J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Smokey Barr

We're hiring a car, so I'm hoping we can chuck all the gear in that and make our own way over.

Will definitely have a look into it.. cheers :D

I'm guessing the glacier will be fine. I was hoping to get over Zell Am See, to mix the days up a bit.... we'll have to see.

I am going to be based in Kaprun so I'm told the Glacier is good all year round, but that's no the point.

It's so annoying that it's been snowing on and off for weeks, yet the week before I'm due to go, nothing! And the only snow forecast for the entire week while I'm there is 8cm on Monday.

I absolutely love ski holidays, but hate the apprehension of there being any snow when you get there.

Is it me, or does it appear to have stopped snowing in Kaprun/Zel am see? I should have warned you all a couple of months ago to stay clear of the area as I'm due to go on Monday, typical.

ha-ha :lol:

Point taken, and I'm no expert believe me, just passing on info I've heard. But I would assume it's the equivalent of hiring a suit. It all looks the same, but the hire suit quality just isn't as good. Hire suites are warn probably 100's of times a year and quality is compromised for durability.

I've been told that hire skis are specifically made for, well, hiring. Though they may appear the same as any you would buy in store, the materials used are very different. The core and coating of the skis are much tougher as they are used nearly every week of the season so need to be a hell of a lot more hard wearing than your average ski.

Because of this the performance is affected. The flex of a hire ski is much more rigid than that of a pair you would go and buy. For a beginner this really isn't going to make much of a difference, but after a couple of seasons, and when you want to start used your edges more, the flex and general quality of the ski makes a massive difference.

If you see yourself skiing for the next 4 or 5 seasons, I'd look at getting your own kit. Snow and Rock had a brilliant package this season, Skis, poles and boots for £299. The skis themselves retailed at £400 in some stores!!