InTheSnow – Issue 44 (Oct 2015)
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INTHE SNOW INTHE SNOW FREE ISSUE 44 | OCT 2015 INTHE SNOW The world’s largest ski area ROSS WOODHALL
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Transcript of InTheSnow – Issue 44 (Oct 2015)
IN TH
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ISSUE 44 | O
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IN TH
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T h e w o r l d ’ s l a r g e s t s k i a r e a
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THE ART OF LAYERINGODLO.COM
JON OLSSON‘‘GOOD PREP STARTS WITH THE FIRST LAYER’’
1. Art. 170951/ BLACKCOMB EVOLUTION WARM Shirt l /s crew neck /XS– XL 2. Art. 180042/ BLACKCOMB EVOLUTION WARM Shirt l /s with Facemask/S–XL 3. Art. 526371/SKI COCOON Jacket insulated, XS– XL4. Art. 525442/ SPIRIT gore-tex® Jacket hardshell, S– XXL 5. Art. 525451/SPIRIT gore-tex® Pants, XS– XL6. Art. 525452/SPIRIT gore-tex® Pants, S– XXL
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THE ART OF LAYERINGODLO.COM
JON OLSSON‘‘GOOD PREP STARTS WITH THE FIRST LAYER’’
1. Art. 170951/ BLACKCOMB EVOLUTION WARM Shirt l /s crew neck /XS– XL 2. Art. 180042/ BLACKCOMB EVOLUTION WARM Shirt l /s with Facemask/S–XL 3. Art. 526371/SKI COCOON Jacket insulated, XS– XL4. Art. 525442/ SPIRIT gore-tex® Jacket hardshell, S– XXL 5. Art. 525451/SPIRIT gore-tex® Pants, XS– XL6. Art. 525452/SPIRIT gore-tex® Pants, S– XXL
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IN TH
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FEATURES
BEST IN SWISS GET THE BEST DEALS
The country where we’ve been taking our winter-sports holidays
longer than any other still manages to keep improving, and they
also have lots of new deals to take advantage of for 2015-16.
LES 2 ALPES 21ST CENTURY RESORT
The snow-sure glacier resort in the southern French Alps has always
had a different outlook to its neighbours. Now after one of the biggest
earth-moving projects in ski resort history, it has a new home run too.
FRESH TRACKS THE AGE OF THE SKI TRAIN
The choices for rail travellers to the Alps just keep getting better,
with new connections and faster services making travel ever more
seamless and the time and price difference between travelling
direct and the transfer-airport-flight-airport-transfer regime smaller.
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005 // OCT15
FIVE-PAGE BOOT ROOM051–055
A new season means new equipment so this month we
delve into some of the greatest gear we can get our
hands on, including the Smith Quad Goggles, the Atomic
Vantage skis (that we tested earlier this year) and the
very cool honeycomb Slytech back protector … enjoy
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10 MINUTES WITH MARCEL HIRSCHER
The Austrian skiing superstar set a new all-time record for winning the
overall World Cup last season, leading some to say he’s the greatest
racer ever. He talks to our editor about what’s next.
BLOW THE BONUS CHALET OWENS
Super-luxury chalets are a dime a dozen these days, and the problem
faced by many people renting them is to how to spread the love? That’s
not a problem at one chalet thanks to a huge entertainments space.
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Hoorah it’s a new ski season! “Well, nearly” … you may
quite reasonably respond, but the truth is that if you
really want to, you can get out on the slopes today, or
at least tomorrow – you just need to get to the Alps and
up to one of the glacier ski areas that’s already opened
for “winter” 2015–16.
The good news is that after an unexpected 30cm of fresh
snow at some glaciers at the start of September (when
it was still officially summer), Sölden in the Austrian Tirol
decided it was worth opening early – back on the 12th of
last month – so it’s already into its second month of the
season. We’ve got pictures and details of the other areas
open in October within these pages.
Besides the snow there’s an awful lot to look forward
to in winter 2015-16. I did a bit of “back of the beer mat”
maths and reckon expenditure on things like big ski lifts
and new swimming pool complexes add up to around
a half-billion-euro spend by many of the big-name ski
areas over the summer ahead of this winter, and that’s
without all the new chalets and hotels that are opening.
The better-still news is that it’s all cheaper for us Brits
thanks to the pound riding high against the euro and the
currencies of many other ski nations including Canada
and Norway. We’re back up to exchange rates not seen
for seven or eight winters, and the pound is now up
20% against the euro compared to two seasons ago, so
everything suddenly seems much more affordable.
This season we’ll continue to bring you all the biggest and
latest news stories from the winter-sports world. If you go
online you’ll see we’ve revamped our website so it is even
better than before, and we’re marching on towards 50,000
followers on Facebook who are receiving instant updates
on big snowfalls and other big stories. We’ll also be
increasing our video presence across all our digital outlets.
Along with all the news, and an expanded “Boot Room”
gear section for this season, this month’s features
include profiles of Les 2 Alpes in France and Zell
am See in Austria, as well as an interesting study in
to where all the money we spend on our lift passes
actually goes to. Think snow.
Follow us @inthesnowmag
GEP
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WWW.SINNER.EU
t’s the time of year when we ask
the million-euro question – will next
winter be a snowy one?
The Daily Express has no doubts and
is already forecasting catastrophic
winter snow cover, in the UK at least,
this winter – potentially good news
for Scottish ski areas if they’re right,
although they do tend to post similar
stories every year about this time.
Is there more tangible evidence?
Well, spirits have been raised by
significant last summer and early
autumn snowfall in the Alps and
the Rockies. Lake Louise in Canada posted
pictures of an intrepid gent skiing on about an
2.5cm of snow there in mid-September, but
Sölden ski resort in Austria’s Tirol province
went further and actually opened to the public
for glacier skiing several weeks earlier than
it had planned, on Saturday 12th September,
after significant snowfall on high slopes in
Europe at the start of last month, when resorts
including Saas-Fee in Switzerland, which had
reopened in July for its 9-month ski season,
reported up to a 30cm of fresh snow, meaning
skiers could enjoy powder conditions on the
first weekend of September there.
Other already-open ski areas include the
Hintertux, Pitztal and Molltal glaciers in Austria,
Passo Stelvio in Italy and Zermatt in Switzerland.
Rather than open early it had been feared some
might delay planned openings as the snowpack
at many had been severely depleted by high
summer temperatures causing significant
thawing until the snow arrived. So the signs
are better than hoped for the start of autumn.
Whether they will continue and we will avoid
a repeat of last year’s catastrophic start to the
2014-15 ski season remains to be seen and no
one can truly predict.
Across the Atlantic, where Western North
America had a generally lousy winter 2014-15
(while the East Coast enjoyed some record
accumulations), hopes are also high of a very
snowy winter ahead. Here there is slightly
more science involved in the forecasting as
a strong “El Niño” weather pattern has been
predicted in the Pacific Ocean which typically
means more precipitation and, if it’s cold
enough, more snow.
Ski resorts in the Western US are forecasting
MUCH more snow after five seasons of
drought, and The Daily Telegraph has gone
so far as saying the El Niño affect will extend
around the planet, bringing the snowiest winter
to Europe for 65 years, rather than just being
felt on the Pacific coast as is normally the case.
If there are any signs that it will happen we
could look south of the equator where ski
areas in Argentina and Chile in the Andes
mountains had a poor start to their 2015 ski
season in June but were then deluged by the
biggest snowfalls for 20 or 30 years with up to
2m falling in several storms in July, so perhaps
that’s a good sign.
There was good snowfall too in Australia
and New Zealand and even ski areas
in southern Africa enjoyed a good 2015
winter season during our summer. With
a month of the season still to go in early
September Queenstown’s Coronet Peak
was surpassing its previous all time
snowfall record of 3m, set in 2010.
“This is the winter that just keeps on
giving! We’re thrilled that the awesome
conditions our guests have enjoyed
throughout the season are continuing
and we’d love to get as many people
up the mountains to enjoy our record
snow,” said resort operator NZSki’s CEO
Paul Anderson.
Skiers and riders had been able to access
the whole of Coronet Peak for the majority
of the season, with continued fresh
snowfalls making for great off-piste and
on-trail skiing in snow that as recently as
this week was described as “light, dry,
winter powder”.
This month will see eight glacier ski areas open
in Austria, five of them in Tirol, more than in the
rest of the northern hemisphere combined for
that time of year. Tignes in France and Cervinia
in Italy will reopen for the start of their 7-month
winter seasons. Most glacier areas offer the
chance to attend season opening parties and
test our next season’s gear early.
Across the Atlantic we can expect
snowmaking to get underway at high resorts
in the Rockies like Arapahoe Basin and
Loveland which – if it’s cold enough – may be
open by the end of the month.
007 // OCT15
WORDS: PATRICK THORNE
WILL IT BE SNOWYTHIS SEASON?
STOP PRESS SEPTEMBER SNOW!
Social media filled with snowy images
from across the Alps as we went to
press in the last week of September
as up to 35cm (14 inches) of snow
was reported in the first few days of
Autumn. There were powder conditions
for the last weekend of last month on
the glacier slopes that were already
open, bringing thrills for the first skiers
of the 2015-16 ski season.
SAA
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BRITISH SPEED SKIER SETS INDOOR RECORD
ritish speed skier Jan Farrell has
broken the world record for the
fastest speed achieved on an
indoor snow slope.
Jan reached 104.956kph
(65.2166mph) on the 620m-long
slope at Snowhall Amnéville in
North Eastern France – one of the
world’s longest indoor snow slopes
and the only one in France.
The previous record holder was
German Klaus Schrottshammer
who managed to hit 104.440kph
(64.896 mph) on the 550m slope
at Landgraaf in the Netherlands
in 2011.
“It was a long day with 12 runs,
four at over 104kph!” said Jan. “A
special thanks to everyone involved
(witnesses, officials, Snowhall
Amnéville personnel and spectators);
they almost froze to death!”
The record was made according
to Guinness World Records
specifications, with 10m timing.
Jan, who competes in world-
class speed ski racing on the
international tour too, says the
record is the first of several he
intends to set in coming years.
Tour operator Ski Safari is offering holidays to
the Norwegian resort of Myrkdalen next winter.
Myrkdalen is unusual for two key reasons.
Firstly it’s a very rare genuine 21st-century ski
resort, one of just a handful of new ski areas
created in western Europe since the turn of
the century.
The first lift opened in Myrkdalen in 2003, and
the resort is growing steadily with more modern
infrastructure. The latest resort addition is a
second six-seater chair opening up further terrain.
The other reason, and probably why its
location was selected when it was created, is
its uncanny ability to get dumped on with lots
and lots of snow. This happened last season
when Myrkdalen, which is located around
30km from the coastal town of Voss, reported
snow almost daily while many other areas in
Europe were struggling.
In total it’s blessed with an average snowfall
of 5m, a high average for a European and
particularly Scandinavian ski area. Its snow-
sure terrain ensures a long season from
December through to May and is normally
good for anyone looking for good early or late
snow conditions.
There are 28km of runs, most suited to
beginners and intermediates, but experts have
extensive off-piste options and guests staying
at the 4★ Hotel Myrkdalen with Ski Safari
(skisafari.com) receive a free lift pass.
008 // OCT15 // INTHESNOW.COM
WOW air is offering tickets from
£99 including taxes to Boston this
winter. Flights from Gatwick travel via
Reykjavik in Iceland, to the gateway
airport for ski areas in New England.
The fares are available on selected
dates to 15 December and from
10 January to 10 March 2016, but
exclude baggage.
The company believes that its low
prices on the route year round have
been responsible for reducing prices
market-wide between London and
Boston by 14%. The service was
introduced in March and the company
has reported consistent average load
factors in excess of 90% ever since.
“Modern travellers are smart travellers.
They prefer to spend less money on
airfares so that they can spend more
on experiencing their destination,”
said Skúli Mogensen, owner and CEO
of WOW air. “We are thrilled to be able
to make transatlantic travel accessible
for people who otherwise would not
be able to afford it.”
Flights from Reykjavik to the USA
are operated using WOW air’s fleet
of new Airbus A321 Extended Range
aircraft. The airline’s Airbus A320
family aircraft carry passengers from
London Gatwick to Reykjavik on the
first leg of the journey (wowair.co.uk).
£99 FARES TO THE USA
BULGARIAN RESORTS BOOMING
Bulgarian ski resorts reported a great winter
last season despite a steep drop in Russian
visitors. Instead there was strong growth in
skier numbers arriving from other countries,
particularly Turkey. Turkey has seen a rapid
growth in ski areas itself in the past 5 years as
well as the expansion to “international status”
of more of its existing areas, installing high-
capacity high-speed chairlifts and gondolas.
SKI IN YOUR SWIMSUIT IN SPAIN
At the end of last season, a week after
1800 bikini- and swim-shorts-wearing
Russians set a new world record for the
number of people skiing simultaneously in
swimwear, the southern Spanish resort of
Sierra Nevada staged its third annual “ski
in your swimsuit” day. The bikini- and swim-
shorts-clad ski day is known as “Bajada en
Bañador” (or “Slopes in Your Swimsuit”).
SWINDON INDOOR SNOW CENTRE
Plans to redevelop Swindon’s existing Oasis
leisure centre into a regional attraction
including an indoor snow slope have been
unveiled by developers Moirai Capital. The
plans include what’s described as “the
country’s longest indoor ski-slope,” as well
as a 5000-seater arena, an extreme sports
venue and a hotel. The company says the
facility could be up and running by 2018.
NEW CAIRNGORM DRAG LIFT
CairnGorm Mountain ski area above
Aviemore in Scotland are upgrading their
Shieling ski tow in time for the coming
winter. The 50+-year-old drag lift was
brought to Cairngorm second-hand in the
early 1960s and has become increasingly
difficult and expensive to maintain. The
new lift will be a low-level tow with no
intermediate towers.
EXPANDED TERRAIN FOR SILVER STAR
Visitors to Silver Star ski resort in BC,
Canada this 2015–16 winter season will
enjoy over 100 acres of additional skiable
terrain, a new race centre and expanded
winter sports options. Popular with skiers
and boarders, gladed tree skiing at the
intermediate and expert levels is being
expanded including 21 acres of expert-level
tree skiing in Powder Gulch.
@INTHESNOWMAG
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“LEARN HOW TO SKI WEEKS” FOR SINGLES
For solo travellers who have always fancied learning how to ski, the
singles specialist holiday company Friendship Travel is featuring its
“learn to ski” weeks on a choice of dates this winter.
These 7-night holidays are available between December and March –
including Christmas – and are based at the Chalet Hotel la Berangere in
Les Deux Alpes in the French Alps.
“Everyone on the holiday will be a beginner – the atmosphere is laid-back
and friendly – and everything is included such as return Gatwick flights,
transfers, chalet board accommodation, hire of boots and skis, lift passes
and 5 full days of group lessons,” a company statement reads.
The Chalet Hotel la Berangere has social areas where guests can relax
around an open fire and compare notes on the day’s activities. It also has
an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, as well as a treatment
room for aching muscles. Prices start from £1205pp (£1325 at Christmas)
including the above, plus accommodation in a single room and the
services of a local host. Departures are also available from Heathrow,
Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow (singlesskiholidays.com).
LES CARROZ GOES 100% RENEWABLE POWEREDLes Carroz, one of the five resorts making up the Grand Massif ski area
in France (along with Flaine, Samoens, Morillon and Sixt), has announced
it will be 100% green energy powered as of next year (2016).
In 2012 all of five resorts within Le Grand Massif earned AlpEnergies100
certification for their long-term commitment to reduce CO2 emissions
and for committing to exclusively using renewable energy sources
(hydro, wind and solar power).
Les Carroz already has a wide range of “eco-measures” in place to
combat climate change.
Photovoltaic panels provide some power to signage on the slopes, and
there’s a solar water heating system at the resort’s nursery.
The resort has also acted to reduce energy consumption by lowering the
voltage of public lighting and cells detecting the luminosity.
It encourages car pooling via the envoituresimone.com website and runs
a free shuttle bus service around the resort and base lift station.
And even the resort’s sewage treatment system has decided to generate
power from methane gas to heat the buildings.
A very sexy new “coffee table” ski book has just
hit the shelves from art publishers teNeues.
Compiled by the excellent ski writer Gabriella
Le Breton, who has skied at some 130 resorts
around the world and contributed to the
Financial Times, Condé Nast Traveller, Vanity
Fair and even our humble InTheSnow, the
book is described by its publisher as “an
entertaining walk through the captivating
and glamorous history of the traditional yet
modern sport of skiing.”
In particular the book looks at how skiing
has evolved to attract daring athletes,
tourists and locals on winter holiday right
up to the chic and wealthy leisure class,
and international royalty. In the process the
exciting and well-groomed stars of the ski
world and the jetsetter destinations they
head for each winter have come to define
a distinctive and popular global culture and
aspirational lifestyle.
The Stylish Life Skiing is a nostalgic and
spectacular journey through alpine history and
beyond, including this singularly unique sport’s
founders, superstars, influence on design and
entertainment, and the evolution of its resorts,
fashion, equipment and much more.
Along with the informative and entertaining
text, the book is also a treasure trove of images
with 140 glorious colour and black-and-white
photographs within.
The Stylish Life Skiing retails at £29.95 from
good bookshops.
THE STYLISH LIFE SKIING
009 // OCT15 FB.COM/INTHESNOW
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IN THE HEART OF THE DOLOMITES� ere is an extra magical sensation when a dream comes true. � is sensation is such when you ski on 1,200 km of slopes which are daily prepared to perfection. � is dream is made up of wellness and relaxation, to be experienced in an oasis of pleasure which transforms your vacation into a regenerative lift for body and mind. Relish the typical cuisine in the mountain huts, take in the extraordinarily brilliant landscapes in this Unesco World Heritage paradise.� e magic of the Dolomites captivates, and their purity, distinctiveness, plus the promise of fun moments galore is a tale to tell all.
Post your pictures with hashtag #DolomitiSuperSki and share your wonderful times on the mountains!
DOLOMITISUPERSKI.com
DolomitiSuperSki#
SNOWORKS.COM010 // OCT15
Phil Smith from Snoworks Ski
Courses talks about how you can
improve your skiing, cope with
more variation in the mountain
environment and experience
more than you ever thought
possible at whatever level of
skiing you have achieved so far.
In his first article Phil talks about
going OPEN.
FREE-SKIERMany skiers at some point in their
skiing hit what is commonly called
a learning “plateau”. Plateaus can
happen at any point in your skiing
and can often be associated with the
terrain becoming what we call more
“open”. The intermediate plateau is
the first of these, where the terrain
moves from being well groomed to
more varied. To make the transition
through the intermediate plateau
and beyond, the first step is to
understand what we call “open” and
“closed” sports and the difference in
how they are learned and how they
are performed.
WHAT ARE ”OPEN & CLOSED” SPORTS?“Closed” sports are where the
environment does not change:
running in lanes, swimming in lanes,
javelin throwing, figure skating,
gymnastics and indoor high diving
are all examples. “Open” sports are
where the environment is constantly
changing, such as football, rugby,
tennis, sailing and surfing.
IS SKIING “OPEN” OR “CLOSED”?Skiing is probably one of the
most “open” and dynamic sports
there is, yet many skiers begin
their journey with a “closed”
methodology. This is because
skiing begins in a “closed”
environment, with nursery
slopes and well-groomed blue
and red pistes, but eventually
goes “open” – bumps, steeper
terrain, ice, powder, difficult
blacks and off-piste.
Most intermediate skiers do
indeed confine their skiing
to where the terrain is more
closed, such as well-groomed
pistes. But is this because they
want to or is it because they are
limited to groomed pistes due
to the way they have learned?
ARE YOU AN “CLOSED” OR “OPEN” SKIER?Do you find yourself saying any (or
all) of these? Are you what we call a
“variables victim”? In other words, do
you need the environment “closed”?
- I’m OK providing it doesn’t get icy.
- I can ski light powder, but when it
is heavy or varied, I struggle.
- I’m OK if it doesn’t get steep.
- Other skiers put me off.
- I’m OK providing the bumps are
nicely spread out.
- I struggle in bad visibility.
- I struggle in slush.
- I struggle on narrow paths.
- Trees put me off.
Each of the above statements has
a variable attached to it: slope
steepens, hazards appear, visibility
changes, snow texture varies,
other skiers get too close. If any
of these statements ring true, then
it’s time to go “open”, because
if you have learned a “closed”
method of skiing, you will always
be a victim of skiing variables.
A simply analogy I constantly use
for “open” skills would be trying
to describe (and then teach) the
movement patterns of running
through a crowded bar carrying
a tray of drinks! To accurately
describe what is happening and
how to copy it is impossible. The
probability of the same thing
happening again exactly is like
winning the lottery twice. The
same movements would only
work if you ran through the
bar where each time everyone
and everything always stayed
in the same place. Of course
this would never happen;
more people may have
arrived, the furniture may have
moved and the floor may be
more slippery.
HOW DO YOU GO “OPEN”?The first step is to understand
the “open” philosophy. Then
simply learn “skills” that can be
adjusted and varied to match
the changing environment.
Learning to ski “open” may
sound rather scientific and
intense. At the very beginning,
this may be true because you’ll
no longer be told exactly what to
do. You’ll learn skills that you can
adjust according to your task and
the environment so it may all sound
a bit, could I say “open” to begin
with. However, learning “open”
skiing comes with a warning: you’ll
wish you’d discovered it years ago.
F R E E R I D E
PHIL SMITHSNOWORKS
Phil Smith is founder of Snoworks
All-Mountain Ski Courses. Snoworks
run Off-Piste and Backcountry
courses throughout the winter along
with Off-Piste Adventure trips to
destinations around the world.
L E S S O N N O . 7 G O O P E N
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IN THE HEART OF THE DOLOMITES� ere is an extra magical sensation when a dream comes true. � is sensation is such when you ski on 1,200 km of slopes which are daily prepared to perfection. � is dream is made up of wellness and relaxation, to be experienced in an oasis of pleasure which transforms your vacation into a regenerative lift for body and mind. Relish the typical cuisine in the mountain huts, take in the extraordinarily brilliant landscapes in this Unesco World Heritage paradise.� e magic of the Dolomites captivates, and their purity, distinctiveness, plus the promise of fun moments galore is a tale to tell all.
Post your pictures with hashtag #DolomitiSuperSki and share your wonderful times on the mountains!
DOLOMITISUPERSKI.com
DolomitiSuperSki#
According to recent reports, the demand for “all
inclusive” ski holiday packages is increasing
year on year, and as the Alps continue to be the
most desirable destination for ski holidays, it’s
good news that the masters of the genre, Club
Med, have opened a new resort at Val Thorens,
the highest ski resort in Europe, offering access
to the vast Les 3 Vallées with its 600km of piste.
Compared to most of the other companies out
there offering this experience, Club Med certainly
ensure that their packages are without doubt
“all in”. Their “4 Trident” resort offers a worry-
free stay with even your lift passes and ESF ski
lessons included in the price of your holiday.
Located in the heart of the village, the new hotel
is certainly something to marvel at. The newly
built “Sensations Club Med Resort” not only
offers exceptional ski-in/ski-out access to the
slopes but also boasts a range of other positive
features. An impressive indoor climbing wall
features in the hotel lobby, as well as an on-site
gym complete with fitness classes and hammam.
The spa, which has ten treatment rooms
including a double treatment room for those
couples looking to spend quality time together,
offers a spot of relaxation after those long
days on the slopes, and the two restaurants to
choose from offer produce sourced from local
suppliers. Although one of these restaurants
is a buffet-style dining experience, there is an
alternative option if this isn’t your scene.
The hotel ski room is stocked with the latest
equipment from Rossignol, and Club Med Val
Thorens are also offering a new choice of
snow-based activities including speed riding,
boardercross, snow scooters and winter
mountain biking.
The launch of the new family-friendly resort
came hand in hand with the latest report from
Club Med concerning on-ski trends. The report
looks into the idea of the traditional family skiing
holiday and how this is now evolving.
With support from former Olympic skier and
Club Med Ambassador Graham Bell, the report
found that the “thought of going on an extended
family holiday” seems to be an increasing
trend. Graham Bell supports the results of this
report stating that he has “often skied with both
generations. With the older generation staying
fitter for longer, there’s no reason you can’t
bring your parents on your next ski trip, as well
as the children.”
Club Med report that results from this particular
study show that more families than ever are
looking at going on holiday with not just their
family but with their extended family also.
The report also shows that “gramping”,
otherwise known as holidaying with
grandparents, has risen in popularity, with a fifth
of holiday makers having skied in the last two
years with extended family. This is attributed to
the shift in the ski generation and “The Rise of
the Silver Skier”.
A NewSensation
012 // OCT15 @INTHESNOWMAG
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VERBIER CUTS LOW-SEASON LIFT PASS PRICELes 4 Vallées ski area in Switzerland, which is dominated by Verbier,
has responded to the strong franc and a drop in lift ticket sales by
announcing a cut in low-season lift-pass prices for 2015–16.
The resort says it will look to introduce more “dynamic pricing” for
lift tickets moving forward, similar to that employed in other areas of
travel, particularly airlines and hotels, with ever-changing ticket prices
varying according to demand.
The concept of dynamic pricing first appeared a few seasons ago in
North America, pioneered by companies like Liftopia. In some cases
resorts no longer publish a table of lift-ticket prices but ask skiers to
type in season dates and stay duration to be delivered a price, which
varies according to demand. As with hotel beds and flight tickets,
bargains can be had at certain times.
The Verbier/Les 4 Vallées model so far announced does not seem
to be quite so sophisticated; in fact it seems to be more a low-
season price reduction, common in most major ski nations although
less so in Switzerland where prices are often fixed from (at least)
Christmas to Easter regardless of how busy it is or how much
terrain is open.
Les 4 Vallées has initially announced a 10% reduction in pass prices
in the low-season week after the peak New Year holiday week and a
further 5% discount for booking in advance online.
CRYSTAL SKI HOLIDAYS REPORTS 7% GROWTHThere are no longer any annual reports published to give us an idea of
how the British ski industry is moving, but individual pronouncements
from some of the big holiday companies are largely good.
The biggest jump in business so far reported comes from the country’s
largest ski operator, Crystal Ski Holidays, who say that despite below-
average snowfall and frequent changing snow conditions during the
course of the season, they grew their business by 7%, with families and
under 35s in particular returning to the mountains in force, showing
double-digit increases – hopefully a good sign for the future.
France was once again the most popular ski destination for British skiers,
and the new direct flights last season from Southampton, Bournemouth and
Cardiff provided easier access to the slopes for many skiers, Crystal reports.
They will add Châtel and Sainte-Foy to their programme this winter.
Andorra and Bulgaria saw increased business and “Canada and the
Nordic countries remained popular” last winter, while the countries
where the pound did not perform so well, Switzerland and the USA,
“were stable,” says Crystal.
Among new destinations Crystal have on offer this coming winter is
Ruhpolding in Bavaria – believed to be the first German resort in a major
operator’s brochure since last century. It offers skiing alongside a range of
other activities like cross-country skiing and driving piste bashers. Novice
skiers can ski on the local mountain there for free (crystalski.co.uk).
ANDORRA’S KIDS AREA REACHES NEW HEIGHTSAndorra’s Grandvalira ski area has been working on a new snow-sports
area for children called Mon(t) Magic.
The team, reported to be also involved with Andorra’s participation
in the International Ski Federation’s SnowKidz programme, say that
Mon(t) Magic takes characters from several Andorran legends to create
an area adapted for children aged from 3 to 10.
For the 2015–16 season, a new children’s magic slalom will be
implemented and a new zip line 500m long and 40m high will allow
children and adults to fly “like an enchanted fairy” at a maximum speed
of 80km per hour.
Mon(t) Magic already includes specific signage, themed gondolas,
a kindergarten and several slopes with 3D characters, banners,
obstacles, jumps and even a witch’s skiable hut.
The main attraction of the project to date is the Magic Forest, an off-
piste route for the whole family where children will find goblins, fairies
and witches along the route. The character Tamarro (an imaginary
animal that nobody has ever seen) is the star of the area, and children
can have fun skiing while trying to find him.
In addition to the area, Grandvalira Ski School has also designed
specific ski and snowboard lessons along the Mon(t) Magic slopes with
daily entertainment activities with the mascots (Puk the goblin, Endha
the fairy and Mel the witch) (grandvalira.com).
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Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is located in the Ötztal region of the Tirol, high up
at the head of the valley and close to the neighbouring resort of Sölden.
It is one of the highest villages in the Alps with one of the continent’s
longest, most snow-sure seasons.
SNOW-SURE FROM NOVEMBER TO MAY
Located at 1930m above sea level, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is one of the first
resorts in the Alps to open for the season in the first
half of November, and then it stays open for almost
6 months, right through to the following May. The
resort has 110km of piste which begins at 1800m
above sea level – a height which is near the top of
the slopes for many ski areas, but for Obergurgl-
Hochgurgl the top is at over 3000m! Fortunately
the area has invested in fast, comfortable lifts, so it
only takes a few minutes to whizz up to the top to
access the wonderful powder snow runs down.
SKI-IN, SKI-OUT CONVENIENCE
Thanks to the fast, comfortable, modern lift
network, getting around this big ski area is
easy, and those queue-gobbling lifts mean the
snow-sure slopes remain crowd-free. Skiers
and boarders from complete beginners to
experts can enjoy runs and terrain for all ability
levels. And the icing on the cake is that most of
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl’s 4 and 5★ hotels offer
ski-in, ski-out convenience. The area upgrades
its lifts almost every winter making sure it always
has the newest innovations and state-of-the
art lifts. The fast, comfortable ten-seat Kirchenkar mountain gondola is the
latest new lift to access Obergurgl-Hochgurhgl’s slopes, opening this winter.
STUNNING VIEWS
For breathtaking panoramic views of the Ötztaler Alps, stretching out
to the silhouette of the famous Dolomites in the south, head to the Top
Mountain Star viewing platform 3080m up at the summit of Obergurgl-
Hochgurgl’s ski area. From here there are fabulous, unparalleled views
of 21 mountain peaks, each higher than 3000m. Of course, this being
Obergurgl -Hochgurgl, Top Mountain Star is more than just a viewing
platform; it’s also a stunning piece of
architecture in its own right, complete with
designer bar serving food and drinks.
OFF THE SLOPES
It’s not only skiers and snowboarders
who keep coming back to Obergurgl-
Hochgurgl year after year, but non-skiers
do too. Winter hiking, snowshoeing and the
wide Nordic skiing tracks create a winter
wonderland feeling. Visitors can also enjoy
tobogganing on a 3km-long run for a bit of
après-ski fun too.
TOP SKI SCHOOLS
The ski schools in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
are highly regarded as having some of the
best English-speaking instructors you’ll find
anywhere. They’re fully prepared to teach
everyone from complete beginners through to
experienced skiers in need of extra tips and
can also turn their hands to any technique
that may interest you – snowboarding,
freestyle or freeriding perhaps? For the little ones, gentle guidance is
offered by caring ski instructors in special learning areas.
OBERGURGL-HOCHGURGLFURTHER INFO
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl has one of the
longest and most snow-sure ski seasons
in the Alps, running from November to
May. Its extensive slopes are more likely
to have powder snow cover for longer,
thanks to their higher altitude, and are
accessed by some of the most modern,
comfortable ski lifts in the world. Many
of the resort’s hotels also provide ski-in,
ski-out access.
OBERGURGL.COM | VISITTIROL.CO.UK 014 // OCT15
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Thinking of a short ski break - Think ski weekends the experts in short break skiing for more than 30 years
IRAN “BACK IN THESKI BROCHURES”An unexpected “peace dividend” of the easing of nuclear tensions
between Iran and the US and the removal of sanctions is that ski
holidays to Iran from outside the region might rise in popularity, perhaps.
Even before the current easing of tension, the USA edition of Vogue was
suggesting that Iran could be the world’s next luxury ski destination,
although it wasn’t too clear what they were basing that assumption on.
Iran does have around a dozen ski areas and a colourful skiing history.
The first lifts are reported to have been installed by German engineers
building the country’s first railway lines, and skiing was popular in the
1960s and 1970s with the deposed Shah, who strove to develop ski areas
along the lines of the French purpose-built resorts. After the Revolution
in 1979, some reports claim skiing was banned for several years as it was
seen as Western and un-Islamic, and that when the slopes were reopened
they were segregated so men and women skied on separate slopes.
These reports were disputed by some Iranian tour operators as Western
propaganda. More recently even the more conservative elements in Iran
seem to have fallen in love with skiing, with some senior clerics quoted as
seeing mountain sports as expressions of the glory of God.
In practical terms, Iranian ski areas have a lot to offer, including some
of the world’s highest ski slopes and reputedly best powder. Lift-ticket
prices are very low, several areas are close to the capital, Tehran, and
the Iranian people are usually very welcoming and hospitable.
SURFACE OF PLUTO “LIKE ROCKIES”NASA has confirmed that the surface of Pluto is very similar to the North
American Rocky Mountains, opening the possibility that future generations
of humans, or indeed any particularly cool alien species, may be able to
ski or board the distant dwarf planet at some future date, providing they
have good thermals on.
The first detailed pictures of Pluto’s surface were revealed after NASA’s
New Horizons spacecraft flew by after a 9-year, 4-billion-mile trip to the
distant world.
“These are pretty significant mountains. They’d stand up respectably
against mountain ranges on Earth like the Rockies,” said John Spencer,
a mission scientist, adding that they appear to reach around 3300m in
height and extend for several hundred miles across.
The mountains are believed to be quite young in comparison to the 4.6
billion-year-old solar system, perhaps only 100 million years old, and to be
formed from water ice crowned with a thin layer of nitrogen and methane
snow. It’s the first time mountains formed with water ice have been found
in the solar system, except on giant ice moons orbiting other planets.
NASA has not yet revealed the likely quality of what we are calling “Pluto
Powder”, but they have said they’ll be analysing the data received for at
least the next year, so we’re hoping more details will be forthcoming.
Temperatures on Pluto are believed to range between -223°C and -233°C,
so powder quality is likely to be good, we think.
CHILL FACTORe REPLACES ITS SNOWThe Chill Factore indoor snow centre in Manchester has replaced all
of the snow on its 180m slope. The “Slope Scrape” takes place every
3 to 4 years, and involves using a PistenBully trail groomer to literally
scrape the 128 tonnes of snow off the slope over 36 hours before
replacing it with fresh machine-made snow over the next 5 days.
Befittingly, the slope was reopened by two of Chill Factore’s most notable
guests, Rowan Cheshire and Dave Knowles, aka Downhill Dave.
Rowan Cheshire is part of the Team GB skiing team and has trained
at Chill Factore for 3 years, while Downhill Dave is arguably the snow
centre’s most loyal guest, having skied nearly 5000 miles during his 5
years as a Chill Factore regular.
To formally reopen the slope, Cheshire presented Downhill Dave with a
jar of the “old” snow as a memento, before the two of them graced the
fresh snow for the first time.
Chill Factore has calculated that the old snow furnished over 6,076,000
miles-worth of skiing and snowboarding, which is equivalent to lapping
the earth 27 times. During its time on the piste, the snow has also
played host to countless competitions, a few Guinness World Records,
and even the UK’s first-ever pumpkin-rolling championships.
It isn’t like the old snow went to waste, either – Chill Factore used some
of it to host what they believe were the UK’s first-ever Car Park Rail
Jam Championships.
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016 // OCT15 @INTHESNOWMAG
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Switzerland, the home of winter holidays, was
where we Brits first fell in love with winter in
the snow more than 150 years ago.
We’re still drawn back every season to
see the most spectacular peaks and vistas
in the Alps, arguably the whole world,
enjoy the great quality and service and, of
course, some superb skiing and boarding.
There are hundreds of great Swiss
destinations to choose from, then fall in
love with, but some are better known
than others and have their particular
charms, as well as, happily, some special
offers this winter.
Here are five of our favourites that we
have already fallen in love with …
THE JUNGFRAU REGION
The Jungfrau in the stunning Bernese
Oberland dominates a winter-sports
region of powder slopes rising to
3000m – with attractions
culminating in the thrilling
ride up the Jungfraujoch
– Top of Europe (Europe’s
highest railway station and
also home to the continent’s
highest chocolate shop,
among many other
attractions!).
The resorts of Grindelwald,
Wengen, Mürren and
Lauterbrunnen together
form one of Switzerland’s
most varied snow-sports
regions – extending from
the Lauberhorn race above
Wengen, one of the biggest
events in the annual World
Cup downhill calendar every
January, to the Schilthorn above Mürren,
immortalised in a classic James Bond film.
Today there are 260km of pistes
and nearly 250km of sledging and
winter-walking trails too, among other
attractions, which provide everything from
adrenalin kicks to pure winter romance.
The region has one of the strongest
connections with the Brits of all the world’s
ski areas – dating back to the late 19th
century when the first Brits tried skiing
here for the first time and later pioneered
what has since become downhill ski
racing. Venerable organisations like the
Kandahar and Downhill Only (DHO) ski
clubs are still based here, and British
guests are counted as “locals!”
jungfrauregion.ch
DAVOS KLOSTERS
Another resort that’s been welcoming
Brits since the early years of winter sports,
the traditional winter spa resort of Davos
combines mountain magic with urban flair
while its neighbour, Klosters, is a quaint
village and foodie heaven, with outstanding
gourmet restaurants. Pristine valleys lead to
dreamy winter walks, and skiers are in their
element with endless downhill runs and
rustic and relaxed mountain huts. That’s not
to mention the parks, pipes and parties for
snowboarders and freeriders.
Deal: Guests who stay in a partner
hotel or holiday apartment of the
destination between 21 November and
20 December 2015 get a ski pass for
free for each night.
davos.ch
THE PORTES DU SOLEIL
One of the world’s largest ski areas,
whichever way you measure it, the Portes
du Soleil officially encompasses more
than 650km of groomed pistes, divided
into almost 300 runs, served by nearly
200 ski lifts – all on the one ticket. The
list of superlatives goes on – 13 snow
parks, 90 mountain restaurants … the
stats are staggering.
Around a dozen villages sit below the
slopes of the Portes du Soleil as the giant
area seamlessly crosses the border to
include French and Swiss resorts. On the
Swiss side the pass covers the picturesque
villages of Champéry and Morgins.
The border is marked by the infamous
“Swiss Wall” – a steep, giant mogul field
that advanced skiers will wish to tackle,
but there are easier routes, including a
chairlift ride down the side of the slopes,
for those who don’t. Once at the bottom
on the Swiss side, the wonderful Paradise
run is a very different affair – a long,
easy slope that goes for miles through
stunning scenery.
ENGADIN ST. MORITZ
Combing the four large ski areas of
Corviglia, Corvatsch, Diavolezza and
Zuoz, as well as five more smaller but
charming areas, skiers and snowboarders
will find 350km of beautiful pistes on the
Engadin St. Moritz pass, waiting to be
explored.
The high-altitude valley is framed by
snow-capped peaks – yet also strikingly
wide, and flooded with sunlight, and
there’s a wide range of choices for
your stay from unspoilt villages to
glitzy St. Moritz, the FIS Alpine World
Ski Championship host in 2017, with its
amazing luxury hotels, frozen lake and
stunning scenery.
One of the world’s most snow-
sure destinations, the ski season
starts up on the Diavolezza glacier
as early as 17 October 2015.
Deal: Engadin St. Moritz ski pass offer,
“Hotel and Ski Pass”, is available on
stays of 2 nights or more and entitles
you to buy your Engadin lift pass
for just CHF35 (£22) per day from 17
October to 22 May.
engadin.stmoritz.ch
ENGELBERG
The glacier-capped slopes of Engelberg
are located 2000 vertical metres above
this famous ski resort and offer amazing
views which you can even enjoy from
Europe’s highest suspension bridge,
a slim metal footbridge suspended
3000m up, if you can overcome your
vertigo! But if you just want to ski, the
great news is that along with a ride
on the remarkable Titlis Rotair cable
car, which rotates through 360° as you
ascend the last stretch to the glacier
and the very top of the slopes and was
replaced with an all-new lift last winter,
this season will see the opening of a
new eight-person gondola from the
resort to the base station of the Rotair
at 2428m, cutting the ascent time by
two-thirds to just 15 minutes. From
the top, one of the world’s longest
ski runs awaits, a glorious 12km run
through stunning scenery on great
snow. Indeed snow-sports enthusiasts
enjoy superb conditions from October
to May and fans of Engelberg’s Olympic
gold medallist, Dominique Gisin, will
enjoy that 12km descent known as the
downhill ski racer’s “home run” and one
of Switzerland’s longest descents.
Deal: Early booking deals are already
available for skiers and boarders
ready to hit the slopes between
the start of the ski season on 14
November and 17 December 2015.
engelberg.ch
#INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND
If you’ve already skied in
Switzerland, you’ll already
have fallen in love. Switzerland
Tourism are asking anyone who
wants to, to tell them their love
story at MySwitzerland.com/
yourstory or using the hashtag
#INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND
to share it via Facebook,
Instagram or Twitter.
Switzerland Tourism will pick
their favourite stories, and you
could win a trip back to the
destination you fell in love with!
017 // OCT15
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Viewing Area
Lifted in to position by Kamov helicopter
20% OFF JUNGFRAU LIFT PASS
Anyone heading to Mürren, Wengen or
Grindelwald can now save 20% on the cost
of their 2- to 14-day “Sportpass” lift ticket so
long as they buy it online at least 21 days
prior to the first day of validity. The Jungfrau
Sportpass covers the three Jungfrau
Winter areas of First, Kleine Scheidegg and
Mürren-Schilthorn ( jungfrau.ch).
BLUE VELVET IN AVORIAZ
A new slope, referred to as number 87, in
the Brochaux area of Avoriaz, has been
given a new name. The piste has been
named “Blue Velvet” in honour of the film
directed by David Lynch which was awarded
the top prize in 1987 at the International
Fantastic Film Festival staged at the avant-
garde French resort.
SIX-SEATER CHAIRLIFT AT SQUAW
Squaw Valley has announced that it will
replace its Siberia Express chairlift this
winter. The lift, one of the most popular
lifts at the Californian resort, accesses
intermediate- and advanced-level terrain
and is being upgraded from a high-speed
quad to a high-speed six-passenger
chairlift to improve reliability, efficiency and
operational effectiveness, the resort says.
DOUBLE PRIZESFOR BRAND
The Austrian ski area of Brand has two
reasons to celebrate this winter. Firstly it’s
back in British brochures, with leading tour
operator Inghams including it as a “new”
destination, and now the huge Montafon
pass, which includes 225km of slopes, is
adding the “Brandnertal” area with its 64.4km
of piste to its pass, expanding the area to
290km – although there is not a physical link.
TWO CALIFORNIAN AREAS PLAN LIFT LINK
Two of the USA’s leading ski resorts, in
California, have announced plans for a
gondola inter-connection between their two
bases. Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows
have been under single management for
several years and have a joint lift ticket in
place already, and the plan to link the two
goes back decades. Their joined area would
be one of the biggest in North America.
BIG 9-0 FOR NORQUAY
One of North America’s oldest
ski areas, and the oldest in the
Canadian Rockies, Banff’s local
ski area on Mt Norquay celebrates
90 years of operations this winter
having originally opened in 1926.
The first ski cabin was built there in
1927 and the first rope tow installed
in 1941. The North American Chair
or “Big Chair” has been providing
riders with Bow Valley views since
1948, making it one of the oldest
chairs in North America.
Ski racing has always been a part
of Norquay’s heritage with the first
slalom courses set back in 1929,
and Norquay was host to the North
American Champions races in 1937.
To mark this 90th anniversary, Mt
Norquay will be celebrating with
many special events throughout
the season. There’s also an all-new
terrain park to prove you’re never
too old, featuring a two-jump large
line with a 30’ jump and a 40’ jump.
The additional intermediate rail line
has everything your hard-core jibber
would love, featuring a seven-rail
and box line that lets people get all
kinds of wacky as they tear through
the middle of the park. The park will
also cater to the little shredders with
a small to medium line followed by
small boxes.
Norquay is one of the easiest ski
areas to reach from Calgary, just
off the main highway through Banff
National Park (banffnorquay.com).
The Aspen Skiing Company has been building
a new High Alpine chairlift at its Snowmass
base over the summer, replacing the old
fixed-grip quad chairlift with a high-speed
detachable version.
The route of the upgraded lift has also been
realigned, allowing the area, already one of
America’s largest, to add 63 acres more gladed
terrain over the next five years.
The 63 acres include six glades with terrain,
once the trees are thinned, suited to
intermediates to expert-level skiers. They are
reported to be already skiable but with dense
forestry so previously only experts could
tackle them.
“(Snowmass) doesn’t have the ability to expand
the ski area boundary, so we want to take
advantage of as much of the terrain within the
permit area as possible,” Rich Burkley of the
Aspen Lift company told The Aspen Times,
adding, “On powder days, these give you
another several hundred lines.”
Uplift on the new lift will be cut in half from 11
to 5.5 minutes, but capacity will be maintained
at 1200 skiers per hour by spacing the chairs
further apart.
Laax in Graubünden, Switzerland,
is working on a new gondola to
replace its old La Siala triple chairlift.
The ultra-modern ten-seater
gondola will offer an extended uplift
length which will result in more
skiing being possible around the La
Siala sector.
The lift has been designed by
Pininfarina, who also work as
designers of Ferrari cars.
It follows an earlier chairlift that was
designed by Porsche and has seats
which can tilt sideways to better
take in the surrounding scenery.
The new gondola will run from
Sogn Martin to La Siala, climbing
831.87 vertical metres over its
3.37km length.
Initially carrying 1800 people
per hour (due to be increased to
2000pph), it will take 9 minutes,
21 seconds to make the ascent
travelling at 6m per second.
The lift will initially carry 63 cabins
(due to be increased to 70) and has
a price tag of CHF16 million (£11.2m).
NEW GONDOLA FOR LAAX
@INTHESNOWMAG
SNOWMASS TO ADD63 ACRES TO SKI SLOPES
018 // OCT15
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PITZTAL ADDS SOLAR POWER FARMAustria’s Pitztal glacier, the country’s highest ski area, has built a solar
farm 3000m up, which has already begun operating.
The system, which was tested with a smaller facility last winter, will
generate approximately 1,450,000kWh of power annually, energy
equivalent to the needs of 380 to 420 households per year and
representing around a third of the ski centre’s energy requirements.
The farm covers 5800m² (100m² is the size of the foundations on the
whole farm) and has solar panels suspended on a steel construction
on seven rows that are 1500m long in total. These are tilted at an
angle chosen to keep them free from the snow build-up. It also works
much more effectively than solar farms closer to sea level.
“I hope more skiing areas will produce their energy themselves,”
said Florian Jamschek of the Ehoch2 (ehoch2.co.at) company
behind the new solar farm.
The Pitztal Glacier also has one of Austria’s longest ski seasons and is
already open for the 2015–16 season.
8-DAY SKI HOLIDAYSki Total (skitotal.com) is offering an 8-night holiday in Val d’Isère to
start the season.
The chalet tour operator is offering the holiday in their Chalet
Bonnevie for £419pp for 8 nights from 5 to 13 December at the start
of the season – equating to less than £53 per day.
Set in Le Fornet, the chalet is approximately 4 minutes’ walk from the
main Le Fornet cable car directly into the Espace Killy ski area, and
for those who fancy off-piste, you can ski almost to the back door.
The price is based on two adults sharing and includes return
flights from Gatwick to Geneva, transfers, free wi-fi and 8 nights’
accommodation with chalet board including buffet breakfast,
afternoon tea and a four-course evening meal with complimentary
wine. Plus if you pre-book your equipment with Ski Total you
receive a 50% discount.
FB.COM/INTHESNOW 019 // OCT15
My first summer living in the
mountains has come to an end.
Before the ski season really gets
going, I would like to reflect on the
positives and negatives of living in
a ski town during summer.
Doing a ski season is an
amazing experience and I would
recommend it to anybody. Despite
squandering savings, drinking
slightly excessively and often living
in some pretty grim conditions, you
get to partake in the best sport in
the world and make an amazing
range of crazy international friends.
The hardest part of living the
dream is the speed and inevitability
of its ending. The snow starts to
melt and the friends you’ve been
sharing far too much with over
the last 6 months begin to drift
away. Rather than flying home to
seek a more stable routine away
from the mountains this spring, I
decided to battle on through the
rather depressing “dead season”
to see what Whistler has to offer
in the summer. I was by no means
disappointed.
Staying in the mountains has
actually numbed my pain
from the end-of-season blues.
Summer has flown by and winter
is rolling in already! The fact
that I was still skiing a lot in
May and occasionally in June
on the Glacier has reduced the
withdrawal symptoms that I
have felt in the past when the
conclusion of ski adventures has
all too abruptly led to the return
to work. There are also so many
other ways to scare/hurt yourself
in the mountains in summer that
adrenaline junkies can get their
fix 365 days a year in Whistler.
Between downhill biking, rope
swings, cliff jumps, mountain
climbing in unsuitable footwear
and floating down a river in a
blow-up boat filled with beers, I
almost forgot that it was the snow
that brought me here in the first
place!
I have also enjoyed seeing this
amazing environment in a different
light, and a lot more light for that
matter. It seems that the days are
almost double in length in July
compared with December, and this
means there is so much time in
the day to explore the now visible
lakes and waterfalls. The typical
ski resort bubble feel evaporates
somewhat without the draw of
skiing every day keeping me in
the same lift-fed area of Whistler
Blackcomb, and I have therefore
found the time to seek out vistas
and activities further afield.
Overall, I would definitely
recommend at least a holiday
to the mountains in summer. Ski
towns often have more to offer
than meets the eye. Just exploring
the insane terrain on foot gives
you a whole new perspective
on the speed at which skiing
and snowboarding allow you to
travel around the mountains. This
experience has strengthened my
passion for skiing and allowed
me to broaden my horizons on
mountain culture in general.
@INTHESNOWMAG
SU
MMER IN WHISTLER
Our new columnist Jack Steele has been a keen skier from an early age and has been living in Whistler for the past two years, working as a liftee during the ski season and making the most of the renowned BC powder fields and world-class terrain parks in his time off. He’ll travel to more BC resorts and the Alps this winter.
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Construction work on the new
Penkenbahn at Mayrhofen in the
Austrian Tirol has been continuing
apace all summer.
The new 3S Lift will have 24
comfortable seats in each gondola
giving a huge uphill transport
capacity of up to 3840 passengers
per hour on this key route for the
famous Tirolean resort.
The new lift, work on which had
been delayed while negotiations
with a land owner were completed,
will have a quicker uplift time of
8.2 minutes which combined with
the greater capacity should ensure
little or no queuing.
There will also be separate
entrances for ski schools with
children and large storage areas at
the summit and base stations.
The new Penkenbahn has also
been designed so that, in case
the system comes to a standstill
due to a technical defect, an
emergency or a power failure, for
instance, the gondolas can be
retrieved using two independent
standby drives. Therefore, once
the 3S Gondola Lift is completed,
a rescue gondola will no longer
be needed.
The new lift will be ready to
operate this coming winter.
FREEZE RETURNS TO LONDON AS A WORLD CUP EVENT
The city-centre freestyle snow-sport
and music festival Freeze is back
this autumn and is being revamped
thanks to Lottery funding into what
the organisers say will be the biggest
snow-sports event in British history.
Freeze also has a new venue –
London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic
Park – and a new status as an FIS-
sanctioned Snowboard World Cup
Big Air competition – Freeze Big Air.
The event will take place on
Saturday 14 November and early-
bird tickets are on sale now priced
at £37.50 from the event’s website,
freezebigair.com.
The Freeze Big Air event will
see over 60 of the world’s best
snowboarders and skiers descend
on the capital’s Olympic Park to
take on a huge real-snow jump
measuring 120m x 41m – that’s 15m
longer than the Wembley Stadium
pitch – created with 360 tonnes
of snow.
British Olympic bronze medallist
Jenny Jones is the official event
ambassador, and British Olympian
Jamie Nicholls will be competing
alongside a field of world-class
snowboarders and skiers.
And, with Snowboard Big Air now
set to become an official Olympic
event, Jenny Jones is confident
that Freeze Big Air will become
one of the most important annual
Olympic Big Air qualifiers on the
calendar in the lead-up to the 2018
Winter Games in South Korea.
“The news that Snowboard Big
Air will be an Olympic discipline
in 2018 is huge for British
snowboarding and skiing,” said
Jenny. “British riders like Billy
Morgan and Katie Ormerod are
real medal prospects in 2018. And
the fact that we’ll be able to see
the best riders in the world battling
it out in the middle of London will
be an amazing start to each winter.
I can’t wait!”
NEW PENKENBAHN FOR MAYRHOFEN
FB.COM/INTHESNOW 021 // OCT15
ZILL
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2 I S T C E N T U R Y S K I R E S O R T
es Deux Alpes is a resort with a long
history and, I predict, a great future.
I say “great future” because there is
a couple of things that are making ski
holidays at some resorts less enjoyable
than they once were, and if the pundits
are right they’re set to get worse as the
years go by.
Firstly there’s overcrowding – on the
slopes and in the airports and roads
that serve those resorts. Les Deux
Alpes scores highly here, as it’s just
a 90-minute transfer from Lyon, an
airport that has been investing heavily
in its support for incoming skiers,
rather than being subject to the usual
Geneva congestion of many of the
big-name French resorts. The smaller
and even quieter airport at Grenoble is
even closer.
Secondly, in this era of climate change
there’s snow reliability. Even though Les
Deux Alpes is one of the more southerly
resorts in Europe, its slopes are among
the highest, crowned with a glacier,
and it now has the longest summer ski
seasons in France.
Add to the mix a resort with history and
character, extensive slopes, modern
lifts and a huge vertical, and Les Deux
Alpes starts to tick all the boxes for ski
holiday success.
They’re even dealing with one of the
main moans from less advanced skiers
about the ski area’s set-up this coming
season, with a huge investment in the
creation of an easy piste down to the
heart of the resort, an option that hasn’t
existed before.
SNOWSURE
I visited last winter when the Alps were
suffering from poor snow conditions but
found that while the slopes were not
in perfect shape, there was plenty of
terrain open. Besides the glacier skiing
up top, more than 200 snow cannons
cover key routes, and they were hard at
work keeping the lower slopes covered
to enable skiing all the way back down
to the resort.
I liked the laid-back atmosphere in Les
Deux Alpes, where around 80% of
international visitors are from the UK –
many returning year after year. Everyone I
met was very chatty and social, including
the resort staff – despite being hard at
work. This is definitely a place I would
happily return to year after year.
IT’S BIG
Les Deux Alpes has one of the biggest
ski areas in France (and indeed the
whole world) with more than 90 runs
served by nearly 50 lifts (five of them
gondolas) and a huge lift-served vertical
(one of the planet’s 20 biggest). On the
slopes the mountain is spread out to
give you a good day’s skiing without
a lot of waiting around for lifts or
overcrowding on the slopes.
Besides slopes for all standards and
extensive off-piste areas that you can
tackle with ski school or a guide, there is
also a free safety training facility on the
mountain called “freeride attitude” where
they will train you on how to ski off-piste
safely and show you how to operate
your transceiver and other equipment.
Every Wednesday there is an opportunity
to ski on the fresh snow before the lift
officially opens. This includes breakfast
at Le 3200 restaurant.
For first-timers there are free beginners’
slopes at the base of the mountain for
learners and skiers wanting to get their
ski legs back. There is also a ski/board
park with a half pipe and other obstacles
for those inclined.
There are seven cafés and restaurants
and four bars on the mountain with
large outdoor decking areas. The food
everywhere is excellent – I couldn’t fault it.
Large portions, very high-quality food and
delivered very quickly with great service.
FUN FOR FAMILIES
I would also be keen to come back
with the family, as there is heaps for
them to do here, and I would feel very
confident that they would be well
looked after and catered for. There’s not
much traffic here so you wouldn’t be
overly concerned about young children
running around.
Since 2009 the resort has been awarded
the “Family Plus” label demonstrating
a level of high-quality services for
children including childcare, safety
and entertainment. Only 116 tourist
destinations in all of France have the
Family Plus label. There is a large, kinder
ski area at the bottom of the mountain
with activities and play for kids of any
age, not just for them to learn to ski but
also so they have fun in the snow.
There is also, of course, ski school for
kids officially starting from around four
years, although one of the instructors
from the European Ski School told me
they would give lessons to kids from as
young as age two.
In addition there is a nanny facility
offered here with English-speaking
nannies (snowangelnannies.co.uk)
who will look after the kids on or off
the mountain with activities including
snowman building, sledging and
snowballing. They will also bring the
children up to the mountain to meet the
parents for lunch or hot chocolate.
OFF THE SLOPES
There are loads of shops, pubs, bars,
nightclubs and restaurants in Les
Deux Alpes – it’s the complete resort.
Everything you could want for après-ski
and all in a relatively compact resort so
you can stay close to the slopes and to
the off-slope action.
Non-ski activities hosted at the resort
and on the mountain include paragliding,
snowmobiling, snow shoeing, swimming,
an ice cave, an ice rink and helicopter
rides. There is also the chance to try night
skiing or boarding which can be combined
with wine tasting and restaurant service
on the mountain, followed by a moonlit ski
down to the resort.
There’s also a good selection of shops
and several supermarkets to serve the
mostly self-catering market.
Accommodation is quite mixed, but
predominantly self-catering and mostly
in the 2 to 3★ rating bracket, aimed at
families and groups of people aged
from teens to 30 rather than the higher-
end 5★ accommodation. There is one
4★ hotel in the resort so far which has
full spa facilities.
As mentioned, the drive from Lyon –
from where there are car rental, taxi and
bus services – takes around 1 and a half
hours. A taxi transfer is around €100pp.
Grenoble Airport is closer still, only 70
minutes away, and the taxi fare is nearer
to €50pp from there.
023 // OCT15
WORDS: ANDY TAYLOR
LES 2 ALPESIN NUMBERS
Autumn Opening: 24 Oct–1 Nov
Main Season: 5 Dec–30 Apr
KM Piste: 220km
Runs: 96
Metres of Vertical: 2300m
Highest Point: 3600m
6-Day Adult Pass: €212–€237
LES2ALPES.COM/EN023 // OCT15ALL
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YOUR PERSONAL VAL D’ISÈRE GUIDE
Val d’Isère is launching an all-new
resort app this winter which it
hopes will be the greatest ski resort
app yet – having been created
as the result of a collaboration
between some of the world’s
greatest computer experts.
But will an electronic gizmo ever
replace human expertise? Val
d’Isère is of course one of the
world’s great resorts with its
ski area part of the vast Espace
Killy and with a huge choice of
accommodation and always lots
going on, but is a machine the
best way to stay on top of it all
and make the most of your few
days in resort, especially if it’s
your first time there?
The answer, thankfully, is “No,”
as human experience still wins
out – so long, that is, as the
company concerned really knows
Val d’Isère. And there is one small
specialist agency that has built
a reputation as THE Val d’Isère
experts for nearly two decades
and who are currently finalists in
the Best Ski Travel Agent category
of the 2015 World Ski Awards:
Simply Val d’Isère.
Simply Val d’Isère is run by a
dedicated team of Val d’Isère
aficionados who have lived and
worked in the resort, winter and
summer, for more than 17 years
and actively enjoyed everything it
has to offer – so they know what
they’re talking about! The company
offers the widest selection of
accommodation in the resort that
you will find anywhere, and for all
budgets.
“I feel I know this beautiful resort
incredibly well, and I set up
Simply Val d’Isère when I realised
that there was no specialist,
experienced agency available,
dedicated to assisting people
in Val d’Isère to make the right
choices and get the best value for
money,” says Company Founder
Kim Rippin. “Over the years I
have seen time and time again
skiers arriving here but having
their expectations quashed due
to the lack of knowledge of their
travel agent or lack of experience
themselves.”
If you wish, Simply Val d’Isère can
also book the right ski school for
you from their personal experience
of all the options, have lift passes
waiting for you on arrival and work
with the only ski shop in the resort
offering overnight ski storage. Will
the new app be able to do that?
024 // OCT15 0345 021 0222 | SIMPLYVALDISERE.COM
THE MOUNTAIN IS YOURSWhether you’re a Mile Muncher, Powder Hound or Après Animal - it’s the love of the mountain that brings us together
ATOL protected. For more information please see our booking conditions.
Winter worshippers assemble Find your perfect mountain at crystalski.co.uk
JP.N
OIS
ILLI
ER/N
UTS
.FR
THE MOUNTAIN IS YOURSWhether you’re a Mile Muncher, Powder Hound or Après Animal - it’s the love of the mountain that brings us together
ATOL protected. For more information please see our booking conditions.
Winter worshippers assemble Find your perfect mountain at crystalski.co.uk
WOODSY STARTS 2015-16 ON HIGH
Twenty-three-year-old British
freestyle skier James ‘Woodsy’
Woods won the first Slopestyle
World Cup competition of the
2015-16 season staged at Cardrona
in New Zealand in August.
Described as “unbeatable from
start to finish” in the competition by
local media, Woods from Sheffield
beat Norway’s Oystein Braaten and
American Joss Christensen in silver
and bronze to win the event.
Woods was the top qualifier for the
finals and scored 90.2 out of a max
100 points in his first run, the only
performance by any athlete scoring
above 90 points.
“Even three runs, if you bin the first
run you’re like ‘my goodness, I’ve
only got two runs,’ said Woods.
“Whereas it definitely gives you that
buffer and the pressure is always
different. You know there’s a big dog
coming behind you.”
It’s the latest in a long line of
successes for Woods learned to
ski at the Sheffield Ski Village
near his family home and won
five consecutive British national
championships in slopestyle
between 2007 and 2011 when he
also took bronze at the 2011 Winter
X Games Europe.
A new global website extension .ski has gone
on sale after several years of planning.
Anyone will be able to buy a domain name with
the .ski extension from lots of online domain
name registration businesses with costs
ranging from £30 to £50 per year.
Around 800 ski resorts, brands, associations
and athletes are reported to have already
secured .ski extensions for their websites
during a private sale period ahead of the public
launch Tuesday 8 September.
Britain’s top female ski-cross skier, Emily
Sarsfield, is one of them, having registered:
emilysarsfield.ski
“The .ski domain is perfect for me as it instantly
identifies with my sport and what I do – it feels
great to be part of something like this right at
the start,” said Emily.
The brand new gTLD (Global Top-level Domain)
.ski is powered by internet registry StartingDot
who say they have worked with the support of
the International Ski Federation (FIS).
Millions of .ski domain name options will be
available to purchase at over 60 online resellers
such as 1&1, GoDaddy.com and Name.com –
simply decide on the name and purchase it, just
like you would with any other domain name.
Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Scandinavia’s leading resort of Åre
in Sweden has announced that their
child-friendly mascot Valle will be
granted his own “ski land” in the
resort’s Rödkullen sector next winter.
“Valle has designed his very own
adventurous ski trail for kids in
Valle’s Skidland,” a resort statement
confirms. “The trail has something
exciting in store around every corner.
He’s also built up a mini-park for the
youngest skiers amongst us, where
they can practise their first small
jumps and ride some small boxes.”
The idea of Valle’s Skidland is to
inspire kids and teens to have even
more fun on the ski slopes, the resort
statement continues.
“Valle is incredibly kind and wants
to hug all the children who visit his
world. Valle holds competitions and
arranges other ingenious activities for
the whole family to make the days out
on the slopes even more fun.”
Valle is also founder of
Vallemansrätten, a bill of child skiers
rights that includes, “The children’s
right to the world’s best ski holiday.”
ÅRE GIVES MASCOT HIS OWN LAND
“NO SNOW” CLAIMS RISE IN 2014–15
Travel insurance policy provider
Alpha Travel Insurance has reported that
after ski resorts across Europe suffered
from poor snowfall and unusually warm
temperatures at the beginning of last
season, the proportion of “no snow” claims
it has received sharply increased this year
compared to after 2013–14. During the
previous winter, 7% of claims were for no
snow, whereas last season almost half (44%)
were for that reason.
SIX-SEATER CHAIRLIFT FOR ZERMATT
Zermatt is replacing a more than 50-year-
old T-bar lift with a high-speed six-seater
chairlift that will open this winter. The new
chairlift will replace the old Hörnli lift which
was built in 1964 and provides spectacular
views of the north face of the Matterhorn. It
is scheduled to open in December.
EDDIE THE EAGLE BIOPIC FOR 2016
The film about the famous exploits of
Michael Edwards, better known as “Eddie
the Eagle”, at the 1988 Winter Olympics
in Calgary, making him the most famous
ski jumper in British history (and in many
other places around the world), is set to be
released on 29 April 2016 in the USA. The
film stars Hugh Jackman as Edwards’ trainer.
PANORAMA: MORE ZONES AND GLADES
The Panorama ski area in BC, Canada, says
the new gladed sections of Taynton Bowl
and Extreme Dream Zone it unveiled last
winter were so popular that the resort plans
to add some more. The area affectionately
known as the Disco Zone, specifically
designed for beginners and novices, was
also popular last season, so more kid-
specific trails will be added there too.
HAPPY UNBIRTHDAYLIFT TICKET
Quite a few ski areas offer free lift tickets
on your birthday, but what if you weren’t
born during the ski season? Diamond
Peak in California staged an “UnBirthday
Celebration” at the end of last winter
where you just had to prove you were born
between 30 March and 19 December to get
a free “UnBirthday” lift ticket.
@INTHESNOWMAG
.SKI DOMAIN GOES ON PUBLIC SALE
026 // OCT15
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SC_intheshow_jnr-HP.qxp_SC_intheshow_jnr-HP 11/09/2015 13:42 Page 1
AIRBAGS GIVE FALSE SENSE OF SECURITYSafety gadgets such as avalanche airbags are giving skiers a false sense
of security with many taking unnecessary risks while going off-piste,
according to travel insurance policy provider alphatravelinsurance.co.uk.
While the contentious subject of skier safety and helmet usage has been
brought to the forefront of consumers’ minds in recent years, there is a risk
of creating an illusion of safety, with several reported incidents of safety
gadgets causing harm instead of protecting their users, the company says.
In one case reported to the company this year, a skier was caught in
an avalanche while skiing off-piste. Although he was prepared and
was wearing an avalanche airbag, the deployment apparently sent him
hurtling into a tree.
“Attitudes in the holiday industry are changing, with the onus being put
back onto the customer when it comes to safety,” said Chantelle Dadd,
Brand Manager for alphatravelinsurance.co.uk.
She added, “With that in mind, injuries that involve another person
carry a risk of being part of a liability claim later on, with the injured
person(s) able to make a claim within 3 years after the incident, and
children being able to do so until the age of 21. The rising popularity
of personal injury lawyers reflects the way in which our culture is
changing, showing that incidents while on holiday can extend beyond
your own personal claim for medical expenses, often incurring
hundreds of thousands of pounds, if not more.”
NEW LIFT FOR JACKSON HOLE’S 50TH SEASONJackson Hole in Wyoming, USA, plans to complete 3 years of
expansion and construction in time for the start of its 50th
season this winter.
Following construction this summer and autumn, the opening of the
new Doppelmayr-built Teton Lift is scheduled for 19 December 2015
and will be celebrated with a gala, fireworks, live music and more.
The Teton Lift is a new high-speed quad lift that will carry skiers and
riders 1650 vertical feet (495m) to an area of around 200 acres, The
Crags, half of which has previously only been accessible via hiking. It’s
the first in-bounds terrain expansion at Jackson Hole since 1998.
The area will include three new runs along with gladed terrain. The
runs include the Kemmerer run, the lower part of which (in the picture
above) has been open this season, as well as an expanded version
of the existing intermediate-level “Wide Open” trail and Crags Run,
another blue groomer which will follow the ridgeline and provide
spectacular views of the Grand Teton National Park.
Throughout the 2015–16 winter season there will be exciting events
for guests and locals to enjoy. The party continues when Jackson
Hole hosts a throwback reunion weekend, 5–7 February 2016, which
will include the return of the famous Powder 8’s Contest. Carrying the
celebration into the spring, the third Annual Rendezvous Festival on
17–20 March 2016 will be bigger and better than ever before.
ALTITUDE FESTIVAL MOVES TO JANUARYThe Altitude Comedy Festival will be back for its tenth annual staging
this ski season but is moving forward in the calendar a couple of
months for a mid-January staging. Along with most music festivals,
Altitude, which started off in Méribel but moved to Mayrhofen, normally
had a start-of-spring March time slot. Tickets are now on sale for Altitude
2016 which promises “5 hilarious nights” from 11 to 15 January 2016 via the
Ticketline website (ticketline.co.uk).
Over the past 10 years, Altitude has brought the world’s top comedians,
including Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr, John Bishop, Tim Minchin, Bill Bailey,
Micky Flanagan, Jo Brand, Frankie Boyle, Sean Lock and avalanches
more to some of Europe’s most charming and intimate venues. The 2016
line-up has not yet been announced, but the organisers say that “To
celebrate a decade of lederhosen-clad laughter, Altitude HQ are busy
sculpting a line-up bursting with top-drawer favourites, along with the
most side-splitting new acts around. All will be revealed soon.”
Tickets options include the Early Bird Full-week Festival Wristband
for £155 (plus booking fee), or a VIP option for £225 (plus booking
fee) which includes some free beer or wine at Gala shows, reserved
seating, meet and greet with the comedians, a T-shirt and entry into
the clown downhill race. After the Early Bird periods, prices rise to £185
and £280 respectively (both plus that booking fee). Day tickets will go
on sale during the festival (altitudefestival.com).
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A new train route to the Alps via Lyon
launches this winter – meaning that you
can reach a range of splendid French ski
resorts more easily than before.
For skiers who prefer the idea of speeding
to the Alps on trains rather than planes, the
launch of a new Eurostar route from London
to Lyon is great news. This direct service,
calling at Ashford en route, opens up some
very interesting possibilities. The journey
departs from St Pancras at 07:20am, taking
4 hours and 41 minutes, arriving at Lyon
at 1pm. There, you only need to change
platform onto a local train to reach a wide
range of ski destinations, many of which
would have previously required a change of
station in Paris.
This new route also provides an alternative
to the direct Ski Train, particularly useful
on peak dates such as New Year and
February half-term, when the Ski Train has
already sold out.
So where can it take you? Here’s our pick
of some of the best destinations.
Alpe d’HuezAlpe d’Huez has 250km of pistes,
which look onto some of the Alps’ most
breathtaking panoramic views, particularly
those of the Écrins peaks. At either
end of the ski area, the slopes remain
consistently and blissfully quiet. Try
the Sarenne black run, one of Europe’s
longest, but don’t overlook the thrills of
the red runs that plunge down into Villard
Reculas, Vaujany and Oz too.
Travel: Lyon to Grenoble takes 1 hour 35
minutes then 50 minutes by bus or taxi;
rail fares from London start at £123 return.
MÉRIBELLocated at the heart of the huge Les 3
Vallées ski domain, Méribel has an enduring
popularity with British and French skiers alike.
Its various villages are lined with attractive
wooden chalets, and the lively après-ski
bars that dot the slopes are great to rock
up to after a day’s exploration. The resort is
well placed to explore nearby Courchevel
and La Tania, or for an on-slope expedition
to Val Thorens, via the peaks of Mont de La
Chambre and Roc des 3 Marches.
Travel: Lyon to Moutiers takes 2 hours 30
minutes then 25 minutes by bus or taxi;
rail fares from London start at £139 return.
Les GetsCute Les Gets, located at one end of the
huge Portes du Soleil ski area, has a laid-
back vibe and endearing, unpretentious
appeal. There’s epic skiing terrain to
explore in the wider circuit, linked with
nearby Morzine and Avoriaz. But don’t
miss the local slopes at Mont Chéry, a
haven on a powder day for local skiers who
know how quiet it remains. The resort is
activity-packed, including chocolate-making
workshops, lantern-lit walks, paragliding
and husky rides – and the charming village
has a weekly local market too.
Travel: Lyon to Cluses takes 2 hours 55
minutes then 25 minutes by bus or taxi;
rail fares from London start at £139 return.
028 // OCT15 @INTHESNOWMAG
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La Clusaz AND Le Grand-BornandThe average British skier may not have
heard of these two villages, and if that’s the
case, they are missing out. Each resort has
some fabulous, scenic skiing combined on
the same ski pass – giving access to a total
of 222km of pistes. La Clusaz is the more
vibrant, sporty village, with streets that curl
around a 17th-century church in the centre
and lively bars in the evening. By contrast,
Le Grand-Bornand is more family orientated
with an equally beautiful setting. It’s also the
birthplace of Reblochon cheese and home
to a cross-country skiing and biathlon circuit.
Travel: Lyon to Annecy takes 1 hour 59
minutes then 35 minutes by bus or taxi;
rail fares from London start at £131 return.
Les ArcsIntermediates visiting Les Arcs will be in
sheer heaven here. The 425km of pistes are
beautifully interconnected, and the linked
areas of Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne
make the possibilities endless. What makes
this such a great place to learn, too, is that
there are plenty of high-altitude blue runs,
such as the pistes that descend from the
2600m Col de La Chal, leading to tree-lined
runs down into Villaroger, 1400m below.
Travel: Lyon to Bourg-St-Maurice takes
3 hours 8 minutes, then a 10-minute
funicular ride to Les Arcs 2600; rail fares
from London start at £139 return.
Saint GervaisOne of the birthplaces of skiing in the
French Alps, grand old Saint Gervais has
a relaxed pace, quiet slopes, and lots of
them, sharing 325km with neighbouring
Megève. The village was originally a spa
town, and is home to some impressive
buildings and thermal waters for a soak
after the slopes. For mountain dining, you
are well catered for here with rustic huts
like La Terrasse du Freddy, great for a long
lunch or a hot-chocolate stop while you
take in the views of Mont Blanc.
Travel: Local train from Lyon to St Gervais
takes 3 hours 13 minutes, then 10 minutes
by bus or taxi; rail fares from London start
at £139 return.
Serre ChevalierA little further afield from Lyon, friendly
Serre Chevalier in the Southern Alps is a
wonderful destination, not least because so
many of the runs are wooded, with plenty of
north- or north-east-facing slopes that hold
their snow well. When it snows here, it can
be a powder playground, particularly the
runs above Villeneuve. The resort also has
some exemplary beginner zones, making
this a great place for beginners and families
with younger children.
Travel: Local train from Lyon to Briançon
takes 4 hours 41 minutes; rail fares from
London start at £157 return.
Les ContaminesThe remarkable thing about Les Contamines
is that you can come here during February
half-term and yet find yourself on long,
empty blue and red runs. The resort can
confidently claim to have some of the best
views over Mont Blanc, while the descent
into Hauteluce is often made above a lake
of clouds – which on a sunny day is quite an
extraordinary sight. In the evenings, a stroll
through the quiet village will reveal homely
restaurants so welcoming that you feel as if
you are dining in a friend’s home.
Travel: Local train from Lyon to St Gervais
takes 3 hours 13 minutes, then 20 minutes
by bus or taxi; rail fares from London start
at £139 return.
For more information about how to travel
to the Alps by train, visit snowcarbon.co.uk
SNOWCARBON.CO.UK FB.COM/INTHESNOW
BlowBonus
RESORTS GO 100% SOLAR
It’s not well known how much effort ski
resorts are putting in to fighting climate
change – not only by cutting their own CO2
emissions but in some cases generating
clean green energy on site, sometimes
more than they use so they become carbon
neutral and net exporters to the grid.
Ski resorts are often located in exposed,
windy areas so can be good for wind
turbines, but the big move in the past few
years has been solar power with many new
buildings and new lifts fitted with solar panels.
In the last two seasons the first lifts to be
100% solar powered have also been unveiled.
Placing solar panels at higher altitude can
make them twice as efficient although there
can be the problem of snow settling on
them. One new project at Pitztal in Austria
aims to get round that by placing the tops
and bottoms of the panels on two wires
which can be moved to tip the panels
horizontally so any snow slides off.
Other resorts are buying in solar energy, and
just a few months ago three state-run ski
areas in New York State, USA, announced
they’d be running on solar energy.
The three areas – two of which were venues
for the 1932 and 1980 Lake Placid Winter
Olympics – will buy in the solar power from a
company which produces solar power locally
in a 25-year power purchase agreement.
“This is a perfect example of how our
administration is jumpstarting New York’s
clean energy economy and reducing the
state’s carbon footprint – which is good for all
New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo told media.
“This initiative will substantially reduce
our carbon footprint akin to removing over
46,000 cars from the road over the life of the
agreement,” said Pat Barrett for the resorts.
For more information on ski resorts’ efforts
to fight climate change visit:
saveoursnow.com
BY PATRICK THORNE
INGHAMS LAUNCH NEW LAPLAND BROCHURE
In a company
first, Inghams has
launched a brochure
dedicated solely to
snow adventures
above the Arctic
Circle in Finnish
Lapland and
Northern Norway.
“Although we
have operated in
Lapland for 18 years
already, this is the first time we
have highlighted all the inspiring
adventures and experiences
that you can enjoy north of the
Arctic Circle,” said company CEO,
Andy Perrin. “This dedicated new
brochure and website aim to shine
a well-deserved spotlight on these
increasingly popular ‘snow holidays
for non-skiers.’”
Responding partly to increased
interest in the Northern Lights (“a
staple of many people’s travel
bucket lists” according to Perrin)
as well as the growing trend
for enjoying new and thrilling
experiences while on holiday,
this brochure highlights Inghams’
“Top Ten Snow Adventures” in two
regions of northern Scandinavia.
Favourite activities in Finland
include husky and reindeer safaris,
and snowmobile adventures both in
the daytime and evening, with trips
in search of the Northern Lights and
overnight stays in glass igloos or
the Lainio SnowHotel.
The brochure also introduces two
new Explorer Tours in Northern
Norway, served by new Inghams-
exclusive charter flights in March 2016
from Gatwick to Evenes. The region
shares many features with Finnish
Lapland, including the chance to
explore snow-covered scenery, see
the Northern Lights, meet the local
Sámi people and try husky-sledding.
But the fjord region offers
additional dimensions too, so these
breaks also include elements such
as a high-speed RIB-boat safari, a
3-hour Hurtigruten cruise, a scenic
rail journey into neighbouring
Sweden and a visit to Norway’s
Polar Wildlife Park (inghams.co.uk/
lapland).
Megève holiday specialists Stanford
Skiing (stanfordskiing.co.uk) have
reported that The SEM Compagnie
du Mont-Blanc, Chamonix’s lift
operator, are finalising discussions
with Megève to take over the running
of the Megève lift system.
“Long overdue investment and new
lifts have been promised, and as
a first step Megève is included in
the Mont Blanc Unlimited Skipass
covering Chamonix, Courmayeur
and Verbier. They hope to be
building new lifts next summer,” a
Stanord Skiing statement reads.
CHAMONIX LIFT CO. TO RUN MEGÈVE LIFT CO.
@INTHESNOWMAG
Parents never stop worrying about their
children, even when they’re legally adults,
and tour operator Ski Morzine has a solution
for those who fear their kids might take in
too much fluid, but not enough solids, to stay
properly healthy when taking seasonnaire jobs
in the famous French resort.
The company is offering 5 months’ catered
accommodation in its Chalet Le Nantégué
for £3500 (equating to approximately £700 a
month or £160 a week).
“Having good-quality accommodation and
food covered will allow the seasonnaires to
concentrate on more important things such
as honing their skiing/boarding skills, making
new friends, partying and, of course, earning
a living in preparation for their return to the
UK with valuable experience and in advance
of the next year’s graduates,” said the owner
of Ski Morzine, Paul Sugg. He added, “As a
concept we believe that our offer is unique.
We have been operating this chalet for 15
years so worried parents can rest safely
knowing that their loved one is being looked
after during their time in the Alps. We’ve never
lost anyone yet!”
skimorzine.com/nantegue.com
ACCOMMODATION FOR SEASONNAIRES
030 // OCT15
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OK, you’ve booked your luxury chalet for your
ski week, it’s come complete with amazing
spa, sublime service and gorgeous gourmet
cuisine naturellement … but what’s the use of
all that if you can’t have a few pals round to
share it all with?
Fortunately Chalet Owens in Courchevel
1850 (somewhat inevitably … ), France, has
the answer with its own “venue” extending
over 250m2 which can comfortably cater for
up to 100 guests at a time. It comes complete
with bar, lounging areas, cinema room and
extensive wine cellar.
The property has recently joined the illustrious
list of the 20 most unique, spectacular and
high-quality ski chalets in the world, The Luxury
Chalet Collection, updated each season by the
experts from The Oxford Ski Company.
“There is no coincidence that Chalet Owens
is geared towards entertaining as it is owned
and designed by the same owner as Le
Mangeoire in Courchevel 1850. Rated as one
of the top hotspots to visit, Le Mangeoire
promises fun, raucous adventures with its DJ
after a decadent evening of great food, wine
and live music,” commented Rupert Longsdon,
Founder of The Oxford Ski Company and The
Luxury Chalet Collection, adding:
“At Chalet Owens size does matter; not only
can the ‘Mangeoire’ party continue at the
chalet with its vast entertainment area but the
attention to detail in creating space in every
room has been thought through extremely
well, so everyone’s a master!”
Chalet Owens was renovated last season
and is one of the most recent newcomers to
the chalet scene, meeting the ever-evolving
luxury standards of the market, and The
Oxford Ski Company rate it as one of the top
chalets in the area (which is, after all, home to
the greatest collection of remarkable luxury
ski chalets that exist anywhere on the planet)
if not the world.
Located moments from the Bellecôte piste,
its six bedroom suites sleep 12 people and
all provide a calming and serene ambience
with muted colours and luxurious fabrics. The
marble bathrooms each have their own colour
scheme which adds to the sophisticated décor.
For children there’s their own playroom while
the adults can retreat to the spa facility which
includes indoor/outdoor swimming pool,
Jacuzzi, sauna, private gym, two massage
rooms, hair salon and that party room.
The Oxford Ski Company reports that service
levels are exemplary with chalet manager,
chef, butler, housekeeper and chauffeur at
your request.
“The Luxury Chalet Collection is always a hot
topic and often a contentious one among
the specialists in the office – none more so
than this year as the standards of property
are continually improving. We finalise our
portfolio based on service levels, attention
to detail, value for money and location. It is
not, perhaps surprisingly, based on simply the
cost of the property to rent – this would be a
completely different list. Instead our value of
true luxury is based on how memorable the
stay is for our clients,” says Rupert.
Rental rates for Chalet Owens range from
€90,000 to €200,000 per week.
CHALET OWENS
LUXURYCHALETCOLLECTION.COM
THEBlowBonus
FB.COM/INTHESNOW
+33 (0)4 50 54 55 [email protected]
heliopic-hotel-spa.com
WORDS: PATRICK THORNE
MA
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GUARANTEED SNOW
When it comes to scenic majesty, no other Alpine nation quite beats
Switzerland for the jaw-dropping “Wow!” factor. The country boasts 52 peaks
that have summits above 4000m including some of the world’s most iconic
mountains such as the Matterhorn and the Eiger.
Located in the heart of the Alps, the high-altitude
slopes and ski lifts mean that snow is guaranteed.
Indeed the highest ski lift in Europe is here and,
weather permitting, you’ll find ski slopes open
every day of the year.
AUTHENTICITY
Swiss ski resorts are primarily picturesque Alpine
villages that have been built up organically
around original mountain communities and offer a
traditional atmosphere with centuries-old values.
Switzerland has been in fact the original winter
holiday destination since 1864 when the first Brits
were persuaded to come and visit in the winter.
They did, they fell in love with Switzerland, and
generations have been doing the same ever since!
QUALITY AND VALUE
There’s an old saying that you get what you pay
for, and while Switzerland may not be cheap, you
can expect the highest quality of service and
facilities in every aspect of your ski holiday – right
from arrival by air, road or train.
High-value services are the norm in Switzerland
where being polite, punctual and offering the best
at the most affordable rate possible is second
nature, not just some target to aim for. Families are especially well looked after.
There are lots of lift pass and accommodation deals, and at some resorts
children often don’t have to pay for their lift ticket at all until they are as old as
ten and at most resorts they then pay half price or less until they’re adults (much
better than in most other ski nations).
AMAZING INFRASTRUCTURE
Swiss ski areas have been building
remarkable on-mountain facilities for over
a century which are amazing to visit and
wonderful to make use of to get up the
mountain quickly and comfortably.
Several new Swiss lift manufacturers have
employed car designers to make them even
more stylish and functional. These include a new
eight-seater gondola at Lenzerheide designed
by Porsche and a ten-seater gondola at Laax
designed by Pininfarina who design for Ferrari.
EFFICIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Visitors can best enjoy their winter holidays
in Switzerland by using the country’s public
transport system – rather than attempting to
drive along congested roads.
The best way for guests to reach their holiday
destination is with the Swiss Transfer Ticket,
which takes travellers from any Swiss arrival
airport/border station to their destination – and
back again at the end of their stay. The Swiss
Transfer Ticket costs £94 (2nd class) or £151
(1st class) and is valid for 1 month. Under-16s
travel free of charge on Swiss trains, when accompanied by an adult holding
a Swiss Transfer Ticket or Swiss Travel Pass.
SWITZERLANDFURTHER INFO
It’s all too easy to fall in love with Switzer-
land. The hassle-free access, friendly but
efficient staff, state-of-the-art lift networks,
extensive ski areas, great accommoda-
tion, wonderful food and simply stunning
mountain scenery will all make you want
to return year after year. This winter the
country’s ski slopes are in better shape
than ever with some exciting new lifts to
take you up to the top of them.
MYSWITZERLAND.COM/WINTER032 // OCT15
SWITZERLAND
After several years of investing in improved on-mountain
facilities such as restaurants, Austria’s only year-round ski centre
(and along with Zermatt one of only two worldwide) Hintertux
has resumed its investment in ever better, faster ski lifts.
The centre’s new high-speed six-seat Lärmstange 2 chairlift
is scheduled to begin operation this November ahead of the
next winter season. The new lift will have a capacity of 2800
skiers per hour and climb to 3135m in altitude near the very
top of the slopes. It will carry 62 chairs, all equipped with
heated seats and weather protection hoods.
The construction work in the high alpine terrain and
especially in the glacier area is reported to be very
complex and technically challenging, and the Zillertaler
Gletscherbahn lift company have been working with
Doppelmayr on the installation, creating a separate
temporary lift to carry materials up for the construction.
NEW CHAIRLIFT FOR YEAR-ROUND SKI CENTRE
Four ski shops in St Anton have been fined more than
€400,000 between them by an Austrian court for agreeing
to fix prices on equipment and clothing retail, rentals and
servicing, according to a report in the Tirol Daily newspaper.
The court found that the practice led to prices being inflated
by an average of 17% above the retail average and that it
dated back to at least 2002. The shops involved were Sport
Pangratz & Ess, Alber Sport, Sport Jennewein Martin and (in
a minor role) Fauner Sport. Each was fined individually, with
fines ranging between €11,200 and €144,000.
The case was brought after an anonymous tip-off in the
2013/14 season. The court reached its decision and the fines
were levied in April, and the shops have now decided not to
appeal against the ruling. It was stressed that hotels and other
travel companies that partnered with the shops to send their
customers to them were not involved in the price fixing.
Tirol Daily reports that similar investigations are underway in
other (unspecified) ski resorts.
ST ANTON SKI SHOPS FINED FOR PRICE FIXING
SWIT
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Savings of up to 60% in 500 professional ski shops
Over 300 partnered resorts in the Alps and Pyrenees
Ski and snowboards picked & fitted by mountain professionals
www.skidiscount.co.uk
Summer is gone, Winter is coming…
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depending on availability.
-This prize is not transferable and cannot be redeemed
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033 // OCT15
InTheSnow have teamed up with award-winning brand Peak Performance to give you the chance to win a Men’s Maroon Jacket worth £275.
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034 // OCT15 @INTHESNOWMAG
AN
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OM
We all moan about how much our ski lift pass
costs (and rightly so!), but do we realise quite
how much ski resorts deliver to (hopefully)
make our ski day seamless?
Just as teachers don’t turn up at the start of
the day and magically start teaching without
having had to do a bit of preparation the
night before, so ski areas can’t start running
the lifts until the slopes are ready, and
preparing for that normally starts as soon as
the lifts close the previous night.
PISTE PATROLAlong with patrolling the slopes all day to
offer assistance where needed and control
unruly skiers and boarders, the piste patrol’s
ski day ends after everyone else’s, and
usually after the grooming teams have
already started their work preparing the
slopes for the following day, as they check
everyone has got safely off the mountain at
the end of the skiing day.
TRAIL GROOMINGAs mentioned, grooming work normally starts
as soon as the lifts close and continues all
night as the resort tries to create pristine
terrain, again, the following day and sharpens
the edges on those terrain park features. The
piste bashers are now costing towards half a
million euros each new to buy, but the newer
models use less fuel, some are even hybrid
and an all-electric version has been tested in
Les 3 Vallées. The latest tech (which doesn’t
come cheap either) uses sonar to check snow
depths, so snow is moved where it’s needed
but not where it isn’t.
SNOWMAKINGDepending on the conditions, snowmaking
also typically continues all night, and
sometimes all day too. In these days of
climate change concern and heavy usage
of slopes, new snowmaking systems are
one of the biggest annual capital spends
of ski areas, often running into millions
of euros. Again newer systems are more
environmentally friendly and produce more
snow for less energy and expense.
SLOPE SAFETY PREPARATIONAvalanche control is another vital service
continuing around the clock in ski areas, but
typically teams arrive at 4–6am to ensure
slopes are safe to open at the start of the day.
You’ll often be woken by blasting to set off
avalanches in the resort’s usual danger areas,
particularly after heavy snowfall.
DIGGING OUTIf a lot of snow does fall overnight (yay!), then
whilst all the powder hounds are chomping
at the bit to get up there as dawn breaks, it’s
often a mad rush for slope crews and liftees
to clear lifts of snow so that they can operate
efficiently and safely.
TICKET SALESAlthough now done largely online at most
bigger ski areas, the humble lift ticket office
still needs staffing before the lifts operate.
All those electronic ticketing systems and
the websites and apps that come with them
don’t come cheap either – resorts are often
investing large sums in new technology to
make things operate more efficiently.
PROFESSIONAL STAFFOf course a large, professional and to a
greater extent “temporary” group of staff is
required to make everything happen. Finding
staff can be a challenge for big resorts in
some locations – often not because there
aren’t plenty of young people looking for
work but because sometimes the best staff
want to come in from overseas and they can
fall foul of employment laws designed to limit
the number of foreign workers. But wherever
they’re from, worker standards just keep
getting higher.
“A professional and well-trained workforce
is the vital part of ski resort operations,”
confirms Angelica Wilk of Bergbahn AG
Kitzbühel, the famous resort’s award-winning
lift operator, adding, “and they must be highly
motivated.”
INFRASTRUCTUREWe all get annoyed when we have to queue
for a lift (or anywhere), and the traditional
solution is to build a bigger, faster lift to
increase capacity. As with building new
roads, this doesn’t always work, as more
people use the new lift and clog it up again,
but still, resorts always want to build a new
lift, with many putting the onus on chairlifts
and gondolas that can be used for summer
business too. The only trouble is that bigger
lifts have bigger price tags, with €10million a
common price quoted for a big new lift these
days – that’s a lot of lift tickets sold.
THE RESTThe other things a ski lift operator has to pay
for? It’s a long list – staffing costs for all these
roles; insurance in case someone sues them
when something goes wrong (even if it wasn’t
something they could do much about and
maybe the individual concerned should have
thought about things a bit themselves before
whatever happened, happened); power
costs; marketing; “servicing debt” (interest
fees), bank charges, even good old tax – it
all has to come out of your lift pass cost. In
fact figures we were sent by Les 4 Vallées in
Switzerland (see stats opposite) indicate that
running the lifts only accounts for a fifth of
their expenditure.
So next time we’re stood in a lift queue or,
hopefully, have had no queue to stand in,
ascending on the lift, it may be worth a quick
mental run-through of all that lift companies
have to do 24-7 to keep the slopes running,
safely, all winter. The more you think about
it the more amazing it seems, and the better
value your lift pass!
WHERE THEMONEY GOES?28.2% DEPRECIATION20.2% RUNNING THE LIFTS14.5% ADMINISTRATION / INFRASTRUCTURE12.5% SNOWMAKING, PISTE PREP, REPAIRS9.2% BANKING3.6% VEHICLES2.9% BUILDINGS8.9% PROFIT
FB.COM/INTHESNOW 035 // OCT15
SHU
TTER
STO
CK
Plans by an investment company
which owns 16 of the leading ski
areas in the US to sell them all,
possibly, is unlikely to impact
skiers, say experts. But if they are
all sold to one buyer, it will be the
biggest sale of ski resorts in one
go in the history of the world.
Florida-based CNL Lifestyle
Properties began snapping up ski
resorts, as part of a portfolio of
more than 100 travel and leisure
companies, nearly a decade ago.
However, the company does not
actually run the resorts day to day
and brings in other companies as
operators. This has led industry
experts to say skiers and boarders
are unlikely to see any immediate
changes, and perhaps no changes
at all, at individual areas if a sale
goes through.
Internationally well-known
ski areas currently owned by
CNL include Sunday River and
Sugarloaf in Maine and Crested
Butte in Colorado. The company
also own ski areas in states
from the US East to West Coasts
including New Hampshire,
Vermont, Utah and California.
Reports in US media have
suggested that CNL are looking
at an “exit strategy” from their
“investment model” and that they
expect to make a decision by 31
December. They have recently
agreed to the sale of a large
number of golf courses they
also own.
TOUR OP OFFERS FREE GUIDING AND TEACHING
Neilson are to offer free-of-charge
ski guiding in France and other
countries this season.
The tour operator will use
established ski schools to
provide the service, avoiding the
controversy of recent years with
prosecutors, particularly in France
but also now in other countries,
questioning whether staff
offering hosting and guiding have
acceptable qualifications.
For example, Neilson is working with
the ESS (European Ski & Snowboard
School) in Les Deux Alpes.
Neilson are calling the service
“mountain experts”, and it is not
being offered to all guests but
to those staying in their Neilson
Mountain Collection properties.
This includes guests staying at the
Hotel Del Clos in El Tarter, Andorra,
the Hotel Turquoise in La Plagne,
the Hotel Aalborg and the Hotel Le
Cret, both in Les Deux Alpes, and
the Hotel Escapade in Alpe d’Huez.
There are also a range of chalets
in France, Andorra and Italy
included within the Neilson
Mountain Collection.
Targeted at those who can already
ski on blue and red pistes the service
will offer a weekly timetable of
classes for various ability levels and
on different types of terrain. Guests
can choose whether to be guided or
to get performance tips too.
The legal actions between
tour operators and the French
authorities over their ban on ski
hosting by tour operator staff
who do not have the highest
French ski school qualifications,
a separate case against the Ski
Club of Great Britain for using
guides without the highest French
ski school qualifications, and a
third case against a British ski
school for offering ski lessons
from teachers who did not hold
the highest French ski school
qualifications are all ongoing in
the meantime.
BIGGEST RESORTS SALE IN HISTORY … BUT SKIERS WON’T NOTICE
@INTHESNOWMAG036 // OCT15
Global surf travel and adventure brand Ticket to Ride
(tickettoridegroup.com) is launching a range of snowboard
holidays this winter for the first time. The company is offering
a selection of snowboard experiences and courses spanning
performance, freeride, freestyle and instructor. The options range
from week-long camps through to 11-week qualification-led
courses and include the freestyle mecca of the Espace Killy and
the spectacular Banff National Park. And winters need never end
with Ticket to Ride’s southern-hemisphere-based snowboard
experiences on the active peaks of Mt Ruapehu in New Zealand.
“Having a love for both sports and understanding the
boardsport ethic shared by both surfers and snowboarders, I
wanted to bring the two sports together as one,” said Company
Director Will Hayler. “Since our launch back in 2005 we have
enjoyed developing our surf adventures and offering unique
experiences in a host of different countries. As a team, we are
very much looking forward to Ticket to Ride’s next step and the
forthcoming winter in the snow.”
YOU’VE GOT A TICKET TO RIDE ... SNOW
Aspen in Colorado has announced that drone flying will no
longer be allowed on its slopes.
The announcement clarifies the resort’s position in what
has become an increasingly problematic issue for ski
resorts around the world as the affordability, availability and
popularity of drones have grown in recent years.
In the US there are already restrictions on drone use on
publicly owned land, where many of the country’s ski areas
are located, but many drone owners are unaware that they
are legally required to obtain special permission to use them
from the country’s Federal Aviation Administration.
In its announcement regarding the blanket ban, the Aspen
Skiing Company mentioned the dangers of drone use near
lifts and the proximity of one of its four ski areas, Buttermilk,
to the local airport. Around the world ski areas are becoming
increasingly concerned about drone use and the possible
dangers to safety, particularly in relation to ski lift operations.
ASPEN BECOMES A NO-DRONE ZONE
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TAILOR-MADE SKI HOLIDAYS TO THE USA & CANADA
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JACKSON HOLELAKE TAHOE
HOTELS, APARTMENTS & PRIVATE CHALETS,
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[email protected] www.codatravel.com
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CODA AD_SEPT 15 RESIZE.indd 5 22/09/2015 21:15
Best Spot For Selfies?Take a ride to the top of the Divide Chair at
Sunshine Village Ski Resort and snap a pic
of yourself in front of the spectacular Mount
Assiniboine, an image that includes both
the provinces Alberta and British Columbia.
Alternatively, over at the Lake Louise Ski Resort,
cruise up the Grizzly Gondola, and at the top,
capture the epic mountain views and the iconic
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise seen hiding in
the background.
Best Lift?Canada’s first heated chairlift debuts at Sunshine
Village just in time for the 2015–16 ski season.
The new Tee Pee Town high-speed quad chairlift
features heated seats, footrests and protective
orange bubble covers. The state-of-the-art lift runs
at a speed of 1000ft per minute and features an
impressive 47 bubble chairs.
Best Mountain Restaurant?Located at 2042m above sea level, the
Whitehorn Bistro on the slopes of Lake Louise
is the perfect spot to stop, indulge and refuel.
It’s also the ideal place to soak up the sweeping
panoramic views and spectacular scenery, which
ranks high amongst the world’s best, whilst
tucking into some mouth-watering cuisine and
enjoying the authentic Canadian mountain’s
casual vibe.
Favourite Locals’ Après-ski Hangout?The Banff Ave. Brew Pub not only provides
a location for après-ski but is also one of
the locals’ favourites for great food, a fun
atmosphere and of course delicious micro-
brewed beer. Locals love the secret keg of
cask ale which is tapped every Friday along
with one of their amazing authentic Canadian
poutine options.
Best Adventures Besides Skiing?When the legs are tired, there are endless
outdoor activities to keep you warm in the
Canadian winter. One of the most fun is
dogsledding. Cosy up under a blanket on a
traditional dogsled and let a team of huskies
lead you on a picturesque journey through
mountain valleys. For added excitement, try
mushing the sled yourself and guiding a team of
dogs down the trail!
Best Place To Grab A Canadian Caesar Cocktail?Canada is known for the Canadian Caesar, a
cocktail that was actually invented right here in
Alberta, which is why there are many hotspots
in Banff where you can find this refreshing drink
with various twists. Allow the Park Distillery’s
resident mixologist to mix you up a delicious
Caesar that features their 100% homemade
vodka, or, for an authentic Canadian-inspired
experience, check out the award-winning Maple
Leaf Grill and Lounge.
Feeling a little more adventurous? Don’t miss the
Caesar Bar at Toque Canadian Pub for a unique
selection of Caesar Creations. As you can see,
there is definitely no shortage of pubs, bars and
restaurants in Banff that are happy to whip up
their version of this delicious cocktail.
Welcome to Banff!
BANFFEvery month we ask somebody who lives in the mountains to give us some insider pointers on where to head when we go visit their resort. This month: Banff in Alberta, Canada.
037 // OCT15 FB.COM/INTHESNOW www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com
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THESNOWCENTRE.COM039 // OCT15
For decades skiers and snowboarders have been
pushing the boundaries in the snowy mountains,
but in recent years, indoor real-snow centres
and dry slopes have shown us what pushing the
limits of UK snow sports really means!
Check out the people and places shifting the
meaning of indoor skiing and snowboarding …
JAMIE NICHOLLSWITH #HEMELRUN2
He’s not just done it once, he’s done it twice.
Team GB’s Olympic snowboarder, Jamie
Nicholls, and Hemel Hempstead’s real-snow
indoor skiing and snowboarding destination,
The Snow Centre, built two of the most extreme
indoor snowboard park lines ever seen!
Complete with jumps and rails, both ‘Hemel
Run 1 & 2’ started outside the back of The Snow
Centre building, ran down the indoor slopes
and back outside into the centre’s car park.
Videos of both the 2014 and 2015 “Hemel Runs”
saw the Olympian complete big snowboard
tricks on some of the most creative man-made
features yet, including a gap jump over a fire
exit stairway! Who said you have to be on the
mountain to ride an awesome park?
JAN FARRELL’S “WORLD INDOOR SPEED RECORD”
Speed skier Jan Farrell beat the World Indoor
Speed Record in May 2015 at The Snowhall at
Amneville, France! With a speed of 104.956kph,
Jan beat the previous record holder’s 104.44kph
to become the fastest non-motorised man
indoors in any discipline!
The Snowhall’s main piste where Jan achieved
the record is 620m long, 35m wide, and has a
90m vertical drop. Given the time it took Jan
to reach his top speed, he would expect to
have only 50m for braking, so it’s not surprising
that during this record attempt he was close to
ending up in the nets at the bottom of the slope!
For most skiers, half Jan’s record speed would
do nicely indoors or on the mountain!
ROB WILKINSON’SDRY SLOPE SKI JUMP
The Guinness World Records recognised the
highest ski jump from a quarter pipe on an
artificial slope as 3.4m.
Achieved in October 2014 by Rob Wilkinson at
Aberdeen Snowsports Centre, on a Snowflex
slope which is 80m long and 40m wide, Rob
proved that going big on skis on real snow and
vast mountains is not a necessity!
040 // OCT15 @INTHESNOWMAG
SKIING BY THE LAKE
WORDS: PATRICK THORNE
ZELL AM SEE
zellamsee-kaprun.com/en
Total Slopes: 138km
Total Lifts: 53
Mark Warner’s excellent new
high-spec apartment complex,
Lake Mountain Resort, is superbly
located 2 minutes’ walk from the
City Express gondola and a few
steps from the resort centre too.
markwarner.co.uk
ZELL
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One of the delights of ski resorts is that they come in all
shapes and sizes. You have pretty, traditional Alpine
villages that have been around for centuries and just
happened to discover they had a good ski mountain
next door when they became popular, and there
are high-altitude, purpose-built “moon base” resorts
that are ghost towns outside the ski season. Some
big cities have little ski areas you can access on the
metro line, and you can even find ski hills in unlikely
locations like Cyprus or in the Atlas mountains of
Morocco. The list goes on …
The attractive lakeside town of Zell am See in
Austria’s Salzburgerland falls somewhere between
traditional village and city. Travelling there from the
UK, you’re quickly reminded of all that’s good about a
ski holiday to Austria even before you arrive – namely
an efficient little airport at Salzburg followed by a
short transfer on mostly main roads to the historic
resort. It’s quick, easy and pleasant.
Zell am See does feel a little different to most
Austrian ski destinations. Perhaps it’s because of
its size or its waterfront location; it is not the normal
mountain village made up of giant wooden chalets.
On the other hand, the mountains are still there,
towering high above to altitudes capable of maintaining
glacier skiing at neighbouring Kaprun (which has been
included on a joint lift pass for nearly 50 years), so
the comparatively low altitude of Zell am See doesn’t
prevent guaranteed skiing throughout the season.
But even though it doesn’t meet the standard
Austrian resort model, it’s still a very scenic spot, with
the lake in front and the mountains behind. Another
factor making Zell seem that bit different is the feeling
of history that oozes from the medieval centre (now
pedestrianised) and the culture of the place which
stems from it.
The water sports, beach parties, classical concerts,
festivals and theatre performances at the castle all
combine to prove that Zell am See was around long
before winter sports were thought of, and still has a
life beyond them. It’s a great resort in which to just
wander around the compact centre between eclectic
little shops, stopping for a coffee in one of the many
cafes or a drink in a bar every now and then.
THE MOUNTAIN(S)Zell am See’s 77km (48miles) of trails are largely located
on the Schmittenhöhe mountain directly behind the
town. There are various access points to the area, but
most people staying in central Zell will take the City
Express gondola, the base of which is a few minutes’
walk above the town centre. Alternative access is via
the neighbouring village of Schüttdorf or via a choice of
two cable cars that leave from a base above Zell. All are
linked by a ski bus, which is free to lift pass holders.
Beginners normally start up by the aforementioned
Sonnenalm cable cars and will find the easier blue
runs up on top of the mountain, with the option of
taking the lift back down if the long run back is too
daunting in the early days. Intermediates will enjoy
Zell am See’s skiing the most with more than 50km
(32 miles) of red and blue runs to whizz around on,
including a wonderful 6.5km (4 mile) trail, the Schutt,
descending the full 1200m back down to the resort
and affording great views as you descend.
Advanced skiers have several long medium-steep
blacks descending through the forest to enjoy, some
usually mogulled, and Zell has a reputation for good
off-piste powder when conditions are right.
Zell am See’s sunny slopes do have good snow-
making cover on nearly two-thirds of the piste,
however most skiers will wish to visit Kaprun’s glacier
skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier during their stay.
This is accessed by a ski bus which runs every 20
minutes in high season, and once an hour during
other periods. Journey time is around 30 minutes and
the service is free to lift pass holders.
The Kitzsteinhorn is celebrating 50 years in operation
this winter (and since becoming Austria’s first glacier
ski destination) and will have an even better setup
than before, thanks to new lifts improving access
to the slopes. Two new modern lifts will allow
skiers to enjoy a new 41km “Glacier Round Trip”
that will stretch from the 3029m-high peak to the
Langwiedboden at an altitude of 1978m.
Freestylers will also enjoy the Kitzsteinhorn’s three
snow parks, including Austria’s biggest super pipe,
mogul slopes and five freeride ski trails that invite
winter-sports enthusiasts to freestyle to their heart’s
content. The latest thrill is the Black Mamba, a
1000m-long piste that covers 250m in altitude, has a
maximum gradient of 63% and offers a true challenge
for good skiers.
THE RESTThere are several dozen bars, pubs and discothèques
in Zell am See meaning a lively night life is feasible
for those who want it, with quiet, sophisticated night
spots for those who don’t.
The Villa Crazy Daisy is normally one of the busiest
spots in town, but there is so much more to do
than just party in Zell – bowling, tobogganing, night
skiing, cinema, swimming, skating and a host of
other opportunities. Try to fit in a day trip, or even an
afternoon in Salzburg if you can.
One other unusual aspect of Zell am See is that it
has made it big with the Arabian market, particularly
in summer, but there are also a few Eastern-themed
Halal mini markets which are helpfully open when
the Catholic-run establishments are not. There are
restaurants and even bars where you can puff on a
hookah pipe should you wish, or watch others doing
the same – it’s very surreal in the snowy Alps but all
the more fun for it, and it feels great to be at a ski
resort that is such a cultural melting pot.
The final bit of good news regarding Zell am See and
Kaprun is the value. Even when the euro was strong,
prices here tended to be lower across the board
for all aspects of your ski holiday cost, but with the
pound strong this winter, the area feels ever more like
a bargain.
ZELLAMSEE-KAPRUN.COM/EN FB.COM/INTHESNOW
10 Skiplex Taster Sessions, Basingstoke and
Reading: Indoor Skiplex centres will offer
free 15-minute skiing and snowboarding
taster sessions from 10am–5pm at
Basingstoke on the 10th and Reading on
the 11th as part of 30 Days of Snowsports.
3 This Girl Can, Bracknell: Snowsport
England are re-running their “30 Days of
Snowsport” campaign through most of
October with events and deals almost
daily. This one encourages female snow-
sport participation.
3Tignes Re-opens, France: The French
2015–16 ski season officially kicks off on
Saturday 3 October when the Grande
Motte glacier in Tignes re-opens for
snow sports. It joins already open Saas-
Fee, Zermatt and others.
26Half-term Ski Lessons, Hemel
Hempstead: Half-term ski lessons are on
offer at the Snow Centre (thesnowcentre.
com). 2-day courses start Monday 26th or
Wednesday 28th or there’s 2- or 3-hour
Alpine Ski School courses on Friday 30th.
30Ski Show, Manchester: The Ski Show
returns to Manchester’s EventCity for
a third year when up to 10,000 visitors
will browse over 100 retailer and tour
operator stands at this 3-day event.
25Last Day of 2015 Southern Hemisphere
Season? After a snowy winter south of
the equator this could be the last day
of the 2016 season at Mt Ruapehu, NZ,
usually the last to close, but we’re betting
an extension to “Snovember” is likely …
31High Test, France: The second French
glacier to open for 2015–16, Les Deux
Alpes, will stage an all-new equipment
test weekend especially for the pan-
European Decathlon sports stores.
7Ski Fit Night, London: Profeet are
running a Ski Fit night with Graham Bell
of Ski Sunday and Craig McLean from
Putney Chiropractic Centre. Tickets
cost £5 from Profeet (profeet.co.uk) with
proceeds going to ski charity Back Up.
October
24World Cup Season Starts, Austria:
The first races of the 2015–16 ski season
take place on the glacier above Sölden
in the Austrian Tirol. It’s the ladies race
on the Saturday with the gents following
on the Sunday.
CAMP HP
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NEW €63M SWIMMING COMPLEX FOR COURCHEVELA major new indoor water-fun, sports and
wellness centre will open to visitors at
Courchevel in early December.
It includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools,
a 4m-deep diving area, a 10m-high climbing wall
and an indoor surf wave – the first indoor wave
of its size in France along with spa facilities.
Built at a cost of €63m, the complex, named
“Aquamotion”, was entrusted to German
architecture firm, Auer Weber, which is renowned
for its work in integrating buildings into their
environment. Architect Eric Frisch says that one
of the main issues at stake was “to build such a
large facility on a highly sensitive Alpine site. We
worked to make it disappear into nature.”
The centre’s water-fun area, which has been
specially designed to blend into its surrounding
environment, will also incorporate a three-lane
water slide and a 110m-long area of wild-water
rapids. There will also be a 170m² outdoor
lagoon heated to 34°C and a 190m² indoor
lagoon heated to 32°C.
The wellness area is equipped with a JetStream
pool, a saltwater pool and a bubble pool, and a
wide variety of treatments will be available.
Aquamotion is completely open onto its
environment and enjoys natural light on all
sides, thanks to its vast bay windows. The roof,
which follows the form of the land and looks
like a vast green wave, is entirely covered
with vegetation. A wood heating system
was chosen for all the buildings and pools
(aquamotion-courchevel.com).
Les Deux Alpes in France has
been building a new blue run
this winter that has been 20
years in the planning, two
summers in the making and
has cost €10m to build.
It’s big news for the southerly
French ski area, as it has an
unusual slope orientation
meaning that its easier runs
are mostly high up with more
difficult runs at resort level,
so less confident skiers and
boarders have either had to
descend a lengthy green run
or take the lift back at the end
of the day.
This will change with the
opening of the new Jandri
1 blue, the construction of
which has been a huge and
specialised project which the
resort believes is unique for
the French Alps for its scale.
More than half a million
cubic metres of earth have
been moved (550,000m³ in
fact), as well as 12,000 trees
replanted, as Les Deux Alpes
built its new run with the aim of
avoiding causing any damage
under a carefully planned
environmental policy with a
total budget of €10m.
“This investment is more
beneficial than a new ski lift
because it means completely
reconfiguring the ski area
and the summer area (for
mountain biking) to provide
simplified return access to
the resort,” said a resort
spokesperson, adding, “Above
all, it makes the journey back
to the resort safer.”
Along with blue run access
to the resort base, Jandri 1
connects with higher blue runs
to mean that more than 2000
vertical metres of descent on
blue runs will now be possible
– one of the world’s top 10
biggest lift-served verticals
down from 3600m to 1600m.
Work is due to be completed
this month, and the new run
is scheduled to open on 5
December 2015.
NEW BLUE RUN TO LES DEUX ALPES
043 // OCT15 FB.COM/INTHESNOW
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Jan Farrell is a speed skier – an insane
branch of ski racing where shiny, skin-tight
suited athletes in weird-looking helmets
hurl themselves down the steepest slopes
reaching speeds in excess of 200kph.
He’s the British speed ski downhill
category record holder, overall world cup
speed skiing champion of 2014 and top-
ranked British skier from 2012 onwards.
Jan’s top speed is 231.660kph; that’s
bonkers to you and me.
Even the downhill skiers you see racing
on courses such as the Hahnenkamm
in Kitzbühel or Lauberhorn in Wengen
make turns and don’t go anywhere
near those speeds – these guys just go
straight, all the way down.
In order to achieve that you need to
have thighs of steel, nerves of iron
and exceptional control over your
balance and timing. Preparation for
that takes months, and throughout the
autumn Jan is on a highly structured
training programme that takes a holistic
approach to fitness.
Of course, most of us don’t require
that level of intense preparation to get
us ready for our annual ski holiday,
but plucking ideas out of an athlete’s
training programme and implementing
them yourself goes a long way to help
make skiing more enjoyable. We caught
up with Jan to ask him what his three
most important training tips are for this
coming winter.
Physical StrengthHow can you get your legs in shape for
handling the forces you’re under on a
speed skiing course?
“During the late summer and through
the autumn it is high gym season – no
pain, no gain! You need to train at 100%
capacity and that means a good night’s
sleep and a 4000-calorie diet. Of course,
that doesn’t mean fast food, I’m talking
pasta and protein mixed with healthy
vegetables. Diet is really important to feed
the muscles the right kind of energy to
ensure they are strong and healthy. Then,
it’s just about pumping those weights.
Gyms are great but you can get some
weights in at home and do squat thrusts
too – this should be enough for most
holiday skiers if done over a few months
two or three times a week”.
Balance & Co-ordination
How can you improve your balance
during off season?
“There’s many ways to improve your
balance – in the summer I live in Spain
and I like to water ski; it’s fun and you
need to be delicate on your feet. Also, I
like to use the SkiA Ski Trainer which is
fantastic to specifically target the central
balance you need for good skiing and is
really portable so you can train anywhere.
Beginners can start on the green balance
blocks and work their way up to blue and
maybe red. For experts there’s a black
version that is a real challenge for any
level. It’s the closest balance exercise to
real skiing that I can do in the gym!”
Physiological PreparationHow can you mentally prepare yourself
for what you do during the winter?
“You can’t! My sport has a huge
component of concentration and mental
strength. Practice makes perfect;
nothing compares to standing on
the top of the very steepest run and
knowing that in a few seconds you’ll
accelerate to over 200kph. I believe
speed skiing is something that you can
either handle or not; I guess if you can
jump out of a plane with a parachute
then you have a chance of being able to
handle speed skiing, mentally, at least”.
SKIA.COM044 // OCT15
JAN FARRELLPrepare For The Winter With Britain’s Fastest Skier This Year
JAN
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SKIMILESTM
The costs of skiing in the Alps and
most other ski regions are continuing
to drop for Brits due to the strong
pound. With some lift tickets already
on sale for winter 2015–16, savings
typically average 10% on last winter,
in some cases more.
The most expensive pass remains
the Zermatt-Cervinia ticket when
bought on the Swiss side of the
cross-border Swiss-Italian ski area.
At CHF434 for a 6-day pass it costs
around £285, but that’s back down
below the £300 mark it passed at the
peak value of the franc last January.
With the pound riding high in
the eurozone the savings are
substantial there too. Even though
the cost of a 6-day pass at the
giant French areas is creeping up
towards €300 (€291 at Paradiski),
whilst this would have meant
a British equivalent of only a
few pounds less when the two
currencies were matched at almost
£1 = €1 a few seasons ago, the price
currently is just £206. The pound
is also at a high against other
currencies including the Canadian
Dollar and Norwegian Krone.
WHISTLER BLACKCOMBGOES SMOKE-FREE
Whistler Blackcomb ski area in BC,
Canada, has introduced a new
smoke-free policy across the resort.
The policy prohibits smoking
anywhere on Whistler Blackcomb
property, including in lift queues, on
lifts, ski runs and the base area and
car parks as well as in all Whistler
Blackcomb bar and restaurant
locations, including patios.
“We have made the decision to
introduce a smoke-free policy at
Whistler Blackcomb to preserve
the pristine alpine environment our
guests come here for,” says Dave
Brownlie, President and CEO at
Whistler Blackcomb.
“We also recognise as a leader
in the outdoor adventure
and wellness industry and as
the largest employer in the
Whistler community, we have a
responsibility to our guests and
staff to provide a safe and healthy
environment for work and play.
We believe implementing this new
policy aligns with this goal.”
Whistler Blackcomb’s new
smoke-free policy will apply to
both guests and staff. While the
policy is already in place for
visitors, Whistler Blackcomb staff
will be permitted to smoke in
designated smoking areas until
June 1, 2016 as they adjust to
the company’s new policy, after
which the smoke-free policy will
also apply to all staff.
The resort is working with
Vancouver Coastal Health who
have stop-smoking resources
available.
“We know many young people ski
and snowboard, and youth who
haven’t started using tobacco by
the time they are 26 years old
will most likely never start,” said
Vancouver Coastal Health Medical
Health Officer, Dr Paul Martiquet.
“Eliminating smoking in public
places, such as on our mountains,
sets a good example so youth,
and others, are less likely to even
consider using tobacco.”
whistlerblackcomb.com/smokefree
LIFT PASS PRICES DROP FOR BRITS
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There’s never been a better time to buy your kit in good old
Blighty, and to prove it the SIGB has just launched a new
campaign called ‘Go UK, Buy UK’ to encourage us British
skiers and snowboarders to buy our kit and equipment
before we head off to foreign slopes.
The SIGB, if you don’t already know, is a trade association
with the full name of the Snowsport Industries of
Great Britain (SIGB), which currently has 159 member
organisations from the retail, supplier and travel sectors of
the industry – all working hard to promote snow sports at
all levels in the UK. So that’s a good thing.
So why buy in Britain? Let us count the reasons!
1 VALUE
Yes, the pound may currently be riding high in some ski
nations, and you may see what appears to be a bargain in
some exotic ski shop, but is it really?
“It is very rare that I’m in a resort and see standard
shop prices for skis and boots that are cheaper than
in Britain,” says Steve Wells, Ski Hardware Manager at
retailer Ellis Brigham. “I think back to when I started
in the industry 18 years ago and advanced/expert ski
boots were £300+, with good intermediate boots only
slightly less than they are now; that’s a long time for
very little rise. Expected price rises have never really
happened, and since then the UK has in general been in
parity with Europe. The misconception of resorts being
cheaper is nearly gone.”
Even if you do find something that seems cheap in resort,
it probably is just that: cheap.
And once you’ve paid out for something that seemed
cheap in the Alps and got it home and realised it doesn’t
fit or isn’t very good, you’re stuffed. But in the UK you
know you can easily return it, plus the shop wants you to
be a loyal customer so they’ll sell you the best thing for
you in the first place. That’s a high-value service.
2 QUALITY TIME
You don’t want to arrive after a long trip to a resort only
to have to join a queue in a rental shop to get some ill-
fitting gear, or worse still, find they’ve run out of your size
altogether – only then to have the old issue of returning
your gear to the shop at the end of your stay and having
to work out how to have shoes with you after you drop the
ski boots off to get back to your hotel. Much better to have
your own gear, fitted at your leisure to suit you in your own
time back in the UK. You arrive in resort ready to go. No
worries, no time wasted, no hassle.
3 SOUND, CLEAR ADVICE
Buying from a UK specialist retailer, especially a member
of SIGB, will also ensure you are offered a high level of
service and advice. Being able to see, hold and try on kit,
especially ski and snowboard hardware and outerwear,
has no substitute.
I fondly remember a trip with a group of male friends some
years ago when one of our number decided to splash out
on a “bargain” pair of skis he saw in a shop in the resort.
These were sold to him no questions asked, but the next
day, in the middle of the slopes, the binding cracked in half
and fell off. He returned to the shop, where the staff were
unapologetic and did not refund his money, insisting that
they had not realised that he was buying them for himself.
“But these are women’s skis!” they said in wide-eyed
astonishment. He hasn’t lived it down.
Getting good-fitting boots in particular can be a deal
breaker in terms of how much you enjoy your skiing or
snowboarding holiday. Getting your boots professionally
fitted in the UK by an expert who speaks your language
and can analyse your feet and the fit of the boots is a vital
part of being ready for a snow-sports trip.
4 AFTER-SALES SUPPORT
Follow-up after-sales, whether it’s boot-fitting adjustments,
repairs or maintenance, is an important part of any UK
specialist shop’s reputation and service standard. Buying
at home gives confidence in terms of ongoing support.
“The most common problem we see in the stores is
boots bought abroad where all the shop has cared
about is getting the sale,” says Steve. “Skiers end up
with boots way too big that felt fine initially but quickly
loosened up. The shop isn’t looking to impress and
create a repeat customer, they just want a sale. Getting
the right product wasn’t so much of a concern because
with boots it takes time and lots of communication,
something we do focus on in this country. In the UK we
want to do a great job and bring repeat business, even
if that means more time and effort.”
Again, if you have your equipment serviced in the UK
before your holiday, you know it’s in pristine condition
on day one.
5 WORRY-FREE WARRANTY
It’s one you may not have considered, but when buying
from a UK retailer, customers will avoid potential warranty
or customs issues.
Faulty, damaged or broken equipment can cause big
issues as the contract exists between the buyer and the
seller. You don’t buy a loaf of bread in Tesco and if it’s
not perfect expect a refund in Waitrose. Ski equipment
is exactly the same, and the first point of contact in any
warranty enquiry has to be the original seller.
So any complaint or return is a lot easier when dealing
with a UK retailer – it’s closer to home and everyone
speaks English and comes under the same legal
jurisdiction. Correct binding, fitting and adjustment are
also important in terms of warranty validity.
6 SUPPORT THE SPORT
British athletes are having their best ever run of results,
and James ‘Woodsy’ Woods is already topping the World
Cup Slopestyle 2015–16 table thanks to a win in the first
contest in New Zealand in August, before most of us
have even booked our flights to the Alps this coming
season. But it’s almost as big a battle for British athletes
to win funding as it is to win the competitions. Thankfully,
though, there’s a supportive, active UK snow-sports trade
working with our competitors at all levels, and the industry
has invested over £1.2 million to promote skiing and
snowboarding, from local amateur events to world-class
international competitors, over the past 20 years. So the
more support we give to the British snow-sports trade, the
more they can give to the British team.
GO UKBUY UKTo support the Go UK, Buy UK campaign
and ensure you are buying British, you
can find your nearest SIGB retailer by
visiting sigb.org.uk/directory/shops
SIGB.ORG.UK/DIRECTORY/SHOPS FB.COM/INTHESNOW
ALTITUDE-VERBIER.COM | ALTITUDE-FUTURES.COM | FREERIDE-VERBIER.COM
Learning to ski can seem quite
daunting; however, there has
probably never been an easier
time to learn to ski! The latest
skis, comfy boots, warm clothing,
comfortable lifts, and great native-
speaking instructors mean the first
lesson should be a very enjoyable
experience.
As a beginner you should feel safe
and not be asked to do anything
you are not comfortable with. The
slopes should be very gentle, the
pace of the lesson should be in line
with your fitness level, and while
you might fall your instructor will
be there to help you understand
how to avoid the same thing
happening again on the next run.
DOS AND DON’TS
When skiing it’s advisable not to
learn from loved ones – I would
advise you to tell friends and
family they won’t be teaching you
and book a lesson with a local ski
school.
Choose a resort which has a good
snow record and a few beginner
slopes – this will mean the slopes
are likely to be less busy and the
snow will be in good condition,
making it easy to turn.
Pick a school that employs
instructors who speak your
language – you have more chance
of improving if you understand what
they are asking you to do.
Practise on a dry slope or indoor
snow dome if you have the chance.
TIP: Don’t ski in powder – it’s not a
beginner’s friend.
ON THE SNOW
Sliding – This is likely to be one of
your first experiences. Stand above
the centre of the ski and enjoy the
ride – look forward, skis parallel,
and keep your skis hip width apart.
Try not to assume any strange
positions; just stand in a slightly
flexed position. The instructor
should pick terrain where you will
stop naturally.
Snow plough – This will soon be
your new best friend. Push the
backs of the skis out in a V shape
– this will create resistance against
the snow and enable you to slow
down. You will practise varying the
size of the plough and seeing how
this affects your speed.
TIPS – Try not to cross the skis,
vary the width of snow plough and
practise on a very flat slope.
EQUIPMENT
I’d recommend renting your boots
and skis on your first ski trip, and try
to borrow the rest of your kit from
friends and family. It’s an expensive
hobby so definitely worth checking
that you enjoy it before spending
too much (of course you will love it!).
Skis – Make sure they are 20–30cm
shorter than your height – shorter
skis are easier to turn!
Boots – They need to be relatively
comfortable and supportive! You
should be able to move your toes, but
your heel should NOT come up in the
boots once they are done up. When
walking it’s often easier for a beginner
to undo the boots, but remember to
do them up before you ski!
Tip: For best comfort learn which
ski boot is your left and right!
FITNESS
Skiing, like other sports, can be
demanding on your body. To limit
your chance of any injuries or
aches and pains each night, and to
help you have more pleasure from
the sport, it is recommended that
you prepare your body in advance
of the holiday. Try and start at least
6 weeks before the beginning of
your holiday and you’ll notice a
big difference.
If you’re not keen on the gym, then
even going for a brisk walk will give
you a good cardiovascular workout.
Think about using the stairs instead
of escalators and up your level
of exercise any way you can. Try
whenever possible to get yourself a
little bit out of breath.
Activities such as cycling, running,
rowing or stepping for 20 minutes
three times a week will provide a
solid base.
BEGINNER’S FIRST TIMEJON (AKA WESTY)
Jon holds the top qualifications from
France, Switzerland and Britain,
and we can say firsthand that he is
a great ski instructor! Jon heads up
the team at Altitude Ski School –
Verbier’s most established British ski
school. Each month Jon or one of
his team will provide us with a few
tips and words of wisdom to help
improve our understanding of skiing.
ALTITUDE
The Altitude winter company portfolio
includes the ski and snowboard
school, the Futures instructor
training programmes, and FREERIDE
VERBIER, a new school dedicated to
off-piste coaching in Verbier.
[email protected]+41(0)27 771 6006
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info@ ultrasporteu.com www.ultrasporteu.com
Every school holiday week during the winter, ski schools
around the Alps have lots of children’s lessons running.
Children’s group lessons are divided by age and ability
from 6–8 years, 8–10 years, 11–13 years and 13–15 years,
and between Levels 1–5. Last winter we had a chat with
Sandy, one of the instructors who was teaching one of
our Level 4 aged 6–8 years groups.
“Today was the last day for our group, which has run for
5 days each morning from 9am–12pm. We started this
morning at Lac des Vaux, which is a great area of the
mountain for wide blue runs, and easier reds.
We all warmed up on our skis doing some slow exercises
that we had used earlier in the week. These included
balancing a pole on the back of your hands, and holding a
pole out in front of you, to improve balance while skiing.
As it was our last day skiing together, we were
concentrating on completing the tasks for Level 4 so that
the children would receive their certificate and badge
and be ready to move on to Level 5 lessons next time
they were skiing. These included:
Lifting the inside ski during a turn
Crabbing turns
Skating on the flat
Plough-parallel turns
To make our lesson fun, we did different activities
through the day, interspersed with going fast which
always goes down well! We did some fun skiing, went
through the park, and also played some games on our
skis. It’s important when skiing with children to be as
enthusiastic as possible throughout the lesson, to make
sure everyone stays motivated and has a good time!”
KIDS’ GROUP LESSONS
INTHESNOW.COM // OCT15 // 049
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+33 (0)4 79 06 18 [email protected]
SECOND LIFT TO KLEIN MATTERHORNZermatt has announced that it will be building a second lift to the Klein
Matterhorn, Europe’s highest ski-lift-served point at just under 3900m, in
time for the 2018/19 winter season.
The new lift will also be the world’s highest 3S gondola (sometimes
known as “Funitel”) lift, carrying 25 giant cabins, each capable of
carrying 28 people, on twin cables for added stability like a cable car,
but operating on a continuous loop like a gondola or chairlift.
“The new lift to the Matterhorn glacier paradise (Klein Matterhorn) will be
significantly quicker, and the modern cabins will ensure the ride is more
comfortable than ever. The 3S gondola lift made by LEITNER ropeways
will complement the existing cableway and increase the carrying
capacity to Europe’s highest cable-car station by 2000 passengers per
hour,” said a statement from Zermatt’s Lift Company.
The lift will be built over three successive summer seasons, beginning
this summer, with 100 working days per season. The 25 modern cabins,
designed by Pininfarina, renowned for its work on marques such as
Ferrari and Maserati, will be fitted with seats inspired by car manufacture
and huge panoramic windows. The lift, which will climb 900 vertical
metres in 9 minutes, will convey visitors to the Matterhorn glacier
paradise in that time. The new cableway is set to start operation in the
winter of 2018/19, bringing a significant improvement to the connection
between the skiing areas in Switzerland and Italy.
FIFTH OFF LES GETS/MORZINE LIFT PASSA ski pass for the Les Gets/Morzine ski area in France will cost less
this year for Brits thanks to the pound riding high against the euro,
but it will also cost a further 20% less if purchased before 31 October,
as there’s an online early booking offer on.
The offer applies to 6–14 consecutive day ski passes and excludes
peak weeks from 19/12/15 to 01/01/16 and 06/02/16 – 04/03/16 in
conjunction with an accommodation booking.
Les Gets is also offering a 20% reduction for environmentally
responsible visitors arriving in electric cars. The resort has two
charging points available, and in addition electric car drivers enjoy
reserved VIP parking places before 11am in the Perrières car park.
There’s also a Family Ski Pass saving of 10% on the total cost
throughout the season when a minimum of four Les Gets/Morzine
ski passes, for between 6–14 consecutive days, are booked together,
online, at least 3 days before arrival.
The ski area is open from: 19 December 2015 to 17 April 2016 with
some early opening weekends planned from 21 November depending
on snow conditions. lesgets.com/pass
The area is part of the larger Portes du Soleil ski area which
incorporates the skiing above a dozen villages on either side of
the French/Swiss border with 650km of piste between them. Early
booking discounts are available for the full regional pass too.
THE HIGH-ALTITUDE MICHELIN-STARRED CHEFVal Thorens, Europe’s highest ski centre, is situated 2300m up – good news
for snow cover, but it provides particular challenges for chefs working in the
resort’s burgeoning foodie scene. So it’s quite an achievement that this year
the resort has added its third Michelin-starred chef.
The challenges of cooking at Val Thorens’ high altitude include the fact
that water boils at 90°C instead of 100°C, so boiling an egg takes twice
as long as usual. Also, due to the low humidity rate, bread dries very
quickly and packaged food sometimes explodes because of the high
level of air pressure. Wine also matures more quickly and of course
products can’t always be delivered on time when access roads are
blocked by the snow.
Val Thorens’ newest Michelin star has been awarded to chef Jéremy
Gillon who works at the Montana restaurants. He has joined the
resort’s existing Michelin-starred chefs , twice-Michelin-starred Relais &
Châteaux Grand Chef Jean Sulpice, and Eric Samson, Head Chef at the
5★ Koh-I Nor.
The list seems likely to continue to grow in coming seasons with
more lux hotels and restaurants opening at Europe’s highest resort.
This season sees the fourth 5-star hotel, Le Pashmina, open with two
restaurants, “Les Explorateurs” and “Le Base Camp” offer gourmet
cuisine created by chefs Romuald Fassenet (holder of the ‘Best
Craftsman in France’ award) and Josselin Jean-blanc.
MIC
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POLL
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IN
PEAK PERFORMANCEHELI VERTICAL SKI JACKET AND PANTS
Inspired by military-style stealth and dry
suits, the Heli Vertical collection includes
a ski suit and a 3-layer jacket and pant
for both men and women. Recco system
and a panel of Gore-Tex® stretch in the
back for even better movement make
these products ideal for exploring the
backcountry.
JACKET: £650 PANTS: £500
PEAKPERFORMANCE.COM/GB
SMITH SQUAD GOGGLE
The massive cylindrical lens of the redesigned
Squad is made from moulded Carbonic-X material
so it’s tough, but still has Fog-X technology and
TLT Optics for crystal-clear vision. The minimal
semi-rimless frame tech and newly designed,
fully integrated strap connection point deliver the
function you need without extra moving parts.
£85 | ULTRASPORTEU.COM
052 // OCT15 @INTHESNOWMAG
SWEET BLASTER MIPS HELMET
A new take on lightweight helmets.
Combine hard shell sides to reinforce
where you need more protection,
MIPS brain protection technology to
reduce rotational impact and clever
internal ribbed construction to allow for
great impact absorption. Add in some
impressive venting and the result is
a comfortable, lightweight and high-
performance helmet.
£149.99 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
LINE TODDLER AND BABY SKIER FOREVER TEE
Now EVERYONE can tell the world they’re a skier (or
that they intend to be!). Spread your love of skiing with
these gorgeously cute toddler and baby Line Skier Ts,
whether it’s for your own kids or your friend’s newborn.
£22 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
DOUCHEBAG WHEELIE SKI BAG & BIG BASTARD LUGGAGE BAG
Fed up hauling awkward,
unwieldy luggage? Wish you
had another pair of hands?
Designed by pro riders,
airline baggage handlers and
engineers, the Douchebags
team have put together
a clever award-winning
package – Ease of use, tough
fabrics and modular design
make this the ultimate in
luggage for all seasons.
£199 EACH | SKIBARTLETT.COM
ATOMIC VANTAGE 95
Looking for a one-ski quiver?
Wanting to charge and grip
on piste, but still need float
for powder? New Tank Mesh
construction makes these
lighter, stronger and higher
piste performing than previous
all-mountain skis. These really
are agile and manoeuvrable in
whatever conditions you take
them through.
£475 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
LINE MORDECAI SKI
Achieving perfection means Eric constantly feels
his best skis can always be even better. Eric’s new
powder plaything is the lightest ski for its width
on the market making these floaty, quick and
manoeuvrable. You will be amazed at how a ski this
wide can be so playful in so many conditions.
£540 | SKIBARTLETT.COM SLYTECH BACKPROTECTOR NOSHOCK XT NKD
SLYTECH NOSHOCK™ Honeycomb spreads impact and
forces multi-directionally dissipating force from an impact.
Flexible memory foam softens from the warmth of your
back and hardens on impact, making this one of the most
unrestrictive back protectors you could wear.
£130 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
ZAINI HATS
Zaini hats are still the leaders in headwear for the mountains
– with over 150 new designs online there is a beanie to suit
everyone! Our beanies are handmade, fleeced lined and
designed to last..
£20.99 | ZAINI.COM
MORE AT SKIBARTLETT.COM
With their renowned reputation for
specialist expert advice, combined with their
carefully selected and tested range of products,
it’s no surprise that Ski Bartlett’s word-of-mouth
reputation over the last 50 years has made them
the UK’s most popular independent ski shop!
ATOMIC REDSTER XTI SKI
Looking for the versatility of being able to ski long and short turns, rip on
piste with ultimate stability and grip on hard snow and ice? Utilising their
race heritage, Atomic have produced a user-friendly race-inspired ski with
impressive piste performance. This ski gives you agility, power and speed
whether you’re a high-level skier, instructor or high-speed ripper!
£550 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
INTHESNOW.COM // OCT15 // 053
LANGE RX 110 W’S LV (WHITE/CORAL)
Whether you’re skiing on or
off-piste, the snug-fitting RX
range will move with you, giving
you the performance you’ve
been looking for for years in a
comfortable package. For the
lady who needs performance
and knows a good fit when she
feels it!
£349 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
VOLKL KENJA WOMEN’S SKI
It’s new and it’s even bigger and better than in previous
years. Wider under foot for ease of use in soft snow, easy turn
initiation and very smooth on an edge. The Kenja has always
been a ski that can ski everything with a performance edge for
the ladies amongst you who won’t get left behind by the guys!
£424 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
LEVELOFF-PISTE LEATHER GLOVE
Level pro riders’ favourite and soon to be yours!
Whether you prefer off-piste, piste or even standing
as a lift attendant, these hardwearing, comfortable
leather gloves will stand up to the rigours of season-
long use. With Level’s warmth rating of 7 out of 10
you’ll be warm from first lift to last.
£119 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
ATOMIC REDSTER 120 PRO MEMORY FIT
The great boot customisation features from Atomic’s race models
have now been integrated into the new Redster Pro range, giving you
impressive performance. Combine this with a heat-mouldable Memory
Fit shell and you’ve got ultimate foot hold and comfort for all-day-
long performance. The Redster has definitely just got better …
£400 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
SCOTT JACKET EXPLORAIR 3L
If you’re looking for a specific lightweight touring shell or a more
multi-purpose jacket that you can layer up for all-year mountain
use, this is a great technical shell at an affordable price. Its
highly breathable, lightweight and small pack size makes it
great for ski touring. Soft to the touch, waterproof, windproof
and breathable, it doesn’t compromise on comfort and fit.
£214 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
FISCHER RANGER 98TI SKI
The new Ranger 98Ti is the
real freerider. With a unique
lightweight carbon nose for
great manoeuvrability. The
Aeroshape sidewall and a
titanal shell give a classic stable
yet lightweight response for
confidence in all terrain and
conditions. Fun, great hold, light
and stable!
£430 WITHOUT BINDING
FISCHERSPORTS.COM/EN
SCOTT HELMET SYMBOL MIPS
Low profile, modern looking and super
safe. Integrating the MIPS® Brain Protection
System for one of the safest technologies
to protect your head. A great performance
helmet with suitable ventilation for every
adventure you want to take.
£125 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
MARKER KINGPIN BINDING
The biggest game changer in binding technology, a releasable tech
pin binding! Smooth flowing movement on the up, with unrivalled
alpine-style response and performance on the down. Combine
this with its safety aspects and ease of use and you won’t want
anything else! We’ve used it and we’re seriously impressed!
From £375 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
@INTHESNOWMAG
THIRTY TWO LASHED FT SNOWBOARD BOOTS
Thirty Two Lashed boots have mid flex which means
they suit a great deal of riding styles from piste to
park, and beginner to advanced. They have a 100%
heat-mouldable liner that provides exceptional
comfort, warmth and support. The Fast Track lacing
system means you can be out on the slopes in
minutes.
£219.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
MORE ATSPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
Sputnik is one of the UK’s largest
independent snowboard shops. We
offer great choice and service to all our
customers. Whether you are beginner or
expert, we can kit you out to ensure you
have a great day on the mountains.
BURTON TUNING VICES
Snowboard-specific vices that use suction grips to
keep the board horizontally secure during waxing
or scraping, while also providing a vertically stable
slide-in setup for sharpening edges. Portable and
packable enough for road trips with a design that
mounts easily to any bench or table.
£67.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
CAPITA BIRDS OF A FEATHER SNOWBOARD
This is one of the most popular women’s boards
in the industry, the do-anything, go-anywhere
board that will change your riding forever. It has a
hybrid-camber construction that offers great edge
hold under the feet but keeps a fun feel due to its
rocker nose and tail.
£379.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
BURTONSTARSHA MITT
These mitts are designed for women who
want a low-profile mitt without all the bulk
that comes from warmer, more insulated
styles. They have a screen grab palm which
allows you to use your phone without
having to remove your gloves, and a
brushed microfibre fixed lining.
£44.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
VOLCOM FIRST LAYER THERMAL CREW
This thermal crew is designed to offer
high performance and look great at
the same time. It is made from a soft
moisture-wicking fabric, which offers
great breathability keeping regulated
temperature control. The Elastane in the
fabric gives the top a stretchy feel, which
makes it comfortable to wear.
£49.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
BURTON CABLE LOCK
A stolen board is every rider’s nightmare. Prevent that
crushing theft with a simple, pocket-friendly cable lock. The
steel cable provides security during lunch, bathroom or
après breaks, while a customisable three-number combo
keeps the code private but not too complex.
£9.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
UNION FORCE BINDING
A stiff base combined with dual density injected
bushings, provides high-performance response,
comfortable dampening and a true board flex. It
has lightweight magnesium buckles, which offer
a smooth glide and reduced weight. A great
all-round binding for the more intermediate to
advanced rider.
£154.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
BURTONBURKE HOOD
The Burke Hood fits snugly over your head
and can be adjusted with drawcords under
the chin. It has a DRYRIDE Ultrawick fleece
lining, which will keep you both warm and
dry. Available in two sizes, regular and over
the helmet.
£24.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
VOLCOM STUDS STOMP PAD
This six pack of non-corrosive zinc alloy studs, are designed to add traction onto the
top of the board. This helps with getting on and off of lifts and also on flat sections
where you only have one foot strapped in. It offers you a place to rest your boot so it is
not going to slip out from underneath you.
£9.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
054 // OCT15
K2 CINCH CTX BINDINGS
The K2 Cinch CTX binding is designed to offer ease
of use with high-end performance. The cinch system
allows you to insert your boot into
the binding without undoing the
straps at the front. You simply
pull a handle down on the high
back, insert your boot, pull
the handle back up and
away you ride.
£209.95
Are your boots comfortable?
With modern boot technology your boots
don’t need to be the first thing you want
to take off at the end of the day!
Most manufacturers now include some
form of heat-mouldable customisation
in their boots, including the plastic shell.
Heat-mouldable boot plastics contour
to the individual lumps and bumps of
your unique foot shape, whether you’ve
got bunions, a high instep, big calves
or the complete opposite and can’t get
adequate hold around your foot.
Atomic has Memory Fit and Salomon
uses Custom Shell, both of which work
by heating the plastic shell in an oven
before standing in the boots to mould
them to your foot shape.
Fischer ski boots go one step further
with 100% customisation, utilising their
VACUUM FIT technology. These are also
heated in an oven, but while the plastic
is still pliable, bags inflate around the
outside of the ski boots. These bags
can be set at differing pressures to push
more or less around your foot dependent
on how close a fit you want. The vacuum
process allows the shell to mould in both
directions, getting closer or wider around
you and creating a comfortable foot-
shaped boot.
Not only will heat-mouldable shells be
the most comfortable boots you’ve ever
worn, they’ll also help you ski better.
Combined with a shaped footbed, the
anatomical shaping gives you a secure
fit and hold around your foot and better
alignment and balance on your skis – the
result is more control and direct transfer
of movement to your skis.
A pair of the latest custom-moulded boots
will be more comfortable than you could
ever imagine and will provide better
performance than your old boots ever
could. When people say these are the
most comfortable boots they’ve ever had,
you can now understand why. You really
will be impressed when you try them!
FB.COM/INTHESNOW
CUSTOM HEAT-MOULDABLE
SHELL BOOTS
BURTON RAMPANT LTD SNOWBOARD BOOTS
The Burton Rampant boot is soft flexing but still offers
great support. If you are into your park riding and you
like to have the flexibility to tweak out tricks, but still
with the support for big landings, this is the boot for
you. The traditional lacing system ensures the boot is
lightweight and the EST sole offers great board feel.
£199.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
BURTONGONDY LEATHER GORE-TEX GLOVE
For a lot of people choosing a new set of gloves is all about comfort,
warmth, waterproofing and breathability. These gloves are made from
Gore-Tex which guarantees them to be waterproof, windproof and
breathable. They also have Thermacore insulation for warmth, and
screen grab leather so you can use your phone on the go.
£79.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
BURTON THROWBACK SNOWBOARD
A resurrection of the 1981 Burton Backhill, this
ride-able piece of history is built for surfing
snow in your own backyard. Comes complete
with rope, wooden handle and pad. Why not
get one to put on the wall for your own piece
of snowboard history?
£94.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
K2 TURBO DREAM SNOWBOARD
Designed as a quiver of one, the Turbo
Dream is built to float powder, rip groomers
and pop over anything in the park. It’s Good
Wood award-winning AT Baseline strikes the
perfect balance of Flat profile stability and the
right amount of Rocker to roll up on anything
with confidence.
£449.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM
VOLCOMFIELD BONDED FLANNEL
Mid-layer thermals aren’t what they
used to be. You can now make sure
that your mid layers look as cool as
your outerwear with items like this
Volcom flannel shirt. The 3L bonded
material makes it fully breathable, quick
drying and warm, and the drawcord
cinch hood and snap opening help to
keep the bad weather out.
£89.95
NORRONA ROLDAL GORE-TEX PRIMALOFT MENS
Always a favourite amongst multi-
trip skiers and seasonaires, who
need their jackets to stand up to
the harshest of winter conditions.
Now lighter and more breathable
than in previous years, but not
compromised on warmth. This really
will be the only jacket that’ll keep
you warm when the weather turns.
£549 | SKIBARTLETT.COM
055 // OCT15
www.3vt.co.uk | +44 (0)1323 351964threevalleetransfers
PRIVATE & SHARED TRANSFERS TOLES 3 VALLÉES
VOYAGES-SNCF.COM056 // OCT15
Reaching the ski slopes by train is becoming
ever more popular as increasing numbers of skiers
realise that it has many advantages over air travel.
GO DIRECT
You can travel to the heart of the mountains with a
variety of routes to choose from, including direct
services from London on Eurostar to Bourg St
Maurice during the day or overnight.
There’s no need to get a shuttle to the airport,
or drive there and pay for parking, then hang
around going through security, then fly, then
hang around, then get another transfer to
resort; at every stage wondering how long each
security queue will be, whether you’ll get your
hand baggage through and so on.
NO NEED TO CHANGE IN PARIS
An all-new additional direct Eurostar service
this year can take you to Lyon from where local
services run to stations close to famous ski resorts
at Bourg St Maurice, Chambéry, Cluses and other
destinations. It means you no longer need to
change stations in Paris; just change platforms
at Lyon Part Dieu station. If you do fancy a quick
Parisienne stop-over en route, however, there
are also overnight services from Paris to Bourg St
Maurice or high-speed day services (TGV) from
Paris to Bourg St Maurice and a host of other ski
destinations. It’s not just France either; ski areas in Italy, Switzerland, Andorra
and Austria can also all be reached by train.
NO BAGGAGE WORRIES
Unlike with air travel, there’s a generous luggage allowance and no additional
charges for ski, boot or board carriage.
Passengers can carry two items of luggage plus
hand luggage on board most European trains, and
ski equipment is simply classed as an item of luggage.
It’s a relaxing experience too, with a short and simple
check-in process – no need to arrive at the station 2 or 3 hours in
advance or separate liquids from other
luggage! Once on board, seats are
comfortable and roomy. Passengers can
move easily around the train to visit the on-
board bar/buffet carriage for a drink or snack.
On arrival at the station, transfers to resort
are usually much shorter than for passengers
travelling by plane – some resorts even have
their own stations.
LONGER IN RESORT
You’ll get more time on the slopes due to the
early arrival and late departure of overnight
trains. Leave London at the end of the day
and board an overnight train in Paris. With
flat-bed accommodation on board you’ll get
a good night’s sleep as you whizz south
through the night, then wake up ready for a
full day of skiing while most people are still
waiting for their flights to depart from the UK,
fighting exhaustion after having to get up at 4
or 5am to get to the airport.
TRAVEL GREENER
Finally, it’s good for your conscience – rail is by far the most environmentally
friendly way to travel to the mountains and up to ten times greener than
flying, which is normally the least environmentally friendly way to go skiing.
So you can feel good and know you’re doing your bit to help save the snow
for future generations to enjoy.
TRAVELLING BY TRAINFURTHER INFO
Reservations and information – to find
out more about taking the train this
winter, visit voyages-sncf.com, call
0844 848 5848* or visit the
Voyages-sncf Travel Centre at 193
Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU. (*Calls to
0844 numbers cost 7p per minute plus
the phone company’s access charge.)
TO
46 years of world class Canadian Heli-Skiing
w w w . r k h e l i s k i . c o m
Canada’s Highest Heli-Operation
7018
ABTA No. L6436
The skiers’ travel agentChoice, expert advice and quality service
• Over 1000 catered ski chalets• Over 800 of the best hotels• Over 800 self catered apartments• Club Med’s all inclusive ski resorts• Packages by rail, air and self drive• Short breaks and corporate events
020 8313 3999
Love the Mountains advert (100x175).indd 1 07/09/2015 18:10
THE WORLD’S FIRST
FLATSPIN 180
Young freeskier Calum Welch landed
the world’s first flatspin 180 this
summer on the glacier high above
Les Deux Alpes in France. Here he
exclusively reveals to InTheSnow
how he did it (although if you really
want to see what it actually is, you’ll
need to watch the video):
Landing the world’s first flatspin 180
was a great achievement for me, and
I was really stoked that some of my
closest homies were there to share
the experience with me! As soon as
I got out to Les Deux Alpes, we went
to the local trampoline centre to get
ready for the next day up on the hill.
Some of my friends started trying
flatspin 180s, so naturally I tried it
too. After a few tries, I realised I was
getting pretty close and so just kept
on doing them over and over again,
each time with a slightly different
technique. By about the fourth day
of my 10-day trip, I was getting them
with a grab pretty cleanly every
time. Then one night, one of my
buddies suggested I try it on snow,
as a joke, but then the idea was in
my head, so the next day up on the
mountain I started to look at jumps
that I thought I could do it on.
I found one and on my last day I
was determined to try it; however,
for the majority of the day the
landings for the jumps were pretty
solid and I didn’t really feel like it
was the day for it. But it was just
my luck that at 1pm the jumps and
landing looked soft enough to hit
– right about the time that the lifts
shut off for the day in summer!
But because I knew I would be able
to do the trick, I hiked from the chill
zone to the top of the jump line (and
anyone who’s been to Les Deux
Alpes knows that’s a pretty long way
and a steep-ass hill!). Both attempts
were unsuccessful and that left me
feeling pretty bummed, especially
as I knew it was my last day.
Later in the evening I Skyped
my parents and after a period of
begging and grovelling, they agreed
to let me stay out an extra 3 days,
so I changed my flight and arranged
an alternative transfer to get to
Grenoble Train Station (thanks to
John and Viv Rowlands!).
The next day was great weather and
the jumps had softened up enough,
so I tried the trick once again and
on the fourth or fifth try I landed it,
and on video too! Later that night I
posted it on my Facebook page and
the almost instant media attention
was amazing! Newschoolers posted
it on their Facebook page and,
obviously, the trick caused some
controversy. After multiple other
shares from IF3 Festival, Extreme,
Daniel Hanka and 100,000 views on
Newschoolers, I am still as stoked
as the day I did the trick.
To see a cleaner version of the
trick and all my other clips from
this past season, check out
Perspective Studios’ new film
Misconceptions at the IF3 Festival
this year and later on their website
(perspectivestudios.co.uk).
Also check out a great crew called
Ski The Kingdom, who put all their
efforts into showcasing the talent the
UK freeski scene has to offer, and
also my upcoming project with them
called Ones to Watch, which follows
some of the UK’s most promising
athletes (skithekingdom.co.uk).
057 // OCT15 FB.COM/INTHESNOW
YOU
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058 // OCT15 // INTHESNOW.COM
INDIA BANS SKIING AT SKI AREA
In what is believed to be a world first, India
has enforced an environmental protection law
in one of its main outdoor mountain sports
areas which makes skiing there illegal. The
Rohtang Pass has one of the country’s best
snowfall records and was used as a spring
and summer training centre by the country’s
elite professional skiers before the ban.
NEW FUN SLOPE IN LES 4 VALLÉES
A new fun slope is being created on the
Taillay run in Switzerland’s Savoleyres / La
Tzoumaz area within Les 4 Vallées. It will
contain elements such as a tunnel, bridge,
snail, bends and small jumps intending to
generate loads of thrills. This area is designed
to give children an opportunity to learn the
basics of freestyle while enjoying themselves.
DISCO KIDS PARTY
The Crêperie des Glaces mountain restaurant
at Val Cenis in France has announced new
“Disco Kids” afternoons this winter. The idea is
entertainment, snacks and music for children
(accompanied by their parents) once every
week. The Crêperie is located between the
“Escargot” slope – the longest green run in
the world – and the Mickey Park, a fun zone
dedicated to toddlers.
BIG 1-0 FOR SKI COLLECTION
Ski Collection, which offers 4★
accommodation in a huge range of leading
French resorts, celebrates 10 years in
operation this season. New properties
include Le Natalia, which combines both
Alpine charm and authenticity. Located in
the 3 Vallées resort of Les Menuires, the
residence boasts ski-in/ski-out apartments,
fully furnished and equipped and decorated
in a contemporary style, yet respecting the
Savoyard tradition. skicollection.co.uk
CRYSTAL VOTED BEST SKI OPERATOR
For the second time in this third annual
event, Crystal Ski Holidays won the Best
Ski Operator at The Travel Awards 2015,
organised by The Times Group and voted
for by their readers. Thousands told them
their favourite destinations, hotels and travel
companies, and last month they rewarded
the best with a coveted gong at a glittering
ceremony in Tel Aviv, Israel.
VAIL TO CROWD SOURCE LIVE LIFT QUEUE INFO
Vail Resorts have announced that
the latest version of their high-tech
app will use “recently available
technology” to provide live data on
lift queues across its four Colorado
ski areas next winter.
“EpicMix Time” is the fifth annual
update of the US-based ski
resort chain’s app which the
company says will “crowd source
anonymized Bluetooth and wifi
signals” to estimate lift queuing
times for 55 lifts at Vail, Beaver
Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone.
The technology is not in fact
connected to the radio-frequency
identification (RFID) chips in the
EpicMix electronic lift tickets but
instead uses signals from mobile
phones and similar devices carried
by skiers and boarders automatically.
They do not need to opt in to the
service, and Vail Resorts say the
data is collected anonymously and
discarded after use. Similar systems
are already being used by Disney
and at JFK Airport.
The results showing where queues
are building up are then delivered
to users of the EpicMix app so they
can take alternate routes if available,
thus helping to better distribute
skiers around the mountain.
“Providing real-time lift line wait
times is a first for the ski industry,”
said Robert Urwiler, Vail Resorts’
Executive Vice President and Chief
Information Officer. “Similar to apps
showing traffic flow, like Google
Maps or Waze, we’re applying
unique and sophisticated analytics
to aggregated, anonymous location
data generated by smart phones
and other mobile devices across the
distinct topography and layout of our
chairlifts to calculate reliable wait
time information for our guests. We
are truly leading the travel industry
in how to incorporate technology
into the guest experience.”
“EpicMix Time delivers time
transparency to our guests, showing
them lift line wait times across the
mountain, providing them with
information to choose where to ski
and ride, and giving them more time
on the slopes,” said Kirsten Lynch,
Executive Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer of Vail Resorts.
A new chalet operator, Meribel Mountain
Retreat, will be opening its doors for the first
time in the picture-postcard village of Le
Villard, Méribel Les Allues, this winter.
The company will operate two traditional stone
chalets and aims to offer guests peace and
tranquillity rarely found in major ski areas, giving
them the opportunity to take in the beautiful
Alpine views and setting at their own pace.
With six bedrooms with an individual art
deco interior, access to the glass roof and a
generous 16m dining table to accommodate all
of the guests together, the main chalet offers
both style and comfort. The little chalet offers
stunning views and sleeps four to six.
Les Allues is a 4-minute private drive away
from where skiers are whisked up to Méribel
Centre on the Olympe Gondola directly
into Méribel Chaudanne, where major lifts
access the whole of the 3 Vallées ski area.
meribelmountainretreat.com
@INTHESNOWMAG
NEW MERIBEL CHALET OPERATOR
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ALPBACH OFFERS FREE SKIING TO UNDER-15S Austria’s Alpbachtal ski region will offer free skiing to children aged
up to 15 during special “family weeks” next spring.
The offer from the resort, which shares the Ski Jewel region, one
of the 10 largest in the Tirol with the neighbouring Wildschönau, is
available to families skiing in the area between 19 March and 10 April
2016, next season.
The free ski pass offer, for any child born on 1st January 2000 or later,
is available when an accompanying parent purchases a lift pass valid
for 3, 4, 5 or 6 days.
Special family packages including accommodation and lift passes are
also available at low prices during the “family weeks” period.
Alpbach is an ideal beginner resort oozing Tirolean charm and
has been voted the most beautiful village in Austria by Austrians
themselves. The village’s 2500-year history has not been
compromised by modern development, which includes an excellent
indoor pool complex.
DICK BASS DIESRichard “Dick” Bass, the first man to climb all seven of the highest
peaks on seven continents and the co-founder of Snowbird Ski
Resort in Utah, has died in Texas aged 85.
Bass graduated from Yale University with a degree in geology in
1950 before seeing active service in the Korean War. He became the
first person to achieve the Seven Summits on April 30, 1985 and at
the time, aged 55, he was also the oldest person to have climbed Mt
Everest. He was living in Texas in his later years having found it more
difficult to stay at altitude.
Having been one of the original investors in Vail Associates when
the company was founded in the early 1960s (and later a majority
shareholder before selling his stock), Bass founded Snowbird in 1971
and remained owner until last year when he sold his majority share,
remaining chairman of the Snowbird board.
FB.COM/INTHESNOW 059 // OCT15
/INTHESNOW @INTHESNOWMAG /INTHESNOWMAG
THO
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THE VAL D’ ISEREACCOMMODATION SPECIAL IST
UK: 0345 021 0222OVERSEAS: +33 (0)634409097simplyvaldisere.com
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The long-established tour operator
Erna Low (ernalow.co.uk) has
introduced the French Pyrenees as
a new destination option for their
2015–16 programme.
“I visited the French Pyrenees
last winter and was so impressed
with the variety of skiing and great
value for money that each of the
resorts I saw offers,” said Jane
Bolton, Managing Director of Erna
Low. “We chose four resorts to
kick-start our new French Pyrenees
programme and believe they
are a fantastic alternative to the
French Alps for families looking for
something different, perhaps an
adventure to somewhere new or
for beginners to have a great value
short break first ski holiday.”
The four resorts the company has
chosen are Cauterets, La Mongie,
Peyragudes and Saint Lary to
which they are offering short-stay
breaks to connect with Ryanair’s
direct flights from London Stansted
to Lourdes.
“Cauterets and Saint Lary are
beautiful French villages with easy
lift access to the ski areas above
the village centre. Peyragudes
and La Mongie are purpose-
built villages offering ski in/out
properties. All four ski resorts have
spa facilities where skiers can relax
in thermal waters,” added Jane.
BRITISH 2015/16 ALPINE SKI TEAM ANNOUNCED
British Ski and Snowboard have
announced the Delancey British
Alpine Ski Team for the 2015/16
season. With a Senior Team
consisting of eight athletes and
nine new U21 and U18 additions,
40 athletes in total make up the
Senior, U21 and U18 British teams.
After a groundbreaking season for
Slalom specialist Dave Ryding (28,
Lancashire), he continues to be the
highest-performing British Alpine
athlete, with a top 30 World Cup
Slalom start looking hopeful.
Other male athletes in the Senior
Team are Jack Gower (20,
Chichester), who had a great
season on the North American
Cup circuit last winter, Bath
University student Nick Moynihan
(21, East Sussex) and existing team
members Jai Geyer (25, Devon)
and Roy Steudle (21, Berkshire).
For the women, Alex Tilley (21,
Aberdeenshire) will look to capitalise
on her fantastic 2014/15 season which
saw her finish ranked 31st in the
world for Giant Slalom, and Charlie
Guest (21, Perthshire) continues to
make great progress following injury
last year. They are joined by overall
Delancey Ladies’ British Champion
Cara Brown (21, London).
For the U21s, Charlie Raposo (19,
London) had a fantastic winter,
ending the season in the top 3 in
the world in GS for his year of birth.
Another name to look out for is
Max Baggio (20, Hertfordshire) who
finished as overall Delancey British
Champion last season. Darcie Mead
(19, Kingston upon Thames) also
retains her place on the U21 Team.
There are many rising stars in the
British U18 Alpine Team, including
six newly selected athletes: Esmie
Davies (15, Savoie), Alannah Lawrie
(16, Midlothian), Isabella Colley
(15, Kingston upon Thames), Scott
Buchan (15, Perthshire), Angus Wills
(16, London) and Nathan Breese (16,
Worcestershire).
ERNA LOW ADD FRENCH PYRENEES
060 // OCT15 @INTHESNOWMAG
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Located on a sun-soaked plateau above the lake of St Moritz, the hotel boasts captivating views from all of its 60 suites and junior suites. A com-plete refurbishment now showcases the historical values of the property, built a century ago, with a contemporary re-interpretation. The hotel exhibits the signature unconventional style of interior designer Carlo Rampazzi and a colour palette affording the hotel an unrivalled self-assured luxury.
CARLTON HOTELST MORITZ
+41 (0) 81 836 7000 // [email protected]
The Hotel Plein Sud is situated close to the Écrins National Park, the mythical Cols du Lauteret Galibier and Izoard made famous by the Tour de France, and very close to the old town of Briançon, which now boasts UNESCO World Heritage status.
HOTEL PLEIN SUDSERRE CHEVALIER
+33 (0) 492 24 17 01 // [email protected]
It is now possible to stay in one of the world’s classic ski resorts, in a luxurious hotel, and still be kind to the environment, thanks to the efforts of Domenico and Miriam Schiavon, owners of the beautiful Hotel Chalet del Sogno in Madonna di Campiglio. Gourmet cuisine prepared by expert chefs is the norm too. There’s also a wonderful spa complete with pool, gym, hammam, biosauna, and treatment rooms.
HOTEL CHALET DEL SONGOMADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO
+39 (0)465 441 033 // [email protected]
Kandersteg is an ideal family ski resort and cross-country paradise. The idyllic and cosy village is in the heart of the Bernese Oberland and can easily be reached by train or by car. The Hotel Victoria is centrally located and offers a beautiful view of the snow-capped mountains. You will find a cheerful and familiar atmosphere combined with Swiss hotel tradition. The ideal place to relax and enjoy oneself.
BELLE EPOQUE HOTEL VICTORIABERNER OBERLAND
+41 33 675 8000 | [email protected]
Located slopeside in central Les Gets, in the giant Portes du Soleil ski area, La Marmotte is perfectly placed for snow-sports fans. With a friendly atmosphere and attentive service, here you will find the ambience of a traditional chalet. There’s beautiful antique furniture, a spacious lounge with open fire, and each guest room has a really cosy atmosphere and modern amenities.
LA MARMOTTELES GETS
+33 (0)450 758 033 // [email protected]
Located in the very heart of the old village of Val d’Isère, this hotel is among the most fashionable in the region. Perched at 1850m altitude, it is superbly located just a few steps from the snow, meaning you can be on the slopes straight from your front door. The 109 rooms are spacious and comfortable, seamlessly blending wood and natural colours. It has all the equipment and services of an international hotel with a world-class reputation.
L’ AIGLE DES NEIGEVAL-D’ISÈRE
+33 (0)4 79 06 18 88 // [email protected]
4 hotel with spa in central Chamonix, by the Aiguille du Midi lift, offering a new level of comfort including a 500m2 spa (with pool, onsen, hammam, banya, ice cave and tepidarium), restaurant, bar, ski shop, four conference rooms, take-away shop, free wi-fi and a covered car park.
HÔTEL L’HÉLIOPICCHAMONIX
+33 (0)4 50 54 55 56 // [email protected]
Nestled in the charming village of Vallorcine, in the Chamonix Mont-Blanc valley, Vallorcine Mont-Blanc offers a relaxing atmosphere.The 5 Residence gives guests a choice of 50 cosy apartments with services. Facilities include an indoor heated pool, two saunas, a spa, a tea-room, a ski shop and a private ice-rink. Less than 10 minutes from your breakfast to the ski slopes !
RESIDENCE & SPA VALLORCINECHAMONIX
+33 (0)4 5054 7520 // [email protected]
0061 // OCT15 FB.COM/INTHESNOW
062 // OCT15
Austrian World Cup alpine ski racer
Marcel Hirscher has had an illustrious
career which reached new heights last
winter when he dominated the giant
slalom standings with five wins, including
one with an amazing winning margin of
3.28 seconds in Garmisch, becoming
the most successful Austrian World Cup
slalom skier of all time. Hirscher also
won the GS title for the second time last
winter. It was just the latest in a long
line of achievements for this remarkable
skier, born in the village of Annaberg-
Lungötz in Salzburg. Hirscher made
his World Cup debut in March 2007,
aged 18, and joined the Austrian World
Championships team at the age of 19
(he has since won four golds from six
medals at three World Championships)
and competed in his first Olympic Games
a year later aged just 20 – by which time
he was already a triple Junior World
Champion and Austrian Champion.
In the final race of last season in Méribel,
Hirscher overturned a 55-point deficit in
the standings by winning his 16th World
Cup slalom, and with it he won the slalom
title for the third year in a row. Most
remarkable of all, Hirscher became the
first male alpine skier in history to win the
overall World Cup title four times in a row,
which some argue makes him the greatest
skier of all time – and he is still only 26!
When did you first start skiing, and how soon
did you know you wanted to be a racer?
MH: In my memories I learned how to ski
before I was able to walk. So I think I was
born as a ski racer. ;-)
You have achieved so much already. Do
you have any ambitions remaining that
you have not yet achieved?
MH: Of course I have! What do you think
about a 5th overall? Honestly, I’m still
thirsty and looking for the perfect turn. I
think that is ambitious, isn’t it?
Anything you particularly like to do away
from skiing when you are not racing or
training?
MH: Spending quality time with my
girlfriend, my family, my friends and our
dog, Timon.
The FIS has approved airbags for racers
but reports say that no one is using them
yet?
MH: I’m sure improvement continues. And
if they are ready, then they’ll be used.
Are there any ski resorts you especially
like, and if so what makes them special
for you?
MH: I love the Austrian slopes because
that’s my home base. But all the slopes I
have got to know over the years each have
their special attractions. I don’t think I want
to rank them!
Is there any innovation in ski equipment/
clothing you are particularly impressed by?
MH: Yes, nearly every innovation since I
learned to ski! Just think of your own first
ski suit or remember videos from early
World Cup races … crazy! But indeed I think
one of the most important ones was the
ski helmet.
Any advice for any young people getting
into ski racing?
MH: The most important thing is fun. And
it’s an underestimated strength. Things go
easily when you’re having fun.
MarcelH ir scher
Our local resort team are Whistler experts
and can arrange every aspect of your stay,
from a private pick up at Vancouver to ski or
snowboard lessons, lift tickets and so much
more including snow-mobiling, dog sledding,
heli-skiing, zip lining, snow shoeing and much
much more. We even give you a free GoPro to
use whilst you are with us and we’ll produce a
video of your amazing trip for you to keep and
share with your friends.
And we don’t just cater for the adrenaline
junkies, we can arrange spa sessions, dining
tours and give you the lowdown on the best
apres spots in town. Travelling with kids?
Whistler is hard to beat for families, and our
resort team will collect your little (or slightly
bigger) ones from your accommodation and
deliver them safely to their lessons or other
activity, so you can enjoy your day and meet up
to discuss the days adventures later on.
We off er all our services in both Canadian
Dollars and British Pounds so you get the very
best exchange rate on the day you book. And
thank to our partnership with currency experts
you’ll get a much better rate than through the
banks. Our service starts from the moment
you contact us and doesn’t end until we wave
you goodbye at the end of your holiday. We
promise when you leave, you won’t just have
visited Whistler, you’ll have experienced it…
Whistler Experience is a year round experience company based in the very heart of world renowned Olympic resort Whistler Blackcomb. Owner operated, we off er a huge range of
accommodation in Whistler from spacious apartments to luxury hotels.
Visit whistlerexperience.comEmail [email protected] 020 3239 6213
fb .com/whistlerexperience@whistlerexp
@INTHESNOWMAG
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IEN
Our local resort team are Whistler experts
and can arrange every aspect of your stay,
from a private pick up at Vancouver to ski or
snowboard lessons, lift tickets and so much
more including snow-mobiling, dog sledding,
heli-skiing, zip lining, snow shoeing and much
much more. We even give you a free GoPro to
use whilst you are with us and we’ll produce a
video of your amazing trip for you to keep and
share with your friends.
And we don’t just cater for the adrenaline
junkies, we can arrange spa sessions, dining
tours and give you the lowdown on the best
apres spots in town. Travelling with kids?
Whistler is hard to beat for families, and our
resort team will collect your little (or slightly
bigger) ones from your accommodation and
deliver them safely to their lessons or other
activity, so you can enjoy your day and meet up
to discuss the days adventures later on.
We off er all our services in both Canadian
Dollars and British Pounds so you get the very
best exchange rate on the day you book. And
thank to our partnership with currency experts
you’ll get a much better rate than through the
banks. Our service starts from the moment
you contact us and doesn’t end until we wave
you goodbye at the end of your holiday. We
promise when you leave, you won’t just have
visited Whistler, you’ll have experienced it…
Whistler Experience is a year round experience company based in the very heart of world renowned Olympic resort Whistler Blackcomb. Owner operated, we off er a huge range of
accommodation in Whistler from spacious apartments to luxury hotels.
Visit whistlerexperience.comEmail [email protected] 020 3239 6213
fb .com/whistlerexperience@whistlerexp
a skier knows.henrik windstedt in heli vertical. haines, alaska
236 Fogra39 TAC300 Coated
