Advantages: Fast, reliable and value for money
Disadvantages: None so far

...I recently upgraded from a Cyrix MII 366 to the AMD K2 500. The first noticeable change I found was that I was no longer getting the Windows general protection faults that seemed to be occurring on a daily basis with the Cyrix processor. The second major change I noticed was the change in quality of the graphics and sound which is most probably down to the 3D technology incorporated into the AMD processor. With the Cyrix I was still getting jumpy graphics and sound on some of the old games even though the specifications for the game where well above what was recommended but that all stopped after installing the AMD processor. I did a benchmark test with the Cyrix processor installed and the CPU was running at 250Mhz, very disappointing as I was expecting at least 350Mhz from a 366Mhz processor. I did the same benchmark test with the AMD... Read review

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Advantages: Compat, lightweight, easily portable, value for money!
Disadvantages: Small detergent tank.

...It got to the point where I had worn down the bristles on my yard brush trying to clean the patio for the umpteenth time and so decided to venture into the pressure washer era. I didn't want to spend a large amount but didn't want to buy the cheapest of the cheap, thankfully Karcher answered my call. The K2.35 is a fantastic bit of kit, boasting a 1600w motor, 100bar pressure, 360 litres per hour, waterflow and 6 metres of high pressure hose. I found it to be compact, lightweight and easily portable. The auto start/stop feature is a plus, allowing the use to stop the unit without returning to it. Coming complete with soft wash brush, (perfect for the car and house windows), vario lance, (enables you to adjust the pressure output at the turn of a nozzle for use on more delicate items), dirtblaster, (for the stubborn areas... Read review

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Advantages: Go anywhere do almost anything - on snow, of course!
Disadvantages: Snow melts :o(

...There I was wandering round the Ski Show at the NEC looking for my dream ski - Salomon's X-Scream Series - at a decent price. I found it several times over, but as usual, overpriced for what they were. Salomon's never seem to be bargains, in my experience. Then the boss of my favourite holiday company suggested looking at Rossignol's Bandit B2. According to him, the French ski shops loved them. Intrigued, I wandered around again looking for them. No luck. They didn't seem to be there. Disappointed, I went home and decided to look on the net for this mysterious ski. I didn't find much there, either. I began to wonder if they really existed. A week or two later, I bought a skiing magazine that had a review of all the upcoming 2004 skis. And in there, was a review of the mythical beast that was the Rossi B2, along with it's siblings... Read review

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Advantages: Exhilarating pastime, scenery
Disadvantages: Travel times, expence

...As we sit wishing for an Indian summer I doubt the thought of skiing has passed the minds of all but the addicted but many will already have their skiing trips planned or be thinking of booking for the coming season. Here are my top tips for those new to skiing and maybe some reminders for the old hands. With such an array of resorts and skiing styles the choice can be overwhelming so I hope these tips I've picked up on the way help. RESORT First of all you need to decide where to go and for how long and you need to ask yourself some basic questions. Much of your choice will revolve around your budget, and remember that there are many extra costs on the majority of holidays so budget on the side of tight to make sure. How long to go for. If it's your first trip I would tend to stay away from a fortnights trip as if you... Read review

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Advantages: Thrills spills parties and fun
Disadvantages: Expensive if you're not careful

..., the biggest ski destination in the world. The brochures typically have over 30 French resorts to choice from. There are far more in France than that, but you would be better sticking to what's in the brochure for your first time. Switzerland, Italy, and Austria come after that, with smaller European skiing destinations available too, such as Slovenia and Bulgaria. Or there's the US and Canada if you wish to travel further. 2. What is the mix of abilities in the group you're organising for? In the brochures, information is given on each resort and the number of certain types of piste is one important piece of information. Pistes are usually listed as: Nursery - Beginners slopes Green - Very Easy slopes Blue - Easy slopes and get hard Red - Difficult slopes Black - Very Difficult slopes Most resorts have a nursery slope and are frequently... Read review

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Advantages: The accommodation, the skiing, the nightlife... everything.
Disadvantages: More costly than europe... but worth it!

.... There are vast areas of untouched powder snow, gladed runs that take you James Bond style through the trees as well as a huge variety of marked runs that offer something for people of all abilities. There are wide-sweeping pistes ideal for the beginner, harder diamond black runs for the more experienced and double diamond blacks involving 2 to 5 metre drop-ins just to get onto the run for the truly insane (yes before you ask I include myself in this category). Added to the fantastic range of skiing available, the snow is now widely thought of as the most reliable in North America, and the conditions over the last few years have always been good during the regular season (usually late November to late April). Other things of note in regard to skiing:- - The equipment for hire is very high quality – usually last only one or two seasons old... Read review

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Advantages: Great holiday
Disadvantages: none

...The silent majesty of the Canadian Rockies in winter is a completely unforgettable sight but the feeling of skiing down the tree lined runs is second to none. Now that Christmas is over it is time to dust off the Salopettes, dig out the passports, buy a new set of thermals and head off to the slopes. Well an introduction like that makes me sound like an expert skier who goes year in, year out racing down the black runs, well the reality doesn’t quite add up, I have been once, to one of the most peaceful, beautiful areas I have ever visited Lake Louise, in the Canadian Rockies. Lake Louise is a 2 hour drive from Calgary (direct, but very long flights available from Heathrow) the countryside on the journey goes from mildly interesting, seeing the Calgary ski jump where Eddie the Eagle made his winter Olympic name, to the beautiful... Read review

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Advantages: Cheaper, Less Crowded, Atmospheric...
Disadvantages: May Be Cheaper, But Still Not Cheap!

...) and pollutant-emitting vehicles (that's cars to you and me) have been forbidden from entering its pristine parameters. Consequently, the resort is accessed via a charming little red train, which winds its way up and around the mountain from Tasch…Finally, Zermatt has some really exquisite restaurants, from simple, wooden fondue halls to far more extravagant affairs. Where to stay: The last time I visited Zermatt, about five years ago, I stayed at the Schweizerhof Residence, which was superb, but very pricey. A double room is CHF 500 before Christmas, but CHF690 afterwards… Best Run: Triftj - for its spectacular moguls… Nearest Airport: Geneva. 2) Solden: Bafflingly, despite being one of the most glittering jewels in Austria's winter crown, Solden, in the Tyrol, still remains relatively unknown. Like Zermatt, Solden has year-round skiing on two... Read review

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Advantages: Good fun
Disadvantages: Quite expensive

...When it comes to sport I have always tried to avoid extreme sports, favouring instead things like athletics and running. I represented my county (Yorkshire) at both cross country running and athletics when I was still at school and since then I have completed one full marathon and three half marathons but as far as sport is concerned that is about it for me. I have always consciously avoided skiing, although I realise that this is quite tame in comparison with a lot of what is available these days. Over the years I have declined several chances to accompany friends to winter ski resorts for fear of being a likely candidate to suffer a broken leg or worse, but I have a group of friends that are regular visitors to the European ski resorts and these same friends also frequently visit the Sheffield Ski Village, which is only a few miles... Read review

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Advantages: Fun, ease of use, for everyone
Disadvantages: safety concerns

...One of the latest ski crazes is the "new school", short twin tipped skis for use all over the mountain. Well they dont come much shorter than blades, available in a variety of lengths and widths from 80cms up to 99.9cms with Salomon,K2 and Line being the main makes. The blades are fitted not with conventional bindings but with a fixed cam action that clamps onto the boot,and as there is no binding brake if they become unattached during a fall, an ankle strap is fitted to stop a long walk down the mountain to retrieve your ski. A dedicated blading boot is now available which is shorter and lighter, but traditional boots are fine. One difference with using blades is you dont need sticks, just use your arms for balance. So where can they be used?.. well apart from deep offpiste powder, just about everywhere. They are great for learning... Read review

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