J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Only place I would book at that time of year would be Cervinia, in which case Geneva not the best airport.

Do you require insoles in you day to day shoes?

If not what you are really describing is a lack of flexibility in the ankle and this is something that can be worked on. This is something that I am prone to suffer from when skiing. Yes I have high arches but it is only skiing that brings on the real pain. The lack of flexibility if forcing your foot to flatten as your ankle locks out. This also pre-disposes you to knee injuries as there is a tendency for your knees to bend inwards in order to further increase the range of motion. Customs insoles and the placement of a cork wedge under the heel will both help but ultimately stretching is the 'real' cure.

Anyone can get caught out but it does look like someone on a steep slope, late in season and after it has had plenty of sun on it. Definitely a good dose of brain fade going on. Am sure had it been 9am slope would of been absolutely fine.

In Europe Cervinia consistently has the best early season snow record.

I guess it is that time of year where we should reflect on the season. Again it is difficult not to conclude that it has been a rubbish season, yet again Chamonix failed to deliver.

The snow:-
The Northern Alps received early snow allowing for decent skiing from mid December onwards. Overall has been a good year for snow, with the amount of wind vs quantity being the major factor. Even now in late April great touring conditions up high and runs to bottom of Argentiere are open for those who don't like to bin down.

The scenery:-
Same as last year, pretty rubbish.







The skiing:-
Once everything stabilized the big terrain opened up an wow was it rubbish.








The touring:-
Skiing was so bad that some days you needed to rest your legs and look at the rubbish touring terrain opposite.



For those wanting an experience like no other remains a place to avoid.

Skied the Breche Puiseux yesterday, physical ascent (and some pretty steep kick turns required) but good conditions on way down. Slightly heavy spring snow but still very pleasant.

http://www.chamonixtopo.com/breche-puiseux

https://youtu.be/zMBCYDp_79I

Nice little snow report giving an idea of the terrain available. Offers a mountain experience like no other resort in the world.

Have to say if you are not planning where to ski (argument for linked resort) then you are not planning to ski offpiste. Last thing at night at first thing in morning you need to be checking weather/avalanche bulletin and decide altitude, aspect and slope angle.
Good heli-skiing withing 45min of Chamonix, have heard that is pretty reasonable ~100 Euro a drop if you can fill the helicopter.