Sunday, February 28, 2016

A beginner’s guide to backcountry skiing

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A beginner’s guide to backcountry skiing




in Backcountry

If you haven’t already discovered the pow-haven/adrenalin-pumping/awe-inspiring thrills that ducking under the ropes brings, here’s our concise(ish) guide to all things backcountry.

Transitioning from an expert piste or pow skier to backcountry supremo is no easy feat – not only does the technique take some practice, there’s also numerous safety measures to contend with. So before you go planning your trip across the Haute Route, consider spending a day or two in- resort learning the basics.  Read on...

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

5 of the best Avalanche Packs

5 of the best Avalanche Packs

by  

Spend a lot of time skiing off-piste? Then a good avalanche pack is money well spent

The best way to survive an avalanche? Don’t get in an avalanche at all: There’s no replacing snow safety skills and good decision making (check out these courses if you want to build your knowledge) but even the most knowledgeable, risk-adverse riders in the world have been caught out, and airbags have saved lives.   

“For regular off-piste skiers, they are worth it.” says Scott from Edge & Wax. “Prices are dropping, and they do increase your odds of survival. We had a customer caught with five others when wearing an airbag. He alone didn’t need major medical help, and it was him being able to assist that helped the others survive.”

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Salomon 2016/2017

Check out the new QST line up fromSAlomon for next season. Winning awards left right and centres.. Read on

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

How to Ski Better on Pistes


Hot! Ski Technique: How to Ski Better on Pistes

There are few better places to boost your ski technique than on the groomed pistes of Morzine, France.

Welove2sk.comi give  some tips on how to ski these slopes more smoothly. We whittled the list down to four key points to think about while you’re carving:

1. Stay Centred Over Your Skis

Your weight needs to be evenly distributed right along the length of your feet, which means you’ll be able to maintain downward pressure right along the full length of your skis. Don’t lean back.
Four Steps to Better Carving | Welove2ski
RIGHT
Four Steps to Better Carving | Welove2ski
WRONG

2. Even Up the Weight Distribution Between Your Feet

Friday, February 12, 2016

Skiing The Portes Du Soleil Circuit

The Portes du Soleil is one of the largest ski areas in the world with over 650km of marked pistes encompassing twelve resorts. It stretches between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, which creates a microclimate that is excellent for snowfall.

Jean Vuarnet was responsible for developing Avoriaz and then linking it to the surrounding resorts creating the Portes du Soleil ski area. The highest point in the area is 2466m and the lowest is at 1000m and there are more than 200 lifts linking the area, which stretches over 14 valleys. Luckily, for skiers and snowboarders who are keen to explore, most of the Portes du Soleil ski area can be reached in a single circuit. The circuit will take most average skiers and snowboarders a whole day to complete so first lifts are advised!

There are two directions the circuit can be skied; clockwise or counterclockwise. Completing the circuit counterclockwise could mean challenging La Chavanette otherwise known as The Swiss Wall or facing the getting the chairlift down. The Swiss Wall is classified as an orange, as it is considered too dangerous to even be a black. The wall should only be attempted if you are a very accomplished skier and are confident you can complete it safely. For this reason, we are taking a look at completing the circuit clockwise – a little bit more achievable for everyone!

There are many different ways of completing the Portes du Soleil circuit but here’s just one of our suggestions…
From Les Gets head up the Chavannes lift and follow signs to Morzine. Ski down the Pleney slope to the bottom where a bus stop is located. Take the petit train across town to the Super Morzine lift, take this up and then the Zore lift and follow the cat track to the Proclou lift, which will take you up to the top of the Lindaret bowl. From here ski down into the bowl - you can even stop to have a play in the famous Burton Stash park on the way down.

From Lindaret, take the Chaux Fleurie lift up and ski down to the bottom of the Plaine Dranse. Take the Chaux-des-Rosées chair up and ski down to Les Combes. Take this lift up and follow the long run down into Linga. From here you can again get the bus across the town of Châtel, to the Super Châtel lift.
If you are doing well for time, you could get the bus across to the Petit Châtel lift and take this followed by the Barbossine. From here ski down and take the Tronchay lift up. From here you can enjoy some great views across Lake Geneva towards Montreux before heading back towards the Super Châtel lift.

From the top of the Super Châtel, take the Chemillon and ski down to the bottom of the Le Corbeau. From here, you can take the bus across the town of Morgins to the Folleuse or it is actually also possible to walk there and take in the beautiful church.

Take the lift up and then ski to the Bochasses following signs for Champoussin. Ski to the bottom of the Aiguilles des Champeys and take the lift up then ski down to the bottom of the Pointe de L’Au, take this lift and then you can ski down into Les Crosets.

From Les Crosets, take the new Grande Conche lift and ski down to the bottom of the Cuboré, take this up and over lift into the Fornet area. Then ski back down into Avoriaz, take the Stade lift and ski down the Prodains home run.
Again take the A bus back into Morzine and take the Pleney bubble up, from here follow signs all the way into Les Gets. Then enjoy a drink before collapsing after a long days skiing - phew!

Monday, February 8, 2016

How to Ski Powder




It’s not easy: the moment you steer off the groomed piste and into the deep stuff beyond. Fitness, technique, equipment, snow quality, mental attitude – they all contribute, and often in different ways on different days. Here's what WElove2ski had to say;

1. Go FAT

Not sure if your skis are right for the powder? Then get a fatter pair. Fat, rockered powder skis are where it’s at right now, and they’re a joy to ski in the deep stuff.
Having this much ski under your boot may look stupid – but the balance and stability you’ll get from such width will quickly convince you otherwise.
You should look for some rocker in your skis as well. A rockered ski is one that bends or rises more dramatically at the tip and tail – making it easier for the skier to float over the snow, and stay centered over the ski. (There’s a common misconception that rockered skis are impossible to turn on groomed snow, but if you get a pair with side-cut – a difference of about 20mm between the tip, waist, and tail – you’ll find the groomers a lot easier.)

2. Don’t Sit Back

Don’t lean back on your skis. Stop, lean forward, charge that mountain! New powder skis are built to tackle steeps and bumps head on, so why try to stop them? The technology is there to help. The rocker will make you float, the fatness will give you balance – all you have to do is learn to trust them both and they will change the way you ski!

3. Seek Out Your Line

There’s a big difference between seeking out a line and merely following one. Seeking is more active, more dynamic and ultimately more aggressive – and that’s crucial when it comes to skiing steep backcountry slopes, because the more hesitant you are, the more you’ll settle back on your skis and the less control you’ll have over them as a result.
By actively seeking out your line, you’ll change your mentality towards the slope, and your stance should improve as a result. You’ll be moving our weight forward, charging downhill, and finding your skis are much more manoeuvrable.
Actually, this approach works whether you’re learning how to ski on steep groomers or in the powder, so try it the next time you’re out, whatever the conditions. Remember – look ahead when you ski, and seek out your line!

Thursday, February 4, 2016

13 Tips for Skiing with Kids

13 Tips for Skiing with Kids


Top kids' instructors share wisdom on making skiing fun for everyone in the family.
Family Week on SKIMag.com: Tips with skiing for kids and keeping families happy on the hill13) For lessons, arrive early, preferably the day prior to get rentals if needed, ( or get Doorstep Skis to deliver them :-)), to get tickets in hand and hopefully avoid lines during peak season. It is great to let your children—especially if they are very young (3-6 years)—know where they are going and what will take place throughout the day, to reassure them.

12) Read on..

Partying Hard In Morzine and Avoriaz

  Partying Hard In Morzine and Avoriaz ...