Euro Bobby Baker Invitational 2024 - It's Your Turn...

[subtle plague]

While everyone’s blahblahblah about rentals…
For us flatlandsrs: any access to Avi gear? Is it necessary? Are there folks on piste the whole week??? (I have an old, old, old beacon….obv not much use in Delaware️).

Also: didn’t see it in Buster’s original post, but:

https://www.rega.ch/en/

(The “patronage” link wasn’t opening, but you smarties can figure it out)

If I missed the link the first time…that’s a link that’s never too reminded!


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If you venture of the groomers, you're in the bc. The is no inbounds in andermatt or disentis.

You can rent everything you need though.( not sure about Packs? But I guess so) I'd strongly recommend a practice afternoon with beers behind the house ( if there is snow in the valley).

You can ski the pistes all day but if it's good, you'd probably die a thousand little deaths.

That being said: I only skied pistes during my only bbi weekend.

[yeahman]

Vets don't need this but for nOObs like me it provides some useful information about the resort. Looks absolutely gorgeous there, holy crap.

[2FUNKY]

Vets don't need this but for nOObs like me it provides some useful information about the resort. Looks absolutely gorgeous there, holy crap.

Bummed I’m missing this yet again as I would love to ski that place with ya mang. It’s unreal! Everything is in play. It’s weird to be able to ski whatever you want, ropes or not. Super easy boot packs, or traverse to a couple thousand vert. Getting wood just thinking about the lines.
Everyone needs REGA.
Danno, my pack had a helmet carrier so that’s where it went.
Two days after the last snow fall….



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[Buster Highmen]

I like this one, typical of the lines off the Gemmstock tram with expat buddy Dan Loutrel nd his wife Serigna.



Yeah, 2funky, you'll be missed. Change plans?

Here's another one, mostly off the Gemmstock, in Felsenthal and around the Giraffe:



I'll try to find that one of subtle on vimeo of one of the Disentis Val Strem couloirs.

here it is:

[Foggy_Goggles]

Just to reiterate a few things about skiing in Europe.

You absolutely should ski with your beacon, shovel, probe unless you are limiting yourself to just pistes. Pistes are basically marked groomed or ungroomed runs. Evening the ungroomed immediately next to the marked runs is technically non-controlled. Its a bit tough to get your brain around but really into best to treat all the terrain and what we may call sidecountry. I've been avalanches very close to the lifts and I have even seen slides cover groomers.

Touring gear. You ain't gonna change the skier that you are. If you don't like touring, that isn't gonna change. Neither is the enjoyment of going on short tour to a long itinerary if that's your style. The flow kinda changes dependent on where you are in the storm cycles. If it is snowing you'll probably stick to the pistes or the treed areas. After the storm lifts, it will be some of the lose in off piste areas. As you move into high pressure, the deeper itineraries come into play. If the melt/freeze is on your get rolling late, cruise the huts and restaurants and go sightseeing. The experience can vary so much based on the weather that you have to just ski the day.

Equipment. This kinda ties in with luggage. The roller ski bag plus ski pack as carry-on is a good system. Its very manageable which is key. The less you can dread the travel part of the trip, the more enjoyable it will be. You want to kinda play this when you book your flights by seeing what your luggage allowances/fees are. Expect that they are enforced and a bit smaller that what you may be used to. 50lbs is usually the limit for your checked bag. So mock pack that to see how it all shakes out.

If you don't like skiing inbounds or your touring bindings but want to retain that option, inserts with two sets of bindings can be a real nice option. I run the Warden NMC/Ion combo and it works great.

[yeahman]

inserts with two sets of bindings can be a real nice option. I run the Warden NMC/Ion combo and it works great.

Hmm that's a good idea I hadn't considered.

[2FUNKY]

Yeah, 2funky, you'll be missed. Change plans?

Thanks B, I’ll miss you all as well. Unfortunately I already have commitments to a Canada trip in February and another to Utah mid march. A third of this size/nature would be impossible for me to pull off.


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[yeahman]

Well 2Funky those sound like great trips. If you can make it over to Big Sky for a couple days I've got buddy passes for you. I'll be going to Seattle again this winter to ski with my daughter, but with the Euro trip I may not have time to drive and ski Idaho again. Be back there next year for sure though.

[2FUNKY]

Well 2Funky those sound like great trips. If you can make it over to Big Sky for a couple days I've got buddy passes for you. I'll be going to Seattle again this winter to ski with my daughter, but with the Euro trip I may not have time to drive and ski Idaho again. Be back there next year for sure though.

Thanks man, if I’m in the neighborhood I’ll definitely let ya know.


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[doebedoe]

Five years running. Strong work mags.

2FUNKY about to drop the first lap of the Inaugural.


Buster in the storm.


With the enlargening of the family and a big Scotland trip next may, this one ain't in the cards.

[Buster Highmen]

Well dangit J, congrats on the pending spudling. We'll do honor to that cool red wine in your name.

And Yeahman, I'm usually around Crustal should you want a tour.

[yeahman]

And Yeahman, I'm usually around Crustal should you want a tour.

I appreciate that and may take you up on it one day. This year the plan is to hit Mt. Baker and Stevens Pass, because my daughter has never skied either of those areas and without a car in Seattle they are kind of beyond her reach. Will definitely miss skiing Crystal and Alpental though!

[Buster Highmen]

Air fares just dropped about $100.

[k2skier112]

Air fares just dropped about $100.

What airline?
Which carrier do you prefer?

I flew British Airways last year, this year Delta has a convenient flight.
For me, it may worth be worth the extra $400-600 for a better class seat

[Danno]

I bumped an old thread that I now realize was in Tech Talk, so I will ask here:

anyone know what the current deal is re skis and Lufthansa?

Googling comes up with contradictory answers. I do know I need to call them and "reserve" a spot for my ski gear. I won't be checking any other bags (which might be part of the equation), but certainly don't want to pay for my skis.

I officially booked through United, but there's a small line at the bottom of my confirmation email that says Lufthansa controls the baggage process.

[Buster Highmen]

What airline?
Which carrier do you prefer?

I flew British Airways last year, this year Delta has a convenient flight.
For me, it may worth be worth the extra $400-600 for a better class seat

Delta dropped and kayak notified of an across the board drop.
I prefer AirFrance, but all flights from SeaTac to ZRH land too late (19:00) to guarantee getting a train to Klosters that eve.

So I just booked Delta comf+ refundable.

[Buster Highmen]

I bumped an old thread that I now realize was in Tech Talk, so I will ask here: anyone know what the current deal is re skis and Lufthansa? Googling comes up with contradictory answers. I do know I need to call them and "reserve" a spot for my ski gear. I won't be checking any other bags (which might be part of the equation), but certainly don't want to pay for my skis.

I officially booked through United, but there's a small line at the bottom of my confirmation email that says Lufthansa controls the baggage process.

I think the key is the phrase "operated by".

I'd check both United (which I'll never fly again if I can avoid it after multiple fuck ups with the family and sticking me with baggage fees on a connecting flight from yurp) and Lufthansa websites for their transatlantic baggage policy.

[Danno]

I think the key is the phrase "operated by".

I'd check both United (which I'll never fly again if I can avoid it after multiple fuck ups with the family and sticking me with baggage fees on a connecting flight from yurp) and Lufthansa websites for their transatlantic baggage policy.

I have checked both websites and the answer is confusing AF, which is why I asked here for real world experience.

My United confirmation clearly says "In compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, checked baggage policies for your entire itinerary are determined by Deutsche Lufthansa AG." So United's policy doesn't matter.

So I go to Lufthansa's website which says "in addition to your free baggage allowance, you may carry one set of skiing equipment free of charge on your Lufthansa flight with the exception of flights to/from the US, Mexico, and Central America.” But there is no further info on what the policy is on flights to/from the US. And google results seem to hint that the issue is that you don't get a free bag AND skis, but if you're only checking skis, you are good. But I cannot confirm that, and plan to spend some time on hold with Lufthansa CS tomorrow to hopefully get an answer, but wanted to find out some real life experiences here.

[zion zig zag]

I have checked both websites and the answer is confusing AF, which is why I asked here for real world experience.

My United confirmation clearly says "In compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, checked baggage policies for your entire itinerary are determined by Deutsche Lufthansa AG." So United's policy doesn't matter.

So I go to Lufthansa's website which says "in addition to your free baggage allowance, you may carry one set of skiing equipment free of charge on your Lufthansa flight with the exception of flights to/from the US, Mexico, and Central America.” But there is no further info on what the policy is on flights to/from the US. And google results seem to hint that the issue is that you don't get a free bag AND skis, but if you're only checking skis, you are good. But I cannot confirm that, and plan to spend some time on hold with Lufthansa CS tomorrow to hopefully get an answer, but wanted to find out some real life experiences here.

If I were you I'd make an account at FlyerTalk and ask the question there: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luft...iles-more-495/

Those guys know and talk about the ins and outs of each airline like we talk about skis.

[Danno]

If I were you I'd make an account at FlyerTalk and ask the question there: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luft...iles-more-495/

Those guys know and talk about the ins and outs of each airline like we talk about skis.

good idea, I have an old account. I just did a search but didn't come up with recent results. But it's a good reminder for a resource for a Europe jong such as myself.

[Buster Highmen]

Hey, I'm not lawyer, but when it reads:

"in addition to your free baggage allowance..."

and at https://www.lufthansa.com/ao/en/sports-baggage it says:

"Sports equipment can be counted as part of your free baggage provided that the number of items and the weight do not exceed the free baggage allowance for your travel class. This does not, however, apply to the Economy Light fare."

Note that it doesn't specify dimensions. So, I'd think you're fine as long as you're not on Economy Light.

[Foggy_Goggles]

@danno I'll answer the question a few ways

I've flown Star Alliance to Europe a few times and its been good and I've had no problems flying with one roller ski bag for no extra cost

What someone on the phone tells you today will have no bearing on what actually happens at check it on either leg of your travels. If it provides you peace of mind, so be it.

Look at these lowest cost ticket options as just an opportunity to fuck you. Its easy to want to save a bit of cheddar while sitting on your couch but I find it to generally be a fools errand.

You can stack the deck in your favor but the reality is that you'll be a the mercy of the human in front of your face. This is kinda the attitude you need to bring to the whole circus.

[Danno]

Thanks Foggy, that's helpful. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

[stupendous man]

Thanks Foggy, that's helpful. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Folks, I am the +1 with Danno. I am in Spain with zero gear or access to gear. I will need everything from helmet, gloves, skis, boots, poles, avy gear and pack. Is this possible in the remote location of this lodge?

[Buster Highmen]

Folks, I am the +1 with Danno. I am in Spain with zero gear or access to gear. I will need everything from helmet, gloves, skis, boots, poles, avy gear and pack. Is this possible in the remote location of this lodge?

For example:
https://imholzsport-andermatt.ch/en/...ar-2-3-2-2-2-2

Their main shop, the Piazza Gottardo is a couple of blocks from the Andermatt train station, a 50 minute train ride from Rueras which runs hourly from 6:39 to 20:44.

Michele knows a bunch of shops within a 5 minute drive from their hotel from which maggots over the years have rented everything from skis to avy gear. It's not remote.