The Skiing Thread (Redux)

[gerags]

But... I was asked, a couple of weeks back, to go on secondment for 3 months to our Global company in New Jersey and when it's all set up I should be out there from January to March - which means I could well have the whole season out there. So it's all a bit up in the air at the moment.

There's some low altitude resorts in Noo Joisey

I am more than aware, which is why I could well be packing my skis and boots if this all goes ahead

[UK Redsox]

Its been dumperama in the French Alps this week

Last year at this time we were panicking about the lack of snow. This year, there's no such worries.

This is view today of the area of La Plagne that I ski the most

http://laplagne.livecam360.net/bergerie?t=2012-12-04+11:10:00&r=333&z=109&tl=0

And here's a view from higher up

http://laplagne.livecam360.net/grande-rochette?t=2012-12-04+11:10:00&r=338&z=109&tl=0

[UK Redsox]

"On the piste m'Lord".............................

About to head for Gatport Airwick and then off to the Alps

Snow looks spectacular and the weather forecast for the week looks good at the moment.

http://laplagne.livecam360.net/bergerie?t=2012-12-29%2B11%3A30%3A00&r=317&z=68&tl=0

[usav]

Took my daughter to the local ski resort near here today......had a great time, some of the best snow I've skied on ever.

[UK Redsox]

Greetings from Plagne Villages. Excellent weather and generally good piste conditions. However there are some quite vital runs that apparently aren't being pisted as often as they used to be.

Slightly lower down around Plagne 1800, things are apparently quite bad on the piste and with lifts running slow. Luckily our chalet is at 2155m, so we're up above the main bottlenecks.

Skied until 3pm, which is a long day for me but the weather was so good that we had to stay out.

[gerags]

Sounds fantastic - can't wait until I'm settled in the States so I can sort out some East Coast skiing

[UK Redsox]

I'm seriously considering making this my last ski trip. I just don't seem to make any progress and have some days when it's like I've never skied before.

I was going fine on the first two days, dealing with a few tricky runs and poor piste conditions without any trouble.

However, on the next day, I went splat within ten yards of starting and then had half an hour when I just couldn't stay upright. I improved as the day went on but my confidence took a hit.

Yesterday I decided to have the day skiing on my own. I was doing ok but wasn't really enjoying it.

Today I've had the day off and just done some walking and photography.

The weather is meant to be great again tomorrow and Sat, so I've got two more days to get my head sorted.

[usav]

It's called getting old.   Also, lay off the schnapps at night time.

[UK Redsox]

It's called getting old.   Also, lay off the schnapps at night time.

Yep, the wine and vodka last night certainly didn't help

[UK Redsox]

The last three days of skiing went very well. I seem to be making some progress at last.

We ended the day at the Bergerie Bar on the slope above Plagne Villages. We've been using the bar for a few years now and some of my mates have got to know the owner quite well.

He brought us out a bottle of some local hooch that had a frog in it. Eventually, after making the guy down some first, most of us drunk some.

Fecking revolting.

Apparently we were the first English group to accept the challenge.

[gerags]

While I applaud your ability to drink frog juice, a lot of skiing problems tend to stem from people drinking during the day.
As my mate tells me, save the booze for apres ski - we only have a small window to ski in and it should be used to the maximum.

On another note, UKR, what level do you ski at ?
When you say that you fell within 10 yards and couldn't stay upright, do you think that it was a confididence, piste condition or an ability issue ?

It's a serious question because if you're of a decent ability it could be a confidence issue which could be resolved by having equipment you trust and a little bit of guidance.

[UK Redsox]

It turned out that there was a lump of ice trapped in my one ski binding (which I discovered after the third fall) that was causing the ski to fly off too easily. By the time we discovered this fact my confidence had taken a major knock.

I'm OK on anything up to a Blue. However, I hate anything narrow (even Green or Blue roads) or which has a cliff-edge drop (when my, what I consider healthy, fear of falling off the side of the mountain kicks in).

I've done a couple of Reds but don't really see how anyone gets any pleasure from them. As for Black runs..............................

[Jon Crofts]

UKR stay away from cliff edges today, we all know it was a bad one last night but life goes on, step away from the edge.

[UK Redsox]

UKR stay away from cliff edges today, we all know it was a bad one last night but life goes on, step away from the edge.

Safely back at work now. Not many cliff-edges in 'Nam.

[UK Redsox]

So, who's going where in 2013/2014 ?

I'm off to La Plagne for a fourth time (once again staying at the chalet of the owners of Silverski).

We weren't going to ski this winter but my friends' daughter is doing a season chalet maiding for Silverski, so we're heading over to see her Xmas week.

Just the six of us going this time as opposed to the almost 30 we had last year.

Today's La Plagne (Bergerie Lift) webcam view




Webcam

http://laplagne.livecam360.net/bergerie