J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Gooseh

I was just wondering how good a skiier you have to be to undergo instructor training. Whilst I'd describe myself as an advanced skiier (being able to ski all pistes in almost all conditions, and skiing most off-piste in good conditions), I wouldn't say I was an expert skiier. I've been skiing for about 8 years, and am currently 19, but probably wouldn't be looking in to training until I was 22. Am I doomed having not been skiing since before I was walking? I think I'd like to either teach in Austria or Colorado.

Thanks for any advice!

1. Avoid daydreaming about skiing whilst in charge of heavy machinery

2. Avoid daydreaming about skiing whilst in charge of young children

3. Avoid daydreaming about skiing whilst sitting your degree exams (I failed at this one)

4. Avoid daydreaming about skiing whilst your girlfriend tells you the details of where/when you're meeting her.

5. Avoid daydreaming about skiing whilst trying to get across London to make a connecting train.

6. Avoid daydreaming about skiing whilst lifting weights to get fit for skiing.

7. Avoid daydreaming about skiing whilst your boss is talking to you.

8. Avoid daydreaming about skiing whilst your girlfriend tells you about her day

9. Avoid daydreaming about skiing whilst on the phone.

10. Dream about skiing. All the time. Day and night.

Agreed, Hirsty. I'm just the same.

Pavel, your writing is so impassioned! It's truly something special. Thank you!

Here are a few snaps from my exploration of the French alps...



A picture I took whilst on a rope tow in La Plagne, I think...



I think this was taken on the ski down from the Aguille Rouge in Les Arcs. At the bottom, there was a restaurant in which you could find a rabbit hopping about. I think he did rather well for food, given how popular he was with the patrons... And how fat he was!



An 'if only...' mountain, I think.



Off the back of the glacier in Val Thorens - very jealous of whoever made those tracks.

Afraid not - I'm not that much of a masochist!

Hello j2skiers,

I thought I would make a thread introducing myself, seeing as I've only just joined and this is my second post. I realise I'm probably here the wrong time of year, but after being lucky enough to spend 2 incredible weeks in the three valleys this easter, I've been obsessing over all things skiing.

So, about myself. I'm a 19 year old student of Maths at Edinburgh Uni, though my hometown is Cambridge. I'm interested in Music, both playing and listening, Karate, Badminton and Films - amongst other things. Obviously, I'm quite a keen skier and have been lucky enough to be skiing for one week a year (and on two occasions two weeks) for the past 8 years - the vast majority in the French alps, with one week each in Switzerland and Austria.

That's about all I can think to write... If you want to know anything else, feel free to ask!

First off, would just like to say Hi to everyone as I think this is my first post on the boards.

Back on topic - some nice choices their Hirsty. I find that Four Tet, Aphex Twin, and the electronica in general is particularly good for the technical sections.

I've not been able to listen to any tunes whilst skiing this season just gone thanks to having my mp3 player stolen :(

Still, if I did, I'd probably be listening to:

(1) Monkey Swallows The Universe - Sheffield Shanty
An amazing song from a little band from Sheffield who have sadly now gone on "indefinite hiatus"
(2) Final Fantasy - That's When The Audience Died
String instruments in indie music goodness
(3) Beirut - Cherbourg
Because it's an awesome song, and almost 'dear(or expensive..) mountain' in french
(4) Rordigo y Gabriela - Diablo Rojo
This pair are simply godlike on the acoustic guitar, and have so much energy in their playing.
(5) The Shins - Kissing The Lipless
Simply Beautiful
(6) Vampire Weekend - Walcott
One for those long cruisers on a sunny day
(7) Sufjan Stevens - The Black Hawk War
To be played when three steps from the top of a hike, when beautiful views of powder fields are ahead.
(8) M83 - Run Into Flowers
Another song almost as euphoric as the feeling you get whilst skiing
(9) Beethoven - Piano Sonata no. 21 'Waldstein'
The beginning is inspiration in a jar (or, it would be, if it were in a jar)
(10) Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name
Because sometimes I need to get rid of some anger, and get lots of adrenaline.

No real order to them...