[rich d]

nothing positive to add, but our short ski break without the kids in Jan has been cancelled, and our feb half term is cancelled too - both to the alps. I know first world problems but still annoying.

[SA Chris]

No, it's painful. My yearly ski trip is my sanity for the winter. Hoping and praying we might get away by Easter.

They've just closed the Scottish resorts, in spite of them doing everything they can to comply with regulations - enforcing masking, limiting numbers, spacing on lifts, closing cafes, only selling tickets to people with local address. It's a marginal industry anyway, and the snow is just getting good.

[SA Chris]

Resort closures in the French Alps continue. I should have been there right now, conditions look excellent too. Naively, never thought it would go on this long.

[Johnny Brown]

I had some turns in powder at Ringinglow last week. More than I manage most years so up already! My Dad has booked for March but looks doubtful.

[Andy W]

I don't think stations in France will open this year, certainly not for the next holidays in Feb. My nearest station here in the Pyrenees, has just said in all 'probability they won't open this year at all'.

Never mind  Snowshoes or split boards make for a much better experience.

[SA Chris]

I had some turns in powder at Ringinglow last week. More than I manage most years so up already! My Dad has booked for March but looks doubtful.

We've had practically sod al here, must be one of few places. Holding faint hope for Easter, but it's very faint. Must be apoint where it's not worth them opening up.

[SA Chris]

Got to feel fir Scottish ski resorts. Best snow in years, still not allowed to open up.

[Fultonius]

I was really hoping for a slight easing mid Feb, then maybe we'd get some skiing but it seems like March is the soonest possible...

[SA Chris]

Yeah, not good. You got out touring? What area are you in now?

[Fultonius]

Yeah, not good. You got out touring? What area are you in now?

Perthshire, no. Haven't felt that driving 45 mins+ was justified when I can just go running here. Might next week if the weather here is so shit that going high into the snow makes more sense. Also given the steady increase in vaccinations and decrease in cases. I mean it's not outwith the rules, just more on the "recreation" end and less on the "exercise".

[andy_e]

My new snowboard is in the post... Guess I need snow shoes too! Anyone got any recommendations?

[Andy W]

My new snowboard is in the post... Guess I need snow shoes too! Anyone got any recommendations?

These are what I went for last winter, still going strong. Although the bag provided is useful, it's not great for carrying a snowboard, so best look round for a bag as well.

https://www.msrgear.com/ie/snowshoes/trail-series/evo-trail-snowshoe-kit/10720.html

[lagerstarfish]

The way I carry my board works well with any rucksack.
 If the rest of the family ever stop arguing for long enough, I'll post more details.
 

[SA Chris]

Your timing really sucks andy, I just sold two pairs two weeks ago that I never use.

Went on family walk in the woods yesterday for a bit of sledging, took board along, but there were no pitches steep enough for either, snow is sitting at least a foot deep above 150m. Crazy amounts.

[andy_e]

Looks like absolutely nowhere has any snowshoes in stock 

[SA Chris]

looks like it.

Hiked a local field (below Cranhill) and got some lunchtime turns in. Sun has got to snow and it's getting a bit slower than it was last night. Owt is better than nowt though.

[andy_e]

UKC news headline "SA Chris accidentally makes first snowboard descent of Underbelly"

[SA Chris]

If Chris Akrigg can do a descent of Early Riser on his MTB, why not? That field is stubble right now, and not holding snow, west of the old barn is better

[tomtom]

Looks like absolutely nowhere has any snowshoes in stock 

Have you tried making some? (plywood - some slots for some straps. Maybe the odd nail/screw sticking out etc.. or something more elaborate with some small nailed on wooden battens for grip etc..) Bet they would work fine for just tramping back up a slope with a board.... (ie not a mission critical 20mile do or die trip across the frozen wastes of wherever).

In University (early 90's) I made a pair of plywood 'footprints' to stiffen a softer soled walking boot to take a solid (not clip on) crampon. sandwiched between the boot and the crampon they worked pretty well (only came off once - in a non critical moment). I probably wouldnt do it again, but it worked!

[webbo]

Looks like absolutely nowhere has any snowshoes in stock 

Have you tried making some? (plywood - some slots for some straps. Maybe the odd nail/screw sticking out etc.. or something more elaborate with some small nailed on wooden battens for grip etc..) Bet they would work fine for just tramping back up a slope with a board.... (ie not a mission critical 20mile do or die trip across the frozen wastes of wherever).

In University (early 90's) I made a pair of plywood 'footprints' to stiffen a softer soled walking boot to take a solid (not clip on) crampon. sandwiched between the boot and the crampon they worked pretty well (only came off once - in a non critical moment). I probably wouldnt do it again, but it worked!

A couple of tennis rackets.

[andy_e]

A couple of tennis rackets.

I did genuinely consider this...

[webbo]

It worked when they did it in the Beano.

[SA Chris]

do you have the DIY skills to convert it to a splitty using a Voile kit? https://www.voile.com/voile-split-kit-diy.html (if you can find one in stock)

Too scary for me to even contemplate!

[lagerstarfish]

local hill this morning

[SA Chris]

Good stuff lagers.

Just hiked a local hill in Durris Forest by the landrover track, and did a headtorch powder descent of a pylon line on some of the best snow I've ridden on in Scotland. Great fun. Looking forward to Saturday.