J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by andyoneil

Trencher wrote:Something that is not talked about when selecting a ski school for beginners, is the teaching method. There are basically three ways to teach beginners, wedge, direct to parallel, and something in between. The advantage of not learning the wedge, is that you don't have to spend years unlearning it, to ski parallel. The disadvantage is that you are more limited in the terrain you can ski, during the learning process. If you intend to make skiing a lifetime sport, I would avoid learning the wedge first. The other methods don't work for everyone, but for most people (esp. children), it removes the barriers to parallel skiing that the wedge ingrains.

Just something to consider.

This is a very good point - when I learned to ski snowplough (wedge) was de rigeur because of the equipment. Now, with modern, short, technologically advanced skis then parallell is the way forward - I've even heard of some schools starting people on snowblades so they can't snowplough

Mike3000 wrote:I know that some will say I'm crazy, but Val D'Isere is great for first timers. The nursery slope is very good and there are some excellent easy pistes above Solaise (you can ride the lift back down) and when up there you will really feel like you are up in the mountains. Yes its expensive in town but if you have a good half board deal then its not really a problem.

Yep, despite my earlier generalisation about mega resorts, I'd say VDI would be a possibility. My wife learned to ski there with an excellent school (I sat on the back of the group to pick fallers up as a favour to the instructor in one session and he was very good with a real mixture of abilities). Nursery slope is great - long and a proper chair instead of short drag lifts zzzzzz.

Madeleine run is great and then there are even some blues above Bellevarde that are fine for a beginner who's reasonably confident.

Agreed on the costs too - it has a bad name but doesn't have to be extortion if youre a little circumspect.

My big concern in VDI in a school holiday week would be crowds?

Tricky this as the world is really your oyster by the sound of it.

I'd get hold of a copy of "Where to Ski and Snowboard" and have a look at some options (needn't be this year's as long as it's fairly recent)

Things to consider for your first time:

*You probably don't really want a "mega" resort as it may well be too busy (especially in school hols) and as a beginner crowds can be scary

*France can be a good option (though generally held by many to be expensive - I don't think so) as it grades pistes from green through blue red and black - most other countries only have blue/red/black. This means that you have a better idea of what are the true beginners slopes

*Self catering may be a good option - I clearly don't know your kids but picky eating is not too well received in chalets or hotels much of the time :-)

*Location of the accomodation can be very important - walking in ski boots and carrying skis and poles etc is a bind for all of us but that much worse when you're a beginner and can put people off if they have a long walk to nursery slope / ski school meeting point (happened to 2 peeps in a group I took to Pas de la Casa years ago)

*Look at what the resort has to offer outside of skiing - the kids (or indeed you) may not take to it - though everyone on here will attest that we all love it, so a plan B may be no bad thing

*Snow record - the last thing you want as a beginner is to be skiing on slush/ice/bald bits

I could go on and on but hopefully these will give you some hints to narrow your choice and then people can come up with personal experiences why your choices are good or bad for you

Most importantly of all though - ENJOY IT!!! Skiing is great and you'll be doing your kids a real favour by getting them into it young

OldAndy wrote:

Surely Admin would have seen through that by now

Perhaps the plot thickens .....

Wow - what are your thoughts on the Moon landings then???? )

OldAndy wrote:I have a theory about the strong pro-Niederau presence on j2ski .....
:mrgreen:

You think they're all aliases from:

http://www.wildschoenau.com/

Surely Admin would have seen through that by now 8)

boo_yay wrote:I am "not going to Niederau" in 3 sleeps :P

Me too!

Like another poster I'd never even heard of the place before I came on here - had not noticed it in WTS&S as it is listed under the area name rather than the village - seems quite small

(stands back from carefully thrown grenade)

Dave Mac wrote:I wax my skis every night. And then, I wax my frau's skis every 2nd or 3rd night, just in case she decides to have a good day! - )

Is that an Andy Gray / Richard Keys comment?

)

NellyPS wrote:Has anyone ever heard of just getting away from it all?

You and Dave dont like your tartiflette to be disturbed do you?

"pass the bread"..........

Anybody out there who is not going to Niederau Started by User in Austria, 111 Replies
OldAndy wrote: Surely Admin would have seen through that by now Perhaps the plot thickens ..... Wow - what are your thoughts on the Moon landings then???? )

Anybody out there who is not going to Niederau Started by User in Austria, 111 Replies
OldAndy wrote:I have a theory about the strong pro-Niederau presence on j2ski ..... :mrgreen: You think they're all aliases from: http://www.wildschoenau.com/ Surely Admin would have seen through that by now 8)

Anybody out there who is not going to Niederau Started by User in Austria, 111 Replies
boo_yay wrote:I am "not going to Niederau" in 3 sleeps :P Me too! Like another poster I'd never even heard of the place before I came on here - had not noticed it in WTS&S as it is listed under the area name rather than the village - seems quite small (stands back from carefully thrown grenade)

wax or not wax! Started by User in Ski Chatter, 9 Replies
Dave Mac wrote:I wax my skis every night. And then, I wax my frau's skis every 2nd or 3rd night, just in case she decides to have a good day! - ) Is that an Andy Gray / Richard Keys comment? )

wi-fi ? Started by User in France, 6 Replies
NellyPS wrote:Has anyone ever heard of just getting away from it all? You and Dave dont like your tartiflette to be disturbed do you? "pass the bread"..........

Messages posted by : andyoneil