J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyhull

A very lucky escape.

http://www.kingsurf.co.uk/scuba-and-pete-get-caught-in-a-avalanche-in-the-alps-i24.html

Don't get too hung up on the colours on the piste map, I can think of several resorts where most of the greens are basically paths. Snow conditions are just as important when building confidence, so go for somewhere high.
Soldeu has miles of really easy blues and reds that anywhere else would be blue.
I'd certainly recommend ADH, the beginners areas there are fantastic. With several areas to explore too.
Les Arcs would be pretty good too.

You are going to find a lack of steep skiing on any glacier, by their very nature the slopes are going to be gentle and also limited.

andyoneil wrote:Dont have my copy to hand but the description of VDI in Where to Ski and Snowboard says something like "the piste grading is too inconsistent" and that one local instructor informed them that "we have to have greens and blues marked to attract all sorts but we dont necessarily actually have any on the mountain"

Santons always gets an interesting response from beginners. Quite a 'character building' blue that.

I find people get far too hung up on colour grading, rather than skiing to the conditions. But getting someone down a blue that's freaked them out challenges your coaching skills.

LOTA wrote:Definitely guide territory, but the rest of the La Masse, I think, is the best ski-ing in the Three Valleys when the snow is good.

Sussh, don't tell everybody. )

A few friends of mine are in Val at the moment.

I've run ski trips for the last 12 years, taking between 40 and 80 people away each year to what are supposed to be high risk resorts. In that time we're yet to have anything stolen. The only problem we've had is the odd pair of hire skis being mixed up within the group. A few swap skis, most of us don't bother.

Just one point about boots, don't over heat the liners or all the hard work in the shop moulding them to your feet could be undone. Make sure they are dry and warm but not hot.