J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyhull

Depends how you think your skiing will develop over the next 4-5 seasons. Do you think you'll be venturing off piste more than you do now?

If you think you will, then I'd go for a all mountain ski. They used to be a bit of a compromise, but now they can handle just about anything.

Read all the reviews, Fall Line Skiing, I find very fair. Visit a few big shops (ones with all the makes) and ask them the question.

You've got two choices buy in the sales at the end of the season or wait for next years models.

I'm very surprised that anyone has a good word to say about Crystal.
I've arranged several big group trips through them and have found the UK side of the operation hassle from start to finish. Out in resort the reps (if you can find one) don't seem too interested in customers.
Perhaps they have changed since we gave up on them about 5 years ago?
In recent years we've used Skiworld who are in a different class compared to the crap service we used to get from Crystal.

Wanderer wrote:One stat that I saw recently really gave me a bit of a wake up call - IIRC it said that more people were killed in avalanches when the risk was classed at 3 than when the risk was higher. It seems that a lot of people will be fairly careful when its up at 4 or even 5 but throw caution to the wind when the risk level drops to 3.

Or it could be that when the avalanche risk has dropped to 3 you've got 10 times as many people in exposed off piste areas? It suggests people are taking note of the general risk level, but not necessarily taking it a stage further to how the weather conditions are effecting particular slopes.

It's that point at which skiers concider they don't need a guide and they take a risk.

The thing that worries me is not so much the skis allowing people to access off piste areas, it's having the safty equipment but having very limited knowledge of how to use it.
Before venturing out, you should always ask yourself if the worst happens could I find and rescue someone, also do you have confidence in the people you're skiing with finding and digging you out should you get buried.

The operator that springs to mind are Equity Ski, they do good value all inclusive holidays to some of the less expensive ski areas.

http://www.equityski.co.uk/

If the trips we organise didn't have to cater for expert skiers I'd certainly use them.

Give them a ring, they are really easy to deal with.

Just back from 8 sunny days in Les Arcs. Group of 30, had a superb time.
Prices not as bad as in Tignes.
Snow was great dispite none falling so far this year.

You should be able to claim for both the loss of the skis and the cost of hiring. The insurance company will claw back the money from the airline.

If I win it all, I'll treat everybody on this thread to a week in St Anton to celebrate. :D

Out of interest what would a small ski resort cost?....

The runs above Vaujany are really nice cruisey blues, though quite a way from the village. Also being lower than Alpe D'Huez the snow might not be as good. Not that I'd let that worry you, you should still have plenty of snow throughout the whole area.

You won't be able to reach Alpe D'Huez without skis, it's the other side of the mountain.

http://www.alpedhueznet.com/gif/listings/ADH_maps/ADH_pistemap.pdf

For advice on the tunnel, look at the Alpe D'Huez Run Ratings thread, you're not the only one to ask that question recently.