J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Am back to running now 5 months after surgery. Only 0.5 miles but is a start, biking / rowing / skipping no issue. What am shocked about is the reduction is muscle strength. Doing a lot of 1 legs squats throughout day but ultimate strength totally disappeared! Started again lifting 35% on Squat and 40% on Dead Lift, when compared to pre-surgery. Long way still to go and winter is coming fast. Minimum 3.5months to drag body out this hole.

For sure in part conditioning was a contributing factor to injury. No time to lose would be my suggestion for those skiing in Dec-Jan.

Geneva-Chamonix is 88km and has advantage of not needing to wait at airport because of choice of transfer companies and being minimum of dual carriageway all way into resort, hence is consistently 1hr.

Les Carroz 70KM, Les Cointamines/St Gervais (January last year skiing was epic in these resorts, fantastic offpiste), Megeve (afraid I cannot recommend this resort but some seem to like) also options and have fantastic skiing when snow is good. However you remove 1300m of vertical and will not get into resort any faster.

My conclusion, many options, only one Chamonix. Consistently voted as one of best Alpine towns in world, dramatic scenery, skiing for everyone and snow sure.

Fritschi's is what I am using. Normally set Din 1.0 higher than for a conventional binding and never had any issues. Normally 9 for same weight as you i.e. 85kg with touring gear, water and ski boots. DIN 12 is pretty beefy, unless you are really doing "no fall zones" in which case, think conventional binding is better anyway.

Salomon no idea, is their first effort so likely the next model (2014) will be the one to go for, as bound to be few lessons learnt. See the recall on their first dynafit compatible boot.

Bit early to be worrying about snow levels in Europe. Although there was a warm dry spell in summer most of Europe's glaciers are looking in good condition and already freezing level is stable around 3200m. Everything is looking positive for another good season, with heavy snowfall in some areas.

At least another 8 weeks before have to pay any real attention to webcams.

I always fancied Park City or Steamboat in US.

As VSB says no brainer. 1hr-1.5hr to Geneva and 1hr transfer with one of the many reliable and cheap companies available. Afternoon skiing easily done. Early transfer and flight back and can still beat your co workers into office.

Few other choices but nowhere will be more convenient with same level of ski terrain available.


Hope to see you there.

Seems a bit pointless to me. Does a country advertize to tourists that it has biggest motorway network in world? Bit like comparing M25 to Hahntennjoch or Furka pass.

Still a lot of people seems to believe a resort with <100KM of piste is not enough for a weeks skiing. I would suggest might be missing 1/2 the point of skiing and exploring what is beyond those invisible lines.

I blame people with apps looking at how far and how fast they skied in a day. Would progress be putting a lift instead of doing the Haute Route?

Well, I always wear following and works from ski touring, ice climbing and skiing:-

1 x thermals (tucked in or one piece). Arms should have thumb hole as this is why most people suffer from cold hands.

1 x Polo Neck/thermal layer

1 x down jacket (100g insulation. Belay jacket that can be put easily into rucksack).

1 x waterproof jacket.

That is good for wide range of conditions and easy to put into rucksack if gets warm.

For gloves 1 x mittens (come to mid forearm) and 1 x gloves (come to mid forearm).

And one of those neck warmer things that can pull over face if in deep powder or blizzard.

Guess is really cold day could add a 3rd bottom layer but cannot imagine would ever be required unless super windy or prolonged period of no action.


What you stated should be fine but I would be dubious about how windproof it is, you might want to add normal ski jacket above.

Did that video confirm it, best skiing in the world.

Little surprised guy did not appear to be roped up going down the midi ridge. Maybe I missed it and internet too slow to play again. Snow looked great confirming winter chill is there between 3000 and 3800m.