Plenty of snow in Norway, ~50cm over last couple days and -10C. Staying in Lillehammer near Hafjell - http://www.hafjell.no/skipass-and-skiing-in-hafjell-ski-resort/webcams . Watching XC on Eurosport it looks pretty bleak in the Alps?
The Snowsports Thread 2014-15
- Thread starter Jokester
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Weather is fine here in Andorra, warmer than the UK in the middle of the day but cooler overnight, we had a very light dusting of snow last night in the village (hoping for more on the mountains! 90% of the lifts are open anyway! Will report back later (with some pics!)
Ah nice! Depending on the weather I would probably hit up Arcalis earlier in the week rather then later as it gets a lot busier. This is of course if you are planning on going there. I would highly recommend it regardless of the bus journey as the snow over there is a lot better then pal/arinsal. Also a heads up about the 2 buses that come back from arcalis. The 1st bus back will be absolutely packed! Would advise getting on the second one as it is pretty much empty.
Thanks for that mate, we'very got some lessons booked tomorrow (finding our legs today) so might do Arcalis on weds rather than later in the week... Is there a board park there where we can go watch some guys doing tricks? We're only really beginners ourselves but should be confident on red runs by the end of this week.
Was a balmy 12 degrees here today, top of the mountain was a few degrees cooler but felt around 7/8 degrees. Lots of melt on the slopes which started to freeze in a colid wind this afternoon. Today was forecast the warmest day but i've got my fingers crossed for the cold Wednesday and snow forecast no matter how little! It should snow on Friday night too but we're not boarding on saturday
Should be some public pics here i've uploaded: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fznkkecwnd0wnin/AABEpUgaQmXdJMHuF_6IaHzha?dl=0
Let me know if it doesn't work (Dropbox app link probs!)
Internet (hotel wifi) isn't great so will upload more to the same folder as the week goes on. Won't upload videos (Garmin VIRB) until I'm home!
EDIT: struggling to upload pics bear with me! Andorra isn't listed/included within Vodafone 'euro zone' 1 & 2 meaning it'll cost £30 for every 5MB of Internet used!
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From what I remember I don't think there is a park in Arcalis. Only one I know of is in the centre or Arinsal. Photos look good. Brings back memories seeing slopes you were on the year before!
One other thing I didn't mention in the last post was if you do go over to Arcalis they have one of the Olympic Rings on one of the Green runs. Its accessible to everyone but I WARN YOU (Being a boarder) that the green run is long and flat. There are ropes along the left hand side that go round to pull you along if you haven't got enough speed. It is definitely worth a visit though as its huge.
Also if you go over to Comapedrossa hotel I think the password for their wifi is: iloveyou! or iloveyou
I may be wrong but its something like that.
http://tinypic.com/r/2m4suoy/8
One other thing I didn't mention in the last post was if you do go over to Arcalis they have one of the Olympic Rings on one of the Green runs. Its accessible to everyone but I WARN YOU (Being a boarder) that the green run is long and flat. There are ropes along the left hand side that go round to pull you along if you haven't got enough speed. It is definitely worth a visit though as its huge.
Also if you go over to Comapedrossa hotel I think the password for their wifi is: iloveyou! or iloveyou
I may be wrong but its something like that.
http://tinypic.com/r/2m4suoy/8
France is not value for money at all, the other Alpine countries simply do everything better except for one or two exceptions. Better hotels, nicer people, cheaper.
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I a going to Austria (Mayrhofen) in the first week in April. I have been doing some checks online and it seems the average temperature at that time isn't as cold as I thought it would be (seem to avg. between 2-12 degrees). With that in mind what sort of clothing would you recommend?
This is my first time skiing, and although I don't want to spend a bomb on this stuff, I don't want to buy crap gear that won't server me very well - as if all's goes well I do think we will go again.
The problem I am having is reviews for this stuff seem to be pretty thin across the board, so I am finding it a bit difficult to get an idea of what good and what isn't - adding to the fact that I am not sure exactly what I need is making it all a bit of a pain in the arse lol, so any help oh what stuff/how many layers etc. I need, and a website or two you have had good experiences with would be great!
This is my first time skiing, and although I don't want to spend a bomb on this stuff, I don't want to buy crap gear that won't server me very well - as if all's goes well I do think we will go again.
The problem I am having is reviews for this stuff seem to be pretty thin across the board, so I am finding it a bit difficult to get an idea of what good and what isn't - adding to the fact that I am not sure exactly what I need is making it all a bit of a pain in the arse lol, so any help oh what stuff/how many layers etc. I need, and a website or two you have had good experiences with would be great!
In april it's quite hot. I would usually wear a thermal, t-shirt, and a hoodie at that time of year (although a light jacket is good too). No need for a hat.
You should be able to pick up end of season sales for gear around then so I wouldn't buy now.
Edit: essentials for april
Sun tan lotion (high factor or you will get burnt badly!)
Salopettes
Sunglasses or goggles (I prefer sunglasses for that time of year)
light jacket (could take your standard lightweight waterproof at that time of year - no special gear required)
Medium thick jumper (hoodies/fleeces)
Gloves (don't need to be very thick)
Ski socks
Skis/poles/boots/helmet can all be hired together in resort.
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Thanks for the info mate, much appreciated. Might try and pick up some of the smaller stuff over the next couple of weeks likes hoodies/fleeces and socks so I am not in a mad rush later on. We do have all rental stuff included in the holiday price so it is just the clothes stuff I need.
Need to head down to the opticians to pick up some proper prescription sunglasses I think, as I have read in a few places that it is advisable to have a good pair, unfortunately I don't have any prescription sunglasses right now.
<EDIT> Anyone who goes's skiing and needs prescription glasses, can you comment on if you use sunglasses or prescription goggles? Again seems to be a lot of choice, and with it being my first go I fancy shelling out loads before I try it. Might just try and get some goggle to go over the top of my glasses to see how it goes.
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Couldn't agree with this more - France seems to cater for those without a budget or for those who want a quick flight and transfer. You can get much more for your money elsewhere!
I would say prescription sunglasses - that time of year I doubt it'll be cold enough for goggles and you'll get more use out of sunglasses when at home too. I wore my goggles for the first time today in Andorra!
It's worth visiting TKMaxx etc, certainly now the season is well past starting - I picked up my O'NEIL coat for £65, list price was £240. Although as mentioned the time of year you're going it would be better to search for a good fleece and a light waterproof coat (hard shell type).
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Innsbruck, Friedrichshafen are pretty good for transfer times.
Less than 45 minutes from the airport to the Stubai glacier, an hour to Sankt Anton... (By cheap and reliable train!)
Dolomites are around 1h30 away.
I haven't had anything near that short in France as I alsways seem to end up in Geneva.
It could be a lot hotter than that. A group of friends went to Mayrhofen mid March last year and it was 19 degrees on the mountain. I went to Morzine in early April, which is fairly low, and it was 24.9 degrees at 1500 meters...
At that time of the year you could really get anything - there was snow the week after we left...
Sportsdirect have some good offers on HH jackets but as someone else said if you wait until later in the season then there will be large discounts. Go for a lighter jacket, pref with decent rain/water resistance as you are as likely to get rain as snow in April. If it is cold add a midlayer fleece or two and you are set.
T-shirts are usually cotton so they don't dry out very well - if you are someone that sweats a lot it isn't a good idea.
Base layers are good or anything which will wick sweat away from your skin as well as keeping you warm (ie not cotton!), like cycling jerseys! 
Lots of snow here in Arinsal today, 15-20cm throughout the day in the village and on the mountain! Apologies for the huge pic (can't resize easily on phone):
Lots of snow here in Arinsal today, 15-20cm throughout the day in the village and on the mountain! Apologies for the huge pic (can't resize easily on phone):
Very impressed by Norway. Did a couple days XC, and a couple downhill.
Not that expensive, or at least it's on a par with the French Alps for food and drink.
Everyone very friendly and don't seem to begrudge speaking English.
Cheapish flights from Manchester, then <2hrs on train to Lillehammer, all very civilised (no transfer day traffic nightmares). Hafjell and Kvitfjell the larger 2 ski centres both covered by the same pass (~£35 for a day).
Plenty of snow and very quiet.
Lower runs floodlit till 1900 midweek.
Not that expensive, or at least it's on a par with the French Alps for food and drink.
Everyone very friendly and don't seem to begrudge speaking English.
Cheapish flights from Manchester, then <2hrs on train to Lillehammer, all very civilised (no transfer day traffic nightmares). Hafjell and Kvitfjell the larger 2 ski centres both covered by the same pass (~£35 for a day).
Plenty of snow and very quiet.
Off to the three valleys tomorrow for a long weekend. Was in Chamonix a week or so ago, was icey but we got a little fresh which gave us one good day at Grand Montets.
We were planning Japan again for this year but have had to push it off to next unfortunately
Chamonix with the family over half term will hopefully yield some good conditions
We were planning Japan again for this year but have had to push it off to next unfortunately
Chamonix with the family over half term will hopefully yield some good conditions
I also echo this. Even though a dry slope can be a world away from skiing/boarding on actual snow, at the end of the day you're still strapped to a board so can begin to get a feel for things. Plus it is so much cheaper than the snowdomes.
The snow here seems to be continuing in it's usual fashion. Went night riding yesterday and then up again this morning. A shot below from a morning last week:
Niseko is amazing! One of the best weeks of my life spent there, I can't wait to go back.
Soldato
Niseko is amazing! One of the best weeks of my life spent there, I can't wait to go back.
That's just you on the charlie, Saturday night.
Fixed picture.