InTheSnow – Issue 50 (October 2016) by InTheSnow

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INTHE SNOW ISSUE 50 | OCT 2016

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IN THIS

RIDER: CHARLES NAVILLOD - PHOTO: ©ANDYPARANT.COM

023

FEATURES

OUR 50 GREATEST THINGS ABOUT SKI  It’s our 50th edition so that set us thinking: what are 50 great things

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about going on a ski holiday and being in the mountains? Have we

012

NINA MATTLI

missed any? …We can save them for issue 100.

@INTHESNOWMAG INTHESNOW INTHESNOW_MAGAZINE

Swiss resorts Arosa and Lenzerheide are now connected by a stunning cable car, which means their joint ski area is one of the biggest and

FIZZA

best in the Alps, and the destination has much more to offer besides.

SAN MARTINO  ITALY'S SECRET CLASSIC You won’t find it in many tour operators' brochures but San Martino is worth the effort to get there yourself. One of Italy’s classic resorts, it has it all – spectacular scenery, great skiing and awesome coffee.

NINA MATTLI

INTHESNOW

LIFE IN PICS AROSA LENZERHEIDE 

REGULARS

GEAR

ANDRE SCHOENHERR

ROSS WOODHALL

Sponsors of Boot Room

033

BOOT ROOM

028 GALTÜR  FABULOUS FOR FAMILIES

Sponsors of Boot Room

5-PAGE BOOT ROOM 033–037 

Almost all ski resorts claim to be ‘family friendly’, but when families arrive in tow they often find that some of the big famous resorts actually aren’t. Galtür on the other hand is perfectly sized and makes a real effort for families.

Another season is upon us (nearly) and all the clothing and equipment manufacturers have their new winter

COMPETITION 019

collections up for your perusal. Here’s our pick of some of the best new kit for 2016/17.

excitement that snowy days are just around the corner now as another winter draws near. In fact, remarkably, this is our 50th edition, and later this season we’ll be gone by rather quickly.

10 MINS: STEVEN NYMAN 046

As usual we have lots of exciting news for the winter ahead. Ski resorts across Europe and North America,

TEAM

along with airlines and tour operators, have been sending in their news for the 2016/17 season, and as usual we’ve got a nice eclectic collection of big news stories, quirky news snippets and even the odd downright unusual idea (skiing in Iraq anyone? Perhaps in your new ski jacket

PUBLISHER

DOMINIC KILLINGER dom@inthesnow.com PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

ADAM PRISCAK

043

Welcome to another ski season! I’m trying to contain my

celebrating 10 years since InTheSnow launched. It has all

ALTITUDE TUITION 038

MATT NICHOLSON matt@inthesnow.com EDITOR

PATRICK THORNE patrick@inthesnow.com

BLOW THE BONUS  THE SKI INSTRUMENT

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

DEBBIE GABRIEL debbie@inthesnow.com SALES MANAGER

If you ski off a cliff, break your back and are left waiting for help on a ledge, is your first thought to design a very beautiful but very expensive watch that might help others in a similar position? Apparently so.

patrick@inthesnow.com

GIANCARLO GAMBARDELLA giancarlo@inthesnow.com

SUB EDITORS

NICK JONES MARION ADAMS CONTRIBUTORS

SAM THORNE GABBY LE BRETON EMMANUELLE CHÂTEL ANDY TAYLOR GIANCARLO GAMBARDELLA EQUIPMENT EDITOR

ROSS WOODHALL

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

made of sugar?). Of course, it’s still a few months until the season “proper” gets underway and the charter flights start heading out, but that’s no reason not to hit the slopes just as soon as you like! September and October see a few dozen ski areas open in the Alps, the Rockies and even up in Scandinavia.

SALLY BARTLETT ANNA BARTLETT

of the publishers in writing.

COLUMNISTS

INTHESNOW LTD

deals on the go, and you’re likely to have the slopes to

THE SNOW STUDIO

yourself pretty much. They may also have 2017 ski season

JON WEST PHIL SMITH JACK STEELE JENNY BLETCHER DESIGN BY

PICTURE EDITOR

ROCKET BASE rocketbase.co.uk

Most have very low-priced accommodation and lift pass

KINGS LANE, BUCKS HP16 0QY

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

equipment available for texting. So why wait? It feels great to get out in the snow ahead of the masses. Eight glacier ski areas are already open in Austria, and Kitzbühel is aiming to open on 22 October this year. There’s also Saas-Fee and Zermatt in Switzerland, and (from 1 October) Tignes in France. You could be among the first to ride up to the Stubai glacier near Innsbruck in its new giant gondola cabins built at a cost of tens of millions of euros and due to reopen on 30 September for its 10-month-long ski season. Well, wherever and whenever you hit the slopes this winter, have a great trip!

003 // OCT16

YOUR WINTER JUST GOT BIGGER

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Get more winter at crystalski.co.uk

ATOL protected. For more information please see our booking conditions.

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

TRAVEL COMPANY OFFERS SKI TRIP TO IRAQ n the same season that tour operator

designed for people of all abilities to come

With the easing of political tensions, the country

Mountain Heaven announced it was

along on.

is also currently seen as a safe destination for

launching ski package holidays to

Skiers will follow paths and routes explored

tourists except in some border areas.

Iran next season, a second company,

by Untamed Borders’ guides trekking and

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

Untamed Borders, has announced it

climbing in the area over the past two

advise against all travel to large parts of Iraq,

will be organising a 10-day “recce”

winters. The group will ski the slopes of

however, and all but essential travel to the rest of

ski trip to Iraq from 28 January to 6

Halgurd – Iraq’s highest peak – and other

the country (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iraq).

February 2017.

areas. The group will be also exploring new

“Iraq has some major problems at the moment,

“As far as we are aware, this will be

routes and runs. Almost all of the area has

but in the far north of the country, security is

the first-ever commercial ski trip to

never been skied.

good, and it is possible to experience some

Iraq,” said James Willcox of Untamed

The tour will start in the historic city of Erbil

of the famous Kurdish hospitality among the

Borders Ltd, a company experienced

and head straight to the peaks around the

peaks. The chance to truly blaze a tourist trail

in organising trips to very off-the-beaten-track

town of Choman near the Iranian border, which

is a rare opportunity,” responds James.

ski destinations, including Afghanistan.

has a reputation for the region’s best and most

The trip costs US$2,450 (approximately

chosen passes through areas considered to

Iraq is, of course, a country more associated

reliable snow.

£1,850) which includes all accommodation,

be relatively stable, things can change and the

with deserts but in fact has some great

Tour participants will also head to the village

breakfast daily, lunch when skiing, all ground

company may have to alter the route or cancel

mountainous terrain in the northern semi-

of Penjwen to witness and ski with Iraq’s only

transport and guiding.

sections of the trip at short notice.

autonomous Kurdistan region, which the first

ski club that teaches winter sports to local

A maximum number of 10 people can take

In Iraq, areas away from the roads do have

skiers travelling with Untamed Borders will

school children.

part in the trip and are asked to make their

a risk of landmines. Untamed Borders have

explore with a qualified international ski guide.

There will also be a visit to Korek Mountain

own arrangements for travel to Iraqi Kurdistan

experience in the region and access to maps

“Using the experience the Untamed Borders

Resort, subject to conditions, which is home to

and bring their ski equipment with them,

team has of guiding and climbing in Iraq, we

Iraq’s only ski lifts.

as well as their insurance and visas (which

have identified areas that offer some great ski

Despite their similar names, Iraq is a very

can normally be arranged on arrival in Iraq),

touring terrain,” said James.

different winter sports experience to Iran, which

although Untamed Borders can provide

Guests should ideally have some prior

has a dozen or so organised ski resorts, some

advice on all these matters.

experience of ski touring, although the trip is

with some of the highest ski lifts in the world.

untamedborders.com

SKIER SECURITY IN IRAQ Trips to Iraq do create dangers of their own, Untamed Borders state, and while they try to provide skiers with as much freedom as possible, they stress that the tour leader has the final word with regard to changes in the itinerary for safety reasons. While the route

and information about where to ski and where to avoid. As with off-piste skiing in the rest of the world, there is also a small but serious avalanche risk.

005 // OCT16

NEW SIX-SEATER LIFTS AT VAL THORENS Europe’s highest major resort, Val Thorens in Les 3 Vallées, has announced that two new sixseater chairlifts will be running there this coming winter following a €20 million investment by the SETAM lift company. The former Boismint quad chairlift is one of those being upgraded to a high-speed six-seater. The other new lift will replace the old Roc and Stade drag lifts and will end at the top of the Trolles run.

NEW GONDOLA AND RUN FOR GALTÜR The family-oriented resort of Galtür, neighbour to better-known Ischgl in the Austrian Tirol, has announced it’s installing a new 10-seat gondola ahead of the coming ski season. The new Euro 8m gondola will replace the existing Breitspitzbahn chairlift and also extend Galtür’s ski area, with the bottom station considerably A newly created 3km piste will be sweeping down to the bottom station. galtuer.com

LA PLAGNE STOPS GROOMING GLACIER There’ll be no groomed runs on the Bellecôte glacier above La Plagne from this winter on, the French resort has announced. The Bellecôte glacier, formerly a summer ski destination, is the highest point of La Plagne’s huge ski areas, which boast 2,000m of life-served vertical. The aim of the no-grooming policy is to make the area even more appealing to advanced skiers and boarders, a resort spokesperson said.

MT BACHELOR FIFTH BIGGEST IN US

TOUR OP SAYS BUSINESS UP 30% POST BREXIT

ALTITUDE MOVES TO START OF WINTER

Independence, is reporting that

Europe and North America and

demand for ski holidays for the

we’re delighted to be featuring

2016/17 season is currently very

Italy for the first time,” said

buoyant for both North American

Michael Bennett, Managing

and European resorts, despite

Director of Ski Independence.

Brexit uncertainty leading to a

Ski Independence currently

weaker pound.

offers 56 resorts throughout

It turns out there will be two Altitude festivals in

“I’m delighted to report strong

North America and Europe and

2016 as after moving from its traditional end-of-

early sales for winter 16/17 with

for the first time this season

season spring slot to a January date last winter,

our combined ski sales currently

will be offering holidays to Italy,

the famous comedy festival in the mountains

ne of the UK’s leading

30% ahead of the same point

including the resorts of Madonna

will be staged again before the end of the year,

independent ski tour operators,

last year. Our product range is

di Campiglio, Cortina d’Ampezzo

and indeed before Christmas at the very start of

Edinburgh-based Ski

undoubtedly our best ever across

and San Cassiano. ski-i.com

this winter.

ANTHONY UPTON

lower than the present chairlift bottom station.

The 11th Altitude Festival will be back in Mayrhofen in the Austrian Tirol, however, and

Mt Bachelor ski area in Oregon, USA, is installing

the original format of an intense five days with

a new Doppelmayr-built high-speed detachable

three shows daily will still be run when it takes

quad chairlift in time for the coming season. The new lift adds 257 hectares to the area’s

VAL GARDENA UPGRADES DRAG LIFT

lift-served terrain, making it the fifth largest ski

place from 11 to 16 December 2016 in Mayrhofen in the Austrian Tirol and Marcus Brigstocke, Andrew Maxwell and pals once again present

area in the United States, with 1,747 hectares,

two and a half times as many

the “funniest show on snow”.

Mt Bachelor claims. There will be 9,997m /15

as the old drag lift, and will be

The headliners, which in the past have included

slightly longer so will take skiers

Eddie Izzard, John Bishop and most other

and boarders right up to Passo

comedians you’ve ever heard of, are yet to

Sella as well as providing a direct

be announced, but acts confirmed so far

connection to the Sellaronda’s

include Zoe Lyons, Andy Askins, Daniel Sloss,

clockwise (green) route.

Glenn Wool, Kai Humphries and of course The

The 1km-long lift will take 3

International Improv Allstars.

minutes 21 seconds and rise 231m

The new December dates tie in with a Festival

in altitude, and Val Gardena has

of Light and Christmas Market in Mayrhofen.

chosen a striking blue for the seats.

Crystal Ski Holidays are partnering with Altitude

"Our excellent service and the

this season and offering flight, accommodation

hectares of additional groomed terrain.

50 FIRES IN 5 YEARS AT SKI VILLAGE The former Sheffield ski village, once home to the UK’s largest dry ski-slope facility where several of Britain’s current crop of worldclass freestyle skiers and boarders first learnt their tricks, has suffered 55 arson attacks in

Val Gardena in the Italian Dolomites

dramatic upgrade of the area’s

impressive backdrop of the Val

and a variety of different levels of festival

the past five years. The ski village closed in

will open what the resort says will

30-year-old button lift Gran

Gardena mountainscape are once

admission wristband in an inclusive package.

April 2012 after an arson attack destroyed its

be Italy's first-ever heated chairlift.

Paradiso on Piz Sella.

again leading the way," said Tourist

Altitude wristbands will also get you one-

main buildings. There have been a number of

The chairlift, an eight-seater

The chairlift will be able to carry

Director Guenther Pitscheider.

day access to the nearby Hintertux Glacier.

with a price tag of €8m, marks a

2,200 people per hour, almost

valgardena.it/en

altitudefestival.com/crystalski.co.uk/altitude

attempts to reopen the ski village, but none has proved successful so far.

006 // OCT16 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

DANNY NORTH

EUROSTAR SKI TRAIN TICKETS ON SALE EARLIER

SNOWBOMBING CROSSES ATLANTIC

Eurostar have announced that tickets are now on sale for their direct

The Snowbombing Festival – one of the longest-established of the annual

ski train service from London St Pancras direct to the French Alps for

music festivals in the ski resorts calendar and the biggest – returns to its

winter 2016/17.

regular venue of recent years in Mayrhofen, Austria, next 3–8 April 2017.

The service also stops at Ashford in Kent and then, after a journey of

However, the organisers have also announced the launch of a Canadian

around eight hours for the daytime service or 10 hours for an overnight

version of the festival next season too, Coors Light Snowbombing

option, arrives in the Alps.

Canada, which will run from 6–10 April 2017 – partially overlapping with

The train stops at stations a short bus, taxi or funicular railway ride

the Austrian event. This first-ever edition of Snowbombing outside of

from resorts in Les 3 Vallées as well as La Plagne, Les Arcs, La Rosière,

Europe will take place at Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia.

Tignes and Val d'Isere.

“20 years ago when we started Snowbombing it was a very distant

The service runs from mid-December to the start of April and ticket

dream to one day do it in North America. Now that dream is to

prices are currently the same as last year at £149 return for the

become a reality and we are so proud and excited to be able to launch

standard service or £229 for the premier service. The price includes

Snowbombing, Canada, in the superbly stunning Sun Peaks resort,” said

the right to bring along up to two bags.

Gareth Cooper, CEO of Broadwick Live which runs the festival.

Train tickets normally go on sale three months before journey day,

“Not only is this one of the best ski locations in Canada, but strangely it

but Eurostar are putting tickets on sale up to nine months ahead to

looks just like our Austrian home, Mayrhofen! We cannot wait to come

compete with airlines who are already selling tickets for the same

and share our unique style of après-ski and passion for music with the

period, allowing skiers to plan and book ahead.

people of Canada,” added Mr Cooper. snowbombing.com

BETTER-VALUE EXCHANGE RATES AT LONDON AIRPORTS THAN REGIONAL AIRPORTS meals out for a family of four in America. When it comes to buying euros, Heathrow and Gatwick top the table for best value where (on the day the survey was carried out) travellers got €1.07 for every pound. At the bottom of

Heavenly Skiing At Down To Earth Prices

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the table, West Country fliers travelling though Bristol got just over one euro (€1.0008) for each pound, and Scottish fliers got a similar rate going through Edinburgh (€1.0070). Canton FX are keen to point out that holidaymakers could save an additional €116 or $130 by using a prepaid currency card to exchange £1,000 compared to the best rate DAKINE

available at an airport exchange bureau. Canton FX sell such a card.

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

“Currency exchange bureaus at the airport Research by foreign exchange company Caxton

more than 13%, with the survey of 10 major UK

have a captive audience, so they can offer

FX has found a major difference in exchange

airports finding a family of four exchanging

outrageously poor rates and are still confident

rates offered by in-airport exchange bureaus

£1,000 would get $136 more at Heathrow

that people will purchase foreign currency

depending on which airport you fly from.

(where the best rates were found) than they

from them,” said Rupert Lee-Browne, CEO of

This difference, at its most extreme, can be

would at Bristol (the worst) – equivalent to two

Caxton FX.

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007 // OCT16

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I T

T A K E S

T W O

T O

T A N G O

difference? You bet they can. This is

not ski on them. The skis would not

The edges can be as sharp as

just one example of what can happen

move sideways on the snow, making

you like, but the skis should

to thousands of skiers every year.

it more or less impossible to control

still be able to skid sideways

For many people going on their

speed. The skis had been left with

unhindered. So if it feels like

annual ski holiday, the choice of

the edges proud of the base.

the skis cannot skid or they

skis is left to the person that greets

That was one experience and

skid sideways with jerky, catchy

them at the airport. He/she

movements then you have

moves around the bus selling

problems. To work well skis

ski hire on the way to the

have to be able to skid and

resort. The choice of skis is

grip with ease in order to

number of years ago I met

often decided at that moment,

control speed and direction.

someone on the slopes who was

with little to no knowledge of

Using poorly or incorrectly

about to give up skiing. He was

your skiing ability, the type

maintained skis is like driving

struggling and frustrated. He

of ski, the quality of the ski,

a car with bald tyres, using

believed it had something to do

the servicing, or the shop. It’s

training shoes with no grip,

with his skiing. He was literally

complete chance, and the

ice skates with blunt edges,

ready to catch the chairlift back

decision is often based on cost

down, hand back his skis and

with no knowledge of how

give up skiing for good. Luckily I

much effect getting the right,

managed to persuade him to meet

well-maintained equipment

me after his ski lesson. He was fit,

can have on the outcome of

young and there was no reason

the skiing holiday.

why he should not be able to ski.

Normally I try to avoid putting

I met him on the slopes and saw

my skis over a machine for a

him do two turns, and immediately

service if I can and just ask for

recognised there was something

the edges to be sharpened

wrong with his skis. They had been

and the skis waxed. With skis

serviced badly. Later, I took him into

that are very shaped the quality

a ski shop and asked for a brand-

of the base is paramount. You

new pair of skis. This way I knew

only need a slight concave sole

luckily I could recognise the

that if you’re not that experienced

that nobody had tampered with

with the edges left proud from

problem and rectify it. I now know

then the skis do not matter. They

the skis, and I could be assured

the base and the difference in the

all the shops in the resort where I

matter even more. You can get

they had not been serviced by a

skis performance is astronomical

ski and know all the technicians.

advice before you go; do not cut

poorly adjusted machine or by a

– negatively. When the skis need

poorly trained technician. We went

repairing then a shop and a machine

back out and he could ski. The

it is. I took my Salomon BBRs into a

difference was astronomical. He

PHIL SMITH SNOWORKS

a non-stick frying pan that doesn’t slip or a tennis racket with broken strings.

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

DON’T LEAVE YOUR SKIS TO CHANCE If you do wish to reserve your skis in advance or on the bus on the way to the airport, reserve the best you can. Don’t fall into the common mistake of thinking

corners to save a few quid, make sure you can change them as much as you like and do not get

shop I was not familiar with to get

RECOGNISING POORLY MAINTAINED SKIS

could ski well and was loving it.

them repaired, then took them out

So how do you know if your skis

cannot change shops if you’re

Can your skis make that much

for a ski afterwards. I literally could

are badly tuned? It’s simple.

dissatisfied.

08 // OCT16

trapped in a contract where you

SNOWORKS.CO.UK

NISSE SCHMIDT

SKI BUSINESSES REPORT POST-BREXIT BOUNCE BACK

SKI TECHNIQUE LAB GOES ON UK NATIONAL TOUR

CERVINIA CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF KEY LIFT

A number of ski travel businesses reported record-high business

Warren Smith and his Academy team are touring the UK this October

Cervinia, which recently reopened for summer glacier skiing, is

for August by the end of last month, following what for many was

giving Ski Technique Lab talks consisting of a lecture and a personal

celebrating 80 years since the completion of the first Breuil–Plan

an exceptionally bad July, raising hopes that Brexit may not be the

range test assessment at venues from Bristol to the Scottish Highlands.

Maison cable car in 1936.

disaster this season some had feared, as skiers come off the fence.

The talks will explain the link between ski technique, biomechanics

The lift was built within two years of the founding of Cervino in 1934

“We saw a significant slowdown in the summer months when we

and ski equipment precision and why getting these three elements

and played a crucial part in the resort becoming one of the most

normally begin to see the first flourish of transfer bookings for the

correct and in sync is vital for ski technique development and

important ski resorts in Italy and indeed worldwide.

coming winter. Preparing ourselves for a tough time ahead we

unlocking classic blocks in skier movement patterns.

Today the resort operates 24 lifts and shares a larger international ski

started to wonder if the worst doomsayers might be correct and

The talks, staged in Ellis Brigham stores at 7.30pm, will include “3 Way

area with Zermatt across the Swiss border.

a terrible time was awaiting us all. But then came August,” says

Foundation” tests for everyone attending, from which it will be possible

The summer ski season, which lasts until 4 September, takes place on

Charlotte Allister of transfers company Ski-lifts.com, one of the

to see if you need to either balance out the difference between the

the largest summer ski area in Europe with 25km of ski runs.

companies claiming the last full month of summer saw bumper

right and left side of your body or to improve your range.

The high altitude with skiing from 3,500m at Plateau Rosà to the 3,883m

bookings for them.

“After the ‘3 Way Foundation’ tests, everyone will have enough

Klein Matterhorn and Europe’s highest lifts at 3,899m at the Gobba

“August this year has seen records broken across the board at Ski-

information to build their own technique development programme off

di Rollin means there’s often winter-like snow conditions even during

lifts and has more than made up for any reductions in the earlier

snow and dramatically change their skiing for the better,” says Warren.

the hottest summer months. There are ski runs for the experts (the

part of the summer. It seems that people were just being a little bit

Each session will run for approximately two hours and costs £8

World Cup athletes train here) but also runs for less experienced skiers.

sensible. How very British of them!”

per person. The tour starts in Glasgow on 6 October moving on to

Freestylers have the Gravity Park terrain park to enjoy. The Plateau Rosà

Charlotte says she believes poor snowfall starts to the past two

Fort William (7th), Castleford (10th), Manchester (11th), Tamworth

glacier can be reached from Cervinia town in half an hour with the Cime

seasons and Christmas and New Year falling will also have had a

(12th), Bristol (17th), Milton Keynes (18th), London St Paul’s (20th),

Bianche Laghi to Plateau Rosà cable car an attraction in itself.

negative impact on booking for the coming winter.

Kensington High St (21st), Covent Garden (24th) then finally (27th–

Once at Plateau Rosà, a museum entitled “A Mountain of Work”

30th) The Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show.

contains an exhibition of photos and tools used to build the first lift

ellis-brigham.com/skitechniquetour

systems in the Breuil area 80 years ago.

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

WORLD’S MOST FAMILYFRIENDLY SKI RESORT

FIRST 5★ HOTEL FOR LES ARCS

MAMMOTH CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF UNBOUND

Smugglers’ Notch ski area in Vermont, Eastern USA, has announced it is

Les Arcs will open its first 5★ hotel this winter, the Taj-I Mah in Arc 2000.

Mammoth, one of the world’s leading destinations for terrain parks, is

investing $4.1 million (around £3.1 million) to build a two-storey facility to

The famous ski centre follows a trend in French resorts since the country

celebrating two decades of its Unbound Terrain Parks this winter.

replace its beloved old FunZone, an ageing temporary building that was

first introduced the highest 5★ level in 2009 (previously 4★ was the

Today the Californian resort’s Unbound Terrain Parks extend to a

converted to create the original FunZone back in 1999.

maximum here). Located at the arrival of the “Le Cabriolet” gondola with

remarkable 13 separate parks, four half pipes, 100+ jibs and over 50

Work is already underway on the new facility, part-funded by a $1 million

ski-in/ski-out access, the 48 room and suite hotel offers stunning views

jumps on any given day.

(around £750,000) state development low-interest loan, which will feature

and has large windows throughout to take advantage of this and to let in

Throughout the 2016/17 season, Mammoth plans to celebrate the

laser tag and a two-sided climbing wall among other activities, not to

the light. All rooms and suites will have a spacious private balcony and

history of Unbound and highlight the achievements to the present.

mention Ninja Warriors.

bathroom with bath and separate toilets, and each has flat-screen TV, wi-

This history will be delivered through events, parties, on-hill

“We’re going to have a Ninja Warrior course for kids and adults, actually

fi access, mini-bar, Nespresso coffee machine and private safe.

activations and digital storytelling, the resort says.

starting for kids as young as four years old and up. All of these things

The hotel will feature two restaurants, a lounge bar, a south-facing

One new development with Unbound this winter is a plan to build

are designed for families to do together,” Bill Stritzler, the resort’s owner,

panoramic terrace and 400m2 spa with swimming pool, sauna, hammam,

jumps and platforms out of snow throughout the massive bowl below

told local media. Smugglers’ Notch has for decades now topped polls on

Jacuzzi, salt wall, experience showers, relaxing zone and solarium. Spa

Hemlock Ridge, a hike-accessed powder playground and “rite of

the most family-friendly ski area in North America thanks to its “genuine

treatments will be available. The restaurants will be managed by 1★

passage” for any Mammoth newbie for the last 50 years.

feeling” focus on traditional family values, including spending time together

Michelin Guide chef Eric Samson. “La Rotisserie” will offer a wide variety

This season, inspired by Travis Rice’s backcountry snowboard events,

having fun, as well as providing state-of-the-art-childcare and offering high-

of meals and “Diamant Noir” a more gastronomic experience.

the newly created jumps and platforms will allow riders the chance to

value, high-quality options on aspects of a family holiday such as eating out

Across French ski resorts, Courchevel now has more than twenty 5★

pick a line with more flow and airtime.

together. Families with children make up about 95% of the resort’s visitors.

hotels and Val d’Isère half a dozen too, and some areas less known

“The Unbound Terrain Park crew will work to expertly choose

Despite opening four waterparks and offering activities like Segway trips,

as luxury destinations, including La Clusaz, also now have 5★ hotels.

locations for these enhanced natural features, making for a more fun

tennis, mountain biking and the flyboarding in the summer, Stritzler says the

However, Les Arcs is different in that it previously had almost entirely

and creative freeride and freeski ‘side country’ experience,” said a

resort’s key activity remains that of ski resort.

apartment accommodation, mostly “family-friendly” mid-range.

resort spokesperson.

It is hoped that the new FunZone will be ready to operate from February.

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012 // OCT16

@INTHESNOWMAG

f you’ve ticked off your list some of

individual oil-powered heating systems in hotels with

the most stunning ski destinations in

a communal biomass green energy system and petrol

the world – perhaps Zermatt, Lake

pumps with charging points for electric cars. In fact, in

Louise, Niseko – and you’ve visited

a nice marketing move, San Martino and Passo Rolle

most of the world’s “classic” ski

have so much hydro-electricity to spare that they offer

destinations – Cortina, Megève, Aspen,

the chance to charge up your electric or hybrid car free

St Moritz – there may be one resort

of charge, while you recharge your own mental and

you’ve missed that ticks both those

spiritual batteries out in their stunning mountain scenery.

boxes. It seems to have dropped off

“During the long days spent on the slopes, while your

the list of destinations from most British

spirit and body are regenerating, your car is charging

tour operators in recent years, but

too… for free and without creating pollution,” a resort

it’s easy enough to get to under your

spokesperson told me.

own steam: San Martino di Castrozza

In keeping with that love for and protection of

in Italy’s famously snowy and sunny

nature, freeride skiing and boarding come naturally

Trentino region.

at San Martino. After all, that’s what they practised

Why so special? Well, firstly, if you’re

here before the first lifts were built and the first trail

into spectacular scenery there are few better choices.

groomers rolled up the mountainside. Thanks to the

Located in the heart of a UNESCO Natural World

different exposures of the slopes in this area there’s

Heritage Site, the “Pale di San Martino” has some of

a strong reputation for long-lasting powdery snow

the most stunning scenery in the Dolomites.

with plenty of natural jumps and chutes to enjoy. Just

Next there is the classic feel of San Martino which is

ensure you tackle it all with a guide who knows the

hard to put into words. There is a timeless elegance

local terrain and the conditions.

that a few long-established ski areas have but

But if you don’t fancy too much exertion, the good

most don’t. San Martino definitely has it, with lots of

news is that enjoying life rather than racing around (or,

characterful shops (you must try Bancher, established in

if you like, enjoying life BETWEEN racing around) is very

1924, for everything from traditional mountain clothing

popular in San Martino, as indeed it is in all of Trentino.

to locally made toys, wines and grappas, or the five

There are lots of great mountain restaurants in

Slalom Shops – one each

which to stop and take

for “sports”, “fashion”, “men”,

a break. For example,

“women” and “children” for

piste-side, on the slopes

fashion and mountain sports),

SAN MARTINO

as well as cafes, restaurants

Transfer service:

Malga Ces (malgaces.it)

and hotels.

FLYSKI Shuttle and tailor-made

has views towards one

And of course there’s the

transfer service by taxi or coach

of the most spectacular

skiing within the beautiful

from various Northern Italy airports

mountainscapes in the

“Paneveggio-Pale di San

(the nearest are Venice Marco Polo,

Alps: the western wall of

Martino” Nature Park. It’s

Verona and Treviso-Sant’Angelo).

the Pale di San Martino.

the best names in Italian

Martino di Castrozza,

Homemade pasta with a

not a huge area, which is perhaps why the tour

Tel. +39 0439 768867

rich venison sauce is a

operators stay away in

booking@sanmartino.com

speciality here.

this modern era that is

sanmartino.com

Or for something a

obsessed with giant,

dolomitisuperski.com/en/ski-area/

little more modernist,

soulless resorts. There

san-martino-di-castrozza

the Tognola Hut up at

are more than 60km of

2,200m has its own high-

runs, though, ranging

altitude pool hall, and the observation platform has a

from 1,404m to 2,357m in

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

immediately above San

altitude, with the Passo Rolle sector recognised as

large solarium with no wind blowing through, a VIP

one of the most snow-sure in Italy. Plus it is part of

area, bar, sandwich shop, a pizza takeaway, bakery,

the huge Dolomiti Superski area pass, which means

and an indoor and outdoor self-service restaurant.

you can ski at neighbouring areas without needing

Here you can taste the full flavours of Trentino cooking

another ticket, with 1,200km of runs in more than a

as the chefs choose from “zero kilometres” food

dozen valleys included.

ingredients sourced locally for their traditional dishes.

There are three snowparks: the Colverde Snowpark,

At the end of the day, the après-ski scene in San

lit up at night, the San Martino Snowpark and the Rolle

Martino is not to be missed either. You might start off

Railz Park, and for families with younger children,

in the Ristobar Campo Base, a modern bar located

Kinderland on the Tognola Alp and a special nursery

at the foot of the Tognola ski lifts. Here you can sink

slope for beginners (Prà delle Nasse).

a few top-quality local beers and maybe catch a live

The good news is that San Martino di Castrozza is

band or DJ set.

also one of the “greenest” ski resorts in the world, so

Or in downtown San Martino, the Ranch Bar has a

your hotel stay and days on the slopes all come guilt-

great reputation with a family atmosphere, great food,

free with zero CO2 emissions.

especially excellent beers and a wide selection of wines.

The village has been powered by renewable electricity

But wherever you end up in San Martino you’re

for over a century (since before most places even

going to feel you are somewhere special. That

had electricity, in fact, and long before anyone started

combination of classic ski area, historic mountain

worrying about climate change). Indeed, it now makes

town, strong community and environmentally

10 times as much green energy as it needs and is

friendly ethos, all set against the backdrop of some

a net exporter to the grid. It has increased its green

of the most stunning mountain scenery on earth, is

credentials still further in recent years by replacing old

definitely a winning combination.

SANMARTINO.COM 013 // OCT16

PASCAL LEBEAU

R E A S O N S

THE AUTHENTIC

VAL CENIS Val Cenis is one of the internationally less

a little local astronomy.

works hard to build on this community

well-known ski areas of France, located on

PL AN YOUR TRIP WITH US

023 9283 9310

atmosphere hosting a weekly welcome drink

the Italian border in the south east of the

Skiing For Everyone

for all new arrivals. Through the season there

country. With a big ski area and modern lifts

Although it’s fair to say Val Cenis is a

are weekly torch-lit descents for children

above several traditional villages it’s an area

particularly good resort for beginners

during the school holidays, shows, sports

well worth exploring.

(10 green runs to practise on including

tournaments and a carnival in February. You

the wonderful 10km-long Escargot trail),

can even visit the local cheese farm!

Beautiful Slopes

and that there’s loads of terrain suited to

Val Cenis has some of the most attractive

intermediates, advanced skiers and freestyle

Great Accommodation

ski slopes you’ll find anywhere. Its upper

fans shouldn’t write it off! There’s some

There’s a great selection of accommodation

runs, stretching as high as 2,800m and

excellent north-facing off-piste terrain and

in Val Cenis, much of it built in the past few

opening up 1,400m of skiable vertical, offer

two freeride circuits so you can enjoy plenty

years close to the base of the slopes. Most

spectacular views out across the national

of powder or moguls. There’s also the

of these residences are 3 or 4★, many offer

park. The lower half of the mountain below

chance to visit one of the smaller ski areas

ski-in/ski-out access, and several have

2,000m is covered in larch and pine forests

including nearby Bonneval, located on the

facilities like swimming pools and a bakery

giving beautiful tree-lined descents. There

other side of the mountain from Val d’Isère,

delivery service for that essential morning

are 125km of trails in total, served by fast,

and a famous freeride powder paradise.

pain-au-chocolat.

entertained for a week, including a link to

Atmospheric Après-ski

Peak Retreats

the slopes of neighbouring Termignon.

The twin villages of Lanslevillard and

The French Alps specialist offers holidays

Lanslebourg are both genuine mountain

to Val Cenis from £144pp per week (approx.

Lots Of Alternatives

communities, which have both remained

€167), including Eurotunnel crossings with

There’s plenty to do off the slopes as

largely unspoilt despite the expansion of

a free FlexiPlus upgrade. Peak Retreats

well as on. The villages are home to

the ski area above over the years. The

recommends the 4★ self-catered residence

two cinemas, a six-lane bowling alley

two villages share around 40 bars and

Les Chalets de Flambeau ideally located

and several ice rinks. You can book a

restaurants, fairly evenly divided between

at the foot of the slopes and with indoor

paragliding lesson or a donkey-pulled

them and in most cases small, friendly,

heated pool and spa facilities. Seven nights

carriage ride. Back on the snow there are

family-run establishments serving good local

from 31 December 2016 from £398pp

lots of toboggan runs, tubing or you can

food at reasonable prices – often a very

(approx. €462) based on five sharing a

different experience than in the purpose-

two-bedroom apartment and including

sunset special or even a night hike taking in

built modern resorts. The local tourist office

Eurotunnel.

DANIEL DURAND/FRESH-INFLUENCE.CO

comfortable lifts, so plenty to keep you

014 // OCT16

PEAKRETREATS.CO.UK/VAL_CENIS

ROSS WOODHALL

THE SNOW CENTRE GOES SWISS

STILL MORE BIG GONDOLAS AT SAALBACH

NEW NISEKO HOTEL AIMS TO FILL GAP IN MARKET

The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead has a new look: a Swiss look.

Saalbach Hinterglemm in Austria’s Salzburgerland will further

Always Niseko, the newest property from accommodation providers

Skiers and boarders enjoying their time on the closest real-snow slopes

consolidate its position as “the ski resort operating the most

Niseko Alpine Developments (NISADE), will open for winter 2016/17

to London will no longer be looking at views of the Austrian Tirol at

gondolas in the world” by adding another two big new gondolas.

and is already taking reservations.

Sölden as they had since the centre opened, but now at stunning views

The new Doppelmayr-built Schönleitenbahn lift will have cabins

“It’s time for something a bit different,” says NISADE Chairman

of the Alps further west in the Valais region of Switzerland. Besides the

that can each hold 10 seated skiers and boarders and will

Jonathan Martin. “Niseko has a need for lower-cost accommodation

branding, which extends to other parts of the building, the partnership

have a capacity of 3,200 guests per hour. It replaces the old

that doesn’t compromise on quality or comfort, and that’s what Always

also covers events at The Snow Centre and cross-use of communication

Schönleitenbahn in Saalbach.

will deliver.”

channels as well as joint trips to Switzerland.

The new 12er Express lift, also a 10-seater, will connect the

In fact, Always is far from budget accommodation, but NISADE

“In order to be front of mind for new skiers, Switzerland wants to be

Zwölferkogel and the lifts in the Westgipfel sector.

believes the hotel’s 104 modern rooms are available at a price point

present at their first attempts on the slopes. This was the reason for

In other projects on the mountain, the Oberschwarzach lift will

that ensures it offers “quality yet value accommodation”. Connecting

Switzerland Tourism together with the Valais entering a partnership

be rebuilt as a T-Bar to a double drag lift, and a new snowmaking

rooms and the choice of twin or king beds will mean configurations for

with the Snow Centre,” a spokesperson for Switzerland Tourism said.

reservoir, Asitz II, with a capacity of about 74,000m3, will go into

families and parties of all sizes will be possible.

“This is a great way to position Switzerland as early as possible as the

operation at the Asitzbahn mid station in Leogang.

Always Niseko is the brainchild of long-time Niseko enthusiasts Alan

ideal ski destination for this new audience.”

Since 2000, the lift companies of Saalbach Hinterglemm,

Cheok and Wayne Yang, who are aiming to fill a perceived gap in

In addition to that, the presence at The Snow Centre allows Switzerland

Leogang and Fieberbrunn have invested more than €432 million

the market. It will feature an on-site café and high-speed wi-fi, and is

to send marketing material to ski and snowboard fans who regularly visit

(around £365 million) in modernising and improving the comfort

located a 10-minute walk from downtown Hirafu.

the slopes and the ones who think about getting back on the slopes.

of the ski resort.

“Just say a group of powder hounds on the young side want to book

From 7 to 9 October, a public launch event will be the official start of

Other ski resorts operating almost as many gondolas as Saalbach

a ski trip. They quickly find that their options are lower-end lodging,

the partnership. Besides the branding of the indoor slope, there will

include Méribel in France and Kronplatz in Italy’s South Tyrol.

hotels in a higher price bracket or chalets that mean they need to get

be Swiss specialties available in the restaurant and a check-in area

Along with the most gondolas, Saalbach Hinterglemm is also one of

a certain number of people to commit. This is the ideal option for them:

representing Swiss International Air Lines.

the world’s largest operators of high-speed detachable chairlifts.

affordable rooms, a buzzing, social café and a vibe that is centred on

myswitzerland.com | valais.ch | thesnowcentre.com

making the most out of a Niseko adventure,” said Alan Cheok.

CHILL-OUT AND ENJOY!

CHAMONIX AT YOUR SERVICE!

SPECIAL OFFER Hotel B&B and MBU lift pass -25% Early booking from 87 € pp/night Offer valid for bookings made before 30th November 2016 for the following periods: - January 7th to February 3rd, 2017 - March 4th to April 8th, 2017

How do you want

TO LIVE YOUR LEGEND? at CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC

Chamonix Tourist Office: booking.chamonix.com BACK TO CHILDHOOD!

RIDE THE LEGEND! SERVOZ - LES HOUCHES CHAMONIX-MONT-BLANC ARGENTIÈRE - VALLORCINE

NINA MATTLI

LIFE IN PICTURES

JOHANNES FREDHEIM

NINA MATTLI

 PROMOTION amazing cable car, which

restaurants and hotels as

one of the biggest and best

crosses the mile-wide valley

well as a special official

ski areas in Switzerland

between the two areas in just

recognition for its great

with 225 km of terrain and

over three minutes.

welcome to families.

something for everyone

It is tough choosing which

The good news is that

from the complete beginner

village to spend your

whichever you choose, that

through to the hardened pro.

holiday in; it depends a

fast connection means you

Both Arosa and Lenzerheide

little on what you prefer.

can enjoy skiing above both

have been offering snow-

Arosa is the smaller of the

resorts quickly and easily

sport holidays for more than

two, a high-altitude, snowy

wherever you’re based. You

a century, but it was only a

away-from-it-all village,

can also enjoy the warm

few years ago that someone

whereas Lenzerheide is the

welcome, great food and

had the genius idea of linking

bigger resort with a great

deep snow of this special

their two ski areas with an

range of facilities, shops,

part of Switzerland.

LUDESCHER SIGI

Arosa Lenzerheide offers

JOHANNES FREDHEIM

ALESSANDRO DELLA BELLA

AROSA LENZERHEIDE

016 // OCT16

AROSALENZERHEIDE.CH

OFFICE DU TOURISME VAL D'ISÈRE

JEFF ENGERBRETSON

BIG SKY INSTALL TWO NEW CHAIRLIFTS

INGHAMS OFFER FREE SKIING ON NEW YEAR’S DAY

CRYSTAL SKI LAUNCHES 2016/17 PROGRAMME

Big Sky Resort in Montana, one of the largest ski areas in North

Tour operator Inghams say that guests staying with them over New

They’ve been selling 2016/17 ski season holidays since the end of

America, is adding two new chairlifts for the coming ski season.

Year can receive a day’s “free” skiing, which they say is on New Year’s

2015, but Crystal Ski Holidays, the UK’s largest ski holiday operator,

The other new lift is the replacement Challenger chair, also

Day 2017, when they book a holiday with the company that week.

have now published their official main brochure for next winter

Doppelmayr-built, a conveyor-load, triple fixed-grip chairlift which

Inghams are offering Friday departure in December at the start of the

(although they stopped calling it a brochure a few years ago; now

will take nine minutes to make its ascent. That will be three minutes

coming season so that their guests don’t have to travel on Christmas

it’s the Crystal Mountain Guide). Your Guide to the Mountain has 220

faster than the previous Challenger lift, which was built in 1988.

Eve or New Year’s Eve, which both fall on the traditional changeover

pages with information on the 129 resorts worldwide Crystal will offer

The as-yet-unnamed new Bowl Lift is a Doppelmayr six-seat high-

day, Saturday, this year.

holidays to next winter, with departures from 24 UK airports and St

speed detachable chairlift with heated seats, head rests and pull-

They revert to Saturdays on the first weekend of January 2017,

Pancras and Ashford rail stations as well as numerous ferry points.

down bubble of the most technologically advanced design in the USA.

meaning people booking trips over New Year can enjoy an eight-night

There are new Crystal childcare facilities in the Hotel La Brunerie in

The lift will replace the Lone Peak Triple, which was one of the

holiday, departing Friday 30 December 2016 and returning Saturday 7

Les 2 Alpes, a Pepi Penguin nursery during the school term and a

original lifts when Big Sky Resort first opened in 1973. The new lift

January 2017.

Whizz Kids Club for children aged four to 11 during school holidays.

will be twice as fast as the old, taking just three minutes to make

“Skiing on New Year’s Day will be completely free as all Inghams’

Skiers heading to Switzerland will find transfers from Geneva and

its ascent.

travel inclusive (a package with flights, transfers and accommodation)

Zurich airports to all Swiss ski resorts will be by train instead of coach.

“We’re very excited about the installation of two brand-new

holidays include a one-day free lift pass and one-day free equipment

The company has a number of deals available as always, including the

Doppelmayr chairlifts. We think these two lifts will improve the skier

hire,” said Rachel Gaston from Inghams.

chance to “Brexit-proof” much of your ski holiday cost with a Crystal

experience exponentially. They’re two more reasons that Big Sky

To qualify for the free New Year’s Day ski offer on lift passes and

Ski Plus package, which includes flights, transfers, local lift pass, ski/

Resort is the Biggest Skiing in America,” said Big Sky’s Chelsi Moy.

equipment rental, Inghams’ guests should pre-book seven days’

board hire or ski carriage and a week’s self-catering.

The lifts are the first new lifts for a decade at the US resort, with the

equipment hire and/or lift pass and will only be charged for six days.

Prices for Crystal Ski Plus packages are from £479pp based on

Dakota Triple Chair installed in 2006 the last new lift.

This offer must be pre-booked and is not available in resort, and the

four sharing on a holiday in Les Villages du Bachat Apartments,

bigskyresort.com/newlifts

free lift pass offer only applies to local area lift passes.

Chamrousse, France, departing 7 Jan 2017 with booking by 30 November 2016. crystalski.co.uk

DAVID VILANOVA CURT

Be Ha Ski Moppy, re.

It’s your ski holiday so it’s your choice… 60 resorts across 8 countries, 30 new for 2016/17! 17 regional airports - choose your ﬂight times As long as you want - weekends, mid-weeks, weeks Hundreds of places to stay - catered chalets, apartments, 2* to the best 5* hotels We focus on making it easy and maximising your ski time

RESORT INSIDER

SAINT-LARY

Saint-Lary in the French Pyrenees is an authentic Pyrenean village with loads of character. Less than two hours from Toulouse Airport (and just one hour and 15 minutes from Tarbes– Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport), it is an affordable alternative destination for families in peak weeks with much better prices than in the Alps, or for couples looking for a weekend break. Best time of day to be on the slopes:

Best regional food:

dedicated to relaxation and well-being using the

Noon, when you leave the groomed slopes to

Visit Le Comptoir Gourmand for less-well-known

natural thermal waters for which the area has long

head to the Refuge de l’Oule at 1,820m to have

but utterly scrumptious local food as well as

been famous. The water is extracted at 32° from

lunch in front of Lake Oule in the Pyrenees

French and Spanish products from the wider

a well just alongside the spa and eases the aches

National Park. The great run to the refuge takes

Pyrenees region. It’s the best place to get local

and pains from the day’s skiing or riding. For an

you down through the forest on the L’Oule red

wine, cheese and pork products from the area’s

added treat book a massage in the Nuxe Spa.

run and along a path following the cliff side.

famous black pigs. Pick up a bottle of the local rich red Madiran wine.

Best café:

If you have a car, take a trip across the valley

The ICC (or to give it its full title, which no one

Best event:

to the resort of Peyragudes (www.peyragudes.

does, the “Izard Café Central”) is the place the

The Festival of the Black Pig in January where

com), a ski-in/ski-out location at 1,600m in the

locals head to for their favourite homegrown

you can taste the famous black pig, “Porc Noir de

Louron Valley (which has also just been awarded

wines and great music. It’s located in the main

Bigorre”, and its various products including jam!

the “famille plus” for the 2016/17 season).

town of Saint-Lary.

The resort was used in the James Bond film

Best for families:

Tomorrow Never Dies and to celebrate 20

Best run:

Saint-Lary holds the “Family Plus Mountain” label

years since the film was made, a run has been

De Le Rue’s Line, dedicated to the local De

which means it has been officially recognised

re-named 007 for this season! Off-piste you

Le Rue brothers, who are famous French

as going that extra mile for families. Families are

can also enjoy the Pyrenees’ own mini “Vallee

snowboarding champions. This is an easy

well catered for on and off the slopes, and there

Blanche” here, a 5km off-piste itinerary with a

section of the snowpark where skiers and riders

is plenty of entertainment for children in the

shuttle bus to return you back to the resort.

of all levels can take part in a boardercross. The

town and on the slopes. Ski holiday packages to Saint-Lary (saintlary.com)

snowpark hosts a number of events through the

Helping you ski when, where and for as long as you want

Best day out:

season including the “Poney Session” and the

Best après-ski experience:

are available with Erna Low (ernalow.co.uk) and

Freestyle World Cup.

Stop by Sensoria Spa by Nuxe – a huge space

Ski Weekends (www.skiweekends.com).

Don’t just dream of snow,

book today…

Call one of our ski experts on

023 8020 6971 or email sales@skiweekends.com

018 // OCT16

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ANCIENT IMAGE OF SKIER DEFACED A 5,000-year-old rock carving on the island of Tro off Norway’s west coast depicting a hunting scene including hunters on skis has been defaced in an act described as a “sad, sad story” and a “national tragedy” by archaeologists who added that the damage was irreparable. The perpetrators were two boys who said they had only intended to make the scene easier to see. “It was done out of good intentions and I don’t think they understood how serious it was," the local mayor commented.

MORE FREE CAR CHARGING IN SKIWELT Austria’s giant SkiWelt ski area has announced that its network of electric charging stations located in the car parks at the base of its various lifts will be further expanded for this coming season. The SkiWelt will have nine charging points available to charge up their cars free of charge during a day on the slopes using the same 100% “green” hydro power the area uses to power all its lifts.

ANOTHER $800M FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM Another $800m of funding is set to go into the long-delayed American Dream “megamall” in New Jersey, which features North America’s first indoor snow slope. Work on the mall started 12 years ago, and the ski slope was completed in 2008, but neither it nor the still incomplete mall have ever opened. The cost of American Dream has now reached almost $5 billion, and the latest in a very long list of hoped-for opening dates is “mid-2018”.

SKI-THEMED BAR FOR NORTHERN IRELAND The first ski-themed bar in Northern Ireland will open in October as part of the new £4 million Bullitt Hotel development on the city’s Ann Street and Victoria Street. The Baltic Bar will

LUXURY ECO GUEST HOUSE FOR VAL THORENS

NEW COURCHEVEL AREA FOR HANDICAPPED SKIERS

be one of Europe and the world’s

wastewater treatment … in fact,

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the entire chalet has been built to

when it opens this winter.

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Due to open in early 2017,

as much as possible.

La Datcha has been built 2,300m

The chalet features five

up on the slopes above Europe’s

bedrooms, swimming pool, indoor

highest resort using innovative,

and outdoor Jacuzzi, cinema

eco-friendly building techniques.

room, gym, games room and golf

La Datcha is a five-floor

simulator, and there’s an in-house

Courchevel in Les 3 Vallées has announced

luxury chalet featuring energy

chef and team to cater to the

that it will be creating a special section of its

al Thorens’ first eco-friendly luxury

consumption management,

guests’ needs.

slopes dedicated to handicapped skiers from

guesthouse, La Datcha will also

insulation, draught-proofing,

ladatcha.com/val-thorens

this winter on.

OLIVIER HARRASSOWSKI

for winter 2016/17 which are available for visitors

The resort has already invested a lot in recent years in making much of its terrain and ski lifts easier and safer to use by handicapped skiers,

MULTIMEDIA DANCE AND SKI SHOW PLANNED FOR AUSTRIA’S STUBAI

so the creation of a dedicated “handiski” area is seen as the next step. The Courchevel Village, 1650 and 1850 French Ski Schools have all joined forces to provide a shared starting point for the new area in the resort’s Pralong quarter.

offer “dancing on the tables” in a re-creation of the lively après-ski atmosphere in resorts like

the Neuland open-air arena in

spectrum of the performance will

“The site was chosen for its ease of road access

Ischgl and St Anton. It’s not clear if drinkers will

Neustift/Milders in the Austrian

include everything from touching

and terrain layout, as it is situated in a “ZEN

Tirol on Friday 17 February, 2017.

orchestral pieces to rhythmically

zone” and served by two specially adapted

Presented by world-famous dancer

intense dance numbers and rock-

ski tows, as well as a six-seater detachable

and choreographer Enrique Gasa

history classics, which the organisers

chairlift,” said a resort spokesperson.

Valga, who has been the Tirolean

hope will make the show attractive to

Two dedicated parking spaces have also been

State Theatre Director of Ballet since

a wide audience.

created nearby to make access easier for those

2009, the organisers promise this

“It’s the scenery. Here in Neustift,

with reduced mobility.

The family-oriented resort of Galtür, neighbour

outdoor spectacle will be “stunning”.

I feel I have infinite space,”

Twelve specially trained instructors, led by

to better-known Ischgl in the Austrian Tirol, has

The show will combine dance

commented Gasa Valga.

advisor Pierre-Emmanuel Bernoud, have

announced it’s installing a new Euro 8m, 10-seat

with music, freestyle skiing, light,

After Gaia Stubai’s premiere on Friday

committed to the project by providing

gondola ahead of the coming ski season.

multimedia installations and 3D

17 February 2017 in Neustift, the

instruction at the new area.

The new gondola will replace the existing

mapping. Gasa Valga is famed for his

second show will take place a week

While facilities for handicapped skiers on the

emotionally intense choreographic

later on 24 February. Tickets cost

slopes continue to improve at resorts around

A new multimedia dance

style which will be taken to a

€45 (£38) for adults and €9 (£7.60) for

the world, with some also offering discounted

performance entitled “Gaia Stubai

new level by the performance

children under 15. Children under 10

lift passes, an area specifically dedicated to

– Mother Earth” will premiere at

taking place on snow. The musical

go free. gaia-stubai.com

handicapped skiers is unusual.

be welcomed in their ski boots, but retro pairs of 1980s skis are set to be displayed on the walls.

NEW GALTÜR GONDOLA

Breitspitzbahn chairlift, serving the beautiful runs above the scenic Kopsee reservoir. The gondola will run from 1,768m to 2,295m, with a newlycreated 3km piste sweeping down to the bottom station by the lake. galtuer.com

0020 // OCT16 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

ISCHGL CREATES 2KMLONG ZIP WIRE RIDE

NEW HOSTEL FOR ALPE D’HUEZ SKI AREA

Ischgl has announced it is unveiling a remarkable 2km-long zip

A brand-new hostel offering low-priced accommodation in a

wire this winter. The new “Ski Fly” at the Austrian Tirolean resort,

communal building will open in the Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine

built at a cost of €2 million, has parallel wires running from the

ski area this December.

Silvrettabahn mid-station to the roof terrace of the two-year-old

The all-new Moontain Hostel in Oz-en-Oisans, a village connected

Pardatschgratbahn valley station.

by lifts and ski runs to Alpe d’Huez, promises lodging prices down to

The parallel wires mean that two people can “fly” together into the

€30pp (around £25) per night even in high season.

valley, whizzing underneath the Kitzloch suspension bridge and the

The ski-in / ski-out hostel is being marketed at solo travellers,

cables of the Fimbabahn lift. You will need to buy a special ticket to

couples and families with a design concept that aims at being

use the SkyFly, which will not be included in the lift pass.

“stylish, contemporary and connected” with each bedroom furnished

Each ride (or “flight” as Ischgl prefer to call the experience) will cost

with comfort in mind. There’ll be a communal living and kitchen area

€35 (about £30) for adults and €21 (about £17) for children.

where residents can cook and eat together, meet new people and

SkyFly will be open in both winter and summer seasons.

share the day’s adventures. alpedhuez.com

TIGNES LE LAC

www.hotel-le-taos.com

ANYONE FOR A SPOT OF SNOWGA? osteopathy consultation and the other two a sport massage. The Snowga package is delivered by a trained osteopath, a yoga and Pilates therapist and a professional ski instructor. “I have long been a professional skier and, naturally, as a sportswoman, I have always been fascinated with how the body moves, responds and recovers,” said Aurélia, adding, “As soon as I discovered yoga, especially the benefits of meditation and developing one’s mental wellbeing, I saw that there was an irresistible link I could make between the two sports.” The luxurious Chalet Les Brames

Elite Ski Team, Co-Director

in December following a full

Rental of Chalet Les Brames, which

in Méribel has announced a new

Aurélia Chrétien Pomès says

refurbishment which includes a

has six double en-suite bedrooms,

focus on mental well-being for its

that snowga offers a holistic

fitness area, two massage rooms, a

costs from £17,000 per week.

guests with a uniquely designed

approach to skiing and is based

hammam, an ice-cold plunge pool

The Snowga package costs from

“snowga” programme – described

on the fundamental principles

and yoga/Pilates area.

€2,750 (around £2,320) for one

as a combination of skiing and

of yoga: breathing, stretching,

The Chalet’s Snowga package

person to €1,065 (around £900)

yoga – alongside its more tradition

mindfulness and adapting to

includes five days of private ski

each for four people all of the

ski offerings.

the surroundings.

lessons and yoga, with three

same ski level.

Designed and created by

The chalet is set to reopen

of the sessions including an

chaletbrames.com

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0021 // OCT16

VAL THORENS LES MENUIRES

•

COURCHEVEL

LA PLAGNE

•

TIGNES LE LAC

+33 (0) 479 10 49 15 INFOS@MONTAGNETTES.COM www.MONTAGNETTES.com

TRISTAN SHU

Norwegian Area Opening with Last Season’s Snow

2016 Season Winding Down in Southern Hemisphere

TIGNES, FRANCE

GEILO, NORWAY

CORONET PEAK, NEW ZEALAND

It’s the first day of the 2016/17 season in the

After trying it successfully a year ago, Norway’s While things are starting to happen in the northern

French Alps as Tignes glacier slopes re-open –

Geilo plans to jump-start the 2016/17 ski season hemisphere, ski areas in the southern hemisphere

they’ll stay open to May 2017. Let’s hope it’s a

by covering a slope with snow stockpiled from

are winding down their winter 2016. It’s closing

powder day.

last winter.

day at Coronet Peak in New Zealand today.

ded All intchleu price: in

Season Opening In Lapland

Swiss Glacier Areas Open

Cervinia Opening Weekend

RUKA, FINLAND

SWITZERLAND

ITALY

Ruka in Finnish Lapland makes a habit of claiming

More Swiss ski areas start to open, joining

Cervinia aims to open its glacier ski slopes this

the longest ski season of any non-glacier resort in

Saas-Fee and Zermatt. It’s opening weekend at weekend and next before opening daily to

the world, from October to June. This year it hopes

Crans-Montana, Engelberg and the Diavolezza

the end of April. It joins Val Senales and Passo

to open on Monday 10th, conditions permitting …

glacier near St Moritz.

Stelvio as a third Italian option for autumn skiing.

DIARY|OCTOBER 2016

ation Accommod All meals Lift pass hire Equipment or guiding n io Instruct

BEGINNER COACHING TO GUIDED OFF PISTE & SKI TOURING Prices from

ROGER GRUETTER

French 2016/17 Ski Season Starts

£452

27-30

UCPA IS EUROPE’S LARGEST PROVIDER OF SKI AND SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTED AND GUIDED COURSES Based in top resorts across the French Alps, they offer an unbeatable range of opportunities for all levels of skier and snowboarder, from beginner level instruction up to specialist off piste guiding.They also offer specific breaks especially for families.

Stubai Glacier’s Expensive New Lift Opens

Diablerets Glacier Opens

London Ski & Snowboard Show

In addition, the UCPA offers a vast ski touring and split boarding programme, unmatched in both size and variety. The courses vary from introductory level coaching to advanced week long expeditions, including the Haute Route.

STUBAI, AUSTRIA

SWITZERLAND

BATTERSEA PARK, LONDON

Over in Austria, it’ll be an exciting day at the

A sixth Swiss glacier ski area is scheduled to open

And then there was one. The UK’s only

Stubai glacier as their amazing state-of-the-art

today after a fortnight’s closure for maintenance.

remaining ski show returns to its new home at

new access lift that has cost tens of millions of

The Glacier 3000 areas Les Diablerets and Gstaad

the Battersea Evolution centre and is back to its

For more information and to book:

euros to build is scheduled to go into service.

will be open for skiers again.

late October time slot.

www.action-outdoors.co.uk

THE UK PARTNE

R FOR

022 // OCT16

@INTHESNOWMAG

THIS BEING OUR 50TH EDITION OF INTHESNOW, IT SEEMED A GOOD TIME TO TAKE STOCK AND THINK, WHAT ARE THE 50 THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT SKIING THE MOST? WORDS: PATRICK THORNE FB.COM/INTHESNOW

023 // OCT16

Big Air Bags

Goes without saying

Duty-Free Après-Ski

Espresso

Even better than regular après-ski … in Andorra, Livigno and Samnaun.

SWITZERLAND TOURISM/JAN GEERK

Heated Chairlifts

Made properly for a euro on the slopes in Italy

Hot Tub

A glorious soak overlooking the slopes.

You’ve got to scare yourself every now and then.

Face Euro Pop Plant Getting addicted to some awful tune in a terrible resort night club

Impromptu Ski RacE

It’s always fun when you suddenly find you’re in a ski race with someone when you weren’t expecting to be.

It’s always good to wipe out once in a while, so long as you don’t hurt yourself, of course.

Indoor Snow Centres Snow anywhere, any time, genius.

IGLU DORF

To warm your butt on a cold day – a great invention.

Mountain Mountain Dogs Restaurants Big, hairy, friendly, often responsible for saving lives when they work with ski patrol.

024 // OCT16

So many types but the snug, locals-run, home-cooked food choice is always best.

PAUL MORRISON

Après-ski

Black Runs

Yes, we wish we were skiing now (actually, why aren’t we?). It always feels good to grab a short ski break before the main season begins and be first on the slopes each season.

CHILL FACTORe

Autumn Glacier Skiing

You can be a hero, just for one day.

Pain au Chocolat

Or sometimes simply “Choc-au-pain” or indeed fresh croissants delivered to your French apartment in the morning. Actually I don’t mind getting up early and popping round to the boulangerie myself.

Piste Maps

There’s nothing more fun than trying to work out if that coloured line is going up or down. Oops, we were wrong.

@INTHESNOWMAG

CHRISTOF SONDEREGGER

OK, sometimes awkward but nice when you unexpectedly meet someone interesting for a few minutes. Some resorts even organise chairlift speed dating on Valentine’s Day.

PATRICK FORSBLOM

Chairlift Chat

Christmas on the Slopes

Champagne Bars

Always better than Christmas back home, it’s white for one thing, and if you go to Lapland, you can meet Santa before he sets off.

Somehow champagne and snow perfectly complement each other. Then again, so do beer and snow. Wine and snow …

First Run First of the Tracks Holiday

Will you still be able to ski, or will you have forgotten everything? Yes, you can! Hoorah!

CrossBorder Skiing

It still feels cool to ski over the border from Austria to Switzerland at Ischgl, and France to Italy (La Rosière and La Thuile).

French SupeRmarkets

Pristine slopes to yourself first thing in the morning while everyone else is in bed.

Along with smooth French autoroutes and the Channel Tunnel – when they’re working efficiently. They can keep the tolls and the Saturday queues, mind.

Hands-Free Lift Pass Matterhorn

10km or more of downhill pleasure. The paradise run in the Portes du Soleil or the Sarenne at Alpe d’Huez are particular favourites of our editor.

Weird Local Customs

POLLYABALDWIN

Making Euro Long Buddies Pistes

You meet on the lift, maybe in the hotel restaurant or they might be in the next apartment. You find you have a shared love of ski and après-ski, and you’re now friends for the holiday, maybe for life.

Mountain Air

Mmmm, breathe in deep.

Zermatt and Cervinia’s amazing mountain is one of the most stunning sights in skiing. The ski area, open 365 days a year, isn’t bad either.

LAURENT SALINO ALPE D’HUEZ TOURISME

ST ANTON

So long as they work, they’re great.

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Whisked from the airport to the slopes without having to wait for five charter planes to land, nice.

Quilts

Somehow the Austrians manage to make them like giant floaty pillows that are so much nicer to sleep under.

PHOTO STUDIO PARIS

The best snow there is?

Private Transfers

MOUNTAIN DROP OFFS

Powder

PAUL MORRISON

Be it the New Year’s Day pig races in Klosters or dining on a baked sheep’s head at Voss in Norway, chances are there’ll be something new to try wherever you ski.

Rental Shop Aroma

You know your holiday has really begun in earnest when you get your first whiff.

025 // OCT16 // INTHESNOW.COM

Road Trip

Driving from resort to resort for a sample of several centres. Canada’s Powder Highway is particularly great for that.

Safari by Ski

Heading from resort to resort on your skis. Perhaps a round trip on the Sellaronda.

Self-Timed Ski Runs

Ski Instructors

There are few things more inspiring than magnificent mountains – be it the Canadian Rockies, the Dolomites, the Swiss Alps, Scotland’s west coast, the volcanic terrain of Japan’s Hokkaido or one of thousands of others.

They make it look so effortless …

Yes, you’re at the top of the Hahnenkamm, the world’s most testing ski race and you’re up against the clock; will you be the world’s greatest?

RIDER: CHARLES NAVILLOD PHOTO: ©ANDYPARANT.COM

Ski Movies

Ski Boots

Always good to sit in the bar watching movies of people doing things you could only dream of, while you “Ooh” and “Ah” with your pals.

Specifically, taking them off at the end of the day.

Sugar Shacks

Worth skiing Quebec in spring to experience.

Tartiflette

Tall Stories

Or fondue, raclette …

Listening to and perhaps telling some just slightly exaggerated tales of the highs of your day on the slopes.

Snow, Obviously

NUMBER

50?

ST ANTON

Lots of it, falling overnight so it’s fresh, deep and even when you wake up.

Scenery

ALTO ADIGE MARKETING/ALESSANDRO TROVATI

We sometimes complain about them but most work and party hard, are there for us in an emergency 24/7 and have to fake cheerfulness on the 4am transfer coach. They’re an example to us all.

ALP IMAGES / ALTITUDE

Reps

Toboggan Run

What’s your favourite that we’ve missed?

026 // OCT16

Eurostar from St Pancras straight to the Alps, the overnight train from Stockholm to Riksgränsen or just landing at a Swiss airport and jumping on a train to your resort.

Vin Chaud ANDREA BADRUTT

Fun for the young and young at heart.

Trains J. FAVRE

Terrain Park

GAUDENZDANUSER.COM

Either a long Austrian, lift-assisted run or perhaps a spot of tubing.

Aka glühwein or perhaps a toffee vodka, whatever your favourite tipple is on the slopes.

@INTHESNOWMAG

LESOTHO AFRICA Over the past century, winter sports areas

Pharaohs have made of that?

and 3200 metres in altitude and the centre

have been created on all seven continents.

In southern Africa there are two small ski

is a relatively easy trip from Mararakech,

There are regular snow resorts in about

areas and they’ve both just finished their 2016

74km/90 minutes away.

80 countries plus indoor snow or artificial

ski seasons, a snowy one for both. They’re

Oukaïmeden was initially developed by

“dry” ski slopes in a few dozen more. Some

Tiffindell in South Africa and Afriski in land-

the French in the 1940s and more recently

of these are in countries you might not

locked Lesotho.

surveyed by international resort planners with

expect, and we’re launching a new feature

Both haver about a kilometre of snow

the aim of improving the basic infrastructure

this season looking at more unusual ski

slopes (on a good day) served by a couple

(although there’s not much sign of that

destinations for the adventurous! Africa is the

of drag lifts, and whilst they can get big

actually happening yet with new lifts that

only continent with ski lifts located on each

natural snowfalls, sometimes causing access

were supposed to arrive from Spain failing

side of the equator so you can ski in the north

problems, more often they survive on snow-

to materialise. Snow conditions are a bit of

of Africa in the northern hemisphere’s winter

making. But who cares, you’re skiing in

a gamble for anyone planning a visit – the

and the south in the southern hemisphere’s

southern Africa in our summertime!

period from mid-January to mid-February is

winter – almost year round.

If you prefer to ski in Africa in the northern

generally considered the best bet.

In fact you will be able to ski in Africa year

hemisphere’s winter there are a number of

There are other North African ski centres

round soon, as Egypt will soon open Ski

choices, best known being Oukaïmeden in

including Chréa in Algeria, about 70km from

Egypt in Cairo, due to open in March 2017,

the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The elderly

Algiers, and there’s a second smaller ski

the second indoor snow centre from the

drag lifts and one double chair, serving

centre with two drag lifts between 1800 and

company behind Ski Dubai. What would the

20 ski slopes, are located between 2600

2000m at Michlifen in Morocco.

DARE TO BEAT

HELMET COLLECTION

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AFRISKI.NET

GALTÜR: FABULOUS FOR ALL FAMILIES WORDS: LUKE REES | IMAGE: ANDRE SCHOENHERR

Galtür is located in the Paznaun Valley of

Galtür village is just outside the ski

Tirol, just 9km from Ischgl, but in many

area in Wirl, so this means a short hop

ways it’s a whole world away. I love Ischgl

on a free bus. The same bus goes in

even though I wouldn’t take my kids

the opposite direction to Ischgl with its

there, but Galtür is perfect for a family

238km of piste and legendary nightlife.

holiday, with all that Ischgl offers just a

But I never felt the need to leave Galtür,

short hop away.

partly because there was knee-deep

The Galtür ski area is at the head of the

powder to play in, but also because the

Paznaun Valley in Wirl. With 40km of pistes

ski area punches above its weight.

rising from 1,600m to 2,300m, it’s fairly small

We stayed at the 4★ Ballunspitze

but perfectly formed. The immaculately

Kinderhotel, which has large and

maintained pistes include 6km of blues,

comfortable rooms with everything a

24km of reds and 10km of blacks, plus

family needs. The on-site crèche – by far

there are dedicated freeride zones. The

the best equipped I’ve experienced in a

Galtür slopes offer a good variety of runs;

hotel – provides childcare from 9am to

most are wide, long and uncrowded. The

9pm. To entertain the kids there’s a large

lift system is efficient, and 75% of the pistes

soft-play area, climbing wall, kids’ cinema

are covered by snowmaking.

and swimming lessons. They even ferry

Our three-year-old son skied for the

your little ones to and from ski school.

first time in Galtür. Although the ski boot

The Ballunspitze oozes friendly charm.

fitting didn’t go well – as a snowboarder I

The staff are happy and helpful and

also cried the first time I put ski boots on

always had time to play peekaboo with

– he was soon sliding down the bunny

our one-year-old. The kids’ meals had a lot

slopes and negotiating the magic carpet.

of options including healthy dishes. Adults

His huge smile meant we were happy

were treated to four delicious courses,

to leave him with the friendly English-

including meat, fish and vegetarian

speaking instructors.

options plus a selection of Tirolean dishes.

As well as the dedicated freeride zones,

Galtür is ideal for families. The ski area

there is a kids’ off-piste area to teach

has enough to keep experienced skiers

youngsters about safety away from the

and snowboarders entertained, with

piste. There’s also a kids’ adventure zone

Ischgl just 10–15 minutes away if you want

with one route through a witch’s grotto

a change of pace and scenery. Quiet and

and another about native wildlife. Finally,

unassuming, Galtür is the opposite of

there is a freestyle zone with a good

its noisy neighbour but is a Tirolean ski

range of features for different abilities.

holiday that’ll live long in the memory.

GALTÜR INFO The Rees family flew from London Gatwick to Innsbruck with easyJet (easyjet.com) and then on to Galtür by road (approx. 90 minutes) with Four Seasons Travel (tirol-taxi.at). They stayed at the 4★ Hotel Ballunspitze (ballunspitze.com), where packages are available from €1,869 (approximately £1,565) for seven nights for two adults and one child. More info at ballunspitze.com and also galtuer.com or phone +43 50990 200.

028 // OCT16

@INTHESNOWMAG

VALEMOUNT GLACIERS

CANADIAN SKI AREA WITH YEAR-ROUND SNOWSPORTS MAY OPEN NEXT YEAR

ski lift from the local airport terminal

Valemount is located on the

regional airport to the ski slopes, a

to the ski resort and summer snow-

eastern side of BC, about 145km

kilometre away.

sports lift-served vertical too.

west of Jasper in Alberta, and

According to the construction

With Revelstoke currently offering

unlike other resort development

schedule the resort aims to

the continent’s biggest lift-served

projects, the local community

have built enough lifts and runs

vertical, and Whistler Blackcomb

and the First Nations people

to be able to offer year-round

the second biggest, it would mean

whose land the ski area will be

skiing by 2020. The full planned

BC would be home to the ski areas

built on are reported to be largely

vertical of 2,090m would not be

with the three biggest verticals in

in favour of the project, which

achieved until phase three of the

North America.

gives “sightseeing” as an equal

ski area’s construction schedule

The masterplan for the new

attraction to winter sports.

is completed when a lift up to

ski area, known as “Valemount

The ski area is proposed for an

3,205m will be available.

ritish Columbia’s provincial

Glaciers” and located west

area with a great snowfall record,

If all goes smoothly over the next

government has given the go-

of Valemount in BC’s Premier

averaging 14m at 1,800m elevation

15 months, the ski resort aims to

ahead for a new ski resort to

Mountains, envisages 18 lifts

– which would put it among the

open in autumn 2017 with five lifts

be built which aims to have the

including five gondolas, along with

snowiest in the world. Another

operational including a gondola

biggest lift-served vertical in North

a resort base village, being built

interesting element of the resort’s

to the top of Mount Pierre Elliot

America at over 2,000m, a direct

over the next two decades.

plans is a ski lift direct from the

Trudeau (2,640m).

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VAIL RESORTS BUYS WHISTLER BLACKCOMB venue for alpine skiing at the 2010

Canada to Colorado, where Vail

Winter Olympics and the largest ski

Resorts are based.

area in North America.

“Combining Whistler Blackcomb

It was formerly part of the Intrawest

with Vail Resorts’ portfolio of

group which grew through the

outstanding resorts provides

1990s to become one of North

Whistler Blackcomb with increased

America’s most successful multi-

financial strength, marketing

ski-resort operators and even ran

exposure, guest relationships and

In one of the most significant

resorts, Whistler Blackcomb in BC,

ski areas in Europe, including Arc

broadens the geographic diversity of

moves ever in North American

Canada, for (according to unofficial

1950 at Les Arcs and a snowdome

our company with resorts across the

skiing, Vail Resorts have

reports) a little over $1 billion.

in Madrid, but has been contracting

United States, as well as in Australia

announced they are purchasing

Whistler Blackcomb is one of the

in size for about a decade. It also

and Canada,” said Dave Brownlie,

another of the world’s most iconic

world’s leading ski resorts, the main

moved its headquarters from

Whistler Blackcomb’s CEO.

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SKI BANFF & LAKE LOUISE

029 // OCT16

PLUS Free ski carriage on Air Canada flights worth £120 – book by 30th November

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SKI TRAIN RETURNS TO COLORADO After an eight-year gap, the ski train service that started Colorado’s ski boom back in 1940 will

REPRODUCTION INTERDITE SANS AUTO

BY PATRICK THORNE

come back into service this winter – good news for the environment, and good news for people

VAL D’ISÈRE LAUNCH LOWER-COST LIMITED PASS

Saturday 7 January 2017, resuming from Denver’s Union Station but arriving into Winter Park at an all-new platform built just steps from the ski lifts. The move to reinstate the service comes after a two-weekend service last winter, with tickets priced at $75 (approx. £56), quickly sold out on the day they were issued. The new service will run every weekend through to 26 March 2017 and also on Mondays in January and February. Each train will be able to carry up to 500 skiers and boarders with tickets costing from $39 (approx. £29) for adults and children aged 2 to 12 paying half-price. The Winter Park Express Amtrak train will leave Denver at 7am taking two hours to reach the resort, then depart back at 4:30pm, arriving at Denver at 6:40pm. Winter Park is one of the few major ski areas that are publicly owned, by the City of Denver, although it is now operated by Intrawest. The new platform at Winter Park Mountain Resort

BECOME A TELEMARK SKI INSTRUCTOR

their (huge) ski area this winter.

two main lifts, after a two-year €16

The new Solaise-area-only pass is

million redevelopment.

available for purchase a day at a

It is not unusual for resorts to offer

time and at a cost of €35 (£29.50)

limited areas passes at low cost

for adults. The pass includes

or even free for beginner skiers,

the new Solaise Gondola, the

but these are usually for much

Madeleine, Datcha, and Glacier

smaller areas with a few drag and

A one-week course at The Snow Centre, Hemel

chairs, the two village lifts of

carpet lifts.

Hempstead, this autumn aims to train and qualify

Legettaz and Rogoney and the

The lift company will also be

skiers as Level 1 Telemark Instructors with an Irish

three magic carpets.

offering a one-day Discovery pass,

Association of Snowsports Instructors qualification.

The launch of the pass coincides

which covers all the Val d’Isère

Telemark , the original form of downhill skiing

al d’Isère have made the

with the opening of the resort’s

(but not Tignes) lifts for €49. A full

which originated in Norway in the 1860s, involves

interesting move of launching a

replacement and greatly upgraded

Espace Killy pass including Tignes

skiing without your heel fixed to your skis and has

lift pass valid on only a part of

Solaise Gondola, one of the resort’s

costs €55.50.

become increasing popular again in recent years.

ESBEN HAAKENSTAD

looking to cut congestion. The service will officially recommence on

The course, which costs £500pp including slope

has cost several million dollars to build with

access and all training, takes place between 31

funding coming from the Colorado Department

October and 4 November 2016 and is a five-day

of Transportation, the City of Denver, the Town

on-snow training and assessment programme run

RAPAPORT KILLED BY AVALANCHE

of Winter Park, the Colorado Rail Passengers Association and Intrawest.

by Scott Hammond, a British telemark instructor and trainer based in Lillehammer, Norway. You don’t need previous telemark experience to

“This is the culmination of a long but rewarding respected and greatly

number of times over the

take part; the course is open to competent alpine

passenger rail service return to the doorstep of

loved member of the global

years. When asked what

skiers who might well turn out to be very good

Winter Park Resort,” said Gary DeFrange, Winter

freeride community, ranked

was the best thing about

telemark skiers too but might never have been on

among the world’s best.

filming the movie Pure, in

tele skis before.

Referring to the increasing problem of congestion

Earlier this year more than

2014, she said,

During the week, participants will receive

on the main road west out of Denver to the state’s

1,300 people applied for

“All the remote, beautiful

personal development training on their

a “dream job” to carry

places I get to see and

telemark skiing alongside techniques for

Matilda’s skis for her when

ski as well as the people

teaching the discipline at an entry level. Skiers

she competed in the

we've met when travelling.

who pass the Level 1 will be able to use their

Alaska leg of the World

I’ve also gotten some

qualification to teach telemark skiing in the UK

Freeride Tour in March

close friends through

in indoor snowdomes and on artificial slopes

process, and we couldn’t be more excited to have

ski areas, Mr DeFrange added, “We know there’s incredible demand for a viable transportation alternative to I-70, and we’re deeply appreciative to Amtrak, Union Pacific, CDOT, City of Denver, and the Town of Winter Park for helping to make this long-standing dream a reality.” Amtrak.com/WinterParkExpress

030 // OCT16

MATTIAS FREDRIKSSON

Park’s president.

The Swedish freeskier

avalanche whilst filming

this year.

filming, including Evelina

or provide a second discipline for those with

Matilda Rapaport has died

in Chile. The former alpine

Matilda talked to

Nilsson and Sandra

international alpine ski instructor qualifications.

after being trapped in an

ski racer was both a highly

InTheSnow magazine a

Lahnsteiner.”

alpinecoachingsnowsports.com

@INTHESNOWMAG

T H E VA L D ’ I S E R E AC C O M M O DAT I O N S P E C I A L I S T

GERHARD BERGER

The Widest Selection Of Val D’isere Accommodation Anywhere Over 150 Chalet Holidays Over 300 Self Catered Apartments 30 Hotels

KITZBÜHEL TARGETS OCTOBER OPENING DATE

The resort has been pushing back

report published a decade ago into

and finishing sooner than in past

on the traditional season dates in

the likely effects of climate change,

decades, although it often now falls

the region for about a decade now,

which was taken as predicting that

heavier when it does come so the

opening initially in mid-November

Kitzbühel was under particular

overall totals remain fairly constant,

and then earlier and earlier in the

threat from rising temperatures

has published a new graph

season.

because it is one of Europe’s

showing its average season length

The results are apparently

lowest major resorts at 800m and

had in fact increased from 140 days

being achieved by clever use of

has one of the lowest ski areas,

in 1992/93 to 155 days by 2014/15.

snowmaking in an area of the

peaking at just about 2,000m

Ruka in Lapland claims the longest

mountain that can hold the snow

in altitude when many modern

ski season for a non-glacier resort

even in warmer temperatures.

purpose-built resorts are built

in the world thanks to its northerly

The move to open earlier each

1,000m higher and have slopes

latitude. It is aiming to open on

itzbühel says it is aiming to open

season (and close later, with 1 May

extending above 3,000m and

10 October and normally stays

for the season on Saturday 22

2017 the target end date for this

sometimes much higher.

open well into spring. Previously

October, around two months

coming season after more than six

Kitzbühel, which previously

it remained open until June but

before most other ski areas in the

months open, all being well, may

produced a graph showing natural

in recent years it has more often

Austrian Tirol.

be connected to a major OECD

snowfall was typically arriving later

been mid-May.

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SKI SAFARI

SKI SAFARI ADD NEW JAPANESE RESORT drive from Sapporo Chitose Airport.

There are two hotels at the resort

The resort averages a massive

base which together provide more

14m of snowfall each winter and

than 400 rooms, plus a wide range

has eight lifts servicing 21 runs (the

of restaurants and activities.

longest of which is 4km). Lift lines

Ski Safari (skisafari.com) offers a

are rare and there’s expansive off-

seven-night stay at 4★ Sheraton

piste available.

Hokkaido Kiroro Resort in Kiroro

Due to its proximity to other

from £1,635pp based on two adults

Hokkaido resorts such as Niseko

sharing on a 4 March 2017 departure.

and Rusutsu, Kiroro can be easily

The price includes return flights

Ski Safari are adding the Japanese

season. Kiroro is located on

included in a twin-centre or

(London to Sapporo), airport

resort of Kiroro to their list of

Japan’s famously snowy north

multi-resort itinerary such as the

transfers or car hire, and breakfast

destinations for the coming ski

island of Hokkaido, a two-hour

Hokkaido Explorer Safari.

every day.

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031 // OCT16

POWERFUL SPRINGS OFFLOAD WEIGHT FROM KNEES

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IAN BRODIE PHOTO

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PHOTO Biege Jones

TAILOR-MADE SKI HOLIDAYS TO THE USA & CANADA

ANYONE FOR AQUAVIT?

each individual producer, and these tastes can

2016/17 offered by Scandinavian snow

define where an aquavit is from. For example, a

specialists Inntravel.

producer on Norway’s famously fjord-filled west

The holiday hotel is the base for a trip to the

coast may add seaweed to their barrels.

Rondane National Park – Norway’s first, an

The aquavit barn created in the Spidsbergseter

area of almost untouched wilderness, where

Hotel has been created in a former goats’

2,000m-high mountains jag the horizon.

barn which dates from 1850, when the hotel

Apart from sampling aquavit the area is also

was the family’s mountain farm (the name

a fine place to learn to cross-country ski with

Spidsbergseter comes from the family’s name,

signposted ski trails right from the door, cut

Spidsberg, and seter which means mountain

by the hotel’s owner himself, and there is an

farm in Norwegian).

easy 12km loop that passes through the local

The barn was used up until 1962 for the farm’s

settlement, where new skiers can pause for a

goats but became disused as the current

rest and warming drink. For more experienced

owner’s parents began to expand the farm into

skiers, trails are available out into the pine and

the hotel it is today.

birch forests and skirting the hills overlooking

he opportunity to visit a unique aquavit barn on a

In 2000 they decided to restore the barn and

the National Park.

snow holiday to Norway is a new option this winter.

opened the world’s only aquavit barn in 2005.

Besides the aquavit barn the characterful hotel

Aquavit is a Norwegian spirit and to qualify

Today the barn offers c.140 different types of

has wooden-clad rooms that benefit from far-

as the real thing it must firstly be made from

aquavit, around 120 of which are Norwegian

reaching views across the plateau from their

potato, secondly be spiced with caraway seeds

with the rest from Sweden and Denmark.

balcony, and also boasts a swimming pool, sauna

and thirdly stored in an oak wooden cask.

Guests can also sample the barn’s own 1850

and steam bath for unwinding after a day of skiing.

In Norway it is law that all food and beverage

blend of aquavit which was created especially

The holiday costs from £1,055 per person

products must list the ingredients, except for

for the hotel in 2014 by a local producer.

including seven nights’ full board and access

aquavit, so outside those three core rules of

Holidays to the Spidsbergseter Hotel are

to cross-country skiing trails. It’s one of a wide

production, what makes the taste is a secret for

one of the new options for the coming winter

range of snow holidays from Inntravel.

Recommended by:

skia.com 032 // OCT16

INNTRAVEL.CO.UK

ROSS WOODHALL

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034 // OCT16

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035 // OCT16

the UK’s most popular independent ski shop!

 BURTON WALL MOUNTS Keep your board safe and within easy reach with these simple storage and display mounts. They are easy to install to any flat surface with the included hardware, and they accommodate any shape or size snowboard. £9.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

 BURTON STILETTO SNOWBOARD BINDING The stiletto is a feel-good, lightweight binding that is ideal for use all over the mountain. More suited to a beginner-to-intermediate rider looking for good response without going for anything too stiff. The canted hi-backs and foot-bed cushioning give great comfort and support. £144.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

 K2 SUBCULTURE SNOWBOARD

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gives a floaty feel whilst keeping the

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scraping, while also providing a vertically

The Burton Park glove is a low-profile glove

for carving whether its quick turns or

stable slide-in setup for sharpening

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With the Burton Riglet snowboard you can

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MORE AT SPUTNIKSNOW BOARDSHOP.COM Sputnik is one of the UK’s largest independent snowboard shops. We offer great choice and service to all our customers. Whether you are beginner or expert, we can kit you out to ensure you have a great day on the mountains. 036 // OCT16

@INTHESNOWMAG

 BURTON FEATHER SNOWBOARD

4 EASY STEPS TO HOT WAXING SKIS

This board is ideal for beginner-to-intermediate riders who want to take their riding to the next level. Its Filet-O-Flex makes it a softer flexing board whilst still offering support and comfort underfoot. And its Flat

Did you know that if your skis are waxed they glide

Top profile offers stability and great edge hold, whilst

and turn much easier? If your skis are waxed the

its slight edge rise on the nose and tail give a catch-

bases are nourished and therefore not so susceptible

free feel which will help with progressing your riding.

to damage and they will not dry out or deteriorate. Wax can be applied in two ways – hot ironing wax into the ski, which gets deep into the base and lasts

£294.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

a long time, and wipe-on paste wax, which is quick to apply, but wears off quite quickly, ideal as a topup wax in between hot waxing. Look after your skis with these four quick steps to ski hot waxing ... Equipment needed: Waxing iron, Wax, Plastic scraper and Brush.

STEP 1 APPLYING THE WAX Hold the iron above the ski base. Hold the wax against the iron and drip the wax in a zigzag

 BURTON CINDER JACKET (LEFT)

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STEP 2 IRONING THE WAX

have. The anorak-style jacket along with bib pants are this season’s must-have items. This jacket offers easy access

Run the iron along the

with a long side zip and still includes a powder skirt, pit zips

ski base to spread and

and a whole array of pockets.

smooth out the drips. If the iron feels like it’s sticking,

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drip on a little more wax.

use. It has an In-Mold construction making

CAUTION: Always keep the iron moving so you

it really lightweight and the 360º Dialled Fit

don’t overheat and damage the ski base.

System gives optimum fit and comfort. £94.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

 ANALOG ZENITH JACKET (RIGHT)

STEP 3 SCRAPING THE EXCESS Allow the base to cool to

The Analog GORE-TEX® Zenith Jacket is built with

room temperature. Once

legendary 2L waterproofing to block the worst

cool use a sharp plastic

storms. Chasing after a stash or lapping the park, a

scraper, tilted away from

zonal mapped lining adds strategic warmth, while a suite of tech from the adjustable hood to the lasercut zippers and armpit vents are designed to keep you comfortable anywhere on the mountain. £279.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

you, to scrape all excess wax off the skis. You want to remove all the excess wax from the surface of the skis, as it’s what’s on the base that makes the ski run fast. TIP: Hold your thumbs in the centre of the scraper to help stop the scraper from bending and making the base concave.

 VANS SK8-HI MTE MOUNTAIN SHOE

 VOLCOM VERDI OVERALL BIB PANTS These pants are a slim fit making them perfect for

The Vans Sk8 Hi Mountain Edition shoes are perfect

that rider who likes a more tailored fit, with the

for those long autumn and winter hikes or cursing

added bonus of being overalls to keep the snow

around the city streets in the bitter cold weather.

out. They come with 15,000mm waterproof and

With a thermal retention layer and water-repellent

15,000gm breathability making them highly

coating, your feet will stay dry and toasty all day.

technical and ideal for bad weather days.

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STEP 4 BASE FINISHING To smooth and polish the base, brush a number of times with a horsehair or nylon brush. TIP: Horsehair is the best brush to finish with, as it’s polishing and anti-static allowing the skis to run better and not pick up any dirt.

For more detailed information download our ‘Guide to Ski Servicing’ at skibartlett.com

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

037 // OCT16

PAUL KEPPEL PHOTOGRAPHY

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

CHOOSE YOUR DIRECTION FOLLOW ME

INDEPENDENCE

INDEPENDENT TIPS

ULTIMATE CHALLENGE

JON (AKA WESTY)

This month’s topic is about how

Following someone more

It’s a huge challenge to ski a

1. Try to follow your instructor for

To have the ability to control the

Jon holds the top qualifications from

choosing your route down a slope

experienced like an instructor down

slope alone but one which is very

one run and then swap. Try to mimic

speed of your descent, however

France, Switzerland and Britain,

is a crucial skill to develop, and we

a slope is an ideal way to help

rewarding and important to your

his descent turn for turn.

challenging the slope may be, is

and we can say firsthand that he is

look at how and why this can really

you to improve your knowledge

future technical development. The

an ultimate goal for many skiers.

a great ski instructor! Jon heads up

help all levels of skiers to develop

of different lines and different

ability to make decisions for yourself

2. Close your eyes and visualise the

Your choice and control of your line

the team at Altitude Ski School –

confidence and their performance. If

approaches to ski the mountain.

are crucial in your understanding

run and the route you plan to take

combined with the movements you

Verbier’s most established British ski

you are a beginner I’m sure you will

If you are a beginner on a very

of how the ski reacts and behaves

ahead of your descent. Repeat this

make will undoubtedly have a big

school. Each month Jon or one of

find it useful to be shown the route

gentle slope or an advanced skier

on the snow. On the road to

a few times until you are successful.

impact on whether you are able to

his team will provide us with a few

down a slope whilst practising newly

descending a steep slope, there

independence set yourself some

be successful.

tips and words of wisdom to help

learnt skills; equally as an advanced

are some key advantages to being

tasks, for instance, eight turns

3. Learn to look ahead whilst skiing

skier you might appreciate being

led by an instructor. These include

between x and y or turning on every

(not at your feet) and be proactive

Through practice you will learn to

shown the best line down an

allowing you time to practise skills

second bump, or preselect the route

rather than reactive with your choice

ski the whole slope with a constant

extremely steep face. The challenge

without having to make decisions

you plan to ski and the cliffs you

of line and the terrain.

speed whilst making adjustments for

is to then be able to do this on your

regarding the direction to take,

plan to jump off-piste. Once you can

own with style!

observing the other skier and how

do this, challenge yourself more by

4. Try finishing your turns more

fall short after a few practice runs,

The Altitude winter company portfolio

they react to the terrain and also

varying the chosen line.

when the slope gets steeper, and

it may be necessary to move on to

includes the ski and snowboard

how the timing of their movements

understand how this effects your

some gentler terrain and to work

school, the Futures instructor

changes depending on the turn size.

speed control.