On the subject of helmets......

Robin in Spain wrote:Statistically more people 'go in' as you call it Snapzzz, when skiing than skydiving - which was the main point of my comment - so why hasn't that stopped you skiing? I have banged my head twice in over 30 years of skiing but never in over 30 years of skydiving - that tells me something and if it tells you something different then so be it. I won't give up either until I have some physical (or mental) inability to do either. Enjoy your skiing whilst you can and I'll continue enjoying mine along with my skydiving. Oh, BTW, I have a reserve parachute fitted with an AAD (automatic activation device) in the event of being rendered incapable of activating the reserve myself. As for wrapping oneself around a tree in the very unlikely event of a bad spot, then I assume you ski where there are no trees and that you assume that I skydive into forests? I don't think so matey. On current highly maneuverable elliptical parachutes avoiding trees is easier than missing the first ski lift of the day!
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I don't skydive anymore as watching a tandem hit the deck seriously sobers you up, even more so given the fact the instructor was a family friend that you enjoyed dinner with a few days before.
I tried getting back on the horse but within a few jumps i had my first cut away following a line over and i thought to myself that there was just too much risk. I do take your point on modern kit though.

The thing with skiing is the risk can be managed in many ways, mainly being able to control your speed and slope difficulty. With skydiving, once you jump, your life is in the hands of your kit, you have very little say in it beyond lateral direction.

Robin, I can usually be found or contacted at The Harp in Soldeu. A gang of us 'locals' meet at the map at the top of the gondola at 10am. All standards, so you would be welcome to join us.
Happy New Year!

Sorry to hear of your bad and sad experience with your friend and his tandem accident Snapzzz. I can't defend that. What I will defend though is the amount of risk involved in both sports. Your kit/rig etc. is as important in skiing as in skydiving as well as your trust in your fellow participants and unfortunately the risk of collision with inexperienced skiers is greater simply because the progression system in skydiving is more rigid and controlled and therefore you are virtually free from being involved with inexperienced skydivers (you do have that choice). However, I know people who have started skiing with no experience or training whatsoever and there is nothing worse than seeing a novice hurtling down a slope full of confidence in his ability to ski in a straight line but unable to execute a solid turn or an emergency stop. And that, unfortunately, is where a great number of accidents occur on the slopes, so your own ability becomes secondary in those circumstances. I was taken out by a novice Italian who turned directly into my path at too short a notice to avoid a collision but ironically managed to save myself serious injury (I assume) by executing a perfect plf (parachute landing fall for the unintiated). I will concur with you that skydiving is potentially more lethal than skiing but it's generally only the last inch that is likely to prove fatal. LOL! Happy skiing friend.

Robin, i still miss it.

Answer for Brucie - might take you up on that one morning Brucie. I usually stay in El Tartar but could get to the top of Soldeu gondola by 10am sometime. I'll make sure my hip flask is full! Happy new year to you too.

I subscribe to the Daily Mail On-line (I know it's sad but I'm a pensioner that can't afford to ski AND buy newspapers!) Anyway the following article may be of interest - stay safe all! Oh, and a happy new year too.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/holidays/article-2531916/No-insurance-skiers-tipple-hit-slopes.html?ito=email-homenewsletter-20140101

AlistairS wrote:Respect Tony, It had to take something as mega as this to get me posting again. It looks cool as well matey 8)

Big love Alistair 8)

Welcome to the club Tony. I converted after suffering a mild concussion following a very simple and gentle fall :shock:. In poor light conditions, I was barely moving and turned around to make sure the rest of the group were still following. I caught an edge and fell over banging my head. I was able to ski down the mountain but later had no recollection of doing so :shock:. Anyway, its been helmets all the way ever since :wink:

I cycle at home but had gotten very lax about wearing a helmet. However, a nasty fall before Christmas has driven home the point. I didn't hit my head on this occasion but did manage to fracture two ribs and puncture my lung (slightly) but it was a reminder of how easily accidents can happen :x Worst of all, I have had to cancel my January ski trip :( :( :(