J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by LOTA

The bobble or wool hat perhaps reached its style zenith when modelled by one Mr Benny Hawkins of the Crossroads motel.

The seasonal workers in Engelberg were sporting a hideous woolly hat off the slopes last season; it was akin to something Noddy or Big Ears would have worn.

Truly, truly, appallingly nerdy!

I was a helmet cynic for many years; now I am a helmet convert. I prefer technique to speed as I get older but enjoy the steep and wild from time to time.

Definitely see more people wearing crash hats than not in Swisserland these days - and I just think it's sensibly minimising another risk to life and limb (or my swede!)

You may be a sensible, controlled and sensible skier, but the mountains are a hazardous environment where you cannot legislate for the unexpected or the skills, attitudes and aversion to risk of your fellow slope users.

And, anyway, nothing much looks nerdier than a wooly hat or a baseball cap!

The best pair of ski trousers (not salopettes as they didn't have the Farmer Giles bib) I ever had were made by SOS. Lasted really well, superbly made, sad when I outgrew them!

Now I have a pair of trousers from Columbia for very. very cold weather and a lighter pair made by Rossignol. Both are excellent, neither cost me more than £75 within the last 18 months or so.

My brother has a sensational deal in Serre Che in January. Club Med, all-in (flights, accommodation, half-board, ALL DRINKS, lift pass, instruction and kit hire for those who need it) - £760!

Don't think there's too much availability left at that price, though!

Not neccesarily pants, old boy.

Some of the fiercest blizzards I've been in have been in April. That's the beauty of alpine weather - you never know for certain!

The RAILWAY station is in Zurich Airport (well, underneath it, anyway). Direct train to Lucerne, then change onto the local service for Engelberg railway station in the heart of the village.

Engelberg is spot-on for a short break (except in poor visibility when the lack of trees make it a nightmare). For cheap flights use Swiss (free ski carriage) and it's an easy transfer by rail from the airport via Lucerne. Although the village is relatively low at 1,000 metres asl, the skiing goes up a long, long way so April is generally ok. The glacier ski area is small and not much to write home about but the easily accessed off-piste is sensational!

I had the lowdown on Serre Chevalier from the ClubMed girls!

Also had a fun chat with the Freshtracks girl at the Ski Club stand - and told her off for saying Engelberg train station instead of Engelberg railway station.

Didn't buy anything - don't need anything - apart, perhaps, from a new daysack, but that can wait!

Some good ideas for hols, though, Serre Chevalier, Formigal, Grindelwald or maybe Canada!

Good to meet Signor Admino and Bandido; I think a picture of the J2 stand helpers should be added to this thread forthwith!