J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Ian Wickham

Wanderer wrote:A number of the responses to this thread (and others) have highlighted the need not to be fobbed off with rubbish skis by ski hire shops. While I agree completely with the sentiment, I struggle with putting this into practice. While the following questions in relation to ski hire will certainly sound very foolish to the more expert out there, perhaps somebody can provide some guidance on:

- How do you know that the skis are rubbish or unsuited to your ability just by looking at them?

- What checks can you make when you are presented with a pair?

- As a once a year intermediate skier with decidely imperfect tecnique, how do you distinguish between problems you are having on the mountain because of crap or unsuitable skis rather than because of poor technique?

A general inspection of the base and edge's of the ski will confirm to you if the ski has been looked after/Serviced, when I first started skiing with the TO's and using the pay before you go policy for ski equipment, I used to join the queue in the shop, the turn around used to be very quick, relying on the shop's judgement or lack of it.
Since those days and hind sight being such a wonderful thing I now take my daughter into the ski shop to get the personal service she deserves the fitting possibly can take up to an hour, where before I was in and out in twenty minutes are most of that time was queuing. Your are paying for a product demand the best.
As for the right ski for you that is where the ski shop should earn there corn , if your not happy take it back.

Dave Mac wrote:Niederau closes on 29th March. The Schatzberg at Auffach is open until 13th March, but the Niederau Hotels will be closed, and you would have to stay at Oberau, Muhltal or Auffach. This is really too late for the Tirol, and the chances are you would be skiing slush, at best.

Would go with Tony on this, go high.

My thinking is that there will be some good prices to be had for Easter, but will be subject to timing. Clearly, much of Europe is going to feel the effects of recession to a greater or lesser degree. So as it gets closer to the time, there may be some reducing in pricing. That will be recognised all over Europe, and is likely be soaked up, not least by teachers, and constrained parents. Hence, would not leave it too late.

It may pay to sign up to all the email alerts, having first short listed your resorts. If the UK TOs have a bad season, they may extend out the offer dates.

It's only second guessing, but the UK TOs do have bed and flight contracts to fulfil.

I agree Dave but that would mean the tour operators would have to have some common sense like reducing prices early to fill capacity.

It's a very busy time of year for me, so my visits to the forum might just be a little less frequent, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry christmas and a prosperous new year and most of all great skiing. X

Iceman wrote:New Generation for Me

Always found ESF have 'language difficulties'. I always seem to get one that speak pigeon english - very frustrating! :evil:

So do I :D

Contact the local tourist board and you should be able to book your lift passes through them, check out the link :D

http://www.cetursa.es/

Forget what I said previously there is 33 cm of snow to fall between the 19th and Christmas eve, so all is not lost for you over xmas :mrgreen:

There is about 30cm of snow to come up to christmas eve, so good news :D

45% of resort open :-)

Merry Christmas to you all Started by User in Ski Chatter, 71 Replies
It's a very busy time of year for me, so my visits to the forum might just be a little less frequent, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry christmas and a prosperous new year and most of all great skiing. X

New Generation or ESF?? Started by User in France, 5 Replies
Iceman wrote:New Generation for Me Always found ESF have 'language difficulties'. I always seem to get one that speak pigeon english - very frustrating! :evil: So do I :D

Ski pass and Parking Sierra Nevada spain Started by User in Ski Chatter, 1 Reply
Contact the local tourist board and you should be able to book your lift passes through them, check out the link :D http://www.cetursa.es/

borovets Started by User in Bulgaria, 13 Replies
Forget what I said previously there is 33 cm of snow to fall between the 19th and Christmas eve, so all is not lost for you over xmas :mrgreen:

Bansko Started by User in Bulgaria, 57 Replies
There is about 30cm of snow to come up to christmas eve, so good news :D

Messages posted by : Ian Wickham