J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Decent days touring high up in Chamonix, mixed conditions as expected given the high freezing levels. For those of you wanting to do a VB topo shot posted so you can see the possibilities.

Most people walk down the Midi ridge, very ungracefully we skied it (first turns of day and bullet hard)


Rope on just in case, still a few big holes about on the glaciers


Long skin upto Italian side, great view of VB options.


Enjoying the North facing slopes of the Col de la Noir


Literally nobody else about


Variable but a few nice patches


Never too far from an objective hazard


Topped off with a skin back up the Glacier des Periades for a steep run down to VB


Long day but everyone needs and excuse to be in bed by 9pm now and again.

Early Jan is definitely best time for Whistler, plenty of cold powder and worth a night in Vancouver which is brilliant city.
For me apart from the January cold, you need to be renting a car to enjoy Banff. Lake Louise would be like me living in Chamonix and skiing in Aosta/Pila every day, is just a bit too far. I hop on a bus every morning but this is a full on coach ride. Friends who stayed in Chateau Lake Louise ended up coming to Banff every night to enjoy the town which is fun, so is not even easy to find the right compromise. Not all bad, I did manage to buy a cowboy hat and saw a moose.
Never been but the US resort like Park City has more appeal if you are after city skiing. Gondola to center of town must really open up accommodation and food options if there are budget considerations.

I just bought a new one, no idea of brand without looking. Construction seems to be little more than a cycle helmet with a very thin coating. Super light, nice goggle attachment and well ventilated which means I can take it touring. Only downside is that every time you scratch the white you are left with gray marks. If I was going to be using for on-piste only would probably get something with a more heavy duty plastic like POC seem to have. My last one was pretty substantial and I only threw it out on basis that there must be an expiry date and was 7+ yrs old. As for price, last one cost me around 40 cents Euro a day, get something that fits properly, matches you needs and stick with it.

The big question is what time of year as some areas of Canada are essentially no go zones in some months.

Banff great, but horrible in early Jan as just too Cold. Bit of a logistical mess as well. Lake Louise definitely had best skiing but is 45 min away.

Whistler not great late season as too mild. Not a massive fan of the town either, everything seems to be part of Whistler mountain resort so completely devoid of character.

Only thing that would make me ski in Canada again would be Island Lake Lodge as just looks amazing. For tree skiing Europe can't compete for everything else no comparison; head to the Alps.

To be honest this year I would be looking for a resort with plenty of N facing slopes. Alps are feeling and looking distinctly spring like at moment. Already some full depth avalanches in S and W facing slopes which would not be expecting for another 6 weeks or more.

Just back from big days touring >800m uphill and >3000m downhill. Snow conditions were so so variable, from wind blown hard pack, to breakable crust. Only a very small sweet spot of North facing 2800m seemed to exist. Can definitely see how boarders are less likely to suffer lower limb injuries, particularly knee injuries in current conditions. Of course you never really know what to expect but definitely some snap city snow out there at moment.

In what way is it Rubbish? Have skied in most of the Alpine countries of W Europe and is comparable to many resorts of similar size. If you are a medium level or beginner is difficult to fault. Biggest complaint seems to be first gondola in the morning which am sure can be fixed by avoiding peak time.

Look at Bansko, more than enough skiing for a week, 2500m and reasonable snow record, much lower temperatures than W Alps at moment.

Decide what you want from holiday and make you choice. If you want a short transfer and 200+Km of piste then head to France is simple, apres ski Austria, food Italy. Is pointless trying to compare resorts as everyone is looking for something different. I can see zero logic in going to a resort like Livigno due to transfer time, Andorra as too far South, Sweden too far North etc. and more fool me for dismissing places which others rave about.

If money is your real driver, then don't dismiss impact Air B & B and similar are having on vacation costs. If you are just after a room vs. family holiday then some great deals available in all major resorts.

Skied in Bulgaria (2 x Pamporovo) >20 years ago and was just a great family holiday. Super cheap, friendly people, great ski instructors and perfect slopes for learning on. No complaints about accommodation or food, which was many times better than could be expected for the price. You will not find many supporters for Bulgarian skiing on this web site but have nothing bad to say about it.