 Poster: A snowHead
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| red 27 wrote: |
@Steve Angus,[b]
Maybe you can guide him down the Hahnenkamm if you're such a great judge of the right line?
He's one of our greatest ever skiers - you child-mind rich kids down blue slopes. Let that sink in |
Wow. Is Graham really a Snowheader posting in disguise? 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Dr John wrote: |
| @Tangoman69, forecast is for high temperatures and no new snow. Means the pistes will be great in the morning, slushing up in the afternoon. To my mind that leans towards skiing, but it’s whatever you more comfortable using in the two different snow conditions. |
Thanks. Son is saying he doesn't want to go back to skis.
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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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I regularly ski at Hemel all year and I've seen Graham there several times teaching. A few months ago my missus fell on the slope and he was the first there, picked her up and helped her, so top marks to him.
I am however a little suspicious that she deliberately fell.... 
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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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| Tangoman69 wrote: |
| Dr John wrote: |
| @Tangoman69, forecast is for high temperatures and no new snow. Means the pistes will be great in the morning, slushing up in the afternoon. To my mind that leans towards skiing, but it’s whatever you more comfortable using in the two different snow conditions. |
Thanks. Son is saying he doesn't want to go back to skis. |
Change your will.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hi could anyone let me know that if I purchased a full area lift pass from tignes that I could start my skiing day in valdisere (my accommodation is there) ? Currently tignes is offering 30%reduction in prices in end of season promotion . I would be on the slopes 14th April to 19th . It seems you cannot buy a 6 day pass at the reduced rate .but a combination of 4 days or less ok .
Appreciate ANY ADVICE .
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I would imagine that you wont be able to use the tignes offer as you will need the val pass to get into the ski area...... you could get the bus round to tignes and buy it there on your first day..... I think that a bus goes between the resorts twice a day..... if you have a car then drive I guess?
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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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@ajc2260626, thanks . @Chocksaway has updated info on his thread .
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A nice day off
I would say I had a nice lie in... well I did but it was sudden wake up because the kids were awake and arguing and burst in to get a resolution from Clare.... anyway we enjoyed the usual Sunday leisurely breakfast and it was pretty chilled!
I have managed to watch the whole of both the mens and the ladies SL / GS events on TV today which was a bit of a treat but one of the main events of the day was both Olivia and Ben having friends around. Now that is quite chaotic and stressful - trying to keep the peace between them all and continually tidying up after them. Eek! Anyway it just about passed OK and Clare made a special lunch for 4 hungry kids - Toad in the whole, with mash and peas followed by crumble - oh yes our kids French friends certainly got a taste of England today! Brilliant! They loved it!
So after all that Olivia did some homework, Ben and his friends played in the snow downstairs and I tidied up.
When Ben came back upstairs a small rash on his body had suddenly spread to his face etc. It was nearly the end of the playdate anyway so Clare took Ben and his friend (dropping him home on the way to the Docs) to the Doc's. We suspected it was a heat rash and the docs agreed so he was given something and he came home.
Meanwhile the weather was a bit up and down today but nothing too bad!
Not a photo from today but it could have been at the moments when the clouds did part which was a couple of times.
So tomorrow is the start of another weeks work. 4 more weeks of work to go.... about 110 teaching hours to go! Then its game on!
TTFN
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Well guys, just got back from Val after a fantastic week.
I'd been trying to get my mate to commit to a lesson but until the sun shone on Monday he was being reticent. So in the evening I'm in Snowberry emailing the TDC office manager Anna, but quelle surprise, @Steve Angus is all booked up. Rather disappointed but serves us right.
We ended up taking the Tuesday afternoon slot with an instructor called Giles. Tuesday lunch we're sitting in the restaurant at the bottom of Glacier thinking we've wasted our money, visibility was again rubbish with terribly flat light.
However, we really lucked out with this lesson. When you book an off piste lesson you hope that there'll be fresh tracks involved. We had over the knee freshies all afternoon in all sorts of terrain with excellent instruction and encouragement. My on piste skiing has improved throughout the week after just a couple of comments from Giles. What a really lovely bloke he was too, his comment of "well you've definitely got the skills in there somewhere, all we have to do it bring them out again" really made me laugh!
My confidence has been suffering a bit but when Giles said he'd happily take us on the Cugnai Grand if the vis even slightly improves (it didn't  ) gave me a huge lift.
I hadn't had a lesson for probably 8 years or so but still thought that I was improving (I was probably wrong). I can honestly say that the rest of the week went so much better after having three hours of top instruction.
The moral is, don't be disappointed if you can't get the instructor you want, don't even think of cancelling if the visibility is really poor, you may just have the best lesson of your life!
So, @Steve Angus, really sorry to have missed you for the second time of trying but please pass on huge thanks to Giles.
BTW, we went with Inghams to the Duc de Savoie, the staff were great, the food was amazing, and the beds were really comfy. I'd happily stay there again but I'm told Inghams/Esprit might be giving it up next year?
Had some great chair lift chats, people always want to talk about the BBRs.
Talked with an ex-ski racer who's had over 15 operations on his knees, but has now had "material regeneration" done so now skis without any brace at all. Very interesting as I can't ski without my Mojos. He skied BBRs over 10 years ago and it was great to compare notes with someone who actually knows what they are on about!
Talked to a lovely french guide on his way down to Bonneval with some clients...so jealous I was!
Also chatted with a lovely french couple who own an apartment, Mdme has been coming to Val for 62 years since she was six. I'm pretty sure she was saying that when she was younger and there weren't so many lifts, she used to do the Bonneval route with her family!
I'm still on a high about it despite finding when unpacking, the base on one of my skis being rubbed through due to vibration during the trip home and it looks like it's de-laminating too. I so love my BBRs!
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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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Quick question, found a good deal for Val D'isere (can still cancel my booking in Tignes until the end of today)-
How much of a pain is it to work from near the tourist office to the snow front, with skis and wearing boots.
Secondly, on the last day we should be able to get in a good bit of skiing before heading back to Geneva airport, the Solaise pass looks like it fits the bill, which lifts are covered by this lift pass?
Thanks
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@dorhar, in answer to your 1st question - I have stayed in Alpina Lodge twice and hotel le Val D'Isere once, all near the tourist office, and it's not too bad a walk at all, just have to be careful you don't slip crossing the road! Takes about 5 mins.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
Talked with an ex-ski racer who's had over 15 operations on his knees, but has now had "material regeneration" done so now skis without any brace at all.
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@gixxerniknik, do you have any idea where he had it done, surgeon's name and what exact process? Think this is going to be something we have to consider fairly soon. Initial research has shown this 'industry' to be a bit of minefield, so real life successes are always interesting.
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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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@sj1608, Sorry, not a lot of help, he did tell me where I've just forgotten. All I remember is that he had it done in the UK in a place beginning with "A" I think!
He said he was one of the first to have it done. He described the process as drilling through the bone multiple times to inject blood plasma (gained from centrifuging blood) into the area where the cartilage should be. The body realises that it needs to produce bone where the holes are but is apparently tricked into producing cartilage instead somehow.
Six weeks off the feet completely with an exact, intensive physio afterwards which must be adhered to. Possibly months off work depending on what your profession is. He also said that even though you can use it after a while, the full recuperation took about 5 years!
He must have been one of the first as I'm pretty sure Southampton Uni were doing research and trials in about 2017.
He actually described it as a miracle cure and has since thrown away his knee braces and mojos!
If you are seriously considering it, I'd have a chat to Dr. Jonathon Bell in Wimbledon who posts on here sometimes. I went to see him a few years ago about it. If/when I retire I'll be giving him a call as my life style just doesn't let me take that much time off however much my knees complain. (My knees are the size of honeydew melons after last week!)
In the meantime I would recommend you look into a skimojo, I couldn't ski without mine, but you can do a search on here for that topic.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@gixxerniknik, thanks very much. It's my husband rather than me, and he is already a big Ski Mojo fan, really can't ski without it. Definitely one to research more after the season is over.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@gixxerniknik,
You say you couldn't ski without using a skimojo. I use knee supports when skiing but when I take them off I have problems walking. That's why I have discounted the use of the skimojo. Can you walk OK without any "support"?
I've already accepted with the fact that I'll have to stop skiing sooner than later. I suppose I should be talking to my GP about the state of my knees.
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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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gixxerniknik - thanks for the lovely report. It made me warm inside! I have passed on your thanks etc to Giles and the wonderful words you used are very true re - have a lesson no matter what.... today was a case in point I think - more on that in a second!
dorhar - yes as dunc999 says its very easy... even though it might be a little OTT consider taking the bus as it passes so you can then get off at the Rond Pont des Pistes and ski to the Olympic etc... skiing / walking home is simples too!
WET but worth it
When I opened the curtains this morning it was looking rather wet and blurgh out there. Realtively warm too! However it was Monday morning madness getting the kids ready for school and out the door. Clares client cancelled so she did not have to bear the weather this morning but I was off out. I took shelter wherever I could away from the rain etc... it was going to be rain in town but snow at altitude thats for sure!
I had a couple that I taught last year - both qualified instructors in their own right actually and wanting to develop a few bits we worked on last year. In all honesty it was going to be a case of working on whatever we could given the conditions and probably also working on variables too / moguls given the snow and amount that had fallen!
I went as reasonably high as I could - up Bellevarde and the plan was to stay high... did not want rain (more) queues and more lumpy snow lower down to La Daille. However there was a punchy wind and driving snow up there! Anyway we did our best all morning and it was pretty OK in the end although I was pretty cold by the end of the morning as I made my way to Le Lac as I was meeting a random Tignes lesson (a colleague was ill!) over there! It was lovely to take refuge in the Maison de Tignes away from the weather for an hour but my gloves were really really wet!
After lunch I met my pm session which was a couple from the States who have lived and worked most of their adult life in Switzerland but had never had a lesson even though one was a L1 qualified instructor or something! The original plan had been to do some off piste but there was no way it would be possible in those conditions so instead we did some short turns and then more moguls!
The weather was slightly better this afternoon but still drizzle. By the end of the afternoon I was totally soaked through everywhere and even my pack had puddles inside it and when I mean I was soaked through I mean it - despite wearing my trench coat too! Doh!
This evening it has been the usual getting the kids sorted but mainly trying to dry out.
Im TOTALLY shattered this evening - a long, cold and hard days skiing but one thing I did re-affirm today - make the most of the weather and ALWAYS understand that you can improve no matter what the conditions etc! In fact both am and pm lessons they all commented that today was the ideal day for a lesson and that it motivated them and that when the weather improves it will be all the more easier!
Sorry not very inspired this evening and need a rest!
TTFN
The view at lunch at the Maison de Tignes
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Steve Angus, Don't move back to England Steve. It seems to have been raining here since July 2023!
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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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@welshflyer, I can walk fine mostly. I have hardly any cartilage left under both my kneecaps so for example running is too painful. I can ski without them, but after a short time it hurts too much. With the Mojos I can ski all week.
I do a bit of yoga type stuff to strengthen the muscles around the knees.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Four seasons in one day
I was feeling better this morning although still a little jaded. However enough to teach! Phew!
The kids off on the school bus on what looked like a cloudy day! There was drizzle around too! Apparently some wind at altitude and lots of clouds!
I got to the meeting point and met my all day booking which was some long term clients I have skied with lots over the years. They have also skied with colleagues of mine loads and the plan for today was a really general technique development! They have a daughter who is also a qualified instructor so they know that ongoing lessons and development always helps!
We decided that trying to be high and with the weather looking better towards Fornet we went that way! We did some carving in pretty flat light up Solaise and decided to try heading over to Fornet... well that was worse as the wind up there was fierce and then the light got worse! Change of plans of technique as we did some short radius work on a lovely Arcelle and then down Plan M but by now it was 1300 and lunch was calling!
We had a lovely lunch at Empreinte but after an hour we left and the weather was worse.... by now we had had wind, clouds, snow and sleet and it wasnt even that cold either generally! We had thick fog and then headed over towards Tommeuse as wanted to do some bumps which was decent but I could tell legs were getting tired so we decided to call it a day. As we skied to La Daille the clouds totally parted and it was glorious sunshine! Bonkers weather! All in all though a good day!
I quickly met up with a friend who is also a client as he had very kindly brought some Easter goodies for us!
After that it has been the usual evening getting the kids sorted etc.
Tomorrow I am teaching in the morning and then its Bourg in the afternoon for some shopping before we gear up for the school hols! Haha!
Right off to bed for one more early night!
TTFN
Note also the large amount of natural slides all along east (and west out of shot) aspects!
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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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Nice meeting you on the slopes today @ Steve Angus 
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I skied over to Val today from Tignes 1800 - hard work!
So warm, and the snow pack very wet and heavy.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| red 27 wrote: |
I skied over to Val today from Tignes 1800 - hard work!
So warm, and the snow pack very wet and heavy. |
Did you say hi to your mate Steve as you passed by?
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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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@red 27, just imagine doing it with rich kids in tow.
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I’m back DJing at Le Palet, Tignes today. 12-3.30pm.
Come and say hi, if you are local.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Had an amazing week in Val and met Chemmy Alcott in Cocorico yesterday!
Hotel Ducs du Savoie was great again. I think next year it’ll just be Inghams and not Esprit which will be better.
Lovely to finally meet @harvsurrey as well!
The only downside was a skier crashed into me at speed from behind on the Val glacier yesterday. I thumped into the piste very hard on my face. Luckily nothing was broken but it knocked the breath out of me and left me quite shaken. The guy skied straight off as well, didn’t stop or ask if I was ok, just carried on. And he knew he’d hit me. A******. Too many people hooning around yesterday.
Had a miserable coach journey to Chambery early this morning with screaming and puking kids on the coach. Worst transfer ever as one of the puking kids was behind me.
Now waiting out a seven hour delay, sigh.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| HoneyBunny wrote: |
Had an amazing week in Val and met Chemmy Alcott in Cocorico yesterday!
Hotel Ducs du Savoie was great again. I think next year it’ll just be Inghams and not Esprit which will be better.
Lovely to finally meet @harvsurrey as well!
The only downside was a skier crashed into me at speed from behind on the Val glacier yesterday. I thumped into the piste very hard on my face. Luckily nothing was broken but it knocked the breath out of me and left me quite shaken. The guy skied straight off as well, didn’t stop or ask if I was ok, just carried on. And he knew he’d hit me. A******. Too many people hooning around yesterday.
Had a miserable coach journey to Chambery early this morning with screaming and puking kids on the coach. Worst transfer ever as one of the puking kids was behind me.
Now waiting out a seven hour delay, sigh. |
Really sorry to hear about your crash - how the f*** can someone do this and just ski off. It makes my blood boil. Good luck with your 7 hour wait at Chambery - ouch.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@HoneyBunny, Good job, I didn't see your a****** when I was up there yesterday. I take it you were n the Southampton that diverted this morning and made some curious patterns in the air before landing at Lyon. Did you transfer to the afternoon one - or was it a rescue flight??
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Worst week for us ever in Val to be homest
Worst snow by miles, temps so high, and the punters get ever more chavvy.
Not to mention the Russians who seem to be back in force
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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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@red 27, I’ve been here all season. Please tell me where all these Russians are, because I haven’t noticed them. Weather? Yes, that’s Val’s fault obviously. And as for chavvy punters, you sound exactly like one. Please feel free to visit elsewhere for your next trip.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Steve Angus, we’ll done both Ben and Olivia.
Proud parents 
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What is ‘chavvy’?
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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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@sbooker, IIRC you antipodean types use Bogan for chav.
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@red 27, I don’t recognise your description. Great spring snow and powder available on piste on Thursday. Fully complete runs from the top of the glaciers all the way to Breviers. Obviously if you struggle with slightly heavier conditions closer to the valley you are not going to have as much fun as the rest of us.
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FAQ
