J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by bandit

Neiltoo wrote:

bandit wrote:Any ski will work off piste, as long as it's a modern shape.

So how did we all manage to ski off piste on those old skinny skis then? )

Personally, very badly, just could not get to grips with it. My breakthrough "eureka" moment came with my 1st pair of Rossi Bandit's, which of course, now look incredibly skinny :D

Any ski will work off piste, as long as it's a modern shape.

Wanderer wrote:

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However, there is no doubting that their online prices are significantly cheaper than walking in off the street, usually 40% lower. Given that the OP and his pals are pretty much beginners, do they really need to be very fussy about their equipment - within reason of course, nobody is going to enjoy their skiing in clapped out old skis :?:

At least the OP and his friends could learn how to recognise dull edges and sloppy bindings.
Better still, the beginners could learn before they go,then the worst bits of learning are over and done.
I do think they need to be fussy, there are safety issues to be considered, plus, if the beginners have a poor experience because the hire kit is tat, then they won't be back.
They might have a poor experience for lots of other reasons, but some things can be controlled.
Folks here, seem to be fixated on the % saving, and losing focus on the big picture.

Hoop I rented from Cham Sport as a walk in. This meant I was able to look at the equipment before parting with any money. If you prebook/prepay, you lose the right to walk without losing money and feeling cheated. You might get a description of the models, but you cannot see the condition of the kit before you pay.
If a rental shop or 3rd party agency is offering a discount, it will be to shift kit. It will be the stuff that gets left behind when all the shiny skis have been taken (huge generalisation).
I cannot say if you will be okay or not by renting with Chamsport, they are a part of the Twinner chain, so on a par with the local Intersport.

Yes, you could pay more, then again, if you pay less would you want your holiday ruined for the sake of £10 difference.
I have also used Cham Sport at the railway station end of town. They were okay, not brilliant, but at least the rental kit was of recent manufacture, and the skis had been edged.

AFAIR, Snowrental is the company from whom I received a partial refund.

ise wrote:Thanks for those. Nothing really leapt out at me, I was probably thinking of something more freeride really, like some BD Havocs or Kilowatts so I'll dig around more. There's a couple of places in the UK I get a major discount at so I'll drop them a note and see what they have.

Sorry, just thought you might like a decent pair of piste carvers, you know it makes sense :mrgreen:

If you want poorly prepared rental kit then the Sport 2000 franchise is the place to head for. The last time I used them I wrote and complained afterwards and got a partial refund from the contracting agent.Apparently mine was not the first complaint they had received. A quick look at the rental racks will tell you what you need to know. If you are renting, don't pre-book, make sure you see the gear 1st.

It's perfectly feasible to ski 2 separate Chamonix hills in one day, I have done it.

If you are skiing Flegere, don't forget that it's linked with Brevent, so you can head up one side and down the other if you wish, and buses connect the base areas.

It will be chicken and egg time. If you see an empty space, do you go and unload in Belle Plagne and hope it's still free when you get back. Or do you grab it, and handball your luggage up the road. Oooh the stress :shock: