J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Colin L

My advice to get some lessons before going is based on many years of experience of dry slope and on-snow teaching. Being able to take a learner who has made a start on a dry or indoor slope (which includes learning how to use a tow) straight on to a green/blue slope instead of on to the nursery slope is to start the teaching/learning process at a more advanced stage. This as a general rule must be cost effective.

Wherever you go, get in some lessons and practice on a dry slope or indoor slope beforehand so that you are mobile when you get to your resort. Much better value for your money than to get there and then start to learn how to put your skis on.

Inadequate protection may be better than no protection, but it is still inadequate.

I have only had to wear my balaclava (thin membrane over the head and cosy thicker neck) occasionally when it has been viciously cold. Makes all the difference and rolls up quite small for a pocket or bumbag.

Trencher wrote:Wanderer

If the bike helmet fits for cycling, it won't fit with a hat underneath for skiing.
Trencher

My understanding is that you should not wear a hat under a ski helmet as it reduces the effectiveness of the helmet.

francesca1 wrote:....Should of been going to borovets on the 15th, but found out today they have overbooked on flights so we have looked around and booked to stay at the hotel Lek in Kranjska Gora in slovinia.As we have had to change our holidaty we are now been classed as a late booking, as a result First Choice have told us it is to late to book...full ski package .......

Who are the they who have overbooked? First Choice, presumably. In which case Bandit seems absolutely right: the company should have fixed everything, including your ski package. I am not a lawyer, but I reckon your contract with First Choice is for the original booking, inclusive of the ski package, and if they couldn't come up with that they should have offered you a complete and acceptable alternative or your money back. If you took the option of cancelling your original contract and got your money back, you are then in the position of making a completely new booking. In that case, you cannot expect anything from the previous contract and you are starting afresh. This, I re-emphasise, is the view not of a lawyer but of an ordinary punter.

But I wouldn't worry about it. I've never been to Kranska Gora, but I can't imagine it is any different from any of the ski resorts I do know where you will have no difficulty going to the ticket office and getting your lift passes; no difficulty in finding a hire shop for your equipment; and no difficulty in booking lessons with the local ski school. As suggested, a little time on the internet might help you pre-book so that you feel more secure.

First Choice doesn't seem to come out of this smelling sweetly. :roll: Perhaps they have an agent "embedded" in the forum who will speak up for the company. :lol:

You are going to have a great holiday. Enjoy! 8)

Iceman wrote:

It was a serious question.

OK so here is one aspect of pole planting: it helps in the process of edge changing. Try standing on your skis as if in the final part of your arc. Now make the movements of the pole plant while looking at your skis. As you move the pole into the plant, you should see your skis will start to flatten a bit. Just one part of the whole business of flowing (yes flowing Trencher!) into the next turn, but helpful.

As to flow and rhythm, well what's the difference. I like to go for a rhythmic flow. :wink:

It's best, if you can, to take your helmet with you when shopping for googles. It's not just a matter of having a long enough strap but of fitting comfortably without the helmet pressing down on them.

I am about to shop for a new helmet which will hold goggles on better then my present one which does not have an adequate clip at the back. Last week my goggles slipped off unnoticed (not the first pair lost this way). Any suggestions of tried and trusted helmet makes welcome!