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Hi Rich, Where in NL are you based? Wim Jaquet in Amersfoort still has alpine gear.

The best software for such analysis is either GPSAR or GPS Results. Both were developed for speedsurfing, but also allow you to analyze and graphically display acceleration etc. Both are non-commercial, both have a trial period (60 days for GPSAR, don't know for GPSR). Afterwards you pay 30 euros. Download both and see which one you like best. I use GPSAR, but GPSR is most straightforward IMO. GPSAR: http://gpsactionreplay.free.fr/index.php?menu=2 GPSAR requires JAVA. GPS Results: http://www.gps-speed.com/

Hi Willem, You can try Wim Jacquet in Amersfoort (my hometown) too. They have a sizeable collection of alpine snowboards. Otherwise you could take a look at www.freecarve.de

I like the Aosta valley far better than Valais (the province where Zermatt is) for non-skiing activities. -Nature is more beautiful (walking etc) and less spoiled by tourism. -Eating is the best you can get in the Alps. -Much more authentic (except Cervinia itself ofcourse). -Prices are 30-50% lower than in Zermatt I've been in both resorts (C and Z), Z in summer and C in winter. Really depends what you want. If nonskiing activities are important, and you want to stay more than 2-3 days, then Aosta valley is much better imo.

The largest summer skiing area is on the Swiss-Italian border: Zermatt (CH) and Cervinia (It). Height difference (in summer !!!!) is 1000 metres. Highest lift is also the highest in Europe: 3899 metres. In normal summers the bottom part (from 3300 downwards) is closed from mid-summer. But this summer is not normal: 2009 had record snowfalls. The nice thing is: you don't have to stay in Zermatt (really really expensive) in order to go there. You can also access the area from Cervinia, Italy (same skipass). The Aosta Valley (where Cervinia is) is a heaven for outdoor activities. In addition to this, it is far less run-over by tourists than Zermatt. No hordes of Japanese here. The glaciers of Tignes and Les 2 Alpes (both France) are very good too. Glacier 3000 is only suited to people who don't need gradient and/or height difference: langlauf + freestylers. In Austria, Soelden and Hintertux come to mind. Been at both glaciers in summer. Soelden disadvantage is you have to drive up to the glacier (an back) every day. But the Tiefenbach is a beautiful slope. Hintertux disadvantage is that the lower part of the area (Tuxer Ferner Hang, the slope directly above the Tuxer Ferner Haus (hut) closes down early in summer due to lack of snow. You then only have 350-400 metres height difference. So when you go to Austria: when the TFH (Tuxerferner Hang) is still open at Hintertux, then go there. When it is closed, go to Soelden. BTW; there is no snow and no summer skiing in the Dolomites. There is a small glacier at Schnalstal / Val Senales, but that is really not worth going there.

Yes. The narrow path on the first 200 metres sucks. But after that it's orgastic:lol:

Could be yes, I also visit the EC forum. and I'm dutch. Slopes 7 and 9, did the red one every day, and the black one a few times too. We stayed in a B&B in "See" which is a small hamlet just above Soelden, in between the valley descends to Giggi and Gaislach. In the afternoon, when taking the 7, and then going left at "'s Pfandl" restaurant, I could descend all the way to the B&B (50 metres walking). I liked slope 10 better; but that's personal taste. IMO the best slope in all Soelden is slope 1, especially the part from where slope 4 joins. Wide, perfect constant pitch, good firm snow, quiet.

This one is really phantastic - both style- and photo-wise

Hey Eric, Yes would like to do that but winterseason is over already for me... Only once per season. But it was a good one ;) I have other sports that eat a lot of money too - most importantly speedsurfing

When you choose between Solden and Hintertux, choose Solden. And make sure you don't stay on Giggi side (like the majority) but also do the Gasilach side. Especially slopes nrs 1, 4 and 10.

Hi Bence, When I was there, I did not know this forum yet. I went to all parts of the Arlberg area, except... Rendl. Speaking of which: news is that the Arlberg area is going to be connected to Kappl (Paznauntal) via Rendl (somewhere between 2010 and 2013). http://ski.inmontanis.info/d/88531-1/ge_kappl-anton.jpg

When I was at St Anton I was extremely disappointed. The area has an enormous reputation; my experiences were different. Low frequency and quality of slope maintenance. from the areas on your pass, I would recommend to do the following: 1) Stubai 2) Kuhtai And still, you cannot afford to miss Solden. Even if you have to buy an extra day pass.

Hey Scott, You already got a pass that is valid for several resorts? If so, list them here and I'll give you advice on the spot. I've been to St Anton too, and (again) for carving there are better resorts in Tyrol. For instance Hintertux.

Yes, Axamer Lizum is as close as you can get from Innsbruck. But also one of those rare areas, that is CONSISTENTLY rated very low by visitors. Mostly because of extremely bad slope maintenance, antique lifts and a bad cost-quality-relationship. For instance read this report. It's in German, but there's always translation machines that can help you. http://www.alpinforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=29966 The visitor rating is 3 stars out of six. If you scan alpinforum for other visit reports, you will notice that a rating lower than 4 is very very rare. And ditto the Germknoedel: don't leave Austria without trying one, especially with vanilla sauce and mohn. http://www.marions-kochbuch.de/rezept/1361.htm

Ditto Soelden. I have been there a few weeks ago, and it's THE hardbooters walhalla. Go to RIML sportshop in the main street, and you can actually RENT Virus boards. I had a Tantalus, but they also have Lightning (easier) and Gladiator (more highend) boards. For very reasonable rental fee. Regarding slopes in Soelden, my favorites were on the Gaislachkogl side (left side when looking up the mountain). This side of the mountain is much much quieter, lots of room on the slopes. My favorite slopes were: -Slope 1 (Gaislachkogl) is a bit like the EC slope in Zinal. -Slope 10 long long wide quiet red slope between the trees, lovely when sight conditions are less than optimal -Slope 25 (Schwarzkogl) -Slope 38 to the extreme left (Tiefenbach glacier). Tiefenbach glacier - piste must be 300 metres wide Schwarzkogl