J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by jonG

Hi ,

Heres the link...

http://www.snow-watch.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=59&p=21029#p21029

Not sure how accurate but Bastardi seems to know what he's talking about from previous experience....well have to wait and see.....forwarned is forarmed as they say...

jon

Hi Guys,

Just a heads up about the coming winter for the UK, Joe Bastardi was on a radio show and stated the following.....

He says it " could be a 1 in 50 years event ". Thought you guys would find this interesting...

There is a link somewhere I'll dig it out

jon.

Hi,

Yes I would say les Arcs would be fine, but would recommenb they stay in either Arc 2000 or Arc 1950 if both are looking for wide, relatively easy flattering runs, with options for something a little more challenging slightly further afield over the 1600/1800 Peisey-Vallandry side.

All the best

jon.

Hi,

Many thanks for looking/choosing Les Arcs it's a great place to ski....I have been going to the area for the last 10 years as have an apartment in Bourg-St-Maurice...

... in January from around the first weekend after New Year the resort will be crowd free, even with the expansion over the last few years, I'm amazed more people haven't cottoned on to the fact that if they give the mega resorts of Tignes & Val a miss up the road and head to Les Arcs instead a fab skiing holiday is to be found.

Theres acommadation to suit all tastes, and a great mix of runs, many of which will flatter all levels of skiing and bring your level on no end, coupled with an envious snow record and skiing from 1200m - 3226m and also the link with LA Plagne.....unless your going for the whole season you won't ski yourelf out......in fact it would take many seasons.

There I must admit I'm a little biased for obvious reasons but I promise you won't have any worries choosing Les Arcs.

All the best

jon.

Hi again,

Heres the weblink ...

http://www.bensbus.co.uk/


jon.

Hi,

have a look at BensBus , should get a transfer from Geneva for around £73 per person return ( Saturday to Saturday ), used them last year ( Geneva to Bourg-St-Maurice )...grest service.

jon

Hi Again,

I also followed on with the below comments, again I hope they are of help...

Sorry meant to follow on from my previous post......along with the value of winter tyres, driving style should be moderated in accordance with the conditions, no sudden acceleration, turning of the wheel etc along with gentler use of the brakes ( use engine breaking where possible ), with regards to 4x4's the same applies........

......although 4 wheel drive is a massive advantage, a Range Rover ( for eg ) with low profile/normal summer tyres will just become a 2.5 ton sledge if driven normally under the assumption that " it's got 4 wheel drive I can drive normally " ....if you are lucky enough to own a 4x4 some winter rubber at each corner imakes even more sense.

I personnaly think it should be compulsory from the beginning of November to say Mid March in the UK to have winter tyres fitted, the amount of accidents and lives saved would be worth it alone, and less accidents should hopefully mean lower insurance premiums for all.....on a final note in Germany & Switzerland if you are involved in a car accident in the winter and do not have winter tyres fitted.....you are automatically in the wrong regardless of fault.


Peace..

jon.

Hi Folks,

Sorry not been about much lately....work calls unfortunately....heres a reply I posted on another forum with regards to winter tyres etc....

Sorry I am little late to this trhead as I've only just registered on the site, with regards to Winter Tyres the main misconception is that people think " they are only for snow aren't they "....well the answer is no.....

....normal tyres have a harder silica/rubber compound which once the temperature falls below 7 oC ( 44.6 F ) starts to harden up and be less pliable, and therefore lose traction/grip ( in wet/damp,cold,ice/snow conditions ).

Winter tyres ( proper winter tyres will have a snowflake+mountain symbol on the side wall of the tyre ) have a different silica/rubber combination which keeps the tryre grippy from 7oC to around -30oC dependent on make etc, also the grooves and tread on the outside of the tyre (sipes) are deeper and bigger, typical tread depth on a winter tyre for cars is 10mm - 12mm, it is the ability to hold snow in these sipes that makes the tyre grip.....think of when you make a snowball with wooly gloves and how the snowball sticks to the glove.

With respect to how many tyres, winter tyres should be fitted to ALL 4 tyres, as one of the main things a winter tyres will do is under breaking make the car brake in a straight line, if tyres are only fitted to the driven wheels, the other end of the car will become like a peendulum and put the car into a sideways spin....not good.

There are many good makes of winter tyres but after driving in the French Alps for over 20 years I would recommend Continental , Vredstein and Nokian as probably the best ......Continental's winter tyres are regularly voted top choice in the German equivalent of the AA's tyres tests.

I drive a Vauxhall Astra 1.7diesel and will be buying a set of the Continental winter tyres at the end of the month ( a good site to buy from is http://www.mytyres.co.uk ) sorry about the long link folks.

As for do winter tyresd wear out quicker again no more than normal tyres, a set fitted at the end of October and changed back mid march or when the temps start to avarage 9oC - 10oC in the morning and evening rush hour should last 3 - 4 winters on average mileage.

As for snow socks and chains......chains are brilliant in the event of exceptionally bad roads ( with winter tyres ) and make a world of difference when used with just normal tyres, the only problem is that they should be removed when the road has no snow as driving on tarmac with chaains will not only destroy your tyres but will do damage to the road surface, also chaains are only good for up to 20 - 25Mph maximum, if you do buy chains RUUD are about the best about at quite a fair price ( dependant on size of tyre etc ), also make sure you practice putting them on before the weather is bad as doing it for the first time in freezing cold , snowy conditions isn't fun ( a pair of gloves kept in the car and a piece of plastic sheeting to lay on would be a good idea as well ).

Snowsocks are okay ish but have very limited areas of use , to be honest....a set of winter tyres backed up with snowchains is more than you should need, also a plastic shovel in the boot is a good idea .

I hope some of this is helpful and informative and welcome comments on anything I've missed or can help with.

Again I hope this helps.

All the best

jon.