J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by smartski

Dorset Boy wrote:Only one sensible post - from Roger.

That's a bit harsh, I'm sure he's done more than one. )

I'm with the "hate" camp. More realistic practice on the Wii with a balance board. Man, am I good at ski jumping or what.

I'm no ski instructor but

Will short skis help the move to parallel?

must be a yes (surely?), but there's far more to it. Some of this echos what others have said.

Back-ground information - I have two little darlings, 8 & 10 both packed full of explosive hormones and attitude [you'll guess therefore they are girls ) ]. This year was their first in the mountains, they are more "pizza" than "chips" but transgressing over by the end of the week.

My experience is this:
Point 1
Gave them a few lessons (possibly 7) at a 'real snow' centre spread over 12 months (we live 30mins from Hemel). They had a different instructor every time. At first we we're a bit worried by this but soon realised that every one of them brought a different perspective, some styles suited one kid & vice versa.
Eldest had the same length skis throughout (117s) youngest started on 107s and moved up to 117s. When on 117s youngest struggled. Ski length did make a difference.

Point 2
They did not have lessons in resort. They skied with me (blues & horrid greens (L2A)) every day from 9:15 til 3:45 (30min lunch). The week was "their" week (as I've left them at home and gone alone previously - & I go alone next week!). Youngest was far better, more confident, but mainly because she is younger and shorter.
age 10/11/12 girls look all arms & legs and haven't got used to how long they are..."chips" is difficult until they find their centre of gravity again.

Point 3
Youngest's skis were back to 107s in resort, and fine. Eldest had 120s. This was a mistake but short skis were 'tweetie pie' and long skis were 'roxy'.
3cm longer skis seemed to make a difference (compared to snow centre). BUT At AGE 10 image is everything.

Point 4
is about my OH. She skied at age 11. Did not get on (cannot remember why, just remembers struggling). Was put off skiing for about 20 years, then went once with me an loved it. (then loved me too much :oops: and had kids so stopped again for another 10 years)
at age 11 you can be put off potentially forever.

anyways, that's about all I know, more next year...when one of them will be 11! But they will be in ski school 'cause parents shouldn't teach and they need to be taught.

Tony_H wrote:
Out of interest, where did you fly from, LGW or MAN? And which airline do Ski Miquel use, and which airport over there? Can you also advise re transfer times.

Any more details about the chalet hotel would also be useful, ie room size, facilities, balconys, views, distance to slopes on foot/by bus etc.

ehh? is that coop or "co-op travel".

Nice to hear about some different places, pics look good too.

Tony_H wrote: 7.5 hours

I like.

Shhh...we're trying to make Davewilli feel better about 9 hrs on a coach )

NellyPS wrote: 9 sleeps to Gatwick!!!!!!!!

Can't believe nobody's told you. Hills around Gatwick are rubbish, no chairlifts. Snow depth is not good either at the moment. :roll:

felthorpe wrote:
Just think, some transfers take 4+ hours, especially if you have to wait for another flight to arrive before your coach can leave!!

It's amazing how much time it takes by plane, taking all into account. But I do it every year without thinking:
1.5.hrs to airport (depends where you live of course)
0.5 hrs to park & shuttle
2.0 hrs check-in
2.0 hrs flight with taxiing etc
0.5 hrs baggage reclaim
0.75 hrs waiting on transfer coach (if you're lucky)
3.00 hr transfer (long one this year!)
0.5 hr drive break/splitting load on route
0.5 hr drop-off routine
-----
11 hrs give or take.
Ok say you're not going to have worst case at every step but easily 9 hrs is predictable.

sunnyboy wrote:[color=darkblue]I have a pair of tecnica icon tnt ski boots and I was wondering if anyone could tell me how good they are compared to others, are they good, what year they are from ect.

Thanks!

How very weird, there is an exact same question (word for word / comma for comma) on another forum ...but from 2009.
Even ect (sic) is spelt wrong there too. :?:

Admin wrote:I suspect most of our readers won't be taking the title literally...

Why would anyone's god smash their head against a tree, to within moments of ending their life, as a message to wear a factory-made helmet.

If their god really cared that much would (s)he not have designed a stronger head or inserted a common sense gene?

Just wondering. )