J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by felthorpe

Try it, it's only kinky the first time!

Normally, if not having lessons, day one is careful (although I have been known to get too cocky and fall badly on day one, putting myself in jeopary for the rest of the week!)

On the first run, usually an easy blue, I feel like I have forgotten everything and it is a relief to get down it. It takes a while to get my skiing head on too.

52 to ADH

80 to Folgarida

I will say what I say to all new skiers, go and try it out on a dry slope or indoor slope before you go on holiday. This will, as a minumum, teach you how to put the boots and skis on properly and you will learn something about fit and comfort (or lack of it). It's a bit of a challenge first time.

I started on our local dry slope and had a few adult beginners lessons, and it was invaluable. It gave me a bit of confidence knowing that I had some idea of how to stop (or at least I learned the theory) and that when I arrived in my first resort I knew I could at least dress myself on day one!

Also don't be put off by not being able to do it straight off, you have to persist. And it is easier on proper snow, so if you can do it a bit on the dry or artificial slope, you will find you slide better on real snow.

I am still pretty awful at it, but I have a great time trying and you meet some lovely people, like all the J2Skiers on here :-)

Or another alternative is to drive.

There will be at leat 3 cars going this year (one lucky lucky chap will already be skiing and just has to switch resorts). The other two cars will be travelling in convoy the day before, stopping overnight and no doubt sampling the local hospitality before arriving in resort midday.

The return journey will be similar with a stop off to load up with sausage in the Alsace region. Might as well make the most of the boot space and bring home some goodies. :wink:

There is nothing wrong with my new Spyder onesie, especially as it was half price in the sales :mrgreen:

I really liked Val Thoren, we drove there and didn't find the inevitable twisty mountain road to be any worse than all the others, in fact it was a lot more modern and wider than many older more established resorts (obvious I suppose).
There is underground parking available all over, so the car stayed warm and dry and we were able to go out during the week to other places, which made a change.
The altitude took a bit of getting used to, we have all been that high but to stay there all the time is a bit weird at first (or maybe it is me that is weird?)
We did self catering and found the range of food available to be wider than other places e.g. Michelin star restaurant one night and a take away kebab the next, enjoyed both.
The village is a bit ugly, but what's new?
The hike up the hill to the top of the resort is a killer but that is hardly surprising at this altitude (this is the highest resort I believe).
The view out from Val across the bowl is amazing and the sun stayed until late in the day. We didn't have any weather issues but I can imagine when it is bad, it is really bad. Again, that can happen in lower resorts too. It is definitely snow sure and that is a big plus for me.
Lots to ski for all levels and plenty of moving carpets to take the strain out of getting back to resort.
Neighbouring resorts easy to reach and with different terrain (trees). No trees in Val.
Some runs not pisted every day, resulting in moguls and these didn't seem to be identified on the map, so it is easy to find yourself on one unplanned! Not my finest hour!
Some of the runs were so long, we had to stop for a breather several times but they were brilliant fun, more time on the snow and less on the lift :-)
If you like big wide pistes this place is for you.
I would deffo go back.

I just bought a lovely Salomon jacket in the Norwich store but I haven't looked in Yarmouth recently. I work in that neck of the woods though, so when I get a moment I will pop in and let you know.