snooooooooooooowboarding

[sxrxg]

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Where are you away to? Just trying to get organised for bro and buds Les Arcs trip late Jan.

Off to Val Cenis in the Maurienne Valley. North facing and pretty high so hoping for decent snow even though it is early April when we go. Worst case is access to Val Thorens via the back lift from Orelle or Bonneville sur Arc further up the valley that tops out over 3000m.

Not been to this resort before, we have been to Valfrejus in the same valley though. Skiing was great and I like that it is more 'French' than the more well known resorts that are popular with the British.

 

[lagerstarfish]

Our lad has outgrown his first snowboard, so I thought I would offer it here.
Burton Process Smalls 130. Union bindings. One pair of size 3 boa boots. One pair of size 4 lace up boots. All 2nd hand when we got them, but still functionally fine. £80 for the lot - plus whatever postage is.
Jack was very reluctant to change to another board, but it is way too small for him now. We can confirm that it works great for anyone from 140cm to 155cm tall and feet up to size 5.5 UK.

I can sort out pictures if anyone is interested

 

[SA Chris]

Off to Val Cenis in the Maurienne Valley.

Nice, I have looked at the piste map before and thought it looked good, but a bit of a faff to access with flights from Scotland, be interested to hear how it goes.

 

[lagerstarfish]

O

Off to Val Cenis in the Maurienne Valley. North facing and pretty high so hoping for decent snow even though it is early April when we go. Worst case is access to Val Thorens via the back lift from Orelle or Bonneville sur Arc further up the valley that tops out over 3000m.

Not been to this resort before, we have been to Valfrejus in the same valley though. Skiing was great and I like that it is more 'French' than the more well known resorts that are popular with the British.

That sounds good.
I'm interested to hear how it goes. In 2026 we are likely to be having an April family ski trip

 

[Johnny Brown]

Lagers, would be keen for the board.

 

[lagerstarfish]

Lagers, would be keen for the board.

Cool. Text/WhatsApp me to sort out having a look etc. also got a helmet and maybe clothing to give you as well

 

[SA Chris]

in Les Arcs area 23-28 Jan. Probably drive to a few other places nearby, anyone about Paradiski and fancy some turns together, give me a shout.

 

[hongkongstuey]

this makes me happy - two weeks and then i'm off on a back country tour around the Niseko region

 

[lagerstarfish]

A bit of yesterday's action at Piste d'Alpaca

View attachment VID_20250108_135053_00_039~3.mp4

 

[lagerstarfish]

First run this morning - perfect terrain for catching an edge

 

[SA Chris]

Well done lagers. We've had way less, gutted for the ski centres, they've barley had anything (see webcams ). Wondering if the Cairn Mon Earn piste is in condition, looked crap last night when I drove up Slug Road.

 

[hongkongstuey]

Hokkaido is being very nice to me this week (altho skinning thru thigh deep pow is pretty hard work to earn those turns)

 

[Duncan Disorderly]

It's getting to that time again - what was initially a crew of 12+ has slimmed to 4... Anyone got any recomendations around last week of Feb first in March? Been looking at Tignes but looking like a minimum spend of £850 and that's without food and booze!

Know Sam T, you mentioned a way to do it on the cheap - driving, big shop etc. Not sure we have a suitable car between us (my T5 only has 3 seats) and flights seem to be relatively cheap...

Really psyched for L2Alps, Tignes, 3Valleys etc. But looks like Morzine/Les Gets is way less spenny... Anyone got any gen??

 

[SA Chris]

Flaine or one of the villages around Grand Massif? It's a big area, plenty to explore in a week, some great terrain and wide variety of options from high slope to tree runs depending on terrain. You can DIY it, with flight, transfer and cheap Air BNB digs (or book through tourist office) if you self cater/ eat out. Short transfer from Geneva too, depending on flights you can get extra half days, instead of 3 + hours on a bus. You could also consider flying and hiring a car if split among 3 of you, probably cheaper than 3 transfers. And you can easily drive to Les Gets, Megeve or other places for a day if you want.

If you go Ports du Soleil, Morzine is becoming bit of a zoo IMO, too much development in the valley and too low for good reliable snow. lifts up to Avoriaz are a massive bottle neck. Avoriaz is a better base, and Les Gets is still a nicer town, in spite of rampant development the last few years.

 

[Johnny Brown]

2Alpes is cheaper than further north, not a huge area but good and high.

Cheapest part of the 3 valleys, and arguably as well placed as anywhere else, is Les Menuires. Looking at Heidi.com, there are quite a few options in the first week of March under £500/person inc flights and transfers. Nearly booked similar last week but looked a bit tight for 7 guys.

Last year we got an amazing deal on Travelski - apartment in La Plagne which was <£600/person but included lift passes.

Having never been to Portes, looked at that as an option this year but came to same conclusion as Chris.

We ended up booking an Air B&B in La Tania. Jet2 Man-Chambery still really cheap.

 

[SA Chris]

Don't get me wrong, I love PdS, lost count of number of times I've been, but we usually have a car and stay just outside les gets, so can drive round to Ardent, thus completely avoiding Morzine and accessing Avoriaz, Chatel and Swiss side from the back.

 

[hongkongstuey]

A week of backcountry fun in Hokkaido

 

[lagerstarfish]

A week of backcountry fun in Hokkaido

Looks fucking awesome

 

[lagerstarfish]

Meanwhile, I'm at the looking at webcams stage of winter. Can't wait!

 

[SA Chris]

2Alpes is cheaper than further north, not a huge area but good and high.

https://www.connexionfrance.com/new...rld-famous-french-cable-car-for-skiers/695073 I'd not risk it this season given that La Grave might be without a major lift for a while.