J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ranchero_1979

Skis are in Chamonix. I will not be heading back there for about 6 weeks but then can look into how to send them. Likely I will pass through UK in July if they need moving back there instead of France.

2013 Salomon Rocker 2 108. They are looking pretty tempting, but add in new skins and breaks for bindings and does not become cheap upgrade.

Am thinking, stretch touring skis for another year and invest in some real piste skis this year. Something around 65mm underfoot to help in separation.

Incidentally if someone is after a pair of Dynastar 4 x 4 contact 167 then I can donate. Few years old and super heavy but great all round ski and in decent nick.

Agree with VSB and OldAndy. Am sure both of you have also skied off-piste with say level 3 warning and thought was a reasonable risk incidents still happen. This is actually what draws people off piste, sense of freedom, responsibility, decision making and real risk even with guide that something could happen. I think is a bit naive to think that incidents can't happen, there is intrinsic danger in high mountains of avalanche from above, Serac fall.

Personally I have no ABS (I don't expect to be caught in avalanche) but still consider it my responsibility off skiing off-piste/glacier to have correct equipment. 30m rope, harness, prusiks, screws, probe, shovel, transceiver. Why because people make mistakes and I would wish to be able to assist. When you are looking at minutes in burial situation 1st person on scene has to be rescuer. Unlike crevasse etc anyway best option is nearly always to call in assistance. Avalanche is completely different, would your thinking be not to accept assistance if someone arrived where a friend or family member was buried because it was "your own mistake"? Would you be great full had they been trained and had modern equipment? I assume nobody would keep probing around alone and wave people past as "they knew risks".

My view is people always wish to push limits and sometimes this will mean incidents happen. Those people in vicinity enjoying same risks should be willing and prepared to assist. If those people who sometimes cut above you etc were encouraged to do a course and dig out a rucksack at 2m there appreciation for risk would change. I will still go for the fresh powder once it has settled and start on reasonable gradient slopes and stay off wind loaded slopes. Does that mean I have never seen a sluff where I thought was reasonable to ski on. No because whenever you're are on a slope, you are taking educated decision it is safe. If nobody ever took that, there would always be fresh tracks given no slope is 100% safe.

Congratulations:- You are only 1 big dump away from wishing you have more technology underfoot 100mm +.

Read some reviews though and seems they seem like great choice. Guy on youtube certainly wasn't struggling :-). Good you tried them before, what people enjoy seems to be so dependent on weight, power and ability. This is mostly overlooked and people go for correct length ski and somehow it doesn't work for them.

As you do was considering what bugged me most this year whilst skiing.

Analogue only transceiver came to top of list. Some people seem genuinely proud to have an outdated piece of equipment, that worked in hand of an expert I.e. mountain guide, when nothing better was available. I even saw one with no visible indication of noise level i.e only works when wind is low enough to allow you to hear subtle change in noise.

Reality is most skiers do a quick check and maybe 15min training once per year, looking for single victim. Whilst this is wholly inadequate at least with modern digital/analogue transceiver you have a chance. Anyone who has simulated a search for 2+ victims on a slope will realize that any help is much appreciated. If you were ever to miss someone reality is on slope with debris even a 10m climb back up takes too much time. Once skiis are off everything becomes huge effort.

Fortunately am sure insurance companies will fix this one eventually and "appropriate equipment", "appropriate knowledge", will be replaced by some clearer definitions and required training.

I think first turn is key to powder skiing. Count to 2 so have enough speed for skis to work and don't press too hard on first one. After that I guess eveyone is same, just want snow deep enough to keep shot blasting you. Nothing better than being in bar and knowing your "tan" lines are from powder blast as opposed to too long lunch breaks.

Managed to download now, had to smile at "athletes seldom incline more than 70 deg during race".
Have to say some of terms seemed pretty confusing. Either my understand was incorrect or they have changed from what I have been taught. Is "Lateral projection", the extension of the weighted ski during carving?
Pumping I didn't fully understand, although seems to relate to bringing skis back underneath body, which related closely to above?

Many people on the blog seemed to have given up all hope of skiing come mid March. 2 months later and people are still getting fresh tracks in the Alps :-).

Skiing Mt Blanc seems to be off for moment with weather but brother is getting in great ski touring in Italy and reporting ankle deep light powder.

Cancel the summer holiday and get a touring setup. People are having to work hard for the skiing but certainly from the sun burn and tall stories they seemed to be enjoying.

http://www.northernmountainsport.co.uk/index.php/eng/Blog/Spring-Ski-Touring-Rifugio-Benevolo