Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

The Andorra 2020/21 Skiboarding Report

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • newbie2011
    replied
    Originally posted by ysb33r View Post
    So far my only criticism of the Ospreys is their performance on icy ridge traverses.
    You mean going up or going down ? If it's downhill, it makes me think of the Spruce 125 , they are reputed for a good edge hold on ice. Being narrower than the Ospreys they might be less slippery on the uphill as well. But probably not the same floatation in deep powder, although they are quite good, but I cannot tell compared to the Ospreys. Might be a middle ground between skis and Ospreys, don't know if you tried them already

    Leave a comment:


  • ysb33r
    replied
    The last two days I have been on plain vanilla backcountry skis. I rented a pair of 165cm narrow skis mounted with step-in bindings. Luckily I have Scott boots which is compatible with step-in, AT and alpine bindings, so no need for extra boots at least. I have been in the backcountry only on Ospreys, which made me unique in any touring group. However, I have been curious to try out the lightweight concept that a lot of people use. Generally a pair or backcountry skis with the step-in bindings , should be be lighter than a pair of Ospreys with the Tyrolia touring bindings.

    Uphill I hardly noticed a difference. I cannot say that I really felt the weight difference. Surface glide is good and in the end I was just as tired

    Downhill is a complete different matter. I am back to feeling like a beginner who has just got to try to do parallel turns (!). It is incredible how unwieldy they are. It really feels like have two flat planks strapped on to ones feet. Turning is an effort. It is not just a case of getting them on edge. So much so, that I am thinking of getting some lessons (!)

    So far my only criticism of the Ospreys is their performance on icy ridge traverses. As I haven't had a change to test out the new Voile crampons (previous post) I cannot say how much of an improvement that is. However, from two days of activity I can say that the Ospreys outperform a standard touring ski in all other respects.

    However I am going to persevere for a week or so, to see if I can get any better. I also do think there is a lot of experimenting coming up to see if backcountry skiboarding can be made better than it is now.

    Leave a comment:


  • ysb33r
    replied
    On Jack's recommendation, I added some Voile crampons to my Ospreys. The problem with the standard Tyrolia crampons is that they totally disengage upon forward movement.

    This makes it hazardous in icy conditions in the Pyrenees.

    The Voile crampons are fixed which requires a lift of the ski on forward movement. This requires more effort, but is more secure.

    The photos show the crampon mounted forward of the binding on my older version of Ospreys and Jeff's first model of the backcountry riser for Tyrolia bindings.

    Sent from my Mi Note 10 Pro using Tapatalk

    Leave a comment:


  • ysb33r
    replied
    newbie2011, it's less effort to turn. You have to plan your turns more in advance with the Ospreys.

    Sent from my Mi Note 10 Pro using Tapatalk

    Leave a comment:


  • newbie2011
    replied
    So great that you don't have to rely on working lifts to be able to get some snow time this winter ...

    Originally posted by ysb33r View Post
    As usual I was on Ospreys, although on the descent I wished I had the no-effort Slingshots.
    Why would you have preferred the Slingshots over the Ospreys ? Aren't the Ospreys better in fresh snow ? Or it wasn't that deep to make a difference ?


    Leave a comment:


  • ysb33r
    replied
    Since we don't know when resorts will open, but we had a fresh dump of snow, we were out on skins this morning. Glorious day break between storms. As usual I was on Ospreys, although on the descent I wished I had the no-effort Slingshots.

    Sent from my Mi Note 10 Pro using Tapatalk

    Leave a comment:


  • ysb33r
    replied
    Came across this video that someone made last year about skiboarding in Andorra



    https://youtu.be/YfHS50nNfhg

    Sent from my Mi Note 10 Pro using Tapatalk
    Last edited by Greco; 12-01-2020, 08:24 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • newbie2011
    replied
    Originally posted by ysb33r View Post
    I have no idea. Austria is not my radar as it does not affect me directly. I know that Pres Macron of France is trying to get all EU countries to agree at the same time - it seems to be more political dealing at home than medical-supported reasoning.
    I've read that Austria want to open, but EU is pushing for staying close, to be in line with the rest. But skiing is more extensive there so they ask at least for some compensation, because the industry will take a bigger hit.

    In the French Alps region, I've read that at the moment the hospitals are overcrowded, that was quoted as the main reason for not opening until mid January.

    Not really a satisfying explanation to me, I feel more exposed if I take the subway in Paris and go do some shopping in a toy's store ( those will open soon ), than if I'm in a lift cabin with open windows, wearing gloves, helmet, goggles, mask, scarf and whatnot...

    Switzerland are going to open, but indeed, there's a risk of people flowing en masse to Andorra and Switzerland creating much bigger crowds ...

    I'm all for lockdown and such, but seriously skiing is a zero contact sport, it would be easy to come up with something better than full closure, while keeping the risk as low as in big cities where people will get more crowded for Christmas shopping

    Leave a comment:


  • ysb33r
    replied
    Originally posted by montigo View Post
    What about Austria? All I know that they are lockdown for the moment.
    I have no idea. Austria is not my radar as it does not affect me directly. I know that Pres Macron of France is trying to get all EU countries to agree at the same time - it seems to be more political dealing at home than medical-supported reasoning.


    Of course if French resorts remain closed, but Andorran resorts are open we'll be swamped with French tourists. Too many people can be a bad thing.


    Sent from my Mi Note 10 Pro using Tapatalk


    Leave a comment:


  • montigo
    replied
    What about Austria? All I know that they are lockdown for the moment.

    Leave a comment:


  • ysb33r
    replied
    Originally posted by newbie2011 View Post
    You're lucky ... Germany now is also planning to keep resorts closed until beginning of January, like France and Italy.
    I need to get some skins and find some backcountry maps for the Alps
    Or snowshoe... and skiboard down

    Sent from my Mi Note 10 Pro using Tapatalk

    Leave a comment:


  • newbie2011
    replied
    You're lucky ... Germany now is also planning to keep resorts closed until beginning of January, like France and Italy.
    I need to get some skins and find some backcountry maps for the Alps

    Leave a comment:


  • ysb33r
    replied
    Originally posted by newbie2011 View Post
    What are the prospects for Andorra this December ? At the moment France and Italy are planning to keep resorts closed in December
    The Grau Roig / Pas de la Casa areas of Grandvalira as well as Arcalis are making snow and were planning to open 4 Dec. Vallnord resorts are considering pushing back to 19 Dec, but it looks like they might also go for 19 Dec. This is related to the French resorts opening later and the lack of tourists due to border closures.

    Sent from my Mi Note 10 Pro using Tapatalk

    Leave a comment:


  • newbie2011
    replied
    What are the prospects for Andorra this December ? At the moment France and Italy are planning to keep resorts closed in December

    Leave a comment:


  • ysb33r
    replied
    I have become a fan of the Karpos and Crazy brands. I specifically like the slim fit of their winter offerings. I just invested in a Pull Repeat for this season.

    https://www.crazy.it/en/product/pull-repeat-man-3.aspx

    I has an outside pocket for a small waterbottle, one outside pocket, two inside pockets for water, mobile phone or avalanche beacon. Interestingly the manufacturer used graphene in the jacket.

    The jacket will be great for touring and also for snowshoeing. I'm quite curious how well it will handle windflow on downhills runs.

    Leave a comment:

Working...
X