 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Steve, thanks to your updates we decided last minute to book a last minute deal with espritski. We head out on Sunday, but unbelievably for a ski holiday company they had no ski carriage available!
Could you recommend somewhere to hire? Is there anywhere that has kastles available?
No ski carriage for a ski holiday company is unreal. Still in shock.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Perhaps as you booked so late all the spaces for ski's had been taken? I am flying out with Ski Total (a sister company) and Titan airways and I have ski carriage booked.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Hi @Minion1980, it's jet2. Apparently we can take our boots as part of the checked luggage, but they take up a lot of bag space. I'm going to call jet2 later to see if they can go in seperate bags, but I'll still need to buy one as I usually use a tif roller for my gear.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Yeah well that sucks I hope you can sort something out.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Steve Angus,
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Answers on a postcard please - what the HELL happened here.
All I know is that there was some sort of an 'accident' down at the roundabout in La Daille (one by the Funicular)
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Did Tina Maze seriously overshoot the bottom of the Orange?
I've seen a few accident aftermaths at that roundabout, especially when I used to stay regularly at the Toviere hotel when Mark Warner ran it. Amazing how a few drinks makes people go tout droit.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks @Minion1980.
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@Mt, Mmm...I expect most of Jet2's space taken up by watches, duty free perfumes and jettoo cuddly toys.
For what it's worth, the best skis I've ever hired anywhere were from Snowberry, near Rond Point de Pistes in Val D. Quite expensive but great service. Plenty of online booking discounts and reviews available on t'internet.
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Thanks @intermediate, we used them years ago and I seem to remember them being good. I'll check out t'web.
Are there many snow heads in resort next week, can we organise a impromptu MYAsHBash?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Mt, we also booked last minute for Val d'Isere next week. (Our TO still had ski carriage going...)
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@mtsuit, I'm pleased for you, who are you going with?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Cant comment specifically re Kastles (weird as no ski carriage available) but glad my updates have made you take the plunge - wish i was on commission now! Sure you will have a wonderful weeks holiday!
Re ski hire - I would always recommend Snowberry - yes... perhaps not the cheapest but location and service makes up for it! Drop them an email today and you never know they may be able to hold something for you!
Good luck and see you on the slopes (well if my ankle heels soon that is!).
Steve
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Mt, take you boots as hand luggage.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Came down the red from Solaise - Plan M is it?. After the sharp right near the bottom a number of people had given up skiing and were going down on their bums. Others were falling here and there. Seen it worse. However, those lacking confidence or much experience may be well advised to take the chair down. No shame in it.
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Poster: A snowHead
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... thanks for this Mark1863 - particular problem at the moment is that there are lots of students in town and they urm generally dont either learn how to ski / board and get themselves into tricky situations or indeed well meaning friends push them onto real tough runs for their experience level - that is one of the reasons why at this time of the year there are things like this happening.
Of course the piste is perhaps not in its best ever state which could make it much worse for people too!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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First full day in Tignes today and my intention to try a few black runs is looking like being thwarted by the lack of fresh snow but I did have a run down an icy Trolles as my last run of the day after feeling good doing various blues and red on Aigulle Percee. There weren't many on it and my two more experienced mates didn't fancy it so did it on my own. It was nice for a bit of an adrenaline rush at the end of the day.
Sorry Steve, the wife's friends decided, as they of different standards, to go with the ski school booked through Esprit - Evo2. Not that my missus is very happy with it as she's very cautious and was a bit disconcerted by the runs at the top of Palafour, culminating in someone bombing over a blind hill and hitting her. We're trying to get her something easier going.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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P.S. In the local elections it was a resounding win for the Republicans (60%'ish) with the Socialists and Front National each getting about 20% or so!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hi Steve - I can't say enough good things about your periscope posts and your daily blogs. You are doing a great service for all of us planning a trip out to EK this season. I especially love your "tips" on which runs are good for beginners etc. I now watch your periscopes with my piste map out! I was wondering if you might share a few pointers about ski conditioning? Anything we should particularly pay attention to in the weeks leading up to a Ski Trip. Do you have any simple warm-up exercises to do at the beginning of a ski day in the mountains? Could you recommend (generally) where a confident intermediate should head to on the first ski day of the season to get ski legs back etc.
Also, I was interested to see you mention the Sherpa Supermarket - is this your preferred Supermarket in the resort? Any pointers would be helpful. We are there for 3 weeks, self catering, but will not have a car so won't be able to run down to Bourg! I have made a note of your mentioning to bring tin foil!!
We have two lessons booked with you the second week of January. Very glad to hear your ankle is on the mend. Don't try and squeeze it into your boot if it is still swollen!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hi Steve, got a lovely pair of kastle fx95's from snowberry. Great skis.
To anyone, are there any cash machines on the mountain or near a lift. Can't be asked walking back into town and thought I had more on me. Must have been robbed in the Foulie yesterday 
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| Mt wrote: |
Hi Steve, got a lovely pair of kastle fx95's from snowberry. Great skis.
To anyone, are there any cash machines on the mountain or near a lift. Can't be asked walking back into town and thought I had more on me. Must have been robbed in the Foulie yesterday |
Robbed - hope not literally - but then again it can get quite pricey up there!
Cash machines.... nah closest ones are in town I am afraid - although there is one on the side of the Maison de Tignes in Tignes Le Lac right on the piste but you need to head Tignes way for that obviously!
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Steve ,
I thought I would just drop my tuppence worth about what a great job you are doing for EK and Val in particular . In this day and age of technology most resort sites are shocking , very un-userfreindly and pretty static in terms of news events snow conditions and local stories . Only the .net sites such as merinet and valdinet offer some sort of regular updates . The La Tania blog as well . But as someone who has spent 1 or 2 weeks every year in the Alps for the past 30 years , I still crave every last little bit of news , I want to see what the roads and pavements look like , I want to see where they have built recently , I want to know if this shop or that shop has changed hands , where I can park , which new restaurants are worth a look , all the little snippets of news that only STEVE ANGUS bring’s to us . I am only too sure you get used to ( even bored with ) all the compliments that most people throw in your direction but I really do thank you . It brightens up a dreary grey and wet lunchtime in Suffolk .
However there might be some sort of commercial opportunity for you , I know for sure that our group ( 5 or 6 families ) have booked in Val because we felt safe in the knowledge that we had a daily update of life in Val , it has without doubt made a difference to our resort decision , and who benefits from that , not you or TDC ( I did try to book but they were full ) so what about approaching the tourist office and see if they could incorporate your daily blogs for a fee , even if it is just a few beer tokens or a cheaper ski pass ticket . I feel that the hundreds of people who read your blog would probably agree .
Anyway , very well done and keep it up .
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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The strangest collection of pics and clips you'll probably ever see me post
Seen lurking in town a few days early though!
Hmmmmmmm even weirder - Radio Val presenters getting into the spirit of Star Wars - either that or I had better lock the doors good and proper tonight!
Will we won't we get anything tonight!
https://www.facebook.com/pisteurval/videos/942243259183521/
....and finally some 'ski porn' - just watch the first minute or two - preparing Val for the Olympics some 25 years ago or so.
Quite a collection there folks for pics and videos to tickle everyones fancy!
So folks it was deja vu once again today.... however the two changes were that it was pretty hectic in Medival so it took 2 hours to get my bandage changed today - boo - but I did see lots of people I know from around town for a good chat whilst waiting though! The second big change today was that I put up all the Xmas lights and little tree - Olivia was bewildered in a nice way when she got back from creche and was still pointing at the twinkly little lights when she went to bed!
In term of the slopes and conditions.... well looks like the top part of the Face may have opened today and I think they are going to try and get the rest of the Face open tomorrow or Thursday!
In local news.... there was an initial mention at the ESF AGM meeting last night when the head of the STVI did his round up of goings on in the Val lift world that they are planning on seeking permission and working on decommissioning both the Bellevarde Express chairlift AND the Loyes Express chair..... this is NOT likely to either be firm yet, let alone a time frame and no doubt there will be objections so it may never happen but this could be quite large news!
In other local news they have started to build the snow sculptures around town at the roundabouts.
The womens downhill training takes place tomorrow and Thursday down into La Daille before the World Cup race on Friday and Saturday!
It also looks like the tourist office in association with the STVI lift company are releasing a new Val d'Isere app tomorrow - I dont have any more details but I shall try and remember to download it to see what it is all about!
I think even though we are fairing much better than other resorts in terms of snow the Espace Killy is starting to make plans for minimal 'options' for skiers over the busy Xmas period. I have definitely seen some snow being shipped up to put on the nursery slopes here in town... The good news is that down in town in the shade for much of the day at this time of the year any snow that is put down generally stays put!
Todays periscope involved we talking about some of the questions that Vasta asks below... in fact I have a few more things to say below too. I also talk about a little local history regarding the 1970 avalanche that killed some 40 odd people here in town - an infamous date in Val d'Isere history!
Check it out here: https://t.co/JFgWhTfO2R
I have also uploaded my bellevarde top tips video I recorded the other day too: https://ktch.tv/531x?s=03m59s&e=09m26s
Vasta
- work all your leg muscles and go for endurance in the legs but all the leg muscles. As a tester as to how 'ski fit' you are do the skier sit.... imagine you are sitting on a chair but replace chair with thin air and the back of the chair is the wall.... 90 degrees at the knee and try and hold for one minute (honestly!). Also core strength.... so lying on your bed try and pick up and place on other side of the bed a heavy weight.... repeat. Finally a little bit of aerobic fitness but not too much. TBH main thing affecting fitness on the hill is hydration and rest with a general base level of fitness - after that it is as much about acclimatisation as anything.
I always get people to warm up from the snow upwards when they start skiing in the am.... feet shuffling, foot lift, hop and turns, little jumps, 'hula-hopping' hips, upper body swimming strokes etc etc etc.... anything to get body activated in a dynamic way. Second part of the warm up is to get the mind activated.... draw imaginary line down piste centre (for example) - overtime cross the line pole plant right on it... be precise - gets brain activated - there are others of all of these!
[quote]first ski day location[/b]
Generally a lap around the zone tranquil on the Bellevarde is your best option as you get a little mileage and there are a few options but dare I say it that without seeing someone ski it is difficult to directly suggest something... another option could be up and down Madelaine. But zone tranquil is a cliche but probably best option.
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| Sherpa supermarket |
Have no preference really as they are all much of a muchness... that one in the centre of town is probably the largest by millimetres! If you want to go hunting for it the Val cash and carry - Cash 2000 at the top end of town is an option too!
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| two lessons booked |
Great - shall see you then!
gwatts10 - I dont know what to say other than thanks. I hear you! Glad I have helped secure a trip here to Val. My motivation really for doing all this is that I love sharing what I do, I love my job and Val d'Isere is a good home for me. Getting the word out to as many people as possible and getting followers or fans or clients or whatever you want to call it is a nice spin off but giving people an insight and helping them love sliding here in Val and Tignes is a good gift! The idea of a commercial opportunity - well if I am to be honest the chance of that happening is non existent really.... the poor resort websites etc are not by accident as often places are so blinkered to the fact that they need to do more, much more. Val fairs better than most. If I was just seen as the go to person in resort that would suit me! But THANKS your kind words mean a lot. Target - perhaps a million page views of this blog, 1000 followers on twitter and periscope - who knows - the sky is the limit - it doesnt really matter. However as I always say to people if you like what you see tell your friends and family and friends friends, like, share and get involved via this, Twitter and Periscope!
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@Steve Angus, metaphorically. 8€ for a small bottle of carlsberg. Ouch.
Headed over to tigne so used the very same.
Looking forward to watching a bit of the downhill training today. I thought the trifolet looks a reasonable spot, but do you have another secret gems. Compared to kitsbuhel it seems quite difficult to get along side the course.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Mt - yea Trifollet is a good spot.... I agree it is not the easiest to get alongside the course unfortunately. Another option.... Head towards folie.... Just b4 u get there there is a top of a chairlift in your right... Hike up to that ridge (small hike / side step).... Good views of the "carousel" area from there.
BREAKING NEWS - a few cm's of the fresh snow all over town overnight.... Not a game changer but better than nothing and a little more forecast. PHOTO on my Twitter.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Morning all!
Off to Tignes on Saturday. We're staying in Les Brévières. Has anyone got any reports on what the snow's like down that bit of EK?
I'm particularly interested in a report on Sache not surprisingly.
Many thanks,
Ed
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ecsleath - Have to be honest - have not been to that part of the resort yet this season but the outlook at that altitude will be hit and miss skiing wise. I dont think the Sache is / will open... in fact at this time of the year nothing that low down is open (normally). Technically it will be the first weekend of the season open down there and they will make sure you can ski back so fear not! Unless anyone has heard anything differently!
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You know it makes sense.
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@ecsleath, I've run into some folks staying in Breviere, and they are taking a bus up to Le Lac. Unless more snow comes, which it isn't meant to, then the situation won't change from what it is.
I thought you could uplift and downlift in the bubble.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Steve,
Thanks for your great answers to my questions - I appreciate you taking the time to answer on your periscope podcast and here on the blog. I rarely get to watch your periscopes live as I am in the USA! But I love them and all your information is building our excitement as we look forward to our holiday in January.
Thanks again - see you in January!
Vicky
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ecsleath, I'm in Brev now, Sache bubble is open for uplift & download, run to resort is closed but some people still skiing it. You'll be fine, it's 20 mins to Tignes 2100 via one more chair and a nice red run 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@head_like_a_rock, thanks for that - I saw your post on the other thread
Really looking forward to it - should be better than the sparsely covered slopes of St Anton this time last year!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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more importantly where can we find beer prices to avoid needing a second mortgage
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Alex Bar 2 for 1 every evening between 5-7pm.
7 euro a pint normally so 3.50 is cheap price for a good beer ... [not Cafe Face Beer].
Same deal on Wine but not on soft drinks.
After 7pm Jugs[4 pints] are 22 euros.. !!
A good feature is that if you dont want your 2nd pint you can carry it over to another evening !!
Location near centre; under the Hotel Galise opposite the Kids carousel roundabout in Val Village.
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Cromptonmj - welcome to Snowheads and great tip there - I didn't know that!!!!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Steve Angus wrote: |
| ... I put the ski boot on yesterday it was not the easiest thing and bearing in mind it could potentially open up again they want it to be bullet proof to avoid chance of infection again - makes sense. |
Indeed! Don't rush to get back in to boots. Was chatting to Ingrid earlier this week and she showed me a photo - looked really nasty so I'm really pleased it's on the mend.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| Steve Angus wrote: |
| ... I put the ski boot on yesterday it was not the easiest thing and bearing in mind it could potentially open up again they want it to be bullet proof to avoid chance of infection again - makes sense. |
Indeed! Don't rush to get back in to boots. Was chatting to Ingrid earlier this week and she showed me a photo - looked really nasty so I'm really pleased it's on the mend. |
Cheers Rob for the support.... yea be cautious is the mantra here.... Ingrid was super helpful with all the hospital stuff - she knows everyone in there as teaches them all English! The wound is MUCH smaller than in that picture now and painless more or less! Have a good season and catch you soon!
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FAQ
so I am very excited for that. Slalom is the only event he does and he is now inside the worlds top 30. Clare is working over in Tignes tomorrow am so I shall probably do as I did this morning but a little later so as to catch Dave. I do remember racing against Dave when he was a teenager and I was in my early 20's and he was good then but to have dedicated all your life to ski racing as a Brit is something else.... congrats!
