J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

Also, on the J2ski page, alongside the ads, why not have a window with a Rules of Conduct. The rules are inadequate, but they are a good start. Every J2skier should be aware of them.

We have on J2ski a wide range of snowsport issues and subjects, ranging from resort info to having to be seen in the latest ski jacket.

Snowsport insurance is a rare discussion on J2ski, and yet, it must arguably be, among the most important of considerations. The last time I can remember the issue being discussed was a couple of years back, when j2skiers piled into a member who was quite relaxed about not being insured. Quite irresponsible. In one way, it was reassuring, in that J2skiers were predominantly strongly pro-insurance.

One statistic which I would query is the high percentage of over 65s, that are uninsured. A sample size of 600 is not really statistically reliable, but nevertheless, it is surprising. Generally, more experienced skiers have encountered many more ski incidents than those in the 20s and 30s.

One insurance issue that is frequently mentioned is off piste skiing. Many policies, probably most, state in order to remain insured, you must be accompanied by a qualified guide, or in some cases, by a ski instructor.

Yeah, right, that's going to happen. If you ski the wrong side of the boundary marker, you are off piste. I have skied the same area for 46 years, and I often dip into the trees at the side of the piste, or even nip onto one of the many little known routes through fields and farms, back to the village. Even in other resorts, I would be breaking the rules, especially if I am following Frau Mac, who has a yearning to get lost in the trees....

Avoidance of ski insurance is daft. Year on year competition has brought prices down. The cost of not being insured can be seriously wounding.

My current insurer is lead/owned by a skier. As such, they recognise the off piste issue, and reduce the qualification to one of recognising capabilty. I do not get financially penalised for skiing off piste.

There are other insurance issues. Should you have a medical or impairment issue, it is important to declare the issue. In recent years, I have done so, without being financially penalised, but the medical issue was examined, and acknowledged.

The cost of being insured, compared with the total winter ski coat is a peanut. The cost of not being insured can be life changing.

Yeah, so it came to pass. Frau Mac slipped out and bought another helmet, good to EN1077, all white, as she does. Since I mostly ski behind her, and she wears all white everything, I may be glad of the red led light on the back of the helmet? I just smile, as ever just grateful for continuing access to the slopes....
This is not just a red light, I will have you know. It comes in 3 modes, red, red flashing on off, and red flashing top, bottom.
People need to know this.
And to think I started skiing in cable bindings, little did I know what the future held.

I later tried the jackets, none good for a pocket for watercolour pad, but not too bad for general skiing. Came back with a pair of leather palmed gloves.

I have to agree with John about the Ski Welt, it is an interesting and wide area. John and I both stay at the same end of the village, and it is an easy journey into a good choice of access points. I ski there every season, and most years, jump off into Kitzbuhel to catch some of the Hahnenkamm action.

I know John likes Westendorf, as do I. I also like some of the small areas on the Welt such as Going. I always seem to make it back to Niederau for the final run of the day, though!

It is also easy to drive through the Welt to St Johann and the other local villages.

I also have yet to have a good day in Alpbachtal, I guess it just depends on the day you go.

Thanks for the heads up. We have a couple of requirements for the coming season.

Aldi and Lidl are a first point of call for us ski and sports gear.

One of our requirements is a ski helmet for Frau Mac. (I don't know how you can wear out a ski helmet when you don't fall, but she must be obeyed...) For helmet buyers, ensure that the helmet is marked with the European standard EN 1077.

If I see the right ski jacket, then I might be tempted. For me, a key requirement ,(after the alpine spec), are the pockets. Four outer pockets, plus a left sleeve ski pass pocket, and two large inner pockets. One of these has to fit a 10" x 7" water colour pad, so must be 8" wide.
That's the main reason my ski jackets get so old before replacement. (plus the fact that I would rather spend the money on lift passes...)

Also needing ski gloves, but that is one item I have not seen in the Lidl/Aldi camps that meet the needs.

A good alternative would be car hire, £70 for a week from Salzburg Airport.

Hi Rob,
If you are lucky with luggage offload, or if you just have hand baggage, you catch bus number 2 from Salzburg Airport, departing 10.37, arriving at Salzburg Hbf at 10.55am. A four munute walk to the platform.

The train departs Salzburg Hbf at 11.00am, arrives in Wörgl 12.22. Total journey time 1h 45m. Total cost €31.2.

If you are unlucky with the arrival time, the next departure is 2 hours later! It will take a few minutes to buy your ticket

Jump on the Postbus, €7, or taxi €15 to Niederau.

I will have just packed my skis in the cellar, and will be setting off from Niederau, heading for Munich!

I have done part of this journey, (St Anton to Woergl) by train.

You could go from Langen to Munich flughaven, dep 08.19/arr 12.55. €65.
You could also go St Anton to Munich flughaven, dep 09.05/arr 12.55, €39

You would need a taxi or a lift to the station. Since it is equi-distant to St Anton or Langen from Lech, St Anton will offer the lower price.

You could catch a 7.05 train from St Anton, arrive 12.05, €33, but an hour longer train journey.