J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Numpty1

bandit wrote:Not sure if you went for the new boots last year, but if not, start with some new ski boots, it will improve your control of new shaped skis and produce less fatigue in your legs.

I did indeed Bandit. A nice pair of Salamon Custom jobbies that fairly cosset my dainty plates. I spent a couple of hrs in the shop fine tuning - many thanks to the guys in the Climate shop - and they sure do represent an improvement over my antique pair that drew much amusement from French ski-techs wherever we went.

I dont think there's any easy way to engender strength in one's limbs other than regular exercise. Many years ago, when I could've been arsed, I found a simple program of squats was sufficient to give my spindly wee legs the power to last a full hard week. Ah, but the years have not been kind to this inveterate couch spud (actually more of a sofa asparagus), and everything creaks a lot more than it did 20 yrs ago. Just thought that Mojos might be a reasonably affordable, non-have-to-get-off-your-backside-and-break-sweat solution?

Dave Mac wrote:Numpt,

I struggle with thigh burn, complaining knees and wilting stamina.

Thigh burn is an issue that I would classify as lactic acid build up. This would normally start to kick in after about 2 minutes continuous skiing. The influence is a general fitness issue. However, it is also a technique issue ~ can you relax the muscles during the turn? If so, this extends the time that you can continuously ski. I apologise if this seems a simplified approach, I take cognisance that you are an experienced skier, but you have posed the question.

Wilting stamina is, I think is tied up with the same issue. Trencher raises a good point ~ does your equipment set-up minimise your ski effort?

"Complaining knees" is too vague. Most skiers that I know have that to a varying degree, I have "managed" a knee issue for 20 years. Two people I know are skiing all winter on replacement knees.

Do your knees swell significantly at the end of each ski day? Do you feel " electric shocks" on each side of the knee? Need some specifics.

We also need a full time J2ski doctor/physio/surgeon......

Dave, these young whipper-snappers of ski-buddies treat every run as a downhill race! Yes, I reckon it is a lactic-acid build-up, but I think it's just an unexercised mucles problem. The knees just get sore on continual sideways flexing - there's no real swelling to speak of - and by Weds or Thurs I'm using wee foamy knee-support jobbies. I don't really know that they help that much, it's poss more a psychological crutch.

It would nice to try a lovely shiny new pair of skis just to see if it would do the job. Knowing absolutely nothing about current models, what would you suggest for a mid-range pair for a rickety would-be Herminator?

A J2Ski doctorphysio is a grand idea. Surely there's one out there just itching to give us his two-penn'orth.

Dave Mac wrote:There have been two threads that offer an insight.

The first was an "old gits" thread, where some of the respondents were in their 80s and 90s. My oldest ski adversary was 94, and skiing very nicely. There was also a wonderful video posted on here of a 110 year old US skier. I suggest that you and OldAndy are operating under false pretences and misleading names! On that macro-scale, you are only a squint above those in their mid 40s to 50s.

The second was a J2 thread about mojos, but being too young, I can't find it. :oops:

Lots of info and videos on google.

Thanks DaveMac, it's heartening to know that I'm not alone on my wintry park bench. Without some interventional assistance tho', I doubt very much if I'll be skiing in my 90's (should I be lucky enough to attain that venerable stage!). I sure as heck won't be at the daft juvenile antics that I'm still cajoled to undertake.

I did do a wee search for a thread on the Ski Mojo as I know these doo-dahs have been about for a few years, but didnt turn up anything.

Perhaps my fellow ski-codgers have quaffed their cocoa and trundled off to their respective scratchers?

Fast approaching the end of my sixth decade, but still doing my very best to keep up with my ski buddies (all of whom are around two decades younger), I am contemplating these Ski Mojo gadgets.

Although I always start out with the very best of intentions around November-ish to begin some sort of exercise programme, I inevitably fail to follow it through, with the result that, in the latter half of my second ski week, I struggle with thigh burn, complaining knees and wilting stamina.

These fiendish (semi-robotic?) devices would seem to be the answer to a congenitally lazy, reluctantly ageing old ski-goat like me, dontcha think?

Now, whilst my recent travels through your forum pages would appear to indicate that the majority of J2Skiers are considerably younger than myself, I would hope that there might be one or two similarly endurance-challenged folk out there that have been driven to giving these contraptions a try.

There is a fairly glowing review from the Gadget Show available, but I would like to hear some unsolicited testimonials from real J2Skiers, preferably of the new Mk11 version if possible.

So, do tell. Are they going to be the best £325-worth of skiing gear I could buy (at my age)?

Getting all my gear ready for heading off on 1st week on Saturday :lol:, but I would seriously consider the Mojo for my next jaunt to Val Thorens in March. :?:

matt23 wrote:Looking for somewhere to head to for the first week in march and as sestriere is i believe the highest italian resort i thought it was a safe bet. any advice anyone ??????? got a great deal through nielsens who are doing bogof lift passes which saves around £190 on the trip which all helps. anyone experienced skiing there in march and if so how was it. i always ski first week of feb so kinda nervous going that bit later especially with the weather being so random this last few years.....


also is setriere and sauze north facing ???

many thanks in advance

Me and my pals have been to Sauze twice in late March (our usual time for a second week away), and have had no bother snow-wise. Perhaps we've been lucky, but at worst we found the runs below the Sportina getting patchy, everywhere else, Sestriere, Sansicario, Claviere were fine. Some very nice runs, a good expansive area plus good 'craic' to be had in Sauze.

We stayed above Ghost one year. Good enough apartments plus a decent brekkie in the bar down below. As far as I remember, the Vagabondi (?) was our favourite little bar of an evening, with host 3-piece local group 'Mondo Libre' providing very passable choons.

Previous to that we stayed just below Sauze, in the wee hamlet of Jouvenceaux. It was spot on. An absolute bargain - Hotel Martin (excellent reviews on Tripadvisor) - very basic, but a very friendly family-run establishment. You had to walk a couple of hundred yards to get a lift up to the Sportina, but it wasn't difficult. Late season the runs back down to Jouvenceaux will become patchy or close, as the hamlet sits at 1300M I think. Sauze is walkable from the hotel, tho' the owner is always happy to offer a lift there.

Sauze faces N/NW according to their website - I am not very cardinal-point aware - and one of its advantages is that it's only about an hour transfer time from Turin airport. Also, if the weather does get a bit grim, or you just fancy a day out, it's a short bus ride down the hill to the station and about half-an-hour on the train into Turin. Well worth a visit just to wander round and admire the architecture and soak up 'The Italian Job' atmosphere.

I'm looking forward to going back very soon. We only stopped going 'cos local departures to Italy ceased for a year and we sort of got sucked back into France.

It's brought back memories of very happy times .......

I'll bet you have a great one.