J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Grizwald

I've decided to have a good clear out of my current collection of skis Depending if/what sells first I may pull some of others.

Atomic Nomad Blackeye Ti's @ 181cm

Hugely popular all mountain ski. Bought in 2011 seen a few weeks, bases and edges are tip top, superficial marks to the bindings and top sheets and bindings associated with used skis.

Some Specs & Atomics Blurb:

The Blackeye Ti, featuring a modest 82 mm waist width, combines smoothness on piste with sufficient lift in soft snow. The Step Down Sidewall and combination of wood core and titanium ensure superb stability and unrivalled performance. Thanks to the Adaptive Camber, the Blackeye Ti boasts good shovel lift in virgin snow and uncomplicated handling where the skis are flat on the slope. At the same time it delivers the entire effective edge length when set on edge, providing optimum edge grip.

Radius: 16m @ 174cm
Sidecut: 125,5-82-110,5 @ 174cm / 121,5-82-106,5 @ 160cm / 123,5-82-108,5 @ 167cm / 127,5-82-112,5 @ 181cm
Weight: 1675g @ 174cm

K2 Apache Recon @ 181cm

Tested and proven time and time again as the ultimate high performance ski for all conditions. The Recon fits right in between the Crossfire and Xplorer in the line with its 78 mm waist width making it the ultimate 50/50 ski for expert skiers. Using MOD Monic Technology to help dampen vibrations for a smoother ride, the Recon blends the perfect amount of waist and tip width to create a platform that floats in softer snow and crud and combines a generous sidecut for hard snow performance.

Specs
- Tip Width (mm):119
- Waist Width (mm):78
- Tail Width (mm):105
- Ability Level:Intermediate - Advanced
- Rocker Type:Camber
- Tail Type:Flat
- Turning Radius:16m @ 177

Also in good used condition. Found these to be a superb all mountain ski.

Rossignol Edge @ 170cm

These are brand new still in the wrappers. They're actually a friends fathers who bought them a couple of years ago in France and has since had health issues that have prevented him skiing. I don't know much about them, but they're suited to beginners up to advanced intermediates.

An easy turning shaped ski with a medium amount of sidecut that has been proven to be especially good for the old school straight ski skier. The Rossignol Edge will bring you into the shaped ski revolution without making it look like your first time on skis. Isospeed Base, Kevlar Fiber/Polyglass Laminate Topshhet and a Composite Core are all of the elements you will need for positive edge-hold and stability at speed in all conditions.
- Core and Flex Pattern:Moderate Flex/Composite Core
- Construction:Isospeed Base Kevlar Fiber/Polyglass Laminate Top sheet
- Shape:A spiffy side cut and wide 72mm waist to manage whatever treacheries may arrive while you adventure across the mountain.
- Specs
- Tip Width (mm):109
- Waist Width (mm):72
- Tail Width (mm):98
- Ability Level:Beginner -Advanced Intermediate
- Core Material:Composite Core
- Rocker Type:Camber
- Tail Type:Flat
- Turning Radius:18m @160 cm

For the ladies:

Head Cool one @ 142cm

Need to double check the specs on these. Fully adjustable bindings. They've only seen a weeks skiing and are fully serviced and ready to go, theses really are as good as new.

Elan Fusion @ 152cm

As above need to double check the specs. Fully adjustable bindings, great ski suitable for beginner to intermediate specifically designed for the female user (apparently).

I'm open to offers on all of the above. Availible for pick up in West Cumbria or I can post next working day for £20-Inusrance is a little extra on top but depends on the sale value.

I wouldn't sell anything second hand that I wouldn't be happy with myself. I can supply photos on request.

Cheers

Yeah finding a quiet resort in our half term is going to be difficult, I don't have any experience of the Austrian resorts in half term time, so can't comment on even how some of the more obscure ones will be (ones off the radar of UK To's).

Niederau is a nice area but as you've pointed out not really suited to what you're after. What's your definition of advanced? On piste only, off piste, guided off piste etc? Kitzbuhel is nice but for beginners choose you accommodation carefully as it can be a bit of a trek to the nursery area-but if they aren't a complete beginner no issue. Large varied area, not a huge amount of on piste challenges but a great areas and although not particularly celebrated for it's off piste there is plenty.

Step up in price and on piste challenge I'd recommend Ischgl great area and the nursery slopes are high up on the mountain. Cracking area. I also love Saalbach but I'd expect it to be pricier than Kitz. The amount of snow they've had this year pretty much now guarantees good on piste conditions.

To really be selfish and suit the advanced skier head to St Anton, I don't think it's so bad for beginners either despite it's rep. I'll be in Saalbach and Kitzbuhel in February then St Anton the end of March. The first two trip will be with my other half who's a strong intermediate, ST Anton will be a lads trip for some serious off piste hopefully.

If you can wait and see where has the best snow closer to the time, would be the best advice. If not, safe(er) on top of those mentioned are Chamonix, I would also expect Les Arc and Le Plagne to fine.

Non-France, Cervinia-linked to Zermatt (Italy), For Austria Ischgl, Kaprun, Solden, and somewhere in the Arlberg, St Anton or Stuben in particular. I've skied into May in Saalbach and conditions were amazing even though the resorts tops out at a little over 2000m. Don't think I'd book Saalbach for April if I had to book now though!

Snapzzz wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

rossyhead wrote:Take the blinkers off tony.........

None on. I love Scotland, my wife is Scottish, I'd happily live up there.
However I wouldn't plan a trip to ski up there, thanks.

Have you been mate? I was thinking about this and generally i like to make my own mind up. I just wondering how many people simply take other peoples word for it that it is sh*t.

I can't help thinking that even if its crap i will have had a life experience.

I think i will do it one day just for the heck of it. (prob won't take my blackeyes though)

Best attitude to have really Snapzzz. I've been lucky enough over the years to ski all over the world which include the main European areas, New Zealand, US and most recently Japan in addition to doing a season getting qualified as an instructor many moons ago in Canada. Even hiked some of my local hills in the lakes and skied down them- 2010 was the best I've had for this.

The only thing about Scotland which has been well discussed is that I wouldn't say e.g. 'I'm going to book a holiday for the 12th of March today.' Things are so changeable even a week can be too long in Scottish weather/condition terms. I'm lead to believe that Glencoe have invested/rented a snow cannon this season as a trial and other than high winds closing things, it would seem they've had 'something' to ski on since December.

For those who need to book a ski holiday in advance Scotland isn't a viable alternative, people want assurance that with their hard earned cash and holidays they'll be able to ski when they turn up which is fair enough. It doesn't really stack up for people who live down the south of England either as you could be in the Alps in similar time and expense I would imagine.

Saying all this I've had some of my best days skiing in Scotland, I'd def encourage anyone to try it as it's just a different experience and if you follow the general advice I think most would be pleasantly surprised.

It's about a 1.5hr drive to Verbier if the roads are OK, you head north on the 1506 from memory and it's pretty straight forward.

However if it's just a day trip for what you're after I'd be tempted to head to Courmayeur (25-30) mins through the Mont Blanc tunnel-there are a few others La Thulie springs to mind but Courmayer is closer. Verbier is a fantastic palce to ski but the main attraction is the off piste, although it's a large area it's disjointed and difficult/time consuming to navigate. Courmayer has plenty of intermediate terrain and it pretty compact-nice visit for a day and you can save yourself the drive and get the bus if you'd prefer to take any hassle out of parking.

As always with Scotland the advice is not to plan ahead and when it dumps be ready to go at short notice-if you can. Rossyhead also touches on the other problem that if they have the coverage then things might not be opened due to high winds.

I have family who live in Oban so I'm up that way several times over the course of the year, I always pack my planks If I'm up and there's snow I ski, if not I wait till next time. When it's good it's as good as ANYWHERE with the only limitation being the size of the areas but no issue for a long weekend and it beats the fridge any day. The Back Corries when open are superb and I love the feeling of isolation/wilderness.

Glencoe if coming from the South is also another possibility, with good coverage it offers a relatively large amount of on piste skiing. I'll be up at the start of Feb, it's about 4.5 hours door to door for us we'll stay in Glasgow the first night and hit the Glasgow fridge so my OH can stretch her ski legs prior to her first trip of the season in Austria the following weekend. If there's snow in GC or NR we'll also hit them on the Friday.

Don't let the Scotland bashers put you off. If you live within driving distance and are flexible it can be awesome.

Almost fogot to add IME the best condition over the last 4/5 years have been March-April time. 2 years ago I skied Nevis Range at the end of April and it was bloody glorious!

Superb pics-thanks for sharing. I'm not off until the end of March to St Anton so hopefully things will be as good or not too far off then!

None of these that you originally mention are particularly pretty to look at IMO; come to think of it not many in France are…. Arc 1950 is a newer centre and seem to have chalet style only set up building wise. I really like the skiing in France but not much else if I'm honest. Le Rosiere which is linked to Le Thuile is pretty attractive I've stayed in Les Eucherts before.

If you want an aesthetically pleasing resort I'd be looking towards Austria, possibly somewhere in the Italian Dolomites, or if your wallet can stomach it somewhere in Switzerland. Due to the strength of the CHF allot of UK TO's still have many standing deals such as 2 for 1 lift passes and if you're chalet board this takes most of the sting out of prices so wouldn't totally rule it out. The mountain restaurants in Zermatt are amazing, or a cheaper option to stay on the Italian side which is Cervinia.

A compromise might have to be made somewhere. If you want to hopefully get your OH hooked I'd go for a pretty Austria town with plenty of non-skiing things to do, amongst the others that people have mentioned take a look at Kitzbuhel. So long as your OH isn't still at nursery standard (the nursery slopes are a bit of an arse to reach) then this could be ideal. The compromise is that the terrain isn't hugely challenging, but although it isn't a particularly celebrated place for off piste there is actually plenty.

Ishcgl would swing things a bit more towards your needs, and St Anton even further but nice accommodation available in both. Ischgl has more intermediate pistes while ST Anton top trumps for off piste.