Messages posted by : Dave Mac
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I had to go for new tyres last November, and was offered winter tyres at the same price as normals. I drive a Land Rover, so it is a four wheel drive, with adjustments for hill,snow, mud etc. In last winters snow, the winter tyres still made a significant difference, so I was glad I chose them. Wish I had charged for all the tow-outs last year.
I did have a plan to buy an extra set of summer tyres, so as to make the winter tyres last, but that didn't happen, and winter is upon us........ |
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Steady, Lota, you are describing my previous pair of boots! Glad you are coming good! |
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Austria: In Austria, the law states that between 1st of November and the 15th of April, a car - that has a maximum weight 3.5 tonnes - can only drive in winter conditions (i.e. snow, ice, slush, etc) as long as winter tyres have been fitted. If an all-season tyre bears the "M + S" mark on the sidewall, these will be considered as an adequate alternative. If you do not follow these laws, you risk a fine of around €5,000 as well as losing your vehicle to the impound lot. There are also major ramifications to your insurance. If you are in an accident during the winter and you do not have winter tyres fitted to your car, then your policy will be deemed null & void. You must have chains with you on mountain roads, although many locals don't. Germany: Recently, Germany added new rules to their Highway Code. According to the law, motorists must have winter tyres (that bear the M+S symbol) if they are driving on snow, black ice or roads covered in frost. Switzerland: There are no specific laws in Switzerland concerning the use of winter tyres. However, in the case of an accident, if a motorist does not have winter tyres fitted to his/her vehicle they have a far greater chance of receive the responsibility of any damage incurred from the collision. In certain areas there is a requirement to use winter tyres. Road signs are used to indicate to a driver whether or not they are on a road that winter tyres must be fitted. From Blackcircles website, (not definitively legal) http://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/winter-tyres/laws-and-legislation There is a euro map showing where there are compulsory laws. |
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I would agree with the premise of taking boots on board. You wouldn't put a £300 camera, or a £500 laptop into the hold luggage. Well fitting boots are priceless. One issue, is there are many reports of boots not being allowed through security as hand baggage. Yes, I know there are thousands of cases, maybe even the majority, where they are allowed as hand baggage, but it introduces uncertainty.
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Hi Moogy, as a guide the charge for a 2 hour pass is 21 Euro. From memory, a return gondola ride will be between 7 & 10 Euros. I will try and find out. If your lady is energetic, she could walk up the mountain on snowshoes plus sticks.
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Rousse is an adjective connected with roux. (red) As an adjective, it cannot have a plural. So Ally is correct, it must refer to a place name, unconnected with roux.
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Pavel! How perceptive! Yes, the white jacket, it was the husband. He had skied on ahead of his wife. I guess he waited, and then skied on, and so he went up again and came down the same run.
When he arrived, he stopped in the area below his wife. After explaining what I had done, I asked him to move his skis across to the right, because he had stopped where the Ski Patrol would always bring the Achier, (rescue sledge), and that is normally, just below the injured skier. The Frau was very thankful towards me, but the husband was not so. Ah well..... I was so upset, I had to stop in the stuble at the bottom, have a drink, just to calm my shattered nerves....... Well, that is what I told my wife....... |
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Stop a couple of metres to one side, approaching slowly. Skis off, and walk carefully above the fall, and put your skis into the snow, well above the injured person.
In this incident,on the Skiwelt, it was at the bottom of a section of a steep black run, and towards the end of the day. I was the first to stop, although the run was very busy, as it was towards the end of the day. After positioning the skis, I spoke to the lady, she was German, and ascertained she had a severe and painful injury. I phoned the mountain rescue from my mobile, (I always keep the phone number of the lift company stored in my mobile)After speaking a little more to the lady, she agreed that she would like me to try and remove the skis. This I did carefully. Then I straighted her legs, to her immediate relief, (note that I have received training on this!) I then positioned her skis to the side of mine, as additional protection. The ski patrol arrived shortly afterwards, and I stood back and let them do their excellent work.  |
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