J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by dixie dean

I would second that, and add that there are 2 runs side by side from Arpette that go down towards Les Coches for about a km to Carroley (both nice wide motorway pistes, both of which are very gentle (one has a 50 metre very short drop at the end) from where you can take a lift back up to Arpette again. These are both great for beginners - you could even take them slightly off piste between the two as they are only 5o metres apart and are only slighty off pist if you know what I mean. (Check your pass covers this area first) You could also continue down Pierres Blanches) (White stones) to the bottom of the Pierres Blanches lift and come up again on the chair lift to Carroley if your pass allows, but DO NOT go down Mont Blanc as although it is a blue, some short sections are very steep, narrow and icy and get very busy.

Check out my video of L'Arpette to Belle Plagne http://www.youtube.com/user/fdflsdjfh8308hfosa#p/u/2/85orRGY3TCg

Dixie

Hi Ally

In my wife's case, the reduced bone density is in her lower spine, i.e. where others might have a slight aero (chocolate) effect my wife has larger holes in her bone. The horizontal layers tend not to break, but the vertical strands do. Therefore, layers collapse (fracture) under stress, this could be by turning at a funny angle and causing the bone to be squashed and collapse, or reaching into a high cupboard or carrying heavy shopping, any of which could also result in a collapse. These collapses never repair (although they may consolidate) leading eventually to the curvature of the spine associated with some older people, particularly women. So my wife could fall over many times and may suffer no relevant injury, however one twist putting her seatbelt on one day, and twang goes one of the vertical bars in her spine.

Actual fractures as in the sort I might get normally, and which of course Mrs D could get if she fell over (as opposed to the stress fractures in her spine) will still heal as normal. She could get one of them in a leg or arm and it would be a normal recovery. A stress fracture to her spine resulting from a fall would not repair.

Another issue, is that often minor vertical fractures often go unnoticed and don't cause any immediate pain, they are termed as silent. However, they do in the long term have a cumulative effect of curvature.

I notice that the Spire hospital in Liverpool have a physiotherapy department that specialises in osteoporosis and have their own bone density machine, so I might give them a ring and see if we can get a consultation and a better idea of what exercise my wife can do to strengthen her muscles and help rebuild her bones, as well as an idea of whether any more skiing is possible and what if anything she can do at the gym.

Cross country skiing has been also suggested as being very good for osteoporosis.

To sum up, the whole matter is very daunting, is causing Mrs D some sleepless nights, and a very heavy feeling that something she was really enjoying, both skiing and her running, may be over. It is something I think we need to know as much as we can about so that we are well informed to make the best decisions to what she can and can't do in the future.

Hi all, thanks for the input. The doctor Mrs D saw was a consultant in osteoporosis who is a skier. What is difficult to gauge is whether he is simply saying don't ski, as to say do ski would leave him open to criticism later or that he genuinely believes that it simply wouldn't be a good idea - I suspect it was the latter. She is already on Calcium and Vitamin D and is to start Alendronic Acid which is medicine for rebuilding her bone density. We already bought a Forcefield back protector before we had this latest consultation, on the basis that the doctor might agree that taking suitable preventative action would be enough, not expecting him to say stop completely.
I have pondered on speaking to the Disability people at the Chill Factore to see what they say, or to find a physio who deals with sports injuries to see what they say, and to get general advice on what see can still do at the gym, as getting that sort of info is not easy to get. If anyone knows anybody they could recommend, please do.

andymol2 I agree entirely about your concern for a specific reason not to ski. As I said, Mrs Dean has fallen over many times in her first year, and we experienced a few knocks getting of and on chair lifts last Feb, but none of these did any damage other than a bruise or two.

ally Free Spirit would in fact insure her, despite her condition, it put the premium up by about £50 a year, not bad considering.

Thanks for the info re insurance.

Mrs D has sadly now been advised by her consultant not to continue skiing (as well as using the gym or running). Her spine is the most worrying area, being -2.3 against the onset of osteoporosis at -2.5. Its difficult to know whether he is saying this just to cover his back. Mrs D has never broken anything, even though she has fallen over many times whilst learning to ski and use the lifts. Mrs D is devastated by this news as after 2 seasons she is now very proficient and had a family holiday booked in 2 weeks time with sons and daughter-in-laws to Schladming. However, she feels she must respect his opinion and not ski again.

I would be interest to hear from anyone in this situation who has continued to ski, and if so what precautions you have taken?

Any comments much appreciated - but I won't be able to view them until Thursday lunchtime.

Mrs D has just been diagnosed with osteopenia, which is reduced bone density which is borderline osteoporosis.

Has anyone on here suffered from this issue and are there any issues to be concerned about going skiing especially getting travel insurance?

Could anyone tell me the order of ease of the red runs from easiest to hardest? The reason I ask is my wife is only just getting onto reds and I would like to try them in the best order and not frighten her with the first run!

Thanks guys, might try to fit a few days in there as well then. This Autumn holiday is getting more interesting all the time :D

Could anyone tell me what the likely kms of piste open by last week September?