J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by AllyG

Or by the number of people who can actually ski (assuming someone knows this figure)?

Thanks Brimster,
I must try and remember now that the proper name for my neck warming thingy is a buff :D

It was a lot colder than minus 8 when we were ski-ing a couple of weeks ago, but then I had it round my neck for most of the time. I suppose the trick would be to leave my nose out and stop breathing through my mouth, when I've got it up over my face, to avoid the nasty concrete creating effect you were talking about. Either that, or try using a snorkel :lol:

Ally

Tony,
That's about the same price as mine, after you add in £200 for lift passes, and £100 for ski and boot hire. And he did say he wanted to go self-catering, rather than in a chalet. Maybe they prefer it, like I do.

Apart from the fact that he seems to live in Nottingham, I would say that the train is actually more convenient for Les Arcs than the plane. And one big advantage of the train is that your luggage goes with you, it doesn't get weighed, and you only have one very simple check in and one queue without any of that plastic bag nonsense.

The plane is usually cheaper than the train though, I have to admit.

Edit
I've just remembered that there is a high speed train connection (minimum time 1 hour 44 mins) from Nottingham to St Pancras - so maybe it's not such a bad idea after all?

Ally

If a buff is the proper name for my neck warming thingy, then I think they're great. I wear it round my neck most days when I'm ski-ing, and then when I'm on a chairlift and it's cold I pull it up over my face, right up to my goggles. And when it's snowing, it stops the snow going down my neck.

I wouldn't worry about what it looks like.

I await the photo for confirmation that it is my neck warming thingy :D

Ally

I hope you have a lovely time Littleski, and do us a detailed report when you get back, please. I've never been to Courmayeur or St Moritz.

All the Best,

Ally

Ian Wickham wrote:
Ally I'm starting to get a liking for off piste after all these years but moguls I never see the point, I watch so many skiers setting off full of confidence down a moguled run and then see them half way down
wishing they never started so they are really not for me or my knees 8)

Hi Ian,
Thanks for making me feel a bit better about my mogul problems. I know it's not absolutely essential to learn to ski them, but it is awkward if you're happily ski-ing down a run and suddenly all these horrid irregular lumps appear and you can't get through them.

Have you tried taking glucosamine sulphate for your knees? I've started taking it and it does seemed to have helped my creaky old knees.

I haven't started ski-ing properly off piste yet - just at the side of the piste. The idea of the RDF on the goggles was so that I wouldn't accidentally go off piste in the fog and get lost.

Ally

Snapzzz wrote:
Ian, i am so tempted to do it but im a little daunted by it. I like the idea of someone there if it all goes awry.

I would be interested in how cheap you DIY'ers could find me 7 days in Arc 1950 from 8th Jan 2011.
Would want SC, one bedroom. Flights for 2 + 1 child.
Transfers
Boots and skis
lift passes
:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Snapzzz,
I'm afraid if I was planning this holiday it would involve going on the direct train from London St Pancras to Bourg St Maurice and probably staying in the P&V residence. And I don't expect it would work out very cheap - probably about £2600 (£870 each) for the three of you, depending on the age of the child. I have thought about doing this holiday myself, because Les Arcs is so close to Bourg St Maurice. I've seen the funicular from the station.

Ally

If you have a choice, I think you should go for the artificial snow dome, rather than the 'dry' i.e. mat type of slope. The mats are very hard to fall on - I should know, I broke my shoulder on one! And I have heard of plenty of other people who have hurt themselves on them. Plus, the artificial snow is much more like the real thing - and in fact you are quite likely to be ski-ing on artificial snow at some point during your actual ski holiday as the lower slopes are usually covered in snow cannons.

And, don't worry about falling over in a group lesson and making a ***** of yourself - you need to get used to it :D

Someone in my advanced ski group lesson in Courchevel fell off a drag lift (not me I hasten to add) and had to be rescued by our instructor. These things happen. And if you continue to have lessons you will continue to fall over. In fact, it might even be a good idea to practise falling over - seriously - so that you don't put your hand down first, for example (like practising break falls in judo). It's very important not to fight the fall, and to go down in such a way that you don't hurt yourself.

I do think practising on a snow dome is a good idea before your holiday. Ski-ing can be very intimidating to begin with, so the more you know about it before you get out there the better. You can then relax more, and enjoy the lessons, and get a chance to admire the view of the mountains.

I hope you have a great time,

Ally