J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Innsbrucker

An example of ungraded being harder than black:

I read Hari Kari is steepest in Austria. It has the advantage of a run-off. There is a steeper run in Austria, marked and with lift, but does not 'count' because not pisted. And NOT black, the line on the map is red. I never fancied skiing it (yet) because there is nowhere to go if you fall except down: http://ski.inmontanis.info/v/Austria/Tirol/Nordpark-2004w05/02280080_G.jpg.html

I agree it seem haphazard.

Generally though I am not keen on blacks. Too much like hard work (and some of the ungraded runs are worse). But at Mayerhofen last year there were a lot of Brits and Dutch around, and I guess they had some kind of mental blockage about black runs. As a result they were strugling on over-skied, over-boarded reds, full of carnage, with people falling off snowboards and skis every ten seconds. The black runs (including a super-steep one called hari kari or something) were noticeably easier, because almost empty, and in far better condition.

Having said that, the black would not have been easier if icy. It seems really hard to make general rules. From my point of view the only real difference is that if you fall on a black, there is a risk you will not be able stop sliding, whereas on a blue that is unlikely. For this reason blue runs seem safer, and I prefer them.

I have no idea about teaching ploughing or no. You have to learn this at some point but I probably suffered from learning at the begining.

For example as Meercat suggests, you have to plough down a narrow path (unless it is very narrow and slippy, where there is a funny alternate foot technique which I struggle with...). If I am going slowly down a path I keep looking behind, plow when someone is coming fast, and use as much of the wdith as seems safe otherwise. Obvious really (after being hit from behind once :P). And if there is somone in front who is not very confident, you stay behind them. Obvious? So you need to plough for sure.

I like Rosshütte at Seefeld. There are plenty chair lifts but a nice little train linking the bottom to the main mountain station, you can ski with that all day and not bother with the other lifts, I often do. The only better option is to get touring skis and walk up the side of the piste. If you think it sounds horrible you probably never tried it, I find it great. And it saves on lift passes!

What are 'premium' skis? For me, skis designed for advanced skiers can be dangerous becuase they are harder. I have a pair of skis designed for speed and they tend not to work well at the lower speeds I prefer. Quite scary on any hint of ice. But if you are very aggressive they work better. So best have a good look at the skis before going out on them to check the shop do not equate 'premium' with 'race' or 'aggressive' as sometimes they tend to think that way.

Sure you can ski to the valley station, always, at Rosshütte, or the smaller piste on the same pass behind the village, Gescwhandkopf. You can never ski right into the village center but it is a shortish walk or shuttle bus. Plenty nice bars, one or two with folk music, I cannot honestly remember their names. And a the state-run baths and spa is pretty swish, with a great warm outdoors pool.

Just now the snow is out of this world. And the best ever time to head off into the woods, for example if you come out of Hochegg hut there is a little path heading down to the right, at the bottom turn right, and you have amazing fresh powder among the trees, just go slow as it is a bit near the cable car and anyway you want to stay safe. I walked up yesterday on touring skis that way, and had a gentle pootle down through the woods after a glühwein at the hut (with some hilarious falls, not being an expert at skiing in the woods!). Great fun and afterwards you find your on-piste skiing has improved. But also on piste the snow is the best ever, and the scenery (always a strong point at Seefeld) is a real winter wonderland.

There are closed roads and railway further out from Innsbruck but you should get to Seefeld without problems.

I like that Killy video. In the vid he is skiing in soft snow between trees. Even those who find this style 'rubbish', might get their skis close together when skiing in the woods? Especially when the only alternative is left ski one side of a tree, and right ski the other side...

I appreciate the expertise of those such as Pavelski, and it has to be worth listening to.

OTH at the end of the day, you jump on skis, and get on with it. I look around the piste, you can spot the good skiiers. Where I ski you find slick skiers who are over 45 and who started skiing on primitive wooden skis (off piste if they did not live near a piste) when they were toddlers. It did not stop them developing good habits.

More modern skis are better:- However this would have made a much bigger difference to me in my first couple of years. Now it does not greatly bother me what skis I use. Whether you spend on new boots, new skis, or a few extra cups of mulled wine, I guess it all contributes to a good holiday!

Having said that, if you aim to be fastest man on the moutain, or if you are the kind of person who thinks it is cool to carve between the beginners (found on every blue and red piste in major resorts) with the style and speed of a racer, you are way out of my league and you will be less tolerant than I am of old skis.

The bigger issue with my old skis is not that they are dated but that they are very hard, for wannabe racers, so do not grip well at the lower speeds I prefer. Don't insist on race equipment unless that is what you are.

Summary: not a big deal in my experience, but no harm in renting a newer pair for the day to try out.