Who's going skiing and where 2020

[S100HP]

//j17 said:

If your business is accomodation rental in a ski resort you only have 4 or 5 months to make all your money for the year so yes, they do prefer to get 2 weeks of rental rather than just 4 nights split across a weekend. For weekends look at:
- Early/late season. Tends to be quieter so more accomodation than people.
- Late booking. Leave it last minute and you have a chance of finding somewhere that has space and would rather get 4 nights money than be empty for 2 weeks.
- Look at getting a hire car and staying out of resort and driving in each day. The less convienient the accomodation the more likely it is to be free and so open to 'odd' bookings.

Or look at a dedicated ski weekends company.....

[The_Doc]

chandrew said:

Some really good advice.

If it's your first time then you will probably be standing / falling more and therefore you need to wear something that will keep you warm. When I'm supporting our local races and hence standing a lot I use a traditional ski jacket / trousers whereas for much of the season when I'm skiing I'm in something thinner, without a lining.

With ski wear most is good these days. The really fashionable stuff (at least here) tends to be bought by folks who might not go out if it's too cold & hence warmth isn't the key factor. The children used to have H&M stuff when they were very young and it was warm (suppose it should be given they are a Swedish brand).

As noted a pocket in the arm will be a godsend for lift passes.

I use goose down mitts (actually mountain walking ones) for the colder months and only use gloves on warmer days. As well as being warmer they can reduce finger breakages (been there, done that!) Leather-type palms are good for gripping ropes etc.

A balaclava or neck band is worth having for windy days

I wear my goggles all the time but have a couple of lenses which I swap depending on the light.

A helmet IMHO is a must. I use a back protector as well, mostly to protect me from other people.

Lots of wool layers as has been mentioned. None of mine is skiing specific.

After ski depends on your hotel and the resort. For most jeans or thicker trousers (cords, moleskin etc) and a shirt / jumper is fine. If you're going 5 star check as they might require jackets at dinner.

Make sure you don't skimp on insurance. You will need to ensure that it covers air lifting you to a hospital (and maybe back home). I saw the bill when I got picked off the slopes by the helicopter in Zermatt - think > £100 per minute from the moment it took off until it was back.

Clothes......... hmmmm.......

I am a warm person, I accept that, but really all those layers isn't what I wear.

Under salopettes: socks and boxers
Under ski Jacket: Long sleeve t-shirt
Professional quality salopettes and shell jacket, but none more. Wool socks.
In January when it's minus 5 in the resort, then maybe a rugby top instead of long sleeve t-shirt up the mountain.
In March: no jacket, just a big woolly jumper and gloves on sunny days.
Hat: wool

the more falling over you do, the warmer you'll be

back protection, helmet, etc, they're all optional

check this out: https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/rese...

Edited by The_Doc on Tuesday 15th October 18:23

[chandrew]

The_Doc said:

Clothes......... hmmmm.......

I am a warm person, I accept that, but really all those layers isn't what I wear.

Under salopettes: socks and boxers
Under ski Jacket: Long sleeve t-shirt
Professional quality salopettes and shell jacket, but none more. Wool socks.
In January when it's minus 5 in the resort, then maybe a rugby top instead of long sleeve t-shirt up the mountain.
In March: no jacket, just a big woolly jumper and gloves on sunny days.
Hat: wool

the more falling over you do, the warmer you'll be

back protection, helmet, etc, they're all optional

check this out: https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/rese...

Edited by The_Doc on Tuesday 15th October 18:23

Thanks for the link. That was interesting reading. As the author notes not all helmets are alike. I personally wear an FIS approved race helmet which are designed to manage greater impacts (including panels to protect from impact when hitting gates) than a 'normal' helmet but on the flip side are less 'user-friendly'. For a beginner I wouldn't recommend one. My children need such a helmet for their club racing (regulations). It's worth noting that the article only finds a lower benefit from a certain type of injury and for other types they do find an advantage.

Here in Switzerland when you get admitted to casualty the medics make note of the protective gear which is declared to your insurer. Some policies require helmets. It's worth checking. I've had accidents that have written off helmets.

As for cold, in January here a typical temperature is -20 in the morning. I've seen as low as -35 in town. Currently it's -5 in town in the morning - and the first slopes open this weekend :-)

For spring snow (late April - May) I use a waterproof shell mostly to not get wet. I personally spend most of the time in ski touring gear which comprises of thin layers.

Personally I would avoid cotton as it can be horrible when wet / sweaty.

[feef]

chandrew said:

The_Doc said:

check this out: https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/rese...

Edited by The_Doc on Tuesday 15th October 18:23

Thanks for the link. That was interesting reading. As the author notes not all helmets are alike. I personally wear an FIS approved race helmet which are designed to manage greater impacts (including panels to protect from impact when hitting gates) than a 'normal' helmet but on the flip side are less 'user-friendly'. For a beginner I wouldn't recommend one. My children need such a helmet for their club racing (regulations). It's worth noting that the article only finds a lower benefit from a certain type of injury and for other types they do find an advantage.

One of the aspects that that research failed to take into account was the change in snowports participation such as increased park/pipe/freestyle.

When you consider that there's a notable increase in higher-risk aspects of the sport, then if helmets do not, as they claim, reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury then the injury rate should increase along with the increased participation rates of the higher-risk aspects of the sport.

That the rate has stayed about the same suggests that they might well be reducing the risk of brain injury.

[Jarcy]

The_Doc said:

Clothes......... hmmmm.......

I am a warm person, I accept that, but really all those layers isn't what I wear.

Under salopettes: socks and boxers
Under ski Jacket: Long sleeve t-shirt
Professional quality salopettes and shell jacket, but none more. Wool socks.
In January when it's minus 5 in the resort, then maybe a rugby top instead of long sleeve t-shirt up the mountain.
In March: no jacket, just a big woolly jumper and gloves on sunny days.
Hat: wool

the more falling over you do, the warmer you'll be

back protection, helmet, etc, they're all optional

check this out: https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/rese...

Edited by The_Doc on Tuesday 15th October 18:23

Here's my experience:

Under salopettes: socks and boxers - unless your ski pants are just a shell, in which case I add a 3/4 length thermal layer.

Under ski Jacket: Short sleeve t-shirt (non cotton), + technical long sleeve layer. The short sleeve garment is essential for when you get into the Apres-bar. When you're dancing on the table in your ski boots, you wanna stay cool up top.

Professional quality salopettes and shell jacket: I use shell jacket / pants if touring and layer underneath. After all you'll have a rucksack to de-layer.
Otherwise for resort skiing, a dedicated insulated ski jacket and pants are fine all season. Needn't be expensive, but if designed for skiing, then the useful touches are there (such as ski pass sleeve zip, vents, pockets where you need them etc). And by insulated, it doesn't need to be thick padding, but a built in technical thermal layer is useful.

Wool socks: Merino specifically, but thin. Unless you really feel the cold in your feet, you should go for thin socks. Better feel & fit in the boot, which largely keeps you warm. I use Bridgedales.

In January when it's minus 5 in the resort: Layer with synthetics, not cotton (rugby tops). You still sweat when it's cold. I add a gilet; arms are OK so long as the torso is kept warm.

In March: Never be tempted to ski in Jeans. Foregoing at least a waterproof shell is a risky decision in the mountains.

Hat: Helmet - keeps you warm season-round.

[chandrew]

feef said:

chandrew said:

The_Doc said:

check this out: https://www.elsevier.com/about/press-releases/rese...

Edited by The_Doc on Tuesday 15th October 18:23

Thanks for the link. That was interesting reading. As the author notes not all helmets are alike. I personally wear an FIS approved race helmet which are designed to manage greater impacts (including panels to protect from impact when hitting gates) than a 'normal' helmet but on the flip side are less 'user-friendly'. For a beginner I wouldn't recommend one. My children need such a helmet for their club racing (regulations). It's worth noting that the article only finds a lower benefit from a certain type of injury and for other types they do find an advantage.

One of the aspects that that research failed to take into account was the change in snowports participation such as increased park/pipe/freestyle.

When you consider that there's a notable increase in higher-risk aspects of the sport, then if helmets do not, as they claim, reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury then the injury rate should increase along with the increased participation rates of the higher-risk aspects of the sport.

That the rate has stayed about the same suggests that they might well be reducing the risk of brain injury.

Probably a good catch. When I read the paper my first response was 'probably to do with sampling bias' but I didn't have enough information to say that conclusively. Certainly my experience is that those who don't wear a helmet aren't doing the same type of skiing (or have the same experience) as those who do. Here a decent number of those I see without a helmet tend to be 'old boys' skiing with a 'feet-locked-together' old school technique. My guess is that they're not trying to advance themselves (otherwise they might take lessons) or as noted not doing the riskier parts of skiing.

The only one of my skiing partners who doesn't wear a helmet is an Olympian downhiller with several podiums on the World Cup circuit in the late 80s / early 90s. Her view of acceptable risk on skis is different to mine (but she says she's terrified going quick in a car!)

[bucksmanuk]

Switzerland Les Diablerets, beginning of March ’20.
It’s a Solos holiday so just singles going in the group.
Experience indicates this could go either way….

[gregs656]

I am getting itchy to ski again now, couple of months off yet but the chill in the air has got me thinking about it.

New helmet for Christmas, and thinking it might be time to change my boots too (12 years old).

My current boots are really stiff, fast boots, I have had them on walk since I've had them and there is hardly any movement. I am thinking my next boots should have a bit more flex - thoughts?

I would say I am a fast, competent skier - unlikely to do proper back country stuff but I have done a reasonable amount of off piste stuff with instruction, and have raced a bit too.

edit: at the moment I think my boots force me into a too upright position and I get sore shins from trying to push forward.

Edited by gregs656 on Monday 28th October 15:31

[//j17]

By far the best advice for ski boots - go to a top boot fitter. If you're in the south east that would put either Pro Feet in Fulham or Solutions4Feet in Bister at the top of your list. You'll have to book an appointment (which are probably getting scare for pre-season weekend slots already) and expect it to take about 3hrs even if you have 'straight forward' feet.

[gregs656]

I’ll be doing it in resort, with a fitter who is a known quantity and has done a lot of work with a friend of mine who has quite specific requirements so I am not worried about the competency of the fitter.

[EddieSteadyGo]

gregs656 said:

My current boots are really stiff, fast boots, I have had them on walk since I've had them and there is hardly any movement. I am thinking my next boots should have a bit more flex - thoughts?

Have they always been that way? My boots are supposedly 130+ flex (although there isn't a standard way to measure the flex) and I can flex the cuff forward fairly easily with some pressure. They also give a nice rebound when you relax the forward pressure.

If your boots have a walk mode, it could the connecting cable is damaged which is why there is no movement. From your description, I'd say they might be faulty.

[gregs656]

They’ve been the same for 12 years. They are just stiff boots.

Thinking about it it probably isn’t the stiffness so much as the geometry of them. If they were slightly more raked forward it would be fine. I expect they are designed for heavier weights too.

[EddieSteadyGo]

gregs656 said:

They’ve been the same for 12 years. They are just stiff boots.

Did I understand you correctly when you said you keep your boots in walk mode?

Generally speaking, the stiffer boots don't usually have walk mode - and if there is a walk mode you can't normally ski in that mode as the walk-mode takes most of tension out of the cuff. Hence why I'm wondering if the mechanism might be faulty.

[gregs656]

EddieSteadyGo said:

Did I understand you correctly when you said you keep your boots in walk mode?

Generally speaking, the stiffer boots don't usually have walk mode - and if there is a walk mode you can't normally ski in that mode as the walk-mode takes most of tension out of the cuff. Hence why I'm wondering if the mechanism might be faulty.

It’s ‘walk’ mode but I guess it is quite a rudimentary version of it. I expect more modern boots it is quite different. You need an Allen key to adjust them.

Anyway this is all pretty academic - they were fitted and provided like that by a well respected store over a decade ago and have done many seasons of excellent service since then, including a bit of racing (even a bit of winning) without ever giving me any serious problems apart from a bit of sore shins every now and again, it is only in the last maybe 3 seasons with some advanced instruction and chatting with my instructor that I have started to think it’s time for a change.

[Marcellus]

A little video to get you in the mood for the season;;

https://vimeo.com/371393039/343fb8999d?fbclid=IwAR...

[//j17]

Prefer live action film myself - https://www.tignes.co.uk/webcam.htm

[DuncsGTi]

Just managed to get my name on the annual works trip, a week in Val Thorens in February

Hopefully I have a little less eventful tip than my last one where I came home with a herniated L4/L5 disc requiring surgery!!

I've been on the lookout for a new jacket for a while, went into TK Maxx in Bournemouth at the weekend and found a 2017 season Spyder Pinnacle in the perfect size for £250 (it would have been around £850 when released)

[Welshbeef]

Got dates sorted for a works do 23-27-1/20.

Now narrowing down where.

I’m suggesting
Ischgl
Val Thornes
Les Gets
St Anton.

Group of min 6
Talent - all can ski, though some are needing to progress from green runs where as others are from there up to I believe able to do Reds.
Socialising will be important too
Cost/budget well for some it will be the only ski trip of the year so can afford to go a bit more (my view is no need for crazy budget instead good resort amazing views great snow and skiing lots of fun and banter).

Where should we go ? Would love ski in ski out / idyllic views but might not be available.

[S100HP]

4 nights? You'll struggle with St Anton. They like their weeks.

You'll not go far wrong with Morzine. I love Les Gets, but nightlife is limited.

[Welshbeef]

S100HP said:

4 nights? You'll struggle with St Anton. They like their weeks.

You'll not go far wrong with Morzine. I love Les Gets, but nightlife is limited.

Well 4 days skiing but only 3 days off work. We all have families so literally taking a full week skiing would simply reduce the numbers going to likely make it non viable.


Morzine could be the one