J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by bandit

ise wrote:

WampaCow wrote:
ise: From what I understand the OR Alti Mitts are the warmest glove out there. The thing is that they are designed more for mountaineering and not skiing.

warm's not really a big deal though, you can always use liners. The big deal is something you've got some sort of use of your hands with and is hard wearing, carrying skis and grabbing lifts wipes out cheap gloves quick.

Actually, if you have cold hands, warm is a really big deal, especially if you have had frostbite :(

WampaCow if you go for Hestras, choose a bigger size glove, than you think you would need. I found their sizes quite small. Especially if you think you might want a glove liner as well.

Welcome :D Do not, under any circumstances buy the Paradiski pass. The Vanoise Express is closed for the entire winter season, because some of the cable needs replacing. There is no information yet released about replacement bus services to cover the loss of the link.
You may want to consider renting the services of a Mountain Guide to get the best from the area. The most well known "expert" descent is the North Face of Bellecote.
http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Savoie/La-Plagne-Bellecote

Three resorts that may be worth considering:

Engelberg, scheduled closing of top lifts 25/05/08
Zermatt, generally open year round.
Saas Fee,generally open year round.

All of the above have glacier skiing.

Additionally, as it's Switzerland, hoteliers offer flexible length stays.

freezywater wrote:These 2000 are already employed by BAA and will therefore be unaffected by the new rule. one can only assume that they are striking in fear of BAA closing the scheme altogether. IMHO if you go for a job with a company that has a final salary scheme that you can't enter then either you negotiate more favourable terms, take the job or go elsewhere.

As the amended scheme will not allow new employees to contribute, then over time, as existing employees leave for any reason, the number of contributors to the original scheme will have diminished. This will leave the pension "pot" depleted as no "fresh" joiners take up the spaces.
Once the "pot" is small enough to be considered at risk, then the managers and trustees will be able to present a "fait accompli" to the long time members to wind up the scheme in favour of a money purchase pension scheme. Which will save BAA lots of money and make their shareholders really happy. Of course the pension will be a poorer product, but at least the members will salvage something eh :twisted:
So, based on this, I would tend to disagree with your assertion that the existing workers will be unaffected by the new rule, and they can see what is just around the corner for their retirement.
This strategy is nothing unusual.

Based on my experiences over a few past years, the snow seems to have come early. Depths seem good, and the Aguille du Midi is open, although the path down the ridge is not made up.
These folks http://www.chamonix.net/english/snow_reports/latest.htm are locals, and looking at their comments and photos should give you good info about the conditions.
:D

I have already had 2 trips this winter so far, and I'm still spending quality time on the webcams and snow forecast sites :D

My Stockli Stormrider AT skis. I have skied much better since I got them :D

aussiechick01 wrote:Need accommodation 9-16 March 2008 - preferrably in Soldeu but will consider Pas de la Casa too.

You may find this linky useful for all things Andorran :D

http://www.andorramania.com/index_gb.htm