J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by bandit

daz...37 wrote:thanks everyone,
not sure the kids are going to like the SCARE CHAIR but oh well........
mal0r, flying out of bhx on the 10th.
will keep an eye out.
all the best ,
daz...37

Your kids will probably like that chair lift more than you think. It's more like a fairground ride the 1st time. Quite good fun, and it gives access to a rather uncrowded area, which has some sheltered skiing, great for white-out or windy days.

RoseR wrote:My OH has been snow boarding to-day, not on a dry slope, real snow in Basingstoke. He went to fit a house full of windows, snowboards in the customers garage, they both went to top of hill and across field. Only about 4inches of snow, but good fun. Not fair.

Nice One Rose's OH :thumbup:

Tony_H wrote:

bandit wrote:Lech to St Anton would be a very long walk in ski boots.

I am sure it would, but its fine to ski it

That would be well worth watching.

ise wrote:

bandit wrote:
Might see you there then 8) I'll be playing with lots of new skis :D

The local paper mentions that Saas Fee also has a test weekend, it's not a package just a supplemental charge on the pass and it's only 29/30 November according to the paper.

The local paper also reckons only Saas and Zermatt are open this weekend although I don't know if they mean all of CH or just around here.

I think that the Zermatt Test is the biggie 8) A very nice man from the Tourist Office phoned me up to make me an irresistable offer :D

Admin wrote:

davidsa2 wrote:Anyone got any ideas?

Yup. Bag those flights now, then kick back and wait - hold your nerve until the New Year! 8)

Investigate transport now; if you're happy hiring a car then best to book one now - even on quiet weekends stock can be limited in January; hire from the Swiss side for ease (Swiss vignette and snow tyres included).

The word on the street is that the Hire Cars at Geneva Airport Swiss side, are now located off site. Expect to catch a shuttle bus to a new rental garage to collect/deliver your car. The shuttle buses are quite small, so it could be a challenge if a plane load of skier's all try to get on one ) I'm not sure how long this will last for, or if it is permanent. There are ongoing building works at Geneva Airport.

Lech to St Anton would be a very long walk in ski boots.

Rose, Lech is a lovely resort, quite pretty and varied on the slopes. The UK Tour Ops do seem to charge a lot for the hotels, I suggest that you try the Tourist Office and go direct. To travel you can get the train as far as St Anton, and then the Post Bus on to Lech AFAICR. :D

Yes, the French Social Security system for medical care is quite different to the UK one. If you have decent travel insurance, most places, a call to your provider can get most of the cost of your care covered.

In the 3V you will almost certainly be taken straight to a private clinic where they can charge anything they like. If I should ever find that I am put in the same position in France, I will ask for the British Consul's assistance, as I was effectively held against my will (with a broken collarbone) and repeatedly harrassed until I coughed up 550 euros cash. To do this I gave my bank card and PIN to another person to go to a cashpoint. The clinic refused to accept valid insurance, cheque, credit card, debit card, E111....
I could not go to the cashpoint for myself, the clinic took my boots away.

As an aside, the medical diagnosis and care was very poor IMV, and the business practices of that clinic was well known to my UK travel insurer.

I'm certain that there are other clinics which provide better service, but if you are injured you don't get a choice, and are delivered into a system designed to relieve you of your money.

There, I feel better now, really I do :evil: