Tick Tock

It's been 2 months since I had some skis on. I have my boots with me, but my skis are out in Switzerland right now, well, except for a really old pair! Usually I get the urge to go skiing in midsummer, and I have the time, so take a morning drive to Hemel Snow Centre, and call in to the Ski shop underneath the snow slope to see if they have any Demo skis available.

The good news is that they have a few pairs of next winters' stock. The bad news is that they want £15 to demo a pair. The hook for this is that the store will refund the charge, but only against a full priced pair of skis or boots. A minor flaw in their strategy is that they have no stock yet, most stores won't get their stock until September and the "Voucher" issued against the charge is only valid for 3 months! They also want photo ID, which I think is a bit excessive.

Oh well, it is nice to ski on new kit, so I pay up. I was slightly concerned that the member of staff who served me didn't know what the ramp angle was on the Demo bindings, but decided it would make no difference if he did know. The ramp angle would not be zero which is what I need, and it would feel like skiing in high heels!

The skis were okay. but not exceptional, I suppose some of that is my fault as I'm out of practice, and not particularly comfortable on them. The snow slope was in an okay condition, though the "Slow" nets were about a third of the way up the slope, so it cut down the skiing area.

I decided to head down to the store to swap these skis for another pair, and had a real problem getting the electric exit doors from the snow slope to open. Usual arrangement, walk towards door, and doors open. Er...well about 12 cm, and there they stopped. I put my shoulder into the gap and pushed hard to escape!

Down to the store where all the staff seemed to be unpacking store stock and there were plastic bags spread all over the floor, Health and Safety anyone? I ask for assistance, and I'm directed towards the back of the store, where no-one is serving. I wait, and wait.....until my patience evaporates, cross back over the packing materials and resume using the remainder of my paid time slot on the snow slope.

My time's up on the snow, so I rugby tackle the reluctant door again, and make my way to the changing area. One of the Snow Centre's ski teachers stops to chat to me. Tells me that he's not really got used to these wider skis yet. The skis in question are 84mm at the waist, really not very wide, at all.

I should get my £1 coin returned by the changing room locker, but I have no idea where my money went, except to say I don't have it, as it did not drop into the coin return, oh well! Down to the shop to retrieve my hostage credit card, and collect the Voucher, which I have no intention of using! If anyone wants it, please get in touch.