J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by ise

getjim wrote:This has just opened in Grindelwald. The First Flyer originated in the USA where it is known as a Zip Rider.

The First Flyer gives four people the chance to simultaneously yet independently, glide through the air on a length of cable about 800 metres long, at speeds of up to 84km/h.

In effect the construction is four parallel Tyroliennes, which link the starting and finishing platforms without supporting masts. Guests sit in a special harness which is very similar to that used for paragliding. The harness is attached to a safe roller mechanism.

I'll be giving that a go in January!! :P :shock:



http://www.ziprider.com/video-gallery/snowbird/index.html

heaps of fun for sure :D

but I would point out that it's odd that they originate in the US and yet the construction is made up of "Tyroliennes" :D I think they've had some some Hollywood copy writers there :D The difference is those sit harnesses which unless I'm entirely wrong originate in the working at height access industry and are also used to enable disabled to have a go at things like zip lines and abseiling.

anyway, loads of fun, is it open in the winter though?

Neiltoo wrote:

ise wrote:

...... after a lot of soul searching, that I'm going to be too busy next year to prepare and I'm not going to win a gold in mens downhill at the next Olympics? )

I'm sorry to hear that Ise, do you think the bookies will give me my money back ) :D

my fans, Sid and Doris Bonkers, are gutted and Ginsters Pies have pulled their sponsorship deal so that's 25p I'll not be seeing )

Tony_H wrote:I think its a case of choosing not to do something that a lot of others do. No particular connection between the 2.

ah, I see, that's illuminating. So, is it like my decision, after a lot of soul searching, that I'm going to be too busy next year to prepare and I'm not going to win a gold in mens downhill at the next Olympics? )

stevesmoothie wrote:I found loads of goggles in TK Max which just fitted over my normal specs thus elimitating the need for prescription ones.

me too :D works fine for me, I've had Bolle glasses with optical inserts and they were good OK but expensive. Nowadays I mostly wear goggles and just have glasses underneath. Otherwise I have prescription lenses in sunglasses which work out pretty cheap over here.

Trencher wrote:Didn't say I can't do moguls, just that I don't. I don't spend boring hours on the step master at the gym either :wink:

Trencher

I can't see the connection with a stair master I'm afraid.

Gooseh wrote:
Do you see a use for poles when skiing moguls, or powder?

Any terrain other than the completely flat is going to need poles. I can ski backwards, on one ski taking photographs on easy terrain but it doesn't make it a good idea or a realistic technique if you want to ski the whole mountain. That said some of the local boys can ski some impressive stuff backwards :D

Moguls and powder are fun if you can do them and for that you need a fully developed all round technique, trying to ski without poles is going mean moguls never will be fun and you'd never be able to ski powder.

TonyH wrote:I went straight back up to the top and did it again, as there was a huge sense of achievement in it.

That seems to reflect what I'd expect to be a normal approach, that desire to be challenged by the terrain and ski the whole mountain. The "All Mountain Skier" book is much recommended here, the emphasis being on All Mountain.

Tony_H wrote:
With the greatest respect, are these people total idiots?
Anyone thinking of skiing anywhere, let alone somewhere like Chamonix, without taking a full weeks worth of lessons must have something missing upstairs.

I don't know, have you seen some of the people that ski? It can't be that hard :D

Joking aside you're quite right of course. More to the point, it's his holiday as well, it's a bit selfish to impose like that, he's going to want to ski himself not be confined to a few easy slopes and waiting all the time.

In the same situation I'd not teach them but actually posing the question to instructors is a bit difficult, I can't teach someone in France simply because I'm not allowed to without a barrow load of paperwork.

The right answer's got to be you can't teach them and it probably wants spelling out up front to avoid misunderstandings. At the same time you can make it clear what you can do, help getting lift passes, getting hire kit, meeting for lunch, skiing for a few hours on some easy slopes and so on. Just getting around the mountain is awkward for novices, they're worried they'll get on a lift and not be able to ski down for example, so that's something you can help with for a few hours.

I'd get this sorted PDQ as well, without booking you might struggle to get lessons set up and then you're stitched up. At the same why not book yourself a private lesson? Makes the point nicely that a) you need to do your own thing and b) you're not an instructor.

bandit wrote:Parts of Valais are at 5, which is pretty rare.

that triggers civil defence so be careful, the Swiss army are probably allowed to shoot first and ask questions later :D