INTHE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHER: NOAH DAVID WETZEL | SKIER: WILLIE NELSON | LOCATION: ALTA SKI AREA
ISSUE 58 | FEB 2018
Check out the Swiss slopes. Before you even land there.
swiss.com 1 pair of skis or 1 snowboard, 1 pair of ski poles, 1 pair of ski boots or 1 pair of snowboard boots travel free of charge, in addition to standard baggage allowance (excluding hand luggage only fares) and subject to availability.
Free ski transport
Made of Switzerland.
there are some that are just on a higher level – not just in terms of altitude but in many other respects too. Here we profile one of those greats.
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There are many great ski resorts around the world, but then
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INTHESNOW
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IN THIS
VAL D'ISERE: PURE CLASS
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE WINTER OLYMPICS It only seems like yesterday we were in Sochi, but that was four years ago, and now we’re heading further east to South Korea with the UK’s biggest Olympic team for more than 60 years and some exciting new events we could do well in.
WORLD'S FASTEST QUEUEGOBBLING SKI LIFTS It is incredible how technologically advanced ski lifts have
INTHESNOW
become, with the latest models costing upwards of€10
INTHESNOW_MAGAZINE
million (around £8.75 million) a piece and travelling faster and accommodating more skiers than ever before.
FOLLOW US ON INSTA
INSTAGR
047
020 LADIES SKI: RIDER FOR REFUGEES Freeride World Tour snowboarder Anne-Flore Marxer has spent her winter distributing hundreds of items of warm clothing to migrants and asylum seekers in Northern Italy.
BUYERS GUIDE 047–052
EDITOR
The brands and buyers are at trade shows in Europe and North America at the moment already talking about
PATRICK THORNE
2018/19's gear, but there are still plenty of exciting products in the shops and online for this season.
036
ENGADIN ST. MORITZ
030
Here is her tale.
It’s difficult now to imagine that back in the autumn tour operators were telling me that there was a marked switch in booking patterns with people opting to travel at Easter rather than Christmas as there had been three seasons in a row with rather poor snow cover in the Alps until mid-January. We were talking after a summer which had seen record
THE GLAMOROUS ALPINE DESTINATION
TOMMY BAUSE
high temperatures in the Alps, closing summer ski
When you think of glamour for your ski holiday destination,
glamour, or even skiing, Here’s the inside info.
were not good. But then, in September, on high glacier slopes at least, it started snowing, and it hasn’t stopped much since. There
it’s hard to get past St Moritz, the world’s original wintersports resort. But there’s much more to the place than just
areas on glaciers for the first time. In short, the signs
have been powder days every month since the start of
EDITORIAL TEAM
autumn, the deepest snow bases in the Alps reached 5m at the start of January and in fact the snowfall after
PUBLISHER
SUB EDITORS
DESIGN BY
New Year was so heavy it caused operational difficulties
dom@inthesnow.com
Nick Jones Marion Adams
tom@rocketbase.co.uk
at times with blocked access roads and other problems
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resulting from, dare I say, too much snow.
Dominic Killinger
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EDITOR
Patrick Thorne
patrick@inthesnow.com OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Debbie Gabriel
debbie@inthesnow.com SALES & CONTENT MANAGER
Anne Powys-Keck
anne@lovethemountains.co.uk BRAND & DIGITAL MANAGER
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SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
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CONTRIBUTORS
Emmanuelle Châtel Rob Stewart Megan Hughes Emily Sarsfield Fran McElhone Jon West EQUIPMENT BY
Ski Bartlett Sputnik
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Printed in the UK.
No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any way or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.
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By late January things were beginning to look a little too much – bases had reached 6m, resorts like Cervinia, Zermatt, Saas Fee, St Anton, Andermatt, Tignes and others were cut off by the extreme avalanche danger and snowfall volumes were hitting levels not seen for nearly 40 years. Talk about feast or famine. The good news for the rest of the ski season, though, is that all the snow that has built up should be enough in most cases to see us through to the spring even if Mother Nature finally decides to stop her snowy abundance tomorrow. And what a “rest of the season” we have to look forward to! Starting off with high hopes of our first-ever silver or gold medal for Team GB’s snowsports team at the South Korean Winter Olympics in PyeongChang in February. Then our Paralympic athletes will be trying to do better still than their remarkable medal haul at Sochi four years ago when they’re in PyeongChang from 9 to 18 March.
patrick@inthesnow.com
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
The Milky Way is a real star of a ski area. Not only is there 400km of piste to explore, you can also ski both Italy and France in one day. We think that’s pretty out of this world.
Get more winter at crystalski.co.uk ATOL protected. For more information please see our booking conditions.
06 // JUN17
ST MARTIN DE BELLEVILLE
SNOWIEST START TO SKI SEASON FOR 21 YEARS The world’s leading snow reporting agency Snow-Forecast. com has reported that winter 2017/18 has seen the snowiest start, overall, in the Alps, for 21 years. The company’s experts say that there have been times when parts of the Alps have had a snowier start but not the whole region.
Snow-forecast.com assessment.
risk has hovered at the upper end of the danger
The week between Christmas and New Year was
scale, 4 or 5 out of 5, for much of the past month.
exceptionally snowy with some areas including Alpe
It’s essential therefore that skiers stay on the open
d’Huez in France reporting 1.8m of snowfall over
groomed runs and only head off-piste if deemed safe
seven days.
in a particular area by a qualified local guide.
Then came Storm Eleanor at the very start of this
Although the snowfall is particularly marked in the
year, which brought snowfalls of up to a metre
Alps, most other ski regions of Europe are having
overnight on 3–4 January.
a good start to the winter too. There have been
The snowy start comes after three winters in a row
big snowfalls in the Pyrenees and large parts of
where the first few months of the season were mostly
Scandinavia, while at least some areas of Eastern
dry with very little snowfall before Christmas and New
Europe have seen good snowfalls too.
There were regular snowfalls throughout the autumn
Year. The result of that had been that some skiers and
The Dolomites are also enjoying their best start to
on higher slopes, allowing some areas to open early
boarders had decided that the seasons had changed
the winter for four years, and here the difference is
Morillon, France, 3.45m
and meaning that most resorts opened on schedule
permanently and switched their bookings from
particularly marked as the region went right through
St Anton, Austria, 3.35m
with healthy bases.
Christmas to Easter in order to be more sure of an
most of the past three winters with very little snow all
Kaprun, Austria, 3.35m
By the start of 2018, bases had built up to 5m at
accumulated snow base by the time of their holiday.
season. This winter though has started very snowy, with
some resorts in Switzerland, and many leading areas
This winter seems to contradict that theory.
Arabba on the Sellaronda circuit posting 1.2m of snowfall
had 2–4m of snow lying on their slopes, meaning that
The snowfall is not just falling deep and crisp and
in 48 hours at one point a few days before New Year.
La Plagne, France, 3.1m
they now have enough snow to last right through to
even, however. Strong winds have caused problems
Bases overall across the region are looking good though
Les Arcs, France, 3.1m
the end of the season in most cases, even if there’s
occasionally, and during Storm Eleanor there was
at 50–200cm, compared to more commonly 20–50cm
Avoriaz, France, 2.9m
no more snowfall all winter.
also torrential rain at times as well as big temperature
of mostly machine-made snow in recent winters.
But so far there’s no sign of the snow stopping, and if
fluctuations – a combination of factors which along
Almost all lifts are operating and ski runs are open
anything the rate of snowfall has increased since the
with all the heavy snowfall meant that the avalanche
across Europe.
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I0 Snowy Resorts aS 2018 BEGAN Upper base depths Engelberg, Switzerland, 5m Dachstein Glacier, Austria, 4.1m
Flaine, France, 3.2m
007 // FEB18
AFGHANS TO COMPETE IN OLYMPIC DOWNHILL Two skiers from Afghanistan will be the first to represent their country at a Winter Olympics, competing in the giant slalom competition. Sayed Alishah Farhang (27) and Sajjad Husaini (26) learned to ski on the snow-blanketed slopes of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan six years ago, but they have spent the past four winters training in St Moritz, thanks to international donations to cover their funding requirements.
ROSS WOODHALL
JAPANESE SKI AREA IS FIRST FOR 14 YEARS What is reported to be the first new ski resort in Japan for 14 years, Mineyama Kogen White Peak Resort, has opened. The Japanese ski industry peaked two decades ago in 1998 when 18 million people took ski holidays, but the
POST-BREXIT 2019 SKI HOLIDAYS GO ON SALE
numbers declined dramatically at the start of this century. However, they have stabilised at a little over seven million over the past four years.
NEW SWISS 1,700M VERTICAL DESCENT A new piste christened simply “The Red Run” at Glacier 3000 in Switzerland opens up an 8kmlong run over 1,700m vertical. The new Red Run begins at the Scex Rouge mountain top station, 300m up, passes under the Oldenhorn and below the Cabane middle station, where it then joins the existing Martisberg Run, eventually making it down to 1,300m.
FIRST INDOOR SNOW CENTRE IN OMAN
The 2017/18 ski season had not yet begun for most tour operators but, as is traditional, the UK’s biggest tour operator, Crystal, launched sales of their 2018/19 ski season holidays in midDecember for those who like to secure their package a good way ahead.
now have their 2018/19 season
complex travel arrangements and
holidays on sale too.
additional costs for holiday providers.
In an interesting twist this time,
However, Crystal’s management
2018/19 ski holidays on sale run to
have previously said that they
April 2019 – several weeks after the
will cope with these currently
UK is due to leave the EU following
uncertain circumstances when they
Brexit on 29 March 2019.
arrive, noting that their 2018/19
Currently there are lot of unknowns
programme only runs for a few
about the UK’s relationship with EU
weeks into the start of the period
A global skiwear manufacturer that has launched
countries, which are home to the
after the UK leaves the EU.
numerous major and genuine initiatives to
majority of Crystal Ski destinations. It’s
Easter Sunday is quite late in 2019
help the environment has announced a tour of
Most other leading tour operators
unclear whether there will be more
– on 21 April.
European ski resorts through the winter, where
PATAGONIA® GOES ON TOUR TO MEND DAMAGED SKIWEAR
it will offer free-of-charge repairs to damaged skiwear, with its repair team travelling around with a purpose-designed caravan.
to open later this year. Work on the 5,600m2
Patagonia’s Worn Wear initiative, first launched
project started in 2015, but a completion date
in 2013, will again this season offer skiers and
had not previously been confirmed. The Mall
snowboarders free repairs on busted zippers,
of Muscat’s snowpark, which is located on the third level of the Mall of Muscat, will offer 21 ice- and snow-themed rides including snow bumper cars, snowmobiles, a snow carousel, snow diggers, snow slides, snow scooters, an
RAPHAEL VOEROESMARTY
The first indoor snow centre in Oman is due
rips, tears, buttons, pulls and more on any brand of clothing, as well as teaching people how to fix their own gear. For the first time, it will also offer technical repairs on GORE-TEX® garments. “Extending the life of our garments, through proper care and repair, is the single most
ice climbing wall, snowball challenge, snowball arena, Alpine theatre and an ice skating rink.
DRY SKI SLOPE CLOSED DUE TO SNOWFALL
UBER LAUNCH HAHNENKAMM HELI SERVICE
important thing we can do to lower our impact on the planet and reduces the need to buy more over time — thereby avoiding the CO2 emissions, waste output and water usage required to build
Ride-sharing app Uber offered
requesting UberHELI, users were
“It’s as easy to book a helicopter as
it. By keeping our clothing in use just nine extra
a special service to well-heeled
collected by UberBLACK for the trip
it is a car, and payment is seamlessly
months, we can reduce related carbon, waste
An artificial surface ski slope at Telford
residents of Munich and Salzburg
from their city location to the heliport,
taken from your registered card
and water footprints by 20–30% each, according
Snowboard and Ski Centre was closed for
wishing to get to the biggest event
where the helicopter was waiting.
without the need for cash,” said an
to the UK-based group WRAP – simply because
in this year’s World Cup sporting
The helicopter could carry up to
Uber spokesperson.
we’re making and throwing away less,” a
announcement online by the local council,
calendar, the Hahnenkamm in
five people, including 10kg of hand
Users did need to ensure they had
Patagonia spokesperson said.
which runs the slope, led to some derisive
Kitzbühel, earlier this month.
luggage each. The trip took about
quite a lot of money in their bank,
For tour dates visit the Patagonia Worn Wear
comments to which a council spokesperson
Uber users in Munich and Salzburg
60 minutes (from Munich) before
however, as the service cost €2,115
website at: wornwear.patagonia.com/events.
responded, “We do appreciate the irony, but
could order the helicopter to the
landing in St Johann, near Kitzbühel.
each way from Salzburg or €3,100
Hahnenkamm race venue at the tap
Passengers then reached the
each way from Munich. t.uber.com/
of a button on the Uber app. After
Hahnenkamm race course with UberX.
kitz2018
a day in December due to snowfall. An
sometimes conditions are just against you. Ice skates might be more useful than skis.”
008 // FEB18
@INTHESNOWMAG @LTMOUNTAINS
ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL
Heavenly Skiing At Down To Earth Prices Heavenly Skiing At Down To Earth Prices
NO EVENING STAFF FOR NEW GONDOLA
American ski racer Lindsey Vonn has said that she’ll be representing
A new gondola lift being built at Tignes to create a new
the US people when she races at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South
connection between the resort’s Brévières and Boisses area for
Korea, not US president Donald Trump.
winter 2018/19 will operate in the evenings without staff in its
Vonn, the most successful female racer of all time, and twice an Olympic
base station, Compagnie des Alpes have said. The new lift, part
medallist, also told CCN, “I want to represent our country well, and I
of a five-lift, €38 million order placed by the resort operator with
don’t think there are a lot of people in our government that do that.”
lift company POMA, is key to a complete overhaul planned at
She also said that if invited to the White House after the Olympics she
the foot of the slopes at Brévières and will replace three lifts.
would decline.
“Thanks to the OWA (Operation Without Attendant), this new
Lindsey Vonn has been a strong advocate of women’s rights and
gondola lift will run without staff in the bottom station from 5pm
empowerment and has also spoken up against climate change.
to midnight,” a statement from Compagnie des Alpes confirms.
Vonn has won four World Cup overall championships – one of only two
The other new lifts will be built at Val d’Isère, Méribel, La Plagne
female skiers to do so – and was the first-ever American woman to win
and Serre Chevalier ski areas with construction on all due to start
a gold medal in downhill at a Winter Olympics, in 2010. In 2016, she
this summer and with opening of all planned for December 2018.
won her 20th World Cup crystal globe title, an all-time record among
The lifts will be produced at POMA’s new industrial site spanning
both men and women, passing Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden, who
70,000m² in Gilly-sur-Isère, where POMA invested €20 million in
won 19 globes from 1975 to 1984.
2016 to develop and strengthen its industrial facilities.
BIG
RACING FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT THE PRESIDENT
COPENHAGEN POWER PLANT SKI SLOPE RUNNING LATE BUT GETS A NAME The new year-round ski centre that looks set to become the next global icon of winter sports and is set to open close to the Danish capital has been given a name, but there’s no confirmed opening date for the slopes.
The complex, a huge structure clad in glass
receive 57,000 visitors in its first year, most
and aluminium and visible from many parts
eager to see its ski slope on its 10,000m2
of the capital because of its size, will be, the
of sloping roof, as well as the world’s tallest
Danes claim, the most efficient waste-burning
artificial climbing wall (expected to be 10m wide
and energy-generating plant in the world.
by 88m high).
It will power and heat 160,000 households
“One of the biggest sports in Denmark is
across Copenhagen.
actually skiing, even though it is one of the
Christened “CopenHill”, the year-round artificial-
A hoped-for 2017 opening date appears to have
flattest countries in Europe,” architect Jesper
surface ski slopes will descend the outsides of an
passed, and mid-2018 is now being mooted as a
Boye Andersen told Quartzy. “It was
almost complete waste-to-power plant known as
completion and opening date.
obvious that we needed a ski slope, and that
Amager Bakke.
When it does open, CopenHill expects to
it was possible.”
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009 // FEB18
5% DISCOUNT
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High Quality Catered + Self Catered High Quality Catered Accommodation + Self Catered Accommodation French and Swiss Alps
Snow Sure French and Resorts Swiss Alps On /Snow Near Piste Sure locations Resorts Hidden Extras OnNo / Near Piste locations Financially Bonded No Hidden Extras Financially Bonded
0151 625 1921 mountainheaven.co.uk 0151 625 1921 mountainheaven.co.uk
9–25 FEB 18
14 FEB 18
9–18 MAR 18
Winter Olympic Games
Snow Rugby Tournament
Paralympic Winter Games
Pyeongchang, South Korea
Valmorel, France
Pyeongchang, South Korea
Featuring 102 events in 15 sports including new
For the sixth year in a row, Valmorel is a host to this
British hopes are high in the skiing competitions at the 12th
disciplines: big air snowboarding and mixed team
friendly sporting tournament, which includes the chance
Paralympic Winter Games coming up after the Olympics.
alpine skiing. Here’s hoping Team GB can build on our
for all comers to try snow rugby and then short 16-minute
Can Team GB improve on our impressive medal tally from
best-to-date bronzes. pyeongchang2018.com
matches for teams of pro players. valmorel.com
the Sochi Games? paralympic.org
"SOBER ENGLISHMAN" AT COLORADO RESORT A new ski run will open at Winter Park Resort in Colorado this season. The 6m-wide trail has been christened "Sober Englishman" after a public naming competition and crosses a trail named "The Drunken Frenchman." There is some debate as to where the approximately half-mile-long trail, which has an 8–10° pitch really is "new" as some local skiers posting on social media say it already existed but was known as "Do Or Die."
VOLCANIC ERUPTION CAUSES AVALANCHE Twelve skiers were injured and one killed by an unexpected eruption of Mt Kusatsu-Shirane in Japan. The dead man is reported to be a member of Japan’s civil defence forces. Of those injured none were said to have injuries more serious than broken bones. Some were reported to have been
II MAR 18
I7–24 MAR I8
I8–24 MAR I8
SkiColor
Snowboxx
Rock The Pistes
Les Gets, France
Avoriaz, France
Portes du Soleil, France/Switerland
injured by flying glass when glass in gondola cabins shattered. About 80 skiers sheltered in the gondola station at the top of the lift.
MATHIEU VITRÉ
CLUB MED OPENING IN LES ARCS Club Med has announced the opening of a new resort in Les Arcs next winter. The Club Med Les Arcs Panorama 4 Trident complex will offer 1,050 beds in 410 rooms and 24 luxury suites, with an additional luxury 5 Trident space. Les Arcs Panorama will contain three restaurants and three
SkiColor has proved a huge hit and is back in 2018. Ski
Snowboxx has clocked up five sell-out seasons already,
It’s already the eighth edition of the great ski-in/ski-out
bars along with a "Zen Lounge" and Spa. Set to
down the piste in white overalls (provided) and get pelted
growing to become one of the biggest in the Alps. This
music festival where you can ski across the huge Portes du
open on 16 December 2018 the new ski-in/ski-out
with paint – brilliant! The SkiColor Village at the base has
year’s line-up will be performing in the main, après or igloo
Soleil for an afternoon gig then ski back afterwards. Around
DJs, bar, pom-pom girls and more. skicolor.com
stages and is headed up by Fatboy Slim. snowboxx.com
22,000 festivalgoers are expected. en.rockthepistes.com
resort is already available for advance booking.
E A R LY
PRIESTS SKI IN HONOUR OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
2 0 I 8
D I A R Y
Polish priests have held their annual skiing competition in celebration of former Pope and now saint John Paul II, a keen skier. In the 800m-long slalom race in his honour, priests,
I–4 APR I8
I–8 APR I8
9–I4 APR I8
The Brits
Snowbombing
Les 3 Vallées, France
Laax, Switzerland
Mayrhofen, Tirol, Austria
Each year for the past 15 years, around 1,500
The long-running British Freestyle Ski and Board
The "biggest party on snow" returns to the
amateur skiers take part in this annual romp around
Championships mix music, fun and world-class
Tirol for a full-on week of partying, fun, music
the world's largest ski area. Open to all, some take it
snowsports competition for all comers. Hopefully it
performances and, if you like, even a bit of
seriously and race hard, while others just have fun.
will be in a celebratory mood post-Pyeongchang.
snowsports as snowbombing takes over Mayrhofen.
les3vallees.com/en/enduro
the-brits.com
Snowbombing.com
some in long traditional cassocks, tackled the course. The former pope was raised to the level
display near Nashville, is officially a holy relic.
70CM OF SNOW IN 72 HOURS FOR SCOTS Around 6,000 people took to the slopes at Scotland’s five Highland ski areas on Saturday 20 January, as they experienced some of the
DANNY NORTH
means that a ski jacket he once wore, now on
LES 3 VALLÈES / CHRISTIAN ARNAL
of sainthood by the Catholic Church in 2014. This
Les 3 Vallées Enduro
best conditions for years. Centres reported 60 to 70cm of fresh snow in the previous 72 hours followed by blue skies and no wind on the Saturday. However, the great conditions did cause major logistical problems as everyone tried to reach the slopes resulting in a 9.7km tailback.
012 // FEB18
@INTHESNOWMAG
Columbia say only 1,980 jackets in each of the
OrganaTM and Luke SkywalkerTM Echo Base jackets
three styles have been produced.
as well as the Han SoloTM Echo Base Parka.
Inspired by the costumes worn by Han Solo,
The company says the jackets are individually
Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, the collection
numbered and contain several references to Star
is named after the Rebel’s secret base on ice
Wars and the characters who wore them. They
planet Hoth.
are also constructed with Columbia’s “Tested
“In developing the Echo Base collection,
Tough” promise and deliver the brand’s industry-
Rather than take the latest movies as inspiration,
Columbia’s designers worked closely with Disney
leading technologies to ensure that they stand
though, Columbia have put their focus into
Consumer Products and Interactive Media
up to the freezing conditions on planet Hoth, or
three limited-edition jackets inspired by iconic
to ensure that every detail on the jackets is
other galaxies closer to home.
characters in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes
authentic and true to the classic film,” a Columbia
The jackets, priced at £360 each, are available
Back, which was released 37 years ago. In fact,
Sportswear spokesperson said.
in limited quantities on Columbia European
to commemorate the 1980 release of the film,
The hard-to-get collection includes the Leia
websites (if there are any left!).
LEARN TO SKI JUMP WITH EDDIE "THE EAGLE" EDWARDS Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards will be hosting “learn to ski jump” holidays in Canada this winter, right back at the venue where he found global fame at the 1988 Winter Olympics three decades ago. The holiday, which will include a week’s skiing with Eddie at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort along with the opportunity to learn ski jumping at the Calgary Olympic Park this winter, runs from 10 March 2018 and costs £3,295pp, which includes return flights, transfers, seven nights’ accommodation in a luxury lodge including breakfast, six days’ guided skiing, ski passes and numerous other extras. A day of heliskiing is also available as an optional extra. “I’m looking forward to going back – now I’ve also got the chance to introduce some more people to ski jumping. It will be a fun-packed week full of some great skiing and a good laugh,” said Eddie. The trip, organised by Kicking Horse Powder Tours, is open to anyone who can ski confidently on red runs, and it’s the first time members of the public have had the chance to ski jump with Eddie in Calgary. kickinghorsepowdertours.com
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013 // FEB18
POLE VERTEX S
Following the launch of classic StarWars-inspired kids’ skiwear and gear (who can forget the R2-D2 ski helmet?) as well as adult boards by Burton, Columbia Sportswear have also moved into Star-Wars-inspired clothing, launching a new selection of jackets.
Photo © Atelier Busche
STAR-WARS-INSPIRED SKI JACKETS ON SALE
GLOVE VERTEX 10S
LEKI’s Vertex Glove and Pole package marks the 10th anniversary of LEKI’s best selling Trigger S – a patented, safety release system that’s fast and comfortable with quick and easy click in and out. To celebrate LEKI is launching the Vertex Package. This Vertex S pole and Vertex S glove combination offers a 30% saving with a package price of £99.95 (a saving of £34.95 if bought separately). Stockists: BAC Outdoor - bac-e.com Glide & Slide - glideslide.co.uk Webtogs – webtogs.com Reynolds - reynoldsoutdoorcentre.co.uk/the-shop Snow Trax - snowtraxstore.co.uk Snow + Rock - snowandrock.com WWW.LEKI.COM
OLIVIER MAIRE
Planes Trains AND Automobiles TO
WORDS: EMMANUELLE CHÂTEL
STEAMBOAT SKI && RESORT CORP/LARRY PIERCE
Last winter I was lucky enough to head to America’s famous ski state of Colorado to visit two great resorts: Winter Park and Steamboat. Flying into Denver I was fortunate to be on one of the first of the newly revived ski train services from the state capital up into the Rocky Mountains.
hectares of terrain, 165 trails and 1,118m of vertical. Serviced by 18 lifts the terrain is spread across six peaks, providing a good variety of skiing. As the visibility was close to nothing, we decided to experience some of the resort’s famed world-class tree skiing. European resorts are less renowned for their skiing below the tree line and we found that Steamboat was clearly at another level. It is the resort’s hallmark after all – even characterised as the “tree skiing capital of the United States”. With the help of a local guide we discovered secret spots making virgin tracks through the woods. A
This is the way that Denver locals used to reach the slopes
blessing. It required a bit more concentration than usual during the
for decades throughout the 20th century and even the early
first couple of runs, but weaving through the trees in untouched
"noughties" before the service was cut.
powder quickly became addictive! We indulged ourselves with a
Now fully relaunched, you can once again just jump onboard the
few breaks to take in the view down to Steamboat below.
Winter Park Express in your ski gear as soon as you get off the plane.
From November to mid-April you can ski beautiful groomed
The train can seat up to 550 people, but it is so popular it’s
slopes, go for the moguls or ski champagne powder in the trees
important to book your tickets for this historic train trip in advance
(which I strongly recommend). In fact, the term “champagne
– it is common for the train to be fully booked.
powder” was created by Steamboat to describe its very smooth,
“There’s no other mode of transportation needed: you can just
light, fluffy snow – a pure delight to ski. And there’s plenty of
grab your skis, hop on the lift and you’re skiing within minutes,”
it – Steamboat excels in the snow, both in quality and quantity,
says Steve Hurlbert, Winter Park’s director of communications.
the resort receiving an average snowfall of nearly 9m per season,
“You’re also steps from the rental shop if needed.”
despite it being at a lower elevation relative to other Colorado ski
In the newly renovated Union Station – one of Denver’s most
resorts (but still higher than most in Europe).
iconic historic landmarks – you can get food and drinks before
At the end of an active day, we headed to Strawberry Park Hot
heading to the resort, and if you want to stay overnight there
Spring for a relaxing soak in a natural hot springs mineral pool.
after arriving in Denver but before heading out to Winter Park in
Just what our sore muscles needed Located in a rustic mountain
the morning, the new Crawford Hotel is also located inside the
setting just outside of Steamboat Springs, the hot springs are a
120-year-old station and offers an “evolved luxury experience”.
natural treasure made of multiple rock pools with varying heat. Not
It is surreal to see people in ski gear milling around in the lobby of
to be missed!
one of the most beautiful hotels in the city, mixing with commuters early in the morning in central Denver!
My Ride on the Winter Park Express
Western Heritage For a change of pace from skiing, and looking for a sense of the Old West, we went to Del’s Triangle 3 Ranch for a scenic
And here we go, The Winter Park Express slowly rolled out of Union
horseback ride over the hills of the snowy Mt Zirkel. In the valley
Station at 7am as the pink sunrise began to overtake the sky, for its
for six generations the ranch is owned by Ray Heid, a local
90km journey – up 1,220m and through 29 tunnels – including the
personality and mythical figure of Steamboat. The former Olympic
10km-long Moffat Tunnel, which goes under the Continental Divide.
ski jumper and now cowboy still skis 100 days per season. Guided
The two-hour journey is long enough to get breakfast, relax and
by Ray and his son Perk, we had a peaceful ride. Gentle and well-
enjoy the Colorado scenery, and as we got closer, I geared up, put
trained horses took care of us while we admired the vast yet virgin
on my ski boots and got ready for the slopes!
hills around us.
Arriving in Winter Park I found I could walk straight from the train
Steamboat Springs is located in the beautiful Yampa Valley
on to the ski lift. I was staying on in resort, but if I had been going
of Northwest Colorado where the American West is well alive
back to Denver the same day, as many Denverites do, I could
if we look at all the working ranches surrounding the town.
have left shoes and belongings on the train while enjoying the
Packed with activities for every interest besides skiing, the
uncrowded slopes.
resort has, in recent years, attracted more and more people
I was lucky to be visiting in January when the resort was in
coming not only for the skiing but also for the Western heritage
its best shape of the winter so far, after big storms earlier in
of this authentic and genuine town.
the season and historic snowfalls were recorded in Colorado, meaning superb on-piste conditions. The resort is split into several ski areas offering different types of skiing and options for
Ski Colorado Info:
all. From wide-open slopes to tree-line runs and the gnarliest of moguls, it’s a great resort.
Colorado: coloradoski.com Steamboat: steamboat.com
JACK AFFLECK
Steamboat
Winter Park: winterparkresort.com Ski Train: amtrak.com/winter-park-express
After a few days of fabulous skiing in Winter Park, my Colorado trip
A number of British tour operators offer holidays to Colorado
rolled onto the Steamboat ski resort, a.k.a. “Ski Town USA”.
(although not all including Steamboat and Winter Park) including
Greeted by more fresh snow on the first day, we were eager
British Airways Holidays (BA.com); Crystal (crystalski.co.uk); Ski
to get our skis on and explore the giant ski area. Steamboat is
Independence (ski-i.com/usa); Ski Safari (skisafari.com/usa/), Scott
actually one of the largest ski resorts in Colorado with 1,200
Dunn (scottdunn.com) and Virgin (virginholidays.co.uk).
015 // FEB18
COLORADOSKI.COM
SNOW SENDS EMPLOYEES TO THE SNOW
A SWISS FONDUE IN THE SKY?
WARREN MILLER DIES AGED 93
A Swiss company that has been organising fondue dinners within
One of the great names in the global ski community, Warren Miller, has
A tech company called Snow Software brought almost its entire global
gondola cabins at the ski resort of Villars for the past few seasons is to
died at the age of 93. Miller was a pioneer of snowsports filmmaking,
workforce together for a ski trip to Engelberg in early January for four
expand its operation this winter and offer its gondola fondues to guests
eventually producing more than 500 adventure-sport films.
days to celebrate them achieving their annual sales target.
in Verbier and Crans-Montana too.
Upon discharge from the Navy in 1946 Miller bought his first 8mm movie
Established in Sweden, Snow Software has rapidly grown to employ
The “pop-up gondola restaurant” sees the entire gondola infrastructure
camera and moved to Sun Valley, Idaho, where he camped in the car
720 staff in 23 countries, and 650 of them attended the ski trip, which
transformed into dining cabins for groups of six people at a time by a
park and worked as a ski instructor, filming friends in his spare time
the company also regarded as part of its employee engagement and
company called Tête à Tête - Swiss Events.
to critique and improve their ski technique. From the 1950s onward
teambuilding strategies.
Depending on the resort, the number of gondola cabins varies between
his films toured cinemas around the world each autumn, building up
Employees were able to select what to do during the trip including
60 and 70, welcoming 360/420 diners at each event.
anticipation for the coming ski season and introducing snow-hungry
beginner ski classes, spa visits, ice sculpture classes and Engelberg
“Our fondue is specially blended for us by a renowned cheese
skiers to exotic destinations around the world in the era before the
monastery tours. The ski trip is aligned with Snow Software’s corporate
producer, while the wine, charcuterie, bread and dessert are selected
internet and digital filming made these destinations instantly available
values, a programme known internally as Snow Spirits. This includes the
from the best local artisanal establishments, distinguishing each resort’s
on a screen in your pocket. The films proved increasingly popular and
philosophy of “being all in for the win”, and during the trip the company
prided delicacies,” said joint Company Director Bart A. Kistemaker.
in 1949, Miller founded Warren Miller Entertainment and began a long-
held a celebratory presentation looking back on the successes achieved
After the success of three sold-out events in Villars, the Fondue in the
standing tradition of producing one feature-length ski film per year for
during the past year.
Sky event is to be staged for the first time in Verbier on 17 February
nearly four decades, visiting all corners of the skiing world and including
The company has run its global incentive scheme for the past nine years
2018 and Crans-Montana on 30 March 2018.
skiing legends such as Hannes Schneider and Jean-Claude Killy.
as the company has grown rapidly. It has hit its target on seven of those
Depending on the resort the full experience costs CHF85–95 for
“I really believe in my heart that that first turn you make on a pair of skis
years resulting in a ski trip each time.
adults, CHF70–80 for children aged under 16. Couples will be grouped
is your first taste of total freedom, the first time in your life that you could
A company spokesperson said that among other things the trip brought
with two other couples to fill a cabin.
go anywhere that your adrenaline would let you go,” said Miller, who also
together staff from its smaller and more remote offices to help them
Mr Kistemaker and partner Natasha Sanz de Acedo will also be back in
suggested a fitting memorial to himself by any skier would be a run down
understand how big the company they work for is, and also helped
Villars for a fourth edition on 24 February 2018.
a favourite slope in his honour. “If you don’t do it now, you’ll only be a year
create synergy by connecting the company’s name with actual snow.
older when you do.”
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35
WORDS: PATRICK THORNE
There are days on the slopes when getting on the lift is a bit of an irritation. Conditions are so beautiful you just want to ski and ski.
Giggijoch Mountain Gondola
whisks skiers and boarders from below Arcs 1950 and
Zugspitze Cable Car
Sölden, Austria
2000, is a fast six-seater chairlift that replaces an old
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
fixed-grip triple. Along with pull-down bubble covers the Austrian resorts in particular do battle to have the
lift is notable as the new joint-longest chairlift of its kind
A new cable up to Germany’s highest peak near
best lifts each winter, and having the world’s most
in France at 2.85km – another 2.85km-long lift has also
Garmisch, which went into operation in December,
successful ski lift operator, Doppelmayr, just down
opened this season in the Grand Massif.
covers the world’s greatest overall height difference
Then there are the days when you perhaps overdid
the road probably helps with that. This state-of-
it a little the night before, or you’re skiing with some
the-art gondola opened for the 2016/17 season and
obsessive racer, or perhaps you’ve met the possible
transports more people per hour in a faster time than
Jochbahn
a remarkable 3,213m – nearly two miles – between
love of your life on a chairlift speed-dating session on
any other lift system in the world. It can move an
Brixen im Thale, Skiwelt, Austria
support towers.
Valentine’s Day, when you’re quite happy to take your
incredible 4,500 people per hour from its base in the
time on a slow, old double chair.
centre of Sölden to the Giggijoch mountain, and in
Travelling at 6m per second (more than twice as
But what none of us likes to do is wait for a long time in a
a record time of eight minutes for a trip that used to
fast as the lift it replaces), the new Jochbahn, which
Flexenbahn Gondola
queue, and it tends to be the fast, high-capacity, queue-
take close to 15.
opened for the 2015/16 ski season, took the speed
St Anton, Arlberg
gobbling lifts that make that less likely to happen. Even
of 1,945 vertical metres in one section as well as the world’s longest unsupported span, measuring
record for the fastest eight-seat chairlift on earth to
on a busy day.
date. Costing €12 million to construct, the lift, which
More than 110 years after skiing got started in the
Thankfully, most of the top resorts invest millions each
PRÉ St Esprit Chairlift
has been described as “Detachable, comfortable and
Arlberg region, the €45 million project to connect the
year on ever better, ever faster lifts on key routes, and so
Les Arcs, France
unbelievably fast” by its operators, can carry up to
two halves of the ski area for winter 2016/17 required
3,000 people per hour, comfortably gobbling up any
something pretty special. Four new lifts were built
queues that once formed.
in total, but the Flexenbahn is the flagship lift of the
the list of the best lifts in the world is forever changing. But here are some of the current best.
018 // FEB18
All new this winter, the Pré St Esprit chairlift, which
@INTHESNOWMAG
MAXIMILIANPRECHTEL
inter-connect. With its 47 10-person cabins and just a
Imperial Express SuperChair
the Doppelmayr-built lift whisks skiers and boarders up
who may well prefer to ride back down in it at the end of
six-minute travel time, the lift can transport up to 2,400
Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
to the slopes in just 9.4 minutes – much faster than the
the afternoon too.
people per hour.
previous lift. Atop Peak 8 at Breckenridge Ski Resort, just 0.6m short of 3,962m above sea level in the Rocky Mountains of
Titlis Access Gondola and Rotair Cable Car
Colorado, the Imperial Express SuperChair is the highest
areitXpress Gondola
high-speed detachable chairlift in the world. The lift
Zell am See, Salzburger Land, Austria
Engelberg, Switzerland
begins at 3,627m and ends at 3,914m, and the ride time
Symphony 10 Gondola Val Gardena, Italy Val Gardena has splurged about €20m this winter on
is less than three minutes, much less than the 45 minutes
As mentioned above, Austria now has so many fast,
its new Symphony 10 gondola, which lifts skiers and
hikers used to spend climbing up to the same area.
comfortable lifts that it’s hard to decide which ones to
boarders up to access the famous Sellaronda circuit
that opened in December 2015 and 2016 respectively:
include, and there are usually at least a dozen new big
faster than ever.
first, an upgrade to their famous Rotair revolving cable
chairlifts or gondolas each winter there.
They’ve done it with some style, too, as lift
Engelberg made a huge investment in two new lifts
car that had opened 20 years earlier, and second, the
3-S Pardatschgrat Gondola
The new 10-seat AreitXpress, which has replaced one
manufacturer Leitner Ropeways has partnered with
new eight-seater Engelberg-Trübsee-Stand gondola,
Ischgl, Tirol, Austria
of Zell am See’s most important access lifts this winter,
Pininfarina, a design company employed by Ferrari,
though, is perhaps the biggest new Austrian queue
on the design of the 77 new cabins in black and blue
which replaced several older lifts and whisks up to 2,475 people per hour (approximately 1,000 more than
The new Pardatschgratbahn, which opened in 2014,
gobbler to open this season, able to accommodate
livery complete with leather car-style seats and LED
previously) over 4,680m (nearly three miles) over 1,425
has the biggest vertical rise of any tri-cable gondola in
up to 3,600 skiers per hour. As well as providing more
lighting to illuminate the gondola’s curves.
vertical metres up to Stand in just 16 minutes, where it
the world so far, ascending 1,251m. Travelling at 7.5m
space for uplift in the busy morning hours, it should also
connects with the Rotair to access around 2,000m of
per second with each cabin carrying up to 28 people,
come into its own at the end of the season in spring
vertical and a fantastic 12km run down.
giving a remarkable capacity of 2,800 people per hour,
when runs to resort thaw or are difficult for novice skiers
FB.COM/INTHESNOW
019 // FEB18
E R O L F E ANN R: E X R MA OR F R E D RI S E E G U F E R This winter, Freeride World Tour vice champion snowboarder Anne-Flore Marxer distributed hundreds of items of warm clothing as part of the Riders for Refugees initiative, among migrants and asylum seekers who have made it to Northern Italy. Here is her heart-rending account. Fran McElhone reports.
gnarliest lines as well as for her advocacy
With her friend and fellow pro-snowboarder
during the day to keep warm by campfires.
winter-sports journalists Danny Burrows
for gender equality, had two goals this
Aline Bock, as well as support from other
“Often their tents leak, and they’re so
and Alexis de Tarade in 2015. Their
winter season: one was to reclaim her
volunteers, the 33-year-old drove the mass
cold,” Marxer continues. “There is a high
initiative grew from the simple premise
place on the podium at the impending
of clothing to areas including Ventimiglia,
risk of skin infections and they’re often
that snowboarders and skiers the world
Freeride World Tour, and the other was to
which, following stricter border policies, has
refused medicine because they can’t
over have surplus jackets lying around,
galvanise as many winter-sports brands
become a frontier of the humanitarian crisis.
afford to pay for it. They are forced to live
which could go towards keeping some
as possible into donating warm clothing to
Once there, they distributed the clothing,
like animals.
of the world’s displaced and desperate
the scores of people who have fled war,
bringing a smile to those who were losing
“But despite everything they were going
people warm.
persecution and hardship and made often
hope in humanity.
through, they were so welcoming and
“The day we left, it fell below freezing,” adds
perilous journeys to get to Europe.
Marxer says: “With tears in his eyes, one
friendly. They made us delicious chapatti
Marxer. “But while we could leave, back to
The industry responded in spades, and
young man told us, ‘people die here every
and chicken stew on a grill made from
our happy lives, they were stuck there.
“At our first stop in Ventimiglia we met
big-hearted brands who donated gear
day. Back home we had rituals to show
an old bike frame. I will never forget
“I am privileged to do what I do. I get to
around 150 young people living under a
include Volcom, Quiksilver, Billabong,
love and respect to those who die. Here
their kindness.”
travel the world and live my passion. But
bridge,” recalls pro-snowboarder Anne-
Vissla, BUFF, Racer Gloves, VAUDE,
we disappear in a bag. I don’t want to die
Marxer’s initiative, which she launched
so many other people are not so lucky.
Flore Marxer. “They were friendly, sweet
Pull-in and Thermo Pad, as well as Culture
here’. He was just 21.”
via social media, is one of myriad Riders
So this was a chance to make a little
and respectful, but completely broken.
Sud, local to Biarritz in the south of France
Marxer and Bock met people who were
for Refugees projects happening this
difference. Every jacket counts, every
Never did they expect to come so far from
where Marxer spends the autumn surfing
teachers, graduates, chefs, drivers and
winter, involving volunteers collecting
smile counts.”
home to end up living under a bridge,
as part of her pre-winter training regime.
entrepreneurs, from countries including
and distributing clothing among Europe’s
washing in a freezing cold river.”
Marxer’s dedication paid off, with 164 boxes
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Eritrea and Sudan,
growing refugee population across France,
Marxer, who is from Switzerland and has
containing jackets, gloves, beanies and neck
who were sleeping under bridges or in
Italy, Serbia and Greece.
made her name riding some of the world’s
warmers ready to go by mid-December.
makeshift tents, forced into nearby forests
Riders for Refugees was founded by
020 // FEB18
Fran McElhone is a freelance journalist. Read more of her work at mettleandmirth.co.uk
RIDERSFORREFUGEES.COM
dedce: u l c n i l l A the pri in
on commodati 7 nights ac All meals Lift pass hire Equipment struction 12 hours in
Akureyri
UNDER 25 DEALS Various resorts Prices from
A holiday company called Super Break has launched ski holidays to Iceland this winter. Iceland is home to about 18 ski areas, most of them fairly basic, but there are several larger centres including Bláfjöll, which operates the most lifts, more than a dozen, close to the capital Reykjavik.
international reputation as an action-sports
Established in 1962, the centre has a highly
destination also offering coastal surfing and a
regarded ski school, and children can learn their
long list of high-adrenaline activities.
skills at the Hlíðarfjall Ski School for Children.
The ski slopes are located 7km from the town
“Skiing in Iceland is pretty unique and perhaps
and typically open at 10am daily – staying
something many customers don’t realise
open till 7pm several evenings each week for
they can do. Our short breaks offer a great
night skiing. There are runs for all ability levels
opportunity to sample the slopes, and perhaps,
over a 540m vertical with four lifts, the longest
if lucky, even ski under the Northern Lights,”
being 1km in length. The area is known for its
said Graham Balmforth, Super Break’s National
high-quality snow, extensive cross-country
Sales Manager.
tracks and exciting ski slopes, with breathtaking
Available on selected dates in January and
views of Eyjafjörður that extend as far as Mount
February 2018, the short breaks available from
Super Break is offering holidays to another
Herðubreið.
Super Break are three- and four-night packages
one of the country’s best-known ski areas,
Floodlighting for the slopes is provided during
costing from £749pp, including charter flights
however: Hlíðarfjall, near the northern coastal
the short days of mid-winter, and there’s also
from a selection of regional UK airports, return
town of Akureyri.
extensive snowmaking covering the runs. There
transfers, self-catering accommodation, ski
Although smaller, it has built a strong
are also floodlit cross-country ski tracks.
equipment hire and a two-day ski pass.
NEW YEAR DEAL Chamonix Prices from
£541 £635 £694
OFF PISTE WEEKS Various resorts & courses Prices from
CHRISTIAN WEIERMANN
UCPA is Europe’s largest provider of Ski and Snowboard instructed and guided courses
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021 // FEB18
Offering all inclusive courses for all levels, from beginner instruction to expert level off piste and ski tour/splitboard expeditions, ensures there is a UCPA course suitable for everyone.
For more information and to book:
www.action-outdoors.co.uk THE UK PARTNE
R OF
FIVE
REASONS
TO
VISIT
BRIDES LES BAINS
Brides les Bains is one of the great discoveries for many British skiers in the French Alps. Connected by a fast gondola to the ski resort of Méribel in the heart of the world’s biggest ski area, Les 3 Vallées, Brides les Bains has its own unique identity with a history as a spa town, and it is also typically cheaper to stay and après-ski in than upin-the-mountain resorts.
via Méribel to Les Menuires and Val Thorens, guests
after a great day’s skiing! legrandspathermal.com
has a casino as well as a good selection of shops, bars
staying in Brides are whisked up to the centre of the vast ski domain each morning and can decide whether to go left, right or straight up to explore another part of the white wonderland; with so many lifts and runs it is
and restaurants. In addition, the resort’s tourist office organises events and entertainment through the week
Save up to 50% on Your Accommodation Costs
and through the ski season, and every Tuesday a bus from Méribel runs until midnight so Brides guests can
impossible to do it all in a week. Every snowsport style and every ability level is very well catered for here.
check out the après-ski scene there too. Brides les Bains has a strong selection of high-quality accommodation options – apartments, chalets and
Indulge in Spa Culture in the Region’s Biggest Spa Brides is not “just a ski resort”. It’s also a spa resort
Easy Access
hotels – for all tastes and for all budgets. The only real difference between property here and up on the ski slopes is price – in Brides les Bains you get the
Nothing could be easier than getting to Brides!
same or better quality but for 30–50% less than the
There’s a choice of four airports to fly into
price in a mountain resort above.
(Chambéry 90km, Geneva 120km, Lyon 150km or
boasting one of the few thermal spas in France:
Ski in the World’s Biggest Ski Area
Le Grand Spa Thermal®. This is an amazing treat for skiers who can enjoy Brides’ thermal waters’ beneficial effects on the circulatory system. It’s
Grenoble 160km). Connecting bus services from
Enjoy Fun & Often Free Activities, Concerts & Festivals
possible to indulge in individual treatments with four
these airports to the resort are available from companies like Altibus, or you could rent a car. For those arriving by rail, including on the direct Eurostar service from London St Pancras and
Connected by a ski lift into the huge Les 3 Vallées ski
themed spa experiences or opt for one or more of
There’s lots to do in Brides les Bains when you get
Ashford in Kent, Moûtiers train station is just 4km
area with its 600km of runs stretching from Courchevel,
a multitude of à la carte treatments for recuperating
back down from the slopes. Besides the spa, the town
from the village.
022 // FEB18
BRIDES-LES-BAINS.COM/HIVER/EN/
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JIMMY’S ICED COFFEE ARE GIVING 5 OF YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN AN EPIC PRIZE!
InTheSnow has teamed up with the dudes at Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, the family-owned makers of awesome ready-to-drink Iced Coffees, to give five lucky people the chance to win:
Coffee, and made with just three ingredients, it’s all you’ll need to Keep Your Chin Up for a day on the slopes. With a crew based in Dorset, Jimmy’s is all about getting outdoors and doing something that makes your heart race. So, as well as
12 x Jimmy’s Iced Coffee 330ml cartons
making some of the best Iced Coffee out there, they also created The RideClub. It’s for those
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1 x Jimmy’s Iced Coffee Beanie Hat
happy. RideClub members get priority tickets, merch discounts and something rad delivered
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WORDS: PATRICK THORNE
024 // FEB18
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©ANDYPARANT.COM
©ANDYPARANT.COM
There are thousands of ski resorts to choose from when you’re planning your holiday each year. You might choose depending on the size of the ski area, how snow-sure it is or simply on price, and probably a combination of all three. But would you ever choose based on pure, simple class?
the Tour de Charvet basin runs are equally recommended. Val d’Isère is almost as famous for its après-ski, and in terms of venues “the big one” that has to be visited one afternoon is the remarkable La Folie Douce, which fills much of the building at the top of the Daille gondola lift, close to the boundary with Tignes, spilling out on to the base of the adjacent ski slopes. Essentially a cabaret show on the slopes that also happens to serve up superb food, this is an establishment like no other and certainly puts the vast Austrian drinking halls in the shade when it comes to,
For while the number of ski areas worldwide is now more
all the supplies up the mountain to serve that vast number
than 6,000, there are really just a handful that have that
of customers that pass through La Folie Douce’s doors
special something, a character and a pedigree you can’t
each season, a testimony to the family-run business that
really buy, and however much you spend on snowmaking
had the brilliant idea of establishing it in the first place.
and fast lifts, it doesn’t really make much difference. They
The concept has proved so successful that other Folie
tend to be winter-sports early adopters, although not
Douces have appeared in recent years at other French
always. In Austria there’s Kitzbühel and Lech; Switzerland
resorts including Alpe d’Huez, Val Thorens, Méribel and
has Davos, Mürren and St Moritz; Italy has Courmayeur
Megève, but Val d’Isère has the original.
MARK JUNAK
well, class, once again. It takes a remarkable effort to get
and Cortina d’Ampezzo; and for France it has to be Val d’Isère – a village that dates back to the 11th century where the first ski lift – one of the world’s first – was installed more than 80 years ago. quoi? That’s more difficult to define. It does, of course,
Val d’Isère has a big selection of hotels, chalets and
have that great winter-sports heritage – it’s one of just
apartments. It has an upmarket reputation and there are
an elite handful of ski resorts to have staged the Skiing
indeed pricey hotels and incredibly luxurious chalets of
World Championships, Winter Olympics and its annual
the sort that Russian oligarchs book up for the peak New
World Cup Races. One of the world’s most famous race
Year week. In terms of chalets it’s definitely a favourite
courses, the Face de Bellevarde, is here and Critérium de
with British operators, so there’s lots of choice; for hotels
la Première Neige World Cup races have been staged 62
it’s a little more difficult to find “affordable” as the resort
times – that all helps.
is believed to be placed third in France behind Paris and
Like St Moritz it’s also very high in altitude for a traditional
Courchevel for the number of 5★ hotels.
resort, making it more snow-sure at the base as well as
But affordable 4 and 5★ star apartments and chalets do
high above, and giving it an “away from it all” feeling,
exist, especially if you travel low season.
but crucially it is still a genuine community and doesn’t
The recently built 5★ Chalet Skadi, for example, located
have the seasonal moonbase feel of many purpose-
just five minutes’ walk from the resort centre and a
built destinations. Along with a good natural snowfall
minute from the nearest ski bus stop, provides luxurious
reputation, it’s also home to Le Snow Factory, the largest
self-catering accommodation (don’t worry, there’s a
snowmaking facility in Europe (which just got bigger still
supermarket next door).
this season). It’s also one of three French resorts to still
Each apartment is finished with modern Alpine chic to a
offer some summer glacier skiing.
very high standard, complete with private balcony, well-
Its ski area is vast, one of the world’s biggest with 300km
equipped kitchenette and two bathrooms – one en-suite.
of trails shared with neighbouring Tignes and one that
Some have their own open fireplaces and all have all their
used to be known as “Espace Killy” after the great French
beds in their own bedrooms, so no need to make up a
skier and hero of the 1968 Winter Olympics, but not,
sofa bed in the living area – real luxury!
officially, any more.
Residents also get access to the Spa Les Bains du
But although all that terrain means there’s plenty for
Montana, which has an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna and
every level of skier, perhaps Val d’Isère's overall status is
steam room, and treatments and massages are available
enhanced by its world-class reputation for its challenging
for an extra charge.
off-piste terrain, a reputation it shares with resorts like
Wherever you choose to stay, the good news is that an
Chamonix and St Anton.
excellent shuttle bus service constantly circulates around
GUEUGNOT JEAN-MICHEL - GUEUGNOT.COM
What is it that gives Val d’Isère that special je ne sais
Val d’Isère has one of the world’s biggest and best ski areas. Although it is popular with expert skiers and
For 2017/18, the joint Val d’Isère – Tignes ski area has
boarders who want to head off-piste in the same way that
300km of groomed pistes, served by 78 lifts. Some 60%
Jackson Hole and Verbier do, there’s actually plenty for
of the 153 pistes and 10,000 hectares of ski terrain are
intermediate-level piste skiers to do, in addition to the
located above 2,200m. The skiing stretches from a top
excellent beginner areas for first-timers (the ski school
altitude of 3,450m down to 1,550m.
clocks up 200,000 pupils each winter), all served by a
valdisere.com | lafoliedouce.com
LLORCAPHOTOGRAPHIES
the resort, and you can jump on and off wherever you need.
network of superb high-speed lifts. For good skiers the Solaise bumps run above the resort or
Crystal Ski Holidays (crystalski.co.uk; 020 8610 3123)
the Olympic Men's Downhill from Bellevarde (a good first
offer a week’s stay at the 5★ self-catering Chalet Skadi in
choice as it gets the sun early and is accessed by the high-
Val d’Isère from £717pp (based on four sharing) including
speed underground "Funival" funicular) are popular options.
flights from Gatwick to Chambéry and transfers (price
Later on you can take off into the powder fields with a
given is for departure on 27 January 2018). Direct flights
guide. Otherwise the descents from the Pissaillas glacier or
available from all major UK airports. 025 // FEB18
©ANDYPARANT.COM
WORDS: ROB STEWART
The Pyrenees – a long strip of mountains stretching from the Mediterranean Sea across to the Atlantic Ocean, basking in Spanish sun, with rustic ski resorts famed for their lively après-ski and cruisy slopes suited to skiers who like to rise late and take a long lunch.
powder later in the season, you can
“secret” off-piste paradises in Europe.
at the end of the day, with plenty of lively
Session” (private lesson). The guided
experience some fantastic spring skiing
arinsal.co.uk/arcalis
bars to choose from. Excursions to nearby
option is known as “Freeride Discovery”.
conditions off-piste.
Arcalis can be made easily, and there are
They also have freeride skis for pupils
Here’s where to find it:
lots of British ski instructors, and lessons
to try as well as providing avalanche
can be booked at arinsal.co.uk.
safety equipment – transceiver, probe
Stay in Arinsal: 4★ – Princesa Parc, Arinsal
and shovel. It’s a good place to start your
(hotelprincesaparc.com/en)
off-piste experience, especially if others in
Best for families Best for experts Arcalis
Arinsal
The town of Arinsal is nestled at the end
the group want to take advantage of the
of a steep valley, and at first glance any
210km of groomed slopes available.
Best for skills
grandvalira.com/en/freeride-center
Arcalis is more of a ski station that an actual
beginner might wonder what they’ve
resort, with accommodation options in
got themselves into. But head up the
There is perhaps some truth in that
the town of La Massana or the resort of
gondola to the base station (Comallempla,
statement, and who wouldn’t want a bit
Arinsal. There are good transport options,
1,950m) and it all becomes clear, as a vast
While offering the most extensive piste
of that now and again? But the Pyrenees,
though, linking skiers and snowboarders
bowl spreads out and offers a number of
skiing and snowboarding in the Pyrenees
and specifically Andorra, offer skiers and
directly into what’s considered to be some
options for all levels. Intermediates will
– linking with the sectors of El Tarter,
snowboarders a whole lot more than that,
of the best freeride terrain in the Pyrenees.
find that the link over to the Pal sector
Grau Roig and Pas de la Casa – the area
UK operator and Andorra specialist
and the truth is they can get snow – a lot
Arcalis isn’t a large ski area – 14 lifts, 30km
offers some extensive piste skiing too.
also offers some interesting off-piste
Andorra Resorts operate across the
of snow.
of slopes – but there are vast areas of
It’s not the obvious off-piste destination,
possibilities that are easy to access from
whole of Andorra including Arinsal,
Storms raging in from the west, combined
off-piste terrain straight off some of the
but confident skiers with a guide can find
the lifts and good for anyone thinking
Soldeu, Pas de la Casa, Grandvalira and
with cold northerly airstreams, often
main chairlifts like the high-speed quad, Les
some interesting excursions, especially
about dipping their toes in the powder.
Vallnord. Accommodation includes 3 and
create week-long snowfalls that can
Portelles (2,562m), where you can head
straight off the back of Pic Negre (2,569m)
The dedicated “Freeride Centre” at the
4★ hotels and self-catered apartments.
produce better average snow depths than
back down to the base lodge and into the
and down to the Coll de la Botella. Then
Grandvalira Soldeu Ski School has a
Andorra Resorts can also organise ski
the Alps. Looking at the numbers, Andorra
series of bowls and gullies that straddle the
head back over via the Arinsal-Pal cable
team of four instructors and mountain
school, equipment hire and ski passes.
has a fantastic snow record – the resort of
entire face, or push further over towards
car and hike the ridge up to Pic Alt de
guides specialising in teaching all levels
andorraresorts.com
Grandvalira Soldeu consistently records
La Coma, where from the far side of the
la Capa. Here, a huge wide-open bowl
of off-piste skiing, as well as a guiding
upper-slope depths of over 1.5m during
system you can access a long itinerary route
opens up that leads all the way down to
service if you just want to see as much of
Destination Andorra offer flexible
the month of March. Upper-slope depths
with huge wide-open powder bowls. One
the mid-station access road. Then hike (or
the area as possible. There are several
package holidays to all the resorts of
also generally remain higher during April
of the stages in the World Freeride Tour
hitchhike if you’re lucky) back up to the
options for instruction including “Top Class
Andorra. Accommodation includes 3, 4
than they are in December and January,
competition pays a visit to Arcalis, and you
central area. Arinsal is a great place to
Freeride” (full-day programme), “Freeride
and 5★hotels with all-inclusive prices
so although you might not get the fresh
can see why – it’s one of the few untapped
enjoy some well-earned après-ski beers
Camp” (group lesson) and “Freeride
available. destinationandorra.com
0026 // FEB18
Grandvalira Soldeu
Stay in Soldeu: 4★ – Sport Village Hotel, Soldeu (hotelvillage.sporthotels.ad)
Booking and operators:
@INTHESNOWMAG
ROB DOOLAARD IZP
NORAH JONES AT ZERMATT UNPLUGGED
PLANS FOR SWINDON SLOPE MOVE FORWARD
Norah Jones, Emeli Sandé, Kodaline and Jessie J have been
Long-standing plans to build an indoor snow centre as part of a
announced as headline acts for the 11th Zermatt Unplugged, which
leisure centre redevelopment in Swindon appear to be moving
takes place from 10 to 14 April. Irish alternative rock band Kodaline
forward again. The plans, first mooted more than five years
will open the acoustic music festival, which this year is also launching
ago, for the town’s North Star site were given outline planning
an "Unplugged Pass" for all visitors who do not have a concert ticket
permission by the local council's planning committee last month,
for the main concerts, and costs CHF30 per day (CHF50 per week).
and construction work is expected to begin later this year.
In addition to access to the Taste Village and the Foyer Marquee,
The proposals are reported to include a small 2,000m2 snow
the Unplugged Pass includes entry to the "Newcomer" (side stages)
and ski centre featuring two real-snow slopes, along with a
concerts, the "Breaking Acts" (Vernissage), the "Artist in Residence"
130-bedroom hotel, a 14-screen cinema with the largest IMAX
(Hotel Schönegg & Foyer Marquee), Ronnie Scott’s All Stars
screen in the UK, a new bowling alley, trampolining and climbing
(Gandegghütte/Hotel Alex/Mont Cervin Palace), and the after parties
wall, as well as restaurants and sporting retail units on site too.
(Vernissage/The Alex /Heinz Julen Shop/Ferdinand). The Taste Village
“Now we have outline planning granted, the work really begins
created as a festival centre for the first time in 2017 will be back in
on getting all the detail filled in ready to submit detailed
2018 as a meeting point where visitors can listen to newcomers, fry a
planning, after which we can get to work on making this project
cervelat sausage in the tradition of authentic Switzerland and taste all
a reality,” said John Watkins, Director at SevenCapital.
XANDRA M. LINSIN
the delicacies that Taste Village partners have created.
NEW “GREEN” SWISS SKI HOTEL OPENS WITH “ICE BATTERY” A new hotel that has just opened in Arosa, Switzerland, is the first in the country to be heated by geothermal probes and an ultramodern ice battery.
an autonomous energy recovery system which
The Valsana is located just steps from the
draws waste heat energy from everyday devices,
main cable car at an altitude of 1,800m and
such as kitchen appliances and air conditioning
has easy ski-in access to the 225km of piste in
units, into an 850m3 water tank which contains a
the Arosa–Lenzerheide ski region. The hotel
400m register of pipes.
is spread across three new buildings with 40
The Valsana Hotel is owned by the Tschuggen
As heat energy leaves the system, the water
spacious double rooms and suites, nine serviced
Hotel Group which also operates famous hotels
temperature in the tank drops, allowing an
apartments and open-plan public areas.
including the Tschuggen Grand with its private
ice block to form around the tank’s pipes.
The hotel also has two indoor tennis courts, a
funicular link to Arosa’s ski slopes, and the
The combined effect of freezing and thawing
high-tech fitness studio, extensive spa facilities
Carlton in St Moritz.
recovers high amounts of latent energy and
and a bike and ski shop.
According to the company, the ice battery is
produces zero emissions.
valsana.ch/en
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS FB.COM/INTHESNOW
027 // FEB18
Flexible, independent holidays created by the Andorra experts.
arinsal.co.uk | pasdelacasa.com | soldeu.com andorraresorts.com
VAL D’ISÈRE TO UPGRADE GONDOLA Val d’Isère have announced they’ll replace the old La Daille gondola next winter with a new high-performance lift with a capacity of 2,800 passengers per hour. The new gondola will be the first in France to be equipped with 50 Premium Symphony 10-passenger cabins as well as a VIP cabin, the details of which are yet to be announced. The cabins will, however, be “very bright” and feature heated seats.
SLOVENIA TOPS CHARTS The Julian Alps in Slovenia have been announced as one of the world’s top three must-visit regions in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2018. It is the only European winter-sports destination on the list which was also ranked the number-one best-value ski resort in Europe in the Post Office’s annual price survey. "Once little discovered, Slovenia's spectacular Julian Alps are becoming increasingly accessible to travellers,” said Anna Tyler, Lonely Planet's Destination Editor.
GROOVE CAIRNGORM RETURNS
FREERIDE OFF-PISTE
WORDS: MEGAN HUGHES
Powder-Perfect Destinations: The Best Areas for Off-Piste In Europe
Aviemore’s Groove CairnGorm festival, billed as Britain’s only winter-sports music festival, is Saturday 24 February, the event offers plenty of
France
entertainment off the slopes. Visitors will be able
Chamonix
back this season. Taking place on Friday 23 and
to enjoy acts including 2manydjs and Norman
simply, the whole mountain really is your playground.
should be on every skier's bucket list!
Where to head? Anywhere and everywhere!
Where to head? Tortin Wall, Mont Fort, Gentianes-Tortin, Stairway to Heaven.
Often hailed as "the mecca of freeriding", Chamonix adrenaline hunters. This is in part due to its huge ski
Austria
area – the Mont-Blanc Unlimited lift pass gives you
The Arlberg
access to a staggering 900km of amazing terrain
Whenever you look up a list of the best resorts for off-
Cortina
throughout the Chamonix Valley all the way through
piste skiing, you can make a good bet that one of the
Though it’s not known as a must-visit destination for off-
to the other side of Mont Blanc at Italy’s Courmayeur.
resorts in the Arlberg will feature. Arguably one of the
piste adventures in the way that Chamonix or La Grave
Furthermore, 90% of the skiing in the Chamonix
most popular Austrian ski areas, the Arlberg comprises
may be, Cortina has varied and entertaining backcountry
Mount Washington Alpine Resort on Vancouver
Valley is located above 2,000m, meaning it is the
a huge range of resorts, from the party town of St Anton,
terrain with the potential for some serious freeriding.
Island off Canada’s West Coast was forced to close
perfect destination for those looking for the best
to the luxurious slopes of Lech and the smaller towns
Incredible descents range from steep, narrow chutes to
chance of powder all year round.
of Warth and Shröcken. Though the last few years have
gentle powder routes with breathtakingly beautiful views
Where to head? Grands Montets, Vallée Blanche,
been somewhat lacking in terms of that waist-deep
to boot.
Brévent, Flégère and Le Tour.
powder, this year has been a different story altogether,
Where to head? Cristallo, Faloria, Tofane, Lagazuoi
with day after day of incredible off-piste conditions.
Couloirs, Forcella Col dei Bos
Jay MBE in the evening and hit the slopes, weather permitting, during the daytime.
WESTERN CANADA DUMPED ON on Sunday 21 January as there was too much snow. The ski resort received more than a metre of snow in 24 hours, forcing the centre and access
has long been a top destination for off piste
roads to close due to dangerous conditions. Around 30 people including a group of scouts were stuck in the centre overnight.
“ONLINE RESOURCES” FOR OLYMPICS
Val d’Isère
From tree runs to wide-open faces or powder bowls, the
The huge ski area of Val d’Isère encompasses not only
Arlberg has something for everyone.
Livigno
some incredible pistes across across Val d’Isère as well as
Where to head? Valluga II, Stuben, Warth,
Interestingly, off-piste skiing was actually banned in
Tignes but also some of our favourite European off-piste
Shröcken, Sonnenkopf
Livigno until recently, when the opening of a new
ski routes as well. From heart-pumping couloirs to fun tree
dedicated freeride area was met with a collective cheer
runs and vast powder fields, it's easy to understand why
from off-piste lovers across Europe. With a thriving
Switzerland
freeride scene and even a heli-skiing outfit, Livigno
Where to head? Le Fornet, Les Brévières, Pisteur’s Couloir, "The Fingers", Lavachet’s "Mickey’s Ears", North
Verbier
as well as gentler terrain for those who want to work on
so many people return here year after year. Snowsport England has released a "PyeongChang to Piste" school resources pack ahead of the Winter Olympics next month and the Paralympics
Italy
Face of Le Grande Motte, Bonneval-sur-Arc.
in March. The cross-curricular resource pack is
offers challenging routes to keep the experts entertained their off-piste abilities.
A regular stop on the Freeride World Tour, Verbier is
Where to head? Monte della Neve, Monte della Mine
La Grave
definitely one of Europe’s top dogs when it comes to off-
La Grave is a pretty unique resort; the entire area has
piste with a wide range of easily accessible backcountry
Alternatively, if you like the sound of the Chamonix area
just two marked runs. Essentially what is on offer here is
routes. The steep Tortin "Wall" itinerary route is often
but have your heart set on Italy, why not try Courmayeur?
competition where children can get arty and
lift-serviced ski touring. Here, you will never feel the need
featured as one of the world’s most scary ski routes and
The Valle d'Aosta has some great freeride potential while
submit their own skis or snowboard graphic.
to keep the best off-piste routes to yourselves. To put it
is definitely not for the faint-hearted, though it is one that
still allowing you to access the likes of the Vallée Blanche.
designed to suit an audience aged between 7 and 14 years. It includes a series of activities involving discussion, research, a quiz and a creative
028 // FEB18
@INTHESNOWMAG
ANDORRA TO ZERMATT
Ski where, when and for as long as you want.... CHOIC E across : Over 50 re so 8 catere countries, a rts d chal p artme ets 2★ to 5★ h nts, otels FLEXIBILITY : Weekends , mid weeks, week long or long er stays
VALUE: We’re never knowingly beaten on price
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ST MORITZ
GLAMOROUS ALPINE DESTINATION 030 // FEB18
@INTHESNOWMAG
Even though well renowned for its palace-like hotels and glamorous lifestyle, the luxury Alpine resort of St Moritz – the world’s original winter-sports destination – has still retained much of its original character and traditional charm, mixing authenticity and prestige.
Head to Pizzet for a family-friendly area with plenty of room to carve wide turns over uncrowded pistes.
Besides Skiing St Moritz Engadin is one of the most varied wintersport regions in Switzerland. For all those who enjoy being active in a spectacular natural setting the region offers lots of opportunities for winter activities besides
Reached by the red trains of the Rhaetian Railway,
downhill skiing, including cross-country skiing, winter
which have been smoothly transporting visitors up to
hiking, curling, tobogganing, snow kiting or ice skating.
St Moritz for the past century via one of the world’s
Corvatsch Snow Night on Fridays is one to add to
most spectacular train rides (and now a UNESCO world
your bucket list. When a full day on the slopes is not
heritage route), St Moritz is a dream destination for
enough, ski Switzerland’s longest illuminated night run,
any fan of snow and ice sports, located 1,800m up in a
every Friday until April from 7pm until 40 minutes past
stunning and snow-sure Alpine location.
midnight for a first-class skiing experience. In the dark, the big cable car takes you up 2,702m, and from there you can ski down the Corvatsch scenic descent through
Ski Area
the trees, to silent and perfectly groomed slopes. Pure delight. Halfway down you can stop by the Hossa Bar, where the après continues all evening.
Situated on the southern side of the Swiss Alps, on the “Roof of Europe”, the “local” region around St Moritz is composed of four separate ski areas, so diversity in skiing is guaranteed. Each however offers wonderful
Free Fall
scenery and excellent terrain. And these are just part of
S
the full Engadin pass with 350km of runs in areas linked
The Engadin is an important venue for sporting
by ski bus and rail on an all-inclusive pass.
competitions for the racing elite. St Moritz held the FIS
In fact, there are enough kilometres of piste to delight
Alpine World Ski Championships for the fifth time last
any skier, from beginner to intermediate or expert.
February. Athletes raced in six disciplines: Downhill,
Altogether there are 88 marked pistes so you can
Giant Slalom, Super-G, Slalom, Super Combined and
even ski or snowboard all day long without repeating
the Team Event.
a single run. Thanks to its high altitude, Engadin St
The highlight of the event and World Cup races too,
Moritz is famously snow-sure, and the great thing is
the men’s downhill race – known as the “Free Fall” – is
that queues are minimal to maximise the number of
world famous for its starting gate. With a gradient of
runs during your day (many visitors to St Moritz don’t
45°, it’s the steepest slope of any downhill course in
even bother to go skiing, especially in the morning,
the world. Approximately 3km long, skiers can reach a
leaving more space for everyone else). Early birds can
speed up to 140 kph.
enjoy a perfect “cour du roy” via the first ride up to the
Even the way up is an enterprise. To reach the top
freshly groomed slopes at 7:45am.
platform (at 2,840m) you have to go up a staircase of
Of the main ski areas, Corviglia – the mountain on St
187 steps. When you get to look down from the top you
Moritz’s doorstep – is accessible from the town by the St
may feel dizzy! This breathtaking start has consequently
Moritz–Corviglia funicular. This sector is home to World
been named “Free Fall”. Since the course was designed
Cup races but will also suit any level of skier or boarder
in 2003 for the World Championships, the start to the
with its varied and optimally groomed slopes ranging
downhill competition has become legendary on the
from easy nursery slopes up to challenging blacks.
World Cup ski circuit.
One of the latest attractions here is situated on the FIS piste – the new Audi Ski Run – a slalom run which is designed to recreate a World Cup atmosphere. 400m long, the giant slalom course has fully automatic
St Moritz Facts
cameras along the piste to record your time from the start to the finish line. An original starting hut formerly used at Ski World Cup events and the Ski Chrono
350km of pistes 88 runs
National tour recreate the overwhelming atmosphere of
FB.COM/INTHESNOW
taking part in a genuine World Cup race.
Longest descent: 10km – Glacier descent
The second biggest area in St Moritz, Corvatsch, is the
3 snowparks | 56 ski lifts
sporty ski area where you can enjoy the thrilling downhill
Highest point: Piz Bernina – 4,089m
runs from the highest mountain station in the eastern
Language: Romansh and German
Alps. The big cable car will take you up the mountain at
Switzerland Tourism: myswitzerland.com
an altitude of 3,303m – the highest lift-served point in
Engadin St Moritz Tourism: engadin.stmoritz.ch
the Engadin. Once at the top, just take in the view over
Swiss International Airlines offer more than 180 weekly
the high mountains. The runs are nice and long and keep
flights from London City, Heathrow, Gatwick (seasonal),
everyone happy. Depending on where you are staying,
Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh (seasonal) and
you may be able to reach this area on skis, but for those
Dublin to either Zurich or Geneva. swiss.com
staying in the main resort the area is easily accessible by
Swiss Railway: swissrailways.com
a 10-minute bus ride down the valley.
Switzerland Travel System: swisstravelsystem.com
031 // FEB18
BY PATRICK THORNE
UNCHECKED CLIMATE CHANGE WOULD MAKE SKI RESORT OPERATIONS UNSUSTAINABLE A study by a group of scientists in Colorado has sought to look at the financial impact on ski resort operations climate change might bring. The group, who say they looked at 300,000
RECORD-BREAKING CABLE CAR OPENS
years’ worth of climate modelling data, focused
The new Zugspitze Cable Car is reported to have gone into operation on Germany’s highest peak.
height difference of 1,945m over one
work, sometimes under the most
section as well as the world’s longest
challenging building conditions
unsupported span, measuring 3,213m.
at 3,000m.
“In addition to breaking three world
Integrated window heaters make
targets agreed at the International Panel on
The new lift has two fully glazed
records in technology, the new lift
it possible to enjoy unobstructed
Climate Change in 2014.
on how the ski season in North America might look in 70 years’ time depending on whether the rate of climate change continues as it does today, or whether mankind manages to hit
ZERMATT'S NEW SUPER LIFT TO OPEN IN 2018
high-capacity cabins which can
offers winter sports enthusiasts a
visibility even in bad weather.
Their study is called: “Projected climate change
transport up to 580 passengers per
breathtaking panorama as it whisks
Once at the top of Germany’s
impacts on skiing and snowmobiling: A case
hour to the peak. Along the journey,
them to the peak,” a Zugspitze cable-
highest peak, visitors can look
they traverse the world’s highest
car company statement confirms.
forward to unique 360° panoramic
Essentially both models see the world
steelwork pylon for aerial tramways
The new lift has taken a total of six
views of over 400 Alpine peaks in
The third and final summer season of
warming at similar rates up to 2040, but then
at 127m, the world’s greatest overall
years of planning and construction
four different countries.
construction of Zermatt’s spectacular
study of the United States.”
temperatures rising more rapidly up to 2090 if
new 3S giant gondola lift up to the Klein
targets are not hit over the next few years, or
Matterhorn is yet to take place, but the
improving if targets are hit.
famous Swiss resort has announced its
The study found that hitting the International
opening date: 29 September 2018.
Panel on Climate Change’s target meant
Work began on the 3S lift – a kind of
the vision for snowsports by the end of this
combination cable car/gondola type
century need not be catastrophic. It projected
lift which carries giant 28-passenger
a shorter season for most resorts but not a
gondola cabins on a continuous loop
disastrously shorter one, and it even envisaged
suspended below twin cables like a cable
skier numbers potentially rising in line with
car for speed, stability and high passenger
population growth, meaning more crowded
capacity – in spring 2016.
slopes but viable operations with a potential
The lift, which will provide a second access to the Klein Matterhorn to the existing
increase in annual revenue of over $120 million at current rates. The ‘do nothing’ results were shown to be fairly catastrophic for the ski industry. Markedly
SHEFFIELD SKI VILLAGE TO BE REBUILT
cable car, which will continue to operate, is being built over 300 days, broken down into three 100-day construction weather windows around the summer months
shorter seasons due to warmer temperatures were seen as meaning investment required to
The famous Sheffield Ski Village,
The ski centre was initially destroyed
Famous skiers who first learned
each year. The new Leitner-built lift will
sustain ski area operations would not be met
once the largest artificial ski centre
in April 2012 when arsonists burnt
their craft at Sheffield include
be significantly quicker, and the modern
by reduced income from ticket sales as fewer
in the world and where several of
down the main building and has
James “Woodsy” Woods (Men’s Ski
cabins, designed by Pininfarina, will have a
people could ski and the widespread closure
Britain’s and the world’s best skiers
since been the scene of dozens of
Slopestyle), Katie Summerhayes
capacity of 2,000 passengers per hour.
and boarders trained, looks set to
fires. Travellers have also reportedly
(Women's Ski Slopestyle), Ellie
The lift will climb 900 vertical metres
be rebuilt.
moved onto part of the site.
Koyander (Women’s Moguls,
to Europe’s highest cable-car station at
“It’s important that the study points out that
A £22.5m plan has been unveiled
Alistair Gosling, Extreme CEO said,
2010 Winter Olympics) and Paddy
3,821m in nine minutes, accessing Zermatt’s
this is still a choice, in the sense that we can
by Sheffield City Council to build
“This is a fantastic and unique
Graham (pro freeskier sponsored by
year-round glacier ski area, one of only two
determine our future based on how aggressively
an extreme sports centre with
opportunity to deliver an EXTREME
Red Bull), most of whom were also
centres to operate their ski slopes 365 days
we as a society choose to cut emissions,” said
established leisure company
Destination right in the heart of
active members of the Sheffield
a year (weather permitting).
leading climate change spokesperson in the ski
Extreme Destinations, which owns
Sheffield and bring the much-
Sharks Ski Club during their
industry, Auden Schendler from Aspen ski resort.
TV channel Extreme Sports.
missed ski facility bang up to date.”
childhood and early teenage years.
of resorts across North America at a multibillion dollar loss.
032 // FEB18
@INTHESNOWMAG @LTMOUNTAINS
LAAX CREATES BUSINESS CENTRE 2252 METRES UP Laax ski area in Switzerland has unveiled an innovative new idea within a redeveloped mountain station – a business centre.
team, have a place to return to when you need
Christened “The Bridge”, this new workspace within
cinema, the Chill Out lounge or just one of the
the Galaaxy mountain station at Crap Sogn Gion can
team tables upon request and availability.”
cater up to 45 people and includes a small cinema
The new business zone is part of a complete
for presentations or movies for up to 29 people.
renovation of the Crap Sogn Gion mountain station,
“The Bridge offers a space for all forward-
now re-christened Galaaxy, this winter. It now has
thinking entrepreneurs, innovators, start-ups,
a new modern contemporary design and also
digital nomads and tech heads to take things
includes a juice bar and brand-new 360° restaurant.
to the next level,” a statement from the resort
Users of The Bridge can buy a day membership,
claims, continuing, “Whether you’ve come to
a card that’s valid for 10 or 20 entries or a full
create the next million dollar idea with your
seasonal member card.
inspiration or simply want to relax and discuss how to change the world in between slashing turns at Laax, members can book meeting rooms,
OBE AND MBE FOR TWO WELL-KNOWN NAMES IN SKIING Two well-known names in skiing have been named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. There is an OBE for Sarah Lewis, Secretary General of the International Ski Federation (FIS) for “services to sport”, and an MBE for James McIntosh, Managing Director of the Lecht Ski Centre, for services to skiing and tourism in North East Scotland. Sarah Lewis has been involved with skiing on both a competitive and administrative level for over 30 years. She began working for FIS in 1994 and was appointed Secretary General in 2000. According to Lecht’s website, the idea to develop the Lecht ski area was started by James McIntosh, who teamed up with Pieter du Pon during their combined time in the Fleet Air Arm. The only thing at the Lecht before 1977 was a lay-by for three cars at the cattle grid, but since then it has always expanded on a modular basis, reinvesting all the generated funds, and now has a car park with capacity for over 800 cars and uplift capacity of over 10,000 skiers per hour.
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS FB.COM/INTHESNOW
033 // FEB18
H E AVY- D U T Y N E V E R F E LT S O L I G H T Seek more with KORE, a game-changing combination of materials and technology brought together to lead the next evolution of freeride. KORE 105
YOUR NEW FAVOURITE FAMILY DESTINATION WORDS: MEGAN HUGHES
It's no myth that travelling is stressful. Early morning alarms, airport breakfasts, turbulent journeys, tedious passport control queues, long waits at baggage claim ... While air travel is incredibly convenient, it's not always the most relaxing way to start or end your holiday.
supercharging point – perfect for our needs! The
the wonderful slopes of Val Gardena, which offer
Our second Dolomites destination was Corvara's
next day, we continued onwards, marvelling at the
some great opportunities for the whole family to
La Perla hotel, which was utterly unlike anything we
gorgeous scenery as we approached the Dolomites.
develop their skills. A selection of blues, both easy
have ever experienced in a ski resort (and we've
Eventually we reached our destination, the
and challenging reds and some enjoyable black runs
stayed in our fair share of hotels!). It's a gorgeous
magnificent Pizseteur mountain chalet set in an
are available, as are three funslopes, sure to be a hit
hotel, with beautiful rooms, a luxurious wellness area
amazing location on the slopes of the mountain,
with younger skiers.
and a number of delicious eateries. However, our
accessible only via skidoo or chairlift! 12 skidoos
A brand new 10-seater lift has opened in Val Gardena
favourite moment was on arrival, when an evening of
came down to collect us and our luggage – an
this season, the 'Piz Seteur' – a popular name it
energetic Italian live music descended into a parade
exhilarating ride to end the 1,000-mile journey, which
would seem! Convenient and comfortable, it allows
of the hotel, the kitchens and the hallways with a real
both we and the kids absolutely loved.
for incredibly easy access into the Sellaronda circuit.
fun, inclusive party atmosphere.
So, ahead of a recent trip to the Dolomites, we
It was dark when we arrived, so we had the brilliant
Skiing the Sella Ronda is an experience that we loved
A lively village, Corvara was a definite hit with the
decided to scrap all this and give driving a go. As
surprise the next day of waking up to a spectacular
sharing with our children. This famous circuit is a great
family, as were the lovely cruisy red runs of the Alta
quite frequent fliers, we are well aware of the uneasy
mountainscape right outside our window. With glorious
way to spend a day and takes you through the most
Badia area. With 53% of runs red and 38% blue, it's
guilt that comes with racking up those air miles so,
sunshine and the fantastic ski area of the Dolomites
stunning natural landscapes. Quite an easy route, the
a fantastic resort in which to base yourself when
we decided that we would not only drive, but we
at our fingertips, we knew we were in for a fantastic
Sella Ronda is very suitable for families, and covering
travelling with your family, particularly if some are
would drive electric.
few days. The location of the Pitzseteur really is
40km, you feel a real sense of achievement afterwards.
less confident on their skis.
As it turns out, Tesla's P100D Model S was the
unparalleled, right on the edge of the Plan de Gralba
When we weren't skiing, we were lunching in the
Our journey back home was as seamless as on the
perfect choice for this journey; ultra safe, with
ski area – it doesn't get more ski-in/ski-out than this.
fabulous fish restaurant Rifugio Emilio Comici, having
way out, stopping at Domaine de Barive, a beautiful
electric all-wheel drive and a lot of space for all our
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites really
a few après-ski drinks in the chalet's own piste-side
country manor hotel. Arriving late, we were shown
luggage (a family of 4 + ski boots = a lot of luggage).
are one of the most beautiful natural landscapes we
bar or sampling the delicious food on offer. From the
to our room in a tower of the hotel, which the girls
It's supercharging function meant no paying for
have come across in a ski area, with some fantastic
incredible hospitality of the Pizseteur staff (thanks to
absolutely loved. Equally loved by us was the
petrol, and the stopping itself was not a chore at all.
skiing to match. The Dolomites Superski Pass gives
whom I was reunited with my wallet which I thought
Jacuzzi bath after a day on the road! We arrived
On the way down, we stopped at Hotel au Boeuf
you access to the whole area, a staggering 1200km
I'd lost forever on the mountain), to the impeccable
home in England relaxed and rejuvenated after an
Rouge, an amazing hotel in the middle of nowhere,
of slopes across 12 ski areas.
cleanliness of the hotel and the fun of the skidoos,
incredible holiday. Our advice about travelling to the
with great food, a fantastic wine cellar and a
We spent our time at the Pizseteur mostly skiing
we all absolutely loved our stay here.
Dolomites? Definitely do it!
034 // FEB18 034//PROMO JUN17
TESLA.COM
LEONARDO DICAPRIO’S FOUNDATION JOINS BATTLE AGAINST BULGARIAN SKI AREA EXPANSION A campaigning environmental charity set up by Leonardo DiCaprio is believed to have donated funds to a group battling plans to expand Bansko ski area further into Bulgaria’s Pirin National Park. Bansko’s ski activities in the national park land have been the subject of disagreement with environmental groups for nearly two decades. Originally campaigners claimed Bansko had already built lifts and runs illegally on the national park land, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This led to legal cases right up to EU level, and successive Bulgarian governments took differing positions, with some arguing that the employment created justified any transgressions, while others said that protecting the national park from development was all important. One even went so far as retrospectively declaring that the national park land where Bansko built lifts and cut runs was no longer part of the park. The latest developments, which are being fought by the WWF, appear to see Bansko planning to add more lifts and runs further into the park, creating one of the world’s biggest ski areas. Leonardo DiCaprio established the DiCaprio Foundation aged 23 with the stated aim “to protect the world’s last wild places.” It is not clear exactly what relationship the foundation has with environmental campaigners in Bulgaria, but it recently tweeted: “Join us and @World_Wildlife to help save the centuries-old forests of Bulgaria’s Pirin National Park from ski zone expansion and logging.”
NEW HALF-TERM COACH NEW MEGA-LIFTS $50M SERVICE TO LES 2 IN ALPES
INVESTMENT AT WHISTLER Snow Express, the UK to French Alps direct bus service, has
cost, according to the company’s founder.
Vail Resorts launchedhave a brand announced new half-term plans to route spend to Les $52 2 Alpes million for the (aroundFebruary £37 million) half-term week. at Whistler Departing Blackcomb Londonahead on Friday of10 the 2018/19 February ski 2017 season. (5.30pm)The and new lifts leaving atthe the resort largest on Saturday ski resort 18inFebruary North2017 America, (6.15pm), the which they return trip acquired costs £199pp. last year, will At the include time of writing, the for creation arrival of and what departure Vail Resorts on the believesame is dates, the world’s one well-known first three-gondola low-cost airline inter-connect. was charging
represent a 47%Snow capacity increase “Since starting Express in and
This largest wellsingle in excess investment of £1,500 in the for
29% and maximising the snow passenger age rangetime goesonright
resort’s history the lowest-cost will includefares a new for a
for on the mountain’s premier up families to 85 years old.”
10-passenger familygondola, with twonew adults six-passenger and
intermediate learning terrain. Snow Express operates to
high-speed twoliftchildren and new (including four-passenger hold
Finally, the existing 40 ski resorts in theCatskinner French triple-
high-speed luggage), lift providing with times quicker, thateasier would
passenger lift will be replaced Alps, with departures every with a
access tomake all levels it extremely of terrain.difficult and
four-passenger, high-speed Friday evening from Londonlift orallowing
A new 10-passenger expensive togondola get to the willresort
Whistler Blackcomb to enjoy Folkestone betweenguests December
replace the on arrival. Wizard Most and Solar of thechairlifts fares
faster, morereturning convenient access to and April, every
and ascend withfrom times thethat base work to the welltop are in
Blackcomb Mountain’s Saturday evening frombeginner resort. and
of Blackcomb Mountain, terminating excess of £2,000 for a family of
intermediate terrain. Fares start from £99pp return;
adjacentfour, to the existing PEAKtime 2 PEAK with the prime fare
“This theretransformative are no excessinvestment baggage will offer a
Gondola,coming which transports guests to in at over £3,340. That
dramatic the experience charges improvement for luggage ortowinter
and fromdoesn’t Blackcomb andthe Whistler. Upon include transfer
for all ofequipment, our guests as they explore and sports and travel
completion, thefrom newairport gondola will offer costs to resort.
enjoy theto largest and most is direct the resort itself.popular resort
guests a But more andthe weatherit’scomfortable not just about
insnowexpress.co.uk North America,” said Pete Sonntag,
protected experience.
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
The new gondola is expected to
Officer of Whistler Blackcomb.
FB.COM/INTHESNOW
move 4,000ofpeople perwe hour, the winter 2009/10 havethe highest capacity in North America. carried over 14,000 passengers In addition toto the new gondola, from the UK the Alps, and the capital plan also includes lift upgrades in increasingly we are finding Whistler Blackcomb’s Family a huge variety of people of Ski Zone, an area renowned for all upper-mountain ages using the service for intermediate tailored to families. convenience,trails rather than just The Family Ski Zone’s Emerald Express the cost saving,” said Snow four-passenger liftDave will be replaced Express founder, Manley. with new six-passenger “Weaare also now carryinghigh-speed more lift, increasing guest uphill capacity by families than before and our
035 // FEB18
Kitzbühel has a visible network of fast, comfortable
marvel created by British-born architect Zaha Hadid.
modern lifts, but what’s less obvious to the visiting
Each of the four stations have been designed to
skier is that there are around 1,100 of the latest
resemble icy glaciers, giving the impression that
snow cannons covering the slopes too, taking
the nearby mountain is right in the heart of the city.
their water from 10 specially created water-storage
The contrast between the arched shape of the roofs
lakes. Also, the lift company uses a fleet of 31 GPS-
and the firmly anchored concrete bases makes the
controlled piste-groomers each night to ensure
stations unique, and gives them an almost magical
the slopes are smoothed to a pristine condition as
sense of weightlessness.
efficiently as possible.
The latest thinking covers almost every aspect of ski
Kitzbühel has in fact got so clever with its snow
area operations too, not just the biggest projects.
management in recent years that it actually
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental already has a fleet of
stockpiles large amounts of snow at the end of
the latest ski lifts, but this year a sizable chunk of its
The truth is that while the Tiroleans know it’s worth
each ski season, protecting it using conventional
latest €4.5 million spend has gone on a revolution
preserving their architecture, their traditions and all that
insulation material, such as white fleece and foil,
in slope grooming: a new snow measuring system,
we love about spending our ski holidays there, they
to save it from the summer heat. About 20% of the
which uses GPS to measure snow depth to within a
don’t live in the past. In fact, tens of millions of euros are
snow melts through the spring and summer months,
few centimetres. During slope grooming work, this
spent each year on buying in the very latest tech.
but in October each year, the snow is re-used to
information is passed on in real time to the drivers, who
So, whether you’re on the slopes riding the latest
form the base for the next winter’s skiing. The start
therefore know precisely how much snow is currently
designer chairlift or in resort enjoying the warmth
of this season (2017/18) was the earliest opening
sitting beneath their high-performance machines
provided by an ultra-modern communal green
yet, with thousands of recreational skiers, as well
enabling more targeted use of manmade snow and
heating system, you benefit from the very latest
as professionals who could use the snow for early
consequently less water and energy consumption,
innovations, while enjoying those traditional values,
training, being welcomed on 14 October.
less fuel and shorter operating times for the fleet of 65
on a ski holiday in Tirol.
In Innsbruck, the Hungerburg Funicular is a design
snow groomers, seven of which are new this year.
©INNSBRUCKTOURISMUS
21ST CENTURY TIROL
When we think of the Austrian Tirol we tend to think of cosy villages, friendly people and snowy slopes … and we’re not wrong. But this timeless reputation for traditional charm does tend to mask another part of the Tirol ski holiday experience – the high technology.
036 // FEB18
VISITTIROL.CO.UK
NEW OPERATOR OF 12 NORTH AMERICAN SKI AREAS GIVES ITSELF A NAME The entity that snapped up a dozen leading US ski areas in the spring has finally decided on its name: Alterra. The entity is made up of a Coloradobased venture capital company, KSL Capital Partners, who have put in the majority of the money, and Henry Crown and Company, whose existing assets include Aspen ski area, which put in the remainder. The company’s resorts include Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Mammoth in California, as well as Steamboat and Winter Park in Colorado, Deer Valley in Park City, Utah, and the remaining resorts still owned by the once mighty Intrawest group, including Stratton in Vermont, Tremblant in Quebec, Blue Mountain in Ontario and CMH Heli-Skiing in Canada, which Alterra say is the world’s largest heli-skiing operation. At the time of the acquisitions (which all came within a period of about a week and had a rumoured collective price tag of some $2 billion), commentators speculated that the group’s creation was a response to the rapid expansion of Vail Resorts, which now owns a BRANDON SKINNER
dozen resorts, recently acquiring Stowe in Vermont and former Intrawest flagship ski area Whistler Blackcomb, to give it both the largest ski area in North America (Whistler) and in the USA (Park City). Alterra have insisted they’re keen to see their resorts continue to operate independently and only to use best-practice ideas discovered at each ski area across others where it seems sensible to do so. alterramtnco.com
NEW HALF-TERM COACH LEADING SERVICEUS TO SKI LES TOWNS 2 ALPES
TO BECOME 100% GREEN Snow Express, the UK to French Alps direct bus service, has
At least launched threea brand of the newbiggest half-term ski towns routein to Les the 2 Alpes USA for have the announced February they half-term plan week. to ensure they are Departing 100% London green on energy Friday 10 powered February by 2035. 2017 (5.30pm) and leaving the resort on Saturday
cost, according to the company’s founder.
to“Since become fully carbon neutral,inand the starting Snow Express popularity town and ski area with the winterof ofthe 2009/10 we have the super-rich meanspassengers its local airport carried over 14,000 isfrom believed totohave a veryand high carbon the UK the Alps, footprint due we to all private planes increasingly arethe finding flying in.variety of people of a huge
The latest 18toFebruary make the 2017 commitment (6.15pm), the is
The voteusing to go the “100% Renewable” means all ages service for
Breckenridge returnintrip Colorado, costs £199pp. where the
that convenience, local energy rather providers than just are required
council recently At the time voted of unanimously writing, for to
to identify and provide more renewable the cost saving,” said Snow
power their arrival entire andcommunity departure by on100% the
power tofounder, the community. Express Dave Manley.
renewable same energy dates, sources one well-known by 2035.
About 50also communities in Colorado “We are now carrying more have
Athletes low-cost who support airline climate was charging change
voted to go 100% green families than before andenergy our powered.
advocacywell group in excess ProtectofOur £1,500 Winters for
Worldwide study by climate change passengeraage range goes right
attendedthe thelowest-cost Breckenridge fares Town for Council a
information organisation SaveOurSnow. up to 85 years old.”
meeting family and spoke with to two Council adultsmembers and
com found that operates more thanto23% of ski Snow Express
about their twosupport children for(including the resolution hold
areas already 100% renewable energy 40 skiare resorts in the French
ahead ofluggage), the vote. with times that would
powered, exporting Alps, withseveral departures everyexcess green
Breckenridge makejoins it extremely fellow Colorado difficult and ski
power produce site from Fridaythey evening fromon London or wind,
town Aspen expensive as well to asget Utah’s to the Park resort City in
hydro and solar. Folkestone between December
making this on arrival. commitment. Most of the fares
and April, returning every
Aspen skiwith area times has been that work one well of the are in
Saturday evening from resort.
leading ski areasofworldwide excess £2,000 forwhen a family of
Fares start from £99pp return;
it comes four, to campaigning on climate with the prime time fare
there are no excess baggage
change and taking positive action. That coming in at over £3,340.
charges for luggage or winter
A projectdoesn’t which recycles global-warminginclude the transfer
sports equipment, and travel
causing emissions disused mines costs fromfrom airport to resort.
is direct to the resort itself.
in the area energy Butinto it’sclean not just aboutmeans the the
snowexpress.co.uk
ski area is effectively carbon neutral. However, the ski town of Aspen is yet
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037 // FEB18
WORDS: MEGAN HUGHES & PATRICK THORNE
038 // FEB18
@INTHESNOWMAG
PROMOTION
Four years after what became known as the “Tropical Winter Olympic Games” in Sochi, the wider world will be focused on ice and snowsports once again as the Winter Olympics and Paralympics return, moving even further east, this time to South Korea.
When Are The Games On?
Millie Knight The upcoming star of Britain’s Winter Paralympics Team lost
The 23rd Winter Olympics will take place from 9 to 25
her sight at age six and only has 8% peripheral vision in one
February 2018, and the 12th Winter Paralympics will follow at
eye won eleven medals on the World Cup circuit last season,
the same venues from 9 to 18 March 2018.
including seven golds, before she even took her A levels.
South Korea is nine hours ahead of the UK, so afternoon events will appear in the early morning and evening
James Woods
competitions in the late morning and early afternoon.
James “Woodsy” Woods has become the UK’s most
The BBC will have extensive coverage of the Olympics,
successful winter-sports athlete competing in ski slopestyle.
as will Eurosport who have made a big splash about their
With an increasingly impressive trophy cabinet built up over
coup in securing recently retired American skiing great
the past 10 years now, Woods’ most recent achievements
Bode Miller to join their commentary team.
include an X Games gold and winning gold again in the
Channel 4 will be the main broadcaster for the Paralympics.
Cardrona World Cup competition in New Zealand at the
InTheSnow.com and our social media channels will also
start of the 2017/18 season.
deliver the big ski and snowboarding news stories from As with Sochi, snow cover can be problematic in South
the Games.
Aimee Fuller
Korea, but the country does have a reputation for consistent
Aimee Fuller’s many achievements on snow include
sub-zero temperatures in its ski regions, so usually, although
making the semi-finals in the slopestyle contest at the
heavy snow is unusual, the snow that does fall tends to stay on the ground. The organisers have also invested large
Who to Watch on Team GB
Sochi Olympics and being the first woman to land a double backflip and cab double 900.
amounts on snowmaking in a belts and braces approach. Another problem for South Korea is that it doesn’t have
Britain has previously won two bronze medals in
Kelly Gallagher
many big mountains, and didn’t have a lift-served ski slope
snowsports at the Olympics: one for Alain Baxter in
Britain’s only gold-medal-winning Winter Olympian or
with big enough vertical to accommodate the required
the slalom at the 2002 Games in Utah, which was
Paralympian aims to be back for Pyeongchang and to
descent of the blue-ribbon Men’s Alpine Downhill race.
unfortunately unfairly taken from him and has not yet
achieve even more with medals in multiple events.
The problem might have been addressed by building a bit
been returned despite enquiries finding him innocent
of extra height on top of the existing biggest vert, but in
of drug cheating, and the other for Jenny Jones in
Emily Sarsfield
the event the South Koreans circumvented the problem by
snowboard slopestyle at the Sochi Games.
Emily Sarsfield is Britain’s No.1female ski-cross athlete
building a completely new run through national parkland – a
Britain’s Winter Paralympians have won more medals
and at 34 years old, is the oldest of the team headed to
very unpopular move with environmental groups.
to date, including five in skiing at the Sochi Games with
PyeongChang. (Not sure if you’d want to include that?)
The Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium will host the opening
gold for Kelly Gallagher and her guide Charlotte Evans
Alongside her 8 national titles, Sarsfield has been a regular
and closing ceremonies, but downhill and freestyle ski
in the Super-G, and a remarkable three silvers and a
fixture on the FIS Ski Cross World Cup circuit for many
and snowboarding events will take place at four separate
bronze for Jade Etherington and her guide Caroline
years, regularly finishing within the top 15 since her return
venues. The Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre will host the
Powell across skiing disciplines.
from injury in 2016. This is her first Winter Games after injury
snowboarding Big Air competition; the Yongpyong Alpine
For the 2018 Olympics and Paralympics some well-
ruled her out of Vancouver 2010 and she narrowly missed
Centre will stage alpine skiing’s slalom and giant slalom
known faces will be back, but there are also high hopes
out on qualification in 2014, so we are excited to see what
competition; the Bokwang Snow Park is the venue for other
for members new to the team since the 2014 games.
she has in store for PyeongChang!
freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions and that
At the time of going to press we know that there’ll be
purpose-built Jeongseon Alpine Centre will stage Downhill,
around 60 Team GB competitors across all disciplines
Billy Morgan
Super-G and combined alpine skiing contests.
for the Olympics, and 15–20 for the Paralympics, but
Billy Morgan competes in both Slopestyle and Big Air
At the last Winter Olympics the main talk was about the vast
the teams have not been announced. Here are some of
snowboarding events, the latter being newly included in the
amount of money lavished on the event by the Russians –
the more high-profile athletes at present expected to
Olympics this year. Beginning as a gymnast, Morgan began
variously estimated at up to $50 billion dollars and believed
compete and have the greatest success, although who
snowboarding on his local dry slope in Southampton at
to be the most expensive Games, summer or winter, in history.
knows, it could be one of the lesser-known competitors
the age of 14 and did not board on snow until he was 18! In
The South Koreans have been more modest in their spending,
that makes the podium.
2013, he gained his first World Cup podium, bronze at Sierra
although they clearly haven’t scrimped on new infrastructure,
Dave Ryding
land an 1800 triple cork and also took bronze in the Big Air
new high-speed train link from capital Seoul which takes little
Slalom specialist Dave “The Rocket” Ryding scored Team
event at the X Games in Oslo in 2016.
more than an hour to reach Olympic venues. The big story
GB’s best alpine skiing result for 35 years with a silver at
that has overshadowed the build-up to the Games has of
the Hahnenkamm in Austria a year ago. Since then he has
Jamie Nicholls
course been the antics of northern neighbour, North Korea.
scored numerous top 10 results and came agonisingly close
In 2014 Jamie represented Team GB at the Sochi 2014 Winter
to a first gold in his first event of the season in Levi, Finland,
Olympics in Russia. Making it to the finals, Jamie successfully
when he fell when leading in the second run just short of
finished 6th, missing out on a podium finish by 1 point. In
the finish line.
2016, Jamie became the first British male to win a Snowboard
New Events
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Nevada, and more recently he became the first boarder to
which, besides the new alpine ski racing centre, includes a
World Cup at the Snow Jam in the Czech Republic.
Katie Ormerod
The 2018 Winter Olympics will feature 102 events in 15
Snowboarder Katie Ormerod (20) became the first British
Katie Summerhayes
sports. These include four new disciplines not previously
woman to win a Big Air World Cup competition in Moscow
Katie grew up honing her skills on her local dry ski slope
featured in an Olympic Games, including one each in skiing
last season and built on her success by winning silver in
in Sheffield as well as the Snozone indoor snow slope in
and boarding. They are Big Air snowboarding (which will
Milan this season. Other claims to fame include becoming
Castleford. In 2013, Summerhayes finished second in the
replace the parallel slalom) and mixed-team alpine skiing.
the youngest female snowboarder to land a double backflip
FIS World Cup Slopestyle competition, becoming the first
The Paralympics will feature 80 events including 30 alpine
and being the first woman to successfully complete a
British female skier in 19 years to win a medal in a World
skiing competitions and 10 snowboarding contests.
backside double cork 1080.
Cup event.
PYEONGCHANG2018.COM/EN
BY PATRICK THORNE
FAMILY-FRIENDLIEST SKI DESTINATIONS Almost all ski resorts say they’re family-friendly, and it’s true to say you can have a great family ski holiday at virtually any resort. However some centres are particularly well set up to cater for families making the likelihood of a
UK’S 7TH INDOOR SNOW CENTRE TO OPEN IN 2019
great stay that bit higher.
What could be the UK’s seventh indoor snow centre could open in autumn next year, according to a spokesperson for Cool Runnings (NE).
more recently there was an
site with a 12-month construction
agreement for the new facility to
schedule. They are to seek full
be run by the team behind Snow
planning permission in the meantime.
Factor, which runs Scotland’s only
The complex will have a main slope
indoor snow centre at Braehead.
and nursery slope and will also
The Cool Runnings spokesperson
house a soft play facility, both a
told the local Northern Echo
climbing wall and ice-climbing wall,
village is family oriented but the chocolate sweet
The plans for the new facility on a
newspaper that the company was
indoor sky diving and trampolines
making classes with Isobel at the village chocolatier
seven-acre site in the Middlehaven
waiting for a new road bridge and
plus a cafe, restaurant and shops.
A team of Paralympic ski and snowboard
area of Middlesbrough were
link road by the site to be completed
Cool Runnings believe the complex
athletes will be representing Great Britain at
announced some time ago, and
in August before starting work on
will bring 2.25m visitors to the area.
the 2018 Paralympics, which will take place in
There are many, but here are six of the best:
LES GETS, FRANCE Les Gets has built a reputation like few other resorts for its family-friendly facilities and attitude, attracting some of the best British family ski specialist tour operators. Everything about the
is a particular favourite.
MONT-TREMBLANT, CANADA
PIPPA LAUNCHES SKI2PARALYMPICS CHALLENGE
PyeongChang in South Korea between 9–18
It is a transatlantic flight away, but one of the
March 2018, and they’re looking for as much
shorter hops, and once you arrive at Montreal
funding as they can raise. All are supported by Disability Snowsport UK
airport, it’s a quick hop to the resort. MontTremblant is perfectly purpose-built with panache
(DSUK), and the charity’s patron, royal sister-in-law
– spacious accommodation is located steps away
and extreme sports adventurer, Pippa Middleton,
from all facilities and the ski slopes in its car-free
has helped launch a “5,560 mile ski challenge”
village, and there are excellent off-slope attractions
named #Ski2Paralymics with that very aim. To enjoy this challenge, you’ll need to donate just £5 to
including an indoor water park.
DSUK on the #Ski2Paralympics JustGiving page and
LEVI, FINLAND
then share your ski mileage on the DSUK Facebook event page (www.bit.ly/Facebookski2paralympics)
Stay in the compact centre of Levi and you’ll find everything your family needs close to your
as often as you can get on a ski slope. You can do
accommodation. The huge slopeside Spa Hotel
this by taking a screenshot of the distance travelled
Levitunturi has a remarkable complex of more than a dozen themed swimming pools, and there are some great play areas for children on the slopes
GLENSHEE LIFT MAY BE READY FOR 2018/19
using the Crystal Ski Explorer app or any other ski tracking device. “It is clear to me that the work of DSUK changes and enhances people’s lives. Their adaptive
and, of course, Santa to visit. It can be VERY cold A new quad chairlift to be installed
chairlift to replace the elderly
ongoing programme to replace the
snowsports programmes create opportunities and
at Scotland’s Glenshee ski centre
Cairnwell T-bar tow by the
older infrastructure at Glenshee
inspire disabled people through snowsports. So,
may go into service in time for the
Cairngorms National Park Authority
and improve the visitor experience
if you would like more of a challenge to your own
2018/19 ski season.
(CNPA) earlier this autumn.
at the site. It is expected to be
ski season, then why not take part in the DSUK
regions, Andorra also has great family-friendly ski
“Work is expected to start as soon
The new chair will transport almost
operational in 2019.
Ski2Paralympics18!” said Pippa Middleton.
areas, good accommodation and dining options,
as funds are in place, most likely
2,000 people per hour – three
Glenshee Ski Centre is the
DSUK will be recording the distance travelled and
and excellent on-slope childcare and ski school
during spring 2018,” a statement
times as many skiers as the surface
largest of its kind in Scotland,
keep everyone updated on their progress. Miles
facilities, often staffed by Brits, Aussies and Kiwis
from Ski Scotland claims.
tow – and will be much more user-
covering an area of more than
can be skied, snow-shoed or snowboarded.
Glenshee has been given planning
friendly for snowboarders.
2,000 acres extending across
permission for the four-person
The development is part of an
four mountains.
though, so if that’s an issue, best avoid.
ARINSAL, ANDORRA As well as being one of the more affordable ski
who make your children feel right at home.
040 // FEB18
@INTHESNOWMAG @LTMOUNTAINS
threevalleetransfers www.3vt.co.uk | +44 (0)1323 351964
PRIVATE & SHARED TRANSFERS TO LES 3 VALLÉES
MONGOLIA With temperatures averaging -40°C, Mongolia should be a natural ski destination, but snowfall is not quite the winter asset that the low temperature is for winter sports, and downhill skiing hasn’t been a big priority for Mongolians until recently.
The slopes are wide open with a little bit of
country of Mongolia!) just over the border.
light glading at the edge of the trails. The
Alsham is regarded as the top league of ski
ski centre can cope with 1,500 customers a
areas in China, with an FIS racing slope. It is
day but is reported to be quiet most days as
reported to be located in a snow pocket with
Mongolians are still not keen skiers. The 300-
skiing from the start of November, making it one
seat restaurant, 480 lockers and 1,000-capacity
of the country's most snow-sure destinations.
car parking space are rarely full.
Because of its location on the border of
The lifts and runs are located between 1,379
Mongolia, it is marketed for the "Mongolian
and 1,570m, giving a 191m vertical. Visitors can
experience" and offers alternative snow-fun
rent skiwear as well as skis, boards and boots.
sports such as football on snow.
But that all changed in November 2009 with
The runs are 100% covered by snowmaking,
The ski resort contains two parts: the West
the opening of Sky Mountain, a ski area located
installed by TechnoAlpin, which is needed
Hill Ski Terrain for ski racing and training,
13km southeast of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s
because the area is extremely dry and
and the East Hill Terrain for fun. The West
capital and largest city. Sky Mountain has six
only receives an average of 20cm of snow
Hill Terrain is built in accordance with the
trails for beginners, intermediate and advanced
between November and February each winter.
standards of international ski racing, suitable
skiers, adding up to 6km of trails served by
The nearest existing resort is believed to
for competition and training. This part covers
seven lifts including a couple of chairs, two
be Alsham in the Chinese province of Inner
around 5.5km with a great many downhill and
drags and three moving carpet lifts.
Mongolia (not to be confused with the actual
cross-country trails.
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041 // FEB18
COPYRIGHT BY KMU-FOTOGRAFIE.CH / 2012
It has occasionally made international news when some billionaire has paid out so much money that a top resort agrees to close a slope or two for their personal use.
per hour) and a lot of additional services too. There are the essentials to start with that you might not think about – but along with the lift operators, your slopes will be groomed and ready for you, and the ski patrol are on hand just as they always are. For the CHF10,000 version, for Kulm Hotel guests you get access for more than twice as long included,
Your Own Private Ski Slope
Basic Package:
Lux Package:
CHF5,000 (£3,800)
from CHF10,000 (£7,600)
kulm.com
042 // FEB18
corvatsch.ch
Those of us not so financially well-endowed protest
right through to 2am, transfer to/from the mountain
loudly that we paid for our day’s skiing and that
and from/to the hotel; Swiss specialities including
includes the run that is closed to us – even if we had
Raclette, Fondue, Fondue Chinoise, dessert,
no intention of going on it and there are dozens of
selected wines, coffee/tea and water included and
alternatives. It’s the principle that counts!
entertainment with a private DJ. All other requests
Thankfully, at St Moritz you are not closing a ski slope
can normally be catered for.
to prevent the general public from using it, but having
In terms of catering, the ski area has three
the area open up its famed Corvatsch ski area for
restaurants on hand and is happy to offer additional
your private use in the evening after the regular snow
ideas just for you:
day ends. So not only are you not stopping everyone
“Virtually everything is possible: perhaps hors
else skiing, you’re giving some bonus work hours to
d’oeuvres on the boarding platform and/or in
the centre’s employees – well done you!
the cable car cabin? You could have a drinks
Booking the slope for the personal use of yourself
bar on the lift platform or make use of any of the
and any friends or business colleagues you wish is
three restaurants for your evening meal: Murtèl
possible, thanks to the fact that the ski area is owned
middle station, Alpetta and the Hossa Bar,” a Kulm
and operated by the same family that own the world’s
spokesperson suggested.
original winter-sports hotel, the Kulm Hotel St Moritz,
Once you have arrived at the bottom, you can make
where the first winter mountain guests ever recorded
your way directly to the cable car boarding platform.
– Brits, of course – checked in for the 1864/65
You do not need a lift pass and there is no queueing
season even before the winter season had been
at the turnstile. Drinks are awaiting you, which you
thought of. The Kulm is now one of the world’s most
can enjoy at your leisure as you do not have to wait
luxurious 5★ hotels, and the owners this season also
for the next cable-car, for it will depart when you
snapped up a second of the three St Moritz ski areas,
are ready. You can decide how many trips up the
Diavolezza-Lagalb.
mountain you make and when you want to stop for
The family run the ski areas and hotel as separate
refreshments or a bite to eat.
businesses, however, and there are a number of
Private slope rental is available any evening of the
options for renting Corvatsch. The first is the “VIP
week except Friday (when it is open to the public)
Snow Night”, priced from CHF5,000, that’s open to
between December and April and takes place
all, and the second is the “Rent Your Own Mountain”
on a 4.2km-long run, the longest floodlit piste in
experience priced from CHF10,000 that is specifically
Switzerland, after the slopes have been freshly
for Kulm guests, has added perks, and normally limits
groomed between 5 and 6.45pm.
the number of skiers participating to just 10.
It’s up to you just how many people you invite to
For your CHF5,000 you get the floodlit ski area to
share your private slope with you. The Kulm notes
yourself for three hours from 7 to 10pm (extra hours
the minimum number for the slopes to operate is,
are available, up to midnight at the latest, at CHF1,500
well, one.
KULM.COM | CORVATSCH.CH
RESORT:INSIDER Planning a ski holiday on a budget
Mark Baker looks at a budget ski holiday this winter in Tignes and chooses the UCPA. I wanted to take an extra week to ski with some mates this winter, around the family holiday during the half-term holidays, but I needed to keep the costs down. Our dates were 31 March for a week and I started to look around online for some deals. I wanted to go high, so Tignes was the obvious choice and I thought self-catered was going to provide the best value, so I put a shopping © ROGER GRUETTER
list together based on 7 nights in an apartment with four people. Here’s what I came up with:
ENGELBERG Engelberg is one of the quickest and easiest major ski resorts in Switzerland to reach, just a short hop from Zurich Airport. Famous for its freeriding,
APARTMENT 2 BEDROOM €950 / 4 PEOPLE = ESPACE KILLY PASS 6 DAYS SKI HIRE TIGNES 6 DAYS LESSONS ESF TIGNES BREAKFASTS 7 X €4 = LUNCH ON MOUNTAIN 6 X €25 = DINNER COOK IN 3 X €15 = DINNER EAT OUT 4 X €35 =
€237 €285 €96 €149 €28 €150 €45 €140
but this year the resort’s igloo village has
snowmobile in an environmentally friendly
something of a monastic theme too. A
way by renting an electric snow vehicle and
Shaolin theme to be precise. The planned
taking off on a fun driving course. You can
highlight will be a visit by Shaolin masters
test the limits of drifting with your snowXbike
in the final week of the season, organising
or throw your whole body into the narrow
But then I heard about the UCPA – a not-for-profit organisation that
martial art workshops, show fights and
curves as you jet along on your snowmobile.
has all-inclusive packages based in their centre right in the middle
seminars. iglu-dorf.com
Junior snowmobiles (slower and with less
of Tignes. They had a holiday for £587 that included three meals a
Engelberg also has 82km of fantastic
torque) are also available for kids aged 12
day, ski pass, instruction and equipment hire – we don’t even need
groomed pistes over a massive vertical of
and up. snowxpark.ch/
to cook. The room sleeps four people so that works out too. With
TOTAL =
€1,130 OR AROUND £1,000
nearly 2,000m, accessed by more than
Snow and Safety Days
20 fast, state-of-the-art lifts including the
If you’ve always wanted to learn more about
remarkable revolving Rotair cable car. The
mountain safety but weren’t sure where to
magnificent 12km run from the top to the
begin, a visit during one of Engelberg’s Snow
Visit One of the World’s Highest Chocolate Shops
bottom of the slopes is one of the longest in
and Safety Days could be your answer. At
Located 3,020m up, the Chocolate Shop
the world.
these, mountain guides teach freeriders how
located on the third floor of the TITLIS peak
to ski safely through off-piste powder snow
station lets you choose from over 300 of
and demonstrate the most important rules
your favourite sorts of chocolate, or you can
Saturday Night at Trübsee
for having fun and staying safe, including
put together your own selection of sweets.
Take the gondola lift up to Trübsee on a
training with shovels and transceivers. There
Saturday night and you can have fun tubing,
are tours over powder snow accompanied by
snowshoe walking or winter hiking by night
mountain guides, an orienteering race in the
Night Ski at Brunni
then enjoy pizza from a wood-fired oven and
ski area, and much more – and best of all,
The Brunni ski area celebrates 75 years in
a good glass of wine in Italian restaurant
the course is free of charge for resort guests.
operation this winter. It has offered night
Lago Torbido after your exertions. All you
The courses run (Monday to Wednesday)
skiing for many years and this continues
need is your ski pass.
22–24 and 29–31 January as well as 12–14
on selected Friday and Saturday nights in
and 26–28 February. engelberg.ch/en/
January and February. Brunni now operates
I booked everyone through the Action Outdoors website after calling
freeride-the-big-5/snow-safety-days/
a solar power plant on Ristis (1,600m) with
them to check some details. It has been an amazing start to the
panels spread over 150m2, which produces
winter there with some record-breaking amounts of snow, so we’re
Meet the Monks
the option to take the Snow Express coach from London direct to the resort for only £89 return, the whole trip comes in way below our self-catering option and certainly much less than a catered chalet, once you consider the ski pass price alone. The list changed:
ALL INCLUSIVE ACTION OUTDOORS HOLIDAY = £ 5 8 7 4 BED ROOM 6 DAY SKI PASS ALL SKI OR SNOWBOARD HIRE INCLUDED 12 HOURS LESSONS WITH UCPA BREAKFAST FULL LUNCH AT CENTRE OR PACKED LUNCH HUGE EVENING MEAL SNOW EXPRESS (NO LUGGAGE LIMITS REALLY) = £89 RETURN
Engelberg has an ancient Benedictine
Rent an Electric Snowmobile
as much electricity per year as the artificial
now really looking forward to heading out there in March!
monastery (which serves very good beer),
snowXpark gives you the chance to
snowmaking system on Brunni consumes.
Call Action Outdoors on 0203 328 5443 or email info@action-outdoors.co.uk
FB.COM/INTHESNOW
ENGELBERG.CH
This month the subject is how to ski bumps. For many, skiing bumps can be a love/hate relationship. However you feel about them, sooner or later you will come across some, and it is better to be prepared. Here are some simple tips to help improve your bumps skiing:
©PAUL KEPPEL PHOTOGRAPHY
TUITION SKI BUMPS JON (AKA WESTY)
Pick a line
Pole-plant!
Before you have even started skiing, it is so
Pole-planting is critical to skiing bumps as it
important to choose the line you are going
will help with the rhythm of your turns, provide
Jon holds the top qualifications from
to ski and commit to it. Pick a point down the
stability for your upper body and help you to
France, Switzerland and Britain,
hill and aim for it with conviction – do not
stay balanced over your skis.
and we can say firsthand that he is
hold back!
Plant your pole over the top of the bump onto
a great ski instructor! Jon heads up
the backside. This allows for better flow down
the team at Altitude Ski School –
High line – In the moguls ski up onto the top
the bumps, and the upper body is less likely to
Verbier’s most established British ski
or high on the shoulder of the bump so that
be pushed back.
school. Each month Jon or one of
the tip and tail are free and it is easy to rotate
Take it easy to start with
his team will provide us with a few
the ski. Rotate the ski and skid down the
Take a deep breath and relax …
tips and words of wisdom to help
back of the bump to control the speed.
Bumps can often be intimidating, so it is
improve our understanding of skiing.
Make sure you practise first on some easy
important to try and keep a level head. Take
ALTITUDE
smaller bumps to warm up; don’t head straight
Direct line – Keep the skis in the rut line. The
a deep breath at the top of the bumps and try
to Tortin! Even when you do get to the harder
skier is much more restricted in how much
and just focus on one action point for the run.
bumps, break the run into smaller sections.
and where they can turn and skid the ski.
The more relaxed and confident you are, the
The Altitude winter company portfolio
For example, just try to ski 10 bumps at a time.
Speed down the slope is generally faster
more likely it is that your legs will respond and
includes the ski and snowboard
Before you know it you will be at the bottom!
than in a high line.
your upper body will stay strong, leading to a
school, the Futures instructor training
great fun ride down the hill!
programmes and FREERIDE VERBIER,
Traverse lines – To further reduce the speed,
a new school dedicated to off-piste
a more offset line can be taken. See diagram.
coaching in Verbier.
info@altitude-verbier.com +41(0)27 771 6006
044 // FEB18
ALTITUDE-VERBIER.COM | ALTITUDE-F
Isn’t it About Time You Upgraded Yours?
When Can Your Children Start Skiing? We all love skiing, and the experience of descending a beautiful snow-covered mountain is one that we’d all love to share with our families. So, when can your children start
Have you improved since you bought your current ski boots? Are they still comfortable?
learning to ski and enjoying the mountains? In general, some of the younger skiers on the slope will be around three to four years old. Most ski schools will begin to accept children into group lessons at three years, and private lessons at two, although this may differ from school to school. However, I have taught a two-year-old who was linking turns in one day, and a four-year-old that could barely stand on their skis after one week. So, other than age, what are the more important guidelines for when to start your child skiing? Even for adults, skiing is not easy on the body. While the little ones have the advantage of more flexible joints, which are far less likely to break than those of us unfortunate grown-ups, they also have much less muscle and less ability to get those muscles to do what they want. A key sign of how ready your child is for skiing will be how strong and co-ordinated they are for their age. A bigger threeyear-old can get more out of ski school than a slighter fouror five-year-old child.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Did you know - ski boot plastic shells can now be heat moulded to the unique shape of your feet? This gives you better performance and comfort than your old ski boots ever could - you’ll be amazed at the difference! Recent technology and innovation means ski equipment is better than it’s ever been before... isn’t it time you upgraded your equipment and made the most of your experience in the mountains? Before you invest in your next trip, come and visit us today to ensure you have the correct advice from experienced equipment specialists. Bringing you the UKs largest specialist range of skis & boots and advice and expertise since 1965. We’ll always be here to help and advise you on the correct equipment for wherever your passions and dreams take you. Custom boot fitting specialists Ski Industries Of Great Britain official ski testers Winner of the World Snow Awards - Best UK Speciailst Retailer
Do you have older children skiing? This can be a big motivation for a child – seeing their older siblings coming back after ski school excited and happy after a hard day’s skiing will push them to want to try it themselves. We see this a lot in the families that use our ski school regularly, where many of the younger siblings grow up to be the stronger skiers.
Download your FREE Buyers Guides:
Other important factors to consider are clothing (a cold skier is an unhappy skier!), weather (a bad weather day is best avoided) and finding a resort with a gentle and safe beginners’ slope. Hopefully with these things
http://bit.ly/ITS-Buyers-Guide
coming together, your children can start off on a long and happy time out on the mountains, with some great family memories! For more info on kids’ lessons, please contact our resident experts at Altitude Ski School in Verbier.
FREERIDE | FREESTYLE | TOURING | TELEMARK | RACE | RECREATIONAL Ski Bartlett, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP T:020 8848 0040 | E:info@skibartlett.com | www.SkiBartlett.com
UTURES.COM | FREERIDE-VERBIER.COM
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SNOW MACHINES COULD REGROW GLACIERS, SCIENTIST CLAIMS A scientist has calculated that using machine-made snow on glaciers could help regrow them, if you use enough snowmaking machines (and presumably running on green energy).
The glacier Mr Oerlemans will be coating with
attempts to save glaciers, which have included
snow is shrinking at an average of 30m each year.
covering sections with reflective material, and
According to a report in New Scientist magazine,
Whistler Blackcomb in BC Canada has also been
Mr Oerlemans’ theory is that coating the glacier
experimenting with snowmaking on its glacier.
with just a few centimetres of snow will cause
Switzerland had its warmest ever December
Hans Oerlemans of Utrecht University is set to
the sunlight to be reflected off it, allowing it to
in 2015 followed by its driest ever December
test his theory this summer on a small glacier at
recover. He has calculated that if he had 4,000
last year, and a study published in the autumn
the foot of Diavolezzafirn, close to St Moritz in
snow machines running on the glacier for 20
reported that the country had 40 fewer snow
southeast Switzerland.
years, he could regrow the glacier by 800m.
days a season compared to the 1970s. Ski resorts
Most glaciers around the world are melting
However, the pilot project is much smaller than
at both low and high altitudes saw snow arrive,
increasingly quickly as a result of climate change,
that and has just under a CHF100,000 (around
on average, 12 days later and disappear 25 days
and a good number have disappeared altogether.
£74,450) budget. It is the latest in a series of
earlier in 2015 than in 1970.
POUND UP AGAINST SOME SKI COUNTRY CURRENCIES
www.chamonix-vacances.com
046 // FEB18
The pound will buy you more in some of
For skiers, the pound is doing best against
the world’s skiing nations than a year ago,
the Turkish lira, rising 17% compared to a
according to rate stats published by No1
year ago, while, surprisingly perhaps, doing
Currency. Since the Brexit vote sent the pound
worst against the Polish zloty, dropping 9%.
tumbling 18 months ago, 2017 saw some
Turkey does have some good ski areas, but
stabilisation in the decline, but it was also a bit
it also has Foreign Office travel advisories
of a roller-coaster year for exchange rates.
on visiting there to ski.
“On the face of it, 2017 was a rocky year
In terms of major ski nations, sterling is up
for the pound,” said Simon Phillips, Retail
7% against the US dollar from its historic
Director at No1 Currency.
lows in autumn 2016. This year every £1,000
“Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that in
exchanged into dollars will buy you $90
three quarters of holiday hotspots, you can
more than last year. Apart from the Swiss
actually get more for your currency than you
franc and the Norwegian krone, which are
could a year ago. For those planning to get
up 3.96% and 4.18% respectively, Brits will
away to one of those destinations where the
see worse exchange rates in countries
native currency has dropped by more than
closer to home. As well as the Eurozone,
5% against the sterling, it’s good news.”
Sweden is also more expensive this year.
@INTHESNOWMAG
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Patagonia
NoShock Protection From £140
Descensionist Jacket £419
A lower-profile helmet with high-impact safety protection – utilising imbedded
Built for the backcountry whether
“Slytech NoShock” foam to dissipate
you need breathability for the
force away from your brain in an impact.
journey up, a windproof and
This has allowed Shred to reduce the
waterproof storm shell to keep out
bulk and weight of their helmets without
the weather when you reach the top,
compromising on safety – lower-profile,
or a lightweight, free-moving jacket
better looking and therefore more likely to
for the adventure back down.
be worn! skibartlett.com
skibartlett.com
Rossignol Alltrack 80 Junior Ski Boots £195 What better experience can a child have than joining you on an exciting ski touring adventure? These aren't just built for heading upwards to hidden stashes, but also Mach 10
Forcefield Boom
on the piste and cruising through the powder;
Shorts Ti £110
these have the ability to do everything your little ripper could need in one boot. It will be
These shorts combine the very
smiles all round when you see how much fun
best features and protection
they're having!
from the Forcefield Action Shorts
skibartlett.com
and Board Shorts to create flexible, comfortable and highimpact-absorbing shorts ideal for
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
the mountain or park. Now in a new ‘Titanium’ colourway. forcefieldbodyarmour.com
Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Active Jacket £469 Norrona’s lightest and most breathable GoreTex freeride shell jackets. Really comfortable,
Atomic Revent FDL HD Goggles
you’ll barely know you’re wearing it, and it
£159
folds up really small if it’s in your backpack. Full of the usual Norrona technical features
Imagine a HD TV – the richness of colour and clear
allowing you to get multiple adventures from
crisp picture; now imagine a similar clarity through
this one jacket – ski, snowboard, bike, hike.
your goggles. Clever engineering has allowed
skibartlett.com
the standard double lenses to be fused together, giving you no distortion, more vibrant colour, better peripheral vision and unbelievable clarity. HD (High Definition) says it all!
Black Crows Corpus 2-Layer
skibartlett.com
Gore-Tex Jacket £389 Super-simple, elegant style and the unmistakable Black Crows attention to detail. Whether you want a mountain-
Scott Slight 93
techy shell or a subtle parka-style
Skis £499
street jacket, this hits the mark on both fronts. Soft fabric that’s fully
More at skibartlett.com
New, lighter construction allows
waterproof will keep you dry and
the Slight to flow smoothly from
feeling good all year round.
turn to turn, and their overall
skibartlett.com
shape makes them easier to control and easier to roll on an edge. They have unbelievable precision characteristics on
With their renowned reputation for
piste, with impressive edge
specialist expert advice, combined with
grip and stability at speed.
their carefully selected and tested range
skibartlett.com
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! @INTHESNOWMAG
Scarpa Maestrale RS 2 Touring Boot £499
Line “I AM A SKIER” Braces £26
One of the best-performance touring boots on the
They're striking, they're cool and with Line’s “I
market has just got even better – the refined RS 2 is
am a Skier” slogan you've just got to get a pair!
lighter-weight, stiffer-flex, more responsive and even
skibartlett.com
more comfortable. If you want one boot that doesn’t compromise on performance, up or down the mountain, then you’ve just found it! skibartlett.com
Sinner Everest Dry-S Glove £35 The Everest gloves are special gloves for men, equipped with the unique SINNER DRY-S technology. The DRY-S membrane is 10,000mm waterproof, 6,000mm windproof and breathable. Equipped with smart air ventilation, while the pre-curved fingers ensure a perfect fit. sinner.eu/en
Mammut Barryvox S Transceiver £329 As safety products should be – simple and easy to use when you’re under pressure, intuitive and fast when lives are at stake. New technology allows for faster actions to take place as signals are received from a much bigger search area, and you’re directed to a casualty in a more direct route. Reduce search times when minutes matter! skibartlett.com
Blizzard Black Pearl 98 Sinner Titan Ski Helmet
Women’s Skis £509
£90 A slightly more forgiving tip shape The Titan ski/snowboard helmet is
and stiffness than in previous years,
a lightweight freeride helmet with
allowing you to flow more easily and
In-Mold technology, equipped with a
smoothly into every turn, whether
size-adapting system for ultimate fit.
short or long. Still not compromising
The helmet comes with a washable
on stability at speed and superb
soft fleece lining and features a
edge grip, these are all-mountain
goggle holder, so you can wear the
versatility at its finest. Whether
helmet with ski goggles.
you’re a good intermediate-level
sinner.eu/en
skier or advanced freerider, these will flatter and impress you and take you to the next level.
Line Pescado Skis
skibartlett.comwith AEP
£620
KINEMATICS technology provides superb mobility on the slopes.
A directional, surfy ski with playful, light
dare2b.com
construction, with an innovative fish shape
Tecnica Cochise 130 DYN
and swallow tail, making it carve deeper and
Touring Boot £449
float faster. This is the culmination of years of Eric Pollard’s hard work and ski design skills,
Fritschi Tecton 12 Ski Touring
bringing you a masterpiece of art for skiing
Binding £485
Tecnica has delivered a superb all-
A newly designed touring binding with a
to venture anywhere on the mountain.
traditional alpine-style heel and a tech pin toe
Whether it’s off the beaten track with a
– the combination of which gives you alpine
pin-style touring binding or carving down
performance for the down and free-flowing
the pistes with precision. Performance and
movement for the up. Not compromising on
accessibility combine to give you one boot
safety, these are one of the safest touring
that allows you to ski piste, powder or tour.
bindings on the market.
skibartlett.com
deep powder or adorning your walls! skibartlett.com
mountain ski boot that will allow you
skibartlett.com
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049 // FEB18
Burton Deluxe Gore Glove
Demon Complete Tune Kit
£74.95
£74.95
Achieve ultimate comfort in the absolute
An easy-to-carry all-in-one snowboard-
worst weather with the Burton Deluxe
tuning solution in a handy carry case.
Gore glove. The GORE-TEX® membrane
Comes complete with iron, edge tuner,
+ Gore warm technology is durably
repair sticks and base structure pad. All you
waterproof, windproof and breathable
need to add for a week or a month away
guaranteed. Even in harsh conditions.
snowboarding is the wax of your choice.
sputniksnowboardshop.com
sputniksnowboardshop.com
Adidas Response ADV Snowboard Boot £279.95 Authentic Adidas heritage on the mountain. Connect your body and board in these snowboarding boots, designed top to bottom for personalised comfort. Features include dual-zone speed lacing, a moulded liner and tongue for a natural fit and a grippy, durable rubber outsole with backstay for traction on and off your board. sputniksnowboardshop.com
Burton Free Thinker Snowboard
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
£489.95 The Burton Free Thinker is a true twin for hot laps in the park, pipe or mobbing side hits across the mountain. The unique shape opens up the possibilities for creative expression in any direction, while the control of camber keeps it quick and poppy. sputniksnowboardshop.com
Sinner Nauders Ski Goggle £99 The Nauders is a Sinner ski/snowboard goggle with an interchangeable lens system. The Nauders is supplied with a Cat. 3 mirrored lens and a SINTEC® polarised orange Cat. 2 lens, which you can easily change due to the presence of the Easy Click Lens change system. sinner.eu/en
Capita Birds Of A Feather
Dakine Low Roller
Women’s Snowboard 2018 £389.95
Snowboard Bag 165cm £89.95
One of the most popular women’s
Holds two boards (one with bindings
snowboards in the industry, the do-anything,
mounted) or two pairs of skis up to 165cm.
go-anywhere board that you will fall in
Keep your gear protected with durable
love with. This hybrid-camber, all-terrain
tarp liner and 360° padding, and there’s
snowboard is suitable for a wide range of
a separate removable boot bag to keep
riders and is ready to take your snowboarding
it organised. Durable wheels plus an end
to new heights.
handle make this bag manoeuvrable,
sputniksnowboardshop.com
even when fully loaded. sputniksnowboardshop.com
Burton Ion Leather Snowboard Boot £364.95 Want high performance and full-grain leather style? This special edition of the Burton Ion boot fuses genuine made-in-the-USA Red Wing®
More at sputniksnow boardshop.com
waterproof leather with the trademark features that have made this boot legendary. Proven Ion technologies such as Total Comfort and AutoCANT EST® cushioning deliver precise control and
Sputnik is one of the UK’s largest
out-of-box happiness.
independent snowboard shops. We
sputniksnowboardshop.com
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. 050 // FEB18
@INTHESNOWMAG
DO YOUR SKI BOOTS FIT PROPERLY?
Anon Prime MIPS Helmet £184.95 Features an In-shell Boa® Fit System for easy, on-the-go fit adjustment. The Hybrid 50/50 shell construction combines durability on top with the performance of a featherweight bottom. The MIPS offers advanced protection against angled impacts. Active Ventilation gives you one-handed control over 23 total vents, so you can fine-tune your temperature depending on the weather and activity. sputniksnowboardshop.com
Volcom Taro Gore-Tex Women’s Mitt £114.95 The feeling of comfortable boots is no
The Taro Gore-Tex mitt features top-notch technology inside and out. This fingerless style includes a GORE-TEX® waterproof/breathable insert, V-Science Stay Dry Leather and a premium leather palm. With added PrimaLoft® insulation for extra warmth. sputniksnowboardshop.com
Capita Scott Stevens Pro
Picture Organic Clothing Seen Women’s Jacket £264.95
longer a pipe dream. With the amazing innovations that have come out over the last few years, there’s no need to put up with discomfort!
The Picture Seen jacket is part of the expedition range with its fully technical
Here’s our step-by-step guide to assess if your ski
features such as Thermal Dry Insulation and
boots are the correct fit for you ...
fully taped seams. Its 20K/15K membrane ensures you stay warm and dry all day, even
Step 1
in the harshest of conditions.
Make sure you put them on correctly.
sputniksnowboardshop.com
Put your ski boots on and buckle them up loosely, starting from the top buckle down. Flex up and down
Snowboard 2018 £449.95
a few times to make sure your heel is fully back in the boot. The overall shape of the boot should
This extremely durable, versatile, twin-tip
hold your foot in place, but if your foot is not held
park destroyer is exactly what Scott uses to
securely, tighten the buckles a bit more.
get wild. With a shape that turns on a dime, this board was made to jib, bonk, slide,
Step 2
shred, ride, slap and pop off anything. A
Is the length correct?
very versatile freestyle snowboard.
When standing up, with your knees slightly bent and
sputniksnowboardshop.com
your shins just contacting the front of the boot, you should be able to feel your toes lightly skimming the front of the boot. There should be room for your toes to wiggle! Step 3 Do they fit around your foot and leg? Roll from side to side, as if you’re edging your skis – your foot and boot should feel linked together and move as one. When you flex forward your heel should be held in the boot and not lift up ... Step 4 Are Your Boots the Right Flex? When pushing your shins on the front of the boot you should be able to easily flex your ankles, without excessive force, and you should be able to maintain
Burton Riders Pack 2.0 25L –
good balance. Flexing at the ankles, knees and hips
Eclipse Coated Ripstop
Stance Yo Big Snowboard Socks £16.95
£79.95 Board carry with shovel and probe storage,
Picture Organic Clothing Seen Women’s Pant £179.95
A technical snowboard sock that looks as
it also features a stowable and removable
The Picture Seen pant is part of the
good as it performs. Featuring Toe Box
waist belt, a side water bottle pocket, ample
expedition range with its fully technical
Oven™ for warm toes, terry looped foot, heel
storage and a plush ergonomic shoulder
features such as Cormax Insulation and
and toe for extra cushioning. Left and right
harness and back panel.
fully taped seams. Its 20K/15K membrane
engineered arch support, reinforced heel
sputniksnowboardshop.com
ensures you stay warm and dry all day even
and toe and seamless toe closure.
in the harshest of conditions.
sputniksnowboardshop.com
sputniksnowboardshop.com
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should feel uninhibited. If your boots don’t fit as described in these steps – don’t panic! There are many ways an experienced boot fitter can subtly change and improve the fit of your boots using some of the following … •
Thicker or thinner socks
•
Custom-moulded footbeds
•
Volume-reducing footbed shims
•
Moving buckles
•
Heel raisers
•
Stretching and manipulating the shell
•
Heat-moulding the liner 051 // JUN17
Picture Organic
Boom Shorts
Clothing Takashima Jacket
Ti Junior
£164.95
£59.99
As part of the Expedition line, the
These shorts are fitted with
Picture Takashima jacket is a very
high-energy-absorbing (two-
versatile mid-layer. It has PrimaLoft®
layer) low-profile Forcefield
insulation making it warm but
material located at the
lightweight and downproof to offer
hips, thighs and combined
a water-resistant protective layer.
buttocks/coccyx. These are
sputniksnowboardshop.com
removable to allow the shorts to be machine-washed for maximum hygiene. forcefieldbodyarmour.com
Rossignol Alltrack Pro 80 Women’s Ski Boot
Burton Party Snowboard
£255
Socks £19.95 One of our best-selling ladies’ boots – Merino wool blend ensures that
soft and warm comfortable liners blend beautifully with the anatomical shaping
while your feet remain warm,
Lange SX 90 Ski Boot £240
and secure hold around your foot. Their slightly more “comfort” width means you
they also remain dry as they wick away any moisture created
A perfect first boot, ideal if you’re a
can happily cruise in these all day long,
by shredding. The rider-specific
progressing intermediate skier. Lighter-
and with their walk mode on the back it’s
support and no-irritation seams
weight plastics and anatomically designed
much more relaxed when it’s time for the
mean that your feet will be happy
liners reduce areas of usual pressure and
après-ski! skibartlett.com
as can be, allowing you to shred
help them feel light on your feet. Their
from dawn till dusk.
slightly wider foot shape also gives you a
sputniksnowboardshop.com
comfort fit whilst still maintaining Lange’s impeccable performance heel hold to help you improve. skibartlett.com
Volcom BL Stretch Gore Jacket – Blue/Black £329.95 Weatherproof doesn’t mean stiff and uncomfortable anymore. The Volcom BL Stretch Gore jacket offers top-notch protection with the GORE-TEX® guarantee. It is stretchy and flexible to match your riding style and also has fully taped seams, mesh-lined vents and a super sueded chin guard for extra comfort. sputniksnowboardshop.com
Dynastar Speedzone 10 Ti Skis £479 inc. Binding Volcom Iguchi Slack
Atomic Vantage X 77
Vest Jacket £219.95
Women’s Ski £324 inc. Bindings
Wear this rugged nylon Oxford vest over
Are you an intermediate-level skier
or under your jacket. Includes a down-
wanting to progress your piste skiing?
filled hood, drop-tail fit, adjustable side
These are forgiving and easy to turn
panels and polyester mesh. Includes
at slower speeds, but when the sun
options for toting all your accessories. A
is shining and your confidence level
probe sleeve. Zippered chest pockets.
rises you will feel stable and secure
Shovel handle pocket and exterior
if you pick up the pace. A fun, light,
snowboard or ski straps. You really can
easy-turning piste ski that will help
bring it all with you when you ride.
you improve.
sputniksnowboardshop.com
skibartlett.com
052 // FEB18
New Powerdrive sidewall absorbs bumps and vibrations, making you feel like you’re anchored to the snow and flowing through any size of turn or terrain. The grip you experience carving on the piste, the unmistakeable smoothness under your feet and the ability to change turn shape on a sixpence all contribute to making you grin! skibartlett.com
@INTHESNOWMAG
CHALET DUC DU SAVOIE ST MORITZ
CHALET AU GRE DU TEMPS LES GETS
Chalet Duc du Savoie is a beautifully traditional self-catered chalet with an ideal location in Les Gets. Just a few minutes’ walk from both the town centre and the piste, this Alpine getaway sleeps up to 12 people, with five bedrooms and it's the perfect place to cosy up by the log fire and relax after a hard day's skiing.
Located just 30m from the piste, this lovely spacious chalet is in a prime position for you to enjoy the wonderful skiing Les Gets has to offer. Wind down at the end of the day in the sauna, or have a drink by the log fire and appreciate the beautiful furnishings of this fourbedroom chalet. Satellite TV and wi-fi are also included.
+44 (0) 207 183 5082 // SUE@CHALETS1066.COM CHALETS1066.COM
+44 (0) 207 183 5082 // SUE@CHALETS1066.COM CHALETS1066.COM
LES VIEUX CHALETS NO. 7 GRIMENTZ
CHALET PERLE LA PLAGNE 1800
Located just in front of a gondola giving you direct access to the slopes of the Grandvalira area, the Sport Hotel 4 is a lovely homely Alpine hotel. It’s 165 rooms are all decorated in a traditional mountain style and the hugely diverse buffet and daily cooking show in the evenings are sure to please all those hungry stomachs after a day on the slopes!
This luxury top-floor duplex chalet apartment sleeps eight people and is right near the centre of the charming 15th-century village of Grimentz. With the main gondola only 200m away, it’s a great spot from which to explore this incredibly picturesque ski area. Relatively quiet slopes, 220km of runs and great off-piste make Grimentz a destination we highly recommend.
Just 100m away from the main piste, you can usually ski right back to the door at Chalet Perle, which is also only a short walk from La Plagne 1800 village. However, you may never want to leave this chalet thanks to the outdoor Scandinavian hot tub, sauna, large terrace and log fire. Recently renovated and sleeping 14 people, it’s the perfect group getaway spot.
+376 870550 // BOOKING@SPORTHOTELS.AD SPORTHOTEL.SPORTHOTELSANDORRA.CO.UK
0151 625 1921 // INFO@MOUNTAINHEAVEN.CO.UK MOUNTAINHEAVEN.CO.UK
0151 625 1921 // INFO@MOUNTAINHEAVEN.CO.UK MOUNTAINHEAVEN.CO.UK
RESIDENCE & SPA VALLORCINE CHAMONIX
HOTEL LE TAOS 4* TIGNES
Nestled in the charming village of Vallorcine, in the Chamonix MontBlanc 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!
This unique hotel occupies a brilliant ski-in, ski-out location in the centre of Tignes le Lac. With easy access to the slopes, it’s a great choice for beginners and families, who may not want to travel with their skis. Hotel Le Taos is beautifully decorated in an Alpine style, with modern suites, good food, and a relaxing swimming pool, spa and sauna.
A beautiful 5 hotel in Soldeu, right at the foot of the Grandvalira ski area and just metres from the main gondola. The Sport Hotel Hermitage’s 135 suites all boast satellite TV, Egyptian cotton sheets, wi-fi and a terrace or balcony. Guests also benefit from access to the Sport Wellness Mountain Spa, the perfect place to relax and unwind.
+33 (0)4 5054 7520 // CONTACT@CHAMONIX-VACANCES.COM CHAMONIX-VACANCES.COM
+33 (0)4 79 10 49 15 // INFOS@MONTAGNETTES.COM MONTAGNETTES.CO.UK
+376 870550 // BOOKING@SPORTHOTELS.AD HERMITAGEHOTEL.SPORTHOTELSANDORRA.CO.UK
SPORT HOTEL 4 SOLDEU
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SPORT HOTEL HERMITAGE & SPA 5 | SOLDEU
053 // FEB18
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NIGEL GRAINGER Nigel Grainger runs independent ski shop Lockwoods with his sister Maxine and his daughter Hayley, along with Maxine’s son Oliver Watts, making it a thirdgeneration family-owned ski and outdoor clothing shop. Lockwoods first opened its doors in Warwickshire’s Royal Leamington Spa 41 years ago, and despite the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reporting that non-food sales rose by just 0.2% in the year to October – the weakest growth since 2011 – this independent store is not only surviving, but thriving, in the digital age, says Nigel.
So what are you doing right to ensure that you remain one of the survivors? Well, we’re not selling products which are any different to any other retailers in our sector, but what we are selling is knowledge, attention to detail and great customer service. What would you say to someone tempted by a cheap deal on the web? People can often spend thousands of pounds of their hard-earned money on skiing holidays, yet are prepared to potentially ruin that by ordering an ill-fitting pair of boots from the internet. We offer our time and knowledge, which helps customers avoid buying an ill-fitting ski boot which causes agony on the slopes. So customer service is the key?
Is it true that there’s been a big drop-off
Each industry and each business is unique,
in the number of independent ski shops
but regardless of what product they are
with the rise of the internet?
selling, everyone has the ability to provide
There are very few specialist shops such as
exceptional customer service. Many high
ours in the UK now. The change in people’s
street stores across the country are in a
buying habits to a more online-dominated
battle to keep their heads above water,
scenario has made them something of a
and we’re no different, but we try to do the
dying breed, with only around 100 in the
very best for our customers.
UK currently, compared to probably 1,000 in the 1990s. We’d like to think we’re proof
Where will Lockwoods be in 10 years?
of the fact that these types of shop can still
In 10 years I’d still see us fitting shoes and
prosper when run properly.
continuing to add value to our customers in store. The retail trade is going full circle
054 // FEB18
So how did you come to run a
– even Amazon is talking about putting
ski shop anyway?
shops on the high street. People still like to
The opportunity arose when the previous
go into shops and get advice on what they
premises, which was a garage showroom,
are buying, and I don’t think that is going
was up for sale when I worked as a local
to change. We started off as bricks and
estate agent. I decided to put an offer
mortar and ventured online, and I’d like
in and it went from there. So I went from
to see the third generation of our family
selling houses to selling tents!
taking it forward from here.
LOCKWOODS.COM
COPPER SKI GOGGLE APART FROM THE STUNNING LOOKS, THIS FRAME IS ECO-FRIENDLY, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE’S A LITTLE MATERIAL USED. BESIDES THAT, THE STRAP IS MADE OF 80% BAMBOO YARN. THIS IS GOING TO BE A SUSTAINABLE WINTER!
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SINNER WINTER COLLECTION SINNER.EU