J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

Ah Rossfrae, dinna fass yerself, yon Tony's jest bletherin a wee bit shite.
Ah'm frae Manchaster mesel, ba leeved in Fife for wee whilie noo.

Whas the benefits then?

nae rains like Lancashire
mair sun than yorkshire
ba the sea in ten minutes
on yon hill in ten minutes
Inta yon Glenshee in huwar and a hef
Ets freendly
brau scots wifie
twa brau scots sons, ane wreets fur the courier, ane does computer stuff
In yon Austrian alps in twa huwars
Brau Thrippledrouser beer frau Alloa
Brau whisky frae ivrywhur
Guid music

And didna Bonnie Chairlie nae reach Monchester, an Derby. Hear tel yon Londoners were guy shitin their breechs.

Ets sae guid ah feel mesel begint ta greet.....

At the end of the winter, I ran a thread, "Austrian location for beginners and experienced skiers" Received some valuable replies.

Experienced skiers often forget the difficulties associated with a first ski trip. So, try and keep it simple. Europe, not Canada. Canada will be good for your fourth or fifth year.

Now everyone here knows that I am am out and out Niederau, so lets get this out of the way first. Niederau is highly rated for it's ski school, and has good beginner slopes right in the village. Hence, where I might suggest people staying at the Harfenwirt, this is an 8 minute walk from the centre, but if your skis are rented, you can leave them at the hire shop. There is a ski bus from the centre to the Harfenwirt, two min ride. Harfenwirt is very family friendly, Herbert plays the harp there, and also at the Bichlwirt, a 500-year old inn, 100 yds up the road.

Alternatively, stay in the village centre, at the Hotel Austria, or the Simmelwirt. Centre can be a bit noisy sometimes but convenient for the ski school.

The other place of interest is Filzmoos. I haven't been there, but after the suggestions, I did research, and it does look good for beginners.

Remember that beginners don't need a big area, 250 to 400km. A 30 km area is plenty for the first week. Area = number of pisted km.

As beginners, you will have, as Rumsfeld said, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns. If you think of a question, fire away.

Skis. Go with the bronze. Change anything you want, when you want, you have paid for it. My experiences with the higher cost skis, are that you often get skis that are too stiff.

Without coughing, skiset are very good. Also, good value.

Note in your diary one week prior to departure "Cut toe nails"

Boots. Others know more about this than me, but:
When the boots are clipped, should hold the foot down, but not clamp it. A big cause of pain is when blood vessels on top of the foot are constricted.
Test for heel lift. When clipped, hold the back of the boot down with your hand, and try to lift. Max uplift should be about 1/4", 6mm.
When clipped, can your toes touch the front of your boot?, if so, they are too short. In use, the dynamics will impact your toes into the boot fronts.
So, foot is held, boot is not too short, boot is not too tight.
You can achieve this with rear entry boots as well as multi-clip.

Socks. It isn't neccesary to wear Everest climbing socks. Thin socks are OK, comfortable is most important.

Wee tip. On the first day, (before putting your socks on), rub a little vaseline between your toes, and around the back of your heels. If you don't care about the socks, rub a little on the outside of the sock toe area too.

Another wee tip. If your boot gets too loose in any particular place, and you prefer not to change, you can try a bit of packing, eg handkerchief, small piece of carpet...

That does sound a good deal Caron. The real test is when you make a claim do they pay, and your lot did.

One area to check is what is covered when off-piste. Many companies blithely give cover "when accompanied by a guide" Then they don't define the term guide, so you are doubly stuffed. Some cover themselves by deferring to runs that the lift company states as "Open". Do you ever see clearly defined runs through the tress on your piste board?

Worse still, I have witnessed an off-piste incident where the first aiders would not attend with the ackier, because it was "outside the defined area". They were willing to phone for a helicopter, and the people subsequently received a bill for 3000 Euros.

My ski buddy Mel and I have a pact ~ if either of us crunch off-piste, and provided we are unconcious, the other can pull them back onto the piste ~ prior to calling in the Alpingers.

Would be interested to hear about good quality, clearly stated off piste cover.

Oh ~ "IMPORTANT"!!! ALWAYS HAVE THE TEL NO OF THE LIFT COMPANY ON YOUR MOBILE!!! ~~~ Admin Dave, is there any way I can make this loud and clear so that everyone understands it?

Thanks Adele,

The Harfenwirt is currently undergoing an expansion, and by the winter will include a pool.

Thomson brochure price isn't showing that much of an increase, which surprises me. Inghams also do the Harfenwirt.

Thomsons aren't showing much on other dates either. They may be worried about costs.

If you are interested, there is a house close to the Harfenwirt. It is very old, but comfortable, has 5 bedrooms, but only a bathroom and shower room. Two WCs. It is quite cheap. Has a kitchen, which cuts the costs, but you can buy the menu meal at the Harfenwirt. Very convenient for Tenladen T bar.

We always find it cheaper to make our own way there, and make our own accomodation bookings.

We stay a bit further up the road, not telling you where, this is our little piece of Heaven.

AJ wrote

everytime i see a piccy of Niederau i want to be there

Just concluded booking Niederau for the last two weeks in January, Adele. Eayjet, car hire, apartment. It's just such good value, especially the apartment.

What is doing my head in is to arrange this New Year trip to include beginners. Have finally achieved good availability of accomodation in Saalbach/Hinterglemm, but the easyjet fare is now up to £300pp. Cannot get a brochure offer that makes any sense, allaround £1000 pp, if you can get an offer. Not paying that.

caron-a wrote

When do tk maxx start stocking?

Here is TK Maxx reply:

Hello,

Skiwear goes into our stores in the first week of September.

Kind regards,

T.K. Maxx Customer Service

Four weeks to go folks.

Jan,
I can't believe I wrote that. I claim the fifth amendment citing a) serious old age, b) late night writing, c) an over-imbibance with the red wine, d) it's so mid-season, I can't think straight.

It was so gentlemanly of you to point it out. Remind me to kaufts du ein Schapps oder zwei.

Perhaps "knees and ankles" may have been a little more like what I meant to say.

Great tracks though. Now, if you could just introduce your left knee to your right one..........