J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by verbier_ski_bum

If the shell fits you well you can always buy a custom liner like Zip Fit or Intuition and have it fitted.

I am usually done by 2.30 - 3.00 in spring conditions, though often would hang out on a terrase in one of the on slopes bars and ski down around 5 - 5.30. Early start is the key particularly for off-piste. After 12 it's all about working on suntan:)

Well, it might be difficult to avoid the slushy stuff in April. If the freezing level goes up to 3000m there will be few places unaffected where you can ski above 3000 m. Maybe it's time to get some fatter skis with rocker - they make skiing afternoon slush a great fun:)

Well, if you drive around it will take some time, but then you are not risking being stuck on the wrong side. But generally skiing across is a better option (mind you, last season it was a royal pain due to horrific conditions). As for off-piste nearer Thyon you'll see when you are there. I skied in the area during the big freeze and it was mostly tracked out and bumped up. With no snow worthy of mentioning and none expected I don't think it got any better. I also think that some slopes have already avalanched during couple realy warm weeks as there were many full-depth cracks. There is an itinerary from the top of Greppon Blanc to which you can get fairly easy from Thyon by taking some drag lifts. But it will be very bumpy. For more you better take a local guide. To be honest I don't think you'll be able to find any powder fields or good snow unless you are prepared to tour quite far afield or there will be some major change in weather.

I think for kids they handle the situation very well. That the company is shut down is good news but concern is that the guy will reopen under different name and will try to continue with his business of making money for himself by not paying those who work for him. Hopefully authorities wherever he'll try to resurface will think twice before giving him a license. Bancruptsy is a convenient tool to shift liability for your business ineptitude onto others while making a personal fortune at the same time.

Depends what kind of skis. Carving skis - yes, too much sidecut for this stuff, but fatter and preferably rockered skis just go over of piles of slush like nobody's business. Spring skiing is great fun, but wearing socks and skiboots when it's +15 outside is not so much:)

Definitely skiing, not snowboaridng. Snowboarding became very popular because it let people ski powder, but now there are fat skis for this purpose and I see less and less snowboarders. Ski school at the resort in Switzerland costs about 500-600 CHF for a 6 days of half-day tuition in a group. Groups are usually small and I think for a 9-year old a ski school would be an ideal place to learn. In France and Switzerland there are similar points systems (awarding snowflakes or stars) which helps to measure the progress and when she's next up she'll be able to pick up where she left.

With temperatures like there were last 2 weeks this is not surprising. Cracks are there since January, only waiting for weather to become warm enough and water to get to the grass under the pack.