2010-2013 Ski thread
24 January 2011, 12:19 PM
#91
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I did quite a lot of swimming before Christmas and running just before and up to going which seemed to help with my fitness a great deal. I had a girl in my ski class who kept moaning about her legs hurting and I told her to get on the treadmill before she goes next time as mine weren't hurting at all. She also had boots which didn't fit properly and other stuff which she moaned about, so I think she just liked moaning!
Dave is right about the boots. Don't do what I did on our trip 2 years ago and perservere with ill-fitting boots. In the end I bought my own boots and skis as the thought of spending another 6 days in torturous footwear drove me mental. My boots are perfect now. I need 2 pairs of socks though as my feet are very narrow, but they don't hurt me at all. Also having my own skis means I can feel confident with them and not have that "getting used to" period at the beginning of the week. My skis and boots with bag cost about £350 as they are entry level, but I can still carve on a nice groomed piste and get down an easy black run. Don't be fooled that you need to spend loads.
Dave is right about the boots. Don't do what I did on our trip 2 years ago and perservere with ill-fitting boots. In the end I bought my own boots and skis as the thought of spending another 6 days in torturous footwear drove me mental. My boots are perfect now. I need 2 pairs of socks though as my feet are very narrow, but they don't hurt me at all. Also having my own skis means I can feel confident with them and not have that "getting used to" period at the beginning of the week. My skis and boots with bag cost about £350 as they are entry level, but I can still carve on a nice groomed piste and get down an easy black run. Don't be fooled that you need to spend loads.
We'll both be on the turbo trainer tonight!
One odd thing - I broke my ankle coming off a bicycle 2 yrs ago and have had a bit of discomfort 2 since. However, it seems to get better after skiing!
02 February 2011, 12:23 PM
#92
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Booked a week off work towards the end of March for a sneaky trip away.
....I'd be happy to click 'buy now' if it snowed a bit more.
Will soon be a month since most of France had any snow worth shouting about.
....I'd be happy to click 'buy now' if it snowed a bit more.
Will soon be a month since most of France had any snow worth shouting about.
02 February 2011, 01:29 PM
#93
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Got back from La Clusaz on Saturday, sunny every day!
Had a great week although the pistes were hard & thin in places with most of the south facing slopes stripped of snow.
Also spent a day at Grand Bornard which was in excellent condition given the area hasn't received any snow since 12 Jan.
Bit different to last year when we were skiing fresh powder every day! Hopefully it will snow before I go back later in Feb.
Mark
Had a great week although the pistes were hard & thin in places with most of the south facing slopes stripped of snow.
Also spent a day at Grand Bornard which was in excellent condition given the area hasn't received any snow since 12 Jan.
Bit different to last year when we were skiing fresh powder every day! Hopefully it will snow before I go back later in Feb.
Mark
02 February 2011, 06:10 PM
#94
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Got back from Saalbach on Saturday, we were very lucky with the snow as the previous week was very poor.
First and last day glorious sunshine but inbetween we had 3 days of snow and a very cloudy day. Gave us some nice powder to ski just off the edges of the pistes and the snow was delightfully light all week.
Thankfully after 10 or 12 years off skis I got to the top of the lift and everything came back to me so I had no ruined day(s) trying to re-learn my balance
Saalbach was very, very noisy at night, slept with the window shut and earplugs in and could still hear the ******* chanting some rubbish at 3AM on occassion
Would choose to go back to Hinterglem, the next village up the valley, as a result of this.
First and last day glorious sunshine but inbetween we had 3 days of snow and a very cloudy day. Gave us some nice powder to ski just off the edges of the pistes and the snow was delightfully light all week.
Thankfully after 10 or 12 years off skis I got to the top of the lift and everything came back to me so I had no ruined day(s) trying to re-learn my balance
Saalbach was very, very noisy at night, slept with the window shut and earplugs in and could still hear the ******* chanting some rubbish at 3AM on occassion
Would choose to go back to Hinterglem, the next village up the valley, as a result of this.
02 February 2011, 11:12 PM
#96
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Got back from Breckenridge, Colorado end of last week, 2 weeks boarding and fresh powder every day with record snow for about 18 years we were told. Always been to Europe but done whistler and now the rockies and no going back to europe. No more expensive really either and cheaper once your out there
03 February 2011, 08:45 AM
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In Morzine right now. Before you ask, trying to sort out insurance for a fallen comrade, hence at the PC.
Pretty icy, no snow in a few weeks now. Getting some good GoPro footage though
Pretty icy, no snow in a few weeks now. Getting some good GoPro footage though
03 February 2011, 09:09 AM
#98
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I really can't beliave that. You can get good[ish] half board in Europe for 400-500 and 200 for a lift pass. I don't think I could get close to that in the US/Canada? If I could, I'd be there in March.
What model do you have?
What model do you have?
03 February 2011, 10:06 AM
#99
Re the Face piste in Val d'Isere -Shame as it's a great run with a bit of decent snow on it.
Just dropped the wife off to the airport today as she goes skiing with her work for a long weekend in Portes du Soleil. Not jealous at all
To the guys above, I wouldn't worry about skis (although I have a few pairs which I've accumulated over the years) as boots are so much more important, plus skis are a massive pain in the **** in airports/travelling, unless you drive. The ski technology also changes so fast that you may regret sticking with an old pair. Get decent boots and, if possible, get the flow fitted ones and / or orthotic foot beds customised to your feet. I used to get constant cramps in the sole of my feet and aches and pains everywhere in hire boots and then bought decent boots with the above customisation and never looked back. Like skiing in slippers (OK heavy ones). Once the boots are sorted, then jumping onto a different pair of skis is just like jumping into a different car. I have often swapped skis with mates several times during a day (with a bit of adjustment to the bindings) just to feel the difference.
I spent a fair bit on my boots - something like £300 but that was something like 15 years ago, so it would be more like 5-600 now, but cost per year is pretty small versus hiring all the time when i was doing 5-6 weeks every year. They still work now although they're pretty battered ( much like me ...
)
Anyway, praying for a late season dump of snow and a "cheap" family holiday later in the year.
Just dropped the wife off to the airport today as she goes skiing with her work for a long weekend in Portes du Soleil. Not jealous at all
To the guys above, I wouldn't worry about skis (although I have a few pairs which I've accumulated over the years) as boots are so much more important, plus skis are a massive pain in the **** in airports/travelling, unless you drive. The ski technology also changes so fast that you may regret sticking with an old pair. Get decent boots and, if possible, get the flow fitted ones and / or orthotic foot beds customised to your feet. I used to get constant cramps in the sole of my feet and aches and pains everywhere in hire boots and then bought decent boots with the above customisation and never looked back. Like skiing in slippers (OK heavy ones). Once the boots are sorted, then jumping onto a different pair of skis is just like jumping into a different car. I have often swapped skis with mates several times during a day (with a bit of adjustment to the bindings) just to feel the difference.
I spent a fair bit on my boots - something like £300 but that was something like 15 years ago, so it would be more like 5-600 now, but cost per year is pretty small versus hiring all the time when i was doing 5-6 weeks every year. They still work now although they're pretty battered ( much like me ...
)Anyway, praying for a late season dump of snow and a "cheap" family holiday later in the year.
Last edited by Fat Boy; 03 February 2011 at 10:09 AM.
09 March 2011, 01:03 PM
#105
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Booked to go to Len Menuires at the end of March. One lift away from Val Thorens.
However, it just needs to snow now!
This seems to be with winter where is hardly snowed in France.
However, it just needs to snow now!
This seems to be with winter where is hardly snowed in France.
09 March 2011, 02:00 PM
#106
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Only places closed were a few black runs which we did anyway !!! (yea i know stupid the insurance implications or lack thereof didnt dawn till i got back home) booked again in the same chalet for april 9th for a full week cant wait
09 March 2011, 02:06 PM
#107
Booked a cheap self catering place in Plagne 1800 for a very late one with the family - week beginning 16th April. Got everything crossed for some late snow, but have convinced myself that we'll enjoy walking in the sun and slush if not (yeah right...).
Can't stop myself checking the snow reports every 3 minutes
Had a few late ones over the years, including the first week of May in Val D'Isere where it suddenly dumped loads after weeks of nothing. Praying for something similar.
VT will have something given its height, and Les Men is much improved both in lifts and looks compared to the old days. I've been in VT when there was pretty much nothing elsewhere and the snow line only started in the middle of town (2300m) and skiing was still ok, if icy. Only problem was all the punters being bussed in from everywhere else due to the lack of snow in all the other resorts.
Can't stop myself checking the snow reports every 3 minutes
Had a few late ones over the years, including the first week of May in Val D'Isere where it suddenly dumped loads after weeks of nothing. Praying for something similar.
VT will have something given its height, and Les Men is much improved both in lifts and looks compared to the old days. I've been in VT when there was pretty much nothing elsewhere and the snow line only started in the middle of town (2300m) and skiing was still ok, if icy. Only problem was all the punters being bussed in from everywhere else due to the lack of snow in all the other resorts.
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