And they're off!

[Zakalwe]

We're 16 people paid, with 4 fops. Fops places will be given away soon.

[Aardvark]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
Second-place, in an unexpected upset is Aardvark, slipping in before Silk, despite Silk's payment swiftness.

Ha! Your powers are weak, old man :D

[Silk75]

Experience will win over youth you little child


Muahahaha

[her0n]

I sent BACS spaffage so that should be arriving soon.. ;)

[Zakalwe]

Mystery cash drop in 7th place! If you deposited cash please let me know where you dropped it in and I'll add you to the deposit list!

(I think I know who it is, so don't try and chance it Sykes)

[bvark]

mine came with advice of 'smelly deposit'

[phil]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
Mystery cash drop in 7th place! If you deposited cash please let me know where you dropped it in and I'll add you to the deposit list!

(I think I know who it is, so don't try and chance it Sykes)

Could be NJ's. As instructed I kicked him in the crotch and I think it did the trick.

[Pingman]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
Mystery cash drop in 7th place! If you deposited cash please let me know where you dropped it in and I'll add you to the deposit list!

(I think I know who it is, so don't try and chance it Sykes)

if it was yesterday (21st June) at about 2pm it was me :D

and i PMD you lol

[Zakalwe]

Positions updated, i.e. shameless bump.

[her0n]

rar :D

[Pingman]

Originally posted by Zakalwe

Pingman gets cash in at #7, being the 2nd newby to do so. What, you want a cookie or something? :)

Well now you come to mention it, yes, i DO WANT A COOKIE! :P

[Baroness]

Omg, can I have one as well?

( Maryland, kthnx :p )

[Aardvark]

Maryland mini cookies = disappointment waiting to happen, btw. Pack of FOUR tuppence sized cookies. I wept like a baby.

Rainbow Vark > Blue Vark. Undeniable :D

[Zakalwe]

Very well, cookies will be provided, cookies of such girth and calorific content that I will require you to sign a waiver before consuming them...

[Aardvark]

We only want you for your cookies in any case Zak :)

[bvark]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
may I point out that the regular colour Aardvark was substantially quicker than you?

The regular coloured Aardvark doesn't know where you live, though.

[Zeuseh]

never woulda put ping with skiing :x

[Aardvark]

Apparently he's some kind of ski haxor. Which can only be a good thing. The boarder dominance is looking severely threatened :)

[Zakalwe]

Not really, I've got the spreadsheet in front of me now ;)

[Baroness]

Did someone say girth?

[Aardvark]

Hmm, if we go by the system of all OBs being present, we have:

7 OB skiers + 2 newbie skiers = 9
6 OB boarders + 1 newbie boarder = 7

Hmm. I believe its up for grabs, the boarders need to make a comeback over the next 4 places ;)

[Zakalwe]

I'm intending to "convert" the newby skiers to the higher calling of boarding. Very simply put, you can learn to ski and be crabbing along green runs by the end of the week, or you can learn to board and be sliding down black runs (not like a pro, but at least you won't die).

Also we're going to make NJ board this year, it's time he joined the rest of .BFC.

[Aardvark]

Ah, but what you don't know is that Ping is already a ski mofo extraordinaire, and Baroness doesn't want to die (2 positions on a board etc) :)

Also NJ, if you turn to the dark side I cannot be responsible for my actions.

[Silk75]

In light of my shocking display at skiing on the last trip, I recently decided to by a cheapo skateboard to see if I still had any skate skills.

I am glad to confirm that I have still got those skills from almost 20 years ago (a long time I know), and this therefore moves me nearer to the dark side of boarding.

Lessons are now to be commenced, updates will be given on my affiliation for this trip.

Sorry/Welcome, etc

[Baroness]

Ooooh, maybe I should try boarding................

[Zakalwe]

Mwahahahah, feel the power of the dark side...

Silk, good to have you on board (tee hee), you will progress much much faster than you did at skiing. For day 1-3 of pre-trip lessons I do recommend elbow pads (as you'll then be less worried about falling). There should be a good group of newby boarders for you to learn with as well. I'd suggest lessons from Bvark, but they have a tainted history on MPUK trips, c.f. Strych (although his "in at the deep end" approach worked for me and Psym).

Baroness, board, it's the future. Cooler gear, faster to learn and you don't have to wear a www.fluorescentrompersuits.co.uk .

[her0n]

Such bad fashion.. my heart bleeds :rolleyes:

[afty]

One leg baaaaaaaaaad, two legs goooooooood

[Pingman]

lol im not some kind of skiing }{4x0r im jsut a bit better than the average skiier because ive been a few times before, but im by no means super 1337 or any thing!

[her0n]

We shall be disappointed (not upset) if your skills do not exceed our expectations ;p

[Pingman]

mmm, i will endever to get a quick refresh of how to ski at my local dri slope a day ro so before we go to make sure i get my skis on the right foot :D

[Hitori]

I'm considering persuading my mum to let me go. I'll get back to you.

[afty]

Your mum? AFAIK the trip is 18+ ? Can someone clarify?

[bvark]

Indeed so - I doubt any us (possibly excepting the good Dr. Fletcher) are going to agree to take temporary guardianship of someone - we're on holiday.

There are folks older than 18 who would still have to have this trip financed by their parents, though (my 27yr old chum still goes skiing with his parents paying, frinstance ;-)

[Zero5]

Are there still spaces?

[afty]

Originally posted by bvark
my 27yr old chum still goes skiing with his parents paying, frinstance ;-)
Jesus, I need parents like that.

Oh wait, they're trying to persuade me to go to Canada for a week - even offered to pay the flights if I get the hotel + ski gubbins. I'm mighty tempted....

[andyf]

Where can I learn to ski so I might venture into next years' foray ?

[Strych]

Xscape, Milton Keynes. Ski lessons on real snow. Gogogogo

[andyf]

Ahh you rock strych, cheers

[Hitori]

*sigh*
january 2005 is a few months before my 18th

january 2006?

[afty]

Originally posted by Strych
Xscape, Milton Keynes. Ski lessons on real snow. Gogogogo
Or alternatively, XScape Castleford, same company MUCH newer bui;ding and slope about 10 minutes past Leeds (so not much more than an hour for you Andy from Blackpool). Let me know if you're serious, and I will probably head over to, you can grab a lesson while myself (and perhaps Silk depending on timing) practice on the main slope...

[andyf]

Of course I am serious you lunatic!

I want to experience the happy snow!

[afty]

If you're new, it's calle the Bruising Snow... :)

[Aardvark]

Get him on skis afty, none of this boarding rubbish ;)

[afty]

I'll let him decide... after all we don't want to start someone on skis only to find out later that they are turncoat do we?

[her0n]

As long as BGH doesn't cut me up then I don't mind boarders :)

Infact I had more issues from skiers crashing into me than boarders...

/me looks at Wizzo :p:

[afty]

Originally posted by her0n
crashing into me So that's what you crazy kids are calling it these days?

[10acious]

As much as it pains me to say this (actual pain). Nothing short of lottery win or a mugging spree will enable me to come on this trip, and let me tell you now that most little old ladies carry mace. Really wanted to go but the shadow of australia, and more importantly the debt incurred, grows larger every day. Bastards, boarders are best btw, well done to silk for finally realising but prepare to hurt while you learn :D.

P.s. extra super duper kudos to BFC if you manage to turn nj

[Big Giant Head]

Like I'd ever cut you up her0n you were always about 200 yards behind me :)

And I have some lovely new scratches in my board thanks to wizzos inability to avoid stationary objects, damn skiers

[Big Giant Head]

Yeah ok double post

[Aardvark]

Originally posted by afty
I'll let him decide... after all we don't want to start someone on skis only to find out later that they are turncoat do we?

Well we always knew Silk was weak (like his OLD MANS bladder ;) ). NJ would never turn, he's merely teasing, and as for Rach, well I'm not promising 24/7 slope babysitting for a dirty boarder now am I :D

[andyf]

I'm a boarder at heart, ski's are too prissy.


Seriously, when you crash out on a board, you just go splat. When you crash out on ski's, you look so very bad.

[Silk75]

I realised this about falling over on this years trip. I realised I needed an acre or so to spread my skis, poles and me over when crashing.

And I did get better at it during the week.

[Aardvark]

Yes but on boards you fall so much more. The plan is NOT to, in fact, fall :)

[Zakalwe]

Originally posted by Aardvark
and as for Rach, well I'm not promising 24/7 slope babysitting for a dirty boarder now am I :D

That'll be reassuring, after all safety first (http://www.atdot.at/deuxalpes-04/psym/MOV00476.MPG)

[Aardvark]

Please note the safe distance of 4-5 feet between myself and the snow there. Safe as houses ;)

[Zakalwe]

I liked the "safe" landing :) Although not quite as "safe" as Warren...

[Aardvark]

I think you shat yourself more than he did, judging by the footage... :D

[Zakalwe]

I was floating like a zeppelin m8, no really.

[andyf]

Lovely footage isn't it ... I do feel like sending zak some money ..

[Zakalwe]

More new entrants in the deopsit stakes.

[Aardvark]

I did in fact mean you shat yourself more while actually filming him. But never mind eh :)

And my 'safety first, safety second' skills are SO amazing they appear to have tempted Andy into coming. I'm a great ambassador for this trip, what can I say :D

[Zakalwe]

All "new entrants" are confirmed as boarders :)

So for anyone who can't yet ski at least there will be a sizeable boarder newby group to learn with (c. 4+) which always makes learning more fun. Also I want to see the board shop outfit Mingtea with a surfboard when they can't find a long enough snowboard :)

Skiers looking a little outnumbered now...

[her0n]

It's ok, we can be elitist cvnts :)

[andyf]

Originally posted by Aardvark
I did in fact mean you shat yourself more while actually filming him. But never mind eh :)

And my 'safety first, safety second' skills are SO amazing they appear to have tempted Andy into coming. I'm a great ambassador for this trip, what can I say :D

LOL, actually there was one clip in particular that made me chuckle enough into coming .. lemme find it ...

[Aardvark]

Was it the one where afty disappears off the edge of the table shouting '****!!'? :)

[Killy]

heh maybe by next years trip i might be able to ski/board

oh and have money :p:

[andyf]

Originally posted by Aardvark
Was it the one where afty disappears off the edge of the table shouting '****!!'? :)

yessir!
And then the "not again!"

[Aardvark]

The man's a comedy genius, I don't know how he comes up with such golden lines :D

[Zakalwe]

Shameless bump for new signups...

Welcome aboard Andy!

[Aardvark]

Zakalwe (OB boarder)
Aardvark (OB skier)
Psym (OB boarder)
Baroness (newbie, swings both ways)
Silk75 (OB skier)
Wizzo (OB skier)
Pingman (newbie skier)
Her0n (OG skier)
BGH (OB boarder)
Afty (OB skier)
Bvark (OB boarder)
Wildhog (newbie boarder)
Andyf (newbie boarder)

So in a stats frenzy, thats 9 OBs and 4 newbies, with 6.5 boarders and 6.5 skiers at present. The race is on to prove which faction will be superior :)

[andyf]

My secret weapon is that, even though I am a n00b, I have excessive Protection Blubber.

I expect to be able to finish the week with no injuries, bruises or pains thanks to my immeasurable bulk.

[andyf]

SILK IS GOING TO BE A BOARDER!

The war is won.

[Aardvark]

He should also try the swinging both ways thing. I may EVEN do such a thing myself, depending on the cash moneh I can bring to bear :)

[afty]

Originally posted by Aardvark
So in a stats frenzy, thats 9 OBs and 4 newbies That's only 13, where are the other 7?

[Baroness]

Do you have to hire equipment for a full week or can you do it per day or per so many days? And can anyone give me a vague indication of how much? (This may determine whether I swing both ways, or whether I decide to be a fully hetero snow bunny or not).

:)

[afty]

Originally posted by Baroness
Do you have to hire equipment for a full week or can you do it per day or per so many days? And can anyone give me a vague indication of how much? Equipment hire usually costs *roughly* the same as your ski pass... and we've had people before take equipment back after a day or two and switch to the "other side" at no extra cost...

[Zakalwe]

No it doesn't afty, it's usually at least 30% cheaper. In this case equipment hire is c. £65 and I doubt the lift pass will be less than £100.

Baroness - as the lodge has it's own service shop and acts as a demo shop for Option snowboards as well as having an "arrangement" with the local hire shop to ship in gear they don't have, you won't have any trouble switching if you so desire. That said, as you'll be learning in this week I'd advise trying both skiing and boarding out before the holiday and settling on one to learn for the week.

Afty, the 13 listed are people who have actually given me money. I'll keep updating as I get the cash in then work out final attendance based on a complicated calculus involving what day of the week it is, the weather and what I had for breakfast.

The referee's decision is final (mores the pity)...

[Baroness]

Ok, cheers guys.

[afty]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
No it doesn't afty, it's usually at least 30% cheaper. In this case equipment hire is c. £65 and I doubt the lift pass will be less than £100. Aha! Cool. I'd always budgeted about the same (nudge over £100) for the last couple of trips... Grindelwald was IIRC £110 for rental, £120 for pass or something? Slightly bigger difference in France but I cannae remember that.

Anyways Rach, £65 there you have it (and thats me happy as I have an extra 35 for booze now) :)

[her0n]

I take it we are all set for 22nd - 29th then? Just need to know for flight bookings etc...

[Aardvark]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
John, from Dragon lodge, has sent me the booking form and blocked off our week (yeah baby it's the BIRTHDAY week of DOOM - 22nd 29th of Jan 2005). Now, let us get it fully confirmed by getting the cash back to him.

Basically yes from that her0n, although I reckon getting all 20 deposits in would be useful at this point. I think pointed glares at OBs who WILL be coming yet having not paid are in order :D

[her0n]

How angry am i! :mad:

Lets play spot the difference.. then you will understand.

Pic 1 is a screen grab from about 4 days ago...

http://her0n.multiplay.co.uk/skiflights.jpg

Pic 2 is a screen grab from 5 mins ago...

http://her0n.multiplay.co.uk/skiflights2.jpg

:mad: :mad: :mad:

Who wants to go by snow train? (the one via paris)

[Aardvark]

I'm up for snow train. The time saved by flying is usually negated by the arsey check in times anyway.

[her0n]

But still, bloody airlines!

Bourg St Maurice isnt too far from tignes anyway.

Zakalwe, could you contact mr john and ask him for some quotes of transfer to and from Bourg St Maurice station to the lodge please?

[Silk75]

The northern contingents plan of Manchester to Paris, day in Paris, meet up with snow train lot at Gare du Nord at 10-11pm and then board the sleeper to Bourg St Maurice sounds a good option for me.

Then we can all arrive slightly hungover from the travelling party courtesy of the SNCF!!

[Aardvark]

The northern contingent looks like it'll be one light, as in about 6 weeks I may well be living in Harrow...

[her0n]

Ok so that's Wizzo, Killing and I booked for flying from Southampton to Chambery on 22nd and back on 29th January '05.

If anyone wants to join us, there is crash space at mine on the friday night for another couple of people i'd say. Then we all get taxi(s) to the airport (only about 10 mins away). People are also welcome to meet us at the airport if they so wish (the flight is at 7.15am) We're getting a hire car at the other end so we'd prolly need another one if anyone else wants to come as there won't be room in just one.

Flight was £147.81 (skis £15 extra) pp if anyone is curious :)

[Baroness]

What is everyone else doing transport wise?

Am assuming that Afty, Silk and Andyf will be flying from up north -to Chambery or a different airport?

The continental hax0rs will obv be making their own arrangements...

Other peeps? Would be kinda useful to find out what people are intending on doing as I've got bugger all idea of how I'm getting there!

Ta :)

[Zakalwe]

I'll be going to waterloo at c. 4:00pm on Friday and getting onto the snow train which will ferry me to Paris. At Paris I'll switch to The Snow Train, which is an overnight train with a Disco and sleeping berths. This train arrives early in the morning (c. 6:00am) near Tignes, then it's a short transfer to the lodge and on the slopes by 9:30am. Return journey is overnight the following Saturday so you get 2 extra days of skiing. I think team North (or at least Afty) expressed an interest in joining the train at Paris.

Cost is expensive, at c. £200, but for the extra days and the fact that it doesn't involve Tw@t AM flights ever I'd say it was worthwhile.

[afty]

Originally posted by Zakalwe
The Snow Train ... is an overnight train with a Disco I think team North (or at least Afty) expressed an interest in joining the train at Paris.[/B]OMG the pain. And with on-train apres ski, I won't make the slopes at 9.30am. And I will probably break one day earlier than last year (day four)...
Originally posted by Zakalwe
Cost is expensive, at c. £200, but for the extra days and the fact that it doesn't involve Tw@t AM flights ever I'd say it was worthwhile. Hmmm, possibly not worth it for us then, as we need flights to France to meet the train, though I suspect doing the Paris-Ski bit will be cheaper than doing London-Ski bit? More info needed here...

[andyf]

I will accompany silk/afty/northerners if there is a plan arranged. ta

[Silk75]

I have just interrogated the SNCF uk portal, and the price of £94.50 for sleeper out, and sleeper back is good. On top of this would be flights of course.

Alternatively we could get the sleeper (snow train of win) out and a regular daytime train back to Paris then fly home.

Probably work out cheaper that way, plus better time to arrive back in Manchester

[Aardvark]

I'm still none the wiser as to what this snow train actually is. Other than a train, that takes us to snow, of course. Do we have any hard and fast info in the form of webpages, brochures and whatnot?

[Silk75]

click here for details (http://www.raileurope.co.uk/snowtrains/)

[Aardvark]

Ah, Silk is a hero. Snow train here I come, I feel :)

[Pingman]

Damn, i knewi was holding my hopes a bit high expecting a train made of snow :(

Also, lookign at the prices, is it not cheaper to just fly!

[Aardvark]

Yes, but then you need a 2 hour transfer from the airport, plus horrible checkin times, plus its not THAT much cheaper.

[Baroness]

Yeah, although it is slightly pricier, I think the snow train is probably our best bet, Ping, all things considered (they being our total foppishness and lack of any form of skillz). Am assuming that the transfer time from the station at the other end is pretty short (Brucey bonus) and that we could all taxi it or alternatively get a ride with large huskies to the lodge itself.

And as for the on-board apres ski.... :)

[Aardvark]

Originally posted by Baroness
we could all taxi it or alternatively get a ride with large huskies to the lodge itself

Limo please. Thank you.

[Silk75]

We have discussed this before Aardvark. Bourg St Maurice is the end of the line for this train, it can go no further, and as such this is a small town. There are no contactable limo hirers in said town.

Taxi, bike, coach or walk.

Pick and stick

[Aardvark]

If I stamp my foot and whine a bit, it'll all come to me though, won't it? :(

[her0n]

True about twat am flights but the advantage I have is that i'm only 10 mins from Soton airport at most, also its a smaller airport so it's more relaxed than somewhere like Gatwick (which Craig and I found out on Tuesday when we got a flight from Soton to Spain)

:) :)

[Pingman]

Im not bothered where i go from, im equal distance pretty much from London for the snow train, or calais for the snow train ro gatwick for a flight. As long as i don't travel on my own and eople tell me which way they are all going by im happy :D