Where to Ski and Snowboard Forums

What are the most reliable snow reports and snow forecast sites

2012-02-27T22:06:33Z

I’m going skiing on 10th March, but leaving it late so that i can just go where the best snow is. However I find differing reports and forecasts on virtually every site I check. Are there any sites which are totally reliable? I understand that forecasts can be wrong but surely the current conditions should be accurate?

I’m interested in Europe and Scandanavia

Thanks

Operators going bust.

2012-03-21T22:56:47Z

With the tour operator “Skithe3V” going bust leaving goodness knows how many fellow skiers without a holiday or their hard earned money (probably), it begs the question; who should you trust with your money when you book your next holiday? In difficult financial times such as these, more legitimate operators and others will go under or close down. Over the recent years a multitude of wintersports ‘tour operators’ have launched themselves with the aid of the internet and very little else to back them up. Look around any major ski resort and you’ll find various clever internet evolved names describing themselves as tour operators, ski n board operators, chalet operators etc everywhere. They range from one chalet wonders to much bigger organisations but many have two things in common. They operate on a shoestring and offer no guarantees and/or financial protection to the customer whatsover. I know nothing about Skithe3V and have not researched them but I’m guessing that perhaps they had no ATOL bonding or any customer financial protection in place through membership of an organisation like the Travel Trust Association (TTA) for example. In which case the disappointed customers are likely to lose most if not all of their money.

So, I ask all holiday makers alike, when you’re booking your next trip, think carefully. Who are you paying your money to? What are their credentials? Where do they bank? Which country’s laws do they operate under? What happens to your money if they go bust? They may have a great website, a beautiful property in a great resort, throw in extras and have good reviews even, but that doesn’t mean anything if they go bust. What matters is that either you get your holiday or at least most of your money back, so please make sure you book with an ATOL bonded operator (if you trip includes flights) or with a company offering a financial guarantee for the money you spend with them. As a responsible member of the travel trade I really hate to see people lose their holidays and their money.

Dave

ALDI Ski gear

2011-12-01T15:14:37Z

Aldi have their annual sale of ski wear from today, its not the best quality, but is adequate for most, if you are just starting out and not sure yet, or are on a very tight budget its certainly worth considering. Be quick though it tends to sell very quickly.

Don

Butchers in Les Arc

2012-01-04T15:42:55Z

Sadley the Spar in Arc 1600 has been taken over and it is now a Sherpa. As part of the changes, the lovely butchers counter has gone and is replaced by small selection of prepacked meats. On some days this was a very small selection of chicken fillets. I suppose this just increases the pressure to jump on the funicular and visit the Aldi in Bourg.

John

Just back from 10 days in Les Arc

2012-01-01T20:27:01Z

Just driven back from 10 days in Les Arc. Best skiing ever. 6 days straight bluebird sunshine! Last day I was enjoying knee deep powder on Chantel - awesome!

The valley road between Aime and Bourg was shut Saturday am for about two and a half hours due to an avalanche on the road .
We were stuck for about two and a half hours until the road opened.

People in the supermarket in Bourg were warning that they couldn’t get up the road to Les Arc with snow socks and were driving down to buy chains - upon police advice.

The queue into the valley seemed to stretch back almost to Moutiers on Saturday. People were stopping in the road to put chains on and holding everyone up - it was a zoo and I really pitied anyone driving in that day!

Happy holidays everyone

Cheers

Mike

best conditions to form a good base?

2011-12-31T15:03:13Z

I’ve been looking enviously at the web cams in the French Alps over the last few days and started thinking about which type of early snow conditions are best for forming a good base for the rest of the season (assuming there is a relationship, that is)? Does anyone know? For example, if there is lots of snow and cold temperatures early on, does that mean that the base can be compacted well so that it lasts better if there is a dry/ warm spell later or is it better to have more gradual snowfall over the first month or so?

Weather Warning for the Western Alps for Fri 16th - Sun 18th Dec

2011-12-15T16:09:48Z

Just a quick post for anyone travelling to the Alps this weekend. Several resorts have started posting warnings re travel disruption on the approaches to resorts for Fri and all day Saturday. A storm of some significance is due to cross the whole of the Western Alps and heavy snow ( up to a metre locally in places) will fall throughout Friday and most of Saturday. Snow has started falling for the last 36 hours or so, this is heavy in some places and will affect all the major roads into the mountains. Local authorities are warning of likely road closures at times, particularly the approaches to resorts which may be affected by avalanche control activity. Avalanche triggering may also be in place so road closures are very likely. Police control points are likely to be in place to check you have chains with you, even for vehicles fitted with snow tyres and vehicles that don’t will probably be turned back. Overnight stop offs are being suggested near to the Alps with completion of journeys on Sunday morning rather than Sat evening. On a lighter note the conditions from Sunday should be amazing if not a little chilly next week.

Stay safe and have a great week

Adi

Its finally on the way!!

2011-12-03T14:26:51Z

It looks like the snow for the Alps is on the way, have been keeping my eyes on the Aosta valley in particular, we go out late Jan, but it seems much of the Alps will get 40cm plus during the coming days, hopefully those going out on early or Christmas breaks can breathe a sigh of relief, though much snow is needed in the coming weeks to build a decent base especially the lower resorts or those without comprehensive snowmaking.

Les Arc Lift Pass Options / Ski A La Carte

2011-11-14T11:08:52Z

We are family of 3, two adults one child (7) and are going to Les Arc 21 dec for 9 days (yipee).
We plan to head over to LA Plagne for a look see (never having been before).

We are not a family of four so don’t get the family discount :-(
The discover list pass option is only 6 or 8 days.

We are also considering a trip to Val/Tignes whilst we are there - planing to drive (is this madness?)

Has anyone tried the new Ski A LA CARTE pass thingy?

What are our best pass options?
MAny thanks for any recommendations

cheers

Mike

Why do boarders have to sit in the middle of the piste?

2010-03-25T13:17:56Z

Having just spent two glorious weeks in the Three Valleys, first with 10 other lads, and second with my wife, I was struck by two major departures from the Skier’s Code which I was taught when I started to ski over 30 years ago.

Firstly, the number of times that I came across a group of (Usually British) snowboarders sitting in the MIDDLE of a busy piste. Over the years since they first appeared on the pistes of the world, we have become accustomed to the group of boarders sitting, just over the edge of the ridge, and just out of view, and acknowledge the fact that they need to sit there, in order to make it easier to stand up. Sitting bang in the middle of the piste, is however another matter. There were 11 of us there for the first week, and we decided that action should be taken to combat these bad manners and the flagrant disregard of the Skiers Code. Therefore, on the occasions where it was safe to do so, (at least three times a day) those unfortunate boarders sitting in the middle of the piste, received 11 snow soakings. In the interests of eveness, the woman skier who was also standing in the middle of one of the reds into Les Minuers, on the phone, received the same treatment.

Secondly, why does nobody - particularly, but not exclusively, boarders - bother to look round before they move off!

I guess manners is a thing of the past - if you can’t beat the, join them!