Hi all,

As it's getting close to that time, I thought I'd start a thread for ski/boarding activities and banter.

So if you are planning a trip, want some info, hear of some good deals on kit, have any tips you want to share, or want to ask questions on any thing snow related post it in here (it'll help keep the forum a bit neater too!) By posting you'll get an email when someone else posts, so if anything's happening you'll get to now about in good time. Last year we had one and it was very informative and there was some fine banter to.

Here's to a good season, and I look forward to meeting more folks on the piste.... and the all important apres

A very forward thinking Eire has sent me this link http://sites.google.com/site/swissalpineadventure/Home

Cheers PG

I'll kick it off - are there any shops having discounts AT THE MOMENT that you know of, for ski jackets?

Miss Rain I have told you many a time about Sport Fabrik at Regensdorf just by the station on the S6 line - easy peasy now get your @rse down there

Yes Miss
Those drugs are really killing my brain cells.

Yes, the Ochsner outlet in Affoltern am Albis has some crackers. I got a Descente jacket for 289 chf down from 699 chf the other week.

This thread can not be complete with out the presence of Salsa_Lover. Please Salsa if you are reading this come back... All is forgiven.

Well, I'll bite - but only with a question:

We live just a bit down the lake from Zürich in Erlenbach. We're ÖV people - public transport. My wife and I and two kids (12 and 10).

I'd like to go skiing more often this year - say on 5 Saturdays or Sundays, plus a few days around Christmas - before we go for our annual two-week ski vacation at my mother-in-law's house in Interlaken. The idea would be to have the kids up and going BEFORE they head off for Skischule in February - as it was until now, it always seemed like they had to start again from scratch every year.

Anyway, we're living on my very meager university grant this year, and I'm counting pennies. (Hey, I live in the only housing co-op in Erlenbach - I'm not THAT kind of Goldküste-guy, you know?) What's my cheapest option (including train!) to get out skiing at one of the nearer local resorts about 8-10 Saturdays or Sundays this season? (Christmas and February skiing not included - that's in Grindelwald!) It would usually be just myself and the two kids - my wife isn't too keen.

Are there even groups that meet to go regularly at get group rates?

If you are in the UK any time soon (or know someone coming to visit you from there) then Tk Maxx is selling some good ski gear really cheap. There are also some good deals on jackets at chainreactioncycles.com.

I think with the kids Amden or Atzmännig would be good options. There is one problem in that Atzmännig is quite low so does not get that much of a season.

Atzmännig will take about 1:45 on public transport going through Rapperswil. Ski passes are 35 for you and 25 for the kids. There are cheaper tickets available if you just use one lift.

Amden will take 1:50 on public transport (To Arvenbuehl, shorter to Matttstock) and you can get a Daycard for the family for 88CHF (I think that includes some sort of lunch).

It might be quicker to go somewhere like Flumserberg but its more crowded and will possibly end up being a little more expensive too.

Bennau may also be an option with the train via Biberbrugg.

I am off to Innsbruck today, so I will get to check out a few of the Austrian resorts (such as St Anton) on the way and see what the snow coverage is like.

Will report back.

I've looked at Atzmännig a few times in the past, but it always seemed to be closed when I wanted to try it out - and even much easier to reach than Flumserbeg or whatever. (I should have mentioned that the kids are actually intermediate to early advanced skiers - the crack about starting from scratch was a little over-the-top.)

Just had a look at Amden, that might be a good option for a few days out. Can't see when they open, though - hopefully not too late.

Right now I'm thinking- once again - that Braunwald isn't all that bad ...

I haven't seen any places that do group rates.

I think your major cost in both time and money is getting to the actual slopes. Eire mentioned the times in his post.
Most of these small cheap resorts require a train or two and one or more bus trips -that's why it takes so long.

There are loads of small resorts that are great for beginners that are pretty cheap - Brunni, for example is 4CHF for a one-way or 20CHF for a child's day card.
We've even taken sandwiches and a flask of hot chocolate and had a picnic in the sun!

Edit: Okay - so you're not beginners after all - disregard my post

Amden is stating their opening date as 19/12/2009. This may change depending on snowfall.

Braunwald would be a reasonable option too, but as far as I know the cost of tickets there will be more then the smaller resorts I have mentioned. Pizol could also be a good if the kids are gone past the total beginner level.

We once went to Atzmannig from Horgen with some family. There wasn't room in the car for everyone so my wife volunteered to go by public transport and meet us there.

She couldn't be bothered to do that on the way back as it is a bit of a faff so she travelled back hiding in the car boot.
(aren't I the perfect husband! )

My Tip of the day

If you're learning to snowboard make sure that you at least attempt to use drag/button lifts from day one.

I didn't take my advice and nine years in and I can ride very well but I look like a total beginner if I try to use a drag lift! Usually I give up.

Atzmännig was open most of last season due to great snow. Was hardly open the 2 seasons before. I agree this is a great small cheap place to go that's not too far away

You may also want to check out the Outlet Stores just opposite Ikea in Dietlikon. I think the Sport Fabrik in Regensdorf is very expensive, and even after reductions from the advertised prices, i still think it looks expensive.

Doc.

Amden is a great place, there is also Hoch-Ybrig and Toggenburg, both are nice and small and can be got to via public transport.

Yip... but all those places are at least 10CHF per ticket more expensive and the bloke was working to a budget.

Toggenburg gets really icy at times. Last time I was there last year the runs from the top near Wildhaus were lethal. Great if you are into ski racing... not so great if you like to cruise.

What are the best spots in the Jura? Or are there any? I've heard of a place called Chasseral. I am a snowboarder of about 16 years experience and love the pow-pow. I am living in Neuchatel and don't have a car so any tips on the most accessible places by train?

Getting my gear at Christmas so I'm stoked to start riding when I get back!