Snow Boarding!!

[MattW]

Off boarding next month and have a few questions that I am putting forward to the PH collective:

 For Ted’s benefit (to keep it motoring related) anyone know if we will get 5 people, 3 board bags and a weeks worth of luggage each in a Renault Espace?

 I went last year and thoroughly enjoyed myself but pretty much stuck to the baby runs, this year I have been doing a lot more practising and intend to do some very long blue runs and try a few red ones as well. How likely is it that I am going to need some sort of body armour for my coccyx? Don’t remember it being a problem last year but I have a lot more bruises from practising this year than I remember.

 Anyone know the best boot warmers / dryers to use?

 After last year the one thing I definitely want is thermals for my legs, anyone know where I can get a reasonably priced pair – have spent too much on my board and bindings and need to cut a few corners now or the wife will kill me!!

Cheers

Matt

[robdickinson]

Buy or rent a roof box and you should be sorted storage wise?

[KITT]

MattW said:

 For Ted’s benefit (to keep it motoring related) anyone know if we will get 5 people, 3 board bags and a weeks worth of luggage each in a Renault Espace?

Easy. We got 5 of us, plus luggage into a Volvo 940 estate all the way to Meribel last year

MattW said:

 I went last year and thoroughly enjoyed myself but pretty much stuck to the baby runs, this year I have been doing a lot more practising and intend to do some very long blue runs and try a few red ones as well. How likely is it that I am going to need some sort of body armour for my coccyx? Don’t remember it being a problem last year but I have a lot more bruises from practising this year than I remember.

The biggest trouble with really long, gradual runs is that you spend most of it either on your toes or your heels which hurt after a while! Although I'm a skiier, my boarding mates complained if we did any of those ones that goes round the side of mountains etc. Powder is what you'll want to head for

[Raify]

I agree with KITT, the faster you go the easier it is. Don't bother with armour, just practise falling over better!

Get a half decent base layer from Millets or somesuch outdoor store. You'll thank yourself later when you're warm and dry. IIRC I spent about £50-60 on two sets.


>> Edited by Raify on Wednesday 8th December 15:16

[andy4200]

MattW said:

Off boarding next month and have a few questions, anyone know if we will get 5 people, 3 board bags and a weeks worth of luggage each in a Renault Espace?

Depends how many women in the party. Stuff most of the luggage in the board bag.

MattW said:

 How likely is it that I am going to need some sort of body armour for my coccyx? Don’t remember it being a problem last year but I have a lot more bruises from practising this year than I remember.

Get some Dainese impact shorts, best buy I ever made for the slopes. Green ones are the hard slopes, I find I fall over on the flat slow runs but am ok on the fast steep stuff.

MattW said:

 Anyone know the best boot warmers / dryers to use?

???

MattW said:

 After last year the one thing I definitely want is thermals for my legs, anyone know where I can get a reasonably priced pair Cheers Matt

Never really had a problem with cold, even down to about -25C. Just get a good thermal layer and a thin top. Good jacket and trousers. Keep a jumper in a rucksack for the really cold days.

[cptsideways]

Don't board if it's icy, or you'll end up in an ice pack in hospital. Other try out the powder

[robbie73]

Have a wicked time Matt !

What board and bindings did you go for?

Im off with 12 others in Feb can't wait!!!!

The only protective gear i've got is a skid lid, this helps me push harder e.g go for more jumps etc, also really keeps you warm.

Been boarding loads and love it!!!! Trouble is when you only go once a year its hard to really really good like the ba5tards you see on the extreme sports channel

Have a top time
Rob

[skinny]

if it's icy, your cocchinx (sp?) will thank you for protection - it takes ages for the bruising to recover. agree re the helmet, you go for jumps loads more knowing you can't get hurt. it's also good at the end of the day when you are lacking a little concentration and catch the back edge...

[robbie73]

or front edge

[Nickccc]

I have to dissagree with anyone saying do not wear armour. You need shorts with builtin coxy protector. and protection for both hips. I have dianese ones they are what you want. Also think seriously about a helmet would you ride a mountainbike down a fast hill offroad without one. seriously a couple of years ago in Andora one of our party came home in a neck brace, and you will see at the resoprt the ambulance will be up and down constantly. If that lot doesn't make you want some protection (did I mention a back protector) then just check out the airport on your way home hopefully you will be enjoying a coffee and a tour of the duty free's, and not sitting with all the other in juries looking like a ortheapedic ward.
Good luck Nick.

[Jnr]

If your boots have been moulded to your feet, avoid heaters and drying them out on radiators as this will cause the liners to deform or even shrink!!!!

Have a great time!! Where you off to?

J

[RobbieM-Evo]

Suppose it depends on what standard you are?

3 years ago in the Alps mate of mine (on ski's) on the first day did a jump landed all wrong and broke his knee in two places!!!!!!!!!

That night back at the room his knee was three times the size

Any protection is better than none!

[venom]

cptsideways said:

Don't board if it's icy, or you'll end up in an ice pack in hospital. Other try out the powder

I can confirm that icy slopes should definitely be avoided at all costs. I think it took something like 2 months before my ribs stopped hurting after my trip last March. Great fun though until I lost it!!

[skinny]

robbie73 said:

or front edge

or get the nose stuck in the snow landing a jump and very quickly rotate over it... (yes i have )

knee pads are also good (and fairly cheap) if it's icy, you don't want to damage them.

re warm legs, i did try a pair of fleece trousers underneath for a day or two, but ended up with very hot legs and then the vents in the snowboard trousers don't work. better to go without and if you get cold legs, bend your knees a little more and feel the burn!

[venom]

I should add that if you don't catch an edge at speed the your chances of bruising are diminished. Of course if you avoid pushing your limits (and your fear) then you lose half the fun.

Personally I'd make sure I had good padding for thighs and bum. Nothing worse than getting to the third or fourth day of your hols and being unable to walk or take another fall.

[KITT]

RobbieM-Evo said:

3 years ago in the Alps mate of mine (on ski's) on the first day did a jump landed all wrong and broke his knee in two places!!!!!!!!!

This is why you should only attempt nutter big jumps at the end of your trip Broke my newly purchased digital camera last time and bruised a few ribs as I landed on my face

[RobbieM-Evo]

Perhaps someone should try to sort a PH's boarding weekend. There are some silly last minute deals if you check out igluski dot com.
Im up for it!!! Could always drive aswell.......anyone got any snow chains?????????

[andy4200]

RobbieM-Evo said:

Perhaps someone should try to sort a PH's boarding weekend. There are some silly last minute deals if you check out igluski dot com. Im up for it!!! Could always drive aswell.......anyone got any snow chains?????????

I'm looking at a few last minute things myself. New Year for under 200 quid at the moment. Should I hold on and see if it gets better or just go ahead and book it????

I would be up for driving at the right price, thing is there are so many last minute things cropping up that are so much cheaper than the petrol and tolls to get there.

[Byff]

I would love to just book it, pack it and fk off.

Unfortunately, my two kids always want to come - oh, and the missus. That means I'm restricted to a week in Feb while every other bloody kid is off school aswell. Chances of getting a last minute deal - I friggin doubt it.

[RobbieM-Evo]

I did last minute in Jan this year to Val Thorens (Alps)
with my bro we got a £750 chalet for £420!

What you need to do is get all your kit ready choose a date then 1-2 days before go online and get the offers.

igluski dot com