It begins!

[sorro]

That's right Peter, but on my side I cannot believe you are still windsurfing
for me kitesurf ended 3 weeks ago, but snowboard season not yet started , but should begin shortly ...

[Zanci]

uuuh my kiteboard season ended a month ago

[christian61]

I had a great windsurfing day yesterday at Lake Jesenice near Cheb, Czech Republic. The air temperature was 12 degrees centigrade, water temperature 6 degrees - no problem at all.

The photo (just taken from the webcam) shows that the wind today is not very strong yet - barely enough for planing in the gusts.

Temperatures should soon drop - so the snowboarding season should start in 5-6 weeks.


Christian

[fivat]

Temperature has been high recently in the Alps.
The first resorts are opening, but with not so much snow yet.

Patrice Fivat

[starikashka]

but with not so much snow yet.

In Russia we have a saying - If there is no fish - crawfish will be a fish

You have fish )

[fivat]

In this TV report (French) about Zinal opening, it is said that they needed 70'000 m3 of water to make artificial snow and that the total cost for opening so early is 200'000 CHF (about 150'000 Euros). All this for 5 km of slopes only... It's crazy!

Patrice Fivat

[Hans]

Snow and coldness is forcasted for this upcoming weekend

[starikashka]

In this TV report (French) about Zinal opening, it is said that they needed 70'000 m3 of water to make artificial snow and that the total cost for opening so early is 200'000 CHF (about 150'000 Euros). All this for 5 km of slopes only... It's crazy!

How many skipasses will pay for it?

[fivat]

One of their arguments in the TV report is that the artificial snow is guaranteed snow. So it will bring more skiers on January.

Actually what is not said in the TV report is that on November-December there are ski teams training (teams from Switzerland, France and even Chili). The resort is not open to the public during the week, but only to the competitors. Of course Zinal gets money from the teams.

Patrice Fivat

[pokkis]

Plus when they shoot base with man made snow, it will last much better also in spring.
One of our local smallish slope used to shoot +200.000m3 liter per winter some years ago when i heard figure. But main difference is that they had own lake on same level as slope so no heavy bumbing was not required.

[harald]

It's correct. The machine made snow (actually it is snow made of water and air) is more dense and produces a more solid base on the slope, covering rocks and so on far better than the natural stuff. That is good for our precious boards. However, natural snow on top is the best. Our local slopes opened one week ago thanks to the snowmachines. Without, we would still be doing gym training, running, or similar exercises.

[H2O]

You have come to Italy ..... here only natural snow!

[fivat]

For the snow?
Wo go to Italy for pasta and girls!
(well, I'm still not sure if the Italian girls are nice to live with, hehe)

Patrice Fivat

[H2O]

For the snow?
Wo go to Italy for pasta and girls!
(well, I'm still not sure if the Italian girls are nice to live with, hehe)

Yyyyyyyeeeessss! .... also for pasta and girls!
For the snow....do you know Alagna, the Freeride Paradise?
See you in Zinal for ECS VIII

[fivat]

For the snow....do you know Alagna, the Freeride Paradise?

Not yet, but I WANT to come there!
Yes, see you in Zinal for the ECS VIII (registrations will open this week)

Patrice Fivat