I used to live to ski! When I lived in Norway, I could ski downhill seven days a week as the local runs were flood-light. I lived a few 100m below the ski runs at Holmenkollen, and could ski down to the station for a lift up to the top of the hill, where there was a couple of ski lifts. When I wanted to return I could just ski down a track which came out by where I lived. Weekends were frequently spent at Hemsedal or Geilo, with Norefjell for a day's skiing when I only wanted a day out. Cross-country skiing was mainly a weekend activity, when I wanted to get out into the forest and get some peace and quiet and do some birding. There were 100s of km of tracks around the city, but only a few km of floodlight tracks.

I have considered trying out Beacon Hill, it would be a good run down but it's the walking up that puts me off! Apparently, they used to host grass skiing on Butser Hill (but it caused too much damage to the turf); they still have the ski lift, and the manager there is quite keen to get it up and running again (when there is snow).

You are very welcome to borrow the downhill skis, but I would not be confident about how to adjust the bindings to fit different boots - you have to know what you're doing otherwise the boots don't release in the event of an accident. Don't ask to borrow the boots, though, they're Dynafit - moulded to my foot shape using foam injection.

I have my own boots, no worries. So, when we next get six inches or more, and the Butser Hill Ski Lift is operating, we'll give it a go . I think Beacon Hill would be a black run, probably to a very dead stop!

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Please visit the Hantsmoths website at http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk

I agree, Beacon Hill is quite steep and rather narrow at the bottom, but I once skied the Grand Couloir at Courchevel - see http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dennis.summerbell/skiing/courchevelall.html for details . The worst bit was on the narrow track leading to the start of the run, with 200m drops either side of a 2m wide track the guy in front of me suddenly decided to stop. Once at the top of the GC itself, I could not believe how steep it was, it was literally like skiing off the edge of a cliff, but I managed to get down using jump turns with a couple of kick turns when I got stuck.

Just noticed that it's +7C outside this evening - Should have put the moth trap on

We went to Courcheval every year for about five years running, ah that would be in about 3 BC* but I was never good enough to take that on. I suppose I could have tried, but it would have been your typical once-a-year-Brit attempt, taking too many turns, being a danger to myself and all others on the run. I relive my dreams on Family Ski on the Wii nowadays!

Mike

* (Before Children)

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Please visit the Hantsmoths website at http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk

Snow? Whats that? Interestingly still lots of snow piles here. The widespread employment of tractors and diggers has caused this to be the case. There are some very large heaps and I will be monitoring the decline!

We've had so much snow in Alton this winter so far. Heres a pic from last Wednesday morning. We had a 6cm fall on top of nearly a foot from a few days earlier