J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyoneil

AllyG wrote:I've left the list of J2Skiers off ski-ing/boarding this coming season on the previous page for now, because it's getting rather long, and I've updated it this morning.

If anyone else wants to go on the list just post up on here and I'll add you. All I need to know is which ski resort you're going to, and the date. The Excel sheet will work out how many days it is until you go.

Then I shall tell you tales of VDI on 19/1/2013 (and a cheeky second week to come....)

bedrock barney wrote:

We skied VDI as 3 week newbies in Jan this year. It is, without doubt, 'random' in terms of classification. My wife found it very tough but was a better skier at the end of the week. It does depend on the time of the day in a lot of cases. Early in the morning = lovely clean groomed slopes albeit a bit steep in places. Late in the day = mogulled madness on certain pistes

It's a fantastic resort. The best that I've skied in so far by some margin.

Very random indeed - the OK run is never a red, apart from one tight chute about 3/4 of the way down but if you told a timid skiier you were taking them down the World Cup run... - its all in the mind as you say

Definitely ski early and accept that, if you're tired or not quite at it then there is no disgrace in the cable car as none of the home runs from any part are without adventure.....

Still say you can use it for a great holiday though OP..... !

LOTA wrote:Interesting, Andyoneil, and I agree Val D'Isere is one of the great resorts and must be on the to-do list of any aspiring skier.

But its piste classifications are, without doubt, on the tough side and many of the blues would be classified as red elsewhere.

Generally speaking that is true BUT my wife went there as a first week beginner and was quite happy on many of the blues as I'd checked them out first.

Some VDI runs are woefully under classified (Vert is never green, Santons is carnage through the gulley and then flat so its green at the bottom and red halfway down) but I think its a great resort for alround skiing.

The OP said they were at 4 weeks skiing so as long as they are cautious or better still have a lesson / guide with a local expert who will show them the dos and donts of the map then I honestly think its a reasonable choice.

I must think that as we're going this year with a real mixed ability group..... :-)

blues and Reds in France you say? - got to try VDI !

Ignore all the guff thats talked (here and other places) - its no more expensive than anywhere else as long as you dont want to nightclub in Dicks and the skiing is amongst the best in the world

less than a month ago I was in Bannf and hiked up Tunnel Mountain above the town in shirt sleeves, hiked to Lake Agnes above Lake Louise similarly attired and sat in shorts and T-Shirt on the roof terrace in Jasper commenting to the locals that it was unseasonably warm......

Looks like winter came to play after all!

AndyDavidson wrote:Thanks all to everyone who commented. Really helpful sound advice - first time I have used a web forum for advice. the weight of opinion appears to be for VT - - The other family going have strongly opted for Val Thorens. So VT it is - don't want to fall out before we get there!
I will look out for the pitfalls at VT, admire the concrete and wrap my kids up well !!

You'll not regret it - great resort

Loads of threads on here about good runs, bars, restaurants etc in Both VT and the 3V in general

Snapzzz wrote:

bedrock barney wrote:This happens to me all the time when i is lining up a rail and catchin' air........sick.

Init

So like it was sooooooooooooo funny yah when Rupes got caught up on that pole last night yah, I nearly spilt my Moet darling.....

Anything in the 4th valley!

Best snow of the lot, no crowds

(but equally I'd echo just about every other post - especially the one about Ours run being a no go....)