The Skiing Thread (Redux)

[Guy M]

Done. Eventually. Austria it is, Niederau to be precise. Looks like quite a basic resort which is fine for us, but had relatively recent snow fall. £324 each incl flights, transfers and shared twin within number 1 rated pension (massive B&B) on Tripadvisor, but have spoken to owner and for just 50Euros extra, he should be letting us have our own room each which is a result. Touch wood!

I'm tempted to leave board hire, lessons, ski passes etc until I get there as fed up of the internet and phone now, but after a couple of hours away from it, I'm sure I'll rediscover the passion.

Thanks again to those concerned for the advice and apologies that I'm pretty much making zero use of it this time!

[Comrade Blitz]

Watched an episode of Globe Trekker the other night about ski touring the Haute Route. Has anyone on here tried ski touring?

[gerags]

Just got back from my 14 nights in the States.

Based in Breckenridge, Colorado (with a 4x4) we managed to ski Breck itself, Vail, Keystone, Beaver Creek and Arapahoe Basin. All resorts had a dump of around 50" of snow just before we arrived, another 10 or so inches over 24  hours during the stay and have just had another 12-15 as we left.
 
However it was the coldest conditions I have ever been in with, at one point, a daytime low of -15f and a nightime low of -30f. Thankfully there was no windchill to take the temperatures lower.
Though thanks to this, the lift queues were non-existent during the weekdays and well managed at the weekends with no jostling or having to fight for a place.

We went for the season pass for $670 which allowed us into all these resorts and also gave us the ability to track your lift usage online for the duration. I achieved over 260,000 vertical feet in 11 days of skiing (not including a day in A-Basin which doesn't record the figures) which I'm quite chuffed with
 
All in all a fantastic ski holiday which once again makes me realise that 90% of Europe is overpriced and can't compare to USA or Canada when it comes to the expanse and variety of terrain.

[Guy M]

Got back from Niederau in the Wildschönau region of Austria yesterday, my first snowboarding trip completed and a definite success.

Was on the difficult reds by the end of the week and would have moved onto the blacks had I not started to get quite so tired and put off by the sight of another person being airlifted off a piste at Auffach on Friday.

A chap from Birmingham had quite a nasty accident earlier in the week when he apparently crossed his skis, resulting in broken neck, legs, pelvis... must admit I stopped listening when I didn't want to be put off going again.

Niederau is definitely a more beginner friendly resort, but Auffach's 6km run from top to bottom seemed to keep even the more experienced skiers happy. Might pop back before the end of the season if I can get a good enough deal!

[UK Redsox]

Got back from Niederau in the Wildschönau region of Austria yesterday, my first snowboarding trip completed and a definite success.

Was on the difficult reds by the end of the week and would have moved onto the blacks had I not started to get quite so tired and put off by the sight of another person being airlifted off a piste at Auffach on Friday.

A chap from Birmingham had quite a nasty accident earlier in the week when he apparently crossed his skis, resulting in broken neck, legs, pelvis... must admit I stopped listening when I didn't want to be put off going again.

Niederau is definitely a more beginner friendly resort, but Auffach's 6km run from top to bottom seemed to keep even the more experienced skiers happy. Might pop back before the end of the season if I can get a good enough deal!

Last time I spoke to Legion, he said he wasn't going skiing again !!

[Dave]

Off to La Thuile in Italy next week. Not been since doing all my formative skiing there as a kid.

Looking forward to it a lot.

[Dave Cooper please]

Off to La Thuile in Italy next week. Not been since doing all my formative skiing there as a kid.

Looking forward to it a lot.

And so you should.
I went there in 1995 and if it's only half as good as it was then it will be brilliant.

[Hookeysmith]

I am off next week for my second ever ski trip to bansko (loved my first time last year)

A question i have for you experienced guys:

First time out i was not scared at all as i had no preconceived ideas of what to expect and followed my instructors word to the letter - after 3 days i was skiing the same blue run quite comfortably (with a few falls now and then when i got a bit too cocky!) by the end of the week i had done, very gingerly and slowly my first red.
As i said i am off next week and this time i am shitting myself - i think it might be down to the old adage "a little knowledge is dangerous"
Is this normal to feel more nervous 2nd time out?

Anyhow it was something i have always wanted to do and i loved it - not just the skiing but the whole vibe of it - by the end of the week i was going down runs with i pod on and its the most amazing chill time i have ever had

Although the aches and pains when you are not used to it are a bitch

any tips from the H&V experienced folks?

[usav]

How many years between trips?   

I would just take the first morning really easy, don't get into anything over your head until you have your ski legs back.   Stick to greens and easy blues until you find yourself comfortable like you were towards the end of the first trip.    At the same time, you don't want to be too cautious as that is when you start to make mistakes and also, the slower you go, the harder it is to turn properly - you need some speed to carve out those turns properly.

Just try and relax and have fun.

[Andy Poole]

I am off next week for my second ever ski trip to bansko (loved my first time last year)

A question i have for you experienced guys:

Although the aches and pains when you are not used to it are a bitch

any tips from the H&V experienced folks?

Yes. Go to Austria. The wellness stuff is superb. When you book a massage...that's what you get. I have only been to Borovets once and that was 10 years ago...a massage was much more than a massage!!

However, 10 years ago, Borovets was Mafia run.

[The Left Side]

Group of us are looking at Fernie, BC for a trip... anyone been there?

[Hookeysmith]

Just got back from bansko, Bulgaria and it was fabulous - although we really by luck picked the best week as there has been little snow and by the end of the week the cannons were working overtime.

Only my second ever time skiing and i completed all of the 12 blue runs and my 2 first ever reds in full - i was well chuffed

On the snow front my missus sister is in Switzerland and has paid a fortune for passes etc and there is very little snow - they are having to bus from top of cable car a further 30 mins to get any

I have heard this all round Europe this year a disctinct lack of snow 

[Guy M]

I have heard this all round Europe this year a disctinct lack of snow 

I think we must have been pretty lucky when we went to Austria. My sister's ex-husband is off to Mayrhofen in a couple of weeks for Snowbombing Festival and I thought I read the other day that they'd had snow last week.

Am hoping to join him. Well, pretty much inviting myself along either way!

[UK Redsox]

Who's going where for 2011/12 ?

We're off to La Plagne again with Silverski. However, this time we're staying in Plagne Soleil.

[Dave Cooper please]

I'm hoping to do a bit of snowboarding (never done it before) in Aviemore if there's some snow around Christmas and New Year.