:D We are off to VT on Friday, we went last year and had the best Skiing.
We hired our equipment through Intersport good service.
I'll let you know about beer prices when we get back, but we did the happy hr up at the top of the resort.
Can't wait
Carl
Any advice/tips on Val Thorens and Prosneige?
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Ok, my experience of rental shops is mainly bad and very occaissionally good. I have found they get you in and out as fast as possible and dont pay much attention regarding how your boots fit or what level of skier you are. I am sure its not the case everywhere, but saldy its been the majority for me.
make sure you are the most demanding client they have ever had. Its really important your boots fit right, and they can help you by trying different brands in your size until one feels right. Remember, the fronts need to feel too tight when you first put them on, so that your toes poke into the foam inside, but when you stand up your toes should only touch the foam now. You need to make sure that you have plenty of adjustment on the buckles in case the boots tighten or loosen up, which they will as time goes by.
As for skis, generally get the ones slightly better than your level, as you might find its better stuff or just newer. Stand them up next to you with boots on, and they should come up to round about your nose/eye level, or if you are learning go for chin level so they are a little shorter, as they will turn quicker and help you learn better.
if you arrive in the afternoon, go to the ski hire shop and avoid the evening rush and the next morning early rush. You might find you get more attention from the assistants anyway if its quieter.
Remember, VT is a LONG bus transfer, up to 4 hours at times depending on the weather, so you may find that you arrive early evening. Either way, go that night and get sorted, dont leave it til the morning.
Have fun. I learned to ski in VT.
To Create or Answer a Topic
Started by Jonny220 in Beginning Skiing 08-Feb-2009 - 28 Replies
Neneziss
reply to 'Any advice/tips on Val Thorens and Prosneige?' posted Feb-2009
Hello,
I'm Jonny's gf :D
It would be great to hear from you when you come back.
We cannot wait to go in March :D
Is it very busy when you rent the equipment from the shop ?
I do not want to be in a hurry fitting the boots and find out on the slope they are uncomfortable :shock:
Our flight is in the morning so will be there sometime in the afternoon and when we get there we want to get the equipment straight away to avoid people rushing in the morning next day.
Does people in the shop give you enough time and attention to fit the equipment properly?
I'm Jonny's gf :D
It would be great to hear from you when you come back.
We cannot wait to go in March :D
Is it very busy when you rent the equipment from the shop ?
I do not want to be in a hurry fitting the boots and find out on the slope they are uncomfortable :shock:
Our flight is in the morning so will be there sometime in the afternoon and when we get there we want to get the equipment straight away to avoid people rushing in the morning next day.
Does people in the shop give you enough time and attention to fit the equipment properly?
Neneziss
reply to 'Any advice/tips on Val Thorens and Prosneige?' posted Feb-2009
Also we want to rent online to save some money. Is it good idea?
Do you still get to choose your equipment at the shop on your arrivel or they just give you what you've booked?
Do you still get to choose your equipment at the shop on your arrivel or they just give you what you've booked?
Tony_H
reply to 'Any advice/tips on Val Thorens and Prosneige?' posted Feb-2009
Blimey, where do you start.....Neneziss wrote:Hello,
I'm Jonny's gf :D
It would be great to hear from you when you come back.
We cannot wait to go in March :D
Is it very busy when you rent the equipment from the shop ?
I do not want to be in a hurry fitting the boots and find out on the slope they are uncomfortable :shock:
Our flight is in the morning so will be there sometime in the afternoon and when we get there we want to get the equipment straight away to avoid people rushing in the morning next day.
Does people in the shop give you enough time and attention to fit the equipment properly?
Ok, my experience of rental shops is mainly bad and very occaissionally good. I have found they get you in and out as fast as possible and dont pay much attention regarding how your boots fit or what level of skier you are. I am sure its not the case everywhere, but saldy its been the majority for me.
make sure you are the most demanding client they have ever had. Its really important your boots fit right, and they can help you by trying different brands in your size until one feels right. Remember, the fronts need to feel too tight when you first put them on, so that your toes poke into the foam inside, but when you stand up your toes should only touch the foam now. You need to make sure that you have plenty of adjustment on the buckles in case the boots tighten or loosen up, which they will as time goes by.
As for skis, generally get the ones slightly better than your level, as you might find its better stuff or just newer. Stand them up next to you with boots on, and they should come up to round about your nose/eye level, or if you are learning go for chin level so they are a little shorter, as they will turn quicker and help you learn better.
if you arrive in the afternoon, go to the ski hire shop and avoid the evening rush and the next morning early rush. You might find you get more attention from the assistants anyway if its quieter.
Remember, VT is a LONG bus transfer, up to 4 hours at times depending on the weather, so you may find that you arrive early evening. Either way, go that night and get sorted, dont leave it til the morning.
Have fun. I learned to ski in VT.
www
New and improved me
Neneziss
reply to 'Any advice/tips on Val Thorens and Prosneige?' posted Feb-2009
This is what I was worry about regarding the shops.
I guess if we decide to do skiing more often it will pay off to get your own boots 8)
I guess if we decide to do skiing more often it will pay off to get your own boots 8)
Edited 1 time. Last update at 10-Feb-2009
Tony_H
reply to 'Any advice/tips on Val Thorens and Prosneige?' posted Feb-2009
Abso-****ing-lutely
www
New and improved me
Edited 1 time. Last update at 10-Feb-2009
Timeforabeer
reply to 'Any advice/tips on Val Thorens and Prosneige?' posted Feb-2009
More generally, what do folks think about online ordering?
I used Ski Republic and I might as well not have bothered, none of the details I took ages to fill in were recorded and we started from scratch... but generally, online discounts make it worth it??
I used Ski Republic and I might as well not have bothered, none of the details I took ages to fill in were recorded and we started from scratch... but generally, online discounts make it worth it??
Yeah, I knew that.
AllyG
reply to 'Any advice/tips on Val Thorens and Prosneige?' posted Feb-2009
Hi,
Just got back from Val Thorens today, after staying up all night in the night train, so am very tired.
We had lessons with Prosneige, and found them fine. They will assess you the first morning, and then continually thereafter, so that you could easily move groups during the week - up or down, depending on how fast you learn and how you compare with the rest of your group. The teachers want as compatible a group as possible, because it is easier to teach that way.
I had a look at the Balcons Chalets, from the Plein Sud chairlift, which goes over the top of them. There seems to be a really horrible off piste black looking 100 yards or so to ski back to them. I saw lots of people stuck trying to do it. I should think the best thing would be to use the free 'Navette gratuite' ski shuttle bus which I could see goes to the Balcons area and all around Val Thorens.
I think it would be a horribly long walk from the Balcons to the Prosneige school, especially back up hill. At that altitude anything more than about 100 yards is killing when you're wearing ski boots and carrying skis.
We had a lovely week at Val Thorens - our second visit, and I'm sure you will too.
The other tip I have - is to get fit. It makes a great deal of difference to how you ski. And do lots of special ski exercises, like squats. It's surprising, but you also need good upper body strength so you can get up when you fall over, otherwise you just lie there like a stranded whale (this happened to me - most embarassing!).
Best Wishes,
Ally
Just got back from Val Thorens today, after staying up all night in the night train, so am very tired.
We had lessons with Prosneige, and found them fine. They will assess you the first morning, and then continually thereafter, so that you could easily move groups during the week - up or down, depending on how fast you learn and how you compare with the rest of your group. The teachers want as compatible a group as possible, because it is easier to teach that way.
I had a look at the Balcons Chalets, from the Plein Sud chairlift, which goes over the top of them. There seems to be a really horrible off piste black looking 100 yards or so to ski back to them. I saw lots of people stuck trying to do it. I should think the best thing would be to use the free 'Navette gratuite' ski shuttle bus which I could see goes to the Balcons area and all around Val Thorens.
I think it would be a horribly long walk from the Balcons to the Prosneige school, especially back up hill. At that altitude anything more than about 100 yards is killing when you're wearing ski boots and carrying skis.
We had a lovely week at Val Thorens - our second visit, and I'm sure you will too.
The other tip I have - is to get fit. It makes a great deal of difference to how you ski. And do lots of special ski exercises, like squats. It's surprising, but you also need good upper body strength so you can get up when you fall over, otherwise you just lie there like a stranded whale (this happened to me - most embarassing!).
Best Wishes,
Ally
Topic last updated on 15-March-2009 at 15:12