Ski Blog | Skiers - Intermediate

Surprisingly good snow in Flaine!

A couple of days on from a not very snowy Les Carroz Rich has gone up to Flaine to find out what the skiing is like there and has found some surprisngly good skiing! 

What’s the snow like in Les Carroz in December?

So what is the snow like in the Alps at the moment?  Here's Rich from a not so snowy Les Carroz on 18th December.

CAN YOU SKI ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?

I’ve always envied people who can ski on their birthday – I learnt to ski when I was 8 years old and yet have never been able to ski on my birthday. 

One of my sisters has a March birthday and has regularly skied on her birthday – including her 40th in Whistler!

My girlfriend only learnt to ski two years ago and has already skied on her birthday – celebrating in St Anton!

She did ski as well as apres!  

Me – I have a November birthday so it’s not as easy as it may sound. 

I mean it’s easy if your birthday is between December and April – the European and North American season are underway and you’ll have lots of opportunities.

If you have a summer or autumn birthday June to October and you’re prepared to travel you’ll find some options in Argentina, Chile or New Zealand and if you’re lucky Australia!

Even glacier skiing in somewhere like Tignes you could have skied from 2nd July to 28th August this year.

So it’s really only a couple of months that it gets a bit tricky! Yes I know a glacier will be open somewhere in Europe if I really wanted to but even Deux Alpes was closed on my birthday this year being open from 22nd October 2016 to 1st November 2016 and then again from 3rd December.

So this year after 30...er...ahem... something years I finally got to ski on my birthday!  I was on a road trip in the US and right at the end managed to get to Mammoth and get a days skiing in! With a visit to a ski outlet shop and hire kit I cobbled enough together to ski!

They only had about 6 lifts open and the conditions weren’t great and the lift pass still cost a whopping great full price 99US$!  Well unless it’s your birthday and they give you 50% off!

Nice birthday present and I SKIED ON MY BIRTHDAY!!  

So is November the worst birthday month to ski or are there other months that are as bad? 

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skimium.com in a few words: it’s EASY, it’s the COMFORT of ordering from your own home and the BEST PRICE advantage through ordering on the internet (up to 20% discount off the public prices that are communicated in the stores), but it’s not only that...  

SKIMIUM IS EVEN MORE:

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Is Chamonix the perfect ski town?

Chamonix has been synoymous with skiing and snowboarding since the early 1900's and the first ever Winter Olympics - held in Chamonix in 1924 - put it firmly on the map as a premier winter sports destination. More than 90 years on, it still has a place in most skiers 'top 10'. But unlike some of the other mega resorts, Chamonix has kept a charm and sense of history, not to mention more accommodation options than almost any other ski resort. ranging from small self catering apartments up to 5* hotels.

The reason for this is the unique layout of the town, the Chamonix Valley encompasses 16 little hamlets and villages with a variety of accommodation unmathced by most other ski areas.

Earlier this season we visited and stayed in Vallorcine, lying to the east of Chamonix town close to Switzerland, Vallorcine is a pretty hamlet with some excellent restaurants, and direct access to one of the main 5 Chamonix ski areas - Le Tour. Crucially there is also a train station with direct access to the town, so staying here and skiing the multiple Chamonix areas without a car is perfecrtly possible, though personally we enjoyed the flexibility of a rental car, and saved the train for one atmospheric ride to town.

We stayed at the 5* Vallorcine Residence and Spa. Perhaps a surprising find in a small hamlet, this impressive property combines apartment accommodation with a large spa complex with indoor pool, gym, massage and other spa services and a stunning ice rink lying in the brooding shadow of Le Tour. 

Although there is no restaurant on site there are several excellent options within a 5 minute walk. Breakfast can be DIY in your apartment with fresh bread and croissants from the excellent on site bakery, who also offer a good value breakfast buffet. An on site ski hire shop is well stocked and friendly staff will arrange liftpasses and anythng else you need.

Snow conditions were best described as 'variable' but one of the beauty's of Chamonix is even when there is a lack of snow the sheer size, variety and layout of the ski areas means good snow can always be found somewhere, and boredom is never an issue as each area has its own distinct character. We skiied Brevent and Les Grand Montets over a 3 night stay and despite sunny skies more in keeping with Easter than Christmas skiing, we still had a great time with a mix of cruising pistes and more challenging terrain. Chamonix has a reputation as an 'experts resort' but really that's due to the extensive off-piste, for which you must have a guide, rather than the variety or marked pistes which offer plenty of options for intermediates.

Go for a Ski Weekend and Save Your Holiday Days for a Summer Vacation

This is a guest blog by Mark Barber from Ski Weekends.

I hate February!  With Christmas decorations boxed up and packed away in my loft long ago and the New Year’s Day annual hangover being all but a distant and fading memory, the days are short, nights are long and it is cold!  Not that I have ever been a morning person, but getting up from my warm, snug, duvet for work in the midst of winter requires more will-power than bending spoons.

It is always at this time of year that I want to get away from it all and being a keen snowboarder, I have a yearning (or is it a spiritual calling?) for the mountains.  But, the problem is, and I am sure this is the same for the majority of people, my holiday days allowance from work are at a premium with spare ones rarer than magical Pixie gold dust, or silverware in the West Ham Trophy Room.

It goes without saying that the bulk of the allocation of days will be for the summer vacation with spare days needed for those unknown circumstances such as weddings, funerals and those excessively long stag/hen weekends in Las Vegas or Barcelona (what is wrong with a weekend in Bournemouth?).  With all this in mind, quite often a week skiing or snowboarding can seem like a luxury that your holiday days allowance will not permit.  Even the office king of taking ‘sickies’ could not hold off with pretending to have the flu all week, especially if calling from the airport with flight announcements being a complete giveaway.

But have you ever considered going skiing or snowboarding for a long weekend?  Although we do not have the ease of passage to the Alps that our continental friends enjoy, where all they need to do is throw their skis, snowboard, cheese and salami sandwiches, and a bottle of Red in the back of a car and head to the mountains, it is a lot easier than you probably realise!

With Geneva Airport your gateway to a white snowy paradise, the majority of French Alpine resorts are easily reachable.  For instance, the flight to Geneva from a London airport will only take about an hour and a half.  From Geneva, it is possible to be sipping a glass of wine while sitting in a hotel bar at the ski resort of Morzine, in just over an hour (I have tried and tested this theory with success!).

Morzine has grown in popularity over the years and, with its neighbouring ski resorts of Avoriaz and Les Gets, makes an ideal location for a ski weekend.  Quick and easy to get to, it is ideal for both skiers and snowboarders of all levels.  Morzine also has a lively après ski scene that is not as expensive and damaging on the wallet as some of its French cousins such as Val d’Isère.

Also, a hop, skip and jump away from Geneva are the two heavyweights of the Alps, The magnificent Three Valleys and Paradiski ski areas.  Paradiski is the joining of forces of Les Arcs and La Plagne by the giant Vanoise Express double-decker cable car.  Paradiski is vast and is mainly built up of purpose built ski in - ski out resorts that are well designed for skiing and very convenient.  For those in your group that would like to explore other activities, the new Mille 8 complex should keep them busy with toboggan runs, themed ski areas, cinema, restaurants and themed swimming areas.

One of the biggest ski areas in the world, the Three Valleys offers something for everyone of any ability.  The endless terrain of slopes would keep you busy for months, let alone just for a weekend!  An ideal base to explore the Three Valleys is the beautiful resort of Meribel.

If you do not fancy flying then a coach journey is an ideal budget friendly alternative as it will take you to the resort of Brides Les Bains, which is situated in a valley just under Meribel and only a chair lift away.

Not only is travelling by coach easy on the pockets and more environmentally friendly than flying, it will also give you more slope time because you travel and sleep through the night, picking up your ski lift pass when you arrive at the hotel early morning.

If you think coach journeys are like those old school trips with coaches that looked like they were designed by bored soviet engineers with dusty flowery patterned curtains across the windows, then think again.  Luxury coaches are comfortable, have on-board toilets and tea/coffee making facilities, and are an ideal way to travel and take the usual stress out of the journey - just sit back and relax!

For those who do choose to fly, the trip starts on a Thursday, returning on the Monday. Ideally designed to save the amount of work days you need to take off while maximising slope time.  Ski lift passes are pre-booked and handed out on arrival so you can catch that first ski lift in the morning, without the hassle of long queues to get your lift pass.

So here is the perfect scenario; don't worry about having to book a whole week off work to get your ‘ski’ or ‘snowboard’ fix out on the slopes.  Book a long weekend which will give you plenty of time to shake off those winter time blues and relax, take the stress out on the mountain and enjoy a touch of après ski.

Leaving you with enough guilt-free holiday day allowance to enjoy that summer vacation that you spend all year looking forward to.  Go soak up some sun and laze on a beach, go surfing, or go on an African Safari.  Whatever you do, enjoy yourself, knowing that by going on a ski weekend, you really can have the best of both worlds.

Mark Barber

Where’s the snow?

Are you panicking yet?  Have you got a Christmas ski holiday or New Year ski trip booked and been scared by the media that you won’t have any snow when you go skiing?

Yes it’s the usual annual media free for all - writing scare stories, overhyping, sensationalising and making things up!  Really? The press do that? Surely not I hear you say!  Afraid so I say!

It seems to happen every year – either at the beginning of December or nearer Christmas depending on what they have to fill up their grubby pages with.

Right now if you believe the press you’d think it was a disaster but there are loads of resorts opening early.  How does that work then?

It will snow – it always does.  It’s just a case of when does it arrive? Sometimes it comes early and sometimes later – last year for example Christmas skiing wasn’t great but over one weekend it dumped and New Year week was powder snow heaven!

Not so great if you were out at Christmas of course but the panic and concern for New Year skiers was gone overnight – well unless you were stuck in a snowy traffic jam for 12 hours!  You can’t win can you?

Anyway we can’t control it and if you skied at a certain time last season it doesn’t mean that the weather and snow will be equally good or bad at the same time this season!

Yes I do really get phone calls asking to go the second week in March as last year the snow was…… anyway that’s a different story!

Whenever and wherever you go we hope you get a load of snow!  

And if you don’t then remember you are on holiday and get out and explore the resort and fill your days with all of those off slope activities you keep meaning to do every year but never do because you don’t want to miss a days skiing. Enjoy! 

On a Ski & Snowboard Holiday in Morzine

This is a guest blog from Anna Casswell who loves going on ski & snowboard holidays to Morzine - here's why...

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I love Morzine for two main reasons – The Stash and The Mutzig!

The Stash in Avoriaz is a fun snow playground with natural wooden features.  You can ride down through the trees and discover the rainbow logs, picnic tables, wooden benches and walls, look out for Shreddie the big wooden stash monkey. There are different routes with different hits, and it’s much less scary than going in the Parks with the big boys and the loud music and the hard metal boxes and rails!

Mutzig is the infamous lager that is served in several places, but the best place of all has to be Bar Robinson. No English Seasonaires serving here, Robbos is run by 3 old French locals and it closes at 8pm so you must go straight from the slopes, enjoy 3 or 4 glasses (any more and you might regret it) and have fun staggering back to the chalet in time for dinner remembering to pick up your board/skis on the way out.

I love getting tipsy whilst still in my snowboard gear, sobering up over dinner, getting to bed before midnight (I am nearly 40) and getting up bright and early with no hangover, ready to hit the Stash again.

When not skiing, boarding and er.....drinking Anna helps run Plumb Solar who are experts in the installation of, servicing and repair of Solar Thermal Systems - helping keep your energy bills down & slowing the global warming so we can all go on ski and snowboard holidays for longer!  

Debunking 11 Skiing Myths!

This is a guest blog by Sara from New Generation Ski & Snowboard School

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Whether you're a beginner or have skied for years it's hard to know if what you're doing is right, with so much contrasting advice out there. Especially, as what we know to be correct now, is very different from what was advised back when skinny skis were the norm. So if, like me, your legs appear to be tied together, or you're wondering whether you really should be leaning back off piste, here are a few ski myths demystified by one of our Courchevel instructors.

Bend the knees – MYTH!

Actually you need to bend the ankles. If you bend your knees then you sit back and will be out of balance. The flex should actually start from the ankle which means your hips and knees will follow and you'll stay centred

Lean forward – MYTH!

Try to avoid leaning forward. Instead, aim to be central. This is so you can use the whole of the ski from tip to toe, and your pivot point for initiating the turn is right under your foot.

Ski boots should hurt – MYTH!

Ski boots are not meant to be tight or uncomfortable. They should be well fitted. No movement in your foot, but you should be able to wiggle your toes.

Wear thick ski socks to keep your feet warm – MYTH! 

Wearing thin, non-cotton socks will give you a better feel for your boot and ski. Wearing two pairs, or socks to thick, will make you hot and sweaty, and then as you cool down will make you cold.

I'm too old / young to ski – MYTH! - probably not! It doesn't matter if you are three or 83. While learning to ski might be tiring, if you are physically active in everyday life, then you should be able to learn to ski. It’s like riding a bike.

I must ski with my feet as close together as possible – MYTH!

Having a wide, shoulder-width stance keeps you balanced and centred.

I need to dig my edges in when it's icy – MYTH!

Actually, you need less edge and more balance.

It's safe to ski off piste if there are tracks to follow – MYTH!

You don't know how experienced those skiers or boarders are, or what equipment they had. You might even be following parapent tracks! It’s best not to take that risk.

I have an airbag and transceiver. I am safe to go off piste – MYTH!

Unless you know the area and all your party have experience and training on how to use the equipment then you could be at risk. If in doubt, go with a guide or instructor.

When skiing off piste you should always lean back – MYTH!

You should try to maintain a centred balance to manipulate the skis under your feet. If you bring your skis closer together, bounce more and stay centred you’ll feel the joy of skiing powder.

I can ski black runs and fast so I don't need lessons – MYTH! Actually skiing in control and rate of descent is the challenging part. We can help you explore the mountain safely and improve your technique.

Hopefully that has cleared up some of those nagging questions you’ve always pondered as you your mind wanders on that cold chair lift. If you’ve got any other myths you’d like debunking then drop us a line to info@skinewgen.com and we’ll get one of our instructor team on the case. 

The Ski Season That Doesn’t Want To End!

Wow what a season that was!  Well when I say was perhaps I should be saying is, as it isn’t really over if you look at the snow that is still around!

Ok it is over in terms of the majority of the resorts now being closed but there is still a load of snow and if you are into your hiking and touring this will be a great touring season – take care of avalanches etc though as when things warm up it can be dangerous out there!

A was very luck to get a lot of skiing in this year and had trips to the Alps in December / January a couple of weeks in February and then again in March/April and each time I was there it snowed!

If you haven’t seen our YouTube channel then head over here and have a look at some of the videos that we put together. You can see snow reports and some skiing videos that we put together.

Everywhere we went there was great snow and tales of great skiing! 

We were lucky to visit Le Grand Massif (Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens & Morillon), Avoriaz and Morzine, Verbier, Megeve, Chamonix, Courchevel and La Rosiere through the season.

The best skiing we had was probably in February – watch it here and see me nearly ski into a tree!

So now the resorts are all winding up and we have a summer to endure before the winter comes back!  Don’t worry we’ll make the most of it and enjoy the sunshine and maybe get a bit jealous of the powder days in New Zealand and other southern hemisphere resorts!