J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Wanderer

Daisy wrote:BA doing Gatwick to Geneva, 27 Dec returning 3 Jan, inc one 23kg luggage, one snowboard or ski bag & inflight meals £147 all in. That seems like a good deal to me!!

I'd agree - you are highly unlikely to do any better :lol:

There is an element of chance with Chalets. They vary a lot in terms of size and quality. In addition, the quality of the chalet staff is critical - most of them are young gap year kids intent on having a good time. Having said that the TOs keep on top of them and have very little tolerance of any messing about with guests. I have travelled with Crystal most years and generally find them perfectly acceptable - reasonably accommodation (though occasionally a bit down at heel) and pretty good chalet staff who can usually rustle up a pretty decent meal. Staff can be live-in or out but will usually have separate living quarters even if living in.

All linen, etc will be provided and you will receive a reasonable amount of wine with dinner - technically, there is a limit but unless you are doing the dog on it, the chalet staff will usually keep it coming during dinner. Once dinner is over, the supply will stop. This is usually so the staff can finish up and get out to play :roll:

Technically, guests are not supposed to go into the kitchen but you probably will be able to make a cup of tea or warm up a baby's bottle.

Entertainment depends on the chalet - smaller ones may have a few board games but don't expect much more than that. Unlikely to have a TV. A portable DVD player and a DS can come in handy for entertaining the kids or even yourself if you are going to be stuck in :wink:

Not familiar with Plagne 1800 but it is sure to have at least a small supermarket for beer supplies.

Enjoy and may the snow be with you :lol:

Leaving carving or not aside, there is no doubt that Bode is a truely amazing skier. His capacity to throw caution to the wind is something to behold and when he gets it right WOW!. I saw him about two years lose a ski with about 5 gates still to ski - he still managed to complete the course on one ski but had to slow down to only 80kph over the final stretch. His time was still good enough to get him into the World Cup points - that must have been pretty disheartening for the lower rank skiers who were unable to match a man on one ski :shock:

.... But is he the greatest? No doubt that he is up there but I have always been a huge admirer of the Herminator. Another skier who would really take on the mountain and more often that not won. Despite his extreme agression, he got down the mountain way more often that Bode and completely dominated the tour until his accident.

Then having been told he would probably never walk again, he manages to get back to competition standard - amazing and an inspiration to anybody facing adversity.

I haven't been following the ski racing that long but DaveMac has rightly suggested Klammer - for so long the poster boy of skiing. And what about Alberto Tomba?

Lots! The Low Cost airlines are experts at exploiting peak time traffic and you are unlikely to find any bargains around Christmas, especially if you hoping to travel Saturday to Saturday. Don't be under any illusions, the "Low Cost" statement that features heavily in their marketing refers to their costs not yours :evil:

KevinC wrote:Hi

Just got back from La Plagne yesterday. I just had a La Plagne pass and that was enough for me. Of course it depends on your ability and how quickly you get around.

You can buy a La Plagne ski pass with 1 day Paradiski access which, if you are adventurous, might satisfy your curiousity.

If spending money is tight however it really isn't necessary and the La Plagne pass should suffice.

I would generally agree with KevinC. Another thing you might want to take into account is your base in La Plagne. If you are in La Belle Plagne is does not take too long to get across to Les Arcs (though it does still take quite a while to get over and back). However, if you are at the other end of La Plagne, it really is quite an ordeal to get across and I doubt that you would bother more than once.

Hi Jobster

Terrible news but glad Rich is OK. Thats the main thing in the short term.

While I can't really offer too much help in relation to skiing post heart attack, I don't see why not (obviously in consultation with your doctors, etc). My brother had a heart attack about 3 years ago(on the 1st day of his Summer holidays in Italy, as it happened). Thankfully, it was reasonably mild and he made a excellent recovery. So much so that he was able to come on a pre-booked lads golf long weekend to Spain just 2 months later and play golf each day. He did have to take it a bit easier than usual (grab a few naps here and there and only a small amount of booze - yes, the doctors were happy for him to have a few glasses of wine or beer that soon after the attack) but otherwise was fine. Since then, he leads a full and normal life and plays golf on a very regular basis.

Obviously, he will have to go through some rehabilitation treatment and possibly some changes to lifestyle - no smoking, obviously, probably a more strict diet and possibly some restraint on the booze. You will both also have to deal with the issue of not thinking of him as a delicate creature ready to break at any time (the rehab will probably include some counselling on such issues). Other than that, I would be very hopeful that he should be able to get back into skiing.

Best of luck. All your friends on J2ski will be thinking of both of you.

Conor :wink:

Thanks for the good news - now looking good for my trip to Alpe D'heuz on 31 January :lol: . I was a bit concerned today when one of the forecast sites was forecasting rain up to 1,850m :cry: Hopefully any damage that does to the lower slopes will be remedied by later snow and blue skies will arrive around the 31st (being a bit greedy am I?)

In Ireland, we have an expression to cover this scenario:

"Sure if I was going there, I wouldn't start from here at all, at all!"

Afraid, I can't help with your request but good luck on your expedition. :lol: