J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by verbier_ski_bum

AllyG wrote:Bandit,
You're quite right, I have been off-piste with an instructor, but only really down the side of a piste, or between 2 pistes. I should have said I am too cautious to go off-piste without an instructor.

I thought the itinerary routes were avalanche controlled? I'm pretty sure they are in Tignes - the ones that are basically ungroomed (but patrolled) black pistes.

In Verbier they are not patrollerd or controlled for avalanches, but they are the main reason resort attracts so many people. The only thing resort does when conditions are deemed too dangerous, they stop the lift serving them, and also sometimes put a rope across. But you should definitely take the avy course. Very useful and awareness is way better than fear.

bandit wrote:Thanks Verbier Ski Bum and OldAndy. It's the 1st time I've skied for 21 days straight. Good test of my boots fit. I love my Zipfits. Thank you CEM :D

The last run but one off piste on my last day, I felt my skiing had actually improved, a Eureka! moment. So much more terrain to ski in Grimentz, definitely need more Avalanche Awareness training. Left with the feeling that I've got away with the consequences of a couple of poor route choices this April.

Love my ZipFits too! My best investment in gear this season, followed by Fritschi Freerides. Thank you for pointing me in that direction! Looking forward to next season. Only 200 sleeps:)

If you look at a mogul field you will see why having a narrower stance makes sense. You need your feet to move together, widening your stance may result in your skis being on two different planes and it's easier to lose balance in this way and falling in moguls can be long and painful.

It's noy necessary for boots to be too tight aroub calves to cut the blood flow. Too much pressure around the foot may result in cramping too. Definitely pay attention next time you ski.

Looks fantastic! I had great skiing in April too. Way better than in February and March combined. Shame they had to close two days earlier because of the wind, and Patrouille des Glaciers got cancelled, and an avalanche death happened on the last week, a very nice young local guy too. Very sad.

Not sure how you define "Christmassy" but out of last 10 years I spent 6 Christmasses and New Years in Verbier and it was great. Particularly New Year. There are tons of clips on Youtube that show the great atmosphere in the village. Especially when it's snowing. I will be there for the holidays period for a number of years to come, there is no doubt about it. The only word of warning, if you want a meal out book in advance, especially if there are more than 2 of you. And bad idea buying your champagne on a day, queues are hours long.

I didn't notice significant difference between prices in restaurants on slopes and restaurants in resort. Definitely not significant enough to warrant skiing all the way down and then spend close to half an hour going back up. It does make sense to carry your own water in a backpack though.

I suspect it doesn't matter too much overall. If it had detrimental effect, there won't be skis with graphics dictating left and right. And the other way around. If it was of a particular notable benefit all skis would be factory marked. Side slipping and hockey stopping are usually dictated by external factors not by your stronger sides. You side slip when you can't turn so you can't change direction you are facing even of you would prefer too. Of course most skiers are not equally comfortable, at least not naturally. It makes sense to practice these manoeuvers on an uncomfortable side as often as you can for the very reason that when you resort to them you don't usually have a choice of direction.