J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

Billip2 wrote:Dave's observations, as ever, are a treasure-trove of information. He should put them together in a book .....It would be a great read :)

I have submitted a photo from the 60s, of a Manchester skier called Colin Whiteside, to a guy who has been co-ordinating "A History of BASI instructors". The proposal is that the picture will be the front page. Colin started instructing in Niederau some 5 years before I did. It is a powerful evocative picture, taken 50 years ago. (Just as I was starting skiing)

Also gave some assistance to Fritz Stroebl aiming to publish his book in the US.

I have given some thought to writing a ski book geared towards children, but we never have enough time! (Now training our ninth Guide Dog!)

Sorry, back to Colorado....

Interesting point about the Skiwelt. It wasn't too many years ago all the villages had only their own lifts. Then they got their act together, installed top of mountain links, et voila, a large ski area.

Have a look at the Allstar ski pass. You can ski over to Brixental, then with a bit more skiing and a transfer bus, you can be skiing in Kitzbuhel. I agree Westendorf is a lovely ski area.

I recall a few years back, I drove to Kitz, skied and watched the Hahnemkamm Downhill practice, drove to Westendorf, skied most of the afternoon, then nipped back to Niederau and had the last run down!

Finally, the Skiwelt has, arguably, the world's worst piste map. I once skied there with Admin for a day, and of course we kept getting lost. I blamed him!

Hi Paul, I have been several times to Colorado for skiing. On my first trip, I did a huge amount of research on the place where you could ski the maximum amount in a day. (I am far more relaxed now).

The outcome was Breckenridge. This is a really good resort, with two main mountains. The Blackcomb glacier is terrific. The lift pass covers several resorts, and some of these are close. Keystone, Arrapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek and Vail. Not too sure, but the pass may now cover another resort or two.
Breckenridge feels like an old cowboy town. We always booked flights, minivan hire, and accomodation.

Last season we went with Crystals to Vail. This time we had a motive for Vail, because we had developed a strong friendship with a Vail family. What we did not understand was the Crystal pass covering 13 days, (assuming a 2 week visit), and covering only 10 days in Vail, left us vulnerable to the closure of the Vail Pass. During the second week, the pass was closed for 4 days, so we ended up having to buy day passes in Vail, at a collosal price, nominally $150/day per person.

That is all just a note of caution. Vail is fantastic. I got to meet with great Pepi Grammshammer, Austrian racer, and original founder of Vail. In 1948 he had raced in Niederau, against my old head instructor boss, Franz Jochum.

I have skied all over the world, Niederau is always going to be my second home, but all the Colorado areas are terrific, and my favourite run, anywhere in the world, (outside Niederau), is the Palavicini, in Arapahoe Basin. If you manage to ski down, they give you a badge at the lodge!

I'm not sure that snow is the most serious thing about Turkey just now!

Off to Val Di Fassa at the end of Feb. I love the character of the Dolomite and the people, plus the immense painting opportunities.

I really like going places by myself, although I confess that my main solo January journey is always back to Niederau in mid Jan, so I am not lost for company. I have no probs going solo to other resorts, I went to Keystone, Colorado by myself. You just meet people.

Of course, cost wise, I plan ahead and get low air fares. Even so, you can, in January, get return air fares, Edinburgh to Munich for £90/100. €60 rail fare to the alps, plus a bus or taxi, say £75 total.

€30/night b&b in a village, do your homework with the tourist board in your chosen resort. £185.

Low cost food is £10/12 per night, £80. Lunches £30/week, lower if you are trying.

Total ~ £370. Add the lift pass for your chosen resort, plus ski hire.

If I am on a low cost trip, I go hand baggage, including ski boots, so no hold luggage cost.

Sooo, how soon are you going again Wullie?

Eh presoom yer are frae Dundee?

Increasing the day pass price from $150 to $189, has nothing to do with Brexit. That was what I found to be a little misleading.

The price of $150 was the cost of a Vail day pass in March, I was there.

Undoubtedly the recent change in currency exchange will have an effect. Keeping a sense of proportion.....
When I first skied in Colorado, the rate was over 2.00 $/£.
For last seasons visit to Vail. the rate was 1.39 $/£
Now, the rate is 1.23 $/£, just 13% higher than a year ago.

The cost of the Vail pass in dollars has increased by 26%, same period.

The upside, nationally, is that the increase in the FTSE will have a beneficial effect on pension pots. The trading output from the Uk has increased substantial, and is expected to continue to rise.