Menno

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

We see quite a few of these telemix lifts in Europe too, this year. Gondola's for beginners and those that like to stay inside when the weather is not so nice. Chairs for those that HATE to get out of their bindings all the time, for repeat trips on a slope.

Lucky you! Hope you go there outside french school holidays (mid-feb till mid-march); because during those weeks the slopes can be crowded. I have been in ValTho 2 times, and in neighboring Les Menuires 4 times. From Valtho to the furthest end of the 3V (Courchevel 1650) takes 6 lifts and can easily be done in under 2 hours. Thanks to fast and well-layed-out lifts. It is even possible to do that twice on 1 day, but then it becomes hard work There are loads and loads of good carving slopes. Some of my favorites: -Opposite Les Menuires: La Masse (red and black upper runs). -Backside of Mt de la Chambre: Bruyeres. -Meribel: runs off Mont Vallon. -Courchevel: La Saulire; runs above 1650 (quiet) -Valtho: Grand Fond. Boismint (if good snow); Caron red and black. Eating out on the slopes can be very expensive. The restaurant on top of La Saulire is notorious for that. But at least the quality is good. The mountain restaurant on the Rosael side (4th valley) used to be good value. Now, to ensure you still got appetite after all this negative info ;) http://www.alpinforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=26184 Mont Vallon

Well, I have been to literally ALL the resorts mentioned above. I would definatetly vote AGAINST Ischgl. The infrastructure is great (lifts, snowcannons etc). BUT: the lift capacity is much too large for the room on the slopes. The slopes in themselves are nice, but it is always way to crowded for decent carving. This would be one of the first places where you needed a helmet + back protector. Also, behavior on the slopes is rude. May have to do with too many people drinking too much alcohol too early in the day, and then still going on the slope. In France Val Thorens is nice, but very small number of hardbooters. You'll feel lonely there. Anyhow, I liked Tignes better. Even if Espace Killy is a bit smaller than 3V. The black racing slope towards La Daille is a gem. Funny, that someone who's forum name is "Furi" recommends Zermatt. This cannot be a coincidence. Soelden as a skiing area is defininately not the ultimate in Europe. But: 1) Lots of hardbooters 2) You can rent and test Virus boards and other good alpine equipment Another secret tip is Schladming in Austria. The area is nice for carving, and it is also the home of bluetomato.at Ski-area-wise I like France the best. But for hardbooting other aspects may come into play.

Well, that's an easy question. You go to Soelden www.soelden.com 1) Much higher than average percentage of hardbooters 2) Big area with modern infrastructure 3) Good slopes for carving that are well groomed 4) But most of all - Riml sport Riml sport is one of the very few sport shops where you can rent decent hardboot gear. Better still, in the shop in centre of town (they have 3 shops) you can test.... VIRUS boards! You pay a rental fee for that but, boy is that worth the effort. I went there mid-february and tested a Virus Lightning for 4 days. I have a nice board myself (Nidecker Proto, the model before they put on the front and back flaps) - but I must say I was astonished. Biggest danger -> once you tried, how are you not going to buy one? But I guess that's the reason why they let you try these boards :) They have several other boards from Virus as well. Ask for Hannes. http://www.riml.com/sportriml_sporthaus.php http://www.virus-snowboards.de/de/index.php?sub1=4&sub2=1

Could be you're contra-rotating. Another possible problem: you're rotating (not contra-), but not in a fluid way. When going from toeside to heelside, first let the rail "bite". Then you need to rotated in a nice fluid motion over the whole turn. You need to divide your rotation evenly. Sudden change of balance may disturb the grip of the rail of the board. At first try to keep the pressure relatively even over the whole arch. Pressure is a combination of how deep you bend, inclination and rotation.

I have been there 3 years ago. As always in Austria - the size, quality an difficulty of anything to do with the skiing area is grossly exaggerated. Yes, the slope is steep. It is a nice black one. But it is nothing special. And the steep part is very very short too - 100, maximum 150 vertical meters. After all the fuss, I was not exactly impressed. One nice aspect: this slope is groomed regularly. The black Caron in Val Thorens is steeper. And the steep part is at least 5 times longer. And this slope is groomed too. The tunnel piste in Alpe d'Huez is much much steeper. And it is an uninterrupted 500 vertical meters. But it is not groomed. In spring conditions however, the whole slope is good; and only small part is bumps. The "Mur de Chavanette" near Avoriaz is both steeper and longer. The list goes on and on and on. Below is a photo of the start of the tunnel piste in alpe d'Huez.

Hi, I didn't intend to start a picture-posting-war ;) Anyway, another thing to consider: the weather. When the weather is bad, it's better to go to a tree-lined resort. Like Kronplatz, for instance. When there's bad weather at Cervinia, you don't see anything because there's no trees alongside the slopes.

Upper part of the Ventina slope at Cervinia. Yest, those almost invisibly small dark spots are skiers on the slope.

Dolomites is not close to Rome. But Cervinia is not closer; I'd say just as far away. Both are on the northern border of Italy; and Rome is halfway down the "boot" of Italy.

Plan de Corones / Kronplatz is also nice, but very different from Cervinia. Kronplatz is in the Dolomites. They have a very extensive network of snow cannons; and they are the absolute masters of artificial snow. However, that is not without reason. Dolomites are on the leeward side of the eastern alps. Snow normally comes from the NW. The area is quite nice. But it's medium-height mountains; "sweet" rounded hills instead of the himalayan type of mountains in the Aosta valley. Not to say one is better than the other, just different and what you like. Specialty of Cervinia is long wide slopes with lots of height difference. There's 1500 metres / 4500 vertical feet between Cervinia and Plateau Rosa. Even 2300 metres / 7000 feet when you have the international skipass. In the Dolomites you have a much larger number of slopes. The slope lenght and height difference is much smaller (half or less). Kronplatz is in German speaking part of Italy. Atmosphere and food is a bit like Austria, but not so extremely focused on apres-ski. Cervinia is in Aosta valley. This part of Italy used to be part of Savoia. As a result of this many people there still speak a local language that is a bit like a mix of french and italian. Food is alike (sort of french / italian mix) but with portion sizes for real mountain people ;)