1) Skiing is way fun 2) It's a lot easier than everyone makes out 3) Ski Hire companies are perhaps the worst-organised entities I've ever come across 4) Snow is nowhere near as hard concrete (rollerblading experience here) 5) Can't wait to get back out
Unfortunately I couldn't do anything *really* adventurous because both days I could go out it was blowing 80kph while raining up top. Pity, I was really keen to try something a little more challenging.
The hire company people are idiots. They say on their information packs that category 1 (n00b) skiers should have looser bindings so it's easier to get out of. I've got "category 1" on my form, my 60 year old Dad (also skiing for the first time) and I both chatted merrily to the guy setting up the bindings about how it was our first time. We got out there and could not physically remove our skis. I can't tell you how tight the release on these bindings was. My only injury from the weekend is a strained hip from trying to get up after a fall, not the fall itself.
The second time out was much better and the bindings were much better suited to my skill level.
Didn't get to see it snow tho.
But nevertheless... I'm a convert!
Posts: 2245 | Registered: Nov 1998
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3) Ski Hire companies are perhaps the worst-organised entities I've ever come across
Yes. And if you're in France, they also employ the most arrogant stereotypical anti-English frenchmen you can imagine.
4) Snow is nowhere near as hard concrete (rollerblading experience here)
No. See above, broken wrist.
5) Can't wait to get back out
Maybe. Check travel insurance first.
Glad you had fun - I enjoyed your city for the weekend. Breakfast on Acland St, lots of trams, dinner at Circa, champagne at the Supper Club - not to mention Hairy Canary, the Belgian Chocolate Lounge and the Westin Hotel. All good fun.
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
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I've never skiied before, but it sounds like so much fun. I have kind of weak ankles, so it may not be a good idea, but maybe one day I'll end up doing it anyway.
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Her treat. (But we did buy her a bottle of Bollinger to say thanks! And then drank it with her.... Yeah, so we got spoiled. )
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Raia - it's not ankles you have to worry about, the boots take care of that!
Imogen - ah! I was in Jindy for my Mum's 65th. Circa is possibly one of the finest places to spoil yourself in Melbourne. I recently tried a $100 bottle of Mitolo Shiraz there which was absolute perfection.
Posts: 2245 | Registered: Nov 1998
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The Canary isn't bad either. A friend of mine is a chef there. Let me know if you're going to Sydney at some point as I've got some good recommendations for there as well...
But yeah - snow. Way cool.
When we left at 4.30am this morning to drive to the airport it snowed for the first time all weekend. It was freaky-cool....
Posts: 2245 | Registered: Nov 1998
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I've never been skiing, but I enjoy snowboarding. I mean, I'm dead horrible at it and my face is very familiar with meeting the powder, but it's fun.
Posts: 1158 | Registered: Feb 2004
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My sister is a comptetion snowboarder and had never skiied either. She wound up just standing on one leg when she wanted to turn and edging that way...
Posts: 2245 | Registered: Nov 1998
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Imogen, I do hope that your wrist heals up quickly and completely. Sorry you got a nasty boo boo. <-- a kiss to make "all better". <-- poor imogen with only one arm working properly <-- "all better" imogen with both arms working as they should
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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