Ski season 2015/16

Dero wrote: »

Haha, good man. Is Stephen going as well? I know the thoughts of no second trip was killing him...

Of course he is! I'd say everyone who knows him is relieved. Aengus is going too. Stephen's staying a day longer that myself and Aengus. There are still seats available on the plane, by the way

cormee wrote: »

Just booked Chamonix for next Thursday-Tuesday. Never been this late in the season before, so I hope it's OK!

Looks like there's snow forecast for this weekend so hopefully it carries on into the week and stays cold!

Never been this late season either but I'm off to VT for a week on the 16th April, hope it holds up as well

Winter is back for the next 3,days! Some of my guests today enjoying their first tracks on their first ski holiday

Seems a loooonnng way to next Feb.

Having too go into the office at the weekends sucks

wing52 wrote: »

Some right looking sluffs on the right:eek:

Stay safe out there!!!

Don't worry, was actually delivering free ride lessons for the last two days and conditions are interesting! Bye 13:00 yesterday, it was time to get back on piste.

Amazon spring piste skiing right now, day off in the valley today and a few days telemarking ahead

a148pro wrote: »

Looks beautiful Fattes, have to get out there sometime, Swiss exchange rate, and just Switzerland in general turning me off. Also I get the impression there aren't a huge amount of pistes and lots of free riders so does it get tracked out very quick?

ðŸ˜႒ðŸ˜႒ Mon - Thursday it is quiet, depends on the week, you can get fresh tracks 3\4 days after a snowfall, in January, 6 days after snow there was fresh lines of you knew where to go.

Swiss exchange rates and prices are painfull, if you are not on Swiss salary! It is surreal sometimes what they can charge

Oh dear lord, Chamonix is looking good for tomorrow, loads of fresh snow and very few on the slopes

Season still running but alas over for me

Do I need to get my boots serviced? They've had like maybe 10 days skiing on average over the last two years?

Loving the photos Fattes, living the dream springs to mind

Back from a few days in Chamonix, mixed bag really.
First day was grand and sunny, had a nice time, but the snow wasn't great.
The second day was heavy wet snow, so I got absolutely soaked at about 15kph, and quit by lunchtime.
The third day was blizzard-like conditions, with about 15-20' visibility (not helped by my damp, steamed up goggles from the previous day), the snow was better than day 2, but I made the mistake of going down the Point de Vue (2.6km ungroomed black slope, with a 1000m vertical), from the top of Grand Montet, in these awful conditions - 2' of fresh powdery snow, high winds, no goggles, crap visibility, empty slope (we were the last gondola to go up, as the conditions were so bad). Trying to right myself on the board was impossible, my arms kept disappearing into the snow, and I couldn't pop myself up, having winded myself at the top of the slope when I hit something hidden and fell hard... it wasn't a great experience to be honest.

Cormee that is spring skiing it can be anything from heaven to hell! Sadly when you only have a week and are trying to make the most of it, then it is frustrating. When you live here it i s easy. a148pro, I will be heading home for 3 weeks at the end of next week, so will get the best conditions before I leave, and I agree I am a Bollix

cormee wrote: »

Also, because my goggles were steamed up I couldn't wear them for most of the trip down. With that, and the driving snow/wind, the only way I could snowboard was to look down, focus about 2' in front of the board, and use my peripheral vision to keep an eye on the marker poles on the side of the piste, looking up every few seconds to make sure there wasn't a sharp turn coming up (I had to maintain a certain speed as side-slipping slowly down, in snow that deep, wasn't really an option).

Congrats on the pending arrival, your first?

Thanks, no uimhir a do, first one came skiing with me for his first trip a few weeks back! He loved it which bodes well for the future!

cormee wrote: »

And would you believe, the day I was leaving was the heaven day. Gorgeous clear blue skies, and a thick layer of fresh snow.

Some serious lines being put in in Chamonix at the moment, I'm not on facebook so am missing out on most of the updates:-

https://cedricbernardini.com/2016/04/22/steeps/

End of season is steep season!

Great photos as always Fattes. Shame they never built a dome here. I know we don't have the population to justify it but for those that would use it, it would be a great amenity.

Fattes wrote: »

So season 15/16 in the alps is over for me last few shots from the 24th and 25th of April. Season 16/17 starts for me in a Snowdome this weekend with a coaching conference and training,.

No rest for the wicked! :rolleyes:

I can't imagine it's even possible to get moving on skis, or a board, in conditions like Snow3, is it? I know I'd be dead in half an hour, anyway.

cormee wrote: »

I work out in Sandyford, out the canteen window there is a great looking tree-covered hill, up quite high. It has to be very, very cold there from November until about March, and I'd imagine snow cannons would work up there, especially at night.
So, Dennis O'Brien, if you're reading this, please buy it and spend a few million converting it to couple of slopes. :rolleyes:

My fathers place isn't too far from Lugnaquila,which always gets snow once the cold weather comes,a few years ago when the heavy snow was in,a neighbour bought snow track things for his quad and took himself and his few friends who ski up there-Would have been great to ski deep powder here,didn't have any gear though:(

Is it time for a "Ski season 2016/2017" thread yet?

I'm already planning next season!!

DoraDelite wrote: »

Is it time for a "Ski season 2016/2017" thread yet?

I'm already planning next season!!

Funny you say that, the snow whatsapp group with the people I usually go with seems more active this early compared to previous seasons.
In reality no point really looking to book till after August when people have their summer holidays out of the way.
Still no harm looking though.

cormee wrote: »

Start the thread then, build it and they will come.

June 21 is when I officially allow myself to start thinking about the following season. Until then it's just the previous year's videos.

There has been talk of the Dolomites though, which I've always wanted to visit.

The dolomites are on my wish list too, the scenery looks amazing.

jvan wrote: »

The dolomites are on my wish list too, the scenery looks amazing.

They are amazing also some really cool WW1 history, museums and sights throw in for good measure, there is still barbed wire and trench fortifications visible in some resorts even in Winter!

a148pro wrote: »

Was back in Dolomites for the second time this year and it really is stunningly beautiful. It must be the most beautiful lift accessed skiing in the world.

Plus Italians are much more charming than the french or austrians.

OMG what are you saying- sure the Austrians are charm personified!! (Until the schnapps kicks in haha) ;-) ;-)