J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Snapzzz

Just my 2p's worth.

I loved my lessons, had a great time and as Icy says i skied places i never would have skied alone. Mind you my bases are gonna need some attention due to the rock scrambling to access the great powder.
I doubt the social skiing will inspire you but you will obviously meet other people that are likely in the same boat as you. And also a chalet environment is going to introduce you to others too.

Personally i would never have private lessons unless i had a specific agenda. The social side of group lessons adds value IMHO.

SwingBeep wrote:
All he has actually done is give some newbies some instruction in off-piste skiing technique in terrain that he considered safe on the day, next week he might make a different assessment.

Thats one way of looking at it. however explaining the dangers under different conditions would have been wise. I was certainly tempted to return alone for another go the next day but decided against it as i am careful. Others may just have gone for it.

TheSkiingGolfer wrote:
Hi Snapzzz

i'm heading to La Plagne sunday and have lloked at the Class 3 ESF lessons although based on your description i wonder if it's perhaps beyond me and i should go for Class 2. What's your level of experience?

Ben

I have around 6 weeks skiing spread over 5 years.

From what i have seen here class 2 will have you confidently skiing steep reds by the end of the week with the ability to control your speed on steeper slopes and mastering sideslipping.

Class 3 will assume you are happy on ALL pisted slopes and take you to different snow conditions which generally are off piste.
We were taught powder skiing, jump turns on steeps and dealing with very narrow sections.

Having not skied for a year i went in class 2 on day one just to get my ski legs back. We were made to ski a 300m slope how we normally would and assessed. It was go left for weak class2 and right for strong class 2. I was just told not to come back, move on to level 3 or waste my time and money.

Brucie wrote:I know my opinions are seen by the majority here as 'old fashioned' but the subject of insurance seems to be becoming obsessional.
If insurance cover issues outweigh the exhilaration of skiing off piste can I suggest that skiing maybe isn't the right sport for you.
There are many 'safer' sports I could suggest.

Kinda agree there. My insurance will get me off the mountain and to a hospital under any circumstances that i currently ski.
It won't buy me a new life, thats on my head.

1100 euro for ski school for 2 kids??????? is that a typo?

In my experience no groups are created on grounds on nationality, it goes on ability.
Most instructors in resorts popular with brits will speak english. I wouldn't worry too much although it would be nice if they could talk to other kids.

Sorry guys, been on the slopes all day so haven't had chance to respond to any comments.

As we entered the corridor i did ask about a huge slab of snow above is as i was concerned given all the chat recently of ava risk. I am very much new to anything off piste so have no knowledge myself about what to look for but it did look risky to me.
My actually words were " Is this safe?" as i pointed at the pack. The ESF guy simply laughed and said "No, we all die today" in a sarcastic tone.

The more i think about it the more concerned i am that this really is dangerous. He should, have explained why it was safe and perhaps i should have pushed for such an explanation. What he has done is give a class off off piste newbies a sense that areas that 'look' like this are perfectly safe.

As for insurance, i am covered off piste but it won't provide a new life will it? It did make me wonder though if Ski School students should be covered under a general ESF policy a bit like learner drivers are covered by the instructors policy.

Here is the route we took. A pic paints a 1000 words.

Guys, opinions please.

I am currently in the PDS and taking group lessons with ESF, class 3.
This week we have been skiing mostly off piste but firmly within the resort boundaries.
Should i be concerned that the instructor has given us no safety advice and no one carries any safety equipment for off piste skiing.

I know that there are low risk areas but surely this is bad practice.

For those that that know the area yesterday we were skiing knee deep powder in the corridors to the right off the swiss wall (as you look at it).

This is my first time in such areas and although i enjoyed it there was something in my mind that was saying 'this isn't right'

Am i being silly?

chris callow wrote:Happy to oblige. Off now to play in the deep stuff, more pics when we get back! http://t.co/GJV2w9BaY4

Sorry, don't wanna sound negative but if that big snow i am Ms Vonn.