InTheSnow Issue 30 - February 2013 by InTheSnow

EE FR

L E E F E ! H T SH

U R

In the Snow 277x85 Jan_v2 copy.pdf

CMY

19/12/2012

12:12

on KI S NE 05 I reports P NE E AL IPS R HO F TH NSH T ICK RT O MPIO R T PA STA CHA the RLD WO NOW ON NEWSSTAND

WANT EVEN MORE SKI & SNOWBOARDING NEWS, THEN VISIT INTHESNOW.COM

ISSUE 30 | FEBRUARY 2013

THE UK'S MOST READ SKI & SNOWBOARDING MAG

7X BRITISH CHAMPION, CHEMMY ALCOTT FLIES WITH MONARCH Up to 7 flights a week to Friedrichschafen, Munich, Grenoble & Innsbruck

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

e’re still in the first weeks of the year as I write this, but I can officially announce that winter 2012–13 has had a strong start, both in terms of snow cover and sales, according to tour operators and travel agencies. “We recorded our best December ever. The snow has helped and prices for New Year, although initially dipped by discounts, came back to full price and totally sold out,” said Nick Edwards of specialist travel agency Snow Finders (www.snowfinders.co.uk). Meanwhile in the UK’s largest market, the French Alps, things are looking good too, Stephane Giraud of Skiinfo.fr told InTheSnow, “Resorts were reporting business up by the end of the crucial Christmas and New Year holiday periods by between 10 and 25%, despite tough economic times across Western Europe. This was largely thanks to the mostly great December snow conditions.” Craig Burton, Managing Director of snow sports travel agency Ski Solutions (skisolutions. com) is equally enthusiastic, “2013 is off to a fantastic start. Shockingly our Sales team were absolutely inundated over Christmas with enquiries for New Year but the availability was long gone. It seems lots of people are still hopeful of late deals on peak dates, but for those who really want to be in the mountains, our advice is lock it down now.” So with the World Alpine Skiing Championships getting underway, the countdown to the Sochi Olympics entering its final year, and not forgetting our all new InTheSnow Live ski show coming to the NEC in October, 2013 does look to be shaping up be the year when the ski industry turns the corner and returns to growth. Of course the season is not yet halfway through, and by the time you’re reading this the early excitement may have been thwarted by a sudden thaw, but with bases now averaging 1.8m on slopes above 1800m in the Alps, it would need to be pretty unprecedented to cause real problems now. “It certainly seems a stronger market … but a lot can happen so we are taking nothing for granted!” concludes Edwards.

The Schladming World Championships Are Here PATRICK THORNE

t’s the big one for 2012–13, the Alpine Ski World Championships get underway in Schladming, Austria, from 4–17 February – the biggest ski event for 2 years and, in reality, the curtain raiser for the 2014 Winter Olympics build-up, and now just over a year away in Sochi, Russia. The World Championships take place every 2 years, and this is the 42nd time they’ve been staged, and it is the second time that this southern Austrian resort has held the contest,, previously hosting the Championships in 1982. The event will see around 650 athletes from 70 nations competing in the main downhill ski events. British hopes are high for success at the Championships, with Chemmy Alcott back in competition, after her 2-year recuperation following an infamous Lake Louise crash in December 2010. Other senior team stars include Dougie Crawford and TJ Baldwin. But regardless of how the competition goes, the good news for all of us is the ”legacy” of the Championships, just as it was (and is) for London and Vancouver. Schladming and its neighbouring resorts are already some of the best equipped ski regions in the Alps, but a €400m (£336m) spend in the run-up to the games has left the area truly state-of-the-art for the coming years. Nearly a quarter of the investment has gone on movements to ski runs, installing fast, comfortable lifts, and other infrastructure upgrades, while half the money has been spent on shiny new hotels and upgrades to existing accommodation. “Improvements and construction projects worth around €97m have been completed

Publisher

DOMINIC KILLINGER dom@inthesnow.com Production Director

MATT NICHOLSON matt@inthesnow.com

on Schladming’s 4-mountain ski area Schladming throughout the ski season (Planai, Hochwurzen, Reiteralm, Hauserhave been locked out for the duration of Kaibling), as well as on the smaller ski areas the Championships, so direct booking and in the region so guests will definitely benefit independent travel are required. now and later from our improvements,” Of course, it isn’t actually that difficult, said Michaela Lautischer of Schladming there are flights from most UK airports Dachstein Tourism. with one or more airlines (including There has been a particular emphasis on investing for the environment with green energy projects, and also to help make ski holidays better for disabled skiers with, again, excellent facilities now in place. With this in mind, Schladming has already been awarded the 2017 Winter Special Olympics, having first staged that event in 1993. World Championships: schladming2013.com Of course, for the Resort: schladming-dachstein.at/en Championships, as with most International Ski Federation: fis-ski.com major events these days, a few British Alpine Team: teambss.org.uk of the runs will be closed, but Chemmy Alcott: chemmyalcott.com the core 4-mountain ski area – TJ Baldwin: tj-ski.com which includes 52 ski lifts and Dougie Craword: dougiecrawford.com 117km of slopes (just part of a total 223km of piste and 113 lifts in the wider region) – will be fully open for the entire duration of the event. In fact, only half a dozen British Airways and Easyjet) to Salzburg, trails will be closed in the wider region, so and you can book a package through the visitors will be able to enjoy a full ski holiday, official accommodation provider for the with the added excitement of the World Championships (schladming-dachstein.at/ Championships as a bonus. en) – for example, B&B at a 3 hotel with “The vast majority of our hills (85%) will be a day pass to the Championships included available for the enjoyment of our skiing from €119 (£100) based on two sharing. guests,” said Hermann Gruber, Managing “Currently we still offer rooms in any type Director of Schladming Dachstein Tourism. of accommodation. Although it is rather Actually getting to the Championships difficult to find rooms just for one night is not quite as straightforward for Brits for the weekend. We suggest that guests as it might be, because the big tour wanting to book a weekend room do so at operators that usually offer holidays to the last minute,” added Gruber.

Editor

Sub Editor

Boot Room Sponsored By

Design By

PATRICK THORNE

MICHELLE SADLER

SKI BARTLETT

ROCKET BASE

Reporters / Contributors

Ski Tuition By

Olivia Parry-Jones Jon West Sally Brookes DAVID BLACK

JON WEST

patrick@inthesnow.com News Editor

BEN CLATWORTHY ben@inthesnow.com Public Relations

DEBBIE GABRIEL debbie@inthesnow.com

www.rocketbase.co.uk © Copyright 2013 No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in anyway or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.

The Snow Studio / Kings Lane / Buckinghamshire / HP16 0QY // +44 (0)1494 862 423 // dOM@INTHESNOW.COM // www.INTHESNOW.COM

patrick@inthesnow.com

Crispin Cannon

inthesnow.com | FEBRUARY 2013

It’s that time of year when we’ve reported all the major new lifts for the season, and are

Whistler Blackcomb Upgrades Terrain Parks

waiting to hear final details of what resorts around the world have planned for next season, 2013–14. Therefore, in a break from tradition, here is a selection of ski lift stories.

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB Our first report of a new lift for next season, Whistler Blackcomb has announced an investment plan of CAN$18m (£11.4m) for two new lifts to be installed this summer. Whistler Mountain’s Harmony high-speed,

PATRICK THORNE

he Whistler Blackcomb Nintendo Terrain Parks (whistlerblackcomb/ terrain-parks) already span 40 hectares, and are home to a 6.7m superpipe, a snowcross track, and more than 150 features; but this season the resort in Western Canada has made some major changes to the parks, including an overhaul of the Nintendo Highest Level

Terrain Park on Blackcomb, a new ”park specific” winch cat, and many more new park features. The Nintendo Highest Level Terrain Park on Blackcomb has been revamped, featuring jumps ranging from 12–24m. The large jump line, previously in the Habitat Terrain Park on Whistler, has been relocated to the Nintendo Highest Level Terrain Park on Blackcomb. Helmets are still mandatory within the Nintendo Highest Level Terrain Park, but guests no longer need to purchase

a separate pass to access the park. “The park is the best it's ever been and the big jump line has really been stepped up,” said TJ Schiller, professional skier and X Games gold medallist. “The jumps are perfectly shaped with longer, steeper landings. It's really helped me get ready for my long season.” Also new for the 2012–13 season is an upgraded park-specific winch cat. The upgraded winch cat allows the parks crew to groom and manicure steeper landings.

quad chairlift will be replaced with a new Doppelmayr high-speed, detachable, sixpack chairlift. Blackcomb Mountain will also see a lift enhancement, with a new high-speed, quad chairlift allowing access to a new area in the Crystal Zone, currently reached by a fixed-grip, triple chair.

SOCHI Emergency services were forced to rescue 75 people from a ski lift in the resort of Rosa Khutor in January after a tree fell onto the cable. The resort, which will be a major host at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games

French Breathalyser Law For March

next year, will be holding test events for the Games in the coming weeks. The evacuation took rescuers over 2 hours. There were no reported injuries.

BANSKO The Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, has spoken out in support of installing a second lift at the resort of Bansko. The resort, which is popular with British skiers looking to take advantage of lower prices, has been facing a capacity problem at the resort base for many seasons now, according to sources. "Skiers wait for hours in line and the number of tourists is beginning to decline for this reason," Borisov said, adding that tourists would abandon Bulgarian destinations for foreign ones with better ski infrastructure unless a new lift was installed.

Get Snapped Along The Milky Way s technology moves forward, resorts are taking different approaches to the old idea of photographing and recording skiers on the slopes for fun and for performance analysis. Most are offering an automated service, but the Milky Way ski region, which straddles the French–Swiss border, has chosen a middle course – retaining human beings to take the pictures, but offering visiting skiers and boarders the chance to purchase and download images at home or wherever they are, rather than having to get to the photo studio in the resort as in the old days. The new online gallery (vialatteaimages.com) is updated daily with hundreds of photos organised by time and place, making browsing easier. Once the images are found there will be the option of buying them in a traditional print to be mailed to you, or as a digital file. The company behind the service also offers photo books as souvenirs of your visit, which can be themed for families, children, or just “My Day in the Milky Way.”

A French law that requires all drivers to carry a breathalyser kit in their car will finally come into force in March. The law was introduced in July last year, but initially it was reported that until November last year, motorists found without the kit in their cars if stopped by police would just receive as warning. That period of grace was later extended to start this year, but the French government says that from 1 March an on-the-spot fine of €11 will be payable by transgressors. Halfords are selling twin packs of disposable testers for £5.99. The French government hopes the measure will reduce the number of alcohol-related road deaths by 500 per annum, by encouraging drivers to check if they’re over the limit before they get behind the wheel. French rules on driving after alcohol consumption are stricter than in Britain, barring drivers with more than 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. In Britain, the limit is 80mg.

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

SWATCH CUP HEADS North BEN CLATWORTHY

fter two editions of the Swatch Skiers Cup (swatchskierscup.com), a freeride and freestyle ski contest between teams from North America and Europe, which took place in Valle Nevado, Chile, the event comes to Europe for the first time this February. The teams from North America (the defending champions) and Europe have been announced, and include our own Paddy Graham alongside other elite skiers from Austria, France, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.

"Our main goal is to create an event that brings together like-minded people from all over the world and just have a blast laughing and competing in the same time," said Event Co-Founder and European Team Captain Kaj Zackrisson. Enormous early-season snowfall already blankets the mountains of host resort Zermatt, Switzerland, promising favourable riding conditions when the event is staged from 10–15 February. Zermatt has 29 peaks over 4000m in the immediate vicinity, along with the world's most technologically advanced ski centre, making it the perfect arena for some of the sport's best riders to show their abilities, say the organisers.

Nevis Range

Back Corries Re-Graded he Coire Dubh area of the Back Corries (snowsports. nevisrange.co.uk/Back_ Corries), within the Nevis Range ski area, near Fort William in northwest Scotland, is now designated as an off-piste bowl with named itineraries. Like other internationally recognised itineraries, these itineraries are overseen by Ski Patrol, although in a more limited way than the main ski area. The itineraries will commonly be designated as “Limited Patrol” cover, but may also, at times, be designated “Open” or “Closed” and these status’ will be reported in the daily Snow Report, and on the onsite screens. Ski Patrol

will also be on hand to provide the most up-to-date information once on the slopes. The resort’s popular Back Corrie Workshops, aimed at experienced skiers and snowboarders seeking a better understanding of backcountry safety in relation to the Back Corrie area, are running again this winter, the next one on Sunday 24 February. Places are limited as each workshop is limited to ten, so advance booking is advised. In addition, new Freeride Clinics start this month, designed to provide adventurous advanced-to-expert skiers a blend of technical instruction, steep skiing tactics, and some local knowledge. Again, wouldbe participants should book in advance.

ROCKER

inthesnow.com | FEBRUARY 2013

Val Thorens

m o u n t a i n h e a v e n heavenly skiing, at down to earth prices

More Snowmaking For World’s Biggest Ski Area BEN CLATWORTHY

ith excellent natural snowfall so far this winter, and during the autumn preceding it, the world’s biggest ski area – Les 3 Vallées in France (les3vallees. com) – has not had to call upon its mighty snowmaking arsenal much this season. The aforementioned arsenal includes 2050 snowmaking machines, which now cover a third of the area – some 200km – and all of them powered by renewable energy. But the area covered by artificial snowmaking machines has nonetheless

increased this winter, once again for added snow security, so long as temperatures are low enough for the system to operate. The new machines provide artificial snow cover on Les Creux run above Courchevel (www.courchevel.com) with the installation of 46 snowmaking machines, and the addition of 12 machines on the Cospillot run. In Val Thorens (valthorens.com) 15 new silent snowmaking machines have been installed at the foot of the resort, providing even easier access to Val Thorens’ ski area right through the long season from November to May.

The Sarah Burke Foundation he Sarah Burke Foundation (sarahburkefoundation. com) has been launched nearly 1 year after the Canadian freerider’s death in a Utah training accident. Helmed by Burke’s husband, freeskier Rory Bushfield, the foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to Burke’s legacy. Its mission is “to provide inspiration and support to those in need.” “Sarah had too many amazing qualities to list, but two of the most obvious ones were her love of winter sports, and her commitment to helping people in need,” says Bushfield, who’s serving as the Foundation’s President. “We are honoured to be able to continue Sarah’s practice of giving through the Sarah Burke Foundation and are grateful for the

high quality catered & self catered accommodation French and Swiss Alps Snow Sure Resorts On / Near Piste locations No Hidden Extras Financially Bonded

0151 625 1921 mountainheaven.co.uk

tremendous support we have received.” Funds raised through the Foundation will go toward athlete scholarships, and organisations Burke would have been keen to support. Fundraising efforts include the sale of Sarah Burke Snowflake necklaces, inspired by Sarah’s snowflake tattoo, along with Lil Wayne limited edition Sarah Burke T-shirts.

Drive Safely… and Legally nyone planning to drive to the ski slopes this season is being advised to ensure they are up-to-date on the legal requirements for winter driving in all the countries they’re driving through, by Andy Hemmington, the boss of comparecarhire.co.uk, a site which does what its name suggests. The latest change is in Luxembourg – a popular spot for drivers heading south via Belgium to avoid French motorway

tolls, and wanting to fill up with cheaper petrol – which changed its laws in October 2012 to make it mandatory in wintery conditions for all vehicles, including those from foreign countries, to have winter tyres fitted, matching a change to German law 2 years ago. “We want people to ensure they know the laws of the particular country they are visiting to avoid any costly fines or penalties but most importantly, to stay safe on the roads,” says Hemmington.

InTheSnow.com

010

Kitzbühel, a small medieval town, is located in the Austrian Tirol, and known as the most legendary city of sports in the Alps. It is famed for hosting the annual Hahnenkamm World Cup races in January, and the APT tennis tournament, the Austrian Open, during the summer.

Kitzbühel LIFE IN PICS 1893

1926

1931

The Year It All Began

Kitzbühel Ski School Founded

First Hahnenkamm Races

Franz Reisch, the now famous ski pioneer, made his first turns on snow in Kitzbühel during the winter of 1893. He managed to ski down from the Kitzbüheler Horn, in what is now regarded as the first alpine ski run in Austria.

It took just 33 years from Reisch’s first ski attempt for the Kitzbühel ski school to be established. The “Red Devils” school – so-called after the red sweater and red berets instructors wore – quickly became worldfamous under the direction of its founder and marketing guru Karl Koller. The method of skiing taught in Kitzbühel spread the world over – and today is known as “Austrian-style skiing”.

The resort first hosted the now infamous Hahnenkamm World Cup races in 1931. It would be the downhill race, held on the Streif piste, which would shoot the Hahnenkamm races to worldwide fame. Still today the course is seen as the most challenging on the World Cup circuit.

1950–60

2004

2013

Ski Wonder Team

The 3S Gondola Opens

120 Years Later Still The Number One

The legendary “Ski Wonder Team” plays a celebrated role in the history of Kitzbühel. For 10 years the best skiers in the world all came from Kitzbühel. The six skiers, which included Toni Sailer, dominated the racing scene between 1950 and 1960, winning 27 medals in the Olympics and World Championships.

A huge engineering project, the 3S cross-valley gondola links Kitzbühel to the resorts of Jochberg and Pass Thurn. Travelling for 3642m the lift takes 9 minutes end to end, and its highest point is at 400m. One cabin floor is made of glass, allowing breathtaking (if not slightly scary views) of the slopes and mountain below.

There is no question that Reisch triggered the development of Kitzbühel into the ski mecca that the resort is today, 120 years after he first strapped on his skis. With 170km of pistes and 52 lifts the resort continues to go from strength to strength, and no doubt will for the next 120 years.

011

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

Winter Segway Fun In The "Best Ski Resort" of 2012 ecently awarded the title of Best Ski Resort 2012 by the Mountain Management study, the resorts of Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis (www.serfaus-fiss-ladis.at) are fairly unknown in the UK. Only an hour from Innsbruck, these Austrian resorts offer extensive snow-sure skiing on 185km of piste using a joint pass. Before exploring the snowy landscape on a Segway, you can have a practice session at the obstacle course in Fiss. After seeing how easily the well-balanced tyres grip the snow, it won’t be long before you are performing elegant pirouettes in the snow. A 90-minute panorama or adventure tour starts from €59pp (approx. £50). Ski Bespoke (skibespoke.com) offers seven nights' half-board at the 4 St Zeno Hotel from £1530pp, including flights and transfers.

However You Prefer_A4_ITS_Dec12.pdf

22/11/2012

22:02

However You Prefer To Ski... Snow Volleyball Anyone? Anyone looking to see something a little different on the snow this Easter should head to St Anton in Austria, where the ”Snow Volleyball Tour“ rolls into town on 5–6 April. What the resort describes as “the international volleyball elite” will be competing in customary style at the top station of the Rendl lifts, at 2030m above sea level, for the ”King of the Snow” title. Hundreds of fans and spectators are expected in town to witness this unusual extreme sport event and will later party through the night. Note: the competitors’ kit appears slightly more substantial than that for beach volleyball!

Ski Bartlett Riders: Ed Drake, George Walton

...We’ve Got The Expertise & Equipment!

Bringing you the most comprehensive range of skis and boots in the UK. Custom boot fitting specialists. With almost 50 years of advice and expertise and a reputation that has stood the test of time, our goal is to help you ski better everyday.

Free Lift Pass In Livigno The Italian resort of Livigno (www. livigno.eu/en) has a free lift pass offer for stays in the last few weeks of its long season, from 13 April–1 May. Free passes are available when a room in a participating hotel is booked direct for a minimum of four nights, or an apartment is booked for seven nights. Prices start at £140 for four nights in a hotel, and £172 for a week in an apartment, with supplements for half-board or full-board options.

Ski Patrol Rescues Sheep The ski patrol at Tamarack Ski Resort in Idaho, USA, was called into rescue a trapped sheep that was stuck in snow just outside the ski area. The sheep, which appeared to be alone and may have been stuck for some weeks (although no-one is quite sure), was removed from the scene on ski patrol’s rescue stretcher. The sheep was taken to a nearby ranch, where it was initially reported to be recovering well from its ordeal, but sadly later died.

012

Inghams New Val d’Isère Flagship Chalet nghams (inghams.co.uk) has opened a new 4 flagship chalet hotel in Val d’Isère. The Chalet Hotel du Montet has been specially converted from a traditional stone farmhouse, to create a chic chalet

hotel with 24 bedrooms, designed in a Savoyard style using local timber, with modern decor and state-of-the-art appliances. Located in Le Fornet, just a short walk to the chairlift, Inghams guests can also ski right to the hotel’s front door

This February thousands of children will head to the slopes with their family or school, and for many it will be their first time on a pair of skis. Essential to their enjoyment, and future enthusiasm for the sport, will be how warm, dry and comfortable they are. So investing in the right clothing and accessories, including goggles, socks and suncream, will lead to a happier experience. Happy children equal happy parents. Some great brands, including Spyder and The North Face, now make children’s clothing, using the same top-ofthe-range technology, fit and durability as their adult ranges, but at a fraction of the price. A three-in-one jacket such as The North Face Skilift Triclimate allows you to add or take away a layer according to the temperature, making it versatile enough for mountain and around town wear. Helmets for under-14s are becoming compulsory increasingly in resorts – and ski schools insist on them. Junior helmets are now available with adjustable fit so, not only are they more comfortable, but you get more longevity from them. Helmet wearing can be made fun thanks to the accessories and covers now available to customise them with. And finally, a top tip for toasty hands; invest in a pair of Bart’s mitts with the ”don’t-lose-em-cord”, which prevents your child dropping one glove and having a cold hand for the rest of the day – genius!

Photos credit: Dom DAHER - Tristan SHU - EIDER©

Child's Play

Got a question for the Ellis Brigham team? Then email it to marketing@ellis-brigham. com, tweet it to @ellisbrigham, or post on Facebook, and if your question is featured next month you could win a £100 Ellis Brigham gift voucher. ADRIEN COIRIER

Visit our website at ellis-brigham.com

Val Thorens (France), January 2012

via an unpisted track. Inghams is offering seven nights on a catered basis (breakfast, afternoon tea/coffee and cakes, and fivecourse dinner with unlimited wines) from £899pp, including return flights from London Gatwick and transfers.

013

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

Self Catering Ski Apartments at Exceptional Value

BEN CLATWORTHY

he list of après activities for the Brits 2013 festival (thebrits.com) in Tignes, France, has been announced. It’s the 24th staging of the festival, its first in France for 9 years, and runs from 23–30 March with packages from £279. Back by popular demand are the BRITS Sledgercross and the Reggae BBQ. “Last year’s BRITS saw the introduction of the Sledgercross, apparently the threat of broken limbs doesn’t deter people from

hurling themselves down a slope on a child’s plastic sled!” says Hayley Newnam from the BRITS. Also back, the Whitelines Rail Jam, which will see British and French jibbers ride in an open jam session before each nations’ ”captain” picks their team of riders to fight it out in a penalty shootout-style final. Then the floodlit Airtime Team Challenge, an invitational big air in the centre of Val Claret, will call upon four skiers and four snowboarders from each country to battle it out in a head-tohead dual.

Moët Champagne Bar Opens On Spanish Slopes pain’s most glitzy resort, Baqueira-Beret, is the latest to open a champagne bar on the slopes, joining Aspen and St Moritz amongst others. The new Moët Lounge is located near the entrance to the resort at the Orri (1850m) log cabin, and can be accessed by skiing or snowshoeing in. Along with chilled Moët, guests can enjoy excellent views of the north face of the slopes, and there’s indoor dining, and a DJ performing from lunchtime onwards. The Moët Lounge is also open

• Saint Lary • Cauterets • La Mongie • Peyragudes • Charming Pyrenean mountain villages • Traditional Spa Culture • Stunning scenery, unspoilt pistes • An excellent choice for families • Fly direct Stansted/Lourdes (Tarbes)

Call us on 0844 576 0178

SkiCollection.co.uk

Accommodation-only or self-drive deals Book now with a UK specialist tour-operator

S Li av ft e Pa wi ss th of ou fe r rs *

Apres Announced For BRITS 2013

Val Cenis French Alps

Les Chalets de Flambeau 

for small group bookings in the evenings, serving a champagne special menu, and should you desire it can be accessed by horse-drawn sleigh.

from only

£197 pppw*

Train As A Ski Instructor This Summer f you’re not sure you can cope with the season ending in the spring, or indeed looking forward to a life without winter sports involved 24/7, then the International Academy’s southern

hemisphere courses, beginning in July, could be the answer! The Academy (international-academy. com) has operated since 1997 in Cardrona, New Zealand, and once qualified you’re well placed to do a full winter in the Alps or Rockies, whilst earning as a ski instructor. A place on the 10-week course beginning 13 July costs £7950, which includes accommodation at the Apollo Lodge, with breakfast and weekday evening meals. Return flights start at £1500 from London Heathrow to Queenstown.

MGM built 4-star luxury self-catering ski apartments including private pool, sauna, Jacuzzi & spa. • Located at the foot of the slopes • Authentic village in a superb unspoilt setting • Good snow conditions and a varied terrain to suit all abilities

peakretreats.co.uk/Val_Cenis call 0844 576 0179 *Conditions apply

ABTA No.W5537

014

Beautiful Ski Chalets in Méribel Choose from our range of ski chalets… whether it’s a high-end chalet close to the centre of Méribel, an authentic Savoyarde chalet in the village of Les Allues, or almost anything in between…the choice is yours!

inthesnow.com | FEBRUARY 2013

British Team At Korean Special Olympics PATRICK THORNE

even Special Olympics skiers have been in South Korea representing GB in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, which took place from 26 January–6 February – 5 years before the 2018 Winter Olympics is staged there. Over 100 nations participated in the event in South Korea, with 2800 athletes with intellectual disabilities taking part. The seven British athletes were chosen from 73 skiers with intellectual (learning) disabilities who qualified at the Special Olympics National Alpine Ski Championships in Pila, Italy, earlier this year. The UK team comprised Wayne McCarthy (31) of Biggin Hill, Jane Andrews (35) of Tunbridge Wells, Mikael Undrom (25) of Cobham, Elizabeth

Allen (18) of Llanelli, Luke Purdie (18) of Aberdeen, Clare Lines (28) of Redditch, and Robert Holden (21) of Rossendale. All seven athletes were special guests at the South Korean Ambassador’s Residence in Central London the evening before flying to Korea. “I was really impressed by everyone’s determination in the Special Olympics GB team to try their hardest. Chemmy Alcott would be surprised how many of them used her as motivation!” said five-time Olympic skier Graham Bell, who has also been a Special Olympics GB Ambassador since 2009. “The year-round sports coaching and events provided by Special Olympics in Great Britain is clinically proven to positively change the quality of lives of our athletes. Almost 1.2 million people in Great Britain (2% of the population) have an intellectual disability,” said Special Olympics GB CEO Karen Wallin.

Bluffer’s Ski Guide Updated t’s not what you know, it’s what they think you know,” is the tagline for the 5m-copy, bestselling Bluffer’s Guide series, and no activity proves that better than winter sports. From ”slaloms” to ”side-cuts”, and from ”hooking” to ”heli-skiing”, the new edition of the Bluffer's Guide to Skiing, revised 20 years after the original authored by David Allsop, a former barrister and ski instructor, tells you all you need to know about how to pass as an expert on the slopes. With it you need never again

confuse a schuss with a pschitt, or a piste with an abfahrt; you’ll be able to assert confidently on which resorts to be seen in; and, more importantly, what to say and do once you get there. The new edition has a hard copy RRP of £6.99, or £4.99 as an e-book.

Record Breaking Snow In Pyrenees nowfall in mid-January, which led to closed roads and other logistical problems, has produced the biggest falls in a decade at some of the 50+ ski areas on the French and Spanish sides of the Pyrenees, as well as in Andorra. “This has been the biggest snowfall registered in such a short period of time in the last 10 years,” said Josi Martinez,

Call: 01962 855220 Email: team@les3chalets.com

spokesperson for Baqueira-Beret ski area (baqueira.es) in Spain. “Over 2.5 metres (8 feet) of snow has fallen at 1800m above sea level over four days.” Technical teams at resorts worked non-stop to open all of the skiable terrain, and to guarantee safety on the mountain, as the volume of snow to be groomed, and removed from around the lifts was enormous.

015

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

Mayrhofen

LOW BUDGET ALL INCLUSIVE TRIPS TO THE FRENCH ALPS SOME GREAT OFFERS: Fantastic Easter deals 23th – 30th March, 2013 – Val d’Isere – La Plagne From – Les Arcs – Serre Chevalier and many more...

£576

More Russian Visitors To The Alps BEN CLATWORTHY

resident Putin’s plans to attract more Russian and international guests to Russian ski resorts after the next Olympics could prove more challenging, as evermore Russians fly west to Scandinavia, the Alps and Andorra to ski and shop, rather than south to the Caucasus. New statistics, published in Austrian newspapers, report that over 150 charter

flights from Russia arrived at Salzburg and Innsbruck airports during the Russian holiday period in the first half of January, which has turned from a dead post-NewYear period for ski areas to Russian ski travel boom times, thus creating a visitor record. The most favoured Russian destinations are Mayrhofen and Sölden (both 130,000 overnight stays), followed by Ischgl, Zell am See and Gastein (each with around 60,000). Kitzbühel famously sought to limit the number of Russian visitors in town in January some years ago.

St Anton Park Life t’s best known for its steep and deep freeride terrain, but St Anton is also keen to be a world centre for freestyle, and this winter has again extended its terrain park from the top of the Rendl lifts over three areas: proline, medium, and jib-line served by two dedicated lifts for fast returns to the top. The park is also right next to Rendl Beach, with terrace, bars and a restaurant, and where freestylers can enjoy being in the midst of all the action. The park will host the O’Neill Kirschbaum Battle (kirschbaum.cc ) on the 17 March, when freeskiers aged 16

and over will liven up the skies with acrobatic stunts and jumps on the park’s kickers, ramps, pipes, boxes and rails, in a quest for prize money. A spectator event, as much as a competitor’s one, performances can be enjoyed from the comfort of a deck.

Sunday River’s New Adventure Trail isitors to Sunday River in Maine, USA, this season are seeing the fruits of a $2.7m spend on enhancements, which includes the creation of a new Kid’s Adventure Trail (sundayriver.com). Almost 1.6km in length, kids can zoom down the trail and take advantage of fun stops along the way, including Eddy the Yeti’s new log home and the resort’s Twin Zips. However, the trail will be usable yearround, as in summer families can learn about the flora and fauna as they hike together, or look for treasures while geocaching. Part of Sunday River’s “Camp Sunday”,

the Kid’s Adventure Trail moves the resort closer to its 5-year plan to develop the resort’s 4047-hectare footprint with more family-friendly year-round activities.

Off Piste Ski/Snowboard Action Outd oors is Low Budget All-inclusiv e Ski and S n o wboard Holidays to the French Alps: Accommod ation All Meals Evening En tertainmen t Ski/Snowb oard & Boo t Hire Lift Pass Instruction or Guiding Always inc luded in the price!

Val Thorens; February, March & April Val Thorens has a huge amount of From accessible Off Piste with a wide variety of terrain.

£532

Utterly Ridiculous Student Price Any week of the 2012/13 season to: – Val Thorens – Les Deux Alpes – Flaine

£386*

*Only available with a valid student card

Many more great value trips on: www.action-outdoors.co.uk

Weekly coach service from the UK to the French Alps The greenest, cheapest, easiest way to over 40 great French Ski resorts Free and reasonable luggage policy Free ski/snowboard carriage Increased leg room

Departs from London and Folkestone Free on-board magazine Group discounts available

Tignes • Val d’Isère • Les Arcs Val Thorens • Meribel • 3 Valleys Chamonix • Flaine • Morzine... and many more!

www.snowexpress.co.uk – for full list of resorts and prices

Ticke t

s from

£65

InTheSnow.com

016

BEN CLATWORTHY

launched off the final jump of the World Cup course in Val Thorens (having momentarily snowploughed on approach), my heart in my mouth as I fly through the air. To my right, above me, is ex-British Olympic racer Graham Bell, and following close behind (later I learn, slowing down, expecting the two of us

Val Thorens (valthorens.com), Europe’s highest ski resort, is open until May 2013. The Ski Cross World Cup returns to Val Thorens on 18 December 2013.

to end up in a heap) is GB number one Emily Sarsfield. Welcome to ski cross: arguably the most dangerous, adrenaline-fuelled alpine winter sport, and certainly not for the faint-hearted. The resort was playing host to a round of the World Cup, an event that doubles up as an Olympic qualifier for the fast approaching 2014 Games. Val Thorens (or VT as it is known by locals) has hosted the Europa Cup annually since in 2010, and

hat T

port S Skiing gain he T ade A M Cool

was later awarded the World Cup, which it hosted in December 2012. In fact, it’s the first time Europe’s highest ski resort has hosted a FIS World Cup, despite having opened over 40 years ago. And it’s just the kind of sport that a resort like VT should be playing host to. Created in the 90s, ski cross made its first appearance at the Winter X Games in 1998, before becoming a World Cup event in 2004. However, it took a further 6 years before ski cross rose to worldwide fame following its debut at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Ski cross made skiing cool again, and had the world talking. It’s a demanding sport; the athletes need the skill of a downhill racer, the ability to hold their nerve, and of course a bit of feistiness. Our hopes for 2014 all lie with one girl – who definitely gives as good as she gets when it comes to the racing. Sarsfield missed out on the 2010 Games, despite a frantic return from injury – she tore all four ligaments in her knee in one crash – but now has her sights firmly set on Sochi 2014. But it’s not going to be an easy journey to the Russian city by any means. “It’s tough,” she tells me. “I’m entirely self-funded so have to arrange all my own sponsorship, I act as my own PA, driver, technician, fitness coach and I’m an athlete. Could you imagine Lewis Hamilton having to change his own tyres?” VT may have a reputation that

precedes itself — yes, it is ever popular with university groups — but in reality it offers real diversity. Last season, the resort’s first 5 hotel, the Altapura (altapura. fr), opened, and over the summer the 4 Hotel Val Thorens (levalthorens.com) underwent a full refurbishment. The Altapura — owned by the Sibuet family who have a portfolio luxury hotels and farmhouses all over France — was described by a guest last season as “austere and charmless”. The general manager is quick to admit that first seasons are always difficult, and that a modern hotel is never going to be to everyone’s taste, however the hotel definitely offers something new for Val Thorens. The hotel houses a branch of the famous Paris restaurant “Les Enfants Terribles”, as well as two other eateries and several bars. In the bedrooms the mélange of warm wood tones and vibrantly coloured fabrics are the perfect contrast to the cold snow seen behind the huge bay windows overlooking the Cime de Caron. Back on the snow, the VT ski cross course (albeit a vastly

Val Thorens

i ss k S ro C

scaled down version, with the jumps, or “features” as the pros call them, removed) remains in place all season for anyone to try their hand at the sport, and race each other down the mountain. VT remains a unique resort. It’s inherently different to its neighbours Courchevel and Méribel, but that’s what makes it special. As a resort, VT caters equally for all nationalities, diehard skiers, families, and those looking to party. It’s an attribute few resorts can boast, especially in Les 3 Vallées. Resort bosses might be trying to change the image of VT, looking to cater for a more sophisticated market, however, they ought not tinker too hard as diversity is the lifeblood of the resort. The spotlight will once again shine on ski cross next year, when the daredevils compete at the Olympics: only this time we’ll know to expect hair-raising moments and plenty of high-octane action.

017

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

New Snow Toy Launched: The Dual Board Is Here ust as it seems every imaginable sliding device must have been invented by now, along comes the Dual Snowboard. Founded in 2011, a Dual Snowboard is, the manufacturer tells us, already “a recognisable part of the snowsports scene in the United States” and they’re now moving into Europe. Suitable for all ages, and compatible with snowboard boots and bindings, the basic concept is that riders travel sideways, just like on a snowboard, but have two separate boards, just like skis. Dual Snowboard (£225 for a pair) is proving particularly popular in freestyle parks and on urban obstacles, and some riders have already evolved into performing bigger tricks like front flips, back flips and rodeos. And unlike most snow sports gear, they also fit in your backpack!

Countdown To Winter X Games The list of the first riders to be invited to the fourth edition of the European Winter X Games, which takes place 20–22 March in Tignes, France, has been released (winterxgameseurope.canalplus. fr/). Shaun White, Kevin Rolland, Louie Vito, Kelly Clark, Bobby Brown, Torah Bright, Thomas Krief and Torin Yater-Wallace ... in other words the crème de la crème of international freestyle, are all due to be there competing in superpipe and slopestyle.

Ski A Whole Season For £3 Ontario's Snow Valley (skisnowvalley. com) ski area is 60-years-old this winter; and to celebrate this Canadian resort is offering season passes for just CAN$5 – around £3 – to anyone born in 1952, the same as the cost of membership in the area’s first season. “We hope lots of people will take advantage of these special offers to become part of the Snow Valley experience,” said General Manager John Ball, “which is still a lot like it was for the original members – skiing with safety and sociability.”

Freeride World Tour Underway The annual Freeride World Tour (freerideworldtour.com), sponsored by Swatch, got underway at Revelstoke in BC, Canada (revelstokemountainresort.com), last month with near perfect conditions, as the sun came out after nearly 60cm of snowfall during the preceding week. The athletes showed off their skills on the challenging terrain of Mac Daddy (the east face of Mackenzie Peak, outside the ski area boundary), with Drew Tabke and Christine Hargin taking the ski comp, and Ralph Backstrom and Shannan Yates winning snowboarding.

018

inthesnow.com | FEBRUARY 2013

Anthony Upton

Fit is our religion

Altitude Comedy Festival Returns To Mayrhofen PATRICK THORNE

Custom boot fitting. Your comfort, our focus.

Rivington Alpine The North West’s largest independent winter sports shop.

Units 10+11 Adlington South Business Village Huyton Road, Adlington, CHORLEY Lancashire PR7 4JR t: 01257 483 999 www.rivingtonalpine.co.uk

he Altitude Comedy Festival (altitudefestival. com) returns to Mayrhofen, Austria, in March for its sixth outing. The Festival, described as “Awesome” by Tim Minchin, will run from 18–22 March, and see original founder members and comedy heroes, Andrew Maxwell and Marcus Brigstocke, joined by numerous other regular A-listers, including Phill Jupitus and Steve Frost, and this year John Bishop. The organisers also promise that “one of the world’s top comedians” will be announced for the line-up on 4 March. The clue so far is that he’s been selling out stadiums around the world since his meteoric rise to fame in the 1990s. Altitude is a truly unique event that fuses the adrenalin rush of a ski holiday, with the madcap thrills of a top-notch comedy festival. Commenting on this year’s Altitude

Comedy Festival, Maxwell said: “Ladies and Gentleman/Damen und Herren. We are back and looking forward to bringing you our sixth Altitude Festival. Get your laughing gear on and your lederhosen and strudel at the ready for a week of snow AND sunshine in Mayrhofen!” “I’m so excited about Altitude this year; I was blown away when I found out the full line-up. This is truly growing into one of the best festivals in the world. I seriously cannot wait! Bring it on!” added Brigstocke. Spreading their comedy net across Europe, Altitude can also reveal a very special appearance from Germany’s top comedian Michael Mittermeier, and there will also be comic turns from Daniel Sloss, who has been seen on every stand-up show on TV in the past couple of years, and a host of last year’s favourites, including Craig Campbell, Benny Boot, Brendon Burns, Phil Nichol, and Howard Marks, who will be reminiscing about the good ol’ times and reading from a plethora of

his books. Also appearing will be Rob Beckett, who, following his stint hosting ITVs I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Now!, has returned from the jungle and will be heading to the slopes. Plus, there’s Ireland’s newest comedy star Keith Farnan, Altitude veteran Mark Walker and virgin Kai Humphries. And if that’s not enough for you, there’s Paul Provenza (The Aristocrats, Northern Exposure and The West Wing) and Troy Conrad’s hit LA show Set List, the world’s first ever improvisation stand-up show. You can attend Altitude while on any package holiday to Mayrhofen, travel independently, or book a package through the Festival itself. A full week Festival wristband costs £177.50 (including booking fee) via ticketline. co.uk/altitude-festival#tour. B&B for five nights at a 2 hotel (based on two sharing), including Festival wristband for the week, is from £349pp (£40 for each extra night), and for a 4 hotel it is £459pp (£65 for each extra night)

Layer Up To Stay X-Tra Warm This Winter dlo, the inventor of functional sports underwear and the layering principle, is promoting its Originals crew neck X-Warm (RRP £55) base layer this winter, part of the company’s X-Warm collection, the crew neck delivers very high warmth insulation for extremely cold weather. The top features extrawarm inserts, for where protection from the cold is needed most – around the shoulders and kidneys. Available in men's and women's styles, the crew neck has a longer cut

at the back to ensure maximum body coverage regardless of how hard you’re skiing, or whether you’re wearing a backpack. The displaced shoulder seams and flat stitching throughout, coupled with the very soft, brushed inner side, make the Originals crew neck extremely comfortable next to the skin. The X-Warm collection also includes a turtle neck half-zip (RRP £68) and long trousers (RRP £55). The women's range is available in violet pink (pictured) and black, whilst men can choose between web blue with spicy orange or black.

TRADITIONAL VILLAGES IN

MAJOR SKI AREAS DISCOVER THE REAL

FRENCH ALPS

• Atmospheric mountain villages

Book now & save up to 20%*

• Escape the crowds - backdoor access to large, snowsure ski areas • New generation apartments hand-picked by experts • Great mountain experiences both on and off the slopes

• Booking made easy – we’ll arrange ski school, ski hire & lift passes

*On selected accommodation

Our fine skiing selection: Les Gets for Avoriaz; Peisey for Les Arcs; Brides-les-Bains for Meribel; Samoëns for Flaine - plus many more resorts offering great savings

peakretreats.co.uk

0844 576 0173

InTheSnow.com

020

SKII

PATRICK THORNE

ome of us feel a special draw to the north. True, compared with the Alps, the ski areas of Lapland are small and the slopes generally rather gentle. True too, it can be double-digits below zero, and in mid-winter you’ll be lucky to see much daylight. But, if you have an adventurous spirit, consider the many positives! First of all you’re in a land with more reindeer than people. When you look north from the ski lift there’s very little human activity between you and the North Pole, and look up at night and you’ve a good chance of seeing the aurora borealis (the Northern lights), shining above you. It may be dark in December but all the slopes are floodlit, and by spring it’s much lighter than the Alps. What’s more, lifts tend to be open into the evening so you are not forced to fit all your skiing in between 9am and 4pm, allowing you to mix-and-match experiences.

And what experiences? Dog sledding, reindeer safaris, ice climbing, snowmobiling, to name but a few. And you can always visit the real Santa at his year-round home. Scandinavia did have a reputation for expensive alcohol a decade or so ago, and it’s not cheap, but basically the Alps have caught up, and in many cases overtaken on cost if you just want to buy a beer. Lift passes in Lapland are about a third cheaper. I took a trip shortly before Christmas to the resorts of Pyhä (pyha.fi) and Ruka (ruka.fi) travelling with Crystal Ski (who is just offering Ruka this winter, but will offer Pyhä too for winter 2013–14). These are among the leading resorts in Lapland; Pyhä is the smaller and less developed, but Ruka is increasingly becoming a major international destination resort, with its slopes and base village designed by the same company responsible for Whistler in Canada. Each resort has a good mix of terrain for all ability levels, fast chairlifts to

whisk you up the slopes, excellent terrain parks for freestylers, and familyfun parks too. Visiting in mid-winter we did not see the sun, although it did reach a kind of half-light for a few hours in the middle of the day, but all pistes were floodlit, and with trees heavily laden with deep snow gently swaying in the wind, the snow sports had a dreamlike quality to them. But most people who take a trip to Lapland aren’t there just for the skiing, they might try one of a dozen experiences, most of them of the classic Arctic adventure type. Here’s what I particularly enjoyed doing when I wasn’t on the slopes.

Dog Sledding Dog sledding is a great experience at every level. The dog sledding operations typically have 80 or more dogs and offer a range of experiences, from a few kilometres gentle guided trek around a

frozen lake (you can opt to drive or ride in the sleigh, or take turns if there are two of you) to multi-day adventures. It’s something complete novices can enjoy, and the dog sled operator will match dogs to your requirements and abilities. For maximum enjoyment, if you’re prepared to ”go for it”, I’d recommend a 10–20km ride through varied terrain to really give you a thrill.

Reindeer Safari On a reindeer safari you are a passenger in a traditional convoy of sleighs led by one or more reindeer farmers – the way people got around in winter before roads and snowmobiles as horses just sank into the snow. Reindeer farmers like Anssi Kiiskinen, based near Pyhä, will also tell you about the fascinating year-round life of the reindeer and their herders, how climate change is making life increasingly difficult for them, how racing reindeer can hit 80kph and a day-old reindeer could

021 e Se InTheSnow.com

e or m l on

ING

e in ... at Ruka

outstrip Usain Bolt, and they can be valued at as much as €50,000 (£42,000).

Ice Climbing I thought ice climbing would be tough: Artturi Kröger of Bliss Adventure (blissadventure.fi) explained that actually it’s ideally suited to skiers. You can wear your ski boots with crampons attached, and use the weight of the boot to swing into the ice face and get purchase. Finally an advantage of ski boots over snowboard boots! Pyhä is blessed with a great natural area for ice climbing in a rather magical, peaceful spot just 50m from the main pistes.

Amethyst Mining I hadn’t expected to go mining in Lapland, but that’s what’s on offer on top of a fell (the name of the hills in northern Scandinavia) close to

Pyhä. Europe’s only amethyst mine is located here, and some of the world’s oldest rocks have lain there waiting for you to come and dig them up for 2 billion years. People have known about the amethysts for centuries, and the area was a sacred place before Christianity arrived, but the shallow community-run mine was only created 2 decades ago, and here you can find the amethysts after digging just a few inches into the sandy surface using the little hammer you are provided with.

Meeting Santa Of course you should probably ensure you have a child in tow, if you don’t want to be considered a bit weird. But with or without a child, it’s hard for Santa fans not to feel like a child again when they meet the man himself at Santa’s Secret Cottage close to Ruka (rukakuusamo. com/best-santa-trip-in-lapland).

Along with meeting the man himself, and Mrs Claus, at their hidden home, his elves will take you sledging and to barbecue a sausage or too, while Santa and Mrs Santa will join you later in gingerbread biscuit baking and Christmas card making (which you can then send wherever you want from the in-house post office). You can ask Crystal Ski (crystalski.co.uk) offers a week’s stay at as many questions and the 4 Ruka Village Ski Inn Hotel and Apartments from take as many pictures £462pp (based on four sharing), including flights from as you like. London Gatwick to Kuusamo and transfers; self-catering, B&B Whether you or half-board options are available. Adult 6-day lift passes cost £137–152, and a discounted family pass try any of these (two adults and two children) is available for most low-season dates. activities, or perhaps Lifts open to 7pm nightly, except Fridays when they open to 11pm. something else like Crystal Ski offers pre-bookable activities, including a 2-day snowmobiling, ice Winter Activity Taster for £99 adults (£50 children). Adult prices for individual activities: reindeer farm visit £45; ice fishing fishing, ice karting or a £39; husky farm visit £72; snowshoe safari £20; night traditional sauna, or just snowmobile safari from £52; Santa's secret cottage stay on the slopes, you’re from £40; and ice karting from £66. A child sure to love Lapland. discount is available for most activities.

BOOKING YOUR TRIP...

022

inthesnow.com | FEBRUARY 2013

Whistler Plans Big Spend On New Lifts PATRICK THORNE

histler Blackcomb (whistlerblackcomb.com) has announced that two new chairlifts will be installed for the 2013–14 season, the first big infrastructure upgrade at this famous US resort’s twin mountains for a number of years. Whistler’s Mountain Harmony highspeed, quad chairlift will be replaced with a new Doppelmayr high-speed, detachable, six-seat chairlift, and Blackcomb Mountain will see a highspeed, quad chairlift going into a new area in the Crystal Zone, currently accessed by a fixed-grip, triple chair.

“Each zone the new lifts will service is unique and much-loved by Whistler locals and destination guests alike. The capital we are investing to enhance our already amazing experiences will make Whistler Blackcomb even better,” said Dave Brownlie, President and CEO, Whistler Blackcomb. Whistler is currently one of the three resorts operating the most high-speed, quad chairlifts in the world, along with Vail in Colorado, USA, and Val Gardena in Italy, however, six-seater chairlifts are a new departure. Construction on the lifts will begin this spring, and will continue through the summer and fall, with an expected opening for the 2013–14 winter season.

Brits Battle It Out In Ischgl rits went all-out to carve themselves a place on the ski slopes of Ischgl (ischgl.com), Austria – not exactly for posterity but at least for a few weeks – by taking part in the annual Shapes In White snow sculpture contest in the Tirolean resort. Yorkshiremen Justin Scott and Nigel Summersgill, plus London-based Dieter Faust and Tony Walker travelled out last month to carve snow sculptures on this year’s theme of Volkswagen. Ten pairs of artists from all over Europe took part in the 20th Shapes in White event. Each team had a 4m pile of snow, courtesy of the resort’s piste-grooming machines – which was easily supplied following this season’s excellent snowfall.

The sculptors worked at different points all over the slopes, so the results now provide an open-air snow art gallery, which skiers and boarders can enjoy until the exhibits melt in the spring, at the end of Ischgl's 5-month-long snow-sure winter season.

Learn To Ski Indoors Guaranteed on-skiers are being offered a guarantee by Manchester’s Chill Factore indoor snow centre (chillfactore.com), that for £120 (off-peak) they’ll transform you from a shaky, snow-shy starter to a confident, prince or princess of the piste. With ”Guarantee To Ski” if you’ve not reached Level 3 by the end of your 7.5 hour course you can resit the final level,

and receive a further 1 hour 50 minutes of tuition, free of charge. The offer is valid to 28 February, and tuition can be taken as a day lesson, 3-week course or 2-day course. “Our friendly, fullyqualified instructors will whip you into shape in no time, guiding you though the basics until you’re ready to tackle the UK’s longest real snow slope,” said a statement from the centre.

023

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

Johnny Saigon

PATRICK THORNE

hamonix’s Black Weekend (blackweekend. com) will be back for the sixth time, from 7–10 March. Along with plenty of fun snow

events the Weekend promises 20 live performances and DJ sets. The Weekend kicks-off early on Thursday 7 March with an opening night at Villa Schweppes, a barn located at 2000m, with Midnight Magic’s live disco and Le Baron Resident DJ Greg Boust.

From Friday to Sunday the Brevent, Flégère and the Grands Montets ski areas will feature live electronic and pop music from Zombie Zombie, Mai Lan, Total Warr, Acid Washed, Villanova, Rone, and some high volume DJ sets from Acid Pauli, Naughty J, Luluxpo, DJ

Pone and The Hacker. There will also be daily après-ski, with local artists and collectives on stage in bars and other establishments of Chamonix and Argentière. Tickets are available at digitick. com, along with ski passes and overnight hotel packages.

Ski Touring Test Returns To Alta Badia For Fifth Time ski touring contest is back in Alta Badia in the Italian Dolomites for the fifth time. The traditional Tour de Sas (tourdesas. it) is part of the famous Dolomites Cup circuit, and the Italy Cup will be contested on 17

February, with the start and finish in the village of San Leonardo. The 18.5km route, with a 2358m height difference in ascent, takes in several interesting first-time sections towards the peak of Lavarella (3055 m above sea level), running through the

Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. It will be contested by up to 150 pairs of male and female skiers, seeking a share of the €4000 (£3434) prize fund, with the event streamed live online.

Malcolm Pinckney NYC Parks

Another Black Weekend

Snow In Central Park Crews from Gore Mountain, in New York State, created an unusual site in New York City’s Central Park last month when they arrived with snowmaking equipment to make snow for a Winter Jam. The free annual winter sports festival encourages New Yorkers to get out and enjoy the outdoors in the colder months. Activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, a rail jam, Learn to Ski: skiing and snowboarding, plus live entertainment. The Winter Jam is a joint venture by NYC Parks Department and the Olympic Regional Development Authority, which runs Gore. Equipment rentals were also provided at no cost.

R E D W O P O POWER T os pp* Photo accreditations: Agence Zoom

Eur 5 4 2 m o r f s 7-night lift pass r u o y g n i d u incl

Over 250km of snow-sure, tree-lined sunny slopes. Discover the ultimate ski and board experience on some of the most beautiful high altitude peaks in France.

Awesome! *7-nights s/c accommodation inc. 6-day lift pass; selected dates apply.

Serre Chevalier Vallée Tourist Office: 0033 (0)4 92 24 98 80 www.serre-chevalier.com

InTheSnow.com

024

PATRICK THORNE

ebruary is “half-term” month on the ski slopes and, therefore, the busiest month of the year for most of Europe’s resorts. It’s also often the best month to be on the snow – snow bases have built to their probable maximum, the days are getting longer, but it’s not yet so warm that the daytime snow melt will make the snow on the pistes stodgy by early afternoon. The problem is that as everyone wants to get on the slopes in February, prices can shoot up for accommodation, and the slopes can be crowded. This year sales have been particularly good because of the earlyseason snow conditions, and many top resorts are pretty much booked up already.

The way to keep your February ski holiday affordable and enjoyable is to be smart about where you go, and when you travel.

It’s Not Too Late! Although travel agents and tour operators may be telling you they’re booked up, you can still put together your own trip anytime in February.

Where’s Busiest? You’ll find it hardest to find any accommodation in the main half-term week for England and Wales, which begins on 16 February. This is also the first week of the 4-week French school holidays in 2013, and they’re also all trying to get on the slopes!

If you do fly to Grenoble in France with Monarch (monarch.co.uk/ski) then, or at any time in February, your best bet is likely to be a smaller French ski area. “Although it’s the busiest time there is still some availability and when we get the odd cancellation we even give discounts,” says Xavier Schouller of Peak Retreats (peakretreats.co.uk), who specialise in accommodation at smaller French resorts that are linked to the giant ski areas, for which the country is famous. You could also opt for a country where February is not quite so chock-full; so accommodation should be easier to find and more affordable. Examples include ski areas in Andorra (accessible from Barcelona) and in Italy (Venice and Verona), which are much less affected by the school holiday crowds.

Avoiding The Busiest Weeks Although the week commencing 16 February is the busiest with travellers from the southern half of the UK, the week before, commencing 9 February, is busy too. Most Scottish schools are on holiday that week, as are many private schools in England. Wherever you go to ski, a good idea for those living in Scotland is to avoid the packed charters from the central belt (which, along with scheduled services from there, are booked up already anyway), and instead drive or take the train/bus down to Leeds Bradford or Manchester, and take a Monarch flight to the Alps from there. France will be busy again, although

025 InTheSnow.com

Top Tips For February SKI Holidays

not so much with the French or the British, this time it’s the Belgians, explains Schouller, “The Belgian halfterm begins on 9 February too, and oddly for a small country they do send a lot of skiers to France. Last year the Belgians booked too late and were left with nothing, so this year they’ve all booked really early which means there is virtually nothing left for the week of 9 February.”

Not realising how strong demand would be, many accommodation suppliers also priced that week slightly below the week commencing 16 February, which encouraged people who had both weeks to choose from to opt for the former. And to add to the pressure, a few other countries like Denmark, Spain, Poland and the Czech Republic also have holidays from the week commencing 9 February.

Ischgl

Don’t be put off by the danger of crowds and high prices – the savvy skier or snowboarder can avoid both by booking wisely! Book flights with Monarch (monarch.co.uk/ski) from Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, London Gatwick or Luton to any of seven destination airports that provide direct access to all of Europe’s main ski regions. Check the company’s ski section for the latest bonus deals and savings. “For the absolute best prices skiing at half-term, go in a group of four, to take advantage of last-minute ski deals in self-catering apartments,” advises Richard Sinclair of SNO ski holidays (sno. co.uk), who adds, “If you’ve left it to the last minute and none of the ski travel agents can help you, then at sno.co.uk we often get people away who’ve given up. We do this by convincing our chalet suppliers partners to do an accommodation-only price in the last few days before departure.” Consider smaller resorts that are likely to be less crowded, and offer better prices when you book direct – check the suggestions at monarch.co.uk/ski/resorts

So it’s the same advice as for the English half-term week, consider Andorra, Italy, or indeed using Monarch’s flights to the Austrian and German ski hubs of Friedrichshafen, Munich and Innsbruck, to access resorts in the central and eastern Alps that will not be as busy as those on the French side. But, again, if you’re heading to the French resorts via Grenoble, smaller resorts are likely to be the better bet.

And After The English Half-Term? If you’re not limited by the British school holidays you’ll find prices drop progressively through the following 6 weeks up to the start of the Easter

holidays, which this year, for most schools, are in the first fortnight of April. The French school holidays run for 4 weeks until 16 March, with schools in Paris on holiday during the first 2 weeks of March. And let’s not forget those people wanting to get on the slopes for the 2 weeks when they’re relatively childfree before the Easter holidays start! “There are much better prices and availability for ski resort accommodation later in February – toughest week will always be 16th departures,” confirms Richard Sinclair of SNO ski holidays (sno.co.uk). “If you can wait until 23 February or 2 March you’ll generally save between a quarter and a third of the price compared to main February half-term week. Compare 16 February to 16 March departures and it can be almost half price!”

Val d’Isère A Holiday Fit For Royalty BEN CLATWORTHY

s a travel journalist it’s easy to get carried away with the superlatives, everything is “lovely”, “fabulous”, or even, in the extremes, “amazing”. In reality, few things in this world can be defined by those words, however, just sometimes, it’s hard not to write such superlatives when faced with the highest degree of quality. I must admit I’m not the biggest chalet fan: in my (short) lifetime I’ve probably had one too many bad experiences – illnesses passed around the whole building, grimy kitchens, rude and bone idle staff. So when Le Chardon Mountain Lodges in Val d’Isère invited me to stay I did ponder on my answer for a few moments. “It’s lovely”, the PR man told me – note the superlative – but it was enough, and I agreed. On arrival it quickly became apparent I would have no such qualms with the luxury chalet Chardon. Sleeping 20, the chalet offers the highest standard of service and comfort, just minutes’ drive from the centre of the resort. Located in the La Legettaz area of town, the cluster of Chardon chalets feel remote from the melee, which is so often hard to escape in big name ski resorts. The top end of the holiday market is booming, with more and more luxury chalets popping up each year. Ten years ago an outdoor hot tub was a luxury – now an

indoor pool is a must for some. Le Chardon can boast two hot tubs, a sauna, two massage rooms, and a small, but practical, gym – it’s a far cry from chalets 15 years ago. Although Le Chardon was new territory for me, I’d last visited Val d’Isère a decade ago when first learning to ski. My parents still enjoy laughing at the fact I whinged at the lack of piste bashing and endless mogul runs, however to this day I remain adamant that my complaints were entirely justified. There is no question, Val d’Isère isn’t the greatest training ground for newbie skiers, and my parents are cruel. The resort is a mecca for diehard skiers and powder hounds – many attracted by the vast amount of off-piste skiing accessible from the lift system, and the vast network of pistes (300km to be precise). There are countless challenging descents in the Espace Killy (made up of Val d’Isère and Tignes), many at high altitude, and the snowpack is second to none. Today, you still won’t find many groomed runs here, although there are some black classified slopes. Many of these have been reclassified as “naturides”, meaning they remain ungroomed, but are patrolled. Back at Le Chardon, afternoon tea is ready and waiting for the return of weary skiers, meticulously set out alongside the roaring fireplace. I quickly learn that every aspect of Le Chardon service is scrupulously planned, and delivered in an impeccable manner. On my final morning I joined the

Company Director and General Manager, chef and his team of sous-chefs. The team Paul Gow, for breakfast. He told me how serve a mixture of regional specialities and the company aims to provide a homenouvelle cuisine courses, all accompanied from-home feel, the only difference being by house wine. Not only that, thanks to the addition of staff: “We teach everyone floor-to-ceiling windows, you can sit working here to move like swans; with grace enjoying dinner whilst watching the moon and passion, and no whirlwind behaviour. rise above the imposing mountains. But they also have to be like cats – seeing It’s evident the whole operation is run and knowing everything that is going on, with military precision, and Gow clearly but from the background.” It’s certainly has an eye for perfection. But all things an interesting analogy, if not in life come with a price tag a slightly bizarre one. – and Le Chardon’s is a Once darkness rather hefty one. But falls, a divine fiveit’s a price many are course dinner prepared to pay: awaits, all it’s not every day produced by you get to live the chalet like a king. Le Chardon Mountain Lodges’ (lechardonvaldisere.com; 0131 209 7969) ski holidays cost from £1250pp for seven nights, based on two sharing. All holidays are catered (breakfast and afternoon tea, plus champagne and canapés, followed by a gourmet evening meal six days a week), and include in-resort chauffer service, and comprehensive winter sports insurance.

OR GET YOUR S UBSCRIPTION AT

*TEXT MESSAGES charged at your normal NETWORK rate

028

inthesnow.com | FEBRUARY 2013

PLEASURE INSTEAD OF

PAIN

Recycling your own energy to reduce vibration stress & strain

Olympic Mogul Skier Laura Donaldson

ET E SECDR H T S R E N A V DISCOAT’S KEEPING TNHGOEURS TH

“All the strength

SKIING

BEN CLATWORTHY

ames ”Woodsy” Woods won his second gold of the season last month, in the US Freeskiing Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, Colorado. Woods, competing in slopestyle, is believed to be the first Brit ever to win two World Cup competitions in any snow sports discipline in a single season. The event was the second in a series of five, Woods had also won the first, late last summer in Ushuaia, Argentina, and now tops the leader board by a substantial margin, having 200 points, ahead of the second place athlete with 110 points. This puts him in a great position for the next three events – Silvaplana in Switzerland, Sochi in February, and finally Sierra

and power you could ask for Get your mojo working GO RIDING!”

"Woodsy" Posts Unique Second World Cup Win

LAURA DONALDSON

PROTECT YOUR KNEES REDUCE FATIGUE LOWER RISK OF INJURY

info@ski-mojo.com Tel: 05603 458846 www.ski-mojo.com

Nevada in southern Spain in March. Woods, aged 20, began skiing at Sheffield Ski Village, which was largely destroyed by a series of fires, along with vandalism and theft last spring. A review on the official International Ski Federation’s freeski website (fisfreestyle. com) described Woods as, “Bold, brash, and insanely talented,” adding “Woods looks like the one to watch as the qualifying period continues towards Sochi 2014.” Slopestyle is a new discipline for the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics, and barring injury, Woods now looks like one of the UK’s best hopes for a podium place, since Alain Baxter’s bronze in the slalom at Salt Lake City in 2002. Let’s hope he’s awarded with the first ever British-won Crystal Globe for his efforts this season.

Red Mountain Popular In US ed Mountain in British Columbia, Canada, is not one of the best known Canadian resorts internationally at present, but its local ski town of Rossland is becoming increasingly popular for US citizens at least. Firstly, Rossland and Red Mountain were ranked number 8 out of 46 on the New York Times’ “Places to see in the world in 2013.” The Times declares the small-town ski resort to be ”joining the big leagues”, due to the recent announcement of Red’s 405 hectare expansion, which began last summer. Then Rossland was also named the winner of the influential US Powder Magazine’s ”Ski Town Throwdown”, affording it bragging rights as the number

– Well known as the ultimate Snowboard and Freestyle hotel – Located directly at the bottom station at LAAX – one of the biggest ski resort in Switzerland – Bar, rooms and suites, Clubbing – all under one roof

RideRs Palace – The hoTel where your SwiSS winTer holidayS begin Visit www.riderspalace.com for more information. See you in LAAX at the Riders Palace

one best ski town in North America, when over 90,000 Facebook fans voted for it ahead of more famous names. “We are humbled by the notable recognitions Red has received this season – to be ranked among the top ten places to see in the world to see in 2013 by the New York Times, what an honour!” said an enthusiastic Howard Katkov, CEO of Red Mountain Resort.

Celeb’s Verbier Restaurant Proves Popular restaurant opened by Verbier lovers James Blunt, Lawrence Dallaglio and Carl Fogarty, in the upmarket Swiss ski resort, is proving popular if TripAdvisor ratings are used as the measure. Since opening, La Vache has rocketed

straight into sixth place in the TripAdvisor table. Value for money and quality of the food are the aspects commented upon. The restaurant aims to prove that although famous for its popularity with celebrities and royalty, affordable quality dining is available in Verbier (verbier.ch).

029

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

OFF-PISTE SKI ADVENTURES

IN THE ALPS AND BEYOND

ANOTHER Ski Safari FOR South TIrol DAVID BLACK

ollowing the success of a South Tirol Ski safari last winter, in which a group of intermediate skiers covered over 200km and 37,000 vertical metres in a week, the organisers are planning a repeat visit to the huge Dolomiti Superski this winter, staying in different mountain-top refuges each evening, fresh tracks every morning, and fine dining thrown in for good measure. For 5 days you carry your essentials

in a small Deuter backpack, staying in four different refuges, from en suite alpine luxury to traditional dormitory accommodation. Based in Val Gardena in a 4 hotel, it’s an accessible “soft” adventure for people who would like to explore the Dolomites from a different perspective. The trip from 2–9 March costs £1075, which includes a variety of accommodation, guiding, and a backpack, but excludes flights, transfers, rentals, and lift pass. For information and bookings contact Louise Anderton at lou@inspireditaly.com.

Scan the code to find out more

BOOK ONLINE NOW FOR WINTER 2013

at www.dream-guides.com

VALLEE BLANCHE - AVALANCHE AWARENESS

BACK COUNTRY COURSES - HAUTE ROUTE OFF-PISTE SKI CLINICS - SKI EXPEDITIONS

NORWAY & GREENLAND - HELISKIING ALASKA

www.dream-guides.com Like us on Facebook

Dream Guides

@DreamGuides

+44 (0) 845 527 5812 info@dream-guides.com

First Tracks In Zermatt our operator Supertravel Ski (supertravel.co.uk/ski) is offering its guests the chance to enjoy the untouched snow between Trockener Steg and Furi in Zermatt, Switzerland, on Thursday mornings for the next few months. The first tracks experience starts at 7.40am from the valley station, Matterhorn glacier paradise, and costs CHF33pp (£23) for lift ticket holders and runs until 11 March. After an hour or two on the slopes you can enjoy breakfast in the Restaurant les Marmottes. The offer is valid for guests staying in the company’s Chalet Furi, a deluxe

two-bedroom chalet apartment, with private spa and swimming pool, which sleeps four. Seven nights here start from £1336pp, including flights from London, ski carriage, rail transfers, and chalet board including a champagne reception.

French Alps and Pyrenees Be spoilt for choice this winter! Lagrange offer ski accommodation in over 80 resorts throughout the French Alps and Pyrenees, from big name domains to Alpine villages, from self-catered apartments and chalets to hotels.

ussia’s Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov has called for better safety standards at the country’s ski resorts, following the death of a man at Dombai ski area; the man and his friend were zorbing down a piste, which left the slope and went over a small cliff.

Both men were thrown from the zorb as it eventually crashed to a halt, and both were rushed to hospital with one dying en route from severe spinal injuries. Zorbs have been used at various ski areas around the world over the years, and at indoor snow centres. But the zorbing operation at Dombai was reported to be lacking the basic safety requirements for the activity, which requires a gentle slope and barriers on each side of the zorb’s path, adequate to stop it going off course and halt at the bottom. Instead, there was a man who reportedly tried to stop it but failed.

March in La Plagne, ski in/ski out from £208/pp/wk 020 7371 6111 I www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk

photo credits : A. Périer

Zorbing Death On Russian Ski Slope

FISCHER SHOWCASE D A

HYBRID 7.0 SKIS

RRP £729.99

Wherever your journey may take you, with this ski you are prepared for anything and everything. The rocker technology allows for universal use, both on- and off-piste.

SOMA HYBRID 12 PLUS B

SOMA VACUUM RANGER 12 C

RRP £499.99

The top freerider boot: ultralight with a supreme fit, thanks to Vacu-Plast, and Vibram Soles for perfect grip on steep rock sections. The boots also have a shock absorber for soft landings, and patented liner technologies to make hiking easy.

WATEAS 88

RRP £434.99 ski only Perfect on the piste, in deep powder snow, it features the Fischer Freeski Rocker for exact control behaviour and excellent floating. A true buddy ski for cool guys looking to impress on the slopes this winter.

SOMA HYBRID 10

RRP £329.99

The Soma Hybird 10W is an all-mountain boot for top performance skiers looking to go anywhere on the mountain. The boot can be set individually for race, freeride or walk, and has a warm fur lining. The perfect calf fit is designed to fit women especially well.

RRP £339.99

The Soma Hybrid is an extremely versatile boot, thanks to the Fischer hybrid technology allowing for universal use. Optimum flex for great performance both on- and off-piste.

Club Med Offers Short Breaks ew this season, Club Med (clubmed.co.uk), the pioneer of all-inclusive holidays in ski resorts worldwide, has launched weekend trips or short mid-week breaks in some of Europe’s finest resorts in France, Italy and Switzerland.

The packages are all-inclusive, offering lift passes, ski and snowboard group lessons, an open bar, gourmet cuisine and children’s clubs for 4–17-year-olds. Also new for this season, Club Med is offering guests the opportunity to choose their ski equipment when they book, to ensure they make the

most of their holiday during their stay. The Short Ski Stay package is available at selected resorts on selected dates. Cervinia, L’Alpe d’Huez, La Sarenne and Les Deux Alpes are some of the resorts available this February. For further details on exact dates and to book contact Club Med.

CANCER Charity’s

Ski Challenge

kiers and boarders are being sought to take part in a new charity ski challenge in aid of Ski 4 Cancer (ski4cancer.org/skichallenge). The event, staged in the French Les 3 Vallées resort of La Tania in March, challenges individuals or teams to ski either the vertical height of Mont Blanc (4807m) or Everest (8848m) in just 1 day. It will be staged from 20–21 March, and will focus on the green, blue or red pistes that run adjacent to La Tania's main gondola, dropping from a height of 1900m to 1368m. With a vertical drop of 532m, skiers and boarders will need to complete nine runs to descend the height of Mont Blanc, and 17 runs to descend the equivalent height of Everest. Intermediates should be able to complete the Mont Blanc Challenge in approximately 3 hours, whereas Everest challengers should allow 6 hours. The event is being organised by ski holiday specialists Alpine Elements and iGOSKi, and to participate skiers and boarders will be asked to make a minimum donation of €10 to Ski 4 Cancer. Participants are asked to sign up in advance online, or just turn-up on the day and sign in at the reception of the Hotel Montana near the gondola base. Ski 4 Cancer was set up last year by a group of keen skiers and snowboarders who have all lost a close relative or friend to cancer. The charity’s aim is to provide a range of Alpine respite holidays for British families living with cancer. It also makes grants to palliative care centres, and funds research into the positive effects of exercise; how it can both prevent cancer and assist in people's recovery post-diagnosis. "My mother had cancer about 25 years ago and ever since I have been a passionate supporter of cancer-related causes. Ski 4 Cancer do some excellent work and I'm delighted that Alpine Elements and iGOSKi are able to sponsor this event," said James Hardiman, Managing Director of Alpine Elements and iGOSKi. “Participants will collect a stamp after completing each run and certificates will be given out to people who complete one of the challenges. Everyone is welcome to take part and we hope skiers from all over the Three Valleys will join us. If you're skiing in neighbouring resorts like Méribel and Courchevel, it would be great to see you. The event is open to anyone – all you need is a valid Three Valleys ski pass."

Mirjam Jaeger – Freestyle Ski Wearing the Nova

Modulator

ONE LENS FOR ANY CONDITION

™

PHOTOCHROMIC LENS TECHNOLOGY The Bollé Modulator™ Citrus Gun is a state-of-the-art, high

DARK IN THE LIGHT

LIGHT IN THE DARK

15%* VLT CAT.3

contrast, light reactive lens that changes lens tint density with the changing light conditions. The more UV light exposed to the lens, the darker the lens will become. Available in : Nova, Monarch, Y6 OTG

Visible Light Transmittance

45%* VLT CAT.1

bolle.com Follow us

@Bolle_Eyewear

Join us on Bollé Performance Eyewear

InTheSnow.com

032

BEN CLATWORTHY

f you haven’t already heard, the 2012–13 ski season is shaping up to be a rather decent one. Early snowfalls in the autumn, followed by big dumps in December have made for spectacular conditions in resorts across Europe. What’s more, you’ve survived Blue Monday – the most depressing day of the year – and battled (or braved?) the UK snow, so maybe it’s time to escape all the doom and gloom by booking a weekend away skiing? I’ve just returned from the Tirolean resort of St Anton in Austria, a haunt of British skiers for years, and star of the highly successful feature film Chalet Girl. Located just an hour’s drive from Innsbruck, the resort is ideally suited for someone looking to maximise time on the slopes, whilst minimising time away from the desk.

Easy access is one of the most important attributes a resort must have in order to make it a good destination for weekend skiing. You don’t want to be faced with a 3–4-hour transfer if you’re only going to be skiing for a few days. Ski Weekends, who I travelled with, offer many weekend destinations that allow for 4 days skiing and just 2 days – Friday and Monday – off work. It’s a winning formula, and one that was booming before the global downturn in 2008. Now the weekend ski market is getting back on its feet and bookings are up. If you have the budget, booking a guide is undoubtedly the best way to see the most of an area in a short amount of time. Showing me the way in St Anton was Reinhard Thaler, a ski instructor with the Alpin-Skischule, who’s lived and worked in the area all his life. He told me how the area is suited to intermediate and advanced skiers, as opposed to those just setting

out on two planks: “There isn’t much ’highway‘, or ’motorway‘ skiing to be found here. Even our blue runs have the tendency to become moguled by the end of the day.” And he’d know. Even with the fantastic conditions currently seen in the Alps, a number of the runs were icy by midday, and the ski home can be a challenge on weary legs. St Anton is the principal resort in the Arlberg ski area, so-called after a small mountain pass that, in the 1500s, was the main connection to the area. Travellers would say they “passed the Arlberg” – those days by horse and cart – when referring to the journey they had made. Today the Arlberg area consists of St Anton and four other resorts: Lech, Zürs, Stuben and St Christoph – all of which are covered by one lift pass. Good skiers will be able to discover all the resorts in a weekend, provided they are prepared to ski hard. The “Der

Weiße Ring”, or in English “The White Circle”, is a ski tour of Lech and Zürs, which you can join at any point on the circuit. Completing the route is a good way for skiers from St Anton to see the neighbouring resorts in a relatively quick amount of time. A free shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes from Alpe Rauz to Zürs, from where you can start and finish the circuit. Lech, nestled further up the valley, is the more upmarket of the two resorts, and home to some of the most expensive chalets in the Austrian Alps. It is often said that more beer is drunk in St Anton than in any other Austrian ski resort, and that more champagne is drunk in Lech than in any other Austrian resort. But Thaler is quick to point out it’s not all about champagne, “Lech is better suited to those with families and beginners – the pistes are more gentle and wider. People come to St Anton to ski, and ski fast; you don’t see that in Lech.”

033 e Se InTheSnow.com

e or m l on e in ... at

appearance, although hidden below ground is the biggest cellar of large wine bottles in Austria. In fact, it houses over 3000 bottles, ranging between 3L and 18L. The most expensive – a 15L year 2000 bottle of red – will set you back the sum of €80,000 (£68,295). The food doesn’t fail to impress either. You won’t find delicate presentation here, but instead yummy traditional dishes that will fill even the most esurient skier. Après-ski remains as important as ever in St Anton, starting on the piste at one of the many bars, the MooserWirt and Krazy Kanguruh being the most infamous. Nightlife in the town is also second-to-none, with partying until the early hours at The Post Kellar and Cuba nightclubs. Here Jägermeister and Red Bull are the order of the day, and so the phrase “Jägerbombed” has come to describe those a little worse for wear at the end of the night. St Anton is a spectacular resort. It

remains high on the list of “must-ski resorts” and I can see why, it draws people back time and time again. Yet despite such worldwide fame, the resort has managed to retain its traditional Austrian charm. Walking down the high street you get the feeling of living in a bubble, in which the troubles of everyday life are a world away. It’s certainly a resort suited to those looking to Ben Clatworthy was a guest of Ski Weekends get away for a few days. (skiweekends.com) who have three accommodation options in St Anton. The 3 Hotel Mooserkreuz is a There is no doubt, if you good value option, situated on the outskirts of the resort choose the right resort served by a shuttle bus. Ski Weekends operates fourand spend enough time night weekend breaks with flights to Innsbruck starting at planning a weekend £636pp, half-board, based on two sharing. Weeklong breaks start at £939pp, half-board, based on two break, the result can leave sharing. Both include flights and resort transfers. Ski you feeling like you’ve hire also available at extra cost. been away for a week. St Anton: stantonamarlberg.com Austrian Tirol: visittirol.co.uk

St Anton

For those looking for an off-piste adventure, it is possible to reach Lech from St Anton via an off-piste itinerary, however a guide is strongly recommended for anyone wishing to undertake this route. For diehard skiers a descent off the infamous Valluga Nord is a must. A gondola whisks you to 2809m, from where you can launch yourself down the 40–55° north-facing pitch. It’s a pretty hairy descent, especially the first few hundred metres where hidden cliffs make it a no-fall zone. Again, a guide is an absolute must. Whilst such extreme off-piste may not be at the top of everyone’s list, a trip to the restaurant Hospiz Alm in St Christoph should be. In fact, some say that a trip there and to the MooserWirt bar are the only two places every visitor to the resort should see. The old converted cattle shed that houses the restaurant has kept its traditional

034

IOC/R. Juilliart

MEET Gilbert Felli SOS Bassingbourn Snowsports Club Bassingbourn Snowsports Club is under threat of closure, and needs as many signatures as possible to save the site. Visit http://bit.ly/Vxvsmt and sign the e-petition!

Return Of Ski Sunday Sochi 2014 is still a year away, but luckily for us the return of Ski Sunday to our TV screens might just quench our thirst for watching snow sports. Ski Sunday resumed viewing for another year in January. During its 7-week run the races shown will be the women’s downhill in St Anton and Méribel, the men’s downhill in Wengen and Kitzbühel, the Schladming World Championship men’s downhill and giant slalom and, as a nice warm-up for Sochi, the men and women’s night race in Moscow.

Executive Director of the IOC n the lead up to the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014, Snowsport England’s Milly Cooper took the opportunity to talk to the Executive Director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Gilbert Felli, about the evolutions in winter sports and what that means for Sochi 2014.

So what are you most looking forward to about Sochi 2014? GF: I think it’s a great country to go to; it is the largest country in the world. It is very impressive

as a culture, has an interesting history, and is also a winter sports nation. I think it’s also going to be surprising for people because of its culture. We have many prejudices about Russia, but it is a country to discover. What are your thoughts on the new snow sports that will feature in the Sochi Games? GF: I think it’s great for the youth. The IOC tries to understand what could be appealing for a new generation. It’s not easy to include more sports in the Olympic programme because we work on traditions (which is something

that is also appealing about the Games), but we try also bit by bit to bring some new events. The question is always to see how long the events are going to be sustainable. We never know with new events how long they are going to be at the top.

new events, and in the Winter Games you have always the original sports that appeal most. The ratings for these sports are much higher than the new events, so in the next 20 years we hope to see some higher ratings for the new sports.

Apart from all the changes and evolutions that are happening to the Games in 2014, what else do you see for the future of the Winter Olympics? GF: I think it will not change a lot in the 20 years to come, because we have to have a balance between tradition and

If you had any advice for British athletes going to the Games, what would it be? GF: Well it is the same advice for everyone, you must be focused, really train and really believe in what you are doing, and then just enjoy it, because sport is to enjoy, not to get too frustrated about.

1 April 2013 SSE commences 2013–17 Whole Sport Plan

Rossignol Sponsor Championships

13 April 2013 Gloucester Club Race SSW

Rossignol is to sponsor the 2013 English Alpine Championships in Bormio, which is Snowsport England’s premier event. They will be providing prizes for the U16 and U14 age groups, as well as offering the best male and female U16 athletes a place on the the Rossingnol athletes team. It is great that Rossignol is looking to support the next generation of athletes.

20 April 2013 Chill Factore, Manchester Club National Telford Ski Racing Club

SSE England Staff Tim Fawke CEO Julia Parker Operations Manager Kirsty Nicol Administrator Jan Doyle Development Officer, North Susie Moore Development Officer, South Ian Poynton Development Officer, Central Ian Findlay Talent Development Officer

20 April 2013 Bromley Club National Bromley and Chatham Ski Clubs

Bormio 17–23 February 2013 This February every keen young athlete in British ski racing will be descending on Bormio, Italy, for the 17th Energiapura English Alpine Championships 2013. Entries for the races are up on last year, proving the growing popularity of the FIS event. Past

competitors at this event include Dancing on Ice participant Chemmy Alcott, and Britain’s number one World Cup racer Dave Ryding, who has been going from strength to strength on this season’s World Cup circuit. By the looks of the start list the Alpine Championships 2013 will provide many more future World Cup hopefuls.

21 April 2013 Chill Factore, Manchester Club National Chill Factore Ski Racing Club 27 April 2013 Snozone Milton Keynes GB Indoor Race 1 SSE

snowsportengland.org.uk

035

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

New Austrian Inter-Connect for 2013–14 ollowing on from the creation of Ski jewel, linking the Alpbachtal and Wildschonau valleys this winter, Ski amadé, the giant Austrian ski region that connects several dozen ski areas on the same lift pass, the Schladming, Flachau and Gastein areas among them, with many of them physically linked too, is in the midst of a €42m investment project. Part of this spend is going on the construction of the spectacular “G-Link” in Wagrain, which, beginning in 2013–14, will connect two ski mountains, the Grafenberg and Griessenkareck, by means of a futuristic-looking gondola across the valley. In addition to this, money is going on lift upgrades and, above all, the continued expansion of snowmaking systems and slope maintenance equipment. Of the 731km of slopes in the 860km ski area, 88% now boast snowmaking coverage.

Steve Deschànes

Quebec Backcountry

SEAN PETTIT

Although it’s Western Canada that’s famous for its backcountry, beginners to experts can enjoy the remote eco-chic Chocs Mountain Lodge (chicchocs.com), located at 615m altitude in Quebec, in the east of the country. Here you can explore the backcountry in complete isolation, with an experienced mountain guide provided free by the Lodge. It offers the chance to climb 1000m peaks, and ski slopes of deep pristine powder. The choice of activities includes alpine touring on skis with imitation skins and downhill skiing.

Don’t Get Caught Out At Altitude Technical outdoor specialist Extremities (terra-nova.co.uk) has unveiled its latest range of products, which includes new high-spec gloves like the Super Munro GTX, featuring Gore-Tex to keep your hands dry, and 10oz Primaloft insulation to keep them really warm when the temperature gauge drops.“Skiing or boarding at altitude brings its own challenges. We’ve all had the experience of hitting an ice storm just off the top lift when the temperature plummets to minus 20 or minus 30.

»CONTOUR+2 With features designed by professionals, but simple enough for the everyday user, the Contour+2 will inspire you to share new perspectives. VISIT CONTOUR.COM

For your nearest retailer go to www.ultrasporteu.com *TEXT MESSAGES charged at your normal NETWORK rate

Special Deals On New Chalet Rêves de Montagne (www. revesdemontagne.co.uk) is a newly-available, owner-run, luxury, catered ski chalet with five bedrooms, near Samoëns, in south-eastern France. It is currently offering 10% off any week's catered ski holiday in March, and special weekend breaks of £400 for three nights, or £500 for four nights. All holidays and breaks include food (breakfast and fourcourse evening meal) prepared by a professional chef, wine, attentive and personal service and Geneva airport transfers.

036

inthesnow.com | FEBRUARY 2013

GREAT VALUE FRENCH ALPS

peakretreats.co.uk • Traditional mountain villages • Backdoor access to main resorts • Quality self-catering chalets and apartments or family run hotels • Accommodation only/self-drive available • Ski extras can be arranged • Great mountain experiences both on and off the slopes Resorts include: Samoëns 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

Meriski Adds Two New Luxury Chalets BEN CLATWORTHY

eriski, specialist in luxury, catered chalets in the French resort of Méribel, has added two new lodges to its collection, increasing their choice to eight chalets (meriski.co.uk). The largest of the new chalets is Impala Lodge, which sleeps 14 and is set in the quiet hamlet of La Gittaz, on the edge of village, and has large southand southwest-facing balconies. It features seven en suite bedrooms, and

indulgent extras including a sunken outdoor hot tub, sauna house, and a media room with large flat screen TV and Bose surround sound. Rental from £9950 per week. Meanwhile, nearer the centre of Méribel, Chalet des Neiges, sleeps eight in four en suite bedrooms, one of which has a balcony offering views to Mont Vallon. This chalet’s huge kitchen/ dining room leads onto a south-facing terrace, where the glorious views can be enjoyed from the comfort of a sunken hot tub. Rental from £6950 per week.

Voted ‘Best Ski Company’ 2009, 2010 & 2011

0844 576 0173

Deep Purple To Play Ischgl The veteran British rock band Deep Purple has been confirmed as the headline act for Ischgl’s famous Top of the Mountain Concert, which forms part of the resort’s end-of-season celebrations at the end of April. The concert at 1pm on the Idalp on 30 April will, as usual, be free to lift pass holders, who should still have 238km of piste open to enjoy too (ischgl.com). For a number of years now, major world stars of the music scene have been opening and closing skiing season in this Austrian resort, and this winter another veteran rock band, The Scorpions, opened Ischgl’s 5-month season, following an increasingly long list of big names to have performed, including Elton John, Tina Turner, Pink,

When was the last time you skied in France? Top reasons to ski in France with us this winter • 4-star self-catered apartments • Vast, snowsure ski areas for all abilities • First class facilities on and off the slopes • Best self-drive ski destination • Affordable ski holidays for your family

call us on 0844 576 0175

SkiCollection.co.uk

Accommodation only or self-drive deals Book now with a UK specialist tour operator

Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue. In 1972 Deep Purple wrote music history with Smoke On The Water from the album Machinehead; and although the only remaining member of the original line-up is drummer Ian Paice, the band can still rock with anthems including Fireball, Strange Kind of a Woman, and the classic ballad Child in Time.

Resorts Get Sugar Daddy Rating website called SeekingArrangments. com, which is reportedly, "the world's largest dating site that matches wealthy men and benefactors with attractive women, who seek mutually beneficial relationships," with 2m members worldwide (but which had been hacked when we sought to check its legitimacy), is reported to have compiled a list of "The Top 10 Sugar Daddy Ski Resorts in North America." The top ten is reported to be the result of a poll of 6500 self-proclaimed ”sugar

daddy skiers”, and categories judged included snow/mountain quality, accommodation, après-ski amenities, and accessibility (of the resort). The top ten were all from Western North America, and headed up by a resort not unfamiliar with topping pools – Whistler Blackcomb. Although Whistler has not yet released its own statement regarding its popularity in the poll. Jackson Hole was second, with Telluride, Vail and Aspen in Colorado, Deer Valley and Snowbird in Utah, Sun Valley in Idaho, Mammoth in California, and Banff in Alberta also making the list.

You can now read us on your iPad

Simply open Newsstand on your iPad or iPhone, click 'Store' and search for 'InTheSnow'

inthesnow.com | FEBRUARY 2013

Winter Park

PARK VS JANE North America’s Winter Park is a resort of two halves: the “Park Side” (as in Winter Park) and the “Jane Side”, named after a notorious lady of the night, Mary Jane, who visited this area of Colorado when it was a miners settlement. Today, Jane Side is famed for its epic moguls and tree skiing, whilst families and skiers looking for groomed terrain more often frequent Park Side.

BOUNCE IN THE MOGULS INFO@ADRENALINE-VERBIER.CH

Carrying heavy ski equipment is never much fun and with airline charges rocketing, we offer a cost effective hasslefree alternative. We transport your ski and snowboard equipment from home to resort ready for your arrival, allowing you to travel light and enjoy the journey.

20O% UNT

DISC R FO S GROUP

WINTER PARK

* Valid until 30 Nov 2012

130x180_Advertx2_Layout 1 27/11/2012 17:18 Page 1

Head over to the Jane Side for some bunny hopping in the moguls, or if you’re looking to perfect your skills then book into Bob’s Mogul Camp. Run by Bob Barnes, the Director of the Winter Park ski school, the 3-day course is ideal for someone looking to refine their bumps ability, or for nervous skiers looking to build confidence on varied terrain. For course dates see winterparkresort.com.

SERIOUS ALTITUDE Winter Park is high. The resort base sits at 2743m, with the highest lift-served terrain at the dizzy height of 3675m. That’s over 3.5km high. Famed for its bowl skiing and big offpistes in the Cirque, the resort is a bit hit with “destination” skiers travelling from Denver – the Mile-High City – at the weekends. With 55% expert terrain, the resort is sure to please anyone looking to test their skills on- or off-piste. Just remember to keep hydrated and off the booze.

STAY AT THE BASE There are plenty of accommodation options at the “base”, known in Europe as the resort, allowing access to the lifts without need for a car. The Zephyr Mountain Lodge is highly recommended, and has a hot tub relaxation area. There are also shops, cafes and restaurants at the base, most notably Doc’s Roadhouse restaurant, which is popular with locals, and Goodys – owned by a British ex-ski racer and now a ski instructor – which serves delicious pancakes, ice cream, and much more.

EASY ACCESS

FROM

£44 R

Winter Park is one of the easiest resorts to access; located just off Route 40, about a 1.5 hour drive from Denver, which British Airways (ba.com) fly to daily from the UK. Private or shared shuttle services can be arranged from the airport to the resort.

ETURN

BEN CLATWORTHY

Ben Clatworthy was a guest of Winter Park Resort.

039

FEBRUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

BASI Qualifications Become Transferable DAVID BLACK

he British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI; basi.org.uk), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary year, recently staged an international reception at the Houses of Parliament, attended by Olympic rowing legend and newly-appointed BASI President Sir Steve Redgrave, along with distinguished invited guests from other European snow sports organisations, including: Karl Eggen – Switzerland; Luciano Magnani – Italy; and Presidents of Interski, Eric Melmer and Riet Campell of the International Ski Instructors Association, as well as representatives from the UK snow sports industry and travel trade.

The event also marked the announcement of a new partnership with the University of Edinburgh, with an agreement signed at the House of Commons, which will see the alignment of BASI qualifications with the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF). In future, BASI members wishing to change career path or progress an additional qualification will have recognised credits that may be used to gain entry to other qualifications. This is due to a formal recognition of BASI’s teaching system, training courses and manuals, so that learning and development are mapped against the internationally-recognised SCQF by academic staff within the University’s Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences.

Thule Wins Award For Roof Rack hule’s new WingBar Edge (thule.com), which will be launched for retail in March, has won the iF Product Design Award, ahead of more than 3000 entries in the Transport Design category. The new aluminium roof rack is one of the lowest and aerodynamic on the market, and was assessed by the jury criteria of design, finish, material and innovation level, as well as functionality, ergonomics and safety. The iF Product Design Award covers all areas of industrial design in product development, and since 1953 it has been recognised worldwide as clear evidence of

outstanding and innovative design. Thule WingBar Edge, which will retail at around £200, has a low design to get closer to the car roof with a softly curved aluminium profile. This low design makes it easier to drive through low passages, and the integrated base makes Thule WingBar Edge easily mounted – all good news for carrying skis and snowboards on long journeys.

Off-Piste Awareness In Chamonix or the first time this year, the Chamoniarde, an association dedicated to mountain safety and rescue in Chamonix, is organising free off-piste awareness days for an English-speaking public. These complimentary safety days take place in a mountain environment and are directed by mountain guides.

Participants need to be competent skiers equipped with basic off-piste gear: transceiver, shovel, probe, and harness.

040

InTheSnow.com

Jon (AKA WESTY) AT ALTITUDE

Jon is one of the 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. altitude-verbier.com; +41 277 716 006

kiing off-piste is one of the highlights of skiing; floating down in waist-deep powder is a dream for any skier. However, off-piste skiing will also be the toughest on your legs, and requires good technique to get the most out of it. There are some things you have to do to stay safe, and some common mistakes to avoid. In this article we’ll look at a few tips to optimise your off-piste performance, and get you loving the powder.

Safety First

Don’t Sit Back

Once you venture away from the pistes you are putting yourself in added danger: no longer will you be on slopes that are patrolled and avalanche-safe. Make sure you have the correct offpiste gear: a transceiver, shovel and probe, and that you know how to use them. It is highly recommended that you get some training in using your kit and off-piste safety. Also, make sure your insurance covers you for skiing off-piste – many don’t!

If only I had a penny for every time a client has asked if they are meant to sit back off-piste. There is a common misconception that in powder you sit back to get your skis out of the snow; in reality this just puts the skier in a tiring position that is difficult to control, with the added possibility of straining some ligaments. There are times when you may need to sit back (such as when you’re straight running along a flat in heavy powder), but in general don’t do it, it’s much better to be the driver not the passenger.

Racing For Children Movement

Strong Core

Unlike on-piste where you have a solid piste to work against, off-piste snow will be soft and moving. Your edges won’t be able to help as much to start the turns so you have to use your legs. Try extending your legs at the start of the turn – this puts some force on the skis and helps them turn. Through the second half of the turn focus on keep your legs soft so that they can absorb the uneven lumps and bumps – like suspension forks on a bike.

When you’re off-piste there will be many unseen little bumps waiting to throw you off balance. To counter this you need maintain a strong core (the muscles around your spine, abs, back and upper thighs). Think about tensing your stomach muscles tight before heading off. This will keep your upper body strong and still, rather than be thrown around by the terrain and upsetting your balance. For more information see our previous article on balance. For more information about skiing offpiste safely, or if you wish to book an off-piste adventure day in Verbier, then please contact info@altitude-verbier. com or visit altitude-verbier.com.

For many children (and parents) racing can be the next challenge once they’ve become masters of the slopes. I know many children that dream of being the next Didier Cuche, and are out there training as often as they can. So how can parents help these future medal winners? Initially, finding a local race club is a great first step. If you are in the UK there are clubs operating at most dry slopes and snow domes, as well as up in the Scottish snow fields. Many of Britain’s Olympians start out at this local level. There are also race clubs operating

in the European ski resorts. There are the local European clubs and, increasingly, the independent ski schools are offering race clubs in English. As well as regular clubs, there are race camps offered by some schools, normally run as a 5-day course from Monday–Friday 9am–5pm. If you’re looking at race camps or clubs a big consideration should be the coach. You don’t need a World Cup winning skier as a coach, but experience as a race coach (as opposed to normal instructing) is a great indicator to the quality of the training. Speak to the coach about the programme; a good coach will have a long-term plan with days set aside to train,

compete and just have fun. Other than organised racing camps or clubs there are some more informal things you can do. There are often very accessible races running regularly in resorts. Speak to your ski school or the tourist information and see if there is a race that your child can enter while you’re in resort. They are usually organised by age so every child can have a fair chance. You can also enter yourself! This will be a great way to test the water and see how your child enjoys the competition. Altitude in Verbier run race camps during the holiday weeks of the season, and also has a race club that runs every weekend of the season. altitude-verbier.com

The World's Premier Protection But don’t just take our word for it... “I have gotten away with some tough riding slams whilst using Forcefield Action Shorts. You will not find me snowboarding without them.” Jenny Jones, Triple X Games winner "My knees have never been so happy." Document Snowboard

"Forcefield Body Armour is a touch of new wave in the self preservation department..." Fall Line Skiing

Sport Lite 1

"Maxi protection that mini park rats will be begging to wear." Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Magazine

Isn't it time you tried one? www.ForcefieldBodyArmour.com

Pro Shirt

Action Shorts

AS USED BY... • Jamie Nicholls • Jenny Jones • Marty Robertson • Nate Kern • Ally Watson •

ubes

Limb T

• James Machon • Rob Machon • Katie Summerhayes • Jesse Robson • Luke Potts • Julian Ball • • Chris Wadsworth • Peter Whelan • Tim Farr • Geertje Derksen • FISI Federazione Italiana Sport Invernali • Team Evolution • • Great Britain SBX Team • Great Britain Speed Ski Team • Salomon FreeSki UK Team • Salomon Snowboard UK Team •

InTheSnow.com

042

Level Gloves – Radiator XCR £99

Scott Explorair £365

Super warm and soft with its Primaloft filling and its 3000

Freedom of movement, breathability, waterproof, and very

Thermo Plus lining, these gloves earn the name “Radiator”,

lightweight, this is a jacket that will pack so small you’ll

keeping you warm down to –15°C! They’re even fully

hardly notice it your backpack. Whether you’re going ski

waterproof and breathable, so no overheating.

touring, or any other mountain activity, this jacket will be your best friend when the weather changes.

Scarpa Maestrale RS Boot £490

A new beefed-up version of one of the most popular touring boots is now available. Now there’s no need to compromise on the power and precision you’re looking for on the ski down, or the massive range of movement and lightness for the way up.

G3 Skins From £159

One of the widest and longest skins available to fit the biggest skis in your quiver, making sure that once you get to the top you can really enjoy the powder! The quality mohair and nylon mix means they’re great for European snow conditions, and the unique

Volkl Essenza Womens Ski Collection

tip connector even fits most

From £330

twin-tip skis.

It’s not every company that can get a team of women on board to fully re-design their women’s range of skis to suit

the specific needs of a woman’s morphology. Lighter, easier turning, super smooth, and most importantly great fun.

MIPS Helmet Technology

From £139

Available from Scott and POC, MIPS (Multi Directional Impact Protection) helmets are one of the safest on the market. On impact the inner shell of the helmet moves to dissipate the force onto your brain. Save your head, you only have one!

Dragon APX Goggle £160 inc. spare bonus lens

Oversized frameless goggles is where it’s at … why compromise on having such an amazing field of vision? Enjoy the view, that’s what the mountains are for. Now also available in APXs to suit smaller face shapes.

Garmont Cosmos Boot £450

The new Powerlite shell makes these boots very light, but also stiff and supportive. With reduced weight for ease of hiking, and powerful edge to edge performance for your ski down. Superior tour-ability and superior ski-ability in one package makes these the best ski mountaineering boots in the Cosmos!

Bollé Gravity £77 These goggles are specifically designed to provide a wide field of view and feature a waterproof and breathable vent to eliminate any moisture resulting in distortion free vision and no fogging at any altitude. The anti-fog double lenses and Flow-Tech frame venting along with the anti fog/anti scratch treatment keep your view crystal clear at all times.

Visit skibartlett.com to see more

Scott Air Series Skis – Crusair £639 Super strong carbon technology means these skis will

With over 40 years of history, Ski Bartlett are one of

ski brilliantly in all conditions you encounter. Hugging

the UK's most popular independent specialist ski

and gripping on hard pack, or bashing through the

shops. With a massive range of products, they can

off-piste. Take your skis on any adventure you choose,

guarantee you the right kit and the best prices.

whether it’s up or down.

044

inthesnow.com | FEBRUARY 2013

Could Your Child Be The Next Snow Star? BEN CLATWORTHY

very parent wants to nurture and encourage their child’s talent – but when you live in the UK it can be difficult if they show an aptitude for skiing and snow sports. Lessons on dry slopes or indoor snow centres can take your child so far, but what if they want to progress to the next stage? The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead (thesnowcentre.com), north of London, has recently introduced Snow Stars Ski Coaching for children who are looking to significantly improve their performance and technique. Regular sessions and a

club ethos, with sweatshirts, record books and the same instructor every week, really help develop their skills on the slopes. “It’s a really fun environment that pushes the kids onto the next level,” says Snow Stars instructor Lesley Pinkerton. “We encourage them to improve their technical skills but also teach them tricks and build up their confidence on skis by getting them to ski backwards, over jumps or on one leg!” The Snow Centre is a BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors) Centre of Excellence, and they claim to have the most qualified instructors this side of the Alps.

Solar-Powered Chairlift Is A First he six-seater chairlift on Hüttenkopf in the ski resort of Golm (www.illwerke.at), in Austria’s Vorarlberg, is the world’s first ski lift with an integrated solar power station. Solar panels totalling 312m2 on the roofs of the bottom and top lift stations, and the chair parking facility, generate sufficient power to meet one-third of the lift’s operating requirements. Over a 7-week test period, 60,000kWh of electricity were generated. This amount is equivalent to the annual needs of 15 single family homes. “Despite initial concerns about thermal stress due to fluctuations in temperature, operations have been flawless,” said Harald Feldkirchner, Technical Manager. “In addition, we have been surprised our guests’ interest

 Work in the Alps!  Full Season Vacancies (Dec-April)  Peak Season Vacancies (1-2 weeks)  000’s of Resort Rep, Childcare & Hospitality Roles

in both the technical aspects and the ecological impact of the installation.” The lift was erected by Illwerke Tourismus, a subsidiary of the Vorarlberg electricity company. Technical knowhow was provided by Doppelmayr and Königsolar. One technical issue was coordinating the design of the polycrystal silicon wafers of the solar panels, and the curved sloping roofs.

27cm Falls In Just 24 Hours VAL D’ISERE ACCOMMODATION SPECIALIST 100 Chalet Holidays | 100 Self Catered Apartments | 30 Hotels Fully Bonded | Very Experienced | Here To Help

0845 021 0222 | simplyvaldisere.com

evelstoke Mountain Resort (revelstokemountainresort. com), in Canada’s British Columbia, reported a massive winter storm hit in the last few days of January, resulting in what the resort described as “unbelievable powder conditions,” after 27cm of

snow fell in 24 hours. Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a Freeride World Tour venue, posts one of the top ten greatest average snowfall totals in the world, and has North America’s biggest lift-served vertical drop. Western Canada has been receiving regular big snowfalls again all winter.

045

JANUARY 2013 | inthesnow.com

THE OMNIA Zermatt

HOTEL L’Hélios Méribel



chalet de la Cloche  VAL D'ISÈRE

The Omnia is perfectly situated in the centre of Zermatt just off on a hidden back street, giving you the bustle 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.

Chalet de la Cloche is in the heart of Les Brevieres, Espace Killy, considered to be one of the greatest ski areas in the world. The Ski-Base team has created a wonderful chalet described by Harpers Bazaar as a “haven of sensual indulgence”. It is one of Condé Nast Traveller top ten chalets in the Alps.

+41 (0)27 966 7171 | info@the-omnia.com | www.the-omnia.com |

+44 (0)20 3432 8446 | info@ski-base.com | www.ski-base.com |

holiday whistler ACCOMMODATIONS

  

THE CAMBRIAN ADELBODEN



4 Hotel L’Hélios is located just 500m from Méribel centre in a superb ski in/out location. L'Hélios is a luxurious base from which to explore Les 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world. Hotel L’Hélios combines elegance and stylish interiors, excellent views and spa facilities in the Carita Spa.

Holiday Whistler Accommodations, skiing holidays à la carte, offers an extended range of chalets, apartments and condos to suit every taste and budget. Beautiful log homes just feet from the piste, spacious and luxurious chalets on the golf course, sumptuous apartments right in the village, expansive views of the mountains, private hot tubs on your deck or nestled in the trees.

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.

+33 (0)479 242 242 | reservation@lhelios.com | www.lhelios.com |

+44 (0)20 7060 9360 | info@holidaywhistler.com | www.holidaywhistler.com |

+41 (0)33 673 8383 | info@thecambrianadelboden.com | www.thecambrianadelboden.com |

CHALETS 1066 LES GETS



mont cervin palace  Zermatt

MATTERHORN FOCUS Zermatt

Something to suite all budgets from economy to luxury. For all self-catered chalets, a range of optional services are offered enabling you to have the freedom of your own chalet or apartment, yet also having access to many "hotel" type services. For our catered accommodation – we have the same chalet host as last year who had outstanding reviews.

One of the great hotels of the Alps, with more than 150 years of simple warm hospitality. The original hotel, which opened in 1852 is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World Association. The 5 Mont Cervin Palace offers 150 charming rooms and suites. Throughout summer 2012 major renovation works were undertaken at the hotel.

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.

+44 (0)207 183 5082 | sue@ chalets1066.com | www.chalets1066.com |

+41 (0)27 966 8888 | mcp.reservation@seilerhotels.ch | www.montcervinpalace.com |

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



Emily Sarsfield

nTheSnow’s Ben Clatworthy caught up with Emily Sarsfield, GB’s number one ski cross athlete following her World Cup race in Val Thorens, to chat about Sochi 2014, the battle to return from injury, and life on the road.

Emily, firstly, well done today with your result [in the Val Thorens World Cup] – it was never set to be easy? ES: Thanks, Ben. It’s been a tough week returning from the American races, so 30th feels like a good result. It was a shame to miss out on the finals, although I was racing on borrowed, 3-year-old, skis, and in all borrowed kit thanks to British Airways losing my luggage. I’ve been quite preoccupied with sorting that situation out: endless phone calls and very little information or help. It’s hard enough as a self-funded athlete, but the least I expect is my skis and bags to turn up. Ski Cross is certainly an exciting sport – what was it that lead you to the start gate? ES: I first skied aged 3 on holiday, loved it, and so the trip became an annual family fixture. Having an older sister really helped me progress, mainly as I was so competitive and determined to be the better skier. I decided I’d give alpine racing a go, so I joined the local dry slope club. I was selected for the

English Schools Team and then went on to join the GB Children’s team, before representing the country at the World University Games. It was there that a coach suggested I gave ski cross a go. A few people had mentioned it before, but I’d never taken them seriously. Injury was the plight of your 2010 Olympics campaign, are you vying for 2014? ES: It was hellish; I crashed in a race the season before and snapped all four ligaments in my knee. The problem was I’d pinned everything on making it to the Games, so I wasn’t prepared to be defeated by injury. I told the surgeon I’d be racing in 12 months and he laughed. In fact, he said I might never ski again. I honestly believed I’d return from injury stronger and fitter, whereas in reality I couldn’t have been more wrong. After surgery my knee was comparable to that of a 6-month-old baby, and after 6 months of rehab I contracted patellar tendonitis and that put me back to week three. In all, that set me back a further 2 months. It was during rehab I started writing a diary, and reading it back makes me realise how far I had to go. There are days that read, “Today I cycled for 4 minutes and stepped up two steps,” but in reality writing it down was the only way I could see progress. You were back on skis, but 2010 was out the picture, that must have been even harder? ES: Returning to racing was like starting school. My result was miles off where I’d

been before injury, but the main thing is I skied top to bottom. That was the greatest success I could have hoped for. I raced my socks off in the remaining selection races before Vancouver, but the British Olympic Association decided only to send one athlete and that wasn’t me. I was devastated. I’d done everything physically possible to get to the Games, but it wasn’t to be. I was really low during the Games, so I headed to my home in Méribel and skied powder for 2 weeks – it revived my love for winter sport, and once the spotlight was off the Olympics I was raring to go again. So, next stop, the start gate at Sochi 2014? ES: I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe I could do it. It’s all about making sure I

continue to advance. I need to be making progress in every competition this season. I know I could make the top 16, and with better support, I’m sure I could be finishing in podium spots. All Olympic journeys are tough, but I’m giving it my all. I’ve joined forces with the Polish team and now train with them. All three British athletes are entirely self-funded. I’m my own PA, driver, fitness coach, and ski technician, as well as being an athlete. Can you imagine Lewis Hamilton having to change his own tyres? The other teams have had big cash injections, but we’re in it on our own. There is a long way to go, but I’m determined – one thing is for sure, I’m in a far better position than 4 years ago. emilysarsfield.com

Daniel Smye-Rumsby

BEN CLATWORTHY

N E W

CHAM 107 LOOK HIGHER, GO DEEPER.

- Copyright: Dan Ferrer / Martin Söderqvist / Kalice - Arnaud Childéric

L E V I TAT I O N P R O F I L E : M O R E F LOAT, M A N E U V E R A B I L I T Y & S TA B I L I T Y TO R E AC H N E W H E I G H T S

REINE BARKERED 2012 Freeride World Champion

JOIN DYNASTAR COMMUNITY ON FACEBOOK.

W W W . D Y N A S T A R . C O M

Watch the film Haglofs.com /vassi Film: David kvart

PROUDLY PRESENTING VASSI At the beginning of April, it really starts to get light again. Lifting the powerful silhouette of the 400 million year-old mountain known to the Sami as Vassitjåkka. The wind-sculpted landscape surrounding it is covered in cold, white, feathery snow. An instructive playground for generations of skiers. This is where we found the inspiration we were looking for to create our new clothes and ski backpacks, designed in collaboration with two of the most experienced freeskiers we know, Per Jonsson and Asbjørn Eggebø Næss.

O S kA R E NA N DE R

Christened Vassi Jacket and Pant and the Skrå backpack.

VAS S I J ACk ET Shell jacket in Gore-Tex® Pro. Spacious fit, allowing space for body armour underneath, and strategically

S kR å 2 0

positioned ventilation. Helmet-compatible hood with HAGLÖFS LOGOTYPE high collar giving good protection for the face.

VAS S I bIb

Minimalistic freeriding backpack.

Removable snow skirt in stretch material which

Designed in collaboration with

With space for everything

can be fastened to all pants.

B A S I C L O G O T Y P E . TO B E U S E D A S N E G AT I V E W H I T E O N A B L A C K O R D A R K B A C K G R O U N D

professional skiers to give

you need, separate compartment

maximum freedom of movement

for safety equipment and

and function when freeriding.

fastening for your skis.

O UTSTANDI NG OUTDOOR EQUI P ME N T

P LE A S E CONTA CT HA GLÖFS I F Y OU RE QUI RE A S S I S TANCE OR A DV I CE WI TH THE A P P LI CATI ON OF THE LOGOTY P E