Snowboarding

I usually check google maps for rental places in the area, then go through their websites and reviews, see what they offer for rentals (maybe try ringing as well). But alas, most places will only rent entry to mid level boards at best, if they have anything other than Burton or K2. Anything more than that is usually touring / split boards. But you might find somewhere with some more niche brands in Meribel. You'll have better luck with independent shops, which can be harder to search for as Intersport and all those big rental shops will be aggressively all over basic google search terms.

1 week away from 2 weeks snowboarding!

Coronovirus please don't close Turin flights

I'm going in a month via GVA and gave same thoughts. Been looking forward to this trip for months.
The indoor snow centre at Hemel just doesnt cut it

Off to Mayrhofen in a week and similar thoughts hoping the Innsbruck situation doesn’t spread around

Shit, flight cancelled. It's not the outbound, it's one in the middle (I'm switching resorts and it's much cheaper to fly out and back than go by road) but still going to be a mess.

Going back to Austria (landing in Innsbruck) and so far it seems like im leaving for a less infected place so all good.........until my hotel gets placed in lockdown and I'm stuck for longer than planned.
Most of Austria is looking good snow wise though if you are above 1500m-ish.

Just got back from Innsbruck and it's absolutely fine. Snow was great as well.

Nice! Yeah I've seen my friends Insta stuff. Looks like good times were had!! Actually good times are still had by the looks of it.

Off to Val d'Isere this Sunday via Amsterdam (don't ask). No Corona scares along the route as far as I can tell, fingers crossed.

Landed into a grim, rainy Salzburg and hoping it clears up on the way through to Mayrhofen

Really missing snowboarding it’s been about 6 years since I went before that a couple of times a year since the 90s. Young kids and a new self imposed anti-flying regime has put paid to short trips away.

But for the binding debate. Step-ins are dreadful like wearing a motorcycle helmet on a road bike. Flows are terrible too

I really liked the step on system, but couldn't get the boot fit right. Can't be arsed to try any more of them so going back to my old stuff to see if I like that better. Pity but there it is.

Good time in Mayrhofen so far this week. Though definitely my least favourite Austrian resort I’ve been to. Also suffered a re-occurrence of a lower back issue that I’ve had before. Think it’s Sacroiliac Joint issue possibly. Sat out yesterday and pretty much stretched out, sat in a hot bath and sauna all day to try to sort it and was more than comfortable today so that means park tomorrow finally. Sure I’ll regret this for the Gently Bentley Audax on Sunday after I get back. Need to look at how to prevent it in future. Possibly back and core exercises?

Hearing from locals and bar staff that they’re closing the mountains at Mayrhofen on Sunday/Monday

Looking into it and found Crystal Ski are saying a number of Austrian resorts are to close early and the Mayrhofen Facebook page has this message too

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Yep looks like season is over for now. Was flying out to soelden next weekend but that ain’t gonna happen. Hopefully there will be some glacier riding available late summer. Had a good season already but there is plenty pow still so massive shame(purely from a snowboarding/skiing perspective).

Actually some friends are still heading for Canada so snow can still be had......I just don’t have the funds for that one.

Very nice few days in Val d'Isere but right now I just want to get out before Geneva airport gets affected. Macrons talk tonight about schools closing etc means next week will be problematic but Saturday should be ok for traveling.

Heard rumours that they would shut Geneva airport for 2 weeks soon. But they wouldn’t do that overnight so I wouldn’t be all that stressed!

Well I got one week of my two. Just sorted out travel home tomorrow.

If you het stuck I know someone in the charter plane business £5k for a private plane from Courchaevelle altiport

A bit out of my league, it's Jet2 and Skiidy Gonzales for me! (But I did push the boat out for a window seat...)

Got home without a hitch. But a bit stressful watching the screens at the airport, lots of other flights went from green to 'delayed' and then 'cancelled'

Got a refund from the hotel in Soelden I was gonna stay at(non refundable/doe on a debit card) so thats nice. EasyJet flights I'm not sure about refund wise but under the current circumstances I really dont care that much. There is other people that have bigger problems than me.

Also set up a new savings account for a trip to Japan(never been) just to make myself feel better.