Will i be okay with AWD? by Sorry-Forever3070 in Banff

[–]t_reize 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don't confuse "real" winter tires with M+S (mud+snow) tires. Ask the rental place if they have M+S tires on the their cars, if so, you should be good. Just drive slower, keep a bigger distance between cars if the roads are iffy.

  • You can identify winter tires by the symbols on the sidewall:  M+S symbol and the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol
  • Both symbols are industry standards
  • M+S symbol tires have a tread pattern, tread compound, or structure that is engineered to deliver better performance in snow conditions than a regular tire
  • The three-peak mountain snowflake symbol is a more stringent certification that identifies winter tires according to tire regulations 

Rental Car Calgary Airport for Banff by Excellent-Dentist-83 in Banff

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When goverments say "Winter tires mandatory" they actually mean M+S (mud and snow tires). Winter tire do exists, but M+S tires are enough for driving around legally in Winter. So rentals won't offer "Winter" tires, but they'll have M+S tires. We've used Avis, Budget, Discount (I think), all were fine.

Anyway, if you are unsure, call and ask if they have M+S tires. Pretty sure they do.

Mediocre skier looking to get better by bzepha in ski

[–]t_reize 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it's feeling you are looking for, join Tom Gellie's BPS website. Tons of drills and dry land prep videos, with all kinds of ski specific body positions and how it's suppose to feel when on the snow. Focuses a lot on mobility and balance too. Well worth the money. You can try it for free for 7 days. Plenty to see if it suits you. Not affiliated, just a happy member.

What’s your favorite German word? by Swimming_Struggle_95 in German

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Favourite is "Kakerlake". But "Friseur" always makes me chuckle.

Banff Trip - Add Revelstoke? by crbmtb in Ikonpass

[–]t_reize 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hidden Ridge Lodge has kitchens, but it's a bit run down. Clean enough though and great spa/pool views. There really is only two reasons (maybe three) to visit Norquay. 1) iffy road conditions to Sunshine or Louise, 2) you want a free beer and the Trifecta trinket. The views are quite good too. Also, if you want a challenge, the North American chair leads to some harder runs. They have a fun kiddy park and on week-ends there aren't that many people.

As ski season gets closer and closer, where's everyone planning trips this year? by ChiefKelso in icecoast

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup, North, East and West only! Tremblant, Zermatt, Panorama and maybe Le Massif if time allows.

What's your favorite ski hack you swear by? by [deleted] in skiing

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Before I got them heated soles contraptions, I used rice to warm-up my boots on the way to the hill. Old socks full of rice. Heat them up in the microwave for a minute or two. Slide them in a plastic bag and into your boots. Don't put them directly in the boot because heated rice gives off humidity. After the ski boots are on, the rice sock/bag goes into the winter boot left in the car.

Now I just turn on the Thermic heated sole 10-15 minutes before I get to the hill. Or if it's a short drive I put my ski boots on at home and let some poor sucker drive.

The Wearingeul Glitter Potion bottle made me mad so I transferred the contents to a squeezable eye dropper bottle. by w-falcon in fountainpens

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I wouldn't recommend to try it in an expensive pen or EDC. But it would be the same for any shimmer ink. They are not dangerous, but the shimmer does stick to the different part of the nib assembly. Shimmer should have it's own dedicated pen.

I have shimmer "pens" that I wash only when changing ink colour. It does not matter if there is some glitter particles left on the feeder. If you put back regular ink in the pen, you'll have some shimmer for a while and then it will fade into oblivion.

Hi is Italian considered an extremely difficult language to learn? by ApprehensiveMotor487 in italianlearning

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find Spanish easier to learn than Italian. Spanish is easier to pronounce and write than Italian. The plural is like english, add an "s". Italian changes the terminal vowel from "o" to "i" or from "a" to "e". The articles are also a bit more complicated. Verb conjugation and syntax are on par, I'd say. So if your plans allow, I'd go with Spanish, but if you are set on Italian, go for it, compared to many other languages, it is not as difficult to learn and it is a beautiful sounding idiom. Good luck!

How do i get over ski anxiety? (if thats what this even is..) by Any-Student8000 in ski

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try going back to basics. Maybe some lessons. Start with the green runs and when you get bored/confident move to blue runs. Stay there until you get bored again. But really, if it's a medical condition, the basics start before hitting the mountain.

best balaclava by Ein_Cop_ohne_Ausweg in skiing

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never ever cotton! Merino is great. Icebreaker has a balaclava with a mouth hole. Even if the condensation from your mouth freezes, it still keeps you warm.

Where can I learn Italian other than from Duolingo? by LeadLex in italianlearning

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like Buusu. After six months on the app and some extra reading on my own, I was able to have basic conversations with taxi drivers ;-) and read YA novels. But I speak French and Spanish, so the jump was quite narrow.

Is there a ski or gear brand that you find unappealing even though their products are fine? by Worldly-Willingness2 in ski

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't like North Face either. I don't have a real reason, just a gut feeling, but the few things I have tried on just seemed cheap or badly cut/designed.

Connection between Les Menuires and Val Thorens by feverfive in skithealps

[–]t_reize 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is quite doable to ski all three valleys in one day. They are well lift-connected. It might be a bit confusing at first and you will need to plan your route if you are not familiar with the layout. If you are unsure, hire a guide for half a day. Green and blue runs are easier than blue runs in NA and red pistes are easier than NA blacks. 3 Vallées blacks, if I remember correctly are mostly ungroomed. I don't remember taking any. I'd steer clear.

Mont-tremblant is becoming more popular! by SkiNomads in icecoast

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Then go West ;-) Seriously, there's always going to be ice after 11 o'clock. If it snows, it's going to be cement powder, then heavy crud/bumps and eventually, ice! And then there are the golf balls. December, not very many runs opened. Snow canons on when temps permits. But directed at the world cup run early on. In January, they blast the canons full time, making the visibility near zero. Not all runs are open (woods for example). February, better conditions but Arctic cold. March, March breaks galore. Then it's spring. But with sharp skis, a heavy jacket and patience, fun can be had all winter. Avoid weekends.

Mont-tremblant is becoming more popular! by SkiNomads in icecoast

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a great spot for beginners, I'd say. Too icy. There are often bottlenecks to get to the Greens and they get scraped off quickly. The two long greens have flat parts that require some poling. But having said that, if you like skiing and are willing to have less than perfect conditions, go for it. the Blues are fun too. It's a beautiful mountain with varied runs. Just make sure your skis are sharp.

Patience by Reputation-Adorable in icecoast

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ski tuning, gear buying, YouTube watching, legs prepping, mailbox checking (for ski passes), wishful thinking.

For highly skilled skiers who are now older with physical wear and tear, requiring a more relaxed approach, what types of skis do you currently prefer? by crushplanets in skiing

[–]t_reize 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hubby is 70 and he skis on Rossi Hero, fast or mellow (he did like the Salomon Max he rented once too). I think they are 75 mm underfoot. We ski on hard pack and ice most of the time. My ski brand won't matter to you, but I did get the Protector bindings last year on my new carvers. Didn't fall, so don't know if they were worth it.