J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by admin

Oh no... it's true... I do want socks for Xmas! 8)


But back on thread... my top bit of kit I reckon is the Sportube - no worries about skis getting baggage-mangled, fitted with wheels and a grt big handle that make it easy to carry and trundle around airports... top.

Hoop - you'll get a minimum of 20% discount off the walk-in price with SkiSet, our partners for Ski Hire, so worth your while to check a quote from them. I'm not sure of your dates but if outside the peak weeks the discount may be 25% or more.

They have an Economy range and, even for this, guarantee that all skis will be serviced (edges and wax) prior to each hire.

You can check your appropriate ski category on our Chamonix Ski Hire page or get a quote (and book) via http://chamonix.skiset.co.uk/j2ski/.

I've had a couple of PMs regarding the new SkiSet Ski Hire categories for this year, so thought I'd write up a brief description of the different levels.

Their objective is to give a wider choice of ski so you can be reassured that the equipment you hire will suit you.

There are three levels roughly corresponding to your ability and experience; Discovery, Performance and Excellence (corresponding to the old categories of Silver, Gold and Platinum respectively.

There is also an Economy category - equivalent to the old Bronze.

Within the first three categories you can also opt for either a Recreation or a Sport option; the former being easier, more forgiving skis and the latter being more technical and responsive.

For a fuller description, and guide on making your choice, check our page on Ski Hire in Tignes.

To make sure you get the best discount for any particular date, use the J2Ski link - http://www.skiset.co.uk/j2ski/.

If you have any questions on the new levels, post them here...

After last weeks excellent snows, that brought anything up to 1 metre of fresh into the Northern Alps, the most interesting weather looks to be pushing in from the South over the next few days.

Weather and Snow Next Week

Significant snowfalls are expected in the Pyrenees (French and Spanish), the South of the French Alps and much of the Italian Alpine region over the coming weekend. Southern parts of Switzerland should also do well, building on the falls of last week.

Clearer, stable conditions should roll in early next week but the good news is that temperatures should stay below freezing to resort level - allowing resorts to build good early bases in advance of the main season. Quite a few ski resorts will be open this weekend and next, ahead of their planned opening dates.

Yep, more snow.

Tony_H wrote:Copy and paste it then

Is feexed... but don't tell...

8) 8) 8)
That's a great ending to that particular chapter from your skiing "story" Iceghost. Nice one. :P

mggsnbdr wrote:how would 5 days in & around Verbier be in mid-dec?

That would be ace IMHO... 8) ...and sounds like it would give you close to what you're after. Verbier has an extensive ski area for a confident slider - and a number of quite different villages joined into the circuit.

Of particular interest for you, I think, will be the famous "itineraries" - off-piste runs (so not pisted/groomed or patrolled) that are marked so you can follow them and be confident you're not going to get taken over a cliff. There's also lots of accessible "between the piste" skiing but you need to be aware that such areas are NOT patrolled or avalanche-controlled - so you need to take the usual precautions.

It's probably worth your taking a guide for one or two days out of your five to take you off the most beaten tracks and to places like the Stairway to Heaven and the back of Mont Fort (steep - and not a place you want to be alone or lost!).

Verbier has (like most Swiss ski areas) had some big early snows so mid-December should be good (usual caveats apply).

HTH, but Ise may have some other suggestions if you're looking to do more of a road-trip/safari...
[cross-posted - Ise beat me to it!]

Tony_H wrote:HAVE YOU SEEN THIS, EVERYONE???????

Too cool to comment. Snowboarding as "cool" is soooo last century. 8)

Snowboarding as just another way to enjoy the mountains is just fine, just like it always was.