J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Jan I Stenmark

Hi Blackbrook

The lifts opened on Saturday and there have been almost no people here (I think only one of the main hotels has been open). We currently have perfect conditions although due to the lack of skiers the lift company has decided to keep one of the runs that historically wears thin closed and dump loads of man-made snow on them to really build up the base. It has been averaging about -8 degrees most days and the sun has been shining. It hasn’t snowed since last Friday but the snow is still on the trees.

One of the black pistes has been left unpisted and I was skiing on that run in the powder yesterday, it was still soft and fluffy with no crust. Incidentally, I was still able to find large areas of the piste that were totally untracked and that was on Monday, after the lifts had been open for 2 days (gives you some idea how quite it is here at the moment!)

Although we aren’t expecting any more snow at the moment this isn’t currently a problem the pistes are in fantastic shape.

If you would like to have a regular update PM me and I will let you know when things change.

Jan

I was just wondering if anyone had ever been involved either in being rescued or rescuing anyone else where a Recco helped?

I find myself religiously ensuring that I always have one either in my clothing or on my boots, but was struck by a thought that I hadn't ever met anyone who could say how well they work.

I should mention that I don't have any relationship with Recco and am asking from personal curiosity.

Happy digging,

Jan

Pav,

I would have paid good money to see a video of that moment on the chair - Sounds priceless! and such a quick retort too!

Jan

Can anyone else recall a prediction that I heard about this issue. I’m no meteorologist and may not get this quite right but hopefully someone will fill in the gaps.

The prediction went as follows:
1. Temperature rises
2. Arctic polar ice melts
3. Northern North Atlantic becomes less salty
4. The salinity induced circulation of the warm waters from the Gulf to Northern Europe slows or stops.
5. Northern Europe becomes substantially colder than at present. More like BC, Ontario or Quebec.
6. Winter sport enters an era of unprecedented demand due to an 8 month season and perfect snow on a daily basis (Ok, I made that bit up)

So can any one corroborate this memory? If so it could well be that warm for the globe would mean cooler for Northern Europe. Not sure what the impact would be on The States & Canada?

Happy pondering

Jan

All,

A fascinating and highly relevant thread.

msej449 – Thanks for a great technical review of the issues.

From a personal point of view I certainly found that driving my E55 up to Verbier even with a very light dusting of snow without chains was impossible :oops: The humiliation of a Fiat 500 zooming past on skinny wheels certainly made me realise that 400+ hp is only good some of the time :|

Now whilst I can’t add anything to the issue of availability of chains / their sizes / one brand v another, I would like to suggest some practical things that may make chain usage easier.

1. Maybe the best trick (and probably the quickest in the long run for the beginner) is to jack each wheel up before trying to install the chain. This will allow you better access to the wheel and also allow you to ensure the chain doesn’t foul any brake pipes / suspension parts etc before driving off. As a further point this trick requires a jack (no surprises there!) but in many cases the jack will be under the luggage space in the rear of the car. So as you dash from the baggage collection conveyor to the car hire desk, keep repeating “Take the jack out before putting in the suitcases.” Equally, do the same if you are driving your own car out to the mountains, that is, remove the jack and handle etc. (You may be excused the mantra!)

2. Point 1 is totally useless if you don’t follow point 2. Never, ever, ever (even a little bit) wait until you are stuck before trying to put on the chains. The best plan is to drive until things are starting to look a bit iffy and then turn around and drive back the way you came and find a petrol station with a canopy and good lights. Now you have flat ground, light and protection from the weather (oh, and somewhere to wash your hands when you’ve finished). Sure, you may have to drive a little way in conditions that don’t require chains, and sure you may have to drive slower (a sensible max is probably about 50km/h) but when you pass the poor fools who are struggling in heavy snow in the cold and dark you will thank me! Also, using a car jack on anything but flat, dry ground is probably going to end your happy holiday quicker than you had planned.

3. On this occasion forgo fashion and think practical. I recommend a pair of rubber washing up gloves, (my wife introduced them to me some years ago …) they allow you to retain good tactile feeling whilst stopping you freezing your fingers off. Oh, colour not important.

4. Not always possible for hire cars but if you buy your chains at home, PRACTICE. Pick a warm day (this may not be possible in England) and go out and try the things on. Every second you spend doing this will be paid back 10 times in the mountains.

5. If you are hiring a car and are lucky enough to get chains, do not get out of the car and just lunge at the task. I recommend you sit in the car, explain to the other people (if any) that this will take a little while and that no one (esp. children or partners) should ask “How long are you going to be?” at about 5 minute intervals! I am fairly sure you will find that this tip pays dividends. Now open the chain container, often easier said than done and just look at the chains. On initial inspection they will look rather like a bad day in a torture chamber but most chains are colour coded and the instructions should be relatively intelligible. Take time to identify the various elements of the chain and be sure that you fully understand the instructions. Note that at this point you have not left the car and should still be warm, dry and sane.

6. In my experience the most likely group of motorists to totally ignore point 5 will be a group of (mostly) males aged between 18 and 25. For them the mountain holds no fear and stupid instructions are for wimps. Funny how many beers I’ve received, having fitted chains for them, from groups of shivering, angry, frustrated would-be holiday makers fitting the above description.

7. Lastly, the art of removing the chains is not one to be overlooked. Don’t be too hasty to take them off. Keep driving until you can be sure you don’t need them anymore. Then, again, try and find a petrol station. You shouldn’t need to jack the vehicle up this time but some careful positioning of the clip at the top of the wheel will make things easier. Now unclip the first chain, ensuring that NOTHING is still endangering the nice parts of your car and drive off until the chain is between the front and back wheel. Repeat for the other side. Again the rubber gloves will be a boon here as the wheels, chains and wheel arches will be cold and full of snow and ice.

8. Print this message out and read it during your flight and you may arrive in resort just a little dryer, happier and safer.

Happy motoring,

Jan

I think ise has it about right with his point 1; however I am not so convinced that controlling speed is simply a function provided by the edges. The advantage of correct wax selection (and base preparation) is that it allows the ski to be manoeuvred with less effort and more accuracy. This means less expenditure on energy which means less fatigue and therefore a higher likelihood that the edges can be used effectively.

Last season I was skiing in St Anton (Stanton for the hip!) and was lazy with my wax selection and had one of the worst days skiing I can remember. The skis fought me the whole time and I was exhausted long before lunch. At one point there was a gentle schuss and I just ground to a complete halt and I had no option other than to take my skis off and scrape the bases as much as possible (with the scraper from my portable tuning kit.) After some hard brushing things were better but still far from perfect. In this case no wax was better then the wrong wax. (kinda ise’s point 2)

Ultimately the question Hamish poses can be answered by asking another question. How “easy” do you wish you skiing experience to be?

Wax (and ski prep in general) is a critical factor in racing and I believe this leads recreational skiers to believe it’s use is all about speed, however, I would suggest that the correct selection of wax is at least as important as choosing the correct clothing in ensuring that your day is as good as possible. Over dress or under dress and you recognise the symptoms very quickly, choose the wrong wax and I suspect that all beginners, and the greater majority of intermediates would have no idea that the problems they are experiencing are wax related.

Coincidentally, I know quite a few skiers who classify themselves as experienced or expert skiers who have not equipped themselves with a working knowledge of wax or more importantly how to recognise when it’s the wax that’s causing their problems!

So, Hamish, in my opinion, yes, wax is a very important part of your equipment and as in all cases the more effort you put into understanding its application the greater the reward you will reap. Ultimately only you can be the judge of the effort / reward ratio.

Happy choosing,

Jan

Mike,

Sounds like a fine basis to move forward on :D

Just not so sure about the age bracket thing :( though, who knows what it might reveal :shock:

Jan

Hamish,

Can't explain quite why, maybe it's the anticipation of a great season, but I'm feeling a little feisty today!

I used to own a 1.8 diesel Mondeo and it was great for getting up and down the motorway, it was quite fuel efficient, it could easily exceed the speed limit and had a fantastic load carrying capacity and every day I drove it, without knowing it, I died a little …

When I drove the first V8 super car I owned, I suddenly felt as if I had been in a coma for all those years. The acceleration made my heart race, the cornering was SO precise and the 50-70 acceleration made motorways a place of joy. The trade off was that the servicing costs were higher and our friends in blue tended to take a greater interest than with the Mondeo.

And so it is with a well tuned and waxed ski. Suddenly everything feels just a bit easier, the turns are just a bit smoother, the carves can be pushed just a bit further and life feels just a bit better. The downside, as ever, are the servicing costs – Your investment in educating yourself about the subject and taking the time to experiment with perfection!

I would suggest that if you have the chance, have a skilled person discuss your skiing technique and requirements with you and then get them to provide a personal tune for you.

Sure you may be fractionally faster to the bottom of the hill but ultimately, who cares, what will be evident will be that you have a secret under your feet that seems to generate an unstoppable grin spreading from ear to ear :lol:

So with love and kisses to the Ford Motor Company you make a very practical car but I doubt anyone just suddenly broke into a grin driving one of your Mondeos – Hamish, experience the supercar ride just once in your life and then ask why anyone bothers with wax – You may have the answer at your feet!

Happy discovery,

Jab