J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Lynn_D

I started skiing in contacts last year – sooo much better than over the glasses goggles as no problems with fogging etc. I prefer to ski in goggles rather than sunglasses when wearing lenses as my eyes water excessively when it's cold and I'm always afraid I'll lose them (the lenses, not the eyes...). The exception is when it's warm (ish) and sunny when I find I can get away with wrap-around sunglasses. Personally I don't carry my prescription glasses with me as I'm worried they'll break in a fall and I don't have suitable pockets for a hard case. However my eyesight is at a level where I could get home safely without either which may not be the case for others.

Thanks for your replies, some interesting points that I hadn't even considered, especially regarding fit. I've decided to leave the 'surprise' aspect – will just buy him some he likes (and that fit properly over his frames) at a later stage. He does have a pair of Adidas Evil Eye wrap around sunglasses with changeable lenses which work well a lot of the time.

I wear glasses myself and couldn't get away with OTG goggles at all. After a couple of days where I couldn't see a thing due to fogging I gave up and skied either in my glasses (cue streaming eyes and probably not safe) or just goggles (a bit blurry but still manageable.) I now wear daily lenses which OH would love to do but sadly can't due to his prescription and the fact that he's diabetic.

I was also considering the photochromatic version for myself as I ski most of the time in goggles rather than sunglasses, so interesting to hear of other people's experience of them.

Off to Arabba on the 5th January. Decided as we love the Dolomites so much to go for a fortnight - 13 days skiing instead of 12 for two separate weeks, cheaper lift pass pro rata and only one set of flights. No idea how many sleeps but 'too many' about sums it up. :D

Looking for some advice regarding ski goggles. I'd like to buy a new pair for my OH as a surprise for Christmas and am considering a pair of light sensitive (photochromatic as I read it?) ones made by Scott. Does anyone have any experience of light sensitive goggles in general such as speed of changes in lens colour etc?

If not, any recommendations? They need to be suitable to go over glasses but no need for helmet compatibility. Ideally a sensible coloured frame. The ones I'm looking at are reduced to £65 – don't really want to spend any more than this and ideally a bit less.

Current ones are Uvex, have a yellow-orange tint and a tendency to fog up, probably as they are low end of the market (bought for our first ski trip several years ago).

Thanks

Hi Blackpool-Skier,

We've been to Sauze a couple of times so can answer your question about the Relais de Alpes. The hotel is pretty central within the village and is about 2 minutes walk (on the flat) to the ski bus stop. The Clotes lift is then ~5-10 minutes walk up a hill. Sportinia is miles away and there's no way I'd walk it in ski boots, up or down. Personally I would get the bus to Sportinia on a morning and ski down to Clotes and walk home on an evening. Some people have mentioned that the busses are unreliable but we never had to wait more than 5 minutes. The bus pass used to be 5 euros per person per week but this may have changed. There is also the option the leave skis and boots at the base of Clotes or the top of the Soprtinia chair lift. Storage at Sportinia wasn't cheap - no idea about Clotes.

We went in early January both times and had good snow the first year and amazing conditions the second. We went for a fortnight and had a week of constant snow (think waist high powder) followed by clear blue skies and sunshine. However the snow record can be erratic so it isn't always possible to ski back to the village. However, you can take the chair lift down from Sportinia so this isn't a problem.

The hotel itself seems nice however I've only been in for a drink and to watch ski school videos. There is a bar which is part of the hotel which could get quite lively - I've no idea what their sound proofing is like. We stayed at the Gran Baita which I can thoroughly recommend.

Hope you have a great time - would love to go back :D

We had a similar situation with KLM into Venice last year which worked well. Two pairs of skis, poles and one of my boots in double ski bag padded up to 23 kg with ski clothes. Other 3 boots in a second bag along with everything else. Weight was tight so we used hand luggage as overflow and tried to limit by using travel-sized toiletries, travelling in outdoor footwear and ski jackets etc. The weight quickly mounts up (our boots are 11 kg alone) but should be easily doable for a week as long as you're not packing the kitchen sink. -)

Not sure about BA but KLM asked us to let them know 24 hours in advance that one of our bags would be oversized. However we didn't on the way back and had no problems checking in so may not bother this year.

Hi Anne,

The Dolomites is my favourite ski area - I have been 3 times already and am returning for a fortnight in January.

We stay in Arabba but have skied a lot in the Corvara/Colfosco area. There are some great runs from easy blues, great reds through the trees (Red 13 down to La Villa is one of my favourites) to the Gran Risa and Sasslong World Cup blacks if you like more of a challenge. It takes less than 30 minutes to get to Arabba and probably about the same to Selva (Dantercepies runs into Selva, red or black, are also some of my favourites). You could easily ski one area in the morning, go and let the dogs out for lunch and ski another in the afternoon. There also seem to be some nice footpaths through the trees, ideal for dog walking.

The scenery is amazing, the food delicious and with 1200 km of pistes you will never get bored. You can probably tell I love the place - nowhere else I've skied comes close! :D

I've put some pictures up from previous trips, I think in the 'Italy' part of the forum, probably under the heading of Arabba or something like that.

Any other questions I'd be happy to help if I can.

Hi Anne,
There is a motorhome/caravan site which sits pretty much underneath the lift between Corvara and Colfosco. No idea who you would contact to find out more but I guess the tourist board for one of the resorts? Location wise would be ideal as it's directly on the Sella Ronda circuit so easy access to Selva and Arabba and that's not counting the great skiing on your doorstep.
Good luck :D