 Poster: A snowHead
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| abc wrote: |
Frankly, Strava is for wannabes. If anyone is any good, they’d be racing against the clock or a race course! Same day, same course, same snow condition, with gates, head to head… If they’re not good enough to join some kind of racing club, or pass the Euro test, they’re really just little fish in a pond full of shrimps playing it big. I.e., Strava is for posers.
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I use Strava. But I use it for me as I enjoy looking back at my day and seeing my route. Fairly rude blanket statement there.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 8-01-25 22:44; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Deleted as no longer applies.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 8-01-25 22:48; edited 1 time in total
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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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@Dave of the Marmottes, did you “shuss right up and touch the sky”?
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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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@Old Fartbag,
Apologies, Old Fartbag. A mess up on my part on formatting the quote, I didn't remove your name as he was quoting you.
I have now edited it.
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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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| Owlette wrote: |
@Old Fartbag,
Apologies, Old Fartbag. A mess up on my part on formatting the quote, I didn't remove your name as he was quoting you.
I have now edited it. |
No problem. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
| Henwc wrote: |
I respect people that want to push their Carv rating or Strava stats but that kind of thing kind of ruins the flow for me. It seems a bit like going to a concert and videoing the whole thing rather than getting lost in the moment. |
The true being in the zone of skiing's when the track that comes on shuffle lines up perfectly with the terrain in front of you. Today it was Mungo Jerry - In the summertime with some very mellow bumps. |
Yes I agree with that, I often cheat and restart a track while on the lift trying to time the right track coming in for a steep section or some bumps.
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| Specialman wrote: |
Just focussing on hours on the slopes and miles covered, what is a ‘successful’ ski/snowboard trip to you?
Do you have a goal to hit when you go on a skiing trip, or is it more a case of going wherever your skis take you regardless of distance covered?
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It’s a question I was pondering when I returned from Italy at Christmas; a combination of crowds and queues, short runs and limited areas open, meant I maxxed out at 20 miles for a day. I was initially well happy with that – I felt like I’d had a busy(ish) days, albeit it with long lunches - but seeing as I’ve not done any extensive tracking of my slope time in the past, I have nothing to really benchmark against. I started seeing friends on Strava putting in 40-50 miles per day, so it did make me question if I should have a goal or not?
Is there a point where out-and-out mile-munching starts to detract from the sheer joy of being in the mountains, or is that the secret sauce – being able to skiing fast, covering distance AND still being able to appreciate where you are? |
I never track my skiing distance and I don't understand those who obsess about it.
For me it's all about the quality of the snow, taking interesting runs or new lines on familiar terrain, finding a stash of side-piste, great views and a good lunch break in the sun. Oh, and not hurting myself.
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Was there powder snow?
Yes = Successful trip
No = Unsuccessful trip
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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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| Owlette wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
Frankly, Strava is for wannabes. If anyone is any good, they’d be racing against the clock or a race course! Same day, same course, same snow condition, with gates, head to head… If they’re not good enough to join some kind of racing club, or pass the Euro test, they’re really just little fish in a pond full of shrimps playing it big. I.e., Strava is for posers.
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I use Strava. But I use it for me as I enjoy looking back at my day and seeing my route. Fairly rude blanket statement there. |
If you’re just using it for record keeping, you would have kept it private, wouldn’t you?
Perhaps it is “rude” to call out posers.  Who am I to deny people’s opportunity to wave their willies? 
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| abc wrote: |
| Owlette wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
Frankly, Strava is for wannabes. If anyone is any good, they’d be racing against the clock or a race course! Same day, same course, same snow condition, with gates, head to head… If they’re not good enough to join some kind of racing club, or pass the Euro test, they’re really just little fish in a pond full of shrimps playing it big. I.e., Strava is for posers.
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I use Strava. But I use it for me as I enjoy looking back at my day and seeing my route. Fairly rude blanket statement there. |
If you’re just using it for record keeping, you would have kept it private, wouldn’t you?
Perhaps it is “rude” to call out posers. Who am I to deny people’s opportunity to wave their willies? |
Yes. You are being rude. And sexist. And inapropriate.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| zikomo wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
| Owlette wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
Frankly, Strava is for wannabes. If anyone is any good, they’d be racing against the clock or a race course! Same day, same course, same snow condition, with gates, head to head… If they’re not good enough to join some kind of racing club, or pass the Euro test, they’re really just little fish in a pond full of shrimps playing it big. I.e., Strava is for posers.
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I use Strava. But I use it for me as I enjoy looking back at my day and seeing my route. Fairly rude blanket statement there. |
If you’re just using it for record keeping, you would have kept it private, wouldn’t you?
Perhaps it is “rude” to call out posers. Who am I to deny people’s opportunity to wave their willies? |
Yes. You are being rude. And sexist. And inapropriate. |
And yet willy-waving isn’t rude. And perfectly appropriate
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Thu 9-01-25 13:58; edited 1 time in total
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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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Not this one so far!
Luckily 4 weeks booked Grand massif
Car broken down 120klms from Morillon, our destination .
AA European cover an absolute cluster Ff kk
6 days in , constantly on phone
What a f’ ing shower
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| abc wrote: |
| zikomo wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
| Owlette wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
Frankly, Strava is for wannabes. If anyone is any good, they’d be racing against the clock or a race course! Same day, same course, same snow condition, with gates, head to head… If they’re not good enough to join some kind of racing club, or pass the Euro test, they’re really just little fish in a pond full of shrimps playing it big. I.e., Strava is for posers.
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I use Strava. But I use it for me as I enjoy looking back at my day and seeing my route. Fairly rude blanket statement there. |
If you’re just using it for record keeping, you would have kept it private, wouldn’t you?
Perhaps it is “rude” to call out posers. Who am I to deny people’s opportunity to wave their willies? |
Yes. You are being rude. And sexist. And inapropriate. |
And yet willy-waving isn’t rude. |
I guess we are supposed to love "snowflakes" on here  
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You know it makes sense.
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For me, a successful trip is - no injuries, enjoying the mountains, chilling or giving it beans as the mood takes you, but sticking with my pals, trying a few new things, improve a bit of technique, few beers (normally one large night that just "happens"), plenty of banter, some good food and general break from the stresses of life!
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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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| susieski wrote: |
| AA European cover an absolute cluster Ff kk |
Hmm thats not good. I was just about to take out a policy with them. Seems like virtually all of them have crap records for Europe except ADAC but they don't allow UK policies now 
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Rob_Quads wrote: |
| susieski wrote: |
| AA European cover an absolute cluster Ff kk |
Hmm thats not good. I was just about to take out a policy with them. Seems like virtually all of them have crap records for Europe except ADAC but they don't allow UK policies now |
Brexit dividend?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@abc, using Strava is no more or less willy waving than discussing your day and showing pics/videos at apres, what’s your problem? I use it often when off piste to record the route, and my friends are interested in where we've been, conditions etc. We are generous with praise or raspberries as is appropriate. If you think it's for wannabes, you should see the lines some of my pals take. I also use it for every bike ride I do for all the same reasons. Stop being a grouch, lighten up chum.
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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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@susieski, sorry to hear you've had that problem. But it's not necessarily the insurer's fault. My son in law's van (the one we were using to drive to the Alps for Christmas) broke down near Portsmouth not long before we were due to leave. RAC towed them to a good local garage which regretfully couldn't do anything, as they were fully booked, and asked them to remove the vehicle (which was a bit of a mission). Same story all over - no garage was able to look at it. I started researching renting from "Vans for Bands". Fortunately my son in law has a mate who is a mechanic who was willing to spend several hours tracing and fixing the fault. The van then ran faultlessly to the Alps and back. But it would have been at least two weeks before one of the local garages could have sorted it. And this was in a situation where we all speak the same language, and where a couple of us knew garages personally, and where we are lucky to have some really good ones. Any European insurer (e.g. ADAC) trying to sort out a similar problem would have struggled.
Hope it turned out OK in the end? Might be worth a separate thread about European breakdown insurance. The only time I've used mine (left car at Chambery airport for a week with the lights on  ) it was quickly sorted. I've had punctures too, but in our own car we could solve that one without outside help! Different story with hired cars with no spare wheel....
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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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The idea that all good skiers would want to compete on a race track is bizarre.
As an almost entirely off piste skier (it is almost impossible, if you want to still use lifts, to entirely avoid them) good off-piste snow defines a good holiday. Powder snow is wonderful, but any sort of non-crusty un-skied snow, preferably with enough sunlight to define the contours, is enjoyable.
And yes, without injury. My last holiday before Christmas was not successful since I sprained my knee (MCL). (Though the first 2 1/2 days were good). My second holiday was entirely unsuccessful since I should be on it now but am sitting at home.
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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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| Dr John wrote: |
| ....I use it often when off piste to record the route, and my friends are interested in where we've been, conditions etc. We are generous with praise or raspberries as is appropriate.... |
Exactly.
Definitely comes down to your approach to using Strava - you get people who post super-serious entries talking about Vo2 Max and stuff like that, maybe they are wannabes, I don't know. Me, I just use it as a bit of a photo diary of a nice day out... if mates want to give me a thumbs up then cool, if other mates want to give me some public ribbing because I'm glacially slow, then it's fair game. Each to their own, world keeps on turning.
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Been interesting to read all the comments and opinions. No rights, no wrongs, just people all approaching skiing their own way.
Seems staying injury-free is high on the list. Food and drink also. No one has mentioned cultural enrichment? Not sure drinking Aperol and saying the odd "Ciao" counts as being culturally enlightened 
I'm just in the process of booking Easter and have some of your comments at the forefront.... ultimately, "why do I want to go skiing" is the first thing that needs to be answered? Our Christmas trip felt like it was a normal relaxing holiday with the family, albeit in a ski resort. It was great.
Easter - I'm feeling like the legs now 'remember' how to ski and hopefully, if I shake my dodgy hip issue, I can mix a bit of hard charging with some leisurely stuff, do a bit of racing to the bottom against my kids, AND enjoy all the other aspects of a ski resort like the apres, scenery and a truly important part of any holiday, the escape from thinking about work for seven days. IUnfortiuantely, I can't resist my Strava - it's a sin I know, but I'm addicted  - so I'll just have to bear that cross
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| snowball wrote: |
| The idea that all good skiers would want to compete on a race track is bizarre. |
Isn't it just. I'd like to see him have that conversation with Leo Tallifer of this parish (Look him up on Instagram. Honestly, what a wannabe poser....)
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I've been very critical of Strava on here in the past. While I have started using it (mainly as a way to share trail running and back country skiing routes), I still can't say I'm a huge fan. However, I actually think some of the criticism on here is a little unfair.
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you get people who post super-serious entries talking about Vo2 Max and stuff like that, maybe they are wannabes
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Firstly vo2 max max may simply refer to type of interval. I.e. If someone asked me what type of session I was doing tomorrow and it was 1km running reps or 4min repeats on the bike I would probably answer "vo2 max".
I don't really see the issue with people wanting to take their training seriously. Some enjoy the whole planning thing, others just want the most effective use of their time, some want to be the best they can be. If Strava is keeping them motivated and getting them exercising, surely its a good thing.
I don't really see it much different to someone already at a semi-decent level of skiing taking a lesson. Are they a wannabe for trying to improve when they are clearly never going to be completing the eurotest or even formally racing?
It would be interested to see behaviour of those that now chase Strava stats before Strava was a thing. I suspect they'd be the people doing things like escapade, every lift in a day etc. The behaviour probably hasn't changed much, it's just now more easily quantifiable. Same is probably true for the guys chasing top speed numbers - I'm sure it happened pre ski tracks apps, they just didn't have the methods to quantify it. Fwiw I've actually looked at my top speed from a day and thought, wow that is a lot more than I realised or am comfortable with, so it can move behaviour both ways.
But I suspect the vast major of Strava users are using it rather sensibly. My last resort trip there was definitely some looking at GPS watches and talking about stats both during gondola rides and at the end of the day. But I don't think anyone was really changing behaviour based on it. I'll be honest and say when whistler had the app tracking vert there was the odd occasion where I'd be feeling a bit lazy and think "I've only done Xm today let's do another few laps. Quite often "an extra lap or two" would end up being a full day as I'd find a nice area or get a bit of a second wind of motivation. I'm not sure this is a bad thing, of course it wasn't ruling my life there were days when conditions were truly awful and I'd happily can it after a single run.
For those that really hate Strava posts maybe just be happy people are posting their and you can ignore it rather than clogging up all your other social media 
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No one has mentioned cultural enrichment?
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It's an unpopular opinion, but I think ski trips being a "cultural experience" is for the most part massively overrated. Of course they can be, but the typical Brit week away is often anything but.
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| abc wrote: |
Yes. You are being rude. And sexist. And inapropriate. |
| abc wrote: |
And yet willy-waving isn’t rude. And perfectly appropriate |
This is normally where you claim it is a language barrier. It is not that. It is the fact that you use pejorative terms all the time. And double down when challenged. That is what is rude.
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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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What is a Successful Ski Trip?
Well, yesterday’s wasn’t entirely successful 
Took the Russbachbahn (Dachstein West) gondola to the summit, skied back down (a very fine 3.5km red), got back on the gondola (first person onto the cabin, sat in corner). Next on, an instructor and two kids, followed by a Czech couple. I wasn’t really paying much attention to the Czech couple who sat next to me.
Got to the top and I was the last off the gondola. Grabbed my skis, lost in thought about which direction I was going to ski off to. Skated/poled off towards a connecting T-bar. Two minutes in I glanced down at my skis….errr, they don’t look quite like my skis….
So, my skis are Atomic G9s Servotec at 177cm…..these were Atomic S9s Servotec 165 How TF did I not notice! And how bizarre (apart from looking very similar) that the bindings were the same size (and the DIN, when I checked).
Took the T-bar to the top, schussed back towards the Russbachbahn station and thought it might be a good idea to hang around in case the “perp” came back, having realised his error in taking my skis when he alighted (before me). 35 mins later and no one showed up.
Rest of the day spent skiing Hutte to Hutte across the resort in the vain hope of spotting my skis. Then reporting the matter to the lift company and then the police (for insurance purposes).
So, I probably got a good 40km or so of non-stop skiing….on delightfully easy to ski skis…..wryly smiling to myself that the guy who took mine was probably wondering why things had gotten a fair degree harder
Hopefully the chap will think to enquire at the lift company if he realises his mistake….or perhaps we was more than happy with a better/more advanced ski. Or hopefully the insurance will cough up for a new pair for me. We shall see.
For anyone who’s looking for a lively, turny ski that holds a good/stable edge when pushed, I’d definitely recommend the S9….there may be a decent offer going on a pair at DW at the end of the season
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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How incredibly annoying!
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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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I’ve seen a couple of stories like that. Really makes you wonder about the fuss around bindings when they seem to accept boots from a random stranger!
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You know it makes sense.
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I may have missed it in the traffic but can anyone recommend a good ski tracker app that works reliably on a 'droid mobile - I'm interested principally in identifying where I've been over the course of a day, so I can identify pistes I've enjoyed and to which I might wish to return, etc., rather than how far, what elevation, etc., etc. although I do often wonder how far I've skied...
Apologies if this opens up a whole new can of worms!
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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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@Mick_Br, Strava
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Boris wrote: |
| @Mick_Br, Strava |
Thx Boris - I'll give that a spin.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Do these apps munch battery life?
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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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| Gordyjh wrote: |
| Do these apps munch battery life? |
Not too bad. I usually use my Garmin watch but forgot it one day last week so used the Strava Android app. Feared a flat battery but it was OK
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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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Cultural enrichment might be the case for a few but as a one week a year skier, if that, I want maximum skiing minimum queuing and a comfy bed. That’s usually in large impersonal resorts who are trying to attract as many as possible and can sometimes/often be a kitschy imitation of local culture rather than a genuine example. Georgia was an exception (Mike Pow wrote a persuasive trip report and I knew someone there) but I must admit Tbilisi was an eye opener and wish I’d spent another day there.
If it comes for free I’ll take it but rarely look around for it specifically.
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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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| dunc999 wrote: |
| For me, a successful trip is - no injuries, enjoying the mountains, chilling or giving it beans as the mood takes you, but sticking with my pals, trying a few new things, improve a bit of technique, few beers (normally one large night that just "happens"), plenty of banter, some good food and general break from the stresses of life! |
Pretty much my view, albeit I only really ski "en famille" or with another particular family. Don't have a "large" night out, but there are pretty much always things that happen spontaneously that create the memories e.g. an outbreak of table football on our most recent trip.
Viewing the kids' photos at the end of the day is always a highlight. They are far faster than me and generally have the time to take some snaps of me doing embarrassing things as I approach the rendezvous point!
Smooth travel logistics help, but are not essential.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| abc wrote: |
| Frankly, Strava is for wannabes. If anyone is any good, they’d be racing against the clock or a race course! Same day, same course, same snow condition, with gates, head to head… If they’re not good enough to join some kind of racing club, or pass the Euro test, they’re really just little fish in a pond full of shrimps playing it big. I.e., Strava is for posers. |
Strava can be just for personal interest and sharing what you've done with people you've chosen to follow. I don't Strava my skiing as the hard work is done by the chairlift, "max speed" stats via GPS are known to be heavily related to random numbers at times, and I only ski on piste, but each to their own. Most of my Strava contacts are fellow "Weekend Warriors" and there's a lot to be gained from just knowing what like-minded folk are doing in life (e.g. running with the kids, dog etc.) and exchanging a few comments in respect of anything that takes your fancy, including photos. Some people are very amusing with their activity titles and descriptions, even if the underlying activity is quite mundane. And there's also "Strava Art" where folk choose their route to trace an amusing shape.
If one knows of someone who uses Strava for bragging via "big fish in little pond" type behaviour then one likely already knows of this side to their temperament from prior interactions, and one probably won't choose to follow them. Strava doesn't "push" other folks' feeds via an algorithm (or if it does, the feature is disabled by default) so the only way to be annoyed by someone's Strava feed is to actively read it. And avoiding this is entirely under your control!
That said, there are a lot of folk in the cycling world who could do with the experience of "pinning on a race number" to inject a little reality. Curiously, this doesn't apply in the triathlon world, likely because most people can't swim very well and so are more aware of their place on the "food chain".
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| Mick_Br wrote: |
I may have missed it in the traffic but can anyone recommend a good ski tracker app that works reliably on a 'droid mobile - I'm interested principally in identifying where I've been over the course of a day, so I can identify pistes I've enjoyed and to which I might wish to return, etc., rather than how far, what elevation, etc., etc. although I do often wonder how far I've skied...
Apologies if this opens up a whole new can of worms! |
I also like ski tracks. It’s about £1.99 to buy and uses barely any battery. It stores each day and you can add photos, so I’ve now got about 4 years of holidays on there - when we have returned to a place it’s been useful to see what run we found a nice lunch stop on!
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| Mick_Br wrote: |
| I may have missed it in the traffic but can anyone recommend a good ski tracker app that works reliably on a 'droid mobile - I'm interested principally in identifying where I've been over the course of a day, so I can identify pistes I've enjoyed and to which I might wish to return, etc., rather than how far, what elevation, etc., etc. although I do often wonder how far I've skied... |
A year ago the answer would have been FatMap - but Strava bought that and killed it. Strava's a PoS for ski tracking (and obsessed with you subscribing).
Ski Tracks is a good, solid option that's been around for years but only has a 'top down' view of your route, not the 3D that made FatMap so good.
There are a couple of newer options that have come to market trying to replace FatMap that are worth checking out, OUTMAP and Relief Maps.
Only been piste skiing so far this season and long since given up tracking that. Got a guided off piste week next week though so will be giving them a spin...
Oh, and provided you have a recent phone with a decent battery you shouldn't have any issues running GPS and tracking all day and still have plenty of battery right up till you go to bed.
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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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| Mjit wrote: |
| Mick_Br wrote: |
| I may have missed it in the traffic but can anyone recommend a good ski tracker app that works reliably on a 'droid mobile - I'm interested principally in identifying where I've been over the course of a day, so I can identify pistes I've enjoyed and to which I might wish to return, etc., rather than how far, what elevation, etc., etc. although I do often wonder how far I've skied... |
A year ago the answer would have been FatMap - but Strava bought that and killed it. Strava's a PoS for ski tracking (and obsessed with you subscribing).
Ski Tracks is a good, solid option that's been around for years but only has a 'top down' view of your route, not the 3D that made FatMap so good.
There are a couple of newer options that have come to market trying to replace FatMap that are worth checking out, OUTMAP and Relief Maps.
Only been piste skiing so far this season and long since given up tracking that. Got a guided off piste week next week though so will be giving them a spin...
Oh, and provided you have a recent phone with a decent battery you shouldn't have any issues running GPS and tracking all day and still have plenty of battery right up till you go to bed. |
OK - 2 votes for Ski Tracks and it's almost a giveaway price. Since I switched from iPhone to Pixel unsurprisingly I've had no battery concerns (yet anyway!) so I might see how that goes.
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Slopes is a good free option. You can also pay £30 a year for premium features which gives you a bit more data to play with but the free version should suit most people.
That said it does drain my battery over the course of the day, although that could just be because I have a 5 year old iPhone.
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FAQ
