Prep for Ski Holidays

ise wrote:

caron-a wrote:

it was pretty hairy coming down in the funicular though. if you haven't tried it (which I reckon most people haven't because they'd ski it) it's worth the experience!

We used to download that way during summer training when it isn't possible to ski out (even on someone else's skis). I was there on the day the drive cable snapped on the cable car, later when they'd got everyone out the funi' broke down carrying them back leaving them in the tunnel for 45 minutes, a bad day for some people )

ISTR that you were standing on the piste and underneath that cable car when the cable snapped. Very scary.

bandit wrote:

ISTR that you were standing on the piste and underneath that cable car when the cable snapped. Very scary.

that's right, it went with quite a noise as well and the cable car shot back until the inertia brake engaged, for a second it seemed to be coming down on us. Ironic, the odds of being stood at the top of some gates and have that happen overhead must be quite high )

Tony_H wrote:Rose, have you been tested for Diabetes? Might be worth ruling out if nothing else.

I had surgery about six weeks ago and pre-op they did lots of tests and blood tests including testing for diabetes all except the severe anaemia were negative. The only other thing I know is my blood pressure is always quite low. Could be a factor, combined with altitude it may affect me.

caron-a wrote:could the altitude sickness also be down to how fast you travel? my 7 year old skied all of the espace killy for days with no problems but the day we took him up on the (extremely fast) funicular he was as white as a ghost and we had to bring him back down after plying him with lots of water.

then to the original question (sorry, I'm a little behind) - I was as fit as a fiddle before my accident, ashtanga yoga at least 3 times a week, very strong. the best advice I've been given by my consultant (that I've dished out many times since) is never do that "just one more run". tiredness will undo any good you may have done the year leading up to your holiday :?

by the way, who else is gripped by the olympics???

We dont often use lifts or funiculars as part of our holiday is walking/hiking/playing in the snow, so we usually walk/hike up the side of a mountain, when we reach the top, ski/board back down. So we really go at our own speed or pace. I would love to sort it out, its not severe enough for me to see Docs and does not stop me doing every-thing, but would love to feel tip-top for all of my holiday

skidaddle wrote:I am finding the Olympics fantastic viewing at the moment and I have a huge sense of pride watching our rowers, cyclists and sailors winning so many medals - long may it continue.

Enjoying it but really disappointed about the tennis, thought Andy Murray was in with a chance for us, I think he is still in the doubles.

RoseR wrote:


We dont often use lifts or funiculars as part of our holiday is walking/hiking/playing in the snow, so we usually walk/hike up the side of a mountain, when we reach the top, ski/board back down. So we really go at our own speed or pace. I would love to sort it out, its not severe enough for me to see Docs and does not stop me doing every-thing, but would love to feel tip-top for all of my holiday

Rose, walking up ski hills in alpine ski boots is hard work. Check out some touring skis and boots on your next trip. That way, if you are skiing, you can keep your skis on while you are ascending using skins, leaving your hands free for your poles.The equipment is generally lighter than alpine kit. :D

RoseR wrote:

skidaddle wrote:I am finding the Olympics fantastic viewing at the moment and I have a huge sense of pride watching our rowers, cyclists and sailors winning so many medals - long may it continue.

Enjoying it but really disappointed about the tennis, thought Andy Murray was in with a chance for us, I think he is still in the doubles.

The Murray brothers bombed out of the doubles too. Andy Murray is the new Tim Henman - lots of promise and hope and then massive let downs. Funny how he seemed to perform better with money on the tour, compared to a totally demotivated performance in the Olympics. Its the pro sportsmen like him who belittle what the Olymppics is all about. Rebecca Adlington etc are worth far more than the likes of him and some of the footballers out there.

RoseR wrote:
We dont often use lifts or funiculars as part of our holiday is walking/hiking/playing in the snow, so we usually walk/hike up the side of a mountain, when we reach the top, ski/board back down. So we really go at our own speed or pace. I would love to sort it out, its not severe enough for me to see Docs and does not stop me doing every-thing, but would love to feel tip-top for all of my holiday

you're ski touring? if not it sounds like you'd suit it.

Have you tried Acetazolamide (Diamox) at all? If it's a huge problem you can ski at lower altitudes in Austria or Norway with just as good snow. Also avoiding villages over 2000m might be a good idea, stay at 1000-1500m and ski over 2000m should be easier. Other treatments are over the top, additional oxygen or steroid injections, for a holiday really.

What you're describing is classic, those first few days you're going up the slopes and returning to the village each night, in climbers talk, climb high - sleep low, that's increasing production of red blood cells and after a couple of days you've enough red cells to deal with it.

I'm lucky, I spend a lot of time at height and my red blood cell count is high so my ability to get oxygen around my body will be significantly greater than a holidaymaker. I've been spending time with people recently doing acclimatisation protocols with them actually although there's no particular advice I can give other than we're chemical free :D