J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Smokey Barr

I'm off to Tignes Monday week and looking at the forecast, I'm not holding my breath for too much new snow. I'd like to know the difference between the 'Skiing Conditions' listed in the snow reports:

Hard Pack
Machine Groomed
Variable
Hard Packed Snow
Powder Snow
Wet Snow
Fresh Snow

While some initially seem self explanatory, what's the difference between 'Hard pack' and 'Hard Packed', or 'Powder Snow' and 'Fresh Snow'? Tignes is currently reporting Hard Packed, is this good or bad?

And in order of good to bad conditions, how would the above list look?

I'd have to Echo Emma's sentiments.

Sky diving aside, I described it the other day as the closets you'd get to flying. Clip in and let gravity do the work!!

I just love listening to my music and aimlessly gliding around the slopes, stopping off for a cheeky jar when I feel like it.

Just called BA. Were about as much use as a chocolate fireguard...

Going by 'policy' Boots have to be checked in. Though when I challenged her about why they couldn't be carried in as hand luggage, she didn't have an answer. "Just see what they say at check in" was pretty much all she could give me.

So my advise would be give it a go, but be prepared to either check them in with your ski's or pay for an extra check in bag.

Ho hum ......
Look what I just found - If you're planning to book a flight with Air France next month you better watch your weight. Starting from the 1st of April 2010, people who are too big to squeeze into their seats will have to pay for two seats instead – calling it 'Fat Tax'.
United airlines and Southwestern airlines in US are also reported as charging for two seats.

Wow! I stand corrected.

So will there be a similar devise to measure 'people' as there is for hand luggage? That's going to make check in interesting…

Mekka wrote:I can see the point of a large person having a much greater effect on the weight of the aircraft. However a tall person cannot help weighing more than I (a short person) do. It is unfair to single someone out because they are tall. Then you're onto whether someone can help being fat. Do we calculate a person's BMI at the check in desk?

At the end of the day this all boils down to the cost of fuel. I don't think the issue is with people who are skinny, fat, tall or short, it's the baggage allowance given to people of differing weight. It's hardly fair that someone who weighs 40 kgs is penalised for having a bag weighing 30 kgs, where as another passenger weighting 80 kgs is fine with a bag weighing 15 kgs.

Planes could take off with every passenger weighing 20 stone but it would cost them a hell of a lot more in fuel. Airlines know as well as you and I that they can not charge extra for people over a certain weigh, so they slap that cost onto excess baggage. And given the nature of their kit, skiers seem to be an easy target.

I agree! I was checking in some years ago with a companion who was 5'2" and as light as a feather. Her bags were overweight, and she kicked up a fuss - the check in supervisor let her through, saying something along the lines of - you are right, but don't tell anyone.

I think as with most things of this nature, it generally comes down to the discretion of the check-in staff, or whoever you're dealing with, and your own powers of persuasion and perseverance.

I generally find the crazier the rule, the easier it is to bend.

pauljames wrote:why cant i have the same sum of weight to MrX who is 6'4" and 100kg without any bags?

I've been challenging this for years. If airlines are so particular about weigh, a passenger's weight should be taken into consideration, for the very reasons you've stated. It is of course though a massive money spinner…

I'd love to know, if someone took it that far, how the argument would stand up in court.

andymol2 wrote:I suppose the work around is to put your ordinary shoes in as hand luggage and wear the ski boots until you have gone through security and swap over after that.

:mrgreen: Brilliant!

I may go a step further and don my jacket, ski trousers, goggles and hat.

Check in - "Going skiing sir?"

"What gives you that impression??"