 Poster: A snowHead
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Many of us have no choice but to ski during the busiest week of the season, to some it is their only week on snow in the year.
I'm very lucky in that it is only one of my weeks each season.
I would rather not ski at half term but GCSE's dictate that I 'have' to!
I know it will be busy.
I know there will be queues.
I know some 'short cuts' avoiding the queues.
I know my favourite restaurants and bars will be fully booked.
But above all else ........
I know it will still be a great week in the mountains 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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We picked a quiet offshoot of the Sella Ronda. It will be awesome
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the next few days weather suggests that there'll be good snow across much of the French Alps for half term (it was pretty good even before the present falls). Looks like being lot better than last February. 
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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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I hope the weather doesn't stop us getting to Stansted
I hope BAA/Ryanair/the Snowgods don't cancel the flight
I hope my kids' ESF instructor speaks some English
I hope the ESF stick to their claim of no more than 12 to a class
I hope one or two of the other kids in their class speak a few words of English
I hope my instructor sticks to reds rather than blacks
I hope we have unbroken sunshine, or at least no whiteouts
I hope there are no national strikes in France 14-21 Feb
I hope nobody breaks anything, or I'll never be allowed to take them again
I hope they enjoy themselves and want to go again
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Enjoy yourselves.
Stay safe,
I hope none of you come back with any serious injuries.
I hope the pound rises to 1.40 against the euro before next week
I hope all of you have a great half term trip.
I'd give anything to be going, even though we don't ski at half term any more. It's bloody killing me seeing all that snow on the webcams, and not being able to go.
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I wish I could say "I know..." however it's going to have to be "I hope "
I hope the kids are going to enjoy their holiday and can put up with a silly old duffer (me) for just one week!
I hope that we do get a decent top up of snow over the next 5 days.
I hope that it stops long enough for a clear road to resort on Saturday morning
I'll happily forego sunshine for decent snow during the week.
I hope we all return sane, safe and free from injuries.
5 days until departure. 
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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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| skisimon wrote: |
| Well, I say my only fear... I'm working with bloody school groups, it's going to be mad. |
And what is wrong with working with school groups? Doesn't seem quite the right frame of mind to approach things.
I've loved every week I've ever done with Interski, of which there have been many.
I won't be as lucky as some of you to be heading away to the snow. I will be on plastic though and only hope that I have some energy left at the end of the week in my old legs to perhaps go ski-ing on the snow at Nevis or Glencoe after delivering around forty lessons during the week. Looking forward to the week though.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I hope I'll still be in one piece at the end of the week!
I hope the european parliament or commission of whover it is doesn't let all countries have their holidays at the same time again in my lifetime!
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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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| easiski wrote: |
I hope I'll still be in one piece at the end of the week!
I hope the european parliament or commission of whover it is doesn't let all countries have their holidays at the same time again in my lifetime! |
Although, just imagine if they spread the holidays over two full months? Surely it would be an excuse for the premium price period (for accomodation) to be applied over a longer period. 
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Ok here goes:
I know that we have been lucky to only now be facing our first ski week at half term.
I hope that the driving experience (for the first time) is better than I have always feared it might be.
I hope we don't have endless arguments on the navigation front - yes, we have got a sat nav but husband prefers maps!
I hope that even if its crowded we have a fab week as a family and the "children" will want to keep coming skiing with us for ages yet (am conscious at 19 and 16 how quickly the years have flown by)
I hope we manage to find some quiet spots
I hope we dont have to have too many "lunches on lifts"
I hope our euros will allow at least a few drink stops and perhaps an evening meal out!
I hope even if it is very busy this time, we'll still be looking forward to the next trip 
Biggest hope above all else is that on our return we are injury free having had a great week which exceeded all expectations.
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You know it makes sense.
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| truffaut wrote: |
I hope the ESF stick to their claim of no more than 12 to a class
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12 to a class  , we use International New School in Grimentz and their limit is 6 per class.
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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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Much as I would love to take my 10-year-old nephew skiing, I simply can't afford the stupidly inflated prices of two single rooms at half term. I really sympathise with families with school-aged children who are forced into this position...
I'd also struggle to get time off work during school holidays (parents have priority over these dates) and I really think the busy resorts would put me off...
So I'll just contend myself with the fact that I get an extra half hour in bed during school holidays as there is 60% less traffic on the roads for my journey to work...
Have fun people and stay safe...
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Poster: A snowHead
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BMF_Skier, Yeah - but imagine if the whole of europe was nicely spread over the 4 weeks of the french hols. I'm sure it wouldn't be soooo expensive, everyone will be able to get lessons they want, hols they want, ski hire they want ....... paradise. This year's situation is good for nobody. Last year OTOH was extremely civilised
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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snowaddict, if you'd read my posts about my previous work with school groups you'll know that I thoroughly enjoy working with them, rather than just jumping in with a disparaging comment. It's going to be hell because there will be so many of them in the same place (it was crowded enough at the meeting points and restaurants in January), all trying to set off in the same direction and use the same, tiny bit of beginner terrain. 
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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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skisimon, I commented on your one post, not your entire post history. I'm sure how you wrote it is not how you intended for it to come across. However to those that do not instruct, you can see how they could interpret it though.
In twenty years of instructing including many periods around busy times on snow in Italy for Interski and also out in America, you've just got to go with the flow, everyone is out there for the same fun. Some of the busiest weeks have been the weeks I've enjoyed most, including one at Courmayeur where the beginner terrain was almost zero - that was fun!
I hope your week will not be too stressful and that you will really enjoy it. I'm sure it will be fine.
If you end up in Courmayeur, keep an eye out for the creperie just off the main street - it serves from a hole in the wall (there is also a cafe inside). The crepes are to die for. 
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I fear that sHs will be deluged with half term threads as those going work themselves into a frenzy of excitement and have to overthink and plan for any eventuality
I hope that everyone stays safe and that any injuries are those that easily mend.
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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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I hope we have a safe journey in good weather without any traffic problems (none last year, more of the same please).
I hope to be pleasantly surprised again a the lack of queues... I know exactly where to avoid... school school collection and drop off dictate that I cannot avoid some minor queues.
I have my first restaurant booked - and hope the others will follow furing the week.
I fear a white-out whilst kids are in ski school and hope clear blue skies will prevent that happening, please stop the snow-dancing after Friday - there will be plenty not for next week.
Most of all, I hope my family and I have a happy, fun-filled, injury free fantastic time in my favorite place in the snow.
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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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Have one for me!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Boredsurfing, tell me some short cuts! Pleeeeese!
Ideally how to best enjoy some child friendly runs from Plagne Villages without becoming in the monstrous Bellecote queues.
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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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| Quote: |
I hope he doesn't catch me swinging my arms into a turn or not facing down the hill
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I didn't think facing down the hill was approved of these days, or not in big radius/carved type turns anyway? Having been working through Fastman's DVDs, I've been trying to cut down on the "countering" which I think I was taught at some point in the past - I distinctly remember "Face zee walley" being shouted at me in Norway in 1963...
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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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I hope you take all your kids to Europe.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Looking at the weather forecasts your major fear for half term might be freezing your nuts off, and your aspiration to keep them firmly attached. Take all your layers and buy hand warmers, balaclavas and neoprene face masks before you go!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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If it stays as windy as now the chairs will be closed anyway!
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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: |
My silly friends have managed to think that the age of concent in Italy is 14 (is it?
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I don't think I should tell you. 
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Thought I'd revisit mine
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Again I'm limited to skiing with my daughter (which I love to do) during school breaks (half term and Easter this year).
I'm hoping that Zermatt will not be as busy as the large French resorts - It was not too busy at all, not a problem.
Zermatt's restaurant's are very busy anyway I hope we don't starve - we mainly ate in the less expensive restaurants (pizza's etc) which suited my daughter completely. Shared the North Wall bar with Martin Bell one night
I hope that the efficient Swiss Rail service delivers me to Zermatt from Zurich painlessly - Not completely painless, very crowded and little luggage space going, but fine and I'd do it again
I hope (in vain) that my daughter's skiing doesn't leave me too far behind - No chance her skiing is getting so much better than mine with every trip
I expect that we will have a great, invigorating time - ABSOLUTELY
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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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I always look forward to half-term enormously. Far less traffic on the roads.
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Colin B, You'll have to fit in some sneaky ski clinics to catch up with her!
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FAQ
Thankfully the hotel we're put up at is in the @rse end of nowhere, so we'll at least be able to pretend its mid-January in the evenings. 
Reading back, I should/intended to write: "I'm working with school groups, it's going to be bloody mad."
(Should have said "bloody mad" as opposed to "bloody school groups"...) I certainly wouldn't say that the mindset is about the kids though, which is why I referred to my previous posts, elsewhere admittidly, in which I comment on the fun I had with school groups (my post history is the necessary context so as not to misinterpret).
, haven't come across it yet.
) and they are also convinced they are gonna get some naughties with the Swedish convent we are sharing a hotel in (they are not pedophiles we are 14/15 