Ski Europe Now

Counting Down.

Five weeks and counting til I leave for Switzerland.  This is the last week I can order stuff and be assured it will arrive before I leave so time to consult my list.

Yay! Was Able to Change Plans.

I was able to get a new offer from Saas Fee with a sunday start to my stay so it looks like it is a go for Flims-Laax and Saas Fee.  Whoo Hoo!

Patagonia Merino Wool Review Update.

I bought a few items of Merino wool from Patagonia this season out of the blue thinking a few items wouldn't hurt, especially if I want to continue to rave about Icebreaker I think I should know what some of the competition is up to.  So, I bought a lightweight top and bottom, and a midweight top and bottom.  The product line from Patagonia is limited with only seven or so items available this past fall, and the color schemes were, to say the least, loud (think safety orange and green).  The midweight top was a hoody and both it and the lightweight top had a small bit of cord sewn into the sleeve end for a thumb loop (nice touch as many of the Icebreaker tops, especially the heavier weight ones, have thumb loops with a lot of material which tends to make putting on gloves tedious.)  The Patagonia wool also doesn't sag and droop as much: they are using a fair bit of nylon in the material (up to 25% in some items) so not as environmentally friendly as the Icebreaker stuff (normally 3% lycra).  I also like how the Patagonia tops are a bit longer in the body so they stay tucked in pants and under layers better.  Still, I think the Icebreaker line is better quality and more selection.

More Snow in Flims-Laax.

45 cm of new snow recently at Flims-Laax.  Good year to go.  Saas Fee hasn't had much snow this year it appears.  Too late now.

Garmont Endorphin Ski Boot Review: Update 2.

After skiing my old Endorphins a few times, I remember why I like them despite the softer flex, tight toebox, and the need to clamp them down to get a good feel for my skis:  they are light, ski well (once dialed in and tightened properly), walk well, are warm, and the liners are easy to take out of the shells to dry.  I have been perusing the Garmont website and they have a new AT boot out with a vibram sole, a walk function, and 130 flex:  the Deliriums.  Need to check them out.

Tired of Waiting...

for technology to catch up with my desires.  I really want an alpine touring boot with a walk mode, rocker sole, and vibram sole in a 130 or larger stiffness.  Is that too much to ask?  Apparently.  I have been looking at the Nordica Hell & Back Hike Pro AT style boots but the sole is no different from my Fire Arrow F1s and the flex is softer.  Yes, the Hell & Backs have a walk mode but not much else to get my attention.  Maybe Nordica will come out with a better boot next year.  It does have the second buckle to pull your foot into the heel cup, a feature which I love on the F1s.  Dangit.

Garmont Endorphin Ski Boot Review: Update.

I have been using my old Garmon Endorphin AT ski boots lately so I can swap out using them one day and my Fire Arrows another day (I started to work on a race Friday and work every day through Tuesday).  This allows each pair to dry completely before I have to use them again.  It is quite a difference in the Garmonts and the Nordicas.  The Garmonts are not as stiff, the plastic flexes quite a lot more, I find myself not flexing my knees as much and standing more upright, and my thigh muscles feel the skiing much more.  I guess since I will be taking the Garmonts to Europe I need to ski them a lot more and strengthen my legs.  Leg squats anyone?  I have also noticed that my toes are a bit more cramped in the Endorphins but I think that was because it was the first day in a long time using them.

Counting Down.

Six weeks and counting before take off for Switzerland.  Not very long when you think about it.

Holy Crap. Time to Start...

getting ready for my trip.  Only about 45 days or so before I leave.  I bought a new telephoto lens for my Nex-5 camera and a new long telephoto camera (a Sony HX100v, replacing an older HX10).  I need to get a list together and start organizing.  Yikes.

Time for Some Color.

Here's another photo from past Europe trips just to break up all the babbling in recent posts.  Enjoy.

Old tram at Diavolezza near St. Moritz.  It is being replaced this winter and was sceduled to reopen on the 11th.

Stitch photo from top of Diavolezza tram on backside at lunch.