J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Gaz C

brooksy wrote:
Although there have been good dumps of snow 25-30cms on many recent occasions reported by J2 in snow & powder alarms for Folgarida the levels in the resort are still saying 40cm upper & 60cm lower which has been the same for many weeks.

Question: why have the levels not increased in the reports :?: :?:

Can only think it's because the person responsible for reporting snow depths in Folgarida (1300m-1400m)is too busy skiing in the great snow there. MdC (1500m) and Marilleva (1400m) are reporting depths of 130cm and 120cm respectively. You lot are sorted for snow. :) Looks like Ally's done you proud again. Have a good 'un.

Hey, that looks like it could be a whole lot of fun in better snow! :-) I wouldn't mind trying one out for a morning but I'm not sure I'd want to permanently swap my skis. For ski-in/out in Austria you could look at Lech/Oberlech (if your pockets are deep enough ;-) ), Obergurgl, Kuhtai or Solden/Hochsolden. I have no personal experience of staying in any of them (although I have skied Lech and Oberlech while based in St Anton) as ski in/out is not high on my list of priorities. Another area I have been hearing great things about, which I believe has some ski in/out accommodation is Zauchensee. Good luck.

Was going to say that to the best of my knowledge access to Cinque Torri from Cortina involves a bus or taxi-ride. Biki17 has 'trumped me' and told you which bus, and when and where to catch it! :) We managed it without any bother from relatively remote Campitello. I would say that unless you are adrenaline junkies Cinque Torri is an absolute must. Although the skiing is made up of easy reds and blues, the scenery is second to none. (and that's saying something in the Dolomites!) There may be more picturesque places to ski in the Alps, but I am yet to find them. Have a good one. :)

Just watched the film (The Inferno, not OHMSS. :lol: ) Could have done with some soundtrack music. -) :lol: That looks great fun and has really whetted my appetite. I reckon the run appeared more difficult than it actually was because the guy was racing and obviously 'pushing it a bit' to make up time. I think I have read somewhere that the full run down into Lauterbrunnen can only be completed in good snow conditions ( here's hoping) and that the section right at the bottom is a little tedious anyway. I'll have to do it at least once though if the conditions allow. Nothing at all wrong with the top section though. Fantastic views of the Eiger, the Monch and the Jungfrau. Looks like the area might give my beloved Dolomites a run for their money in the scenery department. Can't wait, now. I'll keep you posted. :)

Why not both?......

......At the same time?.....

....Go on. Be a devil! ;-)

What? Skiing the Schilthorn or humming the James Bond tune? ;-)

In my experience, off-piste guides and instructors love to share their 'mountain knowledge' and positively welcome questions on why they deem a certain area 'safe'. It's a fascinating subject and for many skiers the start of a 'whole new ball game.'

flat country skier wrote:

Gaz C wrote:Hi Ally, I've been a little distracted so far this season, but I have finally got my act together and am off to Wengen (1st Feb). Would you do the honours, please? Bit of an unknown quantity for me. Anyone have any experience? Good,bad or indifferent. :-)

Hi Gaz C
I loved Wengen, it had a really lovely feel with its mountain railway going through, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau in the background, great World Cup Lauberhorn run. Most of the runs are blues and reds though.
I last went nearly 3 years ago,early March, their piste maintenance that time seemed to be a little unpredictable, some mornings very good, some not so good. Had a chance to ski 2 days with my friend's nephew who had spent all his winter holidays as a child in Wengen,so had a great time on and off-piste. Wengen's a good place for going to Grindewald one side or Murren to the other, ski pass covers both, also it is valid on the mountain train (but you have to pay extra if you want to do a touristy thing and go from Kleine Scheidegg to a top of Eiger, saw trains full of Japanese tourist going up there). Expect it to be slow getting on the slopes if using train but then again, it's a lovely experience. There's a gondola station to Mannlichen if you want to be on the slopes quicker. Really loved Murren area, but then again it was a clear day after overnight fresh snowfall, what not to like :), there is a panoramic restaurant and view from Schilthorn.

It is very quiet (=civilised?) at night (what we liked), the food although very good is quite expensive in the mountain restaurants (we mainly eat at Mary's), but think that's expected it being Switzerland.

Flew with Swissair from Birmingham to Zurich and bought their fly-rail ticket, it was fantastic, checked-in all luggage at airport in Birmingham and it was at the hotel by the evening, same happened when going back - the hotel took the luggage (and tickets and passports) to the station in Wengen for check-in and it all was on the belt in Birmingham. Although had to change trains I think 3 (or maybe 4) times to get from Zurich airport to Wengen, it all worked like (Swiss)clockwork.Very impressive. As the return flight was later in the afternoon, we stopped in Bern (as had no luggage to carry) for lunch and walk around before getting back to Zurich.

Sorry for a long story, especially as it is under different forum topic, should've just copied the link below,says it all. Whatever negative is said, by my opinion Wengen is still a lovely mountain resort, something for a soul:)I'm sure you will have a great time (and hopefully lots of snow and sunny skies :)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/switzerland/wengen/6753689/Ski-Wengen-resort-guide.html

Thanks for sharing your experience.I can relate to places 'touching your soul' as you aptly put it, and my expectations of Wengen and the surrounding area are high. I was getting quite excited watching the BBC4 documentary about the Nordwand on Tuesday evening. I don't think I'll be joining the Japanese tourists on the train up the Eiger -) and I'll heed your advice about the taking the Mannlichen cable car rather than the train for quicker access to the Grindelwald area.

As this is likely to be my only ski-trip this season and I've managed to get a pretty good deal, I'm quite prepared to 'get my cap nailed on' for lunch on the mountain.I might even pay Mary a visit. -) The efficiency of the Swiss transport system is legendary, but I'll be at the mercy of Mr. Thomson/Crystal

Thanks for the link. Really looking forward to skiing the Lauberhorn and the Schilthorn runs. Hoping to sample some off-piste too. :D

Apologies for continuing thread drift. Administrator(s) feel free to move/delete this if it has become too much of a distraction.

Skiing the Shilthorn Started by User in Ski Chatter, 19 Replies
Why not both?...... ......At the same time?..... ....Go on. Be a devil! ;-)

Skiing off piste during lessons. Started by User in Ski Chatter, 20 Replies
In my experience, off-piste guides and instructors love to share their 'mountain knowledge' and positively welcome questions on why they deem a certain area 'safe'. It's a fascinating subject and for many skiers the start of a 'whole new ball game.'

Messages posted by : Gaz C