The Snowsports Thread 2015-16

[Buffman]

Well I'm clearly awesome at snowboarding and definitely don't need any lessons

i think a few lessons are in order kreee . we need to play some halo soon.

ive booked up to les arcs start of march, and got all the boards etc , and also bought a stick for my old gopro, to show off my pro skillz (or not so pro).

im gonna have a few lessons at milton keynes beforehand , anything in particular i should learn (can already link turns, go relatively fast etc). i was thinking boarding with only one foot tied in? (for ski lifts etc). thanks

 

[mid_gen]

Gates are open now so just get off Hano 1 and go immediately left.

Left off the top of the lift, right if you're facing down yeah. Just looking at booking Niseko 2017

Haven't taken my gear on British Airways before, website seems to indicate there's no extra charge, anyone can confirm? I have a Dakine Low Roller and pack all my boots, bindings and gear in there so it's pretty heavy. That's my only checked luggage so I'm hoping no extra dolla.

 

[tlrBeta]

Left off the top of the lift, right if you're facing down yeah. Just looking at booking Niseko 2017

Haven't taken my gear on British Airways before, website seems to indicate there's no extra charge, anyone can confirm? I have a Dakine Low Roller and pack all my boots, bindings and gear in there so it's pretty heavy. That's my only checked luggage so I'm hoping no extra dolla.

Yes you're correct, its BA's USP, no charge for snowboard/ski equipment.

Many years ago they didn't weigh it either, but I imagine it's changed now

It should all be listed on their baggage rules, take a closer look regarding size etc.

*Edit* Always check the internal flight rules!

 

[Too Tall]

Got back from Meribel last weekend. LOVED it.

I'd had some lessons at the snowdome which i think really paid off as i was surprised that i was at a decent level on the mountain.

This was my second run, sorting out the rest of the footage this week and i'll make a proper video.

Going to book again for March.

 

[zakjattaway]

Hi All. Looking at possible locations for skiing from 5th/6th March for one week. This is going to be a cheap holiday for 4 of us. I was looking at Soll Austria. Has anyone been there and is the snow any good (Being Austria I have my doubts on the snow).

Cheers

 

[timebomb26]

Left off the top of the lift, right if you're facing down yeah. Just looking at booking Niseko 2017

Haven't taken my gear on British Airways before, website seems to indicate there's no extra charge, anyone can confirm? I have a Dakine Low Roller and pack all my boots, bindings and gear in there so it's pretty heavy. That's my only checked luggage so I'm hoping no extra dolla.

I fly BA every year, although not with my snowboard the last few times. My board bag is 166cm and there's no extra charge. Just make sure it's not over weight. So easy to get a board bag up to 30kg!

 

[McBain]

Hi All. Looking at possible locations for skiing from 5th/6th March for one week. This is going to be a cheap holiday for 4 of us. I was looking at Soll Austria. Has anyone been there and is the snow any good (Being Austria I have my doubts on the snow).

Cheers

Check historical snow reports for that week, Ski Club UK etc.

http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/historical/comparehistoricalsnowreports.aspx

I've only been to Kirchdorf in Austria which isn't a very high resort, it was gash.

 

[mid_gen]

I fly BA every year, although not with my snowboard the last few times. My board bag is 166cm and there's no extra charge. Just make sure it's not over weight. So easy to get a board bag up to 30kg!

Cool. You over every season then? I was there in 2012 and 2014, although I was living in HK at the time which made the trip a lot easier, via Seoul direct to Sapporo. Who do you usually do the hop up to Sapporo from Tokyo with?

Going to try and pick up powder board over the summer, my flying V can be a bit hard work in the deep stuff, although I absolutely love it on the groomers. May have to be careful on the weight though as I was about 23kg last time, need to load up some hold luggage.

 

[Kreeeee]

Video is great but can't hear the audio here at work

Turns 5 & 6 were the best, don't kick your trailing leg around as that's what is causing you to catch your edges and fall. Turn by unedging the board and 'twisting' your feet to swap to the edge you want, it's only through the smoothness of your weight transferring between those edges that should turn you around - not the force of your twist dragging the board around it!

You'll feel more stable on the board too - balancing easier & quicker so you don't need to expend energy sitting down & getting back up every time you want to stop. Small corrections will cost you loads less energy without compromising your balance.

Haha, you're not missing out on the audio

Thanks for the tips, I'll see if I can work on it next time we get a load of fresh snow.

i think a few lessons are in order kreee . we need to play some halo soon.

Pffft, with all the armchair analysts (I'm grateful for the advice by the way) on here I don't need lessons

I play Halo most nights with a group of players, but you'll have to play Team Arena properly if you join us

 

[lucky13]

So it is quickly coming up to when I go
Group of four of us going to Avoriaz in March.

Two of the group did their first 5 hours of lessons on Sunday.
My Gf who I have mentioned prior in the thread is a nervous nelly despite having done GB gymnastics in her life.

She did very well but was struggling towards the end of the lesson to get the linked snow plough turns. This is mostly due to the poor surface I think and losing the will due to tiredness.

I am now thinking of the next stage for progressions and was thinking of either a private lesson in a dome or is it possible to join their second or third 2 hour lesson?

The dry slope was not a good surface to learn on

Does any one have any tips on helping nerves?

 

[Owenb]

Hi All. Looking at possible locations for skiing from 5th/6th March for one week. This is going to be a cheap holiday for 4 of us. I was looking at Soll Austria. Has anyone been there and is the snow any good (Being Austria I have my doubts on the snow).

Cheers

Soll should be fine at that time of the year but you do need a bit of luck. You could go to the most snow-sure resort in the most expensive resort in Switzerland and every lift could be shut due to a storm/blizzard conditions while people 20km away might be skiing on a much lower resort.

The signs are positive that Europe is going to get some cold weather in the next month or so - the polar vortex seems to be breaking down which usually leads to colder weather coming into Europe as the endless streams of storm systems from the Atlantic dies off.

Being Austria I have my doubts on the snow

What do you mean by that? Austria gets more cold weather than France but it doesn't have as many large high resorts - and the ones it does have are French prices(probably because many are close to Switzerland).

Have a look at Mayrhofen. The town is fairly low but most of the skiing takes place above ~1500 metres. It also has a glacier near by.

 

[zakjattaway]

Thanks for the information OwenB! I went to Mayrhofen in my schools days but cannot remember too much about it other than later in the day the snow got very slushy. I think I may try Soll next year as it looks like a very attractive place to ski and there are plenty of runs. Fingers crossed like you say the cold weather does start rolling in so the trip in March is a good one!

 

[Lima]

Heading to Sauze d'Oulx on Sunday for a week, 2 of us intermediate snowboarders with 3 half days (6? 9? hours) of lessons booked. Won't be too adventurous but anything there (or Sportinia/Sestriere) we need to see/do?
)

I'm also off to sauze on Sunday. Early morning gatwick flight for you too?

Snow is terrible there at the moment but forecast says we are in for a miracle snow dump next week.

 

[Roady]

This is going to be a cheap holiday for 4 of us. I was looking at Soll Austria.

Austria & cheap don't go well together!

The dry slope was not a good surface to learn on

Does any one have any tips on helping nerves?

Nerves = lack of confidence, she'll be fine once out on the proper slopes, just give her time and don't pile on the pressure! Dry slopes are damn hard work too, if you can get to a snowdome she'll find it loads easier and will build confidence much more easily. Wrist guards & helmets are a godsend for beginner confidence too!

I'm also off to sauze on Sunday. Early morning gatwick flight for you too?

Snow is terrible there at the moment but forecast says we are in for a miracle snow dump next week.

Was an early 1am start for a Bristol flight but it meant we had the afternoon here as transfer is only 30 mins.

We're on our last day here, snow has not been perfect but Monday was the only real 'bad' day due to the sun on Sunday, loads of ice which really hurt for our first day on boards in 5 months...! There's only been light snow but the snow cannons have made Sportinia passable for us as beginner-intermediates. The strong winds and some maintenance has closed the link to Sestriere/Sansicario several times (3 days) which would cause you problems if you're Advanced.

Sportinia first day (ice)
As we booked through Crystal we had the opportunity of a 'Ski away day' as our passes covered us for 1 day over in France at Montgenevre (30 min bus trip) where they had tons of snow! It made the holiday for us & well recommended if you have that option!

Forecast is for snow and lower temps than we've had next week so you'll be ok, it's the sun turning things to ice which may ruin things but with snow forecast it should only get better.

A few more pics here if you want some.

Excuse the poor Dropbox links, for some reason the android app doesn't give me the option for public links?!

 

[Jokester]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35513332

Another big avalanche accident in Europe again.

US has already had some of the highest avalanche deaths they've ever had and we're barely half way through winter.

Stay safe folks.

 

[Roady]

I'm also off to sauze on Sunday. Early morning gatwick flight for you too?

Snow is terrible there at the moment but forecast says we are in for a miracle snow dump next week.

Lima. I hate you!

5.15am alarm for our transfer and it has snowed in Sauze d'Oulx town for the first time in a month. Was around 2-3 inches when we left there and still snowing heavily! Have a great one! The 'Village Cafe' although it's in a weird place (walk down some steps) has amazing food and pizzas

 

[peterattheboro]

Just getting my last bits together for Morzine in 3 weeks time.

Need to buy either some sunglasses or goggles and I have no idea what to go for.

Budget of £100.

Already got some goggles for poor weather so leaning towards sunglasses but don't want to buy a decent pair and then break them.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35513332

Another big avalanche accident in Europe again.

US has already had some of the highest avalanche deaths they've ever had and we're barely half way through winter.

Stay safe folks.

 

[Amp34]

Pair of Bloc wraparounds? About £40 and will last a long time.

 

[doodah]

Anyone care to shed more light on this ?

Assume it must be at 240/720p for the slow-mo?

 

[timebomb26]

Cool. You over every season then? I was there in 2012 and 2014, although I was living in HK at the time which made the trip a lot easier, via Seoul direct to Sapporo. Who do you usually do the hop up to Sapporo from Tokyo with?

I have been over here for the last 3 seasons. I normally go elsewhere in Japan for the summer, but this year will be my first time in Niseko for the summer as well.

Loads of Cathay Pacific flights now fly direct to CTS from HK. Huge amounts of Chinese New Year tourists here at the moment.

If I'm flying from the UK the company always books BA and they code share with JAL up from Tokyo to Sapporo. If I do any personal trips I just go for the cheapest at the time.