J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

This is absolute bummer for a regular skier. My white, red and blue wax are in the clear. However, my cheese coloured wax is at risk.

As all J2skiers well know, cheese coloured wax covers the range of piste snow temperatures of plus 2 degrees to plus 7.5 degrees snow conditions.

I seek cheese coloured wax advice.

I have just finished, (or looking at the forecast, maybe not), a winter of five ski visits, 41 days. This is a bit higher than normal, but is occasioned by an early decision to join good friends in Vail, Colorado.

I have two next season visits already mindset, with one other semi-fixed and one widely open.

But, before anyone gets into a "rich git" mode, I pay Easyjet prices, £70 return, and €30 as a general nightly cost, and a really good knowledge of transfer possibilities. I also link multi-area visits buying a large area pass ~ ie Tirolpass in January, Obergurgl in March.

Of course, because I return to the same Austrian village every year, I have several advantages, in that I can leave a number of skis in the keller, along with some other kit. Hence, travel hand baggage does the job.
I guess my strategy is to retain my favourite Austrian resort, plus the regional areas, along with one or two other national areas, plus some opportunistic Scottish days.

Icy, you are an inspiration to all J2skiers!

Good man!

I agree with generally taking own skis. Last month we took 5 pairs of skis with us to Vail, Colorado, in two ski bags.

However, for 3 days, this is a lot of hassle.

I suggest local knowledge would release some info, and a) the tourist board, b) your accommodation hosts, hotels etc, should provide good local info.

I would normally have suggested Skiset, posted on the left side of the J2ski page.
However, I checked, and the hire dates seem to be blocked, mid month, suggesting those particular hire shops will be closed.

My suggestion now would be to contact your proposed accommodation, and ask them.

Pretty accurate, Wanderer.

I think people have moved on from the old adversarial freedom debate. Freedom of choice is now accepted. I do accept that I have been saved from a minimum of a serious head injury, having had concussion, even with a helmet.

That was after 40+ years of wearing a woolly hat.

The current generation of young skiers, in being made to wear helmets, will not change.

I agree about instructors not wearing helmets. Having said that, in my own resort, this tends to be a late season issue, when the weather is warm, and also mainly in beginner, lower intermediate classes. That is no excuse, though.

Ageeing with much of what PP says. Denver is a good connection. On previous occasions have stayed in Breckenridge. The pass covers five resorts, but Breckenridge itself has a lot of skiing. Beaver Creek and Keystone has a lot of friendly skiing. Arapahoe Basin is generally steep. Vail has the full range of skiing.
This season, due mainly to some developed strong friendships, we chose Vail. The snow conditions were just great, and the deep snow is superb, with the snow being light and dry.
Watch out which lift pass you use. If you choose to stay in Vail for two weeks, the Vail Epic local pass is valid only for 10 days. Thereafter, you will pay 150 dollars PER DAY!
Note that you may be prevented from leaving Vail to access other resorts should bad weather close the Vail Pass.
Crystals will not warn you about this, hence you may get caught out.

We love Colorado, and will be back again.

Great end of season, all Niederau runs complete, good at the tops, bit slushy close to the bottom, all part of the skill base.

Westendorf and Kitzbuhel were terrific. Both Auffach and Alpbach were excellent.

Also made a connection between a racer I met in Vail, and some in Niederau.

Plus I was guest of honour at a dinner!

Also, one six hour evening of free beer!