J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by admin

In a moderate-snow year, Morzine would be marginal by April but this year has been good for snow so far so it may be worth waiting if you're particularly keen on going there.

If you've no particular reason to be going to Morzine, there are numerous resorts within an hour of Geneva that will have a better chance of decent snow at that time.

Depending on your level of experience you might want to look at Argentiere (high, great for good skiers), Flaine (reliable in April, good skiing for just about everyone), Avoriaz, La Clusaz, etc.

In the current climate (economy, not snow) you've a good chance of being able to find accommodation nearer the time so I'd recommend waiting and watching for now (and researching your numerous options!).

Construction of the UK's largest indoor snow centre, the GBP 300m SnOasis project in
Suffolk, will begin in late October with a tentative opening date of Spring 2013, Godfrey Spanner of owners Onslow Suffolk has told local media.

Two potential operators - one British and one German - are reported to be in the running for the right to run the main snow centre, which will be built first.

This will be followed by the visitor accommodation totalling 3,500 beds as well as other services including 17 bars and restaurants, a bowling alley, cinema, post office and library.

Snow + Rock have already agreed to run the anchor retail store within the complex.

karen72 wrote:Can anyone tell me what a catered chalet is please.

A catered chalet is just one where someone else does the cooking for you.

Everything else is entirely dependent on the owner / operator; whether or not they do afternoon tea, what time dinner is, how formal / flexible it is, etc.

In general, you'll probably find independent (owner-run) chalets to be the most flexible. Tour Operator chalets will be run to a fixed budget and, to a greater or lesser degree, a fixed menu each week - although the more child-friendly TOs tend to be pretty accommodating.

With just the four of you, chances are you'll be sharing the chalet with someone else; that usually works just fine - you should find you have something in common with the other people booking a "family-friendly catered chalet".

Hotels are so varied that it's impossible to generalize - you'll need to check the specifics with the places you're interested in.

So make a note of what you need and see how your short-list of chalets responds?

Iceman wrote:I have no idea what anyone is on about?

Me neither... but congratulations on the forthcoming in any case! :D

AJ wrote:more like a piece of chocolate cake to me pablo.

:lol: ...great minds think alike... think that says something about us AJ! 8)

Warren Smith Ski Academy makes history off piste in Japan

Powder, Sushi, Japanese culture; that was what the Warren Smith Ski Academy Japan powder Camps were all about. Last year Warren Smith and Melody Sky went to Japan to research the possibility of Japan being a potential location to run Powder Camps. What they came back with was a result better than they could ever have expected.


Respecting the Mountain - Japanese Style

The Academy made history in being the first ever ski tuition organisation to be granted exclusive permission to take groups off piste in the "Sacred trees" of Furano.


The 11 day ski trip was split between the resorts Niseko and Furano, with a day trip to Kamui. There are three main resorts in Niseko; Annapuri, Niseko Village and Hirafu.

Here the tree skiing is magnificent, with extensive floodlit night skiing, even off-piste, running up until 9pm every evening. The Academy Powder ski coaching and development began in these areas before transferring to the resort of Furano. In Furano a guide and 2 patrol escorted the Academy on a historical journey to the finest off-piste terrain with the most beautiful pine and Silver Birch forest densely filled with powder. The area was untouched by anyone else, and the Academy clients knew this was to be the best skiing they had ever done.



Warren ran a transceiver check with everybody in the group before accessing the off piste terrain. He talked about the area, what to look out for, potential dangers, general ski etiquette and also about respecting the mountain. He spoke highly of the patrol, and the job they were doing for the mountain. This instilled confidence in the Patrol for what the Academy were doing, which seemed to make the whole operation work really smoothly.



Of the 20 people on the Camp, not one had to ski in another's tracks. The area was vast and safe due to the gradient and the trees. It was also a fantastic learning environment due to the light texture of the snow and its depth, meaning nothing underfoot could catch out a skier, giving greater confidence to ski the powder. The group were guided to the same areas Warren and Melody had tried, tested and photographed the year before, and they also had their photographs taken in the same areas. The experience was magical and will never be forgotten.

To read more about the Camps, have a look at the blog that was kept over the 11 days and see what the skiers have to say. Read here: http://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com/japan-blog/

Provided by Melody Sky, Warren Smith Ski Academy

ise wrote:it's a very partial view of messages

So it is... :oops: ...talk amongst yourselves... oh, you are...