seem to hold any of the races there any more.
I have just booked an apartment in courchevel for next winter though. Will be a first family ski trip and daughter starts school so also having to do half term (but looks like edinburgh schools half term is a week earlier than most of the english half term!!) let’s hope ‘snowy owl’ ski lessons at hill end go ok and she enjoys skiing.
I think my few hours at the lecht might be all we manage this season though, fingers crossed for some more snow for scotland……
I have just booked an apartment in courchevel for next winter though. Will be a first family ski trip and daughter starts school so also having to do half term (but looks like edinburgh schools half term is a week earlier than most of the english half term!!) let’s hope ‘snowy owl’ ski lessons at hill end go ok and she enjoys skiing.
I think my few hours at the lecht might be all we manage this season though, fingers crossed for some more snow for scotland……
timlongs said:
@Prand - good news is if you arrive by train but are sticking in Les Arcs, the funi is free to get up/down if you show your train ticket. We have a very 'eco' mayor in BSM (for good, and bad)... The train does seem live a very civilised way of doing it, especially on a busy Saturday transfer day and you can skip the massive queues of traffic.
@Bill - no problem! let me know if you do make it out. Yeah and on Thursday it runs until 11pm so if you fancied a late one in the pubs in resort or dinner up in resort, then you can get back down.
@milfordkong - Thanks! Yeah there was years and years and years ago a piste all the way down to BSM which I found on an old map. You can just about follow it's trace if you start below Courbaton/Malgovert like you did. It is pretty good although I'm more into the mountain biking than the skiing these days. They've started to let bikes on the funi year round so we were riding it in January this year.
Les Arcs allegedly has 99% bed occupancy this week - and is at least 20% busier this year than last. I think we're seeing the impact of people heading to higher resorts in search of snow.
Oh and since this is a car website after all, I was surprised to see this parked up in Tignes last night.
My dad had a brown Granada with beige vinyl roof just like that in the 70s. Fords were pretty cool back then.@Bill - no problem! let me know if you do make it out. Yeah and on Thursday it runs until 11pm so if you fancied a late one in the pubs in resort or dinner up in resort, then you can get back down.
@milfordkong - Thanks! Yeah there was years and years and years ago a piste all the way down to BSM which I found on an old map. You can just about follow it's trace if you start below Courbaton/Malgovert like you did. It is pretty good although I'm more into the mountain biking than the skiing these days. They've started to let bikes on the funi year round so we were riding it in January this year.
Les Arcs allegedly has 99% bed occupancy this week - and is at least 20% busier this year than last. I think we're seeing the impact of people heading to higher resorts in search of snow.
Oh and since this is a car website after all, I was surprised to see this parked up in Tignes last night.
Edited by timlongs on Tuesday 5th March 14:58
Talking of aiming high, I'm off to Tignes in mid April for a few days, first time going to there, or Val Disere but I'm doing a bit of research as we're looking to shift from our PDS faves Les Gets and Morzine to get some more reliable snow. Main issue for us is the extra 1-1.5hrs of transfers from Geneva, a further drive from Calais to get to 3 vallees and Tarentaise. However I still fondly remember ski trains to Moutiers and BSM, I would love to see if eurostar & TGV can be made to work, although no couchettes and disco car any more.
Edited by prand on Tuesday 5th March 16:25
EddieSteadyGo said:
Car bon said:
I fell in powder, which found its way inside the visor. The only way to clean it is to take your helmet off.
Ah.... that's one of the reasons I always carry a spare pair of googles, so I can easily swap them out if they get wet/snowy. timlongs said:
I live in BSM so use the funi all the time. It's only really busy when a TGV comes in at the same time as ski school/ski club etc is starting, so the 8.40/9.00 funis are normally the busiest. Generally it runs every 20 mins - however when it is super busy they just run it non stop - so every 10 mins or so to clear the queue.
Getting back down the hill can be a bit busy if you stop at the same time as everyone else, but if you stop for a apres beer in 1600 or on the hill and head down, you'll never really see a queue. Or if the snow is really good you can ski all the way to BSM if you don't mind bushwhacking (I've only done this once in 10 years!).
I normally have a drink in 1800 then hop on the bus to the funi (takes 10 mins) and walk straight on when I'm heading home.
Fave bar in 1800?Getting back down the hill can be a bit busy if you stop at the same time as everyone else, but if you stop for a apres beer in 1600 or on the hill and head down, you'll never really see a queue. Or if the snow is really good you can ski all the way to BSM if you don't mind bushwhacking (I've only done this once in 10 years!).
I normally have a drink in 1800 then hop on the bus to the funi (takes 10 mins) and walk straight on when I'm heading home.
We frequent Benji's a lot - Pascal's a nice fella, assuming he is still there (has been all the years we've been going!). We stay that end of the resort.....out at the weekend!
Remind me where your beers are?!
Cheers!
mikeiow said:
timlongs said:
I live in BSM so use the funi all the time. It's only really busy when a TGV comes in at the same time as ski school/ski club etc is starting, so the 8.40/9.00 funis are normally the busiest. Generally it runs every 20 mins - however when it is super busy they just run it non stop - so every 10 mins or so to clear the queue.
Getting back down the hill can be a bit busy if you stop at the same time as everyone else, but if you stop for a apres beer in 1600 or on the hill and head down, you'll never really see a queue. Or if the snow is really good you can ski all the way to BSM if you don't mind bushwhacking (I've only done this once in 10 years!).
I normally have a drink in 1800 then hop on the bus to the funi (takes 10 mins) and walk straight on when I'm heading home.
Fave bar in 1800?Getting back down the hill can be a bit busy if you stop at the same time as everyone else, but if you stop for a apres beer in 1600 or on the hill and head down, you'll never really see a queue. Or if the snow is really good you can ski all the way to BSM if you don't mind bushwhacking (I've only done this once in 10 years!).
I normally have a drink in 1800 then hop on the bus to the funi (takes 10 mins) and walk straight on when I'm heading home.
We frequent Benji's a lot - Pascal's a nice fella, assuming he is still there (has been all the years we've been going!). We stay that end of the resort.....out at the weekend!
Remind me where your beers are?!
Cheers!
Yep Pascal is still Benjis, I saw him today actually, he sells Lost in the Woods (our best seller).
Other places in 1800; Miam Corner do our Blanche and Chez o'Gust does our blonde.
Bar Mont Blanc in Peisey has 2 of our beers as well. Oh and the rooftop bar at Altiport has all of our beers in cans.
Should be good for this weekend, it snowed a bit up high today!
timlongs said:
I always go to BouBous. (Who sell our pale ale, Liquid Fog).
Yep Pascal is still Benjis, I saw him today actually, he sells Lost in the Woods (our best seller).
Other places in 1800; Miam Corner do our Blanche and Chez o'Gust does our blonde.
Bar Mont Blanc in Peisey has 2 of our beers as well. Oh and the rooftop bar at Altiport has all of our beers in cans.
Should be good for this weekend, it snowed a bit up high today!
Excellent: thanks for that, will be sure to check some beers out along our way Yep Pascal is still Benjis, I saw him today actually, he sells Lost in the Woods (our best seller).
Other places in 1800; Miam Corner do our Blanche and Chez o'Gust does our blonde.
Bar Mont Blanc in Peisey has 2 of our beers as well. Oh and the rooftop bar at Altiport has all of our beers in cans.
Should be good for this weekend, it snowed a bit up high today!
malks222 said:
Bourg is a really nice town, never actually been in winter though! been there quite a lot for training on the canoe slalom course in summer. It’s a shame they don’t seem to hold any of the races there any more.
I have just booked an apartment in courchevel for next winter though. Will be a first family ski trip and daughter starts school so also having to do half term (but looks like edinburgh schools half term is a week earlier than most of the english half term!!) let’s hope ‘snowy owl’ ski lessons at hill end go ok and she enjoys skiing.
I think my few hours at the lecht might be all we manage this season though, fingers crossed for some more snow for scotland……
I think Hillend can be colder than the Lecht at times. I have just booked an apartment in courchevel for next winter though. Will be a first family ski trip and daughter starts school so also having to do half term (but looks like edinburgh schools half term is a week earlier than most of the english half term!!) let’s hope ‘snowy owl’ ski lessons at hill end go ok and she enjoys skiing.
I think my few hours at the lecht might be all we manage this season though, fingers crossed for some more snow for scotland……
EddieSteadyGo said:
Car bon said:
....
I fell in powder, which found its way inside the visor. The only way to clean it is to take your helmet off.
Ah.... that's one of the reasons I always carry a spare pair of googles, so I can easily swap them out if they get wet/snowy. I fell in powder, which found its way inside the visor. The only way to clean it is to take your helmet off.
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