InTheSnow | Ski Show edition | October 2018

INTHE SNOW NOAH WETZEL

ISSUE 60 | NOV 2018

INNSBRUCK TOURISM

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FURANO TOURISM ASSOCIATION

TRY A NEW SKI RESORT ON A SHORT BREAK  With so many ski resorts in this world it can be difficult to know which might suit you best as alas, most of us only get to try one or two each winter, and we quite often just want to go straight back to the one we last skied. But one way to test out more ski areas is on a short break, piste-testing a resort over a few days before you commit to a full week.

Here’s our guide to some of the resorts you might not have considered that are actually very easy to get to for a ski

Schladming-Dachstein in southern Austria is one

THERE’S MORE THAN ONE SKI RESORT IN JAPAN  Hokkaido has become world famous among skiers for its incredible powder snow. But did you know there are dozens of resorts here waiting to be discovered and that they also offer great service, high value and many other attractions besides that amazing powder?

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of the country’s biggest resorts, but it tends to get overlooked a little by the Brits as we head to ski areas in Tirol and Salzburgerland. Here’s why we should consider travelling a little further south this winter.

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FREERIDING TIROL’S SECRET POWDER  Austria’s Tirol region is probably home to more world-

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famous ski areas than any other, but their fame is often

INTHESNOW_MAGAZINE

scenery. We don’t often consider the freeriding

based on their cosy atmosphere and picturesque opportunities and we could be missing a trick.

TIROL WERBUNG BAUER FRANK

MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT 

EMMANUEL CHERLIAS

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weekend or midweek break.

MOLOGRAPHY.IT

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ANOTHER BILLION IN UPGRADES THIS SEASON 

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

EDITOR

Every year the world’s ski resorts and regions announce their new season improvements, some spending as much as £15 or £20 million on a new lift or two. Big

PATRICK THORNE

spender for 2018/19 include Whistler spending $66 million CAD and Dolomiti Superski €90m.

WATCH HUNDREDS OF VIDEO REVIEWS YOUTUBE.COM/INTHESNOWMAG

With just about all the new gear for winter 2018/19 now released by the manufacturers and ready to purchase, we have a bumper seven-page gear guide this issue in an attempt to squeeze in the huge range of new equipment, skiwear and gizmos available.

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PHILIPPE ROYER

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BUYERS’ GUIDE  057–063

SKIING THE WORLD’S 3RD LARGEST SKI AREA  The Paradiski region was created more than a decade ago now when two of the world’s biggest ski areas, La Plagne and Les Arcs, put a double-decker cable car, across the valley between them. Andy

CHRISTOPHER SCHOLEY

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Taylor took a trip to La Plagne to experience it all.

MILLION POUND HELI-SKI HOLIDAY 

THE JACKET THAT STORES WATER IN ITS WAIST  It’s essential to stay hydrated on the slopes, but carrying bottles in your pocket or wearing a backpack can be uncomfortable, and stopping to queue in a café when you’re enjoying being on the snow can slow you down.

One answer is a revolutionary new ski jacket that can store drink in its powder skirt and feed it to your mouth.

EDITORIAL TEAM PUBLISHER

CONTRIBUTORS

Dominic Killinger

Emmanuelle Châtel Megan Hughes Sega Fairweather Jimmy Petterson Luke Rees

dom@inthesnow.com EDITOR

Patrick Thorne patrick@inthesnow.com

DIGITAL DESIGNER OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Heli-skiing in Greenland is one of the most incredible things it’s possible to do on snow. If you’ve got the budget to be able to contemplate financing such a trip,

Debbie Gabriel debbie@inthesnow.com BRAND & DIGITAL MANAGER

Emmanuelle Châtel

why not go the whole hog and park yourself in a super

SOCIAL & DIGITAL MANAGER

yacht just off the coast to access it all easily?

Megan Hughes

Max Spooner-Blind EQUIPMENT BY

© Copyright 2018 Printed in the UK. No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any way or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.

Ski Bartlett Sputnik

InTheSnow Ltd The Snow Studio, Kings Lane, Bucks, HP16 0QY

DESIGN BY

+44 (0)1494 862 423 dom@inthesnow.com inthesnow.com

Tom Showler Rocket Base tom@rocketbase.co.uk

It’s getting colder and the nights are drawing in. For skiers and snowboarders, that can mean only one thing, the thing we’ve been waiting for through the tedious long hot summer: the season is getting near!

The good news is that so far things are looking good. We mustn’t tempt fate by getting too excited too soon, but seeing two feet of snow fall in Colorado in early October and ski resorts begin opening there by the middle of the month gladdened the heart. Closer to home, Kitzbühel in the Austrian Tirol has also opened already, incredibly managing to stretch its ski season to 200 days (it’ll be open for more than six months through to next May).

If you can’t wait and want to hit the slopes already, you’ll find more than a dozen glacier ski areas already open, and the numbers will just keep increasing as we move further into autumn. At this time of year, flight costs are low, the slopes are empty and accommodation is cheap, so why wait for everyone else?

In this issue we have our usual eclectic mix of news, columns and features. This month you’ll find a guide to the key facts and figures for ski holiday planning this season and another detailing new flight routes which might make getting there easier for you. If you like to party on the piste, check out our calendar of the big festivals on the snow coming up in 2019.

If you’re a multi-millionaire, you might be interested in our Blow the Bonus column this month with details of a £1m heliskiing holiday based on a superyacht moored off Greenland. Nice.

Remember, for the latest news, to find out where the snow is falling and for plenty more features, take a look at inthesnow.com or follow our social media channels, all of which we’re updating seven days a week.

patrick@inthesnow.com

SUB EDITORS

Nick Jones Marion Adams

NOV18 // 005

Austin Ross Pemberton, British Columbia

- RUSH LT JACKET -

FREERIDE TOURING Mountain protection with a progressive lightweight design focused on freedom of movement and thermal regulation, for deep backcountry days.

LA FOLIE DOUCE GOES LARGE It’s one of the big ski holiday phenomena of the French Alps this century. French resorts didn’t used to have much of a reputation for après-ski, but that’s all changed with the meteoric rise of the wildly successful Folie Douce concept – combining great food with cabaret, music and alcohol up on the slopes.

table service and is open for lunches

world’s best-known resorts. The hotel

and again in the evening. The food

will provide direct access to the slopes,

is very good, with a genuine onus on

three restaurants, live entertainment, a

fresh, local cuisine and a military-style

spa, fitness and well-being area, kids’

operation getting it all up to the venues

club, sports shop and more.

and prepped each day before the hungry

The hotel is big too with nearly 250

crowds descend en masse.

rooms – 141 of them will offer 4★

La Folie Douce’s notoriety, however, is

“premium” accommodation for two to

built on the daily après-ski session from

four people, the remaining 107 rooms

mid-afternoon to early evening when

3★ “hostel” accommodation each for

an original show with DJs, singers and

two to six people.

performers makes the venue rock –

Chamonix is just the start. Work on a

The first one opened 2,400m up in Val

whether its new Avoriaz, original Val d’

bigger, 1,500-bed purpose-built Folie

d’Isère, close to the ski area’s boundary

Isère or the Folie Douces at Val Thorens,

Douce Hotel is underway in Serre

with neighbouring Tignes in 2007, and its

Méribel, Alpe d’Huez or Saint-Gervais,

Chevalier. Opening in 2020 it will house

popularity was almost immediate. Since

which have opened over recent years!

a restaurant, shops, swimming pools

then five more have opened around

Each location is reputed to employ 70,

and spa, and après-ski, and it will have

the French Alps, each reputedly costing

serve an average of 600 lunches and

its own chairlift and branded ski school.

around €5–6m to establish, with a sixth, in

cater for 1,000 party people for après-ski

Planned facilities include a space

Avoriaz, ready to join the party this winter.

each day. But this winter also sees a new

dedicated to “young people” with

Each establishment shares a similar

departure for the business, its first hotel,

indoor play areas and “La Folie Tricks

operating schedule and setup, with

and like its mountain party venues, it’s

Academy”, a place to practise skiing

Avoriaz being no different (why mess

not doing things on a small scale.

and snowboarding jumps, a climbing

with a successful formula?). Guests

Opening on 22 December, The Grand

wall, a video games room, a cinema and

can buy lunch from late morning to

Palace of Savoy in Chamonix is to

a children’s hut for the little ones. So

mid-afternoon in one of the restaurants.

become the first Folie Douce Hotel.

the whole family is now catered for.

La Petite Cuisine offers “generous

This historic building has watched over

For adults there will still be the

and indulgent self-service” while the

the town and mountains since 1904 and

infamous La Folie Douce après-ski, but

signature La Fruitière provides “delightful

after a complete renovation will become

it will be open from 17h to 21h, to avoid

cuisine in tasteful surroundings” with

the new trendy spot in one of the

nuisance noise.

LAFOLIEDOUCE.COM | LAFOLIEDOUCEHOTELS.COM

BANK OF CHINA TO INJECT $5 BILLION China’s rapidly expanding ski infrastructure has received a further shot in the arm as the Bank of China, an official 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games partner, will provide 30 billion yuan ($4.8 billion/around £3.6 billion) CAMARA PHOTOGRAPHY

for the country’s winter-sports industry up to 2024.

$25 MILLION GONDOLA FOR NZ A new gondola for Whakapapa ski area at Mt Ruapehu on New Zealand’s North Island should be ready for next winter, 2019. The

STUDY FINDS SNOW CAN FALL AT UP TO +4°C IN COLORADO

1.8km-long gondola has 50 cabins, each able to accommodate 10

A study has found that snow can

Colorado, where they probably wouldn’t

ground even at plus temperatures. In areas

people and a capacity of 2,400

reach the earth at up to +4°C in

elsewhere because of the low moisture

where the air has a high moisture content

Colorado – warmer than most other

content of the air. The researchers crunched

the reverse can be true and freezing rain

places on earth.

nearly 18 million precipitation, temperature

falls at sub-zero temperatures.

Scientists from the University of Colorado

and humidity observations spanning over

Colorado’s snowmakers are reported to be

discovered that while it still needs to be

100 countries and four continents to reach

well aware of these unique climate conditions

freezing up in the clouds for snow to form,

their conclusions. The process, called

in their state and use them to make snow

the flakes can make it to the ground where

evaporative cooling, means the state’s

early in autumn when snowmaking would not

temperatures may be much warmer in

very dry air allows snowflakes to reach the

normally work successfully.

people per hour.

CHEESE IN CHÂTEL Châtel will be staging its annual agricultural fair in February, bringing the area’s farmers and visiting skiers together, when the highlight is the cheese parade on the 20th. Abondance cheese will be the star of the show with a “best cheese” competition.

There’ll also be a cheese-making demo, a mini farm, games, music and a prize-giving ceremony.

10 YEARS OF SKIING EVERY MONTH Steve Plummer has skied every

WHAT HAPPENS AT 2,400 METRES STAYS AT 2,400 METRES

month of the year, for 10 years, in Colorado, clocking up his

La Plagne are offering adventurous

The groomer suite is parked on La Plagne’s

“Lovebox” gift, including an erotic board

120th consecutive month of

couples the chance to stay in a love nest

Arpette Summit at 2,400m and features

game, feather and massage oil.

skiing in September. Plummer

with a difference – a former trail groomer

panoramic windows with breathtaking

The couple are left alone at the summit

converted into a romantic mountain-top

views of the snowy mountains, as well as a

overnight, enjoying the utmost privacy, with

suite. Described by the resort as “the

transparent ceiling, so that guests can sleep

only a radio for communication if needed.

height of romance,” the cosy suite comes

under star-studded skies.

Waking to peaceful, clear mountain air and

complete with VIP touches such as a

In the suite guests will enjoy a bottle of

a breakfast of fresh pastries and coffee, the

queen-sized bed, spa bath, large flat-screen

champagne and freshly crafted macarons,

couple are collected for their transfer back

TV, stereo and a coffee machine.

and there is even a complimentary

to the resort and reality.

has skied exclusively in Colorado’s summit county, home to some of the world’s highest lift-accessed ski slopes.

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@INTHESNOWMAG

HARALD WISTHALER

DOLOMITI SPENDS €90M ON SUMMER UPGRADES

PERFECT SLOPES FINALLY SKIED IN FULL

Italy’s Dolomiti Superski region has announced that

French skiers Carole Chambaret, Tiphaine Duperier and Boris Langenstein have skied what is popularly

£79 million) in upgrades over the summer, with about

regarded as one of the world’s most perfect ski

€65 million (around £57 million) going on new and

slopes from top to bottom for the first time.

renovated lifts, the remainder on snowmaking.

After several years of planning, the trio

The ski pass group, which represents 130 individual

from Val d’Isère, who work as ski instructors

companies that deliver up 1,200km of ski runs with

or mountain guides, struck lucky on their

more than 85% snowmaking coverage across a dozen

expedition dates to Pakistan’s 6,096m-high

neighbouring ski areas and served by almost 500 ski

Laila Peak in May with perfect conditions for

lifts, will celebrate its 45th season this winter. Among the

their ascent and their ski down.

bigger projects are two 10-passenger cabin gondolas,

“After 12 hours of physical effort, Laila offered

three six-seaters and one quad chairlift as well as several

us the chance to ski his summit in perfect

new ski runs, one of them created at Cortina d’Ampezzo.

conditions. Nice weather, no wind, a big moment

More unusual new attractions include a museum of

of happiness at the summit, then an incredible

mountain photography, LUMEN, in the town of Brunico/

descent of 1,800 vertical metres in powder snow!

Bruneck, which will also house the new Rosa Alpina

The beauty of this pyramid is simply incredible,”

restaurant led by Michelin-star chef Norbert Niederkofler.

said Carole Chambaret.

FAULKNERBROWNS ARCHITECTS

its ski areas have invested a cool $90 million (around

DESIGNS PUBLISHED FOR MORE UK SNOW CENTRES Architectural plans for what could

indoor snow centres, has raised hopes

screen in the UK, a bowling alley, an

be the UK’s seventh indoor snow

that the facility in Swindon, which has

indoor trampolining centre, a 130-

centre have been released by

been talked about for more than five

room hotel and a variety of shops,

FaulknerBrowns. The latest updates on

years and seen a number of false

restaurants and bars.

a proposed centre for Middlesbrough

dawns, may now be finally nearing the

Planning permission for the Subzero

have also been published. The

construction phase. The development

indoor snow centre planned for

involvement of the prestigious

will include a 2,000m2 snow centre

Middlesbrough is expected to be

architectural firm, responsible for the

with two real-snow slopes, a 12-screen

submitted early in the new year with a

design of five of the UK’s six existing

cinema including the largest IMAX

target opening date of winter 2020.

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NOV18 // 009

NEXO 110

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Thule Force XT Versatile roof-mounted cargo box for everyday use.

SIT SKI SKIER NOW SKI INSTRUCTOR A man who is confined to a “sit ski” on the slopes has qualified as a ski instructor in Argentina.

Germán Vega is based at Cerro Catedral, South America’s largest resort, which believes Mr Vega is the first sit ski user in the region to CHRISTOPH NOESIG

qualify as an instructor.

MASSAGE BOOKING APP LAUNCHED Alps Massage is a new online booking app for mobile massages provided at your accommodation across the French Alps. The app enables you to book a massage in

SÖLDEN OPEN JAMES BOND 007 THEMED VISITOR CENTRE

six easy clicks, pay and receive an email confirmation. Customers can book as close to an hour before the treatment starts. alpsmassage.com

SCOTTISH BACKCOUNTRY WEEKEND

A new visitor centre based on

above sea level, where many of the scenes

title sequences and dramatic scores; the

the James Bond movies has opened

from Sölden were shot.

jaw-dropping action sequences; the cars,

above the Austrian Tirol ski

“007 ELEMENTS is a world-first – a

gadgets and technology; the breathtaking

resort of Sölden.

cinematic installation dedicated to the

locations and iconic studio sets and lastly, a

The resort was a major filming location for

world of James Bond. It guides visitors

host of compelling characters,” a statement

the last James Bond film, Spectre, and has

on a journey through a series of high-

from the resort explains, adding, “The

opened the mountain-top visitor, named

tech, interactive galleries, each distilling

installation focuses on the most recent film,

007 ELEMENTS, inside the summit of the

the craft of the signature elements that

Spectre, but also showcases the other titles

Gaislachkogl Mountain, some 3,000m

define a James Bond film — the beautiful

in the 24-film series.” 007elements.com

Blair Aitken, founder of BritishBackcountry.com, an off-piste ski-touring guide, will lead a two-day event on 2–3 February in the Ben Lawers Range aimed at newcomers to ski-touring or those wishing to improve their skills.

The £25 cost is heavily subsidised

by Ellis Brigham but excludes accommodation and travel. british-backcountry.com

LES MENUIRES SLOPES OPEN 24HRS Les Menuires has announced

HIGHEST HOTEL IN FRANCE OPENING AT VAL D’ISÈRE

a new event, “Right Round The Clock”, which will see the resort

The new Le Refuge de Solaise hotel

14 beds. Facilities include a 300-seat

is linked to the hotel’s heating system.

keep its slopes open for 12 hours

opening this December at an altitude of

gourmet restaurant, a cocktail bar, a

Organic and plastic rubbish will be

a day on its opening weekend,

2,551m high above Val d’Isère will be the

children’s play area and a spa with a 23m

compacted in giant storage bins for

country’s highest of its type.

pool. Access to the hotel in winter will be

disposal the following summer. The hotel

9pm. Weekend accommodation

Built on the site of the Tête de Solaise

via the gondola or on skis.

will stock up on dry and non-perishable

and lift pass starts from €90.80

mountain restaurant, Le Refuge will have

To reduce environmental impact the

goods just before the start of the season

(around £79.50).

34 rooms, three large luxury apartments

hotel will recycle all its refuse. The

so that only fresh produce needs to be

and a traditional refuge dormitory with

furnace for wastepaper and cardboard

brought up on a daily basis.

8–9 December 2018, from 9am to

012 // NOV18

@INTHESNOWMAG

FOR THOSE WHO DARE

www.dare2b.com

InTheSnow has teamed up with Andorra Resorts, to give you the chance to win an amazing holiday for two people to Pas de la Casa, Andorra!

You and a friend will be staying for five nights at the small and friendly Hotel Les Truites, situated close to the centre of Pas de la Casa and just 350 metres from the slopes. The hotel receives outstanding feedback, boasting a score of 9.6 on Booking.com, plus on top of this you’ll have your airport transfers, full-area Grandvalira lift passes and skis and boots all included.

To enter simply visit: InTheSnow.com/competitions

ANDREAS KIRSCHNER

Heavenly Skiing At Down To Earth Prices

5% DISCOUNT

QUOTE CODE 'ITS'

Serfaus Serfaus in the Austrian Tirol may not be one of the best-known resorts to British skiers, but in Europe it’s one of the most highly regarded ski destinations in the Alps.

spokesperson for Crystal Ski Holidays,

It’s not all about the families, though.

which has added the resort to its

Serfaus also has a series of sunny,

2018/19 season offer, commented.

open bowls, and intermediates have

Serfaus considers itself to be

a huge 123km of reds and a range of

Austria’s largest family ski area. From

fun slopes to test out.

huge, dedicated children’s areas, to

Beginners can build skills on the

family-friendly restaurants and an

wide green and blue runs, and

array of off-slope activities, it also has

experts have a choice of black runs

Serfaus is located in the west of

an almost traffic-free village where

and additional off-piste to explore.

the country not far from the Swiss

children can play in the streets.

“Don’t miss the giant eight-person

border, on the “other side” of the

Serfaus is unique in Austria – it

swing or the ‘Fisser Flieger’, a four-

mountains from Ischgl – a resort

has an underground railway, the

person hang glider that flies down

better known to Brits. Its ski area

“Dorfbahn”, which floats on air using

a wire at 80kph,” advises Crystal’s

interconnects with the neighbouring

the “maglev” magnetic levitation

Austrian general manager Lindsey

ski slopes of Fiss and Ladis to give

system, meaning it has no track and

Cairns. “There’s also a zipline that

198km of runs in total – one of the

no vibration. It has four stops from

lets you soar 85m above the resort.

biggest areas in Austria and indeed

the village car park to the gondola,

If you prefer to keep your feet on the

all of Europe and the world.

with stops for hotel guests and their

ground, visit the Z1 viewing platform

“Despite the respectable size of the

tired children.

and the Crystal Cube, a huge

ski area and its high altitude (resort

Local skiers arriving for the day are

construction made from mirrored

is at 1,600m and the peaks at over

directed to a massive parking area on

glass with a restaurant inside, or

2,800m) as well as the short transfer

the edge of the village to then take

relax in dedicated areas on the

time from Innsbruck Airport, Serfaus

the subway to the gondola, as the

slopes, each with hammocks, lounge

is not well known in the UK,” a

resort has no through traffic.

chairs and incredible views.”

High Quality Catered + Self Catered Accommodation French and Swiss Alps Snow Sure Resorts On / Near Piste locations No Hidden Extras Financially Bonded

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NOV18 // 015

©TIROL WERBUNG BAUER FRANK

Tirol’s Secret Freeriding SPOTS The Austrian Tirol is home to dozens of famous ski areas, all featuring picturesque scenery, cosy accommodation and almost endless perfectly prepared pistes, served by fast, comfy lifts.

contrast, is a perfect freeride area for beginners,

Kitzbühel

offering wide-open ski slopes and easy runs with up

There are 41km of freeride routes and slopes above

to 1,000m of vertical.

Kitzbühel with the Bichlalm sector one of the best

Alpbach The Ski Juwel region has 16km of off-piste routes with the best known accessed via Hornbahn

known for its spectacular off-piste skiing. The area can be accessed by a snowcat service meaning you’ll be one of the few skiing there.

2000 with descents towards Inneralpbach and

Axamer Lizum

Greitergraben. Skiing here is for experienced

Axamer Lizum, 19km from Innsbruck, has 300

But there’s another side to the region’s ski areas:

freeriders only who must carry an avalanche

hectares of mostly north-facing terrain. The area

fantastic freeriding. You just need to know where to

transceiver, shovel and probe.

offers LVS checkpoints and five freeride skiing

go, and a local guide can help you with that, but in the meantime, here are some ideas:

Zillertal

routes with a combined 10,000m of vertical.

The Zillertal is one of the biggest deep-snow

Stubai

paradises in the Alps with more than 65 named

The Stubai Glacier offers a dozen marked off-piste

freeride runs offering lots of varied descents.

runs covering all levels of difficulty in unsecured, open

Innsbruck’s powder mountain of Nordkette can be

Popular areas include the “Outta Banks”

terrain. Snow-sure, it has one of the longest seasons

reached by ski lifts from the city centre. Descend

of Hochfügen, Krumbachalm at Gerlos and

in the Alps, opening from early autumn. A special

the famed Hafelekar runs, tackle the Karrinne run

Lärmstange on the Hintertux Glacier.

freeride map and GPS data are available to download.

Hafelekarrinne couloir, one of the steepest ski runs

St. Anton am Arlberg

easyJet and British Airways offer regular flights

in Europe.

With 200km of marked powder runs the

from London (Heathrow and Gatwick) to Innsbruck

Arlberg is a paradise for freeriders. With so

– perfect for an early-season ski on the glaciers.

much off-piste terrain, safety is the top priority

From December onwards, easyJet runs double daily

Sölden’s Gaislachkogl peak is a freeriding hub

both in terms of maintaining slope security and

flights from Gatwick starting at just £28 one-way,

offering steep and testing vertical descents of up

educating freeriders. Almost every lift in

while British Airways flies eight times a week from

to 1,500m from its 3,058m peak. The Giggijoch, by

St. Anton leads to more off-piste treasures.

Heathrow, alongside its regular Gatwick service.

Innsbruck

and, if you have the skills and the nerve, perhaps the

Ötztal

016 // NOV18  PROMO

VISITTIROL.CO.UK

Spend the festive season on the slopes.

Wrap up skiing, sleigh bells, Santa visits and winter wonderland scenery for Christmas memories you’ll never forget.

ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for more information.

Find your winter moment at crystalski.co.uk

There’s More Than One Ski Resort IN Japan WORDS: DOMINIC KILLINGER

018 // NOV18

incredible 11 metres of it falling each winter.

Marketed as an ideal destination for families it has a quieter, relaxed atmosphere with perfectly groomed runs for beginners and intermediates, plus some steep terrain (World Cup racing is regularly staged here) and off-piste powder available to more advanced skiers, all served by a dozen lifts including a gondola.

The resort is run by the Prince Hotel chain, which runs many of the big ski resorts in Japan but also has a genuine mountain town base 10 minutes’ drive from the slopes. Here, Ninguru Terrace is worth a look as it has a beautiful collection of boutique cottages housing specialty arts and crafts along with their creators.

Slopeside accommodation is provided by the huge 407-room Prince Hotel, which has several restaurants with spectacular mountain views plus in-hotel ski rental and retail shops.

Ski holidays to Japan are not the novelty they once were. Until quite recently almost no one from outside the country skied there; then prices dropped and the Australians, who had a long haul to Canada to ski each winter, found Japan was closer and had amazing empty powder slopes - the rest is ski holiday history.

For Brits Japan has gained popularity fast as we’ve realised it’s hardly any further to get to than North America and often now costs less.

The powder snow for which Japan’s ski slopes are famous is a big draw, but even if you’re not a powder hound dreaming of skiing light, deep powder every day and just like to blast down the groomed slopes, Japan is worth the trip.

There are actually hundreds of fantastic, unspoilt ski areas across Japan, with many of the best on the northern island of Hokkaido, which give you a much more authentic experience as well as a friendly welcome and great service, and usually at lowerthan-Europe-or-North-America prices.

You can enjoy traditional Japanese food, accommodation, onsen hot spring baths and mostly empty ski slopes, and altogether you’ll enjoy a refreshingly different ski holiday experience to the Alps.

Kamui Ski Links Next stop was Kamui Ski Links, one of Hokkaido’s best little ski areas, located 30 minutes from Asahikawa city.

The ski area has a gondola and five chairs, but interestingly the gondola is one of the lowest in the ski world, running between the 150m altitude base and the 750m highest lift point. So the resort tops out much lower than most resorts in the Alps begin!

Nonetheless, Kamui gets over eight metres of central Hokkaido’s perfect powder snow and is blessed with a huge number of blue sky days. As an added bonus a lift pass is only £20 a day.

Sahoro I flew out to Tokyo last winter aiming to tour some ski areas on the northern “powder island” of Hokkaido.

From Tokyo, to which you can fly direct from London, there’s a second flight up to the city (and former Winter Olympics host) of Sapporo and its ultramodern New Chitose Airport, although, if you have time, a spectacular new bullet train bridge links the two cities.

From there I headed straight to my first ski resort stop, Sahoro, two and a half hours north. This is a modern and well-designed resort that is unusual in that it was first developed by Club Med in the 1980s.

Known for its sunny days, quiet slopes and views out across the Tokachi Plains, Sahoro is really the perfect family resort, especially with all the Club Med facilities.

There’s 610m of vertical and 17 runs, the longest 3km, all served by a gondola and seven chairs.

It’s worth noting that, as is typical in Japan, a ski pass here is at the lower end of what you might pay in the Alps, with a day ticket coming in at around £30. Other in-resort expenses feel good value too and there are three restaurants to choose from, themed as French (well it is Club Med), Japanese and Izakaya.

Furano For those in the know in the ski world, Furano has a worldwide reputation as one of Japan’s leading resorts.

Among other things it claims to receive the lightest and driest powder in Japan with an average of an 019 // NOV18

Sapporo Kokusai Next stop, Sapporo Kokusai, is perhaps most famous for the amazing views from the summit of the gondola lift, with panoramic views of Otaru city and the Sea of Japan.

The resort is also known for the abundance of its fine powder snow on its wide slopes, with a season that lasts from mid-November to early May. Every type of skier is catered for here with slopes for all standards and a kids’ snow play area, all located just 90 minutes from downtown Sapporo city.

Tokyo Stopover Tokyo is a vast and incredible city with many different districts, and it’s well worth spending time here en route to or from Hokkaido.

Once you have even begun to get to grips with the scale of the city there are too many attractions to name, but highlights include the huge Imperial Palace area, Sensō-ji, an ancient Buddhist temple, and the Tokyo Skytree observation tower, which provides amazing views of the capital.

In modern Tokyo, Kabukichō is the bestknown area for restaurants and bars while Nishi-Shinjuku is “Skyscraper City” and Omoide Yokocho is famous for its eateries serving up traditional ramen (egg noodles) and soba (buckwheat noodles). For cuttingedge fashion visit Harajuku and Shibuya, home to the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, which is not to be missed!

Not all of Tokyo is as high-tech as you might expect – there are very old and very new sections as it constantly renews itself.

Sapporo Teine Even closer to Sapporo, and made up of two formerly separate areas, Highland and Olympia, linked by a fast, modern gondola, Sapporo Teine caters both for beginners wanting to learn their turns and for die-hard, day-tripping powder hounds from the city looking for lines that are steep, deep and cheap! It’s open for night skiing too.

Olympia was the site of the bobsled competition for the 1972 Sapporo Olympic Games and is still home to the old Olympic flame tower.

At 1,000m above sea level, Highland offers spectacular views of Sapporo and the ocean, and the Highland Zone features some of the steepest in-bounds terrain in Japan, with one run used for the Olympic GS course. A fast quad chair services the full vertical.

Read the full article online at inthesnow.com

Sapporo Prince Hotel I spent my final night in Japan at the Sapporo Prince Hotel, which features an open-air hot springs bath and restaurants with a rich variety of seasonal produce.

I also went to the amazing annual snow festival there with huge ice sculptures lit with laser light shows, and with accompanying music it was really impressive.

The Japan Ski Holiday Experience I visited resorts that work well as a multi-stop tour, and are very affordable too, finding lots of lovely, powdery, gentle tree skiing among beautiful birch trees with some great slopeside restaurants with wonderful food at great prices.

It was very, very different to the Alps, with magnificent views and extreme snowfalls (it snowed most days of the trip and seeing a plane land in deep snow was quite spectacular).

One novelty was that everything was available from a vending machine, from snacks and drinks to full blown sushi, stir-fry and curry.

The onsen (hot spring) baths with public nakedness were everywhere, and not very British but when in Rome… or Hokkaido… it was certainly part of the experience.

Finally, the magnificent view of Mount Fuji I had while sitting in the airport lounge is something I’ll never forget.

All in all, if you really want a total change in culture when skiing, Japan really is your perfect destination.

020 // NOV18

Ski Japan with Ski Safari Known for consistently deep powder and excellent tree skiing, Japan’s resorts are more intermediate-friendly than you might think - the mellow terrain means you don’t have to be an expert to ski off-piste and there are plenty of crisp, well-groomed runs for those who prefer the pistes.

Off the slopes is what really sets Japan apart as a destination. Unwind in a steamy onsen, sip local beer in an izakaya and make sure to set a day aside to explore the temples in Kyoto or Tokyo. Not to mention the food!

SKI... RELAX... DISCOVER... visit skisafari.com/japan or call 01273 224067

AUGUSTIN_LOSSERAND

JACK AFFLECK

ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

GREATEST FEMALE RACER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

GONDOLAS USED AS ART GALLERY

EMMA, VAIL’S DIGITAL MOUNTAIN ASSISTANT

The most successful female ski racer of all time,

The resort of Le Grand-Bornand in the Aravis region

Ten years on from conceiving its Epic Pass multi-resort,

American Lindsey Vonn, has said that she will retire at

has unveiled a new version of its Rosay gondola,

season-long, electronic lift pass and membership

the end of the up-coming 2018/19 ski season.

the main-access lift to the ski area departing from

scheme, Vail Resorts have announced that the 2018/19

The 33-year-old was not making a public announcement

Le Grand-Bornand Village. However, along with

incarnation of the product will incorporate “Emma, Your

of her retirement as such but speaking apparently “in

the usual technical improvements, the upgraded

Epic Mountain Assistant”, which the group is billing

passing” at a meeting for small businesses.

gondola is quite striking to look at, with each cabin

as “the world’s first digital mountain assistant to offer

Vonn, now 33, has won 82 World Cup races, the most of

having its own unique artwork painted onto it.

information on everything from grooming, lift line wait

any woman, and only four less than the all-time record of

The new look is the work of artists who came

times and parking to recommendations on rentals,

86 held by Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark. Earlier in

together under the artistic leadership of local painter

lessons and dining options.”

the year, Vonn had said she would not retire until she’d

Pierre Amoudry who set about decorating the

“Imagine Siri was a really good skier and had incredible

broken Stenmark’s long-standing record.

cabins to create the open-air art gallery. There are

knowledge about all of Vail Resorts and voila … you have

“If I could break the record, that would be amazing; if

55 original artworks – one for every cabin – inspired

Emma,” said a Vail Resorts spokesperson.

I can’t it has been a great ride and I am still the most

by the resort’s photographic archive. With the help

Emma uses artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language

successful female, and I still think that’s something to

of poems, each one shows users an aspect of Le

processing (NLP) to answer a wide range of guests’

be really proud of. So we’ll just see what happens this

Grand-Bornand’s unique character. Users will find

questions about their ski holiday. The intention is that

year,” she said.

a different feel inside the cabins too as the eight

guests using Emma will instantly receive expert, local

Among her many achievements, Lindsey Vonn

seats are arranged in a “lounge” effect arranged

information tailored to each resort and to their needs.

caused upset at the International Ski Federation

in a ring all around the edge of the cabin to make

The system will debut at Vail, Beaver Creek,

when she asked to be allowed to compete against

the best use of space. The operators say two more

Breckenridge, Keystone, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar,

men. The issue is still being debated several years

people can squeeze in “at busy times”.

Kirkwood and Whistler Blackcomb this winter.

after it was first raised.

CREATE YOUR OWN SKI ADVENTURE IN BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE Banff National Park is so much more than a ski holiday; it is an unforgettable winter escapade. Immerse yourself in the stunning Canadian Rockies whilst you ski the vast variety of terrain across Banff Sunshine, Mt Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Resort. Banff and Lake Louise is truly unspoilt with an array of après activity, delicious Canadian food and magnificent wildlife.

BOOK BEFORE 30th NOVEMBER TO GET UP TO

25%

OFF

www.skiworld.co.uk | 0330 102 8004

EMMANUEL CHERLIAS

024 // NOV18  PROMO

@INTHESNOWMAG

The Schladming-Dachstein region is one of the most popular ski destinations in Austria and, indeed, is one of the top five most visited resorts in the Alps, but it’s less well known to us Brits than it should be.

areas, including the snow-sure Dachstein glacier – so whatever the weather is up to, you’ve always got glacial snow security. The regional Ski Amade lift pass includes a remarkable 750km of terrain at dozens of ski areas nearby with buses linking the different areas together.

But a winter holiday in the Schladming-Dachstein region is about much more than the ski slopes, wonderful

Located in southern Austria, the Schladming-Dachstein

though they are.

region has a good-sized ski area served by fast,

The town of Schladming itself is busy year round,

comfortable lifts. The main resort base in the region is

which means that restaurants, bars and shops are well

the busy town of Schladming, a year-round destination,

established and not so influenced by seasonal variations

parts of which date back to medieval times, and the heart

as they are at many ski resorts. It’s a wonderful, eclectic

of which is fully pedestrianised. And it’s all located a

mix of the old (the old town gate, the church and several

short, easy transfer from Salzburg Airport.

other buildings date back at least three centuries) and

Schladming-Dachstein’s ski area is spread over four

the new, in the form of stylish modern architecture, all

interlinked mountains, providing an intermediate’s

perfectly blended together into an enticing destination.

paradise with most of the runs graded red and the

The après-ski normally gets going in the Hohenhaus

slopes well linked by efficient, comfortable chairlifts

Tenne, next to the Planai base station, at the end of the

and gondolas, including several with heated seats, so

ski day, and indeed the party can stay here all evening,

any concerns about the build-up of queues are quickly

as it later transforms into a nightclub. But there are plenty

dissipated. Much of the skiing in the area is tree-lined,

more venues in the heart of the resort where you might

which provides excellent visibility in all conditions.

find the moment that matters to you most on your ski

The resort also holds a reputation for being home to

holiday in a cosy bar or intimate restaurant.

Austria’s most beautiful ski runs. That’s not just about

Of course, as you would expect of a ski area of this size

the view (although that’s fantastic!) but it’s also about the

and importance, there’s lots to do besides snowsports,

quality of slope preparation with fantastically smooth runs.

and Schladming-Dachstein is a great choice if you have

Advanced skiers are likely to know the Schladming-

non-skiers in your group or if you simply want to vary

Dachstein region well already, as the resort has a long

your activities during your stay in the mountains.

history at the forefront of ski racing, hosting the bi-annual

The resort has a superb swimming pool and leisure

World Alpine Ski Championships in 2013, as well as the

centre, and back out on the snow there’s more

popular annual Night Slalom World Cup races shortly

than 400km of cross-country ski trails as well as the

after the annual Hahnenkamm races, which sees tens

opportunity to enjoy activities such as snow-shoeing,

of thousands of ski racing fans line the slopes. Britain’s

sleigh rides, winter hiking on cleared and marked paths,

Dave Ryding has been a star at these Schladming races

ice climbing or perhaps a torchlit walk.

in recent years, and you can ski on the very same slopes

Up at the Dachstein glacier there’s an incredible Sky

as Dave both before and after the big race. The Special

Walk out over the void, if you’ve a head for heights, and

Winter Olympics were also hosted here in 2017, attracting

there’s also the amazing Dachstein Ice Palace.

2,600 competitors from more than 100 countries.

You really should be considering Schladming-Dachstein

There’s also some great freeriding terrain to be found with

for your ski holiday this year. It’s a great choice when

the help of a local guide if you’d like to head off-piste.

you’re searching for those perfect winter moments. To

Altogether there’s 123km of piste on your doorstep, but

find out more visit: crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/

the wider region also encompasses a number of smaller

austria-ski-holidays/schladming/

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CRYSTALSKI.CO.UK

MICHAEL WERLBERGER

RESORT:INSIDER

LIVIGNO Located high in the Italian province of Lombardy, Livigno, with its 115km of pistes and a base at 1,816m, is one of the most snow-sure resorts in Europe. In fact, it is known by the locals as Little Tibet because of its immense snowfall and long season.

81% of over 200 reviewers rating it as “excellent”

fascinating history of local agriculture.

and another 16% “very good”. Why so good? The views, the value, the staff and the bombardinos are all highly praised, but the food tops them all.

Slopes of Street View: Livigno was one of the first resorts to have its ski

Get the Local Know-How on the Freeriding:

runs mapped out on Google Street View, so you can

A deal made when Napoleon ruled the area has

Livigno has gone big on freeriding, organising

left the resort duty-free, making it one of the most

international competitions and marking out

Sample the Aqua Vita:

affordable in the Alps to visit. Today, there are more

freeride routes. But safety is a top priority and

At the Aquagranda Livigno Wellness Park the

than 250 shops there to peruse.

every Sunday from 5.00pm to 7.00pm the resort

emphasis is on pure indulgence for body and soul. At

organises meetings at the Birrificio (brewery), where

the heart of this thoroughly modern sports club and

Ski Free:

freeride experts provide you with all the necessary

spa you can treat your senses and pamper yourself.

Livigno offers a rather enticing deal when you visit

materials necessary for your safety, including a

at the start or end of the season. Up to 21 December

shovel, avalanche transceiver and probe, to carry

2018 (Christmas week) and after 6 April (so that

with you at all times.

see before you ski at: livigno.eu/en/streetview.

information about the rules to respect and the

includes the 2019 Easter holidays) you can claim a completely free lift pass. To qualify you need to stay for at least four nights in a participating hotel or seven nights in a participating apartment and book through the resort’s website: livigno.eu/en/.

A Mootastic Dairy with a Difference: The Latteria, located in Via Pemont, close to Livigno´s beautiful lake, is a bespoke facility

Top of the Taste Buds:

that allows you to not only see the entire milk

There are about 100 restaurants in Livigno, but La

all of the delicious finished products. There is also

Tea da Cip e Ciop tops the TripAdvisor tables with

an exhibition area where visitors can learn about the

VISUAL WORKING

026 // NOV18

transformation process at work but also enjoy tasting

Try A New SKI Resort for a short break 028 // NOV18  PROMO

there’s an amazing 400km of runs to try out

There are thousands of ski areas around

Spain’s highest peak, above the ancient city of

experience to the usual places. They’re often less crowded and better value too!

A short ski break can be a good way to get a taste for a different destination with a threeor four-night stay to try somewhere we’ve perhaps always fancied, but didn’t want to commit to a full ski week until we knew for

Skiing so close to the Med you can even see the mountains of Morocco on the far side on a clear day, Sierra Nevada gets amazing snowfall nonetheless, perhaps as it’s on mainland Granada. An airport there means transfers are less than an hour and there’s more than 100km of runs and over 1,200m of vertical.

Megève, France Cosmopolitan, designer and cool – with a great ski area too Established as a ski destination by Baroness

sure. Here are 10 short breaks to try:

de Rothschild no less in the 1920s as the

Ax-les-Thermes, French Pyrenees It doesn’t have to be Andorra

very special to this day. Expect designer

French answer to St Moritz, Megève remains

pre-ski history as a spa resort. You can test that out in the hot springs of “Les Bains du Couloubret” after enjoying the 80km of piste divided into 35 runs.

Saint-Lary, Pyrenees Big and beautiful skiing in southern France Saint-Lary is one of the biggest and most beautiful ski areas in the region with nearly 30 lifts serving 100km of varied slopes. The charming resort itself is traditional, authentic and a firm favourite with French and Spanish

biggest in the Alps with nearly 450km of runs, which include some of the prettiest you’ll find with views over to Mont Blanc. Oh, and Geneva is an hour away.

Engelberg, Switzerland A massive vertical reached by a revolving cable car.

Standing alone in Central Switzerland, the 900-year-old resort of Engelberg boasts a world top-10 lift-served vertical of 2,000m, served by a fast gondola and almost unique rotating cable car. Easy to reach from Zurich in 90 minutes it has a great snowfall

families, so why not more Brits?!

record, fuelling its popularity as a freeride

Innsbruck, Austria City and ski

for all levels too.

destination, but lots of great groomed terrain

An incredible choice for a combined ski and city break, the Tirolean capital lies just 20 minutes from the airport, and a regional pass covers eight surrounding ski areas including

Courmayeur, Italy The stylish side of Mont Blanc This famous old ski town, originally a spa resort, is located in spectacular scenery on

the Stubai Glacier and the transfer bus to them.

the sunnier south side of Mont Blanc. The

La Clusaz, France One of the most authentic French resorts, a very short hop from Geneva

Alps, but it is perfect for a weekend/short

A classic resort with an impressive snow record (6m seasonal average), La Clusaz is a great choice if you’re looking for a goodsized ski area with bags of character and the added bonus that it’s just an hour from Geneva. La Clusaz has wonderful cafés and restaurants that simply ooze ambience and

skiing here isn’t the most extensive in the ski break combined with plenty of good wining, dining and shopping around the Via Roma and charming cobbled streets at the heart of the resort.

Isola 2000, Southern France Skiing by the Côte d’Azur Located just 90km north of the Côte d’Azur, Isola 2000 nonetheless has an enviable snow

some great accommodation options too.

record as the moisture from the Med dumps

Verbier, Switzerland The biggest ski area in Switzerland

mountains. A big area with around 120km of

here first as the air is forced to rise over the piste and a southern European vibe, it’s quick

OK, Verbier is certainly not unknown but

INNSBRUCK TOURISM

airport, has bags of character and a long

But it’s a great ski area too, one of the

SKISTAR / OLA MATSSON

closer, only 90 minutes from Toulouse

drawn carriages and jazz clubs for starters.

INNSBRUCK TOURISM

the Pyrenees, but Ax-les-Thermes is much

shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, horse-

and easy to reach from Nice airport.

it is usually quite an investment, so it can be good to do a short trip first to ensure

Ski Weekends offers short breaks to all

you want to go for longer. Famed for its

of these resorts and dozens more, with a

challenging terrain and upmarket clientele,

choice of midweek or long weekend trips.

SKIWEEKENDS.COM | 02380 983503

CHRISTOFLACKNER.AT

Most of us head to Andorra when we go to

TVB INNSBRUCK / KLAUS POLZER

Sierra Nevada, Southern Spain Europe’s most southerly ski resort

SKISTAR

Europe that can offer a very different

here.

INNSBRUCK TOURISM

We tend to keep going back to the same well-known ski resorts in the Alps, year after year, so maybe 2018/19 is the winter to try somewhere new?

9–I6 MAR I9

I6–23 MAR I9

Rise

Tomorrowland

Europe’s Snow Pride

Les 2 Alpes, France

Alpe d’Huez, France

Tignes, France

Back this year for its fifth outing of snow, music,

First staged in Belgium in 2005 and now attracting nearly

Gay ski festivals have been big for years, but they keep

adventure and wellbeing – Rise is first out the blocks

half a million people each summer, the first Tomorrowland

getting bigger and better. On the programme are music

with a pre-Christmas party. £199 buys you a six-day

Winter is targeting a 30,000 attendance and aims to be the

and entertainment, giant pool parties, fancy dress and the

ticket and festival pass. risefestival.co.uk

first festival to take over a major resort. tomorrowland.com

official Pride Party at Tignespace. europeansnowpride.com

CHRIS GEARY

I5–2I DEC I8

23–30 MAR I9

3I MAR–7 APR I9

MATTHIEU VITR

GEOFFREY HUBBEL

I7–23 MAR I9

Rock the Pistes Festival

Snowboxx

The Brits

Portes du Soleil, France/Switzerland

Avoriaz, France

Laax, Switzerland

Five free concerts are staged on the ski slopes at 1.30pm

Hosted in car-free Avoriaz, Snowboxx attracts huge DJs

The longest established of all the music festivals in the

daily – you just need a lift pass to be able to get to them.

and live acts, stages legendary après parties and offers a

Alps, The Brits is actually primarily about competition, being

More than 50 après-ski concerts are then staged in Portes

smorgasbord of fun-fuelled activities. Last March, Fatboy

the British Championships for all things freestyle on ski or

du Soleil resorts in the evening. en.rockthepistes.com

Slim and Chase & Status were headliners. snowboxx.com

board, for all age groups and at all levels. britssnow.com

F E S T I VA LS 26–28 APR I9

30 APR I9

DANNY NORTH

OT CHAMONIX / C. BOILLON

8–I3 APR I9

2 0 I 8 / I 9

Snowbombing

Musilac Mont-Blanc

Top of the Mountain Concert

Mayrhofen, Austria

Chamonix, France

Ischgl

Formerly Europe’s biggest (before the likes of Musilac

Musilac was originally a summer-only festival but

Ischgl’s season-ending weekend Top of the Mountain

and Tomorrowland arrived), and celebrating its 20th

opened a mountain version last spring to huge success

concert has become an institution attracting bigger

birthday in 2019, Snowbombing offers a mixture

with 40,000 festival goers. So no surprise it’s back

stars than any other ski area on earth can attract –

of great gigs and parties that most other mountain

for 2019. Initial acts announced are Charlie Winston,

Elton, Robbie, Kylie, Rhianna and many other famous

festivals have since tried to copy. snowbombing.com

Gaëtan Roussel and Eddy de Pretto. musilac.com

names have performed here. ischgl.com/en/events

030 // NOV18

@INTHESNOWMAG

Book an independent instructor.

www.maisonsport.com We verify all instructors on Maison Sport to ensure they hold a valid licence to work in their chosen resort.

New Tignes Gondola to Run Without Bottom Station Staff in the Evenings

10 Million Euro Investment in Swedish Ski Areas

A new gondola lift being built this winter at Tignes,

Sweden’s Sälen ski area is set to receive what

to create a new connection between the resort’s

owners SkiStar are describing as “Scandinavia’s

Brévières and Boisses areas, will replace three lifts

most modern eight-seater express chairlift”, along

that will be dismantled and will also operate in the

with new ski runs and expanded snow-making

evenings, but it will do so without staff in its base

facilities in time for next winter.

station. “Thanks to the OWA (Operation Without

SkiStar are spending on Sälen’s Hundfjället sector

Many of the bigger projects we cover with news

Attendant), this new gondola lift will run without

as it is located less than 10 minutes from the new

stories throughout each of our magazines and

operating staff in the bottom station from 5.00pm

Scandinavian Mountains Airport, which is under

online, but here are seven more big projects from

to midnight,” a statement confirms from the resort

construction and currently on course to receive its

seven ski nations for the winter ahead:

owners of Compagnie des Alpes.

first flight in December 2019.

032 // NOV18

@INTHESNOWMAG

ALTA BADIA / MOLOGRAPHY

Another ski season is upon us and once again the world’s ski regions have dug deep and splurged hundreds of millions of euros, dollars and francs on upgrades and new developments to increase our skiing and boarding pleasures for the winter ahead.

ALTA BADIA / MOLOGRAPHY

New Powder Chair for Big White

of retro-fitting a media façade with one further option

some new ski runs for the coming season.

being to project moving images onto this.

A new slope, the “Panoramica Druscié”, has been

What Big White resort staff claim to have been

built in Cortina d’Ampezzo, while in Pozza di Fassa

“Canada’s oldest and most popular triple chair”, the Powder Chair, is being upgraded to a quad in time for the coming ski season. The previous lift, installed

the “Aloch” race slope will be transformed into

Saalbach Says Farewell to Signature “Pulse” Gondola

nearly 40 years ago in 1979, provided an estimated

a giant slalom piste suitable for competitions.

The new “Signaue II” slope is being added at the Three Zinnen Dolomites ski resort, while in the

15,868,476 rides.

The Saalbach ski area, in Austria’s Salzburgerland

Alpe Cermis ski resort in Val di Fiemme, the new

The $3.9 million lift is part of a $10 million spend this

region, is removing its Kohlmaisgipfelbahn gondola

“Busabella” slope will welcome guests from the

summer on upgrades at the BC ski area, the biggest

lift and replacing it with a brand new, state-of-the-art

beginning of the season. Finally, the new “Wastl

single-season spend in the last decade.

gondola. The resort already operates more gondola

Huber” ski run at the Gitschberg-Jochtal ski resort

“After all, when was the last time someone spent

lifts than almost any other ski area on the planet,

will flank the new “Ski Express” cable car.

$10 million to show you a good time?” commented

but this time the new lift will be replacing an old

Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President of the Big

one, rather than a chairlift or drag lift, so the overall

White Ski Resort.

number of gondolas won’t be increasing.

The new Doppelmayr-built lift will include a large

Biggest Single Investment in Winter Park History

number of improvements including street-level

Major Lift Upgrade at Gstaad A key lift in the Saanenmöser–Saanenwald–

access and the uplift capacity increased to 3,200

The new operators of the Winter Park ski area in

people per hour, more than double the previous

Colorado have announced the biggest spend in

lift’s capacity.

the resort’s long history. A massive $28.2 million

Saanerslochgrat sector of Gstaad’s large ski area

is funding a new 10-person gondola, replacing the

has been upgraded to a new, state-of-the-art gondola with some world-first features this winter.

key Zephyr lift, as well as snowmaking and other

Five New Ski Runs in the Dolomites

The new two-stage is one of manufacturer

upgrades.

The money is coming from the resort’s new

Doppelmayr’s luxurious “D-Line” designs with 10-

As mentioned in one of our news stories in this

operators, the Alterra company, which snapped up

passenger cabins and technology that ensures an

issue, Italy’s Dolomiti Superski region is spending

a dozen leading North American ski areas last year

ultra-smooth, quiet ride. Unique to the new lift will be

€90 million ahead of the coming winter on half a

and has announced plans to invest $555 million

real glass roofs on all the stations. The cuboid roof with

dozen flashy new lifts and lots more snowmaking

into them over the next five years.

its large surface area will, in future, offer the possibility

improvements, but the region is also unveiling

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033 // NOV18

Capital of the Alps, Innsbruck is close

at resorts including Sestriere and

to a number of the Austrian Tirol’s best

Sauze d’Oulx, as well as Mongenevre

resorts, such as St Anton am Arlberg,

in France. It’s also the closest major

Stubai and Mayrhofen.

airport to the Aosta Valley ski areas of Cervinia, Pila, La Thuile and

Birmingham to Finland:

Courmayeur, and to south-eastern

To make it easier for winter

French resorts such as Serre Chevalier

holidaymakers from the Midlands area

and Puy St Vincent.

to get direct flight access to the resorts

Flights will run on Saturday mornings

of Ruka, Salla and Iso Syöte in the

between late December and mid-April.

Finnish Lapland, Crystal has added a

Ski resorts are shouting about their new lifts, tour operators about their great deals, but what about the airlines?

Well, rest assured, they’re telling us about new routes and increased capacity making it even easier for you to fly from closer to home to closer to the resort you want to get to. Here’s a quick digest:

new flight route from Birmingham to

Bristol to Sweden:

Kuusamo in Finland this winter.

EasyJet will fly from Bristol to Åre

“Families and adventurers love Lapland

Östersund Airport this coming winter,

be even easier with British Airways,

because of the huge range of winter

the airline’s second route from the

easyJet and Laudamotion, who are

activities on offer. From dog sledding

UK to the most popular ski resort in

all increasing their number of flights

to reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobile

Scandinavia, Sweden’s Åre.

to Innsbruck. From 9 December,

safaris to ice fishing, plus a chance to

The announcement comes two years

British Airways will run flights from

see the Northern Lights,” said a Crystal

after the airline began flying to Åre from

Heathrow to Innsbruck daily, except

spokesperson.

Gatwick, a route which William Vet, the

for Wednesdays, and twice a day at

Country Director of easyJet Sweden,

Leeds Bradford to Turin:

says has been highly successful.

is introducing a new flight from

Jet2.com have announced they’ll be

The new route will begin operations

Manchester running every Sunday from

offering a new direct flight route from

on 9 December alongside the existing

December to March, and Laudamotion

Leeds Bradford Airport to Turin, in

service from London Gatwick. Fares

(owned by Ryanair) has launched a

Western Italy, next winter.

start at £36.70 one way, including taxes

More flights to Innsbruck:

service from Stansted every Sunday

Turin is close to the huge Milky Way

and based on two people being on the

Travelling to the Austrian Tirol will now

and Dublin every Saturday.

region, which offers 400km of pistes

same booking.

NICK PONTY

the weekends. Additionally, easyJet

034 // NOV18

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GREEC Ski, drink + be WORDS & PHOTO: JIMMY PETTERSON

(... for the country

036 // NOV18

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CE e merry

y is mortgaged)

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In this day and age, when the large ski resorts are ever more crowded, and an increasing number of people are tracking up the powder as a result of the wide, big-mountain skis that make skiing off-piste so easy, there are still a number of locations where one can get off the beaten track and find some solitude as well as powder. One of my favourites is Greece.

ski lifts is free of charge! Now, we are really talking the ski-bum language.

Despite the unbeatable price, there were fewer than 100 visitors, and about half of them were soldiers taking their first lessons. Klaus, Jan-Erik and I wasted little time, and we headed up the 450 vertical metres to the top of the upper lift. There was plenty of boot-top powder on either side of the piste and nobody was making use of it.

We spent the rest of the day leaving our signature in the virgin snow adjacent to the piste.

The next stop on our agenda was Kalavryta, situated 190km east of Athens. The skiing was not free, but in

As the 21 Greek ski resorts are relatively unknown

Kalavryta, one can actually get a room with breakfast

outside of the country itself, there are almost no

plus a lift pass for €30 (£26) a day.

foreigners, and relatively few local people ski

It was a weekday, and there were about 60 cars at

midweek. The financial crisis has certainly also taken

the resort; the snow depth at the base of the lifts

its toll on the Greek ski industry. The lifts are generally

was 2m.

outdated, and only one resort there is currently

The upper mountain in Kalavryta is home to a lot of

profitable. Yet, when it comes to heart and soul, the

difficult off-piste terrain, all above the tree line, while

Greek people rate five stars.

the lower half of the ski area offers some excellent

The Greeks are among the friendliest people on the

tree skiing where the snow is more protected

planet, and their hospitality alone is reason enough

from the wind. The tree descents were manager

for a visit. Their life philosophy is quite similar to that

Spyropoulos Leonitas’s favourites, and he took us on

of an old ski bum like me. They do not live to work;

a few runs in the forest to show us around.

they work to live. That is to say that their leisure hours

The wind was howling up high, and the snow was

– family time, good food, wine, dance and music – are

falling horizontally, but in the trees, it was calm. For

often a higher priority than money.

the next few hours, we slithered and glided through

With all that in mind, Klaus Arpia, Jan-Erik Blomberg

the powder in the forest, making a new track on every

and I flew to Athens in search of light powder, good

descent, and we never saw another soul.

people, tasty food and a little adventure.

There was still time for an après-ski, and on the way

If one is going to ski in Greece, why not ski with the

down to town, we stopped at a roadside stand for a

gods on Greece’s highest peak, Mt Olympus? As

drink. It all began innocently enough, as Klaus and I

we approached the home of Zeus, the magnificent

asked the young ladies behind the counter if they had

mountain truly took on a godlike aura. There was not

any ouzo. They did not, but instead doled out a free

a cloud in the sky, and as the last rays of light shone

sample of what we would soon learn was a typical

on her majestic snow, Olympus transformed from

Greek après-ski drink – rakomelo – honey mixed with

white to a light shade of pink, then to a rose colour

raki and spiced with cinnamon or other herbs.

and finally to crimson.

Feeling happy with our powder day and free drinks,

The skiing on Mt Olympus is rather unique. The lift is

Klaus and I broke into an a cappella rendition of our

operated by the military to train their mountain troops,

theme song – Country Roads – which in turn resulted

but on weekends it is open to the public.

in a Greek bystander, Giorgos, calling out “Yamas”

The entrance to the military base is surrounded by

and toasting us.

razor-wire fences, but beyond this rather intimidating

After that, the rest of the afternoon and evening is a

entry is a beautiful world of white. We showed our

rather hazy blur, but suffice to say our random and

passports to a soldier at the entry gate and signed

seemingly insignificant decision of stopping at that

in. From there, one has to hike about 20 minutes

roadside stand set off a chain reaction of hospitality

to reach the lower of two draglifts. OK, you think a

that continued all night and probably could only

20-minute walk is a bit inconvenient, but use of the

happen in Greece.

037 // NOV18

ALL PICS: CHRISTOPHER SCHOLEY

A British-based heli-ski holiday company has put a £1 million week-long heli-ski holiday to Greenland on sale, with guests based in a super yacht moored off the coast.

£1 million per week depending on requirements. When split between the maximum number of guests, this makes it over £83,000pp.

James Orr Heliski, founder of his eponymous company, said: “This really is the ultimate experience for the wealthy adventure

million POUND Heli-ski Holiday Price: £1,000,000

038 // NOV18

James Orr Heliski in exclusive partnership

seekers out there. Heli-skiing has a reputation

with SuperYachtsMonaco has launched the

for being expensive, and despite the

ultimate heli-skiing trip to Greenland based

fact we have heli-skiing holidays costing

on a luxury super yacht that’s specially

around £2,000 per person, this one is on

adapted to Arctic conditions.

the other end of the scale completely.

The MV Cloudbreak sleeps up to 12 guests

Greenland is a spectacular place to ski and

in six bedrooms, takes a crew of 22 and

the remoteness means that it’s possible

features a helipad. It has a maximum speed of

to drop onto unclimbed mountains and

15 knots and a range of 8,500 nautical miles.

make first descents. The ship itself is like a

Guests will fly directly from the ship with

cross between the most advanced military

mountain guides and be dropped on some of

hardware on the sea and a luxury 5★ hotel; it

the most inaccessible mountains in the world.

really is completely unique.”

After experiencing multiple heli drops through

The trips are offered in April and May 2019

the day, they are flown back to relax in the

and the £1 million includes seven nights’

Christian Liaigre-designed interior where

accommodation, food, private helicopter,

gourmet meals and fine wines will be served.

guide and staff but excludes travel to and

The whole experience costs around

from Greenland.

HELISKI.CO.UK

MAYRHOFEN FOR FAMILIES 039 // NOV18  PROMO

Mayrhofen is one of Austria’s top ski resorts, with legendary après-ski and buzzing nightlife. However, it is also a fantastic family destination, with great, varied skiing that’s sure to keep the whole brood entertained!

areas ranging from “easy” to “difficult”.

For more advanced skiers, Mayrhofen has a huge range of entertaining reds and challenging blacks, with a reputation for good snow meaning you can enjoy great skiing all season long. The Zillertal Superski pass gives you access to an astounding 515km of pistes across the valley’s four ski areas (Hochzillertal-Hochfügen-

With many easily accessible beginner

Spieljoch, Zillertal Arena, Mayrhofner

lifts down in the valley, this area is ideal

Bergbahnen and Zillertal 3000) as

for beginners and younger skiers, and

well as free transport between them.

the Kinderland Horberg nursery slope

Ideal for adventurous skiers looking to

is perfect for those who are still getting

explore the area.

to grips with their skis. An exceptionally

Adrenaline seekers will love the Penken

high quality of ski tuition across a

Snow Park, an unmissable part of winter

range of English-speaking children’s

in Mayrhofen which offers unparalleled

ski schools and kindergartens ensure

opportunity for freestyle fans and a “fun

that learning to ski is as fun as it is

ride” kids’ park for younger skiers. And

rewarding, and epic lift pass discounts

if this wasn’t enough, Mayrhofen is also

for kids are a godsend to parents.

home to the Harakiri, Europe’s steepest

When your youngsters are ready to take

ski run. With a gradient of up to 78%, it’s

on more of the mountain, head to the

one that advanced skiers always enjoy

Ahorn area. The blue slopes here tend

ticking off their list! If you’re slightly

to be very quiet, giving beginners the

wary, try out the “Devil’s Run” first,

opportunity to practise without worrying

which has a steep end section that will

too much about other skiers flying by.

help you decide whether you are ready

Similarly, the Rastkogel area has lots of

for the full Harakiri!

gentle blue runs serviced by easy lifts,

Mayrhofen is a well-connected resort,

alongside accessible red runs, perfect

with modern lifts and a plethora of free

for those first forays off of the blues.

ski buses – a lifesaver when those

For thrill-seeking children, there are also

little legs are tired after a day’s skiing!

three “fun ride” areas in Mayrhofen,

Hotels such as the Hotel Strass, right

combining elements of ski and

next to the Penkenbahn, offer a brilliant

snowboard cross (think moguls, banked

alternative to those lovely ski-boot clad

curves and dips) within specially designed

walks home.

CRYSTALSKI.CO.UK

, You ve Got to

Love

Ruka WORDS: LUKE REES

For young children there’s nothing more exciting than Christmas. So when we flew to Ruka in Finnish Lapland on Christmas Eve 2017, to meet Father Christmas as he is known in our house and get involved in everything from skiing to dog sledding, it’s safe to say excitement was at dangerous levels – and that was just the adults!

We arrived just after lunch on 24 December. A walk and play in the snow had everyone whooping and smiling despite the -20°C temperature!

The main Finnish celebration is on Christmas Eve, so we headed to the Restaurant Royal Ruka for a traditional Finnish Christmas dinner. We were surprised to find turkey on the menu and other similarities to a British Christmas dinner, but there were also differences, like pickled herring and a selection of strange “casseroles”. To the boys’

040 // NOV18

Ruka is one of the largest ski resorts in Finland, located

delight we met the “real” Father Christmas just before he

35km from the edge of the Arctic Circle and with a ski

set off to begin delivering gifts.

season that lasts more than 200 days, and Kuusamo

On Christmas Day we opened presents then took our

Airport is just 25km away.

four- and six-year-old to their ski lessons while we

@INTHESNOWMAG

hit the slopes. Ruka is small by Alpine standards, but

woodland following a path that meandered through the

snowboarding on Christmas Day was something I’d

snow-blanketed forest. The kids each had their own

always wanted to do.

horse, and despite being nervous and new to riding they

There is 20km of piste over 35 runs with just 200m of

both loved it. Afterwards we enjoyed hot chocolate and

vertical and the longest run just 1.3km long. But don’t let

pancakes by the fire in a Lavvu (traditional Finnish teepee).

that put you off; the slopes are very good with pistes for all

The five of us stayed in the Ruka Suites in a compact but

different abilities, an excellent park and plenty of off-piste.

very functional apartment consisting of a double room, bunk

Although small, Ruka punches well above its weight.

room and pull-out sofa in the open-plan kitchen-living area,

A trip to Lapland is about much more than skiing and

as well as bathroom, separate toilet and sauna.

Santa though. It has become a hub for winter activities

Staying in a self-catered apartment we cooked for ourselves

from ice climbing to snowshoeing. We stuck with the

using the fairly well-stocked supermarket and eating out a

more family-friendly activities, starting with a trip to Kujala

few times.The buffet at Restaurant Katlakivi was very good

Reindeer Farm. Reindeer are an important part of the

and I also recommend RU OK Burger. For lunch the all-you-

traditional Sami lifestyle; they’re semi-wild spending at

can-eat soup at Villisika Restaurant is hard to beat.

least half the year roaming free only returning to their

We will cherish the memories from our Christmas in

farm in the coldest months. Being in a field with hundreds

Lapland. Yes, it was very cold, and it was sometimes a

of reindeer was a little daunting but also a magical

faff taking many layers on and off, but it was also fun,

experience. The kids loved feeding the hand-reared

beautiful and exciting. A family trip to Ruka is something I

orphaned calves.

thoroughly recommend.

Dog sledding had long been something I wanted to try, but I didn’t expect to be driving the dogs myself with my kids as passengers. The dogs set off at a breakneck speed, and we all laughed, squealed and giggled for most

could try and a younger children’s play area.

One evening we went in search of the Northern Lights

4 ★ Ruka Suites from £1,290 (price for 13 January 2019)

on a snowmobile, kitted out in warm gear and reaching

for a family of four (inc. free child place) including flights

speeds of over 80kph, but unfortunately it was snowing so

from Gatwick to Kuusamo and transfers. Direct flights also

no chance of seeing the Aurora.

available from Manchester:

The highlight of our trip was riding Icelandic horses

crystalski.co.uk/tel: 020 8610 3123.

in fresh snow at Wanha Raatesalmi. We rode into the

All activities can be booked at ruka.fi/en

We also had a reindeer sleigh ride, not as fast as the dog sledding but being pulled around by Rudolph was just as special. There were also small snowmobiles older kids

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GETTING TO

Ruka

of the ride around the track at Lammintupa Winter Village.

Crystal Ski Holidays offers a week’s self-catering at the

RUKA.FI/EN

BY PATRICK THORNE

CALIFORNIAN SKI AREA GOING 100% SOLAR The Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows ski area in California has announced that all of its electricity will be

ZERMATT OFFERS FLEXIBLE LIFT PASS PRICES THIS WINTER

purchased from Liberty Utilities’ Zermatt says it will cut its

lift passes in Europe, although it is also

season and peak season) will be

lift ticket prices during low

one of the most generous in the world for

introduced, and within those periods prices

season periods this winter with

children’s tickets, with under nines skiing

will vary up or down during the course of

prices for ski passes dynamically

free and big discounts for young people

the season depending on capacity.

set like airline tickets and

right up to their early 20s.

“The aim of the new price model for ski

Public Utilities Commission’s

hotel beds.

“Factors such as supply, demand and

passes is to attract guests during low-

approval of Liberty Utilities’

The famous Swiss resort, which operates

time of purchase are included in these

demand times through cheaper prices,” the

one of the world’s biggest ski areas

calculations,” a Zermatt lift company

spokesperson continued. The new price

allowing local customers to purchase

including Europe’s highest lifts, currently

spokesperson said.

system means early bookers and online

renewable electricity for their homes

has probably the most expensive adult

Three seasons (pre-season, off-peak

bookers should receive lower prices.

nearby solar generation plant in Luning, Nevada, making the resort’s electricity supply 100% renewable.

The move, which begins on 1 December, follows the California

application for a Green Tariff in July,

or businesses at a nominal price per kilowatt hour, the proceeds of which Liberty Utilities uses to develop new renewable energy projects.

By signing on to the Green Tariff, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will become Liberty’s largest Green Tariff customer, contributing approximately $325,000 (£247,000) in additional dollars towards its electric bill in the first year to help accelerate the transition to affordable renewable energy sources for the utility’s 49,000 customers in the region. The Green Tariff is available to all Liberty Utilities customers, and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will continue to advocate for its adoption within the larger community.

AVIEMORE’S MAIN LIFT CLOSED AS SKI SEASON NEARS

With this change, Squaw Valley The key lift at Cairngorm ski area above

that they have since got worse.

“Rest assured, we do not underestimate

its total annual carbon footprint,

Aviemore has been shut down due to safety

The ski area’s owners, Highlands and

the significance of this situation … and are

including fuels and other sources

concerns while more detailed examinations

Islands Enterprise (HIE), have commissioned

working to resolve this situation quickly

unrelated to the power grid, from

of the structure are carried out.

specialist engineers to carry out a detailed

and safely,” said Ewan Kearney, COO,

13,078 metric tons to an estimated

The concerns relate to the concrete

structural assessment of the area of concern.

Natural Retreats, who run CairnGorm

6,682 metric tons – a 49% reduction,

structures supporting the track. According

The findings of this are expected shortly

Mountain for HIE.

which is equivalent to the emissions

to a local newspaper report these were

before the ski season is due to begin and

“We are unable to provide a detailed timeline

generated by the annual electrical

first identified as having cracks in 2016

should confirm what remedial work is

for the reopening of the funicular and will

with a recent routine inspection identifying

necessary and how long that is likely to take.

issue further updates as we are able to.”

Alpine Meadows will almost halve

use of 959 homes.

042 // NOV18

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MANU REYBOZ

SKIERS JUMPING OVER US HIGHWAY

LES ARCS “THUMBING NOSE” AT BREXIT

NEW TOBOGGAN RUN TO HAVE AURORA LIGHTING

Skiers and boarders were reported to have been seen

French ski resort Les Arcs, which celebrates 50

The Finnish ski resort of Saariselkä in Northern Lapland

jumping across a famous US highway in Montana during

years in business this winter and has long had a

has announced it will be opening a new toboggan run

the summer. The Beartooth Highway near Yellowstone

“special relationship” with British skiers, says it

for its guests this winter, with two novelties.

National Park is regarded as one of the continent’s most

will be “thumbing our nose at Brexit” at a special

Firstly, the new run will be the longest in Finland at more

scenic and most treacherous, reaching altitudes above

celebration due to begin the day after so-called

than 1.8km in length. Secondly it will feature special

3,300m and only opening for around five months, the

Brexit Day, 29 March 2019. The resort launched

illuminations themed on the aurora borealis or so called

rest of the year being buried in snow.

their annual “Great British Celebration” in winter

“northern lights”.

Cleared of snow in late spring, drifts up to 7m remained

2017, following the Brexit vote; next season it will run

“The illumination has been done as a light art project

at the sides of the road, which also accesses the only

from 30 March to 5 April 2019 in its third edition.

by WhiteNight Lighting, and the project’s aim was to

summer-only ski area in the USA, Beartooth Basin.

“Far from any controversy, this event is first and

create aurora-borealis-themed illumination,” confirmed

A group of skiers from Jackson, Wyoming, were

foremost an opportunity to remind our friends from

Saariselkä’s Ida Katajamaa, who added:

reported to have built a snow ramp and jumped the

across the Channel that we are still delighted to see

“Along the ride from the top of fell Kaunispää to the

8m-wide, two-lane road, when there was no traffic.

them on our slopes,” said Cecile Romualdo from the

bottom of the toboggan slope, there are also other light

A tourist from Australia who witnessed the jumpers told

resort’s press office.

art objects that have been inspired by the mythology of

local media “They’re mad. Just absolutely mad,” adding,

During the week the whole resort will be flying the Union

the Arctic night sky.”

“It’s just silly. Silly, silly, silly.”

Jack, with challenges and events between “Frenchies”

The illumination project was completed through the

The local police said that there was a law against

and “Brits”, and a concert of Beatles songs. Nearly a

spring and summer of 2018, and the newly illuminated

ski jumping over a highway. “It’s called Reckless

third of Les Arcs’ 1.8 million overnight winter stays are

toboggan slope will open to the public in the winter

Endangerment,” one explained, adding that skiers have

made by skiers from outside France with most coming

season 2018/19. Packaged holidays to and from the UK

been warned in the past for doing it.

from the UK, Belgium, Netherlands and Russia.

to Saariselkä are offered by Inghams.

Protect your valuable skiing time by securing your skis and poles outside restaurants, bars and in overnight storage areas.

Pocket-sized, lightweight lock weighing only 210g and for use with Alpine skis (approx. 70-96mm at waist).

Lock by pressing a button – released with a key.

0845 644 6512 info@skilock.co.uk skilock.co.uk

in Courmayeur Mont Blanc

Courmayeur, located on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, has always been one of the ski world’s most desirable destinations with its combination of sophistication, mountain culture and superb skiing.

baby-sitting services.

Guests of the hotel will have priority access to the slopeside destination restaurant and club, La Loge du Massif.

“Welcome Winter” is just the first of a seasonlong series of events in Courmayeur. For the first time, the resort’s slopes will host the City Ski Championship & Financial Times Alpine

044 // NOV18

Winter 2018/19 begins here on 24 November

Forum (31 January–3 February 2019) with a

when the slopes first open, but the season

series of competitions, open to everyone,

really begins to take off with the Welcome

including speed skiing, Super G and parallel

Winter 2019 event on 8 December when the

slalom races with a racing paddock and Ski

livelier side of Courmayeur sees world-class

Clinic GS organised by the Scuola di Sci

celebrities join the party.

Monte Bianco.

This year there’s even more to celebrate

But long-time favourite events will also be

with the unveiling of a new ski run, and of a

returning including the annual Mountain

stunning new luxury hotel in the resort.

Gourmet Ski Experience (14–17 March

The new slope, from Arp down to Youla, was

2019), which relies on the foodie DNA of

formerly only possible as a freeriding descent.

Courmayeur to host the exclusive and

Now integrated into the piste map, the slope

Michelin-starred food event, orchestrated

has been designed to be integrated into the

by the multi-starred British chef Heston

“vertical” expansion of the ski area, which also

Blumenthal, who combines exquisite culinary

includes the planned construction of a new

creations with his passion for the mountains

cable car. The slope was built at a cost of

and skiing. This winter the celebrity chef Tom

€1.5 million (around £1.3 million) and is 1.3km

Kerridge, well known on TV and social media

long, starting red then turning black with a

because of his new cookbook on low-calorie

pitch of 70%.

cooking, will also participate.

Courmayeur’s new 5★ hotel, Le Massif, a

But whenever you visit in the season you’re

member of The Leading Hotels of the World,

sure to love your time in Courmayeur, famous

will house 80 rooms and suites. It also offers

as it is for its respect for local tradition, good

a world-class spa, a private in-house ski

food, sports, fun, relaxation, entertainment,

concierge, two on-site restaurants including a

shopping and snow fun, all framed by the

gourmet steakhouse and all-day-dining family

priceless surrounding of Mont Blanc’s

restaurant, two bars, a ski room, kids club and

incredible scenery.

COURMAYEURMONTBLANC.IT

SelfCatering Just Got Easier From welcome night suppers to complete 6 day menus with breakfasts and drinks, Huski delivers it all.

NEW this season, we’ve added a range of locally made Alpine dishes to our ever-popular COOK menus and we are now delivering to all 250 resorts in the French Alps

www.hu.ski

5% off for all InTheSnow readers with offer code: INTHESNOW

GEOFFREY VABRE

046 // NOV18

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We’re all spending less time on our ski holidays actually skiing, we’re told, and instead are looking for more alternative activities to enjoy while visiting the mountains. The ski resorts themselves want to get more visitors outside the ski season and spread their business all year round to make it more sustainable.

The result to this conundrum? Well, there are ever more zip wires, mountain coasters, mountain biking trails and, for resorts with the deepest pockets, a growing number of epic indoor water parks! Here are some of our favourites:

LevI

Finland The Levi Hotel Spa (Levitunturi) is the leading hotel in Finland’s biggest ski resort, and a few years ago it unveiled its “Spa Water World” – a themed collection of 17 inter-linked indoor-outdoor swimming pools. What’s different to your usual indoor water park is the use of sound, projected images and sensory lighting, as well as the more usual flumes, counter-currents and wave pools to make this a very different attraction. It’s open to non-residents.

Aquamotion

Courchevel, France Courchevel recently splurged €63 million (£50 million) on their Aquamotion complex, which is divided into adult and child areas; the former is home to a saltwater

Avoriaz

spa and comes complete with dark, cavern-like areas where mesmerising kaleidoscopic patterns are

France

projected onto the main wall, providing the only real

Avoriaz is owned by the same company that runs

source of light, while lovely relaxing music plays in the

Center Parcs, so it made perfect sense for France’s

background as you float. There’s also a large indoor-

only fully car-free ski area to build a tropical water

outdoor pool, a sauna and much more. For kids, there

park 1,800m up in the Alps. Aquariaz has been

are two huge waterslides, two diving boards and two

designed as “an aquatic paradise in the mountains”

children’s pools and, the centre’s signature attraction,

featuring lush vegetation and rocks, a river with a

a surf wave pool where you can try bodyboarding,

gentle variable current, a water playhouse, a paddling

surfing or wakeboarding, although apparently it’s

pool, a large pool with climbing walls, and an open-

harder than the competent people make it look.

air spa heated to 34°C! One particularly popular attraction is the “slidewinder”, a kind of aquatic halfpipe ridden in a tube.

Tschuggen Bergoase Arosa, Switzerland

The Pump House

At 5,000m², the Arosa Tschuggen Bergoase is the largest spa in the Alps. Part of the resort’s 5★ Tschuggen

Jay Peak, USA

hotel, the complex is partially built into a mountainside

Jay Peak, located up near the Canadian border in

and was designed by award-winning architect Mario

northern Vermont, created one of the world’s biggest

Botta. Open to non-residents subject to space, the spa

indoor water parks, the Pump House, next to its

brings together nature, geometry, warmth, rock, light

ski slopes. Packed full of wet and wild fun features,

and water with the aim of being a place of wellbeing and

highlights include the La Chute waterslide, which has

inner peace. So, you can expect a spectacular spa and a

a 20m vertical drop and will see you complete a full

wonderful pool area complete with themed water trails.

FRANCK PAUBEL

360° rotation as you hit 70kph. “Six seconds later you

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arrive at the bottom. Forever changed,” said a Jay Peak spokesperson.

The Grand Spa Thermal

Brides-Les-Bains, France

Aqualudique

Of course, some ski areas were spa resorts long before snowsports were dreamt up, and they’re still a good

Les Arcs, France

choice when it comes to aqua fun and relaxation. Brides-

Les Arcs is one of the latest big French resorts to

Les-Bains, at the foot of the world’s biggest ski region Les

splash out (get it?) on a huge indoor water fun zone.

3 Vallées, is one such choice, and this winter it will unveil

Its Aqualudique complex at Arc 1800 is part of the

the fully renovated largest thermal spa in France – the new

on-mountain Mille8 indoor-outdoor family fun zone,

Grand Spa Thermal – following a €17 million (around £15

which is open daily, morning to evening. There’s

million) investment. Along with incredible spa facilities,

3,800m² of aquatic space and relaxation zones,

the aquatic area covers 600m² and consists of three

including whirlpool baths, massage beds and other

different zones: a 25m swimming lane, an aqua-fitness

facilities, to help you unwind and forget the everyday

pool, and a “fun” pool, complete with two Jacuzzis,

stresses of the ski slopes. Kids will enjoy the splash

two “bubble beds”, underwater jets and an unusual

pad, water jets and water slides.

underwater circuit.

047 // NOV18

ONE OF WORLD’S LONGEST DRY SKI SLOPES OPENS One of the longest artificial surface ski slopes yet has opened in Serbia. The ski slope at the country’s largest ski resort, Kopaonik, is nearly 900m long and uses 10,000m2 of material supplied by Italian business Neveplast.

RUNS DESIGNATED “FREERIDE”

THE EUROPEAN OUTDOOR FILM TOUR (E.O.F.T.) TURNS I8

Two new freeride pistes will open this winter in the Grindelwald First ski area in Switzerland. The pistes, numbered 14 and 15, will be left ungroomed for a whole day after

The European Outdoor Film

exhibits acute mental strength by scaling

between two and a half and three hours.

Tour (E.O.F.T.) is coming of

an 8a blindfolded, is portrayed in the film

Europe’s largest outdoor film festival will

age! For 18 years the E.O.F.T.

The A.O. But that’s not all; as usual the

reach the UK on 2 November and premiere

has been presenting the best

E.O.F.T. also has lots to offer devotees of

in the Logan Hall with more shows in

outdoor, adventure and travel

the finest powder and lovers of adrenalin.

Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff,

documentaries on the big screen,

There is also some comic relief with a stop-

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool,

and 2018 is no different.

motion animation, a road trip on rollerskis

Manchester, Sheffield and back to London

A highlight of this year’s tour is the portrait

through the USA, and a somewhat crazy

over the following fortnight.

British year-round artificial ski

of an exceptional talent and this year’s

Frenchman, who demonstrates that one

The UK tour is just part of the extensive

slope designers and suppliers

“poster boy”, Adam Ondra. The Czech

can still be young even at the age of 82.

tour with more than 400 events in

Briton Engineering Developments

climber ascends the world’s most difficult

In total there are eight films with a

18 countries.

Ltd have announced that their first

routes and seems to effortlessly overcome

combined running time of 120 minutes.

For info and to book tickets, visit

gravity. This extraordinary athlete, who

With supporting activities each event lasts

eoft.eu

snowfall especially for use by powder snow fans.

NEW BRITISH DRY SLOPE IN CHINA

major Snowflex® slope in China will open in Shanghai later this year. The large slope is to be built at Global Harbor, Shanghai, in association with Shanghai Vankoo

WORKERS SUE MILLIONAIRES RESORT One hundred and ten Jamaicans

STEVIE MCKENNA / SKI SCOTLAND

Sports Management Co. Ltd.

employed at the private Yellowstone ski club in Montana, part of one of the largest ski areas

ALL-AREAS SEASON TICKET FOR SCOTLAND & ICELAND

in the USA and only open to multimillionaire members, are suing the

Scottish ski areas are hoping for bumper

the indoor snow area in Glasgow. The pass

2018), with a discount of around 10%

resort and a staffing agency over

sales of their “all areas” season pass

also provides free access to snowsports at

available to those who bought the pass

unpaid tips. A Club spokesperson

after a successful winter last season. The

all of Iceland’s ski areas too.

last year too.

said they didn’t employ the

pass covers the five Highland ski areas of

The limited edition tickets are available

“We are aware of one lady who enjoyed

Jamaican workers directly.

Cairngorm, Glencoe, Glenshee, The Lecht

through the Ski-Scotland website priced

99 days skiing last winter with her All-

and Nevis Range as well as offering free

at £550 for adults and £310 for children

Areas Season Ticket!” said Andy Meldrum

slope time and discounts at Snow Factor,

(five to 17 years inclusive at 1 December

of marketing group Ski-Scotland.

048 // NOV18

@INTHESNOWMAG

C CATTIN / VAL THORENS TOURIST OFFICE

MORE ZIP WIRES TO OPEN AT VAL THORENS Val Thorens gained widespread publicity when it unveiled Europe’s highest zip wire a few years ago.

Now the resort has announced a series of zip wires are to be installed ready for next winter which will allow visitors to race through the heart of the resort itself – just suspended above the pistes.

The 1,600m-long flight, divided into three sections, will carry zip liners 65m above the ski slopes, starting from the top of La Moutière chair lift and landing at the heart of Val Thorens at Place de Caron.

The new zip line is to be open daily, accessible to skiers and pedestrians who’ll achieve an average

DKCOOPER

descent speed of 75kph.

FAST NEW CHAIRLIFT & MORE AT TREMBLANT The new Alterra Mountain Company, which took over 12 leading North American ski resorts last year and added two more this summer, has invested 17 million Canadian dollars at Mont Tremblant in Quebec ahead of the 2018/19 ski season.

The money has gone on replacing the Lowell Thomas chairlift with a fast new quad, renovating and expanding the summit chalet Le Grand Manitou, creating new glades, renovating La Fourchette du Diable on the North Side base, as well as other additions and upgrades.

Also, five new glades covering a 50-acre area will extend Tremblant’s skiable terrain to 101 trails across 715 acres. The sectors involved are located on the North Side and the Edge, which are respectively served by the Duncan, Expo and Edge lifts.

INTHESNOW INTHESNOW_MAGAZINE INTHESNOW

ALL PICS: LIECHTENSTEIN MARKETING

LIECHTENSTEIN More than half of the world’s skiing nations are in Europe and in fact you can ski in almost every one of the currently 50 European nations – even the generally hot ones like Cyprus and Portugal. The exceptions are the tiny places like San Marino and Vatican City, but the slightly larger mini-states do have ski lifts, amongst them, Liechtenstein.

Europe with an area of just over 62 square

quads, the Hochegg and Täli chairs, which

package tours and tower blocks and lift

miles and has a population of just 37,877,

are on the left at the other end of the village.

queues,” one enthusiast for the country

the mountains stretch up to 2,599m and

This is a great place to learn or to do laps,

writes, adding, “In fact, it’s the kind of

it’s also one of the richest places on earth.

with 60% of the terrain rated intermediate

place where you feel that you may bump

So perhaps there should be more than

and 30% beginner. The two chairlifts at

into a young Gregory Peck and Doris Day

just the one downhill ski area, Malbun,

the entrance to the village provide access

around the corner.”

or perhaps the locals just pop over the

to a number of intermediate pistes. The

If you had visited 33 winters ago you

border to one of their bigger Alpine

Hochegg lift is higher, and from here it’s

probably wouldn’t have seen any

neighbours when they want to ski?

possible to join the skiers on the cruising

Hollywood stars, but you might have

Located only nine miles from the capital,

run out of the Vaduzer Täli valley. You

bumped into a British princess. When

Vaduz, there are 23km of slopes available

can also take the linking run over to the

things were still “good” between Prince

between 1,600 and 2,000m, served by nine

Sareis chairlift at the other end of the

Charles and Princess Diana in 1985, the

lifts. The resort hasn’t scrimped on the lifts,

village, which offers superb views of the

royals side-stepped the paparazzi camped

Of course, being bordered by Switzerland

which include modern conveyor lifts and

surrounding mountains from the top (the

out at their usual winter haunt of Klosters

to the west and south and Austria to the

chairs. One of the chairs is a high-speed

resort’s highest point), where the popular

and instead headed to Malbun for Diana

east and north, it perhaps shouldn’t be a

six-seater with heated seats, the Sareis lift,

Sareisjoch mountain restaurant is located.

to learn to ski in peace. It was the same

surprise that there’s skiing here. Although

on the right-hand side of the valley looking

“Skiing in Malbun is like skiing in the days

resort where Charles had gone skiing

the country is the fourth-smallest in

up, which runs alongside two detachable

before the sport became a nightmare of

himself as a teenager in the 1960s.

050 // NOV18

@INTHESNOWMAG

SKI 2018-2019 S E L F- C AT E RING A PA RT M E N T S , CHALETS,HOTELS

FRENCH ALP S & P YRENEE S

020 7371 6111 -

ABTA No. V554X

WWW.L AGRANGE-HOLIDAYS.CO.UK

LA P L AG N E S K I I N G

T H E

W O R L D ’ S

T H I R D

L A R G E S T

S K I

A R E A

WORDS: ANDY TAYLOR | PHOTO: PHILIPPE ROYER

La Plagne in the French Alps is rated as one of the top ski resorts in the world, and after visiting and skiing this magnificent resort, it’s easy to see why. Often listed among the best ski resorts worldwide, this versatile and family-friendly resort can cater for every level of skier and boarder, from complete novice to hardened pro.

a great après-ski bar or restaurant close to your accommodation whichever you choose.

There are plenty of facilities to cater for young families including junior slopes, sledging and play areas. At the other extreme, for adventurous skiers and boarders there are plenty of black runs to explore as well as off-piste terrain.

For most of us in between who consider ourselves intermediate skiers and enjoy wide open, uncrowded runs, La Plagne is ideal.

La Plagne is part of the high-altitude Paradiski ski area,

“If I want to have a quick, fast ski for an hour or two I can

the world’s third biggest, connected by the remarkable

access red and blue runs depending on how I feel, or

Vanoise Express double-decker cable car to Les Arcs

I can spend the whole day and hardly do the same run

and Peisey Vallandry across the valley. La Plagne itself

twice,” one seasonaire told me.

has a 3,250m-high glacier with slopes that drop down to

On the slopes myself, my overall impression was that

1,250m, with 128 lifts on its side of Paradiski alone.

the lift system was huge and well set up, with so many

The 2,000 metres of lift-served vertical – one of the

options that once on the mountain you could explore

world’s biggest again – encompasses everything from

a different part of it every day. The glacier was also

wide-open glacier skiing up top to classic tree-lined runs

spectacular with views to Mont Blanc.

through the forest below.

052 // NOV18

La Plagne is made up of 10 different villages – some

Thrill Seekers

traditional, centuries old, others purpose-built at altitude

La Plagne has lots to do besides the vast amount of

during the past 50 years – all well connected by fast lifts

skiing and boarding. If there’s a thrill seeker in you,

to every part of the resort. The villages are small and

then why not try the 1.5km bobsleigh run just outside

quite spread out, so transport is needed if you want to

La Plagne Centre? This was used in the 1992 Winter

look around without your skis on, but it’s not hard to find

Olympics and is the only bobsleigh run in France.

Where To Stay I stayed at the Araucaria Hotel and Spa located in one

Getting There: Rail or Air, What’s Your Preference?

of La Plagne’s original and larger bases, Plagne Centre.

There are plenty of travel options for getting to La

The hotel has just been completely refurbished and

Plagne. We travelled down to Moûtiers on the ski train

reopened at the start of the 2017/18 season.

(Eurostar) from London St Pancras. It was an eight-hour

This is a ski-in/ski-out hotel right at the bottom of the

journey through some very scenic parts of France. The

slalom run, with a ski hire shop handily located right in the

train is comfortable and well-catered with meals and a

basement of the hotel. The ski schools and après bars are

separate bar area. The additional advantage of taking the

also right outside the hotel and facing the lower ski runs.

train is that you can carry a suitcase as well as your ski

The rooms are spacious and family-friendly. The bar and

bag at no additional cost.

restaurant area is huge and really nicely presented with

Coming home, we transferred to Geneva, which

large TVs, music entertainment and play areas for children.

was around three hours, and flew home from there.

The restaurant offers buffet-style dining included in the room

Comparing the two options, the journey times door to

price, with a good choice of cuisine to suit all appetites. The

door were very similar as the destination of the train in

quality of the food is excellent as is the service.

Moûtiers was a short transfer up to La Plagne.

The icing on the cake is a huge spa within the hotel that

Whether you take the train or fly, the journey down

offers a pool, sauna, steam room and ice room as well as a

is quick and easy, and arriving in La Plagne is reward

full range of spa treatments such as massage, therapy and

enough for the effort in getting there.

so on. This is available to all guests at an additional cost.

It’s stunning, and that’s the best way to describe it!

La Plagne By Direct Ski Train Inghams offers a range of holidays by ski train to several resorts in France. The benefits of travelling by train include free ski carriage coupled with a much more generous luggage allowance (two bags per person plus hand luggage) than flying – good news with all that ski kit. Check-in is much faster than at the airport and there are short transfers to the resort too. Plus you should enjoy convenient, comfortable and stress-free travel along with great scenic views en route.

Inghams has a seven-night half-board holiday at the 4★ Araucaria Hotel & Spa in La Plagne from £1,059pp based on two sharing in January 2019. Price includes return train travel from London to Moûtiers and resort transfers. Lift passes, equipment hire and tuition can be pre-booked through Inghams.

TO BOOK VISIT INGHAMS.CO.UK/SKI-HOLIDAYS OR CALL 01483 791 114

MEET OLIVER KERN Munich-born Oliver Kern (44) has been skiing for more than 40 years and now thinks he may have skied at more ski areas than anyone else.

Mr Kern, whose day job is running the world’s largest ski resort test portal, skiresort.info, has so far skied in 885 different ski resorts, in 31 countries including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and Canada as well as in 15 different states in the USA.

1,000 ski resorts within the next

but the skiing in the bowls and on

at home with my family, although if the

three to four years.

the slopes is amazing with great

weather is nice I’ll be in the mountains

long runs!). Oh, and also Telluride,

then too. As I live in Munich, I am very

Snowmass and Vail in Colorado.

close to the Alps and I can do a lot by

Of all the places you’ve skied, what are your favourites?

car. If ski resorts are outside Europe or

It is very hard to say. It depends

Visiting so many ski resorts seems

more than 600km from Munich I take

on what you like. I like the large

like a dream but are there any

the plane and get a rental car.

ski resorts in Austria with the nice

downsides to so much skiing?

mountain huts and the fast high-

Yes, it is nice if you stand on a

Apart from the number of ski areas you

speed lifts, as well as the ski resorts

mountain with sunshine and fresh

have visited, you have set six different

in the Dolomites. On the other hand, I

snow. But the weather is always

world record firsts in events staged

also like Canada, which has older lifts

challenging. On stormy days it is

between 2007 and 2010.

but perfect powder snow and no lines

sometimes not possible to reach the

Yes, these include skiing at three

on the lifts. After the skiing, you can

highest point and if there is a lot of

ski areas in three countries on two

drink a beer in a real hot Jacuzzi.

fresh snow the slopes can be closed

continents in one day in 2008. I skied

So my personal favourite ski areas

because of avalanche danger.

at NASPA Ski Garden in Japan then

include Kitzbühel, Hochzillertal,

flew across the Pacific to ski at the

So do you have the four-figures mark

Saalbach, SkiWelt, Ischgl and the

How much time do you spend on the

Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington

firmly in your sights?

Arlberg in Austria, then Sun Peaks, Big

road visiting ski resorts each season?

State (USA) before driving up to

Yes, my goal is to ski as many new

White and Whistler in Canada (OK, in

I try to go skiing from Monday to

Grouse Mountain above Vancouver in

ski areas as I can. I hope to reach

the valley it is a little bit Disneyland,

Friday. On the weekends I aim to be

Canada on 6 February 2008.

054 // NOV18

SKIRESORT.INFO

@INTHESNOWMAG

WORLD’S LARGEST “OPEN-TOP” CABLE CAR

ALTA BADIA OFFERS LIVE SNOWMAKING REPORT

HALF-TERM PRICES TRIPLE COST OF OTHER WEEKS

Tignes has unveiled its upgraded Grande Motte glacier

Italy’s Alta Badia region has launched a snow-

Prices for skiing families heading to the Alps over

cable car, and the big news is that now you can ride up

production report, allowing skiers and boarders

the main English February school holiday week

on top of the cabins.

to monitor, in real time, the progress of work on

commencing 16 February 2019 are up to three times that

Climbing from 3,034m to 3,456m in five minutes, the

Alta Badia’s slopes. The ski area is equipped with

of low-season weeks for some holidays.

cable car originally opened in 1975, and the new cabins

the latest high-performance artificial snowmaking

February half-term prices are also higher than any other

are part of a full overhaul of the area which includes the

equipment, and a data aggregator, developed by

week of the season, including New Year’s week, in most

creation of “Altitude Experiences”, which will feature a

the region’s lift company Skicarosello – Corvara in

cases. Those lucky enough to find their half-term holidays

viewing platform and indoor exhibition accessible to all

collaboration with Business Process Engineering

begin the week before (9 February) or after (23rd) should

and due to open in May next year as part of the full €17

Srl, collects information on the production of snow

be able to secure significantly lower prices.

million (around £15 million) upgrade project.

from the snow groomers, allowing for real-time

“The UK half-term will be concentrated on just one week

The two new “open-top” cabins will offer passengers

monitoring of snow production.

again and it will fall in the middle of the French and other

a unique 360° view of one of the most beautiful

“The original idea was for this programme to help

European holidays so it will be very busy yet again.

panoramas of the French Alps. Each cabin can hold 100

optimise use of our most precious natural resource,

Some of our most popular accommodation is booked

people indoors and 20 on the roof. However, the rooftop

water, as well as to minimise electricity consumption.

up already – by clients who went this year and booked

open-air sections will not operate in winter due to likely

Only afterwards did it become clear that some of

immediately upon their return,” confirmed Francesca

weather conditions at altitude, opening to the public

the information collected could also be of interest to

Williams of Ski Collection.

next May.

guests,” said an Alta Badia spokesperson.

Many other countries share the same week for their

Tignes has also announced a three-year clean-up

Thanks to the snowfall report, skiers can find out

school holidays including much of southern France,

programme of its glacier and announced it had already

about the situation on some of Alta Badia’s most

parts of Denmark and the Netherlands, much of western

removed five tonnes of rubbish.

important slopes.

Switzerland and many schools in Poland and Sweden.

Ski lift connections open on December 8th, 2018

les3vallees.com

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

WATCH HUNDREDS OF VIDEO REVIEWS YOUTUBE.COM/INTHESNOWMAG

 Sweet Protection Volata MIPS TE Race Helmet

 Ortovox Avalanche Transceiver

One of the safest race helmets on the market, now with a very clever “Quick-fit” chin-guard system. Combining Sweet’s own MIPS protection system with critically placed reinforced inlays means your brain will be protected to the max.

The revolutionary new clip-in chin guard means this can be a one-stop helmet for slalom, GS or Super-G. Worn by the best in the world for a reason! £239.99 | skibartlett.com

Set Zoom+

If you want to stay safe off-piste and make sure others around you are too, you must have a transceiver, shovel and probe. Search for someone with your transceiver, pinpoint their exact location with your probe and dig to save someone with your shovel. One of the most economical ways to buy all three, whether it’s for yourself or a gift for someone you care about! £230 | skibartlett.com

 Atomic Bent Chetler 100 Ski Patagonia

The new versatile little brother of the award-winning Bent Chetler – narrower underfoot and a softer flex giving you an agile manoeuvrable ski. Over bumps, through the trees and turning down the pistes, these skis will follow every contour and give you an undemanding feel-good factor all day long.

The kind of ski any skier can jump on and have fun with. £430 | skibartlett.com

Micro Puff Jacket

The mid-layer jacket that answers the question: “Which jacket should I pack?” Very warm, utilising a clever synthetic down-like material, and SO light you’ll barely feel you’re wearing it, all in a pack size that can fit in the palm of your hand. And yes, it still has the usual Patagonia eco credentials. £249.99 | skibartlett.com

 Blizzard Black Pearl 88 Skis

IN ASSOCIATION WITH  Head Kore 99 Skis

The Kore series came out with a bang last year and sold out before Christmas – this year we think this new, mid-width model is going to be the one to have. Versatility, cruise-ability, ramp it up and let it rip(ability) – honestly, these are amazing – from first run to last run you will not be disappointed. £660 inc. binding | skibartlett.com

 DaKine R.A.S. Poacher Backpack

An avalanche airbag-compatible backpack that doesn’t look like the safety patrol would be wearing it! Classic urban-inspired looks from Chris Benchetler means you can stay safe and still keep your freeride-inspired appearance. £169.99 | skibartlett.com

You are going to love this ski: smooth from edge to edge, grippy on hard snow and ice and confidence-building in any terrain. Ultimate flattery in an all-mountain ski for everyone from a good intermediate to advanced-level skier.

It’s not surprising it was one of our women’s ski test winners. £490 | skibartlett.com

 Falke SK6 Technical Ski Sock

More at skibartlett.com With their renowned reputation for specialist expert advice, combined with their carefully selected and tested range of products, it’s no surprise that Ski Bartlett’s word-of-mouth reputation over the last 50 years has made them the UK’s most popular independent ski shop!

 Sweet Protection Switcher MIPS Helmet

The Switcher helmet has won more awards than you could imagine.

Incorporating 22 instantly adjustable vents, for maximum body heat regulation, its hybrid construction combines in-mould and hard-shell technology to give you a lighter helmet with extra reinforcements where your brain needs it. Quick-release magnetic chin-strap closure and a washable liner just add to the Switcher’s great credentials. £219.99 | skibartlett.com

YOUTUBE.COM/INTHESNOWMAG

If you struggle with your boots feeling too tight, or you just prefer to have more sensitivity and feeling and less sock, these thinner merino wool SK6 socks are your answer. Worn by racers, instructors and anyone who wants an impeccable fit in their ski boots. £36 | skibartlett.com

@INTHESNOWMAG

 Volkl Deacon 74 Skis

 Patagonia Black

Not only does the colour of these shout out that they are very distinctive, but wait till you get them on your feet – wow, these have something special! Roll them on an edge at the start of the turn and the grip will put a smile on your face both in short turns and long. A superbly smooth feeling ski that you can really open up at speed and still feel in control. £799 | skibartlett.com

Hole 30L Backpack

If you’re a lover of the infamous black hole duffel, then you need to add this durable number to your kit.

All the features you would expect from a technical backpack with the distinctive bomber-proof fabric that is synonymous with Patagonia. This is a backpack for life, not just for one ski trip! £109.99 | skibartlett.com

 Volkl Mantra Ski

The ever-popular Mantra ski has just been remodelled and is the talk of the ski tests. More manageable than its predecessor but lacking none of the legendary punch, power and edge grip you loved in the original Mantra. A great ski for those of you who ski hard and fast all over the mountain! £624 | skibartlett.com

A GAME CHANGER IN SKI TOURING BINDINGS!

 Head Nexo Lyt 130 Ski Boot

A featherlight and strong graphene-infused shell makes these alpine boots feel agile and responsive under your feet. Not only do they use the utmost in high-tech materials, they also use “liquid fit”, a gel that gives you customised injection moulding for an impeccable fit. £449 | skibartlett.com

 Full Tilt Ascendant Ski Boot

 Lange RX SUPERLEGGERA

A limited-edition lighterweight version of the award-winning RX series ski boot, almost 25% lighter with no compromise on precise performance.

Simply beautiful Italiandesigned liners and classic understated clean graphics; think Aston Martin Superleggera design meets technical Lange features. £500 | skibartlett.com

If you’re an avid Full Tilt fan and want to take your freeride tendencies off the beaten track then the Ascendant’s touring ability is the answer. Still utilising the same winning Full Tilt fit, but with all the touring features you need, pin tech inserts, a removable tongue and a gaitered shell combine to give you free-flowing movement uphill, coupled with lightweight and strong Grilamid® to give you great all-round ski performance. £445 | skibartlett.com

 Scott Slight 83 Ski

The award-winning range of Slight skis has now opened up its doors to those of you who want a narrower, more all-mountain offering. Their lightweight construction means less tiring skiing, but with no reduction in edge grip, smooth turn initiation and stability at speed – a superbly versatile ski. £525 | skibartlett.com

 Scott Alpride Patrol E1 Electric Avalanche Airbag Backpack

A lightweight electric avalanche airbag backpack that’s setting the ski world alight!

High-speed three-second inflation is activated from a “Back to the Future” style rechargeable super capacitor battery. Cannister free, so no more airport check-in hassles and up to 45kg lighter than other bags on the market, making airline baggage allowances somewhat easier too! Easy to use, easy to fly with – no excuses not to buy one! £799 | skibartlett.com FB.COM/INTHESNOW

How much easier would it be if you could have one binding for both ski touring and downhill skiing that really performed the way you wanted it to?

Until now, you would have had to make some kind of compromise, whether it was weight, touring ability or downhill safety, but after years of research and development and athletes putting them to the test, Atomic and Salomon have collaborated to bring you the multi-award-winning “Shift” – a combination of a true no-compromise downhill ski binding and uphill touring tech-style pin binding in one – it’s what every avid skier has been looking for!

On first appearance it looks like a downhill alpine binding with standard-looking heel and toe …

But lift the lever in front of the toe piece and in true transformer style, tech pins fold out ready to take your pin touring boot …

Their solid downhill performance feels just the same as a standard alpine binding, giving you the confidence to ski whatever lies ahead of you. Its safety release is comparable with any other alpine binding, and they’re even futureproofed to take any of your quiver of ski boots – WTR (Walk To Ride), rubber-soled ski touring and standard alpine.

The tech pin toe gives you uncompromised free-flowing movement for your uphill adventures. Once you reach your destination just remove your skins, push the toe lever back down and step in …

One binding for solid responsive downhill performance and one for effortless fluid uphill ski touring – holy “Shift”, these truly are impressive!

Atomic & Salomon Shift Bindings | £399 NOV18 // 059

 Picture Object Men’s Snowboard Jacket – Indigo

Freeride versatility, and warm as well.

The Picture Object jacket features a recyclable DRYPLAY 20J/15K PFC-free membrane for maximum waterproof breathability, and 80g insulation.

The body mapping construction incorporates a Thermal Dry System that wicks away sweat where you need it most, while a Coremax lining eliminates cold spots.

The fully taped seams and waterproof zippers keep moisture out. £239.95

 Burton Gringo Men’s Beanie – Sparrow

Stay warm and look the part with the Burton Gringo beanie. Slim enough to fit under a helmet, the Gringo beanie also looks great walking around the town or at après. £24.95 Burton Grateful Dead Men’s Roadie Tech Tee – Skull and Roses

The Burton Roadie Tech tee offers premium DRYRIDE performance with iconic graphics. The Ultrawick Midweight fabric pulls sweat away from the body and also provides UPF 50+ sun protection. Featuring four-way Stretch 360° material that moves with your body for superior comfort. An Aigon Stink-Proof finish ensures that you’ll always be smelling fresh. £59.95

 Union Force Snowboard Binding

The Union Force offers indestructible performance that can handle any conditions or terrain while providing all the features that you need. The renowned Force Highback offers a classic design with a stiffer base to allow for precise turns, while the softer tips allow you to style it up with presses and tweaks. EVA bushings provide the strength and cushioning required to go bigger and faster than ever before. £209.95

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

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

 Burton Crown Bonded Men’s Crew  Burton Gore Warmest Women’s

Sweatshirt – Seersucker Camo

Snowboard Mittens – True Black

Banish wet sweatshirts for good with the Burton Crown Bonded men’s crew. The DRYRIDE MistDefy bonded fleece is breathable and quickdrying, making this the last riding sweatshirt you’ll ever need. Ideal for wearing in the spring as an outer layer or as a mid-layer in colder conditions. £69.95

With 550 fill power down, the Burton Gore Warmest women’s mittens really live up to their name.

Thermacore™ insulation wrapped in DRYRIDE two-layer fabric wards off the wetness that can come with time in the snow. A Living Lining helps to regulate your hand temperature just in case you get a little toasty. £109.95

customers. Whether you are beginner or expert, we can kit you out to ensure you have a great day on the mountains.

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@INTHESNOWMAG

 Capita Jess Kimura Pro Snowboard

The Capita Jess Kimura Pro women’s snowboard is the board of choice for one of the most decorated snowboarders of the decade. Jess is respected for her dedication and hell-bent approach, reflected in board form with this everything-is-possible snowboard. As Jess spends more time in the mountains, Capita have updated the board to reflect this evolution in her style – the newly rockered nose offers float for days in powder, ridiculously agile turning and pre-pressed jibbing. A great board for all-mountain versatility. £419.95

 Capita Mercury Snowboard

Renowned for its all-terrain versatility, the Capita Mercury men’s snowboard has been designed for power when you need it and float when you want it. The newly developed Panda Core™ features Bamboo Power Rods™, a high-speed Ultradrive™ base and Amplitex™ Amplifiers to allow the board’s durability and performance to reign supreme. From pow to kickers to chutes, this all-terrain monster will get you in and out of any situation. £499.95

 Picture Takashima Men’s Jacket – Black

Thanks to the hybrid construction of the Picture Takashima jacket, you have the best of both worlds: on the one hand, this jacket is water-repellent, and at the same time breathable, thanks to its PrimaLoft® insulation, making it ideal as both a mid and outer layer. The Polartec® Powerstretch ensures freedom of movement and is extremely lightweight and packable. £164.95

 Burton Lynx Women’s Pullover Fleece – Bone White

Cosier than a hot chocolate by the fire, the Burton Lynx pullover fleece offers luxurious warmth wherever you are. The oversized hood and DRYRIDE Thermex™ Sherpa fleece provides quick-drying, breathable comfort and a sleek silhouette. Great as a mid-layer for adding warmth or for keeping you cosy by the fire. £114.95

 Burton Performance Plus Merino Wool Snowboard Sock – Grey Heather Block

 Volcom Swift Bib Overall Women’s Snowboard Pants – Black

Thanks to Volcom’s breathable layer system and 15,000mm waterproofing, the Swift Bib Overalls will get you home warm and dry in all but the worst of conditions. Their stretch, slim fit, which is cut extra-slim on the thighs, makes them as comfortable and stylish as your favourite jeans and offers unrestricted freedom of movement. Fully taped seams keep snow and cold safely on the outside, while the breathable lining helps to regulate your body temperature perfectly. £179.95

The Burton Performance Plus men’s snowboard sock offers midweight versatility with some serious tech function. The sock is constructed from a high-performance blend of stretchable, breathable fabrics that wick away heat-robbing sweat. Strategic padding, compression and venting zones work together to optimise comfort and performance for a day on the mountain. £29.95 Burton Prospect Women’s Snowboard Mittens – Port Royal Freya Weave

The Burton Prospect snowboarding mittens offer waterproof and breathable performance that’s easy on your bank account. The midweight Thermacore™ insulation with DRYRIDE two-layer fabric and waterproof membrane ensures dry and comfortable warmth all winter long. As an added bonus, the touchscreen-compatible Screen Grab provides device control on the go. £54.95

 Union Milan Women’s Snowboard Bindings – Acid Wash

 Picture Naikoon

The Union Milan women’s bindings are an excellent choice for park and all-mountain snowboard terrain.

They feature a more playful and softer flex minidisk base alongside the lightweight CP3 Lady highback which has been based on the renowned Contact Pro highback. The Classic Lite ankle straps and Ultragrip capstraps offer outstanding hold and response on even the toughest terrains. £184.95

Men’s Snowboard Pant – Dark Blue

As Picture’s best-selling snowboard pant, you can be sure that the Naikoon pant will see you riding through any conditions. Designed with stretch fabric and a slim straight cut, it follows your every move, and its DRYPLAY waterproofbreathable 20K/20K PFC-free membrane provides excellent temperature regulation, while the Coremax lining eliminates cold spots. With three attachment points, the jacket–pant interface adds to the adjustable powder skirt to provide complete protection from the elements all day long. £199.95

 Picture Crispin & Ridingo Snowboard Jacket – Black

 Volcom Shadow Women’s Insulated Snowboard Jacket – Black Floral Print

15,000mm waterproof, fully taped seams and sophisticated insulation keep snow and cold reliably on the outside, while the breathable inside lining and zipped vents help to regulate your body temperature perfectly. The slim, long-line shape looks just stunning; you’ll never want to be without it when you’re sitting down for a breather or cycling to work in the morning. £209.95

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

This 3-in-1 jacket performs just as well around town as in the mountains. A jacket with a dress-shirt look and embroidered back, combined with a vest that you can wear separately, the jacket is first and foremost a technical jacket for riding park, piste and the pow-pow all day long. The two pieces include our DRYPLAY 10K/10K membrane for functional waterproofbreathability, 80g insulation to keep warm and critically taped seams. £209.95

More at sputniksnow boardshop.com

 Capita Indoor Survival Snowboard

Burton

The Capita Indoor Survival men’s snowboard has become known for being one of the most versatile and beloved boards in the Capita arsenal. For 2019 the Indoor Survival snowboard has kept the classic shape but has been given a resort camber to allow the board to perform at a higher level inside the resort boundaries. This means more pop and more fun in the park and a great ride on the piste, while being versatile enough to handle tricky terrain or variable snow. £369.95

Performance Merino Wool Women’s Snowboard Sock – Blue Heaven

The Burton Performance women’s sock boasts mid-weight warmth that works all season. Elasticity and padding underneath the arch and around the heel add rider-specific comfort, cushioning and support. The merino wool blend provides itch-free warmth, allowing these socks to insulate efficiently and stay smelling fresh for longer. £22.95

 Burton Profile Men’s Snowboard Mittens – Monument Heather

The incredibly tough DRYRIDE two-layer fabric and Thermacore™ insulation mean you’ve got warm, waterproof mittens suitable for any conditions.

Further sweetening the deal is Screen Grab, letting you use any touchscreen device without having to remove your mittens. £44.95

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@INTHESNOWMAG

 Arc’teryx Alpha SK Pack

The Alpha SK Pack is a minimalist ski and snowboard pack for touring days in the backcountry. It’s the first ever proper touring pack from Arc’teryx. Extremely lightweight, durable and fully weather resistant 30L version and specifically designed to carry tools necessary for safe, comfortable backcountry travel. £240 | arcteryx.com

 Ride MTNpig

The MTNPig, with its blunt shape and halfmoon tail, is an all-mountain shredder ready for anything. Designed for a stiffer, faster ride, the MTNPig floats in the deepest powder and holds an edge when things get sketchy. £490  K2 True Luv

The K2 True Luv is the confidenceinspiring, predictable all-mountain ski for the improving intermediate to advanced female.

Exceptional precision and stability through all snow conditions will make the True Luv your BFF for winter. £445 inc. bind

 Arc’teryx Shashka Jacket (women’s)

The Shashka Jacket is the lightest women’s GORE-TEX Pro Jacket. The shashka is the ideal 3L jacket and designed for freeride touring and big mountain objectives. £500 | arcteryx.com

K2 Recon 120

At 1600g the K2 Recon is one of the lightest boots on the market. Changing the thickness in sections of the fully heat-mouldable plastic shell in four key zones provides an unmatched ratio of fit, comfort and performance. £400

 Line Sakana

The brainchild of Eric Pollard, the Sakana enables you to make turning fun, no matter where you are on the mountain. A 105mm platform for float, a soft flex and fishtail for a surfy fluid feel across all terrains! £670

 Arc’teryx Rush LT Jacket (men’s)

The Rush LT Jacket is designed for deep powder days on the backcountryand hardcore descents and long days on the mountain.

Light, durable, breathable protection from the elements on the mountain and with a minimalist design not to slow you down. £550 | arcteryx.com

 K2 Broadcast

 Arc’teryx Shashka Pant (women’s)

A dream pant for committed female tourers. Last year’s success and new launch, the first ever women’s specific freeride touring pant. Lightweight GORE-TEX C-KNIT ski touring pant with a low rise soft shell upper. Super breathable, and durable with full weather protection, this pant makes the perfect freeride touring pant. £410 | arcteryx.com

Go anywhere, do anything. The ultraversatile Broadcast is as at home shredding groomers as it is ripping powder. Stable, energetic and playful, the Broadcast is the all-mountain do-anything snowboard. £410

 Bollé Nevada with PHANTOM+ lens

Bollé’s revolutionary lens, the PHANTOM+, which combines four advanced lens technologies to redefine vision on snow, is made of NXT® and adapts to light thanks to a powerful molecular photochromic filter, allowing the wearer to see clearly in any light condition. Low Temperature Sensitive (LTS) technology ensures optimum photochromic performance even in low temperatures, a key aspect when dealing with high-elevation mountain environments. The PHANTOM+ lens has a semi-polarised film to reduce distracting glare, while still allowing the wearer to easily identify ice, and provides enhanced vision for increased confidence and reaction speed while reducing eye fatigue. £149 | bolle.com FB.COM/INTHESNOW

NOV18 // 063

H s a t s a r d Hy hich stores INTRODUCES

w t e k c a t s i a The j w s t i n I r e wat

We all know how important it is to

which is where the feeder tube sits. The new

source without a bottle or backpack that

work on the slopes. We took a very crude

stay hydrated on the slopes. Cold

hydration system is integrated in such a way

doesn’t disturb your skiing/snowboarding

prototype on its maiden voyage in January

temperatures and altitude inhibit

in the jacket design that you can’t notice it.

experience. After many iterations, we were

2016. The day went well, the concept worked

the desire to drink, and some of

The system is also easily removable.

able to make it happen via a jacket with an

but we found a lot of changes that we wanted

us abstain from drinking to avoid

Brent Sandor, VP Marketing USA, and

innovative hydration system.

to make. Some of the changes seemed very

losing precious minutes queuing

Pacôme Allouis, European Marketing

at the loo. Or you just can’t be

Manager, tell us about the jacket:

bothered to carry a backpack …

minute – literally less than 1cm change, but How did you develop this system?

they became a very big deal to the final result

It took four years from the first concept until

and experience and were often a real thorn in

too bulky. But dehydration can

How did you come up with the idea of

the final production. There were a lot of

our side to develop. We finished the concept

diminish performance including

integrating a hydration pack into a jacket?

considerations that needed to be worked

as you see it now just a few years ago. We

the number of runs you can ski.

Staying hydrated is one of the most important

through. We had so many questions: How

were able to do extensive testing on the

This is exactly where the new 686

things while skiing or snowboarding, but

much water was enough? How much water

system and then move forward to production.

Hydrastash Jacket would come

most people don’t pay enough attention to

was too much? How can you add water

It’s one thing to make a few samples, but

in handy.

it when they are on the resort. If you don’t

without making the jacket move around while

to teach a factory to produce a brand-new

have a pack, you don’t carry a water bottle

riding? How do we keep it from freezing? How

concept at a large scale perfectly every time

How? By featuring a built-in hydration pack

because you have no place to put it. The

can we ensure it won’t leak? And many more.

is a task as well. Luckily for us, Mike and his

in the powderskirt of the jacket. A pack that

Hydrastash story began like most of 686’s

We ran through about a year of prototypes

product team spent a good portion of their

allows you to ski completely backpack-free.

innovations with the brand’s founder Mike

in-house, built from our 3D printer and

spring and summer in our factories guiding

It features a hose running parallel to the

West looking way far outside of the box. The

materials we had around, and finally landed

the skilled teams there in production. We can

front zipper up to the collar of the jacket,

challenge was to create a water/hydration

on a concept that we thought would actually

confidently say that we are very excited for the

064 // NOV18  PROMO

Wherever You Prefer To Ski...

Wherever You Prefer To Ski...

Wherever You Prefer To Ski...

...We’ve Got The Equipment and Expertise To Get You There!

world to experience Hydrastash this winter.

What feedback have you received so far?

So far we have received a great response from our ski and snowboard team, retailers and consumers. Over in the USA, the Hydrastash system received six “Gear of The Show” awards at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in January, and all the reviews have been very positive. It’s a new system and innovation, so now we need to do lots of education around the product to make sure people feel comfortable with it. We will be at most of the demos and glacier openings inviting people to try it out this fall. We know it may take a moment to catch on, like most new things do, but we feel very confident that everyone who tries it will have a positive experience. It’s funny because in my experience you don’t really notice when it’s on you, but you really miss it once you have a jacket without it.

...We’ve Got The Equipment and Expertise To Get You There! ...We’ve Got The Equipment and Expertise To Get You There!

Bringing you the UK’s largest range of specialist skis and boots and advice and expertise since 1965 We’ll always be here to help and advise you on the correct equipment Bringing you the UK’s largest range ofyour specialist skis and and advice and expertise since 1965 for wherever passions andboots dreams take you We’ll always be here to help and advise you on the correct equipment for wherever passions and dreams take you Customyour Ski Boot Fitting Specialists

Ski largest Industries ofspecialist Great Britain Official Testers Bringing you the UK’s range of skis and boots and Ski advice and expertise since 1965 Custom Ski Boot Fitting Specialists We’ll always be here to help and advise you on the correct equipment Winner of the World Snow Awards - Best Specialist Retailer Ski Industries Great Britain for whereverof your passions andOfficial dreams Ski takeTesters you Winner of the World Snow Awards - Best Specialist Retailer

Custom Ski Boot Fitting Specialists FREERIDE | FREESTYLE | TOURING | TELEMARK | RACE | RECREATI LANO Ski Industries of Great Britain Official Ski Testers

FREERIDE | FREESTYLEWinner | TOURING TELEMARK | RACE | RECREATIONA of the World Snow |Awards - Best Specialist Retailer Ski Bartlett, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP Bartlett, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West| London, UB10 0NP | FREESTYLE | TOURING | TELEMARK RACE | RECREATIONAL T:FREERIDE 020Ski 8848 0040 | E: info@skibartlett.com | www.SkiBartlett.com T: 020 8848 0040 | E: info@skibartlett.com | www.SkiBartlett.com Ski Bartlett, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP T: 020 8848 0040 | E: info@skibartlett.com | www.SkiBartlett.com

686.COM

BY HENRY SCHNIEWIND

NOTHING HAPPENS ... MOST OF THE TIME Off-piste skiing can be surprisingly safe (about the same risk as driving a car for one hour) if we regularly apply the risk reduction measures we

FULLY SUPERVISED ALL-INCLUSIVE TEENAGE SKI HOLIDAYS FROM £500 Action Outdoors has launched a

There’s a dedicated member of staff on-site

snowboard instruction.

new youth programme designed for

at all times to manage the group, plan their

“We’re helping to fill the gap between

learning and knowing is only half

16- and 17-year-olds, to help

activities and ensure they sign in and out

school and university trips, helping to get

the battle. The application of our

teenagers develop autonomy and

when leaving the centre.

young people out on the slopes. This will

knowledge and experience is what

make their first trip from home

Two centres have been made available

help to build up the skiing generation

safe and enjoyable.

for these holidays, Argentière and Val

of the future, and when millennials are

simple risk reduction measures in high-

The holidays are based in the UCPA

d’Isère, with several dates through

being locked out of society because of

consequence risk contexts like that

centres, a non-profit organisation that

February, March and April 2019. Prices start

the economic barriers they face, they

of off-piste skiing? ​Because nothing

promotes “sport for all” and provides

at £500pp, including 7 nights full-board

need all the help they can get,” said David

happens most of the time when we

instruction, equipment hire, lift passes and

accommodation, 6.5 days lift passes,

Robertson, Managing Director of Action

don’t apply them.

full-board accommodation in its packages.

equipment hire and 23 hours of ski or

Outdoors. action-outdoors.co.uk

learn in avalanche training. At Henry’s Avalanche Talk, we emphasise that

really counts. Why wouldn’t we apply

When nothing happens over and over again and the probability of something happening seems remote, we tend to treat the outcome as impossible. Our impulses take over even when signs of potential danger are obvious.

We’ve devised a simple framework solution that creates a foundation in line with experts’ advice for people engaging in high-consequence, low-feedback environments, such as avalanche terrain. Simple, easily applied decision tools such as this framework can compete with distractions from those “human factor traps” that often lure even experienced people into accidents where there was “ample evidence of danger”.

To take an illustration from everyday

BIG ZELL AM SEE EXPANSION GETS GREEN LIGHT

life, if we were to drive on the wrong side of a motorway, we’d receive

A major expansion of Zell am See ski area

in the resort’s Schmittenhöhe area will see

for about 700 cars and around 20 buses.

instant feedback: “WRONG PLACE

in Salzburgerland appears to have finally

four lifts built and around 23 hectares of

The project is even more expensive than a

TO BE!” However, for a similarly high-

got the green light a decade after it was

new slopes opened – one of the biggest

current project at Zell am See’s neighbour,

consequence scenario in avalanche

first announced and some eight years after

expansions of an Austrian ski area for

Kaprun, to connect the village’s local ski

terrain, we don’t get that feedback.

the plans entered the permissions process

some years.

slopes direct by lift to the Kitzsteinhorn

in the Austrian legal system.

The new area will feature a valley station

Glacier, work on which is already underway

The €90 million (around £79 million)

in Piesendorf with restaurant, sports shop

with the connection due to be opened in

Hochsonnberg ski area being developed

and ski school, as well as parking spaces

stages over the next two winters.

That’s when “risky behaviour” becomes a habit, without us even knowing it. henrysavalanchetalk.com

066 // NOV18

@INTHESNOWMAG

IRAN: A TRULY EPIC SKI DESTINATION It’s that time of the year when

for the taking. Each year, over 275

skiing terrain will definitely be popular

we all start thinking about

inches of snow falls in Dizin, giving

with more advanced skiers, while off

our next ski holiday. For most

you a whole mountain to explore

the slopes you will experience an

people, the key players will be

off-piste, with fresh, untouched snow

amazing one-of-a-kind culture.

considered: France, Austria,

from the first lift to the last.

Italy. However, this year, why

Iranian Hospitality

not experience a completely

Value for Money

A trip to Iran allows you the

new and relatively untapped

Skiing in Iran can provide fantastic

opportunity to combine brilliant skiing

ski destination? Here’s why

value for money, with your holiday

with the exceptional hospitality that

Iran should definitely be in

often coming in cheaper than at many

the Persian people are renowned

consideration for your next

closer European resorts. In the Dizin

for. You will have the opportunity to

mountain adventure.

ski resort, for example, lift tickets are

sample the local cuisine, learn about

often just $20 (around £15)! Equipment

Iran’s rich history and experience the

Varied Resorts

and clothing hire is also very cheap,

unique culture of this beautiful country,

Iran has three main resorts: Dizin,

meaning no need to pay hefty costs to

all while also enjoying the thrill of the

Darbandsar and Shemshak, all of which

bring your own equipment.

slopes each day. The people here are

are within easy driving distance of each

extremely welcoming and will always

other. There’s huge variety among

A Truly Unique Experience

go the extra mile to ensure you are

the resorts, from gentle beginners’

How many people can say they

happy and comfortable.

areas to very steep and technical

have skied in Iran? If you are feeling

slopes, alongside fantastic powder

bored or disenfranchised by the

Mountain Heaven are the first British

opportunities. Dizin is the highest,

traditional Alpine resorts, this is

ski tour company to offer guided trips

with its top lift reaching an incredible

the ultimate destination for a more

for skiing in Iran. To find out more,

3,600m, guaranteeing great snow. For

exotic adventure on the slopes. The

head to mountainheaven.co.uk/

extreme and advanced skiers, Iran is

interesting, unique landscapes and

resorts/Iran/skiing-in-iran-experience

truly a thrill-filled paradise.

Perfect Powder Iran offers something that many skiers can only dream of: epic untouched deep powder. While many European resorts do have their fair share of fresh snow and powder runs, this usually gets tracked out and crowded within a few hours. In Iran, the mountains are nowhere near as busy, and as locals tend to stick to the groomed pistes, this powder is yours

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

NOV18 // 067

increase at altitude.

to me, the most important of these is to

Communicate fully with your instructor,

know why you are taking the lesson. This

including aches, tiredness or an

is highlighted in the anecdote below, and

inclination to extend the lesson. Let

is the epitome of why I love to teach.

them know where you wish to finish as

I taught a lady once who admitted

this could offer an alternative option of

that she “hated skiing” and was only

where to ski. If you are good at other

having a lesson because her husband

sports – tell them! Analogies can be

had insisted on it. Finding out I was

drawn from a variety of activities to

an ex-GB racer terrified her almost to

emulate the movements in skiing.

the point of kicking off her ski boots,

Improving ski techniques isn’t always

but I spent time talking to her and

the goal, so let your instructor know

listening. Despite hating skiing, she

what your aspirations are. Be honest

loved being in the mountains and

with your fears and goals because the

enjoying the phenomenal scenery, so

attractive to a beginner.

instructor will want you to enjoy your

I decided to take her down a flat path

Have your equipment organised the

lesson, and all decisions are based on

(only accessible on skis) that wended

night before. If something doesn’t feel

these factors.

its way down through forest and open

comfortable, there is enough time to

Being prepared physically and

expanses, always offering a new

find a replacement. Ski shops tend to

psychologically and having the correct

perspective of the resort. She finished

be busier in the mornings too, so your

equipment all combine to ensure you

the lesson claiming it was the most

valuable lesson time could be wasted

maximise your lesson time. However,

fun she’d ever had on skis.

WORDS: SEGA FAIRWEATHER

Prior Proper Planning ... We know how the phrase goes, so now that you’ve paid for lessons here is how to get your money’s worth:

through waiting.

Skiing is very physically demanding.

Make sure you know where the

You’ll improve quicker and ski more

meeting point is the day before your

vertical metres if you’re fitter and

lesson, and how long it will take you

hydrated. If you’ve had a heavy night

to get there. If you are taking a private

(it is a holiday after all!) then

lesson, you may request to meet

bring water with you,

somewhere more convenient.

as the effects of

Ensure you already have an

dehydration

appropriate lift pass. Options such

SHUTTERSTOCK

as “before 12:30pm” may be more

068 // NOV18

ALPINEMOJOSKISCHOOL.COM

M

I

N

U

T

E

S

MARK LIGHTFOOT OF SNOWONLY.COM After 10 years running his own real estate agency in Asia, Mark Lightfoot decided to combine his expertise in the property market with his passion for winter sports and set up SnowOnly, a worldwide property platform empowering buyers and sellers of ski properties, simplifying the way those properties are bought and sold.

While we have a voice, it is important to understand that we are a property platform and not a brokerage, and we do not take commission. We introduce buyers to sellers and vice versa, in the best way we can.

SnowOnly is efficient for everyone – why search for your ski property on multiple sites when it is all on one impartial site?

We simplify the way people search for ski properties online. Sellers will benefit from very affordable monthly subscription prices, and buyers will save huge

When did you first go skiing?

amounts of time finding everything in one

I started reasonably late in life at 17 with an

convenient location.

unforgettable trip to Verbier. More recently I have been spending time in Niseko, Japan.

Which are the growth areas at present?

Niseko has experienced exceptional growth

When did the idea for SnowOnly come to you?

in the last few years and with average

The idea was festering for a while. Essentially,

snowfall of 14m each season it is no wonder

while speaking to many ski properties owners

people are flocking there. Crested Butte in

in Asia, through my brokerage, there was

the USA has seen massive appreciation in

clearly a need for an efficient platform to

land sales, and Villars in Switzerland has had

aid struggling sellers of ski real estate to

solid growth in 2018. All depends what you

attract buyers from further afield. This was

are looking for and why you are buying; we

enhanced by my trips to Europe, speaking

have it all on SnowOnly.com.

to many sellers, which reaffirmed my views.

I think my 10 years of being a broker gives

Why should people use SnowOnly to sell

me invaluable insight into what is needed for

their ski property?

SnowOnly moving forward.

Our marketing reach is vast, giving you a huge audience for your properties.

How does SnowOnly differ from other ski

070 // NOV18

property companies?

What is your long-term vision for SnowOnly?

SnowOnly is a unique platform dedicated

We are extremely ambitious. I would like

solely to ski properties, thus attracting the

us in the number one spot for buying or

right type of buyers. We have an abundance

selling ski property. However, the main

of resort information to complement each

purpose of SnowOnly is to increase turnover

listing, such as lift prices, amount of runs and

of properties everywhere, aid sellers and

lifts; it is all there. We have properties in a

introduce buyers by giving them the best

vast amount of ski resorts in Europe, Japan,

options. It gives me great satisfaction already

Australia, US and Canada and more each day.

to know that we are on that path.

SNOWONLY.COM