Good day at Lenzerheide today. Not much sun(may 15 minutes?) and light was flat most of the day, but the soup did not overtake us until about 14:30 and even then we could salvage some powder patches at the top.

Snow was pretty good considering no recent dumps. A little icy in spots but nothing out of the ordinary.

Slopes were almost empty, did not have to wait more than 1 minute for a lift all day. Even got a lunch table at high noon within 5 minutes of walking in. By the way, the restaurant accepts half-tax card for food discounts!

Funny incident on the drive back - wacky Belgians with summer tires and chains going slower than a golf cart created a traffic convoy.

Thanks for a great day Eire! Look forward to the next one.

Could be convinced to do a snow & rail tomorrow if anybody is going.

Sounds like you guys had a blast, and better conditions than H-Y yesterday.

Good news though thanks to Gwendy I will shortly be re-united with my lost item

As I stayed in today, where's going to be good tomorrow and whose out?

Awesome news on the item! I was hoping my good luck in 2010 would spread to you.

I could be swayed to go tomorrow, so let me know if you decide to head out. My legs are feeling a little heavy now, so may have second thoughts in the morning

planning to head to hochybrig on sunday, anyone know what its like, Flims was good condtions with zero visibility today, couldnt tell me arse from my elbow, not sure how i even found the bottom of the mountain

I dont want to start another topic so i will ask my skiing question here.

Im a complete beginner in skiing. In Cyprus it doesnt snow unfortunately So far i can balance a bit, stop without falling down (most of the times) and move on a straight line. Thats it.

My question is: How the **** do i turn? I asked lots of people and i had mixed answers.

So far what i do and it works, is that if i want to turn left, i put pressure on my right foot. Some other people say that if i want to turn left i put pressure on my left foot. I tried that and i cant do it but apparently that is the correct way and i will have trouble later. Help?

Pressure on the outside foot and hold it. So if you want to turn right put pressure on your left foot, keep your weight shifted forward and put your left hand out in front of you to rotate your shoulders into the turn.

The modern way to teach turning to beginners with carving skis is to snowplough down hill (assuming you can snowplough) and simply turn you head in the direction you want to go. It works! Your body and the skis do the rest!

But seriously, I would take lessons, otherwise you'll learn slowly and learn bad habits...

I 1st skied in Cyprus in '79 at the UK combined services ski school at Mt Troodos, I fell down a lot mostly with the aid of Keo Carlsberg and Pantelemon though.

Why don't you check out the Ski Virgin-Group novice ski lesson- MON 8th Feb. and see if you can get a few tips, for exactly the reason Mr Fab pointed out.

I strongly agree with Eire's method. When first practicing, don't be afraid to keep the pressure through the turn to the point that you are pointing up hill. That way you know you got your weight on the correct side.

Strongly agree you take lessons. Have not heard about the turn your head and go method, will have to try that out. It sounds like one of those harmless things you tell beginners (in golf, it's "keep your head down) as I don't think you want to start initiating turns with your head.

I came back late last night from Obertoggenburg, but precisely Alt Sankt Johann because the fog was so dense like from classical John Carpenter's movie and you could hardly differantiate few skiers on piste in form of ghosts It looks like very decent resort with lots of nippy, icy and narrow red runs to make you react fast. Unfortunately the weather conditions were too bad to explore it all, as you could hardly find the landmarks to follow. We had a good laugh with group of Austrian skiers as we were helping each other to identify direction from Chäserrugg. I could not connect to Wildhaus from the top as the red run no.15 seemed to be closed, so only managed to ski in parts of Unterwasser and St.Johann. It was snowing and almost no visibility at all, I couldn't use my yellow gogles and after hour or so I could hardly close my eye lashes because of the ice forming, it was so bloody chilly and the gloves where frozen to your hands not talking about skiboots which were making my legs numb. What to do in such conditions.... I just found me one place from Ruestel which was quite challenging and nice for practicing slalom skiing on one side and carving on the other. I did this run maybe 20 times until I got tired. There were maybe 5 skiers altogether using same lift within 2 hours and the run was whole mine I eventually memorized the terrain and learnt how to ski in the fog

As to those who have problem with turning, I would go for lessons asap as it is a crucial element of skiing and without it there is no way to go anywhere...

Does anyone know of a good place to demo Skis? There is a lot of information on buying but I'm looking to try before I buy.

I have not asked at SportShop Karrer - but I know they have the type of skis I think I want (Nordica) - any suggestions?

Thanks people Thats the way i turn. I feel much more confident now

But cant do the 8th unfortunately. Too far from Geneva

Usually the demo days are at the beginning of the season. I think your best bet now if to pick a resort and rent some stuff for the day. You'd have to call around to make sure they have yours, but don't close your mind off until you try.

Depending on your skill level, the length, size, shape may make a much bigger difference that the actual model type...

Ah, perhaps that's where I've been going wrong?!? I may
have to switch from using Great Circle routes, then!!!

Anyone interested in a fairly close snow trip this coming weekend (16th or 17th)?

yep! what's the plan?

Hmm... 2 people so far... this almost has the makings of an EF snow day!

Any more takers?

I'm in! Can do snow & rail or drive. I'm looking for both days this week, as stuck back in Thailand and Singapore from the 24 to the 3rd

I'm flexible to go anywhere but can only do S'n'R unless can get a lift

same for me - but i don't mind either...i'm happy to chip in for a lift or get the train ticket.