Ski season 2016/2017

darka78

DoraDelite wrote: »

My one and only car hire experience was from Munich airport in early March about 6 years ago and winter tyres were NOT on the car automatically. Chanced driving to Saalbach without them and had a few near death experiences in a snow storm on the way back to Munich :eek:

Don't know if the winter tyre thing has changed since but I'd be double checking if I were you. Can't remember who we rented off at the time either.

I had one experience as well at Munich airport and car was with winter tyres without asking them in advance for it. It was March 2014.
I have seen somewhere what winter tyres for rental companies in Germany and Austria are compulsory. Opposite to Milan Bergamo rental companies, where tyres are same all the time(summer ones, some supply with snow chains).

Rew

I rented a car in Munich 2 years ago and there was winter tyres on it. I thought they legally had to but its all a bit vague. I got stung for an extra fee for talking the car out of Germany in to Austria so watch the fine print. Police were very, very active on the road to Austria as well.

Fattes

So just had my first few days of the season! Early season conditions are the best I have seen for at least 3-4 years!

darka78

Fattes wrote: »

So just had my first few days of the season! Early season conditions are the best I have seen for at least 3-4 years!

nice! where is it?

Fattes

darka78 wrote: »

nice! where is it?

Central Switzerland

Fattes

Couple more from yesterday

Rew

cormee

Rew wrote: »

Very smooth

a148pro

Engelberg open already Fattes?

Definitely that chill in the air in Ireland tonight....:D

hawkwind23

lot of snow on the cams this morning for any other saddos who really should be doing more productive things

Fattes

a148pro wrote: »

Engelberg open already Fattes?

Definitely that chill in the air in Ireland tonight....:D

Opened Two weeks ago! Just the Glacier area, the close again today and reopen on the 18th of November! The have to close to do the annual service on the gondola to the glacier!

a148pro

Looked very good.

Not sure if I'll get away at all this year due to age of kids, maybe if number 2 starts sleeping through the night. Otherwise will have to bring them, which I don't really mind enjoyed skiing with number 1 last year and will get an hour or two each day on my own.

Anyone planning on soon being encumbered with kids get your fix in now! The days of three last minute ski jaunts a year are over for me for now.

prunudo

First day of the 16/17 winter that I'm seating here at home with a serious goo for a bit of boarding. Time to watch a few dvds and scroll websites and Web cams ðŸ‚

cormee

jvan wrote: »

First day of the 16/17 winter that I'm seating here at home with a serious goo for a bit of boarding. Time to watch a few dvds and scroll websites and Web cams ðŸ‚

SnowReport.com Twitter feed is making me sick the last few days, lots of lovely snow in a lot of major resorts. I should unfollow until early January.

lbj666

Folks Its been asked before but is there any Austrian equivalent of the UCPA . I am looking to do an affordable 1 week camp just to improve my boarding in maybe January.

But am going to france with a gang already but would prefer not to do 2 trips to france.

Fattes

First big dump in the village 8cm last night

Fattes

Looks like the weather forecast was spot on for the weekend, this is how home looks this am!

Sadly I am in Ireland aggghhhhh!!! Long range forecast has low temps across the alps for the next 4-5 weeks! In fairness the alps are due a good cold early start here is hoping it continues.

maddness

Looks like 100cms plus for Meribel and even more for Chamonix in the next three days. Courchevel are opening this coming Friday with two or three lifts open for free.
I'm going in five weeks so hopefully it will stay cold as Fattes said.

Rew

maddness wrote: »

Looks like 100cms plus for Meribel and even more for Chamonix in the next three days. Courchevel are opening this coming Friday with two or three lifts open for free.
I'm going in five weeks so hopefully it will stay cold as Fattes said.

Have you been before? 3V is great resort

maddness

Rew wrote: »

Have you been before? 3V is great resort

This will be the fifth time, love the place.

Fattes

Today in Engelberg Winter is on


https://www.instagram.com/p/BMtg79FjQ1G/?taken-by=whiskyamb

a148pro

Jesus! November!

Fattes

a148pro wrote: »

Jesus! November!

It would probably come as a shock to most people how good Nobember and April snow can be!

Another 50cm due in some alpine resorts this Sat and Sunday

Rew

Hero 5 Black does GPS overlay now:

maddness

More snow forecast this weekend��

Rew

Anyone heading for Ischgl?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/news/ischgl-ski-resort-ban-ski-boots-after-8pm/

The statement said: "We would like to inform you that from November 20 to May 5 walking in hard-soled footwear (eg ski boots or similar plastic soles) and carrying skis, ski sticks or snowboards will be prohibited on all of the routes and squares in the centre of Ischgl between the evening and night-time hours of 20:00 to 6:00."

Eurovisionmad

Grandvalira finally slated for a good dump of snow this week (120cm), had been fairly anaemic in comparison to the alps, had me a bit nervous considering I'm going before Christmas!

Fattes

My annual goody bagfor the season! Time to start packing up the car, the mountains are calling

maddness

Fattes wrote: »

My annual goody bagfor the season! Time to start packing up the car, the mountains are calling

I'm sure you must have plenty of different skis to chose from but what type of ski do you tend to use mostly?

Fattes

maddness wrote: »

I'm sure you must have plenty of different skis to chose from but what type of ski do you tend to use mostly?

17M GS based skis like in the previous picture ! I have two pairs like this one with a race plate one without. I teach on them so that's why I spend so much time on them. Pretty much a do everything ski! A little more work in powder but still nice in the soft stuff, great in bumps, on Piste as well They are the perfect all mountain ski

When taking free ride lessons or normal snow days off, I Use QST 106 underfoot skis with Touring bindings like these orange ones

About 5-6 days a year I get to break out the 122 underfoot silly skis 😈

a148pro

Fattes wrote: »

My annual goody bagfor the season! Time to start packing up the car, the mountains are calling

Savage, enjoy, super jealous

hawkwind23

Fattes wrote: »

My annual goody bagfor the season! Time to start packing up the car, the mountains are calling

Nice one
enjoy the season

Fattes

Good to be home

masseyno9

First day out of the season on Sunday. Went to Lake Louise as we mistakenly thought the ladies world cup was on and fancied seeing some of that as the men's was cancelled. Ladies is on next weekend! Anyway, not a bad day all told. The backside of the hill was only open a day or 2 prior so grooming was almost non-existent and most of the runs were bumpy and/or bare with sprouty trees popping through. I came undone at one point by some invisible bumps (flat light) bucking me off...a not so subtle reminder that early season conditions are less than perfect! Got chatting to a couple of people on lifts and apparently Sunshine (30 mins down the road, we drove past it to get to Louise) was much better. Oh well, live and learn!

Stuck to the front side in the afternoon and cruised around, getting the legs back and just getting back into it again. Broke my leg playing rugby back in June so getting a day in with no major pains was promising...didn't want to push it too much. See what happens when I find some powder or the parks open up. Thinking of going back next weekend to see the world cup. Free to go look, once you don't want to go up a lift.

Timmaay

Flaine or val thorens in mid jan? I'd be a confident enough skiier and need plenty of reds/blacks and some off piste. And to be snow sure definitely! Which should I go for? VT will be 300 or so more expensive with transfers, drinks etc, but the flights/basic package similar price (going with the ucpa). Flaine sounds very good for what I want, however I'd be a little worried I'll get bored, whereas I can upgrade to the full 3valleys pass in VT so zero fear of running out of slopes ha.

a148pro

I understand there's some very good bowls in Flaine for off piste. It also has a very good snow record despite being lower.

On the other hand, I think every skier needs to experience the 3Vs at least once, if you're into skiing it really is unbelieveably good (in terms of pistes anyway, I'm sure there's oodles of off piste too)

You don't get more snow sure than 3vs either

kal7

The main resort bowl of Flaine has 5 blacks (there are more in rest of the grand massif area)
The best black, I feel, is in the ger valley which is one big steep off piste bowl with single draglift and black down the middle of it.

One black hasn't been open the last two years I have skied there, some big crevasses nearby, they didn't even mark the run in case, people were tempted.

I like Flaine, very relaxed place, not too busy and plenty of slopes, but if you need more red/black terrain maybe 3Valleys.
Having skied the area I now think it is time for me to get some guiding to find some of best spots and yet be safe.

Timmaay

Actually the other thing that screwed me over last year, too much snow so slopes closed left right and centre ha. Is 3v less of a risk with that with more ground to cover?, or if there is a serious dump will ya just have to accept the whole resort is probably whited out with avalanche risk everywhere?

Rew

Timmaay wrote: »

Actually the other thing that screwed me over last year, too much snow so slopes closed left right and centre ha. Is 3v less of a risk with that with more ground to cover?, or if there is a serious dump will ya just have to accept the whole resort is probably whited out with avalanche risk everywhere?

Ive been to the 3V twice and found it incredibly well groomed and would have said it was unlikely much would close in that scenario. If you haven't been its an awesome spot.

Timmaay

Ok yous are all doing a very good job at selling 3v to me ha! I can hire a car for likes of 180e, call it 230 after fuel (how much for likes of toils etc anyone know?), it's roughly 2 1/2hrs to VT from Geneva, aim would be to fly in for about 10am Sunday morning, hopefully be in VT for 1ish, hmm hard to know if I'd get in an afternoon skiing then. That's the main attraction of flaine over VT I'll admit, 30min transfer from Geneva ha.

qwabercd

I'm pretty bad at deciphering the snow forecasts etc. Anyone know what the 3V are like for the next 2 weeks? Thanks!

Rew

Timmaay wrote: »

Ok yous are all doing a very good job at selling 3v to me ha! I can hire a car for likes of 180e, call it 230 after fuel (how much for likes of toils etc anyone know?), it's roughly 2 1/2hrs to VT from Geneva, aim would be to fly in for about 10am Sunday morning, hopefully be in VT for 1ish, hmm hard to know if I'd get in an afternoon skiing then. That's the main attraction of flaine over VT I'll admit, 30min transfer from Geneva ha.

If you are driving to VT you have to book into a carpark. The town is totally pedestrianised and on piste.

Rew

qwabercd wrote: »

I'm pretty bad at deciphering the snow forecasts etc. Anyone know what the 3V are like for the next 2 weeks? Thanks!

There is no snow forecast ATM.

qwabercd

Rew wrote: »

There is no snow forecast ATM.

Sorry to rephrase but will the ski be much good (based on current level of snow)? I see that 57/80 trails are open atm...

Rew

qwabercd wrote: »

Sorry to rephrase but will the ski be much good (based on current level of snow)?

Should be fine, they will be making snow and spreading it around where needed. If temperatures go up that could change.

qwabercd

Rew wrote: »

Should be fine, they will be making snow and spreading it around where needed. If temperatures go up that could change.

Thanks

iroced

Timmaay wrote: »

Ok yous are all doing a very good job at selling 3v to me ha! I can hire a car for likes of 180e, call it 230 after fuel (how much for likes of toils etc anyone know?), it's roughly 2 1/2hrs to VT from Geneva, aim would be to fly in for about 10am Sunday morning, hopefully be in VT for 1ish, hmm hard to know if I'd get in an afternoon skiing then. That's the main attraction of flaine over VT I'll admit, 30min transfer from Geneva ha.

Mid Jan (I understand that's when you'll be going) should be fine but right now there's not much snow in Haute-Savoie (almost nothing in Samoens which is linked with Flaine).
In general anyway, if you want guaranteed snow in France you have to aim for the Savoie big ski areas (3V, Paradiski (La Plagne-Les Arcs) & Espace Killy (Val d'Isère-Tignes). All these have resorts around or higher than 2000m high (ski area can go down to 1200m) and go well above 3000m high. Ski areas are vast and varied (from glaciers to forests) and off-pistes possibilities are huge. You can actually take off-pistes "lessons"/"trips" for one or several days.

As for the toll, going from Geneva via A41 & N90 is less than 10€ toll (~8€ I think). If you fly to Geneva, be careful not to take the motorway in Switzerland 'cause you'll have to pay the ~40€ vignette for just a couple of kms (you may well be aware of that but I figured there's no harm repeating it ).

Now how long are you going? Just asking 'cause you mentioned the extra afternoon of skiing Flaine offers.

Also, does it have to be Flaine or Val Thorens? Going for the 3V, if it's not unaffordable, I'd suggest you go to Meribel (it's the middle valley of the 3V such that you can explore the whole area much easier and without the evening stress to come bacl to your place in time ).

The good thing for you is mid-Jan is outside French holidays so accomodations should be cheaper. Rest will be about the same.

qwabercd wrote: »

I'm pretty bad at deciphering the snow forecasts etc. Anyone know what the 3V are like for the next 2 weeks? Thanks!

You can regularly consult the interactive skimap => http://www.valthorens.com/fr/live/plan-interactif-des-pistes.426.html
For example, now, Val Thorens has most of its area open. Rest of the 3V is closed (probably off-season though).

qwabercd

iroced wrote: »

Mid Jan (I understand that's when you'll be going) should be fine but right now there's not much snow in Haute-Savoie (almost nothing in Samoens which is linked with Flaine).
In general anyway, if you want guaranteed snow in France you have to aim for the Savoie big ski areas (3V, Paradiski (La Plagne-Les Arcs) & Espace Killy (Val d'Isère-Tignes). All these have resorts around or higher than 2000m high (ski area can go down to 1200m) and go well above 3000m high. Ski areas are vast and varied (from glaciers to forests) and off-pistes possibilities are huge. You can actually take off-pistes "lessons"/"trips" for one or several days.

As for the toll, going from Geneva via A41 & N90 is less than 10€ toll (~8€ I think). If you fly to Geneva, be careful not to take the motorway in Switzerland 'cause you'll have to pay the ~40€ vignette for just a couple of kms (you may well be aware of that but I figured there's no harm repeating it ).

Now how long are you going? Just asking 'cause you mentioned the extra afternoon of skiing Flaine offers.

Also, does it have to be Flaine or Val Thorens. Going for the 3V, if it's not unaffordable, I'd suggest you go to Meribel (it's the middle valley of the 3V such that you can explore the whole area much easier and without the evening stress to come bacl to your place in time.

The good thing for you is mid-Jan is outside French holidays so accomodations should be cheaper. Rest will be about the same.



You can regularly consult the interactive skimap => [URL=""][/URL]

For example, now, Val Thorens has most of its area open. Rest of the 3V is closed (probably off-season though).

Cheers. Seems like rest of 3V opens this weekend.



https://www.merinet.com/lifts/dates

cormee

Rew wrote: »

If you are driving to VT you have to book into a carpark. The town is totally pedestrianised and on piste.

Val Thorens? When did that happen? Was there last year and it was open to traffic. There's a free bus service that goes around the resort too.

iroced

qwabercd wrote: »

Cheers. Seems like rest of 3V opens this weekend.



https://www.merinet.com/lifts/dates

Yes. But Val Thorens is the only one with most of its area open.

cormee wrote: »

Val Thorens? When did that happen? Was there last year and it was open to traffic. There's a free bus service that goes around the resort too.

It's semi-pedestrian. You have to park in dedicated parkings. Can't park in the streets. Only drop-off (for your luggages) allowed.