Season 14/15 Banter thread

In terms of goggles what is the pecking order of brands and quality? What should one be looking out for to help in overcast conditions when the snow just looks like a featureless white/grey surface. I have a feeling goggle companies would sell me a pair for every day of the week :pac:

I'm strongly considering boots too but would prob go to a bricks and mortar store and try on loads.

Vegeta wrote: »

In terms of goggles what is the pecking order of brands and quality? What should one be looking out for to help in overcast conditions when the snow just looks like a featureless white/grey surface. I have a feeling goggle companies would sell me a pair for every day of the week :pac:

I'm strongly considering boots too but would prob go to a bricks and mortar store and try on loads.

With out a doubt go to a shop for boots. There's so many lacing systems and different tech in each brand that'll you'll spend forever trying to find the right pair.

With goggles there's loads to chose from. I often wonder if there's really any difference between the brands. I have the latest Oakley prizm rose lens which is supposed to be for snow and overcast days. I think Oakley and I disagree what overcast means. In sunny/partially cloudy days they are incredible. Cloudy or low light they suck. Weather today is cloudy, poor visibility and snowing most of the day. I've spent most of it on the couch. Yesterday was the same but I went for a look about. Not a lot of fun but I don't like missing many days off the snow. The lens to generally go for is either yellow, orange or in Oakleys case rose. You've probably got plenty of time to research online before your next trip and there will be end of season sales.

Vegeta wrote: »

In terms of goggles what is the pecking order of brands and quality? What should one be looking out for to help in overcast conditions when the snow just looks like a featureless white/grey surface. I have a feeling goggle companies would sell me a pair for every day of the week :pac:

I'm strongly considering boots too but would prob go to a bricks and mortar store and try on loads.

Whatever you get, I'd recommend getting 2 lenses. Some brands give second lens with their goggles - I know VonZipper do and that's the main reason I bought mine (well that and the 40% off warehouse clearance sale I was at). I think dragon do with some of their goggles, but can't be sure. Get a yellow lens for low light, it's unbelievably useful, and then a darker or mirrored lens for bright days.

Oakleys can get pricey, even the extra lenses are getting up there in prices. I've heard mixed reports about the Oakley rose lens (as mentioned above).

Some brands to look out for. By no means extensive, but just decent brands off the top of my head.
Oakley
Dragon
VonZipper
Smith
Spy
Bolle
Anon
Electric
Ashbury (pretty new I think, but look ok)
Airblaster (brand seems to be gaining momentum)

I'd happily wear any of the above brands if the price was right, although I've mentioned here before that I'm not fussy on my gear, and generally buy what's on sale, which hasn't failed me yet. I also have access to a once a year warehouse clearance sale over here, which helps! Scour the online shops for clearance or outlet stuff.

When buying boots, depending on what time of year you are shopping, you can get some great deals on previous season's gear. Generally the start or end of the season is the best, but it obviously depends where you are, as buying in the shop would be highly, highly recommended!

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

I've always used my spy googles (not the x-ray variety) for low/flat light. I have a pair of really swiss looking sun glasses with a head strap that I use for bluebird days..

As a boarder, I have always preferred wearing shades on nice days, skiiers have this right.

WTF are Swiss looking sunglasses?!

Just back from Chamonix, conditions were great, the sun was shining and the snow was very nice. Brevent was choppy as hell - as usual, Les Grand Montets were great, and Les Tours was, as always, very nice. We also ventured over to Courmayeur for a day, although it's a small ski area it's very well groomed and there are some great runs, especially Youla. Something that I was told that was typical for Italian ski resorts is, from about 1pm, when they stop for lunch for the rest of the afternoon, the pistes were almost empty, Italians seem to stop for the day at lunchtime, that made for some great fun on the slopes.

The one thing that does my head in about Chamonix is the travel time to get to the different ski areas, you can be waiting for a bus for half an hour, followed by a 30 minute packed bus trip, then another 10-15 minutes in lifts getting to a point you can begin boarding/skiing. That can be stressful. But overall it was a far better trip than my earlier one to Les Arcs.

11 months to my next trip.

Over 1.5 meters of snow due in Val D'Isére this weekend.. Flying back out Tuesday morning. Smiley face.

Brilliant! Enjoy lads

AlternateID wrote: »

Love a bit of fresh snow.

Sick photo

sallymomo wrote: »

Anyone else enjoying the fresh stuff? 3 feet on piste in the last 24 hours in limone and still going

Alas I got home yesterday. I'm thinking of going to Italy next year.

http://unofficialnetworks.com/2015/03/italian-town-just-set-new-world-record-for-single-day-snowfall-8-feet-4-8-inches

Quick question here, best/cheapest ski insurance for the week, all on piste. Any suggestions?

fannymagee wrote: »

I've tried and failed to find better/cheaper than VHI Multitrip. I don't get the extra winter sports cover, the basic cover is enough in itself. If you have time, get to your local health centre for your EH1C card (old E111), God forbid you need medical treatment that's the first thing they'll ask for

If you have Medical card or drugs Payment scheme card you can save yourself the trek and apply online for free!

Awful lucky with how the snowpack settled too, seemed to break away quite easily. Surely the first thing to do is get out the beacon? He was preparing shovel before locating. Beacon, probe, shovel that would have been the order I would take