J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Salski

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 which is great & I do take it skiing with me. However, as it is big & bulky we purchased the Lumix DMC-LZ7 earlier this year & have taken some cracking photos with it. I too would much rather have an optical viewfinder, but the camera was on offer at only £54.00 on the internet, so for that price I was happy to compromise.

Hi Tony_H I'm no expert, but I do take loads of photos. That's the beauty of digital cameras - take loads of photos & only keep the best shots! It also gives you the opportunity to attempt 'arty shots' without wasting film.

My tips would be:-

When taking photos with people on them - look all around the subject & either move yourself, or get them to move to ensure they don't have posts, trees etc.in the background sticking out of them.

Zoom in close & be prepared to get down low to frame an object against a sky, the snow or an uncluttered background.

Take shots from unusual angles.

Have your camera handy all the time or you will miss lots of opportunities.

Get up early or stay out late to make the most of the differing light conditions.

Look at various photo sites & galleries to get ideas.

My photos are my treasured memories & I love looking back at them. If I've finally mastered the art of posting photos, a few slightly arty ones should follow:- :?

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Yipeee....they're there when I do a preview. No doubt I'll press submit & they'll be gone!

Nothing too radical for me....camping & sailing in North Norfolk. Currently trying to buy a new (old) house, so there may not be any money for summer holidays for us :( OH is 40 in June, so if the house thing doesn't happen then I might treat him to a couple of weeks at a Neilson Beach Club. We did that for my 40th (yes..he's a 'toy boy') & had a fab time. I need to be careful that we don't deplete funds too much & thus jeopdise ski 2010!

Just started reading this thread ..... didn't get past page 3 - it was like a recurring nightmare :P

Ian Wickham wrote:


Mrs W wears a ruckack, with all my stuff in :wink:

Random comment :lol:

Hi NellyPS, I always do a DIY holiday (myself, OH & 10 year old) - & take great pleasure in doing the hours of research necessary to get a good deal :D I like to go to places that aren't frequented by the big tour operators & I read reviews of different resorts on here, Ski Club of GB website, Snow-Forecast, Go-Ski.com, & TripAdvisor etc. I also trawl through public albums on places like Picasa & Flickr to get an idea of an area. We go late January, take 10yo out of school, find accommodation that has flexible arrival & departure dates (start off by doing a Google on apartments in ........)

This year we decided on St. Gervais-les-Bains & a couple of friends came with us:-

Return Easy Jet flights from East Midlands to Geneva £55.00 each (out on a Tues, back on a Thurs)
Return Minibus transfer to apartment £45 each
Accommodation (shared between 5)£82.80 each (including bedding, towels & end of stay clean)

The adult lift passes were 214 euros for 8 days & we had ski hire to pay too.

We took a picnic lunch every day & ate in most nights. The shopping bill for the food & drink we purchased out there came to £50 each.

Our friends always book through a tour operator & they were very dubious that it would all work out :roll: . They couldn't believe how smoothly everything went & how cheap it was compared to what they normally pay. We also had a 10 day holiday, rather than a 7 day one.

I've looked at supposed tour operator bargains numerous times, but when I put all our details in there are always so many supplements it is never a bargain. Also, I don't want to fly from a London airport, or even Manchester for that matter when I can fly locally with a choice of times to suit me.

Have also driven to the Alps which gives lots of flexibility too, but it can take as long to drive from home to Dover as it does from Calais to the Alps - which is a real pain in the backside - particularly on the return journey!

We did a similar trip to Samoens last year & both holidays were very successful. If you want to see some photos, have a look at:-

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jimandsal/StGervaisLesBainsWebAlbum#

Good luck - & feel free to ask any further questions.

Pablo Escobar wrote:I google image searched to find out what a Swift 18 was and thankfully it brought up Taylor Swift :D

:roll: Why aren't I surprised?

I live in North Nottinghamshire (come on amanda n - it's not so bad, some of the poor beggers on here live in the mountains & go skiing every day!). I work as a physio assistant with a great bunch of people who make me laugh every day. I also do a bit of part-time work at a water sports centre - to earn extra cash to pay for my skiing holiday(s).

We are currently redecorating our house as we want to sell it & OH thinks I'm researching 'ceiling lights' at the moment. I have a 10 year old who can ski better than me.....& he enjoys telling me so. He says I'd be better if I went faster :roll:

We love camping & spend as much time as we can in North Norfolk sailing our Swift 18 & generally messing about in boats (& mud). I have a fantastic fantasy world in my head where I spend quite a lot of my time & I enjoy making (& eating) chocolate cakes :D

I wish I'd had the opportunity to ski from an early age - but I intend to make up for it & ski until I'm a very old lady!