J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andymol2

Norway - Hemsedal is usually open through to the May day holiday. I presume the others do too.

Thanks for the inside info.

Fortunately Easter is earlier in 2012.
The group will have a range of abilities so I guess lodging is more important than the off piste experience.
Thinking of Whistler ot Big White?

I've never had my ski bags checked.
I would argue that the limited amount of clothing in the ski bag is protective packaging.

In a lot of airports oversize bags are checked in at a different desk (not usually specific to the airline) and as long as it passes the Xray security & isn't overwight they don't care.

We carry 4 pairs of skis in 2 large ski bags but pay for 4 lots of ski carriage - that way if the airline quibble we can always argue that they are paid for and if necessary we can go to the shop & buy 2 more bags. Hope I don't have to take this option and the airline will be reasonable as it has been paid for.

Which of the Canadian resorts is best for late March/Early April?
Planning ahead for 2012 when I've the two weeks in the run up to Easter off?

I thought the boarder issues had faded away as the sport (and a lot boarders) matured. Certainly you see fewer boarders sitting mid piste than you used too.

As has already been said there will always be both skiiers & boarders who get themselves onto a piste that stretches their comfort limits and they perhaps have to revert to basics. I think that's good - pushing your limits but recognising that sometimes safety is better than style!

Certainly pistes take a fair degree of wear but isn't that why we pay big fees for ski passes? (snow making & piste bashers)

Pick your resort carefully & holiday times & you can have the pistes to yourself (almost).

3 years ago we went with Direct Travel to El Tarter & one of the options with the ski hire was to do snowboard taster session on the last day - swapping your hire skis & boots for barding kit.

I've not come across the option to swap skis to baords & back several times but I guess it depends on the hire shop. I guess it would be harder to dip in & out of group lessons. Less of an issue for private lessons.

Norway at Christmas means short days so Andorra is probably the better option if there's enough snow.

They also have pleanty of snow making (certainly in the Grand Vallira linked resorts - Soldeu, El Tartar, Pas De La Casa) so if the natural snowfall isn't that good they don't hesitate to use the cannons.