Skiing update

[Spie]

My understanding is American system is a step down from the French, I.e. a French red is an American black etc.

I'm not sure about this. A quick look at the Verbier map shows there are only blue (easiest), red and black runs - http://ski.intermaps.ch/verbier/index.asp?lang=en

I'm sure one of our more experienced skiers will be along soon to confirm whether this is the case.

 

[Maccy]

Ahhh crap I need to get out on the slopes, need some practice again before I go away - gotten very unfit over xmas!

 

[Von Luck]

In my experience, European black runs (esp French) tend to be far harder than NA ones. I've skied plenty of blacks in Aspen and Banff with no problems - however black runs in France tend to be more of the "jump 20ft before you hit the snow" variety.

That said, there are still Euro blacks which aren't too bad and NA blacks which are evil. It varies from resort to resort. You need to speak to locals and check piste maps carefully to get a good idea about which runs you'll be able to attempt.

Just over 3 weeks till I'm off to Banff again, can't wait

 

[NickK]

In my experience, European black runs (esp French) tend to be far harder than NA ones. I've skied plenty of blacks in Aspen and Banff with no problems - however black runs in France tend to be more of the "jump 20ft before you hit the snow" variety.

That said, there are still Euro blacks which aren't too bad and NA blacks which are evil. It varies from resort to resort. You need to speak to locals and check piste maps carefully to get a good idea about which runs you'll be able to attempt.

Just over 3 weeks till I'm off to Banff again, can't wait

At Big White in Canada there's some interesting blacks - both one and two diamonds. There's a lot of very long blue and red runs too.

The Dragon's Teeth was as you'd expect - a black which as some serious drops (a good 10-12ft) with a large number of boulders (the teeth). I'm not good enough for double black though such as "The Parachute Bowl", "Pegasus" which as the names would indicate are serious stuff.

I'm glad you enjoyed your skiing Spie. I can't think of a nicer place to start! Although I do prefer the smaller alpine feel.

Ahh.. this weekend I'll be on the snow again! Joy joy!

 

[hogfather]

I'm going to La Plagne in France in a week

Snow is meant to be fantastic at the moment too! I've been once before, and did a red at the end of the week. I'm skint at the mo so may only be able to afford one or two lessons (if that) but my mates are good skiers, so I'll do greens on the first day then on to easy blues. I like blues cos they're longer - I'm not too interested in terrifying myself on vertical slopes, and so long flowing blues are brilliant! Like someone said earlier, allows you to take in the scenery while going fast

OOOOOOO, can't wait now, great thread to get me in the mood!

 

[NickK]

I'm going to La Plagne in France in a week

Snow is meant to be fantastic at the moment too! I've been once before, and did a red at the end of the week. I'm skint at the mo so may only be able to afford one or two lessons (if that) but my mates are good skiers, so I'll do greens on the first day then on to easy blues. I like blues cos they're longer - I'm not too interested in terrifying myself on vertical slopes, and so long flowing blues are brilliant! Like someone said earlier, allows you to take in the scenery while going fast

OOOOOOO, can't wait now, great thread to get me in the mood!

Now days I start by immediately heading for a red. This usually forces all the good turns etc out of me from the start whilst I have the energy.

If I'm going down groomies then I usually spend most of my time running the sides.

I still have a love of blues too - nothing like gliding along a wide blue carving gently then bombing over the small moguls Big White in canada was fantastic for those.
In france I'll often off-piste to get some power to glide on as my board is specifically a powder board (bindings are set back, the nose is wider than the tail).

I went to Belle La Plagne last year - nice place! Although the snow was a bit sparse so although we were at the higher altitudes everyone else also had to go up to glacier too to get some snow rather than ice.

 

[Nexus]

Some of the blue runs in Whistler are quite varied as well... when comparing it to the French system.

There are a few of the less well used ones on Whistler off of Garbanzo chair that are quite steep in places and aren't so much fun for new skiiers/riders.

 

[D.P.]

It's great isn't it. There are no reds here though. Just greens, blues, blacks (either one or two diamond).

We'll definitely be skiing again before the end of the season.

In north America, 1 black diamond is equivalent to a red run, 2 black diamonds to a black run in Europe.

 

[D.P.]

In my experience, European black runs (esp French) tend to be far harder than NA ones. I've skied plenty of blacks in Aspen and Banff with no problems - however black runs in France tend to be more of the "jump 20ft before you hit the snow" variety.

That said, there are still Euro blacks which aren't too bad and NA blacks which are evil. It varies from resort to resort. You need to speak to locals and check piste maps carefully to get a good idea about which runs you'll be able to attempt.

Just over 3 weeks till I'm off to Banff again, can't wait

But Aspen and Banff are renowned for easy runs.

Look at places like Stevens Pass, A-hole basin, Kirkwood, Squaw and Jackson Hole.

Indeed, look at the images of Corbetts Couloir. http://images.google.ch/images?hl=en&resnum=0&q=corbett's+couloir&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Very technical entry, around 10-25ft vertical drop into a 50-55 degree narrow couloir. This is an official marked run ( al beit mostly closed). There are plenty of more technical things to ski in europe, but they aren't official. The advantage of europe is that you can ski where you want, the ropes are guidelines not mandatory.

 

[D.P.]

im going to canada in october, up banf and jasper etc, did not think of doing skiing going to have to get me some lessons now thanks to your post spie.

Is snowboarding easier ? and are their any decent places up here in fife. (sorry for slight hijack)

In fife, go to Glenshee. This was Yesterday. http://www.winterhighland.info/2006...ighland.info/2006/pix/pixalbum.php?pix_id=398

 

[R.O.S.S.I]

This really makes me want to go skiing again. Might have a go at the snow dome near Old Trafford to get my bearings.

 

[kefkef]

I'm going to La Plagne in France in a week

Ahhhh, La Plagne, went there for 5yrs (86-90) on the run in a mix of school/mates trips. Was mucho fun. Would love to go skiing again, but alas a dodgy back from too much rugby means that's out. Have fun.

 

[WillyNelson]

we skied from Horstman Hut at 2,284m and -11C all the way down to base at 685m.

Nice! I did that run om my last day out there in 2006. That last T-bar is a bit of a clencher, drags you up a near vertical ascent. It was the 2nd best run for me - best was from the top of the saddle on Whistler (top right in this pic) down to the base and in for a pint in the Longhorn.

It really is all about smoothness and developing a natural flowing style. But at 45 years of age, first skiing holiday, on blues I'm very happy

Well done. That's some age to be starting to ski.

And I know what you mean about the rythmn. I got it together by singing The Blue Danube to smooth my turns.

 

[platypus]

I'm hoping that after another 4 or 5 lessons I'll be good enough to at least have the basics ready for Whistler. If anyone is thinking of having a go, just do it. It's great fun

Aye, I loved it when my parents were happy to fund it. Now...it's an expensive hobby that I don't have time to do properly.

 

[misterPK]

Aye, I loved it when my parents were happy to fund it. Now...it's an expensive hobby that I don't have time to do properly.

I'm in the same boat, last time I went was with the folks when I was 17, now I'm no longer a student and actually earning a decent amount its getting so tempting to take a late deal jobby and pop over to the alps. The only problem is I'm not sure any of my mates would be able or want to go with me. Has anyone ever been on this kind of holiday on their own?

PK!

 

[Loki]

This really makes me want to go skiing again. Might have a go at the snow dome near Old Trafford to get my bearings.

From what I have heard it is a nightmare to get bookings there at the moment. Was considering some lessons and maybe trying a bit of ski-ing next year

 

[geeza]

whistler views are stunning. i want to go back

Great 21st birthday. Only wish my mum could have come too but she had an op on her foot a month or so before (and cant really ski anyway , so would have needed lessons)

 

[Blackstar]

My little sister was in Italy this christmas skiing as part of a ski instructor training scholarship. She is off to France in a couple of weeks on a skiing holiday this time.

 

[hogfather]

Cheers kefkef, good to hear its a cool area for skiing! I'm so excited it's just silly

Does nayone know how much a ski (lift) pass is at the moment?

 

[platypus]

I'm in the same boat, last time I went was with the folks when I was 17, now I'm no longer a student and actually earning a decent amount its getting so tempting to take a late deal jobby and pop over to the alps. The only problem is I'm not sure any of my mates would be able or want to go with me. Has anyone ever been on this kind of holiday on their own?

PK!

Aye I've been thinking about one of these late deal things, but it's still a fairly expensive thing to do. I guess a one off or once a year it wouldn't be too bad. Any idea how much these kind of deals charge for equipment hire?