J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by idkwia

Hi

Saw your question and just had to reply. For what it is worth I am a qualified ski instructor, this is no big deal of course but I am just mentioning it so that you can appreciate that at the very least I am a very keen skier have have a lot of skiing experience and so perhaps it could be argued that I have some idea of what I am talking about.

Anyway, over the years I have been sold/recommended/sucked into buying special customised insoles 3 times (including Superfeet) when I have bought new ski boots. Each and every time they have felt fine in the shop but when I have skied on them they have been a nightmare and stopped the cirulation in my feet. Needless to say that each time I have gone back to the original insoles and they have been absolutely fine. Each time I promise myself I will never buy them again and this time I really mean it. My friend also had the same problem with his new ski boots so I suggested he try putting the original insole back in and he was also immediately comfortable.

It should also be remembered that shops make more money if they can also sell insoles when selling ski boots.

No doubt other other people have different experiences but if I were you I would just get ordinary bog standard insoles first and see if they are comfortable and if so then there is no need on spending more money.

Either way, good luck.

I know I need a vignette for Austria but do I need one for Switzerland? Also can vignettes be bought online or do I have to stop at a garage close to the border?

We must accept that choosing a ski resort is very subjective. However this lady in NOT a beginner and hence does NOT need nursery slopes. She is a "nervous blue run skier". I have taught hundreds of people to ski, including many people who have a certain amount of ability but what prevents them from progressing is nervousness and fear. People in this situation need a good instructor who can empathise with this fear and ideally slopes that allow the building of confidence. I am not suggesting that the slopes at Mayrhofen are difficult but having worked there as a Ski Guide for a season and comparing it with many other resorts I do not believe it is the best choice for this particular lady. However, an appropriate instructor is the most important thing and this is why I would suggest private lessons perhaps initially. If I had to recommend a Ski School in Mayrhofen I would suggest that run by Peter Habeler and I would strongly suggest that you talk to Peter directly; his English is excellent and he is very helpful.

(I have also taught in Risoul and I agree with babyshambles that it is a very good place for nervous intermediates. I do have to admit though that I love Austria above France for the overall 'package').

Anyway, have fun!





However, having taught hundreds of people to ski incuodin

Hello

I understand fully your problem.

I worked as a Holiday Rep and Ski Guide in Mayrhofen. I am also a qualified skiing instructor and have worked as such in France, Austria and Andorra.

I have to say that in my opinion the slopes in Mayrhofen are not conducive to a nervous blue run skier who wishes to improve. Interestingly Inghams rate Mayrofen as an execllent resort for beginners, but they are wrong (the other tour operators also think differently). You have to get a cable car to get to the nursery slopes; having reached them they are very busy with many ski schools and instructors fighting for a bit of space. Having left the nursery slopes the progression is poor due to the fact that the blue runs are very very busy and congested in certain places. I must have skied in over 70 resorts and in my opinion Mayrhofen is the worst resort for beginners and nervous intermediates. As for advanced/experts it is also very limited.

My suggestion therefore would be not to go to Mayrhofen and choose somewhere else. If you have no choice then I would strongly suggest that you book some private lessons for your wife. The best way to do this is to go into any Ski School and ask to speak to the boss and explain to him waht you are looking for and diplomatically make it clear to him that you want someone who is patient and understanding and not some boy racer type instructor - like any profession there are good and bad instructors and the head of the Ski School will now his staff and who mght be better suited to your needs. If you feel that he is listneing to you and is able to accommodaye your needs then book, if not walk out and try another one. However, I would be very surprised if any Ski School couldn't help you, particularly in Austria.

Good luck and happy skiing.

Can anybody please vouch for the accuracy of the forecasts on this J2SKI website? For example today (10/4/07) I am looking at the forecast for the next 7 days in Val d'Isere and it shows a lot of snow falling over these days, almost every day including the whole of this current week. Whereas having just looked at several other ski forecast sites they are prediciting just light snow and rain - hard to believe they are talking about the same resorts! So does anyone have any info as to how accurate the forecasts on this site are please?