J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by bandit

Jan I Stenmark wrote:All,

A fascinating and highly relevant thread.

msej449 – Thanks for a great technical review of the issues.

From a personal point of view I certainly found that driving my E55 up to Verbier even with a very light dusting of snow without chains was impossible :oops: The humiliation of a Fiat 500 zooming past on skinny wheels certainly made me realise that 400+ hp is only good some of the time :|

Yes, it's true, we used to have a Fiat 500, and it was wonderful in snow, spraying great rooster tails at the vehicles we passed :D
It may have been small, you may have laughed when you passed us on the motorway....revenge is sweet :lol:

freezywater wrote:what I still can't work out is if a 4x4 is less environmentally friendly than say a Toyota Prius, does the extra money we'll have to stump up for road tax stop global warming or increase the size of the treasury :?:

Our household had a Toyota Prius on extended test this year. The much heralded, environmentally friendly electric motor was over ridden by the petrol engine if we had the aircon switched on when starting up. The petrol engine also started up if doing more than walking pace. The batteries contained with in the car are very environmentally unfriendly, road handling was plain awful...I could go on, you get the idea :shock:
My 4x4 does more mpg than say either a Chrysler Voyager or Renault Espace...go figure :wink:

Admin wrote:

jonG wrote:the Aigulle Rouge

I'm with you there... and I'd hazard a guess that Mr CDP of this parish might join us. Optimum Ski in Villaroger taught us to ski proper-like quite a few <cough> years ago... good memories and one great run - although it is somewhat tamer toward the bottom than it once was.

I am also a former student of that fine establishment, and I have very clear memories of having rubber legs on the last run down to Le Pre...each day :D
Stunning run.

ise wrote:

That's partly true, there's a size problem with chains for some cars certainly but for a lot of cars it's incidental, the real problem is the power of the car and that the linkages on the chains for a Corsa won't do for a 300bhp 4wd :D

Hmmm, 300bhp 4wd. That would be a Porsche 911/Celica GT4/Range Rover v8SE/Touareg4.2v8 et al :D
Mind you, it would be quite some achievement to put 300bhp through the wheels on snow :D

The linkages on chains for vehicles with lower profile tyres, and subsequently reduced wheel arch clearances, are flatter. If there is insufficient space Spikes-Spiders may be a workable alternative.

The main issue for bloatmobile chelsea tractors, is that there is simply way too much rubber, and they have a tendency to er...float :mrgreen:

Okay, for openers, I would suggest looking at one or two of the big operators, say Inghams or Crystal.
For resorts, here's a few suggestions based on what you have posted above:
France = Valmorel
Austria = Alpbach
Italy = Bardonnechia
Switzerland = Villars

All of these resorts have good beginners areas, followed by gentle slopes on which to progress.
For your children, you will need to speak either to the resort, or to your chosen Tour Operator, to make sure that their tuition will be in English. There should be a choice of tuition on offer, some will include their lunches and supervision.
What you really don't need right now, is a "big" resort, as no-one in your party will be able to enjoy the range of slopes.
You should also enquire about a beginners ski pass, these are usually cheaper, occasionally resorts have free beginners ski lifts.
The big Tour Ops will also have complete Learn to Ski packages, which will see the whole family kitted out.
You may want to consider renting some of your clothing this time round, just in case you don't enjoy the experience, and also because children grow.For example....
http://www.skitogshire.co.uk/index.html
If that does not appeal, bargain kit can be had from outlets like TK Maxx and should save a little money on the outlay.
I hope this helps :D

Hmmmm, yes I did consider Vallorcine, honest :D Having skied out of there in April, I feel pretty sure that the run down to the village is still in France.
It may be worth you contacting one of Guides Agencies to see if you can descend off piste into Switzerland, and get a taxi back to the train station in Vallorcine.

Ha ha! I would have like to have skied everywhere, but I think I started a bit late. Just remember, visiting a place, and being good are 2 different things :lol:

fatcorsa wrote:laguna... errm megane :( eeeek haha, have to see how we go! taking the chains thanks guys

These folks are good for chains if you need some.... http://www.roofbox.co.uk/

They sell the Autosocks as well )

Suggest taking a heavy duty pair of marigold's or gardening gloves with you. Putting on snowchains really messes up my nails :D

Your Megane will be fine, just as long as you don't leave it too late to be fitting the chains.

Hmmm, do-able, but a little pricey, I would say. Suggest starting from Chamonix with an early trip through the M.B tunnel with a Mountain Guide to ski the Vallee Blanche from the Italian side ascending from Cormayeur. This brings you back into Chamonix, where you can get straight on a train for Martigny. Then perhaps Verbier?. I'm not convinced you would make it back to Chamonix, but I've not checked the train times )