J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by verbier_ski_bum

Admin wrote:

SwingBeep wrote:Admin, where does it say that laws have to make sense?

Fair point.

I know plenty of places have daft laws (UK certainly included), but... it's particularly irritating because the EU have criminalised a perfectly ordinary activity (hiring a car from the airport and driving to your holiday destination) that literally millions of people must have done over the past few decades.

That it apparently only applies to EU citizens makes it even more bizarre/stupid to be honest; "just for you, our beloved people, we're gonna stuff up your holiday arrangements and make you criminals because... we can!".

Of course it can only apply to EU residents. For Swiss residents there are Swiss laws that apply. Sadly people hardly ever see beyond their precious holidays, and whatever the real reasons behind this or that law they will always see it as directed against them personally :) just ask for EU-registered car. Generally EU residents cannot buy goods outside EU and bring them into EU without filling appropriate forms and paying duties. The same apply to Swiss residents who want to purchase outside Switzerland. Rental cars are a little different since they are means of transport that bring tourists in, when I drive to EU whether the car is my own with Swiss plates or rented in Switzerland doesn't make a big difference from this point of view, but as EU residents you are not "tourists", that's why it's ok for me to rent a Swiss registered car to go to France, but not for you. Likewise I doubt that I can just hop across the border to rent a French-registered car and the Swiss will be ok with it if I am stopped. Once Britain leave EU you will become a tourist there and will be able to hire a car in Switzerland to drive in France, though for everything you buy in France to bring back to Britain above certain rather low limit you will have to fill the declaration and pay duty. And certainly DIY holiday-makers who drive from UK won't be able to stuff their cars with British products and just expect to bring it to France.

We drove a hired car into France and then to Italy in October and we were not pulled. But in any case we are Swiss residents so had nothing to worry about. I probably would be worried if we were not. There are way more cars with AI plates than the entire population of Appenzell so they are quite conspicuous.

I suspect a tourist trap. No idea where they get their alarms from. Zermatt was forecast to get loads early this week but in comparison got little and zero forecast between now and Monday. I am signed up for weather alerts with SwissMeteo and Zermatt is included and I receive nothing so far. Some clouds over the weekend, this is it. More snow further South though, in Italy. But nothing significant is expected here until New Year at least.

Looks like white roofs for Christmas won't happen - sunny weather is pushing back and Christmas day is expected to be warm. I was supposed to go up tomorrow until the 8th, but I cancelled this week's days off and will only go on Saturday. By Thursday these few fallen centimeters will be forgotten, so better not to waste time off... I wish I could cancel the whole holiday, but I have friends arriving. New boots seem to fit OK now, so won't bother skiing until after it snows properly, not 5 centimeters.

Snowed overnight in Verbier but it's largely cosmetic while a good meter is needed. Still would be nice to see some white roofs on Christmas...

Only for the part of the Alps. But at least some people will get lucky. Snow before Christmas is the best present in the current conditions. At the moment piste coverage is good, especially with snowmaking, but very icy, add Christmas crowds and it will make for very unpleasant skiing.

Chamonix or La Grave would be a better destination for your group. Chamonix will also offer some piste skiing if you get tired of backcountry and want an easy day, and town is very nice.

Learn the joys of layering - it helps regulate your body temperature and makes for a better times on slopes. Gloves and ski socks are very important - cold feet and hands can ruin an otherwise good ski day. And goggles - you will only ever have one pair of eyes, so make sure you protect them well. How much you will spend on it is up to you. As with everything you mostly get for you paid for, but if you are skiing once maybe twice a year it will take long time before expensive kit will justify its value. So probably makes sense to see if you get properly hooked before spending big.