InTheSnow (Issue 45 – Nov 2015)

INTHE SNOW

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ISSUE 45 | NOV 2015

T h e wo r l d ’s l a rg e st s k i a re a

JON OLSSON ‘‘GOOD PREP STARTS WITH THE FIRST LAYER’’

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THE ART OF LAYERING

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IN THIS

FEATURES

FALL IN LOVE  WITH SWITZERLAND THIS WINTER

BLAKE JORGENSON

STEFAN SCHLUMPF 7012 FELSBERG | SWITZERLAND

045

What’s not to love about Swiss skiing? Our six-page section

023

(that’s our biggest ever) lists all the reasons to fall (back) in

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075

SAFE VS SCARY  FUN & THRILLS OR DANGER On the one hand we’re told to wear helmets and air bags; on the other we’re encouraged to head off-piste or tackle the terrain park. We look at the contradictions.

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB  CELEBRATES ITS 50TH WINTER It’s the big 5-0 for 2010 Olympic host and one of the world’s most successful ski resorts of, well, the last five decades, BC’s Whistler Blackcomb. Here’s why it’s a happy birthday.

BLAKE JORGENSON

ANDY PARANT

love with skiing in Switzerland.

REGULARS

GEAR

NEW

007

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BOND ON LOCATION  IN THE TIROL 6-PAGE BOOT ROOM 081–086 

In Spectre, Daniel Craig’s Bond ventures onto snow for the first time, albeit in cars and planes, and not on skis. We look at the resorts in Austria’s Tirol where the movie was filmed.

This month’s round up of all the great new ski kit available to buy now for the coming season. It’s time to study our selection and decide what to add to your

SKI THE DOLOMITES 032

Christmas list for Santa, or maybe just get yourself.

patrick@inthesnow.com So Will It Be A Godzilla El Niño?

“Whaaa …?” you may well ask. Well, November is perhaps the most crucial month of the skiing year; by the end of it we’ll have a fairly good idea of whether the coming winter of 2015–16 is going to be the “snowmageddon” that the newspapers have been predicting since the summer. Of

COMPETITIONS 044 / 076 / 080

of Brits of an icy gridlock winter, little realising how the

065

SKI PAKISTAN 090

course they are scaremongering, playing on the fears thought of everything stopping for snow makes the heart

TEAM PUBLISHER

DOMINIC KILLINGER dom@inthesnow.com PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

MATT NICHOLSON matt@inthesnow.com

patrick@inthesnow.com OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

DEBBIE GABRIEL debbie@inthesnow.com SALES MANAGER

in Western North America. Add to that New England village authenticity and all inclusive resorts and bingo!

autumn’s snowless start to the season)? The truth is that of people from telling you they do. The early signs have

PATRICK THORNE

Easy to reach resorts, and last year some of the best snow

rather less exciting (although hopefully not a repeat of last still, nobody knows, but that doesn’t seem to stop a lot

EDITOR

 SKI VERMONT HOME TO THE WORLD’S GREATEST SKI RESORTS

sing for skiers and boarders. Or will it be something

GIANCARLO GAMBARDELLA giancarlo@inthesnow.com

SUB EDITORS

NICK JONES MARION ADAMS CONTRIBUTORS

SAM THORNE OLIVIA PARRY-JONES ANDY BLEAKLEY ANDY TAYLOR DANIEL ELKEN

ROSS WOODHALL

been promising. Of course it’s foolish to put too much store by them, but on the other hand it’s hard not to get

Printed in the UK.

excited; I know I am. Several snowfalls of a foot or more

No part of this publication

on glaciers in the Alps in September and October brought

may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored

powder conditions to the areas that had opened early, and

in a retrieval system or

up in Scandinavia it was cold enough for snowmaking to

transmitted, in any way or

start early in October. Ruka in Finnish Lapland, a ski area

means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission

that boasts the longest ski season for a non-glacier resort

SALLY BARTLETT ANNA BARTLETT

of the publishers in writing.

in the world, opened way back on 12 October.

COLUMNISTS

INTHESNOW LTD

based on an event in the Pacific Ocean called “El Niño”,

THE SNOW STUDIO

which brings precipitation (or, if it doesn’t happen, does

EQUIPMENT EDITOR

JON WEST PHIL SMITH JACK STEELE JENNY BLETCHER DESIGN BY

PICTURE EDITOR

© Copyright 2015

ROCKET BASE rocketbase.co.uk

The forecast super snow of the coming season is all

KINGS LANE, BUCKS HP16 0QY

not, as witnessed by four seasons of drought on the US West Coast). Some climate watchers point out this really

+44 (0)1494 862 423 DOM@INTHESNOW.COM INTHESNOW.COM

just affects states like California, but some in the British tabloid media have speculated that this winter’s predicted event, being upgraded unofficially to “Godzilla El Niño” by some of the less scientific community and also from strongest in a decade to strongest in 20, 50 and, the last bid, 65 years, before most recently reaching the giddy heights of “Strongest in Recorded History”.

The Met Office has sought to dampen excitement by pointing out that even if it is a record El Niño, no one has any existing weather models to work out how that will affect our weather in Europe. But I did like one comment I read from an American forecaster: “Um, guys? This winter could be a disaster! But the skiing is probably going to be insane.” Fingers crossed.

Follow us @inthesnowmag 005 // NOV15

DARE TO PLAY

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WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

W

Speaking on set in Sölden, Associate Producer,

tourist destination, like us, it was like winning the

Gregg Wilson, explained how he wanted to

lottery. It’s not every day that a small community

deliver “an amazing sequence,” which will

of 687 has a British secret agent coming to visit,”

be one of the major action sequences in the

said Obertilliach’s Mayor, Matthias Scherer.

movie. He promises it will be “spectacular” and

Sölden is already one of the world’s leading

added that “Austria seemed to have everything

ski resorts, already open for the season

we needed to pull it off.”

since September and hosting the first of the

For Dennis Gassner, Production Designer,

Northern Hemisphere’s World Cup races for

it had been a long journey through many

2015–16 on the last weekend of October as

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FILMING SPECTRE IN THE TIROL countries, seeking a location to fit with what

Spectre was released in the UK, and renowned

they were looking for, and as he puts it, “What

for its excellent snow reliability with access to

ith the release of the new James Bond movie,

could be more exciting than to be up there, on

two high glaciers, impressive lift system and

Spectre, Austria’s Tirol region, where the

top of the world?”

lively après-ski.

dramatic snow scenes were shot, has released

The Ice Q restaurant, located at 3048m at the

It’s expecting a further tourism boom from

more information on the filming of the 24th film

top of the Gaislachkogl, ticked all the boxes for

Spectre, and it’s easy for visitors to dine in

in the franchise that began more than 50 years

that unique, modern facility that they were after.

the ultra-cool high-altitude Ice Q mountain

ago and has seen numerous ski associations

For their second Tirolean shooting venue, the

restaurant.

down through the decades.

village resort of Obertilliach, located in East

Sölden offers a range of accommodation options

With one of the highest mountain roads in

Tirol, also plays a leading action role in Spectre.

from 5★ hotels to affordable guest houses

the Alps, a mountain lift station that looks like

Filmed over several days in January 2015, the

and apartments. Search them all using the

curved ribs of steel and a designer restaurant

scenes feature a traditional mountain hut, which

tourist board’s online booking service. It’s fast,

600 filmmakers in the international crew

in the shape of a giant ice cube, the ski resort

becomes the focus of a spectacular explosion.

reliable and allows you to search by a range of

of Sölden in the Ötztal valley of Tirol, Austria,

The so-called “Bond House”, as it is now

accommodation categories. The closest airport

250 filmmakers from Austria and Tirol

provided a complete mix of everything they

known by the locals, had originally come from

is Innsbruck, about an hour away and served by

needed for one of the main action scenes in

the neighbouring region, Styria, having been

easyJet, British Airways and Monarch Airlines,

130 million movie fans watched the

the new James Bond film.

dismantled and re-assembled on the slopes of

and a number of tour operators including Crystal

previous Bond film Skyfall

Spectre, which has just hit the big screen in the

the Golzentipp ski area, specifically for the film.

offer ski holidays here.

UK, a week or so before the rest of the world

Four locations in and around Obertilliach feature

Obertilliach is a smaller village with a smaller

for once, has had its snow action scenes shot

in the film, including scenes from the Grade II

ski area located 3 hours from Innsbruck but is

against a backdrop of the Ötztal Alps in Sölden

listed historic village centre of Obertilliach.

also hoping for a boom in Bond ski tourism.

and the smaller mountain village of Obertilliach

“I knew in March 2014 that the production

soelden.com

in East Tirol.

company had chosen Obertilliach, and for a

osttirol.com

SPECTRE IN THE TIROL IN NUMBERS 33 days of filming in Tirol 30,000 overnight stays by the cast and crew, staying in Tirol, Carinthia and Styria

210 suppliers from Austria and Tirol

€8.9 million spent in production-related expenditures in Tirol 007 James Bond

007 // NOV15

YOUNG FAMILY PASS IN AROSA Switzerland’s Arosa ski area is offering a new “Young Family” pass for families with one or more children aged under four. Rather than buy separate passes, a ticket for one adult can be purchased but is valid for both parents, who can use it alternately while the other cares for the children. The pass must carry a photograph showing both parents – a nice souvenir in years to come!

NEW TERRAIN PARK FOR CHAMONIX Chamonix has announced it will unveil an all-new terrain park this winter, and it claims it will be one of the biggest in Europe. The kilometre-long, 100m-wide park will be situated on the right side of the “Téléski du Col” drag lift at Le Tour and be served by its

FREEZE BIG AIR SKI EVENT “POSTPONED”

own quad chairlift as well as the surface lift.

WINTER CORPORATE GAMES

T

On 28 and 29 November, Tignes is hosting for the very first time the Winter Corporate Games which the French resort says will be the largest multi-sports corporate challenge in the world. Five hundred participants from about 40 organisations are expected to celebrate sports values, such as team spirit and surpassing oneself. Planned events include giant slalom, parallel slalom and biathlon races as well as golf on snow.

BIOMECHANICS CAMP A new Biomechanics Camp in Telluride, Colorado aims to teach people of all ages to ski efficiently and in a way that minimises stress on the body. Dr Kim Hewson,

THE BEACH BOYS TO OPEN ISCHGL

The event, which was to be an FIS-

enable us to deliver a bigger and

sanctioned World Cup event and

better event. More news and a

feature a concert by Nile Rodgers

revised date will follow shortly.”

and Chic, had been scheduled

All original tickets will still be valid

to take place on Saturday 14

and transferable to the new date,

November 2015.

but any original ticket holders

“The intention now is for Freeze Big

wishing to claim a refund can

Veteran Californian pop band The Beach

Air to take place during early 2016

call or email a contact given on

Boys will become the latest in a long line of

at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in

the site, and it will be processed

global superstars to play at the Austrian Tirol

London,” the statement reads.

within 7 days.

resort of Ischgl.

“We will be working with the

The announcement brought some

The band, famous for numerous hits including

International Ski Federation (FIS) and

angry comments on social media

Fun, Fun, Fun and Surfin’ USA will open Ischgl’s

he Freeze Big Air event billed

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to

with people posting that they had

long ski season with a free concert for lift ticket

as Britain’s biggest-ever ski

find a date that better fits with athlete

bought non-refundable hotel stays

holders on Saturday 28 November 2015.

competition has been postponed at

schedules and the wider competitive

and flights tickets to London for

Ischgl traditionally highlights the start and end

short notice without explanation.

calendar, and that will ultimately

the event.

of its 5-month season by staging a concert for the opening and closing weekends and over the years has seen more world-class superstars

orthopaedic surgeon, former Director of Sports Medicine at the University of Arizona,

LA PLAGNE GETS ZIPPY

and a lead Telluride Ski School instructor, has refined a scientific-based biomechanics approach that will be taught at this camp from

perform than any other resort – Elton John, Katy Perry, Robbie Williams, Deep Purple, Kylie and Rihanna to name but a few.

The concert will be at 6pm in Ischgl’s town arena – and entry is free with a valid lift pass.

final 9m base jump.

Day passes will be available for €65 (£48),

Entrance to the zip wires will cost

and for those staying in Ischgl, and therefore

€29 (£21) per adult and €19 (£14)

receiving a guest card, there will be 2-day

per child for a 90 minute session.

passes for €90.50 (£66.80) and 3-day passes

(elpro.fr)

for €118 (£87).

A new fun slope is being created this winter

The zip wires add to La Plagne’s

The late November opening is a major

at the Les 4 Vallées ski area of Savoleyres/

ever-growing list of non-ski winter

commitment for Ischgl, and several seasons

La Tzoumaz in Switzerland. The new family-

attractions which also include the

ago it was reported to have invested a million

NEW FUN RUN IN LES 4 VALLÉES

PHILIPPE ROYER

spider nets, wooden bridges and a

15 to 18 January 2016.

La Plagne is opening a network of

and many of the wires are situated

Olympic bobsleigh run and an

euros in snowmaking operations in order

contain elements such as a tunnel, bridge,

zip wires as a new attraction for the

45m off the ground.

artificial ice-climbing tower.

to open a large amount of terrain during an

snail, bends and small jumps. “This area is

coming winter.

They have been installed and

La Plagne is one of the world’s

unseasonably warm autumn when other resorts

designed to give children an opportunity to

There are ten wires to whizz down

run from Belle Plagne to Plagne

leading ski resorts, sharing the vast

scheduling opening weekend celebrations,

learn the basics of freestyle skiing,” a resort

in total, six of which will be more

Bellecôte, two high-altitude villages,

Paradiski area with neighbouring

including Europe’s highest resort, Val Thorens,

than 110m long, the longest 200m,

and the new area also features

Les Arcs.

decided to delay opening.

friendly Fun Slope on the Taillay run will

statement reads.

008 // NOV15 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

CRYSTAL SKI HOLIDAYS

Heavenly Skiing At Down To Earth Prices

KRONPLATZ BIG SUMMER SPENDER

SUPERSKI TO THE SUN AND BACK (NEARLY)

Italy’s Kronplatz ski area has announced yet another big summer spend on

Italy’s giant Dolomiti Superski region has released data on slopes usage

upgrades for the ski season. This is the latest in a long line of investments

last winter. With 1200km of piste it is one of the biggest lift-pass systems

which has transformed the ski region, part of the Dolomiti Superski, into one

and although it suffered a slight dip last winter in common with most of the

of the most technically advanced on the planet at present.

continent due to the challenging snow conditions, it still sold the equivalent

The South Tyrol resort already operates more gondola lifts than almost

of 9,339,166 day ski passes and recorded 137 million ski lifts used.

any other ski area in the world – 22 at the last count, matched only by

With the latest lift tickets also able to track usage, the region reports

Saalbach in Austria. This summer it has spent €7 million (£5 million)

that skiers clocked up a total 239 million kilometres of slopes covered

upgrading the key Belvedere gondola with a new state-of-the-art lift with

– almost the equivalent distance of skiing from the earth to the sun and

cabins each containing 15 seats and offering free on-board wi-fi. The lift

back! The average elevation gain covered by a person in a day was

can carry up to 3300 people per hour on its 1061m length.

more than 4000 vertical metres, and the average distance covered by a

Kronplatz has also added new terrain in recent seasons, and 2015–16

person was 25.5km of slopes.

will be no different, with a new blue grade run created by the lower

Dolomiti Superski also found that on average a guest only used the

section of the existing Ried run, and named Variante Ried.

same lift 2.4 times during a 6-day stay.

There’s also been a €2 million (£1.4 million) spend to enlarge the Alpen run

“As there are 450 lift facilities within the whole area, this data

on the hillside of Valdaora with a new snowmaking system installed too.

demonstrates the choice of undertaking long journeys on skis, crossing

Finally, a new Mountain Museum has opened at Kronplatz following

from one valley to the next without having to take the same lift,” reads a

another €3 million (£2.2 million) investment.

statement from the region.

JAPAN’S SNOW FESTIVAL HOKKAIDO TOURISM ASSOCIATION

festivities, although timing is slightly fluid for those, depending on nature’s whims, and though the ski slopes stay open to May, the fluffy powder will most likely be past its best.

But one event you can take in while the snow’s at its best on the slopes takes place in

High Quality Catered + Self Catered Accommodation

the city where your flight lands when you’re heading to resorts like Niseko on the northern island of Hokkaido.

The Sapporo Snow Festival sees some of the most incredible, and huge, snow creations appear each February.

The exciting Festival is held within the Odori Koen Park in the heart of the city and is one of Japan’s largest winter events, attracting two million people every year from at home There are lots of reasons to go skiing in Japan

tie in your ski trip with some of the stunning

and abroad.

of course – there’s that famously sensational

events that take place in Japan throughout

During the 7-day festival, the park is

snow as well as the less well-publicised lovely

the ski season.

transformed into a winter wonderland, with

locals and great food, plus currently a very

One option is to aim for a spring visit when you

larger-than-life snow sculptures and ice statues

favourable exchange rate. But you can also

can take in the world-famous cherry blossom

dotting the park grounds.

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009 // NOV15

French and Swiss Alps Snow Sure Resorts On / Near Piste locations No Hidden Extras Financially Bonded

0151 625 1921 mountainheaven.co.uk

LUCA GALUZZI

LHR AIRPORTS LIMITED

RYANAIR

FLIGHT SKI BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE FINDER

HEATHROW CAR RENTAL COMPARISON SERVICE

SKI 4 CANCER’S EVEREST CHALLENGE

A new baggage allowance finder has been launched aimed at helping

Heathrow has launched a dedicated online service to give passengers

A UK ski charity is offering the chance for skiers to be part of a new

holidaymakers through a maze of airline baggage regulations which

a convenient and transparent comparison of car hire options at the

world record attempt on the slopes this winter and raise money to fight

vary from company to company.

airport. The service was developed in partnership with online car hire

cancer in the process.

Aimed at helping the 32% of travellers who admitted to finding packing

comparison site Carrentals.co.uk and aims to provide simple online

Ski 4 Cancer’s “Everest Challenge” will see participants “descend the

the most stressful aspect of going on holiday in a recent survey, the

access to a choice of car hire companies at the airport, including a

height of Mount Everest (29,029ft) as one large group” on the slopes of

online tool is located at the Airport Parking & Hotels website (aph.com)

selection of premium and supercars.

Austria’s new largest ski area, Saalbach, on Friday 11 March 2016.

in the “Community” section.

To access the service, customers log on to heathrow.com and enter

The charity say that this is the first time such a world record has ever

The baggage allowance finder allows users to select their desired

their travel details to bring up the full range of prices, brands and

been attempted.

airport and airline before returning up-to-date details of the regulations

vehicle options available. Customers will also be able to book for

“We’re looking for 500 skiers from across Europe who want to become

that will be enforced on their flight.

non-Heathrow car hire with other UK, European and global locations

world-record holders!” said Andy Hayward, Trustee at Ski 4 Cancer. “In

“With an ever growing and changing set of rules and regulations,

if they wish.

this unique event, skiers from lots of different countries will be united

feeling like you’re packed and prepared for a holiday has become a

“Heathrow’s goal is to provide the world’s best airport service, and

in one common cause – to raise funds to help fight cancer. Skiing the

frustrating research task,” said Nick Caunter, APH’s Managing Director,

we believe offering customers a transparent way of comparing car

height of Mount Everest in one day will be a tough challenge though,

who added, “Being able to pack well in advance has been shown to

hire options is a key step towards delivering this ambition,” said Chris

even for more advanced skiers.”

help 36% of travellers, so our baggage allowance finder will help more

Annetts, Heathrow’s Commercial Passenger Services Director.

Mr Hayward says the plan is for a number of checkpoints and

people take advantage of this for a less stressful experience and give

Gareth Robinson, CEO of ASAP Ventures Ltd, owners of the Carrentals.

entertainment zones to be set up on the course to ensure the event is

them the confidence that they will avoid any excess weight charges or

co.uk brand, added:

a lot of fun for participants.

other shocks, before they travel to the airport.”

“The technology and commercial platform for the service is well proven

The event is open to all competent skiers who think they can ski the

The comprehensive results show the specific instructions for up to 12

in the market place with over one million rentals to date, so it was a case

nearly 9000 vertical metres in a day on Saalbach’s slopes, served as

categories, including hand luggage, checked baggage, pushchairs and

of our developers customising the service to Heathrow’s specific needs.

they are by one of the world’s most efficient high-speed lift networks.

car seats, baby food/milk, medicine, laptops and tablets, wheelchairs and

We are delighted that Heathrow has chosen our solution and look

To find our more or to register for the event, visit

ski equipment as well as other sports gear items and musical instruments.

forward to a long and successful partnership.”

ski4cancer.org/everest-world-record

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THE UK PARTNE

and you edge your skis.

Take a look at this chart showing

transport. They are mechanisms

Ideally all the three steering skills

the different speeds, steepness

for steering and mechanisms for

mix together in an infinite blend,

and terrain related to the different emphasis on the steering skill.

controlling speed.

There are always exceptions

TWISTING

to the rule. But looking at the chart you can get the idea why you may have strengths

the steering wheel of your car,

and weaknesses and how

hy are some skiers great at skiing

except you’re using your legs

these are related to how you

bumps but not at skiing fast, great

and feet instead. When you

steer your skis.

at skiing fast but not at bumps,

twist the handlebars of your

great in powder but not on ice?

bike, you twist the front wheel.

It’s all to do with what we call the

When you twist your legs and

skills of “steering”.

feet, you twist your skis.

to steer skis – twisting, pushing and

PUSHING

edging. All three are present more

Pushing is the same as using the

or less all the time when skiing, but

brakes on your bike or car. Push

in different quantities. It’s a bit like

the brake pads of your bike

a pie chart or the ingredients of a

against the rim of the wheel and

cake. A bit more of one than the

you slow down. Push snow with

other gives a different result and

the edges or base of your skis

determines what terrain and speeds

using your legs and feet and

you are strong at and what terrain

you slow down.

and speeds you are weaker at. Now

PHIL SMITH SNOWORKS Phil Smith is founder of Snoworks All-Mountain Ski Courses. Snoworks run Off-Piste and Backcountry courses throughout the winter along with Off-Piste Adventure trips to destinations around the world. info@snoworks.com

ARE YOU A TWISTER, PUSHER OR EDGER? Many people have no idea how they “steer”. They just ski and the blend of the steering elements is just what it is for the terrain and the speed they are skiing at. This is great, and if you continue to vary the terrain, you’ll end up having an infinite blend of all three steering elements naturally.

However, if you are stuck skiing at certain speeds and on

imagine if you could change the

EDGING

giving you the exactly the same

certain types of terrain, then you may

quantities of each at will, change

Edging is the same as leaning into a

control as you have in your car or

have got trapped into using one of

the ingredients! You could be good

bend on your bike, except it’s using

on your bike. But if you emphasise

the steering elements more than the

at skiing everywhere, all terrain, all

your legs and feet instead. Lean

one steering element more than

others without knowing it. You may

snow textures and all speeds. Now

into a turn with your legs and feet

another, you get a different result.

be predominantly a twister, pusher or

there’s a goal.

edger. If this is the case, then it’s time

SO WHAT ARE TWISTING, PUSHING AND EDGING? These are things you can do with skis. They allow you to steer your skis

www.action-outdoors.co.uk

just like in every other form of

the handlebars on your bike or

your legs and feet to control your

For more information and to book:

S T E E R I N G

Twisting is the same as using

In a nutshell, there are three ways

VAL THORENS, CHAMONIX, VAL D’ISERE & SERRE CHEVALIER

N O . 8

and control your speed accurately,

Speed

Gradient

Terrain

Twisting

Slow

Steep

Bumps, Narrow Slopes

Pushing

Moderate

Moderate

Powder, Slush

Edging

Fast

Easy

Groomed, Wide Slopes

to break out and start practising using all three steering skills.

To become a true all-terrain skier, you need to have all three steering skills developed equally. Then you can ski everywhere.

R FOR

012 // NOV15

SNOWORKS.COM

PHOTO: EMMA CARRICK-ANDERSON SNOWORKS INSTRUCTOR AND FORMER OLYMPIC SKIER. ©DYNAMICPICTURES

FREERIDE

WHAT DO YOU DO AT THE WEEKENDS

SKI LIFE TO THE FULL

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PAUL ZIZKA

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

014 // NOV15

with the hottest chairlift in Canada.

when it comes to heading off on a

snow imaginable.

They’re replacing the dear old Tee Pee Town

ski trip, when it’s your job, you’re

The area is home to not one but three ski areas

double chair with a new high-speed quad which

sometimes not as excited as you

– Mt. Norquay, the Lake Louise Ski Resort and

will feature a pull-down protective screen and

ought to be.

Sunshine Village – and two quaint mountain

comfortable heated seats – the first of its kind

I’ve clocked up 35 years of skiing

communities – Banff and Lake Louise.

in Canada.

now and visited more than 300

Banff is an authentic mountain town and

The fast lift offers access to blue runs with

resorts; I know, it’s a tough life,

also a world-class resort with a vast range of

expansive views of Mount Assiniboine off of

right? But sometimes, when you

accommodation from hostels and motels up to

the Continental Divide while also opening up

hear you’re going back to a place,

5★ establishments including the iconic Banff

challenging black and double black terrain like

you think “Yay!” but then you

Springs (many ticks). There are over 100 bars

the Shoulder – a local’s favourite— as well as the

sometimes think, “Ah yes, but

and restaurants here and a similar number of

popular Tee Pee Chutes.

…”. And that “but” is you know

shops, so you’ll never be wondering where to go

Lake Louise, meanwhile, have a focus on ever

you can only get there via a bad

(still more ticks). Lake Louise, about half an hour

better dining choices and this winter sushi will

airline, or you’re going to be

further up that dual carriageway through ever

meet the mountains there with a new Sushi Bar

stuck in a horrendous check-in

more stunning scenery, is a smaller, looser affair

within the Lodge of Ten Peaks. This new outlet will

queue, or you have to go through some complex

of accommodation complexes, again with a good

incorporate the traditions of quality sushi while

immigration process, or the last time you were

choice from family motels up to another world-

creating the individual presentations that utilise the

there it rained the whole time. Or some other

famous hotel, Chateau Lake Louise.

elements of the Canadian Rockies and will feature

detail. I know, your heart bleeds …

The three ski areas, all famed for their snow surety,

AAA Alberta beef tataki, nigiri, sashimi and custom

I say this because I’ve been lucky enough to

snow quality, uncrowded slopes and very long

maki rolls designed and named after classic runs

visit Banff and Lake Louise four times in the past

seasons from early November to mid-May (four

and terrain from around the resort.

decade or so, and I’ve yet to see a downside. On

more ticks) are all included in one convenient,

And at Mount Norquay, along with those 90th

the contrary, my heart sings when I know I’m going

tri-area ticket. Each has its own appeal. Both

birthday celebrations, all season long there’ll be

back. It’s one of the few places that still give me

Lake Louise and Sunshine (which is located

a new terrain park including a two-jump large

that buzz after all these years.

approximately equidistant from both Banff and

line featuring a 30’ jump and a 40’ jump. The

So where does it all go right? Well, starting back in

Lake Louise hotels) are large, world-class resorts

intermediate rail line also has everything your

London, we have the convenience of a great BA

and among the biggest in Canada.

service from Heathrow to Calgary, daily, non-stop.

Each offers snow sports for all

So that’s a good airport terminal in the UK, tick,

abilities, fast modern uplift and that

good airline, tick and Calgary airport is also a great

stunning scenery. Norquay, located

airport to fly in to. There are even people here just

near Banff and celebrating 90 years

waiting to welcome you to Canada with a friendly

in operation this winter, is a smaller

smile and any advice you need. It’s revolutionary!

affair but nonetheless manages to fit

Oh actually, before we even take off, Canada

in runs for all and is a great favourite

3 ski resorts

is even better this year as the pound is back

with Banff locals as well as its

1 tri-area pass

to the levels it was against the Canadian dollar

worldwide fans (the tick list is off the

before “the crash”, so when you’re getting your

scale now; I’d better stop …).

290 powder runs

currency, you’re getting around 20% more buying

Combined, the three resorts boast

power than a few years ago, in an already highly

over 3100ha of skiable terrain of

3514ft max vertical

affordable country, tick and tick.

skiing and riding served by 2 high-

Now things get really exciting. It’s a very smooth

speed gondolas and 26 chairlifts

7–11 Nov open date for the tri-area ski resorts season

and easy drive from Calgary airport to Banff and

with an average snowfall of over 9m

198km of runs

Lake Louise in around 2 hours on wide, straight

of feather-lift, dry Canadian Rockies

9m of powder

dual-carriageway roads, whether you self-drive or

powder annually, all accessible with

take a shuttle. You go south through the city then

that one tri-area lift ticket.

west, and it’s here that you get your first big “wow”

And even if you don’t fancy skiing,

factor and your first indication you’re not just on a

at least not every day, there’s a

130 bars and restaurants for happy après

nice ski trip where everything is going as you hoped

whole plethora of winter wonderland

130km from Calgary airport

but this is something more, something better.

non-ski activities in which to indulge,

As you approach the 0.6 million hectares of

perhaps a little dog sledding, ice

unspoiled wilderness that is Banff National Park

walking or snowshoeing for example.

– Canada’s first National Park and the third-oldest

There’s also skating on frozen lakes

park in the world – you see the massive wall of the

or, at the other temperature extreme,

Rocky Mountains towering above the plains ahead

natural hot springs and luxurious spas to enjoy.

hard-core jibber would love featuring a seven-

of you. This is really epic-movie stuff (ironically, far

It’s all located in protected National Park land,

rail and box line that lets people get all kinds of

more so than the sometimes less impressive peaks

which really means there’s virtually no human

wacky as they tear through the middle of the park.

south of the border), and it is why we shouldn’t

development outside the two resort towns and

The park also caters to the little shredders with a

undervalue the word “awesome” as it is truly

the three ski areas. So essentially nature rules and

small to medium line followed by small boxes.

needed here. Big tick.

wildlife roams free.

So I think that’s all boxes ticked and no crosses?

Banff National Park is pristine, rugged and

Oh, you want something new too? Well

Everything you could possibly want from a winter-

utterly awe-inspiring with its towering peaks,

Sunshine Village will start the 2015–16 season

sports holiday. I can’t wait to go back.

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

PAUL ZIZKA

glacier-fed lakes and (tick) the driest, lightest

PAUL ZIZKA

BANFF & LAKE LOUISE IN NUMBERS

180-day season

5mile longest run 9000 human residents

BANFFLAKELOUISE.COM

CRAIG DOUCE

I

t may seem hard to believe, but

LIFE IN PICTURES ďƒ’ PROMOTION

MOUNTAIN ATELIER the mountains.

paper-cuts and prints and

the Alps, Matthew, working

Having spent the last 5

even to the extent of using

under the name Mountain

years chasing the snow,

recycled skis and other

Atelier, creates his unique

working in ski shops to fuel

equipment as a canvas.

decorations and artworks

a passion for skiing and

With this Alpine strain

from paper, wood and glass.

mountain sports, Matthew

running through the work,

The work ranges from

found a home in the French

Mountain Atelier seeks to

intricate paper scenes

Alps and the inspiration for

make interesting decorative

painstakingly cut out

his artwork followed. That

art to be enjoyed by and

with a scalpel to wooden

inspiration can be seen

that speaks to fellow

decorations and ornaments

clearly in Mountain Atelier’s

lovers of the mountains,

and etched glassware, all

output, from the geometric

coming from that shared

with an Alpine character

forms in the woodwork to

passion for snow and the

stemming from a love of

the mountain scenes in his

mountain lifestyle.

ALL IMAGES: MOUNTAIN ATELIER

In his workshop here in

016 // NOV15

MOUNTAIN-ATELIER.COM

POWDER TO THE PEOPLE Fernie’s yours for the taking - 5 huge bowls and tons of terrain to explore

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IE

TH

F ER L E ISE S E OF TH

Our new columnist Jack Steele has been a keen skier from an early age and has been living in Whistler for the past 2 years, working as a liftee during the ski season and making the most of the renowned BC powder fields and world-class terrain parks in his time off. He’ll travel to more BC resorts and the Alps this winter. n my 3 years living

also being used by the best skiers

average ski bum or vacationer

before means that I have a greater

in the mountain

in the world levels the playing

doesn’t have access to a helicopter

appreciation for the difficulty of

field somewhat when it comes to

or thousands of pounds worth

what he is doing.

use of GoPros and other

making video edits.

of video equipment. Therefore,

I’m definitely not opposed to

helmet-style cameras has

As a fanatical follower of free-skiing

more simplified videos seem to

watching people skiing deep

been an ever-increasing

videos, I have witnessed a shift in

have enjoyed a refreshing spike in

powder from helicopter-accessed

trend. They are extremely

the type of content that is being

popularity.

peaks, but small cameras and in-

practical and their

released online. An increasing

Obviously the legendary internet-

bounds footage has definitely been

size allows them to

number of videos seem to be

breaking video, Candide Thovex’s

inspiring for me of late. The lack

be strapped almost

filmed by small personal cameras

One of those Days 2, may have

of snow pretty much everywhere

anywhere. I have witnessed them

with footage containing lifts and

contributed to this trend. Although

besides Japan and the Canadian

planted on the helmets of 3-year-

pistes in view as opposed to the

jumping chairlift ramps and double

East Coast meant that powder

old ski-school kids, swinging on a

huge Alaskan pines or untouched

backflips aren’t quite within my

footage coming from the 2014/15

pendulum device around a man

pillow lines that have dominated

skill range yet, it is inspiring to see

season is limited. Despite the

in a one-piece who was snow-

free-skiing videos throughout the

Candide use the in-resort area

potentially worrying environmental

ploughing down a green run

evolution of the sport. I think that

with such creativity. Furthermore,

signs of this drought in snow, it

and attached to “selfie sticks” of

these videos have become more

the GoPro “Line of the Winter”

did mean that free-ski production

all shapes and sizes. Recording

popular due to their relatable

award was helmet-cam footage

companies had to be particularly

yourself skiing can be great for

content. Seeing pros skiing in

of Léo Taillefer ripping down Piste

creative with their annual releases.

self-analysis and improvement as

accessible terrain makes the

Perdue in Val d’Isère, a run I used

Lack of snow is never a good thing

well as showing off your skills on

footage more relatable and lets

to enjoy skiing on family holidays

for this sport, but it is great to see

social media. The fact that any

us see what the best are capable

as a youngster. He may ski it with a

that the inherent desire to have fun

average Joe Bloggs skier can

of in areas that we are also able

whole new level of speed and style,

on skis prospers, even when the

get his hands on a camera that is

to ski. It is unfortunate that your

but the fact that I’ve ridden the area

conditions aren’t so favourable.

town of Whistler, the

018 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

KITZBÜHEL

JM GOUEDARD MERIBEL TOURISME

NEW FRENCH LIFT PASS COVERS 1325KM OF PISTE … AT A PRICE

NEW “SEAL OF APPROVAL” FOR SKI-AREA SIZE CLAIMS The company run by the German

when considering where to ski.

ski writer and cartographer

An Austrian ski resort

Christoph Schrahe, who 2 years

association subsequently

ago highlighted discrepancies

introduced a code of practice

in the claimed sizes of ski

for slope measurement, and

areas, has launched a new

several areas shrunk in claimed

independent “Seal of Approval”

size – the Ziller Valley by around

for resorts that want to verify

20%. Others, including the

that the size of ski area they

SkiWelt, brought in their own

claim is genuine.

independent professionals to

Schrahe’s detailed and precise

verify their numbers.

research, based on more than

Schrahe subsequently published

20 years of detailed study of

several annual guides to what he

ski areas around the world,

claims to be the true sizes of the

found that most ski areas

world’s 100 largest ski areas from

exaggerate the size of their ski

his precise and standardised

slopes, although the amount of

measurement system.

exaggeration varied widely.

Now Schrahe Montenius Consult

The findings caused uproar,

company, whose main business

particularly in the Austrian

is ski resort design, has launched

media, when ski areas supported

the “Verified Piste Length” seal.

their claims with explanations

To receive the seal, the resort

including measuring wide

must allow Schrahe’s company

pistes multiple times, treating

to measure all runs, going down

them as two or three runs,

the precise centre line of each

and measuring the length of a

piste, to come up with a figure.

snaking skier’s S-shaped track

A new multi-lingual website

descent on a run rather than a

(pistelength.com) has been

straight line from top to bottom.

set up to promote the service.

Surveys of skier preferences

Schrahe’s first two customers

have found that ski-area size is

are reported to be two of the five

the number-one consideration

biggest ski areas in Austria.

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

019 // NOV15

A new ski pass set to launch this winter will

Olympic Pass following the Albertville games.

€256 (£189) in peak season.

be one of the world’s largest in terms of pistes

The pass will cost from €340 (£251) for a

The most expensive lift pass in Europe is

covered … and most expensive.

6-day adult pass, believed to be the first

currently the International Ticket, covering all

The “Alpine Legends” pass will include all the

European pass outside Switzerland to cost

the skiing of Zermatt and Italy’s Aosta Valley

skiing of Les 3 Vallées with 600km of runs,

more than €300 (£221) (or equivalent). The

(880km of piste), and costs CHF463 (£303)

Paradiski (La Plagne and Les Arcs) with 425km

pass is around 10% higher than the ticket cost

when purchased on the Swiss side for a 6-day

of runs and Espace Killy (Tignes-Val d’Isère)

for the individual regions.

adult pass (it is significantly cheaper if bought in

with 300km of runs – all together totalling

The Salzburg Super Ski Card in Austria covers

Italy). The “Alpine Legends” pass currently costs

1325km of piste.

the largest ski area on one ticket, more than

around £241, thanks to the strength of the pound

It is not the first time that a giant multi-area

2500km of piste at more than 20 ski regions

against the euro, but a few years ago would

pass has been issued in France. Previous

containing around 90 villages. It costs €238

have cost more than the Zermatt/Aosta pass.

incarnations have included the Savoie

(£175) for an adult 6-day pass in low season,

thealpinelegends.com

DAVID ANDRE

NEW IN MÉRIBEL & LES 3 VALLÉES runs, with plans for fun weekly night-luging, as

to be fully equipped with MS Bar technology,

and a long-time favourite with British guests will

well as night-skiing sessions from the top of the

which automatically locks chairlift safety bars for

unveil key improvements for skiers and introduce

new Combes chairlift.

maximum security.

night-time fun on the pistes when it opens for the

For skiers heading over to St Martin de Belleville,

Finally a new “Yeti Park” is set to delight children.

season on 5 December.

there’ll be better access back, courtesy of

They can follow the wide, flat Little Himalaya

Méribel-Mottaret has been re-landscaped to offer

a new six-person chairlift which promises to

green run into the domain of Yooni the snowman,

a new protected learning area where beginners

reduce the queues, and the Combes chairlift

go in search of the friendly creature in his caves

can practise in total safety in the heart of the

has been updated with a new high-speed

and interactive base camps, plus explore the Yak

resort. There will also be two all-weather sledge

version. The resort will also become the first

Park, where a rodeo run on hairy yaks awaits.

ROYER

WITH ICEBREAKER BASE LAYERS

The French resort of Méribel in Les 3 Vallées

LIFT TICKET DESIGN FEATURED IN VOGUE

VAL D’ISÈRE TO LAUNCH BEST SKI RESORT APP?

New designs for Aspen Snowmass’s 2015–16 lift tickets have been

Val d’Isère is preparing to launch a new app this winter which it hopes

featured by high-fashion magazine Vogue in the USA.

will be the best offered by any ski resort anywhere to date.

The reason is that the artwork on the lift tickets has been designed using

The new app is the result of a first ski “Hackathon” the famous French

Japanese graphic art by fashion artist Takashi Murakami. Murakami’s

resort hosted last December during which ten teams of developers

designs, which include smiling flowers and a dog on a hilltop, are part of

from around the world gathered in the ski village.

a programme called “Art in Unexpected Places”, which has been running

They then wandered the streets and slopes, observed and noted in

for 10 years as a joint venture between the famous Colorado ski town’s

great detail everything they deemed to be important components of a

lift company and art museum. The programme has had lots of other

holiday, all with a view to creating the perfect app for visitors.

icebreaker.com

outlets over the past decade including artistic installation on the slopes.

A sample number of guests then got the chance to try the various apps

“I first learned of the name Aspen when I learned of the solo exhibition

out for themselves and choose the best.

Mark Grotjahn held at the museum,” Murakami told Vogue. “I like the way

The result, available for this winter, should be the definitive resort app

Icebreaker is sustainable, renewable, merino clothing from the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

it sounds when spoken aloud and thought it was a fine name for a town.”

with constantly evolving content adapted for each user. The new app

Aspen Snowmass’s season runs from 26 November to 17 April 2016.

will be available for download before the start of the season.

INSULATES BREATHES RESISTS ODOUR

For stockists information telephone 01572 772437

020 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

For stockists information call: 01572 770900

threevalleetransfers www.3vt.co.uk | +44 (0)1323 351964

PRIVATE & SHARED TRANSFERS TO LES 3 VALLÉES

THE SECRET OF SKI HOLIDAY SUCCESS IN LES GETS

CALL A SKI SPECIALIST 07827811477

PHOTO Biege Jones

TAILOR-MADE SKI HOLIDAYS TO THE USA & CANADA

ASPEN VAIL TELLURIDE WHISTLER PARK CITY JACKSON HOLE LAKE TAHOE HOTELS, APARTMENTS & PRIVATE CHALETS, AIRPORT TRANSFERS, 24 HR SUPPORT, GROUP, CORPORATE & GUIDING SERVICES

A

fully catered and self-catered is available.

of any problems; for example, if a washing

Chalets1066’s formula is simply to provide an

machine breaks down on a Saturday evening,

honest, good-quality service at a reasonable price

you don’t need to call a chalet owner in the UK

and to have a strong team in place in Les Gets.

to resolve the problem as Chalets1066 have

Les Gets itself offers extensive, high-value

capable staff on hand in resort, and they will

skiing with direct access to the huge Portes du

usually come out the same evening.

Soleil ski area with 640km of slopes, and it is

Chalets1066 Founder Susan Nathan remains

just a 1-hour drive from Geneva airport.

resident in Les Gets for the ski season, and

In the fully catered chalet, the focus is on

many of the chalets are a short walk from her

good food, good service and good value.

chalet. Susan is helped by family members

The wine is specially selected for the chalet

who each bring rich experience from the wider

and special dietary requirements are easily

world, and there is also a very strong team

catered for. Last year it won a TripAdvisor

of staff in place in Les Gets. Susan is always

Excellence Award.

available to ensure each client’s holiday is a

family-run chalet operator in the French ski

In the self-catered chalets and apartments,

great success.

village of Les Gets has gone from strength to

there is a range of optional services, like fresh

It all bodes well for the future, and with the

strength, even though it was set up just before

bread and croissants delivery, ski pass delivery

ski industry now seemingly in renaissance,

the financial crash of 2008.

and ski equipment delivery and fitting in your

Chalets1066 look set to build on their success

Starting business just as Europe’s ski industry

chalet. Staff are also available in the event

even further.

saw its worst season for several decades, and in one which was followed by several more

seasons of further decline could have been (and was) the death knell for some ski businesses, but Chalets1066 have just got better and better.

From starting with just three properties, and based out of Chalet Hastings (hence the name for the business) the company is probably now the largest operator specialising exclusively in Les Gets, managing 20 chalets and apartments in the traditional Portes du Soleil resort. The accommodation ranges from small to six bedrooms and from value to luxury, and both

info@codatravel.com

www.codatravel.com

022 // NOV15

CHALETS1066.COM | 0207 183 5082

BLAKE JORGENSON

 PROMOTION

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

023 // NOV15

 PROMOTION PAUL MORRISON

TOSHI KAWANO

BLAKE JORGENSON

It’s a big season ahead fo BLACKCOMB. The famous resort celebrates its 50th ski resort and a meteoric fame which shows no sig

BOOK EARLY AND SAVE To celebrate the 50th anniversary, Whistler Blackcomb is offering early booking Ski & Stay Packages; guests can save up to 40% off before 15 November 2015. Learn more here: whistlerblackcomb.com/bookearly Whistler Blackcomb also continues to offer early-bird family pricing; for example, children aged 12 and under stay ski, rent and transfer free as long as they are with a paying adult. For more information and other familyfriendly deals, visit whistlerblackcomb.com/family

024 024 // NOV15 // NOV15 // INTHESNOW.COM

W

every type of ski experience imaginable, all served by one of the world’s most extensive and impressive highspeed lift networks, is a key draw for skiers from around the world who’ll happily cross oceans and continents to reach Whistler Blackcomb.

But it is just part of the picture – the resort itself is a vibrant, year-round community, as busy in summer as in winter, with a large and eclectic collection of accommodation, restaurants, shopping and 101 other services and activities besides.

Then there’s the snow. Whistler typically gets a lot of it and is normally open from November to May, before, unique in Canada, reopening for summer skiing in June and July. Its glacier ski area helps ensure that there’s always going to be skiing available here, whatever the prevailing weather conditions. Happily this coming season all the forecasters are predicting a very snowy

histler Blackcomb has just been voted the best resort in

winter for western North America.

North America, again (it’s the third time in the past 4 years),

There are other big draws. The 2010 Olympic legacy

by the continent’s biggest annual reader poll, organised by

is a big one – you can ski the Olympic downhill, tour

the US magazine SKI, and while there’s some excitement

facilities, even brave the ice tracks in the Olympic

south of the Canadian border about some ski areas

sliding centre if you wish. Those Olympics are also

merging to increase their ski area size, Whistler Blackcomb

responsible for another big positive point – the ease of

remains the continent’s number one for size.

access from Vancouver on a fast, modern highway built

“Whistler Blackcomb offers today’s skiers and riders

as part of the Olympic investment.

one of the finest resort experiences anywhere,” said SKI

But despite its existing status and reputation, Whistler

Magazine publisher, Allen Crolius. “From big-mountain

Blackcomb is certainly not resting on its laurels and

skiing to a base village that sets the standard for

is instead investing in improved facilities and all-new

mountain resorts, Whistler Blackcomb earned its top

services to make visiting the resort even better.

ranking from our readers.”

Originally opening for skiing in the winter of 1965–66 and founded on the dream of one day hosting the Olympic Winter Games (a dream it finally realised 45

over the summer in upgrading the Rendezvous Lodge

“Whistler Blackcomb has always been about pushing

on Blackcomb Mountain ready for the coming winter.

the envelope,” said Dave Brownlie, President and

Guests visiting Blackcomb Mountain this winter season

CEO of Whistler Blackcomb. “We like to be first, to go

will notice the Rendezvous Lodge has had a facelift.

big and to surpass guest expectations over and over

It underwent a massive renovation this summer and

again. This season we want to showcase what we’ve

will open its doors with an increased capacity and

achieved over the past 50 years while looking forward

improved functionality. The building has a brand-new

at what is yet to come.”

look to complement the new and fresh customisable

That huge ski area – which according to independent

menu options in the food court, including Japanese

assessment is also one of the world’s largest – coupled

ramen bowls and a Thai-inspired wok station where

with a massive vertical and containing pretty much

flavourful rice or noodle dishes are finished with

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

MITCHELL WINTON

The resort has made a multi-million dollar investment

snowboard industry since day one.

PAUL MORRISON

been going beyond to leave its mark on the ski and

ERIC BERGER

or WHISTLER Canadian h winter as a c rise to global gn of abating.

Improved On Mountain Dining

years later in 2010, of course), Whistler Blackcomb has

025 // NOV15

 PROMOTION authentic sauces and garnishes. The Mexican taqueria

including patios. It is important to note the smoke-free

will offer made-to-order burritos, tacos and salads, and

policy does not apply to ALL of Whistler. Smoking is

the grill is serving up naturally raised, hormone- and

still permitted in areas that are in compliance with the

antibiotic-free chicken and beef burgers, and Ocean

municipal tobacco control laws.

Wise salmon sandwiches, as well as a plant-based option. Yummy.

The investment also includes a total revamp of Christine’s Restaurant within the Rendezvous Lodge

Rossignol Dynastar Lange (RDL) Rental Boutique

renovation and that has elevated the fine dining experience possible on Blackcomb Mountain.

New in the Blackcomb Daylodge at the base of Blackcomb

Christine’s will also open for the coming winter with a

Mountain is the RDL premium rental boutique which offers

fresh new look, a new menu and a new head chef.

a unique rental experience, with personalised service from specialists who will guide guests through Rossignol,

Hi-Tech Tickets

Dynastar and Lange ski equipment.

The product offering is diverse and will be tuned to perfection, including race, powder and backcountry

Whistler Blackcomb will be introducing its all-new

skis, and junior and high-end ski boots that offer

WB+ programme this winter season. This new online

support and comfort. The RDL premium rental boutique

interactive platform connected to the ski resort’s RFID

also offers guests the flexibility to try different skis to

(radio-frequency identification) technology, which was

suit various conditions and terrain.

first introduced last year, will give guests the option to create a personal profile in order to collect stats and data about their days on the mountains.

By scanning lift passes at the RFID chairlift access gates

Snowmaking On The Horstman Glacier

TOSHI KAWANO

PAUL MORRISON

located around Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, guests will be able keep track of personal stats, including their

Whistler Blackcomb has been a leading campaigner

number of days on the slopes and total vertical ridden.

for the environment and in the battle against climate

Customised privacy settings will allow users to decide

change for many decades. Its Fitzsimmons Creek

whether to make their WB+ profiles accessible to

hydroelectric plant generates more green energy than

friends, family members and work colleagues. If they

the resort uses, exporting excess to the grid.

decide to, it allows groups to create goals and fun

This winter season, Whistler Blackcomb will conduct

challenges to tackle together.

a new snowmaking pilot project aimed at preserving

At the same time as introducing WB+, Whistler

the Horstman Glacier on Blackcomb Mountain. The

Blackcomb have invested in their biggest-ever upgrade

pilot project will involve the testing of four low-energy-

of their website, introducing a host of new interactive

consumption snowmaking guns in the Horstman Hut area

features and seamless booking options, and making it

to determine if a full-scale snowmaking system is an option

more mobile and tablet friendly.

to prevent further recession of the Horstman Glacier.

A snowmaking system on the Horstman Glacier could

Smoke-Free Whistler Blackcomb

improve the early-season access to glacier skiing and snowboarding during the winter and preserve the summer glacier experience for guests to enjoy in the

This winter will mark the first smoke-free ski season at

future. If the pilot project is conclusive, this unique

Whistler Blackcomb. The smoke-free policy, originally

project will become a significant addition to Whistler

introduced in May this year, was implemented to

Blackcomb’s list of adaptations to ensure long-term

preserve the pristine alpine environment for all guests.

resilience against climate change.

The policy prohibits smoking anywhere on Whistler

Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day is

Blackcomb property, including lift lines, chairlifts,

scheduled for 26 November 2015. For more

gondolas, ski runs, valley base areas, parking lots and

information about the 50th anniversary, head to

all Whistler Blackcomb bar and restaurant locations,

whistlerblackcomb.com/50.

WHISTLER IN NUMBERS

026 // NOV15

PAUL MORRISON

MITCHELL WINTON

200+ Marked Runs 2010 Olympic / Paralympic Games 16 Alpine Bowls 125km from Vancouver 3306ha of Terrain 3 Glaciers 1163cm Average Snowfall Annually

WHISTLERBLACKCOMB.COM

GAUDENZDANUSER.COM

SNOWCARBON

TRAIN VS PLANE: ALPS COST COMPARISON

THE BRITS RETURN TO LAAX

FIS “SATISFIED WITH PROGRESS” FOR 2018

The team behind an independent website promoting rail travel to

Following a brief and unconvincing trial separation when the event

At two meetings at the 2018 Winter Olympics venue at PyeongChang in

ski resorts has put together figures showing, they say, that it can be

hopped the border into France, The Brits freestyle snow sports

South Korea, the International Ski Federation’s Alpine technical committee

significantly cheaper to go on a skiing holiday by rail, rather than flying.

competition and festival will return to the Swiss resort of Laax next April.

has announced its satisfaction with progress on site development ahead

“While train travel might be more comfortable, relaxing and

The Brits (official title: The British Snowboard and Freeski

of the Games with the first test events due to be staged this winter.

environmentally friendly, it is often assumed to be far more expensive

Championships) brings together everyone from seasoned pros to

A special Olympic Downhill course is being built from scratch at a new

than flying,” said Daniel Elkan of Snowcarbon (snowcarbon.co.uk).

budding amateurs and first-timers. For years it has been pushing our

location away from existing ski areas especially for the games. The

“However, our research has revealed that in many cases the opposite is

professional athletes, while retaining an open-door policy for anyone

development – in an area of previously untouched ancient forest reported

true – with train travel giving significant savings over flying.”

wishing to give it a go, and more recently for a growing number that just

to be held sacred by some Koreans – has not been welcomed by some

The research compares return fares from London to six ski resorts

want more than a traditional winter holiday.

environmental groups in the country who have said they would rather more

in different ski areas of the French Alps for each week between 19

Laax has long been considered one of the best freestyle resorts

consideration had been given to potentially using existing slopes at existing

December 2015 and 2 April 2016.

on the planet with the world’s largest half pipe and four dedicated

ski areas, although these did not quite meet the normal minimum vertical

Three journey options were compared, for adults and for children (aged

snowparks, which cater for total beginners right through to the hordes of

drop requirement for an Olympic downhill course. The ski run’s construction

4–11), with or without skis, starting at either Gatwick Airport or St Pancras

professional athletes that call it home.

has gained considerable international media attention in the past few

International rail station, and ending at the Alpine accommodation door.

During the week, riders have the chance to compete or spectate at the

months, and an online global petition against the ski run had received

The three options considered were first, an easyJet flight + shared taxi

British Halfpipe, Slopestyle and Snowboard/Skicross Championships,

more than 1.2 million signatures at time of going to press. The FIS team of

transfer; second, daytime travel on the direct Eurostar Ski Train + private

plus the more relaxed Bangers & Cash Rail Jam, which highlights the

Alpine experts met with all relevant departments of the PyeongChang 2018

taxi; and third, daytime travel on the new direct Eurostar service to Lyon

street-riding talent emerging from our indoor and artificial slopes.

Organising Committee with discussions centred on organisational plans, in

+ local train + private taxi. A first example of the research results found

“I always remember such amazing times being young competing in

particular regarding the finalisation of the competition venues ahead of the

that a family of four with two children (aged between 4 and 11), but

Laax – it’s such a great resort. It’s going to be an awesome event and so

first test competitions in the men’s speed events in February.

travelling without skis, would pay a total of £1956 for return air travel to

good for the up-and-coming talent from the UK!” said British star Jamie

“We are satisfied with the progress made so far and have worked

La Plagne at Easter. Travelling on the direct Eurostar Ski Train instead,

Nicholls, commenting on the move back to Laax.

through the entire checklist which applies for the FIS Alpine World Cup

they would pay £1132 – a saving of £824. Travelling via Lyon would cost

The Brits will run from Sunday 3 to Sunday 10 April and package deals

to ensure that all requirements will be taken care of for the Olympic test

them only £756 in total.

are currently available at the-brits.com

events,” said FIS expert Guenter Hujara.

+33 (0)4 79 06 18 88 RESERVATION@HOTELAIGLEDESNEIGES.COM EN.HOTELAIGLEDESNEIGES.COM

€36 MILLION “MILLE8” CONCEPT COMPLETED AT LES ARCS with the completion of the famous

pool and spa is a big draw. All are

risers, and keeps operating long

French resort’s €36 million

together in one location on the

into the evening. Big-screen

(£25.5 million) Mille8 development.

slopes at Arc 1800.

TVs strategically placed give

The idea with Mille8 is to create

There are dozens of different

information and entertainment, and

an on- and off-slope entertainment

entertainment options on offer,

it even has its own app.

hub in the heart of the ski area

ranging from teatime with the

A new gondola serving Mille8

which is not limited by normal

centre’s penguin mascot for young

opened last winter, but the final

daylight hours for slope opening,

children through to hot tubs with

major piece of Mille8 will be added

nor by the ski season, as it switches

a view of Mont Blanc, or a golf

this season, The Lodge, which will

to a summer mountain sports

simulator session for adults, and lots

be an indoor entertainments venue

complex in summer.

of classes and events are laid on

including a restaurant.

On-the-snow attractions include

including team toboggan challenges,

The Lodge will be opening from

a 900m-long toboggan run and a

snowball fights and Zumba classes.

the start of the coming season in

es Arcs adventure in creating a

freestyle ski or board course for

Mille8 opens before the ski lifts

December, but a grand opening

new type of ski resort experience

all levels. Off the slopes a large

do, with “SNOWGA®” yoga and

event is planned for 16 February

reaches its culmination this winter

aquatic centre with swimming

Nordic walking sessions for earlier

next year.

NORWAY BUILDING WORLD’S LARGEST INDOOR SKI CENTRE The company is working with

well as Snowworld.

architectural firm Snøhetta.

The greater slope area will be

Along with the downhill slopes,

achieved by having a very wide

the complex will include an indoor

run – 100m across. It will be served

ski jump and indoor cross-country

by five lifts, have three separate

ski track capable of use by

runs and an hourly uplift capacity

1000 people, along with a hotel,

of 5000 people.

apartments, a winter academy

The centre is being built by one

and shops. It will be a destination

of Norway’s best-known house

where “Children and young people

Developers have got the go-ahead

snow-covered slopes, overtaking

builders, SELVAAG GROUP,

will be able to combine skiing and

to build the biggest indoor snow

the current largest indoor centre by

and construction is expected

school. This is the future training

centre yet – in Norway.

slope area, Snowworld Landgraaf in

to begin by the end of the

centre for winter-sports athletes,”

Lorensburg Winter Park, to be

the Netherlands. However, the Oslo

year following approval of the

Kjetil Fladmark-Larsen, Chief

located close to the capital Oslo,

slope will be 505m long – a little

project – reported to be 4 years

Executive of Lorensburg Winter

will have 36,000m2 of year-round

shorter than existing slopes at two

in planning – on 9 September.

Park, told TV 2.

030 // NOV15

fischersports.com

centres in France and Germany as

@INTHESNOWMAG

THE UK’S NUMBER 1

SNOW SPORTS R E TA I L E R S N O WA N D R O C K . C O M

 PROMOTION WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

032 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

ROLAND HASCHKA

“Variante Ried”, on the lower part of

skied by an individual was 25.5km of

the “Ried” run and enlarging the Alpen

slopes. Perhaps more interesting still,

piste on the hillside above Valdaora

because there’s so much piste and so

with new snowmaking too at a cost of

much choice, people are able to head

another €2 million.

in many different directions each

Over in Alta Badia, the La Fraina quad

morning, so the average rate of lift use

chairlift is being upgraded to a high-speed

was only 2.3 times for the same lift in an

detachable six-seater chairlift with an uplift

entire week.

capacity of 2400 people per hour. The

Statistically speaking, this means that

738m-long lift has cost €4 million.

users with a weekly Dolomiti Superski

There is also a new snowmaking

ski pass did not use the same lift more

system on slope 9b (Pralongià above

than 2.4 times during 6 days. Assuming

San Cassiano), and a new snowmaking

there are 450 lift facilities within the whole

reservoir has been created capable of

orthern Italy’s South Tyrol region is one

carousel, this data demonstrated the

holding 60,000 cubic metres in the Braia

of the most stunning ski regions on the

extensive offering the client can choose

Fraida area. The two initiatives combined

planet. The mighty Dolomite mountains

from and their choice of undertaking long

have cost €3.3 million.

tower above endless ski slopes in one

journeys with their skis, crossing from one

In Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi, the old

of the sunniest corners of the “big four”

valley to the next without having to take

“Comici 2” double chairlift is seeing a big

Alpine ski nations. It’s no surprise that the

the same lift.

upgrade to a fast six-seater chairlift with

area has been made a UNESCO World

When you’re ready to take a break, the

loading via a mobile carpet conveyor. The

Heritage site.

South Tyrol is also famous for its numerous

new lift can transport up to 2200 people

For skiers and snowboarders it’s always

homely mountain restaurants. They’ve

per hour and has cost €3.5 million.

nice to have spectacular scenery to enjoy

also built a reputation for offering very

There’s also a new slope, “Paprika”, as

as we whizz down the slopes, but the South

high-quality cuisine at very affordable

a variant of the existing Seef run down

Tyrol has several more aces up its sleeve,

prices. That’s something that continues

from Piz Sella to Plan de Gralba. The just-

many of them courtesy of the fact that its

in the various villages of South Tyrol,

over-1km-long run descends 294 vertical

slopes lie within the world’s largest ski area,

where you’ll find a wide-ranging choice of

metres from its start point 2239m up and

Dolomiti Superski, with its 1200km of slopes

accommodation, restaurants, nightsports

has an average steepness of 29.17%,

served by 450 lifts, all on one lift ticket. This

and shops but all with a more human feel

and a maximum of 35.46%, meaning it’s

means you can ski on and on, from village

to them than many ski resorts around

classified as a black. It has cost half a

to village, on wonderfully prepared smooth

the Alps. These are traditional year-

million euros to create.

slopes with something for all levels of skier

round communities which have grown to

and boarder.

embrace winter sports, not purpose-built

In fact Dolomiti Superski have done some

centres that only exist (in terms of having

maths and found that their area is so big

any inhabitants) in the winter.

that if you add up all the piste kilometres

SKI WORLD CUP – DOLOMITI CLASSICS For an added dimension of excitement,

all the visitors last season skied between

NEW FOR 2015–16

there’s little to beat the thrill of witnessing

the Earth to the Sun and back.

Set against this majestic splendour,

day on the slopes of the South Tyrol.

To put it in context, the average vertical

homely restaurants and hotels, and strong

The great classics of the Ski World

gain covered by a person in a day was

traditional values is a hi-tech world with

Cup in Val Gardena (18–19 December)

virtually all of the ski slopes covered by a

and Alta Badia (20–21 December) are

massive hi-tech arsenal of snowmaking

back in the area next month, and there

guns and fast, comfortable lifts with hi-tech

are all-inclusive packages including

lift passes and apps helping to make the

accommodation, ski pass and entry to

experience ever more seamless.

these major events of the international ski

But each winter further improvements

contest season available.

are made to the giant Dolomiti Superski

For Alta Badia, 2015 is the 30th anniversary

Dolomiti Super Première 2015

network, even with new runs added to

of staging World Cup races, and to mark

You can be the first on the slopes this season

give even more choice of pistes, and

the occasion, three events – the Men’s

and enjoy a free hotel night and lift pass for one

2015–16 is no exception.

Giant Slalom (20 December), the new

day when you pay for three, as well as getting

Kronplatz is just one of the ski regions within

Men’s Giant Parallel Slalom by night (21

special rates for rentals and ski school. Dolomiti

the Dolomiti Superski region, yet it already

December) and the Giants’ Ski Challenge

Super Première 2015 runs from 28 November to

alone operates more gondola lifts than

with former champions taking part – will

20 December 2015 in participating hotels.

almost any other ski area on the planet.

all be staged for a long weekend of skiing,

There’s another new gondola being

entertainment and excitement.

Dolomiti Super Kids

installed for the coming season, but this

Guests can choose to watch the races

and Dolomiti Super Sun 2016

time it’s a €7 million replacement of an

from the Leitner VIP Lounge, where

There are also free holidays for children up to 8

existing one. The new Belvedere lift will

local Michelin-star chefs Gerhard Wieser

years old and half-price for children aged up to

have big cabins with 15 seats in each, and

and Martin Obermarzoner will prepare

12 with Dolomiti Super Kids from 19 March to the

every cabin will also have wi-fi.

sublime culinary creations on Sunday 20

end of the season 2016 as well as special rates

Kronplatz is also opening a new run,

December. skiworldcup.it

them, it comes to 239 million kilometres of slopes covered – almost the distance from

DOLOMITI SUPERSKI DEALS 2015-16

WISTHALER HARALD

WISTHALER HARALD

N

above 4000m and the average distance

World Cup downhill racing as part of your

for rentals and ski school.

Dolomiti Super Sun 2016 offers one free day for all included when booking 7 nights over the same dates.

For more information on Dolomiti Superski, go to dolomitisuperski.com/en

DOLOMITISUPERSKI.COM

4 Countries - 1 Airport

Friedrichshafen-Airport (FDH)

Your Gateway to the Alps Discover the snowy landscapes of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Driving times to ski resorts

❆

Ski resorts

Route closed during winter

e.g. Ski resort

Country

Distance

Transfer Time

Oberstdorf

Germany

96 km

1 h 30

Malbun

Liechtenstein

99 km

1 h 25

Schruns

Austria

101 km

1 h 10

Zürs

Austria

124 km

1 h 30

Lech

Austria

128 km

1 h 35

St. Anton

Austria

129 km

1 h 35

Flims-Laax

Switzerland

144 km

1 h 35

Galtür

Austria

144 km

1 h 50

Arosa

Switzerland

153 km

2 h 00

Davos

Switzerland

153 km

2 h 00

Ischgl

Austria

168 km

2 h 10

Serfaus

Switzerland

179 km

2 h 15

Pitztal

Austria

183 km

2 h 19

Savognin

Switzerland

170 km

1 h 55

Livigno

Italy

200 km

3 h 00

St. Moritz

Switzerland

210 km

2 h 35

Ski Lifts to Friedrichshafen-Airport (FDH)

www.bodensee-airport.eu/ski

12

20

Lake Louise Opens, Alberta, Canada.

Obergurgl Opens, Tirol, Austria.

Park City Opens, Utah, USA. The new

Lake Louise will most likely be the first

Obergurgl’s long ski season is scheduled

largest ski area in the US will open today.

ski resort in Canada to open for the

to start today in the Austrian Alps and last

The merged Park City Mountain and

2015–16 ski season. The famous resort

for 6 months. Obergurgl’s normally the

Canyons areas will offer over 2954ha,

has named the 6th as the day and has

first ski area in the Alps that doesn’t rely

300+ trails, 38 lifts, seven terrain parks, six

already had plenty of pre-season snow.

on glacier skiing to open each winter.

natural half pipes and one super pipe.

7

13-15

Scottish Dryslope Slopestyle

World Cup, Levi, Finland. The World

Championships, (Glasgow, Scotland)

Cup tour moves down from the glaciers,

challenge the best of the bunch at

but up to high latitudes in Lapland. Levi

Bearsden Ski & Board Club. Who will be

started snowmaking 5 weeks ago for the

crowned Scotland’s best at slopestyle on

big event which has been staged here

the artificial surface slope?

since 2011. worldcuplevi.com

LAPINVALO - PAUL PALMER

PAUL ZIZKA

6

November

Val Thorens Opens, France. Europe’s highest ski resort has one of France’s longest ski seasons, lasting almost 6 months. Val Thorens joins Tignes as one of the few French ski areas open until the masses join them in coming weeks.

14-15

28

Ski Test, Saas Fee, Switzerland. Swiss

Freestyle Weekend, Snozone,

Santa Claus World Championships,

sports shops run their “ski tests” when

Castleford, England. Rookie freestyle

Switzerland, take place once again in

new ski and snowboard models for the

features will be open from midday

Samnaun, marking the start of the ski season

coming winter season can be tested

over Snozone’s freestyle weekend.

there and the opening of the cross-border

in Saas-Fee’s Allalin snow sports area,

Just purchase a regular slope pass (or

ski area linked to Ischgl in Austria. Teams of

which has been open since July.

freestyle pass after 7pm) to get access.

Santas from all over Europe compete.

8

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BERND KAMMERER

TWICE THE SKIING TWICE THE FUN

TRUSTED BY 2015 WORLD CHAMPION & X GAMES MEDALLIST FILIP FLISAR

O

terrain with something for all abilities and all

of the wonderful mountain restaurants en route

tastes, and that’s in a region with the highest

extending it further if you wish.

and most snow-sure slopes in the Eastern Alps,

Graubünden is easily accessible from the UK,

which also includes famous resorts like Davos

less than 2 hours’ flight from any UK airport and

Klosters, Laax and St. Moritz as well as several

a quick train ride from Zurich airport using the

dozen other lesser-known gems.

efficient and direct service, with the option of

Arosa is a great choice for beginners and

a rail service up to Arosa through some of the

families with children, thanks to its high-altitude

most spectacular scenery in the Alps.

base and gentle runs, which means you don’t

But packages from the UK, recently introduced

need to head high up from your hotel to reach

by Inghams, remove even the minimal effort

the snowiness at lower elevation areas. All can

involved in an independent travel booking, with

also enjoy the wide slopes of Lenzerheide, which

everything arranged for you by one of the UK’s

also offers some more challenging slopes.

biggest and most trusted tour operators.

ne of the biggest success stories in Swiss and

A ski tour for intermediate-level skiers and

Inghams is offering a 7-night holiday to Arosa

indeed world skiing of the past few seasons

boarders and above, the “Runda Lai” circuit

on half-board basis, including return flights

has been the remarkable link-up of two long-

takes you from west to east, always following

from London Heathrow on 16 January, based

established ski areas in the country’s leading

the sun. Depending on your skill and speed, the

on 2 people sharing, for £899 (reduced from

region of Graubünden – Arosa and Lenzerheide.

tour lasts 4 to 5 hours – with a stopover in one

£1089), subject to availability.

Why so remarkable? Well, already each wellknown ski areas in their own rights, both resorts held local referenda to decide on whether to build the link. Then after both voted in favour, the connection – a technical masterpiece – was completed, with twin cable cars spanning the 1.7km, connecting the Urdenfürggli with the

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Hörnli peak. Unlike conventional cable cars, the two cabins can travel independently of one another and cross the valley in just 5 minutes.

The connected area is now one of Graubünden’s largest, with 225km of varied

036 // NOV15

INGHAMS.CO.UK/GRAUBUNDEN

BRUNO LONGO AND LES 2 ALPES

The skiers’ travel agent

Choice, expert advice and quality service • Over 1000 catered ski chalets • Over 800 of the best hotels • Over 800 self catered apartments • Club Med’s all inclusive ski resorts • Packages by rail, air and self drive • Short breaks and corporate events

020 8313 3999

LES 2 ALPES

7018

ABTA No. L6436

Love the Mountains advert (100x175).indd 1

This month Emmanuelle Chatel gives us her insider tips on her favourite French resort.

Best View?

Longest Slope?

Best Adventure Besides Skiing?

Once you reach the top of the slopes, before

Les Deux Alpes ski area has one of the biggest

skiing down at full speed, take time at the top

lift-served vertical drops in the world at 2300m,

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be

to take in the view. A good idea is to head to

and there’s a nice run that goes from the top to

in an avalanche, and want to actually find out, try

the Restaurant Le 3200, located at the bottom

the bottom. Dôme de la Lauze-Mont de Lans is

the Dôme Robocoaster. It’s an articulated robot

of the glacier, and enjoy the stunning view over

the longest slope at the resort, 16km long. Start

you sit inside with big screens which recreate

the valley from the large terrace there. It will truly

at the top of the glacier at 3600m and ski all the

avalanche conditions and take you deep in the

make your day! Early birds will appreciate the

way down to Mont de Lans village at 1300m.

heart of the event. With an important learning

tranquillity, and as an added bonus, the thrill of

The great thing is different routes are possible

role, the Robocaster offers avalanche education

making first tracks! (So don’t spend TOO long

according to your level of ability, and no lift is

in complete safety and reminds you how to stay

taking in that view …)

needed to make connections for the full descent!

safe on the mountain.

You can then easily get back up to the resort by

Best Adventure?

If you’re in resort at the right time, you’ve got to experience the Full Moon Party. Once a

a free shuttle or by ski lift.

Locals’ Favourite Aprèsski Hangout?

month, by the light of a full moon, you can

Best Sweet Treat?

You definitely don’t want to miss this chocolate factory! La Marjolaine is also a tea room with a delightful chocolate smell all around. There’s a

spend the evening on top of the mountains for

The Umbrella, a clubbing bar, located at the

chocolate fountain, many flavours of nougat and

a truly unique experience. Ski until sunset on

bottom of the slopes, is a great place to head just

ice-creams – all homemade naturally. It’s a must

the glacier, which is open especially, then have

after a good day on the slopes – yes, you can

for sweet lovers.

dinner in a cosy mountain restaurant before

dance in your ski boots and there’s a guaranteed

enjoying the dance floor and then skiing back to

good après-ski atmosphere. Later on in the

the resort by night with the ski patrollers under

evening, drop by the Polar Bear Pub, a traditional

the light of the full moon.

chalet, for a mulled wine by the fireplace.

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

037 // NOV15

07/09/20

MONSTER 88

VAL D’ISÈRE STARTS WORK UPGRADING SOLAISE

W

with 91 cabins, complete with

Top stations for all three lifts are

For every tree that has been cut

heated seats and wi-fi. Lift users

on one level beside the new day

down, five others have been

will have the option of parking their

lodge containing a café, a picnic

planted. Clumps of Silène de

skis in exterior baskets or bringing

area, a sun terrace and toilets. It’s

Suède (viscaria alpina), a wild

them inside – the choice speeds

a place where you can relax and

flower with distinctive pink petals

up loading time.

enjoy spectacular views from the

that grows naturally in the area of

The new gondola will increase

floor-to-ceiling windows.

the day lodge, have been carefully

capacity by 40% and can carry

The lift company has taken every

dug up and relocated nearby.

ork is underway on the first stage

up to 3600 passengers per hour,

step to minimise the environmental

The gondola machinery is being

of a €16m (£11.1m) 2-year project

bringing an end to any previous

impact of the project. The

buried underground at the base

to entirely redevelop the top of

peak-hour bottlenecks at the base

redevelopment reduces the

area. This significantly reduces the

Solaise at Val d’Isère, one of the

on high-season dates, and journey

number of lift stations from a total

noise impact both for inhabitants

two mountains reached from the

times will be cut to 7 minutes.

of eight with 34 pylons to just two

and the fauna living around the

famous French resort’s Front de

On the Val d’Isère side of Solaise

with 16 pylons.

Front de Neige.

Neige base area.

itself, a giant, covered magic

In this case, “redevelop” means

carpet lift has replaced the old

literally to reshape the summit.

Terrasse button lift. This serves a

Bulldozers have shifted 70,000m3 –

new secluded beginner area for

a million tonnes – of earth to create

both adults and children without

the setting for a whole new mid-

the distraction of other skiers

mountain station at 2500m that,

whizzing by.

from this winter, will be the focal

The slope has been regraded from

point for skiers and snowboarders.

around 16% to 7% to make it a secure

The old Solaise Express four-

learning area. The lift also serves

person chairlift, along with the

a new tubing area for children and

cable car, continues this winter to

adults. On the far side of Solaise,

provide mountain access. However,

twin covered magic carpets have

from November 2016 these will be

replaced the short double chair that

replaced by a ten-person gondola

brought you to the summit.

038 // NOV15

JP NOISILLIER/NUTS.FR

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JP NOISILLIER/NUTS.FR

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50% OF PARENTS PREPARED TO LIE TO SCHOOLS One of the biggest issues

willing to ask their children

of a family ski holiday is

to continue the deceit and

controlling costs, and with ski

pretend to their teacher that

holiday options concentrated

the reason for absence was not

into just a few weeks, rather

a family holiday. Just 13% of

than the 6 weeks of summer,

parents polled believe families

it’s particularly tough on

should not go on holiday if they

parents trying to introduce

cannot afford it during school-

their children to the healthy,

holiday dates.

educational and life-affirming

According to the survey, three-

experience of a ski holiday.

quarters of the teachers who

In fact a study by travel

were questioned said they’d

deals company Travelzoo

experienced parents lying

has revealed the lengths UK

to them since the penalties

parents are now prepared

came into force; 49% said they

to go to in order to avoid the

felt the fines were affecting

government’s controversial

their relationship with pupils’

fines for term-time holidays.

families.

Travelzoo’s “Parent Trap 2015

“With more than half of UK

Study” polled over 2000

parents prepared to lie in

parents of state-school children

order to avoid the fines and

and found that one in five

over 64,000 fines issued from

parents had already lied to their

September 2013 to 2014, it’s

children’s school in order to

clear that the current system

avoid fines for taking them out

isn’t working,” said Louise

of school for a cheaper holiday.

Hodges of Travelzoo, who

Over half of UK parents said

added, “The fining system is

they were prepared to lie in the

messy, confusing and makes

coming months.

law-abiding families feel like

Two-thirds of parents are also

criminals.”

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039 // NOV15

The new largest artificial ski slope in the world

Both Snowland and Loisinord have had their

Speaking at the start of this year, Briton

is due to open shortly at Altın Oran near the

slopes designed and Snowflex® surface

Engineering Director Shaun Waddingham

capital, Ankara, in Turkey.

material supplied and installed by Yorkshire-

commented, “The project has been

Covering 11,000m2 and accessed by its own

based British company Briton Engineering.

challenging in a number of ways – in

gondola and quad chairlift, the centre, known as

In Turkey the company is working with

particular, the winter weather at almost 1000m

Snowland, will replace the existing “title holder”

assistance from ADA YAPI, a respected

is proving to be testing – and navigating the

of “world’s biggest dry slope”, the 350m-long

construction contractor in its own right and,

Turkish importation system has been a new

Loisinord centre located in the French mining

Briton Engineering say, the perfect partner for

experience too. But the installation team

town of Noeux-les-Mines, 80km south-east

a project of this nature.

is predominantly Turkish and has adapted

of Calais, which has held the title for nearly

Although the Snowflex® surface can be used

very well. The atmosphere on site has been

10 years. Before that, it was the Sheffield Ski

for snow sports year-round, natural snowfall can

fantastic, and we can’t wait to get the slope

Village, which was destroyed by fire 3 years ago.

sometimes occur at the Snowland location too.

into shape and operational.”

040 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

 PROMOTION

T

2. QUALITY TIME

Again, if you have your equipment serviced in the UK before your holiday, you know it’s in pristine condition

You don’t want to arrive after a long trip to a resort only

on day one.

to have to join a queue in a rental shop to get some illfitting gear, or worse still, find they’ve run out of your size altogether – only then to have the old issue of returning

5. WORRY-FREE WARRANTY

your gear to the shop at the end of your stay and having to work out how to have shoes with you after you drop the

It’s one you may not have considered, but when buying

ski boots off to get back to your hotel. Much better to have

from a UK retailer, customers will avoid potential warranty

your own gear, fitted at your leisure to suit you in your own

or customs issues.

time back in the UK. You arrive in resort ready to go. No

Faulty, damaged or broken equipment can cause big

worries, no time wasted, no hassle.

issues as the contract exists between the buyer and the seller. You don’t buy a loaf of bread in Tesco and if it’s

3. SOUND, CLEAR ADVICE

not perfect expect a refund in Waitrose. Ski equipment is exactly the same, and the first point of contact in any warranty enquiry has to be the original seller.

Buying from a UK specialist retailer, especially a member

So any complaint or return is a lot easier when dealing

of SIGB, will also ensure you are offered a high level of

with a UK retailer – it’s closer to home and everyone

here’s never been a better time to buy your kit in good old

service and advice. Being able to see, hold and try on kit,

speaks English and comes under the same legal

Blighty, and to prove it the SIGB has just launched a new

especially ski and snowboard hardware and outerwear,

jurisdiction. Correct binding, fitting and adjustment are

campaign called ‘Go UK, Buy UK’ to encourage us British

has no substitute.

also important in terms of warranty validity.

skiers and snowboarders to buy our kit and equipment

I fondly remember a trip with a group of male friends some

before we head off to foreign slopes.

years ago when one of our number decided to splash out

The SIGB, if you don’t already know, is a trade association

on a “bargain” pair of skis he saw in a shop in the resort.

with the full name of the Snowsport Industries of Great

These were sold to him no questions asked, but the next

Britain (SIGB), which currently has more than 160 member

day, in the middle of the slopes, the binding cracked in half

British athletes are having their best-ever run of results,

organisations from the retail, supplier and travel sectors of

and fell off. He returned to the shop, where the staff were

and James “Woodsy” Woods is already topping the World

the industry – all working hard to promote snowsports at

unapologetic and did not refund his money, insisting that

Cup Slopestyle 2015–16 table thanks to a win in the first

all levels in the UK. So that’s a good thing.

they had not realised that he was buying them for himself.

contest in New Zealand in August, before most of us

So why buy in Britain? Let us count the reasons!

“But these are women’s skis!” they said in wide-eyed

have even booked our flights to the Alps this coming

astonishment. He hasn’t lived it down.

season. But it’s almost as big a battle for British athletes

Getting good-fitting boots in particular can be a deal

to win funding as it is to win the competitions. Thankfully,

breaker in terms of how much you enjoy your skiing or

though, there’s a supportive, active UK snow-sports trade

snowboarding holiday. Getting your boots professionally

working with our competitors at all levels, and the industry

Yes, the pound may currently be riding high in some ski

fitted in the UK by an expert who speaks your language

has invested over £1.2 million to promote skiing and

nations, and you may see what appears to be a bargain in

and can analyse your feet and the fit of the boots is a vital

snowboarding, from local amateur events to world-class

some exotic ski shop, but is it really?

part of being ready for a snow-sports trip.

international competitors, over the past 20 years. So the

1. VALUE

more support we give to the British snow-sports trade, the

“It is very rare that I’m in a resort and see standard shop prices for skis and boots that are cheaper than in Britain,” says Steve Wells, Ski Hardware Manager at

6. SUPPORT THE SPORT

4. AFTER-SALES SUPPORT

more they can give to the British team.

retailer Ellis Brigham. “I think back to when I started

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in the industry 18 years ago and advanced/expert ski

Follow-up after-sales, whether it’s boot-fitting adjustments,

boots were £300+, with good intermediate boots only

repairs or maintenance, is an important part of any UK

slightly less than they are now; that’s a long time for

specialist shop’s reputation and service standard. Buying

very little rise. Expected price rises have never really

at home gives confidence in terms of ongoing support.

happened, and since then the UK has in general been in

“The most common problem we see in the stores is

parity with Europe. The misconception of resorts being

boots bought abroad where all the shop has cared

cheaper is nearly gone.”

about is getting the sale,” says Steve. “Skiers end up

Even if you do find something that seems cheap in resort,

with boots way too big that felt fine initially but quickly

it probably is just that: cheap.

loosened up. The shop isn’t looking to impress and

To support the Go UK, Buy UK campaign

And once you’ve paid out for something that seemed

create a repeat customer; they just want a sale. Getting

and ensure you are buying British, you

cheap in the Alps and got it home and realised it doesn’t

the right product wasn’t so much of a concern because

can find your nearest SIGB retailer by

fit or isn’t very good, you’re stuffed. But in the UK you

with boots it takes time and lots of communication,

visiting sigb.org.uk/directory/shops

know you can easily return it, plus the shop wants you to

something we do focus on in this country. In the UK we

be a loyal customer so they’ll sell you the best thing for

want to do a great job and bring repeat business, even

you in the first place. That’s a high-value service.

if that means more time and effort.”

BUY YOUR SKI GEAR IN THE UK

SIGB.ORG.UK/DIRECTORY/SHOPS

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COMPETITION WINNERS SKI JUMP WITH EDDIE THE EAGLE

F

training jumps there, which have

and yesterday said it had been an

rails launches you into the memory

an artificial sliding surface to use

amazing week.

abyss known in ski-jump speak as

outside the snow season, then to

“The first time I stood up there, the

the black hole, where your brain

return to Courchevel in the winter

colour drained away from my face.

can’t process the craziness of what

to take on the biggest ski jump of

Nothing could have prepared me

you’re doing, and so you arrive

all, used during the 1992 Winter

for that, but we all managed thanks

at the bottom and can’t recall any

Olympic Games.

to the help from the coaches and of

details of what just happened.”

The learn-to-ski-jump charity

course Eddie, a true legend,” he said.

“The atmosphere this week has

fundraiser has been spearheaded

Another winner, Alexandra Stubbs,

been great with the German Ladies

by Chris and Lucie Learoyd, owners

was also apprehensive at first. She

team and the National French

of luxury chalet company Alp

said, “I applied during a raging

team all getting involved,” added

Leisure Ltd, based in Méribel and

midlife crisis, not actually expecting

Chris. “I am sure the atmosphere

Courchevel, whose 14-year-old son

to be selected. I grew up with

has stimulated the local coaches

Jonty will be competing in the next

stories of my Austrian grandfather

too. They are getting on the hill

ive complete ski-jumping beginners

Junior Winter Olympics.

whose colourful CV included

themselves this week and they

took on the challenge of their lives

“We are passionate about ski

ski-jump pioneer, drinking and

haven’t done that for years!”

last month in Courchevel in the

jumping here because of Jonty, and

gambling, but sadly not parenting –

Jump with Eddie continues on

French Alps, alongside probably

we had an idea to get more people

my mother only met him twice. My

25 January 2016 with Alp Leisure

the world’s most famous ski jumper,

involved in the sport,” said Chris.

50th is looming in January during

(alpleisure.com). The three other

Eddie the Eagle.

“Then it seemed to spiral when Ski

the second week of this challenge,

winners are Donald Banks, Max

The five had won the chance to

4 Cancer became involved and

so the chance to launch myself at it

Willcocks and Mark Black.

jump with Eddie in a competition

then Eddie, which was amazing.”

at 50mph was too good to miss.”

organised by Ski 4 Cancer, a charity

The winners had to convince Alp

“Somehow I managed a 60m and

which helps people recover from

Leisure Ltd that they were able

25m jump during the week, which

their illness by bringing them and

to ski down a black run, but they

for me was an epic achievement,”

Five winners, from left to right:

their families out to the mountains.

had never been off a ski jump in

Alexandra added. “Initially I was

The “new British Ski Jumping Team”

The prize includes two separate

their lives.

seriously concerned I would freeze

– Max Willcocks, Andrew Marshall,

return trips to Courchevel, firstly to

Andrew Marshall from North

and end up clambering down a

Alexandra Stubbs, Donald Banks,

begin to learn ski jumping on the

Wales was one of the winners

sobbing wreck. Hurtling down the

Mark Black

042 // NOV15

Image Above

SKI4CANCER.ORG

JACK AFFLECK

VAIL SPENDS $110 MILLION ACROSS ALL RESORTS Vail Resorts, which owns ten of the leading resorts in the US as well as Perisher, Australia’s biggest ski resort, has announced it is spending $110 million (£81.2 million) on resort upgrades across its resorts ahead of next winter.

Around half of this has gone on the interconnection of Park City Mountain and Canyons resorts in Utah to create the largest ski area in the US, but they’re also spending on a new six-passenger chairlift, the Avanti Express (#2), back at their home mountain of Vail itself.

The Avanti Express is a key access lift on the front side of Vail Mountain, serving intermediate and advanced terrain, dispersing skiers and snowboarders from the Lionshead area to midmountain, so upgrading the lift should reduce wait times and improve reliability.

A loading conveyor and gates will improve efficiency and increase capacity by up to 30%, vastly improving skier and snowboarder

ANDY PARANT

circulation, Vail says.

PARADISKI’S NEW APP Ski resort apps are no longer news of course, but one of France’s largest ski areas, Paradiski, which includes the La Plagne and Les Arcs ski slopes, claims its new app will be something special.

Among the more useful features on the app, which the resort is calling YUGE, will be live lift-queue information in real time thanks to the setting up of “queue monitors” across the huge ski domain. This should help users to plan their routes to avoid any queues.

There will also be photo and video facilities on the piste, allowing skiers to “immortalise their skiing and retrieve their memories direct on the app”, according to Paradiski.

Paradiski say they have set up wi-fi terminals at various “strategic points” around the vast ski area of 435km of piste so that skiers from all over the world can log in without clocking up roaming charges.

The app will be free to download on iOS or Android.

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043 // NOV15

WIN WIN A WEEK A WEEK FOR 2 IN FOR 2 IN ANDORRA ANDORRA WIN WORTH WORTH A WEEK €1,750 FOR 2 IN €1,750 ANDORRA WORTH

€1,750

InTheSnow have teamed up with Andorra Resorts to give away a fantastic holiday for two people to El Tarter, Andorra, worth €1,750!

Enter at inthesnow.com/competitions See terms & conditions entry form up with Andorra Resorts to InTheSnow haveon teamed give away a fantastic holiday for two people to is the largest skiable domain in the Pyrenees with 210km ElGrandvalira Tarter, Andorra, worth €1,750! of slopes, and with the winner staying at Pierre & Vacances Enter at inthesnow.com/competitions Residence El Tarter and having their lift pass included, you’ll have a

InTheSnow have teamed up with Andorra Resorts to give away a fantastic holiday for two people to El Tarter, Andorra, worth €1,750!*

See terms & conditions on entry form

full week to explore this fantastic ski area! Grandvalira is home to both European and World Cup ski events so is great for those of you Grandvalira the largest but skiable domain in the Pyrenees with 210km looking for ais challenge, if you’re a beginner don’t worry of slopes, and with the winner staying at Pierrefor & Vacances because Soldeu-El Tarter school is renowned awesome instructors, Residence El Tarter having their lift pass included, you’ll have a many of whom areand from the UK, making it an excellent place to learn. staying at Pierre &ski Vacances Not only does the is prize include car full week to explore this fantastic area! Grandvalira home to Residence El Tarter and having and accommodation, it also both European andprize World Cup ski events isrental great for those of you Not only does the include car rentalso and accommodation, it their lift pass included, you’ll have includes two full area lift passes as looking for a challenge, but if you’re a beginner don’t worry also includes two full area lift topasses well as skisand&boots boots a full week explore thisas fantastic wellyour as your skis for the for because Soldeu-El Tarter school is renowned for awesome instructors, ski area! is homeyourself to week, all you need to do isand get the week, so all you need toGrandvalira do is get tosoBarcelona the many of whom from the UK,care making it an excellent place both European and Worldof Cupthe ski yourself to Barcelona and the to learn.

Andorra Resortsare team will take rest!

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G

events so is great for those of you

Andorra Resorts team will take care

looking for a challenge, but if you’re the rest!

Not the prizeabout include car rental andof accommodation, it For only moredoes information El Tarter and Andorra please visit a beginner don’t worry because also includes two full area lift passes as well asForyour skis & boots for www.andorraresorts.com.

Soldeu-El Tarter school is renowned more information about El therandvalira week, allskiable you need to doinstructors, is getmany yourself to and Barcelona the is theso largest for awesome of Tarter Andorra pleaseand visit Andorra Resorts team will take care of the rest! domain in the Pyrenees with 210km whom are from the UK, making it an andorraresorts.com. of slopes, and with the winner

excellent place to learn.

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For more information about El Tarter and Andorra please visit www.andorraresorts.com.

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SWITZERLAND TOURISM/STEPHAN SCHACHER

 PROMOTION

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

I FB.COM/INTHESNOW

t’s easy to fall in love with

you land in Switzerland, you’ll find railway

on the yummy cheese fondue train. You’ll

airlines, carry your ski equipment for free

Switzerland: the seamless

stations in the airports and fast, comfortable

also find our guide to some of Switzerland’s

(excl. Economy Light fares).

service, the spectacular scenery,

connections to the resorts. A simple return

best ski-in/ski-out hotels, one of which

Once you’ve landed in Switzerland, the

the big ski areas and cosy

rail ticket takes you there and you don’t

could be your perfect base.

best way to reach your holiday destination

resorts, the high-quality, efficient

even need to reserve your seat.

Wherever you go and whenever you travel,

is with the Swiss Transfer Ticket. This

transportation – the list of boxes

The only problem you face is the choice

enjoy falling in love with Switzerland,

special ticket takes you from any Swiss

ticked for offering what you need

– there are so many great Swiss ski

whether it’s your first time or the hundredth.

arrival airport/border station to your ski

for the perfect ski holiday is a

destinations. Over these six pages we’ve

very long one.

laid out the options for you with our “speed

Even before you leave the UK,

dating” guide to many of Switzerland’s best

you’ll find a different class of

ski resorts, and you’ll also find a list of some

airline if you book with SWISS,

of the big events to look out for in the Swiss

From the UK and Ireland, fly with SWISS

charge, when accompanied by an adult

and your ski equipment is carried free

Alps – should you want to tackle Europe’s

(SWISS.com), who offer over 180 weekly

holding a Swiss Transfer Ticket or Swiss

in almost every fare bracket. Then once

longest floodlit toboggan run or take a ride

flights to Switzerland and, unlike most

Travel Pass (MySwitzerland.com/rail).

resort and back again at the end of your

Travel To Switzerland

stay. The ticket costs £94 (2nd class) or £151 (1st class) and is valid for one month.

Children under 16 years travel free of

045 // NOV15

T

ago on the Gurten,

mountain immortalised in the James Bond

largest ski areas, six miles long end to

The huge Portes du Soleil region on the

local mountain. This was the first winter

Bern’s

film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

end, with 210km of slopes.

Swiss-French border is one of the world’s

milestone for the Bern-Bernese Oberland

To fully explore the region, the town of

The village of Kandersteg has retained its

biggest ski areas covered by one lift ticket

in becoming a successful and diverse

Interlaken, with its central location and

original typical Swiss character. In addition

with over 600km of runs. Here you can ski for

winter destination.

budget-friendly accommodation, is an ideal

to 50km of groomed pistes and cross-

miles all day long and never take the same lift

Brits in particular have been falling in love

place to stay.

country trails, the frozen waterfalls on the

twice. On the Swiss side, skiers can expect

with the Jungfrau Region, and its resorts

The charming resort of Meiringen-Hasliberg

steep cliffs in the idyllic Kander valley are

challenging terrain and lovely views above

of Grindelwald, Mürren, Wengen and

is particularly well geared up for families,

perfect for ice climbing.

the villages of Champery and Morgins.

Lauterbrunnen, for over a century.

and you can leave the little ones in supervised care at the Skihäsliland, which is totally focused on children’s needs.

The vast 4 Vallées ski area with its 400km

Valais

of linked pistes crowned by the Mont Fort glacier connects 6 resorts each with its own

In the legendary high-alpine resort of

character. The smaller villages of Thyon with

Gstaad you will find a blend of tradition,

its authentic feel or Nendaz with its wide

comfort and style with access to 250km

range of accommodation offer some great

he toughest choice in skiing Switzerland

of pistes including glacier skiing. Gstaad is

alternatives to the renowned Verbier.

is knowing which area to fall in love with.

also a culinary hotspot with more than 100

There’s also Saas-Fee, another snow-sure

Each of the country’s regions has plenty of

restaurants ranging from traditional Swiss

destination, with a season that runs from

ski resorts to choose from! But fear not, you

cuisine to some of Europe’s finest gourmet

July through to May. It’s an idyllic, car-free

can try several before deciding which is the

meals. And if you’re looking for a little out

village where WHAM! famously filmed their “Last Christmas” video.

one for you. Or maybe never decide and

The iconic Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau

of the ordinary, consider staying in one of

just keep trying.

stand spectacularly above the extensive

Gstaad’s romantic igloos.

260km of slopes which rise to 3000m. The

Adelboden, linked to Lenk, was once

Valais is one of the world’s best-known

are still waiting to be discovered. The Sierre-

many highlights here include the famous

a traditional mountain resort that was

ski regions – home to dozens of resorts

Anniviers ski area with its 220km of pistes

Lauberhorn World Cup race in January,

popular with European nobility and artists

including world-famous Zermatt. With no

is an outstanding destination for freeriders

the continent’s highest railway station at

in the 19th century and welcomed its first

less than 45 peaks above 4000m and ski

while the village of Zinal and Grimentz have

The first Swiss ski race with international

the Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe and

skiers in 1901. Today it is famous for its

runs located between 1500 and 3000m,

retained their authentic charm.

participation took place over 100 years

the revolving restaurant on the Schilthorn

sunshine and boasts one of Switzerland’s

Valais is one of the most snow-sure regions.

Nestled in the foothills of Mont Blanc is the

BERN-BERNESE OBERLAND

046 // NOV15 // INTHESNOW.COM

Some of the lesser-known resorts of the Valais

@INTHESNOWMAG

CHRISTIAN PERRET

 PROMOTION

There’s always a lot happening in Switzerland, in the cities you arrive in en route to the slopes and of course in the ski areas themselves.

Feel the love and time your trip to go even more Swiss than normal. lift pass to access the venues. Along with

descends more than 400 vertical

amazing natural concert locations, après-

metres from Preda down to Bergün.

ski parties are staged later in the resorts.

With lots of fun on the way, it covers a distance of 6km – that’s more than three miles.

The route begins with tight turns at Preda then takes in a number of bridges including the 90m-high Solis Viaduct and the Landwasser Viaduct,

Rendez-vous Bundesplatz

and then it continues through the

Where? Bern

helical tunnel of the Albula valley. At

When: Until 29 November 2015

the end of the run in Bergün, trains on

Details: bern.com

the Rhaetian railway will take you back

For the past 4 years, Bern’s Parliament

The Fondue Train

Building has taken on a whole new light

Where? Rigi, Lake Lucerne Region

each autumn, enchanting young and

When: 8 January to 11 March 2016

old with a spectacular light show. Last

Details: rigi.ch

up to the start in Preda if you want to do it all over again.

year, more than half a million spectators witnessed the light show they call

Swiss trains, Swiss fondue – both

“Rendez-vous Bundesplatz,” and this

perfection of course, and in an act of sheer

year’s display of light and sound will

genius some mastermind has brought the

again offer a completely new design.

two together in the world’s oldest electric

Pays du St-Bernard with four small resorts and

are all wonderful ski holiday destinations.

100km of pistes in superb natural landscapes.

Whether you choose to stay with friends

cogwheel railcar (built in 1911). The train

This is the perfect setting to enjoy great powder

or family in the snow-covered mountains

climbs in the moonlight up to 1800m.

but also to relax in stunning surroundings.

or enjoy the lakeside towns of Montreux or

You’ll enjoy the magical atmosphere up on

Families will feel at home in the south-facing

Lausanne, there’s something for everyone

Mount Rigi before eating that memorable

Aletsch Arena with its car-free resorts and

in the Lake Geneva Region.

fondue inside the train carriage! A coffee

International Hot-Air Balloon Festival

ski-in, ski-out accommodation.

The Vaud Alps in the Lake Geneva Region

with Rigi cherry brandy, followed by the

Where? Château d’Oex, Lake Geneva

pull out the stops for families with young

train ride back down, rounds off this party

When: 23 to 31 January 2016

children. Throughout the season, children

evening in elegant style.

Details: festivaldeballons.ch

up to the age of 9 can stay for free in their parents’ room and get a free ski pass for the entire ski area.

The long-established and spectacular ballooning festival in the Lake Geneva

What’s more, spend at least one night in a

Rock the Pistes Festival

partner hotel in Villars or Les Diablerets to

Where? Portes du Soleil, Valais

balloons from 18 countries gather in the

take advantage of their special offer to ski

When: 13 to 19 March 2016

sky above Château d’Oex. The sight

for only £15 a day. When staying for 2 or

Details: rockthepistes.com

of all these balloons above the snowy

Region sees more than 80 hot-air

more nights, your ticket also includes the

Lake Geneva Region

skiing area of Glacier3000 as well.

landscape of the Alps is unforgettable.

It only seems a few years since the first

Balloons include some designed in

Rock The Pistes Festival was taking

special unusual shapes, and there are

place, but amazingly it’s the sixth year

also air shows at the weekends and

already next spring when once again top

Preda-BergUn Toboggan Run

The Lake Geneva Region extends from

musical acts will be playing at venues

Where? Bergün, Graubünden

There is also a children’s afternoon

the peaceful Jura mountains up to the

around the Portes du Soleil ski area –

When: All winter

on the Wednesday, and there are

fascinating Vaud Alps. Château d’Oex,

one of the world’s largest with 640km

Details: en.graubuenden.ch

passenger flights all week! Saturday

Rougemont, Les Diablerets with its 3000m

of runs shared by a dozen ski villages.

glacier skiing at nearby Glacier 3000 as well

Concerts take place on the slopes and

Switzerland’s first – and Europe’s

sound-and-lights show with balloons

as Leysin-Col des Mosses and Villars-Gryon

admission is free so long as you hold a

longest – floodlit toboggan run

floodlit from within.

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the start and end of the Festival week.

sees the magical Night Glow Show, a

047 // NOV15

 PROMOTION

Romantik Hotel SCHOENEGG

 WENGEN, BERNESE OBERLAND | HOTEL-SCHOENEGG.CH

Loving your Swiss ski holiday is easier still when you choose to

The Romantik Hotel Schönegg has retained its authenticity and

stay in a romantic slopeside hotel. There’s nothing better than

exclusive charm, having been renovated using old timbers and

staying in a superb resort, getting cosy in a comfortable hotel, then

specially selected antiques. You can enjoy stunning views from

jumping out of bed in the morning and into your ski boots, out the

its bedrooms and the restaurant, lit by candlelight, has been

door, straight onto the piste! For more hotels recommended by

awarded 13 points in the Gault&Millau gourmet guide. The hotel

Switzerland Tourism, visit MySwitzerland.com/besthotels

is also the only one in Wengen that does not accommodate groups, making it an “oasis” for individual travellers.

Hotel Riffelhaus

Hamilton Lodge & Spa





ZERMATT, VALAIS | RIFFELHAUS.CH

BELALP, VALAIS | HAMILTONLODGE.CH

One of Europe’s highest ski hotels, the historic Riffelhaus

A small but beautiful mountain hotel designed in a comfortable

hotel sits 2600m up, high above Zermatt and directly on the

Alpine style, the Hamilton Lodge and Spa offers a stone

ski slopes of this huge area, which extends over the border

fireplace, comfy cushions, glittering chandeliers and a warm

into Italy. Guests arrive here from Zermatt in 23 minutes by

and welcoming atmosphere. You can relax in the bio-sauna,

taking the famous Gornergrat mountain railway up from the

which uses herbs from the surrounding meadows. There’s also

world-renowned resort.

a filling farmhouse breakfast served up each morning, including ingredients from the farmer cooperatives in the mountains.

Lake Lucerne Region

again and it’s not just about downhill; there are sledging runs, cross-country tracks, snowshoe trails and hundreds of kilometres of marked winter walking routes too to enjoy

Schatzalp Snow & Mountain Resort



Rocksresort SWISS LODGE

DAVOS KLOSTERS, GRAUBÜNDEN | SCHATZALP.CH

FLIMS LAAX FALERA, GRAUBÜNDEN | ROCKSRESORT.COM

in the unique winter-sport destinations in the Lucerne – Lake Lucerne Region.

On Engelberg’s Mount Titlis, which peaks at more than 3000m above sea level, stands Europe’s highest suspension bridge.

Those brave enough to try the metre-wide suspended cable construction can enjoy

Built in the Art Nouveau style and with a pervading Belle Époque

This extraordinary development creates an entire resort base of its

Skiing in the beautiful heart of

breathtaking views 500m down into the

atmosphere, the Schatzalp is well over a century old and famously

own, comprising eight stylish modern buildings located around the

Switzerland offers some fun alternatives

abyss of the Titlis south wall.

appeared in Thomas Mann’s book Zauberberg (Magic Mountain).

base of the ski lifts at Laax ski area. All in all, there are 122 stylish

to the usual ski holiday – you can even

Engelberg also offers the largest and

The hotel first opened its doors in 1900 as a luxury sanatorium but

and comfortable apartments. The resort also includes shops,

arrive at your ski resort by boat, crossing

highest ski area in the region and a winter

was later converted to a mountain hotel. The soul of the building,

bars and various restaurants – and whether you want fast food or

the famous Lake Lucerne!

experience 365 days a year. A new eight-

within its architecture, has been preserved in its original form.

gourmet restaurant dining, there’s something for all tastes.

There’s a great variety of ski areas once

person gondola this winter takes just 15

048 // NOV15 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

:

STEFAN SCHLUMPF 7012 FELSBERG | SWITZERLAND

“Pristine nature and a modern tourist infrastructure”

GraubUnden

minutes from the village to Stand (2428m),

racer’s “home run”, which at 12km in length

mountains and persuaded them to spend

Laax has built a reputation as one of

from where the famous Rotair revolving

is one of Switzerland’s longest descents.

their first snowy season in the Alps.

the coolest ski areas on the planet with

cable car glides up to the Klein Titlis (3028

Freestyle skiers and boarders will love the

Today visitors still feel this fascination.

great freeriding from its glaciated upper

m), where the ski season continues from

Frutt Park at Melchsee-Frutt ski area. The

Graubünden is one of Switzerland’s

Graubünden in winter includes everything

slopes and no less than four terrain

now through to next May.

largest fun park in the Lake Lucerne Region

leading ski regions and home to many of

from tranquil cross-country, such as the

parks hosting big events like the Burton

features kickers, rails, boxes, spins, drop-

the country’s top resorts including Davos

trails of the Surselva, peaceful winter hiking

European Open and the BRITS freestyle

ins, tree rides and much more.

Klosters, St. Moritz, Arosa, Lenzerheide

paths and spa and wellness facilities to rail

festival each winter.

One fun venue is the Pilatus Snow & Fun

and Laax as well as many excellent ski

journeys, culture and history.

This season Laax’s old triple chairlift La

Park, which offers snow enthusiasts a wide

centres less well known, such as Vals,

Siala at Laax is being replaced by a modern

variety of winter sports on Fräkmüntegg.

Bergün and Savognin.

gondola complete with 10-seat cabins

Here you can try out the different types of

Offering pristine nature combined

which will take skiers and boarders up

snow sports equipment.

with modern tourist infrastructure,

from Alp Sogn Martin to La Siala, with a

Or a visit to the Husky Camp in Muotathal is

Graubünden has been offering winter

very comfortable, pleasant ride. After Laax

another chance for snow thrills – this time dog

holidays for more than 150 years, since

previously unveiled a chairlift designed

powered. Here you can drive a dog sled as a

the legendary hotelier Johannes Badrutt

by Porsche, this new gondola car was

Fans of Engelberg’s Olympic gold medallist,

musher and stay at Switzerland’s only husky

captured his British guests’ imagination

developed in collaboration with Pininfarina,

Dominique Gisin, will enjoy the downhill ski

camp surrounded by the huskies themselves.

with the appeal of winter in the

the designers of Ferrari cars.

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049 // NOV15

ENGADIN ST. MORITZ/ ENGADIN ST.MORITZ MOUNTAINS AG

 PROMOTION

“Mountain magic with urban fl air” Davos Klosters

Where and when did you fall in love with Switzerland?

Go to MySwitzerland.com/yourstory and share your love story, or use the hashtag #INLOVEWITHSWITZERLAND via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

ENGADIN ST. MORITZ

The traditional winter spa resort of Davos

walks, and skiers are in their element

high altitude Engadin valley

combines mountain magic with urban

with endless downhill runs alongside

is framed by snowcapped

flair. Besides its huge choice of off-slope

great terrain parks and pipes for freestyle

peaks – yet also strikingly

activities and great nightlife, the resort is

boarders and skiers. There are great rustic

wide and flooded with

home to Europe’s largest natural ice rink.

mountain restaurants serving up quality

sunlight. Each village often

cuisine too.

has its own ski area right

The destination’s “Lift Pass for Free”

on its doorstep too. The

offer is back, which means you get a

great thing in any case is

free lift pass for every night you stay in a

Switzerland Tourism will pick their favourite stories and you could win a trip back to the destination you fell in love with!

Get inspired for your next holiday at MySwitzerland.com/winter

that, wherever you stay, you

selected property before 20 December.

St. Moritz is of course one of the world’s

have access to the huge

Throughout the season, Davos Klosters

most famous ski resorts – some would

Engadin region with its 350km (217 miles) of

There are the four larger ski areas

has a complimentary guest programme

say THE most famous. It has twice hosted

beautiful pistes and the public rail and bus

of Corviglia, Corvatsch, Diavolezza

with experiences compiled by a dedicated

the Winter Olympics and its next big

transport links between each area included

and Zuoz, as well as five smaller but

“Insider Team” made up of locals, local

event is the 2017 FIS Alpine World Ski

in the lift pass. The great value “Hotel & Ski

charming areas. Beginners, intermediates

celebrities and tourism experts. You could,

Championships coming the winter after this.

Pass” offer is available on stays of 2 nights

and experts alike will discover slopes

The nearby village of Klosters is a foodie

for example, experience the sunrise on a

St. Moritz sits at the heart of a wider area,

and more and entitles you to buy your

perfectly suited to their ability, and the

heaven, with excellent gourmet restaurants.

mountain peak or take a behind-the-scenes

the Engadin, and that has a number of

Engadin St. Moritz lift pass for just CHF35

glacier slopes of Diavolezza have already

Here pristine valleys lead to dreamy winter

look at an avalanche detonation.

smaller, more intimate villages too. The

per day (approx. £24).

opened for winter 2015–16.

050 // NOV15

MYSWITZERLAND.COM/WINTER

Sunny with a 100% chance of free ski transport.

Your ski holiday starts the moment you board one of our aircraft. So why spoil it by charging you to transport your ski equipment? With SWISS, your equipment travels free, which makes your journey even more enjoyable. That’s what we call unique service.

From

£54

one way

incl. ski equipment SWISS.COM

1 pair of skis or 1 snowboard, 1 pair of ski poles, 1 pair of ski boots or 1 pair of snowboard boots are free of charge and in addition to standard baggage allowance. Price quoted per person, including airport taxes and surcharges, departing from London Gatwick to Geneva (advertised route is operated from 18.12.15 until 9.4.16). Price is correct at time of production, subject to change and exchange rate variations. Availability is limited. For some payment methods a charge of £4.50 may apply.

LIFE IN PICTURES

ED BLOMFIELD

ALPINE CLUB

OT CHAMONIX

 PROMOTION biggest and most varied

several years’ break. The

been beloved by skiers and

domains in the Alps with

3.34km-long course at Les

boarders, and indeed pretty

over 700km of pistes! In

Houches drops 870 vertical

much anyone who visits,

addition to this, skiers

metres en route.

for generations. This winter,

wishing to discover the

And almost any time in

as every winter, there are

4 Vallées area in Verbier,

the season, you have the

additional improvements to

Switzerland, benefit from

opportunity to discover

get excited about!

a 50% reduction when in

more about the relationship

As if it wasn’t big already,

possession of a 6+ day

between the British and

the Mont Blanc Unlimited

MBU pass.

Chamonix through the

(MBU) lift pass now also

If you visit in February (19/20)

generations with a visit

includes skiing in nearby

this winter, you also have the

to an outstanding new

Megève and Saint Gervais

chance to see the return of

exhibition, The Treasures of

(Espace Evasion), as well

World Cup racing action to

the Alpine Club, which runs

as Courmayeur (Italy).

the area when the legendary

from 17 December 2015 to

This makes for one of the

Kandahar race returns after

17 April 2016.

HUSKYDALEN

PIERRE RAPHOZ

The Chamonix Valley has

BERTRAND DELAPIERRE

CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC VALLEY

052 // NOV15

CHAMONIX.COM

THE RIGHT BOOTS ARE NOT ENOUGH

E

and we’re all secretly jealous of those people with comfortable snowboarding boots.

But, whether skier or boarder, it’s a mistake to think that finding the perfect boot is enough. However comfortable the boot, our feet all vary tremendously within them, and if our muscles are focusing in the wrong places our feet won’t be exercising the maximum control and pressure with the minimum effort, and we won’t be working

very skier knows that getting

with maximum efficiency. In truth,

comfortable but functional ski

very few skiers naturally do, and

boots is (arguably) THE most

our bodies over-react in one way

important factor in the quality of

or another to compensate for our

our skiing and in our enjoyment

inbuilt flaws, making it difficult to

of each day on the slopes. A

focus on technique and also often

painful ski boot can ruin the day,

leading to foot pain.

The answer is to get footbeds –

breeding expert boot fitters. These

custom-made insoles that map

use a high-tech machine called the

your feet and your whole body

fitPOD which uses a laser guide

stance to ensure you are skiing

to align the foot in a non-weight-

with maximum efficiency. Superfeet

bearing position. The product is

are a company with a medical

then heated in a mini oven within

and scientific background rather

the fitPOD and vacuum-moulded

than a marketing and fashion one,

to the foot. It all takes under 15

and they have five decades of

minutes, and it’s all part of the

experience. Their footbeds can be

reason why the current Go UK,

custom fitted in ski specialist shops

Buy UK promotion represents

across the country, as the company

the best way to buy your ski gear

run boot-fitting courses for shop

using British expertise. For more

staff to ensure that Britain is

information, visit: superfeet.com.

INSTANT ESPRESSO WITH THE MINIPRESSO The problem that many skiers have

extraction quality of a coffee

finding a decent cup of coffee in

machine any time anywhere in any

many ski resorts, or when heading

part of the world that your skis

into the backcountry, could now

take you.

be at an end, thanks to the advent

Minipresso works with the help

of the pump-action “Minipresso”,

of the semi-automatic piston,

which aims to make that lacklustre

where small quantities of hot

flask full of warm instant coffee a

water are injected into the coffee

thing of the past.

adapter. After a few simple thumb

that you can enjoy on the highest

some hot water. Weighing in at

The compact new Minipresso (it’s

pushes, the optimal extraction

mountain or the remotest ridge.

360g, the Minipresso is priced

175mm high) creates delicious

pressure is achieved, and a rich

There’s no power source required

at £48. For stockists, go to

espresso coffee shots of the

and bold espresso is extracted

although you do need access to

eskimoagency.com

+33 (0)4 50 54 55 56 reservation@heliopic.com

heliopic-hotel-spa.com FB.COM/INTHESNOW

053 // NOV15

WORDS: JAAKKO JÄRVENSIVU  IMAGES: JUHA LAINE

054 // NOV15

L

Ylläs has come a long way since then and has

the run is in the woods, giving you precious

a lot to offer even when the off-piste is not

shelter on windy days.

in prime condition; for skiing in-bounds, the

The next morning, Juha and I drive to the

area has 28 lifts and 63 slopes. While the top

Äkäslompolo side via the so-called scenic

station height at 718m (the highest lift-served

route, which has been connecting the two

skiing in Finland) might not sound that high

villages since 2005. Running at tree level, it

compared to the Alps, the well-maintained

still offers a great view of the valley below with

slopes and the fact that the slope profiles

the frozen tundra and forests continuing as far

are perfect for carving turns make up for it.

as the eye can see. We have decided to spend

And with no time wasted on valley-crossing

the day on cross-country skis, venturing into

lifts, you can clock up a lot of runs. The area

the Ylläs-Pallas National Park via the 330km

also features a big terrain park, hundreds of

network of maintained cross-country ski tracks,

kilometres of cross-country and snowmobile

which is the best nationally and some argue

tours, husky and reindeer farms and

even globally speaking.

accommodation in a snow village.

We start our day at the Kellokas nature centre

After the coffees, we stay on the north-facing

in between the Äkäslompolo base area and

Äkäslompolo side of the ski area and enjoy

the village. From there we head towards the

linking carving turns on almost empty slopes.

snow-covered Kesänkijärvi lake, with the steep

Then, we take the connecting Kuru lift to the

rocky face of the Kellostapuli fell (502m) on

top and traverse back to the Ylläsjärvi side.

our right side. On good snow, the local ski

apland in Finland has proved a big draw to

Here we find more people, perhaps enjoying

school organises guided off-piste tours on the

Brits for over a decade now, but it’s mostly

the somewhat warmer temperatures during this

Kellostapuli with the runs ending on the lake. The

marketed for dog sledding, reindeer

lake is in between two fells; the 519m-tall

farms, Santa and the Northern Lights.

Kesänki rises from our left side, and ahead

However, the skiing can be great too, on

of us lies the Lappish wilderness and the

and off the piste, says Jaakko Järvensivu.

Ylläs-Pallas National Park.

The wind is moving the snow like a

fast magic carpet on top of the rock-

hard snowpack that has covered the surrounding fells with white wavy

GETTING THERE

formations, where rocks protrude here

We soak in the natural beauty and quietness as we eat our sandwiches and drink the freshly brewed coffee by the open fire in the lean-to at the end of the lake. Feeling refreshed, we ski around

and there like small islands.

the Kellostapuli fell and into the ravine,

The whirling snow stings you when

Inghams (inghams.co.uk) offer package

which cuts into it and the neighbouring

making contact with exposed skin, so

holidays to Ylläs.

Keskinenlaki fell. This very narrow

I try to keep my head low and use the

ravine is beautiful and quiet, but it can

protection provided by the hood of my

For independent travellers, Ylläs is situated

also be dangerous, as it is vulnerable

GORE-TEX® jacket. The photographer

50km from the Kittilä airport and 180km

to avalanches. Climbing back from the

raises his hand in an OK sign, and I

from Rovaniemi Airport. Rovaniemi, the

ravine, we see the ski area, and ski down

start ascending once more towards the

self-proclaimed home of Father Christmas,

following the track to the Jokeri lift.

windy ridgeline.

is regarded as the capital of Lapland and

For accommodation in Ylläs, there are

After reaching the top of the ridge leading

makes a great stopover to Ylläs. You can

two villages with distinctively different

to the Kellostapuli fell, I admire the view

also take a night train with a sleeper car from

characters on either side of the ski area

of the Ylläs ski area before the clouds

Helsinki to Kolari, which is 35km from Ylläs.

to choose from.

move in once again. This time the fog

Ylläsjärvi village, on the southern side

looks more permanent, and we decide to

of the ski area, lacks a traditional village

call it a day and ski in to the Varkaankuru

centre but has a recently built modern ski

gorge, where local photographer Juha

village with hotels, restaurants and shops

Laine leads me into the small café at the

time of the season on the southern side.

right at the base of the ski area. So if you want

bottom of the Jokeri ski lift.

Despite the fact it is the Finnish national ski

to stay closer to the mountain and enjoy the

While sipping hot coffee to warm up, we study

holidays at the time of our visit, the only visible

benefits of south-facing slopes and the only

the historical photos on the wall, showcasing

queue is the one winding towards the area’s

gondola lift on the mountain, choose Ylläsjärvi.

the birth of local ski tourism here in the

only gondola lift. It was made famous by the

The Äkäslompolo village on the northern side

northwestern part of Finnish Lapland. Back

fact that there is a sauna inside one of the

of the ski resort has a historic village centre

in the 1930s, people from southern Finland

gondolas, which is possible to rent by the hour.

with services ranging from cafés and shops

started visiting the area during their annual “ski

We do laps with the gondola, skiing down the

to snowmobile safaris. On the minus side, the

holidays”. Back then, the visitors used wooden

Maailmancup (World Cup) slope, which is wide

north-facing slopes can be cold early in the

cross-country skis, and they first had to ski up all

and has a steady steep angle, giving you lots of

season, and the lifts are further away from the

the runs they later skied down. Accommodation

speed and a great 180° view of the surrounding

village than in Ylläsjärvi, meaning you have to

meant an extra room at a local farmer’s house.

Arctic landscape. For the last run, we head for

either take the ski bus or drive to the ski area.

The very first lift, relying on old VW engines for

the skier’s right to Ylipitkä, which at 3000m is

If you prefer a quaint village to a modern ski

pulling power, was built locally in 1957.

the longest slope in Ylläs. The last section of

village, choose Äkäslompolo.

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YLLAS.FI/EN/

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RESORTS DEBATE DRONE USE Ski areas around the world are reported to be

bans on the use of drones by their customers if

with the popularity of drones and seeing whether

grappling with concern about the rapid growth in

they do not already have them in place (as Aspen

some form of limited use might be possible, such

drone usage and the potential danger to safety,

has announced) or are not located in a country

as a hopefully safe “drone zone”, where visiting

particularly in regard to collisions with ski lifts,

where private helicopter flight is banned under

skiers and boarders can fly their drones.

snowmaking and skiers. Skier privacy is also

normal conditions anyway, such as France.

There are also reported to be commercial drone

being cited as a concern.

The National Ski Resorts Association (NSAA) is

filming companies in conversation with leading

In the US the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)

also reported to have drawn up a standard legal

ski resorts with the suggestion that they set up

has projected that more than a million mini

document which ski areas can adopt if they wish

an exclusive drone filming service for resort

quadcopters will be given as gifts this Christmas.

to add a drone ban to their list of prohibitions.

guests in partnership with the resort while the

Most ski resorts are reported to be looking at

However, some are also reported to be grappling

wider private use of drones is banned.

TM

LIVE TO COURSES

SK I

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LEARN FRENCH WHILE YOU LEARN TO SKI

TOLL ROAD SOLUTION TO DENVER SKI QUEUES

A school with chalet accommodation run by British and French staff is to

Colorado has announced it will introduce a toll road this season giving

offer French lessons alongside ski lessons to their clients in Morzine in the

skiers the option to pay to use it to get back to Denver quicker, rather

huge Portes du Soleil ski area this winter. The Alpine French School runs

than sit in queues. The success of Colorado’s leading ski areas, many

a 4★ catered chalet in the heart of Morzine, opposite the tourist office.

of them accessed by driving west from Denver on I-70, has led to ever-

The format is designed to be simple, effective and fun – students combine

bigger traffic problems, particularly for weekenders returning to the city.

ski holidays with lessons in French, skiing most of the day with classroom

Projects including widening the road and building a light rail

sessions during the late afternoon. The school partners with ESF (École du

connection to resorts have so far failed to happen.

Ski Français), to provide on-slope tuition in French and can offer holidays

The cost to use the toll lane on a crucial 13-mile (20km) stretch will vary

ranging from a weekend to the entire season (16 weeks).

from $3 to $30 (approximately £2 to £20) according to how bad the

“We find a real variety of people travel to Morzine and stay with us,

congestion is, according to a report in The Denver Post.

everyone from students to families who’d like to improve their French

The “ski lane” is believed to be unique as it is for skiers rather than

and holiday in the fantastic surroundings of the French Alps, both

commuters. It will operate at weekends and on national holidays only

summer and winter,” says Founder Helen Watts. alpinefrenchschool.com

and is reported to be costing $72 million (£35 million) to install.

0844 543 0503 / +44 870 122 5549 info@snoworks.co.uk

w w w. snowor ks .c om

056 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

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f you’re like us, you’ll have

all result in burning your cornea or eyelids.

The wood finishes are “mountain man” low

a drawer full of unwanted

So, here’s our solution: spend so much money

key, but we like the new Nature collection,

sunglasses. Scratched ones you

on a pair of sunglasses that they basically

which features wooden frames adorned with

can’t bring yourself to throw away,

challenge you to lose or break them (and are

vibrant-green wych elm leaves, golden hay

bought-on-a-whim and instantly

worth claiming back on your insurance should

and (for the ladies) hand-picked dried roses or

regretted ones, cheap ones that

they escape your clutches). To this end, we

never break but seem to refract

present WooDone glasses. Handmade in a

sunlight onto your eyeballs rather

small factory in Italy’s mountainous South Tirol

than protect them from it … And all

region, these glasses are crafted exclusively

this because buying a decent pair

from local and recycled natural products with

of shades is a virtual guarantee that

the notable exception of the lenses: German

you’ll lose them. It’s the Murphy’s

ZEISS precision lenses.

law of sunglasses.

Each WooDone frame is carved from a single

Given the amount of sun we see during a

piece of composite wood comprising eight

typical British summer, this isn’t generally an

layers of chipboard from recycled South

insurmountable problem. However, spending

Tirolean acacia, chestnut, cherry and walnut.

time without a pair of quality UV-resistant

Clever technology enables the wood’s natural

sunglasses in the mountains, where snow

grain to run the length of the frame which,

reflects up to 85% of the sun making for at

combined with invisible screwless flex hinges,

violets. Top of the range is Bling: a coating of

least double the potential sun damage, is the

creates a seamless finish and unique design

galena, a quartz mineral dust sourced from the

best way to cause irreversible damage to your

each time. The plain wood frames, which

Dolomites, is applied to the wood frame of your

eyes. Lunches on sunny terraces, après-ski

come in 23 different shapes, are then finished

choice, creating a granular, deep-grey metallic

beers on the hill and those cheeky moments

with a non-toxic varnish for a hard-wearing

finish that sparkles subtly in the sunshine.

on the chairlift trying to even out your tan can

pair of environmentally friendly shades that

We realise that splashing the cash to keep

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hold of a pair of sunglasses is a punchy

you’ve never weighed sunglasses, a pair of

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W

hen we think of skiing in the Pyrenees, if we think of it at all, our first thought is often of Andorra, as that’s where most Brits used to head if they did

go to the mountains that form the natural border

WORDS & IMAGES: DEBBIE GABRIEL

between France and Spain in south-western Europe. But in fact Andorra is just a small part of what the Pyrenees have to offer, and in recent years Brits have become increasingly aware of the French side of the Pyrenean mountain chain as an alternative to the Alps.

If you take a closer look, you’ll find the French Pyrenees have an awful lot going for them.

They’re easy to reach on scheduled services (including by rail) from the UK, and they’re typically warmer, lighter and usually that little bit friendlier and cheaper than many resorts in the Alps, but despite their southern latitude, their proximity to the Mediterranean means abundant snowfall is the norm. The icing on the cake for skiers and boarders is that the resorts here have

058 // NOV15 // INTHESNOW.COM

also invested in some fast modern chairs and gondola uplift, so for most skiers, the area not only ticks all the boxes for a good ski holiday, it also makes a pleasant change.

Although most of the areas are “mid-sized” compared to the French Alps, without the giant ski regions with hundreds of kilometres of piste, there’s plenty to keep you entertained at each of

FURTHER INFO

the larger areas for a few days or even a week, or you can visit a few within a week if you prefer.

There is even a major off-piste ski area, the Pic Du Midi, which is firmly positioned on the bucket list

On The Web

of all serious freeride skiers and boarders.

Saint Lary: saintlary.com/en

But when I visited at the end of last season,

Peyragudes: pyreneescollection.co.uk/ski/Peyragudes.htm

I was on a more relaxed family holiday. As I

Balnéa: balnea.fr

arrived, I was struck by the contrast and blend of the traditional French alongside the Spanish

Pyrenees Collection

influence, as well as the relaxed Mediterranean

pyreneescollection.co.uk | 0844 576 0176

vibe, which gave the area a laid-back feel.

The Pyrenees Collection offer 3 nights half-board in

I was also surprised by the spectacular scenery

the Mercure Saint Lary Sensoria Hotel in St Lary from

of the French Pyrenees, which I found more

£306pp based on two sharing a large double room

dramatic and “Alp-like” than when I had visited

including midweek ferry crossing.

Andorra.

As I say, there are more good ski areas in the French Pyrenees than you might realise, with at least ten good-sized resorts to choose from, each with their own unique attractions. We visited two of them: Saint Lary and Peyragudes.

We drove first to Saint Lary and enjoyed a beautiful drive into resort, winding through the small roads to the village. It’s a very gentle climb but there are not the steep mountain hairpins of

the Alps.

mountain. I got to sit in the front on the way up

was smaller than Saint Lary’s, there was again

Saint Lary (full name is Saint Lary Soulan, created

and was mesmerised by the number of levers

a modern high-speed lift network, so we were

when the municipalities joined in the early 1960s)

and buttons involved with the driving of such a

whisked back up the slopes quickly for more on-

is a traditional village, and one of the larger ski

piece of machinery! It was great to get a different

slope time.

areas in the region has over 100km of piste

perspective on touring the slopes, and I came

One highlight here was Spassio – a well-being

divided into more than 50 runs suited to all

back really appreciating what an amazing job

centre inspired by the expertise of world-

abilities and reached by a fast gondola from the

the mountain maintenance teams do to keep the

famous Balnéa, which had great spa facilities

heart of the resort. This is one of 30 lifts, about

mountains safe and fun for us all to enjoy.

although more suitable for adults than children.

a third of which are high-capacity quad and

Staying in the convenient 4★ Mercure Saint Lary

The building’s attraction lies in its minimalist

six-seater chairlifts. It has three interlinked high-

Sensoria Hotel, we had just a short walk across

architecture, constructed primarily from glass and

altitude ski zones and has been given the “Family

the car park to get on the gondola up to the

other natural materials, giving it clean lines and

Plus Mountain” label for excellence in services

slopes, and it was also well placed for pedestrian

large picture windows which let the light flood in

and facilities for families. Half of the ski area has

access to the heart of Saint Lary’s restaurants and

from the mountain summits outside.

snowmaking cover. There’ve been ski lifts here

shopping area (both were only 50m away in fact).

Once inside, you can immerse yourself in a

for many years, but the old village has a longer

We moved on to Peyragudes, which we found

Scandinavian-themed spa world with wonderful,

history as a spa town – which is also the case with

to be fantastic for families. All accommodation

relaxing hot-water pools and all other spa facilities

several other of the region’s ski areas – so we

was apartment based, many with pools, saunas

and treatments on tap.

can add “ski and spa” to the region’s long list of

and hammams as well as some slopeside

Another must-do is a visit to the Cabanou

attractions too!

accommodation with doorstep skiing.

restaurant for an evening meal. This is a very

We enjoyed the wide, sunny slopes and the

We found there were great facilities for après-

special experience as you are transported there

relaxed atmosphere as the centre wound down

ski, and the layout of the slopes makes it easy to

by snowmobiles. This is a super experience for all

for the season. Apart from the skiing, I was struck

watch beginner skiers – a real bonus for families

the family, young and old; we took our 70-year-old

by the great authentic food which was very much

with younger children. It’s almost like a seaside

grandparents up on the snowmobiles along with

influenced by the Spanish, and we enjoyed some

promenade except the sea and sand part is snow

our small children, and everyone had such fun.

excellent tapas.

and chairlifts, lined with great restaurants and

We watched the sun set behind the mountains

Another interesting opportunity was to take a

cafés. It is a lively and interactive place for families

before sitting down to dinner. The meal was a

cat-ski tour of the slopes. This was good fun with

and children to ski and sledge.

lively, buffet-style meal offering as much as you

around ten people sat in the back of a cat tractor

Situated in the Pyrenees National Park, close to

could eat, with a live band playing music too.

which took us on a tour of the mountain. It was

the Spanish border, Peyragudes straddles the

Anyone visiting Peyragudes should definitely try

a great way to show around those who don’t ski

mountains between the picturesque valleys of

this.

and give them a flavour of what it’s like up the

Louron and Larboust, and although the ski area

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059 // NOV15

FREESTYLEPHOTOGRAPHY

YVES GARNEAU 2008

SWISS SALES UP AS FRANC WEAKENS

BRITISH SISTERS JOIN CANADIAN SKI PATROL

THE SKI SLOPES TO YOURSELF?

Chalet holiday operator Powder White has reported an increase in

Two British sisters from Oxford are to work in ski patrol at Panorama

Lots of ski resorts offer you the chance to get “first tracks” on the slopes

business in Switzerland for the coming winter, having been one of

Resort in Canada this winter after completing a Ski Patrol course last

before anyone else, so long as you get up early. In Arosa you can get

the few companies to continue operating in the country after Swiss

January run by The Winter Sports Company.

the mountain to yourself all day – you just need to book into a particular

employment law changes made staff costs, and thus holiday costs,

“The sisters are passionate about helping people, so, taking a huge step

hotel on Friday 27 November 2015.

skyrocket for British tour operators to the country. At around the same

into the unknown, packed their bags and jetted off for the experience of

The Tschuggen Grand Hotel in the famous high-altitude Swiss resort is

time, the Swiss franc leapt in value against the pound too.

a lifetime,” said Beth Mepham of The Winter Sports Company.

running its popular “Private Mountain” promotion again this winter, when

“The demand from the British public has not changed, regardless

The course involved Lottie (23) and Jess (20) learning all about

only its guests can get out on the slopes the day before the season

of the Swiss franc, which has in fact now started to weaken again

evacuating people off the hill and even staging controlled explosions to

officially begins.

(the exchange rate is back at 1.5 to £) – this has meant that Powder

make the slopes safe from avalanche following heavy snowfall.

Guests will have access to the slopes by means of the 5★ hotel’s own

White’s sales have actually accelerated owing to the fact that there

“The most memorable parts of my training were the avalanche training

mountain railway, the Tschuggen Express, operated using guests’

are fewer operator beds available,” said company Co-founder and

and the chairlift evacuation practice, which literally meant jumping off

personal keycards, which also open the personal lockers in the hotel’s

Director, Fraser Ewart-White.

a chairlift with only your ropes and knots to save you! Good thing they

brand new hi-tech ski room this season.

Powder White offers a choice of eight fully catered chalets in Verbier, all of

taught us well!” said Lottie.

The ski day also offers participants the chance to join the Parmigiani

which are located around what the company says is the “new centre” of

Both girls found summer work as a result of taking the course, Lottie as a

Private Mountain Ski Race and special après-ski with a live DJ set.

the resort, close to the bars and restaurants. This season Powder White

pool attendant and Jess in mountain bike patrol.

Back in the hotel, the evening meal will be served in some rather

is actually expanding its Verbier programme and adding a new property,

“We work in an industry where females are heavily outnumbered

unusual places; following an aperitif in the lobby with the Director, Leo

Chalet Mont Gele, which sleeps up to 30 guests, making it the company’s

by male instructors and patrollers. We need more female skiing and

Maissen, guests are free to roam the hotel to enjoy the various courses

largest. With ski-in/ski-out access, the chalet is situated just a few metres

snowboarding role models like Lottie and Jess; we are so proud of

in whichever order they choose before gathering at the bar for the

above the main Medran lift, leading to the Les 4 Vallées ski circuit.

everything they have achieved,” said Karen La Borde, Director of The

dessert buffet. The after-dinner party features covers band T-NG.

“The ‘centre’ of Verbier has shifted with the completion of the W

Winter Sports Company. The Winter Sports Company runs ski patrol

The Private Mountain package at the Tschuggen Grand Hotel is priced

hotel and the extension of the end of the piste into Place Blanche,”

courses, ski instructor courses and snowboard instructor courses in

from CHF765pp (£515pp) for 2 nights or from CHF960pp (£645pp) for 3

explained Mr Ewart-White.

Canada, New Zealand and Italy.

nights from 26 November 2015. tschuggen.ch

Real France.

Real Skiing.

Short breaks with new vistas.

Experience the very best the French Pyrenees has to offer on an Erna Low holiday, and enjoy a skiing experience that is refreshingly different.

Set within breath-taking alpine locations and surrounded by mountains adorned with snow, our four classic ski resorts offer something new for everyone, both on and off-piste.

With great value ski and spa packages, low cost flights and a range of flexible deals on offer, there has never been a better time to go to the French Pyrenees!

BOOK NOW 0207 590 1728 www.ernalow.co.uk

ALPE D’HUEZ SPENDS MORE ON SARENNE Following a huge investment last year installing floodlighting and snowmaking along most of “the world’s longest black run”, Alpe d’Huez has spent €1.75 (£1.29) million more completing the job on the final 4.5km of piste to the Alp Auris lifts. The Sarenne is a big draw which attracted 370,000 skiers last season. This winter it will be open every day from 5 December to 24 April.

NEW PASSO TONALE GONDOLA A new eight-passenger gondola is opening UTEFOTO.NO

this winter at Passo Tonale in Trentino, replacing an old double chairlift and a T-bar.

The 2km-long lift will have a 2000-peopleper-hour capacity. Passo Tonale often posts the best snowfall figures in Italy on its glacier, often at more than 4m deep all season, and

FLEXISKI ADDS TRYSIL

has several runs open into June most years.

S

VEMDALEN GETS ANOTHER SIX-SEATER Sweden’s Vemdalen ski area will see yet another new six-chair express lift begin operation this winter. The new lift, called the Hovde Express, will have double the capacity of the current Hovdebanan, can carry 2200 people per hour and will be ready for opening day on 20 November 2015. A new children’s park and improved terrain park are also planned.

SOCHI SETS RECORD SEASON The 2014 Winter Olympic venue of Sochi is reported to have doubled its skier numbers

with four varied and linked ski areas,

to mountain cafés, and a huge

to their programme. With 75km

range of off-slope activities (think

of groomed pistes, it is relatively

dog sledding, night skiing and

easy to reach from London using

boarding, mountain-top touring,

scheduled services, the 2-hour flight

horse sleigh riding, tobogganing,

to Oslo followed by a 2-hour transfer.

star gazing, etc.) and you’ve got a

“Norway is known for its

very strong contender for anyone

uncrowded runs and Trysil is no

looking to get away for a short ski

exception – you may even find

break somewhere new this winter.”

yourself on a slope all to yourself.

Prices from £445pp for 4 nights’

2UNDR™ is a brand new high-performance men’s

It’s a well-thought-out, modern

bed and breakfast at the 4★ hotel

underwear line which the manufacturers say

resort that caters for a wide range

Radisson Blu in Trysil, flights with

“is set to change the way British men protect

hort-ski-breaks specialist Flexiski

of ski abilities,” said Flexiski’s

British Airways and shared airport

their best assets.” They say that the range uses

have added the Norwegian resort of

Pete Hillyard. “Combine this with

transfers (based on Sunday to

the most advanced materials and provides

Trysil, Norway’s largest alpine resort

great ski conditions, easy access

Thursday stay in January 2016).

“perfection in your pants”.

PANTS FOR SKIERS

A key feature of the 2UNDR™ range is the Joey Pouch™, which the manufacturers describe as “a specialised, soft and comfortable pouch

last winter as Russians opted to ski at home. Eight hundred thousand skiers were

NEW BIGGEST SKI AREA IN THE US

reported to have visited the “mountain cluster” of ski areas which hosted most

which houses and protects your package from unwanted skin-to-skin contact for reduced chafing and a perfect fit. Featuring premium materials for superior comfort, the Joey Pouch™

of the ski and board events at the 2014 “biggest in the US” title holder.

holds and uplifts, to naturally enhance your most

Olympic season, and in prior years.

The newly merged area, Park

valuable assets.”

City Mountain, will have 7300

The Gear Shift and Power Shift versions of the

acres (2954 ha) of terrain (about

pants utilise ColdSkin™ by Garmatex™ to promote

1000 (404 ha) less than Whistler

cooling in areas where heat commonly builds

Blackcomb). The two ski areas will

during activity. This pioneering thermal-reduction

be linked by a new eight-passenger

material uses crushed jade minerals which have

gondola connection, along with the

been woven into the fabric to reduce body

new King Con Express Six-pack and

temperature by 3–6°. Comfort is further enhanced

Motherlode Express Quad. There’ll

by the No-Drip-Tip™, a moisture layer which wicks

NEW GONDOLA FOR LA PLAGNE La Plagne will open a long-planned gondola this winter, linking to one of its lowest altitude

THOMAS HART SHELBY

Games, double the total in last winter’s

bases at Plagne Montalbert at 1350m, and cutting the journey up, which could take 30 to

Details of the merged Park City

The merger will create the largest

be more than 300 trails served by

away sweat to create a consistently cool and dry

45 minutes previously, to just 6 minutes. The

Mountain and Canyons resorts in

ski area in the US (and second

38 lifts and seven terrain parks, six

environment. The signature 2UNDR™ Fly is another

new gondola will be able to accommodate up

Utah, which are due to open in

largest in North America, behind

natural half pipes, one super pipe

essential element of the product range, which

to ten people (per cabin) and nearly doubles

November following a $50 million+

Whistler Blackcomb) for next winter,

and one mini pipe.

provides you with an in-your-pants air-conditioning

(£37m) spend by operator Vail

2015–16, taking over from Big Sky in

Opening day for the newly merged

system for your unmentionables. 2UNDR™ pants

Resorts, have been released.

Montana to the north, the previous

area will be 20 November 2015.

cost from £22.99 to £26.99 (2undr.eu).

uplift capacity on the route.

062 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

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BY PATRICK THORNE

TIGNES GREEN GLOBE CERTIFIED With big ski resorts, like any big business, it can be difficult to really commit to GUY AUBERTIN

minimising your environmental impact. But it’s good to see that most ski resorts are trying, and there are international standards in place to certify those that succeed.

So it’s good to hear that Tignes, one of the world’s biggest operators with 1.5m visitors annually, 290 employees and 40 lifts, has recently received Green Globe certification (an international programme to award efforts made by companies in the tourism industry for their social, economic, cultural and environmental approach) in recognition of the efforts

ARCTIC MARATHON SEEKS PARTICIPANTS

ANDERMATT–SEDRUN LINK WORK BEGINS

of its lift company, STGM, to operate in a have to be an experienced skier

skis and a small group of fellow

Green Globe certification relies on a

to complete the challenge – and

travellers ... The Arctic Marathon

partnership with the Global Sustainable

3 nights in snug mountain lodges

offers the chance to explore a true

Tourism Council, Agenda 21, and the

looking out for the Northern Lights.

wilderness, see the Northern Lights

principles for sustainable development

After the trek, participants enjoy 2

and spend some time away from

approved by 182 governments during the

nights in the stunning ICEHOTEL,

civilisation,” said a spokesperson

Work on the long-planned new lift connection

1992 Earth Summit in Rio. Tignes now ranks

which is newly carved from scratch

on behalf of Walk The Walk.

between the ski areas on Andermatt and

among the 450 tourism companies across

every year, and return to the airport

The Arctic Marathon takes place

Sedrun in Switzerland has got underway with

for the flight back by husky sled,

annually – in 2016 the dates are 26

construction of a first new chairlift. The two

rather than taxi.

February to 3 March. Dates for 2017

resorts have shared a common lift pass and

Trekking takes place in small groups

will be available shortly.

been jointly promoted for several years, but the

has to meet a set of 40 criteria that

of eight or fewer, accompanied by

Participation costs £3400, which

physical connection and lift upgrading is part

include more than 300 compliance

knowledgeable park rangers so that

includes pretty well all trip costs

of a huge project that has seen Andermatt in

reast cancer charity, Walk the Walk,

everyone feels supported, whatever

including flights to/from London.

particular redeveloped into a 21st-century, 5★

probably best known for their

their skiing skill level. And best of all,

Scaled discounts are available if

luxury resort development.

iconic MoonWalks, where women

the money raised from completing

participants choose to fundraise,

The ambitious plans include replacing the

and men power walk through

the challenge goes towards breast

which range up to a £3150 refund if

majority of the current ski lifts in Andermatt,

the streets at midnight in brightly

cancer causes.

£7000 is raised.

along with adding new lifts and routes to

“Our role as a major local business pushed

decorated bras, are seeking

“No mobile phone reception,

walkthewalk.org/Challenges/

connect previously separate mountains to create

us to initiate the Green Globe certification

participants in this winter’s Arctic

no social media – just you, your

TheArcticMarathon

one of the biggest ski regions in the Alps.

process,” explains Nicolas Provendie, CEO

Marathon, a 42km backcountry ski

The plans call for approximately 120km of

of STGM. “We are developing purchasing

course which takes place within the

new ski runs; two new ski lifts on Gemsstock,

Arctic Circle in Northern Sweden,

replacing the current chairlift and both T-bars;

economy and local employment. Our goal

close to the iconic ICEHOTEL.

six new ski lifts on Nätschen, replacing the

is to continue to pursue this commitment,

Taking place in the Abisko National

majority of the current ones, and providing

which is beneficial both environmentally

Park in Sweden, the event includes

access from Göschenen; three new ski lifts

2 days of ski trekking – although

connecting Nätschen and Oberalp; and a new

Walk the Walk say you do not

ski lift on Oberalp, replacing the Alpsu T-bar.

the world with Green Globe certification, and is the only ski area on the list.

To win Green Globe certification Tignes

indicators and cover such areas as management, sustainable development, support for local industries, and environmental protection with a long-term commitment to the cause.

and hiring policies that favour the local

and socially.” tignes.net | greenglobe.com

064 // NOV15

CHEDI ANDERMATT

more environmentally friendly manner.

@INTHESNOWMAG

JUSTIN CASH

Vermont – it’s home to some of the world’s greatest ski resorts and it’s easy to reach after a shorter flight than most other North American destinations. And last season it got much more snow than ski areas in Western North America. Add to the mix authentic New England villages and all-inclusive resorts and you have a winning combination. Here’s why you should go ski there. Patrick Thorne Reports.

I

f ski area size is a concern, you

(that’s five metres …) of snowfall.

zip-line ride), 464 m2Terra-Maze, Roaring

ongoing efforts to be one of the “greenest”

need fear not with Killington,

But Killington isn’t just about the numbers. Its

Brook Mining for the youngest adventurers,

resorts in Vermont’s Green Mountains.

as none come larger in New

size helps with its vibrancy. It means there’s

plus motorised mountain tours by Segway

That’s part of a resort-wide (and indeed

England. It’s difficult to try to

a big choice of terrain on the mountain with

and all-terrain vehicle. New for this coming

Vermont state-wide) move to fight climate

describe Killington without

everything from specially designed beginner

winter is the amazing Beast Mountain

change. The many other examples of this

talking numbers – because

terrain to a world-class selection of terrain

Coaster – a 1500m-long lift-served downhill

include using “cow power” for one of the lifts

they are very impressive. The

parks and then many kilometres of perfectly

roller-coaster-style thrill ride complete with

(power generated from methane from cows)

huge domain sprawls over

groomed cruisers for those of us who just

360° corkscrew inversions!

and a clever locally invented technology

1214ha spread out over seven

like to blast around the slopes. Plus there

This comes after almost $9 million was

which allows the resort to keep its fridges

peaks that span 18km wide

are the steeps and the freeriding for those

invested in the previous few seasons in the

cool but uses much less energy to do so

and include Pico Mountain.

who like to scare themselves.

new Peak Lodge mountain restaurant, the

than the conventional refrigeration process.

Altogether there is nearly

It also means off the slopes there’s

single largest capital improvement in almost

This technology alone has cut Killington’s

120km of groomed runs, divided up into

a wide selection of restaurants and

ten years at Killington, where it is now the

CO2 emissions by 13.2 tons per year.

more than 200 trails in total. They’re all

accommodations to choose from, because

most sought-after dining location in the resort.

So if you’ve spent too much time looking

served by a state-of-the-art uplift network

Killington’s market is big enough to sustain

Throw in great shopping, excellent family

south and not enough looking west when

of high-speed, high-capacity chairlifts and

them all. You can also expect a banging

programmes and facilities and you have a

thinking about your ski destination, make

gondolas, and they’re all covered by one

après-ski scene if that’s your kettle of fish,

world-class destination that’s an easy hire-

sure Killington is on your bucket list, and

of the world’s most powerful snowmaking

with legendary venues like the Wobbly

car drive north from Boston for us Brits.

better still get there this winter.

arsenals. Phew.

Barn here.

And if you’re worried about all the energy

And then there’s the snow, because

But Killington scores highly if you’re after

needed to fire up its mighty (if now highly

in fact all those snow guns weren’t

more than “just” a huge amount of skiing

energy-efficient) snowmaking arsenal,

much needed last season as Killington

and boarding too. Over the past few

fear not! Since 2008, Killington has offset

shared in the snowy excess that blessed

seasons the resort has invested more

100% of its power with Renewable Energy

Vermont all winter. Keeping up that “200”

than £2 million in its four-storey Snowshed

Credits, meaning that all carbon emissions

Holiday World: americanskiclassics.com

theme, Killington clocked up a 200-day

Adventure Center, where attractions include

are offset. It’s recently announced

Ski Independence: ski-i.com

ski season and more than 200 inches

the Skye Ropes Course, Skyeride (seated

significant investment in solar too in its

Ski Safari: skisafari.com

066 // NOV15

JWISE@STOWE.COM

Killington BIGGEST IN THE EAST

PACKAGED SKI HOLIDAYS:

KILLINGTON.COM | PICOMOUNTAIN.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

Stowe ADDING MORE AWE TO THEIR AWESOME

I

n order to meet the demands

called ByPass, continues again this season,

service been better in Stowe. Several new

of a rapidly growing slopeside

offering guests superlative snow surfaces,

mountainside restaurants, the new Great

community, Stowe Mountain

savings and convenience. ByPass allows you

Room at Spruce Camp, the classic Cliff

Resort and Spruce Peak

to take everything you don’t like about the

House and a resort-wide attention to quality

Realty will unveil their latest

start of your day at any ski resort and make it

make Stowe Mountain Resort a foodie’s

development this coming winter,

easy, as easy as walking from your car directly

dream ski or golf vacation come true.

2016. The new building will

to the lift and going skiing or riding. Here’s

Stowe Mountain Resort is simply the

advance and expand the family

how it works: Stowe uses radio-frequency-

premier winter destination in the East,

amenities and services at Spruce

identification cards instead of traditional lift

and it’s not all just about the skiing and

Peak. Several new facilities are

tickets. That card just stays in your pocket

riding. New restaurants, retail shops,

being built around a new ice rink

and opens the lift gates automatically. If you

gourmet food, coffee to-go, upscale

that will double as a community

simply register your Evolution Stowe Card

slopeside Lodge and Spa, Performing

plaza and green in the summer. These

online and sign up for ByPass at no cost,

Arts Centre, children’s programmes and

amenities will include a new state-of-the-art

you’re all set to go direct to the lift and save

more all complement a storied town that’s

children’s Adventure Centre with ski/ride

over 15% off the ticket-window rate any day of

quintessential New England.

school, year-round day-care facilities and

the season. Additionally, ByPass participants

a children’s activities centre. A new Stowe

receive even better lift ticket specials on

Mountain Club Alpine Clubhouse will also be

select dates throughout the winter.

delivered as a part of the expansion. Retail

Vermont is New England’s most celebrated

shops, restaurants and food markets will

location for farm-fresh meats, cheeses,

additionally be constructed to enhance the

produce, heirloom grains and local

Ski Independence: ski-i.com/usa/stowe

Spruce Peak Plaza.

craftsmanship. Never before during the

BA: britishairways.com

Stowe’s innovative lift ticket programme,

resort’s 75-year history has the level of food

Virgin: virginholidays.co.uk

PACKAGED SKI HOLIDAYS:

JWISE@STOWE.COM

STOWE.COM

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Sugarbush beef farms, historic covered bridges, barns

base lodge that’s been around since it

and artists’ studios. You won’t find any

opened over 50 years ago. It has a cosy

fast-food chains or stop lights, but you

feel and hosts the famous Green Mountain

will find one of Vermont’s only Relais &

Lounge,. The best part about the two

Châteaux Inns (The Pitcher Inn), the café

vastly different mountains is that they’re

that was the birthplace of Green Mountain

connected via chairlift, as well as a free

Coffee Roasters (now Keurig), both a farm

shuttle bus, and flank the Slide Brook

and greenhouse founded by the Von Trapp

Basin – a 809hawilderness area open to

Family (of The Sound of Music fame) and

backcountry skiing.

a smattering of unique restaurants and

Both mountains feature moderngroomed

shops. Though Sugarbush has both lodging

runs, as well as classic New England-

and dining options, the resort encourages

style bump runs including the famed

its guests to get out and discover the Mad

Castlerock area. In fact, the Castlerock

River Valley.

ugarbush Resort, located in an area

area is as old school as trail systems get

Sugarbush is also unique in the sense

referred to as the Mad River Valley,

– no snowmaking, basically no grooming

that you have to pass another ski resort

encompasses close to 242ha spread

except for the work road and tough steeps

to get to it from every direction. What

across 111 trails and two mountains –

littered with boulders, bumps and roots. It’s

that means is the skiers and riders at

Lincoln Peak and Mt Ellen.

Vermont skiing at its core.

Sugarbush genuinely want to be there.

At Lincoln Peak, you’ll find a base area

Sugarbush has made a conscious effort

Yes, it’s still easy to get to, but there are

built in the Vermont vernacular style of

to improve snowmaking efficiency and

certainly closer resorts to many of the

architecture that showcases a charming

invested $5-million (£3.3m) in snowmaking

major cities. Sugarbush skiers come for

village with traditional farmhouses,

upgrades, which covers 70% of runs, over

the terrain, for the aesthetics and for the

schoolhouses and barns. Lincoln Peak

five years

community. If that sounds like something

boasts all the modern amenities you

This year, the Valley House chairlift at

you want to be a part of, there’s always

could ask for at a ski resort: a slopeside

Lincoln Peak has been upgraded to a new

room for one more.

hotel with an outdoor heated pool and

high-speed quad, doubling uphill capacity

hot tubs, and ski and boot valet; modern

and cutting the ride time.

ski-school facilities; rental and gear shops;

The Mad River Valley is located almost

and unique restaurants offering the best of

dead centre in Vermont, and it’s not your

PACKAGED SKI HOLIDAYS:

Vermont products .

typical ski town. It is one of the most scenic

North American Vacation Homes:

Meanwhile, at Mt Ellen, you’ll feel like

valleys anywhere and boasts dairy farms,

01444 450034 | usahomes.co.uk

068 // NOV15

SUGARBUSH.COM

DARIAN JEFF BEAR

S

you’re stepping back in time with a no-frills

SUGARBUSH RESORT | SANDY MACYS

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DISQUALIFICATION STANDS FOR MAE The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled on an appeal by Vanessa Mae, who represented Thailand at the Sochi Olympics, against the International Ski Federation who had ruled Mae’s team cut corners in order to get her to qualify. The FIS cancelled her Olympic participation and issued a 4-year ban. The Court agreed Mae shouldn’t have been in the Olympics but cancelled her ban.

LES GETS OFFERS WI-FI ANYWHERE Les Gets is offering holidaymakers a new “pocket wi-fi system” which the resort says will enable them to stay connected everywhere in the resort with an unlimited high-speed 4G/3G+ internet connection for up to ten devices. Bookable weekly via the resort’s central booking office, there’s a fixed cost of €49 (€7 per day), subject to availability.

CHOCOLAT 4810® WINS AWARD A special chocolate product themed on the Aiguille du Midi and created by a long-time Chamonix-based chocolatier has won an award for creative research at the Paris Chocolate Fair. Chocolat 4810® is described as a “smooth, melt-in-the-mouth sweet with just a soupçon of crunch” but is instantly recognisable as being shaped like the Aiguille du Midi.

SNOW+ROCK SOLD The Snow+Rock chain of stores has been sold by former owners LGV Capital to the AS Adventure Group company, currently owned by the Paris-based PAI Partners,

HUGE NEW BC SKI AREA PROPOSED

A

RIKSGRANSEN TO HOST ASYLUM SEEKERS

at Squamish” resort, the ski area

Currently at the “public

would feature 23 ski lifts with 124

discussion” stage, the plans

ski runs.

have received more than 900

The latest version of the plans,

responses, many opposing the

which are reported to have been

plans. Objectors are believed

mooted for many years, is being put

to include hikers, climbers and

The operator of Riksgränsen ski resort in

forward by the company that owns

backcountry skiers as well as

northern Sweden, located 200km north

ice hockey team the Vancouver

representatives of the indigenous

of the Arctic Circle and famous for its

Canucks, the Aquilini Investment

Squamish Nation. However

midsummer skiing under the midnight sun in

Group, in partnership with local and

a spokesman for the resort

May and June each spring, has announced

huge new ski area is proposed

regional investors. The consortium

project said it had many “silent

the centre will be home to more than 600

for construction between

hope to get the go-ahead this year

supporters”.

asylum seekers over the winter.

Vancouver and Whistler on

and to start work in the next 2 to 3

Objectors also include Whistler

The resort, which is located in an area of

Canada’s West Coast.

years and build the resort over 2 to

Blackcomb who highlighted

24-hour darkness in midwinter, is normally

Currently named the “Garibaldi

3 decades.

environmental concerns.

shut up through the autumn and most of the

which already also owns Cotswold Outdoor

winter and has an unusual ski season, not

stores. The AS Adventure Group have said

opening to paying guests until mid-February

that Snow+Rock will continue to operate as

when daylight returns. It then stays open

normal following their takeover.

BLACK & WHITE SKIS SUPPORT ALL BLACKS

when other areas close, right through to midsummer in late June, when it is possible to ski or board under the midnight sun,

THE SKI WEEK RETURNS

guests to ski a run or two on the last

gaining it the nickname of Europe’s spring

weekend of the 2015 season.

skiing capital.

Thanks to the time difference,

The director of Lapland Resorts, which runs

Coronet Peak was able to show

the centre, told Swedish media that they

an All Blacks game live on the last

were reacting to the refugee crisis and said

snow and a group of young go-getters

Saturday morning of the season, on

that the centre could quite easily be kept

from around the world, is back for 2016

a big screen, while offering a special

warm and snug through the winter. He added

with a choice of four winter wonderlands

“All Blacks Breakfast”.

that although the refugees would be moved

to choose from: Chamonix, Obertauern,

“It’s been a cracker of a season,

on before the start of the ski season, when

Hakuba and Aspen. Each location has

and we’ve smashed our previous

the resort would open as normal, he hoped

The Ski Week (in essence The Yacht Week on snow), which combines exclusive events,

been handpicked for its après atmosphere, superb slopes and accessibility for adventure addicts, the organisers say. theskiweek.com

070 // NOV15 // INTHESNOW.COM

Coronet Peak ski area in New

World Cup last month.

snowfall record, so we’re going

that some might stay on to work in the centre

Zealand launched a set of black

The All Black skis, which proudly bear

out on a high,” ski area Manager

during the spring season. Sweden, like

and white skis which it was

the distinctive Silver Fern at their tip,

Ross Copland said before the final

Germany, has taken a far greater share of the

renting out to support home team

were available to rent at the bottom

weekend. “It’s a long countdown to

current large number of refugees arriving in

the All Blacks during the Rugby

of the Coronet Express chairlift for

next year.”

Europe than most other nations.

@INTHESNOWMAG

Ski Extras, Airport Transfers, Accommodation & Mountain Experiences Best Value Prices & Tailor-Made Service Locally Based Expert Team

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andorraskiextras.com | UK 07922 643896 | info@andorraskiextras.com

MARKUS FOEDISCH

CELEBRITIES GATHER IN MÜRREN FOR 007 WALK OF FAME OPENING

A

remembers its time on the silver

Bond World with a spectacular

the classic characters such as the

screen 46 years ago very well.

viewing platform via a circular path

Bond Girls and Miss Moneypenny,”

The Schilthorn Cableway has

along the breathtaking narrow

said Schilthorn Cableway Chief

opened the new 007 Walk of Fame

mountain crest.

Executive, Christoph Egger. “On

on the Schilthorn summit (2970m)

Along the trail a series of

the other hand, we shouldn’t forget

in Mürren as the latest of many

information plaques have been

the many other contributors to the

commemorative developments

installed that pay homage to

movie, who often have exciting

on the mountain that featured in

each of the film’s protagonists,

background stories to tell.”

the 1969 Bond classic, On Her

displaying their photograph,

Celebrities in attendance at the

Majesty’s Secret Service.

signature and hand imprint in

official opening included George

The Schilthorn cable car and

weathering steel, a personal

Lazenby (James Bond in the movie)

lthough the focus this month may

mountain-top Piz Gloria restaurant

message about the film’s impact

as well as the film’s director and

be largely on the Austrian Tirol as

were originally built as Blofeld’s

on their career, and anecdotes and

many other stars.

the Bond movie Spectre opens

mountain hideaway in the film, and

impressions of their time in Mürren

The 007 Walk of Fame and Bond

with scenes shot there, it’s not the

the 007 Walk of Fame is seen as

and on the Schilthorn back in the

World attractions are free of charge

first time of course that Mr Bond

a finishing touch to the interactive

late 1960s.

and open all year round (weather

has appeared in ski resorts on the

Bond World, which opened in

“On the one hand, people are

permitting). For more information

big screen, and one at least still

2013. It connects Piz Gloria and

fascinated by the Bond actors and

visit schilthorn.ch

ALL YOUR FAVOURITE ALPINE CHEESE RECIPES IN ONE PLACE is written by Alex and Leo Guarneri,

on the tartiflette recipe found in the

wonderful meals available to enjoy:

brothers who were the children

“winter” section of this seasonal

traditional Alpine recipes, often

of a food importer father and a

cookbook. We’re pleased to report

making use of the ingredients made

mother who ran a Parisian cookery

the result was as stunning as

locally that made it through the

school. Their careers saw them

anything we’ve tasted in the Alps,

winter. Dried meat, potatoes, onions

do everything from work on the

helped in part by the pint of double

and cheese are favourite ingredients

till at a Paris cheese shop to stints

cream and 18oz of bacon in the

and of course different regions of

working in the Ritz in London and

recipe as much as the Reblochon.

the Alps are home to some of the

the George V in Paris, and they

Robert’s personal tip is to add a

world’s best cheese – Reblochon

are currently running the Androuet

few more potatoes to the 19oz

and Gruyère to name but two.

chain, which began in Spitalfields

suggested to balance out all the

Now a sumptuous new book –

Market in 2009 and now has eight

cream and cheese a little more.

A Year In Cheese – has been

branches in European cities.

A Year in Cheese by Alex and Leo

For foodies heading to ski resorts

published, listing some favourite

InTheSnow set our no-Michelin-

Guarneri, recipes by Alessandro

each season, one of the big treats –

Alpine recipes among its pages. It

starred chef Robert Thorne to work

Grano. Frances Lincoln, £20.

KIM LIGHTBODY

besides the snow – are some of the

072 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

an injury off-piste, the skier without appropriate cover will have to foot the bill for rescue and medical treatment – including potential repatriation – which means in some

INSURANCE compared to going big in the park or

BE AWARE BEFORE YOU GO

Insurance is a rather dull subject t’s a conundrum. On the one hand we’ve got

cases, the costs can be high.”

waist-deep in some off-piste powder

There are various ways to be

ever more aware of the

field, but when things go wrong, it’s

informed about risk before you

possible dangers of snow

what you actually need.

go. One of the leading proponents

sports – helmets, back

The crucial thing to be aware of is

of off-piste safety is a gentleman

protectors, air bags, GPS

that cheap policies are unlikely to

called Henry Schniewind, Founder

and other personal locators

cover you if you’re injured off the

of Henry’s Avalanche Talk (HAT),

all designed to keep us

piste or in the park.

and an off-piste ski guide who tours

safe. On the other hand it

“Some insurance providers use

venues in the UK each autumn

has never been easier to

low premiums to attract customers

giving avalanche safety talks.

– and then exclude off-piste skiing

They’re aimed at anyone who wants

outright. Alternatively, they may offer

to know how to avoid getting buried

or to tackle big jumps in the terrain

it as an add-on which you may not

in an avalanche and what to do if

park as resorts compete to offer the

be able to change later. Then there

it actually happens to you or your

biggest thrills.

are those who say they include

companions.

And while we’re told it’s all about

off-piste, and you later discover

Henry is an internationally renowned

educating ourselves and being

only with a guide,” says Michael

snow and avalanche expert, who

properly equipped, still each year,

Pettifer, who runs MPI insurance and

studied avalanche forecasting as

great freestyle sportsmen suffer

is a long-time campaigner for an

part of a geology degree in the US

life-changing injuries in the terrain

uncomplicated approach to ski

and then moved to the French Alps,

park and expert off-piste and

insurance.

where he also runs backcountry

avalanche experts get killed by,

“One problem is that it is easy to go

courses in Sainte Foy and Val

well, avalanches.

inadvertently into an off-piste area

d’Isère. He has given over 1000 talks

So it seems there’s always risk.

that has become ‘pisted’ as it may

and courses in the last 25 years,

Perhaps that’s the root of what

be difficult to distinguish from the

including presenting at international

makes snow sports exciting? We

piste. It may be tempting to save a

snow-science conferences.

can never avoid it completely, but

few pounds, but that can turn into

“Skiing off-piste is fun and more

we can try to minimise it.

an expensive mistake. If there is

and more people are venturing into

head off-piste into potentially dangerous avalanche territory

074 // NOV15 // INTHESNOW.COM

T AN

:

ES AG

R

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K IC

R AT :P

O W

S RD

T

HO



IM

DY AN

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the backcountry to enjoy powder

unpatrolled territory.

EMPLOY A PROFESSIONAL

snow conditions,” says Henry. “But

The avalanche training parks are

It’s never been easier to get into

riding safe means understanding

used to simulate avalanche rescue

the park or off-piste with ever better

the conditions and making decisions

by burying electronic beacons,

freeride gear, and now we’re ever

that can keep you safe, then

representing buried skiers and

more reliant on our “apps” and our

knowing what to do if the worst

boarders and teaching you the

GPS-enabled mobile devices to give

does happen.”

technique to find them as quickly

us information, it’s very important

Henry’s presentations are full of

as possible. Most of these facilities

to understand that apps don’t (yet)

exciting images, videos and ski

operate free of charge.

think, and we should not imagine

stories about how off-piste skiing

The “safe” freeride areas are

that because it’s there, and we’re all

is packed with fun, but also how

ungroomed semi-wild areas that are

in a holiday mood, we can jump the

close you can come to dangerous

located in avalanche-safe parts of the

big jump without hurting ourselves

situations if you’re not paying

ski area and are patrolled so that you

or ski the steep off-piste slope

attention.

can begin to experience conditions

without triggering an avalanche if

He also helps answer the

off-piste but in a location where help

the conditions aren’t right.

fundamental question we need to

is still at hand if things go wrong.

It’s never been more important to

ask and abide by a sensible decision

One of the leading areas in the

make use of a professional – be it

on if we plan to head off-piste: “Is it

world for terrain parks is Italy’s

a specialist snow-school instructor

really safe out there?”

Dolomiti Superski region, which

to take us into the terrain park or

Along with the introductory talks,

has no less than 28 of them, with

a mountain guide to lead us as

Henry offers more in-depth talks

numerous kickers, quarters, corners

safely as possible off-piste (having

and then the courses in resort;

and groomed or natural half pipes as

checked already that we’re covered

his website is also a centre for

well as plenty of rails and box lines.

by our insurance).

invaluable advice.

For several seasons now the region

Have fun but stay safe.

PRACTICE IN RESORT

has organised “DROP IN” days on Wednesdays and Saturdays from

More and more ski resorts are

10am until 4pm, when you can just

MORE INFO

aware of the gap between skie’s

turn up and learn the basic skills

henrysavalanchetalk.com

and boarders aspirations, as they’re

from local pro-riders and thereby

mpibrokers.com

inspired by the ever-growing wave

get easily acquainted with the jibs

dolomitisuperski.com

of cool snow-sports movies and

and kickers in the safest possible

YouTube stunts, and the likely reality

way. Many other ski resorts offer

of their actual ability.

similar sessions if you research them

Many have now created “avalanche

before you arrive in resort.

training parks” and “safe freeride zones” in which you can practise technique before going out into

075 // NOV15

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www.skidiscount.co.uk

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076 // NOV15

BURGER WOLFGANG

LIFE IN PICTURES  PROMOTION

TVB ST. ANTON AM ARLBERG

ST ANTON AM ARLBERG In 1901 the Ski Club Arlberg

built its first Galzig cable car,

the world’s great resorts. But

was founded and went on

carrying 60,000 guests in its

it’s less widely known what a

to play a crucial role in the

first year. The village remained

crucial part the famous village

development of Alpine skiing

as one of the world’s top

in the Austrian Tirol’s Arlberg

away from the long skis and

resorts through the 20th

region has played in the

Telemark style of the first

century and started the 21st by

history of skiing.

downhill skiers from Norway.

hosting the Alpine Ski World

In fact the village’s history

Hannes Schneider, who

Championships in 2001.

goes back many centuries

founded the Ski School

After 65 years a new Galzig

before winter sports were

Arlberg in 1921, was an

lift opened in 2006 with a

thought of. Records go back to

early superstar of skiing,

revolutionary new design,

1386 when Heinrich Findelkind

starring in early ski films and

and St Anton am Arlberg

established the Hospiz on the

travelling as far as North

continues to maintain its

Arlberg Pass, as a sanctuary

America and Japan to help

reputation as one of the

for travellers on this exposed

start the phenomenal rise in

world’s leading resorts,

route. Today the Hospiz is still

popularity of downhill skiing

continuing to go from

there as one of the world’s

around the world.

strength to strength after 115

iconic ski hotels.

In 1937 St Anton am Arlberg

years of snow sports.

TVB ST. ANTON AM ARLBERG

078 // NOV15

STANTONAMARLBERG.COM | VISITTIROL.CO.UK

TVB ST. ANTON AM ARLBERG

St Anton am Arlberg is one of

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEXT LEVEL IN CHALET HOTEL LUXURY

T

d’Isère? Well they’ve taken over

pool and spa area, which features

Of course with Ski Total,

one of the famous French resort’s

a small indoor pool, two saunas

Inghams or Esprit Ski, along

existing prestigious 5★ hotels

and a steam room. Massage

with an Olympic-sized breakfast,

and brought in their own teams to

treatments are available too of

once you’re back in from the

create the Chalet Hotel Le Savoie,

course and can be booked locally.

slopes, you’ll enjoy five-course

rated a 5 Diamond Platinum

Children under 12 years of age are

dinners with a choice of menu,

property on their own grading scale

welcome in the pool until 5pm,

including aperitifs and canapés

– essentially the best they’ve ever

after which time it becomes adults

in the comfortable dining room

offered and available through all

only. What else? Well, there’s

and restaurant along with

three brands.

even a library, a bar and free wi-fi

complimentary, unlimited wine

throughout.

during your meal.

So What’s The Deal?

here’s an exciting new holiday

Well, first Chalet Hotel Le Savoie

idea in Val d’Isère this winter –

is superbly located in the heart

affordable luxury. Of course all

of the resort but only 3 minutes’

luxury accommodation providers

walk from the lifts. Second, the

say that they’re affordable, but

Chalet Hotel offers sophisticated

Ski Total (in partnership with sister

relaxation with a wide range

companies Inghams and Esprit Ski)

of rooms to cater for different

do have a genuine reputation for

family and group sizes, including

delivering a lot, for a fair price.

Classique, Deluxe Mezzanine and

How have they done it in Val

Penthouse. Then third, there’s the

ICELANDIC SKI TOWN IS BEST EUROPEAN DESTINATION

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Lonely Planet is reported to have

Situated on the north coast

biggest town and a centre for

selected the northern Icelandic

under snow-capped peaks at the

adventure tourism with its own

town of Akureyri as its “best

head of Iceland’s longest fjord,

ski fields. It’s also good for seeing

European destination” of 2015.

Akureyri is Iceland’s second-

whales and the Northern Lights.

079 // NOV15

THE

CLICK BEST

KEVIN ARNOLD

WIN

ONE OF FIVE £50 SNOW+ROCK VOUCHERS Simply vote for the 21st British Annual Canada Travel Awards – Best Ski Tour Operator to Canada online at inthesnow.com/competition and you could be one of the lucky winners!

Which tour operator goes the extra mile when it comes to service, product offering and know the Canadian ski hills back to front?

Canada, the Great White North, features the

the extra mile when it comes to service,

 American Ski Classics

world’s finest skiing and snowboarding. You

product offering and knowing the Canadian

can choose the urban slopes of Vancouver’s

ski hills back to front? Everyone who votes

 Canadian Affair

North Shore mountains, the world-famous

will be entered into a draw to win one of five

 Crystal Ski

2010 Winter Olympic Games site of Whistler,

£50 Snow+Rock vouchers.

 Erna Lowe

the scenic, high-altitude resorts of Banff/

Please vote and make someone happy and

Lake Louise, the fluffy powder of Quebec’s

stand a chance to win.

 Frontier Ski

culturally vibrant and secluded ski hills or

 Inghams

will you explore the backcountry and create

 Ski Independence

your own trails? Wherever you go, remember: Canada knows snow.

 Ski Safari

The British Annual Canada Travel Awards

 Ski Solutions

is asking InTheSnow readers to vote for the

 Ski World

best ski tour operator to Canada. Who goes

080 // NOV15

 Virgin

@INTHESNOWMAG

BOOT ROOM Sponsors of Boot Room

Sponsors of Boot Room

 SCOTT AIR FREE AP 12L AVALANCHE BACKPACK Scott’s removable airbag system gives you the versatility of moving the airbag to different-size backpacks.

Combine that with tech design,

 BOLLÉ GRAVITY MODULATOR LIGHT CONTROL GOGGLES

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Built with NXT® technology for superior optical clarity,

best avalanche backpacks ever produced.

the Gravity’s light reactive Modulator™ Light Control lens adjusts to changing light conditions and reduces

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distracting glare while maintaining reflections that enable you to differentiate snow from ice. Featuring a P80+ anti-fog treatment, Equalizer® Technology and Flow-Tech™ venting, the Gravity is helmet compatible.

 DALBELLO PANTERRA 120

 BLACK CROWS CAMOX

Dalbello’s renowned three-piece shell gives you

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gives you the versatility of an all-

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cruising effortlessly through off-piste

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mastering lots of different conditions

powder, these skis will have you in no time! £550 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

 SCOTT SAGEBRUSH JUNIOR SKI A junior version of the exciting new all-mountain Sagebrush ski, the one ski that performs wherever you take

 SWEET IGNITER MIPS HELMET

it. Put on a touring binding, surf the powder, charge the chopped-up snow or play through the park and pistes. But watch out: the adaptability

 SCOTT JUNIOR RIOT POLE

 ZAINI HATS

If you’ve been trying to find the right

of these means your children will be

helmet to buy, look no further. The

overtaking you in no time, if they’re

Igniter offers a rubber toughened

Zaini hats are still the leaders in headwear for the

not already!

mountains – with over 150 new designs online

hard shell with impact shields, keeping it strong but light. MIPS

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brain protection technology reduces

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there is a beanie to suit everyone! Our beanies are £275 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

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 SLYTECH VEST BACK PROTECTOR ONE MINI A child-friendly vest design with impact-protection technology in a cost-effective and comfortable solution. Get your children used to wearing back protectors now, and as they start pushing the limits, they’ll have no qualms about putting on a back protector to protect their valuable backs. £85 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

082 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

 PATAGONIA KNIFERIDGE WOMEN’S JACKET

 ATOMIC HAWX MAGNA 130 Need a wide-fitting ski boot, but still looking for performance

A unique combination of soft-shell breathability, hard-shell

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answer, based on one of the best-fitting boots on the

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extra warmth or keep it light for touring and hiking. £320 | SKIBARTLETT.COM £279 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

FALKE SK4 SKI SOCK  SALOMON ICON & RANGER 4D CUSTOM AIR

Your socks are critical to the fit and comfort of your ski boots. Strategically placed left and

Helmets are now becoming the norm, but make sure yours fits and performs as well as

right cushioning increases comfort by reducing

it should. These helmets definitely tick these boxes – pump-up custom air pads hold

pressure on your shin, ankle, instep and heel,

your helmet securely in place, and the integrated EPS 4D material can absorb more

giving you a closer anatomical fit with no excess

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a precise feel in your boots.

£115 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

£25 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

 ATOMIC BENT CHETLER At the forefront of technology with its unique HRZN Tech tip and tail, giving the Bent Chetler a clever hull shape with more surface area. This clever design gives you better floatation, a more positive feel through chopped-up snow and overall a more stable ride in variable conditions. The ultimate playful powder ski for whichever way you prefer to float, spin, slash or butter your way down the mountain. £499 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

 LINE OUTSIDERS JACKET

ATOMIC BAG WHEELIE TRAVELBAG

LINE’s usual up-to-the-minute styling comes across in this old-school street-inspired jacket. If you’re looking for a unique jacket for on or off the slopes, the Outsider is packed with great tech features. At this amazing price it would be rude not to buy one, but be quick because these will not be sitting around for long. £159 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

 KÄSTLE FX85 CHRIS DAVENPORT PRO MODEL An all-mountain freeride ski, co-created by the superb

A great size bag – big enough for a

Chris Davenport. Its unique lightweight HOLLOWTECH

week’s skiing, but not too big that you’ll be

tip gives you advantages like easier turn initiation,

overweight! Strong and robust, this bag will

greater vibration absorption and more stability. These

keep looking good for years to come. A great

really will cut through the crud, hoon the piste and surf

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the soft stuff.

£140 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

£555 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

 SMITH IO/S WOOLRICH VINTAGE GEO GOGGLE Smith have paired with Woolwich to create one of the most eye-catching and beautiful designs you will see on the slopes this season. The compact frame and smaller face fit of the I/OS

MORE AT SKIBARTLETT.COM With their renowned reputation for

packs in as much performance as any large-fitting goggle. The

specialist expert advice, combined with their

interchangeable lens system makes switching lenses easy,

carefully selected and tested range of products,

while 5X™ anti-fog technology keeps the goggle fog-free.

it’s no surprise that Ski Bartlett’s word-of-mouth reputation over the last 50 years has made them

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the UK’s most popular independent ski shop!

INTHESNOW.COM // NOV15 // 083

 BURTON WRIST GUARDS

 VOLCOM PREP CREW

Give your wrists the respect they deserve

Whether you are looking for something

with the stealth protection of the Impact

to wear on or off the hill, the Volcom

Wrist Guard. The sleek, low-profile design

Prep Crew ticks all the boxes. A loose

easily fits under snowboard gloves and

and lengthy-fitting crew with drawstring

mitts. Soft padding and easily adjustable

adjustment around the neck, ribbed hem

Velcro straps keep them comfortably

and cuffs, and Volcom Stone hits in all the

locked around your wrists.

right places.

£24.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

£59.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

 BURTON SCRIBE WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD BINDING Tame the entire mountain with snowboarding’s most versatile women’s binding. A forgiving, comfortable and easy no-frills binding for the intermediate rider. Putting those turns in around the mountain, or stomping that new trick in the snow park, this binding will perform in every situation. £159.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

 CRAB GRAB MINI CLAWS STOMP PAD – PARTY PACK Customise your top sheet, giving you extra grip exactly where you want/need it. Whether you’re

 SALOMON GYPSY WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD

 ARBOR CADENCE SNOWBOARD

The Rock Out camber profile of this board gives

Arbor know it’s all about finding your rhythm on the mountain which is why they created the CADENCE.

you the best of both worlds. You have the camber

This freestyle-oriented, women-specific snowboard has a nice, soft flex that makes turning effortless and

under your feet to give you added stability and

learning tricks easy. Although geared towards freestyle, it doesn’t take kindly to labels. Bring the Cadence

pop, but the rocker nose and tail gives you the

to any terrain and you will see, first hand, that this board can hold its own across a plethora of conditions

confidence to try new things. A great fun board

and variables. The Cadence stands out from other female-specific snowboards with its sustainably

that works all over the mountain.

sourced ash ‘PowerPly’ topsheet and beautifully designed nature graphic with artwork by David Hale.

£329.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

£389.99 | ULTRASPORTEU.COM

after some one-footed tricks, or simply looking to get off the chairlift without doing a groin splitter,

 VOLCOM HEATHERS BEANIE

Mini Claws are the perfect solution.

 BURTON EMERALD WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD BOOT

£14.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

This boot offers the latest in lightweight, pro-level performance. Two pulls on the

Standard-fit roll-over beanie with suede label detail featuring the Volcom stone. Machine-knit acrylic offers extra warmth and durability. £24.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

Speed Zone™ lacing and your boots are tight and ready to ride. It has a soft flex, making it ideal for freestyle and intermediate riders, and an already broken-in feel, so it’s just as comfortable on day 1 as it is on day 100. £194.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

 K2 RAYGUN SNOWBOARD Fresh off its third year in a row of Good Wood award wins, the Raygun is the easy answer when trying to find the board that does it all at great value. Beginner to intermediate and beyond, this board will never let you down. £299.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

MORE AT SPUTNIKSNOW BOARDSHOP.COM Sputnik is one of the UK’s largest independent snowboard shops. We offer great choice and service to all our customers. Whether you are beginner or expert, we can kit you out to ensure you have a great day on the mountains.

084 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

 BURTON IMPACT SHORTS The ultimate in low-profile, impactabsorbing protection – you’ll forget it’s there, until you take a hit. From beginners starting to turn, to pros on the hunt for

THE FUTURE OF SKI TECHNOLOGY

a new trick, you can take a drop with confidence and know you can carry on riding for the rest of the day. £79.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

 THIRTY TWO LOWDOWN SHELL SNOWBOARD JACKET HEAD

From Thirty Two comes the Lowdown Jacket – a high-visibility 2L Shell jacket with a Level 1 lining system. Lightweight feel with a matte finish made from 100% nylon slub. Other features include an adjustable hood, Velcro adjusters at the

Nobel-Prize-winning material graphene is the

wrists and a stylish 32 print graphic.

strongest, lightest, thinnest super-material ever discovered on earth, and it’s about to revolutionise so many products as we currently know them.

£169.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

Made of one single element of carbon with some very uniquely combined properties, graphene is lighter

 THIRTY TWO BLAHZAY PANT

than wood and metal, 300x stronger than steel and

A 2L cargo pant with a relaxed oversized

of ski construction, and HEAD skis are starting the

fit and lightweight feel. These pants are

ball rolling this coming winter.

harder than diamond. It’s also flexible and stretchable.

This kind of super-material will add to the evolution

made from 100% nylon dobby stripe

So what benefits does a graphene ski have …?

texture fabric and have fully taped seams, making them perfect for when you find yourself in bad weather conditions.

With such a clever material, weight can be redistributed across the ski, meaning thinner skis

£164.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

with more response edge to edge, better balance and more control.

With graphene’s lightness and strength, common ski-strengthening materials can be removed and other more responsive materials can be used instead to give you a more reactive feel. As graphene responds to the smallest of movements, you get a much more agile and responsive feel on your skis, on every type of turn.

To adapt the skis to different ski terrain and different

 K2 FORMULA SNOWBOARD BINDING

 VOLCOM BOLT INSULATED WOMEN’S JACKET

ski types, graphene can be positioned across the ski to give you a more balanced sensation whether you’re skiing on-piste or off.

The use of graphene means the whole profile of a ski can be reassessed to give you more control, increased

The V-science Oxford 2 fabric plus critical

stability, better edge grip in all conditions and the

No gimmicks, no hassles, the Formula binding

taped seams are perfect for keeping the

added advantage of more power with less effort!

is the go-to for our pro riders, shop riders and

cold out, and the V-science breathable lining

Cutting-edge technology and innovations like

snowboarders around the globe. A medium-

system will prevent overheating. It has a

graphene are redefining the spirit of skiing and

flex highback, with a canted EVA footbed, this

flattering slim fit, and the built-in hood features

the boundaries we’ll be able to push – let the

binding is guaranteed to keep you comfortable

a draw cord for easy adjustment. A great-

revolution continue …

and supported all day long.

looking jacket that won’t break the bank.

£169.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

£139.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

Video Links: HEAD’s Use Of Graphene youtu.be/F33hOagr1yM Graphene Explained – Introducing Mr G! youtu.be/ dTSnnlITsVg

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085 // NOV15

7

 FISCHER RANGER 12 VACUUM FULL FIT

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF WHEN BUYING BOOTS

Extremely lightweight Freeride boot thanks to the use of Vacu-Plast shell material which remains the only truly 100% formable boot available. Phatt Maxx power strap for added power and a cushioned inlay for a soft landing! Fischer’s SOMA TEC V position stance gives greater power transfer, increased edge grip and a natural position taking the strain from joints.

£499.99 | FISCHERSPORTS.COM

 FISCHER PROGRESSOR F17 SKI

 ROSSIGNOL ALLTRACK 80 JUNIOR BOOT

As its name suggests, this is a progressive

With a pair of these one-of-a-kind junior touring boots,

ski that will help your piste skiing improve.

there’s no reason why your children should miss out on your next ski-touring adventure. These aren’t just built for heading

Super-smooth flex, grippy from edge to

upwards to hidden stashes, but also for Mach 10 on the piste

edge and easy flattering initiation to start

and cruising through the powder; they have the ability to do

the turn. If you want a ski that can grow

everything you need in one boot. It will be smiles all round

and progress with you, then you won’t

when you see how much fun they’re having!

be disappointed with the all-new Progressor series of skis.

Before you invest in your next pair of ski boots, make sure you get the correct advice from a specialist ski shop with a reputation for boot-fitting expertise.

A professional boot fitting should

fit, more accurate transfer of

consist of the following seven key

movements to your skis, increased

boot-fitting musts:

comfort and added warmth.

1. Great communication between

5. The style of ski boot should match

you and the boot fitter is paramount

your ability and skiing aspirations –

– a knowledgeable boot fitter will

ski boots need to be appropriate to

help you choose an appropriate

your ability level and your strength.

boot by asking you questions about

The correct flex will help you stay in

where, when and how you prefer to

balance on your skis and keep you

ski; honest answers are essential!

progressing and having fun.

2. Your boot fitter will take the time

6. Having a good range of boots to

to analyse your individual feet –

choose from – a shop with a good

they’ll measure the length and width

range of boots means the boot fitter

of your feet; they’ll look for bumps,

can recommend an appropriate

bunions and instep height. They’ll

model for your foot shape, skiing

also look at the size of your calf and

ability and style of skiing.

£379 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

 EIDER WOMEN’S MANHATTAN JACKET A sleek flattering shape, luxurious fur-trimmed hood and a deep midnight blue combine together to give you a gorgeous “feel good” jacket. Not compromising on functionality, this jacket will also keep you warm and dry and definitely feeling and looking good every year. £250 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

your overall posture and flow of movement.

£190 | SKIBARTLETT.COM

7. Don’t be hung up on appearance or models – every foot is different,

3. The correct fit of your ski boots

so it is important to be open-minded

is crucial – ski boots should be

and let your foot choose the boot

comfortable enough to ski all day

– a decision based on looks rather

but also give you control on your

than comfort and fit can be a big

skis. The snugness around your

mistake when you’re out on the

foot should feel similar to a firm

slopes!

 PEAK PERFORMANCE HELI VERTICAL JACKET & PANTS When you’re free skiing, confidence is key, and Peak

handshake, without any rubbing or pressure points. Adjustments can

All movements in your skiing start

easily be made to customise and

with the closest link to the snow,

heat mould a boot to your individual

your feet, illustrating why your ski

foot shape.

boots are one of the most important

Performance provides just that with the Heli Collection.

Heli Vertical is a brand new ski set in the new GORE-TEX® C-Knit. Developed closely with Henrik Windstedt and Matilda Rapaport, two of the best free skiers in the world.

elements to enjoying your skiing.

4. Custom-moulded footbeds – the

Never compromise on the fit of

rigid plastic shells of a ski boot can

your ski boots – a good-fitting ski

be uncomfortable for all-day skiing.

boot means increased comfort,

The addition of a footbed provides

better edge grip, smoother turns,

you with extra support under your

better posture on your skis, more

arches, giving you a more secure

performance and less aching legs!

JACKET: £600 PANTS: £450 PEAK PERFORMANCE.COM/GB

086 // NOV15

TOUR OP STAFF AND CUSTOMERS DONATE £69,000 TO SKI CHARITY

SELLARONDA CLOSE TO BEING WORLD’S BIGGEST A new lift being built to connect

provinces which are marketed

a previously separate ski area

separately, and although all are

to the Sellaronda network in

included within the Dolomiti

the Italian Dolomites has placed

Superski pass, that giant ski

the enlarged circuit closer to

area prepares to concentrate of

the title of world’s largest lift-

the huge 1200km figure for all

linked area.

the runs in its area.

The Sellaronda is best known

For 2015–16 a new Doppelmayr

as a remarkable circuit of

“Funifor” cable car, Alba-Col dei

lifts and pistes encircling the

Rossi, will connect the hamlet

stunning Sella Massif and is

of Canazei and the ski area

generally publicised for being

Ciampac to the Belvedere ski

an exciting day trip for skiers

resort, meaning that the ski

based in one of the resorts on

areas Pozza-Buffaure, Alba-

the loop.

Ciampac, Canazei-Belvedere and

However, if you add together

Campitello-Col Rodella will all

all the skiing in all the valleys

be connected to each other by

linked by the Sellaronda,

ski slopes or by cable cars and

including Val Gardena, Alta

chairlifts, adding 73km of terrain.

Badia and parts of Val di Fassa,

So 500 + 73 = 573km? Close

the linked area is one of the

to Les 3 Vallées 600km – the

largest in the world.

world’s largest? There remains

The question is, how large?

no official total. Ski expert and

And that’s what’s disputed. For

cartographer Christoph Schrahe,

political and marketing reasons,

who runs a service to provide

an official tally of the linked

an official seal of independent

terrain is rarely published. In one

size verification for ski areas

brochure published a decade

(pistelength.com), believes

or so ago, a figure of 500km

the enlarged area totals a less

was suggested. But the area

impressive “around 350km.” Still

crosses two separate Italian

one of the world’s biggest.

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087 // NOV15

Customers of the UK’s largest ski tour operator,

priced lessons with specialist instructors and

work and fantastic support that comes from

Crystal, have donated a total of £69,000

equipment in all UK indoor snow centres,

Crystal’s staff and customers. I can truly say

to charity Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK)

therefore providing access to skiing for

that without Crystal’s support over the last 6

(disabilitysnowsport.org.uk), a £5000 increase in

disabled people who might not normally be

years, DSUK would not be here now,” said

the money the company donated in 2014.

able to participate, as well as helping with

Fiona Young, the charity’s CEO.

DSUK is a small national charity with a mission

“holidays of a lifetime” to ski resorts in Europe

Crystal’s overseas and UK employees raised

of giving skiers and snowboarders with a

and North America.

the money through year-round events to

disability the opportunity to be able to ski

“It’s an amazing amount and to increase it year

support the charity, and Crystal customers

alongside the non-disabled as equals at all ski

on year is fantastic. We realise that it’s still

donated generously. The fundraising fun-filled

facilities and resorts.

tough out there financially for everyone, and

activities included auctions, pub quizzes, an

This donation will allow members to continue

there are so many good causes that deserve

office swear jar, race nights, bikini skiing and

to experience heavily subsidised, fairly

donations, so we really appreciate all the hard

prize giveaways.

T  Peter Gillespie pictued front left of group

the opportunities to learn and progress in snow

comment to me how impressed they are when

sports without leaving the UK. Read on to find

holidaymakers from the UK join lessons in their

out from Pete how new UK snow-sports facilities

ski schools. They already have a range of skills

and lesson programmes are allowing Brits of all

they have learned in the UK which are directly

ages and abilities to take to the snow!

applicable to the mountain environment.

What’s changed for Brits looking to take up

Do you see a big difference in the number of Brits

snow sports now that they have access to dry

enjoying skiing and snowboarding since more UK

slopes and indoor snow centres?

dry slopes and indoor centres have opened?

My career as a professional ski teacher was

The indoor facilities and dry slopes have

shaped by the ability to train in my hometown

created a starting point and created

(Hemel Hempstead), on the original dry ski slope.

“stickability” in snow sports. People are now

I owe so much to the plastic slope that eventually

using the centres in the same way they would

became The Snow Centre many years later.

use a gym. It’s a great way to learn and develop

I look at the youngsters now training at the

new skills, and take regular exercise. At The

indoor centre, and I am so impressed with their

Snow Centre I see many regular guests using

skills and technical level, much of it learned

the facility all year round. We have created a

rainer to ski instructors all over, pro on the snow

without even seeing a real mountain. I put

regular and loyal base of snow-sports fans.

and Head of The Snow Centre’s Snowsports

this down to two main points: the access to

School, Peter Gillespie, one of Europe’s highest-

real snow every day and access to top-class

Can you begin a career in snow sports without

qualified instructors, explains how indoor centres

coaching domestically.

having skied a mountain?

and dry slopes are offering more Brits the

A definite YES! You can learn the skills to take

chance to hit the slopes!

What snow-sports skills can you learn in the UK

your first-level ski or snowboard instructors award

Pete has been skiing for 33 years, coaching for

more easily than on a mountain?

and actually take the course at The Snow Centre.

more than 28 and training new generations of

In the UK the access to a slope and snow-sports

This forms the basis and first tier. To progress to

ski instructors since he was 26. Now 45, Pete is

coaching is all year around! In the mountain

level 2 and beyond, mountain experience will be

a qualified BASI (British Association of Snowsport

environment, snow sports are seasonal. What UK

necessary, but much of the experience and training

Instructors) level 4 ISTD and IASI (Irish Association

slopes offer is the ability to clock up “coaching

will be transferable from the UK environment.

of Snowsports Instructors) trainer and examiner,

miles” and access to regular input and guidance.

So, it looks like there are no excuses for the

runs his own ski-coaching trips to the mountains

The early stages are easy to pick up in a UK

Brits these days! If you’re keen to take up skiing

and occasionally still represents Ireland at

facility. The equipment hire, progressive slopes,

or snowboarding, or get some extra practice in

international events, such as Interski’s World

coaching and lift systems are all readily on hand

between your winter holidays, or maybe you’re

Congress of Snowsports Instructors.

in the UK’s micro ski resorts. This offers entry

thinking of kick-starting your career in snow

But, when he’s not been busy doing all that,

without barriers into snow sports.

sports, check out your local dry slope or indoor

Pete has spent a lot of time helping to build on

My European ski instructor colleagues often

centre before jetting off to the mountains!

088 // NOV15

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WORDS: CHRISTOPH SCHRAHE

090 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

I

t’s not widely

its brake. But fortunately the source of

known that the

income for probably a whole large family

skiing in Pakistan

was safely recovered.

can be rather

The Swat Valley, especially the small

good. Although the

villages sprawling across the steep

general perception

slopes above it, is a poor region and

is of a hot, crowded

that’s the reason why Khyber Tobacco is

country, there are

not only rebuilding Malam Jabba but also

large mountainous

planning to build a hospital and a school for girls – the valley is home to Malala

areas of stunning natural beauty. And

When I was approaching Malam Jabba in

Yousafzai, the girl the Taliban tried to kill

in the 1990s a small

April 2015, I could feel that the government

because she was fighting for the right to

ski resort was built

had not yet fulfilled their obligation. “Road”

an education.

at Malam Jabba in the Swat Valley with

was quite an exaggeration for the rough

Most people in the valley are very proud

the help of Austrian expertise. Sadly that

track we crawled up at a snail’s pace. I was

of her, and they are also favouring the

was destroyed by the Taliban almost a

part of a delegation of five foreign experts

redevelopment of the resort because it

decade ago, but they were driven out in

brought in to support Khyber Tobacco,

promises jobs and income. The success

2009 and now plans are afoot to re-open

who, unsurprisingly, had no experience in

will also depend on the security situation.

the centre for winter 2016–17.

the development of ski resorts. Our little

Right now the army presence is very high,

In fact plans for the ski area at Malam Jabba

convoy was escorted by army jeeps. Two

but still our original plans to stay at the

date right back to 1962, although it wasn’t

guys with machine guns sat on the back.

Swat Serena hotel in Saidu Sharif, the

until 1998 that the 4★ hotel located at an

The Taliban are not ruling the Swat Valley

closest existing hotel to Malam Jabba,

altitude of 2500m finally opened. It sat on

anymore, but that doesn’t mean that they

were changed as it was considered too

a small ridge overlooking beautiful scenery

have completely vanished. That’s the

dangerous to have five foreigners there

high above the Swat Valley in northwestern

reason why the valley officially is still a no-

at the same time. Whilst I was walking

Pakistan. Soon Malam Jabba became

go area for foreigners. However, to me the

across the mountain in order to evaluate

a popular retreat for people, especially

driver of our car appeared to be the most

the terrain for ski slopes and summer

families and students from Islamabad and

dangerous factor of the whole trip.

attractions, there was always a protective

Peshawar. Many of them took the 4- to

But we made it in one piece to Malam

shadow following me, armed with a

5-hour drive to the resort not for skiing but

Jabba, and to my surprise there was a lift

machine gun.

operating, carrying tourists halfway up

When we reached the platform at the top

the wide ski slope. The lift consisted of a

of the former chairlift, he asked whether

cable from which a single open gondola

we were interested in seeing one of the

with two benches was suspended, each

Taliban shelters from the war. It’s just

carrying four people. Powered by an old

a hole dug in the ground but it offers a

car engine, the haul rope was touching

good view of the little ridge further down

the ground in the middle of the track

where the remnants of the burnt-out

while the chairs where loaded at the

hotel shell have now been taken down

bottom. The cost for the ride was 100

completely, making space for a new era

rupees – about €1 or 70p. Given the

of tourism.

average earnings of a well-paid factory

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

just for the snow. Malam Jabba gets a lot

worker in Pakistan are about €100 to

of it; the snow cover can reach up to 3m.

€150 a month, this wasn’t cheap.

Even in summer, the place was packed

Nevertheless, even on this Tuesday

with people who just came for the fresh

outside the holidays there were lots of

mountain air, took a ride in the chairlift to

tourists riding the chair. Many others

the summit ridge (2670m) and enjoyed the

walked up the hill in order to approach

stunning view of Nanga Parbat.

the few spots of snow remaining in the

It all came to a halt when the Swat

upper part. Some of them stuffed snow

Valley fell under the sway of the Taliban

into plastic bags in order to bring some of

in 2006. As they looked at skiing as

it down to the valley, others were sliding

un-Islamic, they blew up the hotel, the

on anything they could think of, and there

It is a stony path not only because of the

chairlift and the grooming equipment.

were even some skiers.

horrible road to Malam Jabba, but also

In 2009 the Pakistan army regained

Local guys were waiting on the snow

because it is not easy to find companies

control over the Swat Valley, but it took

spots with rental equipment. I went

who are willing to supply and mount

another 5 years before the contracts for

over and they had a pair of white

infrastructure in this unstable part of the

the reconstruction of the resort could be

rear-entry boots for me. Not exactly my

world. European market leaders refused

signed. A large tobacco company from

favourite, but who cares when it comes

to deliver chairlifts, but the Chinese didn’t,

Islamabad, Khyber Tobacco, won the

to the chance to do some turns in the

and over the summer the construction of

tender to develop Malam Jabba under a

Hindukush for the first and probably only

a new double chairlift is well underway.

lease from the Pakistan government.

time? The skis were from the era before

It will serve a steep slope and there will

The company is to build a 4★ hotel,

carving – long, narrow and with no spring

be a magic carpet accessing a beginner

another 3★ accommodation, a new

left in them. The bindings were defunct,

slope and another one on a sledding hill.

chairlift and run the place as a four-season

but with the aid of the friendly rental guy

The hotel won’t be ready for 2016–17, but

resort. In exchange the government has

I could attach the boots to the skis. After

there’s no question that Pakistani people

promised to rebuild the road and take care

150m, one ski just came off and went

will still flock back to Malam Jabba,

of the power supply.

down the hill quite far, as it was missing

against all the odds.

091 // NOV15 // INTHESNOW.COM

PATRICK FORSBLOM

SUPPORTING

NON-GLACIER SKI AREAS OPEN FOR 2015–16 SEASON IN EUROPE victim of climate change, but they have made a

of the world’s highest ski areas over in Colorado

Alps by the end of October, but there’s been

point of opening some higher runs in October or

which had been snowmaking since early October

so much early autumn snowfall coupled with

early November for several years now.

and received some natural snowfall but had not

low temperatures other areas that don’t have

Further north, Ruka, in Finnish Lapland, which tries

quite been able to open.

glaciers have already opened for their 2015–16

to offer the world’s longest ski season for a non-

The Alps and northern Europe have had up to

ski seasons too.

glacier resort, opened one run in mid-October and

three big snowfalls over the past 2 months, the

Kitzbühel is the biggest name to do so, opening

will aim to stay open until next June now.

most recent depositing up to 60cm of fresh snow

their lifts for the first time over the weekend of

And across the Atlantic, Killington in Vermont

and sparking several “powder alarms” (for more

24–25 October. Their ski area is one of the lowest

won the battle to be the first to open in North

than 20cm of snow in 24 hours) on already open

in the Alps and was once forecast as a likely early

America, on Sunday 18 October, beating some

glacier slopes.

CORINNE DUBREUIL

About 20 glacier ski areas had opened in the

TEL: +44 (0)20 8704 4141 PARASNOWBALL@FIREBALL.CO.UK WWW.FIREBALLSHOP.CO.UK/PARASNOWBALL

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO DISABILITY SNOWSPORT UK. REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 287106 (ENGLAND/WALES) AND SCO40699 (SCOTLAND).

ALL TALENT IS SUBJECT TO FINAL AVAILABILITY.

LES 3 VALLÉES SETS THE YÉTI RACE FOR MARCH

MORE THAN 10,000 TACKLE WORLD CUP SLOPE

You’ve skied, boarded and probably sledged on snow, but have you

Courchevel reports that more than 10,000 people tackled its World Cup

ever tried running on it?

ski slope in “competition conditions” last winter.

The latest idea from Les 3 Vallées, where mountain biking over snow is

The Les 3 Vallées resort has introduced a new automated videoing

popular up at Val Thorens, is an all-new over-snow running race to be

service for anyone who wanted to have a go at the World Cup slope in

staged next March. The Yéti Race, which will take place on the slopes of

the Emile-Allais stadium.

Les Menuires, will be a 20km-long trail running endurance event aimed

The BMW xDrive Skimovie at the famous French ski area works

at teams of two. Not just a straightforward mountain marathon type race

completely seamlessly with a timer, and the videoing system sets off as

either, as competitors will need to use their skills of precision, strength,

you begin your run, thanks to it recognising the RFID (radio-frequency

agility and endurance as well as orienteering to successfully complete this

identification) chip in your lift pass.

friendly race. The Yéti Race is scheduled to take place on 13 March 2016,

Once you’ve completed the run, it can be viewed at the Forum next to

and packages priced at €130pp (about £100) for the weekend, which

the Sports Club and downloaded for free at bmw-mountains.com.

includes 2 nights’ accommodation, race bib and ski pass for the Saturday,

The 3.2km-long course, with a 500m vertical drop, opened in 2012 with

are on sale from Les Menuires Réservation (tel. +33 (0)4 79 00 79 79).

the last World Cup race staged here as recently as 2014.

092 // NOV15

@INTHESNOWMAG

Jungfrau Ski Region at the foot of Eiger, MĂśnch & Jungfrau

jungfrau.ch

Book your winter holiday online: www.jungfrau.ch Attractive winter offers, top value for hotels, sportpasses, ski equipment and much more – click in today and benefit.

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

094 // NOV15

ROLF WEGMUELLER

D

Wengen’s British connections go back to the early

company making the James Bond movie On Her

years of the village, and indeed of downhill skiing

Majesty’s Secret Service more than 45 years ago.

in the Alps. The resort is the base of the famous

But the Bond connection is still strong and a new

Downhill Only Club (DHO), established in 1924,

“Walk of Fame” opened there this summer.

when the early English visitors first persuaded the

If we had visited a few weeks later in January

locals to keep the railway running in the winter to

we could not only have enjoyed abundant snow

get a lift up the mountains, then jump out and ski

but also been there for the annual Lauberhorn

“downhill only”.

international ski races. This annual classic is staged

Many members of the Club still return every year,

on the longest run in the World Cup, which, before

content to go back to the same resort annually,

and after race week, all resort guests can ski as well.

(often the same week in the same room in the

As it was, we decided to try to ski a little more on

same hotel).

our final few days. The snow clouds were gathering

We almost did the same heading back to the

and the lift company were prepping more terrain

Silberhorn, a well-located 4★ just across the road

to open for New Year’s week, and on the day

from both the railway station – one of the options

that we left the snow storms finally hit, famously

for getting further up the mountain to reach the ski

causing traffic chaos for those trying to get to the

uring my early years of skiing I went off to the

slopes – and the Männlichen cable car, which is the

French Alps, with a knock-on effect on our return

slopes pretty well every Christmas. I enjoyed

other option.

flights, but in the meantime there was at least a thin

escaping the British hype and spending Christmas

We hadn’t returned every year though; in fact again

dusting of fresh snow on the open slopes.

Day in the snow. It also seemed a great way to

it was a couple of decades since we were last in

Those who did arrive after us, and indeed those

end the year, and of course was the much more

Wengen, and the Silberhorn had had a full makeover

arriving in almost any normal week of any season

affordable week of the Christmas/New Year

in the meantime, even though our absence was only

rather than the freakishly bad one we chose,

fortnight in terms of ski holiday.

a small chunk of its 130-year history.

will find Wengen sitting at the heart of a huge

Flash forward 20 years and three children arriving

The Silberhorn is a friendly place, complete with

interconnected ski area with more than 210km of

then moving on, and Christmas on the slopes

comfortable rooms (some with great views from

runs shared with Grindelwald as well as Mürren

began to looking appealing and affordable again,

their balconies), a cosy bar and a compact spa as

across the valley. You’d never get bored.

so Christmas 2014 was booked to Switzerland.

well as several restaurants. But what really marked

As it was, because there wasn’t much skiing, we

What a shame that we booked the worst Christmas

it out was the attentiveness of the reception team

got to see much more of the non-skiing side of the

for snow cover across the Alps in living memory

and indeed the waiting staff in the restaurant

area than we would have done otherwise, and for

just as the Swiss franc was reaching the zenith

where high-quality seven-course Christmas Eve

that I am grateful.

of its exchange-rate strength. So we paid a small

AND Christmas Day meals compensated somewhat

fortune to battle with thousands of others to ski on

for the absence of the white stuff.

what seemed to be less than 10% of the normally

As it happens, the lack of snow and the fact that

open terrain, with no refund or discount in sight.

battling for space on the few icy slopes open wasn’t

Happy Christmas!

really that much fun did make us think outside the

Well, actually, it was, because despite the terrible

box for our ski holiday, and we realised that we were

ski conditions we had booked in to one of the

actually in the best ski resorts to not go skiing (as

Crystal Ski Holidays (crystalski.co.uk;

most spectacular ski areas on the planet, a resort

well as a good one when the snow is good as ski in,

020 8939 0726) offers a week’s half board at

steeped in skiing history and home to one of the

ski out is normally possible straight in to the village-

the 4★ Hotel Silberhorn in Wengen, Switzerland,

greatest World Cup races on earth. Even with a

centre and only 5 minutes by cable car to the top of

from £827pp (based on two sharing) including

snow-no-show, Wengen is simply stunning.

Maennlichen where the ski slopes start.

flights from Gatwick and transfers departing on

Wengen, which is essentially a long street lined

First off, we took a day off to head up to that

16 January 2016. Direct flights available from all

with shops, restaurants and hotels on a sunny

highest railway station in Europe, packed in on

major UK airports.

balcony in the mountainside, has welcomed skiers

the train with tourists from around the world and

since the turn of the century and is one of the

falling into easy conversation with some American

handful of “original” downhill skiing destinations

doctors about favourite resorts in Colorado. The

pioneered by British tourists (it celebrated 125

Jungfraujoch itself is a remarkable railway station

years of winter sports in the area in 2013). You

and the history of its construction fascinating.

arrive by rail or road to Lauterbrunnen in the valley

Then another day we did something very unnatural

below then take a storybook-style rack railway up

for skiers and took the train back down the valley

to the car-free resort. The railway was built in the

to beautiful Interlaken, where we enjoyed superb

Flying to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg

1880s and continues up to the major year-round

coffee and cakes in the wonderful Schuh Café,

from the UK is an increasingly popular way to

attraction of the Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest

which has been welcoming diners since 1818,

reach Wengen. From here there is a direct train to

railway station, perched 3454m up and the recent

as well as watching skaters enjoy a network of

Interlaken whereas from Geneva and Zurich you

beneficiary of a multi-million-pound makeover, the

skating lanes created around the park and a small

need to change trains before arriving in Interlaken.

results of which include Europe’s highest chocolate

Christmas market.

euroairport.com

shop, courtesy of Lindt.

Such is the extent of the Jungfrau ski pass (which

Services operate from all five London airports as

The lack of motorised traffic, the small scale and

began to feel like good value even if we couldn’t

well as Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester and, new

the mountainside location of Wengen all make it

actually ski much with it) we could also have visited

this season, Bristol, provided by EasyJet, BA,

feel very special, and the incredible views to enjoy

Mürren and its famous revolving restaurant on the

Ryanair and SkyWork Airlines.

of the mighty Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch mountains

Schilthorn had we had time. It is reputed to have

take it to another level again.

been completed thanks to investment from the film

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

GETTING THERE

AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO WENGEN

WENGEN.CH | JUNGFRAU.CH | MYSWITZERLAND.COM

¨

Switzerland’s best kept secret for skiing: Basel’s EuroAirport.

Fly to Basel for easy access and quick transfer times to the Alps, the Jungfrau Region and Wengen.

PIERRE JACQUES

TO

EASY TO REACH Valmorel is one of the easiest ski resorts in the Alps to

family-friendly services and facilities plus special offers

reach from the UK; it is also the closest to the Channel of all

through the season. For example, from 26 March to 16

ski areas in the famous Tarentaise ski region. The driving distance

April 2016, children under age 10 ski free.

from Calais to Valmorel is only 917km, taking a little over 8 hours on the fast French motorways. That’s around 2 hours less

SKI-IN/SKI-OUT

driving time than to neighbouring resorts. Arriving by air from Chambery, Lyon and Geneva airports

In Valmorel you don’t need your car. As it’s

is faster than to most other resorts too with

designed for pedestrians and skiers, you can

transfer times of between 1 and 2 hours.

get around very easily on foot. For slightly longer distances, there’s the ski shuttle or the

GREAT SNOWFALL

Télébourg (a mini cable car linking the various

Valmorel is one of the newer ski areas in the

accommodation enables genuine ski-in/ski-out

Alps, and resort planners learned from earlier

enjoyment. The resort’s architecture is in perfect

mistakes to build at the perfect location! Thanks to the geographical location of Valmorel’s ski area, the Grand Domaine, close to a natural

hamlets). Direct piste access from most of the

PEAK RETREATS FURTHER INFO

mountain barrier that forces weather fronts to

BRISTOL NE

¨

See you soon.

with wood and stone, some with trompe l’oeil designs, and stone roofs. The proportion of

The French Alps specialist offers

buildings to the ski area is less than 3%, so that

it receives around 15% more snow, on average,

holidays to Valmorel from £199pp per

you get the feeling of being totally immersed in

than other ski areas at the same altitude but

week, including Eurotunnel crossing with

nature, without the buildings interfering with the

in less favourable locations. Natural snowfall

free FlexiPlus upgrade. Peak Retreats

landscape’s beauty.

is supported by more than 300 snow cannons

recommends the newly built Grange

covering key pistes.

aux Fées prestige residence located in an elevated, quiet and sunny position

Visit us at The Ski & Snowboard Show at Battersea from 5th–8th November 2015 (Stand F2).

more than four storeys high and are all faced

rise rapidly, cool, and deposit their snow loads,

W

(LCY/LGW/LHR/LTN/STN)

harmony with the landscape. Buildings are no

LOTS TO DO

GREAT FAMILY RESORT

offering ski-in, ski-out convenience.

There’s a vast choice of things to do besides

7 nights from 2 January 2016 from

ski and board at Valmorel, as well as a full-on

Valmorel was built to be a family-friendly, restful

£221pp based on five sharing a one-

weekly entertainments programme and big

and stress-free pedestrianised resort on a human

bedroom apartment including standard

events through the season. The list includes

scale, and it just keeps getting better in that

Eurotunnel crossing with one car.

dog sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling,

regard. No surprise then that it won the best

tandem paragliding on microlight flights, and

family resort category in the recent World Snow

even the unique opportunity to drive a mini

Awards, with its friendly village atmosphere.

two-passenger snowcat. New this winter the

Everything is done to create a feeling of freedom and calm: parents and

option to try snowkarting on an all-new sledge design or the exciting sport of

children can concentrate on having fun together. There are lots and lots of

biathlon (cross-country skiing and target shooting) are added to the long list.

096 // NOV15

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in China to create venues for the

National Nature Reserve, says

Games but thought that they should

2022 Winter Olympics, awarded to

the Nature report. The scientist’s

be carried out in an environmentally

the country by the IOC last month.

posts on Chinese social media,

friendly way.

The biologists claim that a

which received nearly a quarter of

Nature says that there has been

development site is within the

a million clicks, were removed and

no official response from Chinese

boundaries of the protected

his account closed.

authorities, but in its official 2022

Songshan National Nature Reserve

The Men’s Downhill course for

Olympic documents, the Bid

that is home to rare plant species,

the South Korean 2018 Games

Committee say the venue will be

including Beijing’s only shanxi

has faced remarkably similar

“adjacent to” the reserve.

orchids, and sets a precedent

environmental issues, in that

Local officials have now said the

of developing on protected land

the run is being built on what’s

borders of the reserve would be

against stated government policy.

reported to be formerly protected

“adjusted”, increasing its overall

A Chinese PhD scientist overlaid

ancient forest as there’s no

size by 31%. This is in order “…

*selected dates and destinations in W15/16

398-ZH-PresAd-InTheSnow-h175x100-V2a.indd 1

he science magazine Nature has

maps of the National Park and

existing run with adequate vertical

to promote interaction between

reported that young Chinese

IOC’s site development map

for an Olympic downhill.

ecological protection and economic

biologists are protesting about

and found the top and bottom of

The Chinese scientist told Nature

society,” according to a Chinese

proposed ski-area developments

downhill runs were located in the

that he was not against the Olympic

official quoted.

15/10/20 WIRELESS HEADPHONES

MICROPHONE

WIRELESS TRACK CONTROLS

WIRELESS VOLUME CONTROLS

NICK ATKINS

SNOWBOARD BIG AIR & ALPINE TEAM EVENT FOR 2018 PyeongChang, South Korea.

the event was held in front of a

“I am very pleased with the

sell-out crowd that was left in awe

decision to include these two

of the high-flying tricks athletes

events that reflect both the

completed. Riders are judged on

traditional and youth elements

the height and difficulty of their

of the FIS disciplines,” said FIS

tricks as well as their control and

President, Gian-Franco Kasper.

precision of landing.

“The athlete, media and fan

The Alpine Team Event features

reaction to both events has been

a mixed team of two men and

overwhelmingly positive.”

two ladies competing for their

Big Air made its World

National Teams in a head-to-

Championship debut in

head slalom with a knock-out

The International Olympic

Big Air and Alpine Team events

Kreischberg (AUT) in 2003 and

format per round. Traditionally,

Committee’s Executive Board

will join the programme for the

has been the highlight of the

there are 16 teams at the start of

have announced that Snowboard

2018 Olympic Winter Games in

programme ever since. This year,

the competition.

SALES@BEHEADWEAR.CO.UK FB.COM/INTHESNOW

097 // NOV15

BEHEADWEAR.CO.UK

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BALANCE SKILLS

#improveyourskiing #slipperysnow

JON (AKA WESTY)

WHY IS BALANCE IMPORTANT?

TYPES OF BALANCE IN SKIING

GYM WORK TO HELP MY BALANCE SKILLS?

TIPS FOR IMPROVING BALANCE

This month’s topic is balance, a

When a beginner skis down a very

Common problems are to be too

Much of the balance in sports

Skiing is dynamic, and constant

and we can say firsthand that he is

very important skill for all levels of

gentle slope, or when an advanced

far back or forwards, or sometimes

comes from your core (the muscles

adjustments are required to remain

a great ski instructor! Jon heads up

skiing ability from novice to expert.

skier descends a steep slope, there

slightly inside at the end of the turn.

around your spine, lower back and

balanced. Confidence is required

the team at Altitude Ski School –

If we skied directly after a heavy

are some basic principles of physics

Ideally we want an even distribution

abs). By having your core tightened,

to make these active movements

Verbier’s most established British ski

après-ski session (I don’t advise

which apply in every situation.

– not too much on our toes or

you give yourself a strong and

and adjustments when skiing;

school. Each month Jon or one of

this!), I think most of us would

Good balancing skills enable us

on our heels – and to always be

stable platform to work with. Having

for example projecting your hips

his team will provide us with a few

see our performance decline.

to stand over the ski in the correct

balanced over the downhill ski.

a strong core also makes it less

forwards at all times to stay over the

tips and words of wisdom to help

With some simple and focused

position to manage the forces and

A simple exercise you can do is to try

likely that you will be thrown out of

centre of the ski is hard to do when

improve our understanding of skiing.

training before our holiday, we

essentially control our skis and our

hopping both skis off the ground. If

position, and makes it easier to pull

the slope seems steep. Practise on

can improve our balancing skills

speed, giving us the confidence to

you are balanced, the entire ski will

your body back into position those

less intimidating slopes first before

to help us to perform better on our

perform well.

lift evenly off the ground. If not, keep

times when do you get thrown or

moving outside of your comfort zone.

skis. This could involve a variety

Occasionally experienced and

practising it. This can also be adapted

bumped out of place. Aside from

Try to balance over the edges of your

of exercises, from standing on one

less experienced skiers “almost”

for advanced skiers by jumping in the

working on your core before you

skis and leave clean tracks in the

The Altitude winter company portfolio

leg through to more challenging

fall over when skiing. We all know

fall line on steeper slopes.

go skiing, you can use this when

snow – practise this lots, and look

includes the ski and snowboard

tasks such as standing on balance

that for the majority of the time this

To practise your lateral balance, try

you get on the hill. Before you start

back at your tracks for feedback.

school, the Futures instructor

balls or slack lines.

is not our fault ;-). On these rare

lifting your inside ski during a turn

a descent, squeeze your abs tight

Prepare your core strength in

training programmes, and FREERIDE

occasions, it is our balance that

– small lifts at first, then larger and

and hold it then set off; this will

advance of the holiday.

VERBIER, a new school dedicated to

helps us to recover and get back to

larger until you can ski a whole turn

help keep your body strong and in

Train with some balance-focused

off-piste coaching in Verbier.

our skiing position, preventing us

on the outside ski.

position (don’t forget to breathe!).

exercises on dry land and move

Jon holds the top qualifications from France, Switzerland and Britain,

from ending up on our backside.

outside of your comfort zone – onelegged hops and jumps are great (optional with eyes shut).

098 // NOV15

ALTITUDE

info@altitude-verbier.com +41(0)27 771 6006

C)PAUL KEPPEL PHOTOGRAPHY

CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCE CLINIC Every school holiday week, Altitude in Verbier and many other schools across the Alps run challenging lessons for children that can already ski very well.

We caught up with our instructor Adam Russell, who has been the instructor for our Level 7, 9–12 years skiing Performance Clinic this week. This is our top-ability level, and we have some fantastic skiers that join us every school holidays for our clinics.

Adam told us a bit about what his group have been up to this week.

Due to the speed and ability of the group, we have managed to ski most of Verbier and even conquered Tortin, apparently one of the top ten scariest runs in the world (but not according to the Level 7s this week!)

We started each day by doing a fast-tempo warm-up to get ourselves moving. Whether it was on our skis doing jump turns, or lifting our arms and legs, we varied it each day.

Today in the lesson, we were focusing on fast carving, and specifically the initiation/start of the turn and edge control.

We then moved into the movements we make in the moguls.

With children, I always try to be as positive and fun as possible through the whole lesson, so that it’s enjoyable for them, and they come away having had a lot of fun as well as having learned a lot. We played games on and off our skis, always trying to develop our knowledge of and skill in skiing.

It’s great to see individual children develop in their skiing ability throughout the week. Whether it’s about building up confidence or tweaking their technique, I always see an improvement in every member of the group, and it’s great to see that they enjoy skiing more because of it.

This week, Eloise, who is 10, had never really skied moguls and was quite apprehensive about doing this, but the rest of the group were quite keen to have a go.

So throughout the next few days, we talked about how to get down bumps and practised on easy sections of the mountain. By Thursday, we had conquered Col des Gentianes, one of the bumpiest and hardest runs in Verbier! Well done, Eloise!

INTHESNOW.COM // NOV15 // 099

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which returns to Mayrhofen in the

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Austrian Tirol next spring.

chart-topping album last year, the

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LIFTS ON EUROPE’S HIGHEST PEAK OPENING 2016-17

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third section of the gondola

The ski area’s designers had

on Europe’s highest mountain,

advocated extending the lift to

running between Mir and the

4050m level to reach the existing

left part of Garabashi, on which

Priout mountain hut, which would

construction had already begun

have made it Europe’s new highest

but was stopped for 3 years.

lift, but it was considered that the

The lift, built by French company

resulting delays were likely to be

POMA and featuring eight-seat

too long to allow completion for

cabins, will reach 3840m, less than

this season.

60m lower than Europe’s current

The new lift will serve two new

highest lift, a drag lift at Zermatt in

slopes, one an easy run, the

A new gondola, one of the

Elbrus in Russia in time to open

Switzerland which reaches 3899m

second more difficult with a

highest lifts in Europe, is due to

this winter.

but only operates in summer for

22% gradient and 450m vertical

be completed and open on Mount

The lift is in fact the long-planned

glacier skiing.

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100 // NOV15

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101 // NOV15

Christoph Schrahe You may not think you know him, but you

one run and a 300m surface lift; now there’s

have probably heard his name and almost

almost 100km of runs.

certainly you’ll have skied in a resort that measured its slope’s length according to

You’ve been to many unusual ski

Christoph Schrahe’s formula.

destinations. Which were the most

Schrahe is the man behind the first

interesting?

accurate and universal measuring of

CS: Sky Resort, the first ski resort of

ski-area piste length, using a proven

Mongolia, in its first season, seeing how

formula and precise digital mapping.

enthused people were about the arrival

Currently most ski areas around the

of skiing in their country. Lebanon with

world use different measuring systems,

its vast open powder slopes just minutes

and Schrahe’s research has revealed that

away from sunny beaches, the best food in

they often exaggerate their stats.

the world and passionate skiers who even

Now Schrahe has launched an

made the then dangerous trip from Beirut

independent size verification “seal”

to the resorts during the war.

for ski resorts via pistelength.com and has some big-name areas, including

You have a home snowmaking system in

Kitzbühel, already signed up.

your suburban garden; how is it?

But Chris is also a long-standing ski

CS: The average season is 35 days, but

journalist and has visited 461 ski resorts

the best winter had 68 days. But you have

in 37 countries so far, writing for many

to take into account that I don’t make snow

magazines (including on his trip to

during the night because the neighbours

Pakistan in this issue) and guidebooks,

complain, so I lose most of the best

and also writing several books of his

snowmaking hours. The natural vertical is

own since his first, Ski Weltweit (Ski

a mere 88cm, but I create a ramp that adds

Worldwide), was published in 1994.

almost another metre!

First ski trip?

Do you think all ski areas will have to

CS: Dienten in Salzburger Land, Easter

publish honest ski-area dimensions in

1976, age seven …

the end?

CS: I don’t know. Currently it looks like

Where have you most enjoyed skiing?

France will follow a different approach

CS: The bumps on Rattler at Deer Valley

with its recommendations than Austria

allowed me to keep my rhythm from top to

and Switzerland, allowing ski areas to

bottom; it felt like dancing down to the lift.

add 30% for turns, which is ridiculous. My

The powder at Palandöken (Turkey) because

seal of approval is heavily opposed by the

nobody else skied this perfect stuff. I did

national ski-areas associations. It seems

every single track on a wide mountain face;

that their recommendations are just a fig

it took me the whole day to ski it off. Dienten

leaf and that there is no real interest in

in Austria when my son was seven, staying

reducing fraud and treating customer care

at the same hotel that was run by the same

with the highest priority. Sadly it is just too

family as 37 years before, when I went there

tempting to be able to charge a lot more

for the first time. Although then there was just

for a lift ticket based on a lie.

102 // NOV15

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