Happy Skiing Thread Part 3!!

[lovetoskimum]

Is it too early to start ??

Not through summer yet but cant stop thinking about March 17 !!!

Anyone else :)

[mycavitiesareempty]

Is anyone else back today and googling ryanair for a few sneaky runs at easter ??

Even considering going to Bracknell dry slope this week, it must be bad ...

[Tigresswoods]

Those of you who have done Easter skiing tell me honestly what conditions should we expect? First day in the slopes 8th April. We're at St Martin De Belleville which is down the mountain from Val Thorens.

Will we be boiling in full on ski jackets??

[mycavitiesareempty]

It could be freezing or boiling. But more likely the latter. If you are going up all the way to VT it may be cooler up there.

Easter skiing for me means a soft shell jacket, but I am always hot even in January!

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

Having skied the last 6 years at Easter, it is generally pretty warm. I tend to keep one layer and a jacket on though, as it can get cooler on the lifts and I'm a wimp. Last year it was a full on blizzard as we left on the 7th so don't assume the weather will be amazing every day, but I doubt very much you get -15 or anything!

Val thorens is high and on the glaciers, well above the melt line you'll find it can be cooler. I would go with 1 more layer than you think and take it off and put it in a bag if you are hot at the top. I'm a cold soul.

I would aim to get high every day, get high, stay high and then go to a different area the next day. I hate the slush though so tend not to want to descend after lunch unless it's the last run of the day.

Mornings can be very icey. Make sure your skis are very sharp and it makes a world of difference.

However the warmth is lovely. We skied at Xmas this year and -30 was unbelievably cold. Our daughters instructor has frost nip on her nose. The ability to sit outside in the sunshine is a great way to finish the day. I think the snow conditions are a bit of a compromise, but we've always managed to find good powder and have been amazingly lucky with the weather really.

We were going to head to VT next Easter (change of plans now) and I think it's one of the top Easter destinations because of its height.

[Tigresswoods]

Good stuff, thanks for the responses. We were in VT Feb 16 so we know it & did St Mart Feb 15. Were driving so I reckon we could sling the gear in the car & drive to VT if we need to.

Sounds like there's no way to know what we're expecting. Bring it on.

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

I look for runs above 2500/2600m, as when it's warm that tends to be the melt like IME, if it's not so warm lower is fine. Tis the weather though, pray for snow

[lovetoskimum]

Sending sad face, have broken the bottom of my fibula, no skiing now 😩😩😩, the upside is hotel have transferred to next March for no charge!! Thank god booked direct!, saying hi to all xxx

[PestoSnowissimos]

Oh nooo!!! Poor you Lovetoskimum How many days into your holiday did you do it?

If it's any consolation I tore my ACL and have 2 fractures in my knee. But I was lucky, I did it on Saturday, which was our last day of skiing.

[lovetoskimum]

Hi Pesto, did it at home on staircase, were due to go 10th March but at least I have next year to look forward to, just was so excited oh well onwards and upwards xx

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

Nooooooooooo. Poor you lovetoski. What a nightmare. I hope it heals well and you can return fighting fit for next season

[PestoSnowissimos]

And in the meantime I've been told to allow up to 2 weeks to get my 'urgent' MRI scan.

[PestoSnowissimos]

Can't believe you did yours on the staircase
UNlucky!!
I am struggling with my staircase & the crutches at the moment, can't carry anything anywhere.... Grrrr!!!

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

Both no pesto you too. What a nightmare. How did you do it?

[PestoSnowissimos]

I had a fall, got up & then I couldn't push my left boot down into the binding. I didn't seem to have the strength there. It took about 20 goes, and when I finally shoved it down, my knee went snap and bloody hurt like hell.

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

Oh goodness, that's horrible. I'm skiing next week with a friend who did hers Xmas 15. Wishing you well

[PestoSnowissimos]

Thank you! Am chilling at home with ice pack on my knee and a full leg brace, bravely ignoring the state of the house . Scan now booked for Saturday, so not too much longer before we have a plan of action.

[lovetoskimum]

Thanks for all your messages, pic attached of my groovy cast!! Husbands new jacket arrived today 😩😩😩, oh well at least we are sorted for next season, want more holiday stories to help me through x 😄

[PestoSnowissimos]

Lurve your funky cast 💜💕💜

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

Great cast loveto. At least you and pesto can spend time surfing the Internet looking at ski porn

We've got our ski meeting for 2018 on Saturday! We like to plan ahead. I'm off on my girls trip in a week. Can't wait. Actually I might just take a peep at the webcam that's another hour of my life gone

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

Tigress. Could you tell me a bit more about st Martin de Belleville? We're looking into it for this Christmas for a family trip. Skiers from 4 (first time) to 69 and everything inbetween as well as a couple of non skiers.

Do you know what their Christmas snow has been like? All the chalet owners say it's been fine. And is there much for older non-skiers to do? They enjoy walking and getting up the mountain for lunch.

[mycavitiesareempty]

I'mean not Tigress (!) But have been on a similar trip to St. Martin to the one you are planning.

Snow, depends entirely on the luck of the draw but Val. T. Is always there as a backup.

Young learners: DD had her first ski lessons with the ESF in St. M. and the instructor was excellent. Good area for beginners, gentle run to the village and good progression runs.

Older non-skiers.... mmm m, we had a bit of an issue with this. Not much to do in St. M. and parents were reliant on buses. Les Menuires and Val. T. are.... functional and not brilliant for non skiers. Good restaurants and pretty village though.

My olds would not have been up for going up mountain for lunch (€€ averse, northern :)) and I'm not 100% sure what's possible, best check with Trois Vallees lift Co.

[CaurnieBred]

Very depressed about being back. We had a fabulous week in Corvara in the Dolomites: beautiful weather and groomed pistes with fantastic snowmaking which meant you hardly noticed the lack of the real stuff. I love skiing in Italy - a Bombardino at lunch time makes everything seem better . . . My fitness was the best it has ever been (a year of spin and body pump classes): I could ski runs from top to bottom, all day and not have any aches, pains or burning thighs.

We haven't booked anything for next year yet - have to see how finances go; this is the first time in many years we haven't had the following year booked by this time. Doesn't stop me from looking though!

So sorry to hear about all the injuries: wish you all a speedy recovery.

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

Thanks cavities

Is it much of a traditional village with a range of shops etc? I imagine they would put on events on Christmas eve etc?

[mycavitiesareempty]

It's a traditional village Much, but to be honest I don't remember too many shops. My memory of it is as a pretty small place. this might help, I have no connection to the company, although I did meet the lady who ran it when we were there, very nice, went out of her way to help us.

[mycavitiesareempty]

Ooops. that was a bit of a long hyperlink...