J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by TC

BA, Swiss, Lufthansa all allow booking 355 days in advance so quite a few available now.

January Heathrow/Geneva return = £128

Flights for half-term aren't good though. Flew BA to Salzburg this year for half-term, a family of 4 was £800, just looked for next year and it quotes £2482.

Same flights 1 week earlier then family of 4 = £489

Looked at other airlines into Geneva, Munich etc.. same story.

If you are booking outside school term times great bargin flights, if you have to go school term times it means that driving could be the best option, so I think I will be Driving again next year!

Only possibility will be Easyjet when they release their schedule later in the year

Looked at package deals, same problem over £1000 per head without lift passes, ski's, lessons etc... This year did the lot for £3700, eating out every night and lunchtime, passes, lessons, car hire, flights.

There is ski/boot storage under the gondala with boot driers, they are no lockers though just a big room. There is usually someone there taking money and looking after the kit but it is a bit of free for all, though I used it and had no issue. Like you I used the Hotel Du Champoluc the second year and that made things really easy!

Looks like Chemmy may be in trouble for the rest of the Champs after a downhill training accident at 60mph.

She skied off the mountain eventually so there maybe hope but the report on British Eurosprt web pages doesn't make it sound great.

Agree with Old Andy - Hestra Gloves, was recommended them after trying different North Face and other brabded ones. Had no issue since.

Was also recommended to buy mits if I suffered with cold hads and use an extra glove liner if necessary, aparantly having the fingers together keeps the warmth better.

Ellis brigham do them I know as I have seen them in there, not sure on the cost think I paid around £60 for mine a couple of years ago. Perfect last year in Kirchberg at minus 23.

Daughter was complaining last year of cold hands so bought her some Hestra mits, small Womens, from the shop there for €40. She then complained her hands were too hot - Kids who would have them!!

Think Tony H is right, it would be pretty impressive for her to be back next year at the Olympics to compete with this sort of injury.

Not sure if a tear is worse than a snapped ligament. As I understand it the tear will mend but the ligament doesn't really gain fully stability and work on the surrounding muscle is required for stability, so a replaced ligament could be potentially more stable and possibly shorter recovery time?

The bigger problem is the fracture which is around the knee joint that gives the overall stability, understand that is a tricky one.

I am sure she will give it her best shot and will have the best medical attention possible to try and make it.

Thought it was really brave of Chemmy to leave the starting gate in those conditions, you could have understood if she stepped away and said I'm not racing.

Hoefl-Riesch, Fenniger all struggled badly and Jules Mancuso was probably the best ski of all, think in better conditions she would have run Tina Maze close.

Apart from 1 shop in Chorchevel 1650 they have all asked how long have I been skiing, what level do I think I am, do I like to go fast etc.. The more experienced skiers hae also asked what ski's will suit the conditions on the slopes when we arrive too, so don't go with preconvieved ideas that they want a certain ski type or length.

ALways seemed to have been hired the latest kit, they have changed no quibble if I felt uncomfortable on the ones I start with.

2 years ago in Flachau I had a brand new set of Head ispeed something or other which were a great ski for me, lieterally out of the packaging, and last year had a set of Elan Amphibio Waveflex 14 (Great when you have skis with Left & Right always get them on the right feet!!!!!!!) which apparantly had been used for 3 or weeks only, again looked like new and again a ski that really suited me and the conditions.

Always seem to get discounts via the accomodation we use rather than buying online and not really knowing what they have in store online or is relative location.

This weekend back to Flachau and using the same shop as 2 years ago. Contacted them direct for our group and getting 20% discount plus only charging for 5 days with the 6th day free.

Think its about 10 steps from their door to the first lift and leave the kit there at no extra charge, perfect and the Apres bar is next door too.

You didn't find Pachamamas then, normally the busiest and liveliest place in Champoluc, bands in there etc.. (Assuming it is still open)

Not quite Austrian Apres but not bad for a sleepy village.

Its not obvious where it is but not far from your hotel, about 200m on the right as you head down the hill towards the town square.