J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Lot of lifts have no provision for walkers/cross country skiers so you are let on free. I know this as have been restricted to skiing up pistes and lifting down of late.

congratulations:-, people need to remember anything for progress. The real problem with skiing is that expectations are normally way too high and hence people feel they are under achieving. Reality is to be 1/2 decent skier you need 10 weeks and better than that is going to require 20+. At 20+ weeks less that 10% of people will be able to ski moguls, offpiste and carve with real authority. And most of us will never get there, we will enjoy our skiing but no cheers from the chair lifts.

Because we are British, live on a small island and are worst Nation in Europe/probably world, for learning foreign languages.

"Nobody is arguing whether laws need to be respected or not. What is clear is that French law protects ESF trade, and works against both British instructors and "ski hosts".

This protects all ski schools including the numerous British independent ski instructors in Alps and BASS etc etc. ESF as the major employer of ski instructors in France has highlighted a point which individuals alone would not have bought against the TO's. British independent instructors and guides were the people being hurt the most by previous situation.

Really you just need to have them fitted in resort by experienced boot fitter. Is a bit boring, takes 1.5-2hrs, but normally they will give you a beer whilst you wait. Let them chose then most appropriate boot for your foot vs you choosing something you like the color of or read about.

Other key point is to keep working on flexibility. Simple exercises, like standing on tip toes (bare feet), arms at side-move up and meet in middle above head x 8, 8 rotations forwards and 8 backwards all on tip toes. Will help you to engage your core and will give ankle and calf a nice stretch. If your boots fitted before and don't not then flexibility is likely the cause for "new pain".

20min on bus from Chamonix Centre to lift in Les Houches.

I would not worry, from Les Houches you have easy access to whole valley. Valley closed end of 1st week of May so there will be plenty of skiing within a short bus hop if required.

Sunshine Village as in Banff? Nothing there, people commute on bus from Banff (excellent town) every day. Guess depends what your after but could not have imagined staying there for a weekend let alone a season. Maybe there is some underground community there would be surprised.

Admittedly a while since have been there but would be careful.