Messages posted by : pavelski
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Bandit has a point!
Europe has; -variety -class and lots of mix from all sorts of countries ( some will say "competition" ) -great food -unique cultural context -price/ski ratio -quality skiing (varied types of skiing groomed, piste, hike, tele etc,,) However some skiers want to "cross the pond",,for a different flavor ! If you do so,,,,plan ahead, read a lot, ask many questions and please come for at least two weeks. My point about the "packaged deals" is illustrated with the following story. 10 males decided to go for a windsurfing 2 week holiday. We could have gone on a "packaged" resort holiday with "guarded" holiday complex which looks the same in every country! Meeting the same tourists, with same buffet, etc,,,, We rented a huge house in a small village and hired a women to prepare meals for us! We just windsurfed all day! Had a small boy bring us beer from the village every 3 hours! The adventures we had in this village were unique. The friendships we established with locals were ever lasting. The great surfing we did was not in a walled area, with machine gunned guards and life guards telling where you must surf ,,how you must surf! We even were invited to a local wedding and sang to the bride ! Yes not for everyone, but if you want to "taste" real authentic skiing there are ways in Europe and in America. Often they are cheaper that packaged deals! Bandit I know you went to Whistler several years ago,,but if you had asked me then,,I would have told you about a ski resort called Massif which is unique. Has longer trails with a view that would take your breath away! You would have stayed in a local "auberge" and eaten local food which to this day you would have spoken about! No one in Europe knows about this place,,,,but soon you will since the owner of Cirque de Soliel just bought it and it will rival Tremblant in skiing and in class! A hidden jewel you missed Bandit! That is what I look for when I ski! Those unpolished jewels that marketing has not yet revealed to general public! Again this is not for everyone,,,it is the gypsy in me that makes me explore such ski centers! Tony it is up to you to decide. Enjoy the search !!! ( that is half of the fun) |
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I did forget one major reason I DO NOT like to ski at Whistler!
It has nothing to do with snow conditions, since yes skiing can be great there! It is the Interwest Formula! It was a success in the booming days of 1980s to 2000! It goes something like this; Take a good ski center Get foreign investment money ( and some government money) to "create" a self-enclosed ski resort which has one goal. Take money out of ski tourists while they; ski a little, party a lot, eat a lot, massage a lot, drink even more, finally the prize,,,,"invest in ski home" ! That is the secret,,,,the condos, homes and hotels that all must have! Not my type of skiing "experience" ! But then, that is my opinion! I just love skiing for its own sake, not the drinking ( I live in a town that has the very best clubs),,not the high end restos ( I live in a town that has world class chefs),,, I look for those "hidden jewels" in Montana, in Utah, in New Mexico ( yes one of the very best USA ski resorts is called Taos). great skiing, great skiers and better still real ski villages with restos own by ski bums who have settled down and ski only 100 + days per season! That is my opinion. my kind of skiing! Pavel |
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Tony and all,,,,,
If you really are a "serious" skier, first do not think "cheap" think "getting your money's worth! Then stop thinking like 'tourists" ! You know the full package deal where you are "herded' to plane, to bus, to hotel, to lift, to groups classes etc,,,,!! I guide such "groups" and really no cheap deals there! I mean deals that really make your head spin! I read often on this site "best deals" for holidays! Listen peak periods are peak periods and you will not get low prices! I feel all the tour agents, tour operators now breathing down my back! They will not like what, I will say now, but it is my opinion and observations ! Think outside the box! You want someone to "package" you? They will! I read on some post that one of your regulars went to Tremblant last year! It was the worst season for Tremblant in 10 years! Too cold. Too icy! Too expensive ! What many skier do not know is that Interwest id having serious financial problems since they can not meet it [i]interest payments ! How does this translate to you the tourist skier! Well I was at Tremblant last year and saw; poor grooming, higher prices, etc,,,, Now that is my opinion! I am sure you will get many "other" opinions! There are many USA ski resorts that are looking for skiers, that do not have huge marketing budgets yet have great skiing! Be smart skiers. Read about places. Read about deals. Let me give you an example of a ski center just bought by a skier. The center offers condo + ski lifts for $70 per day! This is not a small ski center. This center has 80 acres of glade skiing. That is non groomed serious tree skiing! How many groomed runs? 60 ! Did I tell you that I do not work for this center! I do not promote this center! Now the issue of travel ! Yes Europe is great for that brief holiday! For the ski tourist! But Tony, from your posts I see that you are,,,well past the ski tourist level ( if you are on this site in August,,,,,) Think at least two weeks of serious skiing at least once in your life! It will; make you a better skier make you reconsider your life make you happier make you a better employee ( all your work frustration will be gone) So Tony,, take the plunge! Save up your money ! Soon the US dollar will drop and you will ski for near free levels! Oh,,,one last point! Now the tour people will really hate me! Never pay well ahead for a trip! The very best deals are for ski gypsies! Pavel |
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Watching those videos of Dave Mac again made me think of this ice discussion.
Take a look at Dave Macs videos again,,,,,I know it will be hard,,but take your eyes off Dave Mac and look at slope surface, in short the snow on slope! Notice one thing? Look again at videos! Notice nice soft loose snow! The very best to carve on! Edges bite! Now I know why Dave Mac goes to this small Austrian village all the time, and refuses to ski with me! Back to ICE ! It is not so much ICE that causes problems to many skiers. It is the SUDDEN appearance of an ice patch or ice area that causes problems! Great soft loose snow,,,,then wham,,,,ICE! Bam,,, on ground while skidding sideways! Panic time! How do you avoid this? First never never ski down a new slope or run fast the first time! Check out trail first with slow easy skiing. This is what I do. On first runs, my boots are never tight,,in fact my top two buckles are not even on. I ski relaxed to warm up, to let feet settle into boots, to "feel" skis on new slope! After two easy runs, I know terrain, I have warmed up, my feet are saying "ok,,,, go go go " ! Then I buckle up! Then I ski or at least I try to ski like Dave Mac!!!! Hope this helps some of you! Pavel |
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A never ever item that many good skiers do!
You often see this sin on net! It goes something like this; Going to XYZ ski center and want to know where powder is? Want to really know where pros, patrollers, regulars go for those hidden spots? First never ask on net!!!! ( silly man/women might as well get a billboard) Second never ask in parking lot! Third never stop any of the above at base lodge and ask. That is "gauche" ! Then how do you find out where "stash", hidden pockets of treasure are ? You have to be "accepted" as worthy of such a prize. You must impress pros, guides, patrollers that you can keep up, ski at their level. That you will not be a problem. Finally that you will at end of day offer "thanks" in tangible ways such as a "beer" or two! |
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Snowfall records = total snow fallen in one season!
No problem with that however; where is total snow measured top mid station or base ! Type of snow fallen is key to choice of ski resort Heavy wet snow from moist pacific currents is one type of snow! I have been to Whistler 10 times. 2 weeks were great 4 days out of 5. I week of total wet rain/snow for 5 days I week of snow rain 2 days and then fog heavy soup conditions I week of powder snow at top with high high winds, wet snow at mid station and soft wet snow at base! I bring groups to ski and my pick is now interior BC; Big White Kicking Horse, Panorama That is just my opinion based on the 10 trips I have done at Whistler and 15 trips in the BC interior! It is up to each person to decide! |
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Yes it does sound strange,,,,"tuning poles" !
Allow me to tell you what this is all about! If you are really interested in skiing ( of course you are since this is August and,,,,,) then you want to get most from ski equipment. You have discovered that adapting the equipment you have will make you a better skier. (of course you must have the correct technique). Also if you have read the technical posts, you know that there is not ONE way to ski but a series of ways depending on slope, conditions and contexts. This "tuning poles" is presented in the context of skiing on groomed/hard packed slopes. Look at You Tube videos and skiers coming down slopes this winter. Focus on their poles and pole actions! You will note that many skiers have poles that are too long for the modern skiing style. The "old way" to determine ski pole length may not be valid for groomed/hard packed slopes! I have discovered that some ski pole companies have an "adjustable" mechanism to adjust ski poles length. Yes they are more expensive, but if you really are a "serious skier" do consider these poles for they will help you get into a correct ski position. You all know now that you MUST apply forward pressure via big toe or via the front of the boot liner. This can only be done if your poles are a tad shorter that the traditional length. That is the beauty of these adjustable poles! try them! Pavel |
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Dave Mac,
What speed! What grace! Can I have an autograph next time I go to Auhof ? Pavel |
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