Americans in Europe ..........Errrr

[mrlossyman]

Hey,

I just wanted to post an experience on a day trip from Chamonix to Courmayeur with a bus full of Spyder wearing american skiers.

Well on the way to the resort (me and my girl the only non americans) the host had to explain to the travellers (at least 20 times) where to meet up, how to buy lift passes, what time to come home etc etc. When we arrived most Americans ambled off the bus to the nearest souvenier shop and to get a coffee (well they had been on the bus for 40 mins).

Afer a hard days ski (me and my girl) we headed back and made sure we arrived at the bus exactly on time (4pm). We wanted to ensure we did every run and get the most from Italy. When we got to the bus to find every American sitting on the bus, skis packed looking at us with Grim faces! The host said "you just made it" :beer: .....

This makes me think American Skiers really are not serious!! I know this cannot be true,,, can it,,, or is this quite typical??

:blink:

 

[ski_resort_observer]

hmmmm...you just make it time. Probably had to wait for you. Your theory that you were the only ones without a watch is probably correct. :lol:

 

[JimG.]

If it had been this American the bus would still be waiting (or gone).

 

[skibum1321]

Hey,

I just wanted to post an experience on a day trip from Chamonix to Courmayeur with a bus full of Spyder wearing american skiers.

Well on the way to the resort (me and my girl the only non americans) the host had to explain to the travellers (at least 20 times) where to meet up, how to buy lift passes, what time to come home etc etc. When we arrived most Americans ambled off the bus to the nearest souvenier shop and to get a coffee (well they had been on the bus for 40 mins).

Afer a hard days ski (me and my girl) we headed back and made sure we arrived at the bus exactly on time (4pm). We wanted to ensure we did every run and get the most from Italy. When we got to the bus to find every American sitting on the bus, skis packed looking at us with Grim faces! The host said "you just made it" :beer: .....

This makes me think American Skiers really are not serious!! I know this cannot be true,,, can it,,, or is this quite typical??

:blink:

That's a very broad generalization from one bus trip don't ya think?

 

[Birdman829]

I would say that it is accurate that the average American skier is not very serious about it, but that is certainly not representative of the people on this forum. That being said, the average skier in the world is probably not very serious about skiing. They view it as a vacation once a year, not as a way of life like the nuts here do.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Well if that's the worse you have to say about Americans then .... "giggity giggity giggity" I've seen "Ugly Americans" do much worse overseas. They probably didn't want to be late for the bus. Trying to find a ride in a foreign speaking country can be a bitch.

 

[riverc0il]

well, on this rational... i am an american and wear spyder so i must not be serious...

:lol:

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Why in the name of Heaven would you leave Chamonix to go to Courmayeur. In the East that would be like leaving da Bush to ski at Denton

You didn't mention when you went, but if the tunnel was closed that's over a 2 hour bus ride.

Courmayeur is a beautiful alpine town, but the on piste is mostly all blue. Chamonix is arguably the greatest skiing in the world.

 

[RISkier]

Well I've been to Europe. Had Russian snowboarders buying us Gluhwein at an ice bar, made friends with a person from Spain with whom we maintain contact, my wife became friends with a young girl from Germany and still exchange small gifts. Don't think we caused any international incidents. That said, I did see an American woman raising $%&# in a market -- made me embarrased to be an American. Jerks and good folk come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and nationalities. If it was their first trip to Europe, the Americans may have been especially concerned about not missing the bus. The comment that you were late was not warranted, however.

 

[ftrain]

Why in the name of Heaven would you leave Chamonix to go to Courmayeur. In the East that would be like leaving da Bush to ski at Denton

You didn't mention when you went, but if the tunnel was closed that's over a 2 hour bus ride.

Courmayeur is a beautiful alpine town, but the on piste is mostly all blue. Chamonix is arguably the greatest skiing in the world.

Well the tunnel is open and he did say the trip was 45 minutes. I took that trip earlier this year from Chamonix to Courmayeur and it was one of the best days skiing. Also the people are so much nicer in Courmayeur.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Why in the name of Heaven would you leave Chamonix to go to Courmayeur. In the East that would be like leaving da Bush to ski at Denton

You didn't mention when you went, but if the tunnel was closed that's over a 2 hour bus ride.

Courmayeur is a beautiful alpine town, but the on piste is mostly all blue. Chamonix is arguably the greatest skiing in the world.

Well the tunnel is open and he did say the trip was 45 minutes. I took that trip earlier this year from Chamonix to Courmayeur and it was one of the best days skiing. Also the people are so much nicer in Courmayeur.

Yeah, I guess I should have read his post closer. I also agree that the Italians are friendlier then the French. If you perfer the skiing in Courmayer to Chamonix you're entitled to your opinion. You and I just have very different tastes when it comes to ski terrain.

I did like the Vallee Arp in Courmayer, did either of you ski it?

 

[bvibert]

well, on this rational... i am an american and wear spyder so i must not be serious...

:lol:

Ummm... sounds about right to me...

:lol: :lol:

 

[mergs]

Why in the name of Heaven would you leave Chamonix to go to Courmayeur. In the East that would be like leaving da Bush to ski at Denton

You didn't mention when you went, but if the tunnel was closed that's over a 2 hour bus ride.

Courmayeur is a beautiful alpine town, but the on piste is mostly all blue. Chamonix is arguably the greatest skiing in the world.

two words: avalanche danger

chamonix after a dump is usually avy prone for at least a day and many people go over to courmayeur and megeve. both are pretty damn sweet after a dump. i'll never forget riding tits-high pow at megeve.

 

[mergs]

Hey,

I just wanted to post an experience on a day trip from Chamonix to Courmayeur with a bus full of Spyder wearing american skiers.

Well on the way to the resort (me and my girl the only non americans) the host had to explain to the travellers (at least 20 times) where to meet up, how to buy lift passes, what time to come home etc etc. When we arrived most Americans ambled off the bus to the nearest souvenier shop and to get a coffee (well they had been on the bus for 40 mins).

Afer a hard days ski (me and my girl) we headed back and made sure we arrived at the bus exactly on time (4pm). We wanted to ensure we did every run and get the most from Italy. When we got to the bus to find every American sitting on the bus, skis packed looking at us with Grim faces! The host said "you just made it" :beer: .....

This makes me think American Skiers really are not serious!! I know this cannot be true,,, can it,,, or is this quite typical??

:blink:

sounds like that bus was full of casual skiiers... it happens. me, on a powder day... i would have arrived after you did. it hard to get me off the mtn when the conditions are on.

seriously. i would not judge all americans from this bus. we have our share of gomers, but if you go to mad river glen, or castle rock, mansfield, etc. after a dump and you'll see how real serious skiiers act. nothing more serious than a VT local marching up a boot path to his favorite stash.

 

[Rushski]

Some people are always late, some are always early. I'm a proud American and am never late for anything. Just the way I was brought up, I guess.

At least Americans don't do the free-for-all lift loading fiascos the Europeans partake in. Have many friends who have skied France and the French are nothing but rude to everyone... Definitely a good reason to ski Germany or Italy over France would be the friendly europeans. And, I have some French ancestry, so I am not just jumping on the "Hate French" bandwagon.

 

[JimG.]

Been watching this thread, it's getting silly. In fact, it started out a bit silly with what I believe was a tongue in cheek remark about Americans and skiing. Time to let it go folks, unless you like the probable fact that mrlossyman is sitting back and getting a good laugh regarding his handiwork.

I've been skiing all over America and the world. I've been in Germany, Austria, France, and Switzerland. Some of the folks in Europe are indeed the rudest I've ever encountered, but most are just your run of the mill people. Alot were very good to us, and a few are still friends. As usual, the a**holes seem to stick out more as time passes.

Pretty much the same in America...most folks are just out for fun, a few are a pain. Some are always on time, some are late.

What does this have to do with skiing?

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Some people are always late, some are always early. I'm a proud American and am never late for anything. Just the way I was brought up, I guess.

At least Americans don't do the free-for-all lift loading fiascos the Europeans partake in. Have many friends who have skied France and the French are nothing but rude to everyone... Definitely a good reason to ski Germany or Italy over France would be the friendly europeans. And, I have some French ancestry, so I am not just jumping on the "Hate French" bandwagon.

Well, I'm of Irish ancestry myself. Those dam Britts have done us wrong for hundreds of years. That is why I'll never go on a ski vacation in England.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Been watching this thread, it's getting silly. In fact, it started out a bit silly with what I believe was a tongue in cheek remark about Americans and skiing. Time to let it go folks, unless you like the probable fact that mrlossyman is sitting back and getting a good laugh regarding his handiwork.

I've been skiing all over America and the world. I've been in Germany, Austria, France, and Switzerland. Some of the folks in Europe are indeed the rudest I've ever encountered, but most are just your run of the mill people. Alot were very good to us, and a few are still friends. As usual, the a**holes seem to stick out more as time passes.

Pretty much the same in America...most folks are just out for fun, a few are a pain. Some are always on time, some are late.

What does this have to do with skiing?

JimmyG always has to be the voice of reason. Why can’t he be rude, aggressive, and obnoxious like the rest of those New Yorkers at Hunta.

 

[JimG.]

JimmyG always has to be the voice of reason. Why can’t he be rude, aggressive, and obnoxious like the rest of those New Yorkers at Hunta.

:lol: :lol: :lol: Me, the voice of reason :lol: :lol: :lol:

I just got tired of hearing the static.

 

[mergs]

Some people are always late, some are always early. I'm a proud American and am never late for anything. Just the way I was brought up, I guess.

At least Americans don't do the free-for-all lift loading fiascos the Europeans partake in. Have many friends who have skied France and the French are nothing but rude to everyone... Definitely a good reason to ski Germany or Italy over France would be the friendly europeans. And, I have some French ancestry, so I am not just jumping on the "Hate French" bandwagon.

lol, so true... the Germans and Italians cannot stand in a queue... they're incapable of it... how's that for a generalization! problem is, even my friends in Germany admit that! so its typical behavior. plus I've experienced it first-hand in Italy and Switzerland. Its azaming.

I do love the Alps however... so many good times, crass behavior asside. I can't wait to hit Meribel this winter... and with the place crawling with Brits I'll feel right at home.