The Snowsports Thread 2014-15

Roady · 5 Dec 2014 at 13:51

Bazzards said:
Just booked my first ski holiday, going to Meribel staying self catering apartments, total cost including 3 valleys ski pass £950.

Looking to have a couple of 1 to 1 lessons at a ski dome will this be the best way to learn? Any other suggestions?

As it's your first time I'd look at getting lessons as part of your deal (assuming you booked with an operator?) as you'll need them... Different resorts have different types of lessons/instructors/time in lessons. Some countries/resorts seem stricter (all day, full week) than others (2 hours in the morning 3-4 days). You will learn easier/faster/more enjoyable on real snow with a proper instructor.

The Craig said:
Interesting thread, if I wanted to go snowboarding for 4-7 days with the Mrs, how much would it cost? (I'd like a half decent place to stay and not too much travel to the ski lifts etc) Also any time of year that's cheaper, late Jan/Feb?

I'm not too bothered on where to go, but preferably more beginner type stuff (I've had lessons, can link my turns etc and go on the highest inclines in snow domes but don't think that means much.)

Also having restaurants nearby and stuff would be cool. Thanks guys all advice welcomed. (book early or minute also? What websites to use?)

Previously (much younger) when going with my mum she always booked everything through a tour operator - it helps to make sure you have everything covered and you have reps to goto with any problems. More recently I've done similar (Me+Mrs) and booked hotel/passes/lessons/hire/transfers all as a bundle with http://www.crystalski.co.uk and usually look to spend ~£1500 for both of us, 7 days for everything, including flights (which we sort ourselves).

Amp34 said:
Where to go? It really won't matter too much for a beginner. If you want the more pretty scenery then somewhere in Austria would be a good bet. Scheffau is nice, pretty and lots of gentle tree lined slopes. The only problem is it's not really a ski in ski out location (which will usually be in the purpose built high rise monstrosities). Andorra or somewhere like Slovakia/Bulgaria are cheap(er) although the last time I went to Bulgaria it was about the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall... Andorra was nice when I went (but about 15 years ago) so worth waiting to see if others have been more recently... Otherwise, most of the resorts in France, Austria and Italy will cater for your needs easily, just a case of looking and seeing which you like the look of (and what deals are available).

I went to Bulgaria last Jan for a week in Pamperovo, it was good for our first year of boarding but very limited amount of slopes (not just because there was no snow!) and a very small town (nothing there apart from ski hotels and restaurants). Very cheap and got a good trip for our money but this time we're going to Andorra and hope it has a bit of a better selection of slopes/things to do and a little busier!

rogan said:
Im just a bit bregrudged to spend good money when the chances of me being able to afford to go skiing any time soon are very slim (this trips paid for by work, one off, very lucky)

It's only as expensive as you make it! I picked up a £350 Oneil boarding jacket from TK Maxx last week for £65. It might be last season but it feels good quality, certainly better than my £125 Animal coat I bought for our last trip! 10+ years ago I spent £350 on a multi-layer (inner reversible fleece) Oneil jacket, amazing quality (this new one isn't to the same standard/thickness) but I wouldn't spend the same again unless I was doing a whole season! :cool:

soundb0y said:
I don't understand why reviews seem so scarce for ski gear as opposed to say biking or any other sport.

I know, tons of sites stock skiing/boarding kit but very few websites out there with reviews, sailandski used to have loads but they vanished last time they updated their website!

ste2005 · 10 Dec 2014 at 13:09

Well me and the wife go skiing every year just after Xmas to a resort near chamonix. At the moment their is 10cm of snow at 2000m, and 5 at 1600cm. Hopefully we will get some more snow before we go. Is anyone else planning on a trip ?

Roady · 10 Dec 2014 at 13:54

Andorra for us in mid-january! They've had 20cm of snow on their lower slopes the last few days so fingers crossed!

mr tommo · 11 Dec 2014 at 15:07

6 of us heading to Tignes on 27th December for New year week

Not looking great at the minute... Glacier is open but would be a huge disappointment if that's all there is.

timebomb26 · 14 Dec 2014 at 02:16

Had my first day of the season today. Feels so good to be back on the snow. It definitely helps that we've had around 70cm in the last 3 days and that's in the village. Storm isn't even supposed to peak until Wednesday!

Jokester · 14 Dec 2014 at 11:57

timebomb26 said:
Had my first day of the season today. Feels so good to be back on the snow. It definitely helps that we've had around 70cm in the last 3 days and that's in the village. Storm isn't even supposed to peak until Wednesday!

Jealous.

Planning on going to Japan next season.

Lima · 16 Dec 2014 at 15:39

Booked cervinia in Italy for 21st march for some nice sunny high altitude skiing late season :cool:

Sherpa · 16 Dec 2014 at 19:26

Lima said:
Booked cervinia in Italy for 21st march for some nice sunny high altitude skiing late season

Good times, I went a while ago but it was lovely skiing then, and a day trip to Zermatt is nice and easy.

Will Gill · 16 Dec 2014 at 21:38

Off on friday, snow is looking pants.... light dusting tomorrow, hoping and praying for a miracle, all my airbag will be good for is rafting down the melting snow waterfalls.....

McBain · 16 Dec 2014 at 22:56

Booked to go to Chamonix January 7th ... snow looking absolutely gash out there at the moment, opening of the resort has already been put back 3 times.

Few weeks off, but it's not looking promising.

Quinnaay · 16 Dec 2014 at 23:08

I'd love to find a cheap skiing hol for me and the girlfriend everything I see is just obsurdly expensive. We went lessons and bought clothing last year just would need ski passes and ski/boot hire.

Must get on the look a week would suffice but I'd like a little bit of nightlife also.

Repta · 16 Dec 2014 at 23:11

McBain said:
Booked to go to Chamonix January 7th ... snow looking absolutely gash out there at the moment, opening of the resort has already been put back 3 times.

Few weeks off, but it's not looking promising.

Tell me about it, off to Morzine on Friday for a week and not looking good at all :/

Owenb · 17 Dec 2014 at 09:21

McBain said:
Booked to go to Chamonix January 7th ... snow looking absolutely gash out there at the moment, opening of the resort has already been put back 3 times.

Few weeks off, but it's not looking promising.

The current forecasts for Europe have quite a bit of cold weather forecast, with snow, between then and now so I wouldn't be too worried.

Repta - yeah doesn't look good. Cannot see Morzine being opened. Avoriaz will have some skiing but it will likely be limited to above the town.

ste2005 · 18 Dec 2014 at 16:06

Just been looking on the webcams for the village we go to in the french alps and it doesn't look good. The temp is rising over the next few days, then getting cooler again around boxing day. We arrive on the 28th. So hopefully a meter of snow will drop, but I doubt it.

peterattheboro · 18 Dec 2014 at 16:36

Me and 2 mates are off to Val Thorens in February.

Never stepped foot on a snowboard before so this is going to be interesting.

I'm obviously going to get lessons before I go out there as I don't want to waste the majority of my holiday being instructed so I was going to to Xscape in Castleford for lessons which are about £150.

However speaking to someone at work he's recommended I just go to a local dry slope to get the feel of the board and the basic maneuvers down. That's only £35 as well.

So would I be ok doing my lessons on a dry slope and then learning the rest when I get out there?

Will probably do lessons 2-3 weeks in advance.

izzop · 18 Dec 2014 at 17:20

ste2005 said:
Just been looking on the webcams for the village we go to in the french alps and it doesn't look good. The temp is rising over the next few days, then getting cooler again around boxing day. We arrive on the 28th. So hopefully a meter of snow will drop, but I doubt it.

Where are you going?

Thankfully I'm not going until much later in the season. A week in late March in Les Sybelles, fingers crossed they have a good late season.

McBain · 18 Dec 2014 at 20:03

peterattheboro said:
Me and 2 mates are off to Val Thorens in February.

Never stepped foot on a snowboard before so this is going to be interesting.

I'm obviously going to get lessons before I go out there as I don't want to waste the majority of my holiday being instructed so I was going to to Xscape in Castleford for lessons which are about £150.

However speaking to someone at work he's recommended I just go to a local dry slope to get the feel of the board and the basic maneuvers down. That's only £35 as well.

So would I be ok doing my lessons on a dry slope and then learning the rest when I get out there?

Will probably do lessons 2-3 weeks in advance.

I personally wouldn't recommend bothering on a dry slope, completely different feel to actual snow, so as a complete beginner I don't see the benefit.

ste2005 · 18 Dec 2014 at 20:39

izzop said:
Where are you going?

Thankfully I'm not going until much later in the season. A week in late March in Les Sybelles, fingers crossed they have a good late season.

A village called Les Contamines, about an hour away from Chamonix

Roady · 22 Dec 2014 at 12:41

peterattheboro said:
I'm obviously going to get lessons before I go out there as I don't want to waste the majority of my holiday being instructed so I was going to to Xscape in Castleford for lessons which are about £150.

However speaking to someone at work he's recommended I just go to a local dry slope to get the feel of the board and the basic maneuvers down. That's only £35 as well.

So would I be ok doing my lessons on a dry slope and then learning the rest when I get out there?

Will probably do lessons 2-3 weeks in advance.

McBain said:
I personally wouldn't recommend bothering on a dry slope, completely different feel to actual snow, so as a complete beginner I don't see the benefit.

Similar to above, although if you learnt the basics on a dry slope (standing, heel edge, toe edge, basic turns) you'd find them loads easier at a snow dome and even easier on real snow. You'd want 3-5 days gap between them for recovery - as you use muscles you don't otherwise use!

Ideally do a couple of hours on dry first, then an hours lesson with some free time at the dome (to practice). Probably the cheapest way to get an ok standard before you go, although dry slopes are not fun when compared to snow dome/real snow (so do them first!)

When you get out on real snow you'll love it! You probably wouldn't need to be in the absolute beginners group either if going for lessons. Nothing worse being in a group with lesser abilities than yourself - you waste a couple of days of your holiday waiting for other people to stand up! :rolleyes:

Ronald · 22 Dec 2014 at 21:08

peterattheboro said:
I'm obviously going to get lessons before I go out there as I don't want to waste the majority of my holiday being instructed so I was going to to Xscape in Castleford for lessons which are about £150.

However speaking to someone at work he's recommended I just go to a local dry slope to get the feel of the board and the basic maneuvers down. That's only £35 as well.

I would recommend taking lessons on a dry slope. The surface is less forgiving to mistakes, so you're forced to learn to a higher standard. This is the reason it will transfer absolutely fine to real snow fine as well.

At less than a quarter the cost, you can take 4 times as many lessons.

I do understand why people recommend to take lessons in snowdomes, but to my mind the reason is simply that they 'feel' better due to the easier surface. You'll get that feel once out in the alps!