Back from a week in Tignes...
Back from a week in Tignes...
Come on then, tell us about it ::-)
You're all first up against the wall, come the revolution.
Not that I'm being greedy or anything, but I'm going to be in La Plagne (Plagne Centre) on 11th Feb......
You're all first up against the wall, come the revolution.
Oh goody!!!!!
Le Mur is a rather nice red run :demon:
<SNIPPED video>
You're a bit slow Ham! :demon:
My real favourite run, in fact, is the grand vallon off-piste from the top of Fornet. It's awesome.My most glorious run ever was from Pointe Pers at the top of Le Fornet (have I got that right ? Le Fornet is when you go all the way through Val until the road is closed, yes ?)
Val Mesdi on the Gruppo Sella anyone ? That's great fun.
Val Mesdi on the Gruppo Sella anyone ? That's great fun.
It was indeed :)
Mustn't forget Marmolada in that area either. Although the less said about my 'exit' from teh chairlift three quarters the way up or the attentio of the Polizia Provinciale the better :demon:
Not done it for years but if you can do the Vallon de la Sache down to les Brevierres on fresh snow it's a truly superb run. Avoids the almost moguls on the Sache run :).
Most memorable run I've done is the run down from le Peclet in Val Thorens, but that needs a guide, and skins, and climbing and ropes....
My most glorious run ever was from Pointe Pers at the top of Le Fornet (have I got that right ? Le Fornet is when you go all the way through Val until the road is closed, yes ?)
Get to the top, walk up for what seemed like an hour, then ski along a ridge with some rather dramatic drops either side. This leaves you almost exactly 1000m above the refuge in the valley below. Only one way down and it's steeper than 45'.
Got it. The ridge line is (I think) Col Pers, and even when this was officially closed I saw ski school groups dipping under the rope to do the run. This drops you down to the same refuge we got to, except that we came in from higher left (when viewed from the bottom). No idea what the glacier was called. I'll check.My most glorious run ever was from Pointe Pers at the top of Le Fornet (have I got that right ? Le Fornet is when you go all the way through Val until the road is closed, yes ?)
Get to the top, walk up for what seemed like an hour, then ski along a ridge with some rather dramatic drops either side. This leaves you almost exactly 1000m above the refuge in the valley below. Only one way down and it's steeper than 45'.
Yep, Fornet is the last place you can get to heading uphill on the road. The Grand Vallon run goes from the top of the Signal button lift and you simply hop over the ridgeline and ski down off-piste, eventually joining up with the Vallon blue run a long way down. It's a stunning run but quite straightforward for inexperienced off-piste skiers. The one you describe mst be on the Pissaillais glacier? Sounds a bit too hardcore for me :-)
Not done it for years but if you can do the Vallon de la Sache down to les Brevierres on fresh snow it's a truly superb run. Avoids the almost moguls on the Sache run :).
Most memorable run I've done is the run down from le Peclet in Val Thorens, but that needs a guide, and skins, and climbing and ropes....
Do you mean going around the back? I thought Sache went down Vallon de la Sache?
I've heard about the run down Peclet, never done it, but Christine is quite nice coming back the "normal" way from Peclet
And also happens to be Mrs Ham's name....
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ifOIqWVKLM/TwL2aGM85wI/AAAAAAAAf3o/8eplOhvUT5E/s400/P1030031.JPG)
That would be the Glacier Pers, and the refuge is the Prariond. I did a video yonks ago which features the Vallon de la Sachette, Point Pers and the Glacier Pers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiWk6IZqwDk
The Vallon de la Sachette is accessed via a traverse from the top of the Aiguille Percee lift.
Ah yes, I know what you mean now. Was that your vid ? </impressed>
Any trip over the Col Pers depends on the Gorge de Malpasset, when it's not passable there will be walking involved. It's also quite a long flat pole out from the Pont St. Charles.I had a couple of friends dip under the rope on Col Pers in a very snow-light season.
Any trip over the Col Pers depends on the Gorge de Malpasset, when it's not passable there will be walking involved. It's also quite a long flat pole out from the Pont St. Charles.I had a couple of friends dip under the rope on Col Pers in a very snow-light season.
The lack of tracks should have warned them. It took them many hours to get out as the whole of the bottom of the Gorge was sheet ice. For a whole sections in the Gorge they had to cut steps in the ice with the tail end of their skis.
Safely back in a bar that evening the Gorge came up in conversation with a local guide (without letting on that they had been down it that very day).
"Anyone who goes in the Gorge now will die. There is no way out."
(Ths was in the days before mobile phones.)
I think they both felt pretty lucky to get away with just a knackered pair of skis each.
Unless the Gorges are in condition, indicated by a sign at the ski lift, they can trap skiers like a spider at the bottom of a bathtub
And wasn't a lot of Apocalypse Snow shot in Les Arcs? (answer may be "no"...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTtyXn7B4Y4
Come on then, tell us about it ::-)
We're going to Les Arcs in a couple of weeks :thumbsup:
Come on then, tell us about it ::-)
We're going to Les Arcs in a couple of weeks :thumbsup:
You can try the new(ish) fangled Vanoise Express and tootle over to La Plagne!
I've not been to either resort since it was built ( and closed / re-opened! )
Looks like a fair old piece of engineering.
Then the worst: I lost a ski in Deep Powder for NO REASON, and despite spending over 2 hours probing with the probe and digging with the shuvvel in a carefully set out search zone, no trace was found. Gave up.
Come on then, tell us about it ::-)
We're going to Les Arcs in a couple of weeks :thumbsup:
You can try the new(ish) fangled Vanoise Express and tootle over to La Plagne!
I've not been to either resort since it was built ( and closed / re-opened! )
Looks like a fair old piece of engineering.
Oh dear, I will never hear the end of that will I?Then the worst: I lost a ski in Deep Powder for NO REASON, and despite spending over 2 hours probing with the probe and digging with the shuvvel in a carefully set out search zone, no trace was found. Gave up.
BTDTGTTS paid the feckin' insewerants :hand:
I can set them up how I like, giving me better performance on ice especially over shop setup.
I *may* have adjusted my rental skis which I needed this year, but they can't prove nuffink.
Frankly, then edges were very poorly set up out of the shop.
Using a marker pen and gentle file to determine the angles, they were all over the place.
I wonder if they will notice the increased side-edge angle. I doubt it.
Thx for the links.
I'm well kitted-up, and carry a complete service kit with me when I go away for more than a week or so, which raises eyebrows at the far end usually.
I have a fold-away bench, a set of vices, edge files of various grades including moonflex diamond stones, base and side edge guides, holmenkol wax iron, various waxes ( toko, holmenkol, data ) for various temperatures, scrapers, brushes, and a p-tex repair gun and p-tex for base repairs.
This all fits into an old Salomon snow-blade bag which is very small but weighs many Kg!
Depending on snow conditions, I'll give the skis a quick once-over every few days.
Yes, I'm probably barking mad.
I buy my skis. I use the formula have a minimum of 10 weeks skiing. Multiply weeks by cost of 6 day hire, subtract ski service and ski transport costs. This figure is the budget for the next pair of skis. The cost of the skis I use well within budget.
just in case there isn't enough in the chalet. Hic.
Give me a clear run down Face anyday..
I once was a participant in a race down Face: skiier versus L'Olympique. The skiier won but promptly had to puke at the bottom.
I once was a participant in a race down Face: skiier versus L'Olympique. The skiier won but promptly had to puke at the bottom.
Nothing to do with La Folie Douce, that, eh? (My daughter's favourite part of the resort.
Plenty of blue runs down to various resorts which are a total 'mare late on in the day when the following add up: in shadow, getting a little icy and are heaving with the god awful mix of the timid and theinconsideratesnowboarders. Nothing wrong with the run itself, just having to pick your way through all the human remains on it.
Yes, Happy Valley, I'm looking at you.
The cabin is the top of the cable car. Directly underneath it is the black, and off to the right is the (laughingly categorised) red. At least it was when I was there. I understand now that the red is a black and the black is a 'high mountain tour'.
The story was that TéléVerbier categorised the lesser of the two runs as red to encourage people to buy the Mont Fort extension for their lift pass. The problem with the red was that to get to it it was necessary to undertake the walk of death on a severely rutted and icy track, to then be faced with one of the more horrific entries to a marked run in the Alps (and certainly so for a 'red' run). Once there, there really was no turning back. I saw two people fall to their deaths there in the course of two seasons.
The black on the other hand had the distinct advantage of not requiring any perilous walk, you simply exited the cable car, turned left instead of right, clicked your skis on and set off. This was always a heart stopping moment. The face is convex at this point, so you couldn't see beyond about four (massive) moguls down. If you didn't make that first turn (and there was only one place to make that turn) it was a very long and very bumpy way down. Never before or since has the word 'commitment' had such relevance to me.
sometimes it's necessary to stand in a strategic spot to obscure the coloured markers from someone who is over-obsessed with the colours yet perfectly capable of doing the run otherwise. If they do spot the colours half-way down, then you need to remain at least a ski-pole whacking distance ahead of them :)
Don't think you got it quite right....Plenty of blue runs down to various resorts which are a total 'mare late on in the day when the following add up: in shadow, getting a little icy and are heaving with the god awful mix of the timid and thearrogantskiers. Nothing wrong with the run itself, just having to pick your way through all the human remains on it.
Yes, Happy Valley, I'm looking at you.
FTFY
sometimes it's necessary to stand in a strategic spot to obscure the coloured markers from someone who is over-obsessed with the colours yet perfectly capable of doing the run otherwise. If they do spot the colours half-way down, then you need to remain at least a ski-pole whacking distance ahead of them :)
I did that to an entire class of kids back in my instructor days. They were more than capable of skiing easy blacks, but the sight of a black diamond on a trail sign scared them. I led them through some trees to avoid the trail sign and they skied the run beautifully but they kept asking why it was so steep. A few other skiers on the run helped me out by joining in with my assurances that "yes, it really is a blue run", until they finally realized that they were skiing quite well and enjoying themselves. After I showed them where they had been on a trail map, they were pretty pleased with themselves.
At the top of the Solaise area in Val is a run called 3000, it's got huge moguls and a narrow section usually, and then a steep section that's often moguled as well. That's easy compared to the run you can do if you go through the rarely opened Tunnel near the top of 3000. Good practice for survival skiing. We had a practice run before suggesting it to friends, you'd only do it to complete the set.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3uFDhBQj7Q
It looks like next week could provide the best alpine skiing conditions for years, if not decades. High pressure moving in to provide still, sunny weather on top of the repeated dumps they've just had.
I arrived in Val d'Isere today. It's gonna be an awesome week.
I arrived in Val d'Isere today. It's gonna be an awesome week.
Went and did Sache today which was brilliant for the most part but the last 5 piste markers were moguled and slushy which was hard work.
The trick is to remain > ski-pole-whacking distance ahead...
Finishing up packing for departure tomorrow AM.That would be the resort-speak version of 'Spring' conditions. I think more people are riding bicycles around Summit County than are skiing.
Fly to Denver tomorrow, pick up hire car.
Drive to Snowmass village, Aspen for 1st week.
Then back to Breckenridge for the second week.
The snow report is looking like rather 'Spring' conditions...
Then back to Breckenridge for the second week.That would be the resort-speak version of 'Spring' conditions. I think more people are riding bicycles around Summit County than are skiing.
The snow report is looking like rather 'Spring' conditions...
Booked for Christmas!! Woop woop!
Meribel, 22 - 29 December. I will have a 3V ski pass going cheap if anyone is interested
Thought people might want to know: http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20121015/SPORTS/121019863/1078&ParentProfile=1055
... I will arrive at the Arc en Ciel funicular ....
Anyone know what the rules on snow chains are in France? We're driving to Chamonix in late March for a week
If your car is not VW/Audi/BMW big wheel/small clearances, you are just as well off picking up a cheap set in France. See which are recommended here http://www.snowchains.co.uk/snowchains/ and post result if you would like comment.
And another thing:
Once you have bought chains, practice putting them on in non-winter conditions.
It takes a bit of practice, and usually requires you to drive the vehicle forward a half-turn of the wheels to let you tension it up properly.
It's bloody nasty cold hard work when it comes to it in difficult conditions.
The chains will look like a cat's-cradle of tangled nonsense the first time you use them.
Be sure that the first time is not in anger, where you are also learning.
Be sure you've done the learning ahead of time, so it's just a case of getting on with it.
Seriously.
Half an hour at home in +3 November is worth over an hour in the Alps in -16 in a blizzard in an Aire de Chainage.
And another thing:
Once you have bought chains, practice putting them on in non-winter conditions.
It takes a bit of practice, and usually requires you to drive the vehicle forward a half-turn of the wheels to let you tension it up properly.
It's bloody nasty cold hard work when it comes to it in difficult conditions.
The chains will look like a cat's-cradle of tangled nonsense the first time you use them.
Be sure that the first time is not in anger, where you are also learning.
Be sure you've done the learning ahead of time, so it's just a case of getting on with it.
Seriously.
Half an hour at home in +3 November is worth over an hour in the Alps in -16 in a blizzard in an Aire de Chainage.
Pass chains behind wheel in whichever direction that drags most side chain behind (as a rule - ish) or allows the side chain clamp to lie against the floor (so it is available to accept chain once flipped up against tyre). Lift up the rear wire back loop ends to 12 o'clock and socket the ends together, gather up side chains on the front from the six o'clock position up to around to say 10 and 2 o'clock and join with cross link bit (usually green or red) then reach back behind and drop the wire loop to be equidistant from rim (makes tensioning easier and can prove the chains actually fit!). Then gather side tensioner chains from 6 o'clock and pull as tight as possible, zig-zagging as needed. Drive a few metres and retension and then again in say 50-100m and retension again.
I worked in transport in the Alps one season and fitted chains god knows how many times. One thing I did discover is that no two sets of chains have exactly the same fitting instructions.
Wot everyone else said - practise in the light, when it's warm and dry.
Strangely, much as though I wear a lid cycling, I don't skiing. Doesn't make that much sense when you look at it closely but there it is. I'm almost inclined to see the results of a poll would be in Lift the Lid......
Heavy? Nahhhhh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBWp6Us3oEc
(go on, you know you want to press play)
I'm currently in Plagne 1800 doing a bit of odds and sods, and I can report that they have about 100mm of snow a couple of days ago, it is snowing a bit at the moment with 'lots' more due supposedly...
La Rosiere is slightly better off for snow and it is falling fairly heavy too!
Very cold all day and cannons running.
OK here goes: NEWBY ALERT
I need some very basic advice. We've decided to go skiing at Easter & Ham suggested I post on this thread
Situation: Family. Mrs L has been skiing years ago and she's a confident athletic sort of type. I've never been, and am fit but less confident and likely to be a slowish learner.
Kids: 6 year old boy, temperamentally like his mother. Likely to be confident and quick on the uptake. 8 year old girl, could go either way. 10 year old boy, may struggle with balance, likely to be timid.
The non-negotiables: Easter school holidays,need instruction, need to speak English (everyone has a few words of French but not fluent, I speak passable German) flexible on location etc.
Questions:
1. We have time. Shall we drive for the sake of it?
2. Are packages worthwhile? I've found one which seems on the face of it to be reasonable value. Flights, catered chalet, La Rosiere, instruction etc included, £3.4k. Can I save much by sorting it out myself?
3. Book ski instruction here or once there?
4. Group lessons or try to find a private instruction for the family?
Any other advice appreciated!
Another request for advice - my son needs to wear glasses for skiing so we went to look for some googles. The shop - admittedly only the one at Bracknell dry ski slope - claimed that googles that fit over glasses don't exist for children. Does anyone know any differently?
Some of the smaller companies that specialise in just one or two resorts can offer pretty good deals and advice. I've never used MGS but they impressed me when I spoke to them at the Scottish Ski show and I'm seriously considering trying a week with them this year. They operate out of Val Cenis in France and mostly offering self-catering apartments. Prices per person at Easter about £390 and that includes accommodation, ski hire, lift pass & skiing with a guide/instructor every afternoon. You'd need to add on the cost of the drive down, food there and tuition for the kids. Have a look at http://www.mgsski.com/index.htm (http://www.mgsski.com/index.htm)
Another request for advice - my son needs to wear glasses for skiing so we went to look for some googles. The shop - admittedly only the one at Bracknell dry ski slope - claimed that googles that fit over glasses don't exist for children. Does anyone know any differently?
Yes, utter bollocks. We may have some going spare-ish (or they may have been outed a while back).
edit: quick google for "OTG Childrens Goggles" turns up: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330791388385?hlp=false
BTW, the kids goggles are no more, sorry. (Miss Ham is 22 now....)
Another request for advice - my son needs to wear glasses for skiing so we went to look for some googles. The shop - admittedly only the one at Bracknell dry ski slope - claimed that googles that fit over glasses don't exist for children. Does anyone know any differently?Certainly bollocks, as already said. I think I've seen such goggles being sold in Carters in Reading.
For lunch at 1650, don't bother with the stuff at the side of the piste.
You need to kick off your skis, and walk down into the village ( at the most, a couple of hundred metres ).
There's a row of very good restaurants with wood-fired pizzas etc.
Perhaps your friend has some plans for you :thumbsup:
[Well she mentioned the Vallée Blanche...
[Well she mentioned the Vallée Blanche...
That's another matter.
You'll probably want to do this as a guided route.
There are many crevasses on the glacier, and the guides know the safe way through them.
When we did this, we were issued with transcievers by our guide.
We were also roped together for the initial walk out of the top station down the shoulder to where you put your skis on.
Avalanche transcievers on piste?
It's been a while since I skied regularly and then I only used one off piste, but has the thinking changed?
The reason I ask is we're going skiing at the end of March with friends and my (non skiing) wife has just had an e-mail from the friends suggesting that we get hold of some for me and my son - who, to date, has had 6 dry slope sessions! So is our friend being over cautious? Or is current best practice to always wear one?
Avalanche transcievers on piste?
It's been a while since I skied regularly and then I only used one off piste, but has the thinking changed?
The reason I ask is we're going skiing at the end of March with friends and my (non skiing) wife has just had an e-mail from the friends suggesting that we get hold of some for me and my son - who, to date, has had 6 dry slope sessions! So is our friend being over cautious? Or is current best practice to always wear one?
Over cautious. Where you will be skiing with mini-F there will be other things to worry about more than getting hit by an avalanche.
Having said that, as long as it's not half-term you can borrow mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zyGdJ2_eCM
Just back from four days in France. Great snow, and still falling when we left. My first non-family ski trip for a number of years. Boy, do I ache.
Just back from four days in France. Great snow, and still falling when we left. My first non-family ski trip for a number of years. Boy, do I ache.That because you were doing the falling as well ? ;)
(Where were you?)
Not unless you're going off piste. I normally have a Recco tab somewhere on me, but that's only because it comes in the clothing. If you're going to go for the Vallee Blanche it might be an idea, but no way will your son get there.
Not unless you're going off piste. I normally have a Recco tab somewhere on me, but that's only because it comes in the clothing. If you're going to go for the Vallee Blanche it might be an idea, but no way will your son get there.
According to a snowpatroller/avid backcountry skier friend, they get a stronger signal of people's mobile phones than they do from the Recco tabs.
According to a snowpatroller/avid backcountry skier friend, they get a stronger signal of people's mobile phones than they do from the Recco tabs.
Yes, well spotted.Ah, nostalgia! I haven't been to Courchevel since 2001, & looking at that trace brings back memories.
That's pretty much down at the base station at 1650.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/258247523
Mrs P made some GPS trax with her phone:
20th Jan (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/20-01-13-bh-02-ski)
21st (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/21-01-13-bh-02-ski)
22nd (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/22-01-13-bh-02-ski)
23rd (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/23-01-13-bh-02-ski)
24th (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/24-01-13-bh-02-ski)
25th (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/25-01-13-bh-02-ski)
Mrs P made some GPS trax with her phone:
20th Jan (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/20-01-13-bh-02-ski)
21st (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/21-01-13-bh-02-ski)
22nd (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/22-01-13-bh-02-ski)
23rd (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/23-01-13-bh-02-ski)
24th (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/24-01-13-bh-02-ski)
25th (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/25-01-13-bh-02-ski)
Looks like you got about OK!
A couple of fairly big days in there.
Did I spot an agreeable lunch stop down at Tignes Les Brevieres one day ( 23rd )?
The artwork on the dam is now pretty much gone.
Did you get the bus back from up towards Le Fornet on the 24th?
We've done similar.
Next time you're there, there's an excellent 'well-known but secret' off-piste route down to La Daille, from the bottom of the Tommeuses chair. It's called the Vallee Perdue, and it runs more-or-less alongside the triffolet run.
You won't get up a mountain to a resort without them when it is snowing, otherwise local conditions may dictate they are sensible but most main roads are kept clear. Chamonix resort itself is quite low, and the roads are normally clear, late March SHOULD be alright, but I wouldn't drive around without having a set in the boot.
If your car is not VW/Audi/BMW big wheel/small clearances, you are just as well off picking up a cheap set in France. See which are recommended here http://www.snowchains.co.uk/snowchains/ and post result if you would like comment.
You won't get up a mountain to a resort without them when it is snowing, otherwise local conditions may dictate they are sensible but most main roads are kept clear. Chamonix resort itself is quite low, and the roads are normally clear, late March SHOULD be alright, but I wouldn't drive around without having a set in the boot.
If your car is not VW/Audi/BMW big wheel/small clearances, you are just as well off picking up a cheap set in France. See which are recommended here http://www.snowchains.co.uk/snowchains/ and post result if you would like comment.
Just started looking at these - do I just need a pair or should I have them front and back?
Saw that he'd done that couloir - I'm impressed!:-)
Well I'm not expecting quite the same level of achievement when my son goes for the first time at Easter. Just wanting to do it again will be enough!Yup. Work hard on that one. If they don't enjoy it, no amount of imploring or entreaties will persuade them otherwise.
Well I'm not expecting quite the same level of achievement when my son goes for the first time at Easter. Just wanting to do it again will be enough!Yup. Work hard on that one. If they don't enjoy it, no amount of imploring or entreaties will persuade them otherwise.
Someone somewhere that isn't me surely has to pay for this though.....
Off to Les Arcs tomorrow in what was a very last minute decision. Who knows what the snow will be like, but if the weather has been anything as cold as here, it should be good.
I'm booked for La Plagne over xmas (Belle Plagne, a group of 18) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I much prefer shell, too, as someone who gets hot too quickly. Do you have any way of getting stuff delivered into the UK? If so Sportpursuit is the place to look, I recently picked up 2 Berghaus Goretex shells (one for me one for Mrs Ham) for £100-ish each) Last season, but you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. They sometimes have Spyder @ 50% off or more, you just have to keep looking. Best stuff often goes fast, they may only have individual examples of some stuff, and then sometimes only odd sizes.
Sponsored link - if you use this link and join, and subsequently order I get credit (don't cost you nuffing) http://www.sportpursuit.com/join/hamilton_095cea
Disclaimer: do not hold me responsible for buying too much cycling, snow or other sport gear that you didn't really need.
Just booked January'sFTFY.leg & bank accountartery busting trip to St Anton. The Happy Valley beckons, the Moosserwirt doesn't.
Interestingly enough, the boot fitters reckoned my old boots might have been a bit too big. Well....I'll find out soon. Like Miss Ham, my heaters stop my toes from feeling like they're going to snap off, rather than being warm.
Reminder to self - must get bindings fixed to new skis or I may not be skiing much the first day over christmas.
Did you not know that today is National Edge & Wax day? Fact.
21st Jan I'll be off to Blue Mountain Ontario. Absolutely cacking myself and my knees are squeaking with fear. But I am fully equipped, courtesy of Aldi. What could possibly go wrong?
Let me guess - you had a three valley pass ;)
you went down into 1650 (which as any fule kno is some of the best skiing) so Pyramids is easy,and I think that Chapped Lips is the lift on the very right.
Should know the VT stuff, but the Meribel is too confusing. Looks good though.
Just cut some holes in my brand new boots for the boot heaters I'm hoping I won't actually need to fit....
Damn fine idea if you ask me .... Portes de Soleil area has something for everyone and is easiest to get to. Chatel / Avoriaz come to mind. Hotel accommodation? Igluski.com have a good selection of stuff and are dependable, helpful on the phone, the people you talk to will know about skiing. Quick transfer from Geneva seems to be the best move for you. I'll add some detailed suggestions later.
And we're back.
Looks good!
And those look like actual GPS tracklogs.
Have you availed yourself of such a unit as might be suitable for DIYxGPS?
F.
Winter Olympics - whatever happened to ski ballet? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awkqte1mgcs
On another note, my tickets for Banff arrived :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: along with a piste map. The US ones really suck compared to the French ones, eh?Question though, please. The US grading - are the "Double Diamond" blacks really European Black equivalents? Or, are they more red/steep red than black? Any guidance? I ask because Mrs Ham is feeling a little vulnerable at the mo, and I don't want to drag her anywhere she will feel uncomfortable.
Just a quick note...
In Europe, it's considered OK to duck under the ropes to access interesting terrain.
That's totally not-OK in the US.
The ski-area boundaries will be well-defined with ropes etc, and there will be 'gates' to access off-piste areas.
You can only access off-piste areas through the official gates, which may be open or not.
Do *not* attempt to cross the ski area boundaries elsewhere.
Also, last year there were speed cops!
Yup, if you were deemed too fast through the 'slow ski' areas, they'd pull your pass!
R.
Different US states have different laws about accessing the back country from ski areas. Colorado state law says you have to use a backcountry access gate to access the backcountry from a ski area, and ski patrol for that area will decide whether or not to open the gate depending on conditions. The reasoning is that, if people see tracks leaving the ski area, they will assume that it's safe to ski out of bounds whether it is or not.
Hmm? I think that varies from resort to resort. Mt Baker got a variety of warnings depends on the terrain. Some of the in-bound terrain (The canyon mainly) is often closed due to avalanche danger and the signs there pretty much say that you *will* die if you enter there (when closed) and that your family will be charged for recovering your corpse.
On the two top lifts, it's just the usual backcountry warning: Know what you're doing, don't go alone, tell some one you're going and have appropriate gear (beacons, poles, shovels and radios).
Never seen speed patrol at Mt. Baker, but they're common at Whistler, especially near closing when idiots thinks it's cool to go flatout on a super-crowded green run. Also, they'll tell you to slow down, it's only when you don't that you risk losing your pass.
In other news, the snow has finally arrived in the PNW. Baker got 3 meters(!) in the last 6 days and the forecast for the next 7 days is full of snow.
It seems more snow for the high places this week but still not much down to the resort. I like to watch the snow line descend as we approach Christmas.
Of course part of me does not mind there being no snow at Christmas because for the first time in years I will not be going then. I do realise that lots of snow now sets a good base for the rest of the year. What I want is a series of moderate snowfalls and partial thaws so a ice base level is formed locking in all the loose stones before the resorts open. Skis and piste bashers can churn them up to the surface. Then a huge snowfalls at the end of January in the Southern alps followed by a sunny cold week to make my holiday wonderful.
British driver Gavin Rigby told BBC News he had taken 11 hours to drive between Val d'Isere and Bourg Saint Maurice ...... felt most sorry for the drivers who had, unlike himself, set out without snow chains.
12 hrs to drive from GVA to Led Menuires. 8pm to 8 am. Snowstorm based traffic chaos from Alberville all the way up.
Ouch, was that on a transfer coach? you there now?
Miss Ham was one of those bedded down in a school hall in Bourg, has been bused up to Tignes this morning to discover the chalet still full of people ..... who were trying to to get down from a different chalet in VC yesterday.
Reading http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30613481 this made me shake my head in wonder:QuoteBritish driver Gavin Rigby told BBC News he had taken 11 hours to drive between Val d'Isere and Bourg Saint Maurice ...... felt most sorry for the drivers who had, unlike himself, set out without snow chains.
Those are PRECISELY the people I don't feel sorry for, by all accounts caused many of the problems. Le Dauphine has the best coverage http://www.ledauphine.com/ (sorry, French)
"The police should have got people to fit chains this morning after half a metre [20 in] of snow fell last night," he said.
Here's which pistes we skiied over Christmas in Val d'Isere: http://goo.gl/fCr5bn Can you tell where there was and was not snow?!
Something doesn't quite fit there. If there really had been half a metre of snow, I don't quite seee how anyone could have got anywhere without chains. Either that or snow tyres. I suppose.Ouch, was that on a transfer coach? you there now?
Miss Ham was one of those bedded down in a school hall in Bourg, has been bused up to Tignes this morning to discover the chalet still full of people ..... who were trying to to get down from a different chalet in VC yesterday.
Reading http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30613481 this made me shake my head in wonder:QuoteBritish driver Gavin Rigby told BBC News he had taken 11 hours to drive between Val d'Isere and Bourg Saint Maurice ...... felt most sorry for the drivers who had, unlike himself, set out without snow chains.
Those are PRECISELY the people I don't feel sorry for, by all accounts caused many of the problems. Le Dauphine has the best coverage http://www.ledauphine.com/ (sorry, French)
It was teh following paragraph that made me shake my head:Quote"The police should have got people to fit chains this morning after half a metre [20 in] of snow fell last night," he said.
I'm not sure people should have to wait to be told to do something. Surely common sense would dictate that chains might be sensible after that much snow?
Something doesn't quite fit there. If there really had been half a metre of snow, I don't quite seee how anyone could have got anywhere without chains. Either that or snow tyres. I suppose.
Let me guess, there was lots of snow on Face, but you chose not to ski it. Actually interested to hear how the slopes were that were skiable, as compared to where we were (will do a review inna bit)
La Sache not open?
The best conditions were found on Grande Motte and Val d'Isere glacier, both of which had some lovely snow. The area around the Glacier Express had some very good snow.
One of my finest days on skis ever was at Le Fornet.
Up to the top, walk for half an hour to Point Pers, then ski very carefully along the ridge to the point of no return, then drop off to the right heading for the refuge almost exactly 1000m below us. April 4th 1990. (A year to the day that I had bust my knee in Verbier.) Glorious clear blue skies. There were four of us and I was the last one down. It took the preceding three 10 minutes each to get far enough down the chute so that they could clear it before the next person could set off safely. The start was an extended pitch at over 45 degrees. I haven't felt that alive very often.
I will bear that all in mind.Beer's cheap there, if nothing else. Lots of duty free shops all along the high street.
I learnt to board at Kananaskis near Calgary, ski lifts all on the wrong side of the mountain :facepalm:. I had to learn to set an edge as the place was damn near pure ice half the time.
I am looking forward to getting some actual powder time. Going to Livigno, heard it's good there :D :thumbsup:
Alpe d'Huez
I use Dominator wax as sold by JonYes I looked at the "Piste Office" website.
Oddly, your kit doesn't seem to have a brush, something you will need.The kit came with an "all purpose" nylon brush. I added a bronze brush with the vice order. I should get a horse hair brush to complete the set. The annoying thing was the 8 piece kit counted the box as one of the pieces. The base cleaner may not have much use. The majority of videos I watched suggested the base cleaner should only be used in exceptional circumstances. Jon wrote that it's good for cleaning your tools do not use it on your skis.
Having a proper iron helps, set the temp, keep it moving, add more if you have to.Yes the kit came with a ski wax iron, Swix T76. Bottom of the range but probably good enough. I worked out a proper iron should make things a lot easier. Adjustable to ski was melting points mine are between 120oC and 135oC. I read Ski bases melt around 150oC but googling UHDPE I found 135oC. Clothes ironing is done at temperatures from 130-230oC so I thought it best to avoid them.
A little tip which, while useful all the time is more useful when you do your own edges. If your skis are ambidextrous (as most are), mark the inside edge and always use them on the same feet. This has two benefits: First, you can lavish more care on one edge than the other. Second, if you shag the edge, you can swap them over and have a good edge to ski on until you get home.
(and, 87o? What skis are they?)
(and, 87o? What skis are they?)
I just remembered, I posted a photo of me doing some mid-holliberries fettling a couple of years ago.
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=55316.msg1393286#msg1393286
The pic of me waxing the ski gives an indication of the quantity of wax required. A steady dribble, applied along the length of the ski in a wave, as per the photo.MuchAny more will just be wasted: remember, it's going to be scraped off shortly.
but the USP of 1950 for me is the pedestrian ski in ski out town.
Whoop whoop!
http://www.tignes.net/en/skiing-in-tignes/webcams-290.html
If you'd have looked two days ago it was green as green can be. Off on the 19th!
Daughter No 1 is skiing in Japan. Lucky devil.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/24559791016_70eff107ef_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DqgmdG)
tracks_2016_val_d_isere (https://flic.kr/p/DqgmdG) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
I'm off to La Plagne at ungodly o'clock on sunday for my second ever ski holiday, nearly 20 years after my first.I wouldn't wear a cotton t-shirt. Synthetics only.
I'm not nervous so much as amused to imagine how many different ways I can find to fall over... I've booked lessons.
The forecast looks bloody cold (-10ish). I can't remember how hard work it is, will I need more than a decent base layer, t-shirt and warm [borrowed] ski jacket? I've bought some incredibly warm ski trousers and am going to decathlon for a spot of glove, helmet and sock shopping tomorrow.
Anything else I might forget?
I'm off to La Plagne at ungodly o'clock on sunday for my second ever ski holiday, nearly 20 years after my first.
I'm not nervous so much as amused to imagine how many different ways I can find to fall over... I've booked lessons.
The forecast looks bloody cold (-10ish). I can't remember how hard work it is, will I need more than a decent base layer, t-shirt and warm [borrowed] ski jacket? I've bought some incredibly warm ski trousers and am going to decathlon for a spot of glove, helmet and sock shopping tomorrow.
Anything else I might forget?
the Serre Chevalier & La Grave trip sounds good; enjoy.
Heading off to Val d'Isere tomorrow.
Have spent a couple of days doing a ptex repair on one of the Junior's skis, a nasty core shot.
Just got finished up a short while ago.
Is that sweet or savoury?
...and is it as nice as it looks?
Here's a map of tracks:[/color]
...including a comedy 200m uphill trudge as the second stage of the Trittkopfbahn wasn't running)...
This is what I managed to ski over the six days: click for google map (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1G2AdzRw72P1dckV8I4MSXzGcYyA&usp=sharing).
And germknoedel:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/311/32068803260_fee02f3722_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QRNZX3)
Germknödel (https://flic.kr/p/QRNZX3) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Would you like my list of the scale of germknödel?
And germknoedel:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/311/32068803260_fee02f3722_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QRNZX3)
Germknödel (https://flic.kr/p/QRNZX3) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
We have just booked a deal to Saint Anton for the first week of April on the basis of this photo.
You must also go to the Hospitz-Alm in St Christophe and use the slide to the lavs (video)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/661/32068854830_2079f94b6e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QRPghb)VID_20170120_121245 (https://flic.kr/p/QRPghb) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
So the photo linked to above (with Pingu) is from the Bifang Alm just above the bottom of the Rendle. It is joint first place germknödel. All the other food is good too. Also recommended are the käsespatsle and the Tiroler Gerostle
https://flic.kr/p/SiB8XL
https://flic.kr/p/SiB8XL
MRI says broken. Well a small fracture on the ball which is dislocated. THey want to operate and put 2-3 screws in to stabilise it. The good news is my labrum is intact. They reckon my hand and lack of feeling is due to the shoulder squashing the nerve when it was dislocated. Feeling is slowly slowly returning, but could take months.
We were skiing down red run 122 above Zurs. We had already skied it once and I had got caught out towards the end where it flattened off and went slightly uphill over a stream. We decided to ski it again and I took the approach a bit faster was in full tuck and just caught a ski edge and rolled over. My shoulder clearly took the impact. Unfortunately I kept rolling and ended up in the stream. Getting out was "interesting". Some guy had to pull me out as my arm was useless and it would have required scrambling up a snow covered bank. Ski patrol came and diagnosed a dislocated shoulder. Told me a doctor with drugs was on the way in a helicopter. Doc came, gave me ketamin and then I basically woke up again in hospital. Adam was ahead of me when it happened and so was waiting for me at the Trittalp lift. He got told to stay there and then he ended up skiing back to St Anton with my skis and one pole. The other is lost somewhere.
Just sat here waiting for insurance to give the go ahead for th op.
I have all my MRI stuff on a CD :thumbsup:
https://flic.kr/p/SiB8XLOUCH !!!
It's that time of year again to...book the Feb half-term ski holiday.
Off tomorrow... snow looks the best for years!
That 5k include lift passes?
Off to Val d'Isere tomorrow. It's looking a bit, well, chilly next week!Chapeau to your bravery / foolhardery.
First time back on skis since I caught an edge last year resulting in my arm basically falling out :o :facepalm: ;D
Am sure it will all be fine...if not, there is plenty of apres to keep me amused :thumbsup:
Anyone else done map comparisons? I may have a look to see what maps I have in the Paradiski area as well, which should (at least, could) span the same sort of time gap.
Anyone else done map comparisons? I may have a look to see what maps I have in the Paradiski area as well, which should (at least, could) span the same sort of time gap.
I have not done comparisons. I found my 1997 Les Arcs map. Showing how wonderful Les Arc was before they built too much accommodation. Didn't need Varet in those days TS Dou de l'Homme (3 person fixed chair) went up to meet TPH Aiguille Rouge. The only decoupling chair in Arc 2000 was Lanchettes. There were more drag lifts that have gone now. Major change is that to ski down to the Mamottes drag (now decoupling chair) you now need to go around the piste past St Jacques, that looked like it was about to fail then, when in the good old days everyone went down the steep slope and cut the corner. The obvious change is thge new resort of Arc2000 - 50. Together with other new builds this destroyed a nice quiet area of the resort. The backwaters of Peisey Nancroix/Valandry are even more spoiled.
euros obtained at ruinous rate
Surely nobody uses the currency bureaux at airports....?
QuoteSurely nobody uses the currency bureaux at airports....?
Recently to buy some Brazilian Reals to have when we landed.
What do people do for insurance for winter sports?
Up until now I've just relied upon my travel insurance I get from my bank account (which I pay for but gives me a bunch of useful benefits) but looking through some of the terms/conditions/limits it's not giving me adequate coverage.
For example, hire skis are only insured up to £200. The skis I was using were €999 in the shop (although I guess they could get them for half that at trade prices) but if something happened to them I could be out of pocket.
I only go for 10 days a year at most, 6 of which are with wife/daughter so I'd ideally need them to be covered too.
I've never needed the insurance in 20+ trips but I'm getting to the point where I'm doing more things that could end up with damage (not much off-piste but more unbashed ski-routes for example), and to more expensive skis.
What do people do for insurance for winter sports?
Rain in Meribel. Boo hiss.
Rain in Meribel. Boo hiss.
And that's where we're based. I think it might have rained a bit here, but it was pissing down in St Martin de Belleville when we were there on Monday afternoon.Rain in Meribel. Boo hiss.
That is why I preferred to stay in Motteret :-)
Parts of meribel are quite low.
This morning I got the Crystal/TUI email saying eveerything is OK none of their ski or winter sun holidays in Italy are affected.Phew !
Phew !
Mini-hatler flies to GVA tomorrow for a few days in the Portes du Soleil. I think he might just get away with it.Doh!
That didn't go so well.
Arrived in resort last night to the news everythings shutting down.
Tour company texted to say they are repatriating everyone tomorrow by coach.
We currently making out own arrangements.
We have friend in resort with 7 seater car who is making his way to GVA tomorrow and we are midway through booking flights GVA - EDI.
Bah.
Miss Ham & SiL2B are booked in Val d'Isere for their honeymoon......
I did a scan of various webcams. It would seem judging by the people walking around in the French resorts and up the mountain a few people did not go home. In Tignes I saw a few snow borders walking up the half pipe.
I assume these were self organised trippers. So there was no organised extraction for them. I hope they can find their way home. There may no transport at all next weekend and the resort completely shut.
Looks worth the climb.
almost
we are now on the cusp of either (a) a mega-apartment in Courchevel if some friends can get their shit together and say yes or
Saas Fee, here we come, wheeeeeeee!
You are eligible to enter Switzerland for any travel purpose if you are fully vaccinated and can show adequate proof (detailed below). From 27 November 2021, in addition to the requirements below, you must show a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen) and self-quarantine for 10 days.This follows the addition of the UK to the Swiss Federal Office of Health’s list of countries with a variant of concern. More detail is available on the Swiss Federal Office of Health’s website.
From 27 November, travellers arriving in Switzerland from the UK who wish to transit to another country will need to self-quarantine in Switzerland for 10 days.
Saas Fee, here we come, wheeeeeeee!
Bugger (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/switzerland/entry-requirements)QuoteYou are eligible to enter Switzerland for any travel purpose if you are fully vaccinated and can show adequate proof (detailed below). From 27 November 2021, in addition to the requirements below, you must show a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen) and self-quarantine for 10 days.This follows the addition of the UK to the Swiss Federal Office of Health’s list of countries with a variant of concern. More detail is available on the Swiss Federal Office of Health’s website.
From 27 November, travellers arriving in Switzerland from the UK who wish to transit to another country will need to self-quarantine in Switzerland for 10 days.
...Hull->Zebrugge...