J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by gadgetgirl79

I may be biassed as I'm going to Courchevel in 9 DAYS (Yaaaaaaaaaaay), but I've loved reading this thread, and it's great to read about someone elses ski trip experience, what things cost, what lessons are like etc... far better than reading all the biassed reports written by hotels and tour companies!

That's why I quite like reading Trip Advisor for hotel reviews, as people are generally honest.

Superb update Ally! I've just seen that Courchevel is due lots of snow soon too.

I'm almost tempted to go a a group lesson myself now, as it sounds fun!

My £40 boots were indeed a bargain, although the Euro was better value then, and it was April, so plenty in the sale.

I was impressed with the shop, as they didn't try and sell me the most expensive pair, and actually telling me they wouldn't suit my foot shape!

The more I wear them, the more comfortable they get, and I find they fit into my suitcase too.

(They're Tecnica superfit or something like that.)

I bought my own boots from Intersport France. Had my eye on a nice expensive pair, but the shop expert said I had the wrong shaped foot for them, and I ended up getting a half price pair for about £40. They are SO comfortable, and very pleased I bought them!

I hated hire boots, and always ended up with really sore ankles, to the point where I struggled to get my foot into the boot.

Sounds like a superb holiday!

My other half is booked in for snowboarding lessons with ESF for 6 mornings, and I'll either ski with the chalet/hotel, or get myself some lessons. For the lessons, does he just go along to the 1850 ESF office?

Shame about the instructor with the sense of humour failure! The french don't always get us english and our sens d'humeur sarcastique!

I had a terrible instructor on my first trip in Austria, aged 13. He was an arrogant ejit (but very cute!!), and he obviously didn't want to have to teach a beginners group, so just kept skiing off really fast, and getting annoyed when we couldn't keep up.

11 days until I got to Courchevel, although I'm staying in 1850 as I had the luxury of going out of school holiday. Can't wait!!

Thanks for the lowdown. I haven't been for 7 years, and the exchange rate was much better then.

Did you do the luge/sledge thing?

Patiently awaiting update...

I really can't stand the holes in the floor toilets. Came across one in Serre Chevalier last year, and was no amused.

Quite a few in Bormio too!

I also came across quite a few squat pedestal toilets, which are at least a bit easier to use!

I cross out the restaurant on the piste map if they don't have a nice toilet.

I'd say the time frame from that "oh sh*t" moment to crashing is generally about 1 second, if not less. I generally relax when I feel myself go, thus minimising risk of injury.

On motorbikes, you can get jackets that inflate upon impact, although they're very expensive, and once deployed, the jacket is useless. Some you can plug into the bike, which monitors the speed, and thus would only inflate at crashes over a certain speed.

Not sure a parachute would help..

You could go on youtube and watch some ski crash clips to see how people fall?