J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by verbier_ski_bum

Tony_H wrote:

Discodee wrote:Have done some more searching
http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/skiresorts/countrymountain.aspx/Italy#OffPistePolicy

"Off piste policy in Italy"
Although it is actually illegal to ski off-piste in Italy, we found that the guides actively encouraged it and the heli-ski companies seem to have immunity. Although we would never encourage anyone to engage in illegal activities, it seems to be a law that is seldom enforced. It goes without saying that any off-piste activity requires transceiver, probe and shovel, as well as the ability to use this equipment.

So Tony H is spot on!

I thank you. I remember seeing that somewhere last season, and heard of certain places where people have been thrown off the mountain and had lift passes taken away, but not sure about actually facing charges.
I only want people to be careful and not get into trouble.
Personally I often bob off piste, but not usually too far. Itinerary routes which are marked and patrolled seem to be the best option, if there are any.

Itineraries are not patrolled. They are only marked. When the avalanche danger is high resorts stop lift service.

Discodee wrote:Have done some more searching
http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/skiresorts/countrymountain.aspx/Italy#OffPistePolicy

"Off piste policy in Italy"
Although it is actually illegal to ski off-piste in Italy, we found that the guides actively encouraged it and the heli-ski companies seem to have immunity. Although we would never encourage anyone to engage in illegal activities, it seems to be a law that is seldom enforced. It goes without saying that any off-piste activity requires transceiver, probe and shovel, as well as the ability to use this equipment.

So Tony H is spot on!

My friend just came back from Courmayeur where they hired a guide to ski the Italian variation of Vallee Blanche. If off-piste is illegal in Italy why wouldn't they just stop people boarding the tram to the monte bianco with skis? And Courmayeur itself offers a free-ride itinerary for which you don't even need a guide, it's shown on a map. Strange law if it's not even enforced. I heard that it's illegal to ski off-piste in Italy when the avalanche danger is beyond certain mark but I doubt there is a blanket ban.

If they were taken by mistake there should be a pair of skis left at the place where they were taken. If they are rentals it's possible to find the owner.

I alsways thought that if a ski has at least a rocker in the tip, it's 'rockered' as opposed to 'banana' skis that are "fully rockered". I also understood that early rise, low rise are just variations of the design, as different companies patent it under different names by making slight alterations to the profile. I noticed how many manufacturers now add rocker to their skis including to their front side skis so there is definitely a trend and it can only be explained that it indeed makes skiing easier in general (just as they made powder more accessible to more skiers) easier to ski = more people start to ski = more skis sold or similar logic. It can well be that in a decade full-cambered skis will follow straight skis and will be only taken out on a "retro" days that resorts sometimes have (just like straight skis now).

If a collision on piste is such that it can give you a life-threatening injury helmets will hardly change anything, so in this respect there is a danger that helmets will give people a false sence of security where they shouldn't have it. nothing can replace the awareness about skiers'immediate environment.

Ski harder!;) I was in Verbier this past weekend and had some of the best skiing. it's so empty it's amazing. I hope this weather continues for couple more weekends, or maybe for entire half-term. I had 5 layers which included shell, not even an insulated jacket, and I wasn't cold. I even had to take the layer off for a 30 min hike. Protect the face and you will be fine.

Well, I doubt helmet can save your life in a really bad fall - a woman fell on mogul field in Avoriaz last season and she died despite not even hitting her head, just internal bleeding from bouncing off from hard moguls. people die after hitting trees and helmets also offer no protection there. Or fall from cliffs. But still there light falls that can potentially give you a concussion and this is where helmets offer you protection.

I ski in Switzerland mostly so (touch wood)it almost never happens here but I know it's fairly common in France. Last time we went to Chamonix my friend had her board stolen. Using lock should help, also separating skis if you ski in the group. And remember where you leave your skis.