InTheSnow Issue 19 - March 2011 by InTheSnow

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ISSUE 19 | MAR 2011

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IT'S ROYAL WEDDING SKI FEVER Ski season runs late as many look to get away over the Royal Wedding weekend. Patrick Thorne reports on 04

What are did you doing for do at the weekend? Christmas?

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NE MORZI YS H/B THREE VALLEYS, CHAMO VALLE THREE NIX,

Christmas work 5 days offflights Ski 8 days with just MORZINE CHAMONIX, VALLEYS, THREE – HB OR S/CATERED VALLEYS THREE

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889 £34 fligh rmt frfr£4 New Ye lf Te Haar 999 h frfr£3 £39 acer cost New YearEa

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Royal Wedding Leads To Late Season Ski Holiday Fever I must be getting old because winter 2010–11 seems to have flown by faster than ever. The official results are not yet in, but it appears to have been a good season for consistent snowfall in Scotland, Scandinavia and North America, and what started as a rather more average one in the Alps and Pyrenees is now looking like an epic final few months with falls as big as a metre in 48 hours reported in the past few days. So hopefully despite economic challenges 2010-11 may yet be remembered as a turnaround season after two winters of market decline. . There haven’t been too many big infrastructure improvements on the slopes, most reported advances seem to have been social networking and iPhone app related. One interesting new twist was the world's leading snow report provider Skiinfo.co.uk following the Trip Advisor model, allowing users to post their own versions of official snow reports. Oddly, the comments from people in the resorts are often much more illuminating than a figure like “snow depth 1m.” However, it’s important to note the type of skier that is posting the comment, expert freeriders disappointed because they can find no fresh powder have totally different needs from an intermediate searching for well-groomed miles of blue and red piste. Looking to next season, the big operators' brochures for 2011–12 are already out if you want to plan ahead. Crystal and Thomson have special deals on bookings confirmed before 31 May including free childcare at selected properties, and 2 for 1 ski rentals or ski carriage for your own gear. The company’s Ski+ deals which include flights, accommodation, transfers, lift pass and ski hire or rental for one fixed price are also back and can be booked now. They do tend to sell out with prices from £395 all in. Let's hope the pound keeps getting stronger, the economy looks up, no more volcanoes blow their tops, and that British airports have learned how to operate in snowy weather as efficiently as Scandinavian ones by then!

PATRICK THORNE

Winter 2010–11 may be remembered for many reasons, one being that it was one of the longest ski season’s ever. With great snowfalls in late November and early December kicking the season off early, it’s set to stay busy through to May, thanks to two key events. First, a late falling Easter Sunday on 24 April, and second the royal wedding is at the end of that week on 29 April. While much of the world may be contemplating what dress Kate Middleton will be wearing, most members of the ski community are thinking about where they might go for that end-ofmonth 4-day weekend from 29 April to 2 May, or even better linking together with the previous weekend, Good Friday and Easter Monday from 22–25 April, making a once-in-a-lifetime 11-day ski break by taking just 3 days off work! Apart from specialist agents, most companies will have ceased operating package holidays by then, but by using scheduled services and taking advantage of low-season prices on resort websites, or by using a ski accommodation site like PowderBeds (www.powderbeds.com) to find the best deals, you can put together your own package. In the Alps the rule (along with checking your favoured resort is still open) is to aim high. There’s none higher than Zermatt in Switzerland, which is already offering packages from May to July. If you prefer somewhere with royal connections, Davos-Klosters is open to 1 May. In France the best bets include Les Deux Alpes, Tignes and Chamonix, or you could choose Austria, which has the most glacier summer ski areas, and at Ischgl, one of the biggest and most snowsure

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ISSUE 19 | MAR 2011

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IT'S ROYAL WEDDING SKI FEVER

Publisher

DOMINIC KILLINGER

Ski season runs late as many look to get away over the Royal Wedding weekend. Patrick Thorne reports on 04

Weekend Pre-Chri ski53days stmass––ski days THREE VALLEYS,

THREE VALLEYS, CHAMONIX, CHAMONIX, MORZINE MORZINE

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Reporters / Contributors

Photography

PATRICK THORNE

BEN CLATWORTHY DEBBIE GABRIEL ZOE GILLINGS SALLY BROOKES DAVID BLACK ROB FREEMAN DAVE WHITLOW CLAIRE COLLINS

ALTITUDE iSTOCK ROCKET BASE

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with outdoor swimming pool complex for the full Californian vibe. Mammoth has topped the charts for ”most snow in the world” for months now, with more than 5m lying after an epic La Niña-induced snowfall this winter, meaning it’s likely to offer good conditions through to US Independence Day in July. Ski Independence can offer, for example, a seven-night holiday in the luxury Fairmont Chateau Whistler for £1328, based on 25 April departure with BA flights from/to London

The world may be contemplating what dress Kate Middleton will be wearing, but the ski community are thinking about where they might go for that 4-day weekend

Editor

dom@InTheSnow.com

MATT NICHOLSON

Austrian resorts in the Alps, The Killers will play the famed end-of-season Top of the Mountain free gig on the 30 April. The twist on the ”aim high” rule is to switch altitude for latitude and go to Scandinavia instead. The region’s biggest resort, Åre in Sweden, has big fun family events at the end of April, while further north still, legendary Riksgränsen in the Arctic Circle is just getting into its 2011 ski season, which runs from mid-February to mid-June, with the highlight being the skiingunder-the-midnightsun, when 24-hour daylight returns to the region later in May. It won’t quite be there at royal wedding time, but you’ll still be able to get a long day and maybe a bit of heli-skiing in. Don’t forget Scotland either, Cairngorm was open to June in 2010 and, so far, it’s another good winter there. Another option is to go over the Atlantic to North America, and have the time to really enjoy your ski holiday. ”Safe bets” for this time of year when most of the big name resorts will have closed, regardless of how much snow is lying, are Mammoth and Squaw Valley in California and, north of the border, resorts around Banff (Lake Louise and Sunshine) and Whistler. Squaw Valley markets itself as ”America’s Spring Skiing Capital” and offers a low-priced lift ticket, as well as opening up a beach-style mid-mountain base at High Camp, complete

Heathrow and transfers. “Best to be based on Blackcomb as it is only Mountain which is open then.” says MD Michael Bennett. The same date to Mammoth staying at the Alpenhof Lodge, with car hire from Los Angeles International Airport is from £998. But wherever you end up spending royal wedding day and May Bank Holiday 2011, please remember that it’s your patriotic duty as a Brit to bring the solemnity of the occasion home to the local population. Why not go over your baggage allowance, shipping out souvenir mugs to hand out, or organise a street party in resort? Marvellous.

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Ski Testing And Leading In Scotland BEN CLATWORTHY

New for this season, the Ski Club of Great Britain have teamed up with Scott skis to run 2 days of Ski Club Leading and ski testing at Glenshee and CairnGorm Mountain in Scotland this month. It’s the first time the Ski Club have offered their Leading service on home soil. Mountain enthusiasts will be given the chance to ski with Ski Club Leaders and other like-minded people, whilst at the same time testing next season's Scott skis. The Ski Club and Scott will be joined by expert staff from Braemar Mountain Sports, who will have ski mountaineering kit for testing, including ski boots and skins. Freeze Pro Shop will also be at Glenshee to give guidance in the new Glenshee freestyle park. “For the first time we are taking our worldwide Ski Club Leading service to Scotland. This will give domestic skiers and snowboarders the chance to be shown

around the resort and also to meet up with other members and snow lovers. For skiers, they have the bonus of being able to test skis that aren't even on the market yet, and that doesn't happen very often!" said Simon Henwood, Head of Resort Operations at the Ski Club of Great Britain. The Ski Club Leading/Scott ski testing days will take place on Saturday 12 March at Glenshee and Sunday 13 March at CairnGorm. At Glenshee the meeting point will be at the Base Cafe, and at CairnGorm the meeting point is at Cas Bar at Coire Cas car park. Both days start at 10am and are weather dependant. Leaders will be in their blue Ski Club jackets. Ski Club members will get a 10% discount on lift tickets on production of a Ski Club membership card. To sign up email leaders@skiclub.co.uk, and title the email “Register for Glenshee/ Cairngorm Leading Day”. Non-members are welcome to try the Ski Club Leading service for free.

Mountain Restaurant Comes To You At Mammoth

There's no need for breaks on powder days for skiers and boarders in Mammoth, California, this winter, as two "snowcat food trucks" have been introduced to the slopes. The snowcats, dubbed The Roving

Mammoths, travel around the ski resort bringing food and drink to areas of the mountain that previously had no such options. The cats will feature grab-and-go food items, including burritos, tamales, calzones, and other snacks and drinks. In addition to being an excellent option for anyone wanting to maximise time on the slopes, they’re also a good value alternative to on-mountain restaurants. Some examples of areas where the Roving Mammoths might be stationed are the bases of the Cloud 9 Express, Chair 12, Chair 23, and the Roller Coaster Express, as well as at the top of Eagle Express. Ski Independence (www.ski-i.com; 0131 243 8097) has a variety of offers to Mammoth that include British Airways to San Francisco, 7-day SUV rental with Alamo Gold, and accommodation.

Brits Music And Snow Imminent With only a few weeks to go before the Brits Music and Snow Festival (www.the-brits. com) hits Laax, Switzerland, 20–27 March, the organisers say they are excited to announce the return of key events, including the chance to put the pedal to the metal during the Garmin Downhill Challenge and Brits Homerun, throw style out of the window on the Cushe Airbag, and demo the latest ski and snowboard equipment. Packages with seven nights accommodation, 6-day lift pass, Funi beanie and festival wristband, cost from £255 – little more than the cost of a lift pass alone.

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HIGH FIVE BACK IN VERBIER BEN CLATWORTHY

DAVOS-KLOSTERS The notoriously exclusive Swiss resort of Davos-Klosters has this season opened a new lift in the Parsenn ski area, which is now the fastest funicular lift in the world. Another new lift is due to be installed in the coming years that will lead to the top of the Strela Pass. In December, the resort also opened Europe's largest outdoor skating rink to increase après-ski options.

BEN CLATWORTHY

Dider Cuche, Didier Défago, Luc Alphand and Chemmy Alcott will all be in Verbier on 2 April, along with more of the best skiers of the procircuit for the 12th Verbier High Five by Carlsberg.

Didier Cuche who earlier this year won his fourth Kitzbühel downhill gold medal, and last week gained silver for the World Championship downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is celebrating the end of yet another fantastic season. “Didier holds this festive event

very dear to his heart, because he loves its friendly and competitive spirit and the close contact he can have with his fans” said the event’s organisers. Britain’s Chemmy Alcott will be back for the fifth time although, due to her major injury at the start of the

season, this time as an ”ambassador” with duties including taking part in the entertainment and partying. The Verbier High Five begins in the resort’s Place Centrale at 6pm on Friday 1 April, with an opening party, and the presentation of the pros. At 10am on Saturday 2 April, five races are planned (giant slalom, “Speedtrap” downhill, skier-cross, the Carlsberg triathlon, and the concluding parallel slalom). Throughout, the public will have the chance to be near the stars, whilst the best of the amateur racers will make up pro-am teams for the parallel slalom. Following the racing and prizegiving, comes the Carlsberg after-ski party to be held at Pub Mont Fort, where the pros will party with their fans. And to conclude the Verbier High Five, the pros will join Verbier’s annual charity dinner, for the benefit of “Right To Play”. Registration is now open at www. verbierhighfivebycarlsberg.com.

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO-PINZOLA Madonna Di Campiglio-Pinzola is, unbelievably, a new linked ski area opening in December 2011. The new ski lift between Pinzolo and Madonna di Campiglio will fully connect 150km of ski runs extending from Pinzolo to Folgarida-Marilleva, with the Madonna di Campiglio ski area at the heart. The well-known Italian resort of Madonna di Campiglio is famous for its fabulous shops and state-of-the-art lift network.

CairnGorm In Kilts Is Back

COPPER MOUNTAIN Copper Mountain has just announced it will be installing a new lift for the 2011–12 season to replace an old chairlift, which has served the Colorado ski area since 1976. The new lift will have a capacity of 2400 people per hour, a length of 1505m, with a vertical rise of 306m. This will dramatically reduce queues, and the ride to the summit will be just 5 minutes. Construction work is due to start in the resort 1 June 2011.

Following the success of the 2010 ”CairnGorm in Kilts“ event, in the Aviemore ski area, this year the aim is to get over 400 kilts sliding down CairnGorm Mountain in aid of Maggie's Highlands, a cancer caring centre in Iverness, and the Badenoch and Strathspey Schools Snowsports Association. “With conditions looking good this year we

want to repeat the event, have some fun & raise money for good causes" said Ian Whitaker, Chief Executive at CairnGorm Mountain. This will take place on Saturday 5 March at 11am, and all money raised will be split between the two charities. The aim is to have 400 kilted skiers and snowboarders descend in a single consecutive line from the Ptarmigan Top Station at CairnGorm Mountain, all the way down to car park level. Participants should be competent skiers or snowboarders, capable of skiing slowly & steadily from the Top Station, as worldrecord attempts require a consecutive single line. Everyone is welcome as long as they are wearing a kilt! To register your participation, please visit www.cairngormmountain.co.uk and follow the links. There’s a £5 registration fee and all money goes to the charities. Registration entitles participants to ski until 12.30pm. In the event of poor weather on the 5 March the attempt will be made on Sunday 6 March (and again finally on Saturday 12 March).

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Super Flexible Hundred Hills (www.hundredhills.com; 0191 406 6160), the ski short-break specialist based in Val d’Isère and Tignes, is offering a four-night stay at the luxurious Chalet Foxtrot (sleeps eight), located just outside the centre of Val d’Isère, from 30 March, for £450pp (reduced from £570), excluding flights. The company aims to take ski holiday flexibility to a new level, and has no restriction on arrival/ departure times, as well as offering custom-length short breaks/long weekends, and no empty bed supplements for uneven group numbers.

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Twice As Likely To Find Love On The Slopes BEN CLATWORTHY

DAVID BLACK

New Tough Cameras Waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof, the new Olympus TOUGH TG-610 (£250) and TG310 (£200) cameras allow you to take stills or shoot HD movies in a snowy environment, worry-free. Both 14 Megapixel cameras offer a host of cutting-edge features, which deliver excellent image quality, usability and connectivity, including wireless image uploading, and camera charging through a USB port.

Dr Niall G. MacFarlane of Glasgow University has reported that the chances of falling in love on the slopes can be higher than in normal day-to-day life. “The idea of excitement/fear being related to developing emotional attachments or love has been about for a long time. The classic studies in this area showed that a young woman became twice as attractive to men under conditions that we might now describe as being ‘extreme sports’ – they were on rope bridges” says Dr MacFarlane, who was commenting as Scottish ski area Nevis Range (www. nevisrange.co.uk) launched a special

Valentine’s day for singles who had never skied before. “You might say that the excitement of skiing – whether that means a novice on a nursery slope or an experienced skier going off piste – has the potential to make us more attractive to possible suitors, while more sedate activities could reinforce ‘that loving feeling’ in established relationships” continued Dr MacFarlane. The Nevis Range package included equipment, lift ticket, tuition, a complimentary lunch at the Snowgoose mountain restaurant, which offers spectacular and beautiful views over Scotland’s west coast, and, at

the end of the day, a snugly mug of hot chocolate. Anyone who did fall in love on the day was well placed

to negotiate a good deal for one of the centre’s newly-launched wedding packages.

New Doppelmayr Quad For Copper Mountain Copper Mountain in Colorado is the first resort to announce a new lift for winter 2011–12. The new Doppelmayr quad will replace the double chair located at the base of Union Creek, which has served Copper faithfully since 1976. It will

have a capacity of 2400 people per hour and a ride time of 5 minutes. The new lift will provide improved service to all levels of skiing ability, and will have a new alignment to help improve skier and rider circulation in and out of Union

n e d e w in S SKIING IN ÅRE, SWEDEN From £269 per person

Departing 20th March 2011 from London Heathrow to Åre-Östersund. 7 nights stay at the 3* Åre apartments in Åre, Sweden on self-catering basis. Price based on 2 sharing and return transfers from Åre-Östersund. This offer is subject to availability and may change. For more information about Åre go to skistar.com. For holiday packages and booking go to www.neilson.co.uk/sweden, call 0845-070-3460 or see your local travel agent.

Creek. In conjunction with the new lift, the addition of a new trail connection from the east will make the circulation from the Catalyst Terrain Park, and the beginner and intermediate terrain in the area, much easier.

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Star Trek Beams Into Stowe

BEN CLATWORTHY

Stowe in Vermont, the classic New England ski area, added a rare new attraction for a ski area this winter – a performing arts centre. Funded through public subscription, the new 420-seat Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center (www.sprucepeakarts.org) is rapidly becoming

a centre for theatre, music, dance, variety and film. However, it recently hosted the plain fun Star Trek Live event, based on one of the most popular science fiction franchises of all time. In the show audience members join the newly-formed Starfleet Academy, only to be unexpectedly whisked into an exciting adventure steeped in the grand tradition of the Star Trek franchise, and the thrilling new movie. With the help of a surprise visitor from the planet Vulcan, Starfleet Commander Sean Christopher and his team of rookie cadets must stop a shocking invasion of Romulan forces that threatens the future of planet Earth. The show features cutting-edge special effects, and on-screen appearances from Captain Kirk and Spock themselves. Could there be a better way to end a day on Stowe’s slopes?

Whistler Checks Into Geolocation Whistler Blackcomb is “checking into” the geolocation world, with an official Whistler Blackcomb Foursquare Badge. The digital keepsake can be obtained when Foursquare users check into any Whistler Blackcomb location. In total there are more than 60 venues comprised of mountain zones, lifts, retail/rental locations, mountaintop restaurants, bars, and ski runs. “With geo location remaining the social media trend for 2011, it makes sense for Whistler Blackcomb to take every opportunity we can to increase our brand presence on Foursquare” says Amber Turnau, Media Relations and Social Media Strategist for Whistler Blackcomb.

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Extreme Speed Riding Comes To Voss BEN CLATWORTHY

The Norwegian coastal ski resort of Voss has seen some of the best snowfall in Europe this winter, and this month the town stages its fifth Extreme Sports Week, which will make the most of all that snow. This year’s contest from 10–13 March will be particularly focused on the relatively new sport of speed riding – descending a ski slope with a small parasail attached to your back.

The biggest star of the sport, French master François Bon, will be in resort to show off his skills. “Bon is in many ways considered the pioneer of this sport and we are pleased to show him what Voss has to offer"says Morten Knapp, who is responsible for speed riding at the resort’s Vinterveko ski area (www.vinterveko.com). “On a good day there is little that can beat Lønahorgi and flying in from Bakkanosi world heritage."

Scotland Ski Business Up

Scotland's mountain ski areas are on track for another good snowsports season, with latest figures showing a 3% increase on last year, which itself was an outstanding season. "We are absolutely delighted to be slightly ahead of last year" said Chair of Ski-Scotland Heather Negus.

From opening in November/December until the start of February, CairnGorm, Glenshee, Nevis Range, and The Lecht had welcomed 110,284 skiers and snowboarders, approximately 3% more than at the same time last year. "What we often find is that our numbers drop off when the snow thaws at lower levels and farther south. This year it seems that skiers are much more aware that when it rains at low level, it's snowing in the mountains and the ski areas are getting a nice top up of white stuff, and so they have continued to come, boosting our figures as a result" continued Negus. One new attraction at Glenshee is a new rail park, featuring a 21m-long "monster", C-curve and kickers.

Polish Priests Hit The Slopes Polish priests hit the slopes at the resort of Wisła in the country’s Beskid Mountains last month, as they took part in the annual ”JP II Cup” in honour of the memory of Pope John Paul II. The late pontiff was a keen skier, and regularly skied in the Italian mountains when he had the opportunity, during his time heading the Roman Catholic Church. The contest, which has been running since the mid-1980s, sees skiing priests still wearing their clerical collars competing in several Alpine disciplines, including the big race – an 800m-long giant slalom. The late pope’s ski jacket is displayed in a place of honour at Pope John Paul II High School, a co-educational Catholic high school in

Hendersonville, Tennessee, just north of Nashville. It will officially become a second-class relic when the late pontiff is beatified. The present Pope Benedict XVI recently invited a group of Italian ski instructors to the Vatican to bless them for the work that they do.

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Alpine Air Offers Ski holidays with friendly, professional, hospitality. We are a friendly couple, who operate chalet Papillon as a catered five bedroom luxury chalet, located in Suvay, just out of Chatel. We offer superb service and transportation, enabling you to relax and enjoy a ski holiday of your dreams . We are also able to offer an alternative, Chalet Pascal, a three bedroom self catered luxury chalet opposite the Linga ski lifts. A welcome pack, and a superb location, gets you started on a holiday to remember.

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R PR Y

ZOE GILLINGS

It’s been an interesting few weeks since my last blog, the finances for the World Cup boardercross program have finally started to flow, and I’ve managed to pay all the wages that needed paying and cleared the debts amassed running the World Cup snowboard cross program since October 2010. I finished the last blog on the eve of the World Championships in La Molina, Spain. Despite being really nervous on the approach to the competition, I managed to finish in 7th place overall, effectively ranking me 7th in the world. If this was 12 months or even 24 months ago I would have been disappointed, but considering the fact the program has effectively been closed down since the Olympics back in February 2010, and I have done no training since, I was really happy. In the last 12 months I now have two results, 8th at the Olympics, and 7th at the World Championships, which both come within “B” level funding on UK Sports criteria, I just hope that I will be eligible for funding after the government's autumn review. I’ve just returned from Korea, which unfortunately didn’t go as planned. I went there to compete in the latest World Cup competition with my coach and wax technician, but on the first day of competition the race was cancelled, as it was deemed the course was unsafe. This is the first time this has happened to me in my professional career, and I hope it’s the last as it cost me just under £3000 in total. Right now, I’m in France getting in as much training in as I can, before the final two World Cups of the season in Italy and Switzerland, both taking place in late March. I’m hoping that the cancelled Korean race will be added into one of these two competitions, but I’ll have to wait and see. As for how I’m going to continue funding the World Cup boardercross program, I am about to launch two online businesses; the first is an electronics website (www.zgelectronics.

com), which will specialise in selling all the equipment I use on a daily basis, both while travelling around the world competing, and when I’m back in England training. The site will stock travel baggage, high-power WiFi adapters, head cams, professional two-way radios, an assortment of GPS for skiers and snowboarders, tablet PCs, and travel adapters. I came up with this idea as I have had to search

high and low to source these items, and some of them I could only get hold of when I was competing in Asia. The result will be to bring these goods together in one easily accessible website. I’ll be launching my other online business in the Isle of Man at the end of May. This will provide products for consumers, and services for businesses. So in general I have a long few years of working night and day ahead of me to make them successful, and to allow me to continue snowboarding. I hope you have had a fun and exciting winter season, and all the best until next year.

+33 (0)450 736 893 www.challettpapillon.com

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Take The Toddlers (Granny Too)

When: January or March OFFER: Book a week in any of our St Lary accommodations and get a free husky dog trip on us.

The spectacular five-star Carlton Hotel in St Moritz (www.carlton-stmoritz.ch) has just unveiled its very own bobsleigh for use on the resort’s 1722m-long bobsleigh run, the world’s oldest, and the only one still handmade from natural ice each winter, and officially therefore the world’s largest ice sculpture. The Carlton has launched a special "Some Like it Fast" package including

two nights bed and breakfast in a luxurious junior suite, and a ”taxi ride” in the bob on the famous St Moritz Olympic bob run. Guests also receive daily dinner in the gourmet Restaurant Romanoff, private butler service, use of the Carlton Spa, a minibar, high-speed internet access, and the hotel’s shuttle service from and to St Moritz railway station or Samedan airport. Junior suites cost from £830pp (€979pp), based on two people sharing.

from

£179 Tobogganing - Stubai

When: January and March OFFER: Book a week in

from

£198

any of our Stubai accommodations and get a free toboggan run - its 8km long!

Tour operator Wake Up in France (www. wakeupinfrance.co.uk; 01484 680855) has identified several ski resorts that tick every box when it comes to holidaying with an extended family. They offer the chance to take the grandparents for the same price, allowing you to escape for some child-free time on the slopes,

whilst letting the children and grandparents enjoy quality time together. Recommendations include Aussois, which Wake Up in France say is an excellent option for families with young children, and its proximity to the motorway exit (15 minutes away) also makes it a good choice for self-drive holidays. Stay at the self-catering Les Flocons d'Argent, which is at the foot of the slopes, and right opposite the kindergarten Jardin de Neige. Slope off for a morning’s skiing while the grandparents amuse the kids in the residence’s indoor pool, or at one of two designated childfriendly toboggan runs. For accommodation only, prices start at £201 per apartment per week (two bedrooms, sleeps six).

Snowkiting - Serre Chevalier

When: January and March OFFER: Book a week in any of our Serre Chevalier accommodation and get a free introductory lesson to snowkiting.

from

£235

You’ll like our prices and love our service. Build your holiday with our flexible system and you get the best value for money allowing you to do more this season! With a great range of activities to compliment your ski holiday you’ll be doing more at www.zenithholidays.co.uk

Call us on 01737 852 242 Full terms and conditions at www.zenithholidays.co.uk/termsandconditions

Manc Mascots Meet In The Snow Sports media concentrated on the actual football match between Manchester United and Manchester City last month. But the real battle took place a few days before the derby game, when the two teams' mascots, Fred the Red and Moonchester, went head-to-head in a prederby at Manchester’s Chill Factore indoor snow centre (www.chillfactore.com; 0161 749 2222). The two mascots compared their skiing and snowboarding techniques, and challenged each other to a snowball fight, refereed by Chill Factore mascot Chille. The mascot meeting took place ahead of a special derby-themed ski session at Chill Factore, with skiers and boarders invited to take part in a challenge to see which club has the “best” football fans in Manchester. Manchester United and Manchester City supporters, young and old, were invited to wear their team colours on the main slope from 4–5pm. As well as seeing which team had the most shirts on the snow, up to ten supporters

from each club were handpicked by the instructors to take part in a supporters’ downhill derby, with the fastest team to complete the challenge crowned the winners. “The Manchester derby is a key date in the city’s calendar. We know that many of our guests would be watching the game at the weekend and we wanted to tap into the friendly rivalry between the two clubs” said Chill Factore’s Chief Executive Morwenna Angove.

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Nevis Range Stages Peak-to-Base Race Nevis Range ski area above Fort William in Western Scotland held a peak-to-base race for the first time in 4 years last month. The race sees skiers and boarders set off from the top of the ski area, then switch to running shoes if they wish, or continue in ski boots at the snowline. They then continue, running, to a Ski Boot Ad Illustrator A4_nov.pdf

17/11/2010

finish line that is only disclosed on the afternoon of the race. In previous years bad weather conditions have meant that the race has had to be cancelled, but this season the mountain had collected almost 0.6m of fresh snow, and the lower runs had accumulated between 8–10cm of

fresh snow in the 24 hours prior to the race. Although winds earlier in the day had meant that the upper lifts were on hold in the morning, the race was able to start as planned from the top of the summit tow at 1190m and finish, revealed to be at Sgurr Finnisg-aig, at 663m.

18:01

BY BEN CLATWORTHY

Boots are getting more comfortable every year - isn’t it about time you upgraded yours?

I found myself buried in the clothes section of Snow+Rock with a mountain of jackets and pants facing me on the packed shelves. I’d love to have browsed the shop for the day, but I’m just 48 hours from leaving for the Alps. I thought it was going to be a real struggle, but a brand that I have seen, but know nothing about catches my eye: KJUS. I still can’t say the word, and it sounds more like a sneeze! The KJUS Tune jacket is a stylish and easy to wear piece of ski gear, which brilliantly combines outstanding performance and design, to provide great all-weather protection. The jacket seemed to look and feel very different from anything else I had seen or tried, and it was. It is perfect for everything I do in the mountains.

FEATURES: 3D mesh shoulder inserts; articulated elbows; zipped chest pocket; snow gaiter; fixation loops to connect jacket and pants; Recco reflector

FABRIC: 100% polyester two-way stretch fabric with Dermizax EV laminate (a highly waterproof, breathable membrane); 60g PrimaLoft Sport insulation

Established 1965 | Custom boot fitting specialists | Custom moulded footbeds The largest range of ski boots in the UK | And a reputation that’s stood the test of time! Ski Bartlett, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP | T: 020 8848 0040 | E: info@skibartlett.com www.SkiBartlett.com

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Killers Headline Season-Closing Gig DAVID BLACK

Fire Destroys Restaurant A fire has destroyed the oldest, and one of the largest, mountain restaurants in Finland. There were no casualties in the overnight fire at the on-piste three-storey SkiBistro restaurant. The restaurant had been able to accommodate 600-seated diners, and 1000 more outside on its decks, and was a popular après-ski spot. The building has been completely destroyed, and the damage is estimated at €3–4 million. The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

BEN CLATWORTHY

American band The Killers will be the stars of the season-closing Top of the Mountain concert in the Austrian resort of Ischgl on Saturday 30 April.

Headlining the Ischgl closing gig means they follow in the footsteps of an illustrious list of superstar acts including Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry and Rihanna, who have all performed at the Tirolean resort's legendary

Top Of The Mountain concerts, which bookend its 5-month-long ski season. This season's opening concert was performed by Beth Ditto and her indie rock band Gossip at the end of November 2010, to an enthusiastic crowd of 20,000.

The end-of-season concert at Idalp, near the top station of the main Silvretta gondola out of Ischgl, comes in the middle of the UK’s bonus Bank Holiday weekend, and is a great excuse for skiers to have a late escape to the mountains. The royal wedding of HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton is on Friday 29 April, now a Bank Holiday, immediately followed on the Monday by the early May Bank Holiday. So skiers and boarders can book a long weekend in Ischgl without having to take time off work. Prices for four nights bed and breakfast in a hotel, with a 3-day lift pass, are available from €330pp. Entry to the concert is free with a valid lift pass. For more details go to www.ischgl.com or email info@ paznaun-ischgl.com. The final day of Ischgl's ski season is Sunday 1 May.

Are You Ready For The White Thrill? The White Thrill race above St Anton on 23 April is a cult event for participants and spectators alike, and is booked out well in advance each year. Five hundred participants compete 2650m above sea level for the mass start, when skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers whizz down from the Vallugagrat to the valley at breakneck speeds. Halfway through the race it’s skis off, a 150m uphill climb, scaling 37m in altitude, skis on again, and full speed ahead. The 9km run takes place in the afternoon under challenging piste conditions.

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Where To Ski In Spring This Year? BEN CLATWORTHY

Specialist ski accommodation provider PowderBeds (www. powderbeds.com) has released a guide to skiing in March and April, along with details of some spectacular deals. “Spring is a fantastic time of year to go skiing. The weather is generally better, the sun is stronger, the air is warmer and at higher altitude you have a whole season worth of snow as a base to ski on. The days are longer too, the resorts quieter, meaning more space on the piste and less time spent waiting in lift queues. It also means that there are many great accommodation deals to be had as resorts look to sell their empty beds at low prices” says Marcus Blunt of PowderBeds.com

The company recommends skiers and boarders look for resorts with snowsure skiing above 2000m, preferably with north-facing slopes and/or glaciers, and therefore guaranteed snow. Recommendations include Tignes, Val D’Isère, Les Deux Alpes, Les Arcs and Argentiere. PowderBeds long list of deals include the week from 2 April in L’Ecrin des Neiges, Tignes, from £29pppn, based on six people sharing a two-bedroom apartment, or Le Cristal d’Argentiere, Argentiere, from 26 March for seven nights from just £16pppn, based on four people sharing a one-bedroom alcove apartment. “Spring is also a great time of year if you wish to supplement your skiing with other outdoor activities such as

PATRICK THORNE

climbing, walking or snowshoeing, but despite preconceptions, big snowfalls are quite common in April, and you often have a deeper snow base from a full winter’s worth of snowfall” added Blunt.

New High-Performance Ski Glove Canadian firm Arc’teryx’s (www. arcteryx.com) new Vertical SV Glove is their most high performance yet, featuring a proprietary patentpending Tri-Dex technology, premium GORE-TEX textiles, and advanced shaping. It is a short-cuff

version of the award-winning Alpha SV gauntlet glove, and according to the Vancouver-based skiwear brand the glove sets a new standard for fit, function and thermal comfort. The outer glove combines seamsealed GORE-TEX Pro Shell 3L fabric

technology, with a supple Lezanova leather palm. The removable liner is made of Polartec Wind Pro High Loft, and can be easily dried separately when damp from sweat. Marvellous. The gloves have a RRP of around €200 (£190).

“Off-piste skiing in spring is also something special as the snow forms a smooth sugary texture that’s a real joy to ski on. Make sure you take a guide not only for safety, but also to take you to the best spots at the right time of day.”

The Need For Speed Imagine accelerating from 0–177km/h in a mere 7 seconds … without an engine. Speed skiing is the fastest non-motorised sport in the world, and daredevil athletes from around the globe will gather in Sun Peaks Resort, Canada, for the 22nd Annual Subaru Velocity Challenge, 3–6 March. One of the longest running speed skiing events in the world, and the only event of its kind in North America, 40 skiers from ten countries will strap on their 2.5m skis for this FIS World Cup Speed Skiing event.

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WORLD'S GREATEST CHALET PATRICK THORNE

Luxury ski accommodation. It’s something we can all dream about, but few can actually afford. After all, the best chalets and hotels in the Alps can easily set you back more than £1000 per night. On the other hand, as we reported in last month’s InTheSnow, one of the few booming sectors of ski holiday travel from the UK is in the higher-quality market. Perhaps not quite true luxury, but at a level where you pay more upfront, which may include private transfers, inclusive-quality catering and drinks, and a quality that is at least above the mass-market norm. Consequently, guests still feel they are getting something truly special, a real holiday, rather than just moving the stresses of daily life at home to the mountains, with a little skiing or boarding thrown in. Such holidays are also an increasingly savvy investment, as people realise just how much in-

resort charges for often lacklustre food and poor service can add to the cost of their “cheap package”. But that’s just four star. The newest, arguably the most luxurious accommodation yet, the recently opened No.14 in Verbier (www. no14verbier.com; 01608 674011) is

would consider that fee pretty good value for money. Having the top week of the season in one of the world’s top resorts, with 13 stylish en-suite bedrooms, a spa, swimming pool, cinema, and a team of 15 experienced, professionally-trained staff to cater for your every need doesn’t, and shouldn’t,

Guests feel they are getting something truly special, a real holiday, rather than just moving the stresses of daily life at home to the mountains several notches above. Earlier this winter you would have needed to pay (for most of us) an eye-watering £91,000 for exclusive use of this spectacular mountain home over New Year’s week. Of course those that can afford it

come cheap. Unsurprisingly, the catering is something very special too, overseen by No.14's young, talented head chef Dan Cox, winner of The Roux scholarship 2008, and fresh from several three Michelin-starred

restaurants, including Per Se in New York and the Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire. Guests receive a sevencourse meal (almost) every night, and champagne on tap (well, it might as well be). You’d rapidly rack up a similar bill for eating-out alone in Verbier if you tried to feed a party of 20 say. But what if you could enjoy it all for just £125pppn? Then it becomes an option far more of us could afford, and indeed with luxury accommodation, the same gourmet meals and drinks included, as well as the many other special touches – it suddenly offers great value on almost any budget. Well, £125 per night is the low pricepoint offered at No.14 under ”certain circumstances.“ Those circumstances are, of course, that firstly the chalet has not already been booked up, secondly that it is outside peak season, and thirdly that you are staying during a ”reverse weekend” – that is a four-night visit from Sunday to Thursday. That £125 per night is based on two

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at an affordable price?

sharing a twin room during the last week of the season, just before Easter from 17 April at £500 each for the four nights. But there are other reverse weekends still available in between now and then for only a little more – check prices and current availability on the website. It’s not just reverse weekends that offer the deals however. As we went to press No.14 was still available for the weekend of 24–27 March for exclusive use at the reduced price of £39,000, or at an individual room rate of £1500pp. Also, the first two weeks of April (27 March–3 April and 3–10 April) are available on a room-by-room basis for £2250pp (based on two people sharing). Formerly a hotel, No.14 has undergone a major refurbishment, and reopened just last December. Designed by the same team who worked on Verbier’s other luxury chalet, Richard Branson’s The Lodge (£98,900 over New Year’s week and fewer

bedrooms!), No.14 is the brainchild of David Pearson, who built up the chalet company Ski Verbier over more than a decade, ultimately running 17 chalets in the resort, and the hotel that is now No.14, before selling the company in 2005. Along with No.14, Pearson’s new company, Verbier Exclusive (www.

Chacaltaya in the Bolivian Andes. David and Tom are keeping Verbier Exclusive small, and say there are no plans to expand much beyond their current list of three properties, with No.14 by far the largest. The chalet is testimony to Pearson’s two decades of experience in this

The epitome of stylish, yet understated, Alpine chic, it features a mix of... timber and stone, complemented by the highest quality fixtures and fitting verbierexclusive.com; 01608 674011), is run in partnership with Tom Avery who, along with his business skills, is one of only 41 people to have made it on foot to both north and south poles, as well as the now-defunct world’s highest ski area, 5200m up at

market sector. The epitome of stylish, yet understated, Alpine chic, it features a mix of traditional timber and stone, complemented by the highest quality fixtures and fittings, with furniture bespoke and handmade in London by Ben Whistler.

Apart from all the attractions already mentioned, guests have access to a 24-hour on-call driver service, the spa with a 10m pool, steam room, cold plunge pool and large Jacuzzi, and an exclusive spa therapist, Alex Main, who did her training at Loughborough University, working closely with the British athletics team, and touring rugby teams like the South African Springboks, and can provide every kind of massage and beauty therapy. There’s also a home cinema room with oversized U-shaped sofa, games consoles, and a selection of children's toys and games. Outside the decked terrace offers views across the valley from one of the comfy chairs, or the huge cedar hot tub. But really it is just the sheer delight of being a guest in such sumptuous and spectacular surroundings that makes a stay in No.14 a very special experience indeed.

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Campaign For Ethical Ski Traders Directory The website Much Better Adventures (www.muchbetteradventures.com) has launched a ”Join Us” campaign, with the aim of building a word-of-mouth ski resource for ethical travellers. The intention is to unearth recommended local providers you would otherwise struggle to find, support local businesses, and reward ethical practices. Much Better Adventures is a ”for adventure, not profit” initiative, supported by leading names across the industry. All suggestions received are rewarded with chances to win holidays, clothing, and other giveaways. Co-Founder Alex Narracott explains “In a world where most travel choices on offer look suspiciously familiar, there are many independent, individual and memorable alternatives out there. They are normally the hardest to find online.” All local businesses are added free-of-charge so that others can get in direct contact with them and leave reviews. The first 25 ski chalets to achieve ”Much Better” status cover classic as well as smaller French resorts, and Austria’s Schladming.

THE GREAT HELMET DEBATE

Prices from as little as

49 We’re not about to tell you that you must wear a helmet for skiing and snowboarding, but here we’ll talk about some of the features that may help you make an informed decision. With the latest construction and design technologies, today’s helmets are very user-friendly. There are two methods of helmet construction: In-mould construction helmets tend to be lighter and cooler. The system fuses a tough polycarbonate outer shell with an impact-absorbing expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam liner. This combination of shell and liner results in better ventilation and comfort. In-mould helmets have played a big part in the increase in helmet use. The Giro G10 is a great example of this type of helmet. Hard shell helmets combine a durable ABS shell with a lightweight EPS liner. This type of helmet tends to have less vents, but they’re great value and very hard-wearing. RED’s Trace is a cracking hard shell helmet at a great price. Two innovations in custom fitting have also made helmet use much easier. The In Form fit system from Giro delivers a very comfortable fit. A dial at the base of the helmet provides up to 6cm of adjustment, plus vertical tuning of the fore/aft positioning to match different head shapes and goggles is also possible. Salomon has developed Custom Air Fit where a widespread, air pad sits at the back and sides of the helmet, with a small pump built into the lining at the back of the neck. You simply press the pump a few times until the air pad inflates just enough to cradle the back and sides of your head. Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports choice of helmets is very comprehensive with ranges from Giro, Salomon, POC, RED, Pro-Tec and Bern. Speak to one of the in-store experts for advice on your perfect fit.

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Keep Warm With Odlo Thermal Underwear BEN CLATWORTHY

If you find your thermals are inadequate on very cold days, and too warm on spring days, the answer could be pro-sportswear manufacturer Odlo’s (www.odlo.com; 0118 965 7530) Evolution range, which comes in four different warmth qualities (Cool, Light, Warm and X-Warm) to provide the right underwear for all seasons, all weather, and all activity levels. The underwear range is a collection of men’s and women’s tops and bottoms, offering ultimate comfort thanks to its innovative 3D knitted construction. It works on the basis of ”zoned function”, where each

zone has a different thickness to aid moisture transportation for maximum comfort and performance, all produced in a seamless construction. As with all the other Odlo underwear collections, Evolution features ”effect”, a functional fabric that includes silver, putting an end to the unpleasant smell of sweat, therefore, keeping the wearer fresh. Evolution Warm is particularly suited for the coldest time of the year, due to the Odlo zoning principle; it provides extra heat retention and body climate control where adults need it the most. Coupled with its seamless construction and ergonomic shape, the underwear will ensure optimum comfort and freedom of movement for any situation.

Salomon Helmet Cools Head Salomon is launching an innovative all-season helmet, the Allium, next season, which will precisely fit the wearer’s head thanks to the company’s Custom Air system. However, an innovation for 2011–12 will be the new Thermo Control System (TCS). In the early season, wearers will stay warm with the TCS lining, but as temperatures rise, TCS exhaust ducts pull moisture out and away. During warm conditions and spring skiing, you can open the TCS ventilation, and force even more cool air into the helmet for maximum cooling. “It’s like a cabriolet!” said a company statement. Retail price will be around £135–150.

Flexible self / fully catered chalets for groups 2 – 26. Low prices and good service, so whatever your ski trip requirements, we will tailor your holiday to meet your needs and budget. Give us a try!

Please call 07832 332066 for more information or visit www.morzineholidays.com

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Saas-Fee Prepares For Race

BEN CLATWORTHY

One of the biggest events of the year at Switzerland’s Saas-Fee is the famed Allalin Races, which will take place in Saas-Fee on 1–2 April. For the 29th time, around 1000 participants will speed down the mountain from an altitude of 3600m (one of the continent’s highest liftserved points) to the finish line at 1800m − a

Backdoor access to main resorts Quality Self-catering sleeping 2-18 Self-drive/accommodation only Charming traditional resorts Ski Packs at great prices Resorts include: Samöens for Flaine, Les Gets for Avoriaz, Vaujany for Alpe d’Huez, Peisey for Les Arcs, St Martin de Belleville for Méribel & La Tania for Courchevel

thrilling 9km descent over 1800 vertical metres. The Allalin Race in Saas-Fee is open to allcomers, and is considered one of the top four amateur downhill races in Switzerland, the “Super Vier”, for more than a quarter of a century. Each year the race attracts many different participants, from ambitious amateur racers to winter sports fans who join in simply for the fun of taking part. This year the party will take place in a newlydesigned venue with a huge party tent, and a variety of food and drink stands. There’ll also be live music from various bands, who will keep the party pumping a full 12 hours. Another exciting development for the 2011 race is that international ski star Silvan Zurbriggen is now the event’s patron. He’ll be attending on Saturday 2 April to compete in the morning’s race, and will then stay around to speak to fans in the afternoon.

Snow Forecast Gets An App

peakretreats.co.uk w 0844 576 0173

peak retreats

Snow Forecast (www.snow-forecast.com), the highly popular site for snowfall prediction, has launched an iPhone app. Priced at just 59p from iTunes, less than the cost of a Mars Bar, the app brings all of the site’s features to the iPhone. “We'll be adding to it so users can look forward to more cool functionality such as a more detailed snowfinder tool, interactive maps and more. For people without an iPhone, we'll soon be rolling out a web-based mobile version” said Snow Forecast’s Nick Russill.

the french alps specialist

10462 Peak Retreats 129x180mm.indd 1

16/9/10 09:10:12

WHERE YOU SEE THIS SIGN

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Indoor Snow Resort:

LEGACY OF LONDON 2012 BEN CLATWORTHY

Acer Snowmec, the British company that has brought indoor snow to centres worldwide including Britain, USA, Spain, Dubai, and eight other countries, has confirmed that it has submitted an expression of interest to the Olympic Park Legacy Company to deliver an indoor snow resort to London. ”Snow in the city” would provide the capital with an iconic landmark for sports, leisure and entertainment, as well as being Europe’s first indoor destination snow resort. The development consortium team, led by ASL Developments Ltd, has appointed Gensler (the global architecture and design practice) to provide the iconic design for the centre. The proposed integrated mixed-use development would accommodate a 28,500m2 snowsports and leisure complex, fulfilling the specific aim of enhancing the pre-existing Olympic propositions, whilst reenforcing the UK as a world-leading sporting nation. Delivering on the five Olympic legacy promises, the concept would provide state-of-the-art sports and leisure facilities within central London. The multi-disciplinary winter sports amenities would include downhill and cross-country skiing, skier/ boardercross courses, freerider skiing, a full terrain park with carved terrain, rails and kickers, an Olympic-sized superpipe, as well as bobsleigh, skeleton and luge runs, ice skating and curling. Integrated within the scheme would also be a sports academy, sporting injuries clinic, office and media centre, lifestyle retail, food and beverage outlets, other leisure and entertainment, and a hotel. ”Bringing the mountains to east London would create an Olympic Legacy more exciting than anyone ever imagined” said former British ski racer and triple Olympian Konrad Bartelski, who has been

appointed to assist with the development. “It would be terrific that our young generation would have the opportunity to experience winter sports right here in the capital.” The scheme also provides a blueprint for sustainable living; the complex has been designed to compel an active lifestyle by presenting dynamic sports and leisure at a reasonable entry price. Whilst the design and build of the project would use the Acer Snowmec technology, and geothermal energy storage, it has also been slated for LEED ‘Platinum accreditation. The design has been conceived to minimise the shadowing effect of the 89m-high structure, by creating an open undercroft area so that natural sunlight can filter through the building.

UPGRADE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF KIT

Malcolm Clulow, Managing Director of Acer Snowmec, commented that “The anticipated footfall to the indoor snow resort alone could be well in excess of a million visitations a year, with the provision of over 3000 new jobs across a wide and diverse variety of sectors, ‘Snow in the City’ certainly delivers on the Olympic Legacy Promises. We are building this type of facility all over the world and at last London could be provided with the ‘best of the best’.”

Little World Festival Live Line-Up Revealed The Feeling’s Little World Festival (www.littleworldfestival.com) has unveiled the initial line-up for Méribel Live, which runs from 12–19 March, with over 40 gigs during ”the world’s most beautiful festival.“ With an open-air stage actually on the piste, the festival will feature some of Europe’s biggest acts with Squeeze, Sophie Ellis Bextor, The Feeling, The Freemasons, Fictionplane, Carl Barat of Libertines fame, The Langley Sisters, and Ed Harcourt performing. Fans can enjoy all gigs all week for only €95, with a single wristband allowing entrance to all events.

+44 (0) 114 248 4477 info@ski-mojo.com

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Instructor Expertise

JON (AKA WESTY) AT ALTITUDE

Jon is one of few instructors in the world to hold the top qualifications from France, Switzerland and Britain. He can teach on-and-off-piste skiing throughout the Alps and as Ski School Director, Jon helps manage the ski and snowboard school, the instructor training Gap programs, the Verbier freeride camps and also the winter and summer kids camps. (www.altitudeverbier.com; +41 27 771 6006).

This month Jon looks at what it takes to go from being a recreational skier, to calling skiing your full-time profession. When conducting our instructor training (for our Altitude Futures program) this is what we look for.

FEAR CONTROL

TACTICS ADJUSTMENTS

It islittle A important excitement that youorcan fear maintain is quite a good…however constant speed down if we anyare slope pushed withoutto far beyond our accelerating; thiscomfort shows you zone are in wecontrol. are extremely To achieve this, likely match to experience the turn shape a drop to in performance. the terrain, andThis finishisthe quite turncommon if you feelat all levels ofcontinuously yourself ability and Iaccelerating. am not suggesting Being that to able you pick don’t andpush choose yourself your line – but will help is also nice runs your to have flowaand fewlook tools smooth. to enable you to manage these extra distractions! Tip: Always aim to be in the centre of the ski to help control speed and line.

When High end venturing performers off thesuch groomed as Skiruns, Racers, whether professional in thefreeriders bumps ordefinitely off-piste, the snow prepare and themselves terrain willpsychologically be continuously changing before a competition under your feet. and the Youbattle must can maintain often be won a balanced or lost in and the mobile mind.position, so that you are ready to react to whatever the mountain throws at you. TIP: If the task seems a bit too much then break it down into smaller events. Tip: Keep a strong core to stop being Try skiing 4 bumps, then 8, then 10..then thrown around by changing snow or terrain. the whole run. If you are a beginner, try 4 turns, then 8 then 10!

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Over the following 4 issues we will tackle: Powder Skiing / Carving / Bumps / Instructor Training. PIC

EDGING IN THE ZONE

PRESSURE PLAN YOUR

A skillful is ablethat to create large can edge Pick oneskier key word you think angles, whilst still staying balanced and help you to stay focused on your skiing working theyour ski. When and not on fear. trying to increase the amount of edge, be careful to get So for example it could be thenot word tipped onto your inside ski. The amount ‘GO’ – if you are always stopping before of edgepart needs be appropriate forget the a steep or to ‘Strong’ if you often terrain, and for the speed you are going. thrown out of balanced position or have

In bumps, the terrain creates the need to have improved pressure control skills. If toout maintain ski-snow If we youare aretrying a little of your depth this contact and not get ”spat out”, it is crucial may help you to decide the easiest to have a good range of leg extension (on route, and thus install a bit of confidence the back of the bump) and flexion (on the back into your skiing. If you are looking front side of theyou bump). to impress then it may well offer

a tendency to panic at the end of the day Tip: yousnow wantgets to begin to increase whenIf the heavy. your edge angle, try going faster on a shallow pitch.

you the opportunity to pull a trick or get someTry air? will haveamount more Tip: toEither feel forway theyou appropriate funflex andand enjoyment your day! of extensionfrom movements,

ROUTE

depending on the forces acting in the turn.

When we consider how to keep kids interested at advanced level, one of the things to bear in mind is that it is the element of challenge that appeals to a lot of skiers. This can be seen clearly when you ski with advanced children. They seem to spend most of their time looking for more challenging terrain, and bigger jumps. It is great fun to ski with children who have this attitude, and the more creative you can be with different tasks for them the better. There are a huge range of ways to push their abilities, such as the different short turn variants, dolphin turns, and one ski skiing. Just taking one ski skiing as an example, it is possible to

make it harder and harder as children progress, firstly by taking away their poles, and then by getting them to try doing it while in a tuck position. When they have mastered this you can set them the same tasks on harder pistes. The other way of keeping advanced kids interested is by taking them onto harder terrain. Once they start to play on the off-piste, in the park, and in the bumps, it is then good fun to set them challenges there as well. In the off-piste, keeping to a certain size of turn, or skiing in an hourglass are perfect challenges. There are a number of easy tricks that they can learn in the park, and on the bumps, it works really well

to just get them to stick to a certain line, or rhythm. The main thing is to make sure that they are safe, but beyond that try and keep motivating them. Just remember to make sure you can do the tasks first so that you do not get left behind! Altitude Ski and Snowboard School in Verbier run specific lessons for children: Polar Bear Club for 3–5-year-olds, Kids Club for 6–15s, and Extreme Kids for kids who can do it all. All our instructors hold national level qualifications. See us in No.1 Shop Verbier or call +41 277 716 006. www.altitude-verbier.com

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Last winter was great for snow lovers, even in the UK! So make sure you’re prepared this season by checking out the very latest highspec and multifunctional winter products available. Choose from the selection of top products we’ve selected below.

BLACK DIAMOND FACTOR BOOT £449.99

SALOMON QUEST 12 BOOT £349.99

DAINESE V-JET HELMET £119.99

RIP CURL S-BOMB VEST £200

The Quest 12 falls into the ever-expand-

The V-Jet’s removable polycarbonate visor

The S-Bomb is a high performance elec-

The Factor is technically advanced

ing hike and ride category with its clever

is a new ski helmet concept, and is suited

tronically-heated soft shell vest designed

and ingeniously versatile. Its thermo-

blend of touring tech and alpine perfor-

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to keep you warm in cold environments.

formable, high-performance Powerfit

mance. You can quickly and easily switch

their eyes and have perfect visibility. It also

The S-Bomb features a powered heat-

liner uses a Boa closure system (found

from walk mode to full alpine-ski mode,

has a tough ABS outer shell, a perforated

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in snowboard boots) for a precise,

while the Biovent liner, Quicklace system

polystyrene foam inner shell, soft ear pads,

glows red when activated, and provides

supportive and comfortable fit. By

and Custom Shell fit keep your feet warm,

and a rear goggle-fastening strap with

warmth for up to 3 hours on maximum

adding an AT sole block it fits in any

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quick-release buckle.

power, and up to 6 hours on half power.

ski touring binding, making it a truly

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versatile boot for freeriders and back-

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country skiers.

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MARKER F12 TOUR BINDING £279.99 The innovative F12 has new, lighter toe and heel components that sit atop a smooth-flexing frame design. Lightweight, compact, and easy to step into, the frame features a new, glovefriendly release lever that puts it in touring mode, while the spring focuses energy directly toward the heel of the boot for optimum skiing performance.

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SKINS SNOWSKINS ¾ PANT £54.99 Skins have been developed, tested and proven to help you ski harder and longer day after day. The unique compression fabric increases your performance through greater muscle support, enhanced circulation, and improved body temperature optimisation. They reduce muscle fatigue, minimise muscle injury, and keep you warm.

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DAKINE VIPER GLOVES £29.99 The Viper is a great looking pipe glove that delivers comfort, durable weather protection, and soft suede palms with silicone grips. It offers great dexterity for getting in and out of bindings, or tweaking out that all-important grab, and also looks great back home.

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AMEL BASE LAYER £29.95 Amel set the standards in rider based therm layers. All shirts are super light weight, have extra torso length for no 'ride up' and extra style, plus the non-bulking sleeves mean you'll never have that awkward feeling under your jacket again! All therm layers are ethically produced in the USA!

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BURTON SHERLOCK £400

ATOMIC ELYSIAN SKI £449.99

The Sherlock is a dream board for the

The Elysian is an excellent all-mountain

freerider that likes to freestyle. It features

twin tip for intermediate skiers up-

an amazing line-up of Burton tech, which

wards. Light and responsive, it features

will let you ride better for longer! So seek

a twin tip design with a full wood core,

out those untouched powder fields and

and a sandwich side wall construction,

hunt down every last powder spray, while

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boosting 360s and popping stylish airs

a wonderfully stylish freeride ski that

along the way.

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MONTHLY GUIDE TO SKI ACCOMMODATION

in association with

www.clubchalets.co.uk Search ski chalet accommodation

SKI VERBIER

HOTEL ALEX

THE CLUBHOUSE

Verbier

Zermatt

Chamonix – Mont Blanc

Ski Verbier is the most established ski chalet operator in Verbier with a wide variety of luxury catered and selfcatered chalets and a boutique hotel.

The Hotel Alex is perfectly situated in the centre of Zermatt just off on a hidden back street, giving you the busyness of beautiful Zermatt right on your doorstep, but the peace and quiet you would expect from an escape to the mountains.

The warm and friendly welcome is simply hard to beat.

The Clubhouse is a boutique chalet-hotel, bar and restaurant which sits inside a magnificent 1920s Art Deco mansion. The building has undergone major refurbishment to create seven ultra modern rooms with accommodation for up to 20 guests. The range of rooms (from the sumptuous Myla Suite to the comfortable bunk rooms) boast his-and-hers, teakdecked, power showers, Frette linen and fat duvets.

020 7401 1101 info@skiverbier.com www.skiverbier.com

+41 (0)27 9667070 info@hotelalexzermatt.com www.hotelalexzermatt.com

+33 (0)450 984 220 reception@clubhouse.fr www.clubhouse.fr

LES BALCONS DE SOLEIL Avoriaz

ALPINE ACTION

LES RAVINES

Meribel & La Tania

Meribel

Made up of 6 buildings in the ‘La Falaise’ district of the resort. All these Pierre & Vacances residences are designed for maximum skier convenience and are ski in/ out with a supermarket, bakery and bars and restaurants. A great base for one of the many music events held in Avoriaz. A variety of apartments are available from studios to 3 bedroom apartments.

Alpine Action is best known for their quality catered chalets, superb cuisine & service. Hot-tubs & sauna's, all with Free WiFi and SKY TV. We don't need to tell you that the French Alps are fabulous or even that a chalet holiday is by far the best way to enjoy them both.

This recently renovated Maeva residence could not be better located for the centre of Meribel; opposite the piste access behind the Tourist Office. The residence also features a sauna and billiards room. Communal shower/changing area is available for changeover days. Apartment sizes available are studios for 4 people and 1 bedroom apartments for 6 people.

0870 026 7144 uk-sales@pierreetvacances.com www.pierreetvacances.com

01273 466535 sales@alpineaction.co.uk www.alpineaction.co.uk

0870 026 7144 uk-sales@pierreetvacances.com www.pierreetvacances.com

Guests are looked after by a team of staff providing world-class cuisine, discreet service and an in-resort driving service until 4am.

www.inthesnow.com

MATTERHORN FOCUS

TED BENTLEY

Zermatt

Nendaz / Courchevel Le Praz

Val d’Isere / 3 Valleys

Here you can enjoy privacy, outstanding design and a unique stay in 30 individual rooms. Situated in the most fantastic position with unrivalled views of the Matterhorn, the modern, elegant architecture blends in beautifully, elegantly and somewhat obtrusively but perfectly into the mountain around.

Ted Bentley is an independent luxury ski company. Superior chalets and impeccable service underpin everything they do, providing exceptional winter holidays to the discerning skier or boarder. They offer catered and self-catered chalets / apartment in Courchevel Le Praz, France, and in Nendaz, Switzerland.

Ski Power provide some of the finest ski holidays in the world famous resorts of Val D'Isere and 3 valleys.. This month we have some fabulous December offers - Pre Xmas weeks only £189pp, Xmas week - 10% discount, New Year - 12% Discount Please visit our website www.skipower.co.uk or call 01737 306029 for quotes and availability.

+41 (0)27 966 24 24 info@matterhorn-focus.ch www.matterhorn-focus.ch

01934 820854 info@tedbentley.co.uk www.tedbentley.co.uk

01737 306029 info@skipower.co.uk www.skipower.co.uk

HOTEL SCHÜTZEN

3 CHRISTIANIA APARTMENTS La Tania

SIMPLY VAL D'ISERE

The Hotel’s central location makes it really easy to explore the superb surroundings.

A Pierre & Vacances residence offering the ultimate in ski in/ out convenience. Located in the centre of the resort close to all the facilities. Ski time is certainly maximised in this great base to explore the 3 valleys. Renovated in 2010 these apartments are exceptionally spacious and comfortable with a fully equipped kitchen, flat screen TV’s. 1 – 3 bed apartments all available for shortbreaks and week stays.

Val d'Isère Specialist. Book with confidence. Fully financially bonded. Holidays; hotels, chalets, apartments, late deals; transport and transfers; ski and board tuition; ski and board hire; lift passes. Packages and independent stays. Luxury or corporate, families, groups or budget travellers. We offer an expert reservation service. Over 10 years experience in resort.

+41 (0)33 855 30 25 info@hotelschuetzen.com www.hotelschuetzen.com

0870 026 7144 uk-sales@pierreetvacances.com www.pierreetvacances.com

0845 021 0222 info@simplyvaldisere.com www.simplyvaldisere.com

THE CAMBRIAN

LES BALCONS DE 3 BELLEVARDE Val d'Isere

RESIDENCE LE QUARTZ Belle Plagne

Stunning mountain views in every direction, The Cambrian offers the kind of location that desk huggers the world over spend their days dreaming about. Located in the leading resort of Adelboden in the Bernese Oberland, the hotel provides authentic local colour, cosmopolitan comfort and inspiring cuisine backed up by superb service.

A comfortable and recently renovated Pierre & Vacances residence in ‘La Daille’ area of Val d’Isere just 200 metres from ‘Le Funival’. There are shops, bars and restaurants are all within 100 metres and the ski hire shop is next door. There are free shuttle buses to the resort centre. A variety of apartment sizes are available including studios and 3 bedroom apartments. Available for short breaks and week stays.

Situated in Belle Plagne these are comfortable and renovated apartments with ski in/out access and close to all the resort facilities. There are 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and they are available for shortbreaks and week stays. Also available from Pierre & Vacances nearby are Le Quartz and Les Constellation residences. Available for short breaks and week stays.

+41 (0)33 673 83 83 info@thecambrianadelboden.com www.thecambrianadelboden.com

0870 026 7144 uk-sales@pierreetvacances.com www.pierreetvacances.com

Lauterbrunnen

The Hotel Schützen is a classic Swiss chalet-style building located in Lauterbrunnen. This very friendly three-star hotel with spectacular views of the Bernese Alps, is just a five-minute walk from Lauterbrunnen railway station.

Adelboden

CHALET HOLIDAYS

SKI POWER

Val d’Isere

www.inthesnow.com

CHALETS 1066

L'OURS BLANC PRIVILEGE Alpe d Huez

Les Gets Catered Chalet, Les Gets, 10 min walk to slopes/lifts, almost ski back. Wonderful views, fantastic service, excellent food and wine, comfortably furnished with a log fire. Special Offers for In the Snow Readers 12 people for price of 9 10 people for price of 8 10% discount for smaller groups

LE GINABELLE 4

This Pierre & Vacances residence is located in the heart of the resort , it is lose to both the slopes and in the heart the resort close to excellent restaurants, shops and bars. A variety of apartment sizes are available from1 and 2 bedroom apartments for upto 8 people. Available for short breaks and week stays.

Chamonix

This Pierre & Vacances Premium property is located opposite the train station in the town centre close to all the resort transport links. Enjoy the delightful indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, fitness suite and Spa by Algotherm. There is a free loan service for: Irons, hairdryers, board games, fondue and raclette sets, baby safety kits, and portable Playstations®.

0121 288 0586 sue@chalets1066.com www.chalets1066.com

0870 026 7144 uk-sales@pierreetvacances.com www.pierreetvacances.com

THE ALPINE HOUSE INN & SPA Jackson Hole

LE VILLAGE 1950

LE MONTSOLEIL Flaine LES TERRACES D'EOS

A 22-room hotel plus five creek side cottages in the heart of Jackson Hole, two blocks from the famous Town Square. Built of century-old timbers, our warm, peaceful eco-lodge offers casually elegant rooms with our popular organic, home-made breakfast. The Little Spa offers massage and spa treatments after a day in the mountains.

This ski in and out village is a unique concept in Europe which has been thoughtfully designed with excellent restaurants and bars and regular village entertainment. There are indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzi, gym, hammam and sauna. A variety of apartment sizes are available from studios to 4 bedroom apartments. This village is exclusive to Pierre & Vacances Premium.

This Premium residence is designed with convenience in mind and offers exceptionally high standards. Located in an especially created hamlet above the main resort with ski in and out access to the pistes. The apartments are modern and very spacious by traditional French standards. Enjoy the delightful outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, hammam and fitness suite.

+1 307 739 1570 info@alpinehouse.com www.alpinehouse.com

0870 026 7144 uk-sales@pierreetvacances.com www.pierreetvacances.com

RESIDENCE LE BELMONT Les Arcs

Refurbished to high standard, this Pierre & Vacances residence a ski and out property in “Les Villards” with a shopping centre offering first class facilities within a peaceful setting at the edge of the forest. A great resort for all ages offering a range from studios to spacious 2 bedroom apartments. Available for short breaks and week stays.

0870 026 7144 uk-sales@pierreetvacances.com www.pierreetvacances.com

Les Arcs

www.inthesnow.com

REASONS TO SKI

San Cassiano

B. CLATWORTHY

GIANT SKI AREA San Cassiano sits on edge of the Sella Ronda circuit, which – viewed from above – acts like the hub of a wheel. A 23km network of runs and lifts circulates around its centre linking half-a-dozen villages, with famous ski valleys like Fassa and Gardena (all lift-linked) radiating off like spokes. The result is an estimated 500km-plus of lift-linked terrain, the second largest area in the world after the Les 3 Vallées, and all included in the hands-free Dolomiti Superski lift pass.

EASY ACCESS Innsbruck airport is one of the quietest in the Alps, and an easy option for reaching Alta Badia and San Cassiano quickly through the Brenner pass, which links Austria to Italy. Fast road or rail/bus connections make the journey quicker and more stress-free than most. At the weekends you can also take the low-cost coaches operated by Terravision to Alta Badia, via Selva Val Gardena. See www.suedtirol.info/fly.

STUNNING SCENERY There are great mountain views to be had from many ski resorts worldwide but the Dolomites, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are up there with areas like the Jungfrau Alps, and the Canadian Rockies as undeniably the world’s best. The massive precipices of pink-hued rock are truly awe-inspiring, as well as very beautiful. They’re particularly magical when caught by the first or last rays of the day’s sunshine.

★★★★

pp pw *

FR O M

£2 48

Home to a greater concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants than any other ski region, Alta Badia – where San Cassiano is located – is about more than just up-market gourmet dining. The puritanical chefs of the region have infected the whole area with a love of good food, and quality cuisine of all styles and all price brackets is universally available, from a healthy breakfast on the mountain made with all local ingredients, to a gourmet calibre lunch, through to superb dinners.

O NL Y

SUPERB DINING

Le Village de Lessy Le Grand Bornand

LOWER COSTS Despite the world-class dining, skiing and accommodation, costs in San Cassiano and Alta Badia are typically lower than in the big resorts of the French Alps. Although the full Dolomiti Superski ticket is one of the more expensive options in Europe, the regional Alta Badia ticket, which covers 130km of trails locally served by more than 50 lifts, is perfectly adequate for many skiers and is around 10% less, with prices as low as €171 for 6 days in low season (€188 from 20 March to the end of the season).

Black Vertigo Re-Opens The steepest slope with, Cortina says, the longest continual vertical in the Dolomites, has re-opened above the famous Italian resort. The historic Forcella Staunies piste, which begins with a slope of 64%, is set between beautiful snow-capped peaks, with breathtaking views of the entire Ampezzo valley if you dare to look up. It was created for the 1956 Olympics as a back-up if snow cover was not adequate on lower runs. The piste descends from 3000m through a

steep, narrow gorge between two rocky cliffs, with a panorama where the sky and the earth appear to fuse together, with spectacular views to the very centre of Cortina. The run is accessed by first taking the Rio Gere chairlift to Son Forca, from where you reach the Valgrande-Staunies chairlift, which takes you up to 3000m altitude, and breathtaking views of the Dolomites. Plunge headlong down the slopes of Mount Cristallo, following a 3km-long descent, arriving at Padeon at 1982m altitude.

Great Value newly built MGM 4-star accommodation including private pool, Sauna, Jacuzzi & spa. Right by the slopes • 1 hour from Geneva airport and one of the closest resorts to Calais • Family friendly, away from the crowds • Perfect intermediate snow sure skiing *self drive package, conditions apply

peakretreats.co.uk/GrandBornand

peak retreats the french alps specialist

10462 Peak Retreats 129x180mm.indd 2

call 0844 576 0179 16/9/10 09:10:15

www.inthesnow.com

SNOWBOMBING

RES

TU ADVEN E T S I P D OFF-

ERVE

LIFT-S

ITS!!

UR LIM USH YO

BEN CLATWORTHY

InTheSnow’s Ben Clatworthy spent 10 minutes with Snowbombing Owner Gareth Cooper to uncover all the exciting gossip ahead of the festival, which takes place this year in Mayrhofen, Austria, 4–9 April.

Lift-served off-piste, Touring, How-To Courses and Avalanche Safety, Europe and Worldwide Join us for One Day, Weekend or Week Long trips and courses Find out more...

mountaintracks.co.uk

What is Volvo Snowbombing, and how did it all start? GC> Snowbombing is a music festival in a ski resort, giving you the chance to listen to some great music, as well as having an amazing winter sports holiday. You get the best of both worlds; the great thing is that the majority of the tourists are in the resort for Snowbombing, so the atmosphere is just fantastic. Imagine, thousands of people all into music, boarding or skiing! The festival launched back in 2000, when we took about 250 people and about ten DJs over on a ski holiday to Risoul. Who would have known how big the event would become? Today, we run approximately ten venues a day, and have over 150 acts. The whole thing is a logistical challenge but we manage quite well. Where does Volvo Snowbombing take place? GC> Our home for the last 5 years has been the brilliant resort of Mayrhofen in Austria. They have taken the event to their hearts, and we work very closely

with them to ensure we put on a fabulous show. Mayrhofen is the perfect host resort, as it has a great selection of accommodation to suit every budget. There’s everything from apartments to five-star hotels, and the ski area has some of the best late season snow in Europe. The ski pass grants access to 625km of pistes, as well as the Hintertux glacier. How did you come up with the idea for such an event? GC> We wanted to sell some ski holidays, and needed a gimmick to get us some advertising. The answer was to put on some music acts as part of the holiday. The fact that some of the après-ski entertainment was simply awful back then, meant there was definitely going to be a demand too. What’s the big news for 2011? GC> Well our headline act is The Prodigy and they will play in a forest. That’s pretty big news if you ask me! We’ve also increased the numbers phenomenally from last year, and we have now sold every tourist bed in Mayrhofen and have started using the neighbouring resorts, which will work well. I’m also looking forward to the royal wedding street party halfway through the week! What’s the most exciting aspect of the event? GC> It’s the atmosphere. It’s got to be the

friendliest, most up-for-it crowd of any festival I have been too. This only happens when thousands of people come to spend a week in each others company. The venues are also out of this world, which certainly helps. We have Fat Boy Slim playing in an igloo, The Prodigy in a forest, and Mr Motivator does warm-up and warm-down sessions at the top of the mountain. Eddie the Eagle has a jump school, and we close the roads for a street party. The whole week is full of random bonkers and fun. It’s great but we do take the skiing seriously too! Music is a big part of the festival, who’s headlining 2011? GC> We’ve got a massive line-up of over 150 acts for 2011. The Prodigy, Fat Boy Slim, Pendulum Live, Chase and Status Live, Example, Professor Green, Magnetic Man, Skream, Benga, John Digweed, Scratch Perverts, Stanton Warriors, and many more! What is the situation with travel and transfers to and from the event? GC> We are the tour operator and the promoters so things are very simple. Holidays are bought online from our website, and this includes accommodation and the wristband for entry into the festival venues. It’s possible to book everything from flights, coaches, transfers, ski hire, and insurance, online at www.snowbombing.com. What could be easier?

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