Preliminary Ski Trip 2005 guff

[Aardvark]

So, what do we think we're doing then? :D

From speaking to people at i19 at least one said 2 weeks in Canada. My actual wallet kicked me in my actual testicles at that point, I'll have you know :) Would be nice if we can keep to a similar budget as last time and increase the attendance rather than increase the opulence ;)

[afty]

I personally won't be able to make a 2 week trip (though I think that would be unlikely...?) and may struggle for a one-weeker, we will have to see.

[afty]

What am I saying? Of course I will be there (if it's a Euro one weeker) though I may need to make some arrangements for an unhindered internet connection wherever we happen to go

[Aardvark]

Working on the ski trip is clearly becoming compulsory ;)

[her0n]

What'll happen is we will all dream about skiing across the pond.. then realise our wallets are too skinny for that and settle for yet again another WIN FILLED ALPINE ADVENTURE OF WINE, WUB AND SNOWSPORTS!!!!!11

personally i can't wait :D

[Zeuseh]

ill come if its not to costy

[Baz]

i was annoyed to miss this years one
i am at the next one no exceptions
NO EXCEPTIONS YOU HEAR!
(only if its a euro one mind, USA=expensive!)

[her0n]

It was v good, well worth the money!! :D:D ;)

[Aardvark]

Using my expert 'having been once' hax, if we do roughly the same thing again, and you hire your own gear etc, its about a grand for the week. Start saving those pennies kids :)

[afty]

Originally posted by Zeuseh
ill come if its not to costy
2004 I spent (all in, spending money, drinks, food etc.) almost exactly one thousand pounds.

That did not include clothing which you need to purchase before you go, but did include skis/boots rental, and minor items like sun block etc.

[Big Giant Head]

I will of course be in

a grand sounds about right, cost me about 800, but I have my own kit

[Mingtea]

I'm in, or people die.

[bvark]

Some comparative pricing based on the same place I went to get it last year (skiline.co.uk) - base price including flights, transfers and accomodation £779 for Whistler vs £469 for Les Deux Alpes (although Zak's negotiating skills will make either somewhat cheaper).

http://www.skiline.co.uk/datailpages/chaletDetail.asp?chaletID=760 shows a typical property in Whistler. Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen et al are similarly priced to Whistler (somewhat cheaper).

Skipass was approx 120 quid, and hire around 100 - I would imagine that's not going to change dramatically in the USA.

10 days would be about my maximum to avoid screwing my holiday allowance, but I doubt there are too many 10 day resorts.

[Zeuseh]

i could prob afford a grand

will depend on when we are booking it though.

[Silk75]

I will be able to afford a euro 1 week affair, but not a US or two week joblet.

What about Italy?

Any thoughts?

[Murray-Mint]

Well, I am in Austria at Ellmau at the moment, learning how to ski. So for the trip next year, count me in!

[her0n]

Originally posted by Silk75
I will be able to afford a euro 1 week affair, but not a US or two week joblet.

What about Italy?

Any thoughts?

You reckon you're still young enough to keep up with those italian snow bunnies?

/me flees

edit** btw, i'm defo in on this!

[Baroness]

I am a definite potential on this. Sounds fab :)
Just the cost thing, really. Oh, and the fact that I can't ski. Hurrah!

:)

[Zakalwe]

Guess I'd better look into organising it again then.

We've got a lot of decisions to make on this one, and we need to make them before I begin the organisation as it gives me some guideline for haggling/extortion/blackmail.

1. Where are we going? Judging from this board it looks like it will be a Euro 1 weeker, so we need suggestions for a location (location location). Last trip was France, NJ & Psym will be useful if we choose Swissyland, Bvark knows Austria well but we may need to watch out for crap apes-ski music induced suicides if we go there (all DJ Otzi All the Time! Party Massive 1999 DJ Otzi edition!!!). I'll favour anywhere that's high as that will increase the chances of good conditions.

2. What accomodation are we looking at? We've done the youth hostel, we've done the opulent chalet - which end of the spectrum do people want this time? I enjoyed the chalet, but for much more than 14-18 people chalets begin to look unrealistic and we'll be shunted to some form of chalet-hotel. Catering was good though. Then there's the package-deal vs. scum rep debate - we could just sort accomodation and allow people to make their own way there (avoiding the scum-AM flights of lose).

3. What colour 1-piece neon jump-suit should all the skiers wear? It's an important question for skiers and should be looked into early...

[her0n]

1. I'd like to go for somewhere europe0n again
2. Chalet opulent gets my vote - whats to stop us getting more than 1 chalet if the demand is great enough?
3. NO JUST NO

[Aardvark]

1. Euro funkyness, always
2. Chalet opulent, but in stereo
3. Baroness gets the hot pink jumpsuit :D

Oh and Zak, do you actually REMEMBER Friday night/Saturday morning at i19? Specifically falling on me at 6am... :rolleyes:

[Aardvark]

Hmm I think I need to expand on that...

Essentially, we should do the same as before, can't REALLY think of any problems with that. Obviously it seems more people will be going, so 2 chalets looks to be on the cards. Dunno about location, I've been to loads of places though so if someone suggests somewhere I've been I can give feedback on it :)

[afty]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
3. What colour 1-piece neon jump-suit should all the skiers wear? It's an important question for skiers and should be looked into early...
Perhaps more importantly, what pose will our boarders be using as the default for the week?

Is it:
"Ye gods I've never surfed before!"
"Omfugger I need to get this floater out but it just won't come"
"Im a little teapot"
"Walk like an Egyptian"
"Honest officer, he was eight feet tall and this wide"
"Yeah, I was doing Star Jumps when I put my back out and now I can't even flinch."


Oh and DJ Otzi? GO GO GO!

[Zeuseh]

okies i went skiing ages ago whe i was erm 11 so have forgoten most of it so do i need to know how to ski?

[Aardvark]

I would strongly recommend at least a couple of attempts on a dry slope over here, just to make sure you're either a) able to do it or b) able to put up with not being able to do it long enough to learn :)

[afty]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
2. What accomodation are we looking at?
IMO being in a hotel just wouldn't be the same. Get a large chalet, or even two chalets?
It's just, well it's not really a group trip if you end up in a big crappy hotel.

[afty]

Originally posted by Zeuseh
do i need to know how to ski?
Yes but you can easily get your grade 1-4 (or whatever system your local slope uses over here) lessons out of the way in a couple months in England before you go, then have some freestyle practice the last few weeks before you go, and you should be able to learn quickly enough to be keeping up with the newbie group in a few days.

[Zakalwe]

Originally posted by Aardvark
Oh and Zak, do you actually REMEMBER Friday night/Saturday morning at i19? Specifically falling on me at 6am... :rolleyes:

I remember everything about Friday night up to and including the part where Cyberdude poured an entire bottle of Malibu into my pint glass. After that it's all a bit fuzzy.

Apologies to anyone who had nastiness happen to them after that.

Fell asleep on the train on the way home and managed to lose my mobile as well.

Still I got a week of boarding in directly after that so it all came right in the end.

Afty, I think Eddy Izzard said it best about snowboarding:

"There's only two ways to look on a snowboard. You either look cool or you look dead. Swaying downhill with grace (sways, arms behind back, leans forward) or dead (lies on back with arms and legs in air)."

On the other hand I refer any potential skiers to www.fluorescentrompersuits.co.uk to cure their strange affliction.

Board - you know it makes sense...

[afty]

Sadly, the facts are that you will not see me careering downhill on something I would normally place a drink, bowl of soup and plat of bread on...

[Zakalwe]

That's right Afty, snowboards are actually tables...

I trust, however, that we will see a return of the afty-backflip on the next trip? It was memorable.

[afty]

I will, if I can find a suitable landing arena, attempt another backflip, yes.

I will bear in mind though, should a ramp but no soft landing area be present, bear in mind that had I attempted that backflip on the slopes, I would no longer have motor functions below my neck.

[Aardvark]

But he'd still be able to talk, so we need a new plan :D

[Aardvark]

I wonder if you woke up in the same place I positioned you Zak, carefully away from other people. You did TRY to molest the poor sod nearest you at that point, but I hauled you away by the ankles and saved the day again.

I make no apologies for any carpet burns.

[afty]

Didn't someone climb into a sleeping bag inhabited by a young (stranger) lady, while said someone was still reeking of beer + sick?

[Aardvark]

Someone came close to climbing in mine in the aforesaid state. I'm no lady, however :)

[bvark]

My mum got the sick out of my birthday present, thanks Zak.
Europe looks like the winner here, perhaps Canada/America will be relegated to .BFSki. status.

DJ Otzi is like anal sex - sure it's fun in the right situation, but when you've been getting it for four hours straight in a seedy Austrian bar it starts to hurt.

[afty]

Wahey, bring on the all night anal sex in seedy Austrian bars!

[afty]

Clearly, I meant DJ Otzi

[D0c]

might just register my interest in this :)

Have been skiing once, maybe twice depending on dates of the MPUK ski trip and family one at the end of next Jan. Again, not a definate because of date uncertainty/school etc.

[Zakalwe]

So from the replies so far we've settled on Europe.

Well done people, it's not like I'd already said Europe and wanted it narrowing down at all. SwissyLand, Austria or France is the next question. Those in the know can start suggesting resorts again (higher the better) - Bvark StAnton is out of bounds.

Afty has also expressed a preference for "DjOtzi", hardly surprising or indeed relevant to this discussion.

So, currently we're looking at:
1. Austria/Swissyland/France?
2. Chalet - decided
3. 1 week - decided
4. ski-rep scum package deal/sort it out ourselves?
5. resort?

Place your bets now!

Informationally the trip will cost £800-1000 depending on expenditure when there and where we go.

[her0n]

1. Well i'm always game for experiencing new resorts so pretty much any of those 3 countries sounds good.. but what about italy? any reason for ruling out this? iirc richie et al had to drive thru italy to get to les deux alpes so surely its not too far to drive there..?
2. win
3. win
4. Either, perhaps we could (well i lie, i meant you zak :P) find out whats on offer in terms of packages and then compare against sorting it ourselves. I say this because Southampton fly to places like Chambery and other "ski airports" in the winter season, which would be ideal for southern people like myself and those who CBA to drive to gatwick (or can't). However Gatwick isn't a bother if we fly from there again :)
5. I've only been to Evolene (swiss), la plagne (french) and les Deux Alpes (french) so i'm probably not the best person to advise here. I'd say we go for a medium sized resort (LDA was a nice size) as the larger ones such as verbier and chamonix tend to be waaay overpriced :(

Money is not an issue because i can start saving now ;)

[bvark]

All of the Italian resorts I've been to (which is only 4-5) have been pretty low, and while they've been a lot of fun, with truly excellent food, I don't think there has been a week's worth at any of them.

The trip through Italy to get to LDA was a quirk of the road system, and a desire to avoid paying Swiss road tolls (which we paid on the way back anyway....), but it wouldn't be that bad for either us or nj/psym.

I certainly wouldn't go back to St Anton for a week if I didn't have a signed letter from god that the snow was going to be good :-)

I'd actually prefer France again, because I can get to AT any time I like, and CH just isn't good value for money.

[ANNIHILATION]

well, i am up for this too, i did 6 weeks this year for £600 accomadation, then lift passes were like £300 for espace killy.

Fodo was like £100 in total as we did a group shop. I already had my gear, and transport was around £200 so for £1200 i went for 6 weeks, obv beer moeny was need on top of this.

But it CAN be done cheap.

I may be able to secure certian cheap self cattering things in espace or 3 valleys. as you can see above.

[Aardvark]

We're not doing it cheap cheap, we have STANDARDS :D

/me retrieves ski brochure he just got in the post

Hmm, apparently a crap brochure with bog all resorts in it, but it becomes apparent that we must add Les Arcs to the list. Seems to be quite comparable to LDA really, and after all we do want more of (almost) the same ;)

[Zeuseh]

i cant get down their anyway so if we are doing get there by ourselves anyone wanna lift me about?

[Zakalwe]

Just to start throwing resortsout as possibilities.

La Plagne (not been)
One of the Three Valleys (can be pricey)
Les Deux Alpes (again)
Mayrhoffen (again)
Ischgl (not been, rumours of being quiet)
Les Arcs (not been)
Chamonix (not keen on this as it's apparently quite disjointed a ski area)
Val D'isere (a little pricey perhaps, but allegedly a very good ski area - I've not been for a few years).

Anyone else want to add to this list?

[Murray-Mint]

I'll go anywhere. Any chance of a chalet with net access? I have to use some crap computer with an Austrian keyboard here - and I can't IRC from here.

I can now make it down a hill without falling over and getting a mouthful of snow.

[afty]

Originally posted by Zeuseh
i cant get down their anyway so if we are doing get there by ourselves anyone wanna lift me about?
Erm, you get the plane?

[afty]

OK now I'm really really really torn.

I don't want a chalet with net access as "getting away from it all" is the purest win there is, and if there's internetaccess it's not really getting away.

but...

If things are "going off" big time at work, then the presence of an in-chalet net conn would make life alot easier - and mean it less likely I would cry off at the last minute.

[Zakalwe]

Very few chalets have net connections (I've not been in any). So it's under the list as "nice to have" but not "essential". It certainly won't influence the choice of resort (which is all about potential for good snow and appropriate runs).

I'd say there was a 5-10% chance of the chalet we get having net access. So if you need it badly I suggest a little research on the resort will tell you what net cafes there are and some early contacting of said cafes will tell you if you can plug laptops in and what you need to bring.

[Big Giant Head]

La Plagne is nice and high and has a pretty big ski area, but its basically a concrete block bolted on the side of a mountain

touch lacking in charm shall we say ;)

depends if that bothers you I guess

[her0n]

Originally posted by MurrayMint
I'll go anywhere. Any chance of a chalet with net access? I have to use some crap computer with an Austrian keyboard here - and I can't IRC from here.

I can now make it down a hill without falling over and getting a mouthful of snow.

Highly doubtful there will be internet access.. learn to live without it for a week ffs!

[Big Giant Head]

I always thought that not having net access in the chalet was one of the best things about holidays :)

[Eva_01]

im so up for it next year, clearly skiing is teh way to go :D

and Val Thorens was always good everytime i have been 10,000ft of win. nuf said.

[Aardvark]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
Just to start throwing resortsout as possibilities.


Right, time to have a look at this list:

La Plagne: Not a huge memory of this, I was about 9 at the time. BGH is right about it looking like arse though, and my parents had ski's nicked while we were staying there so its not in their best books ;)
One of the Three Valleys: if we can meet our target cost here, then I wuld say immediately yes :)
Les Deux Alpes (again): Not keen on going to same place twice in consecutive years. Would like to go back at some point though :)
Mayrhoffen (again): Never been
Ischgl (not been, rumours of being quiet): Ditto
Les Arcs (not been): Friends have been, and say its nice (not the most in depth review ever)
Chamonix : Chamonix is crap for skiing. Do not go there.
Val D'isere: same as 3 valleys, if we can afford it, we go :)

[Eva_01]

http://www.valthorens.com/

the title at the top of the webby should just make u want to go :D

[Aardvark]

As stated, 3 valleys = expensive, find us a good deal for a chalet or two and it may happen though :)

[Zeuseh]

i can prob afford a week costing £1000 in total, chalet skis food drink etc all included in that price

[Zakalwe]

Killer thing about the 3 valleys is the lift pass, normal 1 valley courchevel pass is EUR 160 for 6 days, 3 valleys pass is EUR 198 for 6 days. It is, however, an extremely win resort. Did I mention I just got back from a week there? Mwahahahahaha.

Rental is approx EUR 80-100 skis or boards so at the top end of fairly standard.

Not sure on classes prices.

Food is steep (lots of "s****y" restaurants on the slopes charging 14-30 EUR for meals - which are nice but pricey). Beer's pricey etc etc.

I will see what sort of "deal" we can get though.

Val D'isere may be more or less pricey, not sure how it stacks up. Can someone who has been recently tell me what it's like?

I'm quite interested in Ishgl as I hear it's a skier/boarders dream and still fairly udiscovered. Bvark, could you investigate/ask around?

Not too bothered about the concrete nature of La Plagne (after all we are there for the skiing - LDA is a purpose built town as well essentially). Anyone with more recent experience than Aardvark care to enlighten us further?

mmm I'm excited already, although a part of me thinks we may be overplanning this next trip a teensy amount.

[afty]

The idea of an undiscovered resort is an intriguing one....

Ischgl:
Vertical Drop: 1,462m/4,794'
Top Elevation: 2,864m/9,394'
Lifts: 41 (1 tram, 3 gondolas, 10 chairs,
27 surface)
Total Runs: 200 km
Longest Run: 14 km
Nordic Skiing: 45 km
Hotels/Pensions: 250+

Bit worried about the number of surface lifts tbh.

Does really look the part though, check out this directory of shots : looks spectacular and runs appear wide / not too crowded:
http://www.bstage.com/photos/Europe99/Ishgl/

She's not too high though - might this be an issue with snow?

Sadly very zoomed out skip map here:

http://www.alpdiscovery.com/images/317.jpg

Independent reviews on sites seem very very good re: lift times, busyness of slopes (outside of school hols) and encouraging for Apres-Ski and I doubt there's any astroturfing going on as the resort doesn't have a good google position (or one at all?) so obviously no decent online marketing strategy...

[bvark]

I've been to Ischgl twice, although it was nearly 4 years ago.
It did not strike me as a great beginners resort, but that could have been the company.

I would not say it was undiscovered, but it is off the beaten track of the Innsbruck motorway, so it's certainly less frequented by day-trippers.

http://www.ischgl.at is the official site - possible it's not ranking highly in google because you're spelling it wrong. And no, Austrian resorts don't do online marketing well :) - http://www.silvretta.at/winter_index.htm is the actual site for the skiing bit of the resort.

[Big Giant Head]

I can't enlighten you too much on La Plagne, went there over christmas last year, snow was ****, icey and muddy and made holes in my board

Nice big ski area and lots of fairly modern lifts though, has a glacier too which is always a plus

Oh and its nice and high and steep, so not too many flat bits :)

I believe her0n went when there was actually like proper snow, so may be able to enlighten you further

[Strych]

I would like to confirm that, due to a new gym regime and calcium goodness, I am exercising Old Girl hax for the 2005 ski trip. All the above looks good.

[her0n]

Originally posted by - Big Giant Head -
I can't enlighten you too much on La Plagne, went there over christmas last year, snow was ****, icey and muddy and made holes in my board

Nice big ski area and lots of fairly modern lifts though, has a glacier too which is always a plus

Oh and its nice and high and steep, so not too many flat bits :)

I believe her0n went when there was actually like proper snow, so may be able to enlighten you further

I did indeed go there, it's absolutely huge but mainly catering for families, school groups and the like.. however if we go out of season then we could avoid all those. I went during easter and it was v warm indeed, infact so warm that the snow was melting at the end of each day, and by the end of the week you'd often wonder if you'd taken up waterskiing instead.. :/ Mid season could be fine though, and there's always the bellecote glacier which is about 3500m up. Lots of varied runs too, but it really is a huge resort (the main villages are linked by cable car or bus iirc)

So yes, my experience of it wasnt that great due to snow quality and overwhemling amounts of people, but if beginning/end of season and school holidays are avoided then it could be a good place to go.

Oh and another thing i noticed - the accommodation mainly seemed to be hotels or family sized chalets.. though i'm sure you'd be able to find some LDA sized chalets somewhere in one of the villages which make up La Plagne.. :)

[Silk75]

Don't care really, I will just turn up and eat snow like normal whilst remaining convinced that Death is following me downhill!!

[Aardvark]

Thats not Death, thats Baroness. Much the same effect however, only clothed all in pink rather than black :D

[afty]

Originally posted by Aardvark
clothed all in pink rather than black :D Surely that would be Bonkerz? :)

[Aardvark]

Where on earth do you think he caught the pink from? The pink aliens from the planet Pink? :)

[Baroness]

There will be NO Noobient Jinx on the trip or its participants. I *promise*. <mode -Death> :)

ps. Aardvark's right, though. Bonkers' wardrobe clearly got owned :)

[phil]

I'm not so sure about the 2 Chalet thing. It'll almost certainly mean we split into 2 groups for the whole holiday. If we go for a Chalet-hotel then it may end up more sociable.

I'm not overly bothered though. I'll definitely be attending whatever, and I'll throw in a vote for Switzerland for obvious reasons :)

[her0n]

i vote we go somewhere where we're not gonna miss a dj yoda set by a week :o

[Zero5]

Do you all snowboard? and are these outings mpuk staff only?

[Eva_01]

no and no

[her0n]

Originally posted by Zero5
Do you all snowboard?

OMG take that back RIGHT AT ONCE!!!

:D

BTW people who went this year.. when is NJ gonna get his groove on and do the column!?!?

[Pingman]

i wanna go plz, got no 1 to ski wiv since i left school now so didn't get to go this year :'(

[Zero5]

Originally posted by her0n
OMG take that back RIGHT AT ONCE!!!

:D

BTW people who went this year.. when is NJ gonna get his groove on and do the column!?!?

Sorry her0n, no offense was meant, I hate snowboarders s much as the next NORMAL guy. I prefer mini skis tbh. :D I would Like to join you merry bunch of urm merry people. Thank you, and good night.

[Zakalwe]

Originally posted by Zero5
I hate snowboarders s much as the next NORMAL guy.

Muahahahahahahahahaha, oh dear...

[bvark]

Originally posted by her0n
BTW people who went this year.. when is NJ gonna get his groove on and do the column!?!? [/B]

When the novelty of real life wears off and he gets back on his PC 24/7.

[Gifted]

Originally posted by bvark


Skipass was approx 120 quid, and hire around 100 - I would imagine that's not going to change dramatically in the USA.


bloody well is!!!


i skied Lake Tahoe a couple of years ago.... including Salt lake city and Heavenly (the biggest resert in the US)

and the lift pass for 13 days cost....




£400!!!


thats right ... 400 quid! - and that was just for heavenly... i paid another 40 quid a day for the days i went to salt lake city and kirkwood!

in 3 weeks i spent about £2500

[Bonkers]

i caught the pink from baroness actually :)
she wouldnt give me the brown tho - shame really

[Zero5]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
Muahahahahahahahahaha, oh dear...

Not ones I know tbh, just the twats that i dont know who speed down as close as pos to me and knock me over. If its ones i know its ok cos i just give them a beating when we get to the end of the run.

[Baroness]

*filth*

[her0n]

Originally posted by Zero5
I prefer mini skis tbh. :D

Snowblades ay :) I have a pair but haven't used them in about a year now.. didnt use them on the current trip because my skis were just too much win :D

[afty]

Originally posted by Zero5
Not ones I know tbh
This isn't too bad tbh. Most of the skiers are on rentals, many of the boarders own their boards... therefore to engage in proximity warfare is to have ones' board scratched to hell and back with the nasty ragged edges of my skis :)

[Big Giant Head]

Wiz managed to take a nice chunk out of the topsheet of my board on the last trip

We were both sat on the flat and he stood up no more than a yard behind me then promptly ran straight into me and ran a ski tip all the way down my nice shiny board

Damn skiiers :(

[Wizzo]

Originally posted by - Big Giant Head -
Wiz managed to take a nice chunk out of the topsheet of my board on the last trip

We were both sat on the flat and he stood up no more than a yard behind me then promptly ran straight into me and ran a ski tip all the way down my nice shiny board

Damn skiiers :(

You loved it! It gave you an excuse to put a new shiny sticker on! :)

[Big Giant Head]

I was more worried at the time you might fall on me actually, and we all know what happens to people you do that to

And yes new stickers clearly in order :)

[Aardvark]

And its all only 10 months away. I may well explode :D Toying with buying my own gear beforehand, must.. save... cash...

Also in total off topic news: 'ness, you have a PM on this here forum. Read it, it contains vital info about how dumb I am :)

[Zakalwe]

Thought I'd utilise the lovely Anikka for a bit of research, so I've asked her to suggest a few places in a couple of the resorts that we've discussed. I'll post info here (or maybe in a new thread) when she responds.

Once we've settled on a choice I'll whore round other travel agents then give the Ifyouski people a chance to price match (they price-beat last time). I've asked for 16-20 people this time, from the interest expressed on this board we may well have more than that but that is the size of Group Booking I'm happy overseeing (given the work involved in the 14 people trip this year). If people could pay their deposits faster this time, that would be helpful (I'm pointedly looking at you here Silk...).

If we really want more people we may need to go for a chalet-hotel, in which case I'll try and persuade the Ifyouski people (or whoever we end up going with) to give me a scaling discount based on how many people I get to give deposits.

20 people gives us room for 6 "fresh-meat", our milage will vary depending on which of the "old-boys/girls" wants to come.

10 months. I'll keep the Ski Account open then. If old-boys want to use it as a savings account then they're welcome to (email me when you deposit and I'll keep track on a spreadsheet), but they'd really be better off putting their money in INGdirect.

[Pingman]

im never going to using snow blades ever, my first year skiing in France 4 years ago i saw a bloke snap he leg in half, litrally, the bone was sticking out of his leg :|
We found out later it was because of the snow blades :|

[afty]

Originally posted by ping-man
We found out later it was because of the snow blades :|
How come?

[Zero5]

Originally posted by afty
How come?

They got angry at the fact that they were being used by hundreds of people? If they were female that could be very bad for the current wearer.


(no sexual stereotyping in this post was meant to offend)

[Zakalwe]

Originally posted by afty
How come?

Snow blades = a slight extension of the length of your feet. Too short to be fully stable, particularly at speed, they are just long enough to apply critical levels of torque to your legs when you fall over. Crack...

Bindings also may not to have the well developed release mechanisms of skis that are designed to prevent your legs snapping like twigs any time you tumble...

I'm not going to say that the nastiest skiing accident I've ever seen was on blades (that was a young lad who fractured his pelvis and ABRADED HIS GROIN by doing the splits at speed on a dry ski slope), but I've seen more accidents on blades than any other type of ski/board.

[Eva_01]

blades were comical when i used them last, but i find them too slow, but are fun for doing mass tricks on :D

i need to buy new ski's this year my old ones are so last season :)

[an.angel]

Went to Sauze D'Olux last week for 7 days.

Fantastic snow cover and weather; great for advanced-intermediate due to the runs available though there were a large number of beginner slopes.

Night life was fantastic with plenty to do for all.

My 2 cents.

[Aardvark]

I went to Sestriere last year, and the pass covered Sauze D'Oulx. Seemed nice to me, lots of nice long wooded runs, snow was pretty damn good as well.

My dad didn't enjoy it so much, he snapped a cruciate ligament on the last day. Ouchy time :)

[Silk75]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
If people could pay their deposits faster this time, that would be helpful (I'm pointedly looking at you here Silk...).


/me bows head in shame

Am saving now, like a whore

[Zero5]

So is there an expected cost for this trip? and when is it planned for in 2005.

[afty]

No destination or date has been decided yet.

Last years trip was £1000 all-in for me (varies by person) though you need to buy your gear on top of that... if you haven't been before.

[phil]

I can't remember if anyone has suggested it yet, but I'm going to put forward a vote for Davos/Klosters.

Nj and myself went there this weekend and it was great. It's a little expensive, but there are 5 mountains, so there is no shortage for one a week holiday.

There's a good mix of runs, lots of big wide runs for beginners, and some excellent off piste (even now, at the end of the season).

It's also easy to get to from Munich or Zurich.

[her0n]

Originally posted by phil
I can't remember if anyone has suggested it yet, but I'm going to put forward a vote for Davos/Klosters.


Will Prince William be there?!?! :D

[bvark]

I've been to Davos a couple of times, it really is an excellent resort, and I agree on the off piste.

It is, however, astonishingly expensive, especially during the high season (around 50 euros a night just for accomodation), but it does have a casino (with a staggering 4 zeroes on the roulette wheel!).

The royals go there just before Easter every year, which might be a bit late :-)

[Zeuseh]

sounds good, well il be in full time for 3months as of 1st July, so should be able to afford it :) am thinking of getting camera de video.

[Aardvark]

Define 'a little expensive' please.

[phil]

Originally posted by Aardvark
Define 'a little expensive' please.

It's in Switzerland ...

;)

<edit> ... but as a consolation prize (and this will please afty in particular), both myself and NJ agreed that it's the best resort we've been to for snow-bunnies.</edit>

[afty]

The the decision is already made?

[Aardvark]

Let me put it another way...

How much MORE would it be than last time, roughly? :)

[Zakalwe]

You can ski with only 1 arm and 1 leg right Aardvark?

Cos you'll need the other limbs to pay for lunch...

[Zakalwe]

Oh and TBH the chalet selection looks pretty limited, I had a look yesterday and couldn't find anything appealing (lots of nice hotels mind). I am happy to be proved wrong though.

Sorry swissys, but this resort is not at the top of the list atm, expensive (£20 per meal wherever you eat - acc Bvark) + lack of chalets = bad. It's a shame though because the ski-area sounds great.

Anyone know anything about Les Arcs or Serre Chevalier?

[her0n]

KBB has been to Les Arcs, so we need to probe him :p:

[KBB]

Les Arcs is pretty good actually, and even better this year onwards. There are enough slopes about to keep you happy for a good few days and once they are done you can go over to La Plagne. There is a new cable car that links the 2 resorts so you can then go and do the slopes in La Plagne (which rock loads btw) - huge amount of skiing area.

There is a jump park in both resorts. Dont know what the night life is like there, have to ask some1 else.

Very good resort tho.

Ill add more when i think of it

[ANNIHILATION]

/me votes for Tignes ;) least then we can do val d'sere and all of tignes 3 villages. With a reasonable cost. Plus i know the resort pretty damn well spent 6 weeks there.

[kalleth]

winwinwi inwinwinwinwinwiniwniw i will force myself upon you, wallet willing.

[kalleth]

a note: i've been to switzerland/france (thorens/isere/chamonix etc.)/bulgaria/usa/canada, and best skiing i ever had was in canada. Although, france is pretty good, as is switzerland. (St. Moritz).

avoid bulgaria or other bloc countries like the PLAGUE.

[her0n]

Came across this site when i was reading the free extreme mags we get sent at work.. anyway it looks rather good (ignore the fact that it calls itself a snowboarding lodge thing.. i'm sure skiiers wouldn't be turned away!)

Dragon Lodge, Tignes (http://www.dragonlodge.com/welcome.html)

Click the Holiday drop down and have a look at the prices.. if we book the whole lodge half board (thats 20 capacity) then we get 15% discount :o !

Take a look and see what you think

This is in Tignes btw :)

[Aardvark]

That does, indeed, look quite nice :)

[afty]

For the same week as last year, that's £208 pp B&B for accomodation. All we'd need to do then is organise flights, transfer and evenings meals - and that should come to alot less than £300 so could potentially be cheaper than last year? Cost is DEFINITELY an issue for me over the next 12 months or so...

[Aardvark]

Could be much cheaper indeed, yes. Always a good thing :)

[her0n]

The thing is though, B+B doesn't include the evening meal and all the wine and shiz we had this year... Half board does though. Saying that, it would work out cheaper regardless of what option we chose. I definitely think exclusive booking of the lodge would be in our favour - MPUK.. share? hehe :)

They also arrange transfer and that from airports too (which I think you can request should you need it - a bonus for those making the pilgrimage from germany and switzerland)

To me it seems like a lodge run independant of any companies by enthusiasts for like minded bods :)

[Aardvark]

Yep, and judging by interest, it'd be around 20 people wanting to come as well. Which is nice.

[her0n]

Originally posted by afty
For the same week as last year, that's £208 pp B&B for accomodation. All we'd need to do then is organise flights, transfer and evenings meals - and that should come to alot less than £300 so could potentially be cheaper than last year? Cost is DEFINITELY an issue for me over the next 12 months or so...

Something to remember though is ski hire and lift pass :'(

[afty]

Originally posted by her0n
Something to remember though is ski hire and lift pass :'(
Ski hire and lift pass weren't included in last years price either!

[Aardvark]

And its still 100 quid cheaper. Rar.

[Zakalwe]

Very interesting. Shall we have a quick show of hands to vote for this one?

Half-board or B&B?

Dates?

[afty]

With cost of wine on the continent, and the fact we'll probably eat out at LEAST 2 nights of the 7, I'd raise my hand in the air for B&B...

Dates I'm easy on - I can give myself holiday whenever, but it's going to be a ****ing MARE finding someone to cover for me :/

[Mingtea]

B&B sounds good.

[Zakalwe]

They had a 30% discount for the 7th to the 14th of February this year. Maybe they'll do something similar for the next season? (French school holidays or some such?)

[afty]

NoooooOOOOOOOooooOOoooooOOOOo avoid school hols like teh plargue!

[Zakalwe]

My point exactly, I don't know when the holidays are (normally they're more expensive) so I was wondering why there was such a discount this year?

[afty]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
I was wondering why there was such a discount this year?
I phoned and found out, apparently bvark is staying the week before and the fumigators are not available until the week after.

[Nivek]

is this open to people who have never skied and are there-fore shear loose?

[Mingtea]

It'd be worth you having lessons before, you'll enjoy the trip alot more.

i've been doing a lot of snowboarding now, and should hopefuly be "ok" on the ski trip, (well I can jump in the snow dome)

[afty]

Originally posted by Mingtea
It'd be worth you having lessons before, you'll enjoy the trip alot more. I'm not organising the trip, so my word is not law, but I would imagine this year, with the popularity of the event, and group/social nature of the days, that the trip will be limited to those people who have attained at least a reasonable level on learner slopes or at their local dry/fake snow slope.

Of course, there's nothing to stop you doing this between now and us going, but I don't think it's a good thing to have people turning up who literally cannot ski/board...

[Baroness]

I've never skied before, but am planning on getting enough lessons at Milton Keynes or the equivalent before I go in order to not be a complete noob.

Btw, I'm relatively easy on the B&B / half board thing, and on the dates, so I'll go with whatever the majority decide.

[Zakalwe]

I've emailed the chap asking about dates when the entire lodge is available in the 2004/2005 season. Will report back later.

[afty]

Wooo.... members of the gentry (besides bvark + zak) coming skiing with the lads from the northern fishing town and the goat-herd encampment in the hills!

Whatever next?

[Mingtea]

Oh and no turfing me out this time, please :P

[Nivek]

i will look into some lessons and see how i get on! pictures of this event are band!

[Zakalwe]

I've also re-activated the skiing bank account of win, the preparations are well underway.

I'll certainly appreciate not having to travel at tw@t am this time, and Monarch can foff if they think I'm flying with them:)

I'll be starting a new thread shortly for sign-ups (well, if the bloke emails me back soon) so be ready. As always old-boy hax are available to those that came last year, otherwise signups will be determined on a first-come best-known most-eager quickest-to-pay first-served basis. Ultimately my decision will be final, unless I change my mind or people persuade me otherwise, so it's not very final, kind of penultimate really, or something.

:)

[afty]

Originally posted by Mingtea
Oh and no turfing me out this time, please :P I think it's fair to say that you've already garnered top of the non-vets list after the events of last year. Plus, it's worth noting that while we might have one or two returning vets extra (I'm looking initially at 10acious here) there are SIX extra places if we get this chalet.

ohm fudger

[Aardvark]

Fear the 6 extra places hax. Although it looks like 5 of them are up for being grabbed sharpish (I'm looking at HalOS, Strych and 10acious on the OB hax, and Mingtea and Baroness for 'favoured peon' status).

So um... let battle commence :D

[Baroness]

I am now pheeeeeeering the Omfuger Veto Hax of Zakalwe....

[Aardvark]

You mean the one that looks exactly like NJ? :D

[Baroness]

Sssssshhhh!!

I struggle when it comes to BFC....

[afty]

There's always a chance that some other Old Boys won't/can't come back this year, and Strychs wrist will no doubt require a bajillion medical opinions for arrival is approved. I suspect there will be AT LEAST the two extra places mentioned above, and possibly more.

[Aardvark]

True, true, but I like to keep everyone on their toes ;)

[Zakalwe]

Mwahahahah Veto powah. (which I never actually got to use last year, :))

I'm currently assuming 12-13 OB's from last year (not sure if Richie will be coming again, but we need someone to keep Bvark company when boarding). Braindead is unlikely to have paid Psym for the camera so is currently off the list. That leaves 7-8 spaces, 3 potential OBs (Hal0s, Strych and 10acious) Mingtea is in (definitely because A) I still feel bad for binning him last year and B) otherwise he'd strangle me) so 3-4 left. As we've got 10 other registrations of interest so I guess I'll do the democratic thing and ask the OB's who they want to take on holiday with them (as I like the inherent cruelty of playground pickage / I mean the inherent justness of democracy).

Actually it's still WAY to early to be discussing this as we don't yet have a concrete booking and we haven't fully checked how many OB's are coming:)

[bvark]

half board or B&B both suit me. the lodge looks cool - anything overlooking a 'grand mott' can't be bad.

one thing though - the floor plan shows a lot of bunkbeds and some markedly less quality rooms than others (bedroom 6 particularly looking ****ey) so I think differential pricing might be fairer.

i'll volunteer to try and ruin some more pans cooking for people some nights if I can get some willing volunteers to eat it.

[Zakalwe]

Only if it's properly seasoned.

[K]

Count me in. Opulence option selected. Dont think Hal0s or Strych will be in something about trip to Oz according to drunken rabblings friday night.

[her0n]

Well clearly i'm in as i found the fricking place :p:

Am happy to do b+b or full board and i agree that differential pricing is a v good idea if the rooms differ in quality - of course that can be arranged amongst us.

Getting rather excited :D Tignes is said to be pretty good :)

[K]

Ah the bint (puppey eyes) is back :P

[Wizzo]

Opulence for me but b&b is also fine if that's what people want. I'm also up for cooking one night if we go for b&b.

Go Zakwee!!!!

[her0n]

Originally posted by Killing
Ah the bint (puppey eyes) is back :P

/me looks at Wizzo

Btw craig.. you really think they'll let you into their kitchen?! :p:

[Mingtea]

if it's nachos and fajitas i'm in.

[Baroness]

mmmmmmmm........

[Aardvark]

/me orders pizza

Not that I'm showing a lack of faith or anything, you understand :D

[Zakalwe]

No reply yet. I'm leaving work soon. Will call the chap tomorrow and see what's what, what?

[Mingtea]

8pm, You work too hard.

[Zakalwe]

Or is it instead the case that you are all slackers?

:)

[Silk75]

Crikey, just got home from work and the holiday is on and virtually planned!

Don't you lot do any work whatsoever? (Afty don't answer, we know you don't)

I am in, B&B or opulence, but opulence is the preferred option.

[her0n]

Ahh yes btw i prefer opulence but am happy to go with what people want :)

Can we (i.e those of us who want to) fly from Southampton this time? please please please!! :angel:

[Zakalwe]

You can all fly out of my Hollly-Jolly butthole if you like...

Trip appears to be arrange your own transport, I'll be taking the snow-train of win with all the cool kids.

[her0n]

ohh jizzumation they have a waxing service on site!!!1111

**edit** OMG ONE ROOM HAS A DOUBLE BED! it's so mine (you can guess who i'll be sharing with ;))

btw BFC'S check this: "For the less technologically inclined we also have a wide selection of board games, books and magazines and of course playing cards for late nights of poker!"

"If after snowboarding or skiing you have energy left, Tignes also offers ice skating, paragliding, snowmobiling, ice climbing, ice diving (beneath the lake!) 10 pin bowling, a cinema, twice weekly market and sports centre with squash and tennis courts, a weight room, jacuzzi and sauna. "

ohhh mfg