So, Ski Trip 08 then...

[Aardvark]

Anyone else thinking of this? I'd love to step up and do the organisation but that would nail the coffin lid shut on the whole thing, I can't think of the last event I successfully organised :p

[her0n]

I am seriously SERIOUSLY tempted to go if the timing is right. But it's my final year, so possibly not a wise decision.

If you guys go when i'm not at uni/free week during exams or whatever then awesome, i'll come. If not then tough luck, hard cheese for me etc etc and i'll be back next year ;-)

[Ryvita]

The issue is that as it stands, there is nowt organised, since all those who have previously organised it are elsewhere/have other plans.

Shame. :(

Come on Craig: ChamonixLAN?

Ryv

[tucool]

Depends on fine details like location, approx date (Im guessing its going to be late 08/early 09?) and purse strings but yes I will lodge my provisional interest :P

[her0n]

(Im guessing its going to be late 08/early 09?)

No, I think you've misunderstood.. ;p

In the past, we have skiied between January and March, usually avoiding the Half Term holidays and Easter.

[bvark]

I'm one of the people who isn't organising this year as I have other plans and limited holiday in new job probation period.

I'd suggest since there won't be quite as many difficult buggers with strange plans you guys go through a tour operator, it's much easier.

[tucool]

So its going to be Jan-March 08? as in a few months?

eeek too short notice for me im afraid, I should have started saving when I put my name down last time I guess :P

[afty]

I've volunteered to organise a small ski trip for friends from Blackpool/Manc at some point (probably late feb/early March) which will be probably be in a hotel as opposed to a chalet due to an inability to reliably forecast numbers.

Once I have all the details confirmed and a few people booked, I'll post the details here and MPUK regulars will be welcome to come along.

[Silk75]

I'd be in if it were March. Seems that snow is better at that time as well.

France (3 valley area) or Austria would be good for me.

[Bootz]

I can't make this year I'm afraid. I have a holiday in the US in January which is costing me a fair bit. I really hope to make next years though as its now 2 years I've missed :(

[afty]

France (3 valley area) or Austria would be good for me.Due to cost/familiarity/language issues, it'll certainly be France, exactly where will depend on the deals I can find :)

[her0n]

Due to cost/familiarity/language issues, it'll certainly be France, exactly where will depend on the deals I can find :)

But French people don't speak Northern :confused:

[Mr_E_Man]

may i recommend chamonix :confused: been boarding there a few times its a really good place its in france at the base of mont blanc :)

also if you dont mind a boarder i am interested :D:

[Aardvark]

Chamonix isn't that good, its full of COMPLETE tourists and the ski area isn't that big. Snow isn't always so good there either.

[Mr_E_Man]

Chamonix isn't that good, its full of COMPLETE tourists and the ski area isn't that big. Snow isn't always so good there either. i havnt been for 7 years :(: wasnt like that last time i went :(:

[afty]

Cham is OK... it has it's unique charms, but having to bus really long journeys to get people to different sets of blues is a bit crap. The town is very large and cosmopolitan and has GREAT nightlife which is a bonus... but yeah it probably won't be Cham.

[Harribo]

I recommend a place called Chatel very nice skiing area and you can also ski to Switzerland very nice place to ski when i went last many years ago!

[inferno]

valmorel was good when i went but its not really got much night life. but it was cheap

[Aardvark]

I recommend a place called Chatel very nice skiing area and you can also ski to Switzerland very nice place to ski when i went last many years ago!

Have been to Chatel, very nice but Portes du Soleil resorts tend to be on the pricey side.

[Baroness]

Anyone know of La Clusaz / Le Grand Bornand ?

[afty]

Have been to Chatel, very nice but Portes du Soleil resorts tend to be on the pricey side.We got an amazing deal in Les Deux Alpes last year in a decent hotel bang in the middle of town. Nightlife there is middling - several bars but not like Cham. Ideally would like to go somewhere I've not been twice before though...

[Wizzo]

2 week trip to Whistler is where it's at :p

[Aardvark]

2 week trip to Whistler is where it's at :p

You're paying right? :p

[afty]

You're paying right? :pProbably for Champagne, but you may need to fork out for your own flight and accomodation.

Oh wait, you're banned from champagne!



(2 weeks would be too much for me I'm afraid, I don't have that many holiday days to burn next winter :( )

[Aardvark]

Oh wait, you're banned from champagne!

THREE YEARS! :fist:

[Silk75]

Wizzo is banned from champagne as he needs to save for the 2009 extravaganza. And if you don't know what I mean, then you're not in.

France, not been there before, high resort, elite is needed. Oh and Aardvark, no stupid thoughts about roadtripping it. Clearly will be flying with champagne minis on board the flight.

[KBB]

I can recommend the 3 valleys (if not a little pricey, but the skiing is amazing), La Plagne is also good, and now linked into Les Arcs. I'm heading back to Cham again this year but I wouldn't suggest it for beginngers - theres too much bus time if your not used to it.

I'm a massive fan of the French alps tho - good skiing, good food and good drink. Ahhhh.

[afty]

Clearly will be flying with champagne minis on board the flight.I believe one of the stumbling blocks of the new EU constitution was the section stipulating a mandatory bottle of Champagne on all outbound flights for UK citizens going on a skiing holiday.

[Baroness]

Oh, now I know what you were talking about, Silk. <memory of elephant>

[Aardvark]

So I take it from the resounding 3 ish people interested that the MPUK opulent chalet option shall not be occurring for 08? I'm not so keen on hotel stuff as it removes a big chunk of the opulence/social side of things so will pass on that.

Double opulent ski trip for 09 then? Whistler may even be doable if people l2save ;)

[her0n]

Double opulent ski trip for 09 then? Whistler may even be doable if people l2save ;)

YES YES YES.

What about a long weekend this year? Are they feasible?

[KBB]

Long weekends are certainly do-able. You can get out to Geneva on a Thursday afternoon pretty quickly, and then its only an hour or so to a world of ski resorts. Ski Friday, Sat and Sun, fly back Monday morning? I did this last year and was a joy.

[her0n]

I did this last year and was a joy.

What did it cost you all in all?

[Silk75]

Long weekends are okay for me, would like a week though, but my body will not be in proper shape by then methinks.

As for 2009, 2 weeks in Whistler and other things will need a lot of saving up for.

[Wizzo]

Long weekends are okay for me, would like a week though, but my body will not be in proper shape by then methinks.

As for 2009, 2 weeks in Whistler and other things will need a lot of saving up for.

Cut back on those "extracurricular activities" then old man :p

[Mingtea]

I shall definitely be saving for a US trip of opulence, however for now, i'm thinking something like france would be ace say perhaps La Plagne, fully catered chalet with a hot tub outside? ;)

[her0n]

I shall definitely be saving for a US trip of opulence, however for now, i'm thinking something like france would be ace say perhaps La Plagne, fully catered chalet with a hot tub outside? ;)

If you go, I shall have to kill you. La Plagne is a nice resort :(:

[Aardvark]

I shall definitely be saving for a US trip of opulence, however for now, i'm thinking something like france would be ace say perhaps La Plagne, fully catered chalet with a hot tub outside? ;)

Definitely the champion chalet so far...

[Pingman]

I'd be up for it again.

Think I'd quite like to try flying this time. :)

Allthough that does make taking my Skis more expensive. :roll::mad:

[Silk75]

Its only about £10-15 more, and you are guaranteed to have something you are used to then. Its worth it in my book.

[her0n]

I'm going to guess that nothing "MPUK" is gonna happen this year, due to lack of organisation and attendance issues :(: (Not that I could make it anyway)

Maybe North America '09 is on the cards then instead? Bring the trip back with a bang?

Start saving up....? :awesome:

[Silk75]

Yeah,I'm thinking the same unless we have a week in the Alps for mountain biking and summer Glacier skiing.

Definitely a Jan special 2 week wallet buster is in order. There are some monumental birthdays in that month for 2009... :D

[Aardvark]

Preliminary investigations into a summer expedition in Europe are currently in progress, more soon ;)

[her0n]

MONUMENTAL :O

The Alps in the summer are really nice, can actually get rather hot! :D:

[Aardvark]

Well its not necessarily the Alps, its not skiing after all. Summer and all that :p

[Pingman]

As said before, If any one fancies organising some Skiing, I'd be 'up fot it'! :)

[afty]

I will be organising a skiing holiday for sometime in March (exact dates to be confirmed) for a group to go to a newbie-friendly area of France. Unsure if it will be a private chalet or hotel at the moment, probably to be confirmed nearer the time.

This is for a few of my old friends from Blackpool, and I will open up any spaces (potentially maybe unlimited depending on holiday type) to any of the MPUK old boys. This will not be open to new characters this year sadly, except by express invitation.

I'll post more in a couple of weeks once I've decided on dates. The trip will be nice, but probably not uber opulent as some people will be total newbies and need to spend on equipment/instructors etc. in addition to holiday expenses. This does not mean we're going ultra budget though, BFC etc. do not fear :)

I know BGH has expressed an interest so far, anyone else interested please contact me privately and I'll add you to a list of interestees....

[inferno]

when you say MPUK old boys is that in the sense of being on a ski trip with MPUK before

[her0n]

when you say MPUK old boys is that in the sense of being on a ski trip with MPUK before

yes

[inferno]

but your not a boy :p

[Karsh]

she can be at times (flee)!

I might be going to USA with my old school in '08 weee :D

[Silk75]

but your not a boy :p

You haven't seen Helen being parted from glasses of wine before, a lot of muscle in that young lady...

[afty]

when you say MPUK old boys is that in the sense of being on a ski trip with MPUK beforeyeah just old boys, I'm moving house and job between now and then, and don't have the time to sort out something properly.

[ryandeean]

im going chamonix go there!

[afty]

im going chamonix go there!Been to Chamonix a bit too often recently, plus it's a pain for travel in a beginners group because the bus journeys are LONG and always overcrowded.

I'll be trying to find somewhere with good nursery slopes and plenty of cruising green blues without much walking/busing involved :)

[Buffy]

I will in in Austria, Soll from the 5th - 12th of Jan 08
If any ones around that area we can meet up. I have been several times and know it quite well.


Also I would like a custom design on my board any ideas where I could get this done. I have tried contact a few manafactures such as true snowboards, but they say i need to request 100 boards which i cant at the moment.
http://www.firefx.co.uk/snowboardtopandbottom.png

Updated dates have now been corrected.

[Drarok]

I'm game as ever. I've got plenty holiday left over that I need to be rid of.

I'm sure Mingtea will keep me informed. :)

[Drarok]

It would appear I broke the thread. Subtle, guys. :(

[Aardvark]

Congrats you re-killed a thread that had already been dead for nearly 2 weeks :v

[Drarok]

I can take a hint. It's fine! :mad:

[Buffy]

Snowboarding was mint, have a look on facebook for the vids and pics.

[her0n]

i hate you.

link?

[no friends]

I'm torn. Between Les gets or Les Deux Alps.
Got a mate in either one. I'm guessing Les Gets will be busier though.
Halp!
I'm also talking easter friday here.

[Silk75]

Don't know Les Gets, but we had a trip to LDA a few years ago now (was my first). Seems OK for beginners and intermediates, not sure about advanced. Lots of blues around the place, but it seems as if you have to get up above a certain level on the mountain to get a decent set of runs.
There was a winding green back down to the resort centre as well as a black directly down the fall line, the green as you can imagine became like a crowded country road come 4pm.
Good fun, nice bars and places from what I remember, and high up on the mountain there are some great cruising runs.

[Mouse_On_Mars]

<her0n here, mouse can't do snowsports for sh...toffee (yet) ;-)>
LDA was really nice, there's a good irish bar where we spent most of our time :):

The green run back was busy, but nice not to have to worry too much about negotiating an icy red or whatever. It was in the sun too so the snow was nice and soft at that time of day.

[no friends]

Well, Les Gets appears to be the other side of Morzine which i know gets very busy.
Guess it'll depend on the price of flights at the end of it, or are they quite close?

[Mouse_On_Mars]

<her0n>
I don't know about the cost of our flights, it was a package deal including all.

You'll prob find that the kicker is flights + transfer. It's all very well finding cheap flights but then if you're shelling out more to get to the resort then it's not so much of a bargain any more.

[no friends]

To LDA, the closest airport is only a 10 minute transfer I'm sure.
Thanks anyway, just need some research now D:

[Silk75]

Closest to LDA is Chambery from memory, there might be an airfield closer, but only for private aircraft. Alternatives would be Lyon, Grenoble or Geneva.

[Aardvark]

Yeah you're like a 2 hour drive from any airport, unless you're arriving in a helicopter...

[Silk75]

And I still have the quote somewhere to fly from Turin to Tignes for 4 passengers and luggage.

[Mouse_On_Mars]

<her0n>
10 minute transfer?! You're joking right?
It's at least 1.5 hours from airport to $any resort, given traffic and potential snow on roads so requirement of winter tyres or stopping to put snowchains on.

Basically allow LOTS of time for transfers. Roads are windy and traffic is rubbish and slow.

Silk - how much cash wallet haemorrhage we talking here?

[Silk75]

I don't have it actually, but from memory it was in the region of 1.5 - 2k. Reasonable really.

[her0n]

Getting my votes for next year are either Flaine, France or the over exuberant 2 weeks in Whistler/Banff type thing.

Why Flaine? A friend of mine went a few weeks ago, said it was a nice resort. It's part of the Grand Massif, consisting about 4 or 5 villages. Close to Geneva (cheap flights yay) and apparently it holds its snow well, due to the geographical location.
www.flaine.com has EVERYTHING you need to know. Even a grid with the European school hols on it!

Why Canada? Need I really explain... This is an expensive option though :/ But hey, NO FRENCH!

[Aardvark]

Yeah can we get some poor unfortunate to take responsibility for the planning well in advance this time ;)

[her0n]

Someone with organisational skills and a fat credit card limit. (i.e Not me ;-))

[Silk75]

Craig has my vote :D

And yes a combo holiday would be good over in the US/Canada

[-Angelus-]

Jumping on the skiing / snow boarding band-wagon could be fun. I must admit i've never been before and am really interested in trying it out. :)

[no friends]

Welll, I booked my flights. That much is sorted, the transfer bus is 10 euros. My mate out there can get me ski's (Y). but nowhere to sleep.

Any recommendations on places to stay in town?

[inferno]

angelus its best not to wear your sharp stuff just incase you fall into someone :p