Montage Resort

As simple as it might appear to the inexperienced, injuries due to the way we carry snow skis and poles, to and from ski resorts, can be avoided, here is how an American Ski Instructor in France teaches it in ski lessons.

The first thing to know is that travelling with skis, boots and poles is not an easy thing to accomplish even for the best of skiers. That in mind, we will keep safety and ease of transport as our goal along with trying to look like the real “ski pro” that you are!

Preparation phase:

- Place your skis with the ski tips up and the bottoms, the “base” that is, facing each other. You can obtain inexpensive “Velcro ski strips”, (you will need 2) from your ski hire shop, and you will place them on the top and on the bottom of both skis to strap them together, ski bindings to the outside. Take your ski poles at the straps (”loops” that go around your wrists) and place the loop on each respective ski then tie them together with a short piece of cord around the “waist” or middle of the ski. The following is very important for travel by car or plane. You will need to purchase a “ski bag” of good quality to protect the integrity of the binding mechanism. You want to avoid road dirt or salt entering and affecting the safety features of your bindings. It is always a good idea to have the ski shop adjust and verify your bindings before starting to ski on the first day of your ski holidays. Ski bags, along with protecting your equipment, will also be a place that you can put extra socks, hats, gloves and other unbreakable items as there is always room to do so. Last word of advice put your socks, gloves and hat in a plastic bag so they do not get wet, on the way to the ski area!

- Boots go into a boot bag along with other essentials, tooth paste, shaving cream, and ski goggles (so they don’t get squashed)because you will always want to take your boot bag with you on the plane. If your ski bag and luggage are lost, you can always hire skis, but your own boots are difficult to replace.

- Your clothes and kit will go into a “back pack” the size and shape is a personal thing but you need a good one with dorsal support and pockets on the side. This leaves your hands free and you will need them.

- Make sure that all bags and pack have the same identifying mark (like a flag or patch or even a badge of your old school) and all your contact info sewn in the material and in plain view around the handles or pick up straps!

At the Airport:

- Best bet is to get a caddy and wheel your stuff over to the ticket counter, take a “stretch tie-down strap with hooks on both ends” this will help keep things in place on the caddy and comes in handy for a lot of other things on a ski trip!

At the ski area:

- After you have taken all your ski gear out of the ski bag have it checked at the local ski shop and arrange to pick it up in the morning if work needs to be done on the skis. Don’t forget to take your boots as the ski technicians can’t adjust your bindings without them!

- The fun part is carrying your skis over your shoulder in a way that your girlfriend thinks you’re a real “ski pro”.and your friends get intimidated by your prowess.

Carrying skis:

- Place your skis standing ski tips straight up, (Velcro straps still on) and after looking behind you swing the tails of your skis behind you. Bring your skis to a somewhat horizontal position with the “toe piece” front part of your binding behind your shoulder. Let the skis rest on the shoulder with the tails at an angle that allows them to be over your head with the tips pointed down in front of you! You will carry your ski poles together in the other hand. Make sure that every time you turn around; be sure there is no one behind that could be hurt.

Now that you know how to do it, be very careful around others that may not.

Mike Beaudet also known as “Megeve Mike” and is the founder of Ski Pros Megeve. Megeve is located in French Alps, at the foot of Mt. Blanc, just a 1 hour drive from Geneva International Airport. Day ski tours, private and small group ski lessons for skiing enthusiasts of all levels and ages in the French Alps, Italian Alps and Europe.

Mike has an extensive background in skiing, teaching group and private ski lessons. Mikes credentials include Full Certification in Professional Ski Instructors of America-RM, the prestigious French Government “Ecole National de Ski et d’Alpinisme” in Chamonix as a Moniteur de Ski Diplome and also a member of the first PSIA National Academy, Mt. Hood, Timberline, Oregon. With 30 years of ski teaching and coaching experience in the US and France he has taught major ski areas in France and America. Visit his Websites, http://www.SkiProsMegeve.com Contact Mike personally at: http://www.geocities.com/MikeSkiFrance/

Tags: Alps, carry, France, holidays, injury, lessons, Megeve, Mike, Pros, Resorts, safety, ski, ski area, skiing, snowAlps, carry, France, holidays, injury, lessons, Megeve, Mike, Pros, Resorts, safety, ski, ski area, skiing, snow

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Snow-topped mountains look beautiful but they can be death-traps for the unprepared hiker or hill walker. Sadly, every year, people die and are badly injured whilst exploring these regions at this time of year.

Harsh weather conditions, bad visibility and shorter daylight hours can all conspire to catch-out the unwary. The consequences can be extremely serious.

Good preparation and a sensible attitude are essential for keeping yourself safe. Here are a few tips that could help save your life.

1) Check the weather report: Take time to listen to the radio or TV report for the area you are intending to visit. A number of websites and phone services also provide detailed information on wind speeds, temperatures and avalanche risk. Don’t be afraid to change your plans to suit your abilities.

2) Proper clothing and equipment: Make sure you have suitable clothing to keep you warm and dry. Plan for sudden changes in the weather. Conditions are likely to be very different as you climb to higher elevations. Always take a map and compass (and GPS if you have one) and know how to use these. Remember to check your GPS batteries and take a spare set. In snow and ice conditions you may need to take an ice axe and crampons with you. Make sure your crampons are compatible with your boots. You can get advice on this from any good outdoor shop. Know how to use an ice axe properly. Get tuition if necessary.

3) Route planning: Plan your route carefully beforehand. Taking into account the conditions and fitness and experience of you and your group. Avoid dangerous or high risk areas. Plan an ‘escape route’ if conditions deteriorate. Leave details of your intended route with a trusted person at home. Check-in with them when you have safely returned. Give them clear instructions of what to do if you do not contact them by a certain pre-arranged time. Don’t forget that your route will take longer to complete than it would in summer.

4) Food and drinks: Take plenty of food and high energy snacks with you. Take a flask for a warm drink. You are likely to be expending much more energy at this time of year. Eat snacks regularly and drink often. Just keeping warm takes energy! Make sure you are well hydrated before you set out and have a good breakfast. Take some emergency rations with you in case of problems.

5) Be aware: Be aware of any deterioration in the conditions. Take sensible precautions to avoid dangerous areas. Look out for slippery ground. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Watch for signs of hypothermia and exhaustion of group members.

6) First Aid: Take a good first aid kit with you and know how to use it. There are many excellent First Aid courses available. Having these skills can be a great asset.

7) Emergencies: Take an emergency blanket or shelter with you and an emergency whistle. Six blasts of the whistle is an internationally recognised distress signal! Don’t rely on your mobile phone to get help. There are many areas that you cannot get a signal.

Winter in the mountains can be a magical experience and one that can be enjoyed safely if you are properly prepared and equipped.

Take a little time to get prepared - it could save your life.

About The Author

M. Elliott is Director of the U.K. based outdoor company - Hill-Tribe Limited, PO Box 52, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0WF, U.K.

Website: http://www.hill-tribe.com

info@hill-tribe.com

Tags: hiking, hotels, jungle lodge, leisure, lodges, mountains, outdoor, Resorts, ski, ski hill, travel, vacationhiking, hotels, jungle lodge, leisure, lodges, mountains, outdoor, Resorts, ski, ski hill, travel, vacation

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Are you one of those people who heads out to your local ski area until the rocks are beginning to show through the slush? You just can’t get enough powder and skiing during those few months in the winter. You are in luck. The National Geographic Adventure magazine of December 2005/January 2006 gives those die hard skiers some ski area options for year round slopes. If you have the money and the time, you can hop from ski area to area and visit a few different continents to get your snow fix. If you don’t have a lot of money, you can pick a ski area that will take the sting off of the summer drought of skiing.

From December to February, head to the Italian Alps and Sestriere, Italy where the prices are very reasonable and the skiing is great. You may recognize this as one of the spots where events were held for the 2006 Olympics in Torino. This ski area has six resorts that are all connected with around 250 miles of trails.

Once March to May hits, many of the ski area spots in the Northern Hemisphere are beginning to close. The Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort is a smaller, less crowded area than its bigger and busier neighbors to either side: Kirkwood and Squaw Valley. The slopes are very steep and challenging and you will find the slush bowl in May a fun way to spend the day watching people.

Over the summer months, when the snow is long gone in your favorite ski area, you can head up to Canada or down to Chile and find skiing happiness. The Blackstone, British Columbia area boasts the Whistler ski area, which is one of the most famous in the world. Not only will skiers find great powder, and miles and miles of trails, snowboarders, bikers and bungee jumpers can find something to appeal to them here as well.

In Portillo, Chile, you will find a rustic ski town without a lot of the perks of some of the fancier ski resort towns. But if you want skiing bliss at its best and simplest this may just be what you are looking for. They do have one 7,000 foot run and miles of other trails.

Finally, back in the U.S. for the first skiing of the new season, you can head to Wolf Creek Colorado. They have the highest annual snowfall in Colorado and 500 acres of trails and 6 lifts.

So, take a trip (or a few) and feed your need to ski year round.

Eriani Doyel writes articles about Sports and Recreation. For more information about ski related items visit forski.com

YEAR ROUND SKIING

Tags: ski, ski area, ski resort, ski vacation, skiing, year round skiingski, ski area, ski resort, ski vacation, skiing, year round skiing

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