J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Over the last few years it appears quite a few of us have suffered some form of skiing injury. Statistics don't lie, if you ski enough once every 10 seasons or so you are destined to suffer some sort of injury. I still believe my ACL injury was largely as a result of lack training and in hindsight there were some tell take signals. Pain in the plantar fasciitis when skiing which I put down to ski boots should of triggered some alarm bells.

With only 2 1/2 months to go until lifts open I guess now is the time we should be starting to think about some ski specific training. Every morning now am finding myself doing pistol squats using a TRX and plenty of jumping around on a Reebok step thing in addition time spent stretching things out.

Did anyone else start any interesting tips?

I think you managed to just describe the best ski conditions. Few inches of powder on piste is where everyone manages to feel like a hero.

Those that "can ski" and those that only "think they can ski". Most of us mortals we will just fleeter between the two. Enjoying deep light power but less so that breakable crust; nailing turns on that perfectly groomed run but less so first thing before the sun has kissed it. At least these re-calibrations of our technique remind us that we really should spend less time working and more time skiing. The real joy of skiing is that these feelings start from day, one week one and for most of us will never stop.

You don't give dates of trip.

I would consider giving Banff a miss (at least check forecasts) if the 10 days is over Christmas/NY or Jan. Fantastic town but truly miserable temperatures. Below -10degC is just not that much fun to ski in.

If is late season would consider the opposite and drop Whistler. Snow sure but prone to late season rain 1/2 way down mountain. Which is fine but your enjoyable vertical becomes significantly reduced.

Still definitely some good skiing to be had at both and if you are lucky with powder some very decent offpiste.

Realistically you are going to have to take a bus to skiing anyway so I would not base hotel decision on proximity to ski lift.

Vagabond is <5min walk from nearest stop.

Only ever heard of good things about UPCA.

Reasonable but nice hotels are hotel le Chamonix and Le Cretes Blanches.

Given the few boarders or skiers can really carve I would be tempted to conclude that neither is particularly easy.

Guess can happen if your looking at your toes :-), seemed to be doing pretty good before that. Unfortunately given the ongoing snowboard debate am pretty sure the boarder doing a nice right turn at 3 seconds as you went past in his blind spot no doubt as he wanted to turn left as he reached edge of piste probably had a little chuckle.

Such is skiing; one mans wipe out is another mans beer story (as long as they get up okay).

Bobble hats and goggles don't mix. Given the best days skiing i.e. powder and dumping require goggles seems that effectively you are choosing to eliminate the most fun you can have on skis.