J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by hymac580

Watch it live on BBC!
It's on BBC iplayer. Just watched men's super G.

Just back from Selva Val Gardena/Sella Ronda
Hated the piste map.
Not least cos it was massive when folded. Also none of the lifts were named. Instead they are numbered and then listed on a different part of the map. Not listed in order, but by sector.
Not a single piste was numbered or named on the map? Consequently when you got to the top of a lift there were arrows indicating piste colours and the general direction. Sometimes of course the direction and piste colour were the same, because often these pistes ended up in the same place eventually. Not much help if you wanted to stop at a restaurant on a particular piste, or ski a recommended piste.

Also with only a few random exceptions, the pistes were not numbered once you were on them. Very occasionally there was a reminder, but not many.

Worse still, unlike France, the pistes are not marked in decreasing numbers from top to bottom. Particularly vital if you are reporting an injury.

Worse still, and I'm not sure whether this is an international standard or not...but I'm used to seeing orange tipped piste markers on the right hand side of the piste. Potentially lifesaving in a white out. They did have orange tips, but also had many on the left hand side of the piste as well with orange tips?

Any others worse? Or am I being fussy?

Lastly, and this is not particular to Selva, wouldn't it be a good idea for lift operators to put the name of the lift in big print on the uphill facing part of the lift uprights, so you could see which lift you were skiing alongside or under. When conditions are poor (which tends to happen on a mountain)you don't want to keep yanking a paper map out of your pocket. At least I don't.

Done Samoens in the Flaine ski area. Flaine is dead ugly but great skiing and fantastic snow record. Been there when rest if Europe suffering poor snow and Flaine well above average. Samoens smaller village but with no resort runs. Gondola back every night. Not a bad thing on tired legs. About 1 hour by taxi from Geneva. Last time stayed in Les Glaciers hotel. 2 or 3 star but free wifi. Went for 4 days quick break with my son. The hotel was really accommodating. Let us into our room at 9am on the day we arrived and let us change in their sauna area, and shower, after skiing on last day at 5pm. Perfect from Geneva.

I've used the English couple running Geneva Airport Tranfers with success.
Give them a try 00 33 450 54 57 24.
Not sure how long they run for but guessing most of the year.

Also bear in mind that the last run down to Champagny is a crappy red path (Les Bois) possibly not to suited to children (depends on conditions). Can take a gondola instead however.

You'll love the whole La Plagne area, and 3 blues above Champagny, around the Rossa chair are ideal for kids.

Now at the end of my amazing week in VT.
Did pretty much every run recommended and top vote goes to Jerusalem..
Stunning red with cracking views. Completely unpisted at the top and as it had snowed during the night it was fantastic. All in all with a mix of snow nearly every evening and some sunshine on some of the days, it's been best week ever.

Thanks for all the recommendations. Going the week before Christmas and now somewhat alarmed to hear that the link to Meribel might not be open. Does anyone have any firm info on this?
I'm happy to be going to VT as snow/forecast looks good but going to want to explore the whole area.

Now in my 25th year of skiing, still never been to the 3 valleys/4 valleys area.
Booked now for Val Thorens, and would be interested to know which pistes are considered the "must do's" out of the 300 or so available?