J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by msej449

Yesterday evening an English friend who lives in France was turned back on the road to his Andorra resort by the Gendarmes because of avalanches. His car had winter tyres (bought last week) and chains. He's now back home in the Lot very disgruntled that the Ski Club of GB site he checked before he left still hasn't mentioned this.

I don't think that it's a British thing - I think that it's a risk aversion thing that's independent of nationality. I'm risk averse and so I'll always take what's going if I think it reduces the statistical probability of something bad happening or reduces the severity of the consequences. At the other extreme, some people are happy to take risks and deal with the consequences because they perceive the probabilities as very low.

If insurers start insisting on helmets then it'll be interesting - they usually do this sort of thing only if there's statistical evidence for it e.g. not insuring male drivers under 25. Even if the accident numbers are revealed, I daresay it'll still be a matter of personal judgement about the relative risk balance.

Last day's skiing - typical conditions (6.2.13)

7th Feb.2013

Yet more snow last night: being cleared about 8am just before we left for GVA - You can see the depth. A hairy drive down the mountain where we were glad we were in a 4x4 - snow on road all the way down to 7-800m.

So anyone going over to Verbier next week will have great conditions, although the weather may be unsettled, according to the forecast.

5th Feb. 2013

No snow last night meant that slopes we all well-groomed. Initially deserted for the first couple of hours. High winds closed the higher areas all day (Gentians, Mt.Fort, Chaussure). Winds closed Verbier-Savoleyres gondola initially, but it started running about 11am. although a bit dodgy later. The Planards-Carrefour run opened up around the same time, which was useful.

Weather conditions were good for the rest of the day, although winds and fog started to draw in later in the afternoon. Temperatures were slightly sub-zero at altitude, around 2C at 1500m. although the wind make it seem colder.

It's now snowing again at 1500M with low visibility and looks set to continue for a while. Temperature at 6pm local time on balcony -2C

20:00 - Heavy snow and big flakes with estimated 12cm tonight.

Latest La Tzoumaz Verbier Mon.4th.Feb.2013 @9am
Conditions at 1500m unless otherwise stated.

Snowed heavily Friday with very strong winds causing drifts and difficult on-piste conditions. No one around. Nighttime temps high with melting and rain all night until early hours. Saturday temps dropped to -15 at altitude with continued intermittent snow but light winds. Limited piste bashing didn't help.

Yesterday (Sunday) beautiful weather, sunny and bright with a bit of local mist in afternoon but great skiing. Temperatures about -5C down to -15C up at Mt. Fort with great views across to Matterhorn/Mt.Blanc. Resort not that busy for a Weekend. Annoyingly the Savoleyres-Carrefour piste down to Mayentzet still closed, although lots of people are ignoring the closed gate and skiing down it.

Heavy snow for last 12 hours. Around -2C at 1500m Lighter snow continues and a bit clearer. Forecasts are contradictory and ambiguous so will just have to wait and see. Overall a load of fresh snow but another sunny day would be nice ...

First, the best place to get a service update on GVA is the airport website www.gva.ch and/or your airline.
Second, I also was trapped at GVA 2 years ago and spent the night in the airport and another night in a hotel miles away. But I blame easyJet for completely hopeless customer service.
The real problem - as is being seen at Heathrow - is that modern airports are just glorified shopping malls. They have no incentive to provide facilities for stranded travellers. Few are 24-hour operations, so there are no staff to run cafes and restaurants out of hours. And few if any have the secure floor space to sleep hundreds, or even thousands of stranded travellers. With the obsession about security, it's impossible to leave airside. The airlines keep you at the airport if your flight is delayed even when it's obvious in hindsight that there isn't a chance of a flight 'till the next day.

A mat/carpet piece to kneel on while you put the chains on. Saves wet trousers for the rest of your journey.
Flush your current screenwash out completely before you fill with 100% concentrate. Otherwise your jets/pipes can still freeze because they have dilute fluid in them.
And if possible, put on winter tyres. Chains are no use in mixed tarmac/snow and this is where most UK drivers on summer tyres will come a cropper. But I appreciate the practical problems.