2010 Gear Test Camps - Autumn At Tignes

AllyG wrote:Bandit,

What they don't say (or I couldn't find it) is what exactly you do to test the equipment, other than ski/board with it. I would have thought they'd have been timing people etc. with the different equipment, if they really wanted to learn more about their gear. I think they're really trying to sell stuff, because they also give you a voucher for ski gear.

The only way it would be worth it for me would be if we went in October half-term and spent a few days in Geneva or somewhere as well, to justify the effort and cost of getting there by train.

Ally

The retailer behind the Test, already know all they need to know about the characteristics of the equipment that will be on sale this winter. Testing took place a long time ago, to enable full production to begin. The Test concept in this instance is to allow the public to get their hands on, and try out the new kit before it hits the stores, at nominal cost. The co. will find it interesting to get some feedback from users, which will no doubt help them in their stores this coming winter.

Have you measured your Carbon footprint based on your preference for travelling to London by train, crossing the city, then using the train to a French resort valley station, finally switching to taxi/bus for the last part of the journey? I would be interested in the figures, particularly as Easyjet make claims about their low carbon footprint, based on their high load capacity and the age of their planes.

Ally, I admire your environmental policy. However, you really are making life difficult for yourself by not flying. I also dont think that the world will change if you take a flight.
Cue a hige discussion on the merits of people addressing their carbon footprint....
Allow me to kick it off:

I will go where I want where I want how I want, if I can afford it.

Next....

Admin,
I think it's impossible to get a true measure of how much carbon we produce when we go on our ski holidays, but I'm quite sure that it's a lot less going by train than by flying.

Eurostar says that their train only produces 14 Kg of CO2 on the return trip from St Pancras to Bourg-St-Maurice, whereas the plane produces 148 Kg CO2.

There are a lot of factors to consider.

For example, short flights are actually worse than long flights, per mile, presumably because of the extra fuel required for take-off and landing. And the carbon efficiency of all forms of transport depend on how full they are. So I would imagine if I was the only person on the train it would be much worse than a full plane.

But we travel during Feb half-term, and the trains from West Wales to London, and the Eurostar from St Pancras to Moutiers, are full (as presumably would be the planes). In fact, the Feb half-term direct train to Moutiers sold out practically straight away and I was lucky to get tickets. And I think we all know how full the underground is when we cross London!

And, it's not just the journeys one has to consider, but the CO2 produced during the production of the trains/planes, and maintaining the railways and airports etc.

Plus, one also has to consider other things in one's lifestyle - like heating during the winter, car travel etc. I produce a lot of CO2 driving around during the year, because we live in the country and I have to drive everywhere and I do about 10,000 miles, or 16,000 Km p.a. which equates to about 2,200 Kg of CO2 with my car. But during the winter we usually only have one radiator on in the house, so we don't use much fuel, although I can't measure it because we share our oil tank with the holidaymakers - and likewise with the electricity.

Ally

Tony_H wrote:Cue a hige discussion on the merits of people addressing their carbon footprint....
Allow me to kick it off:

I will go where I want where I want how I want, if I can afford it.

Next....

Likewise :thumbup: 8)

Well, just be grateful you don't live on a small island in the South Pacific ocean, or you'd probably become a refugee within the next 10 years.

Although parts of London, for example, may well disappear under the waves in the next 50 years or so. And the climate for all of us is becoming more violent, and unpredictable due to global warming.

Ally

AllyG wrote:Well, just be grateful you don't live on a small island in the South Pacific ocean, or you'd probably become a refugee within the next 10 years.

Although parts of London, for example, may well disappear under the waves in the next 50 years or so. And the climate for all of us is becoming more violent, and unpredictable due to global warming.

Ally

Well I dont, so quite frankly it doesnt affect me. Selfish? Probably, yes.

Some parts of London NEED to disappear )

Global warming or climate change, or whatever the geeks are trying to sell it to us as today is not going to change if you or I decide to travel by train instead of flying. If THE WHOLE WORLD stopped flying or gave up their cars, it MIGHT make a difference. If China and the US stopped pumping so much industrial pollution into the atmosphere, it MIGHT make a slight difference. But I am sorry - to do yourself out of travelling the world and going where you want seems a little bit daft to me, seeing as other people will continue to buy seats on the flights you are boycotting.

I am just trying to be realistic here, not antagonistic.

And the plane will still be flying whether you're on it or not.

I have tried to do my bit, and I think I do enough as an individual with recycling etc. It's the bigwigs that need to do something to stop global warming, not just the individual.

However, as normal we have digressed. I get regular emails from Mountain Sun as they do 'out of the ordinary' dates (3/7/9 days) and seem to be reasonable in cost if you can get a cheap flight or chose to drive.

I'd love to go for a 3 day equipment test, and I may well do, but will see how the pennies are doing nearer the time :D

NellyPS wrote:And the plane will still be flying whether you're on it or not.

I have tried to do my bit, and I think I do enough as an individual with recycling etc. It's the bigwigs that need to do something to stop global warming, not just the individual.

However, as normal we have digressed. I get regular emails from Mountain Sun as they do 'out of the ordinary' dates (3/7/9 days) and seem to be reasonable in cost if you can get a cheap flight or chose to drive.

I'd love to go for a 3 day equipment test, and I may well do, but will see how the pennies are doing nearer the time :D

I agree on both counts.
I'd like to be able to go, but think it will be unlikely.
I think the companies hope to sell some gear, but I dont think its hard sell. People go to be able to ski early season I think.