J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by OldAndy

Reports from friends in Morzine this weekend are that the snow conditions are brilliant!

Iceman wrote:Some stuff in a bag has translated into - doing a full pack. I'm ready to go now. Got 6 days to look at it all now. Put on ski coat - it felt good :lol:

Plenty of time to unpack and check at least three times Icy :)
The Alpe D'Huez group are getting excited!
Bit like herding cats trying to bring it together......
Mind you I have a cunning plan to resign as organiser two days before we go - that should save all sorts of hassle!
:thumbup:

A bit of snow forecast today/tomorrow then clear skies for a week but remaining cold.
As off 11th jan.
Upper/Lower = 40/30cm
Piste good - no off-piste.
Runs to resort closed.
But don't be despondent as I think this is not accurate! Sauze (next door) is showing resort runs closed but "verbal" reports of great conditions.
Low temperatures should allow/have allowed loads of artificial on the resort runs and lower down recently.

I've sort of made a distinction in my head between off-piste and powder skiing.

As far as I can remember the last time I skied what I would class as "off-piste" was in 2012 in L2A with an instructor. This was well away from marked pistes, I had no idea where I was going, wouldn't have had a clue how to get out on my own and relied on the instructor for the route and for avoiding danger. A bit of walking was involved!

I have been lucky enough to ski on fresh powder several times since. On marked pistes before skied out or bashed, on marked pistes denoted as nature rides and from "here to there" between pistes or down the side of marked runs.

I'm not talking about any pedantic definition of off-piste for insurance purposes - that's a different question and my insurance covers all off-piste.

I suppose in my head it is about would I ski this alone or be happy for others to follow me or is this somewhere where I want a real expert with me? I am pretty cautious and do tend to go back to places I know well and am able to avoid known danger points - in Tignes for example. Or the Courchevel Valley, far more likely to hit a bit of technical off-piste here than over in Meribel as I know it better.

Anyway - thinking about whether what I am proposing to do is off-piste or powder works for me to keep me safe! (so far :) )

why do you insist I have to ski a day later than I am ???
Discriminatory.........

Hi Ceinwen :)
It depends on what your plans are.
If you are fairly active and enjoy walking around then what you need may be different if your plans are to enjoy the Spa, lazy lunches and generally watching the world go by.
A useful compromise would be to pack a pair of long johns or good thick tights and a pair of walking type trousers.
The weather can change really quickly in the mountains and being prepared is the key.
As you say - layering is the answer.
Hope you have a lovely holiday.

Had a lady guest who turned up with nothing for her feet but high heeled shoes!
Couldn't get from the coach to the minibus and then no chance of getting into the chalet through deep snow and up steps.
After having to be carried on the first night a friend went and bought a pair of moon boots for her the next day - she hadn't actually realised there would be snow around!

jbrayden wrote:Wow! That looks so good! I'm based in Le Lac. Any idea of the snow-making arrangements?Cheers!

If you look at the webcams around dusk you will often see the cannons going. You won't have a lack of piste skiing but off-piste is unlikely.
Enjoy - jealous :)