Other Info

Touring Binding De-Icing Tool
Most touring bindings at some will get clogged up with compacted snow/ice, especially the framed versions. I recommend having a small lightweight combination pick/brush in your backpack so when removing/installing skins you can give the bindings a quick poke/brush and then you'll have no problems whatsoever. The best brush I've found is a stainless steel brush that's made by Stanley & comes in a pack along with a nylon and brass version from B&Q: https://www.diy.com/departments/stanley-abrasive-brush-set-3-piece-/5025823967649_BQ.prd    Simply cut a bit off the end of the plastic handle of the stainless steel... Read more...
Recommended Links
Skiing Forums (were Ori's username is PisteOffice)http://www.snowheads.com   Skiing Instruction in Europe:http://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com (in Verbier during the winter & Cervina for summer training)http://www.skinewgen.com (operating out of numberous European resorts)http://www.easiski.com (Les Deux Alps)   Skiing Instruction in America: Telemark Skiing Instruction: http://www.telemarkskico.com   Boot Fitting, Alignment & Balancing in Europe:http://www.thebootlab.co.uk (in Courchevel 1650 & Meribel)http://www.facebook.com/SOLEbootlab (in Chamonix)   Boot Fitting, Alignment & Balancing in America:http://www.snowind.com (in Reno, Nevada)http://www.superiorski.com (in Snowbird, Utah)   Boot Fitting, Alignment & Balancing in Canada:http://www.lous.ca (in Calgary)   Campbell Balancer Analysis (for fore/aft positioning of bindings):http://www.thepisteoffice.com/index.php/2015-06-24-16-30-03/binding-position-analysis.htmlhttp://www.superiorski.comhttp://www.lous.ca Read more...
Ski Instruction
    Skiing Instruction in the UK: Inside Out Skiing is run by my buddies Scott & Rob based out of the Hemel Hemstead indoor snow centre were they offer superb quality & tailored tuition either in the UK or in the Alps. Use this link to get a £50 discount off your first group clinic: www.insideoutskiing.com/thepisteoffice    Skiing Instruction in Europe:http://www.warrensmith-skiacademy.com I've done many weeks with Warren who teaches in Verbier in the winter & Cervinia in the summer - there's nothing better for 'all mountain' tuition. http://www.skinewgen.com (operating out of numberous... Read more...
Courchevel Boot Fitting
    For boots & hardware in the 3 Valleys go see Gav & Tom at The Boot Lab in either Courchevel 1650 or Meribel. http://www.thebootlab.co.uk Read more...
Chamonix Boot Fitting
    For boots & hardware in Chamonix go to the Sole Boot Lab run by Steve Rooke and his team: http://www.facebook.com/SOLEbootlab Read more...
UK Boot Fitting & Alignment
There's only one guy/place in the UK to go to, period!   Contact Colin Martin at http://www.solutions4feet.com   Alignment guru Andi McCann (http://www.mccannix.com) works closely with Colin so when booking a fitting with Colin remember to ask him about Andi's work.     Read more...
Ski Binding Delta Angles
The different ski binding manufacturers have different binding angles so changing from one brand to another can affect your stance, posture & balance etc.The measurement is the additional height of the heel above the toe. The manufacturers often build in this height in an attempt to help users get forward more. If you have too much forward tilt (or delta as it's correctly known), especially when combined with the forward lean of your boots it can be counter productive as you end up sticking your backside out to counterbalance.  ... Read more...
Off-Piste Equipment Checklist
    Unnamed Valley, Val Thorens. Pic by Rob Rees.   Here's a list of what I carry with me on day tours which fits easily in to my Scott Patrol E1 30 avi backpack: On Person:     Transceiver     Lift pass     Lip salve     Whistle (built in to my avipack chest buckle)     Piste map     Insurance card  In Backpack (with ski carry facility):     Water (2 x Camelback 500ml bottles)     Food/energy bar/chocolate etc     Hat     Face mask     Snood     Skins     Ski crampons    ... Read more...
My Gear
Equipment choice, especially boots & skis, is really a personal choice but for gear geeks here's what I use & can recommend in terms of quality, function, reliability, durability and manufacturer's support etc: Skis (I'm 175cm tall & weigh 95kg) 18/19 Whitedot Ragnarok ASYM 190cm Launched for 18/19 the ASYM model is derived from the previous Ragnarok shape but is a whisker wider underfoot at 122mm and with asymetrical tips to give a short effective edge on the inside ski. And like all the Whitedot models it has their superb build... Read more...
Testimonials
    Published in Fall-Line Skiing magazine:                                  "...We can't even begin to hit the depth of info gleaned from our morning with Jon.......What makes this so enlightening is that Jon will happily coach anyone through the tuning process......As a half-day which goes a long way to making anyone feel like a proper skier, this is up there with on-hill coaching..."   Letters: Graham Nayler "Thanks very much for the bits & the service!. Seems to work pretty damn well - way better than my previous (more expensive!) stuff."   Ski... Read more...