J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by admin

Tony_H wrote:would he really have had to pay £30,000

Well... "He had dislocated his right hip, had seven broken ribs a broken collar bone and a collapsed lung." ... that sounds like several operations, so quite possibly. And if the helicopter was all the way to the hospital (rather than just off the hill to the waiting ambulance) then that could be half of it on its own.

Getting seriously hurt in France can get seriously expensive.

Seems sensible to have all three of EHIC (free, and covers all treatment once you get to hospital), Carte Neige (cheap, to make sure you get off the hill without fuss) and decent travel insurance to get you home if need be.

As for "off piste" cover... definition and cover depends on the insurer (see various old topics, but do check your small print).

Cueing Bandit on 1,2,3 ... :thumbup:

Here's a great reminder of what conditions are like right now, fresh from Les Deux Alpes...


(c) CTR-Crew

...and it certainly does illustrate the conditions; check the avalanche crown over his left shoulder! :shock:

If you're lucky enough to be skiing this weekend; take care!

Tony_H wrote:best December

Well it's certainly off to a good start, but the forecast models are not indicating anything unusual snowfall-wise for the next couple of weeks. It is going to stay cold though.

Last December was epic by the end, and I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if December 11's record snows were beaten TBH.

Tony_H wrote:January

Nobody knows. Really. They don't. IIRC December 2010 was very snowy and then it pretty much didn't snow in France until February half-term.

Tony_H wrote:Is it right to be getting particularly excited

It is always right to be getting excited about going skiing. Even in July. This is a universal truth known to the ancients. 8)

Tony_H wrote:or are these people just hyping it up.

Yup.

Tony_H wrote:I have to say its looking particularly epic at the moment

It most certainly is.

Tony_H wrote:but then what's to stop it all melting in a heat wave in the next few weeks??????

Nothing. Although probably all those nice people going on the train are cooling the planet and bringing on the next ice age... so the skiing will be fine... :wink:


The serious answer...

We've had a week and a half of really good snow, and it's cold. Once it stabilizes / has been bashed, the pistes will have a superb base for the whole season. There's currently no indication in the forecasts of significantly warmer temps in the next couple of weeks - so not much chance of it melting anytime soon.

There are concerns about the initial layer of snow forming a season-long weak layer (see last winter for details) under the off-piste snow but an imminent lack of snow seems a very remote possibility right now.

So, return to being excited! :thumbup:

Some sound, and timely, advice from the Foreign Office...

FCO urges winter sports holidaymakers to know their limits before hitting the slopes

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is urging British nationals heading off on a ski or snowboarding holiday with friends and family this winter to know their limits and not put themselves at risk by trying to keep up with more experienced members of their party. The advice comes on the back of figures released by Posts in France that show the number of reported accidents on the slopes in 2012 continued to be high including seven deaths out of 12 serious incidents*.

FCO staff based in Marseille, who cover all resorts in France, are launching a campaign aimed at Britons visiting winter sports resorts across Europe this winter to encourage them to understand the dangers of attempting slopes beyond their level of ability or going off piste without the correct safety equipment.

Simon Taylor, Consul, based in Marseille, said:

"Last year we saw a high number of British nationals end up in hospital with serious injuries. Sadly this included a number of deaths. Many of these accidents can be prevented by taking simple precautionary steps. Don't make the mistake of assuming you'll be fine if you're with more experienced skiers or snowboarders. It is significant that a large number of cases we have dealt with have involved off piste skiing. Those lucky enough to survive an accident and end up in hospital can face months of recovery, so it is important to think carefully beforehand about the very real risks out there. "

According to new research from the FCO**, of those British nationals that go on winter sports holidays the majority class themselves as beginner or intermediate. Only 1% of respondents classed themselves as expert.

Nearly two thirds (65%) of winter sports travellers admitted they would ski or snowboard on slopes above their experience in order to stay with a group. More than half (53%) also said they would follow a group of mates off piste.

70% admitted they do not always wear a helmet when skiing or snowboarding and one in five (21%) said they wouldn't wear a helmet if others in their group weren't.

Simon Taylor continued:

"Many people will be unaware that failing to wear a helmet or skiing off piste can invalidate some insurance policies so if something does go wrong you could end up with hefty medical bills. In many cases family members then have to help with funds which can put a huge strain on families. The FCO cannot pay for hospital treatment or for medical repatriation back to the UK which is why it is so important to check your insurance covers you for everything you want to do."

Of those that do go on winter sports holidays, over a third (38%) admitted that they don't always take out travel insurance. One in three (31%) also said they don't always check their policy to ensure they are covered for winter sports activities.

The FCO has developed the following tips to ensure winter sports travellers stay safe on the slopes this winter:

TOP TIPS TO STAY SAFE ON THE SLOPES:

· Take out insurance – and check what it covers. It might not cover off piste skiing unless you are with a qualified guide.

· Have a check-up before you ski - one of the major causes of hospitalisation and death on the slopes is heart attacks.

· Don't drink and ski. Alcohol can affect you more quickly at high altitudes and dangerously limits your awareness of risk and cold.

· Most skiing injuries are caused by collisions with other skiers – watch your speed and distance.

· Don't attempt slopes you're not experienced or fit enough to tackle.

· If you want to go off piste, go with a qualified guide.

· If going off piste carry a shovel, a probe and a transceiver in case of an avalanche. Also remember that you need proper training on how to use a transceiver.

· If you are going out on a glacier, you must wear a harness. If you fall into a crevasse, this will help the rescue team get you out.

· Make sure someone knows where you're going and tell them of any changes to your plans.

· Only go off piste skiing or climbing with someone you have met previously and can trust. You need to know his/her capabilities, what you'll be doing and where.



For further tips and advice on preparing for travel abroad, visit www.fco.gov.uk/travel.

*Figures taken from FCO 2011/12 consular assistance data

**Survey conducted by ICM. Total sample size was 2,023 GB adults aged 18 and over. Fieldwork was undertaken in November 2012. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults aged 18 and over.



CASE STUDY

Name: Mr Steven Giles

Age: 32

Location: Eastbourne

Accident location: Pra Loup, France

Background

Steven, an intermediate snowboarder had an accident whilst boarding in a snowboarding park on holiday in France in March 2012. He decided to be the first of his group to try a more advanced jump but underestimated its size and unfortunately fell off. The medical team attended to him immediately and he was taken to hospital by helicopter. He had dislocated his right hip, had seven broken ribs a broken collar bone and a collapsed lung. Luckily he had an EHIC card and he had taken out fully comprehensive winter sports insurance. Without this he would have incurred £30k worth of medical expenses. He says "I always make sure I take out fully comprehensive winter sports insurance and since my accident I always tell my mates to do it as well."

"I would class myself as an intermediate snowboarder but on this occasion, with my mates watching me, I decided to give an advanced jump a go. I instantly regretted it. I fell off and was severely injured with a collapsed lung, a broken collar bone, a dislocated hip and seven broken ribs. The medical team attended to me immediately and I was airlifted to hospital. If it hadn't had the right insurance I would have had to pay over £30k worth of medical expenses."

jocrad74 wrote:...hopefully manage to carry on momentum until the nearest bar....

... and that's the basic skillset covered! :lol:

What sport should we move on to once we've mastered skiing with a 5-minute internet video?

The J2Ski Snow Report - Week Ending December 7th, 2012
(* Free to re-publish in whole or part so long as credited to www.J2ski.com with hyperlink to http://www.j2ski.com/snow_forecast )

It's been quite a week in mountains around the world - with huge amounts of snow falling across The Alps and in parts of North America.

Europe looks set to remain cold and snowy (temperatures below average for December) for at least the next week and quite possibly well into the second half of the month. Following a brief respite from the snows tomorrow, further snowfall is expected early in the weekend - with lesser amounts to the East.

This Week's Headlines

- Falls of up to 105cm in 72 hours reported in the Alps.
- Ski resorts in the Pyrenees and Scotland open for the season.
- Falls of up to 180cm in 72 hours reported in California, relatively dry over rest of US.
- Whistler early season snow base best in at least 10 years.
- More snow and cold weather coming up in Europe.

Please remember that all early season opening is subject to last-minute change and may consist of partial or weekend opening depending on snow conditions. Very heavy snow this week may restrict some locations over the next few days - always check with the local Tourist Office for the latest information.

Your Newsletter this week is sponsored by Peak Retreats

Discover the real French Alps this winter with Peak Retreats



Escape the crowds in traditional, mountain villages - full of charm and boasting great links to large, snowsure ski areas. Hand-picked by experts, experience new generation ski apartments; high quality, fully equipped and spacious with free access to fantastic spa and leisure facilities. Peak Retreats offers luxury ski experiences at superb value. Book by 15 December and save 10% on selected dates.

View Peak Retreat's Luxury Ski Deals.


Please take care!

The rapidly accumulated snow of the latest weather cycles is substantial. Avalanche Risk is currently at Level 4 (High - skier-triggered avalanches are likely) or 5 (Extreme - spontaneous natural avalanches are likely) across most of the Alpine region.

It is essential that you seek (and follow) local advice in these conditions. Never ski alone and always carry all appropriate equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe) - and know how to use it - if considering leaving the pistes.


Europe
Austria
Austrian ski areas are back on track after a 'November blip' with little fresh snow and warmer temperatures after a snowy October led to Mayrhofen and St Anton being among resorts delaying planned opening dates. That's all changing now though as fresh snow over the past week has improved things a lot. St Anton opens today (Thursday 6th December) and Mayrhofen will do so on Saturday.

Many areas received around a foot (30cm) of new snow earlier this week including Solden (140cm base) which has been open since September and Saalbach (50cm base) which is due to open this weekend.

France
The number of ski areas open in France is creeping towards double figures and will shoot past it this weekend when a number of top resorts including Alpe d'Huez, Chamonix and Meribel all open for the season.

Conditions are generally excellent at resorts that have already opened which now include Val d'Isere, Val Thorens and Les 2 Alpes and the snow continues to fall – now well past the metre mark on upper slopes. Chamonix reports 80cm of snow fell in 24 hours up to Tuesday afternoon and that the Grands Montets and les Houches ski areas will be opening this weekend and the conditions are likely to be excellent for the beginning of the season.

Italy
Italy hasn't seen quite the snowfalls of France and Switzerland as yet - except in its northwest corner where Aosta Valley resorts are getting dumped on. Cervinia, for example, has had 60cm (two feet) of snow in the past few days and now has a 2.6m base on upper slopes. But it is snowing across much of the country with some serious accumulations underway.

The giant Dolomiti Superski area began opening last weekend with a 50cm base from November snow accumulations and it has been snowing across the area since – indeed higher areas have received up to 90cm of new snow the region reports. The amount of terrain open will increase dramatically this weekend to nearly half the maximum with 569km of piste served by more than 330 lifts scheduled to be open. Cortina d'Ampezzo reported another 10cm yesterday and now has a healthy 1m base on upper slopes, although only 15cm down at resort level.

Switzerland
Swiss resorts have seen huge snowfalls over the past week and base depths have now passed 2.5m at some, including Saas Fee which has received more than two feet (65cm in fact) of fresh snow. Verbier was an even bigger winner with 105cm (3.5 feet) of new snow boosting upper slope depths to 1.6m but before we get over excited keep in mind snow depth at resort level is only 30cm and runs back to resort were closed yesterday. Elsewhere Zermatt (85-140ccm) reported 90cm (three feet) of new snow by the end of Monday and St merits (15-110cm) 35cm of new cover. Cold temperatures and more snow (if not quite so much) is forecast for the coming week.

Pyrenees
It's been cold enough for the Pyrenean snowmakers to go in to overdrive and there's also been some natural snowfall so the big players on each side of the French/Spanish and Andorran borders are locked in their annual battle to offer the most skiable terrain. Baqueira Beret on the Spanish side seems to be winning the day with 120km open this weekend but Grandvalira has about 70km more piste to play with so has an inherent advantage if it has the snow cover. The deepest snow though is at Arcalis (Vallnord) – 75cm on upper slopes.

Scandinavia
It's increasingly (or decreasingly?) cold in Scandinavia with many ski areas looking at HIGH temperatures of -20C and the furthest north running out of daylight as mid-winter draws near. There hasn't been a lot of fresh snow but the snow that's fallen is of course, not thawing. Ruka in Finland reports 6cm of new snow in the past week on a 25cm base. Geilo in Norway has had a similar accumulation on a 30-50cm base and Are in Sweden 7cm on a 25cm base.

Eastern Europe
There's no news of resorts opening in Eastern Europe as yet but conditions do look favourable with temperatures below zero for snow making, the slopes white in the web cams and our systems forecasting a foot of snow over the next week, so it looks like a good start to 2012-13 out east whenever the resorts opt to actually open.

Scotland
Things are looking very good in Scotland since the snow started a week ago. Cairngorm and The Lecht opened on Saturday with limited terrain but with continuing cold weather and more snow - expected to continue in to the weekend, both have been extending cover and Cairngorm has been firing up their new snowmaking cannons. Of the other three areas Glencoe plans to open today (Thursday 6 December) and Nevis Range hopes to open on Saturday with a bit more snow between now and then (which looks likely). Glenshee is looking white in the web cams but isn't saying when it will open.

North America
Canada
Western Canada continues to have the best snow in North America. Whistler Blackcomb has been open to the public for just over two weeks but already the slopes have received 337cm of snow (11.1 feet), and there is up to another 33cm (1.1 feet) forecasted over the next four days.

"The mountain is on track for another record setting year with a snow base of 185cm (6.1 feet), that's the highest snow base for this time of year compared to the last ten years. It's also 50cm (1.6 feet) more snow than what our base was last year at this time," says Stuart Rempel, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Whistler Blackcomb. On Saturday, Whistler Blackcomb is expecting to open Blackcomb Mountain's alpine for the first time this season, weather permitting.

The numbers are not quite so big as you move East from the coast but all ski areas in Alberta and BC are in good shape.
Go further east still to Quebec and conditions aren't so great. Mont Tremblant has had only 17cm of snow since the start of the season and has 15 of its 100 or so runs open.

USA
The usual flurry of emails from Colorado boasting of big powder dumps have been suspiciously lacking for a month now, and despite predictions of an 'above average season' it's all beginning to look alarmingly like last years warm and dry winter in the American Rockies. It is however very early days of course and Aspen is reporting to be providing free meals for resort staff unable to earn their livings so let's hope for a dramatic improvement on the current very limited terrain offered by most areas, just like the Alps enjoyed this time last winter. It's worse in New England where areas have been battling warm weather, preventing them from snowmaking, but it is reported to be getting cooler there now.

There has been abundant snowfall further west in California, raising hopes that they will have a season more like the epic 2010-11 than the lacklustre 2011-12 there. Mammoth reported an incredible six foot (1.8m) snowfall over the weekend and snow depths on the upper mountain are now reported to be, indeed, 1.8m.

This from TravelMole :-

Snow is causing flight disruption at both Stansted and Luton Airports today.

Runways at both airports were closed this morning and although they have since reopened they are operating with restricted movements so delays and cancellations are expected.

EasyJet diverted at least one flight from Stansted to Birmingham this morning and it said it was expecting some delays as a result of the earlier runway closures at Luton and Stansted.

Ryanair said all its flights from Stansted and Luton would be affected.

Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airlines before travelling to either airport.

World's largest Heli Ski operation now have Ski Pole Position available for all levels of skier.



Canadian Mountain Holidays, the world's largest Heli-Skiing operator and Erich Unterberger, IFMGA Guide and Manager of Guiding Operations at CMH commented:

'Ski Pole Position is a great tool to get people focused on their core. We will use Ski Pole Position on our Powder Performance Program throughout this winter to ensure our guests can activate and focus on the essential elements that are required for skiing in powder snow. We will start using it in training with all our instructors and guides in late November and roll it out in full from December onwards.'

CMH have proved that using a tool like Ski Pole Position can help increase the enjoyment levels of recreational skiers that form the largest part of their program. But another group of skiers that are discovering the huge benefits Ski Pole Position can bring to their performance is alpine ski racers.

Pole Positions first Racing Victory

World renowned race coach and four times Olympic trainer Helmut Spiegl from Canada has trained his racers with an optimized Pole Position program during this past season and the result has been exceptional, including FIS-Race Gold Medal and K2 Provincial and CanAm West Gold Medal wins.



Helmut's enthusiasm for Pole Position is clear,

'I used the straps from day one of receiving them and achieved great results when positioning the athletes on their skis in a very balanced way and progressing their carving ability and speed maintenance through the turns. Alongside the additional technical work with the straps we've achieved some good race results including a first time ever FIS victory for one of our female racers.'

You can find out more at www.skipoleposition.com