InTheSnow Ski Show 2017 Supplement

INTHE SNOW ISSUE 55B | OCT 2017

p a t r i c k @ i n t h e s n o w. c o m

I’m trying to not get too excited about the

pressure on things like lift pass prices,

coming winter 2017/18, but it’s difficult not to.

rentals and ski schools because of online

There’s still nearly two months to go until

discounting meaning, overall, costs can be

the season really kicks off, but if you follow

lower this winter than last. That might explain

the ski business day-in, day-out, year-round

why at least one tour operator is reporting

as we do at InTheSnow, there’s a lot to get

sales up more than 30%.

excited about already, so it’s just a case of not

Then of course this coming ski season

tempting fate by shouting too much about all

has some very exciting aspects to it too,

the good news too soon. It’s hard not to.

compared to any old ski season. Of course

But still, Kitzbühel managing its earliest-ever

there are the big new resort developments

opening on 14 October is hard not to get

like new terrain opening at La Rosière

excited about, even if it did cleverly recycle

and in the Grand Massif, but we also have

last winter’s snow to do it. It’ll be opening

the Winter Olympics coming up in South

a second area on the Hahnenkamm this

Korea where Team GB is aiming to build

weekend while its neighbouring Tirol resort,

significantly on Jenny Jones’ historic

Sölden, stages the first Alpine World Cup

snowboard bronze at Sochi four years ago,

races of 2017/18.

our first medal on snow since Alain Baxter’s

Across the Atlantic, Arapahoe Basin in

bronze at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.

Colorado also opening in mid-October and

With lots of British success in world class

the season starting in North America earlier

competition since, including Dave Ryding’s

this year than for the past few autumns is

silver in the Hahnenkamm last winter, hopes

also good to see.

have never been higher.

The British ski holiday industry as a whole

You’ll find more details of the snowfall,

seems quite perky. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster

resorts that have opened already, some of

with, on the one hand, Brexit depressing

the big new projects for 2017/18 and that

most tour operators and pushing prices

report showing prices have dropped in

higher for Brits in resort because of the

some ski resorts in this special Ski Show

resulting weaker pound, but against that a

supplement. Enjoy the Show and have a

study of prices in resort showing downward

great winter – it’s not long now!

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tion moda Accom als All me ss a p t Lif hire ment ing Equip or guid n io t c u r t Ins

ALL INCLUSIVE COURSES, FROM BEGINNER TO OFF PISTE GUIDING FROM

£565

UCPA is Europe’s largest provider of Ski and Snowboard instructed and guided courses Based in top resorts across the French Alps, UCPA offer an unbeatable range of opportunities for all levels – from beginner instruction up to specialist Off Piste guiding, ski touring and split boarding. We also offer specific breaks especially for families, students and long weekends.

For more information and to book:

www.action-outdoors.co.uk www.ucpa.co.uk TH E U K PA

03 // OCT17

R TN ER O F

04 // OCT17

45-year-old Furka T-bar lift in the resort’s Parsenn

new €18m 10-seater gondola to whisk skiers and

region to a high-speed six-seat chairlift. The lift will

boarders to the resort’s highest peaks this winter.

climb 380 vertical metres over its almost 1.6km

The new Piz Seteur gondola with heated seats

length, and transport up to 2,500 people per hour,

is at Selva di Gardena and replaces a 20-year-

shortening the journey time by around five minutes.

old quad chairlift to give improved access to

Summer 2017 has been no different, and in

The classic French ski resort of Megève will see

our main magazine you can read of big new

the first results of a promised €80m investment

A New Black Slope For Cortina

lift projects and terrain expansions for the

in its ski area promised by its new lift operator,

The iconic ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo will

Grand Massif, Ischgl, Val Thorens, Méribel

according to the long-time British specialist tour

have a new black run this winter. The new

and Zell am See amongst others. Here are

operator there, Stanford Skiing.

Scoiattolo slope will drop 238 vertical metres

some of the bigger projects due to open in

“The lift companies in Megève and St. Gervais

over its 905m length and have an average

the next few weeks:

have announced the long overdue revamp of the

gradient of 27%, but at its steepest section this

Chamois gondola from the centre of Megève and

will increase to 55%. The new run is part of a

La Rosière’s Ski Area Gets Bigger

the replacement of the rickety old chairlift on the

total €70m investment in the wider Dolomiti

Epaule of Mont Joly with a fast six-man chair,”

Superski region for the coming season.

La Rosière will have pistes on a whole new

said Stanford Skiing’s Elizabeth Cahir.

the popular Sellaronda ski circuit – a 42km tour

Fast New Lift for Megève

around the Sella peaks.

news as very few ski areas in the Alps open totally

Two New Quads for Niseko

Les Arcs Add €10m Heated-Seat Chairlift

new areas nowadays. The village has also built a

Niseko will see two new quad chairlifts open this

The Pré Saint-Esprit lift at Les Arcs, built 37 years

new fun track for kids that’s more than 1km long,

December, both especially benefitting beginner

ago – long before Arc 1950 was created – is

with modules, gongs and tunnels, and themed

skiers but with advantages for more advanced

being upgraded to a six-seater high-speed lift.

with the famous La Rosière Saint Bernard mascot.

skiers too. Grand Hirafu’s Ace Family Pair Lift will

Part of the price tag comes from the fact that

be replaced by a high-speed quad lift with double

the new lift will have heated seats, a pull-down

Livigno Adding Two Gondolas in Major Upgrade

the per-hour lift capacity. In addition, Niseko

bubble protection cover and will require an all-

Annupuri has announced the construction of a

new base building, partially buried in the ground

Livigno ski area in Italy is currently installing

new ski lift – the Dream Quad Lift #1 – specifically

for minimal environmental impact.

two consecutive gondola lifts, with a combined

for beginner skiers and snowboarders.

mountainside this winter, which is quite exciting

total length of 3km and a vertical rise of 900m

Switzerland’s New Super Ski Region Nears Completion

The new Doppelmayr lifts are being built during

Breckenridge Ski Resort Upgrades Falcon Chair

Livigno’s relatively short and unpredictable

Breckenridge ski area in Colorado has built a new

ski resorts of Andermatt and Sedrun are nearing

summer – the village is usually open for

Peak 10 Falcon SuperChair, upgrading the old

completion with the two ski areas connected by

snowsports from November to May.

quad lift to a six-seater and expanding Peak 10’s

lifts and runs in one direction this winter as three

uphill capacity by 25% for the 2017/18 ski season.

new lifts are completed. The full inter-connection

separated by three completely new stations.

UDO BERNHART / VAL GARDENA

Every summer the world’s ski industry collective splurges hundreds of millions of euros/ dollars/francs/yen (and various other currencies) on upgrades for the coming ski season.

Long-running plans to connect the two Swiss

Davos Changes T-Bar to Six-Seat Chairlift

New €18m Gondola For Val Gardena

winter 2018/19 with another four lifts due to be

Davos in Eastern Switzerland has upgraded the

The Dolomiti ski area of Val Gardena will unveil a

added in summer 2018.

in both directions should be finished in time for

FOR YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SKIING ACROSS THE POND InTheSnow.com

05 // OCT17

New Snow Resort Opens 3 Hours From London

Fancy a new place to go skiing from London? 365 days a year? Well the first indoor snow centre in Europe since, well, The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead eight years ago, is opening on "Ski Show Friday"October 27th 2017.

quite have the same glitz and glamour as its

big from the indoor terrain park that will be a

Coloradan namesake. More like The Snow

major attraction of the centre.

Centre in Hemel Hempstead, the Aspen

Aspen also has three bar restaurants, 120 ski

indoor snow centre has evolved from a long-

instructors, high-speed wi-fi throughout and a

established, popular dry slope, in its case close

cashless RFID booking and payment system

to the A12 motorway in Antwerp.

operating across the facility.

Aspen’s indoor slopes are bigger than any in the

The opening of the Aspen ski centre is also a

UK, however, with a 12,000m2 of indoor slopes

case of indoor-skiing-coming-home, as 30 years

including a main piste 240m long and 50m wide

ago the country was home to one of the world’s

It’s not actually in the UK, but in Belgium, 230 miles

with a gradient of 15 to 20%. Conveyor lifts with a

first three indoor snow centres, again choosing

away from Battersea Park as the crow flies, or

capacity of 4,500 people per hour mean that 350

a rather unlikely name for the first Belgian dome,

3.5 hours on the Eurostar then a couple of quick

people can be on the slope at any one time.

Casablanca. Since then more than 100 indoor

connecting trains from Brussels. Alternatively it’s

The team that has built the centre say it has

snow centres have been built in more than 30

just over an hour away taking one of the many

the latest in low-energy cooling technology

countries on six continents, of which more than

flights from London City to Brussels.

and that they’ve also created a light and airy

70 are still operating (although Casablanca and

The new indoor snow centre has a familiar

building with a 15m high roof, the latter fact

the other two from that first generation, which

name in the skiing world, Aspen, but it doesn’t

particularly good news for those wanting to go

were built in Australia and Japan, are long gone).

06 // OCT17

ASPEN.BE

CERVOS STEPHANE

IN VAL D’ ISERE

08 // OCT17  PROMO

ACTION OUTDOORS

ACTION PACKED VALUE

Rob Stewart caught up with holiday skier Sophie Morgan, aged 29, about her experience with the UCPA in the French Alps last winter.

She told him all about it.

me, to have fun and ski. You can pay a little more for a twin room, but I chose to share with three others, who ended up being Swedish and Dutch.

The atmosphere in the centre was great, with lots going on in the evenings, and although most of the people were my sort of age, there were also plenty of older groups and a few younger

“I’ve skied a few times before, but last winter

too. I almost forgot about the skiing – it was

I wanted to go twice, but it’s not cheap. I had

obviously amazing, Val d’Isère is well-known as

heard about UCPA, ‘sport for all’ and great-

one of the best ski resorts in Europe, and our

value-for-money holidays in ski resorts such

instructor Pierre showed us around through the

as Val d’Isère. That’s where I decided to go,

week, which left plenty of time to freeski with the

and Action Outdoors, the company selling

Swedes. Some of their friends were on an off-

UCPA holidays, offered both week-long and

piste course with the UCPA that week, which is

short-break holidays there. I managed to book

why I ended up going back for a second, short-

seven nights’ accommodation with three meals

break trip later in the season. For a great-value

included, ski pass, ski lessons and equipment

holiday where you can have a lot of fun and

hire all for under £600 during January. I travelled

meet new people, the UCPA is absolutely great.”

alone, but what I loved about the UCPA centre

Sophie travelled with Action Outdoors (action-

was the fact I was instantly thrown into a crowd

outdoors.co.uk) and you can find them at The

of like-minded people on the same mission as

Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show, stand no. 601.

ACTION-OUTDOORS.CO.UK

A thriving service that offers a low-cost way of travelling between Geneva Airport and various ski resorts within Les 3 Vallées is expanding this winter.

transfer will leave, and you get dropped off and

Pick-ups from Geneva are timed to coincide with

picked up at your accommodation. No dragging

most inbound flights from the UK with the first at

your bags through the snow in the dark to and

10:30am on Saturdays and Sundays, running every

from a central point.

few hours after that throughout the day. During the

So it’s very much like a private transfer service;

week, daily departures are at 11:15am and 16:15pm.

the only difference is the cost is shared between

On the return trip, collections start as early as

Le Van Rouge is a shared transfer service

more people. They even use eight-seater

06:30am on Saturdays and Sundays and 08:00am

operated by the long-standing professionals

minibuses, not coaches. The only real difference

on weekdays. Again, collections are every few

in airport transfers in the region, Three Vallee

to their private transfers is that, because the

hours from resort after that.

Transfers. It’s targeted at anyone travelling alone

service collects and drops off passengers at

The company has 6,000 seats available on the

or in a small group who is looking for the cheapest

different places, it can take a little longer.

Van Rouge service for the coming season, and

and most convenient door-to-door transfers to

Le Van Rouge will operate at least five shared

places can be reserved via the Quick Quote

either Courchevel, Méribel or La Tania.

transfers to and from Geneva each Saturday, four

Calculator on the website at 3vt.ski (remember

However, despite the low price for transfers

on a Sunday and a minimum of two guaranteed

to tick the "shared" box or you’ll be quoted for a

being a modest €65 (£58) per person each way,

every single weekday of the main winter season.

private transfer).

the Van Rouge service is a premium-quality

Check the shuttles’ departure times from Geneva

So, why call the service Le Van Rouge? Arguably,

transfer operation. You don’t need to wait around

before booking your flight so as to minimise your

it’s not a pun on the French name for red wine; it’s

for hours because you’ll know what time your

wait. Likewise on the return.

just that the minibuses used are, well, red. Simple.

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GET MORE WINTER BIGGEST &BEST WITH THE

010 // OCT17  PROMO

@INTHESNOWMAG

Crystal Ski Holidays, Britain’s largest ski holiday company with more than 30 years’ experience, is there to make sure you get the most out of your winter.

They’re all about giving you support with easy access to their expertise and knowledge before, during and after your holiday, should you need it.

travelling independently because they think they’ll pay less, but that’s rarely the case when you factor in all the little bits that make up your overall ski holiday cost.

For example, Crystal offer some great-value bundles that roll up some in-resort aspects of your holiday into one low-priced package which you can pre-book, both saving money overall and locking in the price in pounds sterling. These include great deals on your lift pass combined with standard skis or snowboard rental.

That’s because the team behind Crystal are

If you’re new to skiing, Crystal offer a ski or

just as passionate about skiing as you are, and

board package which includes everything

love the mountains just as much as you do. It’s

you need to get on the mountain. That’s six

all part of the reassurance they offer.

days of ski or board hire, and boots, your ski

Crystal is offering holidays to a remarkable 126

or snowboarding tuition and your lift pass for

resorts across 13 ski countries this winter. They

one low price. You simply add your first-time

also offer a huge range of accommodation

ski or board package on the Extras page when

styles – from half-board hotels to catered

booking your holiday.

chalets and B&Bs for you to choose from. In

There’s a similar deal with the same aspects

fact, all this choice means you can design your

included (which could otherwise cost many

holiday to suit you – with as much or as little

hundreds of pounds if you tried to book

input from Crystal as you like.

separately in some resorts) if you are an

Crystal have created a free app to help you

improver and are no longer a first-time skier or

make the most of your time on the mountain.

boarder but want to improve your skills. It also

Their free-to-download Crystal Ski Explorer

includes tuition, rentals and lift pass and is very

app is packed full of useful information written

competitively priced.

and created by their team. Features include

Finally, it’s important to know that Crystal’s

piste maps, snow conditions, a ski route

holidays are accessible to all ages and abilities,

planner on the slopes, live lift info in some top

whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro,

resorts and a six-day weather forecast so you

and with flights from 22 UK airports you don’t

can plan your week ahead. It’s like having the

need to go far to start your holiday either.

mountain in your pocket.

Equally, before you fly out or when you’re in resort, you can get in touch with Crystal staff via phone, email or Twitter at any time. If the ski season is underway, most of the resorts

NEW DESTINATIONS THIS WINTER

have reps based there, contactable 24/7, in case you need anything during your trip or just

Crystal are constantly on the search for the

a bit of advice or information before you’ve

best places to ski, and this season they have

even booked.

introduced three new resorts to discover. This

All their holidays include flights,

winter new options include family-friendly

accommodation and transfers, and they can

Vemdalen and Åre in the beautiful, unspoilt

organise all ski extras too, including lift passes,

landscape of Sweden, and Heavenly on the

ski and snowboard equipment and tuition at

California-Nevada state line above Lake Tahoe

the best prices, again making your holiday

in the USA.

the best value and as stress-free as possible for you. In short, you create your holiday with Crystal, rather than Crystal creating it for you.

Some people still gamble on the insecurity of

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Get more winter at crystalski.co.uk or call 0208 6103135

CRYSTALSKI.CO.UK

Åre, Sweden Heavenly, Lake Tahoe

DAVE CAMARA / ARAPAHOE BASIN

The ski season really gets going in December, but quite a lot of ski resorts are already open, and fresh snowfalls in September and October have the ski runs in rather good shape.

CerviniA Italy

Ruka Finland

Right on the Swiss border so you can ski

Opened in early October using snow stockpiled

across to Zermatt, Cervinia has been open for

from last season, spread on the slopes by

weekends in October but is now open daily

groomers. It should get natural snow and be

in November.

cold enough for snowmaking in November.

Geilo Norway

Saas-Fee Switzerland

With flights, accommodation and even lift

Geilo opens a snow slope in September when

Operating a unique eight-month ski season from

pass costs low as travel providers try to attract

the surrounding countryside is decidedly green

July to April, Saas-Fee has already clocked up

customers at this time of year, and with new

and brown. It opens more terrain as the natural

more than three months of its 2017/18 season

season gear waiting to test and the ski slopes

snowfall starts and snowmaking is possible.

including several great powder days.

Hintertux Austria

Sölden Austria

One of only two ski areas that’s open 365

Opened earlier than expected for the 2017/18

Arapahoe Basin Colorado, USA

days a year (weather permitting – the other is

season in early September after some great late

Among the 10 highest ski areas in the world, A

Zermatt), Hintertux has one of the biggest areas

summer snow storms, it has already staged the

Basin had the longest ski season of a non-glacier

open in the Alps each autumn.

first World Cup alpine ski races of the season on

empty, why wait? Here are 10 top choices of already-open ski centres for November:

resort in 2016/17, open from October to July.

its glacier at the end of October.

Lake Louise Canada

Engelberg Switzerland

Hosting the first of the speed events in the

Tignes France

One of Switzerland’s easiest ski areas to reach with

World Cup season in this Olympic winter,

Tignes has only one ski area open throughout

quick transfers from Zurich Airport and modern fast

Lake Louise opens early November for its

November, although others will join Tignes from

lifts to whisk you up to the glacier 3,000m up.

six-month season.

the middle of the month.

012 // OCT17

@INTHESNOWMAG

Banff is one of the world’s few ski destinations that is on everybody’s bucket list. Once you’ve been there, you just want to keep going back.

CHRIS HENDRICKSON REUBEN KRABBE

PAUL ZIZKA PHOTOGRAPHY

DARRENROBERTS.CA

You Can’t Beat Banff reserved for, not it's current usage for pretty much

on one tri-area pass which you can pre-purchase

anything. This is the mountain scenery for which

so it’s waiting for you on arrival and also includes

North America is famous, but not many Canadian

the ski shuttle service from most downtown

or US ski resorts actually deliver quite so much.

hotels to all three ski resorts.

Truly spectacular mountains, forests and lakes in

The snow is a big factor for many. Well, what can

an untamed wilderness that’s a protected national

you say – it’s famous for being light, fluffy and

This coming ski season, with a great exchange

parkland, so there’s no over-development tainting

abundant. So much so that Banff’s ski resorts

rate, a choice of direct flights from the UK and

this wonder of nature.

have some of the longest ski seasons in the world

some very enticing deals available, it’s looking

Then there’s the actual skiing. Banff isn’t one

– from early-November to mid-May – without

better than ever.

ski area; it’s got three world class ski resorts,

needing to rely on snowmaking.

There are lots of reasons why Banff is a must-

two of them – Lake Louise Ski Resort and Banff

Après-ski and dining? Banff is one of the world’s

ski destination. Perhaps no one reason is quite

Sunshine – among the biggest in North America.

great ski towns and an authentic, truly Canadian

enough on its own, and different people will have

Imagine seemingly endless ski terrain in that

destination with hundreds of vibrant and enticing

different priorities, but whichever way you put it

magnificent landscape. It just makes you glad to

shops, restaurants, bars and cafes to explore

together, it’s a formidable, world-beating list.

be alive. The third area, historic Mt Norquay, is

and lots of other things to do too. There’s a

So let’s begin with the scenery. It’s stunning.

the "local’s hill" for Banff, and has plenty of snowy

huge choice, a great atmosphere, something for

IT’s what the word "awesome" should really be

attractions too. All three ski resorts are included

everyone. If you prefer a more intimate destination

014 // OCT17  PROMO

@INTHESNOWMAG

NOEL HENDRICKSON

NOEL HENDRICKSON

PAUL ZIZKA PHOTOGRAPHY NOEL HENDRICKSON

the village of Lake Louise is the perfect choice.

experiences you can dive in to, if you fancy

And they’re just the start. Don’t forget cross-

Banff and Lake Louise have developed a great

something different, as an add-on to your ski

country or backcountry skiing, winter hiking,

culinary reputation, with talented chefs creating

holiday or maybe, dare we say it, even instead of

snowshoeing, ice climbing or a hike through an ice

delicious food of all types. If you enjoy food, you’re

skiing or boarding.

canyon are all also available. Or you might want

going to be well satisfied in Banff and Lake Louise,

In fact most activities on ice and snow that you can

to do something a little more relaxing like a spa or

from distilled spirits to microbrews, to delicious

think of are available to do here, and what better

hot springs visit?

juices for breakfast, pizza or picnics for lunch, or

place than Banff to do them?

Finally, for a proper Western cowboy/girl

Western-style steak or vegan meals for dinner.

Dogsledding, for example, is a must-do activity

experience, Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon

How easy to get there? It has never been easier

for any winter adventure traveller, and of

offers line dancing lessons and there’s even a

with direct flights to Calgary from Heathrow on BA

course it’s a classically Canadian activity with a

mechanical bull to ride.

or from Gatwick with WestJet. Once in Canada,

long history in the magnificent scenery of the

Once you’ve done that, you can say you’ve

where you’ll receive a warm welcome, it’s just

Canadian Rockies.

REALLY been to Banff!

a 90-minute drive on the four-lane all-weather

You can also try ice skating, another favourite

highway west into that stunning scenery that rises

Canadian sport, and there are several indoor and

Book your holiday in Banff with Inghams

up ahead of you as you approach Banff.

outdoor ice skating rinks open during the winter

between 1 – 30 November 2017 and receive

Banff isn’t just about skiing and boarding in

in Banff and Lake Louise, and the best part – 90%

£100 discount per couple.

winter either, there’s a whole range of memorable

are free!

Visit inghams.co.uk/banff100

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INGHAMS.CO.UK/BANFF100

Any weekend in January for two people, arriving Friday in Milano where they will be picked up by our private driver and driven to St Moritz, leaving Monday morning where a car will take them back to Milano.

The Hauser Piöda night has become one

The two guests will be treated to a

of St Moritz’s top evening retreats, with the

chocolate-tasting session in the renowned

restaurant packed each night.

Hauser Schoggishop.

In the morning, a sumptuous full breakfast (a

Ski/snowboard passes (but not ski or

real Swiss treat consisting of bircher muesli,

snowboard hire) will be provided for the

gipfelis, yoghurts, cereals, breads, fruit juices,

Saturday and Sunday, along with piste maps,

a cooked breakfast if required, tea and coffee)

providing unrivalled opportunities to ski or

awaits. Lunch is at the discretion of the two

snowboard at one of the world’s top winter

winners, but snacks or sandwiches will be

resorts. An experienced guide is available, but

In addition to the three nights’ accommodation,

included in the package if the winners decide

the cost (approx CHF400) for the day will be

the package also includes a welcome drink

to eat in the restaurant.

the responsibility of the winners.

on Friday at the Roo Bar terrace followed by

Dinner will also be available in the hotel on

Should the winners select the last weekend in

a Piöda Hot Stone Dinner with live music. A

Saturday and Sunday. However, wine will

January (27/28) they will be treated to two free

bottle of wine is included with the dinner.

not be included.

tickets to the polo match held on the frozen lake.

ENTER AT INTHESNOW.COM/COMPETITIONS Terms and conditions: Entrants must be aged 18 years or over. One entry per person. No cash alternative will be provided and the holiday is not transferrable. The weekend needs to be requested first in case booked up, and the prize does not include flights. The competition may be running on other channels, in which case the winner will be drawn from entries from all channels.

CLAUDIA LINK

WIN A FANTASTIC WEEKEND FOR 2 PEOPLE TO ST MORITZ

STEPHANE GROS

Crans Montana

Easier than Ever to Reach This Winter

If you’re thinking of a visit to Switzerland, there are few resorts more appealing than the cosmopolitan ski resort of Crans Montana. Not only does it boast a big ski area with a reputation for both sunshine and snowfall and wonderful long runs descending from its glacier, it’s also one of the easiest resorts in the Alps to reach.

incorporates both traditional Swiss style and a touch of modernity. Everything within each chalet has been thought of in order for you to find a home away from home.

Each chalet covers 250m2 with two or three floors and can provide very comfortable lodging for 8 to 10 people with elegant bedrooms and en suite bathrooms. The chalets are fully furnished and equipped with an open kitchen; dining room; plenty of leisure and lounge space; wine cellar; large terrace with a stunning view; fireplace and a private spa with an infinity Jacuzzi and dry sauna.

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That’s even more the case this coming winter

For the best experience possible, Crans Luxury

with flights to Sion, an airport only 30 minutes

Lodges provides hotel services including a

from the slopes of Crans Montana, offered

continental breakfast which is always included

by new airline Powdair from London, Bristol,

and delivered directly to the chalet. There is

Manchester, and Southampton as well as

also a housekeeping service provided so you

additional flights to Sion from Swiss airways in

can stay in the best comfort possible during a

peak periods.

longer stay. And, so you do not have to worry,

The luxurious Crans Luxury Lodges complex

the final cleaning is always included.

provides a wonderful base for your Crans

A concierge service, also inclusive with your

Montana holiday. Located high on a sun-

holiday, is always available in order to help with

drenched plateau and on land that has belonged

transfers, booking activities or to help with any

to the same family for over 400 years, it offers a

aspect of your visit. It’s also possible to book

choice of five sumptuous ski-in, ski-out chalets to

a private chef who will organise a tailor-made

rent, but with hotel services provided.

menu directly inside your chalet.

Each chalet has its own unique style with

Crans Luxury Lodges are the best way to

tailor-made decoration and a design that

experience Crans Montana.

CRANSLUXURYLODGES.COM

WORDS & PHOTOS: BAPTISTE BAUDIER

MOUNTAINHEAVE 018 // OCT17

SKIOFPER

EN.CO.UK RSIA.COM

With travel to Iran now permitted following the lifting of the trade embargo, and a British ski holiday company organising holidays there next winter, I wanted to warn you against heading to ski resorts in Iran, however good they may seem.

of as expensive, and if you’re not

your friends and relatives what you

paying a lot of money you’re not

have seen and experienced!

properly skiing. So a ski pass costing

It can be tiring. I speak from

only around £20 for a day on the

experience; I ended up creating a

slopes at Iran’s largest ski area, Dizin,

website and publishing articles like

just doesn’t seem right, and other

this – I can’t help it!

Iranian ski areas cost less still. Even worse, it can cost only £10 for a taxi

But anyway, I hope this post will keep

the 45 miles from Tehran to the ski

you away from Iranian powder (then I

slopes, and a coffee in a mountain

will have more for myself).

restaurant will only be about 40p. At I spent several months last winter

least the airfare to Iran is as expensive

skiing the different areas across the

as to anywhere else.

Mountain Heaven to Iran Should you decide you wish to ski

country, so here you have the benefit

4. People are too kind

Iran despite Baptiste’s warning,

Iran’s biggest problem is definitely the

established ski tour operator

1. Iranian ski resorts are too high

kindness of its people. How can you

Mountain Heaven is organising two

ski or ride all day long when people

fully escorted trips to ski in Iran next

Do you get dizzy when reaching a

are so kind, inviting you to drink tea

March 2018.

high altitude?

with them after each run? It’s very

If the answer is yes, then don’t go

annoying…

Each trip will include eight full days

skiing in Iran. All resorts are located

You will quickly use up all the storage

in Iran for up to 20 people, visiting

above 2,000m, and the highest one,

available on your phone taking

several of the country’s top ski areas as

Tochal, goes up to 3,750m, so they’re

hundreds of pictures with all your new

well as sampling some Iranian culture.

very snow-sure and the snow quality is

friends! It’s not worth it…

The first will run from Sunday 4 March

of my experience.

2018 (leaving the UK on Saturday 3

excellent. Of course, you can go even higher by ski touring. Just to let you

5. You might get fatter

March and flying back out on Monday

know, the highest peak of Iran is Mt

After your first powder overdose, you

12 March), and the second from

Damavand at 5,609m.

might just want to chill, but sadly your

Monday 12 March 2018 (leaving the UK

new friends won’t let you just sunbathe.

on Sunday 11 March and flying back

2. You might get a powder overdose

No, you’ll have to taste delicious kebabs,

out on Tuesday 20 March).

Iranian mountains get huge snowfalls

dishes while smoking hookah. And that’s

The tour will cost £1,300pp based on

all through the winter and become

even without all the tea you’ll drink and

a twin/double room. All hotels are in

a powder paradise from January

the sweets you will eat all day long.

the cities and ski resorts (based on

to March. The country is a gigantic

You’ll inevitably return home a few

two people in a room). This includes

playground full of virgin powder fields

kilos heavier. Your only hope is that

daily breakfast, dinner (while in the

for ski touring.

the high altitude will help you burn off

mountains), all guiding, entrance fees

Be warned that the majority of Iranian

more calories per day!

for sightseeing in the cities, airport

omelettes and all sorts of delicious

transfers and travel between resorts

skiers don’t go off-piste, so you will

6. You’ll change your point of view

and cities within Iran and a tip for

Last but not least, your point of view

holiday. It excludes flights (these can

3. It isn’t expensive enough

about Iran will change in a positive way.

be found for as little as £250 return)

Once back home, you’ll feel like you

and visa charges of approx. £250.

In the West, skiing is popularly thought

need to go on a mission to tell all of

mountainheaven.co.uk

still ride fresh powder in ski resorts even days after the last snowfalls.

the Iranian guide at the end of the

019 // OCT17

Each winter, tour operators bring us new ideas for resorts to visit, and winter 2017/18 is no exception. Here are four to consider:

AUSTRIA NASSFELD

I TALY CLAVIERE

KÜHTAI AUSTRIA

Nassfeld is the largest resort in

Italy’s oldest ski resort, Claviere,

With pop-up restaurants all the

the southern Austrian region of

is a new option from one of the

rage, why not pop-up ski resorts

Carinthia, nestled up to the Italian

UK’s largest tour operators,

too? That’s the thinking from family

and Slovenian borders. Scenic

Inghams, this winter. Located on

ski holiday specialists Esprit, who

and sunny, it has a wide range of

the French border, just minutes

have nominated Kühtai, Austria’s

intermediate slopes, along with

from Montgenèvre, it’s well linked

highest resort at 2,020m, a “pop-up”

a selection of mountain huts and

to the fantastic Milky Way ski area,

destination for Easter 2018 only.

ristorante for a delicious lunch.

offering quick access to 400km

The charming ski-in/ski-out resort

Crystal are offering holidays there

of piste. The local ski area also

is only a 40-minute transfer from

from this winter including the option

offers beginner-friendly skiing.

Innsbruck Airport and has 44km of

of accommodation at the modern

Inghams is offering seven nights on

pistes. “Some might call it a small

Hotel Franz Ferdinand at the foot

a half-board basis at the 3★ Hotel

and friendly ski area, yet there’s a

of the mountain and just 50m from

Clari from £729pp in January 2018,

welcome variety of runs here,” said

the Millennium Express gondola.

including flights and transfers.

an Esprit spokesperson.

crystalski.co.uk

inghams.co.uk

espritski.com

N E W S E A N E W

020 // OCT17

D E S T I N A

@INTHESNOWMAG

I TALY PENIA DI CANA ZEI The first Neilson Mountain Collection property in the Dolomites ski area is the Neilson Hotel Dolomites Inn near the Marmolada glacier and within the vast Dolomiti Superski region. With a bus stop just outside the hotel, guests can reach the brand-new gondola in neighbouring Alba in no time at all and access plenty of red and blue runs on the renowned 40km Sellaronda circuit. After a day on the slopes, guests can soothe their ski legs in the hotel’s hot tub and sauna or relax in the typically South

WHERE THE WORLD’S SKI RESORT DETAILS ARE STORED InTheSnow.com/resorts

Tyrolean bar. neilson.co.uk

A S O N

A T I O N S

CRYSTAL & NASSFELD

GET YOUR DAILY POWDER FIX AT

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021 // OCT17

Don’t miss your Ski moment • Choose from 91 leading resorts in 8 countries • Flights from 21 UK airports • Award-winning Ski Tour Operator

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SURVEY FINDS PRICES LO W E R THIS SEASON THAN L AST YEAR

An annual numbercrunching exercise that looks at the costs of a ski holiday at a select basket of ski resorts across Europe and North America has found that prices have actually dropped for Brits at some ski centres.

The annual Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report, which has now been running for 11 seasons, uses numbers supplied by Crystal Ski Holidays on in-resort costs and covers everything from lift pass, ski school and ski rental costs to the price of meals and drinks bought in resort.

In the past, the study has thrown out some unlikely-seeming big price swings from one season to the next, but changes this season are more modest. Interestingly, price movements are largely in the right direction as far as skiers are

024 // OCT17

@INTHESNOWMAG

this winter). There was a change in

resorts, but the best savings to

owned by Vail Resorts, one of the

in three-quarters of the 22 European

tuition prices too, but only a couple

be struck are where the improved

world’s most successful ski resort

resorts surveyed. In most cases it’s

of euros.”

exchange rate combines with falling

operators, came in at between

just a few per cent, but in two the

Crystal found it was a similar picture

local prices.”

£1,418.11 and £1,430.61 for a week’s

drop is into double digits.

at Les 2 Alpes, with lift passes down

Outside of France, the biggest price

skiing at either Breckenridge, Park

How? Well, a key factor is that (at the

from €245 (£219) to €212 (£189) (“in

drop was -5.8% at Kranjska Gora

City or Vail itself, and more than

time the figures were compiled at

certain weeks”), rentals down from

in Slovenia, which the Post Office

four times the cost of a week in one

least) the pound was performing a

€112 (£100) to just under €98 (£88)

Ski Resort Report now reckons is

of the three cheapest resorts in

little better than a year ago against

and tuition down €6 (£5).

the cheapest destination in Europe

Europe. They also came in at more

the euro, and quite a lot better

Overall the Post Office Report found

for skiers of the resorts in studies,

than 40% more expensive than the

against the Swiss franc.

the biggest price falls in France,

calculating a week of in-resort costs

priciest week in Canada, at £966.67

However, it seems actual prices

but smaller drops too in Andorra,

there at £325.47.

for a week in Tremblant, Quebec.

in some resorts are also being

Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Italy,

Prices in Bansko, Bulgaria,

“It is great news that prices faced

squeezed, with some lift pass prices,

Slovenia and Switzerland.

once regarded as the cheapest

by skiers will be lower than last

ski rental fees and to a lesser extent

Besides Morzine (-12.6%) and Les 2

mainstream European ski

year in so many resorts. France

even ski teaching costs dropping, at

Alpes (-10.7%), some of the biggest

destination, were down -2.5% but

and Italy are already in hot demand

least at certain times of the season.

falls noted were at Serre Chevalier

were still just over £26 more than

this season, and we expect this to

“The biggest cuts we’re seeing

(-9.1%) and Val d’Isère (-7.4%).

the Slovenian resort, and in fact the

strengthen when savvy skiers check

locally are all in France, comparing

Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel

study placed Italy’s Bardonecchia as

out prices and find they can pay

2016/17 with 2017/18, and it really

Money, which compiles the report

the second cheapest at £347.12.

less if they pick resorts like Morzine

is a mixed bag,” said a Crystal

to help publicise the Post Office’s

At the other end of the price scale,

or Sestriere, where both prices

spokesperson. “For example, a

in-branch and online currency

the report’s authors note that the

and snow are likely to be falling!”

Morzine lift pass was €197 (£176)

exchange service, commented,

USA is moving further away from

commented Crystal Ski Holidays’

last year but is €159 (£142) this in

“With increasing pressure on the

Canada and indeed the rest of

Managing Director Chris Logan.

certain weeks, so a 20% discount.

pocket, resort costs will be a key

the Western world in terms of the

The full report can be downloaded

Equipment rental is also down (from

factor in determining where to ski

expense of ski holidays there.

here: postoffice.co.uk/

€138 (£123) last season to €101 (£90)

this year. Prices are down in most

The three US resorts included, all

skireport2017

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

MATTHIEU VITRÉ

concerned, with prices down a little

025 // OCT17

N O V E M B E R We start November with about two dozen ski areas open on each side of the Atlantic, and the good news (after a long hot summer) is that there’s been lots of fresh snowfall in September and October in the Alps, Rockies and Scandinavia.

Other ski areas like the Balkans, Dolomites and Pyrenees have also seen their first significant snowfalls of the autumn, building up anticipation for the ski season ahead, and hopefully ski areas there will begin opening by the end of the month too. In fact, hundreds of ski areas should be open across Europe and North America by the end of the month.

Currently Austria has the most ski areas open with nine resorts to choose from. All but one of these are glacier ski areas, and although they had a challenging summer due to the intense heat in southern Europe, a series of significant snowfalls this autumn has helped to rebuild bases and even provided powder days in September and October. Let’s hope it continues! The centres open include the Stubai, Dachstein, Pitztal, Kitzsteinhorn, Hintertux, Sölden, Molltal and Kaunertal glaciers.

The one Austrian resort that’s open already which doesn’t have a glacier ski area is Kitzbühel. It uses snow-farming techniques to open early each autumn, claiming to be the first non-glacier ski area to do so.

Elsewhere in the Alps there are about half-a-dozen areas open, mostly in Italy (Val Senales, Stelvio and Cervinia) and Switzerland (Engelberg, Laax, Saas-Fee and Zermatt) along with Tignes in France.

In Scandinavia, the Galdhøpiggen ski area in Norway is open along with Geilo, also in Norway, and Ruka in Finland. Many Scandinavian ski centres will open through November.

Across the Atlantic, snowmaking ahead of the season got underway in Colorado in late September, and there have been several big snowstorms in the west of the North American continent too. Arapahoe Basin and Loveland ski areas, amongst the world’s highest, are among the first to open there, and other areas including Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Keystone all open at the start of November.

Across the USA, Killington in Vermont aims to open by the end of October, which is the norm thanks to its mighty snowmaking arsenal.

026 // OCT17

@INTHESNOWMAG

STUBAI GLACIER / ANDRE SCHOENHERR

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