J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by verbier_ski_bum

The snow is in Austria, apparently.

Hi all,

This January has been the worst I've experinced in terms of snow so had plenty time to master skiing on ice. For those of you wishing you were here - don't. The last decenet snowfall was on Christmas day, December 28 - a dusting of new snow and a really warm day on the 29th followed by a big freeze. That's about it. One really warm week, and snow showers every week which probably brough about 1 cm of snow in total:( and this is expected to continue into the nearest future. So good opportunity to refine ice skiing skills:)
I keep edges sharp - service is becoming expensive. But the key is the proper balance, weight on front of the skis, no leaning uphill, hands forward particularly the uphill. Trying to be light on my feet with even pressure on edges, no increased edging when hitting the ice, but rather going with the slide and into the turn, because the skis will turn if the balance is right whereas putting more pressure on edges when on ice may result in skidding and skis shooting from under you. A bit counter-intuitive but it works. I read someone comparing skiing ice with dancing waltz and think it's a fairly good comparison.
I don't like skiing on ice but there's simply no other choice unless you hike. and by hike I mean fairly far, everything nearby is really chopped, with very little powder to be found but lot of frozen crud. So between the two I choose ice, although it's getting boring. Where's all the snow?

I've just made an effort and decided to hang up my skis till next season. it was a great season for me, especially relativly to my prior expectations. After missing the whole of last season for various reasons I thought it would be a season for me to get my ski legs back but instead I managed to move to bigger, taller and stiffer skis than I'd used to ski on and progress on them on a more technical terrain. Lesson learned this season - when undecided between the two lengths of a ski, go longer! Tons of benefits for the minor extra efforts! I am 167 and under 8 stones and skied my first 4 seasons on 156 beginner skis, skipped a season and now I can ski very confidently a ski at 165, and I know that I'll never buy a ski again if it's smaller than 170. My second best season so far in terms of progress, the best always being the first one, when from not knowing what to do with planks attached to my feet I moved to being able to ski even blacks when they are not icy (on my little Volkl Energy 320). Was seriously tempted to go to Chamonix on Saturday, but I've already got loads from my season so I'll be getting ready for summer and take my bike out instead!

robauxgets wrote:Happened to be in Italy on business last week headed up to Les Gets to get one last days skiing. Got three instead due to volcano; slushy low down but gret on Chamosiere. Les Gets now closed so off to Avoriaz today! Hope to return home via car and ferry on Wed.

:) This Saturday in Zermatt met two Finnih guys who were on business in Italy and couldn't leave since last Thursday. So they headed straight to Cervinia, hired full kits and are probably still skiing now as I write this - they were talking about getting a car and driving on Wednesday:)

Chamonix is open for two more weekends, it was great last weekend (April 11). Go to Argentier, it's high and North-facing. And as rain is forecast for this week, there is a chance of some fresh snow at the top of Grand Montets.

If you are looking for a do-it-all everyday ski, go for Mantra. I ride Aura - basically the same ski but adapted for women and I can't say enough good words about this ski. I know a few people riding Mantra and they feel the same. Great floatation on our European powder, great grip, very stable ski that likes going fast. Fantastic ski both on and off piste. This ski is damp which is good for landings. However I don't ski park and don't know anyone who does, but I feel this ski would be too stiff for park tricks, plus there is the edge issue, not sure Mantra's edge will be good for the rail and you would want this ski to be with you for long time. If park tricks are what you need a ski for, go for a more park-specific ski, like Volkl Ledge or Wall, they are also supposed to do well in powder.

As for Czar - this is a powder-specific ski, and not just any powder, but big-mountain powder, not sure it has a place on the front side at all with radius of 40-something meters, even if they are not stiff. They will be great for your heli-skiing, but of very limited use elsewhere. Definitely not for park.

Eggman wrote:Right the snow is not looking too good in St G :( so will probably go to Chamonix for the day. Which is the best area to drive to without to much hassle?

Yes, the season in St.G. is all but over. Too warm, not high enough, so Chamonix is much better call. We are planning to go for the day this weekend as well before packing our ski stuff till next season. The best area to ski this time of the season would be no doubt Argentier - it's high, surrounded by glaciers and North-facing. However, hardly "without too much hassle". Friday, Saturday and Sunday are usually very busy days over there, so be prepared to queue for lift pass and for the cable car and if you want to go to the very top of Grands Montets- for another one. can take up to 2 hours between your arrival and getting to the very top. It's well worth it though, the view is absolutely breathtaking and decent is fairly challenging - don't leave the marked trail unless you are with the guide, there are a few spots over there from which you can only get down in the body bag. It's a piste (the black run) but it's better than many off-pistes. Just don't forget to mention that you want to go to the top of Grands Montets when buying ski pass. car park is quite huge, but still try to arrive early to get a place. Le Tour is a bit further than Argentier, and runs are much easier over there. It's a bit quieter too. Wouldn't bother with Brevent-Fleger area - south-facing slopes and in this weather it means skiing on mashed potatoes. Have a good one.

rossyhead wrote:

AllyG wrote:

rossyhead wrote:im not sure it will say on the side-probably around 80 is normal for a womens boot?

Sorry Rossyhead,
I meant, what's the flex of your new painful current boots?

sorry-mine are 140flex but have the option to go to 150 if i want (which i cant see me doing). They are Atomic race boots but only because i was able to get a good price on them from folk out here-was set on the salomon ghosts for next season which are 130flex

one of the best thing i have found with them is the large power strap which is really solid and helps keep the top of the boot really tight

Last season I tried my friend's freeride racing boots with flex 120 and while I found them truly awesome on the downhill, on the lifts I was in agony unless I completely unbuckled them. Guess they are being racing boots for a reason - they are not really meant to be fully done up on your feet for long periods of time. Freeriders or downhill racers unbuckle and even take them off once they finish their run - i.e. after a couple of minutes. For all-day skiing my friend (she's instructor in the resort but likes to participate in races) normally uses 80-90 flex and says it's plenty. No wonder your boots are painfull.