J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by AllyG

Tony_H wrote:Its a good varied resort, and reasonably priced by Frog standards. I wrote a report on it from January 2010, not sure where it is but if you can be arsed you will find it on here somewhere.
Go there its good.

Here it is:
http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/7737.page

Barbacni,
Congratulations on your son getting a place at Aberdeen :D

My daughter is applying to Aberdeen Uni, and although she only has a very small chance of getting in, I did have a look at the Scottish ski resorts for her.

Glenshee ski centre says it is only 69 miles and 1 1/2 hours driving time from Aberdeen (presumably only in good road conditions). It has 21 lifts including 2 chairlifts, 16 pomas, and 3 T-bars. And it has 36 runs including 2 black ones.

I haven't been able to find out how far the Lecht is from Aberdeen, but it does look nearer than Glenshee, although as Baillie says the Lecht is much smaller than Glenshee.

I would like to know whether the Aberdeen Uni ski club uses the Lecht or Glenshee (or both?).

Glenshee is only 3/4 hour drive from Pitlochry, which is on the trainline from London. We were there last summer and it's only 6 1/2 hours from Kings Cross, without any changes. The snag is the price - about £115 return, although we got cheap Advance tickets.

Ally

I took out insurance with SCGB a few years ago, but it was quite a lot of hassle because at the time both my kids were seeing the paediatrician for something, and we had to go through the medical screening process. However, we did get the insurance, in the end, and fortunately we didn't need it. I can't remember how much it cost, but it was quite expensive, which is why I switched to the Post Office.

I have also bought ski insurance with the NFU. Their current policy says they do NOT insure for:
"ski racing or jumping, heli skiing, freestyle skiing, off-piste skiing which is not professionally guide-led, sports involving the use of bobsleighs or skeletons."
I haven't got an up to date quote from them, but I'm sure it would be more than the Post Office.

Ally

This chalet hotel in Tignes (same ski area as Val D'Isere) does short breaks. I stayed there last year and it's fine - not luxury quality but quite okay.

http://www.mountainsunltd.com/chalet/chalet-hotel-les-melezes

Ally

I phoned the Post Office this morning, and they say Search and Rescue on the mountain is covered under Section 5 (page 15 if anyone has the booklet) on 'Medical emergency and associated expenses', which says:

'If you are travelling outside the United Kingdom we will pay up to £10,000,000 for any necessary and reasonable expenses caused by your illness, injury or death commencing and occurring during the period of insurance for the following:
a) Expenses you would have to pay, outside the United Kingdom and the country where you normally live, within 12 months of the start of your illness or injury. The expenses must be for medical, surgical and hospital charges, ambulances, nursing homes and nursing.'

There's also b-i about other medical stuff.

So I would guess a rescue helicopter would count as an ambulance, but it's not exactly as clear as I would like.

Ally

DaveMac,
Actually, I think I am the one going 'off-piste' by mentioning 'glacier walking'. I was just rather surprised that they seemed to think this was okay - and it doesn't say anything about needing a guide for this.

Bandit,
It does say that we're insured for 'cross-country skiing' but I didn't mention it because I didn't want Dave to 'shout' at me for wandering off topic again the way I usually do :D

If you want the complete list it says:
Cross-country skiing
Curling
Dog sledding
Downhill skiing
Glacier walking
Heli-skiing
Ice skating
Mogul skiing
Mono skiing
Skiing on or off piste (off-piste only with a qualified guide or instructor)
Snowboarding on or off piste (off-piste only with a qualified guide or instructor)
Snowmobiling (but no personal liability insurance i.e. I think it means they will pay if I injure someone else with my snowmobile but not myself). Just as well I never fancied going in one anyway.
Speed skating
Tobogganing

I hope it does cover snow parks but it doesn't actually say so. I always thought they counted as part of the piste.

This insurance suits me fine, but I can see it would be no good at all for someone who wanted to ski off-piste without a qualified guide or instructor.

Edit
I have found another bit that says:
'The following winter sports are not covered:
Ski-racing, ski-jumping (so no jumping in the snow park!), ice hockey, bobsleighing, the use of skeletons :shock: or luges, freestyle skiing, competitive skiing.'

And, as Bandit says, I can't find anything about them paying for search and rescue, only paying to bring my body back home and funeral expenses!

Plus, there are the usual get out clauses about not paying if I'm drunk or I've taken drugs etc. So, it's just as well I'm tea-total :lol:

Ally

I have my ski insurance with the Post Office, and it says I am insured for:

'Skiing on or off piste (off-piste only with a qualified guide or instructor)'

Which I think is pretty clear. It also says I am insured for 'glacier walking', 'downhill skiing' and 'mogul skiing'.

It cost £65 for my daughter and myself for 12 months cover.

But I have never had to claim anything on it, so far :D

Ally

It's been a really gorgeous hot day here in Pembrokeshire - more like summer than autumn, and I've been out walking on the beach.