 Poster: A snowHead
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I am going to Cham over new year (whoo!) Though I imagine a fair amount of drinking will cut into the ski time I would like to progress a bit!
I am quite new to this lark, so steep reds are my current challenge. Does anyone have any recommendations for ski schools. I have never used ESF and have heard bad things in general, but I don’t know if this is other peoples prejudices.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I am thinking of getting boots this year, so if someone knows a MASTER boot fitter in Cham, I would like to have your rec's for that too.
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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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Footworks in Chamonix is the place people rave about, appointments are required though I understand. Never used them myself though.
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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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I'm not so prjudiced about the ESF, but the qulty is very variable, there are ESF's in both Argentiere and Chamonix and there is Ski Sensations in chamonix. Their website is www.ski-sensations.com. Cham is a great resort, with awesome skiing and some great bars, make sure you go to Le Terrace, it's right in the centre of town and a real buzz.
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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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There is also a new British Ski school in Chamonix run by Shona and Derek Tate.
They used to work for New Generation in Courcheval and I would recommend them highly from lessons I've had with them in the past.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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fragglerock, get some practise at home first !
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ski, i do practice my drinking most weekends... or is that not what you meant 
Thanks for the linksPG, Bass website is awfull in Firefox, but the school looks good. I will send them an e-mail and see what they say.
I find it strange that Footworks is the only boot fitter worth mentioning in the Chamonix valley! I would have thought the area could sustain more than one quality fitter.
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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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fragglerock, do you have specific requirements for boots then?
There are obviously loads of your standard hire shops - which are usually more than OK for me and the family Z's.
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fragglerock, Whatever you like !  Footworks is the place to go, locals use it. Just opposite the Midi bin. You'll probably need to book.........
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Ray Zorro, I see many posts on this and other ski forums about bad boot fitters, I don’t think my feet are that strange, but I have never had boots fitted before, and i always have problems with hire boots blistering me or crushing my feet.
When people find someone who is good they seem to stay with them (my sister has a man called George in Whistler who she swears by, and is worried her boots will need replaced before she can get back out to him)
However I fear that people can get set in there ways, and i have found in other circles that places get a rep for good (whatever) but as the rep grows the goodness falls. I have not heard anyone criticise footworks, but I would expect (in the competitive world) that there be SOME other store above the many many "standard hire" shops in the area.
The reason I am being a bit fussy is that ski boots are expensive, and if you get the wrong ones can make your life a misery. They have very little re-sale value so if you make a mistake it’s expensive. Also the “sell em anything” brigade seem to charge exactly the same (or more) than the quality specialist, so simply spending more does not guarantee quality.
</ramble>
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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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Just ressurecting an old, old thread....
Having read so much about old and new school teaching on another thread today, any recommendations for ski school in Chamonix? The BASS looks promising - no langauage problem etc. Any thoughts?
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Hywel, I also know Derek and Shona and they're good. Go to them.
fragglerock, Well you said it: Also the “sell em anything” brigade seem to charge exactly the same (or more) than the quality specialist, therefore, if so many people recommend a boot fitter in a particular resort - GO THERE. In addition - don't you think that those of us who spend 8-9 hours a day 7 days a week in our boots for 5 months would actually KNOW who to go to. Well - if the locals use that shop then don't doubt it - it will be the best in that resort. Your comments are on the offensive side. Bootfitting is a very skilled job. You're not going to find more than one really good one in any resort.
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You know it makes sense.
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easiski, I am not sure which bit was rude... I have entrusted my feet to Footworks and am very happy with the service I have been getting see http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=252992
I would always question internet advice, and having nothing in second place just seems weird to me!
I also recalled some people saying that the fitter that “made” Footworks had moved on
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.skiing.resorts.europe/browse_thread/thread/8ee1160523cb6aa2/f226edc2fc4a6afb
that lead me to question... it is clear that it is the individual foot technician that is important, and if a shops rep is based off one tech and they leave then you don't benefit from going there.
As I say I am happy with Footworks, and it was SZK’s input here that lead me there.
Also I had a couple of private lessons with Derek and they were fantastic!
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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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fragglerock, Sorry if I misunderstood, but you seemed to be doubting that the locals going to a particular shop meant that was best. Clearly the individual technician is important, but a shop with an excellent rep for boot fitting is likely to go and find another excellent person if the first one leaves. There are also a number of training courses fitters can do, SZK will clearly know more about this than me, but I know my guy here has been on special courses with manufacturers and also more than the usual biomechanics and anatomy courses. I've had conform'able footbeds from various shops - no comparision - the "real deal" makes ahell of a difference.
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Poster: A snowHead
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easiski, whatever fragglerock said, he said it 17 months ago! Still, David Irving just got banged up for 3 years for something he said 17 years ago, so I suppose fragglerock should count himself lucky!
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