J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by colinlambert_1

LOTA,
I couldn't agree more with your report.
We were in Heavenly over the Christmas period and stayed in the same hotel as you. We didn't catch the bus from the hotel because there was a direct footpath from the car park that went straight to the gondola (5mins). Even using traffic lights to cross the I-50.
We did lose out to a reduced ski area on two days due to the high winds, but when we did ski it was fabulous. I have to say I preferred the Nevada side with the Galaxy runs and the Pines through the trees is a fun route. Although my hired skis made for a more interesting adventure.

I found that the lift pass cost was a lot more than Europe but there did seem a lot more employees, guides and patrollers than in Europe. Or maybe they are more 'in your face'.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Bonfire,
There is no waterproofing case with the Drift.
The actual camera is waterproof to 3metres. If you want to go deeper then you buy a case, but if it is just for swimming in a pool then you use just the camera. It had me anxious the first time I used it but there was nothing to worry about. Even the microphone works okay underwater.
As far as the screen is concerned, I have used the camera without any case. I clipped the camera onto my helmet whilst skiing a piste then just put the camera into my pocket. This happened for a full week and no scratches on the lens at all.
If you throw it around it will get damaged, but won't any camera?

The user manual is on the Drift website

Hello Bonfire,
I've got a Drift HD Ghost that I use on skiing holidays.
The picture quality is excellent for both movies and stills. It is slightly bulkier than the bullet cams but it fits on the side of my helmet. It doesn't seem to be as obtrusive as the box sitting on top.
What is also an advantage over other cameras is that it is waterproof down to 3 metres, straight out of the box. I've got some excellent, and very clear, videos of my son swim training from below.
Hope this helps.

When in Banff you need to go to Earls Restaurant at the top end of the high street. It's on the first floor with fantastic views of the mountain.
It will definitely be cold that time of year. Lake Louise has piste and powder available next to each other. The Larch area is lovely and quiet with the Temple Lodge offering good food and service.
You are definitely making me jealous!!

Hello Dobby,
I am off to Solden this weekend so I will let you know what that resort was like in a couple of weeks.
I know this year Austria has not had it too good so it will be interesting to see how the lower slopes cope with the lack of snow.
The official resort website is stating 0cm on the lower slopes but still tells me we can ski back to resort! Interesting.
If you really want to push the boat out you could try Banff, Canada. We skied there in 2012 and some days we felt we had the whole mountain, Sunshine or Lake Louise, to ourselves and never had to think about the snow conditions because everywhere was great.

I didn't think I could get any more excited for my holiday in Solden next week but showing that price index has just made me that little bit happier.

I'm going out to Solden in a few weeks.

Apart from the bumpy, 200 yard, run back home I would guess from your post that the rest of the resort was good.
What were the lift queues like during the day.
I also noticed on the resort web site that the glaciers were closed on some days. Was this because of high winds or poor visibility.
Did you complete the Big3 route. What was that like if you did.

Shona,
Do you really need a hotel. We are the DIY holiday types, self catering, flights, car hire, buy ski passes online.
We have rented a chalet approximately 10 minutes drive from Le Bettex. The skis and boots are stored in the hire shop, with heated lockers.
At that time of year there may be discounts on the lift passes.
Easyjet flights in March are only around £100 per person.
From your posts I understand that price is an issue, as with all of us, but if you want guaranteed snow at that time of year the you need to go to higher resorts but that will probably guarantee higher prices.
Have a look at the following link that gives historical snow depths for St. Gervais, and other resorts. Maybe this should ease your worries.
Finally the closer to Le Bettex the better for getting onto the pistes.

http://www.igluski.com/france/st-gervais-snow-history_4822