Messages posted by : Snowcheeks
Come on - admit it - who is still using old fashioned skis?
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 25 Replies |
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I've just posted a question in the Ski Technique section about carving on my old fashioned skis. :oops: Surely I can't be the only person on this forum who feels most comfortable in "straight" skis rather than trendy carvers? As well as trying to carve on them I am fond of the fast stuff too and my Volkl P11s seem just right for the job. My husband has a pair of racing style skis and won't swap them for anything but he wouldn't know a carve if it cut him up and prefers fast downhill stuff.
Is anyone on here willing to admit that they still use straight skis or am I on my own here? And, is there anyone who has resisted buying/hiring carvers because they prefer a straight ski? |
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I am probably going to embarrass myself here. I am the proud owner of a pair of Volkl skis, the model type escapes me here as they are still in the loft at the moment and will come out at Christmas (though P11 seems to ring a bell). I have had these skis for about 8 years and never thought about updating them, partly because I am very fond of them and partly because we've had to take some years out due to having children. The main thing is, they are NOT carving skis because when I bought them, carving skis seemed to be a relatively new concept and were very expensive. My skis have a row of cuts in the metal on one side to allow more flex and this makes them very twitchy if I wear the skis with the cuts on the inside edges (great fun however). After a few years of making crap turns and skidding, I have finally started to master the art of "carving" my turns with these skis by edging the upper ski, and it feels good!
My question is, is it possible to perfect my carving skills with this type of ski, or am I going to get to the stage where my skills are limited by my ski type? I don't think I am ready to invest in a pair of carvers just yet and am a little worried that if I do I will have to learn to ski all over again! Does anyone have any comments on this? Sorry for the long post ... :oops: |
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Your insurance company is generous ... some don't offer more than £20 a day! Poor compensation considering the expense everyone's gone to to get there in the first place. Let's hope it won't be a problem! When/where are you going? |
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I agree, and I've this to add: I've just had a look at our ski brochure, and for half term week (February) for the same accommodation we have booked, you can add £90 on the basic box price on to what it cost at Christmas. More expensive accommodation is even more horrific. That's why many people with kids go skiing at Christmas because even though it's expensive, it's still cheaper than half term. |
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We're off to Alpe d'Huez too, the earliest in the season we've ever been skiing and are eagerly awaiting a good snow dump! Been checking daily too and it looks OK at the moment but I'm worried about the rising temperatures on the way. I think we might have to do the unforgiveable and take our son out of school for a week in the future so we can go in early February. (Hope no teachers are reading this). Keep the faith, I'm sure it will be all right! |
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I quite see where you're coming from on this, however in most cases circumstances dictate when people can or cannot go skiing to Europe. Usually we go skiing in January, however, now our eldest is school age we are very restricted as to when we can go. Half term prices are horrendous, even more expensive than Christmas, and probably more crowded too, so if we want to go skiing we have to go during Christmas. Budget does not always allow for trips further afield like US or Canada (though we will definintely consider it next year). This year, hubby just wanted to be away for Christmas and from all the enforced gluttony and sitting in front of the telly nursing indigestion, and getting some exercise in a (hopefully) winter wonderland to us seemed more appealing. From past experience I've noticed that the teletext ski reports always seemed to say that the snow over Christmas was excellent and by the time we came to go in January, there would have been no new snow for weeks so it seemed like a good idea! What are other people's views on all this? |
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I know how you feel, we are going to France over Christmas and I've been worried about lack of snow. I think it's been snowing in Italy too so we all have to keep our fingers crossed that it stays and more falls. We were in Passo Tonale three years ago and loved it. It was in early January and there was absolutely loads and loads of snow which must have started quite early in the season. Some years are better than others!
What hotel are you staying at? Have you been to PT before? |
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Thanks Jo! Not been to Alpe d'Huez before but it looks pretty high so snow should be pretty likely. We had to choose somewhere that had good creche facilities for the little one and was family friendly so it limits our choice somewhat. We love Italy but creches, even the ones run by holiday companies, are few and far between. Our 7 year old loves skiing but not been for a couple of years so I hope he can still do it!
Is France expensive for food? We will be self catering and so are hoping to shop at supermarkets and cook rather than taking our extremely loud toddler out to restaurants (except on the odd occasion). |
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