Tomm Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Andorra is in the pyrenees not the alps and the snow can be pretty variable. Also you don't get as much height. I looked into it a few years back (resort called Soldeu) and decided it was basically going to work out just as expensive as an alps trip, but with likely worse snow. Al you can get a board bag for peanuts. E.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TSA-The-Snowboard-Asylum-Snowboard-Bag-not-Dakine-Burton-/121051579204?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Skiing_Accessories&hash=item1c2f3c8344 If you're into eBay, have a look for second hand snowboards. They seem to go for not very much dollah, for £200 ish you should get something pretty nice that won't really lose value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Andorra is in the pyrenees not the alps and the snow can be pretty variable. Also you don't get as much height. I looked into it a few years back (resort called Soldeu) and decided it was basically going to work out just as expensive as an alps trip, but with likely worse snow. Al you can get a board bag for peanuts. E.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TSA-The-Snowboard-Asylum-Snowboard-Bag-not-Dakine-Burton-/121051579204?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Skiing_Accessories&hash=item1c2f3c8344 If you're into eBay, have a look for second hand snowboards. They seem to go for not very much dollah, for £200 ish you should get something pretty nice that won't really lose value. Ah okay... I think I have a budget of 500 and my dad will probably have 800 as they said they'd pay my ski pass . What do you recommend? Also the eBay board thing, I got a snowboard for ten quid with bindings. Worked well for when it snowed locally but it seemed to have a lot of friction compared to other boards I've used so don't scrimp on the board unless you know it's a bargain price and not the price because it's lesser quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I personally would recommend any of the big French alp resorts. 3 Vallees (Meribel / Val Thorens / Courchevel / Les Meniures / St Martin de Belleville) Portes du Soleil (Morzine / Avoriaz / Les Gets) Paradiski (Les Arcs / La Plagne) Espace Killy (Tignes / Val D'Isere) Chamonix Mt Blanc Alp D'Huez <I'm sure I've forgotten some other big resorts> There are plenty of reasons to branch out and go somewhere else but for a first time, you can't really go too far wrong with any of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I forgot to mention I've been 5 times before, just this is my first time actually being involved with the planning. I'm definitely not a beginner so I don't really want to go to places that are 'good for beginners' unless the snow is perfect and it has challenging routes... My dad will be on skis but he doesn't seem to mind anything. I'll have a look at the names you suggested though, cheers! Hopefully none are too far from the ski lifts, I f**king loved the last one I went to, it was 20 metres from our place and I'd snowboard up to the front door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomturd Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I've been to somewhere in andorra (quite possibly soldeu, the whole country is only 25miles wide of something). snow was good, and its really cheap, on icelolly.com andorra is always the cheapest for catered chalets (ignoring bulgaria and poland) Downsides: its a bit grim and lifeless - huge blocks of 70's flats, no trees afair, and only one or two bars worth going to. Not much character. I don't think I'd go again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_Fel Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I'm really tempted to go for this package http://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/FTwo_AIR_FLITE_2_Snowboard_Package_162cm_W_XL_BB_Wheel-(55153) And these boots http://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Northwave_FREEDOM_Snowboard_Boots_UK_12_M305_Orange_2012-(40949) Is there anything that jumps out about it why I shouldn't go for it? I can't really go down the eBay route because I need this stuff next week. I understand its probably not the best I can get for my money but its a simple package and seems decent value to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomturd Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I think Tomm mentioned it also but flow bindings really can be a pain in the arse in practice. If you fall in deep snow and need to walk yourself out, it can be near impossible to get your feet out of the back of them. It's also harder to get your feet clipped into them as you need to be standing on the board to slot your feet in (by which time you'll be half way down the mountain/back on your arse), with normal bindings you can just sit down and strap your board on in your own time. I'm not up to speed on boards or boots (or bindings) but anything you buy will be better than a rental board, and after two/three seasons you should have made your money back You just better hope you like it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_Fel Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I think Tomm mentioned it also but flow bindings really can be a pain in the arse in practice. If you fall in deep snow and need to walk yourself out, it can be near impossible to get your feet out of the back of them. It's also harder to get your feet clipped into them as you need to be standing on the board to slot your feet in (by which time you'll be half way down the mountain/back on your arse), with normal bindings you can just sit down and strap your board on in your own time. I'm not up to speed on boards or boots (or bindings) but anything you buy will be better than a rental board, and after two/three seasons you should have made your money back You just better hope you like it! Yeah I see what you are saying about the bindings but I've just checked and they work both ways! So you can strap in from the front or the back. I think I'll be heading to the Chill factor a few times too so I think the quick step in will be good for that. I think I'm just going to take the plunge and go for the stuff I've listed. Like you say worst case scenario is I'll lose a fair chunk/half of my money selling the stuff on eBay. Thanks very much for all the help people! It's really appreciated. I'll let you know how I get on if I don't die haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Mum is helping my dad (she's a pro traveller) look at holidays tomorrow... I'll leave them to it, it's stressing me out. I'll let you know what they come up with and see if you think it's any good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_Fel Posted January 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Right boys and girls I think I've got everything now! Bought everything new (needed it fairly quick because I'm going on Saturday) and it's cost me about £500. Absolute-snow.co.uk had a deal where if you bought a bag, board, bindings and boots you get 10% off so I took advantage of that! I'll let everyone know how I get on in a couple of weeks time! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Looks fab dude! I'm slightly jealous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Sick man, i'm leaving for norway on saturday morning, excited!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_Fel Posted February 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Had a great time! The first day I decided to have a lesson and it was well worth it! Helped me so much. No major injuries either. I did slip running back to the room to get my goggles and hurt my elbow but that wasn't too bad. I also got some rare footage of a Wild Snow Faggit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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