J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by verbier_ski_bum

Chamonix should be a good bet for a three-month spell. It's a proper town, not a village, which should work against cabin fever, with great skiing. Yes, different areas are not "joined together" but this shouldn't be an issue for a long stay. Frankly the area would be too huge for all practical purposes if it was a one single area linked through the slopes and not through the valley. Good vibe in town too.

Just realized that I have only about 30 days left. I've already picked up the keys to my flat and moved my some of my ski stuff in, so hope to ski on November 14-15 if there is snow.

^I just did it! :) Now I need snow!

Kastle 108 are much beefier than the 118 version. I tried BMX 98 in the past and my impressions were similar to yours, plus I found them on a heavy side for my liking, I had a rather timid day but could feel my legs after a day on these skis; 108 felt even stiffer in the shop so I decided not to take them out. 118 were great, double-rockered, playful, not like a GS-ski on steroids. Anyway, I heard Kastle changed their line up for the coming season, and also promised myself to stop even looking at skis until 2017 at least..

At least they are not made in China :)I do like my DPS, I think I've found my prefect powder skis, quite versatile too compared to Armadas, less floppy, more stable, good in chop. Likewise I haven't met many people who didn't enjoy skiing them. And they seem bombproof. So far only a couple of very cosmetic scratches and I am not the most careful owner. I bought them at 50% off, so had a great deal too. At full price I would have probably gone for kastle 118. But at 400 chf DPS were a no-brainer.

I don't know, I skied my DPS last two seasons and they were fine everywhere - though I haven't yet skied anything steeper than 40 degrees; tails feel longer than tails on Armada JJs that I had previously, and I didn't realise short tails were a disadvantage.

Engelberg should fit your requirements - It opens on October 3, and it's only about 2 hours from Zurich airport. I am not familiar with Austrian resorts, but in this part I doubt you can find skiing any closer than that to the airport at this time of the year.

Depends what is "close" for you. Zermatt will be open but you are looking at 3-4 hours journey from the airport. Season doesn't start till December but some places with glaciers must be open if you are prepared to travel but their terrain parks availability will depend on the said parks altitude.