J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

You might want to consider SkiFit8 or equivalent app. Seems crazy that people spend 1000's on the vacation/gear etc and can't find the time to get in shape for it. A simple test can you hop up and down 10 stairs under control (one leg, might want to start towards bottom of stairs for the downhill part). If not then probably time to start doing something about it as there is not long to go.

Engelberg (Zurich and train)
Chamonix (Geneva 1hr shared transfer)

Both offer good onpiste and offpiste and plenty of accommodation at all levels (~60 Euro B&B will be possible).
A lot depends on time of year, if is December I would only look at Cervinia which is only an hrs transfer but longer flight.
If you are thinking of January then so there many ski resort within 1hr of Geneva, you cannot beat somewhere like St Gervais in early season and much cheaper than a major resort.

Having tried only once in Norway it just didn't work for me. Too cold and the lighting made it a bit like skiing in cloud, you just couldn't quite get comfortable. Maybe a glass of wine or something stronger over dinner makes chillblains more bearable and helps the body relax.

More than happy to share the wine but the night skiing I will leave to more robust skiers than myself.

Are black runs not all about having variable snow conditions given then are invariably not that steep? As for night skiing cannot see any appeal in that!

Interestingly I have a set of Kastle 108, basically a pretty good ski with few minor grumbles, which am sure better technique would eliminate.
1)They have a very conventional tip, which can actually make the first turn offpiste a bit scary at times. Once you are up and in the fall line is not of concern.
Onpiste they carve really well but feel a little straight which combined with the pretty conventional tip can make it difficult to engage the inside ski unless you really lean them over. Basically ski too relaxed and you will leave a ski behind. Will definitely go with a 5 point sidecut on future investments.
2) It feels like you have to ski them fast to get them to work for you offpiste which is not really my thing.
3) A pretty heavy touring setup
4) Skins do not like the tails

Skis are a personal choice but definitely not for me (you are actually first person I have heard with good things to say). If you look at the basic design you have the following.
Big flappy paddle at front, so very little edge in contact with snow.
No tail at back (still no edge), basically like skiing those trick short 1/2 ski things. You already you are at a disadvantage before you even factor that the steeper the slope the more difficult it is to stay centred on your skis. If you consider 50% of skiing is essentially learning to move your feet forward and backward under your body this makes them incredibly difficult apart from smoothest of slope. Come upto slight bump, skis forward (no tail not nice), absorb bump and bring feet back under stay on top of skis. Plus you miss that feeling of power that a normal tail brings.
On the positive note I did find the rather striking yellow of great assistance in locating them following numerous disagreements.
Maybe I skied them too short and have also heard that people are mounting forward of recommended centre to help but seems too many disadvantages of skiing long skis to make them a viable option.

Have skied the 1/2 term a lot recently and have to say, time is much more important than location. 90% of skiers hit the lift around 10:00 and have an hrs lunch (~13:00) plus coffee breaks. That gives you at least 3 hrs of pretty quiet conditions. Remember lift lines don't really exist anymore in most places as uplift capacity has far outgrown skier numbers. Not very British but take the lift down, your legs and insurance company will thank you for it. Plan B get some touring skis and get away from the piste.

DPS are fine on something flat but the lack of tail makes them close to useless even medium steep. Japan maybe; rest of the work best stick to a more conventional ski.