 Poster: A snowHead
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| red 27 wrote: |
| parkesy, if you're under about 62 then yes you are. |
Add 36 years and I'm right there with you
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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skimastaaah, ??
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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under a new name, I take it you're a fan of Mont Vallon.................... (though I doubt it). 
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| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| Does anyone else on hearing the criticism "it's full of Russians" hear a sentiment equivalent to "it's full of niggers"? |
Yes.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Never been to a a resort I wouldnt go back to, however there are plenty of places yet to explore which means many won't get a second look in unless the price is right..
Les Deux Alpes probably being possibly the least likely as it was a bit "Samey" Obvious exceptions being a really cheap trip or because there is snow there 
Paradiski simply because I've spent 2 weeks there. Exceptions being to be taken offpiste by a guide
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skimastaaah, I must admit that I have never skied (nor felt the urge, other than maybe an early blast at Val Thorens) the 3Vs.
So I have no idea what you are talking about!
I quite like Mont Gele however.
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Had a lot of fun on Vallon
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skimastaaah, yeah, well, the literal translation of what you have written is (allowing for possible misinterpretation of your transliteration) 'And I am not asking in Russian'. I am merely enquiring what that was supposed to mean.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| Does anyone else on hearing the criticism "it's full of Russians" hear a sentiment equivalent to "it's full of niggers"? |
Of course. Though I cannot condone the behaviour of some Russians I've seen, in rather large numbers it has to be said, in Courchevel 1850.
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I was trying not to be drawn in to this, but L2A does seem to bet getting an unfair hammering! Sure it's not the best place I've been, but it wasn't that bad.
I did the half term week 2010 (after getting a good last minute deal from Mark Warner) - the first (and only) time I've braved the half term week. I was prepared for packed pistes, lift queue's and the general chaos associated with holiday weeks in France - and was pleasantly surprised at the lack of queues and space on pistes. Snow conditions weren't the best, the only open piste back was Valentin, but dodging all the folk who insisted on skiing back when it exceeded their skill level just added to the challenge Given all that, it still kept me occupied for a week.
I'm not one to got back anywhere by choice, would rather explore somewhere new, but certainly wouldn't say I'd never go back to L2A.
Anyway, to keep on topic, where wouldn't I go back? Niederau, Austria. Was a good beginner week for my OH, and I do rate Austrian mountain food way above French, but not enough terrain for me to go back, even for a long weekend.
Also, someone else mentioned Les Carroz. I've only been late season (and it was 24C at resort level) so thought my opinion might be biased by lack of open terrain. Spent most of my time in Flaine, enjoyed the skiing and the sun, but the area carries memories of old slow lifts and long queues even in low season. Was I unlucky? Has it improved since they built Montsoleil?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Pedantica wrote: |
| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| Does anyone else on hearing the criticism "it's full of Russians" hear a sentiment equivalent to "it's full of niggers"? |
Of course. Though I cannot condone the behaviour of some Russians I've seen, in rather large numbers it has to be said, in Courchevel 1850. |
A little light at the end of the tunnel.
BTW I find the comparison in Mr Piehole's quote uncomfortable as it suggests that attitudes towards Russian skiers (especially those Pendantica has seen in abundance in Courchsky 1850) smacks of racism. Far from it. Despite the great cash-cow of resorts like the 3V's, the French in general are quite happy to reap as much rouble as is on offer, hence the over-pricing of goods and services. 
And that's why I won't go back to either Courchevel nor Val d'Isere. Even some great and iconic skiing does not improve the perceptions of busy, pricy, and overrated resorts.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Borovets for me too. No snow but actually had a good laugh. Just too much like a scene from Borat though.
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Good to see L2A getting a well deserved beating!
Si, IGLS!!! I think you got done-over by Inghams there! I don't know if it's fair to class this as a ski "resort", mabe tiny village with a 50 year old lift!
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You know it makes sense.
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| Pedantica wrote: |
| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| Does anyone else on hearing the criticism "it's full of Russians" hear a sentiment equivalent to "it's full of niggers"? |
Of course. Though I cannot condone the behaviour of some Russians I've seen, in rather large numbers it has to be said, in Courchevel 1850. |
What was this behaviour?
As far as I know, I have only bumped into 2 Russians, and they were good fun. Hipflasks full of high grade vodka liberally shared, and plenty of laughs and (possibly related) the best fluid mogul skiing I think I have ever seen, bar Claude of course.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Living in Italy - I wouldn't go back to the US, particularly Whistler Blackcomb. Not because of the skiing, but because of everything else - travel time, time difference, food on the mountain, restaurants, atmosphere (prefer 'real places'). Its a very personal thing. I like my skiing venue to be well rounded - traditional, comfortable, accessible, good food & restaurants, variety of skiing which is why for the last ump-teen years we have based ourselves in the Italian Dolomites - and only 2% of ski visitors are Brits - a fact I don't understand, when access from Innsbruck is only 90mins from the Val Gardena.
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Poster: A snowHead
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jtoh, Whistler Blackcomb are in Canada
But I agree with all your sentiments regarding the Canadian resorts I've skied, Banff/Sunshine, Lake Louise, Whistler/Blackcomb. I'd also add that I found a rather "provincial" myopia within those resorts. They maybe the best resorts going for skiing where they are, but they are definitely not the best resorts going.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| DoubleBombardino wrote: |
| Pedantica wrote: |
| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| Does anyone else on hearing the criticism "it's full of Russians" hear a sentiment equivalent to "it's full of niggers"? |
Of course. Though I cannot condone the behaviour of some Russians I've seen, in rather large numbers it has to be said, in Courchevel 1850. |
What was this behaviour?
As far as I know, I have only bumped into 2 Russians, and they were good fun. Hipflasks full of high grade vodka liberally shared, and plenty of laughs and (possibly related) the best fluid mogul skiing I think I have ever seen, bar Claude of course. |
I hesitate to get into the anti-Russian-skiers debate (as I am half Polish and therefore obviously already biased) but...
One of the worst weeks skiing that I have had was in one of my favourite skiing destinations - the Dolomites - and it was made so by the large number of out of control, rude skiers who were busy celebrating Russian Christmas (and yes, I do know that they were Russian because I can tell the difference between one Slavic language and the next).
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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DoubleBombardino,
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What was this behaviour?
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Notably, rudeness to those doing their best to provide them with the goods and services on offer. But of course this doesn't apply to everybody. I may have posted this before, but a few years ago I was staying in a small hotel in Verbier, where our table at dinner was between a party of rude, loud Russians on one side (who were, inter alia, giving a blameless young waitress the runaround) and a quiet couple on the other. At the end of the meal, the quiet couple came over to us to apologize for the behaviour of their compatriots - and then proceeded to sink a convivial vodka or three with us!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Filthyphil30k wrote: |
| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| Does anyone else on hearing the criticism "it's full of Russians" hear a sentiment equivalent to "it's full of niggers"? |
Yes. |
what about Russian niggers?
oh...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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"Riggers".
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It's just really funny people moaning about the Russians, the Dutch, Scandinavians, perhaps most hilarious is Brits abroad moaning about there being 'lots of Brits' - never quite worked that one out. "Doctor, it hurts when I do this."
How come nobody ever complains that, whilst holidaying in France, there are far too many French people? In fact we were thinking about doing a bit of skiing over the border in Italy - until I realised it would be full of Italians. I hate the Italians. Not as much as Germans, and nowhere near as much as blacks or Jews, but still.
At least I don't live near Wales.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Freddie Paellahead,
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I was being ironic
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I know!
Mr Piehole,
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How come nobody ever complains that, whilst holidaying in France, there are far too many French people?
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I've often heard that complaint made!
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| Mr Piehole wrote: |
| "Riggers". |
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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My season in Meribel a few years ago gave me a large amount of contact time with the Russians.
Virtually every single one of them gave me a hard time. Aggressive, over-bearing, dismissive, never listened or wanted too, demanded everything now without exception etc. I nearly took one of their heads off when they skied across my landing area mid flight. Then it was my fault. Obviously. 5/6 months of various experiences with 100s of them.
I reject the racist connotation people are implying here completely. I actually find that quite offensive. Fact is fact. 95% of the Russians I have ever met (which is a lot) are morons. Don't get me wrong, Meribel is also full pissed up, Yachty Brits who click there fingers and shout at you with 4 bags of plums in their mouths...
At least they tip well.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| parkesy wrote: |
My season in Meribel a few years ago gave me a large amount of contact time with the Russians.
Virtually every single one of them gave me a hard time. Aggressive, over-bearing, dismissive, never listened or wanted too, demanded everything now without exception etc. I nearly took one of their heads off when they skied across my landing area mid flight. Then it was my fault. Obviously. 5/6 months of various experiences with 100s of them.
I reject the racist connotation people are implying here completely. I actually find that quite offensive. Fact is fact. 95% of the Russians I have ever met (which is a lot) are morons. Don't get me wrong, Meribel is also full pissed up, Yachty Brits who click there fingers and shout at you with 4 bags of plums in their mouths...
At least they tip well. |
It sounds like you've got a chip on your shoulder with regard to rich people. Go somewhere more downmarket next time, where commoners go. Scotland for example, or Austria.
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parkesy,
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Aggressive, over-bearing, dismissive, never listened or wanted too, demanded everything now without exception etc.
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Thing is, though, this kind of behaviour is common amongst the nouveau riche of whatever background and, 'a few years ago', it will mostly have been nouveau riche, young-ish Russians that you will have met, I think.
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You know it makes sense.
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Mr Piehole, ha, interesting cross post.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Funnily enough. I'm extremely lucky enough to be from a very well to-do family. Wealth has nothing to do with.
Thanks for the pop psychology though. Anymore pearls of wisdom?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Yours was a bit less trolly than mine though 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Pedantica wrote: |
parkesy,
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Aggressive, over-bearing, dismissive, never listened or wanted too, demanded everything now without exception etc.
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Thing is, though, this kind of behaviour is common amongst the nouveau riche of whatever background and, 'a few years ago', it will mostly have been nouveau riche, young-ish Russians that you will have met, I think. |
I agree but only to an extent. There where 1000's of people who were not like that who had been lucky/worked hard in their life. Some great characters!
I had a fantastic time there and wouldn't change a thing.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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parkesy, hmm, did this wealth buy you a good education? In the case of a lot of the Russians you will have met, sadly it didn't.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Pedantica wrote: |
| parkesy, hmm, did this wealth buy you a good education? In the case of a lot of the Russians you will have met, sadly it didn't. |
didn't buy them manners either
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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If you mean private school then no. I did however go to a great comp and did very well (if I do say so myself ha ha). I was the first to go to University and complete a Law degree then an MBA but thats it. I am educated but I didn't get a leg up any step of the way.
As my dad would say; "You have to earn your place in society on your own son". So I did. Got some manners along the way too.
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I'm half Russian (though to be fair don't really feel like it, don't speak Russian, never lived there etc). Still, I don't think you can just equate anti-Russian prejudice with racism. First of all because they're not a different race - they've actually got the best claim to being Caucasians This is more about rejecting a certain culture.
I've been at times the recipient of similar prejudice as a Romanian...did my best to shrug it off, I may not always like it but I understand where it's coming from.
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parkesy,
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If you mean private school then no
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No I didn't mean that.
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I am only going from personal experience. If I went to Russia (which I would like to visit one day), i'm sure all Russians will not be the same as what you may encounter in the 3V's.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Pedantica wrote: |
parkesy,
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If you mean private school then no
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No I didn't mean that. |
Clarify then? Because I had access to education maybe? I can see a weak link between education and manners but I think you are stretching...
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horizon,
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This is more about rejecting a certain culture.
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Indeed. (To declare my interest, both my parents were Russian, but not post-Soviet Russian.)
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