J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Am pretty sure my next ski holiday has no connection to Brexit although DC seems to think word might fall apart without it.

Most people pay for their vacations through their jobs and is a such strong pound that saves a few pennies on your ski holiday really desirable if you work in manufacturing, export or any sector linked to tourism in UK; probably not.

If you want to play money markets, both Russia & Azerbaijan both have devalued currencies due to current oil price.

Temp only -0.6, seems people have done a nice job with their tracks considering is hardly going to be the lightest snow ;-).Still has left a single track so cannot be too porridge.

The British Ski Academy are moving out of Les Houches to Pila for a similar reason (GB race instructors seemingly don't cut it). Whilst I fully support the French stance on the need to protect professionals and their hard won qualifications be they ski instructors / mountain guides etc. their means of administering rules is always frustrating. Just like the EU they feel like overly bureaucratic and protectionist in a world that is becoming increasingly open. Championing openness and consumer good whilst at the same time replacing trade tariffs with often nonsensical rules and regulations to have the same affect is not always progressive.

On this one though having taken the decision of requiring a level 3 qualification they have little option but to take such a stance. The cost, commitment of attaining this is non-comparable with the Level 1 or 2 that is accepted throughout the rest of the world. Essentially meaning that ski instructors are journey men and women who has trained from an early age vs. a few week course in Canada before you are unleashed on the public. Now you can debate over the link between the ability to ski fast and instruct but there is no doubting the link between technique and being able to ski fast. Naturally which side of the fence you sit largely has everything to do with your perception of how is affects you personally.

On this one I am inclined to give them the benefit of doubt.

A mixed group of friends went skiing this year and had a fantastic experience. It has to be remembered that sanctions have never prevented individuals visiting, they are rather based around finance and dual use technology. Hence the country has always received a steady stream of foreign visitors, particularly from expats living in the Middle East.

One risk of the European Mega Resort is that they really lack any charm and or history. With growth in the industry coming largely from non-traditional ski countries i.e. non-European /non-North American, you have to question why someone would pick a drab purpose built resort vs. visiting one of the world's great historical cultural centers within an few hrs drive of skiing. Of course as Europeans, we love to question American culture as "they are only 250 years old", whilst ourselves largely excluding history before this period. Forgetting to educate both ourselves and our children on how we were busy playing with flint stones as the ancient civilizations flourished.

Skiers are however increasingly seeking something different from their experience; look at the backcountry explosion. It is almost inevitable that that same sense of adventure will draw people to "new locations" like Iran in increasing numbers.

Death of the European Mega Resort, probably not. But anything that helps to convince people that there is more to life than a high speed chair and a pub crawl cannot be a bad thing.

Engelberg is one of your options. Amazing resort that has enough for everyone from beginners-powder hounds, snow sure, reasonably priced.

Are they wearing jeans, if so you have to love the Norwegians.

What is incredible is how low the snow line still is. Over 2000m of vertical still pen at Grand Montets, crazy for the time of year. Looks like heavy precipitation will last at least another 3 weeks in N Alps.

I would pick one of the Swiss ones on the basis of Milka chocolate and:
Austria no longer gets any snow
Italy you chose the wrong area
I don't trust the snow reports of anything in Pyrenees (France/Spain/Andora), web cams always tell a completely different story.
French resort you chose are manmade monstrosities except for Megeve, where your insurance policy could be a car which can take you to plenty of high altitude skiing within 40min. I seemed to recall a desire to do a Vallee Blanche.