Who's going skiing and where 2020

[lemmingjames]

NRS said:

lemmingjames said:

Forgot to mention that was chatting to elderly gentleman in a gondola who had some stories to tell;
Apparently Tesla's dont really do ice + road tyres as the one they was travelling in had a moment and put them into the armco on a mountain road

Road tyres = summer tyres? Otherwise seems odd - they're everywhere in Norway, and there's no general issues with driving in snow/ice with them...

Possibly, they mentioned that it definitely wasnt on winter tyres when it had its moment. I cant remember the complete story but do the Teslas transfer power to different wheels if it detects slip? Either way they said they was lucky as it was on a pass with bit part armco and they hit that otherwise it was off the mountain.

Also after it had hit the Armco, it went into shutdown mode and wouldnt start with Tesla recovery person being useless

[feef]

Mr E said:

With the same operator, holiday for 10

I imagine they’re trying to work out how to stay in business. I’m expecting some for of backed credit note to be honest. Leaving them to get on with it, it’s not my largest concern right now.

I imaging a lot of small holiday firms are stting themselves right now. One of the ABTA/ATOL requirements (I forget which one) requires a positive balance sheet, and if they have just shelled out a load of refunds that may not be possible such that they lose their licence and won't be trading next year. I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few of them were holding off refunds until their licence has been renewed and they know they're at least above board for next year (I know you can trade without ABTA/ATOL bonding but it's not easy without that peace of mind for your clients)

[Mr E]

I expect a lot of operators to go to the wall to be honest; the margins are wafer thin.

I don’t fancy joining the list of creditors.

[TNJ]

This is a difficult one - if they offer vouchers or re-booking for next year, I would be tempted to do that.

However, if they then go out of business, I suspect I may not be covered as I would have re-booked when I have full knowledge of the coronavirus situation - and most of the insurance companies have now changed their terms to remove cover in those circumstances.

I guess I will have to wait and see what they offer but it is not a very comfortable position to be in.

[oddman]

DuncsGTi said:

Completely off topic but where can I pick up ski touring gear at a decent price?

With the season ending early, surely there are some bargains out there.

I'm after a pair of hybrid boots, skis, preferably tech bindings, and skins

The continental sites such as ecosport, sport conrad snow leader etc are decent for bargains at this time of year

If you're new to touring then you might be better off seeing the guys in https://www.backcountryuk.com who really know their stuff and people visit from all over the UK for their expertise - especially in fitting. Boot and binding tech is evolving rapidly and the new atomic/salomon shift bindings look amazing depending if you're OK with a bit of weight.

If you are tall I've got some near unused orb freebirds on vipecs with skins and couteaux which I'm going to list later this year - I lost 20kg in weight and they're a bit too much ski for me now!

[chandrew]

lemmingjames said:

NRS said:

lemmingjames said:

Forgot to mention that was chatting to elderly gentleman in a gondola who had some stories to tell;
Apparently Tesla's dont really do ice + road tyres as the one they was travelling in had a moment and put them into the armco on a mountain road

Road tyres = summer tyres? Otherwise seems odd - they're everywhere in Norway, and there's no general issues with driving in snow/ice with them...

Possibly, they mentioned that it definitely wasnt on winter tyres when it had its moment. I cant remember the complete story but do the Teslas transfer power to different wheels if it detects slip? Either way they said they was lucky as it was on a pass with bit part armco and they hit that otherwise it was off the mountain.

Also after it had hit the Armco, it went into shutdown mode and wouldnt start with Tesla recovery person being useless

I think the lack of winter tyres would explain it. I live at 1750m and we have snow 6 months a year (it was -15 last night and snowing all yesterday). Teslas are really popular here and everyone I speak to says they're better on snow than traditional cars. The electrics can shift torque to the correct wheel far, far quicker than a traditional AWD system can.

Obviously they're not perfect. They, like most EVs are heavy and if you're braking into a downhill hairpin that's a disadvantage. However regenerative braking on each wheel could offset this to a degree.

[Mr E]

Mr E said:

With the same operator, holiday for 10

I imagine they’re trying to work out how to stay in business. I’m expecting some for of backed credit note to be honest. Leaving them to get on with it, it’s not my largest concern right now.

Credit note offered. Would mean the 10 of us would need to travel again together with the same operator.
Given Sarah and I might not want to be in the same room ever again, I’m not sure this is a great idea.

[TNJ]

Mine has just arrived as well. Looks like we will rebook for the same time next year - only drawback is we will be travelling on my eldest's 18th birthday which won't go down very well but no other choice. And the price is higher for exactly the same trip next year which is a bit irritating but I don't think we have got much choice.

[Mr E]

I’m thanking them for the offer of a credit note and then instructing them to refund in full within the 14 days of cancellation as per their obligations.

[ThunderSpook]

TNJ said:

Mine has just arrived as well. Looks like we will rebook for the same time next year - only drawback is we will be travelling on my eldest's 18th birthday which won't go down very well but no other choice. And the price is higher for exactly the same trip next year which is a bit irritating but I don't think we have got much choice.

You have no other choice than to ruin you child’s 18th birthday?

[DuncsGTi]

oddman said:

The continental sites such as ecosport, sport conrad snow leader etc are decent for bargains at this time of year

If you're new to touring then you might be better off seeing the guys in https://www.backcountryuk.com who really know their stuff and people visit from all over the UK for their expertise - especially in fitting. Boot and binding tech is evolving rapidly and the new atomic/salomon shift bindings look amazing depending if you're OK with a bit of weight.

If you are tall I've got some near unused orb freebirds on vipecs with skins and couteaux which I'm going to list later this year - I lost 20kg in weight and they're a bit too much ski for me now!

I'll have a look at those sites, cheers

[TNJ]

TNJ said:
Mine has just arrived as well. Looks like we will rebook for the same time next year - only drawback is we will be travelling on my eldest's 18th birthday which won't go down very well but no other choice. And the price is higher for exactly the same trip next year which is a bit irritating but I don't think we have got much choice.
You have no other choice than to ruin you child’s 18th birthday?

It won't ruin his birthday - he doesn't drink and isn't a great one for going out much. He will most likely just do something with his friends the day before we go. He would rather not travel on his birthday but if he wants to go skiing - which he does - then he will have to - the only other week we could go is February half term - and that would be an extra £3500 which is unaffordable.

Plus he gets to spend his birthday in an apres-ski bar in the Alps - which is hardly the worst thing he will have to endure in life....

[feef]

I'm surprised how many folk are booking up for next year.

Granted there are plenty of deals to be had, but I wonder how many of these firms are going to survive the summer. I suspect these deals are just a way to try and maintain cashflow while they hand out refunds for the shortened season and cancelled trips.

I'd not be risking a booking now only for the company to go bust before next season

[Speed 3]

feef said:

I'm surprised how many folk are booking up for next year.

Granted there are plenty of deals to be had, but I wonder how many of these firms are going to survive the summer. I suspect these deals are just a way to try and maintain cashflow while they hand out refunds for the shortened season and cancelled trips.

I'd not be risking a booking now only for the company to go bust before next season

That's why I always have active year-round travel insurance including cancellation cover.

[S100HP]

feef said:

I'm surprised how many folk are booking up for next year.

Granted there are plenty of deals to be had, but I wonder how many of these firms are going to survive the summer. I suspect these deals are just a way to try and maintain cashflow while they hand out refunds for the shortened season and cancelled trips.

I'd not be risking a booking now only for the company to go bust before next season

Exactly this. You will get your money back from ABTA however (if they are ABTA registered)

[Condi]

Speed 3 said:

That's why I always have active year-round travel insurance including cancellation cover.

Just be careful, I have year round cover with a very good (not cheap) insurance company, but all insurance companies have declared that new trips will not be covered by their cancellation cover as Covid is a foreseeable risk to travel. Whether that would include next year, when you might expect the epidemic to be over you might want to check.

Safer to buy on credit card.

[Speed 3]

Condi said:

Speed 3 said:

That's why I always have active year-round travel insurance including cancellation cover.

Just be careful, I have year round cover with a very good (not cheap) insurance company, but all insurance companies have declared that new trips will not be covered by their cancellation cover as Covid is a foreseeable risk to travel. Whether that would include next year, when you might expect the epidemic to be over you might want to check.

Safer to buy on credit card.

The original point was the risk of companies going bust. The insurance would still then pay out, even if that failure was caused by a loss of business due to CV-19. Only case it wouldn't pay out is if we were still in CV-19 lock down next Feb and if that is the case we've got more to worry about than skiing.....

My own policy was taken out in September so we should be fine if our summer holiday was withdrawn for any CV-19 related reasons.

Edited by Speed 3 on Friday 3rd April 14:50

[craig1912]

Quick question- travel insurance due for renewal at end of month. Three holidays booked and probably two won’t go ahead. If I choose to change provider are the holidays still covered under the old insurance as that was covering me when I booked.

Separately my son had just had his renewal through. Gone up from £50pa to £150pa and obviously no cover on new bookings for CV.

[Speed 3]

craig1912 said:

Quick question- travel insurance due for renewal at end of month. Three holidays booked and probably two won’t go ahead. If I choose to change provider are the holidays still covered under the old insurance as that was covering me when I booked.

Separately my son had just had his renewal through. Gone up from £50pa to £150pa and obviously no cover on new bookings for CV.

I wouldn't have thought so if those holidays are not in the next 3 weeks. Otherwise you could have a retrospective claim on a future booking years in advance. Insurance is only valid for the period the policy is active excepting an existing claim still in process after the policy has lapsed.

[GT72]

craig1912 said:

Quick question- travel insurance due for renewal at end of month. Three holidays booked and probably two won’t go ahead. If I choose to change provider are the holidays still covered under the old insurance as that was covering me when I booked.

Separately my son had just had his renewal through. Gone up from £50pa to £150pa and obviously no cover on new bookings for CV.

Have a look here :

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...