J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by ellistine

Thanks Pavel for your info.

I've been in contact with a British company that makes ski waxes (whatever next!) that recommend a product called Polar X for skiing on plastic. It's basically an ultra hard wax for 'minus quite a lot' snow temperatures. Pavel, any issues with such hard waxes?

Your first impression of a dry ski slope will probably be 'oh my god I can't ski!' I've seen quite a few people do a few runs, complain it's nothing like snow and go home. I've found that after sticking it out for a bit it's actually quite useful as you have to exagerate everything that you do. Our local slope has a so called 'terrain park' with jumps and bowls etc which again I've found useful from a balance point of view as well as just becoming more comfortable on the skis.

The Snowflex slopes seem to be a lot better than the older 'honeycombe' surfaced slopes although apparently for racing they still prefer the older surface.

Where about's in the UK will you be visiting Trencher?

Quite close to where I live (Dorset, UK) we have an artificial ski slope. A couple of years ago it was renovated and fitted with Snowflex which is a vast improvement over the old 'thumb breaker' honey comb patterned surface they had previously.

I've skied there a few times, more so recently, and hadn't even considered using my own skis there.

A chat with one of the instructors raised an interesting point. His view was that a pair of skis are designed to last a minimum of 27 weeks of daily skiing (not sure where the 27 weeks came from but bare with me). That would equate to 27 years worth of skiing assuming the one annual trip abroad or 13 years with the far more ammeniable 2 trips a year. His question was 'are you really going to use the same pair of skis for 13 years?'.

He did recommend frequent waxing but was confident that the ski would have less chance of serious damage there than it would on a lot of resort pistes.

I think he's probably right. My only fear is some out of control 11 year old skiing over the top of them but then I suppose that could happen anywhere.

So I put it to you all, take them to the dry slope or leave them at home in the bag for 50 weeks of the year :?:

I've stayed in Saalbach and the neighbouring village of Leogang. I love the place. Infact according to my jski profile it's my favorite resort! Lots of easy skiing and some absolutley gorgeous wide, quiet blue runs (although the best of these are resort runs so the usual snow condition caveat apply).

The other thing I like about Saalbach is their website! Very informative with lots of webcams which will waste hours of work time in the lead up to the Holiday!

There is also a very good transfer company (www.holiday-shuttle.at) that run between Saalbach and Salzburg airport four times a day. This allows you to book flights and hotels direct if you wish to save a few quid. Having said that, if it's your first time then booking with an operator always has a more reassuring feel to it.

Keithus wrote:I've just started skiing the trees

Carving?

Sorry, couldn't help it!:lol:

Yes, I'm the same. In March we went to Saalbach in Austria (well actually Leogang, the next town along) which we love and the conditions were ok high up but 'problematic' lower down. However, we were also in Saalbach in February 2006 when they were boasting the best snow they'd had in forty years! I'm sure global warming is real but I also believe it doesn't happen in just 12 months. I'm sure (whilst crossing all my fingures and toes) that this year was just a bad year and that normal service will resume shortly. Besides, I really don't fancy skiing in France! :wink:

Just how difficult is it?

I've got a trip booked to Mayrhofen in January and I reckon there's points to be had for breaking my black run duck on Austria's steepest.

One thing that I know my Girlfriend hates (which as a man I couldn't possibly comment on) is when females on skiing holidays get their partners to carry their skis around for them. 'Girl Power' and all that I suppose.