J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by bandit

I used to go, but don't go any longer unless I can get free tickets. The majority of space seems to be given over to ski equipment retailers, selling at retail prices. If it's London, it's pricey to get to. If it's the NEC, parking is expensive.

Katie22, the resort is a place I'm planning to visit, but I'm not sure when. I only know of hotels in the vicinity of either Valdelinares or Javalambre from the resort guide.

The layout of the resort with the car park at the top of the system means you may need snow tyres depending on conditions, which may be harder to source on a rental car in Spain.

I would really enjoy hearing about your experiences there :D

http://www.nievedeteruel.com/

It's really important for folks using indoor centres to have a moderate level of competence. There were reports (several) of a nasty accident at MK last year. A woman skier was unable to control her plough was not taken off the main slope by staff.

One of her runs resulted in her crashing into slope "furniture" at the bottom of the slope. This was an unused park "rail". She collided with it and the rail broke her leg at just above boot cuff height.

Bennyboy, I would suggest that you contact the facility of your choice for an absolute. I do know that Warren Smith runs a series of courses at UK centres throughout the summer, and of course BASI have been running L1 at various centres recently.

They each bring their own Instructors. Each is run by arrangement with the specific centres.
I was approached by a parking warden when I arrived at MK last week. He was enquiring to see if I was on a BASI course and wanted an all day pass. It was nice to be asked :D

To my knowledge, all of the UK indoor snow facilities and plastic slopes do not allow teaching/coaching/instruction by members of the public. All of the sites employ BASI/ASSI qualified teaching staff. I can imagine that H&S Regs and their insurers require them to run a tight ship, and avoid the inevitable litigation and probable on slope carnage that an open policy would risk.
Coincidentally, I have heard that the teaching staff are on rather a low wage, which is in stark contrast to the tuition rates which are :shock:

Yes, you probably lucked out with an overly keen member of staff, or they have had recent problems and have tightened up.

I made the best of the day by wearing a bikini, whilst reading "Avalanche" by Robert Bolognesi :D

ise wrote:

Admin wrote:Wow. There you have it; definitely more snow in Cervinia than Niederau in September!

) I'd think Cervinia's much the same as the rest of the alpes where it snowed in June, July and August as well like normal, I'll bet that's why the tops of the mountains are all white )

The bit between Cervinia and Zermatt is most conveniently shaped for piste bashers to drive up and down, unlike lots of other pointy Valais mountains that get the same snow :D

Pity that the Off Piste is somewhat lethal :(

Things have changed a lot, however, I'm not in agreement with having feet shoulder width apart. More like hip width. Imagine someone holding you up so that your legs hang loose from your hip joints. That wide. Wider is for downhill racers :D
BTW I am not qualified to make any suggestions and generally know sod all :mrgreen: