J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by SwingBeep

I thought adults were taught to snow plough because it is what children automatically do. It occurred to me that maybe they didn't take allometry (the change in size-related proportions due to growth. It is a widely observed phenomenon in animals. A large animal and a small animal have different proportions) in to account when coming to this conclusion. This could be the reason why adults especially larger ones struggle with it.

The Czechs have developed a method of teaching children to ski without snow ploughing



They have also developed a range of teaching skis http://www.big-ski.com/
I don't think there's anything revolutionary about the method, it looks like an updated version of the graduated length method which dates back to the 1950s.

Glad you got out ok, a couple of places here (Saas Fee and the Lötschental) are cut off. Les Houches will probably be the only area open this weekend http://www.ski-leshouches.com/actualites.html The avalanche risk is very high at the moment http://france.meteofrance.com/france/montagne?MONTAGNE_PORTLET.path=montagnebulletinneige/DEPT74#mont-blanc so be very careful!

The first two weeks in March.

We are expecting a lot of severe weather tomorrow http://www.meteoalarm.eu/index.php?lang=en_UK&AT=0&day=1 the forecast here is for hurricane force winds in the mountains and up to a metre of snow. When the storm has passed the pisteurs will do their best to open the ski areas as quickly as possible. It might be best to head for Les Houches rather than the Grand Montets.

The problem with driving to the Alps in winter on summer tyres is not that you won't get there and back, but what may happen if you are involved in an accident.

In countries such as Austria where it is mandatory for vehicles to be suitably equipped for winter conditions a reverse burden of proof applies, i.e. anyone who has an accident whilst driving on summer tyres must prove that the accident would still have happened if winter tyres or chains had been fitted. Otherwise the driver is in any event deemed to be partially at fault. http://www.bmvit.gv.at/en/verkehr/roads/safety/tyres.html

Although there is no law regarding the use of winter tyres in Switzerland, if the temperature is below 7*C and you are involved in an accident you will also be deemed to be partially at fault and if you impede the flow of traffic you can be fined.

If the blue snow chain sign is displayed you must mount proper snow chains (snow socks are only permitted in France).

Don't be tempted to fit all weather tires. They are considered to be a safety hazard here, as they perform worse than winter tyres in winter and summer tyres in summer. They also work out more expensive than two sets of proper tyres.

The main purpose of the base layer is to transfer moisture away from the skin to the next layers, so it should be close fitting and made of something that wicks moisture; such as polypropylene, polyester or merino wool, it doesn't need to be very thick. To keep warm wear as many insulating layers as necessary, its best if these aren't too thick and not too tight. It doesn't really matter what these are made of as long as it isn't cotton.

Don't take too much notice of those long range forecasts; there only predictions based on computer models, Swiss Meteo can only forecast Saturday's weather with 60% certainty. In any case when it's that cold up there it's often windy as well, so they have to shut the Kleine Matterhorn cable car and the link to Cervinia.

I've only been to Hirmentaz in the summer so I can't tell you anything about the skiing. The reason you can't find any transfers apart from very expensive taxi transfers is because it's a small resort with only 15 lifts and 50km pistes which mainly attracts French families. The only inexpensive way to get there would be by public transport: there are buses from Geneva (Gare Routière) to Thonon-les-Bains and from there to Bellevaux. You could also ask one of the transfer companies that take people to the resorts in the Portes du Soleil to drop you off in Thonon, which would save you having to get from the airport to the bus station.

I always take a set of jump leads.