InTheSnow – Issue 49 (March 2016) by InTheSnow

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ISSUE 49 | MAR 2016

T hTeh-ew owrol rd l’ ds ’- sl a lragregset s- ts ksi k- a i raerae a

IN THIS

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FEATURES

Europe’s highest ski resort has one of the continent’s longest

STUBAI AND ANDRE SCHOENHERR

020

8 THINGS TO DO IN  VAL THORENS seasons and the world’s biggest ski area all around it. Emmanuelle

@INTHESNOWMAG INTHESNOW INTHESNOW

There have been huge snowfalls in almost every part of the skiing world over the past fortnight (OK, not New England, but everywhere else) and Easter 2016 is looking epic!

7 OF THE MOST SENSATIONAL SPRING SKI SLOPES  There are lots of famously terrifying ski slopes, but what about sensationally satisfying? We choose seven of our are all-time favourite descents – you know those runs that just keep giving? JUNGFRAU REGION TOURISM

INTHESNOW

EASTER ESCAPES  IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO SKI!

ST ANTON

026

Châtel tells us her eight favourite things to do there.

REGULARS

GEAR

Sponsors of Boot Room

031

BOOT ROOM

030 RESORT INSIDER  SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM ...

Sponsors of Boot Room

5-PAGE BOOT ROOM 031–035 

Already linked to Leogang and this season linked to Fieberbrunn to create the new largest ski area in Austria (although the SkiWelt still say they are), Saalbach-Hinterglemm's secrets are revealed.

patrick@inthesnow.com Well, it’s been a funny old winter, and as I pen my final

MORZINE 012

Along with our usual selection of the latest and best in

editorial of the season on 1 March, I’m noticing emails

ski gear, this issue we have expert tips of how to get the

piling in from tour operators with deals aplenty already

best out of your skis with a regular servicing – it’s easy

for NEXT winter 2016/17.

to do yourself we’re promised.

So, I’m delighted to say, it never ends, and while this is our final print issue of 2015/16, we’ll be bridging the

10 MINS: PAT SHARPLES 038

snow obsessed, we can’t let it go just because it’s not

022

ALTITUDE TUITION 028

gap online until our next edition in September; we’re so the “main” ski season. The ski lifts keep turning year

TEAM PUBLISHER

DOMINIC KILLINGER dom@inthesnow.com PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

MATT NICHOLSON matt@inthesnow.com

patrick@inthesnow.com OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

DEBBIE GABRIEL debbie@inthesnow.com SALES MANAGER

shiny metal horse of St Moritz certainly isn’t, and rather than invade other resorts you can just book a party in it.

season is just around the corner, so who are we to wimp And of course, we mustn’t forget that – depending

PATRICK THORNE

You may think that the "Wooden Horse of Troy" is a legend, but the

Switzerland, and of course, the southern hemisphere’s out on winter?

EDITOR

BLOW THE BONUS  RENT A TROJAN HORSE

round at resorts like Hintertux in Austria and Zermatt in

GIANCARLO GAMBARDELLA giancarlo@inthesnow.com

SUB EDITORS

NICK JONES MARION ADAMS CONTRIBUTORS

SAM THORNE GABBY LE BRETON EMMANUELLE CHÂTEL ANDY TAYLOR GIANCARLO GAMBARDELLA

ROSS WOODHALL

where you’re going – this up-and-down season still has a month, or two, or longer still to run. The big snowfalls

Printed in the UK.

that finally arrived in January mean it’s actually looking

No part of this publication

pretty good in terms of base depths at most areas in

may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored

the Alps, so a strong end to the season is in sight. We

in a retrieval system or

still have the Easter holidays ahead, and in this issue we

transmitted, in any way or

have some top tips for that.

means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission

Even some of the regions that have had a really bad first

SALLY BARTLETT ANNA BARTLETT

of the publishers in writing.

half of the season have, in the past few weeks, seen

COLUMNISTS

INTHESNOW LTD

southerly resort, Sierra Nevada in Spain, they’ve FINALLY

THE SNOW STUDIO

had a good snowfall and have doubled their open

EQUIPMENT EDITOR

JON WEST PHIL SMITH JACK STEELE JENNY BLETCHER DESIGN BY

PICTURE EDITOR

ROCKET BASE rocketbase.co.uk

big snowfalls to transform conditions. At Europe’s most

KINGS LANE, BUCKS HP16 0QY

terrain, and the Dolomites too saw big snowfalls at the start of March.

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

At the other end of the continent, Riksgränsen in the Swedish Arctic Circle opened for its ski season in late February, which lasts until midsummer’s day in June, when they’ll be skiing under the midnight sun. It traditionally doesn’t open until that late because it’s too cold and dark to be worth opening before then. This winter was different in Riksgränsen, though, as the Swedish government filled the centre with presumably rather bemused refugees as it sought places to cope with the influx and knew Riksgränsen could be kept warm and snug. The vast majority moved on at the start of the season, but apparently six have stayed on for the spring ski season, having found employment at the centre.

003 // MAR16

HALLDOR HELGA SON

OVER

Photo by: Halldor Helgason

MOUNTS

ACCESSORIES

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WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

NEW LIFTS TO CONNECT ST ANTON AND LECH SIDES OF THE ARLBERG Anton side to Zürs on the Lech side.

and has already announced a new “Hunt of

and of course Les 3 Vallées with 600km.

The region will invest €45million (£35million)

Fame” ski race.

According to the accurate independent ski

in the project, which will see the new

The announcement comes only a few

area size site pistelength.com the Sellaronda

Trittkopfbahn I lift from Zürs lead to a new

months after the TirolS connection which

in Italy, Park City and Deer Valley combined

intermediate station, from where skiers can

joined Fieberbrunn in Tirol with Saalbach in

(two separate but skiable between ski areas)

continue up to the new Trittkopfbahn II station

Salzburgerland claimed to be the new largest

and Big Sky/Yellowstone Club in Montana

or take the new Flex lift to Alpe Rauz in Stuben,

ski area in Austria, overtaking the long-

(physically linked but only skiable in full by

where a fourth new lift, the Albonabahn II,

standing claimant, SkiWelt in Tirol.

continues on. The new lifts will make all points

Previously, there had been some doubt whether

of the entire Arlberg region quick and easy to

the ambitious plans could be completed in time

access, the lift company says.

for next winter with some suggesting winter

The Flex lift will be a gondola with cabins

2017/18 was more likely, but today the Arlberg

capable of holding 10 passengers on the

has confirmed the new connections should be

just-over-six-minute journey. It will have large

open in late November this year.

panoramic windows to take in the spectacular

Advanced skiers have already pointed out on

views of the Arlberg Pass and its capacity will

social media that it is already possible to ski

ew lift connections that will make it possible

be 2,400 people per hour. A 1.8km long piste

from the “St Anton side” to the “Lech side”,

Flex Lift: flexenbahn.ski

to travel between the St Anton and Lech sides

descending 562 vertical metres will also be

in one direction at least, descending from

Run Of Fame: run-of-fame.ski

of the Arlberg ski region will be completed in

created as a return route.

Valluga. However, this route is only possible for

time for next winter, the region has announced.

To add a bit of extra excitement to the new

advanced skiers on a very challenging off-piste

The new connections will make the Arlberg

connection, the Arlberg is launching a new "Run

route who must be accompanied by a guide,

region by far Austria's largest interconnected

of Fame" that will allow skiers to cover up to 65

and there’s currently no lift back.

ski area with 305km of ski slopes served by 87

piste kilometres around the huge circuit and

With 305km of piste St Anton overtakes the Val

ski lifts. These figures will also put the area in

descend 18,000m of vertical in the process.

d’Isère/Tignes Espace Killy region with 300km

Yellowstone club members) all have more than

the world top 10 – possibly top 5 – for size by

The route will extend from recently connected

and the Grand Massif around France, among

305km of piste too, although the site disputes

most measures.

Warth to the north via Lech and on using the new

many others. but remains slightly smaller than

that some of those mentioned above claiming

There will be four new lifts in total with the

Flex lift to St. Anton/Rendl in the south of the

Les 4 Vallées in Verbier, Paradiski in France

more than 400km of piste actually have more

main lift, which has been christened The

region, covering the entire Ski Arlberg area.

and Milky Way across the French/Italian border

than 300km. It has not yet published a stat for

Flexenbahn (Flex lift), linking Stuben on the St

The region has given the run its own website

which each claim around 400km of linked runs,

the enlarged and linked Arlberg.

ARLBERG INFO 305km / 87 Lifts Arlberg Ski Region: skiarlberg.at

pistelength.com: pistenlaengen.com/en/

005 // MAR16

YORKSHIRE NEEDS SKI INSTRUCTORS Selby District Council’s Summit Indoor Adventure centre is looking for ski instructors to teach on two indoor ski simulators due to start operating when the £5-million centre opens in May. Along with the ski simulators, the complex will feature a six-lane 10-pin bowling facility, climbing walls up to 8m high, aerial trekking ropes and indoor skate park. summitindooradventure.co.uk MATS GRIMSÆTH / RED BULL CONTENT POOL

RECORD SET FOR TORCHLIT DESCENT Les Arcs has set a new world record for the number of people simultaneously participating in a torchlit descent, with 2,887 people skiing down the Vagère piste together. The attempt broke a record set in 2006 by Fribourg ski resort in Switzerland, when 2,854 people took part. It was recorded

X GAMES BRONZE FOR GB’S BILLY MORGAN

by a representative of the Guinness Book and then followed by a fireworks display.

CHARITY DONATES FORGOTTEN SKIWEAR Two 16-year-old American girls have set up from resorts and donating it to homeless people. Corinne Hindes and Katrine Kirsebom, both youth ski racers from California, run “Warm Winters”, which now collects the skiwear from 30 resorts and distributes it to the homeless. Gear worth an estimated half-a-million dollars (about £356,000) has so far been redistributed.

CONVEYOR SLOPE OPENS IN COLORADO

Final at the X Games in Oslo at

achievements of his impressive

the end of last month, the first

career, with Billy having only

time the event had been staged in

returned to training in December

the Norwegian capital.

last year after recovering from

Billy landed a backside 1440 triple

knee surgery in April 2015.

cork on one of the largest jumps

The X Games are one of the

ever built.

most exciting competitions

A “National Schools Snowsport Week” will be

“I’ve always seen X Games as

around for snowsports, and the

staged at 21 indoor snow and dry slopes across

one of the biggest, raddest things

medal is perfect timing for the

England this April. The brand-new initiative from

out there. So to be on the podium

26-year-old, Red Bull sponsored

Snowsport England is aimed at encouraging

and compete with so many riders

athlete as he prepares to

more schools to introduce their pupils to

B Park and Pipe’s Billy Morgan

I look up to is amazing,” Billy

compete in newly approved Big

snowsports and will run this winter at 21 slopes

claimed a prestigious bronze

commented on his success.

Air Snowboarding at the 2018

across England from 22 to 29 April 2016.

medal in the Snowboard Big Air

It is one of the finest

Olympics in South Korea.

Throughout the week there will be a range of events at different slopes including taster

An indoor conveyor slope dubbed SkiMaxx has

ski and snowboard sessions for all pupils,

opened in Colorado Springs. Colorado is, of

BOROVETS HAS MOST BARS PER KM

course, famous for its downhill ski centres, but there is already an outdoor artificial ski slope in Denver. Susie Cole, owner of SkiMaxx, told is that you can keep warm indoors rather than

alternative snow activities such as tobogganing and tubing, and even freestyle or racing taster sessions at some slopes. Some activities will be free and others will be offered to schools at

CRYSTAL

local media that one advantage of the system

ROSS WOODHALL

a charity collecting unclaimed lost skiwear

SNOWSPORT WEEK FOR SCHOOLS IN APRIL

having to learn in very low temperatures as is the norm in Colorado. “We can ski in shorts. It’s fun!” she told Pikes Peak Television.

WHAT’S HYPOXIA? A new exhibition area at the Aiguille du

by the more traditional Austrian ski

discounted prices. There are also expected to be

resort of Schladming,” a Crystal news

guest appearances from snowsports stars and

release stated, describing Borovets

celebrities throughout the week. The activities at

as “the ultimate après-ski resort”.

different slopes are open to all school ages and

A representative from Borovets

to any school keen to get involved. Schools can

tourism sought to ensure that skiers

join in with whole classes, whole year groups or

realised there was more to the

even with just a handful of students.

Bulgarian ski centre than just a lot of

"What a great idea!” said Winter Olympian Aimee

bars, commenting on the findings, “To

Fuller. “If you want to snowboard professionally

hAve quality après, you need quality

then getting into it when you are young is key. It

Crystal Ski Holidays have conducted

per square kilometre, ahead of

avant-ski, and Borovets has that

also is a great way to stay fit and strong. It is great

3,800m up high above Chamonix and the

research to find out which ski

the French resorts of Méribel and

too. The ski-in/ski-out resort in the

seeing big school groups at the slopes in the UK,

starting point of the famed Vallée Blanche,

resort has the most bars per

Courchevel, in second and third

highest Balkan mountain combines

and hopefully this initiative will get even more

square kilometre, and the winner is

place respectively. The lively resort

perfect skiing conditions with daily

schools giving it a go."

Borovets in Bulgaria.

of Pas de la Casa in Andorra came

visits to rich cultural and historic sites,

Visit Andorra is sponsoring the week as it would

including the dangers of hypoxia, a deficiency

“This reasonably priced and cheerful

in fourth with around 1.8 bars per

unique local cuisine and unrivalled

like to remind schools that it is a destination option

in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues.

resort has approximately four bars

square kilometre, followed closely

hospitality.” crystalski.co.uk

for school trips. nssw.co.uk

Midi, in one of the world’s highest buildings,

the world’s longest lift-accessed ski run, looks at the effects of altitude on our bodies

006 // MAR16 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

Heavenly Skiing At Down To Earth Prices

SNOWMAKING “BLIZZARD” SEEN ON WEATHER RADAR

ARTISTS CREATE ISCHGL SNOW CIRCUS

The Massachusetts ski area of Jiminy Peak say that their snowmaking

International artists have created a circus from 500 tonnes of snow

has become so advanced that the massive machine-made blizzard it

at Ischgl. Clowns, lions, seals and acrobats standing 5m tall are

creates is big enough for the American national weather service to see

overseen by The Ringmaster – the creation of English artists Justin

on weather radar if the skies are clear.

Scott and Martin Sharp.

Jiminy Peak’s arsenal of 170 to 200 snow guns includes proprietary

Justin, Martin and eight other pairs of artists from Italy, Germany,

snowmaking technology the resort developed and tested last August

Switzerland and Austria spent five days crafting the snow sculptures

in South Eastern Australia. The LPX-Y Gen 3 snowgun heads, also

in Ischgl’s annual “Shapes in White” exhibition, on this year’s

known as “sledgehammers”, can spray twice as much water for half the

“Circus” theme.

amount of compressed air.

The snow figures will be on show on Ischgl’s 238km of piste right

Given just 0°C in dry humidity, or −3.33°C to −2.78°C in wet humidity,

through to the end of the ski season at the beginning of May.

the resort can cover 46cm of snow over 0.405ha of terrain in one hour.

“Shapes in White” is a long-standing event in Ischgl’s calendar, and

Efficiency goes up as the temperature drops.

this year marks the 23rd anniversary. It was an idea borne out of

It’s possible for anyone to view the Jiminy Peak blizzard on a

necessity, as huge snowfalls meant an excessive amount of snow

smartphone weather app such as The Weather Channel, when the

was being piled up beside the pistes, and the Paznaun-Ischgl Tourist

snow guns are at full blast and conditions are clear, by entering the

Office spotted the exciting opportunity to create an open-air snow

resort’s zip code 01237. jiminypeak.com

sculpture gallery for skiers and snowboarders. ischgl.com

PRO-SKIER IN SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH MARIJUANA EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER well as appearing in many ski films and being CoFounder of ski company Armada Skis. “There’s so many smokers in skiing and snowboarding, they finally can have a brand they can identify with, that actually wants to work with athletes,” said Hall, who also says he would like

High Quality Catered + Self Catered Accommodation

to develop his own blend of marijuana. Hall is reported to credit marijuana use along with visits to the gym as helping him recover from injuries. He said in an interview that he was prescribed almost limitless pain-killing prescription drugs and felt addicted to them, but that taking marijuana helped him escape his prescription drug addiction. “Our brand is focused on debunking the lazy An American professional skier, Tanner Hall, has

(certified 100% gluten-free) and a SKIBOSS-

stoner stereotype, and Tanner has been poking

teamed up with a marijuana company called Black

logoed lighter which the company says is good

holes in that misconception for decades,” said

Rock and launched the “SKIBOSS Collection”

for up to 3,000 lights and designed to work in

Tommy Joyce, Black Rock’s Co-Founder.

retailing at $14.95 (£10.50). This partnership

high-wind scenarios.

The recreational use of marijuana has been

represents the first official relationship between

Hall has won numerous golds over a near 15-year

legalised in a number of US states, including

cannabis and active professional athletes.

career, particularly in the X Games, in the disciplines

Colorado, but smoking the drug is banned at

The kit includes a grinder card, rice rolling papers

of slopestyle, big air, half pipe and superpipe as

most ski areas.

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

0151 625 1921 mountainheaven.co.uk 007 // MAR16

ICE FESTIVAL IN JULY If you think you’ll be missing the cold weather too much in summer, you can head to the Swiss Alps for an Ice Festival on 3 July. With abseiling in glacial crevasses, chocolate-covered marshmallow shooting, face painting and snow tubing at the Gletscherpark, the Ice Festival should be fun for the whole family. Children accompanied by their parents ride up to Titlis for free; adults pay half-price.

LE SKI OFFERS FREE LIFT PASSES French chalet operator Le Ski reports it has already sold more than 10% of its holidays for next winter 2016/17. The company has a host of early booking deals which run until the end of July including free lift passes for all holidays this Christmas and in January 2017. You just have to use a Le Ski flight to qualify. This represents a huge saving of up to €275pp (about £210pp). LeSki.com

NEW SHOTSKI WORLD RECORD SET

ICELAND WINTER GAMES READY FOR BIG 2016

ZERMATT LAUNCHES NEW VISITOR APP

group of fewer than 10 ski areas worldwide to

T in 2004 to become, they claim,

some of the biggest names in

the way to black sand beaches.

centrepiece of the app is a navigation function

have hosted Olympic, World Championship

one of the world’s biggest winter

winter sports. This includes Henrik

icelandwintergames.com

using a geo-referenced 3D map.

The residents of Breckenridge in Colorado set a new world record last month when 831 people stood shoulder to shoulder for a quarter-mile (0.4km) and lifted 277 pairs of skis in a line between them, each holding three or four shot glasses, from which they all drank simultaneously. The event was part of the annual Ullr Fest and was sponsored by Breckenridge distillery.

JOINT BID FOR 2023 Neighbouring Les 3 Vallées resorts Courchevel and Méribel have launched a joint bid to host the Alpine World Skiing Championships in 2023. If successful, the resorts would join a

festivals with over 60 events.

Harlut, two-time gold medallist in

Based in Akureyri, the ski capital of

Big Air at the X Games in Aspen

Iceland, and taking place from 24

as well as US Olympic medallist

March to 3 April, the festival draws

snowboarder, Scotty Lago.

in some of the biggest names in

As well as winter sports, guests

winter sports and hosts events

can take tours in super Jeeps,

unseen anywhere else, including

helicopters, snowmobiles or even

Zermatt’s lift company have launched a new

ski jumps in the shape of volcanoes,

in green-energy-powered schooner

app for visitors which it describes as “the

mountain-top to sea skiing and

boats. The focus is on intrinsically

perfect digital companion for the international

Arctic horseback riding.

Icelandic activities such as skiing

Matterhorn ski paradise.” Named the Skiguide

The two main events are the AFP

under the Northern Lights on Mt

Zermatt app, its available free for iPhone or

he Iceland Winter Games have

Gold freeski competition and the

Hlíðarfjall´s slopes and heli-skiing on

Android and features include the option for

grown over three years from a

IWG open snowboard competition,

the Troll Peninsula, where the slopes

users to pinpoint their location in the Zermatt

single freeskiing competition

which have already attracted

reach from the mountain tops all

and Cervinia international ski area. The

and World Cup competitions. A decision will be made in 2018. Next season’s Championships are in St Moritz followed by Åre, Sweden, in 2019 and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in 2021.

SWISS ENCOURAGE CARPOOLING

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB TO SPEND $8 MILLION Hut to make it less steep as well as

upgrades will involve earthwork in the

adding four new energy-efficient snow

Olympic Station area to open up more

guns to the area.

beginner-friendly terrain, as well as re-

All of the projects included in the

Verbier are described as “financing partners” by

grading the Olympic and Fantastic runs

CAD8-million investment are expected

the skiski.ch site, which encourages skiers and

to make them more accessible to novice

to be complete by the start of the

skiers and riders.

2016/17 ski season.

slopes. “We want to encourage this ecological,

The resort will be installing two new

“These plans are designed to improve

economical and sociable way to travel,” said a

covered carpet lifts at Olympic Station

guest experience, enhance our weather

Two Swiss resorts have partnered with the carpooling site skiski.ch. Crans-Montana and

PAUL MORRISON

The ski and snowboard learning area

boarders to car share on their journey to the

Whistler Blackcomb in BC, Canada,

to go on enhancements to learning

and 25 new energy-efficient snow guns

resiliency and contribute to the year-

most of the numerous activities and events in the

has announced a planned investment

areas on Whistler Mountain as well as

in the beginner area.

round growth of our business,” said Dave

resort while enjoying the many advantages that

of CAD8 million (about £4.23 million)

upgrades to decking and patio areas at

Plans also include re-grading the Upper

Brownlie, President and CEO of Whistler

carpooling offers.”

for next season, with the money set

mountain restaurants.

Whiskey Jack run above the Chic Pea

Blackcomb. whistlerblackcomb.com

resort spokesperson. “It’s a way to make the

008 // MAR16 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

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VONN DEFENDS PAINTED-ON SWIMSUIT PHOTO SHOOT

RESISTS ODOUR

The world’s most successful-

Vonn has been sharing the pictures

entrepreneur, charity founder and

way,” said Vonn,

ever female skier, American

through her social media channels,

as a general inspiration to women

“It definitely was hard for me to

Lindsey Vonn, has been talking

but received some negative

and girls in particular.

have the self-confidence to do

to the media about the recent

comments from people who feel the

“It’s showing that strong, athletic

something like that. I got over

publication of pictures of her

images objectify women in sport

women can be beautiful; it’s not

it, and I’m learning to be more

naked but “wearing” a painted-on

and detract from her remarkable

just skinny models. There’s a lot of

comfortable in my own skin, I’m

swimsuit, taken for US publication

achievement of 76 World Cup

different body types in this world.

proud that I’m able to be among

Sports Illustrated.

wins along with her work as an

Everyone is beautiful in their own

such beautiful women.”

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009 // MAR16

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TA K E S

T W O

T O

3. Free

any parents when they can

Children are free. They have no

no longer keep up with

perceptions of how they should ski,

6. Fun

their offspring. It recently

how they are skiing or how they

Why do children ski? Because it’s

8. No Fear

happened to myself and

did ski. They have a freedom to

fun! Why do adults ski? I’ll leave

Children have less fear and no

my four-time Olympian

move, unrestricted and unhindered.

this for you to answer. Make it fun

responsibilities. They’re not

wife Emma Carrick-

Adults are always trying to

thinking “What if”, leaving

Anderson. The only thing

do it right, blocking their

them free to have a go, to

that has surprised us is

movement and freedom,

experiment, to make mistakes

that our children were only

becoming restricted and

and to learn.

six years old when this

unable to move freely.

wanting to know how to do it.

GUIDED & INSTRUCTED COURSES FOR ALL LEVELS The UCPA offers a huge range of specialist off piste, ski touring and splitboarding courses. Whether you are taking that first step from piste to backcountry or are a seasoned expert searching for adrenaline fuelled days, the UCPA has a course to suit you. By far the best value trips for the off piste adventurer!

Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.”

9. No Airs And Graces 4. Output Focused

Children are not worried about

children learn so quickly – but why?

Children are “output focused”.

what others think about them,

Here are my top 10 reasons why

They’re solely concerned with

are not self-conscious and are

children are such good learners.

“getting down” and are not

free to adopt the most stable

If adults could rekindle these

worried about how they achieve

childlike qualities, then maybe they

this. The task, the terrain and the

could learn just as fast!

snow shapes their learning and

Everyone talks about how

£510

TA N G O

t comes as no surprise to

happened.

TOP ALPINE RESORTS Prices from

I T

how they ski, “outputs shaping 1. Living In The Now

inputs”. Adults always want to

Children live for the moment.

know how to do it before they

They’re not worried about the

do it and therefore work the

future and they’re not worried

opposite way around, “inputs

about the past. Skiing is a

shaping outputs”.

sport where the environment is

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

stance naturally. They crouch low, feet wide, and are solid. Adults are worried about what they look like and therefore miss out on adopting the best stance, standing upright with their feet close rather than low and wide. 10. Doers Children don’t ask questions

constantly changing, so it’s vital to

5. Learn By Mistakes

live in the now. Adults always want

To children it’s not making

to know what is going to happen

mistakes; it’s simply learning.

before it happens and then are

The fastest way to learn is by being

and you’ll find that learning will just

plant my pole?” or “Which way

judgmental about the past. Learn

happy to make mistakes. Children

get quicker and quicker.

should my shoulders face?” They

to deal with what is happening now

don’t even think they’ve made a

and let go of the past.

mistake. Sitting back is just sitting

7. Be Yourself

technique and they are certainly

back, swinging shoulders is just

Children don’t compare or wish they

not worried about being filmed and

2. Accepting What Is

swinging shoulders, not right or

were better; they are not worried

having their technique dissected.

For more information and to book:

Children don’t value, question or

wrong, just what is. Adults are

about being watched or wish they

They are doers, not analysers.

www.action-outdoors.co.uk/off-piste

compare; they just do. There’s no

judgemental about themselves,

were someone else. They are not

Adults want to know how and why.

right or wrong, there’s just what is.

worried about making mistakes,

self-conscious; they’re just them. As

“Analysis leading to paralysis.”

THE UK PARTNE

like “What’s the effect of the centripetal force whilst turning?”, “When should I

don’t discuss the finer details of

R FOR

010 // MAR16

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this was a new, exciting challenge

continue to improve the sledge

personality, motorbiker and lorry

for us,” said Antonio Pavesi, Head

in order to minimise drag and

mechanic Guy Martin, who piloted

of the Wind Tunnel at TMG.

maximise speed.

a sledge at 134.36kph in 2014.

Mounted to an overhead strut, the

“We will improve the design and

The Snowspeed team aim to smash

wind was increased to 40m/s to

aim to complete the final sledge in

that record and go on to beat the

test how the Snowspeed sledge

the next few months, ready for an

speed skiing world record, which

behaves at speed, recording side

attempt at the world speed record

at present stands at 252.45kph, set

force, downforce, drag, roll, pitch

in 2017,” said Nima Shahinian, Head

by Italian racer Simone Origone in

and yaw through sensors in the

of Design at HOOS Design Lab in

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new snow sledge may be able to

the terminal velocity of a free-falling

beat the world speed record on

skydiver, a mere 190kph.

snow, its Norwegian designers hope.

They intend to make their attempts

The sledge, Snowspeed, is the

on the various world records

brainchild of a team of designers

in Oslo in winter 2016/17 but

and speed enthusiasts, who aim

have recently been in Cologne,

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a non-machine-powered device.

GmbH (TMG) testing a half-scale

Snowspeed is designed to reach

model, the third prototype to date.

250kph using just gravity.

“We are more used to testing Le

The current world speed record

Mans or Formula 1 racing cars, so

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FOUR NEW LIFTS FOR NISEKO Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan, will be

with eight passenger gondola

also see a new 1.2km ski run and

at Hirafu Village and will in part

home to two major new lifts next

cabins, will be the first of its kind

the two beginner conveyor lifts

provide access to an expanding

season – in one of the biggest

in Japan.

added for next winter.

ski village above Kasara Niseko

spends on new lift infrastructure in

There’ll also be a new Upper

The new lifts, which are being

Village Townhouse and The

Japan for a generation. There will

Village pulsed gondola, another

built by Nippon Cable Company,

Green Leaf Niseko Village up

also be two new conveyor lifts.

first for Japan, and both lifts are

a licensee of Doppelmayr

to a beginners' ski area on the

The new Village Express, a

part of YTL Hotels master plan

technology, are in a separate

mountainside above. The lifts will

combination six-person chairlift

vision for Niseko Village, which will

part of Niseko to the main resort

run until 10pm each evening.

SPRING SKIING IN MORZINE

EASTER SKIING IN THE 3 VALLEYS

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011 // MAR16

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want to really enjoy my ski trips so am

a five-minute shuttle ride away from

All the other modern comfort touches

under pressure. However, after a few

on the hunt for best value. That doesn’t

the resort, is focused on high design

are here – Nespresso Machines, BOSE

years, he wanted to escape the confines

mean splashing the cash, but it does

standards and has a luxury feel, including

sound system, Wii MotionPlus, Apple TV,

of a structured kitchen and feed his other

mean travelling with an operator that

the employment of a Michelin-star

lift, wi-fi, hot tub …

great passion of skiing, which brought

can provide everything you need for a

restaurant trained in-house chef. All this

Culinary joy is a big part of the TG Ski

him rather nicely to TG Ski!

great ski trip, all with a one-stop-shop

combines to create a contemporary twist

experience, starting every morning with

Superior wine, champagne, cocktails,

approach and at a fair price.

on the traditional chalet.

a choice of French pastries, homemade

beers and premium spirits are also all

I headed out to Morzine, one of the most

While TG Ski offer a great base for the

smoothies and a full cooked breakfast,

available, and Chalet Host Alice Smith

popular resorts in France, located at the

Portes du Soleil, holidays in Chalet Les

then continuing each evening with five-

ensures everything is running smoothly

heart of the wonderful Portes du Soleil

Pierrys are that much better than the

course meals created six nights a week

and that everyone is happy. Finally,

ski region. It’s an amazing ski area that

norm as you can have your ski equipment

by Michelin-trained Executive Chef Dan

Chalet Driver Will Prince is available to

encompasses 650km of ski runs, linking

delivered and fitted in the chalet, there

Draper, who also oversees the chefs at

take you wherever you want to go (within

a dozen ski villages right over the border

are visiting spa treatment and beauty

TG Ski’s other chalets.

reason!), if you can bear going out …

into Switzerland.

treatment services and even preferred

After graduating from catering college,

The operator I chose was TG Ski, who

private ski or snowboard schools on hand.

Dan started his career in a number of

ome people like to cut every corner

have recently renovated the seven-

In short, all the things you normally waste

high-profile London restaurants including

possible when planning for a ski holiday

bedroom Chalet Les Pierrys and added

time organising and trailing around resort

Social Eating House and L’Autre Pied.

in order to get as cheap a trip as they

to its premium “Summit” range. Les

to organise come to you without any effort

The experience gave him a huge insight

can, but I’ve reached the stage where I

Pierrys, which sleeps 14 and is located

on your part. Excellent!

into ingredients, flavours and working

TG SKI tgski.com In-Chalet Equipment Hire: Doorstep Skis (doorstepskis.com) In-Chalet Spa Treatments: Indulge Massage & Beauty (indulgemorzine.com) (average price £35 for half an hour) Airport Transfers: Mountain Bus Company (mountainbuscompany.com) (from £35pp) Private Ski Lessons: The Snow Institute (thesnowinstitute.com) (from £19pp p/hour) Snowboard Lessons: Mint Snowboarding (mintsnowboarding.com) (private lessons from £20pp per hour)

012 // MAR16

WORDS: GIANCARLO GAMBARDELLA

MIKE CRANE

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InTheSnow columnist Jack Steele has been a keen skier from an early age and has been living in Whistler for the past two years, working as a lifty during the ski season. fun ski resort nightclubs. Beer

ski boots in the morning will

seems to taste particularly satisfying

probably feel like the worst

after a heavy day of skiing, and the

idea in the world after limited

adrenaline-fuelled fun of snowsports

sleep and excessive alcohol

tends to dissipate my hangover

consumption, but once you

faster than any other activity. This

get into the fresh air and some

being said, I feel that it is important

adrenaline kicks in, the cobwebs

single night. Hopefully you are

to strike a balance between skiing

should wash away in no time.

actually there to go skiing or

and drinking in order to make the most of the limited amount of time

where you left your skis!

each other very nicely! 5) Try not to get drunk every

are a lot easier when you’re not

bed. You need partners in crime

hungover or drunk. You can get

the slopes each year.

to get you through the day.

drunk pretty much anywhere,

Having spent a large number

Convince your hungover friends

even Magaluf if you’re that way

of weeks on university ski trips,

that they will be OK, exaggerate

inclined. There are only around

t seems there has been a recent

as well as living in Whistler and

about the “amazing” weather

2,000 lift-fed ski areas in the

spate of articles referring to

working as a lifty for two seasons,

and remind them how much their

world whereas there are millions

French ski resort of Val d’Isère

I developed quite a skill at

lift pass costs.

of places to get drunk.

as a “Magaluf on Ice” due to an

maintaining this balance, mainly

increasing amount of boozed-up

through sacrificing sleep in favour

Brits heading to the slopes to make

of skiing and partying. Here are a

nightclubs. It’s way more fun

of fun to offer both on and off the

the most of the town’s nightlife and

few tips to avoid spending your ski

(especially in Europe). You are

slopes. It is great to make the

après-ski. In recent years I have

holiday either paralytic or lying in

more likely to get an early night,

most of a really active holiday and

tried to focus more on the active

the recovery position.

it is the perfect instigator of an

also enjoy some partying in the

after-ski nap and dancing in ski

mountains. Just try not to upset

1) Just get out of bed (preferably

boots is comical for everyone

the local people with too much

early). Squeezing on those

involved. Just try to remember

rowdy behaviour.

time in the mountains rather than on the quite cheesy yet undeniably

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4) Nap. Tips 3 and 4 complement

that most of us are likely to have on

and outdoorsy benefits of spending

threevalleetransfers

snowboarding, both of which 2) Make your friends get out of

3) Prioritise après-ski over

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013 // MAR16

PRIVATE & SHARED TRANSFERS TO LES 3 VALLÉES

Sleep In An Igloo What about staying in an igloo? I know, it’s quite an unusual place to stay, but don’t worry, we’re not talking about a real icy igloo but a cosy igloo! It’s the perfect place for a romantic night with a difference. Your igloo has its own bathroom and is heated by a wood stove, and there’s even a view of the slopes from your bed for the outdoorsy feel. It’s so popular it’s best to book in advance.

La Folie Douce Famous for its après-ski ambience, which includes DJ sets, cabaret shows and a full-on party atmosphere, the Folie Douce chain has spread across the leading resorts in the French Alps over the past few winters. In Val Thorens, this altitude bar is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset drink with stunning views over the area. If you’re up for a party, then you must stop in!

WORDS: EMMANUELLE CHÂTEL

World Cup Ski Cross Slope If you’re looking for extra thrills this spring, try the spectacular Ski Cross World Cup slope with its rollers and turns. Adrenaline guaranteed! You can take on the challenge with friends and step into the real starting gate, then at the bottom check your results at the finish with the timer and camera towards the finish line. This venue is used by some of the world’s best riders training for the Ski Cross circuit, including Britain’s Emily Sarsfield.

014 // MAR16

Spa Experience With low temperatures and the aches and strains of skiing, winter can be tough on your body. After skiing hard all day, it’s time to treat yourself to a treatment in the Pashmina Spa by L’OCCITANE in Val Thorens. Enjoy a massage to gain relief for your tired muscles, and your body will feel totally fresh the next day.

Cime Caron Viewpoint The most beautiful view of Val Thorens is found at the very top of the ski lifts at 3,200m. From here, a great landscape of unending mountains makes you feel like an explorer standing on the top of the world with a 360° view of Les 3 Vallées and more than 100 Alpine summits (French, Swiss and Italian), including Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. You can also see Lake Geneva down below. Pedestrians can reach this point by cable car, but skiers and boarders will want to head down from Cime Caron on red and black runs with descents of up to 10km possible.

Michelin Star Restaurant You don’t need to miss out on gourmet cuisine just because you’re up at 2,100m. Jérémy Gillon is one of the best chefs in France, and his L’Epicurien restaurant received a Michelin star in February 2015. Here he offers culinary diversity: each course is an unexpected combination of textures and flavours, a skilful blend of colours, with an explosion of tastes. It is quite a different form of mountain cuisine, embracing delicateness. This major chef showcases regional produce where local provenance and authenticity are the determining factors, and he himself picks the herbs for his dishes during the summer.

Snowshoeing It’s the highest ski resort in Europe, it’s part of the largest ski region in the world and that altitude means Val Thorens can open for snowsports from November to May. Since it was first established in 1971, one of the newest as well as the highest of the French purpose-built resorts, each new development at Val Thorens has been carefully planned and thought out. Over the past 45 years, the resort has reinvented itself many times and moved with the times, extending the choice it offers to respond to holidaymakers’ needs. So besides those 600km of skiing and boarding in Les 3 Vallées, Val Thorens also now offers a big choice of outdoor activities for everybody, whether you are a skier or not.

It’s known for its high-adrenaline sports including mountain biking on snow and Europe’s highest zip wire, as well as all those fast ski runs, but you can experience Val Thorens at a gentler pace by exploring the valley on snowshoeing trails. This activity is a good combination of sport and exploring nature, and you can join a guided group to learn about local fauna and flora more thoroughly as you walk. The great thing is you need no technical skill or previous experience to enjoy this activity! Plus, snowshoeing gives access to landscapes and spectacular scenery that go way beyond the limits of the on-piste skier. There’s something magical about walking through untouched snow and leaving first tracks while enjoying the tranquillity and calm. A ski outfit and hiking boots are all you need to discover the valley. On the way back on one popular route, you can stop at the chalet Chez Pépé Nicolas restaurant, where they cook French mountain specialities with locally grown products. It’s the ideal place to stop and fuel up to get some energy before keeping going!

Finally Yoga in the mountains Recently introduced at the resort, yoga classes at altitude, while facing the glacier, are a great way to recharge your batteries. Yoga practice has multiple benefits, including improving posture and toning muscles. It also helps you to gain energy resources and relieve tension either mentally or physically – all of which puts you in a good place to be ready for skiing. You can practise yoga in Val Thorens before hitting the slopes or after skiing to recover after the effort and stretch your body to avoid sore muscles, helping you maintain good physical and spiritual health. For a complete experience, you can sign up for a guided snowshoe hike with some stretching sessions, too, one a sun salutation and the other seated meditation.

Don’t forget the skiing and boarding! With 150km of runs in its own valley shared with Orelle and of course 600km in the Les 3 Vallées, of which it’s the highest point, Val Thorens offers a huge choice of terrain for all tastes and abilities. In the largest ski area in the world, you’ll never need to ski the same run twice, unless you want to!

N. KOREA’S NEW LIFT ONCE RAN IN ISCHGL A new gondola that has opened this season at North Korea’s highly publicised ski area Masik Pass once operated in Ischgl according to a report in the New York Times. It reports the lift was initially sold to a Chinese company, and as China does not regard skiing as a “luxury” activity – equipment sales for which are banned under UN sanctions – it was happy to sell ski lifts and other equipment to North Korea.

REGION HAS SWEDEN’S WORST STD RECORD The Swedish ski region of Jämtland that’s home to Scandinavia’s largest ski resort of Åre also has Sweden’s worst record for the sexually transmitted NUTS

disease chlamydia cases, according to official statistics. The region had the most cases per head of population, with 488 cases per 100,000 people, just ahead of capital Stockholm. Regional health officials said numbers spike during the ski season but in season workers, not tourists.

MILLENNIA OLD YELLOW SNOW ON PLUTO A new image of Pluto’s northern Polar region released by NASA shows much of the area covered by yellow and blue methane snow. “Pluto's north pole is covered in heavy methane snows,” Alan Stern, New Horizons' lead scientist told the Tech Insider. The yellow snow is believed to be methane snow that has been lying on the surface for millennia and blasted by solar and cosmic radiation while blue-grey snow is believed to have fallen more recently.

MUSIC CONTEST IN AVORIAZ

ALL ABOARD THE VAL D’ISÈRE SNOW EXPRESS

WORLD CUP BRITS “OWN THE PODIUM”

first class upgrade for the first 100

Brits are advised to catch the Eurostar

people to book.

from St Pancras to Paris to join the

Val d’Isère’s highest runs start

Val d’Isère Snow Express there and

at 3,456m and the ski season

this final fling on winter 2015/16 in the

continues right up until the first

Alps, returning via Paris and back to

weekend of May.

London on 24-25 April.

The Val d’Isère Snow Express, a

“Judging by present excellent snow

Britain has, for the first time, “owned the

special train from Paris, will depart

levels, this promises to be a vintage

podium” at a World Cup level event in

on Thursday 21 April and return

season for spring skiing. In late

snowsports disciplines.

on Sunday 24 April. The resort is

March and April the snow crystals

Racers from Para Snowsport GB occupied the

al d’Isère has announced plans to

offering a special three-day weekend

change in consistency, transforming

first, second and third place at the Giant Slalom

run a special snow train from Paris

package, complete with hotel and lift

the whole mountain into a giant

at the World Cup Finals in Aspen, USA.

in late April and is offering a free

pass at a discounted price.

piste,” a spokesperson said.

Going into the race, the female visually impaired athletes, Menna Fitzpatrick and guide Jennifer Kehoe, Millie Knight and guide Mike

Throughout the season, Avoriaz has been signing up young groups and DJs over the internet to compete against each other every Friday in a live event on the piste in front of a large crowd, on two

Abromowitz, and Kelly Gallagher and guide

MILLE8 OPENS AT LES ARCS

stages in the middle of the Igloo Village. Electro,

Gary Smith were seeded first, second and third respectively, and so it proved at the finish. However, all was not plain sailing as at the end of the first run, though Menna was leading,

rap, pop, rock: all kinds of musical styles have

a day and is home to snow fun

Millie was in third and Kelly was in fifth.

activities and learner slopes as well

However, determined performances by Millie

as indoor venues, restaurants and

and Kelly launched them onto the podium at

water parks so it appeals to skiers

the expense of the American pairs who had

and non-skiers alike.

been in second and fourth.

Called Mille8, it has been put

The victory was Menna and Jen’s third World

together over the past few seasons

Cup win of the season, and with two races to

and officially opened last month

go, this left them in a strong position to win the

Verbier is launching a brand-new music and

with a special three-hour sound and

overall Crystal Globe this year.

sports-oriented event, the “Verbier Impulse

light show. This spectacular event

This was the first race in the World Cup Finals

been featured. The grand finale will take place on the weekend of 8 to 10 April 2016. avoriaz.com

WIN TICKETS TO IMPULSE FESTIVAL Music and Ski Festival”, over two weekends

The French ski resort of Les Arcs is

The heart of the idea is that, rather

included the latest technologies

which are the culmination of this season’s

(8–10 and 15–16 April 2016) next month. The

trying to re-invent mountain tourism

than have skiing for part of the day

in 3D images projections (video

IPCAS World Cup. The racing continued on 25

Lodge Clapham is offering the chance to win

with an all-new concept that seeks to

then evening activities in another

mapping, ballet of laser light rays,

February, with another Giant Slalom, followed

a two-day trip for two people including flights,

bring together summer and mountain

place, and different locations again

pyrotechnics …).

by a Slalom on the 26th. After a day off and a

accommodation, ski pass and tickets to the new

activities at the heart of their ski area

in the summer, you build a giant

After the show, DJs will set the dance

couple of training days, the speed events started

Festival at quiz evenings on Tuesday evenings

– and they’ve spent over $40 million

one-stop complex above your resort

floor alight in front of The Lodge, the

the following week with Downhills on 1 and 2

(about £28.4 million) on it.

that is open for at least 12 hours

newly opened venue in Mille8.

March followed by Super-G on the 3rd and 4th.

throughout March. thelodgeclapham.com

016 // MAR16 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

THE UNOFFICIAL BRITISH SKI JUMPING TEAM Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards made his return to the ski jumping world before the movie of his life is released in a few weeks’ time – alongside five winners of the “Jump With Eddie” competition organised by Alp Leisure Ltd competition which is also raising money for Ski 4 Cancer (ski4cancer.org). Declared the “Unofficial British Ski Jumping Championships” by organisers Chris and Lucie Learoyd of Alp Leisure Ltd, during the week competition winners Alexandra Stubbs, Max Willcocks, Andrew Marshall, Donald Banks and Mark Black received coaching from members of the French National Team and Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards while Eddie himself reached his target goal of launching off the 90m Olympic jump for the first time in over 20 years. The five participants had won prizes of two week-long visits to Courchevel, the first for a week of training during October with Eddie “The Eagle” and then returning for the second week during the winter to jump as far as they could go.

SAUDI ARABIA SNOW CENTRE The Majid Al Futtaim company, which runs Ski Dubai and is currently completing Ski Egypt, has announced its third indoor snow centre will be in one of two new malls it plans to construct in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mall of Saudi will be the larger of the two and is described by the company as a “fully integrated lifestyle destination”. It will cover 866,000m2 in a location north of the city and be home to “one of the world’s largest indoor snow parks” – the details of which are yet to be specified. The ski slope will be completed in the first phase of the development, work on which is set to commence by mid-2017 and be completed by 2022, the company says. The Dubai-based company is investing SR14 billion (£2.65 billion) in the projects, which will bring the total number of Majid Al Futtaim owned and operated malls to more than 20 across the Middle East and North Africa. Riyadh already has a small indoor snow slope, “Snow Magic Riyadh”, which began operating in 2006 and may still be operational.

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

017 // MAR16

/INTHESNOW

@INTHESNOWMAG

/INTHESNOWMAG

from day one of our winter holidays.

and for those of us that lack in

indoor slope isn’t quite that of the

So, if you were left wishing you’d

confidence on the slopes, this often

steepest black in France, but you

taken that black run in your stride,

rings true! The reality is that many

can learn the technique needed

landed your first 180 with more

of us forget how good our skiing or

and how to apply it, to muster the

style or kept up with the rest of your

snowboard skills are from one year

skill for the steepest of runs on most

group this season, here are just five

to the next. Regular sessions on an

UK indoor slopes. And the same

of the many things you can head to

indoor slope can keep those skills

goes for varied terrain; from moguls

your indoor snow centre to learn.

flowing all year round, so we won’t

to narrow icy pistes, all require

forget how good we are!

the application of the appropriate

1. Speed

technique, something The Snow

3. Landing Tricks

Keeping up with or getting ahead

Centre’s instructors know all about.

5. Carving & Style

of the rest of the group isn’t always

Whether it’s jibbing a few tricks on

or many of us, this year’s winter ski

easy. Believe it or not, indoor

the piste or landing something in

or snowboard holiday has been and

slopes offer all you need to practise

the park, freestyle coaching at UK

We’ve all caught a glimpse of the

gone, and hopefully it was a blast

speed skiing or snowboarding.

indoor snow centres up and down

skier or snowboarder carving,

of snow fun from beginning to end!

There are two key factors coming

the country provides the perfect

racing or spinning tricks down the

Whether we spent it progressing

into play when looking to slide

opportunity to master freestyle

slopes and thought about how we

from blues to reds, seeking off-piste

more quickly on snow: technique

tricks. Copying a trick we’ve seen

could achieve their level of skill.

powder, speed skiing the slopes or

and its application, and confidence,

someone do while out on the

Whether it’s learning a technique

landing tricks in the park, most of us

and there’s plenty of room to build

mountain will never get us as far

like carving and making it look

will be left hungry for more!

upon both at an indoor slope. For

as understanding exactly how

good or just sliding with more

With thoughts of what we hope to

example, the 160m Main Slope

that trick is achieved. An indoor

charisma, these are skills that can

achieve on next year’s winter break

at The Snow Centre in Hemel

centre’s freestyle coach can explain

be learnt indoors in a lesson or

in the forefront of our minds, an

Hempstead offers coaching on

the dynamics of a trick and make

coaching session, or with some

opportunity to get a head start on

technique or Summer Lift Pass

adjustments to technique to help us

practice time on an indoor slope.

next year’s snow goals will come as

offers that can provide regular

land it with style! Plus, most centres

These are just five of the many skills

music to our ears! Not only are UK

on-snow sessions to help build

run regular park nights enabling you

you can pick up at an indoor slope

real-snow indoor centres offering

confidence and keep it!

to practise any new moves!

this summer. There’s no better time

us the chance to keep all the skills we’ve achieved this trip at the ready, they also provide the perfect location

for us to become masters of our

2. Confidence

for progression all year round. This means that next snow season, we’ll

It’s alleged that most sports are

be showing off some new moves

80% mental and 20% physical,

018 // MAR16

4. Steeper MORE Varied Terrain

own on-snow goals than on the quieter UK slopes offering great summer prices. Next season we might just find ourselves at the top

Yes, maybe the gradient at your

of our game indoors and out!

THESNOWCENTRE.COM

CLOTHING DESIGNED TO REWARD CHILDREN FOR BEING ACTIVE

moves around in their ski jacket,

screen,” explained Elina Björklund,

conjunction with another Finnish

a built-in movement sensor tracks

Reima’s CEO.

company, Suunto, implementing

that activity. The activity is then

“Teaching kids to postpone

their Movesense® technology and

recognised by a child-oriented

gratification can be quite

expertise in tracking movement.

mobile app which is free to use and

challenging in today’s ‘I-want-it-

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wearable, washable, waterproof

Called ReimaGO® the clothing is

ReimaGO® can help: the game

and practically unbreakable, and

due to go on sale this autumn 2016.

will reward kids for achieving their

it also works in extremely cold

“Parents are worried about kids

goals, and parents can even invent

weather. It measures the intensity

not moving enough, as they are

additional rewards. Kids will get

and duration of a child’s physical

Finnish children’s clothing company

so attracted to consoles and

the health benefits of energising

activity during the day. It wakes up

called Reima, known for its

mobile gaming. But we can turn

exercise, the fun of playing a cool

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functional outerwear, is to introduce

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it can be used to track movement

clothing featuring “wearable

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and intensely moving outdoors

triple reward,” she added.

Apple’s iOS platform, and parents

children to enjoy outdoor activities.

with their ReimaGO® sensors, kids

The ReimaGO® movement sensor

have their own interface with it,

The idea is that when the child

can enjoy the fun on the mobile

has been especially developed in

separate to the child’s.

DOES YOUR HOME TOWN MEASURE UP TO YOUR SKI TOWN? PHILIPPE ROYER

measures up to a selection of

your holiday and indeed how much

French ski resorts.

work must go into preparing the

The descriptively named “French

pistes and maintaining safety at

Ski Area Over My Town” app

these resorts.

enables you to see exactly how

For example, who knew that

large the key French ski areas are

Les 3 Vallées would sprawl

by measuring them against the

across much of Sussex between

size of your own town, overlaying

Brighton and Crawley? Or that

the two maps.

the Espace Killy of Tignes and

The results are slightly more

Val d’Isère would cover much of

You’ve probably never even

French ski areas and French

impressive than we may have

Central London, from Highgate

thought about it before, but a

holidays – France Montagnes

thought, which is probably the

and Hampstead in the north to

new app released today by the

and Atout France – will tell you

point, and help give you an idea

Greenwich in the southeast?

promotional organisations for

how your local town or city

of how far you may have skied on

frenchskiareaovermytown.com

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

019 // MAR16

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

(slightly) like that but all too often I’ve found

with a few mountain restaurants on the way

myself working up a sweat struggling to

down and I’m more than content.

Wilde Grub’n

Cascades

stand up in “heavy crud” (that’s a technical

Just to really kill my career off completely

STUBAI, TIROL, AUSTRIA

FLAINE, FRANCE

term), and as I write up snow reports each

and make me the laughing stock at the

week and see either no fresh snow, leaving

next Ski Editors’ Grand Ball, I’ll also admit

Stubai is known for its glacier skiing,

The Grand Massif ski area contains a

the off-piste terrain unskiable, or too much

that I actually like a nice fast, wide, blue

reliable snow conditions and for staying

giant powder bowl with the resort of

heavy snow, meaning freeriding comes with

run. You know, the really easy ones where

open to the end of spring and opening

Flaine at its heart, but on the outside of

a high avalanche danger, I keep thinking

you feel like you’re skiing well without

again in early autumn for a nine-month-

the bowl’s “rim” multiple marvellous long

there must be a lot of frustrated powder

needing to make any effort? I mean it’s

long-ski-season, but in the winter, when the

descents take you down from above the

skiers out there.

nice to challenge yourself on a black run or

snow is good all the way down, you can ski

treeline to traditional villages like Morillon,

So now it’s time for me to confess my guilty

off-piste every now and then, but mostly I

on a top-to-bottom partially on an off-piste

Samoens and Les Carroz. Most amazing

pleasure. I like skiing on the piste! There,

think, why bother?

route that is altogether 10km long and

of all, arguably, is the Cascades run which

I said it. I know I’m terribly old fashioned

And now that spring is here, there’s no

descends 1,460 vertical metres from the

descends for an amazing 14km from Flaine

e’re all told by the ski film makers,

and that this whole industry that has

better time to enjoy some spectacular

top of the ski area at over 3,200m to the

to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval in the remarkable

equipment manufacturers and ski

grown up manufacturing piste groomers

cruising than in the sunshine.

bottom of the lifts. Officially titled “ski route

Grand Massif area, dropping more than

journalists that we’re not skiing properly

and smoothing the slopes each night is a

Phew, I feel so much better getting that off

14” on the piste map, it’s so popular and

1,700 vertical metres in the process.

unless we’re floating through wonderful

hangover from a bygone era, but I still think

my chest.

such fun that it rarely is really “off-piste” in

Although it is perhaps a little too gentle in

feather-light fields of powder, bouncing

carving up a beautifully smooth slope that

Well, here are seven of my favourite ski runs.

that except after fresh snow it quickly gets

places, it does offer magnificent views and

beautifully from turn to turn, and probably

has been flattened for me is a lot of fun.

skied flat.

takes you out away from the main slopes

live-streaming a video of our effortless

I’m quite happy for everyone else to go off

and past the Sixt Nature Reserve, home to

antics on social media.

freeriding and falling over in the snow; just

ibex, chamois and mountain hares.

I have had a few experiences that were

leave me on the smooth, groomed slopes

020 // MAR16

@INTHESNOWMAG

STUBAI AND ANDRE SCHOENHERR

Hidden Valley

La Crête

Pista Ventina

Sarenne

Last Spike

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY

MONT-STE-ANNE, QUEBEC, CANADA

ZERMATT–CERVINIA, SWITZERLAND–ITALY

ALPE D’HUEZ, FRANCE

REVELSTOKE, CANADA

The wonderful “Hidden Valley” descent is

Not the steepest nor the most challenging

More than 10km long and descending

Officially the world’s longest black run,

It’s not one of the best-known ski areas

a remarkable blue/red run of about 8km in

at Mont-Sainte-Anne but this magnificent

some 1,800 vertical metres from Europe’s

those who have skied or boarded its full

in Canada, but with a 1,713m lift-served

length from Lagazuoi (2,750m) a 20-minute

cruiser has one big selling point – the

highest lift-accessed point on the top of

16km length know that most of it is kind of

vertical drop, Revelstoke in BC has the

bus ride from Cortina’s centre and included

incredible views of the mighty St Lawrence

Klein Matterhorn, Pista Ventina is one of

blue/red pitch, a lot of its lower half a fairly

longest vertical descent of any ski resort in

in the lift pass. There are incredible 360o

River spread out below you as you descend

the world’s great descents. From its high

green graded track through the forest and

North America and that means the longest

views from the top then it carves its way

its very satisfying 3.5km length. This whole

starting point above 3,800m, it crosses

only a few upper bits are just about black if

possible descents. At 15.2km long, Last

through vast and towering Dolomitic

mountain face where La Crête is located is

Zermatt’s Glacier Paradise year-round

the weather isn’t being cooperative. Even

Spike just keeps on going, with magnificent

structures, passing frozen waterfalls that

known in French as the “Zone Expert” and

ski area and then cruises down over the

without skiing it, if you just do the maths,

views of the valley below as you descend.

somehow give it a secret, private feel.

contains the neighbouring “La S,” “La Super

border into Italy, all of the way to Cervinia.

16km into 2,000 vertical metres, although

There are steeper, faster options if you

There’s no lift back up from the end of the

S” and Les Sept-Chutes among others, all

Ventina is a very long, winding, rolling piste

one of the world’s biggest lift-served verts,

prefer and you can even hike up above the

Hidden Valley; instead you can join one of

served by their own quad chairlift. In fact

that feels like it just lasts forever and is

doesn’t add up to very steep. But it is so

upper lift stop for even more vert. How long

two lines of skiers towed behind ponies to

if you like steep terrain these three will

also wonderfully sunny with a southwest

very, very satisfying – seeming to go on

Revelstoke remains a secret remains to be

make the novel literally “horse powered”

appeal even more to those living for steeps

exposure at high elevation. The run

forever, with magnificent views and taking

seen, but the small, quirky town is a long

connection to Alta Badia and another great

than La Crête, but for our purposes they

also takes you past lots of great Italian

you away from it all.

way from anywhere, and the big snowfalls

name in Italian skiing, the Sellaronda circuit,

just don’t have the length, or the views.

restaurants where you can enjoy a great

it receives can make travelling there a

or jump into a shared minibus back to

espresso and homemade meal for much

challenge in winter.

Cortina’s ski area.

less than on the Swiss side.

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021 // MAR16

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

THE

020 8313 3999

RENT YOURSELF A TROJAN HORSE IN ST MORITZ

7018

ABTA No. L6436

Mountains advert (100x175).indd 1

TRUSTED BY 2015 WORLD CHAMPION & X GAMES MEDALLIST FILIP FLISAR

GIAN GIOVANOLI

Blow Bonus

The skiers’ travel agent

07/09/2015 18:10

WORDS: GABRIELLA LE BRETON

stood majestically transfixed to the ground,

“The Kulm Hotel has always been a pioneer,

presiding over proceedings,” said a witness.

ever since its founder Johannes Badrutt

It’s the same location where, a few years ago,

made a bet over 150 years ago that paved

a submarine appeared out of the ice of the

the way for winter tourism. So it felt natural

frozen lake overnight.

for the Kulm to be one of the main sponsors,

As with the submarine, the horse is a work

alongside White Turf, of this innovative

of art, and its hollowed-out body has been

initiative that will add another dimension to

made into a lounge capable of holding private

our guest experience,” said Heinz E. Hunkeler.

events for up to 10 people.

The Niarchos family, owners of the Kulm

The idea for the Trojan Horse was conceived

Hotel St Moritz (kulm.com), are strongly

by Heinz E. Hunkeler, General Manager of the

associated with both the equestrian and art

Kulm Hotel St Moritz, and Silvio Martin Staub,

scenes, so sponsorship of the Trojan Horse

President of the St Moritz Racing Association,

was a natural choice.

but it was created by local Engadine artist Curdin Guler, who is a passionate horse lover

“Trojan Horse” measuring 14m high, 20m long,

influenced by the 19th-century French sculptor

and weighing in at 5.2 tonnes appeared on

Auguste Rodin and who crafted the sculpture

the frozen lake at St Moritz last month, and

from a variety of materials to give it a natural

now it’s available for private hire – or at least

and realistic appearance.

its secret interior lounge is.

Though a modern piece, it was created the

The Trojan Horse appeared overnight on the lake

old-fashioned way, free form, without the use

during the resort’s White Turf and Night Turf horse

of computer technology, reliant entirely on

racing events on the frozen lake (whiteturf.ch).

the artist’s intuition. One kilometre of steel

“It did not partake in any races but instead

rods, weighing 2,900kg, were used in its construction, along with 800m of silvercoloured polyester and 3,200 pieces of wood

(+) (+) (+) (+)

CE Approved EN1621-2 Level 2 Carve Tested to -20°C (+) Fully Adjustable 3D Moulding (+) Lightweight RPT (Repeat Performance (+) Fully breathable Technology)

www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com

022 // MAR16

shingle made from local Engadine stone pine.

During the winter season, rooms at the Kulm

The sculpture took over four months (and

cost from CHF575 (approx. £415) for two people

almost 14,500 hours of labour) to build, with

sharing a double room on a half-board basis.

nine people working on the project from late

To book the lounge within the Trojan Horse,

September 2015 up till the end of January

minimum costs are from CHF1,250 (approx.

prior to its unveiling last week.

£900) for three hours for one to 10 people.

Now in between White Turf appearances, the

The price includes a fondue, if requested,

Trojan Horse is left to graze in the Kulm Park

but does not include drinks and is a flat rate

(the extensive grounds in which the Kulm

regardless of the number of people using the

Hotel stands).

lounge up to the maximum.

@INTHESNOWMAG

 PROMOTION

CHRISTIAN PERRET / JUNGFRAU REGION TOURISME

Ski area Hasliberg, Jungfrau region

THE BEWITCHING MAGIC OF WINTER

explore the varied features in the Hasliberg ski

snow crystals all around, it is time to enjoy some

and snowboard park, those who are not into

special pleasures in this unique environment.

sports can marvel at the stunning views from the

For example, nothing beats a cheese fondue

panoramic Alpen Tower restaurant.

in one of the snow igloos on the Engstligen

On Lenk’s local mountain, the Betelberg,

Alp above Adelboden and in Kemmeriboden-

families both large and small can fully

Bad in Schangnau (Emmental). For true

experience the wide range of activities

gourmets there’s also exclusive fine dining

available out on the slopes that have a charm

options at the 18 Gault&Millau restaurants in

all of their own. All tobogganing enthusiasts

the gourmet’s paradise of Gstaad Saanenland

will want to visit the Big Pintenfritz: located

as well as a diverse range of pampering

in the Jungfrau Region and ending up in

opportunities in the region’s many spa and

Grindelwald, it is Europe’s longest toboggan

wellness facilities. Alternatively, the superbly

run with a 1,100m vertical descent surrounded

run beauty and wellness hotels located

by the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

around Lake Thun come with added bonus extras such as views of the lake or the snow-

Fine Dining And Wellness

covered Alps.

he ski season is a magical time in the region

When winter casts its white splendour across

For more information and to book, visit:

of Bern-Bernese Oberland, and the Swiss

the Bernese landscape and there are glittering

madeinbern.com/flyskyswork

regional carrier SkyWork Airlines offers up to

three flights a day from London City Airport to Bern, the airport at the foot of the Swiss Alps, to get you there! The short journey times and

Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Jungfrau region

a high-quality, personal service make every trip a pleasure. Family Holidays On The Snow The children’s ski paradise of Bidmi above Meiringen in the Haslital valley is where our younger visitors enjoy their first snowsports experiences. And while the adults go and

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023 // MAR16

BY PATRICK THORNE

HANS-PETER VAN VELTHOVEN

STUDYING MELTING PERMAFROST A new study into the effect thawing permafrost

MUSE TO PLAY ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

may have on ski lift and cable car infrastructure has been published by the environmental science department of Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Permafrost is defined as soil or rock that has been frozen for at least two years, and with 2015 overall the warmest and wettest on record (followed by the warmest January ever at the start of this year), the amount of mountainous terrain that remains in a permanently frozen state is continuing to diminish. This has implications for things like lift towers and other infrastructure built on once frozen ground, as well as for rock falls as the ground no longer holds firm. However, there is much less data available on the amount of permafrosted land that has thawed out compared to that of glacial melt, which has been carefully measured with figures showing that around half of Europe’s glacial mass has gone since 1850, and that in most cases the rate of thawing of the remainder is rapidly increasing. The Dutch study found that the Alps are warming

NEW WOMEN’S WINTER SPORTS CLOTHING CO

at this spring’s Top Of The Mountain

added edge of a dramatic Alpine

season closing concert at Ischgl.

backdrop to showcase hits such

The Austrian resort has a long-

as Survival, Starlight and Psycho

standing reputation for attracting

plus others from the award-winning

some of the world’s biggest

album Drones.

stars to its mountain-top stage

The concert takes place on

Two Loughborough University graduates, Susie

each year, typically drawing

Saturday 30 April, the penultimate

Beere and Sophie Kelly, have officially launched

crowds of up to 20,000. Muse

day of the Tirolean resort’s five-

what they believe is the first British snowboarding

will join an impressive list of

month-long ski season. Concert

and ski brand designed specifically for women.

global superstars to have already

admission is included in the €95

Their brand, Snooks, seeks to break gender

played the gig in past years which

(about £75) ski pass price for

stereotypes by offering female riders well-fitting

includes Robbie Williams, Elton

concert day – compared with the

and uniquely designed outerwear that combines

he British band Muse, who scooped

John, Kylie and Rihanna.

regular day pass price of €46.50

protection, freedom of movement and style.

their second Grammy award for

Muse has a reputation for delivering

(about £35) – but regular rates

“There is no brand from Britain currently

best rock album in February, have

an exciting and energetic live

apply for four-day passes and more.

representing female snowboarders and skiers,”

been confirmed as the headline act

performance and will have the

ischgl.com

said Susie Beere, adding, “Women often buy men's gear due to the lack of well-fitting,

at the rate of 3.5°C every 100 years – faster than

stylish options in women's ranges. We hope to

the European average, and the trend is towards

shake up the market and provide women with

FILM AND PHOTO COURSES IN CHAMONIX

more extreme weather, with heavy snowfalls or no snowfalls increasingly the winter norm. It also

outerwear that really fits them without using stereotypical colours and designs.” Produced to keep riders comfortable without

discovered that snow cover at lower elevations had diminished by about a third, on average,

class photographer Dan Milner and

and discover some of the latest

compromising on design, the new 2016/17

compared to the early 1980s.

filmmaker Sébastien Montaz-Rosset.

innovations in adventure filmmaking.

range includes waterproof, windproof,

Dan Milner (danmilner.com) is used

Sébastien has recently produced a

breathable and warm technical jackets and

to dealing with difficult conditions

series of heightened reality videos,

trousers inspired by British heritage and

in far-flung locations. His workshop

filmed with 360o film cameras, and

modern urban styling.

will focus on how to create more

the technology is one of several

“Snooks hope to change attitudes towards

impact with adventure photography,

new techniques he believes will

women's action sports and build a brand that

In terms of ski lifts, the study showed that a lift realigned at the start of each winter and that structures put in place to hold avalanches have also been found to be affected by “ground

BENJAMIN DITTO

in France, for example, has to have its cables

creep” due to thawing, with protection nets in

Chamonix Adventure Festival, which

sharing tips and techniques for

revolutionise adventure filming. The

is far more than just a business, but a way of

Zermatt found to have moved up to 10cm. As

runs from 31 March to 2 April 2016,

getting the best images.

courses will be held in easy access

representing and supporting female action-sports

a result, new guidelines for construction have

has announced several one-day

Sébastien Montaz-Rosset’s

locations outdoors, taking advantage

participants and athletes,” Susie continued.

film and photography courses this

(sebmontaz.com) workshop will

of the spectacular landscape

Susie and Sophie are planning a summer

year. The two workshops, both

explore how to get amazing results

surrounding Chamonix.

tour of the UK’s dry slopes to showcase their

on 1 Apri, will be hosted by world

using the minimum of equipment

chamonixadventurefestival.com

products. Snookswear.co.uk

been put in place.

024 // MAR16

@INTHESNOWMAG

GRAHAM BELL AIMS TO BECOME FASTEST-EVER MAN ON SKIS

JON BUCKLE FOR YIS/IOC

SKIING GOLD FOR GB IN YOUTH OLYMPICS GB Park and Pipe skier Madi

Madi followed up her

Rowlands, 15, from Maidstone,

achievement in the Halfpipe

made history as she became

by becoming a double Youth

the first ever Team GB athlete

Olympic medallist when she

to win a Youth Olympic medal,

went on to take bronze in the

taking gold in the Ski Halfpipe

women’s Ski Slopestyle finals

at Lillehammer 2016 last month.

later in the week. She scored

Rowlands dominated the

67.20 and 67.80 in her two

field throughout and put

runs – with the best counting

down the best two runs of the

towards the final standings.

competition at Oslo Vinterpark,

Russia’s Lana Prusakova took

notching up a score of 88.60 in

the gold while Lou Barin from

her second run.

France collected silver.

“I couldn’t be happier. It’s

“I feel so happy because I

just so overwhelming,” said

didn’t expect it at all. I haven’t

Rowlands. “It was nerve-

been on the podium that much

wracking to wait for the others

in my career, so it’s definitely

to finish, but I felt like I had

that extra bit more special,”

done enough. I was so stoked

said Madi after winning her

with that first run, and to land

second medal.

it like I did meant I was able

“To be honest I didn’t really

to relax more and not be so

know what position I was in at

nervous in the second and

the top of the second run. I like

third. There are two main

to stay relaxed and don’t really

competitions I ultimately want

get nervous. I guess that helps

to get to, the X Games and

in this sport.

then the Olympics. This is a

“My goal now is to try to

great step towards that, and

continue and make it to the

I’m just so stoked to win.”

Olympic Games.”

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025 // MAR16

Former Olympian Graham Bell has announced

record by skijoring behind a Jaguar XE AWD at

Graham will make his Guinness World Record

plans to become the fastest-ever man on skis,

over 161kph in the Austrian Alps.

attempt, aiming to break the 257kph mark,

aiming to break the current record of 251kph

“I approached Jaguar to become my lead

at Jaguar Land Rover’s cold weather testing

set by Italian Simone Origone.

technical partner due to their experience

facility in Arjeplog, Sweden, sometime in 2017.

But rather than going by the conventional route

in aerodynamics. Jaguar will provide the

“As engineering challenges go it doesn’t get

of unpowered downhill skiing on an ultra-steep

expertise to develop the Iron-Man-style suit

more unique than this,” said Ian Anderton,

flying kilometre track, Graham will aim to set

I need, as well as helping me acclimatise

Thermal and Aerodynamics Manager at Jaguar.

his record skiing horizontally, towed behind a

to speed and external forces using high-

“In many ways, it’s very similar to the car design

Jaguar car and with extra power provided by

performance vehicles including the Jaguar XE

process, necessitating the perfect balance

“micro engines” built into a special suit.

AWD – designed to provide maximum traction

between aerodynamics, engineering and

Graham has already begun training for the

in conditions including snow and ice.”

design for ultimate performance.”

TOURISMUSVERBAND ST. ANTON AM ARLBERG - MARIANNE HIESEL

E A S T E R

026 // MAR16

@INTHESNOWMAG

O ur up-and-down winter of 2015/16 isn’t over

high. That is over-simplifying things – some low

produce from the extensive wine cellar. After a

elevation resorts can offer snow-sure slopes if

day on the slopes, there’s an indoor swimming

they have shaded slopes or their own snowy

pool, steam room, hammam and massage room

micro-climate, but it gets a bit complicated to

to enjoy.

track them all, so aim high is a good blanket rule!

A week’s stay from 27 March is CHF3,291pp

You can also consider aiming high in latitude, not

(about £2,330pp) and includes a private ski

just altitude, as resorts in Canada (particularly

instructor for the first two days of your trip.

Whistler or ski areas around Banff) are snow-sure

Guests are greeted with a champagne reception

into May as are many ski areas in Scandinavia.

and the services of the host, experienced chef,

But for the Alps, take a look at altitudes of upper

concierge and 24-hour resort driving service

runs and at current depths – if the runs go high

during their visit. The cost also includes daily

and the snow is currently lying a metre or two

breakfast and afternoon tea, children’s supper,

deep, you should be good to go there.

dinner on six nights and pre-dinner cocktails

Otherwise, remember the old adage, “If it’s low

and canapés for six nights, as well as a menu of

with not much snow, just say no.”

carefully selected wines. Nice.

yet, and with bases finally building past the 5m mark at some areas, and some of the biggest

snowstorms of the season bringing powder to

Easter Bargains

many slopes for spring, it looks like it could end on a high – in terms of ski conditions.

Tour operators and ski resorts have bargains

The added good news is that Easter week is at the

aplenty on offer over Easter whether you

earlier end of the spectrum this season, making it

book direct or book a package. The larger

in March (albeit the last Sunday of the month) after

operators like Crystal, Inghams, Neilson and

Crystal: crystalski.co.uk

several late April dates (and it’ll be 16 April again in

Ski Independence (who are offering free skiing

Dolomiti Superski: dolomitisuperski.com

2017), so it’s that much earlier in spring, increasing

for under 12s at a number of French resorts this

Inghams: inghams.co.uk

the odds of better snow conditions.

Easter) all have special “Easter Deals” pages if

Neilson: neilson.co.uk

I love Easter skiing – the sunshine, the laid-back

you Google their name and “Easter Deals” – as

Peak Retreats: peakretreats.co.uk

atmosphere and of course the Easter egg hunts

do most of the smaller operators.

Revise & Ski™: reviseandski.com/inghams

in the snow. But Amelia Warner at specialist

Almost all resorts have special Easter deals,

St Anton: stantonamarlberg.com

French tour operator Peak Retreats told me she

often with a family focus – just visit their

Ski Independence: ski-i.com

could name six reasons:

website. Italy’s huge Dolomiti Superski region,

The Oxford Ski Company: oxfordski.com

DEALS & INFO

for example, offers its Super Sun promotion

Why Go Skiing At Easter?

from 19 March to the end of season 2016, when a seven-day ski holiday is offered for the price of six, and a six-day lift pass for the price of

1) The weather is generally sunnier, meaning you

a five-day pass. There’s also “Super Kids” on

can cut down on layers.

the same date with free ski holidays for under

2) Warmer air temperatures (compared to

eights, half-price for eight to 11-year-olds.

January) are generally better for the kids.

In St Anton from 2 to 16 April, it’s “Ski, Sun, Fun

With older teenagers often facing crucial exams

3) Usually lots of “bluebird skies” with a mix of

weeks”, when many hotels and accommodation

soon after the Easter holidays, it can be a

snow days (resorts often get their heaviest falls

providers offer package deals such as a week

conundrum whether to take a family ski holiday

in March/April) ... although no one can control

in a pleasant B&B with a six-day lift pass costing

or not. Even though your child may take all their

the weather!

from €450 (about £350) per adult.

work with them, the reality is it may all stay in

4) Due to longer days and longer opening hours for lifts, you can ski for that bit longer. 5) Prices are much lower (especially when

the case (after you’ve paid for the extra baggage

Easter Luxury

compared to February).

weight on the plane!) This Easter, the leading ski tour operator Inghams, working in conjunction with Tutor

6) Easy driving conditions, normally no traffic at all,

If you like the more luxurious side of ski holidays

House and Revise & Ski™, have a solution

whether directly from the UK or from the airport.

(and who doesn’t?), the good news is that as

though, offering students and families a ski

Peak Retreats say they have just a few places

Easter is fairly unfashionable for the jet set,

holiday which complements students’ revision.

left for the key Easter weeks departing 26 March

prices tend to tumble at the luxury end of the

The Revise & Ski™ scheme is run by experienced

and 2 April, but they also have some free lift

market, and a property your average oligarch

tutors in Val d’Isère, with study sessions

pass offers in selected resorts.

would pay hundreds of thousands of euros for

aimed at GCSE, AS and A2 students as well as

over New Year can be snapped up for a fraction

Common Entrance pupils. The sessions focus

of that cost at Easter.

on exam technique and cover a wide range of

Luxury travel experts The Oxford Ski Company

subjects. Students will have 22.5 hours of formal

have a wide choice of stunning accommodation

lessons per week, leaving plenty of times to

Skiing later in the season means that the snow

on offer over Easter (and for the biggest savings,

explore the slopes.

on lower slopes at many resorts may have

after Easter). For example, Fontanet in Verbier,

So there’s now no excuse not to go on a family

thawed away completely or at best be a fairly

Switzerland, is an elegant apartment which can

Easter ski holiday, and sadly for those teenagers,

lacklustre stodge that your skis stick to by late

sleep 12 guests and offers excellent access to

there’s no excuse not to do the studying they

morning. So the advice, particularly this season

the Medran lift and the resort centre. Guests can

said they would when you agreed to take them!

which has been prone to warm temperatures

sink into the comfy sofas in front of a roaring

Revise & Ski™ is available on Inghams’ departures

at lower elevations even in mid-winter, is to aim

fireplace while they enjoy some of the fine

on 19 and 26 March 2016 or 2 April 2016.

Aim High (Altitude Or Latitude)

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

Revise & Ski

027 // MAR16

PAUL KEPPEL

ALTITUDE-VERBIER.COM | ALTITUDE-FUTURES.COM | FREERIDE-VERBIER.COM

TRAINING TO BE AN INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS

MORE EXAMS

TRAINING & COURSES OTHER OPTIONS

Ski instructing is becoming an

As with other professions, ski

Many of us thought we were done

So you’ve decided you want to get

While gap courses provide the best

increasing popular career path

instructing has governing bodies

with exams when we started our

qualified, but you’re not sure you

chance of passing exams, that is to

Jon holds the top qualifications from

for people from outside the usual

who administer exams and issue

ski careers; we were very wrong!

can ski to the level yet. What are

say the pass rate for people on gap

France, Switzerland and Britain,

mountain communities. Living in a

qualifications for those who meet the

Most systems have varying levels

your options? There are now many

courses is generally much higher

and we can say firsthand that he is

ski resort and teaching people the

criteria. Each skiing nation has its own

of qualification with different exams

ski schools that provide training

than those who try themselves, it is

a great ski instructor! Jon heads up

sport we love is the most rewarding

organisation: the British Association

at each. For example, BASI has

at each level to get people to the

possible to attend exams without

the team at Altitude Ski School –

and enjoyable job. Also, there is the

of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) for

four levels for ski instructors with

technical level required for each

being part of a gap course. For

Verbier’s most established British ski

advantage of getting to ski every

Britain, New Zealand Snowsports

increasing difficulty of examination

set of exams. The most popular

example, in BASI there are Level

school. Each month Jon or one of

day combined with living an active

Instructors Alliance (NZSIA) for New

and other requirements. But what

courses around the world for BASI

1 exams running in snow domes

his team will provide us with a few

outdoor lifestyle. So how do we

Zealand, Swiss Snowsports for

is involved in these exams? A

qualifications are gap courses.

across the UK. It is an option to take

tips and words of wisdom to help

become instructors?

Switzerland. They all have differently

simplification is that a specially

These are courses lasting 10 weeks

a job in a ski resort; any job from

improve our understanding of skiing.

structured qualifications, levels and

qualified trainer will assess the

or so that train people for their first

chalet work to driving will allow you

progressions with slightly differing

candidate’s technical ski ability,

two levels and cover everything

to use your free time to train to be

pedagogy; however, they all ultimately

looking at their piste skiing, off-piste

needed to meet the requirements.

an instructor. It does take discipline

train and certify their members

skiing and demonstrations of the

Ski schools will provide huge

to head out and train yourself,

to teach snowsports to a level

progression that a beginner would

amounts of on-snow training,

and you would still need to find a

The Altitude winter company portfolio

depending on their qualification. The

learn (that’s right; we have to go

accommodation and food, lift

knowledgeable eye to check you

includes the ski and snowboard

main choice when looking at which

back to the start and learn how to

pass, socials and exclusive course

are training in the right way.

school, the Futures instructor

system to enter is usually language as

snowplough again). They will also

clothing. All this is included in one

each will train people in the language

look at teaching ability in a mock

package. Most importantly, they

Whatever your choice of path to

VERBIER, a new school dedicated to

of their nation. Also, the location of

situation where we teach to the

are some of the most enjoyable

becoming an instructor, I can promise

off-piste coaching in Verbier.

exams has to be considered. If you

other candidates.

experiences anyone can have.

you the end job will be worth it and

are wanting to live in Canada, then British exams are going to be rarer occasions and vice versa.

028 // MAR16

JON (AKA WESTY)

ALTITUDE

training programmes, and FREERIDE

the journey will be fantastic.

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

NO SA W LE O N

LE O N SA W NO

Skis are Now More Versatile and User Friendly... Isn’t It About Time You Upgraded Yours?

LEARNING THROUGH FUN We all learn more when we’re having fun and enjoying the process of learning. Of course what is fun for an adult and what is fun for a child are utterly different things. For many adults learning a new skill or improving at a sport is fun in its own right. However, for kids, with lower attention spans and a need for more stimulating activities, skiing alone may not be enough to keep them entertained. So what can we do to make skiing fun for kids and help them learn and improve faster while enjoying themselves? First, before we can even begin to have fun, your kids must be safe and feel safe. Kids or adults who are scared or too far out of their comfort zone will be so focused on just getting down a slope that they aren’t going to learn or enjoy anything. Make sure when you’re skiing with your children that it is on terrain which is suitable for their level; ensure your kids are warm and dry; take regular hot chocolate or food breaks and perhaps even avoid bad weather days altogether. Next, think goofy! When instructing we constantly think of ways to make any exercises more engaging for the kids. Just adding a theme and linking movements to that theme can turn a standard drill into a little adventure. A great example is getting the kids to suggest a bunch of animals, then together we think up actions on skis that could represent these animals (short turns for snakes, jumps for kangaroos, etc.) and now descend the run while shouting out animals and making noises. Without even knowing it, the kids are now training a whole bunch of skills such as agility,

Can you ski everything you want to? Skis are now much more versatile and user friendly helping you ski with less effort in lots more varied snow conditions! Choose the correct ski for your ability level and preferred terrrain and you will feel huge changes in the ease of use, your progression and enjoyment. Recent technology and innovation means ski equipment is better than it’s ever been before... isn’t it time you upgraded your equipment and made the most of your experience in the mountains? Before you invest in your next trip... come and visit us today to ensure you have the correct advice from experienced equipment specialists. Bringing you the largest specialist range of skis & boots in the UK and specialist advice and expertise since 1965. We’ll always be here to help and advise you on the correct equipment for wherever your passions and dreams take you. Custom boot ﬁtting specialists Ski Industries Of Great Britain ofﬁcial ski testers Winner of the World Snow Awards - Best UK Speciailst Retailer

adaptability, balance, etc. Try it out – you’ll be amazed at how much you enjoy it too! Lastly, if you are putting your kids into ski school, looking for one which provides fun as a means to learning is a good idea. Ask friends, search the internet and speak to staff in resort to find a ski school which will provide the fun experience that will get the most out of your kids’ time. Good luck and have fun!

ALTITUDE-VERBIER.COM

RESORT INSIDER

SAALBACHPHOTO Biege Jones

TAILOR-MADE SKI HOLIDAYS TO THE USA & CANADA

HINTERGLEMMLEOGANG- FIEBERBRUNN WORDS: STEFANIE MAYR

“Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn”

Fieberbrunn, we now have a ‘El Dorado Freeride’

is as popular with locals as guests. I love the

may not be the catchiest name for a ski area (it

(eldoradofreeride.com), with deep powder skiing

Pfefferalm in Hinterglemm, for a great atmosphere

can just be referred to as “the Ski Circus” if you

through natural freeride parks, ungroomed ski

and tobogganing. For an unforgettable mountain

prefer), but when the first three villages, already

routes for all levels and mountain safety posts

dinner, take the Reiterkogelbahn to the Wieseralm.

inter-connected in Salzburgerland, made a new

including a freeride lounge and educational trail. It’s

connection this winter to Fieberbrunn in Austria,

no wonder at all that it’s the chosen venue for the

that’s what the full title became. And as well as

Freeride World Tour in March.

being a bit of a mouthful to say, it’s a bit of a effort to ski, as it’s currently Austria’s largest ski

Best for Hiking

Use the Unterschwarzachbahn for snow tubing

Hiking = boring? No way! The Tree Top Path –

the quad or ice-cart. If you can’t get enough

Best Run

the “Golden Gate Bridge of the Alps” – is the

thrills on the piste, Snowmobil City is the answer;

highest of its kind in Europe and guaranteed to

overlooking Saalbach-Hinterglem, it’s Europe’s

You could spend more than a week here and

excite even the youngest hiker. The trail starts

first floodlit ski-doo circuit. Fulfil your childhood

never ski the same run twice, and if you do

at the head of the Glemmtal and has been

dreams in the passenger or driver’s seat of a

want to set yourself the challenge of covering

sympathetically created to blend into its natural

piste-basher. And if that sounds a bit tame?

all 270km, the fast lift network makes that

surroundings. Snowshoes are not required, and

Try jumping on a snowmobile and throw the

possible. I love all the runs, but my favourite is

it’s open all year round.

machine through some tight corners.

Best For Après

Best For Movie Stars

If carousing is as important as skiing on your

By using Skiline, you can keep track of the altitude

holiday, this is the resort to choose. The fun starts

profile of all your skiing, star in your personal video

Best For Freeriders

on the mountain and the resort is a non-stop party

from the Nightpark at Hinterglemm and download

until the small hours. Keen après-skiers head for

it to send to friends and relatives. Simply enter your

Thanks to the new TirolS link between the

the “Goaßstall” in Hinterglemm with its live show,

ski-pass number online (or get a printout at any one

Skicircus (Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang) and

and also the Hinterhag Alm in Saalbach, which

of the Skiline terminals throughout the resort).

area with 270km of piste.

CALL A SKI SPECIALIST 07827811477

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

Best For AdrenalinE Junkies on a rubber tyre, or for an even faster slide try

the Zwölferkogel, which was the downhill course for the 1991 World Championships: a lovely wide slope, graded red, with plenty of space for a relaxed and challenging ski.

info@codatravel.com

www.codatravel.com

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

030 // MAR16

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@INTHESNOWMAG

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STEP 2 – Base Repair Remove any protruding base material, repairing any holes to the base using a drip in P-Tex repair candle or a P-Tex gun then smooth by shaving off thin layers until smooth and flat. STEP 3 – Edge Sharpening Place the ski with the side edge facing upwards. Sharpen the edge working from one end of the ski to the other, using short overlapping strokes you gradually lengthen. STEP 4 – Base Waxing Turn the ski over in the vice so that the base is

 JONES AVIATOR SNOWBOARD At home in the park, pipe or the pow, the Aviator is an elite full-camber board built for premier stability on the ground or in the air. Fantastic edge to edge, mega pop and comes into its own off-piste or laying out impressive Euro carves.

now facing upwards. Scrape the base with a plastic scraper to remove any old wax and dirt – ‘hot scraping’ is one of the best techniques (download our guide!). You can either iron on wax or use a wipeon paste wax – the more often you can do it, the better for your skis. STEP 5 – Base Finishing Once the wax has cooled, use a sharp plastic scraper to remove excess wax, then a horsehair or

£409.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

nylon brush to smooth and polish the base. Download our Guide to Ski Servicing at skibartlett.com or sign up for our Ski Tuning courses!

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035 // MAR16

Châtel is located in the massive Portes du

like Le Crémaillère in the Village des Chèvres (Goat

Soleil ski area tucked behind Lake Geneva

Village) tucked away in the Lindarets Valley. This area

in the northwestern corner of the Alps and

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has one of the best collections of mountain restaurants

straddling France and Switzerland. It’s one of the

in the Alps. If you’re a good intermediate skier or above, you

many resorts that make up the area, but arguably the best

could get over to the Pleney area of Morzine during the day and dine

placed of the lot and, without doubt, the most “French” of them all.

at La Vaffieu, where the views across to Mont Blanc on a clear day are amazing.

EASY ACCESS

MILES AND MILES OF SKIING

Châtel is conveniently close to Geneva Airport and typically driving times are

Actually it’s not just about quantity because the runs here are generally really

about one and a half hours, although you can get

interesting, and there are plenty of wooden slopes

there even faster than that. There’s a scenic drive

to provide shelter if the weather comes in. But if

around the lake to Thonon, and then you’re up into

you’re into variety, then heading away from Châtel

the mountains quickly – but the road is gentle rather

into Avoriaz and then over into the Swiss side to

than the hairpin-bend type. It’s also one of the first

Les Crosets and Champéry ensures you don’t have

resorts you’d get to if driving from the UK and a great

to ski the same run in a day and during a week;

option when you have your car all week in resort.

even very good skiers will find they can explore a

It’s also not too far from Verbier in Switzerland if you

new area every day. A brand-new lift connection

fancy a day trip.

that’s been completed this winter now takes

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

TRAVEL INFO

you from the Super-Châtel area across to Linga, meaning no more bus ride from town to get into the main system. This also completed the Portes du

Unlike some resorts, Châtel seems to have a good

Erna Low has seven nights on a

mix of chalets and self-catering accommodation

self-catered basis, including return

– there are no big luxury hotels in town but plenty

Eurotunnel with Flexiplus upgrade at

of catered chalets and upmarket apartments like

the CGH Chalets d’Angèle, from £171pp

the Chalets d’Angèle. New developments are

(ernalow.co.uk/0207 584 2841). Ski

The local ESF ski school in Châtel has an

appearing too, for example the Lion d’Or right

rental from skiset.com

excellent reputation, and the gentle, quiet slopes

next to the Super-Châtel lift station, which is giving

Rail travel: fares from London to

surrounding Super-Châtel are ideal for beginners

the town a feel of an up-and-coming resort that’s

Moûtiers start from £111pp standard

and children. There’s a good nursery area at the

growing in maturity while retaining its character.

class return via Paris or from £149

top of the Super-Châtel cable car, but the best

standard class return on Eurostar’s direct

thing is the progression from there – easy blue

ski service. For bookings and more

runs criss-cross the forested border area between

information, go to Voyages-sncf.com

France and Switzerland, offering learners the

YUMMY FOOD

Soleil circuit without the need to use a bus.

GREAT FOR LEARNING

The ski area has some of the best on-mountain

chance to explore while not pushing themselves

restaurants in the Alps, and many are far more

out of their comfort zone. You can even grab a

reasonably priced than larger resorts. It’s hard not

coffee on the Swiss side and head back all on

to find a place to eat wherever you are, with everything from the standard self-

blue runs. There’s now a new blue down to the top part of Châtel, meaning that

service fare in restaurants such as the Plaine Dranse to more upmarket options

first-week skiers can get all the way down without taking the cable car.

036 // MAR16

@INTHESNOWMAG

CARLTON HOTEL ST MORITZ

HOTEL PLEIN SUD SERRE CHEVALIER

Located on a sun-soaked plateau above the lake of St Moritz, the hotel boasts captivating views from all of its 60 suites and junior suites. A complete refurbishment now showcases the historical values of the property, built a century ago, with a contemporary re-interpretation. The hotel exhibits the signature unconventional style of interior designer Carlo Rampazzi and a colour palette affording the hotel an unrivalled self-assured luxury.

Located in the heart of Serre Chevalier the hotel Plein Sud is situated only 200m to the slopes, lifts & village centre making it easy. Serre Chevalier offers over 250km of pistes with a varied amount of skiing and a fantastic tree line. Super fast lifts with panoramic views to get you to the heart of the ski area

+41 (0) 81 836 7000 // INFO@CARLTON-STMORITZ.CH CARLTON-STMORITZ.CH

+33 (0) 492 24 17 01 // LYNNE@HOTELPLEINSUD.COM HOTELPLEINSUD.COM

HOTEL COURCHEVEL OLYMPIC COURCHEVEL 1850 

RESIDENCE LES TERRASSES DE VERET FLAINE 

BELLE EPOQUE HOTEL VICTORIA BERNER OBERLAND 

At the heart of Courchevel 1850, just a stone’s throw away from the pistes, this is the perfect base for an unforgettable ski holiday. The recently renovated 28 room hotel offers a relaxing lounge-bar to enjoy a drink by the open fire or shoot some pool. All rooms offer large windows making for a light and airy atmosphere and the new chic boutique-style superior bedrooms offer unparalleled levels of comfort, a spacious balcony and extras including coffee machines, iPod docks and light-up showers.

The Terrasses de Veret residence is a mere 50m from the pistes, is centrally located and boasts a large heated pool, outdoor jacuzzi and sauna. All apartments enjoy balconies with views of the pistes or the valley and interiors offering modern elegance. New for 2016 includes WIFI access in every apartment, luggage storage, and a new-look ski and storage area.

Kandersteg is an ideal family ski resort and cross-country paradise. The idyllic and cosy village is in the heart of the Bernese Oberland and can easily be reached by train or by car. The Hotel Victoria is centrally located and offers a beautiful view of the snow-capped mountains. You will find a cheerful and familiar atmosphere combined with Swiss hotel tradition. The ideal place to relax and enjoy oneself.

0203 475 4756 MADAMEVACANCES.CO.UK

+41 33 675 8000 | INFO@HOTEL-VICTORIA.CH HOTEL-VICTORIA.CH

RESIDENCE & SPA VALLORCINE CHAMONIX 

L’ AIGLE DES NEIGE VAL D’ISÈRE

Nestled in the charming village of Vallorcine, in the Chamonix MontBlanc valley, Vallorcine Mont-Blanc offers a relaxing atmosphere. The 5 Residence gives guests a choice of 50 cosy apartments with services. Facilities include an indoor heated pool, two saunas, a spa, a tea-room, a ski shop and a private ice-rink. Less than 10 minutes from your breakfast to the ski slopes !

Located in the very heart of the old village of Val d’Isère, this hotel is among the most fashionable in the region. Perched at 1850m altitude, it is superbly located just a few steps from the snow, meaning you can be on the slopes straight from your front door. The 109 rooms are spacious and comfortable, seamlessly blending wood and natural colours. It has all the equipment and services of an international hotel with a world-class reputation.

4 hotel with spa in central Chamonix, by the Aiguille du Midi lift, offering a new level of comfort including a 500m2 spa (with pool, onsen, hammam, banya, ice cave and tepidarium), restaurant, bar, ski shop, four conference rooms, take-away shop, free wi-fi and a covered car park.

+33 (0)4 5054 7520 // CONTACT@CHAMONIX-VACANCES.COM CHAMONIX-VACANCES.COM

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

+33 (0)4 50 54 55 56 // RESERVATION@HELIOPIC.COM HELIOPIC-HOTEL-SPA.COM

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



HÔTEL L’HÉLIOPIC CHAMONIX



037 // MAR16

Pat Sharples Team GB Park and Pipe Freeski team

incredibly hard, and she’s just been

Head Coach and Manager, Pat Sharples,

crowned the Youth Olympic Halfpipe

has been recognised as the leading light

champion, which is a fantastic achievement

in the elite training of British Freeski

for her!

athletes. Pat first set up Freeski Training Camps along with Warren Smith over 15

Are the Salomon Grom Camps you

years ago when freeskiing was just taking

initiated still feeding the UK scene with

off and founded the hugely successful

talented youngsters?

Salomon Grom Camps in the UK and

PS: The Salomon Grom Camps are still

Ireland. It has been another busy season

going strong, and we’re currently working

for Pat, who has also become brand

to try and get some new dates for this

ambassador for award-winning British

year. It’s much harder trying to fit these in

watch brand Elliot Brown.

myself now as I’m consistently on the road, but it’s great to see so many other Freeski

So how busy are you?

camps around the UK now, and all the ski

PS: This winter has probably been the

and snowboard centres are making a huge

busiest and most hectic winter I’ve ever

effort to have freestyle sessions at their

had, to be honest! All very positive though.

centres when they can.

We have travelled around the USA, mainly for training and competitions, including

Have you been to any new places or

the Dew Tour, World Cups, X Games and

events you’d like to tell us a little about?

Boston Big Air and then went over to

PS: There have been so many places I

Pyeongchang in February for the Olympic

have been to recently that it’s hard to think

test event in South Korea.

properly, but one of the places that has stood out to me is Winter Park in Colorado.

How are the team doing?

I went there for my first time with the team

PS: Our athletes have been doing great.

in January, and we had a great couple of

Lots of awesome results including a few

days. Also, the first-ever World Cup Big Air

podiums, and more importantly, everyone

in Boston was an experience! Having this

is progressing well and loving the journey!

event at the Red Sox stadium in Fenway Park in front of over 15,000 people was pretty damn incredible! I hope this is the

PS: Yes, we have many up-and-coming

start of more events like this for the future.

athletes who I couldn’t be more excited about

Then there is Pyeongchang in South Korea,

right now. Molly Summerhayes, who won the

where the 2018 Olympics are going to be

World Junior Halfpipe Champs at the end of

held. I have to say, this place is amazing,

last winter, has been on great form.

and I couldn’t be more excited about it.

Madi Rowlands, who is my youngest

The people are great, the course locations

athlete (15) on the team, has been working

are perfect and the food is interesting!

038 // MAR16

JENNY BLETCHER

Are you seeing any rising stars?

@INTHESNOWMAG

FLY TO BERN – AND ARRIVE IN A WINTER HOLIDAY.

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ADELBODEN LENK-SIMMENTAL KANDERSTEG

Flights made in Switzerland

05.02.16 10:51

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