J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

I couldn't bring myself to talk about the food. And I still can't.

The Borovets T bars had very little in the way of springing. If you didn't suffer from piles before you went.......

On the other hand, the runs and snow conditions were good, and the standard of ski school instruction was excellent.

I plan to buy the Lidl watch, it looks to have some interesting features.

Only problem is I use a Swatch watch lift pass, chipped for the season.

I'd have to wear two watches......

Caron!

You are coming to Niederau! Faaaaantastic. :D

That is very welcome news, both for you being there, and the signal that you injury is, we hope, well behind you.

The Auhof is a good choice, and I am sure that Jan and family will do you proud. Will join up for sure, for a spot of skiing, show you the views from the top of the Marbachjoch, and share schnapps. Did I tell you Jan and I are both expert in schnapps? Having said that, I humbly bow to his superior absorption capability.

Have just realised that you arrive on a Monday. Why not the weekend, as well? Five days is much better than three.

An extra reason to look forward to the season, as if I needed one.

We stayed at the Rila when the boys were young. My OH and I had a competion to see who could kill the most cockroaches in the bedroom. Can't remember who won, but the total was over 50. :shock:

fft100 wrote:

Is it fair for other users when you have lines of beginners (first week !) in lines semi snow-ploughing accross the slope ?

Yes, it is fair. We all have to learn. Good instructors will ensure that their class does not occupy the whole slope width, although there will be occasions, when due to some difficult terrain, or difficult condition, they will have to use the whole slope width. This might just be for a couple of turns, before the class is gathered in together.

We just take a bit of time and patience until we can can get past.

It's a wee bit of mountain kindness.

You are correct Mark, in that the Oberau schools will generally move to Niederau or Auffach, at a certain time in the week. The point I made is that in Niederau, there is more of a natural progression, whereas in Oberau, there are blues and a black. Hence, in Niederau you do not have to move resorts.

I have an aversion to ski buses, except where it is unavoidable. In my mind they take up valuable ski time. It is OK saying it is a 10/15 min ride, but add on 5 min to get to the bus stop, and 10 min queueing, (in the morning, probably more at the end of the day) and you take 6 hours out of the week.

I re-iterate my previous point that for someone that is just starting, keeping things simple, like not having to deal with skis onto ski bus, is a more pleasant way of doing things. By your third year, it all feels very easy, by your 40th year, it feels like God put that little slot in your shoulders just for skis to slide into.

gdbn wrote:

I learned in Wengen earlier this year. Was on my first blue after an hour and a half and on reds after 2 days. So don't think you'll be on the nursery slopes for the whole week.

I potentially agree with the second part of your post. It is entirely dependent on how the individual progresses. Some people stay on the beginner slopes for the whole first week, progress slowly in subsequent ski weeks, but turn out to be well trained solid skiers. Others progress more quickly.

I have an issue with the first part of your post, not so much with you, more with the dependance on and belief in, what I believe to be a wholly innadequate, and sometimes dangerous system of piste coding. But that is for another thread, sometime.

Suzi should expect to at least progress to the more steeper blues at the mountain top. This is very rewarding, for the views, and for the nice eating holes.

Should Suzi make very good progress, she might get to come down the mountain later in the week. The reds in Niederau are a bit testing, but the instructors are clever in the use of terrain, and they make the run easier.

There are a number of different ski schools in the Wildschoenau. The red ski school in Niederau consistently wins Austrian and Tirol awards for the standards of its ski education.

It is generally true that the runs at Auffach are easier than those in Niederau.
Why I say generally, is that there are certain sections of some runs that become difficult in some weather condtions, such as northern cold cross winds. This affects Niederau less than Auffach or Oberau, due to the main runs being through the trees.

The Auffach run is a bit longer, but there is quite a bit of walking and stair climbing to be done at the bottom, whereas in Niederau you ski into the bottom of the Gondola. So you actually achieve more skiing in Niederau, per day.

It matters a lot where you go as a beginner. Just look through the brochures, you will see 3*s and 5*s for different areas. Not that I believe the info, but it does signify differences.

Please don't get me wrong Mark, I have a deep affection for Oberau. One of my old Lancashire friends lives there. I always make a visit for a meal/drink to the Kellerwirt, a 1000 years old. I think you may develop a problem. Almost everyone that goes to Oberau early in their ski life, returns year after year. Oh, and if I may, have a peek at my Oberau painting on the "testing" thread, showing the entrance to Oberau.

Mike from NS

I wear a rather unique jacket which I was very fortunate to have given to me. It is really comfortable and perfect in the -20C days.

How is the jacket on cold days Mike?

nixmap wrote:

most of the interest Ive had is from older people.

You are right to be wary of older people.