Who’s going skiing and where 2019
Discussion
Rojibo said:
Yeah, we're not far from the Chillfactore at Traffrord, I don't particularly like the place but was planning on taking her there for some lessons so she can at least practice a snowplough.
I can afford to pay for private lessons for her, but she's a bit funny about that and would rather pay her own way, so will need some convincing that it's the way to go. I've always been lucky enough to have private lessons, just wondered how they compared. I think ADH is a good resort to learn in though.
On the upside being in a group gives you a support network, which is good for a beginner.I can afford to pay for private lessons for her, but she's a bit funny about that and would rather pay her own way, so will need some convincing that it's the way to go. I've always been lucky enough to have private lessons, just wondered how they compared. I think ADH is a good resort to learn in though.
On the downside it can be frustrating if you have someone who takes longer to pick it up, and demoralizing if that person is you.
EddieSteadyGo said:
marcosgt said:
I have skied on modern skis (last time I skied in 2017, so not long ago), but I still like the straight line stability of my old ones over the twitchier modern skis.
A modern ski can be superbly stable- it just depends upon the type. Just choose one in a longer length, with not too short a turn radius, and ideally one which is 'full camber' ie. doesn't have a lot of tip or tail rocker (which are softer and so can flap about a bit at higher speeds).
If you do that you will get lots of stability. Example of such as ski would be a Kastle MX84.
M
gregs656 said:
Rojibo said:
Yeah, we're not far from the Chillfactore at Traffrord, I don't particularly like the place but was planning on taking her there for some lessons so she can at least practice a snowplough.
I can afford to pay for private lessons for her, but she's a bit funny about that and would rather pay her own way, so will need some convincing that it's the way to go. I've always been lucky enough to have private lessons, just wondered how they compared. I think ADH is a good resort to learn in though.
On the upside being in a group gives you a support network, which is good for a beginner.I can afford to pay for private lessons for her, but she's a bit funny about that and would rather pay her own way, so will need some convincing that it's the way to go. I've always been lucky enough to have private lessons, just wondered how they compared. I think ADH is a good resort to learn in though.
On the downside it can be frustrating if you have someone who takes longer to pick it up, and demoralizing if that person is you.
Unless you're the worst skier in the worst group or in a tiny resort most ski schools will shuffle people up or down between groups if people are developing slower or faster than the average. It's as bad being the quicker learning spending ages standing around waiting and getting cold as it is being the slowest, always trying to rush so as to not hold everyone else up (which usually backfires).
//j17 said:
I'd always say ski school for week #1 for the support network side of things. There WILL be a lot of falling over and it's always better to not be the only one falling! Week #2 I'd say it's 50:50 between ski school and just a couple of private lessons on say Mon and Wed are the best value. You've usually got the confidence that you can get down blues without dieing and it's all about repeating with the odd tweak from an instructor and you can do that either in a group with someone to talk to or on your own.
Unless you're the worst skier in the worst group or in a tiny resort most ski schools will shuffle people up or down between groups if people are developing slower or faster than the average. It's as bad being the quicker learning spending ages standing around waiting and getting cold as it is being the slowest, always trying to rush so as to not hold everyone else up (which usually backfires).
Ski school is definitely the right idea on a first trip. Skiing gets fun when you're comfortable just going out and skiing most runs without worrying about whether you can get down them or not. You will get to that point a lot faster if you spend some time in ski school. Unless you're the worst skier in the worst group or in a tiny resort most ski schools will shuffle people up or down between groups if people are developing slower or faster than the average. It's as bad being the quicker learning spending ages standing around waiting and getting cold as it is being the slowest, always trying to rush so as to not hold everyone else up (which usually backfires).
Private lessons will be good for developing technique once you have the basics or if you have the budget to take those instead of ski school
Whoozit said:
Disastrous said:
I have a pair of Supershape I-Rally’s for going fast on groomers and a pair of Salomon QST106 for going backcountry and they are worlds apart if you’re on hard pack.
Try the Head Kore 99s I mentioned. They are the mythical one-ski quiver. They are stiff, and it takes some technique to keep them on point, as result my knees are sore laterally for the first time ever! However their ability to take every snow condition in their stride, at +30% leptons, is compelling. As is the fact they are 1.88kgs a ski, if you are thinking of back country. I mounted alpine bindings on mine and even so have a super stiff, wide, carbon matrix ski with reliable bindings for <3kgs a ski. Edited by Whoozit on Thursday 3rd January 21:56
In fairness the QST106 is billed as the mythical one ski quiver as well, but it’s just not. There’s always an inherent compromise and with them it’s the amount of effort needed to make them work at low speed in resort. In everything else they are magnificent and in powder the 106 underfoot makes them feel like waterskis but they’re bloody tiring to hold a slow edge on!
Disastrous said:
Interesting. I’ve heard very good things about the Kore but never tried it.
In fairness the QST106 is billed as the mythical one ski quiver as well, but it’s just not. There’s always an inherent compromise and with them it’s the amount of effort needed to make them work at low speed in resort. In everything else they are magnificent and in powder the 106 underfoot makes them feel like waterskis but they’re bloody tiring to hold a slow edge on!
Have to agree, there is no such thing as one ski quiver. In fairness the QST106 is billed as the mythical one ski quiver as well, but it’s just not. There’s always an inherent compromise and with them it’s the amount of effort needed to make them work at low speed in resort. In everything else they are magnificent and in powder the 106 underfoot makes them feel like waterskis but they’re bloody tiring to hold a slow edge on!
I remember an old ski instructor saying to me the formula for the optimal number of skis was n+1, where n was the current number of skis.
I've not tried the QST106, although I know they are highly regarded. I have the DPS Wailer 112 which is a good ski within its parameters.
Closest I’ve come to the on ski quiver are my black crows atris with marker m12 tour bindings. 108 underfoot with double rocker and some camber. Not the best on piste, no but bloody good and they excel once off piste. I agree though about wide skis needing more work at slow speed. Bit like the stiff old things we used to use!
Help please - i’ve been asked to recommend some resorts for a friend to take his wife and kids, plus friends. They have some very specific requirements :
Going in December 2019
It’s the kids first ski holiday aged 10 & 12. Dads are a competent skiers.
Mums have zero interest in skiing and want to spend the week in the Spa, drinking and shopping.
All the places I would recommend are not snow sure in December, so could do with help with some suggestions.
Thanks
Going in December 2019
It’s the kids first ski holiday aged 10 & 12. Dads are a competent skiers.
Mums have zero interest in skiing and want to spend the week in the Spa, drinking and shopping.
All the places I would recommend are not snow sure in December, so could do with help with some suggestions.
Thanks
ThorB said:
Mums have zero interest in skiing and want to spend the week in the Spa,
Whistler. Scandinave Spa and most hotels. Also, they can pick from zip lining, dog sledding, tubing, snowshoing, or 100 other activities if they fancy getting off their lard arses. Even an 8 screen cinema with current releases.ThorB said:
drinking
Any of the mid market bar/restaurants and up is cocktail central. Araxi and Bar Oso are two particular favourites, Bearfoot Bistro does fab cocktails but personally I find the food too variable for the price. Or kick back in the lounge of their hotel in front of the fire.ThorB said:
and shopping.
Slightly sadly, many of the equipment shops now serve high end clientele. So if you want a CAD1500 Bogner jacket, or a full length fur, there are plenty to choose from. Also lots of tat shops for that perfect present back home. ThorB said:
the places I would recommend are not snow sure in December, so could do with help with some suggestions.
HTH. Not that I am biased or anything. But there are a few reasons it's been voted best resort in the world several times over the past 15+ years. 
ThorB said:
Many thanks, i’ll put it forward, any European resorts likely to be snow sure in December?
Nope. Val Thorens is the highest, but it can't alter the weather. My parents go over early in December every year for a few weeks. Sometimes they ski, sometimes they don't.
This was Morzine area on 15/12/18
ukbabz said:
Just back from Chamonix, the slopes are in need of a decent covering of snow. Lots of ice and stones on the pistes (my base is looking pretty scratched up) and very hard. Hopefully the Western Alps will get a decent dump soon!
Yep, weather has been superb with clear blue skies for most of the last 3 weeks, but the pistes are hard pack with quite a bit of ice in places. Still very ski-able though. Looking at the forecast, new snow is coming next week.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff