J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Wanderer

Tony - you are absolutely right and it would be great if your suggestion were to be adopted.

This area is a mess and we have had many threads over the years trying to get clarity on what is allowed in hand baggage, ski bag rules, etc. While you got away with stuffing your ski bag this time around, what would you have done if they had insisted on you taking out all the clothes, shoes, etc? Presumably, a nightmare unless you just happened to have an empty suitcase handy!

It would be lovely to think that all the carriers would adopt a standardised approach and apply a modest charge. Unfortunately, this will not happen anytime soon.

The so-called "low cost airlines" started this with charges for bags generally. They reckon that skiers (and golfers) especially those with their own skis are reasonably well-heeled and will live with the ridiculous charges imposed. They are also anxious to put off people from having too much luggage generally because it slows down turnaround times at the airports.

As usual they are suiting themselve and as long at there is no real alternative (part from the odd exception such as Swiss if it suits), it is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Governments won't intervene because they take the view that it is a market issue.

If somebody like the Sunday Times Travel Section were to make an issue of it, there might be some hope of limited changes but I doubt it!

AS far as I know there is no skiing in Bride le Bains itself - you will have to get to Meribel before you can ski and will have to take the gondola back down.

As regards where to ski, this all depends on your capabilities. Places like Val Thoren are likely to have the best snow because it is so high. However, it is a very long way from Meribel and I don't really think a 2nd time skier should even think about going there. The Meribel area and slightly higher up in Meribel Mottaret has lots of skiing. You can also go over to the two nearest adjoining valleys of Courcheval on one side and St Martin on the other. Courcheval is huge so again do not stray too far or you may not be able to get back, especially if the weather closes in. You definitely do not want to end up with a horrific taxi fare! I love the few runs down into St Martin and they are usually very quiet.

Well done on hitting the reds and even the odd black on your first trip. However, to achieve real proficiency in skiing takes a long time. Good instruction is very important in my view and I really would recommend that you take lessons. If not ski school then definitely some private lessons. You will improve your skiing significantly, enjoy yourself more and probably be pushed more than you expect but in a safe environment!

Sounds good though the gondola ride up from Bride is a bit of a pain - probably around 30 minutes.

The 3V is a wonderful ski area and I am sure you will enjoy it. Given you are only on your second trip, I would strongly recommend ski school for the week. From memory, Magic in Motion operate in Meribel and are pretty good.

La Plagne is actually a collection of 4 or 5 custom built villages and each will have at one decent ski shop. However, do not expect bargains unless you get lucky with late season sales. Also, be aware that buying a helmet can be a bit hit and miss with sizes being unreliable and varying from brand to brand. When I went to buy mine last year, I had real difficulty finding one that fit properly - I must have been to at least 6 shops before I got one that was comfortable - the problem of having a rather big head (but only in the literal sense!). This also ruled out any bargain hunting - the price was dictated by the one that fit which in the end cost around €100 IIRC.

If you have time on arriving in resort on Saturday evening, by all means see if you can find one that is comfortable. The Sunday morning scrum for equipment, getting to ski school, etc, may be bad enough without adding the pressure of trying to find a helmet that fits and possibly rushing into a poor purchase. You might be better off renting initially and then shop around at your leisure in the evenings after skiing until you find the right choice.

Hi BelleKristin

While mid-March can be a bit tricky in the Skiwelt, they do a great job on piste management. I was there a few weeks ago and it had been a couple of weeks since they had had any snow. Conditions were still super right down to valley level. I filed a report here:
http://www.j2ski.com/ski-chat-forum/posts/list/10005.page

Not sure how much snow fell over the weekend but I would be very surprised if you did not have pretty decent conditions though you should probably expect some slush and some icy patches at that time of the year.

Hope it works out for you.

If I recall correctly, most avalanche deaths occur when the risk level is at 3.

I presume this is because most people will exercise extreme care when the risk goes up to 4 or 5 but are more relaxed, and take more chances, when it is "only at 3".

It sounds as if it is probably a lot more dangerous than people think right now!

Experienced something similar in Norway a number of years ago IN JULY! Was driving up a mountain road in mid-Summer somewhere near Bergen and the snow was at least 10 feet high on both sides!!!

Wow - this is getting heated.

My position is simple. A couple of years ago, I banged my head while skiing and suffered a mild concussion. This did not happen while bombing down a fast, concrete hard piste. It happened while travelling very slowly on a gentle slope covered with 6 inches of fresh powder! Now I, and most of my ski buddies, wear helmets.

However, that is my choice and I agree with those that do not want to see this made compulsory. For me the key issue is whether a person not wearing a helmet represents an increased risk to me. Clearly, they don't and arguably represent a lesser threat. Accordingly, I am more than happy to respect, and even defend, their choice.

I love the fact that skiing is so much about personal responsibility and is relatively unregulated. It is up to you to decide whether you can tackle that difficult slope, whether you should take on that off-piste descent, etc. I would hate to see that culture change. I would hate to see a litigous regulated approach take over.

Skiing would be miserable if we had too many bureaucratic rules, rigorously enforced, telling us what we can and cannot do on the slopes. How long before we hear the dreaded words - "before I let you on this Red slope Sir, can I see you licence?"

Off course, that is not to say that we should have a complete free for all. For example, how many avalanches are caused by idiots venturing onto terrain they don't know or understand, endangering themselves (not that much of a concern), other skiers below them on the slopes or rescue workers.