 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for some advice. I'm taking a break from work this winter and want to spend up to 8 weeks boarding, but I'm not sure what my best option would be. I can't decide whether I would be better off in the Alps or Canada, and whether to try to work or not. I'll be leaving around the start of Feb, so that start time and the fact that I'm only there for a max of 2 months makes getting a regular seasonaire job tricky. I also want to maximise boarding time - if I can only board a couple of days a week there's no point. I'm 33, from London and a decent holiday boarder, but no expert. I like on and off piste riding, and the tamer parks.
I'll be travelling alone, and so I'd really like to meet people that are there long term as well. Riding every day on my own would get a bit lonely I reckon! Plus, will need to meet some people to go for a few drinks with in the evenings. I could possibly get away without working, but doing some work would help with the budget - plus I was thinking it might be the best way of meeting other people?
Has anyone done a trip of about this length? I can't afford regular holiday accommodation prices (£3-400/week is a non starter for 8 weeks) - does anyone know how easy or hard it is to get longer term budget accommodation? I don't think I can get a working holiday visa for Canada as I'm over 30, so i'm thinking my options are either to do a shorter non-working trip in Canada (maybe I could afford 6 weeks or so) or do a longer trip in the Alps.
Do you think it'll be easy to meet people doing a similar thing - or do I need to be working somewhere to meet people to ride/hang out with?
Any advice/tips welcome - or info about other people doing/who have done similar things.
I also wonder if doing some kind of course would be good, both socially and for my riding.
Thanks for the help!
Matt
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
try natives.co.uk too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Also, I should add... you will see in the blogs if you read, the social is awesome (I was 30 when I did it last year) and the level of coaching is immense. Plus, Whistler itself is great.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
That looks awesome - just one problem: £7k for a 6 week course, not including flights. That's too much for me. I'll read your blogs though cos it looks cool, and maybe there are some shorter/cheaper courses i could look at somewhere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haha. Your enthusiasm makes it tempting, but unfortunately the price is a non starter for me. This is part of a 5 month round the world trip for me, and blowing 10k in the first 6 weeks isn't an option. I hope you enjoy it though, i'll let you know if I end up in Whistler!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mattsville, there is some good hostel accommodation in Chamonix - which has everything, really. There are some SHs who know Chamonix very well and could give detailed advice. But early February is when the season is really getting busy - good from the point of view of finding a job, not so good from the point of view of finding a nice quiet place to ride.
Also, there are a couple of UCPA centres - Chamonix and Argentiere - which do all-in accommodation and tuition, full board, very good value. You could usefully spend a few weeks there - they have courses up to a high level (literally and in terms of skills!). And a lot cheaper than going to Whistler - about £700 a week in February, which is the priciest time of the year. All you'd need on top of that is beer money. You could do some weeks in a hostel, then a course, to break things up. The UCPA centres are very sociable and cosmopolitan.
When you are deciding where to go, factor in season lift pass costs - some far more than others, and some very good deals available for early purchase (maybe before end October). The Grand Massif pass is particularly good value and there's a UCPA centre in Flaine, too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Good luck with putting it together anyway buddy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have a look at this place. Have a range of accommodation from dorms to private rooms. Always people in there to hang out with. http://thegasthof.com/ I think Mayrhofen would suit you nicely. Good place to meet fellow boarders and if you know where to look not too expensive to live.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
I'll have a look at the UCPA centres, thanks Pam! I'm just not a massive fan of Chamonix 9sorry everyone that loves it there!), but they have centres in the three valleys and Tignes as well. Thanks for the tip!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
If you do decide to check out Chamonix - I'll be up for meeting up most weekends, and it's a very sociable place anyway. A good variety of piste and off-piste.
Check out http://www.insted.com/accommodation-chamonix/ for accomodation. They do very affordable options for just one or two months, and if you opt for a shared apartment you've pretty much got a ready made social and ski life (you don't need to do a language course to stay with them).
Season lift passes are discounted before mid-October and end November as well, so if you decide soon you can save a bit there.
If you can afford not to work, then don't work. Otherwise you'll be sacrificing at least one of snow and socialising. If you're taking a break from work to head to the mountains, then you might as well make the most of it 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Have a read through and then give Paul Beard a call. It's great to have a good chat with him. Tell him I sent you his way (Ryan Crisp) 
