J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

Rossfrae, I ain't wrong. Read it again, I explain why you need both. I carry both. I certainly wasnae explicit, but if you are smart enough tae find your way to that Canada place...... implicit might spring to mind.

I'm dreaming of a white January, February, March, April, well til 6th April.

Starting in France in 10 hours, ending in Niederau April 6th. Wee break in Feb, cause its awfy crowded.

You need goggles for when it is snowing. Some folk wear goggles all the time. However, when the sun is shining, you need good quality sun glasses, or else you run the risk of getting really sore eyes.

I note this is your first ski trip, so reckon speed is unlikely to be a factor. As you speed up, cold air whips behind the glasses, and may cause tears, that block your vision. For this reason, try and get wrap round sunglasses.

Yes I know there are other things that cause tears on your first ski trip.......

Used to ski 215s!! A so called mate of mine told me they were just what I needed at my stage! Migrated to 210s for the next 30 years, then a pair of 2metre K2 Merlins ~ which I initially thought were too short. Now ski on any old thing, any length or shape, and don't even think about it.Generally 165 to 185.

Hi Jan, The four man chairlift you spoke about previously has been mooted for a few years. I know that last year the hoteliers gave a strong message to the owner of the lift company. Is there an actual date for this lift? We have lost a few good runs on that side, and the current set up will make the Hochberg and Gseng abfahrts like a day trip.

Off to the three valleys tomorrow, and then Niederau on 17th ~ be in the Bichlwirt then!

SkiGirl, you have to believe!! Niederau slopes are north facing. The view seen from the Flugschule webcam is the south facing hill. Right now, it is showing snow on the south facing hill.

The Niederau piste machine men do a good job.

Re last year, I found the best skiing was on the brown snow, and gave a much firmer grip!

Face downhill, ski well.

I sometimes go from Niederau over the hill into Hofgarten, (10 min) to have a ski welt day. It is a working town on a main road. The Gondala gets you quickly into the ski welt area. The run down (red) splits to two, with the RH route bringing you down a narrowish lane, which can be tricky, if icy, depending on your ability.

The nice thing about the ski welt is that you can spend the day going different routes, and rarely ski the same run twice.

Go and visit the church in Hofgarten. Along with the church in Soll, they have the most beautifully painted and gilded interiors.

Re learning German, this is good, but the best way to do this is to steer clear of hotels, and head for B&bs or guesthouses. You are more likely to get a housefrau with some limited English, but who is happy to adapt to your level of German. Viel gruessen!

Ross, Don't you keep a Winter/Summer packing list? Apart from the general ski & apres stuff, everyone has their own wee specials. Water colour paints/paper, history notes on Niederau and Wildscoenau, guitar plectrums and capo.

Hmmm, reading this I think I had better get out more.

Thanks for the advice on the other site, I'm afraid I didn't yet get advice on online lift passes, but j2ski Admin gave very good info for online ski hire.

Have a good time in Canada, oh, it's January, take a face mask!

Admin, that is helpful information, and provides the reassurance that I was also seeking. Was considering hire for Bridet les Bain. Staying at Hotel Amelie.

Also interested in on-line lift passes, but again, was uncertain of quality of service. Some sites gave seniors discount for over-60, some for over 65.