J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by baillie353

Whoa, great replies guys, thanks for all the advice!

RossF, my college does do skiing trips, however I find they over-charge way too much so I refuse to go with them, especially at the huge rates I can do a DIY for :D

I'm really keen to try some off-piste (I thought off-piste and powder were the same?) But if they're different, I wish to try them both!
I've got some good intention to become a decent/good all-mountain skier - give myself a lot of variation.

Hey people! I've been curious to try this off-piste business, the idea of skiing thick powder interests me, but one thing I don't really understand...

How do you prepare for it, your first time? It isn't exactly something you can practice/get lessons in at the Braehead Xscape. What's the technique behind powder skiing? Is it really difficult? Maybe someone can explain to me their first time trying it?

Thanks for any input!

slinkyskier wrote:Can anyone help with cheap ski weekend? London Stansted or Luton to Italy or wherever, pref end of March 09. Found cheap flights to Cuneo but cant get back for more than 5 days and we want a 3-4 day break. Any suggestions? Has anyone ever taken a 7 day deal and then just flown back on different flight early? Ta

Hey, if you fancy doin' a bit of leg work, you could work out a nice DIY holiday. Ryanair are doin' some crazy cheap flights just now here:
http://www.ryanair.com/site/promos/skisite/skidoc/?culture=GB

Sale ends midnight tonight though, so have a gander through it all and see what you can come up with!

There are flights from London Stanstead to Cuneo. Have a look at the dates if you like, then all you need to do is book up some transfers, ski pass and accommodation - Usually works out cheaper in total.
Good luck :D

Braehead is where I learned to ski :-) I found that the instructor was really good, made me very confident and took things at a pace where you were most comfortable with. The only thing which is a little disadvantage is the number of people taking lessons at the same time. Deffinetly worth it though, I would recommend lessons at Braehead to anyone.

From level 1 to level 3 you start on the beginner slope which no one else uses apart from learners, so that's good in terms of not having to watch up-hill first for any one bombing it down.
From level 4 you will go onto the main slope, but only half way up for a little break-in, if you will. You will also learn here how to use a Poma lift (toe lift).
And depending on how comfortable you feel with the bottom half of the main slope, the instructor may take you upto the top which is slightly steeper. You can reach here on level 4, I'm sure almost everyone does.
Once you've completed levels 1 to 4, you're free to use the main slope yourself and with friends for recreational slope use. Levels 5 and 6 are optional, they teach you more advanced techniques at these stages.

Hope this helps.

Tony_H wrote:Not at all. Pack your boots in your case and pack clothes around them, and take your helmet as hand luggage in a rucksack or something. Or wear it.

:lol: I should just wear 3 pairs of trousers and 2 pairs of salopettes, 3-4 t-shirts under 2 ski jackets, 4 pairs of ski socks and my ski boots, my helmet and just walk on the plane... I wonder what their reaction would be.. :roll:

Hmm, I'm just off the phone to Ryanair and they explained to me that my ski bag and boot bag count as 1 item. They are allowing an overall weight of 32kg. Not too shabby. Just wrap some clothes around the skis, same with the helmet, there's quite a bit of space left in the ski bag as well in the boot bag where the helmet sits.. Might not even need a suitcase.. :)
So anybody flying with Ryanair - There's your answer about ski luggage!

NellyPS wrote:Let's hope they don't charge £150 for your luggage - am I being sceptical?

Nope, you're certainly not. The only thing I found they charge is £30 for a suitcase and £60 to take your skis on return (I thought it'd have been £50 but they bumped it up). Also it depends on the type of card you're paying with - If credit card or something, it's an £8 charge but I payed with my Visa Electron (The only card not to have extra charges).
Just thought i'd post it for anybody lookin for that kind of deal :)

Tony_H wrote: I dont understand why anyone would want to travel with a separate boot bag to be honest.

I'm in the same position, I need to carry an extra bag for boots but this is mainly because I also take a helmet with me (I do a bit of freestyle and the like) and because of this, my helmet is certainly one thing I don't want thrown around in the hold. The boot bag is an isosceles triangle so maybe a little too big to fit in the over-head compartments.
Stumped, if you ask me :(

Hey everyone! A friend of mine found this amazing offer on Ryanair! :shock:
I've grabbed myself 3 seats from Glasgow (Prestwick) to Italy (Turin) for 1 pence per person! (Excluding bags and/or skis)

But the initial flight for 1 pence (yes, including taxes and fees!) is unmissable. Even if you book the seat, bags can be added on later! Best to even grab yourself a seat and if you don't go, hardly a great loss, is it? :mrgreen:

Here's the link to the list of airports going from and to:
http://www.ryanair.com/site/promos/skisite/skidoc/?culture=GB

Offer ends midnight 12th January (Sorry this is posted a bit last minute, but for those lookin for an end of season holiday - here's a great chance)

Enjoy! 8)