The Snowsports Thread 2014-15

Bazzards · 24 Jan 2015 at 12:30

Quick question guys, off to Pas Andorra next week 1st time skiing. Is all the nightlife in the town rather than on the piste? and if so, what footwear do you wear? If the pavements are cleared of snow thinking just trainers, Thoughts?

zakjattaway · 27 Jan 2015 at 10:20

233cm of snowfall due for the next 9 days in Flaine! Looks to be picking up recently in France.

Roady · 27 Jan 2015 at 13:52

Bazzards said:
Quick question guys, off to Pas Andorra next week 1st time skiing. Is all the nightlife in the town rather than on the piste? and if so, what footwear do you wear? If the pavements are cleared of snow thinking just trainers, Thoughts?

Where are you staying? Check weather reports for your week there (example of how easy to find). I was in Arinsal week before last and did most the week in normal boots (Timberlands), with normal socks but most days I'd have been ok in trainers (some of them I'd have been ok in shorts! It was 12 degrees one day!

). I had heavier boots and needed them when we had 1 snowy & cold day (still only -1 or so). I grabbed a pair similar to these before we went. Temps around zero for any prolonged outside walking (in the dry) you'd need thick socks and boots (rather than trainers) or thick boots. For anything lower temps then specific 'snow' or insulated boots are required, any wet weather prolonged hiking or specific snow trekking you'll need more suitable footwear.

Looking at the weather for Arinsal at the moment it is much colder than when I was there, you may be ok in trainers during the day but once the sun goes behind the mountains the temperatures plummet! Not much fun wearing trainers with 2 pairs of thick stocks on!

Bazzards · 27 Jan 2015 at 13:55

Thanks for the info. Looks like solid snow showers from Friday through to Monday with low temp of -12 in the town. Staying pas de la casa. Think I may need a pair of those walking boots.

Thanks again.

platypus · 27 Jan 2015 at 14:34

zakjattaway said:
233cm of snowfall due for the next 9 days in Flaine! Looks to be picking up recently in France.

The snow in the whole of the GM has been excellent the last week. 233cm might be a bit too much, but it would be nice to be able to head east from Grand Platieres, it's been closed all season so far.

platypus · 27 Jan 2015 at 14:36

Here's one rather different picture I took at the weekend. Obv the picture doesn't show it but the cloud was moving whispily, almost looked alive..

zakjattaway · 28 Jan 2015 at 08:45

Great photo. I don't leave until the 7th so I'm hoping all the snow falls now and then we get a nice sprinkle when we are there

Will Gill · 29 Jan 2015 at 11:39

Just working out what bindings to shove on my custom skis, graphics will be marmite but I love them - same dimensions and rocker as the 2014 179 k2 hellbents

Currently school of thought is fluro orange FKS 180s (b130mm) (similar colour as the poles on the right)

randomshenans · 29 Jan 2015 at 12:57

Marker Jester Pro? or are you a sticky up back bit kinda guy?

randomshenans · 29 Jan 2015 at 12:58

Ooo or the DUKE EPF? They have a nice walker function as well.

Will Gill · 29 Jan 2015 at 17:58

Don't think I'll skin too much in these so the extra weight for a duke or guardian isn't warranted. Got Jester Pros on my current skis, just fancied something different, and the FKS do look quite funky.

hmm, I think I'm already sold on the FKS, annoyingly my mate doesnt have the drill mask for them, time to go on the blag!!

Buffman · 29 Jan 2015 at 23:09

What's the best site for saving money when booking a holiday?

I've tried ski sun Web and crystal ski thus far

(I want to fly with 2 people from Stansted preferably)

zakjattaway · 30 Jan 2015 at 08:34

I book with Neilson Ski. Have a variety of catering options. Flights, Transfers and accomodation by default. Last minute booking on there generally save a fair amount of money too.

Also Neilson ski is noticeably cheaper then Crystal Ski.

I guess a lot of it comes down to personal preference. I find people tend to try a few companies and then end up sticking with one for the future.

Roady · 30 Jan 2015 at 09:09

We've generally used Crystal (4 holidays), either for the whole package (easy & stress free) or more recently (earlier this month) we just did board hire, lift passes and transfers with them (hotel, flights and lessons ourselves, saved around £150).

Probably the best thing to do is to decide where you want to go, see what operators have packages there and then decide which to go with. Neilson operated from the same hotels as Crystal in Andorra but were more expensive.

We've booked other (non-snow) trips with Thompson and Low-Cost, would happily use either for a boarding trip if we needed to!

platypus · 30 Jan 2015 at 09:39

Will Gill said:
Don't think I'll skin too much in these so the extra weight for a duke or guardian isn't warranted. Got Jester Pros on my current skis, just fancied something different, and the FKS do look quite funky.

hmm, I think I'm already sold on the FKS, annoyingly my mate doesnt have the drill mask for them, time to go on the blag!!

I would be tempted to put the new Salomon MTN bindings on those, they're so minimal and won't detract much, if at all, from the paintjob.

Buffman · 31 Jan 2015 at 20:47

Think I'm looking at bansko Bulgaria now, anyone been?

Seems o be good for beginners /intermediate, cheap hotels (can stay in 4*/5* rather than 2/3 in France etc), cheap lifts/snowboard rental

Only downsides is expensive flights but overall seems a better idea than France /italy/Austria for me.

Kemik · 1 Feb 2015 at 15:01

People who have been to Val Thoren - I need your advice on ski passes please!

There's a group of 14 of us going in early March. The group has mixed abilities. Which ski pass would you recommend we go for? Would the beginners be best with the basic Val Thoren pass then should the intermediates go for the Vallee des Belleville?

We're hoping to hit the snow park once or twice and it looks like we would need access to the 3 valleys to go to the best (moonpark or DC Area 42?). I know you can get an upgrade for 31.50 for 3 valleys or 29.50 for Vallee des Belleville.

Cheers

Will Gill · 1 Feb 2015 at 16:58

Kemik said:
People who have been to Val Thoren - I need your advice on ski passes please!

There's a group of 14 of us going in early March. The group has mixed abilities. Which ski pass would you recommend we go for? Would the beginners be best with the basic Val Thoren pass then should the intermediates go for the Vallee des Belleville?

We're hoping to hit the snow park once or twice and it looks like we would need access to the 3 valleys to go to the best (moonpark or DC Area 42?). I know you can get an upgrade for 31.50 for 3 valleys or 29.50 for Vallee des Belleville.

Cheers

Beginners/intermediates just get local passes, if you are going to go to the park more than once then get a 3V pass it will pay for itself compared to the two upgrades, otherwise you can easily just buy a day extension on the day you choose to go.

platypus said:
I would be tempted to put the new Salomon MTN bindings on those, they're so minimal and won't detract much, if at all, from the paintjob.

Not heard of them before and a quick google didn't turn up anything

you dont mean the Guardian range do you? If so these won't be my skinning/touring skis. Just need to comfortably din to around 13-14 without the binding topping out.

randomshenans · 2 Feb 2015 at 08:51

I have the old STH 16s on my Lines, but they're not as jazzy as above

Will Gill · 2 Feb 2015 at 13:30

STH16s would be fine, but due to my bleeding edge fashion requirements they don't come in the right colours