Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Linds wrote: |
I even managed not to fall over coming out the bar |
Well done Linds Better than I managed in Southampton yesterday while going out to get my newspaper. Perhaps I should have skied to the shops Nah, cover too thin (4cm) & uphill on the way back. But why was the snow in Southampton more treacherous to pedestrians than Alpe d'Huez the week before?
Anyway, back to the thread...
I couldn't reply to this last Tuesday as that day I was skiing off piste with a SCGB rep . "Was it enjoyable and adequately challenging?" Well, certainly challenging for me, with those snow conditions, wind blown at the top and heavy lower down. Enjoyable? Well it should have been, but on the morning run I felt demoralised as my off piste skiing ability seemed to have regressed about 15 years and my energy & fitness levels seemed to have declined rapidly with age. Afternoon, around La Garde, again brought varied conditions, this time breakable crust. (You know it's going to be difficult when you see your Rep fall over. ) I'm lucky to be light enough to stay on top of it at times while others are going through. While using the survival technique of long traverse then kick turn we found an area that had been shaded by trees that was still powder. Only about 70m long but it made up for the rest and it was enjoyable.
Both main off piste runs started on piste & rejoined the piste later. The rep obviously knew the area well & knew where he was going, but the morning run in particular went well away from the pistes, but not unreasonably so considering the experience of the group. This is the sort of stuff I appreciate the SCGB repping system for.
Thursday was even more challenging. We went off the back of Pic Blanc and skied down to Clavans le Haut entirely off piste, only this time we had hired a guide from ESF. Snow conditions again varied & difficult, even the guide had an early fall, I ended up exhausted and not too pleased with my own skiing performance.
Summing up: Alpe d'Huez, quite relaxed about going off piste next to the pistes and even this could be challenging, went further afield when properly equipped with transceivers, probes & shovels. Val Thorens (over Christmas), I got the impression that off piste would have been desirable had the high winds not blown it all away and made it not worthwhile.
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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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Linds, glad you had a great time. Pete Horn, thanks for the feedback. If the off-piste is generally as reported by you, then it does look as though the Club has something for me yet.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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... not to mention the new revolving door.
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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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David Goldsmith, U don't U turn if you want to. You do seem to have an enthusiasm for repetitive post themes - and I suppose your attempts at humour are your substitute for skiing. As for me, I am trying to sort out what's best for me to be skiing in March. It may be joining up with a rep's party - if I have to head out for the slopes as a singleton - could be my best option. I guess other sHs may be interested to know how the rep thing is working out in reality - after all the angst last year. So if you could just butt out of this thread, and perhaps start another called 'I want you to know that I hate the SCGB system - I've told you before, but I am telling you yet again' then you could be doing your thing - and there could be some useful feedback for sHs here.
Peter Horn got along OK - anybody out there have a day when they thought the rep was inhibited by the new rules?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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achilles, look what rotten old DG's found for you:
18 months SCGB membership for the price of 12, via 'Rail News'.
Quote: |
To take advantage of our special membership offer, call Ski Club membership department on 0845 45 807 82 and quote ‘Railnews’, or visit www.skiclub.co.uk and insert ‘Railnews’ in the promotional code box. |
So that's the lion's share of this season, plus all of next season, to find your perfect SCGB rep!
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David Goldsmith, the bijou problemette is that with limited skiing opportunity, I don't have the time or the inclination to spend holidays finding the perfect rep. I would like reports from those who have actually skied with a rep off-piste as to how the day(s) went - rather along the lines of Peter Horn's report. Be assured that if I want the benefit of an armchair skier trawling the internet, you will be the first I shall contact. Until I do, be a sweetie and restrain yourself from further effort.
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The reps can be hit and miss. Just back from a holiday last week, the said rep was on his first posting and it showed. An able skier but attitude was appalling. It would be wrong to name and shame before I write to the club and see what their response to my complaint is!
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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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His (/her) attitude to what?
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The group of members that help him to holiday! I do not look for a great skier or guide, but I do expect civliaty.
Lack of knowledge of the resort is not a problem, anyone can take a group uphill for 10 mins on a cross country circuit
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Roy Hockley, hmm. I think you may have had a particularly duff rep - the rules may have changed, but I doubt if the selection criteria have. I skied with a lot of reps, their poeple skills varied, but most were great to get along with, One was a bit brusque - but compensated in other ways/ None was down right rude. Anyway, what skiing did you do with the rep?
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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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achilles, I agree, most of the reps I have skied with were very nice and would not have a problem finding which resort they are repping in and go with them. Alas this chap was not as good as the others!
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achilles wrote: |
I am not seeking to rake over old arguments. I really am interested in how snowheads who have skied this season off-piste with a SCGB rep felt about their day. Was it enjoyable and adequately challenging? |
I skied offpiste with the Chamonix dude a few weeks back.
Apparently, it has to be within reasonable skiing distance of a lift.
It was a good day of slackcountry.
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You know it makes sense.
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Whitegold, thanks.
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