J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

That is true, Ally, but at all airports there is a big February hit. You have to book early.

The teacher that I mentioned can negotiate to get off school a day or so early, and in the past, that has been a saving.

Also, take an indirect flight. So, if you elect to go to Frankfurt, this may not be affected by UK school hols. An onward train can get into the alps quickly, and the dates tend not to affect Euro train fares. You always have some type of transfer time/cost anyway.

Total sympathy, Michelle, but I guess what you need is a practical way forward.

You may take a view on Easyjet, but they are a business, and if you were running it, you would do the same, or the shareholders would boot you out. I bet the price wasn't £400 when the flights were first released.

We have a teacher in our village ski group, so every three years or so we bite the bullet and take a New Year or Easter with them. (We don't get Feb school breaks in Fife). Even on one of the NY trips I managed a good EJ price Edinburgh to Munich.
For the future ~ can you organise a school ski trip?
Or book a year ahead?
Do you have a fixed idea in mind as to the area you want to ski, or can you widen the possibilities?
What are your preferred airports? Which EJ flight would you have gone for? How big is your party?

With a bit of detail, the J2 bloodhounds may come up with solutions.

I use EJ a few times in the ski season, and you will be really pleased to learn that my january/feb return flights are free! Every year!

Just trying to cheer you up!

I have three Merino tops, costing around £100/120 each. They have given best value of any item of gear I have.
My Kuhl Team 1/4 zip had completely worn out, and I searched for a year, as many UK mountain shops, best I could get was to buy from America.
Then I chanced on Kehl's FB page, they gave me the wholesaler email address, and a week later, I had bought two new ones, at £95 each, delivered.
I only wear a merino base and a merino top, and a ski jacket, and that covers me for a large range of temperature conditions. It is a really light way to carry gear.
Oh, and I only ever take one pair of trousers, and, errm, I wear them at the airport....

Merino is very soft, and it is also boiled prior to processing, which makes it even softer. It feels softer than cotton, or any other fabric.

It is expensive, but I see that Aldi are doing a base layer for twenty something pounds. Thats a good price, and Aldi generally are good on quality.

felthorpe wrote:OK OA, it's a fair cop, caught bang to rights. And that was my second jug :oops:

I knew there was a good reason to go on the J2ski bash!
Last year I tried to fit in a 2 day visit, but could not easily get across to Tirol.

This year, I had a good try to fit in a couple of days. Under a 3 hour drive for me, from my base in Tirol. The problem this year is the Sunday Folgarida arrival of the troops. I have to get back to Tirol early Sunday. So yet again, defeated!

One day!

brooksy wrote:
I thought some airlines stopped allowing boots to be carried as hand luggage about a year ago?

From my observations, over the years, the rejection is more likely to happen on the return journey.

Huwcyn, I went through several years of reducing the list, by removing items that I had not worn.

My base layer, and top layer are both Merino wool, which, as I am sure you are aware, has a good wick action. The top layer can be used up to 2 weeks without a wash, base layer gets a quick wash every 2 days, ski socks every day. (I only take 2 pairs with me)

Merino is expensive, but I wear the tops almost every day throughout the year. I just replaced two, after 4 years of wear.

I guess that Huwcyn has arrived at the core issue. Weight. I accept this may not be the way that most people do things, but I have two elements to packing planning.
1) I have a two packing lists, winter and summer.
2) The winter packing lists details the weights of most items.

When I am away for just a week, it is pretty easy to stay under 15kgs. Three weeks is no more difficult, because I wash clothing. I actually take less clothing on the longer trips.

I take painting gear, pads, paper, paints, picture cards, brushes, etc. These take up almost a kgm.

Point of info~ my ski boots weigh 4.1kgm, those of my OH, 3.6 kgm.

I don't find it difficult to stay well within the limit.

Total Wibble. A non-alpine water colour of our previous Guide Dog trainee, Mitchell: