Skiing

Dress Code?

OK, so I'm off to Austria for new year, and have been threatened with 'cross-country skiing'.

On the basis I'm... a) tight b) flying Ryan Air and c) would prefer to be in London....

Would my fluro top, a couple of fleeces underneath, my wet-weather cycling over trousers, and a pair of jeans and some thick sock's be sufficient?

I'm not in the least bothered if I look like a 1) knob 2) Noobie 3) 1+2 due to a)+b)+c)

Thoughts oh great skiers greatly appreciated.

Don't go cross country skiing.

Its pretty warm going once you've started- so imagine a cold day cycling in London, and then take off 1 layer as its much much harder work.

If you're going skiing skiing then get some proper jackets and trousers.

on a side note- my mum loves it, and she was to be found cross country skiing in london whenever it snowed here last.

CX ski-ing = running, clothes-wise. Harder, if you are shite at it, as you'll be up and down like a whore's knickers. So dress as you would to run in the same conditions.

BTW, I'm a ski instructor.

Don't go cross country skiing.

Its pretty warm going once you've started- so imagine a cold day cycling in London, and then take off 1 layer as its much much harder work.

If you're going skiing skiing then get some proper jackets and trousers.

on a side note- my mum loves it, and she was to be found cross country skiing in london whenever it snowed here last.

Am I going to turn into your Mum?

probably.

@bigtwin- its not that hard.

probably.

@bigtwin- its not that hard.

Doesn't sound too painful.... (either of the above)

** insert grin **

if it isn't, you need to make more effort. How many fat and unfit bi-athletes do you know?

And I take it from the tenor of the original post that this is all going to be a novelty to the poster.

Oh Heaven's yes, a total novelty. I don't usually like to travel outside of the Circle Line... it gives me a nosebleed.

Rather looking forward to it to be honest.

My hosts are all 'black-run-obsessed' locals, so the view was this was the easiest way to get me out and about seeing the local countryside. Rather than me spending 48 hours sliding around the nursery slopes on my arse.

I intend to maintain my dignity at all costs (well, I'm prepared to forgo a bit on the clothing front!)

Fret not, you'll love it. The very worstest case scenario is that it's tip top training. More likey, it'll be stunning scenery, delightful exercise, and hot chocolate stops with amazing views.

Thank you Bigtwin, and soperRiva, I promise to report back!

Actually, no. I take it all back. Don't risk it, you'd bloody hate it.

I'll...NO. I can't. No. No no no.

Oh Christ, why. What am I doing. Why am I doing it?

But I must.

OK.

I'll go instead.

You can relax.

PM me for passport details.

Powder anyone?

Just arrived back from a week in Passo Tonale, Italy. And fook me was there snow! Too much for the first few days with really bad visibility. But then the sun came out, it was amazing. All the pistes were covered in a thick layer of the driest fluffiest snow I have ever seen and off piste was incredible. It's not a huge area so it didn't take long for the easily accessible areas to be tracked out.

There's nothing crazy steep there, but that suited me fine. I'm a snowboarder and was with a few skiiers so fast carving was the order of the day (although stupid attempts at big tricks just ended in soft landings of deep stashes of snow). Seriously good times.

I'd never been to Tonale before but I'd go back. Small, not Englishy-fied at all. The only downside is you can cover most runs in a few days easily, including the linked Pontedilegno area.

Ah, cant wait for the next trip.

yes! a skiing thread. off on Sunday to the 3 valleys,

mostly looking forward to testing out my new Armada Triumphs. i'm bursting to get out there!

anyone got a cool $90,000?
http://www.alaskaheliski.com/rates/private-heli-cruise/

That look pretty awesome.

Was skiing trees in Tignes on Christmas day, broke my thumb, so worth it!

yes! a skiing thread. off on Sunday to the 3 valleys,

mostly looking forward to testing out my new Armada Triumphs. i'm bursting to get out there!
The 3 valleys has some awesome runs. Get up into Val thorens if you can and over the other side (away from Merebel, I think it's called Orelle), there is a good run down into the valley and then a long red/blue combination you can absolutely fly down because no one goes over there much.

I'm off to Avoriaz on Jan 15th. Can't wait, not been there before so everything will be new and awesome!

Was skiing round that neck of the woods last week - P'du Soleil is awesome! Check out Chez Gaby nr Les Crosets for awesome rostis for lunch

Right. Need to book accommodation for a week from 19 Feb. 3 adults, 2 small kids. Self-catering fine, as is amost anything else cheap.

Any one got any ideas?

The 3 valleys has some awesome runs. Get up into Val thorens if you can and over the other side (away from Merebel, I think it's called Orelle), there is a good run down into the valley and then a long red/blue combination you can absolutely fly down because no one goes over there much.

Yep, it's Orelle, and it's surprisingly quite, it have a good combination of red and blue making it easier for those who only just got started.

there's slightly less snow every years though, so a couple piste is closed due to that.

Took the missus skiing for the first time in her life, she was surprisingly good at it.

Ohhh, awesome, being up a mountain for New Year, skiing - yes did some, but not so much fun as sledding..... no previous experience required, no special equipment, just a slope, snow and sun.

Best bit of all... being up a mountain for new year, looking down on the town in the valley, fireworks, and silence. The stars shining down, crisp clean air, and Andy Borg on the tele... (ok the last bit was a bit rubbish, but hey non-stop miming of german popsongs whilst pished on a couple of bottle of champagne not too painful.

Feck, I love being up mountains, in the warm, with central heating, and tv, and broadband.... and a full fridge.

Best thing of all... the silence in the morning, total total silence.

Couldnt' wait to get back to London though after a couple of days - missed the roar of the traffic, the scream of the sirens, hearing my neighbours stomp up and down their flat...

Silence, who'd really want silence and fresh air every morning, going to bed looking up at the stars, waking looking at the snow covered moutains.

Nah, I couldn't get into skiing and stuff, no, not me....

Hah! the first few days is always going to be hard and always felt like you'll never get the hang of it.

my gf's first snowy adventure ended with her pushing a friend of ours off the chairlift.
it was fine though.
I need to go to the mountains soon.
my brain needs it.

@ed, that pic is of the snow mound outside the Rond-Point in Meribel isn't it? I have spent a lot of time there, including a couple of very memorable new year's eves. I have also been thrown out of it for snorting burning vodka from a teaspoon.

I used to live in meribel. 'twas good.

Actually it's in Val Thorens.

Very jealous at the fact you used to live in Meribel.