J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by felthorpe

Going tomorrow, hope we can get up the mountain!!

I agree with all the good reasons for wearing a helmet and wouldn't go without mine now.

I also like the sound of the snow under my skis and I like to hear the snowboarders as they approach too fast behind me so I can get out of the way! I have been used as a convenient brake before!

I couldn't imaging listening to my ipod on the slopes because (confession time) I like to sing as I ski. I find the rythm helps me keep my turns even and it makes me happy.

Am I wierd?

I had that problem with too much weight on my downhill ski so that the other one was just dying to break loose and trip me up (which of course it did).

So I went to the Hemel Hempstead indoor snow slope for a days lessons with Warren Smith Ski Academy and although it nearly killed me (they certainly put you through your paces), I was taught to keep my weight more even and balanced over my skis, using my hips and knees properly to shift my weight and so turn easily. They also taught me the valuable lesson that two edges are better than one, far more control and grip.

I still haven't quite mastered it but at least I now understand the theory and will be practicing this again next week in La Plagne.

I always look for:

1)Snow sure - don't want a week looking at a green hill, can do that at home cheaper

2)Number of runs/good skiable area - don't want to get bored

3) Type/level of accommodation - finding something that suits our needs in terms of size, accessibility, extras - we are on holiday after all

4) Distance to lifts from hotel/accom - no buses or lugging skis great distances please, too exhausting

5) Price. I know skiing is not a cheap holiday but it doesn't want to cost the earth either - otherwise how will I afford to go twice in one season!

6) Distance from airport (if flying) - 5 hours on a bus can put a dampner on things

7) Language - I find French easier than German

8) Apres ski in terms of good restaurants/bars, hopefully not too expensive but most are these days!

9) Going somewhere new if possible

We had the experience (Ryanair or Easyjet can't remember which) when trying to take out ski boots as hand luggage, where they checked us in OK but then changed their minds by the time we had reached the departure gate. They were taking the ski boot bags off everyone as we tried to board to put in the hold.

Apparently a ski boot is a dangerous weapon and cannot be allowed in the cabin!

I wouldn't have minded if we had known in advance that ski boots had to go in the hold but when the airline staff contradict each other, how are you supposed to get it right? These two sets of staff, check in and gate staff, were clearly not communicating with each other, as they were folowing different rules!

This is another reason why we now drive.

4 sleeps, if I can manage to sleep that is! But will we make it up that mountain? Snowed out?

We're off to La Plagne on Saturday, driving, looks like we may need those snow chains.

My OH and I decided to take a short cut between pistes after a particularly heavy snow fall. All went well until we reached the other piste which was very narrow and several feet below where we were standing. The only route seemed straight down. My OH (who is a much better skier than I) found a previously worn path down to the piste which involved jumping down two "steps" already built into the snow by other short cutters. Looked easy when he did it but of course I panicked, leant back and fell off the second step. Result = upside down lying across the piste in the way of everyone with both skis firmly wedged in the deep bank of snow. I couldn't move to disentangle myself because I was laughing so hard, I was totally helpless, meanwhile the queue was building up behind my prone body. Eventually I had to take my skis off as I was incapable through laughter of doing anything else.