 Poster: A snowHead
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I wonder if anyone can help.
I've been reading a lot on this forum about areas where they have special machines to smooth out the snow to make it all deep and crisp and even, they even put courduroy marks in it. Aparently these runs are called "pistes" and they even mark the edges with poles with numbers every hundred meters or so, so you don't get lost.
Anyway I've only ever skied in powder, crud, slush, crust, ruts, grass, rocks etc and wonder if anyone has any tips as to how to adapt technique to these conditions? I'm keen to give it a go.
It seems like you have to wear a helmet - at least from what I have seen so I figure it must be pretty dangerous stuff. Apparently I will need different skis, really wide with a very deep side-cut and these need to be changed every season.
Oh and I'm told you need to spend at least 250 quid on a jacket, probably from Spyder and get some expensive gloves and sallopettes to protect you in case you fall on the "piste". I've also read you need to stop regularly in mountain restaurants because you expend so much energy keeping warm on ski lifts.
Anyway, any advice gratefully received.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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davidof, Sorry can't help. I am a ski tourer and know nothing about the stuff you talk about. I am a highly experienced skier and don't like to discuss or mix with plebs that are commiting sins such as "learning to ski".
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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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davidof, Sorry I also can't help as I am Frosty the Snowman,'s personal technique instructor.
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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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Sounds like you've done your research well. The only thing you've missed is the obvious answer: La Ros.
Its also recommended that you only do this for a maximum of one week a year. Otherwise you might get too good at it.
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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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Mods- please move this thread to BZK so this poor chap can have the benefit of their advice...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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davidof, don't worry, it will never catch on.
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davidof,
I think you are missing out if you don't partake in these other activities associated with "piste" skiing:
Worrying about whether you can carry your boots in hand luggage on the plane?
Will airline charge you for skis?
How are you going to get from Geneva Airport to your chosen "piste" destination?
Will the destination have enough or too many green / blue / red / black "pistes" (delete where applicable) to keep you, Mrs davidof and the kids happy?
How many different shades of lenses should you bring for your wonderful Oakley goggles?
Is there a supermarket selling English products in your "piste" destination or should you load up the 4x4 with baked beans, HP sauce, Heinz ketchup, PG Tips, sliced bread etc etc?
Maybe it would be wiser to stick to the off piste touring. 
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davidof, sorry I can't help, recognizing that I am totally unqualified to give any advice about any subject that may arise on this forum, but I'm sure that some helpful ski instructor will be along soon, to give you all the assistance you require. Just one bit of information which you may find handy, if you don't know it already - Marmite (not mentioned by Trenmold) is available all over France now.
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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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| Hurtle wrote: |
| Marmite (not mentioned by Trenmold) is available all over France now. |
Marmite? Comme une petite marmotte?
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Cunners, non, comme une petite marmite, selon le dessin.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Oui, c'est 'saucepan' but there's always room for a (rubbish) marmott pun, non?
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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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davidof,
You really need to get in touch with people who have experience of skiing these "pistes" especially the "upper" ones. Have you tried the SCGB?
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Cunners, absolutely!
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You know it makes sense.
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| DB wrote: |
davidof,
You really need to get in touch with people who have experience of skiing these "pistes" especially the "upper" ones. Have you tried the SCGB? |
Maybe they run courses?
Carving seems to be quite an important skill - it seems you ski along the inside edges of both skis, preferably while touching the snow - at least that is how it seems in the brochure.
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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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| davidof wrote: |
| DB wrote: |
davidof,
You really need to get in touch with people who have experience of skiing these "pistes" especially the "upper" ones. Have you tried the SCGB? |
Maybe they run courses? |
Yes they do courses but you really have to pick a course that suits you. Its a complex selection process that mainly depends on what colour badge you are after at the end of the week.
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Poster: A snowHead
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davidof,
Don't bother with two skis - just get one big wide ski that you stand on facing sideways. Using one of these "snow" "boards" also affords you the special privilege of being allowed to sit on the middle of the piste whenever you get tired.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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davidof, I've made the transition to piste skiing and wouldn't recommend it. You'll find a surprising amount of people have made the same transition too, some seeingly have struggled and had to start from the very basics. It is also very difficult, as proven by the amount of instruction needed. A bewildering array of specialist equipment is required, including, various lip gloss, lycra, piste maps (???????) designer sunglasses etc. The worst things are, that you are reqired to wash and shave, sing on chairlifts and ski much faster than your ability and generally terrify any who is not up to your standard, by skiing as close as possible (at high speed) to them.
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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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 SHAVE?
What's the point of going to the mountains if you can't use the time to cultivate facial hair you could lose a goat in?
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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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davidof, The caving thing is a myth, so dont worry about it. I got the carving socks and poles, and it did seem to make a difference, put a lot more 'ving in my skiing.
No IMHO stick to what you know, piste skiing is quite dangerous, people everywhere most of them drunk, on the plus side you do see the occasional girl.
Oh I forgot to mention its practically impossible to get boots that fit except in two places, one full of transvestites (bi something), or another one full of animal abusers.
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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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The pistealso contains a large number of people on tea trays who seem to be there to sit and admire the views and when they are done they push as much snow as possible down the mountain I have been on one once on the way back from a powder field to Lunch it was a strange place where people where trying to touch the tips of their skis while speaking russian!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
they have special machines to smooth out the snow to make it all deep and crisp and even,
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I thought this was only available for skiing at Christmas 
I would also stick to other types of skiing, I'm led to believe that at the moment it is too warm to ski anywhere in Europe
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| Boris wrote: |
I would also stick to other types of skiing, I'm led to believe that at the moment it is too warm to ski anywhere in Europe |
You are not wrong, it was +25C in the Alpes Maritimes yesterday at 700m, a record I am lead to believe by Evelyne Dheliat.
The ski totty sounds interesting, I'm lead to understand this would be typical
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davidof, To be a proper piste skier involves using those lift things, to which access is granted only when a substantial sum of money has changed hands and in exchange a plastic card is given.
Your instructor will possibly refer to this as a lift pass.
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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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davidof, I hate to be crude (well not really) but said ski totty looks as if they are waiting for someone to cough, ahem , splutter err take them from behind
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davidof, check out these guys they are on an off piste to on piste course conversion course, obviously they are still not ready to make the final leap, but they have already discarded their harnesses and are practicing A framing (the guy in blue has really made progress) and skiing in a helmet.
Dont get too excited about the totty its only available in a limited number of resorts and is very expensive to maintain.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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davidof, Totty indeed...
That is actually the new ski club reps uniform.
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Don't forget you need a good ski lock to lock up your ski when you stop so often on mountain restaurants to stay warm.
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brian
brian
Guest
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| davidof wrote: |
I'm lead to understand this would be typical
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You're plumbium the depths now. 
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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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| stoatsbrother wrote: |
That is actually the new ski club reps uniform...... |
......for the blokes 
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Poster: A snowHead
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brian, ooohhh, that warmed the cockles of my little pedantic heart. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| davidof wrote: |
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That's a good wedge.
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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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| Quote: |
That's a good wedge.
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Everybody.....just DON'T, OK?! 
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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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davidof,
| Quote: |
| 250 quid on a jacket, probably from Spyder |
Cheapskate, at least £500
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FAQ
