 Poster: A snowHead
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As per post, just curious what others do??.
Was out recently with a friend and he was happy to call it quits around 3ish each day. Way too early for me, as I only get in about a week and a half each year, so I max out each day as best I can, 8.45ish to last lift. Few beers then and food bout 7.30-8.
What do others do???
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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usually from 09 till 11.30 , lunch break with the kids, and then it depends on the conditions...usually from 13.00 till 15.30 or 16.00 pm if the weather is ok.
last friday in Flaine my daughter wanted to be on the slopes untill the lift worker through us away because it was time to close , meaning we keep boarding/skiing till 16.55 pm
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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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totally variable. Some days from first thing to end of day. Some days one run - e.g. if weather as bad as it looked ...
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On the slopes by 930 latest, usually 9.00 - 9.15. Quick coffee stop around 11 to 1130. Stop for lunch around 1 to 130. Stop for a beer around 4 in a mountain restaurant, ski down after that.
Coffee stops and finish times are not as extreme as they used to be due to getting older / less fit. Morning coffee stop always used to be very optional, now it's much needed (also means we often push through until 130 or later for lunch so avoid the worst of the busy spots).
The skiing is a very important part, but it's still a holiday and the social aspects are also much treasured. For example, one of the best parts of our recent trip to Cervinia was skiing through to 2pm then having the rest of the afternoon sat outside Love, a slopeside place with a DJ.
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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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We try for first lifts with just a short refreshment stop if conditions are good.
Not overly keen on a proper lunch stop as I struggle to get going after if I sit to long.
Finnish between 3:00 and 3:30 assuming decent snow and visibility.
One day last trip we were back at the hotel by 10 
I'm well past the stage of being out as long as there is a lift running.
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@Rje66, although we can be a bit slow out the hut - our first lift could vary from 9.15 to 10, after that we'll generally max out skiing until last lift with a picnic lunch.
When it's rained and we've got sodden we've been known to bail at 3.
Does your friend stop because they are tired or bored or because they want to do other things?
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Weather dependent.
If it's all icy first thing, wait until it thaws out. If there's a fresh dump, be there in line two hours before the lift opens. But then I can ride when I want to, so there's no need for me to stay out if it's sub optimal.
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| I'm well past the stage of being out as long as there is a lift running |
Yeah, I did that when I was poor, but now I take what I want and don't mind paying for lifts I'm not using. It's the "old bull" thing: I'll walk down there and have 'em all.
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More on a powder day, but 2-3 hours usually. A half day. I noticed on Sunday, when we skied from 2-4pm (lifts close at 4pm), that we do more skiing in those 2 hours when it's just the two of us, than in a full day when there are more people! Limited faffing, no navigation, no coffee, no lunch, snacks on the lift and at home afterwards.
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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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| Rje66 wrote: |
Was out recently with a friend and he was happy to call it quits around 3ish each day. |
It really depends on situation.
I remember one Birthday Bash some years ago, I shared a room with another snowhead who, as typically, only got to ski 1 week a year. Day 1, 3pm, we were a good distance from our base. The group were discussing where to go next. I was horrified they wanted to go further away still!
I said good bye to them and skied by myself back to the hotel. Went to the spa, had some drink, showered, went for dinner… still no sign of my roommate!
Well, when I finally got back to my room after dinner (plus a bit more socializing), she’s there. I asked where they went and what they did. They were so far away they had to hurry to make it back. And as Murthy’s law dictates, they had something minor happened, were late for their last lift up… though fortunately, they were able to persuade the attendant to let them on the lift even though it’s past the official lift closing time. 
This was 1st week of February, very short days. So they were skiing in the shadow for a good part of their way back. And the last bits were quite dark… She was knackered by the time they got back. Missed dinner too.
…………………..
But, in spring (April), I’d ski all the way till 7! Though I may not put my skis on snow till the snow soften enough, which could be close to noon! Or I may start at first lift and quit at noon if the snow got too sloppy…
And on a powder day, I’d ski from first lift till last. Not stopping for lunch at all.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Wed 12-03-25 17:34; edited 1 time in total
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@Rje66,
Do you mean how many hours going up lifts & down pistes, or how many on the mountain (including stops for coffee/food/toilet etc)?
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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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Remarkabley little. The first lifts are at 9:15 so we are on them about 9:30, the last lift is at 17:00 but I'm too tired by 16:00 to continue. So from those 6:30 remove 45 minutes for lunch/coffee breaks, 120 minutes sitting on lifts, 30 minutes waiting for lifts, and 30 minutes panting at the side of the piste then only about 2:45 skiing.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Rje66,
When doing seasons a group of us ski bums had a similar discussion about this, but we (unscientifically) estimated how many hours a day we spent going up lifts & down pistes - excluding any breaks - through the season. Answer (and there was agreement on this) was 5hrs per day, but remember, as ski bums we had the possibility of skiing every day, not that we did, as other thing needed to be done (eg airport transfers for family & friends visiting, weather just too foul to give it more than an hour, illness, hangover etc).
So an average of 5hrs a day, but in Tignes back then a full winter season was (IIR) 163 days, that's 815hrs.
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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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@Rje66, I'm same as you, I like to ski bell to bell, whatever the conditions, and am frustrated if people want to bail early.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Usually a maximum of 4 hours and done before lunch.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If it’s just me and a likeminded pal (or just me alone) I’ll do first lift to last run and barely stop for a coffee.
If I’m being sociable with my wife or friends it’ll be skiing from 9:30/10 until coffee at 11, then ski 11:30-1. Lunch till 2:30 after which I’ll ski home with the crowd and maybe an extra run once they’re safely in the boot room.
Definitely more leisurely with Friends!
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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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Until lunch then I lose interest.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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As said by others absolutely depends on many factors.
Looking back on my last ski trip we averaged about 6 hours a day. But that was a group most of which just do 1 week per year so they wanted to make the most of it. Plus warm sunny days made it very comfortable to stay out, and although off piste was rubbish pistes were in good condition for easy cruising. We might stop for a very quick coffee but generally just skied through while snacking on lifts.
This year has all been ski touring rather than lifts. I would say about 4-5 hours average for a normal day (doesn't include time stopped for transitions). Longest days were both around 8hours30mins (total including breaks and transitions), specific objectives ment such a long day was necessary, it's certainly not "comfortable".
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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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Usually ready for first run descent 9.30am. If with our pals usually several pee breaks- not always synchronised!- decent beer/aperol break 11ish, lunch 1.30-3, beer stop 4, last run down.
With family and Mrs Doccam 9.30am absolutely latest first descent, regimented and synchronised pee stops even if claimed “not needed”, quick beer/aperol/bombardino/chocolate and rum stop 11ish - or not if A1 conditions,- lunch 12.45-1.30, then ski till last light allows with final beer/aperol stop accordingly- usually chased out of hut by ski-patrol. Bliss!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I’m usually out in queue for first lift. Back to hotel circa 4. I don’t like skiing late in the afternoon that much - especially when the last run down is a muggle run. By muggle run I mean full of non magic folk.
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Depends. When it was a holiday, generally first lift to last lift or within 15 mins of at either end of the day. Same as that for most of my first winter here. Now, unless it’s a powder day, it’s much more chilled. Usually 9:30/10-15:30/16:30. Although we’ve had a few lazy Sundays this year where we’ve skied over to another village, had lunch and then just skied straight back again!
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On a mission, 7 to 7.5 hours with minimal stops (Ski circus challenge, Ski Amadé 12 peaks, Konigstour, etc). On a normal day, 6 to 7, with a 15-20 minute coffee/chocolate stop, 45-60 minute lunch, and maybe a sundowner on the hill before skiing in.
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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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Highly variable. On a trip where we've flown out for a week we tend to have more days when we're out with the first lifts and back with the last ones. When we drive out and have a couple of weeks it isn't feasible to ski like that every day so we're more relaxed about when we start and finish, try and save the biggest days for changeover days when resort is quiet.
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If it's just 2 of us then we're on the lift before 9 (never quite made the opening at 8.30, but like to be at the top ready to ski before 9). Depending on weather, conditions and where we're going we may not break until 12.30/1 for lunch, and then ski again until 3/3.30. Or occasionally we might have a quick coffee stop c11, then a later lunch. We are both of the opinion that we're there to ski, and if the conditions are good, then that's what we want to do. We are both pretty fit though, so our legs are happy to work hard. And the feeling of knackered satisfaction at the end of the day is one we both like!
We have been known to ski later, in the Dolomites, where the lifts seem to close later and our experience has been that the conditions have stayed favourable later.
On the other hand, we sometimes ski in a group with friends, and then it's a case of starting whenever ski school starts (have to drop the kids there), and finish at ski school collection time. So this year that was a 9.30 drop off, and back for 3.30. And invariably because we're in a group there are more stops - if someone wants a coffee/hot choc then we stop (if anyone is desperate to carry on then they might loop a run by the cafe, but that's not usually the case).
In both cases, we don't tend to stay up/out late in the evenings. We'll have a drink (or 2) straight off the slopes (or before the last run down), maybe one before dinner, and then again after dinner. But apart from New Year's Eve, I think we were in bed before 11 every night! The fresh air and exercise makes us want our beds. We're all well into our 50s now, and I don't actually remember it being much different when we started skiing together in our 30s!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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For the last few years, skiing from Orelle, queuing for the first lift up and somewhere within 30 mins of closing of the last gondola down, so long days it seems!
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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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As the consensus says. It depends. Mostly on snow condition, weather conditions & body conditions. I have also set a higher bar on what I actually find pleasurable as I get older. I’m finding fighting against crap snow, crap viz, gales, really low temps far less enjoyable (or should that be obligatory?) as I did in my youth.
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Pretty much first to last lift all day every day the lifts are open during the season with a quick lunch stop. But I’m working, so it’s a bit different. I actually love being out in horrid weather, but I know the terrain well and sideways snow and crazy winds are great fun if you have the right clothing.
Recent trip to Canada where it was really cold I went first lift until about 3pm, stopped for a late lunch and called it for the day most days.
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You know it makes sense.
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It is clear from these posts than everyone is queuing for the first lift and skis to mid afternoon. Oddly here in Les Arcs I do not see any queues for the 9:15 lifts (the opening time here in Arc 1600) at the base the queues build up from about 9:30 to 10:30 then largely dissapear until about 16:30. As it is getting above zero at this altitude in the afternoon the last lifts are deserted. The lifts are closing at 17:20. If you are a first lift to last lift skier you'd be out for eight and a half hours. I'm impressed.
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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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As much as is fun. Good pow day that might be bell to bell but other days can be more relaxed. If you're on your own or with a very tight group you can sometimes find a ski on lift and punch continuous laps with minimal downtime and do more in an hour than most people do in 2. At the end of the day unwise to push it - even choosing to buck the"death before download" rule when the home run will be a soup of maniacs and incompetents- all serious injuries happen on your last run 
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Poster: A snowHead
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As most have already said, it really does vary. If I'm away skiing with my family (OH and 4 kids), then it very much depends on how much the little ones want to ski after ski school/lunch. Sometimes nothing, sometimes 2 hours plus.
When on a child free trip, it tends to be all about the vibe of the day (weather conditions, feel, etc). Always first lift, but with 11es and a late lunch, sometimes boozy with a DJ on a terrace and no skiing afterwards, sometimes go to last lift.
Very much treat it like a holiday and do what makes me feel happiest at that time.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The other way of asking this is how far do you ski in a typical day ?
Pottering gently from 08:30 to 16:30 is one thing …
So we did this on a recent trip to Alta Badia and went and did La longia and back. Started at 09:00 and got back at 16:30. 32 km actual skiing.
Skiing fast on your own or a small group is another …
A previous trip to Kronplatz I did 48 km between 09:00 and 13:00…
I don’t think I am capable of that intensity for a full day…
But both days tiring in different ways.
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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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There's also intensity. Someone swooshing down a red groomer in a few cruisey turns isn't fatiguing anything like the person mashing the bumps down the side. I'd really have admiration for anyone who can ski continuous moguls all day even places where there are dedicated bump rats they often seem to top out around 20 laps in a day.
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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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| Quote: |
It is clear from these posts than everyone is queuing for the first lift and skis to mid afternoon. Oddly here in Les Arcs I do not see any queues for the 9:15 lifts
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You have a bias sample in that those participating in an ski forum are probably much more keen than the average holiday maker. Also, while I'm not suggesting anyone is lying, ime it's the kind of thing that is often exaggerated with people reporting something closer to their bigger days as average.
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If you are a first lift to last lift skier you'd be out for eight and a half hours. I'm impressed.
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Even with 8 and a half hours you might only get 3:30 or even less of actual downhill time. If you are just cruising pistes where gravity is doing all the hard work. Unless you are a very bad skier you will almost always spend well over 50% of the time sitting down!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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If I'm honest, I haven't a clue!
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A lot depends on who I'm skiing with and what kind of terrain I'm skiing . If there is significant amount of off piste that is tiring I may be goosed in the afternoon, cruising pistes we often ski till last lift . Always have a break for lunch though.
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Typing this at 16.03 from the top lift at Saas Almagell... which closes at 16.00!
I almost always ski from first to last lift, with occasional exceptions such as rain. Usually with packed lunch on the lift.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Fri 14-03-25 13:45; edited 1 time in total
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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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| boarder2020 wrote: |
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It is clear from these posts than everyone is queuing for the first lift and skis to mid afternoon. Oddly here in Les Arcs I do not see any queues for the 9:15 lifts
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You have a bias sample in that those participating in an ski forum are probably much more keen than the average holiday maker. Also, while I'm not suggesting anyone is lying, ime it's the kind of thing that is often exaggerated with people reporting something closer to their bigger days as average.
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If you are a first lift to last lift skier you'd be out for eight and a half hours. I'm impressed.
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Even with 8 and a half hours you might only get 3:30 or even less of actual downhill time. If you are just cruising pistes where gravity is doing all the hard work. Unless you are a very bad skier you will almost always spend well over 50% of the time sitting down! |
All valid points, also if we go at Christmas the ski days are shorter than going at Easter, my kids will ski all day, and they are welcome to it, but by 3.30 I am done
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| hang11 wrote: |
| I actually love being out in horrid weather, but I know the terrain well and sideways snow and crazy winds are great fun if you have the right clothing. |
I'm so happy to hear this. I feared I was the only nutter. My family and friends all laugh at me when I tell them that I genuinely enjoy 'horrendous' weather. The slopes are deserted except for fellow hardy souls (or nutters) and there's this feeling of exhilaration that you're in such a hostile environement but, with the benefit of modern kit, still warm and dry.
I've always said, and really mean it, that "I've never had a bad day skiing". Some are, of course, better than others but none have ever been bad.
So, usually, I'll ski most of the day from start to finish; with the occasional exception if lunch was a bit more leisurely/liquid
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