Have your say on Skiing

This page is for discussion of all the latest issues from the world of skiing. We appreciate all the comments you send and try to publish as many as possible.

Contributions appear largely unedited so your views are more likely to be chosen if they are well-written, interesting, original and concise.

Ilove skiing and go every year to austria.in the world cup and at bormio i have been suporing the austrian ski team both in mens and weomens racing.i wake up every saturday and sunday to watch the races.i have been also following chemmy alcotts progress and bodie millers and all are skiing really well.
Sarisher Mann, Wolverhampton

I love skiing, I've only been twice & this year I went to Vald'isere. I dressed in my Superman costume for the day, flying down the piste with my cape flapping in the wind. Great fun.
Neal Spencer, Dinas Powys, South Glamorgan

I think skiing is wicked I go every Christmas. I started at 8-years-old and now I love it.
Ben , Uxbridge

Axl makes a good point. We need to promote our young riders. Oliver Walker could be Britain's answer to Shawn White - but if we don't invest in their futures then we take away their incentive to achieve.
Barry, Wales

I think the show should include more freestyle skiing, and less alpine, as it is more of a spectator sport. When I mean freestyle, I mean half-pipe, big air and slopestyle, also big mountain freeride comps should have more coverage.

The freestyle scene in the UK is getting bigger every year, with slopes such as Sheffield Ski Village, Castleford, Halifax and Milton Keynes leading the way with artificial and indoor jumps, rails and pipes. I'd also like to congratulate Team KSM on their recent results in the Verbie ride and Orange Aim series comps
Adrian Clarke, Sheffield

Congratulations to the British Senior Team on an excellent season, and particularly on their performance in France. However this was not the only British success in France this season. The British Masters Group also achieved 4 podium places in the 16th Kandahar Masters FIS International Masters Cup races at Megève.

Chris Haworth, stormed down the men's slalom course at to win the Gold Medal in the 30-34 age group, coming 5th over all. In the ladies races, Mary Ondrusz was 2nd in both slalom and GS in the 45-49 age group whilst the Masters' Coordinator, Dudley Moore, was 3rd in the 65-69 age group for the men's slalom.
Alan Jones, Mersyeside

Along with contributor Aubin Roger, We in Ecole de Ski Evolution 2 here in Val d'Isere are thrilled and very much encouraged in our training by the fantastic results of GBR skiers Alain Baxter (2004 French Champion Slalom) and Finlay Mickel (2004 French Champion Super-G and silver medal in the French National Championships Downhill), and Jo Greig (Bronze in slslom, women).

The degree of difficulty to be taken on in these events is stratospherically high, and our team is a minnow against the French, Swiss, Italian teams. French Moniterurs de Ski are a little good-naturedly condescending towards us Brits.

Apparently, we are great teachers - but can't ski! Long may our boys - good naturedly of course- win against them! The BBC should perhaps consider doing a story on this?
David Cuthill, Val d'Isere

I haven't seen any mention yet of the fantastic results in the French national championships for our British skiers. 2 firsts and a second are absolutely marvellous and can I say very many congratulations
Aubin Roger, Scotland

To Jean-Claude from Sweden. Cervinia has 300km to one lift pass, try the Dolomites, the superski pass covers 1500km of skiing for all levels. The scenery is out of this world and you still get the Italian hospitality.
Jon, UK

Having skied all over the world from the premier resorts in Europe and North America to the tiniest resorts in Japan, I don't think there is really a debate as to where the best place to ski in the world is.

North America, primarily Colorado, is my top ski destination. Snow is great, the terrain is wild and varied, slopes are often empty, temperatures are not as extreme as in Canada, lift lines are orderly and the resorts are well set up. I would challenge anyone of any ability to ski in Colorado and tell me it's not better than anywhere else in the world!!!
Edward Lush, London

I agree with the comments of some of the other viewers; I feel the image of skiing would be greatly increased in the UK if the more modern variants of the sport were shown on terrestrial British TV (and preferably during the daytime). Skier-X, slope-style, half-pipes and big mountain free-riding are extremely exciting and definitely worthy of some airtime.

While I enjoy the coverage of ski racing, I feel a more balanced approach would gain younger viewers and promote the sport beyond the stuffy upper-middle class image that it currently has. New-style skiing is potentially the biggest phenomenon winter sports have seen, and it would be nice to see this on UK TV.
Chris, Cardiff

In terms of vastness, Whistler isn't even in the premier league. While it is by far the biggest in North America, where commercial politics and ski areas carved in the forests limit size, it just can't match the big, above-the-tree-line, multi-village European areas.
Peter, Amarillo, USA

It doesn't get any better than this: 75 to 80 F at the beach, crystal blue skies, rolling hills of lime green grass, wild flowers blooming....AND....3 hours away....at Tahoe....clear skies, 74 to 151 inches, no traffic.....
Andrew Hoover, Walnut Creek, California USA

I was skiing down a steep hill and came across two pilons about 20 inches apart and I was going really fast and didn't have time to turn and I had to go straight through them and on the other side was a 3 metre drop and I fell straight down and broke my leg in two places so my tip is don't go in between two pilons with out knowing what is on the other side.
James, England

In full agreement with Simon Dodd, strangely from Whistler as well, ski racing is on the decline especially with younger people, slopestyle and freestyle are what the people want to see nowadays. Skiercross is the next best thing to racing, fast, furious, difficult and competitive.
Mike, Whistler, BC

Having lived in Whistler for 2 years now I was intrigued to read David Cuthill's post about the rigorousness of the European instructors qualification. Here in Canada, in terms of technique you pretty much only need to be able to ski a strong parallel turn to obtain your CSIA level 1 qualification.

I know of people that have never skied before in their life but because of their people skills have been taken on and trained by Whistler-Blackcomb to teach. Seems there is a very differing standard between the two continents.

Not only in terms of teaching, I have skied in the majority of the big resorts in Europe and I have to say none compare to the sheer vastness of WB, if you can afford the long trip to Canada it is more than worth it.
Mike, Whistler, BC

In response to the last comment. Seeking foreign nationals is not the way forward for Winter Sports in the UK. Currently we have a world cup skeleton bob champion and skiers performing to a high level in world cup competition. We need to invest in youth and the results of that will be seen in the future. Seeking out foreign nationals only benefits those athletes themselves!
Ian Findlay, Edinburgh

I am extremely fortunate to call this two time Olympic Village my home. I watch our teams compete in every Winter Sport possible. Unfortunately the development of UK born athletes is limited due to facilities with snow and ice.

Why doesn't GB actively seek foreign nationals that have British parents or grandparents to race for us like other countries do? Am also interested in finding a way to support our Winter Olympic teams so they can train and compete with the best.
Stuart Hemsley, Lake Placid, NY. USA

I read in your pages that your correspondent James Cove went on a 2 week course and became a ski instructor? Good for him. Actually, to work as a ski instructor, requires a little more than that. For a start, the Eurotest has to be passed.

To pass one has to ski a 34 gate GS course under FIS rules. The professional openers set a time for the course. This time is then reduced to 0 FIS. That's right the World Champion at GS is 0 FIS. We aspirant International Ski teachers then have to ski within 18% of the 0 FIS time.

Basically, this boils down to about 4 years' solid training. On top of that, James will have to work for 200 hours in a ski school then pass BASI 2 technical and teaching assessment and then the Ski Teacher ISIA modules (Off-piste and Mountain Safety, Alpine Performance Coach to name but two of the 4).

Having got that (6 weeks of assessment courses), he will have to work in a ski school for another 200 hours. Then he'll have to pass the IST Diplom teaching 1 week assessment. Then, he'll have to pass the IST Diplom Technical.

Don't bother turning up unless you are skiing better than the best skier you have ever seen in bumps, variable, high speed, and steeps. Oh, yes, you will have to be a bit of a show-off in the park and pipe too.

There's about a 5% pass rate. Anyone from Ski Sunday (Hazel?) will be welcome here in Val d'Isere to see how we work and train. As for snow boarding on SKI Sunday - Go away and get your own programme! Best wishes to all viewers, and all my clients at Evolution 2 in Val d'Isere.
Dave Cuthill, Val d'Isere, France

I've just been on holiday in La Clusaz in the Northern Alps, France, and saw loads of mini-skiers - it looks so cool and I can't wait to have a go! I think Ski Sunday should feature more of this sort of stuff- the things they can do are amazing, especially as both feet are not attached to the same board. Keep the ski racing- but have more things like this. It really is the future. God bless Regine Cavagnoud- La Clusaz's champion, tragically killed in a collision with another skier.
**Snow Girl**, Snowman's land

Winter sports occupy almost half the year, and the coverage in Norway is second to none. I pity those people in Britain whose only access is through programmes such as Ski Sunday. Here, radio and TV programmes are rescheduled to make way for ski events, and there's so much winter sport shown that I regret the coming of summer!
Kate Willis, Norway

I love the Ski Sunday programme. Why does it not run to the end of the season. Surely it would be better to keep the coverage until the end. We only see a selection of the season unless keep checking the web site for positions. I would rather to watch it on a Sunday
Martin Andrews, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

I never really had the opportunity to ski until I moved out here 2 years ago at the ripe old age of 51. I did however look forward to watching Ski Sunday in my younger days. Any chance of getting it on BBC America? Thanks John
John Farmer, New York State

I recently visited Serre Chevalier, most of the resort was closed due to avalanche risk. The day it was all opened and the skies were blue myself and some friends stopped for lunch on a mountainside restaurant after a short while we left only to find my board and one of my friends had been stolen.

Both were locked together. I immediately asked around for signs of possible thiefs, nothing, the ski patrol relied that everyday some are stolen. After going to the police they informed me that that was 7 boards that day.

Clear indication that this is organised crime, but will they do anything - no not really. A disappointing start to my season, I am now struggling with my insurance to get them to pay out. Be warned, lock up your equipment with a good lock, try to keep it in sight as theft is apparently on the increase.
David Cargill, Scotland

Just a quick mention for the late great Valentino von Gronte of Argentina who would have been 70 today. Valentino was truly one of the sports greats and had he survived his terrible injuries would no doubt have won many more world championships. He was a true gent and I for one miss his influence on this wonderful sport very much. Thanks
Peter Bouhdrete, scotland

Go Terje Håkonsen
helene, norway

Skijumping, that is the best... I`m totally hope to see more girls jumping on ski., specially the Norwegian girl Anette Sagen. I hope she could get a chance to jump in Vikersund. Do you mean that it is okay that a girl not can jump in the biggest hills in world?
Swen Smicht, Germany

I'm an avid snowboarder and skier (i've clocked up about 55 days on snow this season already) and I'm pretty obsessed with all things mountain related - but do I ever watch Ski Sunday? Not since I was a child. Racing makes up such a small part of the snow-sports culture but seems to occupy 90% of the media coverage in the UK. The new-school movement in skiing and the "big-mountain" and park riding within snowboarding are what everyone wants to be able watch and try and achieve - I meet very few people that want to race!
Simon Dodd, Whistler, Canada

In reply to Bill Rose's email, there is currently nowhere to learn to ski jump in the UK although there are plans in the pipeline for a hill in Wales. Graham Bell, who tried ski jumping for a Ski Sunday feature, said there is a recreational skiers course to learn jumping at Winter Park in Colorado.
Anna Thompson, Winter sports editor at BBC Sport Interactive

I have always watched skiing on TV but never been bold enough to try it. However, I really would love to attempt the ski jumping. Where can one go to participate in an event or learn?
Bill Rose, Hertfordshire

Ski Sunday producer Gabby Cook replies to some of your comments and queries...

Unfortunately the BBC does not own all the television rights to the Alpine World Cup. We have a more limited portfolio this season than in the past and as a result we will only be producing four programmes. However we have a very strong calibre of races from Flachau, Kitzbuehel, Schladming and Haus.

Ski Sunday has every intention of making every effort to regain the Alpine World Cup rights next season, which will hopefully mean a return to resorts such as Wengen, Val d'Isere, Val Gardena etc.

We have already signed a deal to show next season's prestigious World Championships taking place in Bormio, Italy. Ski Sunday will definitely be back and the team's already thinking ahead to next year.
Gabby Cook, Producer, Ski Sunday

I'm from the north of England and had never skiied until I landed in New England in 2000. I was an avid ski sunday watcher and always wondered what it would be like. I couldn't have been luckier. If you are like me and would love the big resorts of Chamonix, Whistler, Vail, Val D'Isere etc.. but haven't got the funds, I encourage you to take a trip out to New England and sample the goods that Vermont has to offer. Places like Sugarbush, Stowe, Killington and Jay Peak are tremendous. And while they lack the views of the alps, they do offer plenty. Jay Peak usually has the most snow per season throughout North America. It's also not called New England for nothing! There are plenty of cozy, home from home cottages and B&B's to stay in that always offer great accomodation, friendly people and tasty home cooking. Some of the world's best skiiers like Bode Miller, Dahron Rahlves and the Egan brothers ski here so you should give it a shot! Ski Sunday should take a look out here as ! well, they'd love it.
Andy, Boston, USA

Many years ago I was living in Luxembourg and my flatmates and I met Timmy Mallet who had arrived for an interview with Radio Luxembourg. Timmy had nowhere to stay so he spent a couple of days at our place. The next weekend we were all going skiing and Timmy decided to join us. He hadn't ever been skiing before and spent the first day on the nursery slopes. Late afternoon the rest of us met him and, upon looking up the ski slope could see all the places where Timmy had taken a tumble as the purple hair dye he was using marked all the spots!
Steve Ditchburn, Malta

Cheers for great coverage on sunday - keep up the good filming, I'm loving it! can anyone explain why alain got disqualified for binding height??? i know it cant be over 1.5 cm or something but how did the english technicians let alain down so badly???
speed chick, anywhere snowy

I have just returned from a weeks skiing in Chamonix,France and stayed at the hotel La Sapiniere. I would just like to say that the accomodation was first class as was the skking conditions. Everyone in the resort was very friendly and made for a pleasant stay.The transfer from Geneva airport to the resort was quick and easy and I would say to anyone who may be thinking of going to Chamonix,you wont be disappointed.I will certainly return one day.
Daniella Conway, Gt Yeldam,Essex.England

Congratulations Ski Sunday. The show yesterday was back to the way Ski Sunday was before it was 'jazzed up'. Keep this winning formula please.
gordon scott, lincoln

I have just spent two weeks in a Ski station in Italy called Cervinia. It is at 2050 mt, at the foot of the Matahorne. There is nothing on Earth that beats Italien hospitalty. Good food fantastic Snow, crisp and fast,there is 310 cm at the top. What a great place, definatly worth a visit, linked to Zermat on one ski pass, I guess it must be the best value for money ski pass in Europe. There must be at least 300 Km of skiing.
Jean-Claude Cramley, Sweden

I follow a race - based teaching programme. Last Friday I took my class of 7 adult intermediates on to the race piste at La Daille.

I skied them down the awesome red fenced icy approach to the finish straight, singing the old Ski Sunday theme tune. They knew where they were, because this was like a scene from Ski Sunday of old. Then I made them do 'peep peep peep' race starts off a steep bank and schuss the last 200m straight, full tuck - past the timing arch. They were so stoked! They never skied so fast before. They had shared a part of a legend.

They were Killys, Klammers, Bells every one. What a high to finish on. If you could distill that feeling, you'd be back to 20 million viewers in a week.
Dave Cuthill, Val d'Isere

I just wanted to say what a fantastic feature the heli-skiing was this week with Matt and Graham. The camera work was top quality and the commentary was insightful. Thank you.
Jez, Kent

I very much like the format of Ski Sunday. I particularly like the attempts in the last couple of seasons to introduce a more informal yet informative feel including information about the resorts, build up to race day and Grahams tuition.

However, i do agree with comments made that the program should not loose sight of the fact that it is primarily a programme about alpine ski racing and the more they show the better. And yes, less darts, snooker and horse racing would be benificial.
Chris Lawson, Aberdeen

Great to have Ski Sunday back, can we have more programmes and have them longer please. New format is great.
Pete Fullard, Bradford on Avon, UK

At Glenshee yesterday for my first day of the season. Snowboarding was good (for Glenshee). Lets hope we have a good Scottish snowsports season.
Joe Kealey, Glasgow

Christian from Austria - I think you misunderstood the snowboarding that I was referring to! I am not taking about the quasi-skiing slalom boarding, which I agree is dull to watch. What I am talking about is the Big Air, half-pipe and Slopestyle competitions which are currently going on all over the world. These are the same events that you see at the Winter Olympics.

Why not have an integrated winter sports programme showing:
1. Moguls skiing
2. Boarder X
3. Skier X
4. Half-pipe
5. Big Air boarding
6. Slope style

These are the winter sports that get people up off their seats in amazement, not clock watching as one person goes 0.1 quicker than another.

And I agree that skiing is coming along nicely now as well with the twin-tip skis so by all means put some of that on there as well.

Ski Sunday shouldn't view this as a failure to obtain enough skiing coverage, but instead view this as an opportunity to revolutionise their winter sports coverage.
Gary, Leeds

What's wrong with Ski Sunday and why Snowboarding won't save anything!

I'm a Brit living in Austria. Clearly, here winter sports coverage is a big thing.

Yet professional snowboarding events still are a rating failure, simply because they make pretty boring viewing, even in a country where such a huge proportion of young people board.

People like to ride, and watch films of free-riders in Alaskan powder played to a background of good music, but watching helmeted guys in tight suits going round flags is really dull, and few people associate it with the boarding scene.

The ski-ing coverage here is interesting because the commentators know the competitors and no ski-ing. All I remember of Ski Sunday, apart from the great theme tune, is David Vine telling us how the ski-ers were using "their knees as shock-absorbers". Insightful stuff David!
Christian Cummins, Austria

Twin tip trick skiing is the new snowboarding, in terms of style and excitement. Snowboarding is too generic, even my mum is boarding now! If you want to get your kicks, and attract the snow bunnies get on a pair of twins and start spinning. It's a hard discipline, but worth the bruises!
Paul, Queenstown, NZ

Maybe it is time for "Ski Sunday" to move forward. Skiing has changes almost beyond recognition in the last6-8 years. Much of this change has been catalysed by snow boarding. The initial antipathy between skiers and boarders has largely dissolved and now there is so much in common between the two sports, a combined program would be the best way to exploit that audience.

There are so many new disciplines (SkierX, half pipe, big air) and events; winter sports do not begin and end with FIS Alpine World Cup. Recent British successes in other disciplines (including speed skiing) have received little recognition and would benefit hugely from the exposure that could be offered. There is an audience hungry for their "fix" of winter action. It would be even better if the events and disciplines show-cased are more relevant and accessible to the average British skier than The White Circus.
Nigel Brockton, Scotland

It is imperative that there is more TV coverage of Winter Sports on television.

Established stars such as Neil MacNab, Alain Baxter and Leslie McKenna need to be promoted effectively to appeal to a new generation of winter sports enthusiasts. Already the paucity of resources is hitting our chances of Olympic success.

There are some promising British riders out there, for example Oliver Walker is rising through the ranks at the moment, but if we don't acknowledge their successes, we sacrifice the future of the Sport.

Let's take charge and demand there be more coverage of winter sports.
Axl, Nottingham

I agree with Gary from Leeds, if you can't get the skiing action go for snowboarding. Terrestrial TV is crying out for a decent snowboarding programme. Other channels claim to show it, but they have 5 minutes of snowboarding and 25 minutes of freestyle skiing. It's just not the same!
Colin, Essex

Why don't you show more Brits racing in Europa Cup's or the world juniors etc? There are a lot of talented youngsters out there and the extra exposure would really help a lot.
Paul, Wales

If you are limited to 4 shows on ski-ing, why not concentrate on the other big alpine sport - snowboarding? Leslie McKenna is ripping it up at the World Cup events this year, winning the first event of the season over in Sweden, and Jenney Jones and Danny Wheeler both had fantastic years last year (Jenny unfortuanely was injured after winning a few events). Why not switch your coverage to snowboarding, and at least show the UK that brits can compete with, and beat, the best in the world.
Gary, Leeds

The speed ski circuit could do with the exposure and SS would be unlikely to have to pay for the rights! It's also the best chance of seeing a British success (various podium finishes last season and 3 Brits in top 10 at World Champs in 2003).
Nigel Brockton, Scotland

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