J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Never say "no" to sharing knowledge. As in if snow turns out to be crappy or poop weather ask to do transceiver search or set up pulley system etc.

Nobody learnt to walk without falling over a few times. There will always be a few people who consciously or not make decisions which put themselves and or others in danger.

Am not sure there is any disagreement with learning but I still believe you have to get out there. You can do courses, have guides but at some point an amount of people will want to go out alone (might be financial, might be that they want to start making decisions). At this point you will make a few mistakes and just like in life some of the best lessons will be from failure and or close calls. How much experience a groups should have Is not an easy call to make. I get in region of 10-15 weeks of skiing/climbing in a year, probably 3-4 of which will be guided. Still when my brother/friends visit we go offpiste, tour over glacier etc. Realistically I doubt they could haul me out of a crevasse but in good weather there is little additional risk. Yes ideally everyone in group should carry a rope and know how to use it but this is rarely case in any ski group. People could discuss forever what should be minimum kit in a group and there will be times when you might wish you had more, this is a risk/judgment you make.

As for doing any ski run justice is not for me to judge someone else. Some people will find the Midi ridge the toughest part, others may fall down a few times but they are learning and having fun. Yes can be annoying if groups cannot put in ski tracks next to each other and eat up the powder but sometimes ability of groups differ. Spent many a happy day with slower friends enjoying their first offpiste experience, progressing first red, first black. This is the social part of skiing, mountaineering, climbing. Even with similar experience not everyone is created equal

Yes and learn ideally with a guide, either via a winter skills course and or taking one for specific target in mountains be it skiing/climbing etc. There is no chicken and egg with mountain experience. You need to get into them to learn and guide is still most controlled manner and best way to learn correct skills. Otherwise it starts to sound like you can't enjoy a Vallee Blanche without having x? amount of experience, which is rubbish. Intermediate skier, with guide is safe way for someone to get first high mountain experience. Cannot agree with anyone frowning upon average piste skier enjoying this.

Not sure I agree with you regarding use of guides. They are excellent source of knowledge and will normally review with group transceiver search (given they go first is in their best interest) and few basic knots which will cover you for most scenarios. If you ask to cover something they will never say no and just through discussion you absorb huge amount of knowledge. Hence over a period of time even a skier with little or no interest in mountaineering/climbing will pick up basics of crevasse travel/rescue, belay, abseil, recognizing avalanche danger etc.

Reality is in most situations in event of incident first call should be to mountain rescue (this is regardless if you are a guide/client/ group) and other groups nearby for assistance. Simple example, ski buddy falls in crevasse; even though I practice would never like to trust an ice axe or ski anchor in scenario you cannot get down to hard ice to put a screw in. Why would you put full trust in a single anchor which if fails will likely kill. Similarly given most of us do not live in a resort full time and or travel resort to resort you are unlikely to have a full picture of snow pack (wind/rain/warm periods). Use of local knowledge/expertise is in these situations entirely sensible. Hence guide becomes safest and often most enjoyable (can find you fresh snow in areas you might not have confidence to go alone).

Obviously above only works in weather where helicopters can fly and or you can see/signal other persons. Hence anytime you head out in more serious weather and or remote region all persons need top have sufficient knowledge. When they don't is normally when incidents turn into injuries and or fatalities.

I will be honest only ever met one group of people I disliked on a mountain and it wasn't skiing. "Everest" adventure racers, very loud, decided to leave boots/crampons at bottom of glacier on Pico De Orizaba and do for trainers to that level. Needless to say they never made top with frozen boots. Still poor manners giving high fives and team whoops at 12:00am before leaving.

In ski resorts everyone is there for same reason so never encountered any sort of "poshness". You are all there enjoying same pistes same bars so do not believe it exists.

I think a bit harsh, when skiing fast is 1) difficult and 2) less important to have a +ve pole plant, the intent is still there which is important part. For sure poles look on long side. As for sitting back he seems to be getting plenty of early engagement from front of ski.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6b8zCLR2Ik

Just epic vertical and if you skin to top of titlus amazing run down from there.

LOTA excellent choice, Engleberg has to be one of the best ski resorts in Alps.Amazing terrain and definitely and Laub has to be one of best runs there is anywhere in world.