J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by KevinC

Looks like someone managed to stop the value of the pound against the Euro dropping today - about to go over 1.10 again. Or is this a calm before another storm with more interest rate cuts expected? How exciting!

ise wrote:

KevinC wrote:I don't intend paying for snow chains myself (I'm expecting the car to have winter tyres but that's a whole different matter!).

It's a risk a lot of people take and get away with. I'd not rely on winter tires being fitted unless you're renting from the Swiss side in Geneva. If it's just France then it won't be the norm. How dangerous depends on the day, if it's a problem the police will stop you.

Sadly, chains are for up and down the hill though :lol: In fact, I'm fairly sure I've not used chains to get up a hill all the time we've lived in the alps. We've got winter tyres, 4WD and carry chains; hypothetically, if I could only have one it would have to be chains, it's the only thing that'll get you moving sometimes.

Some enterprising person should open a chain rental place in Moutiers or Chambery, it ought to be easy enough to undercut the car hire companies and still make money )

Thanks Ise - I deliberately chose Swiss side of Geneva over Chambery, despite the extra distance, for the tyres and so that I am driving in daylight rather than nighttime. Plus I hate the way Jet2 charges stack up and would rather pay someone else. Guess I'll just have to monitor the conditions and see what happens!

Wanderer wrote:

peterdavis wrote:Comparing directly next year's prices to this year it looks like flight & BB accom is £55 per person more. This is for 2nd week of Jan in Westendorf. Lift, tuition and kit prices have hardly changed.

I don't like to rub it in for those of you based in the UK but make sure to check the small print. With the deterioration in Sterling, it would seem logical that the 2010 Sterling prices for Europe should be 20-30% higher than 2009 (including, in particular, lift passes, ski-hire, etc).

I suspect that the early brochures are based on an out-of-date or positively optimistic exchange rate and that the small print allows them to charge a potentially nasty currency surcharge :x.

I believe the TO must absorb the first 2% and the maximum charge is up to 10% if the currency significantly fluctuates. I don't know but would imagine you have the option to cancel also.

I'm going on Saturday :D and a) due to the euro making this trip rather expensive and b)due to clear weather being forecast for La Plagne on Saturday I don't intend paying for snow chains myself (I'm expecting the car to have winter tyres but that's a whole different matter!).

I realise the risk is that the roads might be snow covered for the return (assuming nothing changes as well bewteen now and Saturday but i will check) .....my questions is - how stupid a risk would that be to take.

I.e. is it just mildly dangerous or absolutely certain to end in death to try to descend without chains should it snow?

I'm hoping someone (Ise seems to know everything snow related) will tell me chains are more for powering up the hill rather than steering or braking... :shock: but I'm sure some of you will have experience.

Thanks

KC

Don't worry about it, it's an easy run. I skied it backwards with one ski resting on my shoulder last year.

Regards

Paul Burrell :shock:

Never bought snow chains but I'm sure I've seen E.40 mentioned - do not pay 102!

Sorry can't help with your query other than to suggest taking it to your dry cleaner and asking them - they'll have a good idea of what is suitable from their past experience.

On that topic however - is it necessary to water-proof your ski-wear following every time you wash it? What do people generally do to keep their gear clean as well as dry?

RossF wrote:KevinC I think the moon will definitely be in with a shout in 2018, they don't have the infrastructure there yet for the downhill and the big air would be, well, err big.

That does sound logical. However for 2018 I'm hoping it's Salzburg!