J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by verbier_ski_bum

Nice video. Little Snapzzz isn't doing too badly but to me it looks that she's too far back, hence the snowplough because this is the way she's trying to keep her skis from running away from her. With weight back it will be difficult to learn any technique because the main thing in technique is keeping skis under you. If you get behind your skis everything gets very hard, too fast and too scary. Maybe her instructor wasn't able to explain this to her in a way that she could understand and apply. Also, at this stage she shouldn't be skiing with poles. Unless she knows how to use them just having them along won't do any good to her posture and balance. There is a reason why kids who go to a ski school are not allowed poles until they get to fairly advanced stage and can confidently turn parallel. If she wants to ski with poles maybe she should just hold them in front of her with both hands like a bicycle handles - this will also stop her hands from falling down and behind her and make her get a bit further forward and more in control of her skis. She has long time ahead of her to improve and progress but proper stance is the basics and a key to this progress. If she can get it she'll outski you in 2-3 weeks with ease, like all kids typically do when they start young, and you will no longer have to ski green slopes and will have to wait for her while she's doing jumps in the park.

AllyG wrote:Well, I said I would like to stop my boots getting wet inside. I don't know if it's because my feet sweat loads when I'm ski-ing or if it's because they leak. I rather think it's because they leak as it seemed to be much worse when I was ski-ing (and falling) in powder.

Ally

There is a simple solution for this issue - a duct tape:)

It's back for this week, but no massive storms expected. Good for those who are on holidays this week, as slopes got refreshed a little bit. But freezing level will rise above 2000m next weekend, and then who knows? My friend's grand ma, life-long Nendaz local, says that spring is here now whether we like it or not. Maybe she's wrong, hopefully.

There is a scheduled bus service from Geneva to Val Thorens which runs a few times daily both from the Airport and city centre. Google "gare routier Geneva" (I can't remember their website), choose "Stations Aplines" in the drop down menue and download the schedule. This is likely to be your cheapest option and this is what most people would use here in Geneva. as for hitch hiking you may spend long time at the side of the road waiting for someone to give you a lift - too many places around that people drive to from Geneva. I am sure it's the great way to see various countryside, but given that direct route takes about 3 hours, if you choose to hitch hike you are likely to spend much longer than that.

A friend of mine made descent from Mont Blanc on a snowboard couple years ago. I'll see her next weekend and will ask her if any specific trainig required. Also I am not sure whether they heli-ed up or hiked. It's about 5 hrs hike from the last refuge whichever way you choose and to descent on skis you need to start very early to ski down early when snowbridges are still strong. I'm planning to hike Mont Blanc from St Gervais coming August and so far also started running 2-3 times a week to build up endurance at least. I think the main thing though will be whether or not you develop an altitude sickness. I slept in a mountain hut once and didn't feel tired the next day but it was little bit below 3000m and even that this is a positive sight (many people can't sleep at altitude and feel totally broken the next day) I am sure it can be totally different at 4000m and probably it's something you will only find out on a day of your ascent. I am not sure how to prepare and train for this but I'm starting my research. I certainly want to ski from Mt Blanc one day too. I see it every day from my window - would be a shame not to:)

Grand Montets should be fine. They had tones of snow December/January too, so it will definitely last.

I want January back!;) Serously, the forecast for snow in this part of Alps changed about 6 times in the last 30 hours. As of now, only snow showers are expected which in my experience bring bad visibility but no actual snow to ski on. I am seriously tempted to stay home and read your blog this weekend instead of going skiing and do other things I never have time for when skiing is taking over my life.

Lets hope no-one got injured. With this ridioculous weather we seem to be getting there will be more slides like that. Too warm for snow to stay on slopes.