J2Ski logo J2Ski logo
Login Forum Search Recent Forums

J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyoneil

Messages posted by : andyoneil

Getting ski boots that fit
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 35 Replies
JennieMPM wrote:Always best by far to buy as soon as you get to resort. Added bonus is a good boot fitter will guarantee to sort if any problems during your time skiing, even to the extent they will swap for another pair if nothing works.They usually have far better choice as well and are often cheaper. I have always bought my boots this way not only for myself but also for the rest of the family. Never been disappointed. I have really wide feet and hard to get boots but still managed with superior choice in resort.
PS - sorry, sort of assuming this for overseas - if skiing in Scotland then clearly not an option and sorry, can't help!!


Always a subjective one this:

yes you will likely get a better price and may well see more choice

but

do you want to lose half a day of your trip if, like me, you only get 6 days a year on snow and do you speak the language well enough/trust the locals' English enough to get what you want?

The language may well not be a problem but one does have to bear it in mind
Getting ski boots that fit
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 35 Replies
Terrible to have ill-fitting boots - can ruin a trip

Don't know about the Edinburgh area but my current boots are from Snow and Rock at the MetroCentre here in Toon. It's not exactly local but a two hour drive / 1.5 hour train trip may be worthwhile to solve your issue?

They spent about 3-4 hours each with my wife and I on fitting, building inserts etc. Can't say they will def fix your feet (we are all different after all) but they were certainly good

I have NO commercial relationship with these people at all (in fact I think I've only set foot in the place once since) - just speaking as I found

Good Luck!
Gadget Suggestions
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 51 Replies
Iceman wrote:

Nelly - he has some, i simply bite my toenails :)


Do you have a rib removed?????

I'm about as flexible as a brick - its a bloke thing!
Sestriere Olympic Piste vs VDI Face
Started by User in Italy, 11 Replies
LOTA wrote:Have to disagree about Val D'Isere's gradings, Andy. Just off the top of my head, there are some blues off the Glacier and Cugair chairlifts above Solaise that are more like reds. That's just two I can think off.

However, it's a must do resort for all skiers (take note, Tony H!) before they hang up the planks!


The blues off the Galcier chair are all Ok I'd say - down to the "scare chair" station and beyond is all fine - my wife learnt to ski on theose runs after the Madeleine beginners slope

The Cugnai(?) chair has one run and that is graded red?

I think that "Henri" or "H" as its sometimes marked is not really blue - cuts up badly and gets very busy at times
Sestriere Olympic Piste vs VDI Face
Started by User in Italy, 11 Replies
andyhull wrote:But it not steep and it's nice and wide. Just because it gets busy late in the day that doesn't mean it's under graded.
Having said that, of course now you have the added hazard late in the day of drunken Folie Douce goers 'skiing' down, so maybe they will have to review!


Vert is not wide for a reasonable bit of it - the bit down towards where the tunnel goes under the piste and then comes out to cross the black

I'd rather take beginners down OK and accept that they'll struggle a little with the final drop through the trees rather than destroy their confidence on Vert

Santons though is grossly under rated and I think Piste L (though often closed) is the Solaise equivalent of Santons on Bellevarde and can be just as tricky through the gulley
jocrad74 wrote:Andyhull, sure we got that with Nailson last year too from memory. Must have done, as I didn't go to the meeting and I had all the info I needed.


Had that from both Crystal and Inghams in the past - Neilsen too
The best tour operator and why?
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 39 Replies
Dave Mac wrote:I am a bit reluctant on this, since in my early season days, reps were the subject of, errm, extended evening enterprises. On this basis, Inghams had by far, the best offer. Thomsons did come highly recommended....

Later, much much later, and by then, totally unconstrained from any non-value views on the subject, I discovered, for totally unrelated reasons, Inghams also seemed to have the best trained, and most knowledgeable individuals. That is not to say that there were some great individuals from other companies, ~ there were.

There was a northern company called Hards, but I would be forbidden, on this site, for drawing any inferences for ladies' preference for this company.

Sadly, Inghams management has undergone recent change, and it would appear there is a downward trend in demanded capabilities. There are still some great skiers working for many companies....


As I said earlier Inghams have been my favourite. They seem to employ reps who are generally interested in the skiing rather than just the boozing. I remember the trip where my wife tried skiing for the first time and the rep spent a good 20 mins at the welcome meeting pointing out things I should do on my own to then be able to take her back to once she was out of ski school for the day - most welcome in VDI as it was the first time I'd encountered the vagaries of its piste classification (the rep told me to keep the wife off Vert run if I wanted her to stick at this ski malarkey...)
Espace Killy Piste Map 2012-13
Started by User in France, 46 Replies
I think they will have widened the part Ally refers to - the bottom 3rd has no need for it as its very wide (though steep which is what causes the moguls on an afternoon often).

The mid section through the gulley before it splits into the Face proper and the red (Arcelles?) must be the bit they've changed for this year?

as for straight lining it - I shall look forward to seeing that on the 20th Ally - you'll basically end up in my chalet by the time you stop....