Fall Line Skiing issue 201 January 2026

PISTE & ALL-MOUNTAIN SETUPS The gear to help you master every turn

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RAISE YOUR GAME

UNDER THE RADAR

Technique tips to take your skiing to the next level

The 10 coolest resorts you've never heard of

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ISSUE 201 JANUARY 2026 £6.00 FALL-LINE.CO.UK

SURF & SKI: CANADA'S NEWEST SKI RESORT | TEAM GB’S OLYMPIC HOPEFULS THE WILD SIDE OF THE 3 VALLÉES | URBAN MEETS ALPINE IN INNSBRUCK HOW DO YOU COACH AN ELITE SKI RACER? | RIDING THE FUTURE IN LAAX

WELCOME

THE OPEN ROAD There’s a rare kind of joy in finding a quiet piste. Busy runs can feel like rush-hour driving: speed bumps and traffic lights, scooters cutting you up, cyclists appearing from nowhere. And then, suddenly, you find a slope that’s yours alone. The joy of an open road.

The pull of the horizon.

Skis are made to run. Give them a proper wax, let them fly, play with turns and tempo without constantly checking your peripheral vision. On an uncrowded piste, there’s space to experiment, to feel every transition, every edge change. Personally, I can lose myself just as completely on an empty piste as I can on a long powder descent.

Finding these slopes is part of the game. In big resorts it pays to go looking in the corners. Seek out the T-bars, the ancient pomas, the slow chairs – most places have at least one. They often lead to empty pistes. High-speed lifts promise more vertical in less time, but they also deliver crowds before you’ve had a chance to savour a single turn.

I’ll take fewer laps on a peaceful run any day.

Here in the Portes du Soleil, where I live, relatively few skiers venture to the Swiss side. Even Swiss locals drift over to the busier French slopes. Head for the Ripaille T-bar and poma in Switzerland and you’ll find one of the quietest slopes in the PDS. And then there’s our local hill, Saint-Jean-d’Aulps. Peak weeks and you can still expect no queues, pistes shared with half a dozen skiers at most. The Graydon three-man chair crawls uphill, shaded for the first two months of the season, but I’ve had some of my best ever piste turns here.

In this issue, we’ve tracked down 10 of the greatest resorts you’ve (probably) never heard of – places where quieter slopes are the rule, not the exception. We also explore crowd-free corners of the Three Valleys and the true wilderness of Nova Scotia. It’s a reminder that the most rewarding turns are often found where few venture.

Nicola Iseard, Publisher & Editor

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PISTE & ALL-MOUNTAIN SETUPS The gear to help you master every turn

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WE ARE SKI

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RAISE YOUR GAME

UNDER THE RADAR

Technique tips to take your skiing to the next level

The 10 coolest resorts you've never heard of

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ISSUE 201 JANUARY 2026 £6.00 FALL-LINE.CO.UK

SURF & SKI: CANADA'S NEWEST SKI RESORT | TEAM GB’S OLYMPIC HOPEFULS THE WILD SIDE OF THE 3 VALLÉES | URBAN MEETS ALPINE IN INNSBRUCK HOW DO YOU COACH AN ELITE SKI RACER? | RIDING THE FUTURE IN LAAX

FALL LINE SKIING

Issue 201 January 2026 COVER PHOTO: Photographer: Jeremy Bernard Skier: Tenra Katsuno Location: Arolla, Switzerland

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EDITORIAL TEAM

Editor Nicola Iseard // nicola@fall-line.co.uk Assistant editor Amy Marwick // amy@fall-line.co.uk Gear editor Al Morgan // al@fall-line.co.uk Editor-at-large Jonny Richards // jonny@fall-line.co.uk Backcountry editor Andy Townsend Online editor Jim Duncombe // jim@fall-line.co.uk Art director Nicola Lang // nic@fall-line.co.uk Sub editor Helen Milbank Office manager Christie Lord // christie@fall-line.co.uk Contributing writers Alf Alderson, Graham Bell, Dickie Fincher, Simon Kelton, Eric Kendall, Chrigl Luthy and Tomas Mical Contributing photographers Yann Allegre, James Geen, Adam Hill, Tucker James, Penny Kendall, Jordan Manoukian, Sam Mellish, Andy Parant, David Pearce and Andy J Ryan Subscriptions team 07754 279367 Advertising manager Rich Evans // sales@fall-line.co.uk Sales support Amy Casswell // amyC@fall-line.co.uk Publisher Nicola Iseard Publishing Pointy Hills Media Ltd, 1 West Street Business Park, West Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2PL Copyright 2026, Pointy Hills Media Ltd, 1 West Street Business Park, West Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2PL. Printed by Stephens & George.

Reproduction by Pointy Hills Media Ltd. No liability is accepted for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor are any guarantees given by the magazine. Copyright worldwide of original material is held by Pointy Hills Media Ltd, and permission must be obtained for any use, transmission, storage or reproduction. Publication does not imply that the opinions are shared by Pointy Hills Media Ltd. Pointy Hills Media Ltd assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of contributed material. We cannot accept responsibility whatsoever for product or samples submitted to us for review – please make sure any such items are insured to their full value.

Photo: Head

All hail the freedom of an open slope

1 00% every TURN Photo: @Louis_Garnier

CONTENTS 8 10 13

WTF?!

Kai Jones points it down some rather exciting rocks

THE BAROMETER

Villaroger’s new era, plus the Winter Olympics in numbers

LETTER OF THE MONTH

Over to you, guys…

11, 88 & 98 WIN!

Epic mountain gear and holidays worth £1,000s

SLUFF: THE BITS ON THE SIDE 14

18 22 26 28

10 COOLEST RESORTS…

…you’ve never heard of. Under-the-radar gems a go-go

CAPE SMOKEY DREAMIN’

How Canada’s newest ski resort is rewriting the rulebook

WINTER WARRIORS

The Team GB hopefuls vying for a Winter Olympics spot

THE ART OF COACHING

Top tips from US Alpine Team head coach, Mark Tilston

LAAX LOVIN’

How one resort is shaping the next generation of skiers

OVER TO THE PROS 32

34 36 40

THE SKIER’S TOOLKIT

Pro tips to help you ski cleaner, stronger and more controlled

A DAY IN THE LIFE…

…of a Les Menuires Ski Patroller

SKI CHATTER

With Victor Lourdel, who's swapped podiums for peaks

SPEED FREAKS

Ready, set, Games… Graham Bell checks out the contenders

THE LONG READS 44 54

IN SEARCH OF POWDER

Hiding in plain sight: Les 3 Vallées has a trick up its sleeve

SKI JOURNAL

Urban meets Alpine in Innsbruck

60

SKI MORE, SKI BETTER

64

THE BACKCOUNTRY PSYCH

68 72

Five of the best 2026 events to set your goggles on The power of a premortem – it might just save your life

THE FIFTY PROJECT

In search of the finest ski lines on the Continent

BACKCOUNTRY TALES

Two days, fresh show, and centuries of history

THE GEAR LOCKER 79

114

GEAR REVIEWS & MORE

Epic gear tried, tested and unveiled, plus get the lowdown on the latest tech from the industry’s biggest names

MICRO MISSIONS

Bite-sized backcountry adventures for a wilderness hit

6 fall-line.co.uk www.fall-line.co.uk

8

“The white moment” Kai Jones

Photo: Head

fall-line.co.uk 7

8 fall-line.co.uk

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

WTF?!

The most incredible photos in the world and how they were captured

Jackson Hole, Wyoming WORDS JONNY RICHARDS SKIER KAI JONES PHOTO TUCKER ADAMS

W

e know, we know! This is the all-mountain, resorty, piste-inspired issue, and yet we have Kai Jones – from the opening of his Origin short film – pointing it down some rather exciting rocks.

But the thing is, to Kai, who’s been tackling this sort of camera-on, crackers-stuff for years (with his Dad, Teton Gravity Research co-founder Todd Jones, sharing a three-million-viewed video of him aged 11, scorching through the Wyoming backcountry and dropping the mighty Smart Bastard cliff), this is his idea of a marked trail.

“Oh yes, we’ve been here lots,” the now 19-year-old says of the south-of-Jackson Hole spot featured. “But the difficulty this time was how early in the season it was. We normally hit it in spring, when the avalanche danger is too high to go elsewhere, but this was lateJanuary, so it was a lot more bare than I was used to.”

As to the logistics of the wall run/wall ride – take your pick – Kai thinks no more than three seconds top to bottom, and around 150-foot dropped. “I knew it was a go,” says the Red Bull-sponsored skier. “But I had doubts, because of a couple of feet less snow on it, so you get different hazards, and it also rode longer as well as shallower.”

As to whether it was one to savour, or simply be delighted when down and safe, the Jackson Hole teenager is conflicted. “Standing on top (preparing for the line), you’re still nervous, still scared – it’s human to feel those things. But once you commit, that all changes.

“I like the Yuri Vlasov (Soviet strongman powerlifter who’s said to have been one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s biggest inspirations) quote about the ‘white moment’. When time stretches out, you become immersed in yourself and feel you have all your power.

You get in that zone, tap that space, and it all comes naturally.”

Like a golfer with a grooved pre-shot routine to help the ball perfectly ping off the club (or as Olympic gold medal-winner Yuri described it, reach the ‘precious moment’), Kai has a set approach before every run to enable him, as most modern sportspeople would probably term it, to ‘be centred’.

“I obviously make sure I fully commit as well,” he says, “but before that I simply don’t rush it, breathing deeply in through my nose and out of my mouth for at least 10 seconds before I give the count [to let the cameras know he’s dropping].”

As to the making of Origin, think 80 to 100 days, for a film that spans a little over five minutes. “It’s a super-long process to get something you’re proud of,” says Kai, “and on something like when the photo here was taken, you’ve got two skiers (the other was Parkin Costain), a drone pilot, two filmers and a photographer, plus we tried a couple of different lines, and you can’t always be vibing every day…

“My uncle (legendary snowboarder Jeremy Jones) always says: ‘The journey is the reward’, so I try and focus on that, and last winter [after coming back from breaking both legs on a Wyoming cliff line in 2023] I honestly felt back on a good one, skiing as well as I’d ever done before.”

Watch Origin now on the Red Bull Snow YouTube channel

fall-line.co.uk 9

THE BAROMETER

Villaroger’s new era A long-overlooked corner of the Paradiski steps into the future as a fast new gondola transforms access, comfort and prospects for Villaroger, says Alf Alderson

Photo: Yann Allegre

V

illaroger, perched on the very edge of the Les Arcs/ Paradiski area, was for years the poor relation of the world’s fourth-largest ski domain. Its link to the wider area relied on two 40-year-old, three-man chairlifts, which took more than 16 minutes to climb the 919m to their 2,120m summit – from where Arc 2000 and the rest of this vast ski area could be reached.

All that has changed this winter with the opening of a new €19-million, 10-person gondola. The ride now takes around six minutes and is a world away from the shivering, glacial ascents of the rickety old chairs it replaces. Instead, skiers travel in comfort, seated on padded benches and surrounded by panels offering snippets of information about local wildlife.

Conservation and minimal environmental impact were key considerations in the design and construction of the lift, which is known simply as Villaroger 51.

The project goes beyond the gondola itself. New underground parking has been built next to the lift base station, topped by a ticket and information office, while plans are in place for a ski shop and small grocery store to open next winter.

This investment forms part of a long-term strategy to develop and future-proof Villaroger. Despite its north-facing slopes and the recent installation of snow cannons, the village is not snowsure, sitting at a relatively modest altitude of 1,200m – a

10 fall-line.co.uk

Welcome into the 21st century, Villaroger: now far less of a poor relation

challenge likely to grow as climate change takes its toll.

Crucially, however, the new gondola allows skiers to download back to the village, something the old chairlifts could not offer, ensuring access even when snow cover is thin.

Further plans include adding up to 700 new beds in Villaroger in the form of a hotel and high-quality chalet accommodation, more than doubling the population of this small, rustic alpine hamlet. Inevitably, there are concerns that such growth could erode Villaroger’s quiet charm. But Mayor Alain Emprin insists otherwise: “We want to retain the village character as much as possible – our aim is to grow while keeping our identity and offering a better ski experience.”

There’s no question that the skiing experience has already improved. I’ve been using the new lift since it opened in mid-December – in fact, I was the very first skier on it – and faster, easier access to the slopes is something no skier would turn down.

Whether Villaroger becomes noticeably busier as a result of the new lift and future development remains to be seen, especially at peak times when overcrowding is already an issue across many French resorts. For now, though, it’s simply a pleasure to see this small outlier of Les Arcs finally welcomed into the 21st century. villaroger.fr

COMPETITION

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A TWO-DAY BACKCOUNTRY COURSE AT GLENMORE LODGE

eady to trade lift lines for limitless terrain? We’ve teamed up with our friends at Glenmore Lodge to offer one lucky reader the chance to win two spots on a two-day Backcountry Skiing course of your choice, plus two nights’ B&B at Glenmore Lodge – Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre and one of the UK’s leading hubs for mountain adventure.

Perched on the edge of some of Scotland’s wildest backcountry, Glenmore Lodge is where freeriders, ski tourers and mountain guides go to level up.

Whether you’re stepping into the backcountry for the first time, or already hunting steeper, bigger, bolder lines, you’ll spend two days exploring real Scottish wilderness with instructors who know every hidden gully and powder bowl in the range.

The prize allows you to choose from a range of two-day backcountry skiing courses to match your objective – such as intro to ski touring, avalanche awareness, steep skiing skills, or full-on ski mountaineering – all with expert coaching from some of the most knowledgeable guides in the business.

Your stay includes two nights in a comfortable en-suite room at Glenmore Lodge, which comes fully kitted out with: • Premium touring gear and safety equipment • A bar for post-adventure unwinding • A proper drying room (because… Scotland) • Hearty, home-cooked food to refuel Sound like your dream prize? Head online now to enter. Good luck!

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THE BAROMETER

69

Years since Cortina d'Ampezzo last hosted the Winter Olympics

25

25

ATHLETES EXPECTED TO QUALIFY FOR BRITISH TEAM

63 MAXIMUM IN PERCENTAGE OF GRADIENT ON THE STELVIO STADE

TH

WINTER OLYMPICS

17 DAYS OF COMPETITION (6 FEBRUARY UNTIL 22 FEBRUARY 2026)

47

15

(the highest percentage of women competing in history; in the first ever Winter Olympics women were only allowed to compete in Figure Skating)

3

Billion pounds projected to be generated for the Italian economy

7

height of halfpipe walls in metres

ATHLETES

2026 WINTER 6 OLYMPICS 50

Venues across 8 locations in Northern Italy

5.3

2900

PERCENTAGE OF FEMALE ATHLETES

Ski-based disciplines (Alpine, Biathlon, Cross-Country, Freestyle, Ski Jumping and Ski Mountaineering)

IN NUMBERS

Olympic Games have been hosted in Italy before (1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo (Winter), 1960 Rome (Summer), 2006 Turin (Winter))

8

HEIGHT IN METRES OF THE BIG AIR JUMP AT LIVIGNO SNOWPARK

New events for 2026 (Ski Mountaineering Sprint and Mixed Relay, Mixed Team Skeleton, Women's Doubles Luge, Women's Large Hill Ski Jumping, Dual Moguls, & Team Combined Alpine Skiing)

2 348 116 3.5 30

12 DISCIPLINES WITH COMPLETE GENDER PARITY (THE MOST BALANCED EVER)

MEDALS TO BE AWARDED

1023 12 fall-line.co.uk

MILLION 90 SPECTATORS EXPECTED MEDALS EVENTS

billion pounds invested by Italy

COUNTRIES COMPETING 1,100 Length of ski cross track in metres

STARTING PRICE FOR TICKETS IN EUROS

VERTICAL DROP IN METRES AT STELVIO WHERE THE MEN'S ALPINE SKIING WILL TAKE PLACE

Just to say, I am loving your Fall Line Fifty Project and look forward to the other descents you come up with. Funnily enough, I tried, about 20 years ago, to come up with 50 great European runs to ski, but it fizzled out quite quickly, so I will be intrigued to see what you might come up with. Hopefully I will get to ski a few of them too!

In terms of what to have on the list (since you have asked for reader input), I have skied a lot in Chamonix, Alpe d’Huez, La Grave, Verbier and Gressoney, but I suspect you have those resorts pretty much covered, as the classic runs there are well known. I also ski extensively in Klosters.

But I do have a couple for you. The first I suspect you have on your list already, which is the Marinelli couloir (east face of the Monte Rosa). But the second is a bit more off the radar, so might interest you. It is the Wang in Klosters, which is immediately underneath the second section of the Gotschna cable car. It is a magnificent slope, 450m vertical and 35-40 degrees steepness, and has always been regarded as one of the Klosters classics. It certainly gives you bragging rights being directly under the cable car! It is a challenging ski and with plenty of aesthetic appeal, and accessible too, being straight from the top of the cable car.

When the Gotschna opened in 1950 it was considered one of the steepest pistes in the world, even hosting slaloms on its lower section. Frequent avalanche danger led to its removal from the piste map around 30 years ago. The slope has a serious avalanche history, including major slides in 1951 and 1968 (or 1969), and was wrongly reported by the British press as the site of the thenPrince Charles’ 1988 avalanche.

Anyway, I think it is a run your team should definitely look at if they are passing that part of Switzerland.

James Palmer Tomkinson James, congratulations on being first out of the blocks to nominate two classics for our Top 50 list.

The Marinelli couloir on Monte Rosa is a sure thing for inclusion – it is basically the ‘mother line’, the one we had in mind when we created the judging criteria.

As for the Wang in Klosters, we are on our way! Sounds like a perfect line and, with so much infamous history, I can’t wait to give it a shot.

Andy Townsend, Fall Line backcountry editor • TURN TO PAGE 68 TO READ THIS MONTH’S INSTALLMENT OF FALL LINE'S THE FIFTY PROJECT

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Fancy bagging £75 of spending money to splash on kit at Ski Bartlett’s legendary shop in Hillingdon, or on its website, skibartlett.com? Get in touch with some snowy wisdom, pose a question on anything from kit to couloirs, or send us a photo and the tale behind it. The winning letter in each issue wins the vouchers... simples. skeeks@fall-line.co.uk

SLUFF

COOLEST RESORTS YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

Looking for somewhere new this season? We’ve rounded up 10 under-the-radar resorts with at least 100km of perfect piste and some serious powder playgrounds to explore WORDS AMY MARWICK

MONTEROSA, ITALY

The Monterosa ski area links the resorts of Champoluc, Gressoney and Alagna, providing a sprawling mountain playground with an offthe-beaten track vibe in the heart of the Aosta valley. Expect quiet slopes throughout the week, a rustic Italian feel, and immaculate grooming – piste skiing doesn’t get much better. Plus there’s the vast expanse of freeride terrain to go at in the Monterosa Freeride Paradise (think big verticals, technical terrain). The resort’s main appeal is its extensive altitude. Topping out just above 3,000m and with plenty of northfacing terrain, the quality of snow here is extra special, with a reputation for deep powder.

• Total pistes: 180km • Total lifts: 52 • Top altitude: 3,275m • Six-day lift pass: From £220 (resort operates dynamic pricing) monterosaski.eu

Ciao guys, we’re off…

14 fall-line.co.uk

AROSA-LENZERHEIDE, SWITZERLAND

Swiss perfection just off the mainstream circuit: welcome to ArosaLenzerheide

Tucked above Chur in Switzerland’s Graubunden region, Arosa-Lenzerheide is a quietly colossal ski area just off the mainstream circuit. Linked by the spectacular Urdenbahn cable car, the twin resorts serve up 225km of pistes and terrain that caters to everyone, from sun-soaked blues in Arosa to Lenzerheide’s high-alpine bowls and 1,600m of vertical descent. Arosa delivers that classic Swiss, familyfriendly charm, while Lenzerheide offers a huge variety and some serious off-piste (the Rothorn zone is widely regarded as Lenzerheide’s freeride ‘hub’ – think high-alpine bowls, steep faces, tree zones and couloirs). Add in easy access from Zürich and quieter-than-expected slopes and we reckon we’re onto a winner.

• Total pistes: 225km • Total lifts: 43 • Top altitude: 2,865m • 6-Day Lift Pass: From £220 (resort operates dynamic pricing) arosalenzerheide.swiss

PANORAMA MOUNTAIN RESORT, BC, CANADA

Often overlooked for British Columbia Powder Highway heavyweights like Fernie, Revelstoke and Kicking Horse, Panorama offers up an excellent variety of terrain and a vertical drop of 1,300m. While the snow here is reportedly not as abundant as its counterparts, the ski area is epic, with wide, cruisy groomers prime for carving, and testing doubleblack tree runs, miles of moguls and backcountry bowls.

Getting to Panorama from major airports is kind of a schlep (expect a 3.5-hour drive from Calgary), but the friendly, skiin/ski-out village, excellent grooming, quiet slopes, minimal lift lines and steep, in-bounds backcountry more than make up for it.

• Total pistes: 119km (2,975 acres of skiable terrain) • Total lifts: 10 • Top altitude: 2,450m • Six-day lift pass: £545 panoramaresort.com

LOVELAND, CO, USA

Loveland is the quiet achiever of Colorado’s I-70 corridor, forever overshadowed by glitzier neighbours like Vail and Breckenridge, yet offering some of state’s best liftserved skiing. The base station is hunkered down at 3,292m, and although the vertical drop isn’t huge by Alpine standards (just 674m), it’s blessed with an extralong season from October through to early May, with storm cycles that plaster its peaks with featherlight powder. It has a good mix of terrain for all abilities, but the highlight has got to be the 480 acres of steep and deep terrain straight off The Ridge at the top of the resort, plus the additional 100 acres of hikeable lines, and the free (yes, free!) snowcat rides to save your legs on really deep days.

• Total pistes: 1,800 acres of skiable terrain • Total lifts: 9 • Top altitude: 3,966m • Six-day lift pass: From approximately £420 (resort operates dynamic pricing) skiloveland.com fall-line.co.uk 15

SLUFF LE DÉVOLUY, FRANCE

If you’re after a mellow, great-value escape with proper family vibes, Le Dévoluy fits the bill. Formed by the linked areas of Super Dévoluy and La Joue du Loup, it’s the biggest ski area in the Southern Alps, but still feels wonderfully lowkey. La Joue du Loup offers Alpine charm with cosy wooden chalets and genuine, French-as-it-gets atmosphere (don’t expect many English speakers here).

While over in Super Dévoluy, the high-rise blocks aren’t going to win beauty contests, but the ski-in/ski-out convenience is outrageously good. Add two itinerary runs with a punchy 1,000m drop and a couple of solid freeride faces (home to a Freeride World Qualifier 2* event for the last three years), and you’ve got a chilled, good-value, good-variety option, ideal for family breaks.

• Total pistes: 100km • Total lifts: 22 • Top altitude: 2,500m • Six-day lift pass: £195 ledevoluy.com

Les Sybelles: low profile but has cold snow and easyaccess freeride on tap

Aletsch Arena links Riederalp, Fiescheralp and Bettmeralp – all car-free and ski-in/ski-out

FORMIGAL, SPAIN LES SYBELLES, FRANCE

Les Sybelles keeps a low profile for a French mega-resort, but that’s all part of its charm. Linking five mountain towns in the Maurienne valley of the Savoie region, it offers a whopping 310km of pistes and is the fourth largest ski area in France. It has a vast lift network with descents over 1,500m, and while it may not be the highest resort in France (it tops out at 2,620m), its mainly north-east aspect keeps the snow cold. The variety of terrain across the area’s valleys is impressive, and you’ll find some excellent (quiet) pistes for working on your carves alongside some easy-access freeride terrain.

While some of the towns have fallen foul of the French high-rise apartment block, St Sorlin d’Arves offers the most authentic alpine atmosphere, and it’s a great base from which to explore this quiet and good-value behemoth.

• Total pistes: 310km • Total lifts: 68 • Top altitude: 2,620m • Six-day lift pass: £215 sybelles.ski 16 fall-line.co.uk

The Pyrenees get much less hype than the Alps, but the terrain on offer can be equally as good. Formigal is Spain’s third largest resort and boasts 137km of mostly north-facing slopes. And, if you’re in need of more mileage, nearby Panticosa is just a short drive away, adding a further 37km to explore. Located in a particularly beautiful corner of the Pyrenees, the purpose-built town sits on the sunny side of the valley, with just a short drive up to the ski area, where you’ll find a modern lift infrastructure and a great variety of pistes across four valleys (head to the Portalet sector for steeper terrain, ungroomed blacks, and freeride zones).

It’s also one the liveliest towns in the Pyrenees, so expect the fun to carry on well after the lifts close (no need to remove your ski boots!).

• Total pistes: 137km • Total lifts: 27 • Top altitude: 2,251m • Six-day lift pass: £285 formigal-panticosa.com

ALETSCH ARENA, SWITZERLAND

Head a little deeper into the Swiss canton of Valais, beyond Verbier, Zermatt and Saas Fee, and you’ll hit a little-known gem. Aletsch Arena is a perfectly formed, Swiss chocolate box resort complete with mindblowing views of the 23km Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps. The resort links the three charming towns of Riederalp, Fiescheralp and Bettmeralp, which are all car-free and ski-in/ski-out.

Relaxed, and family friendly, the sunny slopes are predominantly south facing, but with a top altitude of 2,869m and some awardwinning piste bashing, expect great snow conditions throughout the season.

• Total Pistes: 104km • Total lifts: 35 • Top altitude: 2,869m • Six-day lift pass: From £240 (resort operates dynamic pricing) aletscharena.ch

“Aletsch Arena is a Swiss chocolate box resort complete with mind-blowing views of the 23km Aletsch Glacier”

NASSFELD, AUSTRIA

Straddling the Italian border, with views stretching across to the Dolomites, Nassfeld is a sun-soaked, red-run-galore resort with 110km of piste to explore. This resort will suit intermediate skiers best, with miles of expertly groomed, tree-lined pistes, and a modern lift system. Topping out at just over 2,000m, you could be forgiven for overlooking these quiet mountains, but it’s an area of the Carinthian Alps known for snow-sure slopes. With 1,200m vertical of skiing, easy-access freeride terrain, and that Austrian-Italian hospitality, it’s a hidden gem that’s more than worth a look.

• Total pistes: 110km • Total lifts: 30 • Top altitude: 2,020m • Six-day lift pass: £310 nassfeld.at

Terakoya is the second highest resort of Shiga Kogen, reaching 2,125m

If you want something other than storm-chasing and snorkeldeep laps in Japan (although every chance you’ll get those here too), Shiga Kogen is the real deal. Set high in Joshinetsu National Park, this sprawling, 18-resort beast is an intermediate cruiser’s dream, with expansive valleys of wide, rolling groomers, mellow tree zones and that wonderfully dry, high-altitude snow. While some of the ‘resorts’ feature just one chairlift, and figuring out how everything connects is reportedly a little confusing, it’s an authentically Japanese destination that’s often overlooked by Westerners. Add in night skiing, local onsens (hot spring baths), and the famous Snow Monkey Park nearby (a protected area for wild Japanese macaques, or ‘snow monkeys’), and Shiga Kogen offers the full Japanese experience.

• Total pistes: 83km (okay, so it’s not quite 100, but we think the pow laps make up for it!)

• Total lifts: 51 • Top altitude: 2,307m • Six-day lift pass: £248 shigakogen-ski.or.jp fall-line.co.uk 17

Photos: Andy Parant, Casey Day, Archivio Fotografico

SHIGA KOGEN, JAPAN

SLUFF

CAPE SMOKEY Canada’s newest ski resort is rewriting the rulebook, blending ocean views, untamed terrain and a fiercely welcoming community on Nova Scotia’s wild Atlantic coast WORDS SIMON KELTON

A

s a ski and snowboard journalist, I’ve been lucky enough to explore over 170 of the world’s best resorts, enthusiastically adding legendary names like Chamonix, Aspen, Courchevel, Verbier, St Anton, Vail and many others to a seemingly inexhaustible bucket list of mountains I never tire of visiting.

However, in among the big flashy guns with their manicured motorway pistes, dramatic Alpine couloirs, five-star Michelin dining, wild nightlife and beau monde crowds, there’s another totally different ski experience that I love just as much and many times even more: the small local hill with a big heart.

Whenever I visit a major resort, I find myself on the lookout for a nearby lesser-known locals’ favourite. It could be somewhere like Sonnenkopf near St Anton, or a smattering of tiny resorts dotted through the San Gabriels outside Los Angeles, like Mount Baldy and Snow Valley.

They might only offer a couple of lifts, little to no accommodation, and one small lodge, operating as restaurant, bar, changing room, rental store and local coffee shop, but the experience can often trump the splashy, corporate efficiency and

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crowded anonymity of a big resort with a sense of unique relaxed fun, freedom and camaraderie.

These hidden gems usually require some serious mining to find.

They may take a full day’s journey to reach and only provide enough terrain for a day or two of skiing, but their friendly, welcoming character and often unique setting more than makes up for any lack of mileage.

My latest discovery to add to this list is Canada’s Cape Smokey in Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island. At first glance the trip looks intimidating, but it’s a surprisingly easy six-to-seven-hour non-stop flight from the UK to Halifax, the main hub. From here it’s a four-hour drive to Ingonish, a little town situated on the famously spectacular Cabot Trail.

If time is a premium and money’s no object, or you have a big enough group to justify it, you could rent a private plane to Sydney (on the east coast of Cape Breton) and then take a helicopter to the resort, ideally landing on the roof of one of the fabulous new Red Head Cliffs chalets, which look and feel like a James Bond evil lair with the iceberg-laden Atlantic lapping at the foot of the rust-coloured cliffs below.

DREAMIN’ SMALL HILLS, BIG SOUL

Arriving at Cape Smokey itself you quickly become aware that this may not be a hidden gem for much longer. Although the lodge is a simple and unpretentious A-frame affair, next to it is a new, stateof-the-art gondola, the only one on Canada’s eastern seaboard.

This is the brainchild and dream of ex-World Cup skier Martin Kejval, a handsome, charming Czech, the size of a small grizzly with the enthusiasm and passion of a modern PT Barnum.

Coming from a family in the ski resort business, Martin understands the challenges of creating a resort from scratch, but such is his optimism for his baby that he had no trouble striding into various banks in his 20s and asking for a $70m loan.

The result is seriously impressive and gives a quick taste of what is to come in this most unlikely of locations. Sweeping you up 350m in an eight-person cabin to the top of the coastline cliffs, you’re rewarded with a view unlike almost any other ski resort in the world. A small network of blue and red runs twist and turn back down to the gondola base, but just beyond this lies an ocean of undulating frozen surf with icebergs bobbing by the beach. It’s as arresting as it is spectacular.

Unlike the topography of Canada’s largest resorts in the Rockies and Coastal Range north of Vancouver, the top of Cape Smokey spreads out into the gentle rolling hills of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. From here, however, Martin’s vision starts to become even clearer as he details plans for further runs with steep blacks, beginners’ greens, a hotel and conference centre, all leading down to a pretty village right on the edge of the sea.

A cluster of colourful homes in Cormorant Rock have already been built on the water’s edge with their own balconies so you can BBQ the local seafood and steak. There are also docks on which you can leave your kayak, surf or paddle board.

Ski-in/ski-out takes on a whole new meaning when the 'out' is a huge, ice-dusted bay surrounded by snow-covered pines.

Only Lake Tahoe can come close to such a view.

This being Cape Breton, however, watersports are not limited to the summer. After wriggling into an 8mm-thick wetsuit with hood, boots and gloves, you paddle out into a near-freezing ocean regularly visited by humpback, right and blue whales. It’s a surreal yet magnificent experience, improved immeasurably by plunging into a hot tub 50m from the beach. fall-line.co.uk 19

SLUFF

“Ski-in/ski-out takes on a whole new meaning when the 'out' is a huge, ice-dusted bay”

CAPE SMOKEY: FAST FACTS

I’ve only once before skied and surfed on the same day.

It involved a hair-raising two-hour drive across Los Angeles in a convertible with the top down in full ski kit during a storm to make it back to Santa Monica beach in time to catch a few waves. Given the icy temperature of the Pacific, I’d take Cape Smokey any day.

LOCATION:

SNOWMOBILES AND SECRET STASHES

Ingonish, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, on the Cabot Trail near the boundary of Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

MOUNTAIN:

15 marked runs, with the longest run measuring 2.4km and offering the biggest vertical in Nova Scotia, supported by snowmaking across all key terrain.

LIFTS:

An eight-person, year-round gondola, plus a poma lift.

WHEN:

Late-January to late-February is the best time to visit for snow depth and consistency, with February statistically bringing the highest snowfall. For quiet slopes and crisp temperatures, mid-week visits during this window are ideal.

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Like all hidden gems, the secret to their popularity lies not just in the skiing, but in the other alternative excitements on hand. From the base of the mountain, you could take the gondola, but you could also hop onboard a snowmobile. A short blast up the piste takes you to an inexhaustible network of trails in the highlands.

These weave for miles through beautiful pine forests with vast vistas over the Atlantic. Racing past ice lakes, you stop at wellmaintained huts operated by enthusiastic locals, who do this purely for fun rather than profit.

Not surprisingly, the terrain is equally ideal for cross-country skiing, ski touring and hiking. Heading further up the Cabot Trail, Martin offered to take us to one of his favourite secret stashes.

Once again, the unusual terrain has an unexpected benefit. Driving to the top of the highlands allows you to skin or snowshoe along an almost flat ridgeline, giving you countless steep tree shots down to a gushing stream below.

Knowing the snow conditions were variable, going from deep powder to awkward crust and ice patches through tight trees, I opted for a snowboard. It was a good choice, allowing me to

Whalewatching while you ride. Not too shabby

Don your skins and a true Nova Scotian wilderness is ripe for exploring

ESSENTIALS TRAVEL

Halifax (YHZ) is the gateway – four hours’ drive to Ingonish. Seasonally, there are non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Halifax (Air Canada typically runs several services a week); otherwise, connect via Toronto or Montreal with painless same-terminal transfers.

STAY

Cormorant Rock (cormorantrock.ca) offers a range of self-catering chalets, with prices from CAD $700 (£370) per night for a three-bedroom chalet (sleeping six).

SKI

A one-day ski pass starts from CAD $69 (£36), via capesmokey.ca. To find out about Cape Smokey’s Winter Pentathlon visit inspirationaladventures.com/adventure/ cape-smokey-winter-pentathlon-ski-challenge

Post-ski surf, anyone? Sign us up! Just save us a spot in the sauna...

Photos: Adam Hill

glide through the soft snow while ducking under low branches and making tight jump turns where needed. Once we were down at the creek, we simply followed the rushing water to the next open pitch, then hiked back up for another shot.

The woods were blissfully quiet and free of any other skiers or hikers. It was a true wilderness experience but incredibly just a short drive from the resort. Without proper knowledge and some sensible planning, a minor mistake here could cause a genuine problem. This desanitises the adventure giving it the extra excitement that pulls a group together. This is one of the reasons why a small, local area can feel more thrilling than a controlled, mega resort. Here it’s genuinely man versus nature. If you screw up, no one’s coming to get you.

Climbing back out of the ravine first, I thought I’d score some Brownie points by fetching the car for the others, as the wind had picked up and the chill factor had risen quite dramatically.

The walk was the best part of a mile uphill but no sooner than I’d started, a pickup truck thundered up behind me. Instinctively, I stuck out my thumb. It stopped immediately. A friendly couple offered a lift. They weren’t surprised to find a snowboarder popping up in the middle of nowhere. This is a community built on courage, freedom and eccentricities.

After just one day in Cape Smokey, the barman already knows your name as do the staff running the ski rental shop. By the end of a week, you feel like extended family. There’s always time for a chat. They want to know where you’ve come from, what you think

of their resort. They’re proud of their home. They know it’s small, but its character is truly unique. There’s a sense of sharing something special, being part of a community that looks out for each other.

As a guitarist began to sing his first set in the bar, joined happily on the drums by one of our group, we all tucked into steaming bowls of clam chowder. They were the freshest we’ve ever had, caught that morning, and more delicious than anything you’d get in a major resort, for a third of the price.

After several more beers, the conversation switched to other ways Smokey could best the big boys. A unique winter pentathlon was suggested, a relay race incorporating skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, cross-country, crossbow and paddleboarding.

Before the night was out, locals were offering to put teams together. A new dream was taking shape. A challenge to the world to come and experience this uniquely friendly and fantastical place.

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Warriors Winter

The countdown to the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics is on and Team GB has never looked so strong. Here are the athletes in contention for a spot on the GB Olympic squad and potential podium contenders next month WORDS AMY MARWICK

T

he 2026 Games run from 6–22 February, with Team GB selections announced on 23 January. Learn more about the athletes at gbsnowsport.com.

DAVE RYDING ONE TO WATCH

Discipline: Alpine Location: Tarleton, England | D.O.B: 1986 Britain’s greatest Alpine skier, Dave Ryding will retire at the end of this season after more than 15 years on the circuit. A four-time Olympian and the only Brit to win an Alpine World Cup race, he’s targeting his best ever Olympic finish at Milan-Cortina to cap a legendary career.

BILLY MAJOR DARK HORSE

Discipline: Alpine Location: Cambridge, England | D.O.B: 1996 Part of the three-man British Men’s Slalom team that has delivered historic results over the past four years, Billy Major will be looking to make his second Olympic appearance following his Beijing debut. His first World Cup top 10 finish at the end of last season suggests he may be reaching new peaks.

LAURIE TAYLOR DARK HORSE

Discipline: Alpine Location: Aldershot, England | D.O.B: 1996 Laurie Taylor, the third member of Britain’s Men’s Slalom team, competed at the 2018 Olympics in Slalom and Team Parallel, finishing fifth. Now 29, he backed it up last season with three World Cup top 20s in Val d’Isère, Kitzbühel and Schladming.

Could Billy Major be Team GB’s secret weapon?

REECE BELL FRESH BLOOD

Photos: Andy J Ryan, David Pearce, Sam Mellish

Men's Slalom champ Laurie Taylor is on the up, with three World Cup top 20s under his belt

Discipline: Alpine Location: Eagle, Colorado | D.O.B: 2001 Part of a proud British Alpine dynasty, Reece Bell, daughter and niece of Olympians Martin and Graham Bell, made her World Cup debut in 2021. She broke through at the 2025 World Championships with a blistering second run to finish 20th in Women’s Slalom.

VICTORIA PALLA FRESH BLOOD

Discipline: Alpine Location: Moedling, Austria | D.O.B: 2001 Twenty-four-year-old Victoria Palla has had eight World Cup starts and performed brilliantly at the 2025 Alpine World Championships, finishing 23rd in the Women’s Slalom, just behind teammate Reece Bell.

JAMES CLUGNET WILDCARD WEAPON

Discipline: Cross-country Location: Grenoble, France | D.O.B: 1996 Born and raised in Grenoble, James Clugnet joined the British Cross-Country team at 16 and made his World Cup debut in 2017.

A Sprint specialist, he competed at the Beijing Olympics, finishing 20th in the Team Sprint alongside Andrew Young.

Wildcard James Clugnet could well sprint into the record books

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SLUFF JOE DAVIES RISING STAR

Discipline: Crosscountry Location: Fort St James, Canada | D.O.B: 2001 Brought up in British Columbia, Joe Davies switched from representing Canada to Great Britain in 2022. Making his World Cup debut the same year, he has rapidly ascended through the ranks, earning five top 20 finishes in 10km and 20km distances.

GABRIEL GLEDHILL FRESH BLOOD

Discipline: Cross-country Location: Vancouver Island, Canada | D.O.B: 2002 Suffolk-born but Canada-raised, Gabriel Gledhill grew up immersed in XC skiing. Selected for the British Nordic Squad in 2020, he debuted on the World Cup circuit in 2023/24 and helped Britain finish ninth at the 2025 World Championships relay.

ZOE ATKIN ONE TO WATCH

Discipline: Freeski Halfpipe Location: Park City, Utah | D.O.B: 2003 Younger sister of Olympic medallist Izzy Atkin, Zoe Atkin is now one of the world’s top halfpipe skiers. A string of World Cup podiums built her reputation, and she cemented it with World Championship gold in St Moritz in 2025.

Joe Davies has swiftly risen to the top, having made his World Cup debut just four years ago

GUS KENWORTHY COMEBACK KID

Discipline: Freeski Halfpipe Location: Telluride, Colorado | After four years off snow, Gus Kenworthy returned at the end of the 2024/25 season aiming for Milan–Cortina. An LGBTQ+ icon and 2014 Olympic silver medallist for Team USA, he remains one of action sports’ most recognisable figures.

LIAM RICHARDS RISING STAR

Discipline: Freeski Halfpipe Location: Auckland, New Zealand | D.O.B: 2008 Born in Zürich and now based in New Zealand, Liam Richards began skiing at two and hitting the snowpark at seven.

Competing for Britain since the 2024/25 season, he already has seven World Cup starts and five top 20 finishes.

ANDREW MUSGRAVE DARK HORSE

Discipline: Cross-country Location: Oyne, Scotland | D.O.B: 1990 A mainstay of British XC skiing, Andrew Musgrave has four Olympics behind him and a fifth on the horizon. With five World Cup podiums, including a Tour de Ski stage win last season, he remains one of the Nordic circuit’s most respected racers.

TOM GREENWAY WILDCARD WEAPON

Discipline: Freeski (Slopestyle & Big Air) Location: Tamworth, England | D.O.B: 2001 A World Cup regular since 2020, Tom Greenway was crowned British Champion in Slopestyle and Big Air in 2019. He finished inside the top-30 in Big Air at the 2025 World Championships and added several ANZ (Australia New Zealand) Cup top-10 finishes in the off-season.

TABITHA WILLIAMS FRESH BLOOD

Discipline: Cross-country Location: Canmore, Canada | D.O.B: 2004 London-born, North America-raised Tabitha Williams has risen quickly through Britain’s XC ranks. After an U23 World Championships 10km personal best and a standout relay performance, she’s targeting her World Cup debut and an ambitious Olympic push.

CHRIS MCCORMICK WILDCARD WEAPON

Discipline: Freeski (Slopestyle & Big Air) Location: Glasgow, Scotland | D.O.B: 1998 Chris McCormick learned to ski on the Bearsden dryslope and has now spent eight seasons on the World Cup circuit. His highlights include seventh at the Stubai World Cup and 12th in Corvatsch.

ANDREW YOUNG WILDCARD WEAPON

Discipline: Cross-country Location: Huntly, Scotland | D.O.B: 1992 A four-time Olympian, Andrew Young has an enviable track record with three Sprint World Cup podiums and one Pursuit podium. His best Olympic result came in PyeongChang 2018, placing 12th in the Team Sprint with Andrew Musgrave.

KIRSTY MUIR COMEBACK KID

Tabitha Williams has stormed through the XC ranks to fix the Olympics in her sights

Discipline: Freeski (Slopestyle & Big Air) Location: Aberdeen, Scotland | D.O.B: 2004 Team GB’s youngest athlete at Beijing 2022, Kirsty Muir tore her ACL and meniscus in 2023 but stormed back last season with a World Cup win in Tignes. She now has five World Cup podiums and two X Games medals.

JAMES POUCH WILDCARD WEAPON

Photos: GB Snowsport, Sam Mellish

Discipline: Freeski (Slopestyle & Big Air) Location: Park City, Utah | D.O.B: 1999 Since debuting in 2020, James Pouch has been a consistent Big Air and Slopestyle competitor. His best World Cup finish is 16th in Klagenfurt, with a fourth place at the ANZ Cup showing his podium potential.

MIA BROOKES ONE TO WATCH

Discipline: Freestyle Snowboard (Slopestyle & Big Air) Location: Sandbach, England | D.O.B: 2007 One of the most recognisable figures in snowboarding, Mia Brookes stunned the world by winning Slopestyle World Championships gold in 2023 at age 16. She now has 11 World Cup podiums, including three wins, plus a full set of X Games medals.

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MAISIE HILL WILDCARD WEAPON

Discipline: Freestyle Snowboard (Slopestyle & Big Air) Location: Cheltenham, England | D.O.B: 2001 On the World Cup circuit since 2022, Maisie Hill nearly lost her life in a 2023 training crash but has since returned powerfully. She placed fifth in Slopestyle at Flachau in March and now eyes her first Olympic berth.

TXEMA MAZET-BROWN RISING STAR

Discipline: Freestyle Snowboard (Slopestyle & Big Air) Location: Réunion Island | D.O.B: 2006 Born on Réunion Island and raised in New Zealand, Txema Mazet-Brown won the 2024 Big Air Junior World title. His breakout World Cup season included three top 20 finishes across Big Air and Slopestyle.

KATIE ORMEROD COMEBACK KID

Discipline: Freestyle Snowboard (Slopestyle & Big Air) Location: Brighouse, England | D.O.B: 1997 A British snowboarding icon, Katie Ormerod has battled years of injuries to return to elite form. With 11 World Cup podiums and a Beijing 2022 Olympic debut, she remains one of Britain’s most influential riders.

SIDDHARTHA ULLAH FRESH BLOOD

Discipline: Freestyle Snowboard Halfpipe Location: Venice Beach, California |

Armed with 11 World Cup podiums, Mia Brookes is locked and loaded

D.O.B: 2006 California-raised with British roots, Siddhartha Ullah rides halfpipe for Team GB. He made his World Championships debut in 2025, placing 22nd, after several top 30 World Cup appearances and a Youth Olympics showing in 2024.

MAKAYLA GERKEN SCHOFIELD DARK HORSE

Discipline: Moguls Location: Chelmsford, England | D.O.B: 1999 Makayla Gerken Schofield’s dancing start-gate moment at Beijing preceded Britain’s best-ever Olympic Moguls result. She has since added 11 World Cup top 10s, including a podium in Val St Come.

MATEO JEANNESSON RISING STAR

Katie Ormerod is the ultimate comeback queen – and she's on an Olympic mission

Discipline: Moguls Location: Alpe d’Huez, France | D.O.B: 2004 Raised by a French father and British mother, Mateo Jeannesson specialised early in Moguls. The 2024 Junior World Champion went on to secure Britain’s best Moguls World Championships result ever in 2025, finishing fifth in Dual Moguls.

CHARLOTTE BANKES ONE TO WATCH

Discipline: Snowboard Cross Location: Hemel Hempstead, England | D.O.B: 1995 A dominant Snowboard Cross force, Charlotte Bankes boasts 13 World Cup podiums and 10 wins in only two seasons. She also became Team World Champion in 2023 with Huw Nightingale.

HUW NIGHTINGALE DARK HORSE

Discipline: Snowboard Cross Location: Bolton, England | D.O.B: 2001 Since his 2022 Olympic debut, Huw Nightingale has climbed the SBX rankings, winning the 2023 Team World title with Bankes and finishing 10th at the 2025 World Championships.

OLLIE DAVIES DARK HORSE

Discipline: Ski Cross Location: Guildford, England | D.O.B: 1997 Ollie Davies made his Olympic debut in 2022 and claimed his first World Cup podium in 2023. He has since added two more top 10 finishes and a Europa Cup victory in Passo San Pellegrino.

SCOTT JOHNS FRESH BLOOD

From Bearsden dryslope to Olympic stage: could this be Chris McCormick's year?

Discipline: Ski Cross Location: Birmingham, England | D.O.B: 2003 A World Cup debutant in 2024, Scott Johns delivered two top 30 finishes last season and made his first World Championships appearance in 2025, finishing 36th.

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SLUFF

THE ART OF COACHING With the 2026 Winter Olympics around the corner, it’s not just the athletes who are feeling the pressure, but their coaches too.

Here, Glasgow-born Mark Tilston – Head Coach for the US Alpine Men’s team – reflects on the mindset behind world-class performance, the mentors who shaped him, and what it takes to become a race coach at the highest level WORDS AMY MARWICK

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What’s your earliest memory of skiing?

Skiing in Scotland on a golf course just outside of Glasgow!

But we also went skiing on Cairngorm. After my first long weekend up there, I really wanted to ski all the time. Fortunately, my father and sister were also keen, so we ended up going up to Aviemore every weekend. One day, when the hill was closed, I met two brothers who had also been dragged out on a walk with their parents. They told me they did ski race training, so I gave it a go and signed up the next season.

What motivated you to pursue skiing, not just as a passion, but as a career?

It really came to me as a career by accident. I was pretty disillusioned with the sport when I stopped racing competitively, but a friend asked me to coach his younger brother. It worked out well, because I coached at the club level and then with the Scottish Team while I studied Applied Sports Sciences in Edinburgh. Then, as I finished university, I was offered a job on the British Team.

As a ski racer yourself, did you have any coaches who particularly influenced you?

There were a couple, Paul Guckian was one of the first. He was one of my coaches when I was on the Hillend Development Team in Edinburgh. He really introduced me to the importance of fitness, nutrition and general preparation. Then I went for a year to Ski Club Vail, and a coach by the name of Erik Steinberg was very influential in developing my philosophy, which is to learn to ski technically well first, before trying to race too much.

Have you worked with athletes who really stand out?

Then, in my first year of coaching, I was supported by John Clark, the Scottish Team Coach. He taught me the value of finding the balance between pushing and supporting an athlete – and ultimately that they must be really pushed to their limit of effort.

I was extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Carolina Ruiz-Castillo, an alpine ski racer from Spain. She proved herself at 18 when starting out on the World Cup circuit, but then she never got back to that level through years of trying.

When I coached her, it was later in her career, and she was an incredibly focused athlete. We concentrated on building the program that I thought would make sense, but it was not the way it had always been done. It took a lot of bravery from the staff [on the Spanish Alpine racing team], and Carolina, but it got her to her best season ranking and a World Cup win, which was a testament to how committed she was.

Who would you describe as your greatest mentor?

I would say my greatest mentor was, and to a lesser extent still is, Christian Schwaiger, who was the British Team’s Head Coach at the time I joined and who hired me to coach the team. Christian has an enormous passion for the sport and in doing the best that you can in anything that you pursue. He taught me that there are many details involved in world-class performances. It requires a team, and every member of that team must work together and strive to give their best performance each day.

How connected are you with the landscape of UK snowsports, and where do the biggest opportunities lie?

Was it difficult to find your way into the role you’re in now, and what helped you to secure it?

I am not connected at all. I have said for many years that UK snowsports is a small enough world, we all have the same goal and need to work together. The privatisation of programs has, in theory, driven up the quality of programming, however I’m not convinced that is the case in practice, and it is at the cost of many clubs and the Home Nations’ teams. I also fear that it has priced out a great number of potential skiers. However, as I say, I am not connected at all, so it’s impossible to really say.

It was difficult in so far as I have worked very hard for a long time and sacrificed a great deal. However, on the other hand, it kind of just happened. I was either offered positions, or encouraged to apply for them. I think my degree in Sports Sciences helped me to see and understand the bigger picture. It helped me recognise the importance of tying together the physical, technical, tactical, psychological, equipment and environmental factors, which all impact the athletes I work with.

What advice would you give to young people in the UK who dream of working in snowsports?

What qualities do you think are most important for a successful coach?

Know why you want to do it, know what you want to get from it, define what excellence looks like when you do it, and strive for that every day. I define it as ‘a tireless pursuit of excellence’.

You need the same qualities it takes to be successful in anything.

You must have a detailed plan that’s in constant review, frequently do a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats), and, to be honest, humble and consistently committed.

What do you still love most about skiing?

The mountains, the fresh air, the sun on your face on a spring afternoon, the dynamic power in a good turn. But, most of all, I love how hard it is to get to the very top. Not everyone can make it there, but even if you don’t, I strongly believe that you will be a better person for the journey.

What’s the biggest challenge of coaching elite level?

The competitions; not focusing too much on them, and not getting distracted by what others are doing. It’s easy to copy what’s always been done, but you need a solid rationale for every decision.

Dave Ryding and Tristan Glasse-Davies are great examples of doing things differently and succeeding. Beyond that, it’s about understanding the world you’re in: the people, the organisations, the rules and, in our case, the resorts and all the logistics.

What is it about working with world-class athletes that you enjoy the most?

Athletes are not world-class performers by accident. They are a truly incredible group of people who I am constantly inspired by, motivated by, and can only try and do my best to support.

And finally, what’s the one lesson skiing has taught you that applies to life beyond the slopes?

As Head Coach, the pressure’s on Mark as his team prepare to take to the Olympic stage

There are literally thousands. But, if I had to pick just one, I would say that the biggest is that you can learn from your mistakes, but only if you look at your mistakes through curiosity, without judgement or fear or frustration.

I always try to maintain that you can only truly control, or judge, effort and attitude – and that everything else is an outcome. So how a person faces their mistakes is critical for development.

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LAAX: RIDING THE FUTURE

Editor Nicola Iseard takes the family to Laax and discovers a forward-thinking resort that doesn’t just deliver great skiing — it inspires the next generation

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“M

ummy, I cleared the red jumps in the park – the ones we saw yesterday!” My youngest son was yelling with excitement before his skis stopped sliding. I scooped him up for a bear hug while wondering how instructor Basil had pulled this off in a single morning. Both our boys – eight and 10 – were transformed. For the rest of the trip, Basil’s name would come up every time skiing was mentioned.

That weekend in Laax didn’t just entertain the kids, it flipped a switch. Growing up in the Portes du Soleil they’d always loved the snowpark, but after this trip freestyle became an integral part of how they ski. Months later, they still ask when we’re going back.

Laax’s infectous freestyle vibe isn’t accidental, it’s engineered, with clever planning and serious investment. Five distinct snowparks span the mountain, from beginner to Olympian level, all immaculately maintained. While down in the village, there is the most advanced underground skatepark and trampoline centre I have ever seen (more on that later). You feel it immediately: a youthful, creative buzz that hums through the resort. On day one my husband, Chrigl, joked there must be a college nearby – it feels like a student town, and not in a party-scene way either, more just in a young-people-doing-cool-things kind of way (yes, I know how old that sounds).

Next morning, after the boys showed us their newly unlocked bag of tricks in Ils Plauns – the medium-level park within the Crap Sogn Gion freestyle zone – it was time to explore.

Laax links with neighbouring Flims to make a genuinely big domain. Not just wide, but tall. From the Vorab Glacier at 3,018m you can ski right down to the village at 1,100m: a full 2,000m of descent. For perspective, Val d’Isère’s Funival tops out lower and drops barely half that. This place has scale.

Traversing the piste map left to right, we rode lifts that spanned generations: old workhorses like Fuorcla-Vorab alongside sci-fifast chairs with heated seats. Then there’s the FlemXpress – the on-demand gondola system on the Flims side that looks and operates like something from the future. Gondolas arrive, detach, reroute, and dispatch based on your chosen destination (there are six to choose from). It’s slick

The boys eye up their lines in the Ils Plauns snowpark

The sci-fi-esque FlemXpress allows you to select your destination

and faintly mind-bending, like being launched out of a space station. The final section to Cassons is due to open soon, unlocking even more terrain above Flims. It’s not just an engineering experiment – it’s part of Laax’s wider sustainability push, moving people more efficiently across the mountain with less energy and less impact (read about the resort’s Greenstyle initiative, below).

Once we started cruising the pistes, one thing became obvious: we were flying. Wide pistes, perfect corduroy, barely anyone around. We were carving full-tilt arcs, sometimes four abreast, zero stress about traffic. The park was forgotten. Rollers became launch ramps. What a rush to experience that with your husband and kids together.

Swept up in the moment and the conditions, we dropped into the black off the top of the Vorab down to Lavadinas. The gamble paid dividends – it had been freshly groomed overnight and was in prime condition. A third of the way down we pulled over above a steeper pitch, legs burning, all of us laughing at how stupidly good it was. I challenge any devoted freestyler or ski-tourobsessive not to have fun on this piste. Frankly, I can’t think of a better one anywhere else.

The run lands you at the bottom of the Lavadinas chairlift, where there’s a proper little find: a snack shack bolted to the side of the station. Coffee, beer, soup, and sausages straight off the grill. A few picnic benches, deck chairs, and music humming in the background. A good place to soak up the scene, reset the legs, and then fire straight back uphill.

HOW LAAX IS GOING ZERO CARBON Laax doesn’t just talk about sustainability, it documents it.

As part of its Greenstyle initiative, which aims to make Laax the planet’s first zero-carbon ski resort by 2030, the resort launched The Greenstyle Book: How to Run a Sustainable Alpine Destination. This 250-plus-page manifesto brings together projects, goals, and long-term visions around climate action, resource use, and biodiversity in the Laax-Flims-Falera region.

It’s intended as both a guide and an inspiration, showing how an alpine destination can operate with less impact, highlighting what Laax has already achieved and what it still plans to do.

For example, lifts run on renewable electricity, many buildings are heated using wood pellets, waste heat is recycled from resort infrastructure, and zero-waste systems are being rolled out in restaurants and lift stations.

Copies of The Greenstyle Book are available via the LAAX app and at lift-area info points, with proceeds supporting the Greenstyle Foundation, a non-profit that funds a range of local environmental projects.

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SLUFF

DO IT

Rocksresort (rocksresort.com) offers seven nights self-catering in a two-bedroom apartment (four sharing), starting from CHF 820 (£760).

Day passes start from CHF 53 (£49); book online at laax.com The Freestyle Academy (freestyleacademy. com) offers private two-hour trampoline lessons (1-2 people) for CHF 245 (£226).

For more info on Laax, visit laax.com

Rehydrated, we headed back up towards Fuorcla da Sagogn and across to La Siala. (Word of warning: Swiss piste grading isn’t French. Some blues are basically green, and if your skis aren't waxed you’ll know about it.) Off La Siala we dropped into red No.10 – super long, with plenty of twists and pitches. Another contender for my list of favourite ever pistes. There are some yellow unpisted 'itinerary' runs here that we'd love to try when conditions allow (maybe next year!).

Lunch at Ustria Startgels was one of those accidental wins.

From the outside it looks like a fairly unassuming mountain restaurant, but step inside and it’s immediately clear this isn’t your typical ski-fare. We hadn’t reserved a table but were fortunate to catch the last remaining one, situated right next to the grill, where owner Christian Meir, in a butcher’s apron, was carving enormous slabs of meat with the mastery you get from years of standing in front of the fire.

We’d stumbled upon a gem of a restaurant. Swiss-heavy wine list, ridiculous food (Christian’s mountain-style macaroni with onions, bacon, potato, fried beef strips and apple compot for 28CHF was 10/10) – one of the best meals I’ve had in ski boots.

Fed and fired up, we jumped on the FlemXpress to Nagens Sura, then traversed back towards Crap Sogn Gion. The boys were keen to burn off lunch in the snowparks here, all clustered around

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The parks around the space-age GALAAXY hub are the perfect place to defy gravity

Nicola arcs with abandon on an immaculate piste, before the family hits the Freestyle Academy

GALAAXY – a Star Wars-esque lift station they immediately nicknamed the ‘Millennium Falcon’. It’s the freestyle nerve centre of Laax: instructor meeting-point, a handful of eateries, and direct access to every park line on the mountain, including the world’s biggest halfpipe and the P60 park, with 60 natural and built features set across a 1km-long slope. The perfect spot to watch the energy drink-sponsored youths do tricks you only thought existed in movies.

By the end of the day, with the resort’s layout dialled, we were excited for what lay ahead: tree runs, steeper off-piste pitches, expansive views from the glacier. The whole trip carried the sense of stepping into the future – where things had been so well thought-out and considered that they made it all run so smoothly.

Our base at the Rocksresort, which forms the heart of the village, was part of that equation. Part hotel, part social post-skihangout-space, it has apartments (ours was spacious with huge windows overlooking the village), plus bars, shops, cafés and multiple restaurants (family favourite for us was the Asian-inspired Nooba, which has been replaced by Ikigai this season).

Rocksresort doesn’t feel like a classic alpine lodging – it feels built for the next generation of mountain riders: functional, unfussy and all about sustainability (it’s powered by hydroelectricity, heated with wood pellets).

This concept that Laax is all about the next generation is perfectly epitomised with its Freestyle Academy. When a resort builds an underground trampoline and skatepark in its village, it’s clear it isn’t just building terrain for today’s riding, but is thinking about how the next generation learns and progresses. As Chrigl bored everyone with talk of Swiss engineering, the elevator doors opened and the boys froze – eyes wide, jaws dropped. Skatepark on one side, trampolines, air mattresses and airbags on the other.

Our instructor Laurent – snowboard coach by day – met us with high-fives and grip socks. A warm-up on the air mattress turned into a casual display from Laurent of kung-fu-level moves – talk about inspiring.

Ninety minutes later, thanks to step-by-step coaching, Chrigl was throwing his first corked 7s on a trampoline at age 43, while the boys landed several first-time tricks. By the end of the session the boys were buzzing, and so were we.

It’s clear – Laax builds riders, not just runs. Every jump, spin, every roller, every lap, felt like progression in motion. This is a place that celebrates creativity, rewards courage, and inspires the next generation to push harder, dream bigger, and come back for more.

TECHNIQUE

THE SKIER’S TOOLKIT // PART THREE:

Separation Anxiety Marek Meluzin from Freedom Snowsports explains what rotational separation really means – and why it matters PHOTOS FREEDOM SNOWSPORTS

WHY IT MATTERS…

If you’ve spent any time around ski instructors, coaches or trainers, you’ve probably heard the phrase ‘rotational separation.’ It sounds clinical but, in truth, rotational separation is one of skiing’s core technical concepts – and, once you understand it, your turns will become cleaner, stronger and more controlled. Rotational separation simply means this: your lower body turns more than your upper body. The legs rotate, the skis change direction, but the torso stays relatively stable, facing in a general downhill direction. While the term might sound like jargon, the effect is grip, stability, and the ability to let your skis run smoothly while your body stays calm and balanced. It’s one of those subtle skills that shows up everywhere; on piste carving, short turns, bumps, steeps, and even in freestyle.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS…

Rotational separation allows the skier to guide the skis using the legs and feet, without dragging the whole upper body into the turn.

In simple terms: • The legs and feet rotate • The upper body stabilises • The skis follow a clean, efficient path Without separation, the upper body twists into the turn, the hips follow, the skis skid, and the whole system becomes unstable.

With separation, the upper body remains quiet and aligned, while the legs do the work.

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WHY IT’S IMPORTANT FOR EVERY SKIER…

Rotational separation shows up in all forms of skiing, in various degrees, and it’s important to master it if you want to improve your performance.

1. Grip and edge control When your upper body stays stable, you’re able to use your ski’s edge more cleanly. If the upper body rotates with the skis, the edge angle fluctuates, and grip disappears. By keeping the torso stable, the skis can carve or steer beneath you.

2. Balance and body management Rotational separation works hand-in-hand with your balance and body management.

A stable upper body keeps: • The pelvis aligned • The centre of mass travelling smoothly across the turns • The spine stacked over the feet This makes pressure control easier. A rotating upper body, on the other hand, throws the centre of mass away from the turn and forces your weight onto the inside ski (causing unwanted skidding).

3. Versatility in terrain On steeps, bumps, or in variable snow, separation is your insurance policy. In shorter corridors you can keep your upper body facing down the fall line, ready to absorb, react, or adapt, while your legs rotate rapidly beneath you. This gives you agility – without losing composure.

MEET THE PRO MAREK MELUZIN Marek has spent 26 seasons as an instructor, race coach and trainer for the Czech association of ski instructors (APUL), and is a long-standing instructor at British-owned Freedom Snowsports, based in Saint Gervais. A specialist ski coaching company, Freedom Snowports has locations in Chamonix, Saint Gervais, Megève, Méribel and the Grand Massif.

Freedom Snowsports runs courses for all levels, from beginners to pro training camps. If you’ve ever wanted to develop your skiing skills, these guys are the goto experts. Find out more at freedomsnowsports.com

4. Consistent turn shape Turn shape is a product of skilfully blending all the elements of your skiing together. This gives turns a constant radius instead of the ’twist and hope‘ pattern that appears when the upper body dominates the movement.

WHEN TO USE IT, AND HOW MUCH…

Here’s where it gets tricky; you always use rotational separation, but you don’t always use the same amount.

In long turns (carved or high performance): You want slight rotational separation, particularly as you start a new turn. This helps to finish off the old turn and initiate the next. During the apex of the turn however, the torso will match the skis’ direction of travel.

In shorter turns: You need more rotational separation. The legs steer more actively while the upper body maintains a strong downthe-fall-line position. This creates stability and rhythm.

In bumps and variable terrain: You need maximum rotational separation. Your torso becomes a stable platform while your legs fire like pivoting pistons beneath you.

DRILL BABY, DRILL

Practice makes perfect.

TRY: The ’Upper Body Lighthouse’ drill is a simple, highly effective drill that isolates rotational separation and encourages upper body discipline.

HOW: On a gentle blue run, pick a visible target like a tree, lift pylon, or piste marker that is directly down the hill from where you are standing. Begin making controlled parallel turns in a medium radius. Keep your chest, sternum, and hands pointing at the target throughout the turns. Let your legs and skis turn freely beneath you, creating natural rotational separation. Start with medium turns, then try tightening the radius. Your upper body is essentially taking the ’racing line’, while your feet and skis follow the full arc of the curve.

WHY? This drill exaggerates the feeling of the upper body stabilising while the lower body rotates. It reinforces: • Functional rotational separation • Improved balance • Cleaner turn shapes • Consistent edging And because it uses an external focus (the ’lighthouse’), it reduces the tendency to overthink the body mechanics, and so the separation happens naturally.

FINAL THOUGHT

Rotational separation shows up across all shapes and sizes of turns, no matter what kind of terrain you’re in. Get out there on the slopes and play around with the concept. If you can understand the sensation, and begin to replicate it when and where it’s needed, you can elevate your ski performance to the next level.

NEXT MONTH: CLEAR VISION fall-line.co.uk 33

Marina and her team strive to keep the Les Menuires ski area safe for everyone

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Marina feels proud to don her Helly Hansen Ski Patrol uniform

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SKI FREE WITH HELLY HANSEN Fresh snow calls for new inspiration this season as global ski brand, Helly Hansen, continues its successful Ski Free program for winter ‘25-26. Skiers who purchase the latest AW25 Helly Hansen ski collection will receive a free one-day, or two-for-one, ski pass to use at over 70 premiere resorts across Europe and North America, from Les Menuires to Sun Valley. All you need to do to receive a Ski Free day pass is upload a picture of your receipt to the website – easy! For more info, and to get your gear, head to the website hellyhansen.com/skifree.

What a view to wake up to

A day in the life of a...

ski patroller

We caught up with Marina Guigonnet, Ski Patroller in Les Menuires, to talk avalanche control, weather watching, and team spirit

MEET THE PATROLLER: MARINA GUIGONNET Job title: Ski Patroller Number of years patrolling: Five Favourite part of the job: Rescue operations

OUR FIRST TASK OF THE MORNING…

Is our team briefing, led by the sector manager. Jobs are assigned and discussed as required, and then we head out to do our tasks with pride. I love patrolling those first runs and carving the very first tracks of the day – it’s a real honour to be protecting the mountains and experiencing the slopes before anyone else.

THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF BEING A SKI PATROLLER… AS SOON AS MY ALARM GOES OFF…

I check the weather forecast and switch on my phone, so I know what’s in store for the day. I have breakfast and jump in the shower before getting ready for the day ahead and meeting my team to keep our amazing resort safe for all of our guests.

Is carrying out avalanche control work in stormy conditions.

Supporting the relatives of a seriously injured person or someone missing can also be emotionally demanding – but it is a really important part of the job, and such a humbling one too.

WHEN A CALL COMES IN OVER THE RADIO…

If it’s cold, I pull on my baselayer tights and thermal top – they’re warm, breathable and perfect for long days working in the elements, and the most important layers in the cold conditions.

These are the first layers we wear, followed by a mid-layer, a vest and our outer Helly Hansen ski jacket and ski pants.

I will head out to reach the injured skier as quickly – and safely – as possible with my rescue toboggan. I will assess their condition, request back up if needed and, once they’re stabilised, will transport them to our on-site medical centre. Helping people in those moments is incredibly fulfilling; it’s a constant reminder of why our work matters and how we can make a real difference on the slopes that so many people love.

I NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT…

AFTERNOONS ARE FILLED WITH…

THE FIRST THING I PUT ON IS…

My red Helly Hansen Ski Patrol uniform! The red jacket and yellow cross are iconic and makes us instantly recognisable as mountain rescue professionals, helping skiers feel confident approaching us when they need help, and more at ease when they see us coming to assist in an emergency situation. It’s a bespoke uniform for our resort, however the ski kit is all based on the ULLR backcountry collection, which the general public can also buy. I head out the door with a smile every morning too, because I truly love what I do.

I BECAME A SKI PATROLLER…

After several seasons as an ESF ski instructor, which I truly loved, but I felt ski patrol was the natural next step for me. I earned my ski patrol certification in 2020 and have been working in the Les Menuires ski area ever since. I love it because of the terrain and the team around me.

Whatever the weather and skiers demand! In low visibility, we increase our patrols to guide and inform skiers, and make amends to routes and lifts if needed. We also maintain safety equipment, like foam pads and nets, to ensure the highest level of safety. And, of course, we always keep an ear on the radio for rescue calls.

AFTER WORK…

Most evenings you’ll find me at the gym; staying strong and fit is essential for this job.

IF I WASN’T A SKI PATROLLER I WOULD BE… Probably still ski instructing. I loved that job, but becoming a patroller has been the best decision. I feel more useful now – I can help people while still being part of the mountain community I love.

BEFORE THE LIFTS START TURNING…

We update the avalanche risk board and check connections with Méribel. This is important so we can ensure we know the conditions across all our mountains and runs, and can plan ahead for the day. We can then get out on the slopes to start patrolling and ensure everything is safe before opening to the public. If we need to do any maintenance, or discuss delays regarding specific runs or lifts, we’ll work through this together as a team.

“It’s a real honour to be protecting the mountains and experiencing the slopes before anyone else” fall-line.co.uk 35

‘‘SKI CHATTER ’’

Victor Lourdel

When the Peak Performance athlete and former competitive freerider swapped podiums for peaks, he hoped to explore the mountains more freely.

Amy Marwick catches up with him to talk film-making, fear, and his future…

Amy Marwick: Hi Victor, thanks for chatting with me today! Great to see your latest movie, The Vertical. How did this project come about?

Victor Lourdel: It’s actually a project I’ve been thinking about

for a long time. In the past, my focus was pure steep skiing, but last season I wanted to combine steep skiing with freeriding, which is really my background. The goal was to find the perfect conditions to ski big faces with both speed and fluidity, and to immerse people in the mountains and share my experience.

We wanted to capture the tension, the silence, and the beauty of the lines.

Victor’s latest project, The Vertical, ties complex mountaineering with an insight into the mind of an athlete

AM: Where is the main line that you ski in the movie?

VL: It’s on Mont Dolent (3,823m) on the Swiss side of Mont Blanc.

You can see it from Verbier and I would look across to it during the years I was competing there. It’s not the steepest line I’ve ever skied, about 45 degrees, but enough to demand full commitment at speed.

AM: Why did you decide on this line for the film?

VL: It was never about chasing the steepest line – it was more

about aesthetics. We wanted to find beautiful mountains and draw turns on the face with fluidity, precision, and that feeling of carving the perfect line.

AM: What kind of conditions did you get for filming?

VL: We waited a long time for the right moment. Throughout

the season, and especially before shooting, I tried to go almost every day to study the snow (I live not too far away, in Sallanches near Chamonix). That particular day, it was very stable. It was early May and we had 25cm of fresh snow, but because it was late in the season, the snow was more compact and stuck well to the face.

AM: How did you prepare mentally for dropping in?

VL: I tried not to think too much about the camera and just

purely focus on what I know. There’s always a mix of tension and calm, but once you’re there, all the work is done, the only thing left to do is ski. I use breathing and visualisation a lot and imagine every turn beforehand, so when I drop in, it feels like something I’ve already lived. That’s something I used to do a lot in freeride competitions.

Photos: Jordan Manoukian

AM: How much does your competition experience help you to perform in these high-stakes moments?

VL: It taught me how to manage pressure and perform on

AM: You describe experiencing fear not as a weight but as a compass. Can you talk about how your approach to steep skiing has evolved to reach that perspective?

VL: At the beginning it wasn’t like that – fear felt like an obstacle

– but over time I realised fear is actually a signal. It tells me when I’m ready, when I’m too tired, or when the conditions aren’t good enough. Listening to that voice, instead of fighting it, has made me a safer and better skier. Fear will always be there, and that’s a good thing. If there’s no fear, it becomes too dangerous; the key is learning how to read it and deal with it.

AM: What do you hope folks will take away from The Vertical?

VL: I hope the film reminds people of the beauty of the mountains,

but also that the mountains demand humility, respect and patience.

Progression and training are essential to moving safely and coexisting with the mountain – it’s important to go step by step.

AM: You’ve moved away from freeride competitions to focus on steep skiing and filming. What motivated that shift of focus?

VL: Competitions were an amazing part of my career, they shaped

who I am and really pushed my skiing. But I felt limited by the format and wanted to explore the mountains more freely. Steep skiing and mountaineering opened that door for me.

AM: Has it changed the way you approach the mountain?

VL: Yes, completely. In competitions, most of the time you’re

demand – when it’s time to go, you go. In that way, steep skiing is similar, because you only get one chance.

training on the same mountain, doing laps, jumps, and repeating the same lines. You’re not really listening or discovering the mountain. Since I stopped competing, I’ve opened my eyes more, to look around, to listen to the snow, to understand it.

AM: The film offers some insights into how athletes pull these big projects together. What is the most important part of the preparation for you?

VL: It’s really a mix of everything: physical and mental training,

AM: You’re currently in training to become a mountain guide too, what do you hope to get out of this new direction for your career?

VL: I’m already a ski instructor, but I felt limited in what I could help

technical preparation, and a lot of patience. You need to wait for the right day, the right conditions, and be ready to adapt.

We always have alternative lines in mind, because you never know, sometimes a mountain just isn’t skiable, depending on the season and the snow.

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people experience in the mountains. Guiding is about sharing my passion and giving back some of the knowledge I’ve received, while bringing balance to my life. I’d also love to pass on knowledge to the younger generation, maybe even help some of the Peak Performance riders create an expedition.

“Fear felt like an obstacle… but I realised it is just a signal”

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‘‘SKI CHATTER ’’

Who wants to join Victor on an adventure?

Form an orderly queue, folks…

AM: How are you getting on with the guiding course?

VL: I tried to pass the first exam for the first time this summer.

I succeeded in most of the tests but failed the climbing part, so I’ll try again next year. I only started climbing four or five years ago, so it’s still quite new for me.

AM: What’s next for you this season, any more big projects in the pipeline?

VL: First, to ski as many cool lines as possible! I’m working on

a couple of ideas for this winter, including another steep skiing project. I’d like to test myself on higher mountains, and why not share that with some of my Peak Performance teammates and friends?

AM: How high are we talking?

VL: Not too high… Maybe between six and seven thousand

metres.

AM: Oh, that’s pretty high! Where will you go?

VL: There are so many places I want to explore, but Bolivia is on my list, and India as well. We’ll see if people want to join me on an adventure!

• Watch The Vertical for free on YouTube

VICTOR’S TOP GEAR PICKS FOR THE VERTICAL PEAK PERFORMANCE VERTICAL GORE-TEX PRO

“Protective, lightweight and easy to move in – ideal for big objectives.”

PEAK PERFORMANCE VERTICAL SKI BACKPACK

“A durable but lightweight pack that’s built to carry everything I need – even my ice axes.”

ZAG UBAC 108

“The new generation of Ubac – a solid ski for charging big faces, but light enough for long days of touring.”

“Protective, lightweight and easy to move in” 38 fall-line.co.uk .fall-line.co.uk

ATK FREERAIDER 15 EVO

“A pleasure to be able to ski with a touring binding with the feeling of a freeride binding.”

TECNICA ZERO G PRO TOUR

“This boot perfectly balances weight and ski-ability.”

SPEED FREAKS GRAHAM BELL

Graham is a five-time Olympic skier and former junior World Champ, but is most proud of his 12th place in the notorious Hahnenkamm race

Italy’s Sofia Goggia is on good form – but her aggressive skiing style is not without risk

Ready, set, Games Graham Bell has his sights set on Milano-Cortina 2026

Photo: GEPA

T

he mountain events at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games are going to be spread across the north-eastern Italian Alps, with the men’s Alpine skiing held in Bormio and the women’s in Cortina. Both resorts have recently hosted World Championships, and the race pistes are recognised as some of the most challenging on the World Cup tour.

In the men’s speed events it’s hard to see who can challenge Marco Odermatt; the sensational Swiss has started this season in dominant form and his record on the Bormio track is good: two wins in super G, and two second place spots in downhill. At last season’s World Championships, Odermatt’s Swiss teammates were his biggest threat – Franjo Von Allmen and Alexis Monney took gold and bronze in Saalbach, and will be ones to watch.

The Austrians will be looking to the veteran Vincent Kriechmayer, who has started the season on good form with a win on the Birds of Prey super G course in Beaver Creek. And watch out for the 25-year-old Stefan Eichberger, who skis with power and aggression reminiscent of Hermann Maier.

Meanwhile, the Italians will be hoping that Dominik Paris can capture some of the past glory that has seen him win a record seven times on the testing Stelvio track in Bormio.

The injury list for the stars of the women’s speed events is a long one. Last season’s winner of the overall and downhill World Cup titles, Federica Brignone of Italy, is struggling to come back after a horrific knee injury sustained at the Italian championships at the end of last season. Swiss star Lara Gut-Behrami announced she would retire at the end of this season, but that retirement came much earlier than she would have hoped when she tore her ACL in a training accident in Copper Mountain in November. Teammate Corrine Suter also suffered a pre-season training crash in St Moritz, but is hopeful her torn calf muscle will heal before the Games. The American Lauren Macuga, who burst onto the top podium last season in St Anton, is also out for the season with an ACL tear. Italy’s Sofia Goggia is on good form, but her aggressive skiing style is not without risk. The Italian will start as favourite if she can stay injury-free.

Sandwiched between the downhill and super G events on the Olympic programme is the new Team Combined, which premiered at last season’s Saalbach World Championships. A speed specialist and a technical specialist

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compete in one downhill run and one slalom run in the same day. The Swiss men’s team won a clean sweep of the medals at the 2025 Alpine World Ski Championships, with Franjo Von Allmen and Loïc Meillard winning gold.

Interestingly, Odermatt didn’t compete, although it is unlikely he will give up on the chance of an Olympic medal. The question is, who’d be his slalom team-mate? The women’s gold in Saalbach was won by USA’s Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin, but will we see the dream ticket of a Vonn/Shiffrin team?

With Brignone injured and Shiffrin struggling to find form, the women’s giant slalom is wide open this season. Alice Robinson of New Zealand will be hoping to capitalise and clinch gold, but will be pushed by the Austrian Julia Scheib and Norwegian Thea Louise Stjernesund. Women’s slalom has one clear favourite, Mikaela Shiffrin, who started this season better than ever. Her closest rival has been Lara Colturi, daughter of Italian Olympic gold medalist Daniella Ceccarelli, who switched nationalities and races for Albania.

The men’s giant slalom also has one clear favourite in Odermatt. This Swiss is so dominant in this discipline, I feel the only way he will be beaten is if he crashes outs. The men’s slalom has traditionally been the most competitive discipline on the tour, and this season is proving no different. As well as Hendrik Kristoffersen, Timon Haugan and Atle Lie McGrath of Norway, Austria’s Manuel Feller and Marco Schwarz, and reigning Olympic champion Clément Noël of France, we can add the former Norwegian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who won his first World Cup for Brazil in Levi at the start of the season, and Frenchman Paco Rassat, who won in Gurgl, to the mix.

The British team of Dave Ryding, Laurie Taylor and Billy Major have started the season in great form. The first race in Levi saw two British skiers in the top 10, with Laurie scoring a PB in fourth place and Dave in seventh. Let’s hope they can keep it going to the Olympics and we can see a British alpine skier take a medal in Bormio.

“The British team have started the season in great form”

For Every Day, For Every Run. Dobermann Multipista.

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Wide-open slopes beckon here, right up until the end of May

Zell am SeeKaprun offers 90 restaurants, from traditional huts to the new ultra-modern Gletschermühle

Best served in spring

Photos: Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus, Kitzsteinhorn

Glacier skiing, world-class snowparks, extensive pistes and lakeside charm – Zell am See–Kaprun keeps the Alpine fun going long after midwinter, making spring the season that never slows down

L

ate-season snow, long days and wide slopes in SalzburgerLand’s most reliable spring base. In Zell am See–Kaprun that’s exactly what you get. Some Alpine resorts peak in midwinter, while others keep going strong through to the end of spring. Zell am See– Kaprun is the latter: a place where highaltitude resilience and a vast, interconnected ski domain turn late-season weeks into some of the best of the year. And the ski area doesn’t diminish as the season winds down.

Sandwiched between Lake Zell and the slopes of Schmittenhöhe mountain, Zell am See is a compact town of narrow lanes and old buildings. The pedestrian centre is packed with bars, restaurants and bakeries; 42 fall-line.co.uk

a place that feels genuinely lived-in.

The real show, though, is the lake – a year-round draw for non-skiers – while skiers focus on the 77km of pistes on Schmittenhöhe mountain: long valley descents, gentle progression for new skiers, and a handful of steeper runs. And then there’s what Zell am See connects to – just south sits Kaprun beneath the Kitzsteinhorn, one of the Alps’ most dependable glacier areas.

Kaprun is a traditional Austrian village, and altitude is its advantage: when lower slopes soften, the Kitzsteinhorn stays in prime condition. Lifts reach 3,029m and there’s close to 1,000m of vertical on mainly intermediate terrain (Kaprun does also have a lower family-friendly ski hill,

Maiskogel). Beyond the pistes, the mountain has a serious freestyle offering: three world-class snowparks, one superpipe, and five freeride routes featuring natural pipes and cliff jumps. This season stretches until late-May, which alone makes it rare.

For most visitors, the combined offering of Zell am See’s terrain and Kaprun’s glacier is more than enough. But, if you want even more, the back side of Schmittenhöhe links via gondola and a short ski bus into the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn arena.

THREE MAJOR SKI AREAS, ONE TICKET The Ski ALPIN CARD is your passport to 408km of slopes – essential if variety

“While the valley begins to return to green, above the treeline conditions are ripe for the best of all snows”

defines a good spring week for you. It expands Zell am See-Kaprun’s local terrain into the whopping 270km of the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn piste network, giving epic glacier-to-valley terrain you won’t outgrow in a week. In spring, with clear views and very little on-slope traffic, this interconnected terrain feels even bigger.

But it doesn’t stop there… The Ski ALPIN CARD now sits within the Epic Pass, opening access to 42 resorts worldwide – from Whistler and Vail to Verbier and Hakuba, and more. For anyone piecing together a multi-stop winter, that’s big news.

WHY SPRING?

Many people assume that the ski season peaks in January. But we’re here to tell you otherwise. Especially at altitude on the Kitzsteinhorn. As the days lengthen, the sun grows stronger, and while the valley begins to return to green, above the treeline conditions are ripe for the best of all snows.

Corn snow, made from late-season freeze-thaw cycles, creates excellent grip and support for powerful carving and smooth easy turns.

With the Kitzsteinhorn running a month

longer than most Alpine resorts, spring really does feel like a bonus season.

Think of it as a day of three acts: • Act one: early morning on the hill (the first lifts at Kitzsteinhorn open at 8:15am). An overnight freeze sets the pistes firm and smooth, perfect for carving on miles of quiet piste.

• Act two: as the snow softens, it’s lap after lap until your legs call time and you slide onto a sun-drenched terrace for a long lunch. Tan topped up, you head back out for more, or dip into the snowpark.

• Act three: when the lifts close, the valley is just warming up. Think hiking, biking, even watersports on the lake – all sit on the table. And you’ll make après by sundown.

WHEN THE LEGS SAY ENOUGH: TAUERN SPA

By late-afternoon, when the hero snow starts turning into slush and the sun has taken its toll, it’s time to drop off the mountain. That’s when Tauern SPA Zell am See-Kaprun in Kaprun comes into its own.

Spread across 20,000m², with 12 pools, 10 saunas and steam rooms, a family zone,

treatment rooms and three restaurants, it is as much a luxury add-on as it is a recovery hub. Head straight from the glacier to warm outdoor pools, steam away the fatigue, and reset for the next morning’s ski session.

THE FINAL PIECE OF A GOOD SKI TRIP

Food. Zell am See-Kaprun offers 90 restaurants, from traditional huts to the brand new, ultra-modern Gletschermühle (at 2,450m on the Kitzsteinhorn), plus eight Gault Millau toque-award winners.

It’s Pinzgau country, so you can expect the classics: Salzburg bierfleisch (beer-braised beef), game dishes, and Bauernkrapfen (farmer’s doughnuts), plus all the Austrian staples you hope to find on a ski day: Kaiserschmarren, Kasnockn, Kaspressknödelsuppe, Germknödel.

Alongside them is an equally strong crop of modern kitchens bringing fresh ideas to the table.

Both Zell am See and Kaprun also run sunrise breakfasts, giving earlybirds first-lift access, a few quiet laps on unopened slopes, and a high-altitude breakfast while the valley slowly comes to life. See you there? zellamsee-kaprun.com fall-line.co.uk 43

IN SEARCH OF POWDER

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Eric Kendall explores a different, wilder side to the vast Trois Vallées – no Michelin-starred restaurant or fur-trimmed outfit in sight PHOTOS PENNY KENDALL 44 fall-line.co.uk

I

love to hunt out far-away corners to explore each winter.

But I sometimes end up in not-so-far-away places too.

And here I am on this crisp March morning booting up a steep ridge above the vast Trois Vallées – the world’s biggest ski domain – in the footsteps of Timy Théaux.

Though he sounds as if he could be a talking mouse in a children’s bedtime story, 45-year-old Timy is actually an ambassador for the 3Vs, who has kindly offered to show me the area, to see it through his eyes. Spoiler alert: no Michelin-starred restaurants or fur-trimmed outfits have been harmed in the making of this article, nor even feature in what follows.

Timy is the antithesis of the classic 3V piste-cruising, ritzy-holidaying stereotype. He’s a freerider who works with Salomon in the winter, and Scott Bikes in the summer, and is a potentially alarming person to follow up a mountain, and prone to using expressions like, “From here we go by gravity”. I know what he’s getting at, but I can’t help feeling I’m about to fall off a cliff every time he says it.

After enjoying views of the peaks above Orelle in one direction and towards the Aiguille du Peclet in the other, followed by the usual wobbly moments donning skis on the icy ridge, it’s a relative doddle to drop onto the snow-face below. And it’s good!

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IN SEARCH OF POWDER

A skin then a boot, beneath the 3,262m Pointe de Thorens, leads to wonderful things 46 fall-line.co.uk

“In France this style of skiing is freerando, a combination of freeriding and randonnee (touring)”

Timy Theaux (inset) has made the 3Vs his home since the age of 14

The cloud is in and out as I chase after Timy before he evaporates into the misty yellow light below. Just a couple of turns in, the snow is 10 times better than I’d dared hope – perfect for letting it flow down this wide open bowl: no thinking required, just sensation.

ON THE HUNT

We might be late in the season, but high and north seldom fails.

As we rode first lift up from La Tania, Timy had outlined his plan: to hunt out the best spots for the current conditions, rather than chasing a classic list.

Some of what we end up skiing might not even have a name, though here in France this style of skiing does: freerando, a combination of freeriding and randonnee (touring). In a place like this, with so much terrain, but also with lifts reaching over 3,000m it inverts the 80:20 ski touring rule – uphill versus downhill (your rates may vary) – to give you a lot more descent for your money.

But, however high we’ve climbed, all too soon we drop back into the domain, which reminds us why we need to make extra uphill effort in the first place. The last snowfall has been thoroughly skied in all the easy-to-reach spots, and once the pistes soften, there’s more fun to be had there than in the sidecountry. Timy uses a high-speed red run to stretch his legs, performing a series of distinctive half-splits manoeuvres several times in quick succession. I mimic him, hoping some of the magic might rub off. Instead, I come perilously close to ending my ski day, or possibly career. I ask him about it once we’ve made it safely onto the Portette lift and he looks slightly baffled, then Lifts reaching over 3,000m invert the 80:20 ski touring rule, giving you a lot more descent for your money

fall-line.co.uk 47

IN SEARCH OF POWDER

explains that it was an absent-minded attempt to hitch up his ski pants, before adding: “It doesn’t work!”

For the rest of the ride, Timy gives us his story. Aged just 14 he came to the 3Vs from the relative obscurity of Tarbes in the Pyrenees to pursue his dreams. Skiing was front and centre of his life, with school on the side, and snatched weekends back home with his family.

To start with, the emphasis was on racing. Timy’s brother Adrien followed a similar path, which led to a career as a speed specialist on the World Cup, but Timy was drawn into a broader alpine world, with the mountain environment becoming as important as the skiing. It led to ski modelling and freeride adventuring, and now Timy also winters as an ESF ‘red jacket’ ski teacher in Val Thorens. Somewhere along the way, he became an ambassador for the region, reflecting the passion of an outsider who chooses to make his life here. As he puts it: “I see what I want to see” – for Timy there’s still lots of natural beauty beyond the infrastructure, which provides exceptional skiing.

From the Col de Thorens we spot nice stuff below the region’s highest lift top at 3,230m, the so-called ‘Sommet des 3 Vallées’, between the Maurienne valley and Val Thorens, which we reach via Plan Bouchet followed by two chairlifts. Then it’s a classic entry, clambering around netting and past the ‘Here Be Dragons’ sign to slither steeply down, before ignoring tracks traversing to a wide mellow powder field. Instead we work our way beneath cliffy terrain, taking repeated short pitches tight up against the rocks, which – now that the cloud has come down – are our sole reference points. We eventually pop out onto the wide Lory piste, which sweeps down to Plan Bouchet, from where we head for a late lunch at the new Caron 3200 restaurant, before beginning the long route home to La Tania, via any likely-looking off-piste pockets we can muster.

IMPROVE, DON’T EXPAND

The following day we stay closer to home, starting in Courchevel’s ‘Freeride Lab’. This is the perfect example of what to do when a lift needs replacing but you don’t want to spend the cash: just take it down instead. Then put up a few ‘Freeride Lab’ signs and groom a bootable (though long enough to merit skins) route to the top and bingo, you’ve put a couple of freeride routes onto the piste map, practically for free.

It’s part of the local sustainability plan not to expand – they’re big enough already – but to improve, which in this case they do, 48 fall-line.co.uk

“From the Col de Thorens we spot nice stuff below the region’s highest lift top at 3,230m”

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IN SEARCH OF POWDER by diversifying their offer, and meeting a very particular demand.

A cynic might raise an eyebrow, but it gets my vote, and we can’t resist a quick lap before climbing back to the top for today’s objective, which lies along the ridge beyond the top of the ‘lab’ – nothing scary, just spectacular – past the Creux Noirs, to reach the Col du Fruit.

There’s a bit of humming and hah-ing here. Timy’s generally decisive, but there are good things in both directions, even the distant Glacier de Gebroulaz comes in for some scrutiny, before we opt for the steep east-facing gully beneath the Aiguille du Fruit. It’s quite deep here, and not much skied, though it deserves to be – lovely all the way down to the Chanrossa chair.

From the col of the same name we then drop into big country, known as ‘Les Avals’, towards Lac de la Rosiere. This is rolling, gullied, and playful – a series of terrain traps but very pretty, with exposed, colourful rock, then light tree cover to weave through.

Fun as it is, there’s suddenly a sense of being a long way from anywhere – not the serious feeling of being high and exposed, but more like you’re on the other side of the world. It’s true, at this point we are beyond the eastern limits of the domain, though never more than 1km as the crow flies. Even after a couple of days of beating the system, or at least, of avoiding anyone else, I can’t quite believe we have all this to ourselves.

As we drop through the steep-sided, heavily wooded river valley, the middle-of-nowhere feeling grows. Timy can’t have gone wrong, surely? One thing’s certain: we’re not going to be ending our day at Le Cap Horn restaurant, or a similar fancy pants Courchevel classic. Good. Instead Timy performs one last trick: getting us down a potentially unskiable glade (we’re at about 1,600m here – it’s warm – and the snow is heavier than depleted uranium), to reach a riverside hut, surrounded by forest.

This is promising, as is the curl of smoke from the chimney and mouth-watering aromas.

We abandon our skis and go in, expecting to find Little Red Riding Hood, or possibly Grandma, but instead there’s Roland, Timy’s father-in-law, knocking out crêpes and other good things from behind his stove. A handful of diners are comfortably installed in this cosy, mountain-hut-style living-dining room, where he finds us a corner beside the fire, feeds us, and tells us about the ‘Chalet du Lac de la Rosiere’, which is as much the ‘other side’ of the 3Vs as the route we took to get here. It’s the perfect end. ‘Chez Roland’ (as it’s more generally known) is to Trois Vallees gastronomy what freerando is to skiing its pistes: infinitely rewarding, and in a league of its own.

ESSENTIALS TRAVEL

Chambery airport is the closest (90 minutes) or Geneva (two-plus hours). Or, if you have your own plane or helicopter, just swing down at Courchevel Altiport.

STAY

La Tania offers affordable access to Courchevel and the 3Vs with a range of piste-side self-catered apartments and (more) affordable hotels. Check out the options at agencesaulire.com

EAT

• La Tania: Bistrot Machet (bistrotmachet.fr/en) – established by Julien Machet, Michelin-starred chef of the nearby ‘Le Farçon’.

• Méribel: La Terrasse Du Village (laterrasseduvillage.com) – a British-owned brasserie with a French/international menu.

• Courchevel 1650: Le Petit Savoyard (lepetitsavoyardcourchevel.fr/en) – get your fondue here.

SKI

A one-day 3V ski pass costs €82; six-day from €335.

To embark on a free rando adventure with Timy Theaux, email timytheaux@gmail.com or get in touch via his Instagram (@timy_theaux). les3vallees.com

“This is rolling, gullied, and playful – a series of terrain traps but very pretty”

Courchevel's Freeride Lab: lateral thinking applied to lift-replacement 50 www.fall-line.co.uk

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SKI JOURNAL

CITY/SKI Amy Marwick heads to Innsbruck to sample the delights of their Ski+City Pass that promises a cultural ski trip like no other. Turns out, she slots into the urban-Alpine lifestyle rather well…

54 www.fall-line.co.uk

Photo: Andy Collin

SATURDAY 12:15 We touch down at a familiar Innsbruck airport, although this time we’re not just passing through this mountain adventure hub – we’ll be sticking around the city for three nights before heading to the Stubai valley for a peaceful glacier retreat. Within minutes we’re on a bus gliding through the buzzy city centre, the sun is shining and there are mountains on all sides.

13:10 No check-in yet (we’re staying at the Stage 12 in the old

quarter), so we stash our bags and grab our Welcome Cards and Ski Plus City Passes, which give us access to both ski lifts and a healthy dose of culture (with 12 ski areas and 22 city sites included).

13:22 We wander the broad, pedestrianised Maria-Theresien-

Strasse, dodging pigeons and admiring the colourful buildings and distant peaks. Lunch is at My Indigo, a healthy fast-food joint filled with students and laptop warriors, and suddenly skiing feels miles away.

14:00 Monika, our local guide, meets us outside the hotel. A born and bred Innsbrucker (her family make church bells for the city’s many churches), she bubbles with pride as she takes us on a walking tour through her hometown’s layered history.

All hail Maximilian I, who had the decency to build Innsbruck right in the heart of the Alps

14:17 We’re ticking off three cultural sites: the panoramic views

at the City Tower, the dramatic Hofkirche (Court Church) with its haunting, ornate bronze statues commission by Maximilian I, Kaiser Chief in the 15th century, and an exhibition dedicated to the man himself: the Holy Roman Emperor, relentless self-promoter, and Innsbruck’s original hype man.

17:15 After absorbing 15th century grandeur, we wind through medieval alleys built tall and narrow (because width, not windows, were taxed back then), and pause for an Aperol Spritz at an outdoor café as the ancient city softens into golden hour. www.fall-line.co.uk 55

SKI JOURNAL

“The views are spectacular… city-ski life is starting to make a lot of sense”

17:48 Check-in at the Stage 12 hotel. It’s a total contrast to your

usual ski lodge vibe with its slick, urban décor, but the boot room is where it’s at, with a tonne of space to store all our gear.

18:50 We stroll to ADLERS hotel and ascend 12 stories to

Restaurant Weitsicht. The name means ‘panoramic view’, though tonight it’s dark, so we imagine the mountain skyline over roast meat, rich gravy and Tyrolean wine. Satisfied and sleepy, we head to bed, city lights twinkling behind us.

SUNDAY 07:40 Psyched for skiing, we join commuters at the bus stop just

a five-minute walk from the hotel and, by 9am, we’re in a snowy, sunny Kühtai, Austria’s highest resort village at 2,020m, ready to explore the mountain’s 49km of piste.

09:15 Being a regular site for the UK’s annual industry ski test, I’m

familiar with Kühtai, but I’ve never skied here so late season. We’ve got real spring conditions with a firm crust on top but slushy and playful by mid-morning. We lap fast, lazy turns on-piste.

13:10 Legs burning, we stop for lunch at Kühtaier Dorfstadl 56 fall-line.co.uk

restaurant in town and enjoy a golden rösti on the terrace in the sunshine.

14:00 We fancy a short skin to a nearby col and maybe a cheeky descent on the other side. But… 15:36 …what looked like a mellow route turns into a slog through rotten snow.

16:01 At the top, the descent is clearly not happening, but the

views are spectacular, and the detour gives the day an unexpected adventurous twist. We descend from our objective, throwing in some ragged jump turns to stay upright, and head back to the resort base for a long overdue beer while we wait to catch the bus back to Innsbruck.

18:55 A stroll through the Old Town leads us to Ottoburg, Innsbruck’s oldest restaurant. Think tablecloths, candlelight, and wooden-panelled rooms straight out of a fairytale. Hearty Tyrolean food and a bottle of red with views towards the famous Golden Roof (another of Maximilian’s show pieces), it’s the perfect end to the day.

Lofty peaks are accessible via an easy bus commute from the city centre

MONDAY 08:30 I scout out the hotel gym for a stretch, then eye up the

sauna for later.

10:45 After breakfast, we bus 45 minutes to Axamer Lizum.

11:50 At the top, the Kalkkögel mountains stop me in my tracks.

A wild, serrated ridgeline straight out of the Dolomites, there’s a lifetime of hike-and-ride couloirs up here but, sadly, not today.

12:00 Visibility is patchy and snow damp, but we carve up the wide, quiet pistes under the shifting clouds and moody mountains hopping our way between the resort’s nine lifts.

13:45 Time for a refuel at Hoadl Haus, the bright, airy restaurant at the top of the gondola. We go carb crazy with chips and Kaiserschmarrn. When in Rome…

DON'T MISS EAT

Sick of meat and potatoes?

Check out Restaurant Thai-Li (thaili.at) for delicious and authentic Thai food that will get your tastebuds tingling.

And don’t miss Tomaselli (located at Maria-TheresienStrasse 27) for an ice cream (so worth the queue).

DRINK

14:45 A few more slushy laps beneath the now-defunct yet iconic Olympic funicular, and then we call it a day around 15:30.

Kater Noster Café & Bar (katernoster.com) does Italy-worthy coffee by day and the hippest cocktails in town by night.

16:30 We check our passes to see what else we can do with our

SEE

afternoon and see that the Alpine Zoo is open until 18:00. Located in an extensive park just above Innsbruck, it’s short tram ride away and home to native species only. A fun evening excursion made all the better when we spot two lynx lounging lazily high in the trees.

18:30 Sauna time. Then drinks in nearby Moustache (a hip local

bar) and dinner at Ludwig, a gourmet burger joint that prides itself on using local ingredients. After a cocktail or two at another trendy spot, we head back to the hotel thinking that city-ski life is starting to make a lot of sense.

TUESDAY 09:05 Bags packed, we catch a bus to a sleepy Neustift in the

Stubai Valley, which takes just under an hour. Our hotel, Alpenhotel Fernau, is all carved wood and an emerald-green bathroom straight out of The Wizard of Oz. After our urban adventures this feels like stepping back in time.

11:00 A quick turnaround and another empty bus takes us to Schlick 2000. We’re wondering if anyone skis here…

12:00 It’s whiteout at the top, but luckily, there’s a sleek, newly

built panoramic restaurant, all wood and stone and roaring fireplaces, where we tuck into steak and chips.

13:12 Snow and viz improves as we head up the chairlift with soft

On your way to a postski aperitif, swing by the Innsbruck cathedral if, for nothing else, to check out the incredible painted ceiling.

Michealangelo, eat your heart out.

SKI ON-PISTE

Head to the top of the Stubai gondola for epic views across the whole of Tyrol, I’ve heard it’s great (we weren’t so lucky with vis!). Then enjoy what’s sure to be the best snow for miles, on wide, rolling pistes that wind down from the top of the glacier.

SKI OFF-PISTE

I can’t wait to go back to Axamer Lizum and I hope I can catch it in the epic conditions it’s known for.

Hikeable lines galore in a truly magnificent setting.

powder on smooth pistes (there are 25km of a good variety of slopes), and we get a few fresh turns in a flurry of snow.

Photos: Andy Collin

Post-ski Aperol?

Why not. Prost!

fall-line.co.uk 57

SKI JOURNAL

“We end the day with a 10km valley descent that drops 1,500m. A wild finale to our Stubai ski safari”

14:55 We venture below the impressive cliffs of the Kalkkögel chain (Axams is just over the other side of ridge), and weave through the trees, loving the quiet slopes.

16:17 Back to the hotel for a typical Austria afternoon ritual of ‘kaffee und kuchen’ (tea/coffee and homemade cake).

19:30 After a big dinner of Tafelspitz (a traditional Austrian dish with slow-cooked beef in broth) we skip wellness for ping pong.

WEDNESDAY 08:30 We catch the bus and ride 30 minutes to Stubai Glacier,

the biggest glacier resort in Austria with 108km of pistes.

09:45 Up here at 3,500m it’s another world: cold, moon-like and blanketed in fresh snow. The soft turns on-piste are dreamy.

12:30 We stop for a hearty lunch at piste-side Gamsgarten, then it’s a few more laps until the legs say stop.

15:00 We end the day with the Wilde Grub’n piste; a 10km valley descent that drops 1,500m. It’s a slow, snowy rollercoaster ride with blind rolls and little viz: a wild finale to our Stubai ski safari.

17:30 We refuel with another kaffee und kuchen feast and then

finish it off with ping-pong championships before retiring to bed.

21:00 Bags packed for Innsbruck and the city’s pull is strong now,

so we resolve to squeeze in a few final hours in town before we take the flight home. We reflect on our trip and give the urbanAlpine lifestyle a resounding thumbs up. High-fives to Maximilian I for building a city as charming as Innsbruck right in the heart of the Austrian Alps. And while it probably wasn’t the access to the slopes that made him settle here, we’re certainly pleased it worked out that way as we make a final toast to the kind of trip that ticks every box.

58 fall-line.co.uk

Few places blend history, culture and snow so seamlessly

ESSENTIALS TRAVEL

Fly to Innsbruck then take the bus into town, it’s that simple. Or, if train travel is more your style, look at routes on the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then onto to Zürich on TGV trains, and finally Innsbruck. The OBB app makes Austrian train travel a breeze.

STAY

There is a huge selection of hotels to suit all budgets within Innsbruck. If you’re just passing through, the IBIS (all.accor.com) by the train station can be a handy stop off; for luxury try Stage 12 by PENZ (stage12.at). For oldworld-turned-new check out Altstadhotel Weisses Kreuz (weisseskreuz.at).

SKI

The Ski+City Pass gives you access to 12 ski resorts, many within a 30-minute bus ride of the city. Innsbruck’s local resorts have it all: family-friendly, tree-lined runs, high-alpine glacier skiing, big backcountry with epic touring potential, and snowparks that attract the world’s best freestyle talent. Prices start at €147 for a two-day adult pass, innsbruck.info/en/skiing/ski-plus-city-pass

MORE RUNS MORE REWARDS MORE OPPORTUNITIES From just £19.99 per year, Snowsport England membership can more than pay for itself through: Our rewards platform, which includes 10% off cross-channel travel and much more Access to our apprenticeships, training, squad selection and invitation-only events Competitions in England and Europe across alpine racing, freestyle and nordic Opportunities to qualify, from an entrylevel instructor to an international coach Built-in insurance cover

JOIN NOW England’s National Governing Body for Snowsports www.snowsportengland.org.uk

FIVE OF THE BEST

SKI MORE, SKI BETTER

From slalom showdowns to freestyle festivals, Snowsport England hosts a packed year-round calendar of events for every age and ability…

D

id you know there are hundreds of ski events you can take part in across England? From slalom races to telemark festivals, Snowsport England organises and supports a wide variety of gatherings that aren’t just for elite athletes – many are open to all ages and abilities. Whether you’re a dedicated racer, a freestyle fan, or simply love to ski for fun, here are some standout Snowsport England events to keep you skiing all year round.

1

ENGLISH ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS, 4–13 MARCH 2026

The flagship event on Snowsport England’s calendar, the English Alpine Championships remains the pinnacle of English alpine ski racing. Held annually in the iconic resort of Bormio, Italy, the 2026 edition will once again deliver a full programme of FIS and children’s races for confident racers from U10 upwards. Across slalom, giant slalom and super-G, athletes from all over the UK will test themselves on the very slopes set to host the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Beyond the racing itself, the Championships offer a unique opportunity for young skiers to experience a professional competition environment, train alongside top athletes, and enjoy a vibrant week-long community atmosphere in one of Europe’s most historic alpine towns.

2

ENGLISH SLOPESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS, JUNE 2026

Freestyle skiers should mark their calendars for the English Slopestyle Championships, held each June at a rotating indoor snow centre (this year’s host venue is still to be confirmed).

Competitors take on a custom-built terrain park featuring rails, boxes and kickers, designed to challenge creativity as much as technical skill. Now a cornerstone of the UK’s rapidly growing freestyle scene, the event helps spotlight emerging talent while offering a welcoming entry point for newcomers. Open to anyone aged six and over – with no previous competition experience required – the Championships promise a supportive, high-energy atmosphere where riders can push their progression and celebrate the culture of freestyle skiing.

The Futures Championships nurtures the next generation of snowsport athletes

The English Alpine Championships return in March

3

ALL ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS, 22 AUGUST 2026

One of the longest-standing domestic ski racing events, the All England Championships provide a crucial hometurf platform for English athletes. The 2026 edition marks the 50th anniversary of this historic competition and will be hosted at Norfolk Snowsports Centre. Racers from U10/12 upwards will take on two challenging slalom runs, testing agility, precision and consistency across a tightly contested field. The weekend continues on Sunday 23 August with the popular All England Inter Club Parallel Team Event, bringing clubs together for fast-paced, head-to-head racing and plenty of friendly rivalry – a highlight for participants and spectators alike.

4

FUTURES CHAMPIONSHIPS, SEPTEMBER 2026

Young skiers and snowboarders aged 6 to 17 are invited to join the Futures Championships, a dynamic two-day festival designed to nurture the next generation of snowsport athletes (2026 location to be confirmed). Participants receive expert coaching across ski/boarder cross, moguls, slopestyle and dual parallel slalom before putting their new skills to the test in open competitions. Ideal for newcomers and developing athletes, the event builds confidence and camaraderie in a fun, encouraging environment. Those eager to prepare in advance can also join a Futures Session – a nationwide series of fun, coached workshops created to help young riders progress at their own pace.

5

NORTH WEST TELEMARK FESTIVAL, 17 MAY 2026

Curious about telemark skiing? The North West Telemark Festival offers the perfect introduction. Run annually by the Manchester Cross-Country Ski Club – one of Snowsport England’s affiliated clubs – the festival takes place at The Snow Centre, Manchester. Open to anyone with basic alpine experience who can make controlled turns from the top of the main slope, the day features expert-led tuition across novice to advanced levels. Previous editions have even welcomed world-class athletes such as World Cup champion Jasmin Taylor as guest coaches.

Whether you’re looking to try something new or refine your technique, it’s a relaxed, inclusive and inspiring way to step into the world of telemark skiing.

For more information on these events, visit Snowsport England’s website: snowsportengland.org.uk

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Freestyle skiers should mark their calendars for the English Slopestyle Championships

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WHERE IS YOUR LOCAL SKI SLOPE?

“Competitors take on a custombuilt terrain park featuring rails, boxes and kickers”

1. Aberdeen Snowsports Club 2. Midlothian Snowsports Centre 3. Tamworth SnowDome 4. Snozone Milton Keynes & Yorkshire 5. The Snow Centre, Manchester & Hemel Hempstead 6. Chatham Snowsports Centre 7. The Hill Rossendale 8. Ackers Adventure, Birmingham 9. Norfolk Snowsports Club 10. Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre, Dorset 11. Llandudno Snowsports Centre 12. Pontypool Ski Centre

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Photos: Chris Cartwright, Stuart Brown Photography, India Knowlson

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ADVERTORIAL

The ski area unfolds across four distinct sectors, each with its own character

Heavy investment has brought new hotels, bars and restaurants – but the atmosphere remains relaxed

Baqueira Beret: Peak

Where the Pyrenees run high and cold, Baqueira Beret sets the standard for Spanish skiing: serious terrain, Spanish hospitality and impressive snowfall

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et high in the Val d’Aran on the northern side of the Pyrenees, Baqueira Beret occupies a rare geographical pocket: a Spanish resort shaped by Atlantic storms. Most of Baqueira’s big snowfalls arrive on systems tracking in via the Bay of Biscay, settling across the valley and delivering some of the most reliable snow in southern Europe – not just in peak winter, but consistently from early December to late April.

This is the foundation of Baqueira’s reputation. With 173km of marked terrain across four interconnected zones, it offers scale without sprawl. Much of the piste map sits above 2,000m, with a skiable vertical of 1,100m and slopes repeatedly refreshed by Atlantic snowfall. That reputation is backed by a strong freeride pedigree, highlighted by Baqueira’s long-

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standing place on the Freeride World Tour.

Access is straightforward, with direct winter flights from the UK into Toulouse (180km away) and Barcelona (280km), followed by one of the prettiest mountain approaches into the resort at 1,500m.

A MOUNTAIN IN FOUR PARTS

The ski area unfolds across four distinct sectors, each with its own terrain and character. Most skiers quickly find a favourite, but the ease of moving between them encourages exploration.

Baqueira is the natural starting point: the original sector, the busiest by default, and the anchor of the resort. Lifts rise from 1,500m through Baqueira 1800 and on towards Mirador and Era Cabana, opening onto long, flowing pistes. It’s where first-

timers and returning intermediates settle in, drawn by wide reds and blues built for confident cruising, but it also hides faster trails for those who want to stretch their legs.

Beret opens the mountain out. Broad, high and expansive, it’s the sector skiers gravitate towards on clear days.

Intermediate-skiing galore, made up of practically all blues and reds, Beret’s wide slopes and forgiving gradients make it ideal for families, mixed-ability groups and relaxed skiing. The sense of space is its defining feature, with open terrain and views across the upper Pyrenees.

Bonaigua changes things up yet again.

Trees tighten the landscape, slopes steepen, and the skiing gains edge. This is where strong intermediates and advanced skiers tend to spend time – it’s an area with more bite and a feeling of being slightly off

“With 173km of marked terrain across four interconnected zones, it offers scale without sprawl”

Pyrenees the beaten track. In poor weather, its treelined runs offer shelter, while Atlantic storms often load this side of the mountain with some of the deepest snow. It’s the part of the resort that feels closest to the wild Pyrenean terrain beyond.

Finally, there’s Baciver – the newest extension and a quiet corner of the Baqueira-Beret ski area. High, cold and open, it caters to advanced skiers with steeper terrain and faster fall lines. It’s less about volume and more about altitude, providing access to the resort’s highest point at Cap de Baciver (2,610m). For those seeking a challenge, this is the place to be.

SKI WELL, EAT WELL

Less internationally trafficked than some Alpine heavyweights, Baqueira Beret remains a resort shaped largely by Spanish skiers. The result is a lively weekend atmosphere and a generous approach to dining, where food is part of the day, not a pause between lifts. Lunch runs long, dinner starts late, and the pace is unhurried.

For early risers, that often translates into quiet morning slopes.

This culture carries across the mountain.

Over the past few years, heavy investment both on the mountain and at base – new hotels, bars and restaurants – has raised the standard, but the atmosphere remains relaxed. The influence of the Val d’Aran’s culinary traditions is clear: this isn’t generic mountain dining. Expect hearty stews, grilled local meats, and thick soups for cold afternoons, alongside Aranese broths, cured meats, cheeses, and trout dishes that feel rooted in the valley.

More than 20 on-mountain dining spots are spread across the ski area. Beret stands out for its sun-soaked terraces overlooking open slopes; Bonaigua offers smaller, more tucked-away venues; and the central Baqueira sector balances casual and higher-end options.

Around Baqueira 1500, it’s all too easy to slide off the snow and into a long lunch or early après without actually having to leave the mountain. For many skiers,

food becomes part of the daily plan – where you ski is often decided by where you intend to eat.

ONE PLACE, ONE PLAN

What simplifies the Baqueira experience is the resort’s dedicated reservations agency – a single platform through which you can organise almost every component of your trip. Accommodation, lift passes, equipment hire, lessons, activities, childcare, even restaurant reservations and parking can all be handled as one coordinated package. Crucially, it works as intended: a system designed for ease, not upsell.

For families, it simplifies logistics; for groups, it keeps everyone better aligned.

And for anyone focused on maximising time on the mountain, it removes the faff of multiple bookings and last-minute admin.

It also allows stays to be planned more precisely. A hotel next to the gondola.

Ski-school sessions that fit the hours you actually want to ski. Restaurant reservations secured before the midday rush. All set in advance, rather than pieced together on arrival.

Reliable Atlantic snowfall, varied terrain, proper food and easy planning – Baqueira Beret ticks all the boxes and then some. Ski hard, eat well, and repeat… baqueira.es fall-line.co.uk 63

THE BACKCOUNTRY PSYCH WITH BRITISH MOUNTAIN GUIDE ANDY TOWNSEND

PART 2:

THE POWER OF A PREMORTEM Skiing untracked powder is irresistible, but the backcountry is full of hazards. Andy Townsend reveals how a ‘premortem’ – a simple mental exercise that imagines what could go wrong – can help you make smarter, safer decisions

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ith a quick scan of the internet, a browse through the latest ski magazines, or a trawl across hundreds of scientific papers, any would-be skier can find endless advice on how to manage the risks and dangers of backcountry skiing.

Sadly, however well read or well trained we may be, that knowledge rarely lasts more than a nanosecond once we are peering over a cornice at an untracked powder field.

The sheer joy of laying the first tracks on a pristine face easily overrides rational thought. Combine this with busy lives and increasingly infrequent snowstorms, and if we want to ski fresh powder we are often forced to accept greater risk – or leave those untouched lines for another day and ski more conservatively. Easier said than done.

In the last issue of Fall Line, our skiing philosopher, Dr Philip Ebert, explored the benefits of risk and how we can better manage the hazards and consequences of the backcountry. Rather than blundering into poor outcomes, he argued that we should strive to be competent decision-makers. One of the fundamental elements of competent decision-making, he explained, is skiing with people who share similar values and attitudes toward risk.

All of this is sound advice, and it’s easy to grasp while sitting comfortably in an armchair. But how do we translate it onto the mountain? What can we, as skiers, do in the moment to create the brainspace needed to actually make those hallowed competent decisions? Dr Phil’s answer is the ‘premortem’. Read on…

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WHAT IS A PREMORTEM?

Most of us are familiar with the term ‘postmortem’. You only have to watch Silent Witness to know that, armed with the results of a postmortem, Dr Sam Ryan can unravel even the most complex and devious murder. As the name suggests, a postmortem examines what went wrong after the event. For skiers, this might mean looking back at a slope after being caught in an avalanche and trying to identify the triggers that led to it.

Dr Phil wants us to flip this process on its head by conducting a ‘premortem’ before dropping in. A premortem is a theoretical exercise that explores how a situation could unfold by speculating what might go wrong. By doing so, it helps identify hazards and assess the likelihood of an incident, making it easier to take competent decisions in a complex and constantly changing environment.

This surprisingly simple tool exposes potential outcomes and triggers. By verbalising hazards and discussing their possible consequences, a premortem becomes a powerful aid to backcountry decision-making. When a group of skiers conducts a premortem – whether before skinning onto a large slope or committing to a descent – it helps remove, or at least dampen, our inherent human biases. The result is more informed, deliberate decisions that reflect the group’s shared risk tolerance as well as the specific terrain, conditions, and circumstances.

Be warned: the backcountry is a wicked environment, full of false or misleading signals. Careful, considered and honest discussion remains essential when deciding whether – or not – to drop in.

ALPINE//SKI//ROCK ALPINE//SKI//ROCK

THE BACKCOUNTRY PSYCH

HOW TO CONDUCT ONE

Let’s imagine we’re out on a ski tour with a group of fellow skiers. We’re all of similar age and ability, with broadly aligned attitudes toward risk and shared ambitions for the day. A premortem isn’t confined to specific moments or locations on a tour; it can be carried out at any point: at home while planning the route, at the trailhead as you clip into your bindings, or just before committing to an ascent toward a col.

For this example, though, we’ll pick a familiar and tempting moment.

The group has reached the top of an amazing slope. Skins have been stripped, goggles are on, boots are tightened. Everything is ready. Now is the time to pause and run through the premortem.

A ‘premortem’ can help you make smarter decisions, while chasing those perfect turns

1. OPEN YOUR EYES This starts before you reach your line, with the weather and the avalanche forecast. Use this information to shape where you will ski – or, just as importantly, where you won’t.

Then, as you skin uphill or ride the lifts, share your snow and weather observations within the group: • Has the wind been stronger than forecast?

• Which direction has it been blowing, and which slope aspects are likely to be loaded?

• Is there more or less new snow than expected?

• Is the temperature warmer or colder than earlier in the day?

• Have you seen recent avalanche activity on similar slopes and, if so, on what angle and aspect?

As you ski, skin, or bootpack, physically interact with the snow.

Get your hands into it, probe it with your pole, stamp on it with your skis, and pay attention to how it responds. Does it crack? Is it slabby or loose? Does it form snowballs? The emphasis here is not on justifying a decision, but on simply stating what you have observed or felt. The more honest and objective evidence you gather, the more accurate – and useful – the premortem becomes.

2. COME UP WITH A PLAN OF ATTACK Decide who will ski first and clearly define the intended line. Discuss the route in detail: where the line goes, which terrain features it involves, and how those features might influence both the skier and the potential outcome. Are there cliffs or deep gullies to negotiate? Where are the safe stopping points? Is it possible to stop part way down the slope, or does the terrain demand skiing all the way to the bottom,

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beyond the runout zone?

This stage requires getting clear eyes on the slope, using map or photo data if necessary, and making sure everyone fully understands the plan. Crucially, it also means confirming that every member of the group has the skills and confidence to execute the line as agreed.

3. GET ORGANISED It’s equally important to discuss what happens if things go wrong – if the slope avalanches or a skier falls. Who takes on which role, and who leads the companion rescue? Talk through how an avalanche might flow through the terrain and where a skier could be carried. Are there terrain features – gullies, cliffs or trees – that could trap or injure an avalanched skier? Also consider how readily rescue would be available.

In challenging weather – low cloud, poor visibility or strong winds – helicopter assistance may not be an option. In those circumstances, you are effectively on your own. Acknowledging this reality may lead the group to adjust the plan, choose a more conservative line, or decide to dial things back altogether.

4. BE HONEST Perhaps the hardest part of all is the personal premortem. Are you truly good enough to ski this slope? Are you fit enough to ski effectively from the top to the agreed safe stopping area? Do you have the skill range to handle the steepness of the terrain and cope with variable or challenging snow conditions?

The most difficult – and often the hardest to answer publicly – is the mental question: are you ready inside your own head? Athletes often talk about being in a ‘flow state’. For us, the question becomes whether you can ski autonomously, leaving enough mental bandwidth to remain aware of subtle environmental cues that might affect your run.

This psychological readiness is hard to define and even harder to admit when it’s not there. But if you’re skiing with the right crew – people who share your values, judgement, and ethos – the answer often reveals itself.

5. DOES IT WORK? In everyday life, we already perform premortems all the time, usually subconsciously, and just as often we choose to ignore the results.

We’re human, and the pull of untracked powder is powerful and deeply alluring. This is precisely why Dr Phil advocates the premortem: as a deliberate way of bringing hazards and their likelihood into the open, so we can consciously evaluate the risks and decide whether they are truly worth taking. Dr Phil also notes that his own appetite for risk has changed over the years: “As a father of two, I definitely don’t want to ski in the same way I did in my (single) twenties,” he says.

Perhaps that is the real take away. Before you drop in, it’s worth remembering that there is more to life than fresh powder.

NEXT ISSUE: SWIPING RIGHT – MAKING GOOD CHOICES IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN

THE FIFTY PROJECT

THE FIFTY In the second instalment of The Fifty Project, the Fall Line team turn their attention to the French-Swiss Alps, spotlighting iconic descents that range from lift-served legends to committing high-alpine lines

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hen we launched Fall Line’s The Fifty Project, we had no idea the response it would get. Our inbox is overflowing with nominations, and we love reading about your adventures. Keep them coming via skeeks@fall-line.co.uk.

With so many submissions, organisation is now a full-on operation. We’re sorting lines by region. To kick things off, our in-house team has shared their picks in the French–Swiss Alps, which follows on from our Number 1 nomination in the last issue (the Glacier Rond, Chamonix).

The project is even reaching North America. Cody Townsend, our inspiration-hero from across the pond, sent some words of wisdom: “Readers of Fall Line, skiing an arbitrary listicle of great lines is the best and worst thing you can do on skis. Doesn’t make sense? Well, you’ll just have to set off for yourself. But never let the number get ahead of returning home — this silly sport is meant to make us laugh and smile. Bon voyage!”

NUMBER 2:

Dent Jaune couloir, Swiss Valais Nominated by Amy Marwick, Fall Line assistant editor

HISTORY: 4/10

The Dent Jaune couloir is a classic high-Alpine line on Dent Jaune (3,186 m), one of the peaks of the Dents du Midi massif in the Swiss Alps (Valais). Anyone who has skied in the Portes du Soleil will have stopped to admire this jagged, tooth-like ridgeline that dominates the skyline. The name literally means ‘Yellow Tooth’, and the couloir has long attracted experienced ski mountaineers and alpinists looking for a long, technical route in a spectacular setting. I had an absolute epic time skiing this line a few years back with friends.

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LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: 8/10

It definitely pushed my friends and me to the edge of our abilities.

A glacier crossing and minimal snow at the top of the line meant we had to rope up for the entry. Midway down, we were forced to abseil – luckily there happened to be a bomber snow anchor that made this much less challenging than it could have been. We made it through! The ski grade is around 4.2 with exposure 2, so you’re looking at sustained 40-degree pitch, with short sections pushing 45 degrees. Being north-north-west facing, the couloir holds its snow well, but conditions still need to be spot-on.

AESTHETIC APPEAL: 9/10

It’s an absolutely beautiful line. You’re skiing in wild, high-mountain terrain, surrounded by dramatic scenery and a huge vertical drop.

The couloir is so obvious when viewed from the Portes du Soleil – which is exactly why we wanted to ski it. We’d been staring at it for years.

EFFORT: 8/10

We were lucky to catch it in great early-season condition, but logistically it was fairly complex. We had to leave a car on one side of the massif, then drive around to approach from the other, plus spend a night in the Dents du Midi hut (it was the coolest wee hut I’ve ever stayed in – they even had fondue sets, so naturally we brought cheese). We also needed a lot of gear I wasn’t used to carrying (like ropes and harnesses), and there was some uncertainty about whether our rope would be long enough for the abseil; in terrain this big, it’s hard to judge the size of the step – let alone whether there would be an anchor at all. Add in a big valleyto-hut day ski tour on day one, followed by a glacier crossing and an uncertain descent on day two, and it all adds up.

KUDOS POINTS: 9/10

Because the couloir is so visible from the Portes du Soleil – and looks so gnarly when you’re staring straight across the valley at it – I couldn’t help but feel pretty smug knowing I’d skied it!

This line is a beauty, despite its ‘Yellow Tooth’ moniker

“Because the couloir looks so gnarly – I couldn’t help but feel pretty smug knowing I’d skied it!”

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THE FIFTY

NUMBER 3:

Couloirs des Tufs – aka The Fingers, Tignes Nominated by Jim Duncombe, Fall Line web editor

HISTORY: 6/10

The Couloirs des Tufs, more commonly known as ‘The Fingers’, are one of the most iconic steep-skiing features, and a rite of passage for freeriders and ski mountaineers visiting the resort.

I don’t know who skied them first, but legend has it there are still skiers at the bottom of the lake who failed to tame them.

LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: 7/10

There are typically five main couloirs, predominantly north to north-east facing, each varying slightly in width, steepness, and commitment. The outer fingers are generally a little wider and marginally less steep, while the central fingers are narrower, steeper, and usually the most coveted. Slope angles are around 40-45°, with entrances that can feel even steeper depending on snow build-up and cornice formation. The couloirs funnel into a broad apron lower down, offering a brief chance to open the taps after the technical skiing above. You’re skiing roughly 3,300m down to 2,100m.

AESTHETIC APPEAL: 7/10

The Fingers are instantly recognisable and undeniably striking.

From the valley floor, they cut jagged, finger-like lines down an otherwise sheer face, instantly drawing the eye, whether you’re skiing, riding the lifts, or drinking a beer on a terrace. Their scale is deceptive – it’s only once you’re standing at the top that you truly appreciate how steep and imposing they are.

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EFFORT: 4/10

Located above Val Claret/Le Lac, reaching them takes minimal effort. The approach is lift-assisted (the Tufs chairlift from Tignes Val Claret), followed by a short bootpack. Depending on the line you take, you can re-enter the ski domain via a connecting piste or off-piste section, or ski a short distance to the road and catch a free shuttle bus back to the main Tignes lifts. This isn’t backcountry – but it’s far from casual.

I rode one of the couloirs back in the early noughties. I was a green, first-time seasonnaire and a fairly terrible snowboarder. It was my birthday, and the hotel’s head chef talked the flat into it.

In hindsight, we were probably all hungover, and I’d guess very few of us had any safety gear – maybe one transceiver between the group. I remember standing at the top as the bravado slowly drained away, replaced by silence, before the head chef finally led the charge. At least one of us side-slipped the entire descent.

KUDOS: 8/10

They dominate the Tignes skyline. Everyone arriving in resort sees them from the valley floor and likely thinks, “I won’t be skiing that.”

And if you are skiing one of them, you know everyone – from the Loop Bar terrace to skiers on the lifts across the valley – is watching. Mention in the bar that you’ve skied one and you’re guaranteed at least a high five.

Every time I’m back in Tignes, I think about that day and I vow to do it again. This time on skis, with a bit more skill. And, ideally, a touch of grace.

‘The Fingers’ are instantly recognisable

THE FIFTY PROJECT

NUMBER 4:

Aiguille Rouge, Les Arcs Nominated by Nicola, Fall Line publisher & editor

HISTORY: 5/10

The Aiguille Rouge piste is the iconic descent of Les Arcs, dropping from the summit of the Aiguille Rouge at 3,226m all the way down to Villaroger. It’s one of the longest marked pistes in the Alps and has been intimidating holidaymakers since the cable car first opened access to the peak. For many skiers, it’s the defining run of the resort.

LEVEL OF CHALLENGE: 6/10

From the summit, the views stretch across Mont Blanc, the Vanoise, and deep into Italy. You get a proper sense of scale: you’re standing on a true Alpine summit, not just the top of a lift-served slope. As you descend, the landscape changes from high glacial terrain to forests, giving the run a genuine journey-like feel.

EFFORT: 2/10

Effort-wise, it’s hard to beat for payoff-to-access ratio. A single cable car ride delivers you straight to the top. The only real commitment comes at the bottom: once you’ve dropped into Villaroger, you’ll need to catch a bus back into the Les Arcs ski domain. It’s simple enough, but it does mean the run feels like a one-way mission rather than something you lap.

KUDOS APPEAL: 6/10

Everyone in Les Arcs knows the Aiguille Rouge. Skiing it carries a quiet kind of kudos, not because it’s extreme, but because it’s iconic.

• Get inspired by watching Cody Townsend’s The Fifty on YouTube and check out his website at skithefifty.com

“Everyone in Les Arcs knows the Aiguille Rouge. Skiing it carries a quiet kind of kudos”

Photo: Yann Allegre

Welcome to THE iconic descent of Les Arcs

While it’s fully marked piste, the Aiguille Rouge is no cruise.

The top section is steep, often firm, and can feel exposed, especially if it’s icy or busy. Lower down, the terrain eases but, unless you have thighs like Ted Ligety, fatigue starts to creep in; by the time you reach Villaroger, you’ve clocked nearly 2,000 vertical metres in a single hit. In good snow – like I had back in 2010 – it’s a joy; in poor conditions it can feel relentless.

AESTHETIC APPEAL: 7/10

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BACKCOUNTRY TALES

GRAND ST BERNARD

UNTRA Two days, fresh snow, and centuries of history. Jim Duncombe skis from abandoned Swiss slopes to sunlit Italian valleys, tracing the path of monks, travellers – and the occasional Saint Bernard PHOTOS JAMES GEEN

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ur pilgrimage into the pristine mountains starts early morning in a car park just off the E21 motorway in Switzerland, close to the Swiss-Italian border and home to the abandoned ski station of Super St Bernard. I’m chatting with James, friend and trip photographer, about what we have packed for our two-day ski quest to the monastery and hospice at the 2,469m Grand St Bernard Pass. My main concern is the added weight of my shoes. Are they really necessary?

The fresh snowfall the night before hides some of the urban decay, but the remnants of the ski resort are a distant memory soon after we leave the parking lot and turn the first corner, entering what feels like wilderness.

The skin up to the hospice is gentle and mostly follows the ancient path that travellers and armies have walked for centuries.

Within a few hours, we reach the home of the Saint Bernard dogs and its monks. Dog lovers will be disappointed to learn that there are no dogs on site in winter. We arrive in swirling clouds that only offer brief glimpses of this imposing building, which has housed travellers since the ninth century.

ACKED The man in charge is Brother Raphaile, at least I think that is his name; he is definitely named after one of the Ninja Turtles. He is a relaxed-looking monk who takes joy in all of God’s splendour, including skiing. Get up early enough and you might spot him skinning up the steep faces that surround the monastery, searching, I assume, for a gnarly line before prayer.

Ski boots are not allowed in the old halls, so we are directed to the skiers’ vestry, where you can leave your kit to dry. It also features a wall of Crocs for you to wear during your stay. Bringing your own shoes is not necessary, it turns out.

During lunch (more on the food later) we discover that the hospice is a destination not just for ski tourers and powder chasers.

There is a diverse crowd, from day hikers to retirees on snowshoe adventures.

Since we decided not to take a guide on our trip, we spend lunch studying the topos and books in the dining room, and make plans to head over the border to Italy for the afternoon, where the sun might be shining.

To reach the edge of the Aosta Valley, we traverse the small frozen lake that dominates the col, still wrapped in cloud. We pose

A gentle skin sees you reach the home of the Saint Bernard dogs and its monks

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BACKCOUNTRY TALES for photos with the Saint Bernard statue – naturally – and then head down the snow-covered road, skiing through a tunnel filled with wind-blown snow. As we emerge from the tunnel, Italian sunshine greets us – a vivid contrast to the cold, grey weather just 500m back in Switzerland – while pristine, snow-covered slopes beckon us to ski.

We forge a fresh skin track up to a pass along part of the international border, overlooking a snowy bowl that is home to the frozen Lacs de Fenêtre back in Switzerland. Surprisingly, there are no tracks and no people, except on the far peak of Mont Fourchon, where we can see a lone skier. Skins off, we carve our way back through the fresh snow, descending down a steep face before making our way through a wide gully, descending the short 400m climb to the tunnel that marks the end of our first day in the area.

Back at the hospice and dinner's up. The food is plentiful and hearty, prepared by volunteers, not monks; in fact you see very little of the monks during your visit. Maybe they leave with the dogs? (Actually, they don’t. A small community of monks live at the monastery during the winter, but they are often not very visible to visitors – they handle spiritual duties, prayer, and overseeing the hospice rather than managing tourists. Who can blame them) Anyway, back to the food – bread is baked on site every day and is excellent, and forms 60% of your diet during your stay, along with generous amounts of butter, jam, fruit, soup and pasta.

There is no chance of going hungry here.

The winter accommodation consists of large dorm rooms with space for over 500 people (there are multiple shared dormitories for between eight and 17 people, plus private rooms for three to four), and the shared bathrooms are clean and warm. There is little hardship inside these walls compared to many mountain huts.

Evening entertainment is a trip to the hospice museum, where you can learn about the history of the dogs, the col and if the Italians and Swiss like each other. The museum provides enough entertainment for one night, but it is probably not worth a second visit; fortunately there are playing cards, a bar, and plenty of people to chat to.

Early starts are obligatory in dorms, so instead of trying to rest, we just go skiing. Retracing our tracks across the lake, past the statue and back into Italy, we skin up our route from the day before. It is barely visible as the wind had kindly filled it in for us, annoying on the way up, but promising fresh turns on the way down.

We are the first that day to ski the far side down to the cluster of lakes we had spotted the day before. We trace fresh lines down to the frozen water, surrounded by nothing but mountains and snow, which make for a sweet moment of stoke on the shoreline.

No dogs, but To reach our next point of interest, we have to still a mighty fine navigate the lakes. With a guide, we would have retreat for powhunting skiers

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“Italian sunshine greets us, a vivid contrast to the cold, grey weather just 500m back in Switzerland, while pristine, snow-covered slopes beckon us to ski”

DO IT!

The Grand St Bernard offers accommodation for 47CHF (£44) per person, including breakfast. Half-board plus a picnic 80CHF (£75). Bed linen provided, gsbernard.com.

Parking coordinates: 45°54’00.8”N 7°11’45.8”

A small community of monks live at the monastery

avoided this by traversing high and skating the edge, but then we would have missed all that downhill fun. To reach the far side, we are divided on the direction of travel. James chooses the sensible option, following the edge and keeping his expensive camera dry. I take the more direct approach. Both work, and the slow speed at which I cautiously slide across the snow-covered ice negates the extra distance James took. Fortunately, the ice holds too.

The rest of the day is also incident-free. We summit and ski several more times and meet very few other skiers before returning to the hospice.

On our final day, we follow the trail back down, stopping where two valleys meet. Here, like wannabe polar explorers, we cache our extra weight, mainly shoes, and make a dash up the valley to the Ouest de Barasson for a stunning view that takes in the Aosta, the ski area of Crevacol and Mont Blanc in one sweep.

It is a spot where the memory of the trip should end, and not on the steps of an abandoned graffiti-covered ski resort canteen, eating a squashed Twix. fall-line.co.uk 75

ADVERTORIAL

The highest zipline in the region soars above the Tortin Glacier at speeds up to 100km/hour

With much of the terrain above 2,000m, the season naturally runs long

The Other 4 Vallées

Plugged into the vast 4 Vallées, yet retaining a village feel, Nendaz offers high-altitude skiing, serious freeride terrain, and a relaxed vibe

Photos: Florian Bouvet-Fournier, Lévy Loye

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endaz sits on a south-facing terrace above the Rhône Valley in Valais, plugging directly into the 4 Vallées – Switzerland’s largest linked ski domain. From the village at around 1,400m, lifts rise quickly into a network that stretches across more than 400km of pistes, shared with Verbier, Veysonnaz and Thyon. Despite that scale, Nendaz retains the feel of a village rather than a hub – a modern resort built around lift access. Evenings stay low-key, centred on mountain restaurants, local wine bars, and a village that winds down early enough to ski properly the next morning.

TIMING THE MOUNTAIN

Nendaz makes most sense away from peak weeks. January brings colder temperatures and reliable snow coverage, 76 fall-line.co.uk

particularly on north-facing slopes around Mont Fort. Much of the terrain accessed from Nendaz faces north and sits high, which helps conditions hold consistently through winter – particularly useful at the edges of the season.

With lifts typically running until midApril, spring skiing here is a real draw.

Altitude does the work. Mont Fort rises to 3,330m, with much of the surrounding terrain above 2,000m, allowing the season to stretch naturally without leaning heavily on artificial snow.

Spring mornings begin on firm, well-pisted snow, before slopes soften gradually through the afternoon under long hours of sunlight. Sun exposure becomes an asset rather than a drawback: ski early, follow the light, and finish well before the snow gets too slushy.

HOW IT SKIS

From Nendaz village, lifts feed directly into the heart of the 4 Vallées via Siviez, making it easy to fan out across the domain.

Intermediates benefit most from this layout: long red and blue runs link and encourage mileage without repetition; you can ski for hours without being funnelled back to the same base.

You'll find beginner terrain closer to Tracouet and the Printse sector – a quieter sub-domain of the 4 Vallées that spans 220km of slopes and suits those building confidence. More experienced skiers gravitate towards Siviez and beyond.

The wider 4 Vallées opens up a serious amount of lift-accessible freeride terrain that advanced skiers can tap into directly from Nendaz. Much is anchored around Mont Fort, the domain’s highest point. The

“With lifts typically running until mid-April, spring skiing here is a real draw.

Altitude does the work”

broader network blends lift-served freeride routes with expansive off-piste terrain, cementing the 4 Vallées’ reputation as one of Europe’s freeride strongholds.

THE HIGH GROUND

Mont Fort is often celebrated for its views, and they are exceptional. From a skier’s perspective, however, its real value lies in altitude and aspect. Snow remains colder here, and conditions tend to hold long after lower sectors begin to soften.

Reaching the summit requires a series of lifts, which tends to keep numbers in check. Stronger skiers appreciate the steep gradients, while others value Mont Fort for the links it provides across the wider domain. The summit’s zipline – the highest in the region – adds a memorable extra, soaring above the Tortin Glacier at speeds up to 100km per hour.

CONTROLLED FREEDOM

Nendaz’s Freetracks sit somewhere between piste and backcountry. They are secured routes – avalanche-controlled but ungroomed – designed to offer variable snow and natural features without skiers needing to leave the managed domain.

There are seven official Freetracks in total.

Gentianes offers the longest mogul run in Europe; Mont Gélé has two itineraries from its peak with up to 950m vertical drop; Vallon d’Arbi is, simply, legendary, descending from Lac des Vaux through wild and rugged terrain, ending (eventually) at the village of La Tzoumaz; L’Eteygeon takes you far from civilisation down the backside of the Greppon Blanc through open powder fields. In quieter weeks, when skier traffic thins out and fresh snow sticks around untouched, these routes are at their best, offering in-bounds skiing that rivals anywhere in the world.

UPHILL EFFORT REWARDED

If you’re prepared to earn your turns, ski touring opens up a quieter side of Nendaz.

Five marked touring tracks provide waymarked routes into the backcountry, each finishing at a mountain restaurant.

The routes span a range of terrain. The Tortin track is a shorter option at 3.4km, taking in 323m of elevation – ideal for a first skin or a low-commitment lap with views of the Cleuson dam and lunch waiting at the restaurant. The Pra da Dzeu route steps things up, running 4.3km in length towards Tracouet, taking in 732m of elevation, finishing with a lovely ski finish

via the Jean-Pierre or Alpage ski run. In spring, the formula is hard to beat: skin up, refuel in the warm sun, ski down.

BEYOND THE LIFTS

Away from peak periods, it becomes even easier to step beyond lift-served skiing. In Nendaz, alternative activities such as winter walking or snowshoeing feel genuinely integrated, existing alongside time on the pistes rather than as a secondary option.

Marked winter walking routes extend well beyond the village, winding through forested slopes and open terrain that remains largely untouched by ski traffic.

Snowshoe itineraries go further still, leading to viewpoints and sheltered valleys where the scale of the landscape becomes more apparent, and clear signage keeps navigation straightforward.

SMART PLANNING

Booking ahead in Nendaz saves not only stress (no mad dash to the ticket office on your first morning), but it saves money too.

Ski passes purchased online in advance can reduce costs by up to 20 per cent.

Head online to nendazveysonnaz.ch to find your perfect ticket. nendaz.ch fall-line.co.uk 77

DON’T MISS...

WE ARE SKI

POWDER & BACKCOUNTRY ISSUE

INCLUDING: A Sweden ski safari Bulgaria powder on tap Big adventures in the Grand Massif Freeriding & touring technique tips Powder photos that will make you weep Behind the scenes of the Freeride World Tour The best powder and backcountry kit for 2026

ON SALE 20 FEBRUARY 2026, ONLY £6.00 78 fall-line.co.uk

THE GEAR LOCKER

Sky’s the limit

Photo: Armada

COMING UP…

BEHIND THE BRAND: H&M MOVE PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: FACTION BEHIND THE TECH: FISCHER BOOST YOUR SKILLS WITH CARV PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: NORDICA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ROSSIGNOL RETAILER SPOTLIGHT: NASKI KIT CARE WITH THE SKIERS LOUNGE TRIED & TESTED GEAR SETUPS

P80 P82 P84 P86 P90 P92 P94 P96 P100 P105

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BEHIND THE BRAND

H&M MOVE

Everyone’s heard of the high street fashion brand H&M, but did you know they make ski gear? Al Morgan chats with Marie Fredros, Head of Design at H&M Move, to find out more about their ‘move’ into snowsports Al Morgan: It’s fab to get this opportunity to find out more about H&M Move. Why did you decide to start offering snowsports clothing and accessories?

AM: Sounds like a great collaboration, can you tell us more about the partnership?

MF: We come from a strong fashion background; we know how we want the skier to look and feel, while Grand Studio brings the technical know-how of how a garment must perform. Together we challenge each other constantly: balancing silhouettes, movement and innovation to reach the point where fashion meets function without compromise.

Marie Fredros: At H&M Move, we’re on a mission to

make movement accessible to everyone – and that includes those heading to the mountains. Designing a technical snowsports collection has been part of our strategy from the very beginning. It’s a natural step for us, because snowsports represent everything we stand for: freedom, movement, and connection with nature.

When we started developing our first ski and snowboard range, we saw it as more than just a collection – it became a platform for research and innovation. Creating performance-driven products pushed us to experiment with new materials and construction techniques, where every detail matters for the end user.

This process led to the development of our own performance trademarks: StormMove™ for weather protection and ThermoMove™ for warmth and comfort. Insights from this project have helped shape other areas of the brand, enabling us to raise the bar of functionality across multiple Move collections.

AM: How did the design process evolve?

MF: The process has been extremely hands-on. Both teams

have spent seasons testing prototypes in real mountain conditions, from early material trials to fully finished garments, to ensure that each piece stands up to wind, snow and movement. Those test sessions have been invaluable: they’ve helped us define where we can let style take a bigger role, and where performance must lead. It’s in those details – a seam, a zipper placement, a fabric density – that real progress happens.

We’ve also placed a huge emphasis on colour, texture and styling. The mountain environment is often monochrome, so bringing in colour that feels modern, confident, and with a luxurious feel has been key. We’ve worked with rich textures and materials that not only perform technically but also feel good to wear. The complete silhouette, from the outerwear to the layering pieces, is designed to feel coherent and unmistakably H&M Move. In the end, Grand Studio helped us translate our vision into a performance range that still carries a fashion DNA.

AM: It’s superb to have a brand like H&M stepping boldly into the snowsports market, as the value you offer can really help people getting into the sport, as well as reducing the kit bill for seasoned skiers…

MF: Exactly – we design for a new generation of skiers and snowboarders who care about performance and aesthetics, as well as value for money. Skiers want to feel confident on the slopes and express their personal style, without compromising on quality.

For many, a ski trip is the highlight of the year, and we believe that sense of freedom and self-expression shouldn’t be limited by price or access. Our goal is to make it possible for anyone to move, explore, and perform in gear that feels as good as it looks.

By combining functionality with modern, fashion-forward silhouettes and material choices, we aim to offer a new take on what ski and snowboard wear can look and feel like.

AM: You worked with the design company Grand Studio on this range. They’ve worked with the likes of Burton, Vans, Atomic, Salomon and many other snow and action sports names. How did this relationship materialise, and how pivotal were they in the development of the range?

MF: From the outset, we knew that creating products on par with established snowsports brands meant respecting the craft and expertise behind technical mountain wear. This meant partnering with Grand Studio, a Swiss design studio specialising in performance outdoor and mountain sports, and they became the perfect match. Their team brings decades of experience working with some of the most respected names in the industry, along with deep expertise in functionality, materials, and testing environments where every detail counts.

80 fall-line.co.uk www.fall-line.co.uk

The new H&M Move collection offers a new take on what ski and board wear can look like

AM: As you've already mentioned, you use a lot of your own materials in the ski apparel, such as ThermoMove™ insulation and StormMove™ for breathable waterproofing.

You also use branded tech, including RECCO®, in many pieces. Can you tell us more about these features?

MF: For us, everything starts with the materials. Developing

technical fabrics that can perform in mountain conditions, while remaining comfortable and easy to move in, has been central from day one.

Together with Grand Studio, we developed a clear strategy for our snow collections, defining the performance standards and functional requirements each material needed to meet.

This work resulted in the creation of our own performance trademarks. StormMove™ is our breathable waterproof shell technology, designed to protect against wind and rain while maintaining full freedom of movement. ThermoMove™ focuses on insulation, providing warmth where it’s needed most.

Both have gone through multiple rounds of lab and real-world testing to make sure they perform as intended.

The process of developing these materials has been an important part of building the foundation for our outerwear collections. It allows us to ensure consistency, quality and comfort across the range, while also giving us room to innovate with the design and silhouette. For us, it’s about merging functionality with the kind of style and fit that makes skiers feel confident both on and off the slopes.

“Our first ski and snowboard range became a platform for research and innovation” In addition to our trademark materials, we’ve also integrated trusted external technologies, such as RECCO®, which we introduced in the last two seasons. RECCO® reflectors add an important layer of safety, helping rescuers locate skiers in case of an emergency.

It’s a small detail that can make a big difference – and it perfectly complements our goal of offering performance products that supports everyone who loves to move in the mountains.

essential layer of texture with a furry fleece and boot covers, and finish it all off with the glam goggles. I love the mix of workwear-inspired styling and feminine shapes; the perfect balance between function and fashion on the slopes.

AM: This H&M Move ski range has a large portfolio of products to choose from, including eyewear. If you had to pick one outfit for yourself, which would it be?

MF: Every season brings new energy for us. Right now, we’re

MF: I’d go for the Workwear jacket and flared softshell pants in brown, paired with a white hooded baselayer. Then I’d add that

AM: Marie, thank you for taking the time to talk to us about this adventure H&M is on. One last question: what are you most excited about for this season? fully in our winter-active mode, but in January we’ll be busy launching something new – SculptMove™, a new trademark material created specifically for our active female community, helping them set the tone for a fresh year of movement and wellness.. fall-line.co.uk 81

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Photo: Frederik Kalbermatten

“The Dancer 79 is our piste marvel, made for the dolce vita – the sweetness of life”

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FACTION DANCER 79 Al Morgan grabs some time with Irena Umek, Head of Marketing at Faction, to get the low-down on the new unisex Faction Dancer 79 skis Al Morgan: Hi Irena, thanks for letting me steal your time today. Please tell us, what’s your role with Faction and how did you land the gig?

At its core, it’s a true piste and carving ski. Two sheets of Titanal and poplar wood delivers nimble handling, stability and highspeed edge hold, especially on hard-packed snow. The minimal rocker and parabolic shape are blended with razor-thin Titanal sheets for class-leading stability at speed and unrelenting grip on hardpack. High-energy piste riding, with a sharp look and a touch of freeski soul, it’s one of this winter’s most electrifying skis. This is backed by the finest, most durable Austrian construction, powered 100% by renewable energy.

We’ve also launched two Dancer 79 collaborations this season.

First, we teamed up with Casablanca, the iconic Moroccan tennis and lifestyle brand, offering two colourways that go along with their winter outerwear collection. Recently, we partnered with Nespresso on a circularity story. We developed a limited-edition collection partly made from recycled coffee capsules, for the Dancer 79 Nespresso. The ski’s finished with aluminium plates made from recycled coffee capsules, with each ski using aluminium from 22 capsules, giving that material another life.

Irena Umek: I head up the marketing team here. When I came

to Faction, four years ago, it felt like bringing two of my favourite worlds together. I spent close to a decade at Adidas HQ in Germany, in beautiful Herzogenaurach, but it’s not exactly known for its mountains. Through all these years learning about storytelling, building brands, and living sports culture from the inside, there was this unconditional love for the mountains and skiing that I just couldn’t ignore. I’ve always been inspired by the stories people tell – the festivals, the films, the brands we trust.

That’s how I first came across Faction. Watching their films and seeing the way they captured not just skiing but the culture and creativity around it. So I packed up my life and moved to Verbier, the home of Faction. I joined the team, settled in a place I love, and now I work on the kind of stories that first inspired me.

AM: Many skiers will know Faction for its freestyle and freeski products, even if just from the recent announcement of your partnership with the Freeride World Tour. Why has Faction focused on piste skiing with the new Dancer 79?

AM: I’ve skied the 79 quite a bit and it’s one of my favourite piste skis this winter. What can people do to test it for themselves this season?

IU: Many of our partner shops in major resorts across the Alps have demo fleets with the Dancer 79, and we’re also organising test events throughout the season. The best way to find your nearest location is to reach out to us directly or check our website – we’ll point you in the right direction.

IU: You’re right, we make incredible freestyle and freeski products, and the Freeride World Tour partnership is something we’re incredibly proud of. That’s the side of Faction people know us for: freeride, big faces, pushing the boundaries. However, the Dancer 79 is something different.

We were just as surprised as you were when this amazing piste ski left our drawing board. The Dancer 79 is our piste marvel, made for the dolce vita – the sweetness of life.

Without abandoning our roots, we know that 90% of our winters are spent on icy groomers. Maybe we are pretending that our 126mm skis are right at home there, and our knees love us for it, sure, but the Dancer 79 is us – Faction – approaching 20 years as a brand, admitting that corduroy at 8am absolutely slaps [Gear Editor, Al, had to look this up. It means ‘is excellent’].

We’ve taken everything we’ve learnt from building powerful, stable skis for serious terrain and applied it to something different.

The all-new Dancer 79 is designed with one place in mind: ‘la piste de danse.’ Built for high-speed turns and early morning groomers, it has that locked-in edge feel. But this is not a race ski. This is for skiers who still want a bit of soul. Take it into the bumps, hit side features, loosen it up when you want… You can arc it hard, or play with it. It’s confident, composed, and more fun than any frontside ski has the right to be.

AM: What’s the story with the Freeride World Tour?

IU: We’re now an official partner of the FIS Freeride World Tour, alongside our sister brand Phaenom Footwear. We share our roots with the FWT in Verbier, our home and Europe’s freeride capital.

Verbier’s Bec des Rosses is a mountain that’s inspired so many of us. Honestly, it’s a wonder this hasn’t happened sooner.

For years, we’ve supported freeskiers as they develop their skills, growing with them professionally as they progress in the sport.

The FWT gives them their moment to shine on the world’s wildest faces. Their contribution to freeride is huge. It’s about the athletes, the progression, our sport, our mountains; the values we share with the FWT. With this partnership, we’re together as freeride reaches new audiences globally.

What makes this meaningful is that we’re doing it our way.

We’re a B Corp, we’re partners with 1% For The Planet, and we work with POW (Protect Our Winters) to protect the mountains we all love. Our skis are designed in Switzerland, built in Europe, mostly in facilities running on renewable energy. This isn’t just marketing, it’s how we operate.

It’s a showcase for our freeride line up. Our skis and boots are built for exactly this kind of skiing. Seeing them on FWT faces, with the world’s best riders, shows what we’re capable of.

AM: The Dancer 79 is available in pink or white. Is there any other difference, other than the colour, and what’s the magic inside the 79 that makes it so special?

IU: Pink or white, there’s no difference in performance, just two colourways – pick the one that speaks to you. That’s the approach we take across our full in-line collection; skis in colourways, not gendered designs. To simplify the buying process, the Dancer 79 comes either unmounted or as the Dancer 79 System, pre-mounted with Salomon Strive 11 bindings for out-ofthe-box all-mountain excellence.

What makes this ski special? The Dancer 79 is everything you love about the Dancer series, intently designed for on-piste performance. Sporting a slender 79mm waist and a tighter radius, guaranteeing lightning quick turn initiation and edge-to-edge speed. It’s the leading frontside, piste-oriented ski in our award-winning Dancer line up.

AM: Irena, this has been a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to get onto the groomers and lay down some lines. What have you got planned for skiing this season?

IU: I’m just excited to ski as much as humanly possible! Living in All hail the 79: the leading frontside, piste-oriented ski in Faction’s Dancer line up

the heart of the Swiss Alps means I have no excuses. I’ll be on the Dancer 79s when I want to stay on-piste and have fun, and mixing in some bigger or lighter skis when the snow gets deep or when the ski touring season kicks in. I’ll have to get my legs going to hopefully do one of the beautiful ski traverses here in Switzerland.

Exciting developments are happening for next season too, so the Dancer story continues. Right now? It’s all about being out there, and remembering why this never gets old. fall-line.co.uk 83

“Skis with this new technology have already powered athletes to World Championship and World Cup gold medals”

Like a well-tuned instrument, the new technology helps every skier push their limits

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BEHIND THE TECH

FISCHER NOIZE CONTROL

Al Morgan chats with Jan Ekmark, Global Marketing Director at Fischer, to explore their new Noize Control tech

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etal, carbon, wood, glass fibre, cork, TPU, multi-layer laminates, electronic damping, elastomer layers.

Ski brands can chuck a lot of different materials into a ski to keep it as smooth as possible. This season, Fischer’s not going to play second fiddle in this game, thanks to tech inspired by the world of violin construction. Read on...

Al Morgan: Hi Jan! Firstly, can you tell us about your role?

Jan Ekmark: I’m the Global Marketing Director at Fischer Sports, where I lead our worldwide marketing strategy and support brand development. My focus is on keeping Fischer at the heart of skiing, blending our heritage with innovation. I work closely with Head of Alpine, Jan Weiss, and his product teams, to ensure the stories we tell truly reflect the technology and craftsmanship behind every ski.

I was introduced to skiing at the age of three, and that early connection sparked a lifelong love for the mountains and the freedom skiing brings. Professionally, I’ve spent years in global and national marketing roles, building brands across international markets. Joining Fischer was a natural step; it allows me to combine my expertise with my passion. For me, skiing is not a lifestyle. It is life. I want every skier to feel that same connection.

AM: Fischer has a strong race heritage, which includes the Hole Ski tech. This season is all-change, so what led you to develop the new construction and remove the iconic ‘hole’?

JE: The holes in the tips and tails of Fischer skis has been part of our identity since the 1970s, first introduced in the legendary C4 models. At that time it was a revolutionary solution; by reducing swing weight, the hole made skis more stable and minimised chattering – key factors for top-level performance. This innovation became a symbol of Fischer’s race heritage and helped athletes claim countless World Cup and World Championship titles over the decades.

However, innovation never stops. Today, Fischer has developed a new construction that achieves the same performance benefits without the need for a hole. This evolution allows us to deliver a cleaner design while maintaining the uncompromising stability and smoothness that racers demand.

AM: Tell us about the new Noize tech…

JE: The Noize technology in Fischer’s RC4 Noize skis draws on

precision craftsmanship techniques traditionally found in the making of string instruments like violins. Just as violin makers developed methods to minimise unwanted vibrations while preserving tonal energy, ski engineers applied the same principle to reduce disruptive vibrations on snow, resulting in quieter, smoother and more stable skis. The results speak for themselves.

Skis with this new technology have already powered athletes to World Championship and World Cup gold medals.

AM: What exactly is Noize Control Technology?

JE: It’s the result of years of collaboration between our engineers, our race service experts, and some of the world’s best athletes from our World Cup team. The mission was clear: create a ski that delivers ultimate stability and smoothness without sacrificing

speed or agility. The foundation lies in a unique construction that integrates a precisely engineered metal print beneath the topsheet combined with a solid wood core. This design reduces chattering, giving racers a ski that feels balanced and predictable even under extreme forces. The metal pigments work similarly to how lead weights are used to balance a car tyre, eliminating vibrations.

Unlike traditional dampening systems that absorb energy and can make skis feel less lively, Noize Control keeps the ski dynamic and responsive. It smooths out the ride without taking away the energy athletes need to accelerate and attack. This advantage allows racers to ski a more direct line with confidence, knowing the ski will remain stable and chatter-free even in aggressive turns.

Development didn’t happen in isolation. From the earliest prototypes to the final race-ready skis, we tested extensively on the World Cup circuit. Feedback from athletes was critical – they pushed the skis to the limit, helping us fine-tune every detail.

AM: I was fortunate to ski the RC4 Noize ST Pro. It’s not a pure race ski, but an accessible performance piste one. Do you see a benefit for everyday skiers?

JE: While Noize Control Technology was developed for World

Cup athletes, its benefits extend far beyond the race course. Every skier, whether carving on groomed slopes or pushing limits in variable conditions, can appreciate a ski that’s smoother, more stable, and easier to control. Reducing vibration and chatter means less fatigue, more confidence, and a more enjoyable experience on the mountain. Relating this back to the violin, it’s much like a tuned instrument versus an untuned one.

That’s why we’ve already introduced Noize Technology across several RC4 models, not just on our most advanced-level skis, making this innovation accessible to passionate skiers who want race-inspired performance in their everyday skiing.

This is just the beginning. Looking ahead, we see great potential to bring Noize Control to other ski lines, creating a new standard for stability and precision in ski categories where it makes sense.

What’s coming for 26/27? Let’s just say the future looks exciting.

The Product team is working on ways to integrate this technology even further, so stay tuned. The next chapter of smoother, faster, and more controlled skiing is on its way.

AM: What have you got planned for your own skiing?

JE: This season, I’m looking forward to a mix of experiences that truly reflect my passion for skiing. I’ll be enjoying skiing with friends and family. One of the great things about being part of a legacy brand like Fischer is having access to skis for every condition and purpose. If the snow is deep, I’ll be out using a ski from our freeride/all-mountain line. When the pistes are perfect, I’ll enjoy the precision and performance of our on-piste category. If conditions allow, I’ll head into the backcountry for some ski touring – there’s nothing like the peace of untouched terrain. More than that, I’ll probably be out for a few kilometres on the crosscountry tracks to make sure I stay in shape. That’s the beauty of skiing: no matter the conditions, there’s always a way to enjoy it.

At the same time, I’ll be closely following Fischer’s athletes on the World Cup across alpine, freestyle and ski touring and, of course, at the upcoming Olympics. Watching them compete on skis the product team here in Ried has developed, together with those athletes, is always a proud moment. fall-line.co.uk 85

BOOST YOUR SKILLS

COMMON MISTAKES & HOW TO FIX THEM

Expert instructor Tomas Mical identifies four common habits that are holding you back – and explains how to fix them, with help from Carv

I

f you’re reading this, you’re a strong skier. You can carve clean turns, handle steeps, and ski challenging mixed terrain.

But you still want to be better. Once you reach this level, progress gets tricky. The habits holding you back are subtle, built up over years of skiing – and hard to spot without feedback.

Carv’s data from thousands of advanced skiers shows the same story: small yet consistent habits that quietly cap progress. Here, Tomas Mical IDs four of the most common, and how to fix them: Mistake 1: Park and ride turns Mistake 2: Extending too early Mistake 3: Too far forward Mistake 4: Rushing the bumps

1 THE PARK AND RIDE TURN

These happen when you build your edge angle early, then stay there for the rest of the turn. The skis carry you from one side of the slope to the other while you sit comfortably on your edges.

It feels smooth and stable, but you’re not really driving the ski.

HOW TO TELL IF YOU’RE DOING IT Do you feel like you do all the work in the transition, then just let the skis cruise until the next turn? This habit looks and feels fine on mellow groomers but, on steeper runs, your ability to manage speed falls apart. The turns also lose that lively, athletic look great skiers have when they’re shaping every moment. If you want more control and power, this is a habit worth fixing. The best skiers don’t passively ride the ski, they actively guide it from start to finish.

HOW TO FIX IT Let your edge angle build through the turn instead of setting it and holding on. Roll smoothly onto an edge, let pressure grow towards the apex, then release it as you move into the next turn.

Carv’s motion data makes this easy to see. When you compare an advanced skier with an elite racer like Ted Ligety, the biggest difference isn’t the edge angle itself, it’s when that angle develops.

Take a look at the graph below: Ted builds it gradually through the turn, while the advanced skier locks in early and rides it out.

Tomas suggests thinking of your ski as a trampoline. From the top of the turn you’re loading it, bending it more until the apex, then letting that energy rebound into the next turn. Carv coaches a skill focused on this: ‘Skiing Dynamically’. Here’s a soundbite from the app to try next time you’re on snow: “Like a trampoline, progressively load the ski with higher angles then release the energy.” Get this right and your turns feel rounder and more fluid.

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2 EXTENDING TOO EARLY

Over-extension means getting too tall too early, straightening your legs right out of the transition. It’s easy to do, especially when you’re trying to ski strong and forward. But that early extension makes you lose connection with the snow right when you need grip most. When you rise too soon, your edges can’t bite, and you end up struggling to balance mid-turn.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’RE DOING IT You might struggle with edge grip early in the turn or feel unstable as pressure builds. Standing tall too soon pulls you out of an athletic stance and makes it harder to stay balanced.

HOW TO FIX IT Stay lower and more compact through the transition. Move across the skis, shifting balance from one foot to the other instead of popping up. Let your outside leg extend gradually, reaching full length only at the apex when pressure is highest. Patience here keeps you grounded and in control.

Carv trains this through the skill ‘Starting Turns with Grip’.

Here’s a snippet from the app to help you feel it: “If it feels like you're just sliding, try tipping your skis more and steering less with your upper body.”

• Aim to start your turns by moving your body diagonally across your skis.

• Avoid being static when you initiate the turn.

• At the end of your previous turn, move your chest forward and diagonally across your inside ski.

• Let your upper body incline so your centre of mass moves inside the new turn.

• Keep steady pressure on your new outside ski as it engages.

By staying patient through the transition and letting pressure build gradually, you’ll feel more connected to the snow and more confident as each turn begins.

3 TOO FAR FORWARD

In working so hard to stay forward, many advanced skiers end up leaning a little too far. It may feel athletic, but being overly forward makes it harder to steer. When your weight tips too far over your toes, your heels wash out and you lose the ability to guide the skis cleanly through the arc. The result is a turn that feels jerky and unstable, instead of smooth and connected.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’RE DOING IT • Skis skidding out: the tails of your skis slide away from you, especially at the end of the turn.

• Breaking at the waist: You bend excessively at the hips to stay balanced, creating a hunched posture rather than a tall, athletic stance.

HOW TO FIX IT To steer effectively, balance over the middle of your feet. Tomas recommends picturing your foot as a tripod with three contact points: the ball under your big toe, the ball under your little toe, and your heel. Keep all three connected to the snow as you ski.

That centred balance gives you smoother edge changes, stronger control and a more natural rhythm. You’ll feel less effort, more flow, and your skis will start working with you, not against you.

4 RUSHING THE BUMPS

In bumps, the most common mistake is rushing the absorption. The instinct is to pull your knees up early to absorb the mogul, but that actually pops you off the snow and breaks your rhythm. When you flex too soon, the terrain starts controlling you, instead of the other way around.

HOW TO FIX IT Be patient. As you meet the mogul, extend your legs gently into it, then let the terrain push your feet and knees back underneath you.

This keeps your skis in contact with the snow and smooths out the chaos. Once you stop fighting the bumps and start moving with them, the line feels rhythmic, controlled, and even fun. Carv’s ‘Moguls Pathway’ trains this exact timing in its ‘Absorption’ skill.

When you find that patience, moguls stop feeling unpredictable.

Consider Carv your wearable ski coach – and find out more at getcarv.com

Getting better at this level isn’t about skiing more; it’s about seeing what’s really going on beneath the surface. Once you spot the small habits that have crept in, you can start making changes that actually stick. That’s where the fun comes back. The turns feel more confident, every line feels controlled, and you just get to enjoy it! fall-line.co.uk 87

COMPETITION

WIN

AN ATOMIC BUNDLE I

t’s normal for us to get a prize of a pair of skis, but our kind friends at Atomic have chipped in more than your regular packet of peanuts.

Enter to be in with a chance of winning a pair of award-winning Maverick 88 CTI or Maven 88 CTI skis, with bindings, along with one of their new Revent Amid helmets, AMT SQS poles and a ski bag.

The new Maverick 88 CTI and Maven 88 CTI skis have won a plethora of awards for this season; the latter even bagged our coveted 2026 Women’s Ski of the Year award in the All-Mountain category. These fabulous toys allow you to cut tram lines down the groomers then head into the powder for some soft-snow fun. Atomic is providing the Strive 12 GW bindings to go with the ski, you just need to get them mounted.

You’re not just looked after at ground level, as Atomic is also giving you one of their Revent Amid helmets. The new Amid has an in-mould dualshell construction combined with the Atomic Multi-directional Impact Deflector (AMID) tech. In-mould keeps the weight low and AMID delivers top-level safety: 40% higher impact protection than industry standards.

As if that’s not enough, those kind Austrian ski maestros are throwing in a pair of their fabulous AMT SQS poles, which comes with a safety quick-release strap system, plus a ski bag to carry all your new kit.

To win this prize bundle, worth over £1,000, head online now to enter! ∞ The products and colours will depend on availability. If the stated prizes are not available, alternatives to an equal or greater value will be offered.

WORTH OVER

£1,000

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AN ATOMIC BUNDLE HEAD TO FALL-LINE.CO.UK BY 16 FEBRUARY 2026 88 fall-line.co.uk

Photo: Lévy Loye

SCAN ME!

EXPECT EXTRAORDINARY The All-New Skier’s Edge

ALL-NEW POWER BAND CONFIGURATION

5 band configuration creates the perfect elasticity for powerful yet smooth turns.

ALL-NEW ALUMINUM CARRIAGE SYSTEM

Extra wide carriage tops our most robust and stable machine yet.

ALL-NEW ALUMINUM FOOTPADS

Independent footpads pivot side-to-side engaging more muscle groups in legs and calves and improve edging and weight transfer in skiing.

ALL-NEW MULTI-STANCE PLATFORM 8 different settings so you can personalize your workouts. Easily adjust settings in 20-30 seconds.

ALL-NEW ALUMINUM RAILS

Precision designed aircraft aluminum rails.

© 2018/2019 The Skier’s Edge® Company

ALL-NEW & COMPLETELY REIMAGINED QUICK ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM Resistance is easy to adjust in seconds with just one hand.

Exclusive Official Supplier to the World’s Best Ski Teams®

ALL-NEW TRUSS FRAME

This wider frame enhances stability and features high quality, heavy gauge steel and aircraft aluminum.

30-DAY TRIAL

SKIERSEDGE.CO.UK 0800 849 4051 The Skier’s Edge Company

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

NORDICA PROMACHINE 3

The designers at Nordica think ski boots can be more than just a dull-looking hunk of plastic to connect you with your skis. Al Morgan spoke with Alberto Contento, Senior Product Manager Ski Boots at Nordica, to see how these new masterpieces were created Al Morgan: Hi Alberto, so before we get into the new Promachine boot, how did you come to work at Nordica?

Alberto Contento: I’ve been with the Nordica and Tecnica group for around 20 years, but I’ve used Nordica products for as long as I can remember. Before coming to Nordica, I coached the Italian ski team for over 10 years, through two Winter Olympics – Nagano in 1998 and Salt Lake City in 2002 – as well as 11 World Cups. Even before this, I skied on Nordica. You could say my blood runs in the pantone red of the company! After my coaching career I got a job with Nordica and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

My love for the brand is not unique. We find this with lots of skiers, with many passionately remembering their first ski boots, or skis. At Nordica we’re mindful of this when designing products, as that connection with a brand is very important.

AM: The Promachine 3 line will be new for next season, but some retailers, including a few in the UK, will have the boots in stock now, on early release. What have you changed in the evolution of these narrow-last boots?

AC: The Machine family of boots provides an incredible ride for piste and all-mountain skiers. The Promachine 3 delivers a precise performance fit, and we’ve enhanced both the comfort and performance of this boot for next season.

The Promachine 3 is built around our 3Force structure, where we inject three different densities of plastic into the mould to give the drive and power you want, with a shell that’s easy to get into, easy to customise, and exceptionally comfortable.

Anyone who knows the Promachine already will still love the fit of the new 3 version, but we’ve enhanced the comfort by preshaping a little more room in key areas where many skiers have pressure issues. This includes the navicular area on the inner side of the foot and ankle, as well as the 'sixth toe' zone; this is where people suffer with pressure on the outside of their foot, so by preshaping this part, often stretched by boot fitters, it will fit more people straight out of the box. There’s also a little more room over the instep, without sacrificing the superb hold and low-volume fit people love in the Promachine.

AM: What about the boot’s design?

AC: The 3Force design itself has evolved for this boot. We’ve developed a honeycomb structure that perfectly blends the stiff material, required for power transmission, stability and drive, with the softer materials that ensures the boot is easy to get on and off.

When you look inside the shell you can see the different densities and how they mesh with each other. You’ll notice that there’s a greater amount of stiffer material on the medial side, as you put more pressure on this side of the boot during a turn.

AM: It’s fab that you can see this novel construction if you take the liner out. What makes your liners so different?

AC: Ski boot liners are often overlooked, but they’re the essential 90 fall-line.co.uk

interface between the skier and the shell. The liner can also impact the flex and performance of a boot, and it keeps you warm.

The first thing must be comfort though. When you’re in a ski shop, slipping your foot into a new boot, it has to feel good. You want to feel held and supported, but if it’s not comfortable it won’t feel right. Nordica liners receive a mass of design attention. Just pull one out of a shell and you’ll see the difference straight away.

The cork layer on the outside of the liner, and the anatomical pre-shaping for the ankle and around the Achilles, gives you reassuring hold, and the cork also helps prevent any liner movement inside the shell when skiing.

For the new Promachine 3 130 S and Promachine 3 130, we’ve developed a liner closure with a quick-pull lacing system, called Speed Lace, for ultimate hold. This comes already installed in the 130 S, and in the box of the 130.

AM: I have to ask the question I’ve been itching to get to.

The two top-tier models, the Promachine 3 130 S and women’s Promachine 115 W S, look sensational. I have the 130 S in my hand and, aesthetically, it’s unlike any other ski boot I’ve tested in the last 20-plus years. How have you done this, as it’s not simply a graphic?

AC: It takes years to develop a new ski boot like this. During this process we need our testers, including staff and athletes, to ski the product, which means the public will be able to see it. To prevent them from knowing what we’re designing, we wrap the boot in a camo-style graphic, which has lots of angles and shapes on it, just like car brands do when testing their prototypes.

Our testers loved these graphics and asked us if we could make boots to look like that. You can’t just apply a graphic to a retail ski boot, so we had to find another solution.

Fast forward a couple of years and we are now working with an Italian supplier that can laser-etch the design we want onto the outside of the boot. It is not a graphic – you can feel the texture when you run your fingers over it.

The laser etching is done by hand on both the inner (medial) side and outer (lateral) side of the boot, so it adds eight extra manufacturing steps for every pair, but the end result is worth it.

There is nothing else like this on the ski market, and every boot is unique.

AM: We agree, it looks stunning. Thank you for sharing your passion with us today Alberto. What are you most looking forward to this season?

AC: Ha! I’m always dancing for snow to come at the right time, but the fresh snow we had early season was fantastic, and it’s snowing again now, so it’s shaping up to be a great one.

Every season we are outside with our big ears on, listening to what our customers are saying. I’m looking forward to hearing what they like and what they don’t like.

There are always improvements to be made, and I love that, as a brand, we can help skiers have an even better time in the mountains.

“There is nothing else like this on the ski market, and every boot is unique”

fall-line.co.uk 91

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

ROSSIGNOL Al Morgan was lucky enough to grab an hour with Liz Wilson, General Manager Softgoods at Rossignol, to chat all things apparel Al Morgan: Hi Liz, great to chat today. You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the outdoor sports scene over the past 25 years, but what’s your connection with snowsports?

Liz Wilson: I grew up in Oregon, snowboarding at Mount Hood. Since then, I’ve worked in some incredible locations, both in terms of companies and geographically. I’ve moved over to cross-country skiing in recent years and love it; I was a long-distance runner for years, so being able to get my fitness fix in the beautiful snow-covered landscapes is something I adore. Most of the companies I’ve worked with are heavily involved in winter sports, and when I came to Rossignol in 2023 it was an opportunity to do what I love with a company that has a rich snowsports heritage.

AM: Many industry folk talk about products from a technical angle. However, it feels as though Rossignol focuses more heavily on lifestyle or fashion-type apparel. Is this a fair reflection?

LW: Rossignol has been around for 119 years. It is one of the most

successful winter sport equipment brands, and has won the most gold medals. However, you’re right – while many skiers know of Rossignol for our hard goods, we aren’t known for our technical apparel. For me, this brings a disconnect between the hard and soft goods sides. But this is changing.

For this season, we’ve introduced new three-layer shell pieces, called Proclivity. As we do with our skis, these freeride outfits have been created in partnership with key Rossignol athletes. They’ve been involved from the initial ideas right through the various iterations and prototypes, and their input has been pivotal in getting us to this point.

I’m excited about this new direction. To be able to help educate skiers about the benefits of technical layering and, even more importantly, provide our customers with products that will help them have the best time in the mountains, is a real joy.

For next season, in partnership with our athletes, we have fully remastered our Hero collection. This is our biggest and best-selling programme and another exciting move.

Rossignol wants people to be enjoying the outdoors, with family and friends, while in gear the brand is producing with their world-class athletes. It doesn’t matter whether you’re selecting skis, shoes or clothing, this mindset applies to all the products we create.

Bringing this back to the fashion or lifestyle-type ski apparel, that customer should be as comfortable in their kit as the person heading up to lap a powder line.

You need to take that technical approach to materials and construction, so that each skier in Rossignol products can have just as good a time and be just as comfortable.

Technical freeride gear now lines up alongside Rossignol's boots and skis

“Working with athletes has a hugely beneficial impact on the products we create” AM: You talk about athletes being used in the development of products. I tested Rossignol’s first trail shoe, the Vezor (check out last summer’s Fall Line Adventure issue to see just how good that shoe is). Was the same approach applied with that?

LW: Working with athletes in this way has a hugely beneficial impact

Rossignol's aim?

For us to enjoy the outdoors, in kit that will keep us warm, safe and protected

on the products we create – and that shoe is a perfect example. It took three years to develop the Vezor, with our athletes being a key element in shaping the outcome. That shoe was used to win this summer’s MCC, which is a 40km trail run from Martigny-Combe to Chamonix and one of the UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) races. You can see straight away that having the best people involved can lead to the best outcome. This is not solely about making gear for the top 1%. They help us make kit that works for all levels. Our cross-country ski racers run to train, so developing colder weather run gloves is essential for them, and this benefits the runner that’s training for their first 5km run, or simply jogging to keep fit.

AM: The brand’s been working with French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (JCC) for years, but I also spotted a collab with AC Milan, the Italian football team. Tell us more…

LW: The JCC designs on Rossignol clothing are stunning and have

been very popular, and that partnership has been going a long time.

The Rossignol x AC Milan collection is separate to this, and it’s been a great project to get our teeth into. I, and the Rossignol soft goods team, are mostly based in Milan. One of AC Milan’s product team previously worked for Rossignol. They were with a friend who still works here and got chatting about how it would be great to do something together.

One thing led to another, and the two brands have developed this fantastic kit to celebrate this season’s Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

The Rossignol x AC Milan range incorporates a wide range of skispecific products, including skis, goggles, gloves, socks, outerwear and mid-layers. The Super Jacket, part of this collection, is a reimagining of a piece that was in the Rossignol collection decades ago. We found

92 fall-line.co.uk www.fall-line.co.uk

CLOTHING one of our old jackets on Vinted, so we bought that and used it as a template to remake this classic, in this collection’s colours. This sort of partnership is fantastic for both sports, helping to reach a wider pool of passionate people.

AM: Rossignol has a strong commitment to the environment, but this seems at odds to making and selling products. How do you view this?

LW: The message I reiterate with the

team here is, “The more we grow, the more we have to do to counter our growth”. When I joined a couple of years ago, only 3% of the soft goods we made were designed with Eco-Conception, an eco-design approach that focuses on minimising the environmental impact of products. Now, we’re already at over 30%, and it’s continually growing.

The Proclivity garments are a great example. Clothing manufacturing can result in a lot of wastage. When visiting one of our factories, I found hundreds of metres of unused Sympatex material. This is a fantastic waterproof, breathable laminate. We tested this to make sure it was up to performance, and it was. We use this material to make the Proclivity three-layer shells. Using leftover material in this way significantly reduces the environmental impact of those garments.

The quickest way to reduce the impact is to look at the materials you use most and find more sustainable options for those. Then you go to the second most used and do the same, and so on. This has already made a positive difference to how sustainable our products are, and a similar approach is being used in many categories, including the footwear developments in Montebelluna. All the polyester insulation in our garments now uses recycled material. For any new fabric, we always seek to use a recycled material in the first instance. If we can’t, the team needs to look at alternatives with the lowest impact.

There’s a lot more going on, including better planning to reduce wastage, but this all gives you an idea of the journey Rossignol’s on.

AM: Is there anything you’d like to add?

LW: It’s so exciting to share this story with people. It has

been fantastic to see the changes and developments we’ve already been able to bring, and so much more is happening as we move into next winter.

I’ve already seen how the changes we’ve made enhance the valuable time of passionate skiers, and I can’t wait to see how the products we have in the pipeline will benefit many more.

Rossignol are committed to sustainable manufacturing across all of their lines fall-line.co.uk 93

RETAILER SPOTLIGHT

Naski

Our new series celebrates the people and passion behind the UK’s independent ski retail industry. This issue, Amy Marwick chats to Naski’s John Thomas

Can you tell us a bit about you, and how it all started?

I started in the industry 15 years ago as a ski/snowboard instructor in Japan, before becoming a backcountry guide in Japan, a ski patroller in New Zealand, and then a boot-fitter back in the UK. I left the industry to become a teacher, but the opportunity to open Naski was too good to pass up. We started three years ago as a reaction to the lack of a dedicated snowsports store in Cardiff and South Wales. We felt it was crazy that people in Wales were travelling to Bristol, or even further.

Where are you based?

We’re on the edge of Cardiff, with good transport links to South Wales and the South West. There’s plenty of parking on site and, as a bonus, it’s only a 10-minute cycle from my front door.

Can you introduce the team for this season?

We’re very much a family business. It’s me in the store, with my wife helping on weekends. She’s great with customers and knows the helmet and goggle ranges inside and out. My father-in-law has recently retired and has been put to work in our servicing department, so it’s him you have to thank for your well-tuned skis and snowboards. This season, we’ve expanded our team, and Alice has joined us, helping on the shop floor and in the service department. Alice has a wealth of ski racing experience, having been a part of the Welsh development squad.

What’s your store’s philosophy or approach to helping customers find what they need?

Naski serves the Cardiff and South Wales region, helping skiers and boarders gear up in style

Do you specialise in any particular products or services?

We’ve built a solid reputation for boot fitting because we take the time to get to know each customer – not only their feet, but also their needs on the slopes. Otherwise, we have everything you need for your time on the mountain.

What’s a typical day like at your store during the winter?

Full on! I always start with coffee to get the brain firing, then it’s a mix of fitting boots, helping customers on the shop floor, and servicing skis. Being a small team, there’s always something to be getting on with: 6pm rolls around before you know it.

It’s all about listening. We love snowsports, so we will happily chat away, but listening to customers’ experiences on the mountain helps us to suggest products that will improve their time on snow.

What advice would you give to somebody looking to buy their first ski or snowboard setup?

How do you or your team choose the products?

Each year, we attend trade shows to catch up with brands and start looking at the products for the following season. We try to partner with eco-conscious brands that offer products we would use ourselves. If possible, we’ll get out on the snow and test the products for ourselves.

Come and have a chat! By discussing your experience and goals with us, we can help narrow down the choices. Even if you don’t buy your setup from us (obviously, we’d prefer it if you did!), you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to buy something suitable.

What new gear are you most excited about this winter?

Probably the increase in BOA boots from brands. There’s nothing wrong with traditional buckles, but BOA can offer a more even fit, something people who typically only get to ski once or twice a year really benefit from.

Do you have a personal favourite ski or bit of kit that you’ll be testing out this season? Where will you go?

I’m keen to ski on the new Tyrolia Attack Hybrid binding. For someone who spends the majority of their time in resort, but still does the occasional short tour, the Hybrid looks like the ultimate solution. We typically tend to go late season, once the Easter holidays have ended, so we’ll go high, maybe the Les 3 Vallées.

Are you running any events, demos, or trips for customers this season?

The team at Naski have built a solid reputation for their expert boot fitting service

94 fall-line.co.uk

We’ve already had an evening with Warren Smith’s Technique Lab, which was a first for us. Otherwise, we’re a partner for the Great British Ski Test, but we have nothing else planned for the season… yet.

What’s next for your store?

Over the summer, we extended our workshop to meet the increased demand for servicing, so now we’re going to keep building our reputation, and being a new store, making sure that everyone in the area knows about us. naskisports.co.uk

KIT CARE...WITH

PART 3:

KEEP YOUR SKIS FAST, SMOOTH, AND LONG-LASTING

Scott Hargrave, owner and senior technician at The Skiers Lounge, shares his top tips for giving your skis that winning edge

S

kis, like any technical piece of sporting equipment, need regular maintenance to perform at their best. And, whether you’re a beginner or an expert, a little care goes a long way. Here are five simple things you can do to keep your skis running faster, turning more smoothly, and lasting longer.

is often overly sharp tips and tails. Unless you’re a World Cup racer, you want smooth turn entry and exit every time. To achieve this, lightly detune the tips and tails using a rubber polishing stone or stone file or, in a pinch, the shaft of a screwdriver.

Find where the rocker starts to lift the edge away from the snow (the edge contact zone), then move about a thumb’s width, or roughly 20mm, towards the centre of the ski. From that point out to the tip or tail gently blunt the edge. You won’t damage it, but you’ll notice much smoother transitions on and off your edges.

1. Wax your skis – and enjoy smoother and faster runs

Wax creates glide. The structure in ski bases acts like tiny channels that allow snow to flow along the ski, and wax lubricates this movement to reduce friction. Always start a trip with a fresh wax, and re-wax mid-trip if your skis begin to feel slow or sticky.

Waxing after every trip is just as important.

Without wax, base fibres dry out, burn, and turn white – damage that eventually requires sanding to fix. New skis should always be waxed before their first use too. Factory wax is there to protect the bases in transit and usually lasts no more than a day. That’s why every pair of skis we sell gets a full wax before it leaves the shop. There’s a whole science behind ski wax, but keeping your skis waxed is simply ski ownership 101.

2. Polish your edges – for improved edge hold, especially on ice and hard snow

When ski edges are serviced properly, the base bevel and side edge angles are already set. To keep them performing well, you don’t need to change those angles – just polish them. A smoother edge is a sharper edge.

Using a medium or fine diamond file, with water or snow as lubricant, make a couple of light passes along each side edge.

Match the existing edge angle: you’ll feel and hear when you’ve got it right. Just a few passes back and forth is all it takes for an instant performance boost.

3. Detune your tips and tails – for smoother entry and exit from your turns More skis than ever are arriving in shops with edges that still need finishing.

Ideally, skis should be sold by retailers who check and set them up properly, just like a bike or a car.

If your skis feel overly ‘edgy’ when snapping into or out of turns, the cause 96 fall-line.co.uk

4. Dry and inspect your skis before packing them away – because they deserve it

The Skiers Lounge has a very fancy World Cuptested waxing machine

No one wants rusty edges – it impacts ski carving performance, is unsafe, and looks terrible too. Edges will tarnish or rust quickly if left wet or stored in humid conditions. Pack wet skis into a bag, travel home, and leave them unopened for months, and the result won’t be pretty – for you or your ski technician.

Before packing up, wipe your edges dry. Once home, take your skis out of the bag straight away and let them finish drying before storing them properly (and definitely not in the loft, see FL198 for storage advice).

5. Get your skis serviced – and keep them running consistently for years to come

Since your skis are already out, take a moment to check the bases for scratches or gouges, and make sure the edges are free from major damage. After a few days on snow your skis will benefit from another wax to feed the bases.

Don’t wait until the week before your next trip, when ski shops are at their busiest. Drop your skis in at the end of a trip, or during the quieter off-season, so they’re ready to go next time with zero stress. If there’s deeper damage – like a gouge exposing the wood core – catching it early will prevent much bigger problems later.

Finally, if you fancy learning to do some of this yourself during the long summer months, our ski technician courses are a great way to fill the off-season gap. theskierslounge.co.uk

Keeping your skis waxed is simply ski ownership 101

fall-line.co.uk 97

COMPETITION

WIN

H

HEAD GEAR BUNDLE

ere’s a competition for skiers who like to charge hard, wherever the mountain takes them – the chance to win a Head kit setup worth a whopping £1,020.

Up for grabs is your choice of the Head Kore 100 (unisex) or the women's Kore 93W, paired with Tyrolia Protector Attack LYT bindings.

The Kore 100 is a modern freeride classic: light, powerful, and incredibly versatile. Built using Head’s Freeride Sandwich Cap construction, it combines a karuba-beech lightweight wood core with Graphene to deliver impressive strength and stability without the weight penalty. A hybrid top surface, structured UHM C base, and tip-tail rocker keep things fast, damp and confidence-inspiring, whether you’re railing groomers, blasting through chop or heading off-piste. Prefer something a little narrower and tuned specifically for women? The Kore 93W delivers the same big mountain DNA in a slightly slimmer package. With a PET wood core, Graphene reinforcement, and the same Freeride Sandwich Cap construction, it’s light on the feet but seriously composed when the terrain gets demanding.

Both skis come supplied with Tyrolia Protector Attack LYT bindings, featuring Head’s innovative heel-release technology designed to help reduce knee injuries, without compromising performance. It’s cutting-edge safety combined with all the precision and power you’d expect from a high-performance freeride binding.

To round out the prize, Head is also throwing in a Freeride Single Ski Bag – a tough, practical home for your new setup. It features a roll-top design for easy length adjustment, a full zip for quick access, an adjustable shoulder strap for balanced carrying, and an extra durable base to stand up to travel abuse. Head online to Fall-Line.co.uk now to enter.

WORTH OVER

£1,000

• Looking for extra ski inspiration? Check out Head’s latest Freeski Team film, Out of the Ordinary, on YouTube

SCAN ME!

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THIS HEAD BUNDLE HEAD TO FALL-LINE.CO.UK BY 16 FEBRUARY 2026 98 fall-line.co.uk

TRIED & TESTED THE TESTERS Nicola Iseard

Publisher & Editor Style: Steeps, speed and spread eagles Dream line: Kill the Banker, Revelstoke

Al Morgan

Gear editor Style: Fun. I love variety, but it’s gotta be fun Dream line: Coire Reibert down to Loch A’an

Amy Marwick

Assistant editor Style: All-terrain ripping, big mountain grinning Dream line: Anything steep and pow-filled

Rich Evans

Sales manager Style: Big kid at play Dream line: Bucket list Japanese powder

Amber Evans

Tester Style: Piste play and off the sides Dream line: A long, quiet, tree-lined red

Ski Mojo £594

*Rich learnt to ski as a kid, lives for powder days, and has used a Mojo for years; Amber started skiing in her 30s, is building confidence on steeper pistes, and is brand new to the Mojo.

TESTED BY RICH & AMBER* Think of the Ski Mojo as an exoskeleton that sits under (or over) your ski trousers and attaches to your ski boots. A system of straps wraps around your hips and knees, while shock-absorbing springs are designed to reduce pain and fatigue. In simple terms, the spring-recoil tech takes some of the strain off your legs: Ski Mojo claims by up to a third. There are three models available – Blue, Silver and Gold – selected purely by skier weight.

WHY I TRIED IT

Rich: I’ll be honest, when I first heard about the Ski Mojo, my reaction was something along the lines of: “Get fit, you lazy git.” But after too many knee operations on my left leg, reality hit. No amount of squats was going to rebuild cartilage that’s long since gone. I gave the Mojo a go out of necessity – and now, after years of using it, I’d sooner forget my lift pass than my Mojo.

Amber: I didn’t start skiing until I was an adult, but I fell in love with it quickly. I became comfortable on most pistes, though my knees didn’t always love me back. Years of dancing, gymnastics and general wear and tear meant my ski days were getting shorter each season.

Full days became three or four hours, and by the end of a trip I was struggling to ski at all.

I’d seen the Mojo work wonders for others – eventually curiosity (and frustration) got the better of me.

SETUP & FIRST IMPRESSIONS Chrigl Luthy

Tester Style: Terrain tickler.

Generally airborne Dream line: Tree skiing.

Anywhere

Got something you want testing?

We are always looking to put new gear through its paces, and we try to cover as much as possible throughout the season. However, if you have something we’ve missed then drop us a line at info@fall-line.co.uk 100 fall-line.co.uk

Rich: The initial setup took a bit of fiddling.

I recall tape measures, Allen keys and some choice swear words. But, once I dialled in the fit – and wrote my settings down (top tip) – it became part of my daily routine. It’s a bit of a faff to put on, but honestly, ski boots are worse, and no one’s suggesting giving those up.

Amber: I was using a borrowed Mojo, not even perfectly adjusted to me, and still found it incredibly straightforward. I just strapped it on and went skiing. There was no strange mechanical sensation, no feeling that it was changing how I skied – just support. I did feel some pressure against my leg at first, especially when walking, but after a bit of mid-mountain tweaking, I got it dialled.

ON-SNOW PERFORMANCE

Rich: I’d been warned the Mojo would make powder and bumps harder. If anything, it improved my skiing. The harness naturally keeps me balanced over the middle of my skis and stops that classic lean-too-far-forwardthen-back wobble. I’ve found it a genuine advantage in powder and bumps, not a hindrance. Where it really comes into its own

is on hard, icy pistes. The Mojo dampens vibrations, and takes some of the sting out of high-speed carving, letting me ski longer with less fatigue.

Amber: The difference for me was immediate.

Tentative turns disappeared and I stopped skiing protectively. Instead, I was committing fully, skiing with enthusiasm again. My knee pain faded into the background, and for the first time in years, I didn’t feel the need to hold back.

My ski days jumped from a few cautious hours to full days. I took advantage of free ski guiding, hammered timed slalom runs, and even tackled a World Cup slope. The contrast between skiing with and without the Mojo was stark.

WHAT IT’S NOT SO GOOD AT

Rich: If your thing is launching off kickers in the park, the Mojo probably isn’t for you.

It’s always trying to straighten your legs, which doesn’t exactly scream ‘big air.’

Slim-fitting ski trousers are also a nightmare – they snag and bunch up. Switching the system on and off for chairlifts can be fiddly depending on your layers.

Eventually, the cable will need replacing, and there’s no warning before it goes. Ski Mojo does offer spare parts, but they’re not cheap – something worth factoring in. ski-mojo.co.uk

FALL LINE VERDICT:

Rich: Not flawless, not cheap, and sometimes fiddly – but, for me, an absolute essential. I wouldn’t ski without it.

Amber: For me, the Mojo didn’t just add hours to my ski day – it gave me back the joy of skiing itself.

“The Mojo dampens vibrations, and takes the sting out of high-speed carving, letting me ski longer” fall-line.co.uk 101

TRIED & TESTED

Armada have stepped into the techy world of boots. And we are mightily impressed

Armada AR One 130 MV £580 TESTED BY AL This season sees Armada step into the technical world of ski boots with the new AR One MV range, covering flexes from 90-130, in 10-point increments. While the boot concept and design comes from Armada, they’ve boxed clever on this project by working with their sibling company Atomic for the construction and manufacturing. This makes a lot of sense, benefiting from Atomic’s boot-building expertise while bringing that Armada flair and desire to follow their own path.

There is a lot to this boot, and we’ve already covered much of this in the Alpine Boots section of our 2026 Gear Guide, where the AR One 130 MV and 110 MV won Editors’ Choice awards. You can also find all the tech-specs on armadaskis.com, but here I want to let you know how this boot fits and performs.

FIT

The AR One MV has a forefoot width of 100mm in the 26.5MP size, which is the one I tested. Some MV boots can feel very roomy across the forefoot, but I feel the AR One has excellent hold up-front. Yes, the liner has packed out a little with use, but not detrimentally so. I would select to ski a narrow-last boot normally, but the AR One doesn’t leave me swimming around, so I find it onpar with many other performance-orientated MV boots.

The hybrid cabrio design is easy for me to get my foot into, despite trashed ankles. You get a buckle and power strap for the cuff, with Armada’s Slingshot buckle holding you back into the ankle pocket and over the instep.

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The forefoot buckle is, like the cuff one, a regular ladder affair.

The claw power strap, cuff and forefoot are easy to fasten. I tend to do these up first, as it makes it easy to fasten the Slingshot buckle. The lever allows the cable to slide towards the ladder, which makes fastening far easier. Even though this is a mediumvolume boot, it does not have as much room over the instep as many other MV boots.

The liner is fabulous, with a moderately firm foam giving excellent hold and comfort. The heel hold is equally impressive, aided by this innovative Slingshot buckle.

It is not the longest boot inside. If you are on the upper end of the length of a boot size, it is something worth noting.

You can heat mould the shell and the liner, but I just swapped the stock footbed for my own and used the boot straight out of the box. Any good ski shop can mould this for you, although the tongue, unusually, must be taken off for heating the shell.

PERFORMANCE

This boot has a brilliantly smooth flex. The hold around the leg, thanks to the overlap cuff, is secure and you can really drive into the shell. Flex wise, it’s on the moderate to stiffer end of 130. Some other brands are far softer, but this boot, unsurprisingly, is very similar in pressure of flex to a 130 Atomic Hawx Ultra or Prime boot. To be clear, those and this Armada are very different boots.

I had no issue skiing on pretty fat freeride skis with the AR One, or when driving firmer piste skis.

H&M Move StormMove™ Jacket & Pants £170 & £170 TESTED BY NICOLA

At Fall Line we pride ourselves on keeping an open mind, so when a brand traditionally rooted outside the ski industry steps into the alpine arena, we’re keen to give it a fair assessment.

Enter H&M Move. H&M is a brand best known for its fashionable, unfussy, goodvalue urban wear. But how does that translate to ski apparel? In truth, the answer aligns closely with expectations: lighter-weight constructions, excellent value, and far from expedition-grade.

The StormMove™ jacket and pants I tested represent the most technical offering in H&M Move’s ski line. The fit is described as ‘Loose’ on H&M’s website, and while that holds true in some areas, it’s not consistent throughout; the sleeves and torso are notably roomy, while the shoulders and overall length are comparatively slim and short (I tested a Small and typically wear a UK 10). It’s a slight mismatch, but one that will likely suit those who prefer a relaxed silhouette. The bib pants fit fairly snugly at the waist, though they do have a stretchy panel around the torso (although, they are crucially missing a drop-seat for easy bathroom stops).

Pocket placement is well judged. The jacket has a dedicated lift-pass pocket and well-positioned phone pocket, plus a handy stuff pocket on the inside. Zip quality on the smaller pockets feels adequate for short-term use, but I do question their long-term durability; the main front zip is reassuringly more robust.

The outer fabric and lining are soft, making the jacket and pants comfortable to move in, whether around town or skiing. H&M Move’s ThermoMove™ insulation provides light padding, which proved effective during the recent cold snap here in the French Alps, keeping me comfortably warm. I did notice that the StormMove™ membrane beneath the outer fabric had a slightly crinkly feel, but this was unnoticable once skiing.

Waterproofing and breathability are rated at 10k/10k — sufficient only for resort skiing and lighter weather.

The jacket hood is padded and adjustable, sitting neatly over a helmet.

There is a powder skirt that does well to keep out any extra drafts. I love the boot cuffs — generously stretchy, making them refreshingly easy to pull over ski boots. hm.com

FALL LINE VERDICT:

A fashion brand’s take on ski wear that works best for relaxed resort days.

Ski wear with a High Street twist - also available in men's

The rubber boot board is a feature I love, helping smooth out juddery terrain or harsh landings, with a softer rubber compound than some other similar designs I’ve tested.

I often remove Velcro power straps and replace them with an elasticated claw power strap. No need to do this with the AR One, as the 130 comes fitted with one as standard. Armada, thank you.

It has a GripWalk sole, and they add tech toe inserts, although you don’t get pin inserts in the heel. No other AR One model gets any pin function though. The lack of walk mode combined with toe pin slots shows how they think customers may be using this boot. I am such a use case, as I did quite a bit of ascending on skis with the AR One. I used it with Duke PT and Shift bindings. This meant I could rip around like a regular alpine rig, then skin for fresh lines. I simply loosened all the buckles and straps, and skinning for up to an hour or so was not an issue. armadaskis.com

FALL LINE VERDICT:

The AR One is a mightily impressive alpine boot for lovers of piste and powder. If you want to skin a little, to get even more of the soft snow surfy feel, the pin inserts are a blessing.

fall-line.co.uk 103

“THE LONELY PLANET OF SKI WEBSITES WRITTEN BY REAL, PASSIONATE SKIERS”

NEED RESORT INFO? Check out Fall Line’s sister site Welove2ski.com!

The Encyclopaedia of the World’s Ski Resorts Plus: Real-time snow reports, beginner skiing content, expert advice and more…

Head to Welove2ski.com and discover the ultimate ski info resource

GEAR OF THE YEAR 2026

PISTE & ALL-MOUNTAIN SETUPS Buckle up, it’s time to strap yourself in for the ride of your life

P

iste is the new cool, or at least that’s how it feels thanks to the stellar selection of carving curiosities ski brands are pumping out at the moment. It’s not just about detuned race skis either, with fun as high up the design agenda as grip and energy.

This playful attitude is further blurring the line between all-mountain and piste, with rocker, easy release and predictable handling common characteristics of both genres of ski. The other pieces of kit you use for one are just as suitable for the other. The main thing to ask yourself is: ‘Do I live for carving, or is variety the spice that

satiates?’ If you can answer that, you’ll know which of the following pages to aim for.

Don’t be afraid you’re going to pigeonhole yourself though, as piste kit can happily mix it up in the variable snow off the sides. All-mountain toys may be moulded with a little more freeride flair, but they’ve still got your back when the snow’s firmed up. Still not sure? The gear in the following section may help you decide, or blow caution to the wind and get both.

Happy skiing – and keep the snow dances going.

This could be the season we’re all reminiscing about in 10 years’ time.

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MEN’S PISTE GEAR 4

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1. NORDICA DOBERMANN MULTIPISTA DC FDT SKI £930 including bindings

Lengths: 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185cm Radius: 15.5m @ 175cm Dimensions: 119-74-97mm Weight per ski: 2,050g w/o binding (no stated size)

fitted with a GripWalk sole and is a perfect partner for skis like the Nordica Multipista, delivering incredible suspension and dampening. atomic.com

3. ONE-WAY GTX 14 POLES £65

5. SHRED TOTALITY NOSHOCK HELMET £180

A different take on piste poles. They come as 140cm and the shop (or you) cuts them to the length you need. Available in a range of colours, and you can mix and match component’s colours, using the One-Way app. onewaysport.com

Ted Ligety’s helmet and goggle company, Shred, makes superb ski protection. This model pairs the Slytech Shock Absorption tech with a Rotational Energy System, greatly enhancing safety. Super comfy and we know many pros that swear by this helmet. shredoptics.com

Lengths (cm): Up to 140 A multi-faceted shred-stick for fun times on-piste.

FL tester Dickie sums it up perfectly: “Easy to ski fast yet a cinch to whip it around. It might be, on reflection, my favourite piste ski despite not actually behaving like a ‘proper’ piste ski.” nordica.com

2. ATOMIC REDSTER TX 120 BOOT £550 Sizes (MP): 23.0 – 29.5 Volume: Low Last (mm): 96mm Flex 120 Weight (per boot): 2,244g (26.5MP)

The Redster TX (Team Cross) is a totally new boot, delivering race-like performance in a far more comfortable shape and width. The 120 comes 106 fall-line.co.uk

synthetic insulation. Great features, mega comfy, and it looks ace. thenorthface.com

4. THE NORTH FACE MEN’S CHAKAL JACKET AND PANT Jacket £340, pant £225 The Chakal is made using recycled materials, with DryVent tech to keep the weather out and let internal moisture escape. It delivers decent warmth, thanks to its own Heatseeker

6. PANDA OPTICS RS2 GOGGLE £142 The new RS2 may be a Race Series product, but it’s fantastic for general skiing, with a polarised, quick-swap magnetic lens, and a spare low-light yellow lens in the box. Impressive comfort, ace optics, and it works great over glasses. pandaoptics.co.uk

WOMEN’S PISTE GEAR 3

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1. ROSSIGNOL NOVA 10 SKI £650 including bindings

Lengths: 156, 163, 169cm Radius: 12.0m @ 163cm Dimensions: 130-75-112mm Weight per ski: 1,700g @ 163cm without binding It’s so good, the Nova 10 won Fall Line’s coveted Women’s Piste Ski of the Year award for a second consecutive season. Editor Nicola loves it: “Anything you tell this ski to do, it does, with ease and energy.” rossignol.com

2. FISCHER RC4 105 MV BOA BOOT £460

The liner updates for this season enhance the hold so you can squarely focus on the joy of turning. fischersports.com

3. HALTI WOMEN’S NORDIC ARCTY II JACKET AND CARVEY II PANT Jacket £300, pant £249 Fully featured for carving cosiness, the waterproof Arcty II is a giant hug of a jacket, filled with 100% recycled synthetic insulation. The pants have removable braces and use Halti’s superb DrymaxX material to keep you fully weather protected. halti.com

Sizes (MP): 22.5 – 27.5 / 25.5 – 30.5 Volume: Medium Last (mm): 100 Flex: 105 Weight (per boot): N/A

4. HESTRA WOMEN’S FALL LINE 5-FINGER GLOVE £120

The RC4 105 delivers sensational skiing performance, with a superb wrap around the foot thanks to the BOA H+i1 dial and cable closure.

This leather-clad beauty has the best name, is fabulously soft, warm and comfortable, and comes with wrist straps. Available in a range of colours,

the women’s Fall Line has a slimmer cut than the men’s. Also available as a mitt. hestragloves.uk

5. SCOTT FLOW MIPS HELMET £150 Luxuriously comfy with in-mould construction to keep the weight down. Active venting allows you to control the flow, and Mips adds an added layer of safety. Want Recco and a magnetic buckle? Go for the Pro version at £180. scott-sports.com

6. OAKLEY LINE MINER PRO M GOGGLE £259 The slimmer outline of the M model fits women brilliantly. The lens is sensational, and the quickswap lens-change makes switching to the included Prizm Snow Iced Iridium lens (about the best low-light lens, in our opinion) incredibly easy. oakley.com fall-line.co.uk 107

MEN’S ALL-MOUNTAIN GEAR 4 5

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1. SALOMON STANCE PRO 86 SKI £790 with bindings

control. We loved how the new Mach 1 LV boot skied in testing. blizzard-tecnica.com

and we liked the extra storage and snow protection it gives. shackleton.com

3. SCOTT TEAM ISSUE SRS POLES £85 Lengths (cm): 110-140

5. ALPINA VERSATILE PRO MIPS HELMET £230

A test-crew fave, the low weight (240g) and stiff 18mm alloy shaft is a great combo. Now fitted with the powder basket as standard. We love this year’s colours, and the grip is brilliant. The quick-release strap helps prevent injuries. scott-sports.com

The large openings on top can easily be adjusted to tweak how much air gets in. Fitted with Mips and they use different densities of EPS for added safety. One of the most comfortable helmets we've tested for this season. alpina-sports.com

Sizes (MP): 22.0 – 27.5 / 24.0 – 31.0 Volume: Low Last (mm): 98 Flex: 105 / 120 Weight (per boot): 1,835g (26.5MP)

4. SHACKLETON FORTUNA HARDSHELL JACKET AND BIB PANT Jacket £765, pant £645

6. HEAD NEVES SUNSCREEN GOGGLE £330

Incredible hold and customisation, thanks to its CAS tech (Custom Adaptive Shape), and the awesome liner. The spine-mounted T-Drive 2.0 provides enhanced power, drive and lateral

Designed and tested with Team GB coaches, it’s beautifully soft, with great stretch, and fleece panels in the jacket improve warmth. The fantastic, removeable stretch bib helps prevent overheating,

Lengths: 151, 161, 169, 177, 185cm Radius: 17.0m @ 177cm Dimensions: 125-86-107mm Weight per ski: 1,930g @ 177cm without binding For intermediate through to expert skiers wanting to ski on-piste and off the sides. It’s so good, it beat all other skis, in all the men’s categories, to win the men’s Overall Ski of the Year award. ’Nuff said. salomon.com

2. TECNICA MACH1 LV 120 TD2 GW BOOT £490

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One of the most impressive products we’ve ever tested. The style may not suit everyone, but the tint-change tech is phenomenal. No batteries, no buttons to fiddle with, just perfectly adjusted tint in an instant, covering S1 to S3. head.com

If life is about taking one moment at a time, pause for a second.

The next hundred are about to happen too quickly to remember.

SCOTT-SPORTS.COM 2024.25 | Photo: Jeremy Moritz Ablinger Bernard © SCOTT-Sports | 2025.26 Florian Fatton

WOMEN’S ALL-MOUNTAIN GEAR 4 2

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1. ATOMIC MAVEN 88 CTI SKI £570 without bindings

Lengths: 147, 153, 159, 165, 172cm Radius: 15.5m @ 165cm Dimensions: 121-87.5-106mm Weight per ski: 1,450g @ 165cm without binding A proper all-mountain ski, dishing out the goods on and off the groomers. The ease-of-use works for intermediate level, yet it has more than enough in the tank for technical experts to go out and have the best time. atomic.com

2. ARMADA STRIVE 12 GW BINDING £150 DIN range: 4 – 12 Atomic (and Salomon) also offer the Strive, but this colour from Armada looks bangin’ with this ski and boot combo. The Strive provides a balanced position, max feedback and quick ski response, thanks to the LDN (low, direct, neutral) design. armadaskis.com 110 fall-line.co.uk

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3. ROXA R/FIT MV 105 W BOOT £425

Sizes (MP): 22.5 – 27.5 / 24.5 – 30.5 Volume: Medium Last (mm): 100 – 102 Flex: 105 / 120 Weight (per boot): N/A The out-of-the-box shape is superb, reducing pressure in those common problem areas.

A dual-injected shell and cuff mean getting them on and off is easy, but they deliver excellent lateral drive and power, with a decent amount of damping. Great value too. roxa.com

4. HELLY HANSEN WOMEN’S POWDERQUEEN 3.0 JACKET AND POWDERQUEEN 2.0 BIB PANT Jacket £410, pant £300 The Powderqueen jacket and pant, with Helly Tech waterproof, breathable construction and PrimaLoft Black Eco insulation has you covered for piste

cruising, blasting out tram lines or hunting powder off the sides. Ace tech, killer features and fab value. hellyhansen.com

5. BOLLÉ KEYSTONE MIPS HELMET £120 The minimalist and clean aesthetic looks fab, and it is very comfortable. Although there’s not loads of venting, we found it great for piste blasting and fun off the sides. At £120 with Mips you get stellar value too. bolle.com

6. ANON M6 GOGGLE £270 This comes with a spare quick-change magnetic lens, protective case and more, but the Magnetic Face Mask is ace. It magnetically integrates with the goggle, providing excellent protection from the cold, or use it without, like a regular goggle. burton.com

PHOTOCHROMIC_LENSES BOLLE

Light Adaptive Lens Technology

Adaptation is key.

Get the best vision, no matter the conditions, with Phantom photochromic lenses.

RETAILERS’ DIRECTORY ACTIVE SNOWSPORTS activesnowsports.com 01473 487474 Suffolk Ski Centre, Ipswich

ABSOLUTE SNOW absolute-snow.co.uk 01442 232154 Watford, Herts

ALPINE ROOM

B Snowboard stockist

BOARDWISE B boardwise.com 01543 505084 Cannock

BRAEMAR MOUNTAIN SPORTS braemarmountainsports.com 01339 741242 Braemar, Scotland

alpineroom.co.uk 01245 223563 Danbury, Essex

COYOTI SKI & SNOWBOARD

ANYTHING TECHNICAL

Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

coyoti.com 01446 775778

skiequipmentuk.co.uk 01539 734701 Kendal, Cumbria

ellis-brigham.com 0800 035 6483 mail.order@ellis-brigham.com Nationwide The UK’s largest and most established ski retailer with 27 stores nationwide. Stockists of the largest range of men’s and women’s ski and boot brands, including Atomic, Salomon and Rossignol. Try before you buy today at selected locations nationwide.

ATTWOOLLS attwoolls.co.uk 01452 742233 Gloucester

BAC OUTDOOR LEISURE bac-e.com 01422 371146 Elland, West Yorkshire

BACKCOUNTRY UK backcountryuk.com 01943 816011 Ilkley, West Yorkshire

countryside.co.uk 01438 353086 Stevenage, Herts As one of the oldest independent ski shops in the UK, Countryside Ski & Climb are dedicated to bringing you the best gear with unmatched customer service.

Offering expert fitting and advice on all things ski, with gear from leading brands such as Patagonia, Salomon, Hestra and Helly Hansen. Prepare for your next adventure with Countryside Ski & Climb.

finchesemporium.com 020 8699 6768 Forest Hill, London Finches Emporium, a family-run independent ski, snowboard and bike shop in London since 1947. Our staff are dedicated to making sure you have the best experience when purchasing your dream equipment and clothing, ensuring a happy holiday. Outstanding google reviews for our amazing customer service, vast array of stock, and excellent servicing for skis/snowboards and bikes.

FLUID LINES craigdonmountainsports.com Perth craigdonperth.co.uk

banksofperth.co.uk 01738 624928 Perth, Scotland Being dedicated skiers we pride ourselves in our specialist ski boot fitting, full shell adaptation, liner moulding and custom insoles.

Wide range of skis, boots and clothing all widely tried and tested. Full ski workshop in store, on site servicing.

BIG DICK’S BOARDSTORE B

dicksboardstore.co.uk 0114 279 7909 Sheffield, South Yorkshire

BLUES THE SKI SHOP

tiso.com/blues 0131 554 9101 Scotland (Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness & Perth) 112 fall-line.co.uk www.fall-line.co.uk

Inverness cmsinverness.uk Aberdeen themountainedge.com Scotland’s largest independent ski retailer with five locations throughout Scotland. We pride ourselves on our friendly service and expertise, offering a wide range of ski equipment and clothing, including custom boot fitting and ski touring departments.

fluid-lines.co.uk 01206 545533 Colchester

HIKE AND RIDE hikeandride.co.uk 07719 315301 London

HORACE BARTON & SON horacebarton.co.uk 01242 516772 Cheltenham, Glos

LD MOUNTAIN CENTRE ldmountaincentre.com 0191 232 3561 Newcastle, Tyne & Wear

naskisports.co.uk 0330 135 9447 info@naskisports.co.uk Cardiff, South Wales Naski Sports is a family-owned, independent snowsports store in Cardiff, South Wales. Passionate about skiing and snowboarding, we offer a wide range of highquality clothing and equipment in-store and online. Our expert boot fitters provide custom ski boot fitting, and our in-house workshop offers professional ski and snowboard servicing.

NEVISPORT nevisport.com 01479 810239 Nationwide

PROFEET

profeet.co.uk 0207 736 0046 London

ROUTE ONE routeone.co.uk Nationwide

rivingtonalpine.co.uk 01257 483999 Adlington, Lancs Specialising in service and knowledge for ski hardware.

We’re Masterfit graduate fitters, and have a fully equipped boot lab with fit guarantee.

We have ski tested extensively and can provide you with excellent, first-hand advice for ski purchasing and on-site servicing.

Hardware is our thing.

Oh and Jägermeister, don’t forget the Jägermeister!

LOCKWOODS

SCOOTER & SKI

DEVON SKI CENTRE

LOVE & PISTE

SKEE-TEX

DEVINE RIDE

MAGIC TOAST B

SKI & SPORT RETAIL

devonski.co.uk 01626 833356 Newton Abbot, Devon

devineride.co.uk 0121 4231160 Halesowen, West Midlands

lockwoods.com 01926 339388 Leamington Spa, Warks loveandpiste.co.uk 01509 853944 Loughborough, Leics magictoast.com 0116 2124262 Leicester, Leics

scooterandski.co.uk 0117 970 1356 Bristol skee-tex.co.uk 01268 768282 Essex

skiandsportretail.co.uk 01246 292010 Dronfield, Derbyshire

FOR A FULL LIST OF SIGB RETAIL MEMBERS HEAD TO SIGB.ORG.UK Vector

skibartlett.com 0208 848 0040 info@skibartlett.com Uxbridge, West London Bringing you the most comprehensive range of skis and boots in the UK, combined with over 50 years of specialist expertise and friendly, helpful advice. Our goal is to help you choose the correct equipment to improve your skiing. We are custom boot fitting specialists, and Ski Industries of Great Britain official ski testers. We are also a World Snow Awards winner.

SKI EXCHANGE skiexchange.co.uk 01954 210984 Cambridge, Cambs

THE SKI SHOP

snowlab.co.uk 01323 848410 Hailsham, East Sussex Snow Lab is your go-to independent winter sports specialist. We provide top-tier products for all your winter adventures and offer expert custom boot fitting to ensure maximum comfort and performance Our onsite workshop handles all servicing needs, and we also offer high-quality ski and snowboard equipment rentals. Visit Snow Lab for everything you need to elevate your winter sports experience!

SNOW TOGS

skishops.co.uk 023 807 73925 Southampton, Hants

SNOWEAR

snowear.co.uk 01892 517807 Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Vector - 1 Colour

solutions4feet.com 01869 244424 fitting@solutions4feet.com Bicester, Oxfordshire Vector - Reversed

With over 60 years’ combined experience and the best equipped workshop in the UK we specialize in custom fitting of ski boots for all levels of skier from novice to Olympic gold medalist and everything in between. Fit solutions for serious leg and foot injuries and conditions our specialty. By appointment at our Bicester store.

SUBVERT

ADVERTISE WITH US Advertise your business here and be seen by the kind of folk who view shopping for skis, boots, helmets and kit as serious stuff.

Fall Line’s esteemed ad manager Rich is the guy who can make the magic happen.

For details email him on sales@fall-line.co.uk

subvertboardstore.com 0161 7476066 Castleford & Manchester

SUFFOLK SKI CENTRE

theski-shop.co.uk 01732 464463 Sevenoaks, Kent

suffolkskicentre.co.uk 01473 487474 Ipswich, Suffolk snowfit.co.uk 01603 716655 info@snowfit.co.uk Norwich, Norfolk

TheSkiersLounge.co.uk 01403 915 655 support@theskierslounge.co.uk Nr. Horsham, West Sussex Experienced ski boot fitters carrying a range of boots for all feet from first time buyers to seasonnaires. Our FREE by appointment fitting in our specialist showroom ensures the best possible ski boot fit whether you require comfort and/or performance. Our advanced workshop repairs and services skis and is a training centre for technicians across the globe.

A family-run Ski and Snowboard shop in Norwich (est. 1998).

Huge range of equipment, clothing, boots and accessories.

Our dedicated, experienced and friendly staff will help you get the best out of your winter sports experience.

On-site boot fitting, Physio Clinic, ski/snowboard servicing - Snowfit Revolutionz is the one-stop shop for skiers and snowboarders.

snowtraxstore.co.uk 01202 499155 sales@snowtraxstore.co.uk

thebootbus.com 07792 199099 thebootbus@outlook.com Kent The Boot Bus is a one-stop ski shop, providing all you need from an alpine stockist at a time and location that suits you best. With our mobile service we visit you to service skis, fit boots and everything in between.

Covering the South-East UK & more!

snowandrock.com 0117 456 2355 Stores Nationwide Providers of the best snowsport brands, built to perform in the world’s wildest locations. In-store custom ski boot fitting and gear advice from passionate experts, helping you make the right choice for adventure and the planet. United by attitude over nearly four decades of inspiring you to push your limits.

Est 1975. An independent ski and snowboard retailer, with years of experience. Large selection of quality products in store and online. Expert boot fitting service. On-site dry ski slope and equipment servicing workshop.

VENTURA

Christchurch, Dorset Founded in 1989, our store has been a trusted retailer in the winter sports industry for over three decades.

We take pride in our commitment to quality, professionalism and Ski Boot Fitting services. At Snowtrax, we don’t just sell skis and ski boots; we test each and every product we offer. #wetestweknow is not just our slogan, it’s our way of ensuring that our customers can have complete confidence in the equipment they choose. When you shop with us, you’re not just buying gear; you’re investing in the knowledge and experience that only our years of hands-on testing can provide. You can trust Snowtrax for the best skis on the market, and expert Ski Boot fitting in our popular Boot Lab.

tallingtonlakesproshop.com 01778 381154 sales@tallington.com Tallington, Lincolnshire

THE OUTDOOR STORE braemarmountainsports.com 01339 753878 Ballater, Scotland

THE SNOWBOARD ASYLUM B

venturaski.co.uk 01942 717971 St Helens, Merseyside

WHITE STONE

white-stone.co.uk 01423 858584 Harrogate, North Yorkshire

ellis-brigham.com 01827 59047 Tamworth, Staffs (The Snowdome)

TRESPASS

trespass.com 0141 568 8089 Nationwide

fall-line.co.uk 113

Through the Sella’s Midday Couloir

It’s over to the heart of Dickie Fincher’s skiing soul, the Dolomites, to cut through the middle of the mighty Sella Massif and ski a giant couloir lit up by the midday sun

T

he Sella – the whopping blob of rock in the middle of the four ski resorts making up the Sella Ronda – has lived large in both my vision and imagination for nearly 30 years. My first visit remains the most memorable, and not just for blistering laps in both directions hanging onto the tails of Armin, the region’s marketing manager (they don’t employ mere spreadsheet warriors in mountain resorts, it turns out).

Day two was a trip across the top of the Sella and down one of the classic Dolomite itineraries, the Val di Mezdi. So called because although it’s north-facing, from early spring it lights up from above at midday, hence the name – Midday Couloir.

We were there on an early February morning so skied down a vast, looming slot rather than a sunlit slash. At this early end of the season it was in very good condition and we finished on the powdery shoulders of the massif, hooking straight back into the lift system. Even after all these years I’ve come across few better hike and rides into scenery to swoon at.

ROUTE GUIDE

First get yourself to the Passo Pordoi cable car half way between Arabba and Canazei. At the top, you’re heading first to the Rifugio Forcella Pordoi, a short and possibly mogully rattle from the lift. Then it’s a bootpack or sidestep up to a short scoot east before you’ll need skins to get up to the shoulder below the blunt limestone top of Piz Boe. You’re heading north by this point towards Rifugio Boe. There are stakes to follow and it flattens out for a traverse leaving the summit to your right. As you approach the saddle above the couloir there’s a short ascent and you’ll head north-east after the Rifugio Boe. It’s closed in winter, so unpack a snack here in the sun.

You are in the middle of peak Dolomite. Limestone walls to the right and ahead, with the route visible to the north-east

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down a fiddly though not sketchy access. It depends on how busy it’s been, obviously, but then this is a popular route, so unless you’re in quickly after a dump you can expect a scratchy start. You’re heading towards the Berger Tower on your left and then picking your way down. Past the steeper slope is where the valley widens and you can explore the inevitably less-tracked conditions along the sides.

Time it right as the sun hits both sides and the couloir lights up, positively luminous with the orange glow thrown off the rock. Take your time down here, more to simply soak up the views. Though the skiing is good, this is a trip best savoured with fine visibility to see the valley below framed by the, at times, vertical sides of the gorge. As you come towards the lower end the village of Colfosco lies below. It’s an aiming point, but not the destination; a right turn below the cliffs track the stream and redirects you towards Corvara. Before re-entering society there’s a boulder field to negotiate and a cross-country track to skate along, pointing you across the stream and towards the Borest lift, which sees you back into the main system.

For all those Dolomite-lovers who feel that knocking off the Sella Ronda at an ever-increasing pace, or the sheer magnificence of gastronomy has finally overwhelmed you, here’s your entry point into making more of the Massif. dolomitisuperski.com

“Even after all these years I’ve come across few better hike and rides into scenery to swoon at”

INFO

Route: Val di Mezdi Access: Any guides office on or near the Sella Ronda will run a tour and give up-to-date safety advice Reading: For quality info I can’t recommend Cicerone Guides: Ski Touring and Snowshoeing in the Dolomites highly enough Level of difficulty: Medium – must be able to ski off-piste comfortably Elevation gain without lifts: 150m Downhill: 1,400m Total time: 3-5 hours

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