J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andymol2

You will probably be able to buy a jacket and pants fairly cheaply at this time of the season, not really something that is generally hired. The jacket will probably be useful as you'll find it cold compared to Malaysia even off the mountain!
Boots & skis can be hired easily enough.

Interesting as I may be going there next year - daughter no1 has arranged to to a 6 month placement at Oslo Uni from January.

Your head and your choice.

Will a helmet prevent all head trauma - of course not.
Will it reduce the severity of the trauma - in the main yes.

Whilst I know the risk of a fatal or disabling head injury when skiing recreationally is small I choose to wear one as I'm convinced it reduces the risk of me being left disabled and a burden on my family.

I look on it as a hat with a crust, the only material difference being that I can't fold my helmet up and put it in my pocket when I go indoors.
Mind you I don't like wearing a hat but the lack of hair means I have to wear something to stop my head freezing these days.

Been twice (In April oddly enough) the first time you could ski right back into Sauze although slushy as you'd expect at that time of year. The second time it was 20 degrees and the lower slope down to the Clotes lift had closed.

I probably wouldn't go in April by choice again but a glance at the webcams shows lots of snow low down now.

Never paid more than 5 Euros for a large beer in Tignes (Val Claret) so the 5.50 for a small one is a bit of an overestimate for current Tignes prices. I'm sure there are some bars charging that but didn't frequent them. There again we got the impression that it was a place reeling from being shunned (presumably because of the prices) and the customers had gone elsewhere. Some bars and restaurants were clearly trying, but many had barely a handful of people at night (February before half term).

There were some days where we never shared a chair lift.

The law is what it is - to flout it having already been tried isn't exactly bright!
If the law is flawed then campaign to have it changed and challenge by legal means.

It sounds like the law is changing but until that point the wiser option would be to work in a country where the qualifications are accepted.

That said, as someone with an involvement in in undergraduate & post-grad education, the rules for accreditation as a ski instructor strike me as being more about the individuals ability as a skier rather than the ability to teach someone how to ski.

The F1 analogy is quite good - being a top F1 driver in no way qualifies one to teach people to drive on the roads. You'd hope they have an understanding of the fundamentals but that's not the same as being able to convey it.

The reality is wherever you live you have to accept the law of the land.

Unfortunately some countries in Europe enforce the law differently for locals compared with foreign residents.

Hopefully the EU will eventually ensure laws are applied even handedly.

The anti-EU lobbyists will cite it as an example of why the EU is doomed to fail.

I thought the Olympic ethos was not just about the winning but also the taking part.
Whilst I appreciate that in certain events where there are particular safety issues like ski jumping it may be reasonable to have proof that an entrant has the experience to compete without undue risk to themselves - the IOC made fools of themselves with Eddie the Eagle - whilst he was not going to win he was adequately trained, yet the IOC rigged it to prevent a repetition of the plucky no-hoper grabbing the spotlight.

Much harder to do with skiing - even a relative novice can get down the runs slowly.

It is a shame that Britain turned down entry opportunities they could perhaps have used to encourage future participants. Would Vanessa May have got one of those slots if Britain had used them - probably not as there may well be a number of better British Women skiers. But well done her for flying the flag for Thailand.