 Poster: A snowHead
|
I have discovered that I am going to be in Banff at the same time as the Men's World Cup Downhill and Super G are being held in Lake Louise and I was wondering as it's going to be my first week and I am gagging (pure busting, as they say in this neck of the woods) to do some skiing would it be worth my while to go and see the races at the expense of my own ski time? Would I learn anything or gain anything from watching the pros? I'm not really one for standing around watching sports as I have always preferred participating, but would I be missing out on anything by not going?
Considered opinions and personal experiences are being sought here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
if its on then banff should be nice n empty.. get some sking done..
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
I don't think you'd learn anything by watching (unless your eyes work in slow-motion), but it's a good atmosphere, and if you want to see the racers up close it's a good opportunity to do that. I've seen the Men's Downhill and Combined events at Val d'Isere a few times and enjoyed it a lot. You don't have to watch the entire thing from start to finish, but at the very least I'd say it would be good to drop in to see what's happening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
thewahwah, Definitely worth watching. Might be worth going for one of the training days, as you may get to share some space on the piste with the pro's.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Thanks for the quick replies.
| CANV CANVINGTON wrote: |
| if its on then banff should be nice n empty.. get some sking done.. |
That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm hoping to take 3 full days of lessons - would I be pee-ing off instructors by making them teach when they could be off watching their fellow pros at the height of their profession?
| rob@rar wrote: |
| I don't think you'd learn anything by watching (unless your eyes work in slow-motion) |
That reminds me of going to the Northwest 200 (an Irish version of the Isle of Man TT Races) - you see a millisecond of a motorcyclist speeding past you, not very exciting (admittedly I'm not a biker).
| srobbo wrote: |
| Definitely worth watching. Might be worth going for one of the training days, as you may get to share some space on the piste with the pro's. |
Good god, no  . I wouldn't fancy wiping-out a pro with my inept sliding, destroying the remainder of their season and being chased out of town in to the bargain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Worth going just to get an idea of the speed these guys do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's worth having a look at. You can go up the mountain on your skis, watch a few racers and then ski down (not the racetrack, obviously!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After the first half dozen it's like watching paint dry. I've been to a few and best thing about it is that other parts of the mountain are empty. Doubt you'll get same kind of atmosphere you get at Kitz, Schladming etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
I'd say its worth a look if you've never seen one before, if only to tick the "done that" box. But don't expect to see much - they just go past too fast
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Jerry, nice photos. I think I've seen those before (the panoramas from the balcony are memorable) but didn't realise they were your photos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, not a good difference though!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
thewahwah, it's worth 30 minutes of watching from a really good location (so they are at max Warp speed) - these folks sound jet propelled. Most impressive. Don't expect to be allowed anywhere near the race course until afterwards. But yes, it's cool. IMV. a good location isn't the finish, as with F1, find a good, fast, tough corner - ideally with a good bar terrace to sit and sup a beer on at the same time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
thewahwah,
.....and I wouldn't be tempted to go near the racecourse after the race either - at least not the steeper sections, since it'll be sheet ice. (Or "Oh sheeeeeeit! Ice!!")
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
thewahwah,
The downhill was on when I was on Honeymoon in Lake Louise in 2004. I don't really follow it, but there is a really cool atmosphere in the finish area. Food, drink music etc. We stayed in the Chateau which was taken over by race teams. Only downside was that they all went to bed early and there was no one to party with in the saloon bar!!
I waould say it is worth a morning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
thewahwah, You should definitely go. You get absolutely no idea from watching TV what it's like. Yes - they go past almost too fast to see, but you will never forget the impression it makes to actually be there. Suppose you never get another chance? Yes - you may very well p*ss off the ski instructors if they can't go themselves. They might get work helping with the logistics too. You view of fast will be completely different afterwards, as will your amazement at what people can actually do on a pair of skis. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
