 Poster: A snowHead
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Bit spurious identifying that Zurbriggen won the 88 downhill from a lower altitude. The latitude and mid continent location of Nakiska are very different as was time of year.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| iainm wrote: |
| re ST, it was genuinely mutual. After three years, I'd covered pretty much every resort (some like Laax and Verbier are not part of Switzerland Tourism, don't ask me why), so it was time for a change. |
Didn’t know that! Glad you ditched them then 
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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.
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| iainm wrote: |
| @ster - I'd be really interested to hear what you think about the race in-situ. Certainly looks like it will go ahead now - evidently the snow situation can change quickly. My angle in this article for Fall Line was more about the need for snow https://www.fall-line.co.uk/ski-podcast-races-episode/. |
You were right about more snow being needed, alas mens cancelled.
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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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@iainm, interesting discussion on the current episode around the chap who takes a ski holiday to Solden in October, just looking at the piste map, seems an awful lot not open yet, and all high up so prone to wind/snow/bad weather closures?
Not sure it'd pan out as a great ski holiday in October? Might be a great holiday in the mountains with some skiing if/when possible. Interested it what others think?
https://www.soelden.com/winter/live-info/lifts-slopes/lifts-status.html
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| kitenski wrote: |
@iainm, interesting discussion on the current episode around the chap who takes a ski holiday to Solden in October, just looking at the piste map, seems an awful lot not open yet, and all high up so prone to wind/snow/bad weather closures?
Not sure it'd pan out as a great ski holiday in October? Might be a great holiday in the mountains with some skiing if/when possible. Interested it what others think?
https://www.soelden.com/winter/live-info/lifts-slopes/lifts-status.html |
Gethin is a mate of mine, and yes it's an early Winter family holiday not a ski holiday.
But taking in all the aspects and experiences, they've had a great time every visit (hence why they return).
And more than enough terrain and skiing.
I almost went this year.
Hopefully next.
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@Mike Pow, you reckon there is more than enough terrain open with 6/7 meaningful lifts running?
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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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| kitenski wrote: |
| @Mike Pow, you reckon there is more than enough terrain open with 6/7 meaningful lifts running? |
Seems to be
As much as anywhere at that time of the year, or deep into the Spring (May, June)
And it's a matter of perspective
I'm used to repeating a small number of runs in Japan, rather than high mileage ski circuses
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Great photo @BobinCH
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Am playing catch-up and just listened to #159... hmm.
Guess which bit I'm "Hmm"ing about... yeah Snowboard Hire...
Chris Moran may be the man at Intersport for Snowboard hire, but I'll lay money he's not hired from them, or anyone, in recent memory. Let me quote from their website first of all, now I'll forgive a bit of 'lost in translation' but let me simulate an experience for me attempting to book a snowboard package for my youngest (11) who is a pretty decent enough rider, currently tooling about nicely on own gear (Salamon Villain 144). Two shops where we are off to (Flaine) next, neither show any detail on what they specialize in, but I choose one which happens to have at least some snowboards in its photo.
First if I take his age, that only puts him into the Beginner kit group. Zero description of the gear on offer - no size range, nothing. Lets step up to intermediate... again from their site, and I quote...
| Quote: |
| This snowboard hire package (Snowboard + Boots) is ideal for younger beginner skiiers to good younger skiiers. Freeride, freestyle... for a snowboarding rush of adrenaline, you can count on this quality equipment! |
I can forgive a bit of 'lost in translation' but REALLY? Again, no idea of whats available. In fact, the only thing that seems to change through the 3-tiers of quality are the number of years they keep the kit in circulation.
If i'm committing nearly €90-100 on just a board and bindings (I assume they come with bindings, they're not mentioned at all as part of the package - it would literally take two words "AND BINDINGS") I'm going to want at least a hint at what I'm hiring - Say at LEAST what companies you get your rental stock from or give some basic examples of packages.
On a general point, its been a little while since I last rented any snowboard kit so maybe it IS genuinely better - This isn't with Intersport, but I rented a set of bindings for myself as I'd forgotten mine, and spend all week rebuilding them, and I rented a setup for Jnr when he was still learning, and was genuinely given a setup which weighed in significantly heavier than my own, despite being for a beginner child, AND I had to fix that one too as the threads which attached the bindings to the board were so worn that they were causing the binding to shift around. I ended up swapping them out with bolts I had in my own spares kit. I did try to swap this stuff out, but was just met with "This is what we have..." and a shrug.
Now, this isn't Chris Morans problem (apart from his corps website - really Chris - put your Punters hat on and actually TRY the experience you're offering to us snowboarders) but really, the ONLY way anyone should bother renting kit is from people who actually CARE about this sport. Spend the time, find a independant where you can and give them the trade rather than the Usual Suspects.
Rant over.... Nice podcast as usual @iainm,
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Good feedback. I'll pass it all on!
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You know it makes sense.
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Hi Richard_Sideways, just thought I would jump in here, and reply to you about your comment on the snowboard availability with Intersport. To be honest mate, you're completely right, and honestly it's my life long goal to change the culture and to get really really good snowboard rental availability at Intersport.
We came so close a few years ago, because we got the nitro Q series in 2018 and it looked like our buying team had finally gotten the concept, but then covid hit, some people within the company left etc and it's the momentum hasn't been there. In our defence there are some great shops in the network, especially in the resorts which have really good snowball scenes: Morzine, Chamonix, Flachau, Mayrhofen, Verbier, Tignes etc, but yes I take your point, there are still frustratingly some older shops that carry a more limited range and just don't have the know-how.
There are over 700 Intersport stores now across the Alps and Pyrenees. Not an excuse at all, but it's a big company and it's difficult to convince everyone of the need to fill in niches that some of the older store owners don't understand. Hope that makes sense. It will change, I can promise you that, but it's gonna be a few more seasons before each and every store has full splitboards, powder boards, and a great kids line up as part of the full range of equipment.
In the meantime, if you want advice on which are the best stores, just message me via the Intersport FB page (me and my team run the social campaigns) and we'll answer any questions you've got and do our best to point you to the most snowboard friendly of our stores. Hope that helps and apologies if your experience wasn't so great.
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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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Pretty impressive commitment from Hotelplan - first job was with Inghams and they felt like a really good company back then. Private jet lady didn’t seem quite as clued up - would have thought you could do a lot more for a wealthy clientele being less sensitive to additional costs from local sourcing / renewables etc. The veggie Morzine guy was a good listen although surely you just don’t fill the hot tub if you want to save power/water? Giving people a discount for not using it while it sits there full and hot seems a bit pointless?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@ChrisMoranHBT, Hi Chris - Firstly, thanks for taking time to response to some ranty old buffer that @Iains tagged on SH - Some of us remember you from 'The before times...' and I liked your writing for Whitelines when print was still a thing.
Intersport and the other big beasts are big old tankers to turn around when the culture seems to be pushing the other way, So its good to know someone is at least trying - like you say its a shame the Nitro thing didn't come off. Please do consider the website thing though - simply altering the text a little here and there would improve the kerb-appeal to snowboarders a LOT, and it's no more cost than your yearly site tyrekick and overhaul.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Great episode
Essential listening
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Respect to Chris for trying, replying and being so honest. One of the good guys.
| Richard_Sideways wrote: |
@ChrisMoranHBT, Hi Chris - Firstly, thanks for taking time to response to some ranty old buffer that @Iains tagged on SH - Some of us remember you from 'The before times...' and I liked your writing for Whitelines when print was still a thing.
Intersport and the other big beasts are big old tankers to turn around when the culture seems to be pushing the other way, So its good to know someone is at least trying - like you say its a shame the Nitro thing didn't come off. Please do consider the website thing though - simply altering the text a little here and there would improve the kerb-appeal to snowboarders a LOT, and it's no more cost than your yearly site tyrekick and overhaul. |
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@iainm, another great episode - keep up the good work.
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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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I called Colin "Kevin" at the snow show. I realised about 2 seconds after I'd done it, then ran away.
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| Quote: |
local (shan’t be named) boot fitter insists on throwing out all stock liners and fitting custom liners
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Slight diversion, Concept and SOLE are now (as of last season iirc) selling the Zero-Gs without stock liners, as the stock ones are so feeble.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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@iainm, enjoyed that episode and the book sounds interesting. I’ve been heli-skiing from Mestia in Georgia and as your powder mad guy said it’s an incredible place - like a step back in time. The new locations he’s visiting this year sound pretty cool!
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| BobinCH wrote: |
| @iainm, enjoyed that episode and the book sounds interesting. I’ve been heli-skiing from Mestia in Georgia and as your powder mad guy said it’s an incredible place - like a step back in time. The new locations he’s visiting this year sound pretty cool! |
Agreed
Great listen
Can vouch for North Macedonia and Kosovo
Montenegro too
Heading back to Turkey in two weeks, and possibly Azerbaijan.
So many place to ski 
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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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An interesting decision by La Plagne to reduce access to the glacier. The Flocon Vert scheme sounds interesting too - could be worth a segment in the future.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Harking back to episode 161, I was a surprised about Al Morgan giving a positive opinion on Carv but not having tried it. More so that he seems to be a paid ambassador for the product, which at least he disclosed.
I hold more stock in independent reviews and prefer reviews are limited to these rather than advertorials. And if an opinion is offered that its actually been tried an anger.
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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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| ster wrote: |
| Harking back to episode 161, I was a surprised about Al Morgan giving a positive opinion on Carv but not having tried it. More so that he seems to be a paid ambassador for the product, which at least he disclosed. I hold more stock in independent reviews and prefer reviews are limited to these rather than advertorials. And if an opinion is offered that its actually been tried an anger. |
I'm not sure he's been paid, more than he's been given one free (as I have). My thoughts were that he's spoken to those that have tried it (whereas I haven't). My (honest) review will come in due course...
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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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Just used them for the first time in Orelle/Val Thorens. Paired them with Atomic Backland's in VT and all went well. Will expand on this in the next podcast but wearing a ski boot in the shop and skiing in them is a completely different experience - touring in them even more 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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@iainm, James was a great listen - amazing what he’s done/doing in Afghanistan. Very inspiring!
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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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How have I not come across this before? Just listened to the two recent episodes and they are great! <subscribe>
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Two great episodes
Really exploring the variety of winter life
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FAQ
Great episode though - Colin is hilarious (as well as super knowledgeable). « I want to fit their foot into the ski boot and not half of Larry the Lamb » 
