J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by admin

robinp wrote:mountain biking

Yerrsss... bit short of mountains in Orpington! Biking's fun though; playing chicken with "White Van Man" in country lanes...

A quick search turned up the following useful links:

A short article from Bupa - Fit to Ski

A usefully explicit article about the key muscle groups

So I'm going to add Back & Abdomen resistance exericises to my workout and use both X-Trainer and Rower for cardio (the former because it works the upper body more than a bike, and the latter for the useful exercising of calf and shin if you strap your feet down tight!).

...all of which will make the time pass quicker until I get to the snow!

Ok, what do the team think is important for pre-skiing preparation? I'm thinking of gym work mainly, so:

Quads, Hamstrings and Calves are all important - so things like Leg Presses and Curls to build strength.

What about stamina? Is a rowing machine optimal here, or is something like a X-trainer going to be more beneficial (as you can easily emphasis the leg-work).

Or should I just go out running (no, not that, don't make me run anywhere)?

In an idle moment, I noted the side-cut/profiles of Salomon's Scream range...

The X-Scream Series measures 106/68/96 and is sometimes described as a "mid fat" ski...

The Scream Hot measures 110/75/100...

And the Scream Extra Hot fills out to a gut-busting 116/82/108...

So, is the Scream Hot a "3/4 fat" ski, or is the Scream Extra Hot an "extra fat bloke"?

Not that it really matters TBH but I was interested to discover what made up the "Extra" in the name! B)

Er, so there... Dave

Ok, not quite soft but Rossi and others have brought out ski boots with a stiff, er, chassis? and soft-ish uppers. Seem like a good idea for comfort for beginning / intermediate skiers but does the (admittedly limited) softness compromise control? B)

Anyone got/hired these? Opinions?

Tx,

Dave

Hi, welcome aboard!

Wear The Fox Hat wrote:What are you wanting from the ski?

Fun! :) ...most definitely an all-mountain/freeride ski for European conditions. I look for steeps off-piste for my biggest kick, but enjoy blasting over pretty much any kind of snow. Don't particularly enjoy bumps and will often choose the off-piste steep beside a mogulled-up black run given the choice. If blasting on piste I'll turn/carve a lot and enjoy threading the turns while keeping up a fair turn of speed - so like skis that are v fast and light edge-2-edge.

I want a ski that will carve well on the piste (hence going for the Pilot system - tried the original Pilot and loved it), be reasonably floaty when there's powder but without being a handful elsewhere.

Would rather have a single pair of skis as I like to do the occasional weekend and like to travel light(ish!).

Cruising/schussing? - not interested!

8)

I loved the X-Screams but just bought them a bit too long, so taking the opportunity to move up to the Pilot system this time. (I also have XWave9 boots which I love, and which are a good match in stiffness for both the X-Scream and the Scream Pilot).

Sound ok?

Dave

P.S. Is it a fox you caught yourself?

Ok, so Salomon's groovy kit selector absolutely insists this is the right ski for me... they've got good reviews out on the web, anyone here got some? Whaddya think?

I'm just selling some X-Screams which, at 187, were just too long for me - brilliant skis in fluffy stuff or at eye-watering speeds but they were hard work when travelling politely.

Likely to go for the 175 length of the Scream 10, if I do opt for those. That's the length suggested by the above thingummy, but it sounds about right (I'm around 85kg and 5'10ish).

So, anyone got some?

Yeah, Ortovox M2 is one of the most highly recommended. Thankfully I haven't had to use it for real but it's a nicely designed bit of kit. Comes on automatically (in transmit) when you clip it on, and is easy to switch to search when you un-clip.

You will need to practice with it though (like all of them) to ensure you can use it quickly if need be. Working out exactly what the display is telling you is something to learn but once grasped it's all quite obvious.

It comes with a manual giving basic advice for searching, etc. though I'd recommend reading up elsewhere about this (like the articles on pistehors.com referenced from here, for example).

Facewest do a range of transceivers, including the M2 so you can compare prices.

The only possible disadvantage of the M2, compared with some others, is the more technical nature but some say that gives it an edge in precision of searching - but you will have to practice!

Dave

So, anyone been here? We've got a trip booked to Champoluc in early January - our first time on the slopes of Monte Rosa (I think).

Any recommendations for interesting runs? Going with a mixed group (kiddies, beginners and experienced) - the write-ups I can find imply there's a variety of runs, but no substitute for someone who's actually been there.

Thanks in advance,