anyone know the best place to go for a cheap long weekend?

Andorra?

The Saint is due in Whistler any time now. Another 14cm yesterday. It's meant to settle down now and the sun should come out. Hopefully it will keep getting topped up for him during the week but he is in for some epic days I'm sure. Would like to meet him up ther for a day but daughter is in hockey tournament all weekend. Saint, get back to me on your exact dates. Next Saturday (about the about the 12th) is a possibility if you are there then.

I had planned to go to Chamonix for the weekend but it's supposed to drop to -15 or so this weekend. fudge that, I'm staying at home watching the rugby with a hot cup of cocoa.

Not trusting the weather (or at least the UK transport system) I am checked in at the Premier Inn at Heathrow - but looking out the window I reckon my best bet is to walk to Terminal 3 tomorrow mornings

Shit skiers say
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apNKEhdo ... ata_player

TOKYO - Japan's worst snowstorms in five years killed three bathers in an avalanche at a hot spring resort on Wednesday, while also causing power cuts, paralysing traffic and forcing schools to close in the north-west.

Snow has covered the north-western side of the main island of Honshu in the past three days, including some areas that have already received twice the average annual snowfall, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Four people have died in avalanches, with three holidaymakers killed at a resort in Semboku City, Akita, on Wednesday. The latest 40-metre-wide snow slide in Akita engulfed three tents pitched near a naturally-heated rock site at the hot spring resort.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda called for a ministerial meeting later yesterday to discuss relief measures.

Troops have been dispatched to worst-hit areas including Aomori, where hundreds of people were evacuated.

"We have already issued a request to the Self-Defence Forces, and the government will work together and work hard to follow through on these steps," said Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura at a press conference in Tokyo.

Officials say snowstorms have battered coastal cities along the Sea of Japan and large parts of northern Japan since late last year. Some areas have received more than twice as much snow as normal.

The snow has played a role in 56 deaths and more than 750 injuries, since November. Most of those killed fell from rooftops while shovelling snow.

Japan's last record snowfall was in the winter of 2005-2006. More than 139 people died in snow-related traffic accidents and roof collapses in that period, according to the Meteorological Agency. Agencies

Our Latest offering: St Anton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEHiY4_vU-A

Got a mate going out to Niseko, Japan later this week.

Got any recommendations for pubs, clubs, back country ski areas?

Why is everyone using that tune for snowboarding/wakeboarding videos?

bealonian - sorry i typed out a reply but lost my connection and the post Late here so need to go to bed but will post some recommendations from work tomorrow

Ice or snow, Xavier de le Rue best sessions.
“At this time of the year last season, with my friends Guido, Tero and Matthieu we’ve decided to create our own movie production company called TimeLine Film.
With the support of my partners we have released a web serie during the season. We’ve tried to document more than just the action and show people what it takes as effort, luck and commitment to get the best possible big mountain video part in TB20 from Standard Films. Although the snow conditions were terrible in Europe last winter we hoped all season long we could have enough unseen action and interesting backstage material to come up with a movie and have a chance to share our experience. Here it is, THIS IS MY WINTER !”
Xv de le Rue

Is it better value to book everything separately or in a bundle? Last minute trip to Chamonix on the cards next week!

I just started a thread about an amazing snowboarding film:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1309

Direct link here:
http://vimeo.com/timelinefilm/thisismywinter-english

I think the regulars on this thread will like it.

Booked for 12 days in Chamonix before Easter, can't wait.

A French guy I used to do some skiing with was killed off the Midi last week.

Depends who you go with.

Some companies have their own flights and transfer staff to and from resort and a last minute deal with them will save you a bit on flights and private transfers.

Shit man. RIP. Seems to have been a high number of ski/board deaths this year, some high profile ones too.

There has been. This guy was unlucky, avalanche started above them and swept over the group.

Mitty if you need to go cheap in Chamonix, go for Cham Sud apartments, they are a bit cramped but they're handy for town and the ski bus.