J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Well almost polar to above. Of course I love those spring days with clear skies but for me skiing is about anticipation. Leaving the bar and it is dumping. Being woken 4-5am with street being cleared by digger and you know without opening curtains is going to be a big day. 6am get up, venture out to get breakfast and bread for lunch. Is cold, you know snow is going to be light. 7:50 bus to get to GM or a short walk to the midi to ensure your on the first bin up. Your head tells you no way anything will open before 10 but you go and wait, better to wait the ski in other people tracks.

Waiting for snow to settle after big storm. Atmosphere building in town as everyone knows something special will happen when re-opens.

Skinning up, feeling the snow beneath your skis and knowing run down is going to be awesome.

Is deep, straight line count to 2 and put in first turn. Deeper than you thought and pick up speed fast as didn't put enough effort into first one ?. Put more effort into 2nd one and get first face shot. Finding that rhythm where you are bouncing turn to turn.

As for risk, try not to participate in that one. Same as climbing you are not pushing it if you never fall but you should always have a rope.

Have to say I just hate the skiing there, is just plain boring, small vertical and little gradient (I have not very fond memories of crossing a stream in heavy rain in early Jan in Megeve). Only +ve is Les Contamines and St Nicholas etc is near it and they have some fantastic skiing. Staying in St Gervais as above is a great idea. Then you just need to look at the freezing level and head uphill to Chamonix Valley or hit the numerous and fantastic resorts around. Many a happy days spent skiing in area when avalanche risk shuts down Cham.

I have a feeling this guy might also look quite decent on water skis. Thanks for the tip, never heard of them before but will investigate.

Seems lifts in Chamonix will now open all way to May 18th at GM. Snow conditions are superb at moment. 800m skin to top of Le Tour yesterday and nice run back down to car park. Biking today and back on slopes again tomorrow. Might even treat myself to a lift pass.

Was looking on internet, seems they pre-date it?? Just looking at shape you might enjoy Head Magnun. Some great deals on this ski at moment but not in the mid 160's I am after, but they are still about in longer lengths.

Ruptured ACL end of last season so whole season out with injury. Definitely something worth avoiding. Basically long way back from injury. Right now knee is good just at full extension (injury from hyper extension) feels dodgy (might be in the mind). So if you see someone walking on their heels could well be me as best practice to get confidence back in that range.

Only other issue now is ankle flexibility which I want to fix before going hard again. Basically lost some flexibility in calf from them being activated for knee stability since injurt. I advise everyone to check this, do a deep squat and get someone to take a photo from side. If you have stiff ankles picture will clearly show body and lower legs are not parallel (body will be tilted forward). Repeat same with a wedge under heel. 2 x reasons for fixing before you ski again. 1st means with knees bent you will have trouble transferring weight to front of skis. 2nd reasons is that when this range is limited your knee will have a tendency to roll inwards (danger position). Lots of time now on stairs stretching calf, ideally would be close to being able to stack up heel, calf, knee, hip (I have about 25 deg to regain). So anyone wanting to avoid knee injury think ankles.

Well plenty of snow left here in Chamonix but rain in town this morning. Top of the Midi and Grand Montets must be really accumulating and Friday is supposed to be the big snow day. Was going to skin up this morning but rain has kept me in for now. Have been hitting gym and biking or skinning every day so pretty confident now on knee. Just need to work on ankle flexibility and think will be as good as new in 2 months.

Big plans for Summer, Cervinia in July and then Mont Blanc , Zinalrothorn and Eigar planned for late summer, so plenty of reasons to keep working hard and getting ready for next season. 2012-2013 not exactly a classic, 1 run downhill so far.

Topic was never about practicalities of carrying 2 x pair of skis, my point on renting is therefore very valid. Just like an average family guy has a family car, does not mean a 2 seat sports car and a Range Rover would not be better. Otherwise you end up with something not good offroad and a bit soft and boring onroad. Practical but a little pointless given you are on holiday trying to rip it up.

My advice if you want to be practical get 1 x pair of piste skis and then rent something fat for powder days. I have a pair of skis for touring 100mm under foot, narrow enough not to be too heavy and or flappy for kick turns, pretty medium onpiste, not enough width for really big powder days. Good compromise but still a compromise. On piste you will have much more fun with narrow skis and offpiste much more fun with something 105-110mm and some decent rocker in it.