Messages posted by : pavelski
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More important than skiing as a family ( and taking lessons) is the ability level of skiers.
Very poor approach to have 2-5 skiers of different ability in same group. Waste of time and energy. Let pre-teens be with other pre-teens and have fun following instructor. Give wife a special ski gift ,,,a private lesson. Yes more expensive but you will get better results. get an older skier/instructor. If possible get same instructor every year you come to resort. Better still video tape every year students! Remember just have fun! Pavel |
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Monsieur Barney,
As all the others have stated go to Méribel. From there you can get to other ski resorts. If you do go there look up Fréderic ( Fred ) Henneton, the ski school Director. Very best teacher and man! Speaks an excellent english since he taught skiing for several years in USA. If you do "hire" skis do not go to first ski shop ,,but look around as compare. Prices vary a great deal. Get a guide since you will get lost, not find the very best slopes and he / she will provide best info on village. Pavel |
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Simon,
Seems to me that you are in the wrong site for such question. Few skiers here know this great ski resort. Alone in a vast state. Little social life, but who cares when you get dumpings of 3-6 feet and no crowds. Please do not post how great it is,,,,please! One airport. One village. One way to get there. Two ski bars Too much snow ! Try their site! Pav |
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Many neophyte skiers ask, "what is a good jacket?"
One of the parameters to look at is insulation layer and insertion of this layer INTO the jacket. Yes some jacket have NO insulation. That does not mean it is a poor jacket. North Face for example makes a "multiple layered jacket system" which has a "shell" jacket, internal zippered polar fleece, down vest, finally a first layer underwear. The advantage to this system is you can choose layers as the temperature changes. The cheaper jackets have a single insulation layer that is not fixed into the jacket. It is thin and moves about! Avoid such jackets. I have several that I regret buying. One other trick. I take my ski jackets to a commercial laundry center ( where you wash and dry your material). The drying machines are huge and can take 3-4 jackets together. I place a running shoe with jackets and let all dry for 5 minutes. The tumbling does wonders. Oh,,,,did I mention the "odor" sheets! One or two sheets gives that special "new" smell !!! Hope this helps ! Pavel |
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If you have a high quality jacket and pants you will have a "generous" insulation layer just under the inner lining.
Some companies sew this lining in sections so that insulation does not move about. Some companies just layer the inner liner and over time the insulation moves about. I find my Karbon pants has little insulation near seat area and lots near hips and thighs. My jacket also seems to have "drifting" insulation with lots in the lower arm section and little in the shoulder section. The goal of the "massage'" sessions is to move this inner insulation layer to appropriate places. I have a North Face down vest which needs this tender massaging every month. First locate bundles or thick areas in pants and jacket. Then with fingers move insulation layer to thin spots One great technique is to "spread" insulation layer by taking inner and outer layers and separating them. You will feel the fibers coming apart. This creates a better insulation pattern. I hang my ski pants up side down and move insulation towards belt area. Shake each leg and allow insulation to "settle" down. I hope this helps make your ski pants and jacket "warmer" Enjoy! Pavel |
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Now is the time to prepare for skiing, not one week before your ski trip.
Here is a small ritual I do in October to my ski gloves in order to thank them for all the warmth they give me! As you wear your gloves,,the lining and insulation "compacts" and also bundles at the finger tips! Just feel the tips,,,,,you will note a "thickening" ! First heat up gloves with a 1-2 minute "hot air" session ! Then take each finger tip on gloves and "massage" out that bundle. Try to move insulation material down finger to palm area. In palm area you will note little insulation since holding poles has "flattened" this zone. Again massage this area and try to move insulation towards center of palm. Of course after massage session,,,,finish off with some "Dubbin Rub" ! In my country Dubbin is a waterproof/leather conditioner! The gloves will thank you with warmth all winter long! Next post will be about massaging your pants and jacket, so get them ready for the "spa "session ! Pavel |
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Strange to have a ski company admit that women want an "altogether design look".
Yes some women do want that great fashion look for the bar, aprés-ski, walking in the village scene. but, good and great women skiers know that the look( color, design of flowers, bees, fruit etc,,,,) has nothing to do with the respect and admiration men and women with give. It is how you use those skis on the slope that will make others look at you and admire your grace, style and flow! Sorry,,not for wife or my girls. Like Vonn they ride on "men's" skis!! Pav |
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You have to have certain "competence" on skis to feel the difference.
Let me provide an analogy. All wines the same ? All cheeses the same ? A serious skier understands that all skis have a "performance' range and also a personality. Compare two well known skis in the same performance range; the Rossi Experienec 88 and the Volkl Kendo. Roughly same dimensions,,,yet so different in feel and performance. Both great skis,,,but each has a "different" performance flavor. Are they going to make you a better skier ? No Are they a must to have ( besides all your other skis ) ? No However I still have dreams on my first day on these skis. It is like my first date with my wife,,,,unique feelings, special sensations, and that soaring over crud with the rockered Rossis! Special. Just my point of vue ! Pav |
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