J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Der_Bomber

Most skiers that try snowblades or skiboards for a day or two here or there tend to dislike them as they find them overly restrictive,when really its their skillset that restricts them.

They do require a very different technique to ski-ing to get the most out of; once you've got the skidding turns, turning round the hand, moving into switch (i.e going backwards) type moves sussed then theres a lot more enjoyment to be had.

Easily explainable. We know the number of UK tourists has to the Alps has decreased massively this year, and I'd guess Brtiain provides a large percentage of the boarders. Equally more Russians are filling the beds, among whom snowboarding seems to be far less popular.

I'm not sure how conditions are across the Alps either. From what I've heard generally not quite as powdery as the previous two or three years, so I guess more boarders will be going off piste to find powder, and therefore aren't as obvious.

I think there may be a few flaws in your method.

Mainly what else does the resort offer, and is it based purely around ski-ing?. Also how easy access is it for locals? How big is your 'catchment area'?

Somewhere like Obergurgl is interesting. Most 'Local'skiers or day trippers have to come through Soelden, so there is little point going the extra half an hours drive and thus Obergurgl will look 'overcrowded' in comparison with Soelden nased on your method.


Somewhere like Cairngorm will have very few beds if you have a small Catchment area (say, Glenmore and Inverdrurie), and a massive number with a large catchment area (adding Aviemore, Coylumbridge, Nethybridge, Boat of Garten etc). However those beds are more normally used by greater numbers of Climbers, Walkers and Families rather than skiers.


Your also overlooking bottlenecks caused by placement of runs and age of equipment. You could have the worlds biggest ski area but if theres a link Poma between two very plentiful, quad detachable chairlift served areas, large q's will naturally develop.

I'd never experienced any kind of motion/altitude problems on a ski lift until I tried the Cairngorm Funicular, which had my ears popping like crazy, even more so than on take off during a flight.Only time I've experienced it worse is the Eiffel Tower lift.

Tony_H wrote:I saw LA Galaxy shirts in there too.

Whilst I'm aware your taking the mick, it was actually a Cruz Azul shirt. I don't want people to think I would walk round with 'Bekham 23' plasteredacross my back, thank you.

This season if you haven't booked, are a beginner and own a car, I'd take Scotland above Bulgaria/Romania. Seriously.

It can get in your way on (usually older) chairlifts, but ski-ing with a bag isn't a problem, I only really notice it if I'm doing some kickers and I've taken my bag off, throws me a bit! Worth getting used to ski-ing with a bag in case you ever want to go off piste, in which case you'll need one for shovel etc.

My only tip is to get the bus up to the hill rather than drive, if thats what you were planning. Can be chaos up there nowadays sometimes, car wise.