PSIA Technique from 1988 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWVsKwj5OGU

They can be pretty good value when they use their own planes. I think that is likely true.....especially as the Ski Carriage charge is much lower with Tui than the likes of Easyjet (which they use from Belfast).

I *generally* have found that the BOGOF offer period is the cheapest time to book with Crystal (although not necessarily by much). As someone who goes with Crystal a lot, I have found that to be the case....unless they do a very reduced pre-Christmas offer. This year, I booked early as we are a big group and wanted a particular Hotel (The Langley in Tignes Lac), as my Daughter is Vegan and I know they cope. I booked at the end of May. Since then, the price only went up €46 and then the BOGOF offer came in.....which given the L/Pass is being quoted as €439, produces a substantial saving. If there is strong demand to that hotel, the basic price will go up. At the minute, this would leave the holiday - flying out of Dublin - at €1611 (£1390) for Flights / Transfers / HB / Lift Pass....which isn't too bad. Gone are the days you could get the basic holiday for £700 - 800 along with the BOGOF offer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mCdMezMypE

Just a heads-up....Crystal have now introduced their Buy One L/Pass, get one free. This will push prices up when people start booking.

@Chaletbeauroc, I have had some dodgy Group Lessons - but that was years ago. I have had many Private Lessons - and some were good and some were great....but if that had happened to me, having shelled out for a Private Lesson, I would have had a "Discussion" with the head of the ski school. I hope your guest made their feelings known and at the very least, I would expect another lesson with a different instructor without further payment...or refunded for that one.

I'm not sure I can be of much help, as I've never been to Chatel....but anywhere I've had a choice between the ESF and ESI, I have chosen the latter with success. Maybe worth checking out what they have to offer. I see a Brit listed in their team...and they also say they have an Irish instructor. https://www.esichatel.com/ With luck, someone might come up with a name.

I think Ellis Brigham may do it and probably have a shop that works for you.

Modern Austrian Technique......From the 60s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYMCsa0KbN8&t=412s

@Old Fartbag, What length in these skis would you recommend for an advanced intermediate male (Anwärter qualified, but senior in age) 1.81m tall, weighing 78kg? Many thanks. IMV. You would comfortably fall into the 172 length (14m radius). The 167 is a touch short and the 177 is a possibility if you are a fast aggressive skier and generally prefer a longer ski or want more surface area for All Mountain use.

What are your stats?.....Ability / Weight / Height / Aggression etc Ekosport has the 172 with a 30% discount: https://www.ekosport.co.uk/volkl-peregrine-80-lowride-12-tcx-p-9-155984 Ive seen them, I want the 167 really. I would say I’m a good intermediate and I’m 176cm, 75kg. I’ve read if you’re in between sizes to go short in these skis. Thanks. You are not wrong when you say that you are right between lengths.....IMV. For your weight and level - 169 would be the theoretical choice. It is acceptable to go plus or minus 3cm from 169. So it is in your wheelhouse.....but right at the upper limit. Being an advanced/expert ski on the more damp side...and taking on board your preference....you should probably hold out for the 167. Thought it was worth checking.

What are your stats?.....Ability / Weight / Height / Aggression etc Ekosport has the 172 with a 30% discount: https://www.ekosport.co.uk/volkl-peregrine-80-lowride-12-tcx-p-9-155984

First Milestone reached....I will be old enough to get the Old Fart's discount on the EK Liftpass. :skele: My Brother and his Wife are coming over from The States with a group of friends and joining up with myself and Miss Fartbagette, for a week in Tignes. If nothing else, it will be a break from Trump (if he hasn't plunged us all into WW3). Our group will range in age from 60 to 76, which in itself is hard to get my head around. It would appear we are now old!

Welcome to :sH: I haven't been in Summer - so no help there. For skiing - If you have been to the 3V, then it makes sense to try the Paradiski area. Personally, I would stay in Les Arcs, as I think the Piste skiing is more interesting. Between the 2 resorts, there is plenty of skiing for a week....and if snow cover is decent, trips to the outlying villages for lunch is worthwhile in both areas. The full area pass should give express lane access for some connecting lifts. 1600 - Smaller, with access down to Borges St Maurice via Funicular 1800 - Much bigger, with four distinct areas (Charmettoger, Le Charvet, Les Villards, and Le Chantel). It is beside wooded skiing (Vallandry / Peisy) if weather closes in and closest to the Vanoise express cable car, which gives access to La Plagne 1950 - Newest village (2003), built by Intrawest to Canadian standards. Really handy for everything and situated just below Arc 2000 (with a pedestrian lift up). Small and bijou....and more expensive 2000 - A little bit bleak and exposed when the weather closes in - but easy access to high altitude skiing and the Glacier.

Possibly Saas Fee...but Switzerland isn't cheap. Decent for Families, Beginners and Intermediates (less so for Advanced) ....and snow sure. I went as a school kid many (many) years ago and stayed in the Allalin Hotel...8 mins walk to lifts, but ski bus stops outside.

@johnE, Like you, I'm lucky.....so if I'm put in the correct boot, there is usually no further tweaking needed. After a day or two, if there are pinch points in areas that are rubbing and causing pain, the shell can be "blown" or padding inserts judiciously placed etc Sometimes grinding can be needed, flex softened or ramp angle/lean adjusted....or the Custom Insole altered. With both Shells and Liners now being so moldable....maybe a good fit is easier to achieve.

Yeh, most likely scenario is Val D'isere, and I will chose one of the recommended options by you! All are good (and have been endorsed by Steve Angus, a ski instructor from TDC who is a regular on here) - but would put Bruno @ Killy Sports marginally at number one, as a result of what Steve Angus has previously said. Book before you go and ask about fitting bindings as part of the deal.

You have all given me a lot to think about. Will eventually make my mind up if I get them in resort or over here, but seems cheaper and somewhat smarter to get them where I am going to be skiing "If" you decide on getting boots in a resort.....choose one with a good Bootfitter. Ask on here for suggestions when settling on where to go. You will get very good service in the suggestions made so far in this thread. If you take time to consider your decision - that alone has made this thread worthwhile. There is a fair bit money at stake.

@munich_irish, In 2023 when I was in Tignes with my Daughter, where she bought some Salomon S/Pro 90, which included Assessment / Fitting/ Custom Footbeds / Salomon's Custom Heat Connect liner @ €100 (she has Raynaud's)....and the Bill came to €600. She says that they fit well and are comfy....the shells and liners were heated and molded to her shape. There were no pinch points, so happily skied the rest of the week in them. Given the service we received, I believe the shop would have fitted Bindings FOC if I'd asked them to. My Boots were fitted by the famous JoJo in Lac before he retired....best fitting boots I've had in 50 years of skiing.

My thoughts on this may well be too late....but better late than never I suppose. I come from the perspective of using a TO....Crystal in particular. The more immovable criteria you have, the earlier you need to book. 1. If you have a large group and want a particular hotel, on a particular date, in a particular resort.....then book as early as you can eg. April/May. 2. If you want to go to a popular resort for school holidays (Christmas/NY/ Easter), book really early - especially for New Year 3. If there are only 2 of you and you are somewhat flexible on dates, but still want a particular resort.....then Crystal usually have their "Buy One Lift Pass, get one Free" early July. This generally gives the best value....especially if you get their loyalty discount as well (if its available). Had been £100. 4. If you are a small group (2 - 4 people) and flexible over dates and resorts...then it can make sense to wait for the snow to be good and try to score a last minute deal. In my case - it is usually just myself and my Daughter who go in Jan, after NY and before the French School holidays start. She is Vegan, which is a nightmare in the French resorts that I like to go to (Tignes / Les Arcs / 3 Valleys). We have found a hotel in Tignes which copes with her Vegan diet...so we book early July to take advantage of the L/Pass offer and low price. This coming season, we are a more substantial group, needing 5 rooms, to a particular hotel in Tignes....so have already booked to ensure we all got rooms in the same hotel. I can't comment on the best way to do DIY.

Yes that is ok, boots are the most essential thing (as I know) That they are....and around a 15 year investment for a holiday skier.

@joshyp, If you get your bindings mounted in the resort (without buying boots), expect to pay around €40. S4F will do a first class job - but just be aware that there is a consultation / fitting charge (I think £120 - £195)....as is the case with Ski Bartlett (£50).....Others in the UK may do likewise, but I don't know. So, if doing this in the UK, allow for a fitting fee and a Binding Mount fee (if having that done elsewhere)

@Old Fartbag, he said he already bought skis so too late for that. Ah, I thought the bindings were still to be bought. In that case, there's a good chance that the place he gets the Boots from (especially if in resort) - and likely custom insoles as well - would fit the bindings for free....but best to bring it up early when discussing prices.

@joshyp, I would get the bindings fitted by the same place as you buy them from, or you will likely be charged....so if buying Boots in the resort, get the Bindings at the same time and they should be fitted for free.

Almost makes it a little bit difficult to make a decision, as I am being given such good advise from everywhere. Not sure to buy boots here in UK, or get them in the alps when I am there! Generally speaking, if you get a recommendation from here - it will be good advice....so pick the place that is closest to you. Personally, I like to get fitted in resort. This is for 2 reasons. 1) In NI, there aren't many good alternatives, as they closed down some time ago - and - 2) I like to ski the boot for the week and use that time to see if there needs to be further work done (we have no Snow Domes in NI). There is no right answer....except using someone who is experienced and known for doing a good job. Getting a good Bootfitter in S&R or EB is luck of the draw, so best avoided unless you are given a particular name in a particular store and can get an appointment with them.

You have been given some of the best places in the UK. In Val D'Isere you have: 1. Bruno@Killy Sports 2. Yannik@Mountain Pro 3. Greg@Intersport Borasso If you get fitted in the UK, try to get to a Snowdome and have any niggles sorted before you go. Buying at home means access to the Bootfitter to get problems sorted after you have left the resort. The benefit of getting fitted in the resort - especially if you get fitted at the start of the week - is you have the week to find and sort problems. It normally takes around 3 days (or more) for the liners to bed in properly. The downside is that future issues will need sorted back in the resort (unless you pay). Fitting in resort can usually be done after the lifts have closed, so you don't lose skiing time.

If it was me I would just book in a couple of privates first two days (similar cost to a week of lessons) and then ski with him the rest of the time. With a week already under his belt he could make rapid progress in a couple of privates. There would be no ski school on the Saturday anyhow. My thoughts exactly. You put yourself out a bit in the early years, so they can overtake you when a teenager.

IME. With Evo2, they are unlikely to want him to join a group that started with kids of similar experience to your lad, as they will have progressed and he will have been left behind. I experienced this with someone in my Party who was in a Beginner Snowboard group lesson and missed a day or two due illness. They wouldn't let him back as he would be too far behind, but put the balance to Private lessons. However, it is possible they would let him join a Beginner class, as he has had some previous experience, so shouldn't take as long to catch up. I would contact them before you go and discuss it. ESF might - but no experience with them.....However I don't think it's fair on the other members of the class if they are held up by someone joining midweek. Worst case scenario is to spend what group lessons cost, on some private ones.

@Old Fartbag, replied while I was typing, thanks for that This gives an idea (On the right of the First Map): https://www.peakretreats.co.uk/media/15981/tignes-le-lac-plus-val-claret-map-1.pdf The "key" shows the Lift symbol. The first Elevator is to the right of 22 (The Diva). The other one is to the left of 119, behind the ski bus stop symbol. When staying in the Diva, you go out of the boot locker and turn left and it just a few paces away. The other one is a short walk - ie. out of the Diva front door and turn right.....go to the bus stop and I think there is a Ascenseur sign pointing up the little incline to the Lift.

There are 2 Elevators up from the lower level in VC. One is in the small square to the right of The Diva (better for skiers joining the Piste). The other is up a short incline, behind the bus stop to the left of The Diva (on the same side) and takes you into the middle of VC, a stones throw from The Curling.

There is a great gang of Seasonnaires in Tignes.....and it could be a good idea to join the Ski Club of GB, who has a Rep there who co-ordinates groups (but can't lead them). I joined them for a week when staying in Tignes Lac for a week (Jan '23) I can't help with accommodation. They also have Reps in Val Thorens; Meribel and Les Arcs and a VDI Facebook Group.

Profeet have a good reputation

Sorry to hear that.....these things seem to take longer to heal as one ages....and then aren't as robust afterwards. I had a double eject skiing scraggy Off Piste on the VDI side, when I stuffed my ski tips into a banking and flew over the handlebars. I reinjured the rotator cuff on my right shoulder, leaving a painful ski home. Luckily, this was the end of the penultimate day. There is a good Physio in Tignes VC who helped me enough that I could do some gentle skiing on the last day. That was Jan '24 (I didn't ski Jan '25, but not because of the injury)....and despite doing rehab, my shoulder only came around about a month ago. Your injury is much worse - so hope it heals up well....but it is likely to take longer than you think.

IMO. If a "Bootfitter" gets you to try on multiple pairs of Boots, they are in effect passing on the fitting responsibility to you. As has been rightly said above, once they have properly assessed your feet, done a shell check and asked you questions about your ability....there is usually 2 (3 at the most) pairs of boots that are suitable....and you choose from those. Putting the boots on properly and buckling them up correctly is crucial. They should feel a bit on the tight side (but not unbearably so)....which will take most of the week's skiing to pack out enough to be comfortably snug. Getting them on and off can be tricky....especially if the weather is very cold. If bought in resort....painful spots can be dealt with throughout the week. If bought in the UK. then try and get to a snowdome to identify problems. You need to get assessed by someone who knows what they are doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-XY3CB3FsA&t=60s Toppling/Angulation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u90Tke_5Bs

As an aside, anyone know where I can hire some Addikt 76 in Val Claret. Out next week and keen to try some again before buying either them. BC Octo or another pair of lovely Elan Wingman 78 in the end of season sales You could try Deep Snow (Ski Set) which is beside The Diva, on the right. I see they list Salomon Addikt under their Excellence Pack. I don't know if they are the 76, but are listed as a Piste ski. https://www.skiset.co.uk/booking When I used Deep Snow in the past, I received good service and high quality kit.

and then what is Topside? These are used in this half of the globe. Go to Australia and you will be given Bottomside. :skele:

what does "frontside" mean anyway? IMO. In the UK, we have AM and Freeride In the US, they have Frontside and Backside

IMV. Look for brands that use NXT/Trivex in their photochromic lenses eg Bolle, Smith and Julbo. They need to cover Categories 1, 2 and 3. My Julbos are cat 0-4… it will be interesting to test them in a white out. That is then ahead of the game. IME. While that would be great, realistically, Cat 0 and 4 have more limited use.

IMV. Look for brands that use NXT/Trivex in their photochromic lenses eg Bolle, Smith and Julbo. They need to cover Categories 1, 2 and 3.