J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by OldAndy

Iceman wrote:I posted this elsewhere on the forum, but will ask again here.

A few weeks ago we had much more snow that this in a short period of time. It fell on to little base and was accompanied by very high winds. Worse conditions than current I believe? However, why are there more avalanches being reported at this time? Surely the last conditions were worse?

Last time there were black flag conditions but no avalanches on roads etc (see post re Val T ava)?

There were avalanches on roads before xmas Iceman, just not that road.
Aime to Bourg St Maurice was blocked as was Bourg up to Val and Tignes.

moogy wrote:2......But i woke up with a cold today :/

Typical !!

I've been reading some French pages and it sounds like the wind has been extreme to say the least!
Considerable damage across the whole alpine region.
Val D'Isere has big problems - roads closed, reports of 2 cars caught in an avalanche and people being warned they may have to evacuate their apartments.
Zermatt is cut off - most snow since 1999 is the quote.
Lots of electricity failure, rock slides, train de-railment etc.

Actually glad I'm not out there! I've been stuck in a ski resort in very extreme weather a couple of times and it is very scary.

Thoughts, fingers crossed etc.

boo_yay wrote:

Dave Mac wrote: My method is to pay the lowest price, helped by the J2ski discount

What is this j2ski discount one speaks of?

see left !!
Book now and save below the picture of a ski

When the snow is good Montchavin is absolutely gorgeous!
And well placed for La Plagne and Les Arcs.
And so pretty :D

If saving the price of a couple of beers is of little importance then the Paradiski pass is the best, even for relative novice skiers.
Peisey Nancroix, just over the big lift to Les Arcs is another gem of an area and worth the visit.

bedrock barney wrote:You know what it didn't even cross my mind to go back to the shop and say I didn't like the skis.....

I won't name the establishment but they didn't seem very interested in providing us with advice or decent equipment.

I don't think most are - they get overwhelmed with punters at peak times and queues form and most skiers haven't a clue anyway so .......

But, in my experience from both sides of the fence an interested, objective, honest punter who will ask questions and listen to the advice will get good service.
Don't forget virtually all ski shop bods are keen skiers and like to show off their knowledge.

Last easter I followed my usual approach and was offered a pair of legend 85 (spring skiing lots of crud and slush etc). The shop was quiet, we were chatting about skis for sister and niece as well. He then asked my sister how good a skier I really was (!!!) and swapped mine for a longer ski, telling me to try these and come back if I wanted to swap.
I went back that evening and thanked him!
Best things I'd skied on for some considerable time.
And longest skis since before the carver revolution (eye height).
All through asking advice.

I have never hired from Snowberry but I think they have a good reputation.
What I would do is go to the shop and be clear and accurate about your skiing experience and aspirations and then ask for their recomendations taking into account the current snow conditions.
Then ....
Have a ski and if you don't have a big smile on your face because the skis suit you take them back and swap.

Too many people, both novice and experienced, just accept the first ski given in a hire shop without questioning.
If getting a ski that was right for one was that simple then all the questions and discussions about skis would be redundent.

Damn !!
Am I going to have to buy a helemt now?
:oops:

Thanks, Adders, for this.
Really very interesting.
:thumbup: