1
November wind affected layer made this season mighty sketchy - facetted layer deep down in the snowpack - slides in places which are usually stable.
2
The Grom is now teaching me technique - I taught him everything i know but now he knows a lot more than me. And he is a great teacher
3
I have been skiing with the wrong length poles for years - at 169cm I have switched from 120 to 115 - and that introduced a big improvement - more than I anticipated.
4
Taillens in Montana still make the best bread in the known universe
5
The Magic Pass is still magic
6
Arguing that 'you can't go solo-ing through the canyons when it's tipping down - if you fall and lay unconscious your tracks and you will be invisible in minutes' was right - and despite big protests that was acknowledged a day later.
7
Vercorin top station stopped smelling of poo and then started smelling again. Reassuring.
8
The White Cafe in Vercorin is jolly nice - particularly when you are marooned in the village due to wind stopping the cable car to Chalais - last postbus down - gratuit
9
The mountains are falling apart - first Blatten now a huge fissure at Vissoie
10
Touring is fun. Type 2 fun.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I'm a little bit taller than you and also moved down the same pole size this year, definitely made a difference!
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?
11. That it's not the end of the season until AFTER the End of Season Bash.
I also read an article about shorter poles are the way forward. I haven’t made the change yet but my 195cm instructing stepson uses the same length poles as I do and I’m only 177cm!
Pole length discussed on another thread recently...its the future. I have...for 20 years...had 110 when 115 would be the perceived wisdom
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I’ve always had poles upside down, top of fist touches the basket, forearm horizontal. And that’s what hire shops did too. Me 178, poles 125. What is the latest philosophy?
After all it is free
After all it is free
3. I use adjustable poles, usually set to 117cm. I'm 179cm.
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.
From this year;
Sella Ronda was nice.
D2 has gained confidence, D1 has lost it.
I also gained confidence and wonder if I can finally put myself in a higher IOS level.
For 3 of us, side piste rocks. Às in, we like it.
When mum goes elsewhere, all parties are happier. (Clearly expenditure is simply redirected rather than reduced).
Dutch universities Easter holidays messed me up. They don’t have one, so we MUST take family holidays in Carnival week. So much for an Easter blast.
Need new goggles. Helmet is old. Do I splurge on a visor? Photochromic? The decision will take months.
I should probably get more lessons for steeps, as refresher. I still wonder about a lesson or two on jumps. Right now if my skis leave the snow I pray.
K&N Pro snow socks are awesome, and adjustable, according to some snow heads.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Poles: I went both ways. First went shorter which made a big difference in skiing steeps. (Short poles can’t reach the snow if I’m in the back seat). Though after a while, I went back to my old longer poles, just with my hands held higher, now that I know what “forward” really means. I can now ski with either poles, just hands at different height.
Orange200 wrote:
I’ve always had poles upside down, top of fist touches the basket, forearm horizontal. And that’s what hire shops did too. Me 178, poles 125. What is the latest philosophy?
I think the traditional length is fine. Just that people drop their hands low, and their body stays in the back seat. If they keep their hands at the right height, they would notice they would need to be a lot more forward. With hands high, they can barely reach the snow to plant their poles if they’re in the back seat.
Short poles harder when skating. That’s why I gone back to traditional pole length.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
But I’m not done with the season yet. I’ve been skiing well this season (that’s why I’m not done with the season). I think taking 2 years off might have actually helped in my enjoyment
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.
Skied at Christmas, so our season ended ages ago, thus reading about others' seasons still going up to now makes me feel like I'm missing out. But conditions were relatively good and the trip fun so can't complain.
So reflection is take what you can get and be thankful for it.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
36 days on snow in Japan and they were all epic.
Broken ribs have healed nicely.
Getting excited for southern hemi season, could see the first proper snow in the next week.
Shooting for over 100 days in 2026.
With a bit of luck, season doesn’t end until November
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
abc wrote:
. If they keep their hands at the right height, they would notice they would need to be a lot more forward. With hands high, they can barely reach the snow to plant their poles if they’re in the back seat.
Happy to push out of the back seat, thanks for the tip.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Orange200, the issue with standing with the poles upside down etc is that you wouldn't/shouldn't be skiing in an upright position, so as soon as you move in to a dynamic skiing position your poles are now too long.
I'm about 178cm and I'm now using 115cm poles, down from 125cm.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
hammerite wrote:
I also read an article about shorter poles are the way forward.
Well now I read the logic behind it, that was rather clever
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I think you're all on too short poles which may encourage bending from the waist.
Hmmm, I've had a tricky few seasons, post heart surgery, and ACL recon. Really couldn't get my head back into it despite the sound advice from a pisteur mate,
"a year to recover, a year to forget",
But at 59 y.o., this is season 3 and I'm still not quite there. New Mantra M7s have helped enormously, dicking around with my boots last season did not help at all, tweaking the "good" knee in March did not help at all, slipping on January ice and tearing my shoulder did not help at all. And I now realise just how much fitness I need to re-establish.
Project for the summer.
That said, and with a positive aspect,
* we skied in October for the first time ever
* we had some truly lovely days out
* we had lots of time with my bro and his family
* we have actually skied quite a lot
* and it's hopefully not quite finished yet
(* and I have a couple of very definite goals for next season)
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?
I'm still hopeless at XC skiing after my annual attempt
I'm still fat
I'm 178cm. I teach with 125, which, as others have pointed out, requires my hands to be held slightly higher. That is one of the first things most guests need to do to improve. I ski with 120cm!!
The Rest:
Over 100 days of skiing.
Small bout of Pneumonia in January.
January is the new March.
Pistes were great all season up to Easter Week.
Drank too much Sommer Spritzer.
Bought some new piste skis.
Scared myself on aforementioned new piste skis.
Ryan Air now fly direct Salzburg to Alicante for post season sunfest.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Orange200 wrote:
I’ve always had poles upside down, top of fist touches the basket, forearm horizontal. And that’s what hire shops did too. Me 178, poles 125. What is the latest philosophy?
Thread about it here.... thinking is lower poles encourages the more modern lower stance vs the upright and "pop to turn" technique from the straight skis days... I'm same height as you, been skiing this season with poles 110-115.....
115 for me (178cm tall) Used to be on 125, then on 120, now happy on 115. Skating is harder, but I don't skate very much.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Orange200 wrote:
From this year;
Sella Ronda was nice.
D2 has gained confidence, D1 has lost it.
I also gained confidence and wonder if I can finally put myself in a higher IOS level.
For 3 of us, side piste rocks. Às in, we like it.
When mum goes elsewhere, all parties are happier. (Clearly expenditure is simply redirected rather than reduced).
Dutch universities Easter holidays messed me up. They don’t have one, so we MUST take family holidays in Carnival week. So much for an Easter blast.
Need new goggles. Helmet is old. Do I splurge on a visor? Photochromic? The decision will take months.
I should probably get more lessons for steeps, as refresher. I still wonder about a lesson or two on jumps. Right now if my skis leave the snow I pray.
K&N Pro snow socks are awesome, and adjustable, according to some snow heads.
Just my personal view and experience but my wife bought me a new helmet cw visor for Xmas, was really happy with it till it snows, there is a vent in the helmet that stops it fogging up but it lets in the snow which gets on the inside of the lense, totally impossible to see, not sure if its my head shape or if this is common but going to buy a pair of goggles for my old helmet to wear on bad weather days.
Don't see many pros wearing them
After all it is free
After all it is free
@robs1, ...I must say that since I have been a goggles-user for 40 years, I actually feel VERY weird when I ski without them. I am completely oblivious to having them on, I am so habituated. I and and the Grom never have vision issues even in the most grim or hot conditions, we made a decision years ago to use top goggles and spend a lot of time evaluating lenses. For info we use Oakley Canopy (now discontinued) large frames, wide-angle of vision and optically-correct - and Prizm lens, although I do use a yellow non Prizm tint pair for low light conditions.
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.
@kitenski,
Quote:
the more modern lower stance
The what? I don't think more modern is lower.
I'm firmly in the upside down hands under baskets camp. As are pretty much everyone I know (including the staff in Concept, who size for clients just like that) ...
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Kid grew; poached my board and needed to rent some bindings last minute.
Got quick too.
Knew I shouldn't have waxed it that well.
Dang.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@under a new name, yes - sure maybe in an old school, Jerry and Margot kind of way, but what of 'teh steez'? Or were you holding them ironically for your Instas?
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.
@valais2, I had prizm lenses in my Oakley sunnies. TBH I think my Serengetis have nicer lenses and there's no claims of comb filters.
And I just replaced the prizms with €22 replacements online which seem just as nice.
@Richard_Sideways, I am sorry, I'm not quite sure I understand you mean, old school was really old school?? I,e, when I started to learn to ski in 1970 (or indeed earlier) ?
To me "modern" starts with the advent of the "parabolic" (because all modern skis are "carving" skis!!) and I don't really see an overall difference in height of stance.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@under a new name, if it's coming out of Tom Gellie's mouth, then there's probably an element of truth to it.
I am sorry, I'm not quite sure I understand you mean, old school was really old school?? I,e, when I started to learn to ski in 1970 (or indeed earlier) ?
To me "modern" starts with the advent of the "parabolic" (because all modern skis are "carving" skis!!) and I don't really see an overall difference in height of stance.
Ah - so you ARE skiing ironically
An upright stance is an anathema to my simeon-bretheren, but think the general idea is that the Skiier-Erectus stance is generally frowned upon the the darlings and doyennes as a more modern, lower, wider tracked stance will give you more stability and pop when lofting off dem 30' booters in the bakkie and throwing those sick dub-cork'5s into the sweet-sweet.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Richard_Sideways, @under a new name, I think you're both saying the same thing. There are only three ways to turn a ski. Pressure, rotation and edge. You can't do the second in a "down" position so the "upright" or "pop" still has its place.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Two more Austrian resorts ticked off the list, both brilliant for different reasons.
Solutions4feet boots/liners/fitting definitely lived up to the hype, very happy with them.
Skiboards/Short skis were excellent yet again, my knees will forever thank me for the change.
Nice expensive goggles will also protect your eyes when someone shoulder carrying skis turns round to talk to their mates.
Scandinavian logic: When booze is 4x cheaper than at home, you don't save 4x more money, you drink 4x more booze.
Snowsports are the great class equaliser when it comes to injuries. Departure lounges can look like the retreat from Stalingrad.
Booking a trip for next season, within 24hrs of getting back, really puts off the post-holiday blues.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
This season was the first season we have spent in our own place in the mountains. We drive home tomorrow.
I have spent seasons in this resort and have many friends who live here permanently, but now they see the car in the drive and just drop in. We make plans and ski together with little notice. Evenings in front of the fire are spent planning days on the pistes, touring routes, off-season activities, lunches and dinners. Their children have been making friends with our own.
I have spent 48 days on skis this season, working from here sometimes, travelling with just a laptop, phone, book and passport. Driving this regular Easter trip with the family, the car will be almost empty on the way home, for the first time. Didn't bring a roof box.
I feel less urgency to spend every second on the slopes, and have pursued other activities here, met new people, and found things about this place that make it even more special.
I cannot wait to return in the summer, armed with my trusty tracksaw and a few other tools, to do some improvements on this house; and both my bicycle and walking boots to do some exploring.
Most importantly, this season has felt like a new phase for our family - this isn't going on holiday, it's coming home. My children feel it, I feel it, and Mrs F feels it.
Also, the kids have had a leap, skiing. A bunch in terms of ability, sure. But a massive step in terms of loving this hobby as much as we do. The girls have spent over 30 days on skis here, this season. And without pressure - just a couple of hours a day, sometimes: enough to enjoy it, not enough to feel pushed into it.
And they can finally ski with us, at 5 and 7, on most slopes. My elder daughter skiied a black-labelled mogul run with me a week ago, and loved it. This season, skiing together as a family has gone from a a distant ambition to a tangible one.
My American brother in law has lived in this house for ninety days - his first ever ski season, and his longest time ever away from his country. We have become even closer friends, and he will be back next season. My wife and I miss him - he flew home last week.
I am a very grateful, and very lucky man. Reflections on this season? It's been family and friends, coming together, in the mountains.
Epic.
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?
@Harry Flashman, ...lovely to hear...especially the 'coming home'...
we have the same relaxed vibe of having a shack on a hill
the idyll this year is slightly shifted for us due to the Commune deciding we all need new water supplies. HUGE trenches now being cut through our garden - I have transplanted many primroses to save them.
and the balcony needs a new screed layer
and we may need to get a lot of rewiring done
and the power company has mixed up our meter with the people next door
and the pound is rubbish
I'm in Les Arcs this week before going on to the eosb, 11 of us around the table tonight, some that I have known for years, some that I met today, wonderful!!!!
An upright stance is an anathema to my simeon-bretheren, but think the general idea is that the Skiier-Erectus stance is generally frowned upon the the darlings and doyennes as a more modern, lower, wider tracked stance will give you more stability and pop when lofting off dem 30' booters in the bakkie and throwing those sick dub-cork'5s into the sweet-sweet.
Oneglove is that you?
Harry flashman, you make me jealous !
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Orange200 wrote:
Richard_Sideways wrote:
An upright stance is an anathema to my simeon-bretheren, but think the general idea is that the Skiier-Erectus stance is generally frowned upon the the darlings and doyennes as a more modern, lower, wider tracked stance will give you more stability and pop when lofting off dem 30' booters in the bakkie and throwing those sick dub-cork'5s into the sweet-sweet.
Oneglove is that you?
Harry flashman, you make me jealous !
Nah, it's Homo Snoborderus
After all it is free
After all it is free
under a new name wrote:
I'm firmly in the upside down hands under baskets camp. As are pretty much everyone I know (including the staff in Concept, who size for clients just like that) ...
Guess it depends what's on your feet when measuring. I see people in shops wearing trainers doing that but ski/binding/boots adds many more cms.
There is also the issue of how poles are measured. Just because it says 125 on the pole it doesn't mean they measure 125. They might, but I have two pairs of 125 from different brands and they are 3-4 cm different. So I just stick with my trusty old Scott carbon adjustable poles and occasionally experiment.
Skiing all day in a so-called 'low' position, the way people do it, is knackering. It's also not modern. World Cup slalom racers are often fairly upright during the run. Mogul skiers 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.
This is why its so absolutely important to STOP wasting money on things like instructors, guides and lift passes and hire a PROPERLY trained and licensed Pole Caddy. A caddy would sort out such things as length, grip, flex, girth, basket displacement for prevailing conditions, and constantly provide you with the right pole at the right time. Frankly, without a pole caddy, you may as well just use stuff you find lying around on the ground.
I, personally, have never skied without one.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Phantom Phil, Not sure I see much upright skiing in slalom? What makes you think skiing in a low athletic stance isn't "modern"? I'm 58 and don't find it knackering??
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
you mean, old school was 
