The Snowsports Thread 2015-16

Jokester

Jokester

Jokester

Don
Joined
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Well, there's already snow on some of the mountains in the US so probably time to make a thread for this winter.

Should be an interesting one, for those that haven't picked up in the news, this year has one of the strongest El Nino weather patterns on record which has the potential to produce well above average snow falls in the SW US, possible as north and inland as Colorado. Further North, Canadian Rockies and Montana may experience well below normal snow fall.

Wider effects could lead to cold, snowy winters here in the UK and Europe as whole.

Me?

Looking at going to France in January and then somewhere else in April for 2 weeks still to be decided. Japan was on the cards, but El Nino looks to increase temperatures there, which may turn the legendary power to rain, but I'll need to do a bit more research first I think.
 
El nino effects on snowfall is pretty variable though so i wouldn't go booking a vacation based on the forecast ENSO conditions. Last year should have been great for California but it was a record drought. ENSO effect on Europe is pretty much non-existent, very slight chance of a warmer winter and a colder spring but that in itself doesn't guarantee good late season conditions.

April has fantastic skiing but I wouldn't bank on good powder outside Alaska- the problem is the sun ruins anything within a couple of hours. I've had a Japan trip in the back of my mind for some time but the possibility is ever more distant.

For me I will get like 1 week in Colorado at xmas, 2-3 long weekend in Utah and then I will see what the spring holds out. Hopefully 2-3 trips to PNW for ski touring. Last year the pathetic US winter meant I did't bother with any of the trips after February. If the winter is decent I will head back west in june for the volcano corn season.
 
Got a week booked in Morzine at a friend's chalet in February/March.

This will be my second snowboarding trip.

Already made my first purchase.

IMG_3590.jpg


Bagged these Burton Motos for £60 :)
 
Considering somewhere in the alps (wherever is cheap) for a weeks boarding in late feb/March with the gf after going to Bulgaria last year.

Has anyone been boarding in glencoe around Christmas/new year? I'll also try get that in if there's likely to be some fall. (and recommended accommodation nearby?)
 
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Guys looking to go skiing in Austria, 1st or 2nd week of March. Heard St Anton is great but only for proficient skiers. I'm a beginner really, any other Austrian resorts to look at? Is Mayrhofen any good?
 
Bazzards said:
Guys looking to go skiing in Austria, 1st or 2nd week of March. Heard St Anton is great but only for proficient skiers. I'm a beginner really, any other Austrian resorts to look at? Is Mayrhofen any good?
Click to expand...

I went Mayrhofen for my 2nd week of skiing so I was a beginner too really and had no issues. I think it is a little outdated though (lifts are slow etc) but it may be worth looking into.
 
The Craig said:
Considering somewhere in the alps (wherever is cheap) for a weeks boarding in late feb/March with the gf after going to Bulgaria last year.

Has anyone been boarding in glencoe around Christmas/new year? I'll also try get that in if there's likely to be some fall. (and recommended accommodation nearby?)
Click to expand...

Xmas is early for glencoe, they need longer to build a base into the rocky gullies, Glencoe is outstanding From February to May most years.
I have had days at glencoe before New Year, on rock skis, that have been fantastic but at that time of you I mostly end up at Glenshee or Cairngorm. Glenshee is good early on since the terrain is more grassy underneath, Cairngorm often gets more snow early season and the better access to the higher mountain helps early season. In general I will avoid Cairnogrm at all costs though, terrible management ruined th eplace and so now it is a rip-off boring place for beginners and trainspotters.

Cairngorm and Nevis Range are the only centers with very close accommodation. Nevis range rarely has good skiing before mid-January in my experience. For Glencoe you an stay in Glencoe village or tyndrum.

One positive about staying in Aviemore is you can ski cairngorm or make a reasonable day trip to Nevis or the Lecht. The lecht often does well early season but its very limited for advanced skiers.
 
Skiing in Scotland is pretty much making the decision to go that weekend. Can't really make any long range plans for it unless you're happy to do something else if it doesn't work out, either there's no snow or there is snow but it's too windy. Glencoe would have had amazing seasons the past couple of years if wasn't for the wind.

Hope to get down there this year again and see what they've done with the new lifts they got.
 
Going back to Meribal in January to the same chalet as we did in 2012. Booked out the whole chalet this time, me plus 17.

Can't wait to get back to some fantastic ski runs and great nightlife. Grand Couloir round 2 :)

Not my video but a good clear one. People need to man up and take a sharp right when going across the start narrow bit and head under the chair. I did this in fresh snow and it was amazing, amazing but terrifying!

 
zakjattaway said:
I have got my issue of Ski+Board through and read some stuff on Austria and they have put a brand new Gondola in Mayrhofen this year which will get rid of a lot of wait time first thing in the morning. I remember the queue used to be horrific but this should help.

http://www.mayrhofner-bergbahnen.com/en/insights/new-3s-gondola-lift
Click to expand...

It was avoidable if you got there for first lift; but, that is good news because, as you say, things quickly got ridiculous.

I went first week in March a few years ago and the snow was horrific, ice first thing, slush by 11am. The temperatures at the bottom of the slopes were ~10c at 9am!
Hopefully you'll have better conditions than I did, I imagine I was just particularly unfortunate.

Great Apres, though, so there's always something to do. :D
 
I know the information i am about to give is vague but i am looking for someone to recommend a first board, binding and boots.
My experience is limited to semi regular visits to the local snow zone and a couple of trips up north.
Thanks
 
First trip in years to St Anton next February :D.

Christmas and birthday coming up and I need a new jacket, salopettes, thermals, helmet and goggles :)
 
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