J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by mtr259

My children have never skied without helmets so the topic doesn't come up often and when it does the fact that I also wear one means that they have no grounds for complaint. So if you are not wearing one yourself I suggest you do. I wear specs and use googles over the top and I find it is much easier wearing goggles with a helmet and it is warmer on cold lifts and fast descents so I am in favour irrespective of the safety benefits.

The campsite in Bourg St Maurice also stays open as it is a short drive up to La Rosiere which links to La Thuile, plus you also have Les Arcs, Tignes, Val D'Isere, La Plagne.

Mark

There is a camp site in Bourg St Maurice which is open all winter and you can then ski a different place each day eg Tignes/Val D'Isere, Rosiere, Les Arcs and La Plagne. However, all the vans in the campsite look like they are winterised is have some form of heating! I think there are also a few hostels around in Bourg and over towards Vallandry which are cheap and cheerful and may be a warmer option.
Mark

Each resort will have their own online booking system. We always used the Les Arcs one for Paradiski and found it always worked. Now they have a system whereby if you come back the following year you use the same card and they update the computer system to recognise that you have paid for the new period. Couldn't be simpler. Once you have decided on a resort then go to their website and it is bound to be self explanatory. Mark

I just had a look on the sport conrad website that another thread mentioned and they have Metron B9s at €299 with bindings. The length is 164cm

http://www.sport-conrad.com/index.asp?disp=artikel&art_nr=70405147

The B5 I is €599

The hardware thread has very positive things to say about this company but I haven't used them.

Mark

We have driven to Les Arcs for the last 8 years at Feb half term (one of the busiest times of the year) and apart from the first year (21 hours to get back - heavy snow everywhere) it has always been a doddle. However, we usually drive down on the Friday and stay in a B&B nearby (called Molliebon just near Rosiere). The traffic is really light and usually takes 9 hours from Calais. It then takes 30 minutes to get into resort, pick up skis (already have passes online) and get an extra day skiing on empty slopes. When we come back we ski until about 2pm on the Saturday (more empty slopes) and then drive back and stay in a Premiere Classe by Lyon or Dijon and get back to Bucks about lunchtime on Sunday. We get a day and half more skiing and with 3 kids it is cheaper than flying. If you are going to Peisey you will not need to drive through Bourg as you turn off before you get there but still do have to drive up the valley which can be very very slow on a Saturday (depending on when you arrive of course)as you have to pass Plagne and Valmorel and have all the traffic on its way to Les Arc, Roseiere, Tignes and Val D'Isere.

We took dry slope lessons before going on our first ski holiday and it made a huge difference in terms of progression once we arrived. In fact we skipped the novices class completely. I would definitely have more lessons when you get there. Unless you one of those really sporty people who can become proficient in hours without any help then the instructor will they help you progress quicker. You also get taken to the best places in terms of snow conditions, sunshine, out of the wind etc. by the instructors because let's face it they don't want a miserable time either. I am 100% in the 'it is much easier on real snow' camp. Try not to see the lessons as 'lessons' but they can be a really good laugh (probably more so when you are just starting because so much is happening with your fellow students), you find out about the resort and can meet some really nice people (of course some might be wallies but that's life). I am always quite envious of people who are going skiing for the first time because I can still remember what a good laugh it was. Don't get me wrong, skiing is better when you can go higher; faster; longer; but probably not as many belly laughs as you do when you are learning. Take some arnica cream for the bruising. Regards, Mark

Thanks to everyone who has responded. We are just about to finalise the accomodation so getting very excited. Looks like 8 days in Banff and 5 in Lake Louise. We drive a minivan over here in the UK so may go for the small SUV for a change. Have experienced -20 to -25 a few times in the Alps so sort of know what to expect but the extreme cold is always a bit of a worry with kids sat on stopped chairlifts as they lose heat so quickly.

Next big question is where to book for Xmas Supper!

Thanks again.

Mark