InTheSnow – Issue 51 (Nov 2016)

ISSUE 51 | NOV 2016

NATHAN WELTON PHOTOGRAPHY

IN THIS

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FEATURES

WHAT'S NEXT FOR WHISTLER CELEBRATING 50 YEARS  It’s a fascinating time for Whistler Blackcomb, and after celebrating

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50 years the famous Canadian resort has produced a series of

@INTHESNOWMAG INTHESNOW INTHESNOW_MAGAZINE

ROSS WOODHALL

Crystal, the UK’s biggest ski tour operator, is brimming with ideas and offering plenty of deals for the 2016-7 season ahead. There are new flight routes and new ski destinations to choose from too.

TRY TELEMARK SKIING IN LA PLAGNE  You may have seen people skiing but bending one leg at the knee to turn, their heels lifting off their skis. This is the original downhill version of skiing, Telemark, invented 150 years ago. Why not give it a go?

ROSS WOODHALL

INTHESNOW

GET MORE THIS WINTER WITH CRYSTAL SKI 

TRISTAN SHU

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thought inducing videos about what may lie ahead in the next 50.

ROSS WOODHALL

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BOOT ROOM

048 SWITZERLAND’S BIG NEW ‘MUST SKI’ DESTINATION 

GEAR

ROSS WOODHALL

REGULARS

Sponsors of Boot Room

Sponsors of Boot Room

5-PAGE BOOT ROOM 063–067 

The lift connection of Arosa and Lenzerheide a few seasons ago to create one of the country’s biggest ski destinations has created an exciting new choice for skiers with numerous attractions to enjoy.

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

COMPETITIONS 021 / 054 / 062

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

patrick@inthesnow.com Of course it’s too early to tell yet whether winter 2016/17 will be a classic for snowfall right from the start, but if the early signs are anything to go by, things are looking good.

Snowfall swept across the Northern Hemisphere when it was still late summertime, with those lucky enough to be on the

10 MINS: TOBY PHIPPS 078

fresh powder in September. Lake Louise wasn’t one of those

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ALTITUDE TUITION 068

slopes in already-open glacier resorts in the Alps enjoying open back then, but it got global attention when it posted

TEAM

visible as they can be before the season proper kicks off.

PUBLISHER

DOMINIC KILLINGER dom@inthesnow.com

SUB EDITORS

NICK JONES MARION ADAMS CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR

PATRICK THORNE

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

DEBBIE GABRIEL debbie@inthesnow.com SALES MANAGER

GIANCARLO GAMBARDELLA

Tirol is one of the world’s great ski regions, home to many of the world’s

This edition of InTheSnow is usually the biggest each season as the tour operators, ski resorts and everyone else in the ski industry is keen to make themselves as

patrick@inthesnow.com

LIFE IN PICS TIROL THROUGH THE AGES 

pictures of a foot of fresh snow falling overnight.

giancarlo@inthesnow.com

most famous ski resorts. Several of these have played a key part in the

PICTURE EDITOR

evolution of skiing over the past 110 years, as we detail here.

ROSS WOODHALL

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

© Copyright 2016 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

This year – our 10th anniversary season – is no exception.

The great thing is this means we have more pages in which to bring you all the latest news, and we have lots of great features too. You can find out which are the main new destinations on offer from Britain’s tour operators and find out about Big Sky, an incredible ski area in Montana which is now much easier to reach thanks to a new direct

SALLY BARTLETT ANNA BARTLETT

of the publishers in writing.

COLUMNISTS

INTHESNOW LTD

a report from the up-and-coming Japanese destination of

THE SNOW STUDIO

Myoko, or closer to home you can read about telemarking

JON WEST PHIL SMITH JACK STEELE JENNY BLETCHER DESIGN BY

ROCKET BASE rocketbase.co.uk

flight from Heathrow to Utah. Still on the long haul there’s

KINGS LANE, BUCKS HP16 0QY

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

in La Plagne, or learning about hitting the backcountry safely in the Portes du Soleil. If you’re looking for one of Europe’s more off-the-beaten-piste destinations, we also feature skiing in Greece for the first time.

There’s always something happening in the ski world, and if you can’t wait to hit the slopes there are already 20 or so ski areas open in the Northern Hemisphere. Our November calendar will tell you which are opening next.

But whether you head off to the slopes this weekend or wait for the main season to start, only a few weeks away, I hope you have a great season. Let’s just hope that snow keeps falling.

Follow us @inthesnowmag

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S T O R E S N AT I O N W I D E I 0 8 4 5 1 0 0 1 0 0 0

S N O WA N D R O C K . C O M

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

TOP SNOWSPORTS ATHLETES LOOK TO HOLIDAYMAKERS FOR FUNDING n the ongoing battle to both provide

such as Crystal and Inghams, and retailer Ellis

Cara Brown, a member of the Delancey

the backing that developing

Brigham, as well as many other top names in

British Alpine Senior Squad, said, “Funding is

snowsports stars need to progress

British winter sports including AMS Rentals,

vital to the success of the British snowsports

up the rankings, and then to secure

Ben’s Bus, Butler & Wilson, Element Ski

athletes. The biggest skiing nation in the

enough funding to help our top ski

School, Esprit, Le Ski, Mark Warner, Meriski, Ski

world is probably Austria – and the funding

and snowboarding stars compete on

Bartlett, the Ski Club of Great Britain, SKISET,

they put into the sport is reflected by how

To find out more about The British Snowsports

the world stage, two new initiatives

Ski Total, Ski Weekends and Stanford Skiing.

many athletes they get on the podium! We’re

Fund and The British Ski and Snowboard

have been announced that it is

Paul Carter, Chief Operating Officer of

not miles behind these guys, we’re less than

National Foundation, visit bssnf.uk. Find

hoped will bring more money into

Inghams, one of the confirmed partners of

seconds, and any kind of support makes a

The British Ski and Snowboard National

competitive British snowsports at the

the British Snowsports Fund, said, “It’s been

huge difference in a sport which is all about

Foundation on Twitter at @Britishssnf. The

elite level.

proven that the success of elite athletes drives

marginal gains!”

British Snowsports Fund will be tweeting as

In a significant move by the UK

participation among the general public, and

Coming from a largely lowland nation (at the

@Brit_Snowsports.

snowsports industry, the first of the two new

it is our hope that by supporting our future

southern English end), the costs for British

initiatives, The British Snowsports Fund, will

Winter Olympians we’ll see more people

snowsports athletes are often high due to the

target the passion of the UK’s recreational

putting on their skis or boards and joining us

necessity to travel for training and competition.

skiers and snowboarders by asking them to

in the mountains! I’m sure that our customers

For example, the family of a 13-year-old

make a small donation when they book a ski

will get behind this initiative, and I hope that

snowboarder participating in a Home Nations

holiday or make a purchase from one of the

it will be supported by the whole of the UK

Academy programme would need to meet

scheme’s confirmed industry partners.

snowsports industry for many years to come.”

annual costs in excess of £10k for training,

Olympians to replicate the success of their

This is the first time that a scheme of this scale

The second new initiative is the British Ski

equipment and competition travel. For elite

summer compatriots. The British Ski and

has been launched in UK snowsports, and

and Snowboard National Foundation, a

athletes these costs are significantly more, with

Snowboard National Foundation and the

funds raised will go to support Britain’s future

new grant-making charity which will provide

an alpine skier participating in a British Ski and

British Snowsports Fund will help us to

Winter Olympians – from those on the cusp

financial support for talented young skiers

Snowboard Europa Cup programme needing to

fulfil this ambition by providing long-term

of qualifying for the 2018 Winter Olympics in

and snowboarders. Grants will be available

cover the £35.5k programme cost themselves.

sustainable funding with which we will be

South Korea, now less than 18 months away,

to cover costs such as competition travel and

Rory Tapner, Chairman of British Ski and

able to support our coaching programmes

right through to kids who are just entering their

accommodation, coaching and equipment. It will

Snowboard, the national governing body

and athletes, and increase the pool of

first competitions, as well as to projects that

also encourage grassroots participation in skiing

for snowsports in the UK, said of the launch,

snowsport talent in the country. We are

support increased participation in the sports.

and snowboarding by funding projects that offer

“The success of Team GB at Rio and in

thrilled that so many industry partners and

Some of the big players supporting the

young people ways of becoming involved in the

London has shown that Britain is a sporting

other supporters share in our aims and join

initiative are the UK’s leading tour operators,

sports and developing their talents.

superpower. Our aim is for our snowsport

with us in planning a successful future.”

MORE INFO

005 // NOV16

NEW SIX-SEATER CHAIRLIFT AT TRYSIL Trysil, one of Norway’s leading ski resorts, with more than 70 runs served by more than 30 lifts, is adding a new six-seater chairlift: the new Skihytta Express. The lift will be 1,302m long and will have a vertical drop of 286m. The Skihytta Express and the Top Express will now meet just below the top of the mountain.

SKI DUBAI LAUNCHES INDOOR ZIP WIRE Ski Dubai has launched what the famous indoor ski centre in the Middle East believes is the first indoor sub-zero zip line! Christened the Snow DANNY NORTH

Bullet Ride, riders zip along the 150m-long line at a height of 16m above skiers and the snow slope. If they wish, it’s possible to race against family and friends on the snow below.

FASTER TRAVEL TO THE JUNGFRAUJOCH From December, the round trip up to Europe’s highest railway station at the Jungfraujoch above Grindelwald and Wengen will be shortened by half an hour. This miracle of Swiss timekeeping will be achieved by a combination of factors: the century-old line will include faster trains and will have only one stop in the tunnel. At 3,466m, the Jungfraujoch stands above the Jungfrau ski area with no ski route back down, but it is so high that it has a yearround snow-play area.

SCOTTISH ALL AREA TICKET ON SALE The 2016/17 Ski-Scotland All Area Season Ticket, valid at all five Scottish Highland ski areas all season, is on sale at £535 for adults and £300 for children aged 5–17 years as of 01/12/16, with a discount for those who bought it in previous

FIRST SNOWBOMBING ACTS ANNOUNCED

T

performing at its 2017 staging,

more than a decade, they have

once more in Mayrhofen, Austria,

sold out arenas the world over

from 3–8 April 2017.

and collaborated with the likes of

Chase and Status, MK, Gorgon

Novelist, Slaves, George the Poet,

City, Hot Since 82 and Eats

Bonkaz and Plan B.

Everything are amongst the first

With a fourth studio album about to

acts announced, along with party

drop and a rumoured collaboration

purveyors Elrow from Barcelona.

with Craig David on the cards,

One of the first big snowsports music festivals

Fans of Chase & Status are reputed

their show at Snowbombing is

of the 2016/17 season has announced the main

to include Rihanna, Snoop Dogg,

a major coup for the festival.

acts that will be performing this December.

Nile Rogers and Pharrell Williams,

Festival packages including hotel

Most of the big music festivals have traditionally

and the British duo have risen to

and festival wristband start from

taken place at the end of the season, but the

he annual Snowbombing

become arguably the UK’s most

£249, with booking possible for

Rise Festival takes place at the start of the

Festival, now in its 18th year, has

in-demand producers.

a £130 deposit + booking fee at

season, in Les 2 Alpes, France, from

unveiled the first acts that will be

In a career which has spanned

snowbombing.com.

10–17 December 2016.

The Rise Festival will bring the best of house, drum and bass, garage and more to the French

years. Holders can choose which destination to head for on any day according to Scotland’s notoriously variable weather conditions, then

FESTIVAL AIMS TO GET THIS SEASON STARTED

mountains with Mercury-nominated grime

OREGON RESORT INSTALLS SOLAR ARRAY

skip any ticket office queues when they arrive.

kingpin Kano, house heavyweight Seth Troxler, Hospital records drum and bass master Metrik, electronic duo Bondax plus Monki, My Nu Leng,

The project cost around $115,000

Midland and Artwork topping the bill while the

(approx. £94,000), with much of

Artful Dodger will be hosting a special festive

the cost covered by grants, and the

Cirque Du Soul Xmas Party during the Thursday

ski area itself investing $25,000

night. In addition, parties on the snow are

(approx. £20,000), which it hopes to

promised by Applebum, Rum & Bass, Triple

Austria’s SkiWelt region, one of the country’s

recover from savings and electricity

Cooked, Shorebitch, Cirque Du Soul and Apex.

three largest, has installed another 100 snow

sales within five years.

There will also, of course, be snowsports aplenty

guns this winter and spent €10 million on

Along with powering resort facilities,

on offer, including snowshoeing, dog sledding

expanding the Kreuzjöchlsee snowmaking

any excess at peak generation times

and a series of “R Games” to see who’s master

reservoir. The expansion takes the total number

will be fed back into the grid. There

of the slopes. There’ll also be a German beer

of snow guns covering the area’s slopes to over

are 85 panels in the solar farm

market, ice disco and spa treatments available.

SKIWELT REACHES 1,700 SNOW GUNS

1,700, and 229 of the area’s 284km of slopes

Mt Ashland in Oregon, USA, has

longer view, providing those

which will be visible from some of

Tickets are on sale now, starting at £199

will have snowmaking cover. The SkiWelt is

installed a new solar array that it

electrons for many years to come.

the area’s ski runs.

incl. lift pass secured with a £50 deposit.

keen to stress that the huge system uses 100%

is hoped will supply 12% of the ski

That helps us to be more financially

Mt Ashland’s solar energy

Accommodation starts at £98pp, and flights

renewable energy from Tyrolean hydropower in

area’s annual electrical usage.

sustainable,” General Manager

production will be displayed on the

from London to Grenoble start from £50 return.

the operation of all its systems.

“We are trying to take a much

Hiram Towle told local media.

area’s webpage: mtashland.com

risefestival.co.uk

006 // NOV16 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

MICHAEL PORTMANN

Heavenly Skiing At Down To Earth Prices

NEW LIFT AND PASS CHANGES AT ZERMATT

NEW SKIING HOUSE PARTY FOR SINGLES

The old Gant-Blauherd gondola at Zermatt, installed in 1971, will be

Singles holiday specialist, Friendship Travel, is offering solo skiers the

replaced by a new, high-performance Garaventa chairlift this winter.

chance to sign up for an exclusive ski house party, having arranged

The new six-seat chairlift can carry up to 1,800 skiers each hour

sole use of the Chalet Maya in Alpe D’Huez. They say, “The chalet has

(almost double the old lift’s capacity) from the Gornergrat ski area to

been restored for up to eight guests and the atmosphere is relaxed and

the Rothorn ski area in just 3.6 minutes. The new lift is due to go into

friendly, making it ideal for single skiers.”

test operation on 15 November, around two weeks before the winter

Seven-night holidays are available from January to March with prices

season begins.

starting from £895pp inclusive of flights, transfers, seven nights’ chalet

This season Zermatt will also reduce the minimum duration of its "Peak

board accommodation and services of chalet hosts.

Pass" from three days to just one day – good news for parties with non-

They also feature “Learn to Ski” weeks at Chalet Hotel La Berangere

skiers in their group. The ticket includes all of the peaks surrounding

at Les 2 Alpes including group lessons on five days and an emphasis

Zermatt that can be reached by mountain lifts, along with train travel

on learning to ski whilst having fun. Starting from £1,195pp incl. flights,

from Randa to Zermatt and return.

transfers, accommodation, lift pass, equipment hire and lessons.

Added to this are admission to the glacier palace and use of the local

Choose from seven resorts in France, Courmayeur in Italy, or St

buses in Zermatt. The number of days for which the year-round Peak

Christoph in Austria.

Pass can be purchased now ranges from one to 30 days.

friendshiptravel.com.

5% DISCOUNT

QUOTE CODE 'ITS'

VAL THORENS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR CINEMA-THEMED SEASON LAUNCH PARTY opening weekend of the 2016/17 winter season.

Along with free equipment tests of all the new developments in skiing, snow fun gear and accessories, professional skiers and boarders from the major, most exclusive and alternative brands will be in Val Thorens.

High Quality Catered + Self Catered Accommodation

Every snowsport will be on the bill, including all varieties of equipment manufacturers: alpine skiing, snowboarding, ski touring, freeride skiing, freestyle and snowscoots, as well as brand new inventions to discover.

Throughout the weekend a number of activity zones will be hosted by professionals in various CYRIL CATTIN

disciplines including mini snowpark, BigAirBag®, snowscoot trampolines, ski touring area and carving zone. The Rock On Snowboard Tour and

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

the Freegun Snowscoot Tour will also both kick off that weekend.

Val Thorens has announced it will be running a

Snowsports fans will find themselves in a life-

There will also be non-stop entertainment, and

special event themed on “cinema” to mark the

sized cinematic wonderland, with accessories

ski instructors from UCPA will also be in the

start of the ski season on the weekend of

such as a giant clapperboard and a (real!) red

village to guide skiers around the ski area and

26–27 November 2017.

carpet, on the freshly groomed runs at the

show them all the best spots.

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

007 // NOV16

0151 625 1921 mountainheaven.co.uk

EMMA CARRICK-ANDERSON, SNOWORKS INSTRUCTOR AND 4 TIME OLYMPIC SKI RACER DISCUSSES WITH HER GROUP SOME OF THE SKILLS IN ALL-MOUNTAIN SKIING.

ergonomic

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FREERIDE process all information and conjure

The group was over the moon,

skill development, I turned to him

up tactical decisions – by the time

praising the great delivery and

and said, “I’ve noticed your ankles

an instructor meets their students

great content. We were back to

are over-flexed.” His eyes widened

on the slope there is little that they

the 25% threshold of development.

as he turned to me, suddenly alert

are able to do about their physical

Slaves to technique.

and interested. “I never knew that”

capability.

he said. He had taken the bait,

To break out of this

so I continued, “Yes, your

dependency on technique,

ankles are generally flexed at

you first need to value the

about 20 degrees from the

other three categories, tactical,

vertical whereas they need to

echnique – for many it can

psychological and physical, as

be about 5 degrees less than

often appear to be what good

highly as technical.

that.” “Is that true?” he asked

all-mountain skiing is about.

I remember one of my lessons

with a sudden realisation he

Phil Smith explains why many

a long time ago with a group

was about to get some real

people are only fulfilling a small

of trainee ski instructors. I

tuition. “No,” I responded, “it’s

part of their true skiing potential.

had opted for a session which

Competence in sport can be

would develop tactical skills.

divided into four distinct categories:

After the lesson I felt pretty

"Technical", "Psychological",

smug with what I had done.

"Physical" and "Tactical".

I actually rated it as my best

Phil Smith is founder of Snoworks

ski everywhere on the

When we ask skiers what the

lesson ever. That evening

All-Mountain Ski Courses. Snoworks

mountain, but do not fit into

balance is, the answer is often

the head coach came up to

run Off-Piste and Backcountry

the perceived "technical

the same: “equal between all four

me and asked for a word and

courses throughout the winter along

model". They may have great

categories, 25%”. However, when

went on to tell me it was the

with Off-Piste Adventure trips to

competence in the other

following up with the question, “If

worst lesson he had ever

destinations around the world.

three categories that make

all-mountain skiing could be said to

witnessed. The group had

info@snoworks.co.uk

up 75% of performance. But

be equal in all four categories then

learnt absolutely nothing

as they do not adhere to the

how much of your time have you

and if I had been one of his

"technical model" they are

invested into each category?” the

instructors I would have been

answer is more or less always the

sacked on the spot. He requested

On another occasion I was with a

very good.

same: about 90% technical.

that I went back to developing

group developing psychological

If you really want to reach your full

It can appear that ski instruction

their technique which is why they

skills and no matter how hard I tried

potential and open up the other

often focuses mainly on

had all booked lessons in the first

to get the group to buy in and get

75% then it’s time to value the other

"technique". Why? Because we are

place. The next day I did a standard

involved there was one person

three categories, psychological,

often blinded by what we see. We

"run of the mill" lesson on some

who was just not interested. After

physical and tactical, the same as

can’t see the thought processes

aspect of ski technique that my

two hours of trying my absolute

technical. Spend equal time on

going on inside someone’s brain,

grandmother could have delivered

hardest to bring this particular skier

each, attach equal importance to

we can’t see how performers

by reading it from a sheet of paper.

on board with some psychological

each, value each the same.

08 // NOV16

PHIL SMITH SNOWORKS

utter rubbish, but it got you interested."

I have seen many very competent skiers who can

often judged as being not

SNOWORKS.CO.UK

JOHANNES SAUTNER

TRAVEL COMPANIES' SALES UP DESPITE BREXIT VOTE

STONEHAM DEDICATES RUN TO PRO SKIER HERO

A NEW PORSCHE-DESIGNED CHAIRLIFT AT ST MORITZ

Specialist ski tour operator Ski Solutions has become the latest to

Stoneham Mountain Resort in Quebec, Canada, has renamed one of

It’s a big season in Switzerland’s Engadin region with the return of the

report business is up overall despite the Brexit vote, reporting that they

its steepest ski runs in honour of professional skier JP Auclair, who was

Alpine World Ski Championships and the restoration of the 110-year-

have seen growth of a quarter in advanced bookings. They join other

killed in an avalanche in Chile two years ago.

old Olympic Ice Centre to the world-famous Kulm Hotel (where the

companies to make the same claim including tour operators Club Med

“Aware of his incredible journey and grateful for his legacy to future

first winter-sports holiday took place in 1864 and the second Winter

and Ski Independence and transfer company Ski-Lifts.

generations of skiers and snowboarders, Stoneham wanted to dedicate

Olympics were staged in 1928).

“The message from us is so far so good,” said the company’s Managing

a trail to JP’s memory,” a resort spokesperson said. The trail, formerly

The Championships take place from 6–19 February 2017, when around

Director, Craig Burton, adding, “Despite the predicted doom and

known as “La Kamikaze”, situated in the expert sector of the mountain,

600 athletes from 70 nations will compete in six disciplines: it’s the fifth

gloom, our advanced bookings to Europe and North America are

has thus been renamed “La JP Auclair”.

time the bi-annual Championships have been staged in St Moritz, the

materially ahead of where they were this time last year, with departures

In the trail, there is a boulder from where skiers jump, which was

last time in 2003, the first in 1934.

for this winter up by 25%.

decorated with permanent graffiti to celebrate the memory of JP. It was

There are also permanent improvements on the pistes including a new

“We believe that our core skiers will always find a way to ski, despite

drawn by his close friend Sébastien Larose and executed by muralists

six-seater chairlift designed by Porsche.

the political or economic climate. The increase in demand this year for

from Sautozieux. The yellow bird in the graffiti was originally drawn by

The lift, accessing the Curtinella piste in the Corvatsch sector, is the

secondary ski short breaks is a perfect example of this. In fact, we have

JP himself for his girlfriend and used in one of his ski films.

second from the famously cool car manufacturer, which previously

expanded our weekend ski programme again this year to meet this

“We wanted to do something unique and special in JP’s honour,

designed a chairlift for Laax.

demand as clients book multiple ski breaks to make the most of the

something that would remind people of him. He left his mark on the

At 2.2km long, the new lift is one of the longest anywhere in the

season.”

ski industry worldwide, and we were always very proud that he called

Canton of Graubünden. It’s 750m longer than the previous lift and has

Burton added, “Half-term is now very heavily sold. Additionally, with

Stoneham his home resort,” says Daniel Rochon, the resort’s Vice

double its capacity, now able to carry 2,400 people per hour.

some great offers available, we are seeing stronger demand coming

President and General Manager. “This trail, one of the hardest glades of

The Curtinella piste is situated in the very heart of the ski area and

through for Christmas and New Year departures.”

the mountain, was selected by Stoneham as well as JP’s family because

links the two mountains of Silvaplana-Corvatsch and Sils-Furtschellas.

it represents perfectly the skier he was.”

It’s an especially popular run, according to the lift company, because of its sunny location and hilly terrain.

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

TH

family ski holida specialist

010 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

 PROMOTION

ay ts

the BAT discounts plus all the NY bonuses!”

toddlers. Toys and equipment are chosen for their

Besides those special New Year BAT Weeks, the

educational as well as play features and meet

usual BAT Weeks operate throughout all of January

stringent health and safety guidelines.

and for departures on 5 and 26 February (before

Children aged from as young as 17 weeks up to

and after the school holiday weeks) 2017.

40 months are welcome in the nursery, where

BAT Weeks offer a remarkable range of savings

a typical morning begins at 8.30am with free

totalling up to an exceptional £481 for all younger

play for the children while everyone arrives and

families with babies or toddlers aged two to four.

children settle in.

This saving includes free infant places (saving

Children will have a mid-morning snack after

£115 per infant), half price nursery places (saving

which it’s nap time in one of the nursery cots for

£159 per infant), and half price Spritelets (ski

the children that need it, while other children

class for three- and four-year-olds) and Snow

have a creative session with arts and crafts fun,

Club. Book both together to save £207 per

before a healthy supervised lunch.

toddler, plus there are BAT Week special offer

In the afternoon there is another nap opportunity

under-occupancy charges of only £99 for the

for the sleepy, and a structured session for

first empty bed in family rooms.

the more active toddlers, such as Music &

As strict staff/child childcare ratios apply with

Movement or making cookies, or some outdoor

Esprit it’s important to book as early as possible

fun if the weather permits. Depending on your

as places are subject to availability.

child’s age, this can include anything from a walk and playtime in the snow to a gondola-lift ride or a bus ride to a local attraction. Then it’s back

sprit Ski, the family ski holiday specialists, have been doing their thing now for more than

What’s The Best Type of Accommodation for Your Family?

three decades.

inside for more free play until pick-up time.

There’s one nanny per two infants aged from 17 weeks to 12 months in the nursery, or to three

That means that children who first went skiing

Esprit offers a wide range of accommodation

infants for children aged 13–23 months, and for

with their parents with Esprit 20 or 30 years ago

types, with the common factor being that your

toddlers 24–40 months there’s one nanny for a

are returning with their own children now to

whole family is very well looked after by the

maximum of four children.

enjoy the company’s renowned service, which

whole team, whether it’s the childcare staff or the

There are many other Esprit services for families

Esprit are confident is the very best any family

chalet hosts and resort reps.

with young children including a special High Tea

will find in the Alps.

There are cosy chalets, ideal for just one or

at 5.30pm each evening, and for those travelling

Esprit operate catered chalets, Chalet Hotels

two families, through to larger chalets perfect

though Chambéry Airport to the French Alps

and their special Xtra Chalets in more than a

for extended family groups. Chalet Hotels have

there’s a great “free-for-Esprit-guests” exclusive

dozen leading resorts in three of the main ski

more facilities, such as a bar, and comfortable

playroom in the departures area. Here Esprit staff

nations – Austria, France and Italy.

communal areas, yet still offer the privacy,

look after the little ones to make the homeward

Esprit’s resorts are all world class and include

conviviality and informal atmosphere of a

journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.

some of the best destinations on the planet,

smaller chalet.

including Méribel and Courchevel 1850 in the

Esprit Info

world’s biggest ski region, Les 3 Vallées, France, and St Anton and Obergurgl in Austria. Other leading French resorts are covered with chalets

Esprit’s IndustryLeading Nursery Service

in both Tignes and Val d’Isère in the Espace Killy,

Travel with Esprit Ski this New Year, and receive two FREE nights in all chalets and Chalet Hotels,

Belle Plagne, Peisey and Arc 2000 in the Paradiski

Esprit’s nursery service has been

area, and Les Gets in the Portes du Soleil. In Italy

refined over 34 years, and

the quiet and charming resort of Gressoney, in the

they are confident that

Monterosa area, is another appealing choice.

they provide a better

Esprit has such a fine-tuned programme for

childcare service

families there are different levels of care for

than any other

children of every age, but in this feature we’re

tour operator and

days for the price

especially looking at services (and special deals!)

even back this

of six!)

for families with children aged from 17 weeks up

up with a special

You also receive

to four years old.

Esprit Child care

two FREE days

After 34 seasons (to be precise), you might think

Satisfaction

of Nursery, Snow

that there wasn’t much more Esprit could do to

Guarantee.

Clubs and Sprite

cover every aspect of the family ski holiday, yet

As with all aspects

lessons, and there

this coming winter, as every season, they do

of an Esprit holiday,

are also lift pass and

have some new ideas and tempting offers.

the key part of the

which makes it nine nights for the price of seven! Plus, when you add your lift passes and ski hire at the time of booking you also receive two FREE days! (eight

ski hire specials and

Esprit nurseries' success is

enhanced New Year child

their amazing staff, all qualified

BAT Weeks For Babies & Toddlers

discounts. Add this to your BAT

British nannies or nursery nurses

Weeks savings in Alpe d’Huez and

with an NVQ Level 3 in childcare or equivalent

Méribel and celebrate with the family on the slopes!

“Esprit’s Baby And Toddler (BAT) Weeks are aimed

recognised Level 3 childcare qualification.

BAT Weeks:

at those families with pre-school younger children,”

Nurseries open six days a week from 8.30am

espritski.com/more/baby-toddler-weeks/

explains Esprit’s Catherine Edwards, “and this

to 5pm to allow you time to get on the slopes in

Nursery:

season we’ve added New Year’s week in the

good time and get to ski school lessons if you

espritski.com/childcare/nursery/

school holidays to our BAT Weeks, exclusively in

need to, and are structured to provide a happy

New Year Offer:

Alpe d’Huez and Méribel, so guests will receive all

and stimulating environment for babies and

espritski.com/offer-news/new-year-offer/

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

ESPRIT

* Holidays to Italy depart on 30 December and are of an eight-night duration. Gressoney departures receive just a one-day free ski pack, nursery, Sprites and lift pass due to the Saturday return day.

ESPRITSKI.COM

ERIC BAILEY

UDO BERNHART

ALBERTO_CABALLERO

HUGE EXPANSION FOR SKI WEEKENDS

REPORT FINDS PRICES FALL IN ITALIAN SKI RESORTS

SCHOOL EXAM STUDY SKI HOLIDAYS

The tour operator Ski Weekends, which specialises in short-break

The annual Post Office Ski Resort Report has found that while prices at

A new Chamonix-based company has been launched offering academic

ski trips, has announced a massive jump in the number of ski resort

ski areas in most Eurozone countries have risen due to the weakening

coaching and revision courses for teenagers working towards their

destinations it operates to, going from just under 30 last season to more

pound following the Brexit vote, costs for Brits skiing in the Italian

GCSE, IGCSE and Common Entrance mathematics exams. Courses run

than 60 for 2016/17. The company which once offered overnight coach

resorts are unchanged as prices in resort have dropped in line with the

for half days by the company’s Director and experienced Maths Teacher

travel is dropping the coach option altogether as it believes the market

pound.

and Examiner Abina Wheeler. The rest of the day the child can go skiing.

has moved on, with customers wanting to use the ever-growing flight

The Post Office Report examines a small sample group of 26 resorts in

Courses will run over the Christmas, February half-term and Easter

network. Ski Weekends offer breaks from 17 UK airports and has also

Europe and North America, with data provided by Crystal Ski Holidays.

school holidays. Each week will involve 20 hours of teaching, with half a

upped its selection of properties to include seventeen 5★ properties.

It invariably finds Bulgaria the cheapest destination and this is the

day spent in the classroom and the rest of the day available for skiing or

New destinations include short breaks for the first time to Norway and

same again for 2016.

boarding. Groups will be a maximum of six and costs £700 (course only).

Sweden, the French Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada in southern Spain.

“Italy’s Sestriere (£354.98) has moved up to third cheapest place in

“After teaching at an international school in Geneva and delivering private

“Our skiers can now choose and book from what is the largest range of

the table from fifth position last year on the back of an 11% fall in euro

tutoring in Chamonix over the past five years, I realised there was a real

short breaks available from the UK,” said Dan Fox, Managing Director,

ski costs. Once the sterling rate is applied, prices in the resort are

demand for intensive tutoring over the school holidays,” said Abina Wheeler,

Ski Weekends, who also revealed that weekend breaks actually are now

level with last season – making this the best deal across the Eurozone.

who added, “Many families want to take their children on a ski holiday, but

only taken up by 51% of the company’s guests, with 42% opting for mid-

Elsewhere in Italy, local euro prices are on par with a year ago in

don’t want to jeopardise their academic success in exams. ‘Study and Ski’

week breaks and 7% a full week.

Livigno (£363.84) and Selva Val Gardena (£470.30), and down 4% in La

allows families to carry on skiing and benefiting from expert revision sessions.”

“The focus of Ski Weekends is to enable holidays of three or four nights

Thuile (£456.45),” say the report’s authors, who add:

Study and Ski have teamed up with chalet tour operator Marmotte

to locations within easy reach of an airport, while offering flights from

“By contrast, local prices have snowballed across the nine Austrian

Mountain (marmottemountain.com) to offer catered or self-catered

regional airports across the UK so the journey is quick and easy. This

and French resorts surveyed. Once the exchange rate is applied, skiers

accommodation next to the Grand Montets ski area. Course weeks run

ensures that Ski Weekend’s customers can spend the maximum amount

can expect to pay an average of 20% more than last season in Austrian

from 16 and 23 December, 30 January, 12 February or 2 and 9 April.

of time on the slopes,” Dan added. skiweekends.com

resorts and 26% extra in French ones.” postoffice.co.uk/skireport2016

studyandski.co.uk

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

© Agence SWiTCH

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

HAFELEKAR, INNSBRUCK

LIFE IN PICTURES

INNSBRUCK TOURISMUS

TVB WILDER KAISER

 PROMOTION

TVB WILDER KAISER

SALVENMOOS, 1967 OLYMPIC CITY, INNSBRUCK

TIROL

finally replaced in 2015 by a

any region in the world, and

together winning 27 medals

new gondola with spacious

they go back to the very

in the Winter Olympics and

cabins, heated seats and wi-fi.

start of skiing. The Ski Club

World Skiing Championships.

Things continue to develop in

Arlberg, founded in 1902 in

The Olympia SkiWorld

the Tirol to this day with big

St Anton, marked the start of

Innsbruck is, along with

new projects almost every

the style of downhill skiing

London, one of two cities

ski season, it seems. One of

we still enjoy to this day.

worldwide to have hosted

the biggest in recent years

Local boy Hannes Schneider

three Olympic Games. In

was the connection of the

was the first global superstar

Innsbruck’s case it was the

Alpbach and Wildschönau

of skiing, taking the sport to

1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics

valleys to form the new Ski

Japan and the USA.

along with the first Winter

Jewel area with 109km of

In the 1950s Kitzbühel’s

Youth Olympic Games in 2012.

pistes connected by 46 ski

“Ski Wonder Team” played

In the 1970s Ellmau in the

lifts, and this season the

a legendary role in the

SkiWelt conceived a visionary

Arlberg will become Austria's

history of Kitzbühel, with

project: the construction of the

largest interconnected ski

the town supplying the best

Hartkaiser funicular railway.

area with the opening of the

skiers in the world – Sailer,

Over four decades it carried

new Flexenbahn cable car.

HOHE SALVE, 1962

INNSBRUCK TOURISMUS

TVB WILDER KAISER

34 million passengers but was

Huber and Pravda –

WUNDERTEAM

LUTZ KORN

Hinterseer, Leitner, Molterer,

strongest ski traditions of

ALPBACHTAL WILDSCHÖNAU

KOPIE VON WINTERBELEGSCHAFT 69-70

The Austrian Tirol has the

INNSBRUCK TOURISMUS

THROUGH THE AGES

SKIGEBIET AUSBLICKE BERG, SKI JUWEL

014 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

AIVARS ZARINS MOTIONSTOPPERS.COM

SKI 16/17 BRITS 2017 TO INCLUDE PRE-OLYMPIC BIG AIR

T

Ski with Inghams this winter

break, is a Big Air Championships

at The BRITS. It always had the

best competitive experience and

in celebration of the event’s newly

best vibe, and was the event that

attracts Team GB athletes including

acquired Olympic status. Indeed, the

threw me into the spotlight back

Olympic stars Jamie Nicholls, Katie

event will be staged less than a year

in 2010, so yeah, I’d love to come

Summerhayes, Billy Morgan, Madi

before Big Air debuts at the Winter

back and reclaim the crown.”

Rowlands and many others,” a BRITS

Olympics in South Korea in 2018.

Also newly on board this year is

statement reads. The Championships

The 2017 BRITS will take place from

Delancey, a specialist real estate

also welcomes budding amateurs

2–9 April 2017 and will include

investment company who are also

and first-timers. For years it has

the British Championships in

principal sponsors of British Ski

been pushing the UK’s professional

Half-pipe, Slopestyle, Snowboard/

and Snowboard. Delancey will

athletes, whilst retaining an open-

Skicross, and the returning Big

offer a bonus prize pot of £3,000,

door policy for anyone wishing to

Air Championships thanks to new

rewarding the best overall male and

give it a go, and more recently for a

he British Snowboard and Freeski

sponsor Picture Organic Clothing.

female for both Ski and Snowboard

growing number that just want more

Championships, better known as

British Olympian, and the first man

across all disciplines.

than a traditional winter holiday. For

“The BRITS”, returns to Laax in

to land a quad cork, Billy Morgan

“The continuing support from

further information, bookings and

Switzerland next April, and on the

had this to say of the news:

Laax ensures that we give our

competition registration visit

competition list, after a four-year

“It’s great to have the Big Air back

promising young athletes the very

the-brits.com

Andorra From only

Austria From only

Canada From only

France From only

Italy From only

Switzerland From only

£439

£789 £399

SINISTER SKI HEAD WEAR BUFF®, the company that specialises

catalogue, features a number of

fit over a snowsports helmet.

in all forms of warmth-giving hats,

skull and similar sinister designs. For

Machine- or hand-washable and

balaclavas, bandanas and neckwear

a particularly “sinister” effect, the

non-iron, the hoodie will not fade

for use on and off the slopes, has

Sinister Black/Grey Vigore Hoodie

or lose elasticity, and the Thermal

developed a new range that’s

BUFF® is a special hoodie (the

Pro fleece fabric offers superb

guaranteed to turn heads on the

hood bit only, without the rest of the

insulation from the cold.

slopes this season, and not those of

jacket) that includes pull-up face

“One size fits most adults,” said a

the people wearing them.

and nose protection with a skull

BUFF® spokesperson, who added

The Sinister range, launched in the

design. Priced at £34, the XXL-sized

that the range was selling fairly well.

company’s Autumn Winter 2016/17

version of this hoodie is designed to

buffwear.co.uk

£539

Call 01483 345 268 or visit inghams.co.uk 0025

V4871

015 // NOV16

£415

Departures from 25 UK airports

Travel with confidence

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

£421

100% BONDED SECURITY

*Prices quoted are per person for 7 nights, include flights, transfers and catering as described on our website and are correct at time of going to print.

All holidays subject to availability.

ALL PICS: ROSS WOODHALL

 PROMOTION

016 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

C

Get The Best Ski Holiday For You

people can even ski in the summer.

New Flight Routes

New Resorts

The colder temperatures at these altitudes mean that the snow is

Crystal’s huge choice of flight routes

Crystal Ski are always looking for new

Crystal’s huge choice of 130 ski areas to

maintained for longer, and they also get

to the mountains has got bigger still

destinations to offer each winter, and this

choose from, with destinations ranging

deeper snow through the season the

for winter 2016/17 with a number of

winter 2016/17 is no exception with five

from Western Canada to Japan, served

higher you go.

new options.

fresh choices.

by flights from 25 UK airports and with

Outside Europe, another place that gets

There are new flights with Thomson

In the Alps the onus is very much on

a range of accommodation options in

white stuff by the bucketload is Banff in

Airways from Gatwick to Kittilä in Finland

snow-sure again with the addition

most resorts means the choice available

Canada – the ski season here lasts for

to quickly reach the Lapland ski areas of

of the small, high-altitude option of

to you is huge, sometimes almost

more than six months and it consistently

Levi and Ylläs. You can also now fly from

Hochsölden, 2,900m up in the Austrian

overwhelming in fact if you haven’t

gets over 9m of snowfall every year.

Aberdeen to Geneva with Easy Jet and

Tirol. Not only is it one of the highest

already got a destination in mind.

from Norwich to Chambéry using FlyBE.

villages in Europe, but the 145km big

So having created such a huge choice,

New flights to Kittilä provide access

Sölden ski area which it shares uniquely

to new Crystal destination choices in

offers twin glaciers which are so snow-

Finland (for information on which, read

sure they’ve been open for skiing since

on and see our separate "What’s New In

September and even staged the first

the company knows it’s vital to guide you through all the options to help you find

The Crystal Ski Explorer App

the resort that’s right for you – and the accommodation that best suits your needs.

Crystal are all about giving you support,

The Brochures" feature).

of the 2016/17 season’s World Cup ski

“Our service at home and in resort is

and access to their expertise and

In terms of long-haul options, there

races in October.

what sets us apart – if you need us,

knowledge before, during and after

is a new direct service from London

Looking north there’s a definite

we’re there with help and assistance,”

your holiday. Over the past few years

Heathrow to Salt Lake City with Delta

Scandinavian feel to the new ski areas

says Crystal’s Ellie Eyles, adding, “We

the company’s Crystal Ski Explorer App

Airlines, providing access to Park City

on offer with Levi and Ylläs in Finland

know it’s more than just a ski trip – it’s

has become a key element of delivering

Resorts – now the biggest ski area in the

as well as Trysil in Norway added to the

a winter adventure, and we want our

this personal service to you whenever

USA, among the biggest in the world and

programme.

rystal Ski Holidays are the biggest

customers to take their winter ski trip to

you need it, on demand. Things have

located less than an hour from the airport.

Trysil has the largest ski area in Norway,

winter holiday company in Britain,

the next level with Crystal Ski Holidays.”

certainly moved on leaps and bounds in

In a further improvement, transfers

with everything from wide, confidence-

and they’ve reached that position by

the last few seasons.

from Geneva and Zürich airports to

building blue runs to tricky blacks and

offering more choice than any other

Before your holiday, Crystal’s Contact

all Swiss ski resorts will be by train

loads of off-piste. For Levi and Ylläs, those

Centre teams are primed and ready to

instead of coach.

unfamiliar with the joys of a Finnish winter

tour operator, by always innovating

Snow-sure Skiing

and by offering top-notch Crystal

help you. Once you’ve booked, they’ll

holiday may not realise that the range of

service before, during and even after

If you can’t wait for the New Year bells

give you the details you need (24/7 in-

your holiday.

before your skis meet their first piste

resort contact number, Twitter handle and

Crystal now offer over 130 places to

of the season, or you fancy some end-

in-resort email address) of Crystal experts

ski, with direct flights to the world’s

of-season snow when the weather is

out in the mountains who can make sure

leading ski regions from no less than

warmer, it’s important of course that you

you’re good to go for your trip.

Crystal Ski Holidays has a huge choice

do you need to know?!

25 UK airports, so it’s likely there’ll be

head for a snow-sure resort.

You can get all the info you need,

of holidays for families with children

The new Trans-Atlantic destination, Sun

departure offers from an airport

By "snow-sure" Crystal mean consistent,

whether it’s the latest snow conditions or

of all ages with a range of childcare

Peaks in Canada, is an intimate ski-in/ski-

near you.

quality snow conditions that are as

the events taking place in your resort, via

options, and it’s a programme that’s

out village surrounded by three unique

This winter, the company’s 35th season,

guaranteed as they can be. High-altitude

the App. It’s fully interactive and these

always reinventing itself and adding

mountains which contain the country’s

Crystal has added five new resorts

resorts like Obergurgl in Austria, Tignes

guys can also recommend restaurants,

fresh options.

second biggest ski area.

in four countries – Austria, Canada,

or Val Thorens in France, Kaprun in

activities, ski areas and more, so don’t

This season there’s new Crystal

Sun Peaks is nestled in British

Norway and Finland. Each has its own

Austria or Cervinia in Italy are great

be afraid to ask.

Childcare in the Hôtel La Brunerie in the

Columbia’s interior, so you won’t suffer

unique character as well as a strong

choices as they sit at above 1,800m (a

“In addition we know unexpected

snow-sure French resort of Les 2 Alpes.

from extremely cold temperatures, but

reputation for reliable season-long

height which for some ski areas is as

hitches can happen in the mountains. If

You’ll find a new Pepi Penguin nursery

you’ll still be able to experience the

snow cover, and they’ve also created a

high as you can get), but then their upper

things don’t go as planned, you can trust

there during the school term and a

wonderfully dry, fluffy powder that’s

shortlist of the most snow-sure resorts

slopes are above 3,000m, and in some

that we’re standing by, ready to offer you

Whizz Kids Club for children aged 4–11

amongst the best snow in Canada (and

from their full list of 130 destinations.

cases there’s a permanent glacier where

a helping hand,” says Ellie.

during school holidays.

therefore the world!).

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

Still More For Families

activities on offer is probably unmatched anywhere in the world. The skiing’s delightful, the snow is near-constant and the scenery is truly staggering. What more

CRYSTALSKI.CO.UK

JACK AFFLECK

BIG SPEND PLANNED AT VAUJANY

THE WORLD’S BIGGEST LIFT PASS

CHAMONIX’S SHUTTLE BUSES GO ELECTRIC

Vaujany, one of the small traditional ski villages sharing the huge ski

The American multi-ski-resort-owning giant Vail Resorts has announced its

Chamonix’s famous in-resort shuttle bus service, known locally as the Mulet,

area around Alpe d’Huez, has announced a planned investment of

Epic Pass season ticket is extending its global reach to cover more of the

is now an all-electric fleet.

€32.5 million (about £29.4 million) on upgrades, 21 million of that on

biggest ski areas in Europe.

These French-built 21st-century “mules” are 20-seater minibuses which

the ski area itself over the next four years, and the rest on other resort

The Epic Pass gives holders access to ski at any of its dozen ski areas in

provide free transport around Chamonix and are equipped with recyclable

projects.

North America (including Park City, Heavenly, Vail, Breckenridge, Northstar

batteries with energy recovery during deceleration.

Of the ski area investment, nearly half a million euros will be invested

and others, but not Whistler until winter 2017/18) and Australia’s largest

It’s the latest in a long line of initiatives in Chamonix to cut pollution and

in a redevelopment of the village’s base cable-car station. The cable

resort, Perisher, for a flat cost that’s not much more than buying a six-day

fight climate change – a constant battle in one of the world’s most visited

car, which whisks skiers straight up to the heart of the ski area, is one

pass at one of its American resorts – sometimes less if you buy it far enough

mountain destinations attracting nearly three million visitors per year.

of the largest in the world, climbing one of the biggest verticals. It is

in advance (but you’re too late for winter 2016/17!).

Since 2005, the public transport system within the valley has been free of

now more than 30 years since the lift opened in 1985.

Pass holders can now use it at several big European ski regions including

charge, and the trains and buses now have a capacity to carry over three

A further €3.5 million (about £3.2 million) will be spent on creating

two days in each of these: Les 3 Vallées, Espace Killy (Tignes and Val d’Isère)

million passengers a year. The valley now has a dozen electric and hybrid

a new blue run back to the base of the resort – a project due for

and Paradiski (Les Arcs and La Plagne); up to five days in the Swiss Les 4

buses operating.

completion for the 2017/18 season.

Vallées dominated by Verbier; and three days in the Arlberg ski area of Lech

Chamonix is committed to increasing electric vehicle use, and since last year,

Of the rest of the money, €7.5 million (about £6.8 million) will be spent

and St Anton in Austria. The Italian Dolomiti Adamello Brenta region, which

users of electric vehicles have benefited from a 50% reduction on the cost of

on a replacement for the Enversin gondola, probably for the 2018/19

includes Madonna di Campiglio, is also included for three days.

indoor car parking. More recently, the municipality undertook the installation

season, and another €8 million (about £7.2 million) for 2019/20 on

“This partnership with Vail Resorts gives skiers and snowboarders access

of four free double charging stations for electric vehicles or hybrids.

upgrading the Clos Giraud chair to a detachable lift.

to some of the most iconic winter destinations the world has to offer,”

In addition, an 18km bike route is under construction between Chamonix

Vaujany reported business up 2% overall last winter. The resort

said Vincent Lalanne, General Manager of Association Les 3 Vallées. “We

and Les Houches, with the aim of making it easier and safer for locals and

receives income from power company EDF Energy, who operate a

couldn’t be more excited to provide this type of value to our dedicated

guests to cycle on the scenic route, which Chamonix says will be without

large hydroelectric dam, which it re-invests in its tourist infrastructure.

guests who want to experience the best skiing in Europe and the USA.”

interruption and include rest and parking areas along the way.

For stockists information call: 01572 770900

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

MEGEVE

Megève is a very different and very special ski destination. It is a smart French ski resort developed by the Rothschild family; its heart is a medieval village, criss-crossed by two mountain streams and centred on a picturesque pedestrian square overlooked by the church. By Kathryn Kinnear The centre still has the old ambience of a French mountain village, inhabited by some of the original families, but it is also a Parisian resort with smart shops and restaurants and is a base for the fourth largest ski area in the French Alps. The extensive skiing is full of interest and character and at just 75 minutes from Geneva, Megève is ideal for ski weekends as well as full-week holidays.

Best Runs:

very bling in decor but great service, friendly

Again, so many it’s difficult to choose, but the

staff and most importantly delicious food. We

8km blue run from the top of Christomet down

expect Michelin stars shortly!

to Les Giattaz past frozen waterfalls and icicles is always spectacular. In fresh snow, the black

Best Event:

slopes Bridans and Voltigeurs are never pisted

22nd BMW Polo Masters. Played in Megève on

and are deserted. They are so unknown that

snow. It’s a crazy spectacle, taken quite seriously

we have had returning saisonnaires discover

involving international players and not to be

them for the first time! The 7km run from the

missed. Plus it’s free! Starts 19 January

Grand Epaulet to Les Chatrix embodies the ski

this winter.

area. Starting on an exposed ridge with stunning

When To Visit:

views of Mont Blanc, it ends up winding down a

Best Après Ski:

Best time of day to be on the slopes: Any

pretty tree-lined piste to the remote village of St

After you’ve had your gourmet meal why not

time. Pistes are quiet outside of French

Nicholas.

dance the night away at the Club des Jazz des

school holidays (New Year and three weeks in

Cinq Rues? One of the oldest jazz clubs outside

February). In Megève if there are three people in

Best Regional Food:

of Paris, the Club de Jazz opened shortly after

front of you at a lift then that’s a queue!

If you haven’t had your fill of tartiflette and the

the end of World War Two in a tiny back street in

like on the mountain then head to the Vieux

Megève. It still hosts big-name stars and has a

Best Mountain Restaurant:

Megève Restaurant for the traditional cheese

cosy atmosphere and welcoming vibe. Or for a

There’s a huge choice so it’s a tough choice

fondue or Raclette. Delicious, but you won’t be

quick drink straight off the slopes, the St Paul Bar

but our favourite is Le Gouet near the Croix

able to move afterwards!

is where all the locals go. Situated behind the

du Christome:. a rustic restaurant with a

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

village square, just next to a picturesque stream,

log burning stove, lovely sunny terrace and

Best Restaurant:

friendly staff. It does a fantastic Croute de

Spoilt for choice again. Obviously the Flocons

Gouet – bread soaked in white wine, ham,

de Sel with its three Michelin stars is amazing

Ski weekends and short breaks as well as

smothered in cheese and baked in the oven,

but if you don’t want to make the short drive

week-long holidays are available with Megève

then topped with a fried egg. That should keep

there (and why would you, you don’t need a car

specialists stanfordskiing.co.uk in catered

you going!

otherwise in Megève), try the M de Megève. It’s

chalets, self-catered apartments and hotels.

it’s cheap and cheerful.

Don’t just dream of snow,

book today…

Call one of our ski experts on

023 8020 6971 or email sales@skiweekends.com

020 // NOV16

STANFORDSKIING.CO.UK

DANIEL DURAND

Be Ha Ski Moppy, re.

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full week to explore this fantastic ski area! Grandvalira is home to both European and World Cup ski events so is great for those of you Grandvalira the largest but skiable domain in the Pyrenees with 210km looking for ais challenge, if you’re a beginner don’t worry of slopes, and with the winner staying at Pierrefor & Vacances because Soldeu-El Tarter school is renowned awesome instructors Residence El Tarter having their lift pass included, you’ll have a many of whom areand from the UK, making it an excellent place to learn & Vacances Passki de laarea!

Casa include your car rental and full week to explore this fantastic Grandvalira is home to Princesa as well as having their also includes both European andprize World Cup ski events isaccommodation, great for itthose of you Not only does the include car rentalso and accommodation, it lift pass included, you’ll have a two full area lift passes as well as looking for a challenge, but if you’re a beginner don’t worry also includes two full area lifttopasses well as skis for &the boots full week explore thisas fantastic youryour skis & boots week, for because Soldeu-El Tarter school is renowned for awesome instructors, ski area! is home to so all need to do is getand the the week, so all you need toGrandvalira do is get yourself toyouBarcelona many of whom from the UK,care making it an excellent place both European and World yourself to Barcelona and theto learn Andorra Resortsare team will take of Cup the rest!

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Myokao reas: ski The five

pes ts, 16 slo ara: 5 lif e Suginoh p 11 slo s a: 6 lifts, opes Ikenotair lifts, 10 sl Kanko: 7 ra u opes k sl a k A 14 lifts, 17 Onsen: s e p Akakura o sl 00 ts, 4 and ¥4,5 sen: 2 lif n ¥3,500 e Seki On e tw e so b re rt. ss costs g on the A day pa dependin s, lt u d a 4) for (£26–£3 n Japan: cific/japa lights to s/asia-pa Finnair F stination e /d b /g m/fi finnair.co ail Pass: j0095g Japan R om/?ap= il-pass.c a -r n a p ja house: Red Ware ouse.com h red-ware events. urs: , cultural ntry tours Itadaki To u o c e d uiding, si Resort g urs.com to ik a itad raphy. rts: l, photog nowspo ski renta l, o o Myoko S h sc ski nguage English la rts.com o sp w o myokosn ri: UK. Ski Safa from the to Myoko ys o k Holida yo an/m .com/jap skisafari

022 // NOV16

geographical situation

Myoko – an active volcano.

Kanko boasts some of the best freeride terrain

bringing in heavy snowfalls

We were booked into the Red Warehouse

in Myoko. Akakura Onsen, with its more gentle

from the Sea of Japan.

guesthouse, where we were greeted by Nic

slopes, slopes isisregarded regardedas asaafamily-oriented family-orientedresort, resort,

The resort is situated in the

Klar and his family. Klar, originally from Australia, Australia

although the area features a terrain park and

Niigata prefecture, 270km

married Myoko-born-and-raised a Myoko-born-and-raised Mami, Mami, whom whom

more challenging slopes as well. The powder

northeast of Tokyo and 45km

he met on the local ski hill in the mid 90s. They

stashes in the area might not get skied out so

have been running the family-oriented Red

quickly either.

Warehouse for two years now.

“Myoko is good for the families and those who

Besides the guesthouse, Nic keeps himself

like off-piste and powder, but there are no

busy running the most popular English website

steeps, so Myoko is not for the people coming

covering the area, called Destination Myoko

for steep runs,” says Nic. Nic, “But if you´re looking for

Kogen. From this privileged position, Klar has

good stashes, good side and backcountry, then

seen the number of international tourists boom

this is a good place.” place”.

in number, especially from Australia, since the

Suginohara is the southern-most of the five ski

north of Nagano. Today you can travel to the resort from either city using the famous Shinkansen bullet train, which reached the area only last year.

We started our mid-February trip to Myoko by a

late 2000s.

Niseko on in the theisland islandofofHokkaido Hokkaidogained gained

A LAINE

S: JUH IVU | PIC JÄRVENS O K K A JA : S

WORD

we skied first. It´s also the highest with the top lift

to look for information on other ski

elevation of 1,800m and the ski area promotes its

areas in Japan, and because Klar´s

vertical of 1,124m as the second biggest in Japan.

website was one of the few providing

We met Shinya, one of the owners and guides

information in English, Myoko started

of Itadaki Tours on the sunny parking lot in

to attract foreign visitors.

Suginohara. Shinya grew up in Myoko and has

“When I was skiing 10 years ago

been riding these hills for more than 20 years.

and I saw a foreigner, I went over

When we get to the top we follow him as he branches that on a normal snow year would all

Today foreigners, especially Australians and

be covered by snow.

sleepless hotel night in the infamous Shinjuku

Scandinavians, are a clearly visible segment on

As we continue the run Shinya makes his way

district district,we weheaded headedfor forthe thebusy busyTokyo TokyoStation.

Station.

the streets of Myoko.

through the forest, finding small curves and mini

Pulling our ski bags while sleep-deprived through

Unlike Europe, where a single lift ticket might

half-pipes along the way. The run is not very steep

a constant stream of people, we tried to read the

connect ski resorts in several different valleys,

and there´s fresh snow up to the ski boots, so we

signs, which were written mostly in Japanese.

you have to buy a separate ticket for each area,

are descending pretty fast. The skiing is fun and

After a while we managed to find the right

with a joint ticket for two of the areas, Akakura

playful and it reminds me of the skiing I did with

desk and get our Japan rail passes stamped.

Kanko and Akakura Onsen, the only exception.

my friends in the forests of my home resort when

Relieved, we boarded the train and witnessed

Akakura Onsen is the oldest of the five areas,

I was younger. Later on, as we stop for a break on

the landscape changing from green pastures to

established as an international ski resort way

a sunny glade and Shinya offers me fresh coffee

mountainous snow country, and after only 100

back in the 1930´s.

1930s. In Inaatypical typicalsnow snowcountry country

from his thermos, it´s difficult not to smile.

minutes we reached the 1998 Winter Olympic

fashion, it had already been operating as an

After the ski day we enter a small and crowded

city of Nagano where we changed trains.

Onsen or hot spring resort since 1816. During the

restaurant called Asagao. One of Shinya´s local

From here we travelled on to Akakura Onsen,

post-war period when the first ski lifts were built

favourites, the restaurant specialises in Yakitori,

the oldest ski resort and the main village

here, the emerging ski tourism was seen as a

which according to Shinya is Japanese soul food.

centre in Myoko, arriving in the midst of a snow

lucrative investment. Rival ski stations were soon

We somehow manage to find empty stools at

blizzard. High snow banks lined the streets

built right next to each other. So where there is

the bar, which give us front front-row row seats to watch

and neon signs in Japanese advertised the

now is now Akakura Akakura Onsen, – Onsen, there there was was onceonce alsoalso Yodel,

the cooks in action preparing the dishes in a

local restaurants. This was classic Japanese ski

Kumado Yodel, Kumado and Ginrei and ski Ginrei resorts ski resorts – areas–now areas long

traditional way on the charcoal grill. While waiting

imagery portrayed in ski magazines around the

gone now long but still gone marked but stillonmarked the trailon map. the trail map.

for our dishes we order a glass of Umeshu, a

world. We had arrived!

Akakura Kanko, or Shinakakura – the new

Japanese plum wine with a subtle taste. I order

The Myoko ski resort is made up of five small,

Akakura followed in 1937 by building Japan´s first

fatty pork, liver and heart and really like all of

privately owned ski resorts, each located under

luxury mountain hotel – and the ski area around

them – a perfect barbecue dish to end a good

the towering peak of the 2,454m 2,454m-high high Mount

it. The hotel remains a landmark and Akakura

day of skiing in the Snow country.

Country.

Helsinki to Narita Airport in Tokyo. After a

fame during the past few years as a powder skiing hot spot, due to its favourable

smoothly navigates his way through bushes and

was an English teacher or an expat,” says Klar.

direct flight from

yoko or Myoko Kogen has gained international

pearls of the Myoko ski resorts and it was here

popularity first, but soon people started

and said hi. And probably the foreigner

M

areas in the roughly north-south running string of

MYOKOKOGEN.NET

SAMY CHARDON

CHAMBERY SAVOIE AIRPORT IMPROVED

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

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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.

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.

For more information and to book:

www.action-outdoors.co.uk

c

free shop has also been relocated and extended,

no major city to pass through when you leave

and there’s been a total renovation of toilets for

the airport. That's set to get even better this

improved passenger comfort.

winter, VINCI Airports promises, following a total

“We are proud to welcome Crystal Ski Holidays’

renovation. The terminal has been completely

tens of thousands of British skiers every year

renovated and redesigned to provide a better

and to offer them a better quality of service

experience and manage passenger flows for

and make their journey to the ski resorts more

this coming winter 2016/17. The investment is

comfortable,” said Nicolas Pelerin, Chambéry

reported to be €10 million over the coming years.

Savoie Airport Manager.

“The airport has focused on improving the quality of

It’s especially good news because there are four

service provided to passengers,” said a statement

new routes this winter from London Stansted,

on behalf of VINCI Airports.

Doncaster, Manchester and Norwich. All flights

Among the improvements for departing passengers

start from 16 December.

is that all check-in points are now equipped with

British Airways now has flights from London

hambéry Savoie Airport is located in the heart

belts, facilitating baggage management and

City and London Stansted (including a daily

of the French Alps, making it a great alternative

reducing passenger waiting times. The security

flight from London City from 16 December

to Geneva for reaching many of the country’s

and customs control area has been reorganised

2016 to 9 January 2017), and Flybe has flights

best-known ski areas. So it’s an airport that’s

to improve passenger flow, and the boarding area

from Birmingham, Cardiff, Doncaster, Exeter,

becoming increasingly popular with tour

has been expanded and refurbished. The duty-

Manchester, Norwich and Southampton.

operators and scheduled airlines. There are now direct ski-season scheduled flights there from nine UK airports and many more from tour operator charters.

Crystal Ski Holidays alone brings well over 30,000 British skiers via Chambéry Savoie Airport every year. Nearly half a million Crystal customers have used this route since 2004.

The airport is only an hour away from Les Arcs, Méribel and Megève, one hour and 15 minutes from La Plagne, Courchevel and Les Menuires,

SAMY CHARDON

ded All intchleu price: in

to the Rhône-Alpes motorway network, as there’s

and less than one hour and 30 minutes from Val d’Isère, Tignes, Val Thorens and many other ski resorts reached via quick and direct road access

THE UK PARTNE

R FOR

024 // NOV16

INNTRAVEL.CO.UK

VILLARS AND LES DIABLERETS NEW CONNECTION The two classic Swiss ski resorts of Les Diablerets and Villars in the canton of Vaud have been connected for decades but by lifts that were decades old – an elderly T-bar and a slow double chairlift. That’s all set to change this winter with fast chairlifts installed on both sides: a high-speed sixseat chair on the Diablerets side and a detachable quad on the Villars side, cutting connection times by more than a third to JUST 10 minutes.

CHRISTIAN KAPFINGER

SNOWWORLD COVERS ROOF IN SOLAR PANELS SnowWorld’s two indoor snow centres in the Netherlands are the latest snow domes to announce that they’ll be covering their vast roof spaces with solar panels: the 8,000 panels will be capable of generating around 2.1MWp

SPECIAL WEEKS IN THE SKIWELT

(megawatt-peak) – enough for the energy needs of approximately 600 households. This means that on sunny days, the slopes at SnowWorld will be self-sufficient in their energy needs.

NY STATE HELMET LAW CANCELLED A bill to make helmet-wearing compulsory for children aged under 14 skiing at one of New York State’s 50+ ski areas, which attract four million skier visits annually, has stalled in the second house of the state’s government. The bill, which is supported by the state’s ski area association, had been passed by the New York State senate but stalled in the Assembly.

NINTH NEW CHAIR IN 10 YEARS AT VAIL

T

UAE MAY BUILD A MOUNTAIN

two open weekends of December

it’s the same deal for women every

at the SkiWelt in the Austrian Tirol

Wednesday. Towards the end of the

– home to resorts like Ellmau, Söll,

season, SkiWelt Skihütten Gaudi

Hopfgarten and Westendorf.

Weeks running from 4–25 March

“Expect perfectly groomed

2017 will see the après-ski taken up

slopes, live music and incredibly

another level.

inexpensive offers and say WOW!” a

The region’s Family Ski Weeks from

resort spokesperson said.

8–22 December and 11th March to

There’ll be Special Days every week

the end of the season mean kids

in 2017. From 10 January, it’ll be

aged under 15 get a free lift pass

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to Ski

"Men's Day" every Tuesday, when all

if a parent purchases a ski pass

Dubai, is reported to be considering building

he 2016/17 season will launch with

men pay youth rates for day or part-

that is valid for at least three days.

a mountain in a bid to increase the chance

SkiWelt Party Weekends on the first

day ski passes. Then from 11 January,

skiwelt.at

of rainfall in the country, one of the driest on earth with temperatures reaching 47°C. An international study, costing over £250,000, has recommended the idea as a natural way

Vail has announced its latest high-speed chairlift will go into operation when the season begins

A SKI HOLIDAY WITH RUGBY LEGENDS

on 18 November. Chair 17, the Sun Up lift, will be upgraded from a three-person fixed-grip lift to

to potentially bring rainfall to the region.

The “man-made mountain” idea, which comes from the US-based National Center

a detachable quad and is the ninth new highskiers just over the border to enjoy

for Atmospheric Research, is said to be in the

back country heli-skiing in Italy.

“detailed modelling study” phase, and scientists

dozen leading operators of high-speed chairlifts,

The holiday, based in the ski-in/ski-

have admitted that even if viable it may be too

now operating 15 high-speed quads.

out Peak Chalet, will also include a

costly to build a mountain of suitable size (the

torchlight night ski and will take place

exact size has not yet been specified).

over four nights between 15 January

The UAE is reported to have spent more than a

and 5 February 2017.

third of a million pounds last year on “weather

Priced at £2,750pp (based on two

modification” initiatives, including cloud

people sharing a room), the holiday

seeding, to try to bring more rain to the region.

includes return flights from the UK to

The area has also been the proposed location

Geneva, private transfers, half-board

for many of the world’s most ambitious indoor

accommodation with a meal on the

snow slope plans, including one project

speed chairlift installed there in the past decade.

NEW SPA AND SPORTS CENTRE FOR MEGEVE The historic French ski resort of Megève is the latest to unveil a new state-of-the-art public spa

KONRAD BARTELSKI

The Colorado resort is one of the world’s half-

and sports centre complex. Le Palais boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool and also has a

Legend Holidays is offering the chance

Rugby stars Will Greenwood and

mountain one night, the helicopter

before the 2008 global economic crash that

large gym. The spa facilities include indoor and

to hang out on the slopes of St Foy in

Austin Healey and ski stars Konrad

off-piste pick-up, ski hire, ski pass, ski

envisaged a 2km-long year-round snow slope.

outdoor balneotherapy fitness pools, a "light

France, in the chalet, and even ride in

Bartelski and Bella Seel will be hosting

guiding, Legend ski jacket, torchlight

However, the man-made mountain and

therapy" room, indoor and outdoor saunas and

a helicopter with famous names from

the ski trip, which will also include a

night ski and one-on-one time with ski

indoor snow slope ideas have not yet been

a Turkish bath.

the world of British rugby and skiing.

helicopter pick-up from St Foy to take

legends. ourlegend.com

put together.

026 // NOV16 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

PEXELS.COM

PHIL GUEST

CHARITY SKI EVENT RAISES OVER £250,000

BOARDERS LOSE BATTLE AGAINST BAN

The Coeur Blanc Challenge, organised towards the end of last season in

A group of boarders who are battling to overturn a ban on snowboarding

the Méribel Valley and featuring Sir Steve Redgrave along with 124 other

at Alta ski resort in Utah have had their request to have their case heard

skiers and snowboarders, raised over £250,000.

again by a Court of Appeal rejected.

The challenge of the event is to try to ride all 52 lifts in the valley in one

Alta is one of only three known ski areas in the world, all of which are

day. Established in 2008 and supporting a range of charities, to date the

in the USA and two in Utah, to ban snowboarders. The group of four

event has raised £1.4 million.

snowboarders, known as Wasatch Equality, argue that the ban breaches

Snow-Camp, a snowsports charity supporting inner-city young people,

their constitutional rights and are particularly focusing on the fact that

came through a tough selection process to successfully become the charity

Alta operates on public National Forest land rather than private land,

partner for the 2016 event. In total, 23 teams attempted the Challenge,

arguing that this means they have the right to board there under the US

including two “Super Celeb” teams made up of Sir Steve Redgrave and

Constitution. Alta is the only one of around 120 US ski areas operating

Snow-Camp patrons Jenny Jones, Ed Leigh, Graham Bell and Warren

on public land to ban snowboarding.

Smith. At the awards ceremony in the evening, Co-founders of the event

Alta argues that as the operator on the land it has the right to decide

Rory Tapner and Pierre Taylor were greeted with huge applause as they

how people behave when they are there, and its view has been

announced that the fundraising total had passed a phenomenal £250,000!

supported by the US Forest Service, which controls the land and judges

“We are truly honoured to have been part of such a wonderful and

in initial court hearings. Wasatch Equality’s appeal to the 10th US Circuit

inspiring event,” said Dan Charlish, Founder and Director of Snow-Camp.

Court of Appeals was rejected by the court, and the group’s only

snow-camp.org.uk

remaining option is believed to be an appeal to the US Supreme Court.

10% OFF CHAMONIX LIFT PASSES FOR ONLINE ADVANCE PURCHASE and Planards area) brings the cost of a six-day adult ticket down from €252.50 (about £227.75) to €230 (about £207.50), and for children aged five to 15 and seniors aged 65 to 79 down from €214.60 (about £193.60) to €195.50 (about £176.30).

The discount is also available on the Mont Blanc Unlimited Pass, which covers in addition Aiguille du Midi, Les Houches area, Courmayeur in Italy, the Verbier 4 Vallées area in Switzerland and the Evasion Mont-Blanc – St Gervais or Megève area (terms and conditions apply).

A six-day adult lift pass is the most expensive in the Eurozone at €299 (about £269.50) but reduces to €275 (about £247.90) with advanced online purchase.

A six-day child ticket is believed to be the most Anyone needing a six-to-nine-day lift pass for the

one-day-free deal.

expensive in Europe. It costs €254.20 (about

Chamonix Valley can save around 10% by buying

The discount, valid for the Chamonix Le Pass ticket

£229.20) for children aged five to 15 and seniors

their pass at least three days in advance online this

(covering the Brévent-Flégère area, Grands Montets

aged 65 to 79, or €233.80 (about £201.70) with

winter. Lift company the Compagnie du Mont Blanc

area (summit not included), Balme Tour Vallorcine

the online advance purchase discount. Buy via

say this is the equivalent of a buy-five-days-get-

area, Vormaine area, Chosalets area, Savoy area

compagniedumontblanc.co.uk/

+33 (0)4 50 54 55 56 reservation@heliopic.com

heliopic-hotel-spa.com FB.COM/INTHESNOW

027 // NOV16

4-6

5

PRIVATE & SHARED TRANSFERS TO LES 3 VALLÉES

10 LEISA GIBSON

CHRISTOPH OBERSCHNEIDER

www.3vt.co.uk | +44 (0)1323 351964

WOW Glacier Love 2016

Opening Day Keystone

Opening Day Mammoth

KAPRUN, AUSTRIA

KEYSTONE, USA

MAMMOTH, CALIFORNIA, USA

Marketed as the largest winter opening party

Colorado has some of the world’s highest ski slopes

The Broadway Express at Main Lodge is the place

weekend in the Alps. The party starts at 8pm

and they’re also the earliest non-glacier areas to

to be at 8.30am as one of the longest ski seasons in

on Friday 4 November with international DJs

open. Exact opening depends on it being cold

the world gets underway with the traditional banner

performing on the WOW main stage.

enough, but Keystone is aiming for Bonfire night.

breakthrough and annual sundeck beer toast.

12-13

12-13

ADAM LOCKE

10

NICOLAS KOSICA - NKPHOTOGRAPHIES.COM

threevalleetransfers

Economy to Luxury | 2–6 bedroom | Self & fully Catered

www.chalets1066.com 020 7183 5082

Rock On Snowboard Tour Open Ski Tests

World Cup 2016 Tour

BANFF, CANADA

TIGNES, FRANCE

LEVI, FINLAND

Another ski area with a reputation for a long, snow- The biggest ski and snowboard brands set up

The World Cup 2016 tour gets underway on the

sure season is Sunshine ski area at Banff, which

camp at the foot of the Grande Motte glacier for

glacier in Solden, Austria in late October but

stays open through to late May 2017. It’s due to

the first big test of the season.

moves north for its next stage on the Levi Black

open the day after fellow Banff area Lake Louise.

tignes.net

slope at Lapland’s largest ski centre.

DIARY|NOVEMBER 2016

17

25-27

BRUNO HELBLING FOTOGRAFIE

CHOSE FROM 20 CHALETS & APARTMENTS...

THE WIDEST CHOICE OF ACCOMMODATION IN LES GETS | FRANCE

Opening Day Banff

26

Opening Day Obergurgl

Zermatt Ski Test

FIS World Cup Men’s Downhill

OBERGURGL, AUSTRIA

ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND

LAKE LOUISE, CANADA

Austria’s highest traditional village is usually

Zermatt, open for snow sports year round,

Only a fortnight after its planned opening date,

the first non-glacier resort in the Alps to open,

offers ski test packages on weekends through

it’s time for the first full World Cup downhill

although in recent years Kitzbuhel has managed

October and November, with the final chance to

race of the season, due to take place in the

to open first; Obergurgl often has top-to-bottom

test 2017 season equipment before everyone

Canadian Rockies.

snow cover for opening day though.

else this weekend.

028 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

ADAM CLARK

MICHA ANDREAS PHOTO : DAVID ANDRÉ

NEW CABLE CAR BREAKS TWO WORLD RECORDS

NEW SWISS CHAIRLIFT WILL LASER-SCAN SKIERS

NEW HOLIDAYS TO ROBERT REDFORD’S UTAH RESORT

Sadly, it does not climb to any ski slopes. In fact, it only climbs 88.5m in

A new six-seat chairlift will open this winter at Klosters in Switzerland.

The new direct flights from London Heathrow to Salt Lake City in Utah

its 2,165m length in a country where temperatures generally top 30°C,

The lift is part of a CHF25 million (approximately £20.6 million), five-year

make accessing a whole swathe of ski areas in Utah and further north

but nonetheless a new cable car built by the Doppelmayr/Garaventa

investment programme which will also see new mountain restaurants,

much easier for Brits.

Group across Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam has broken multiple

snowmaking and a stadium for ski racing fans at the famous resort.

Most operators using the service are focusing on Park City, the largest ski

world records, putting all previous ropeway dimensions in the shade,

The new “Schaffürggli” chairlift in the Madrisa ski area, which the

area in the USA and only 45 minutes’ drive from the airport.

the company says.

resort shares with neighbouring Davos, will include a feature unique in

However, travel company Scott Dunn will also be introducing Sundance

Each of the double-decker cabins provides space for 230 passengers

Switzerland – the seat height of the chair will be controlled depending

Mountain Resort, Hollywood star Robert Redford’s rustic-chic lodge in

(a world-record size), and the cable car also boasts the world’s tallest

on the size of the skier.

Utah, to its US ski portfolio this season.

cable car tower with a height of 188.88m (the height is also symbolic

A laser will scan passengers and determine whether they are adults or

Scott Dunn describes Sundance as: “An exclusive winter playground,

because eight is considered to be a lucky number in Vietnam).

children. A hydraulic control will adjust the seat height perfectly so that

sought after by jet set powder hounds and perched on the slopes of

“In fact, pretty much everything on this installation can be described

even the smallest passengers can safely get onto the chairlift.

Mount Timpanogos in Utah’s Wasatch Range. A beguiling mix of Mother

as XXL,” said a Doppelmayr spokesperson, who added that Vietnam’s

The new chairlift has a price tag of CHF11 million (approximately £9

Nature and glamour, the resort consists of a series of spacious lofts,

current climate of investment in tourism infrastructure can be compared

million) and will be 1,860m long, climb 510 vertical metres over a seven-

suites, studios and mountain homes, each individually styled using rough-

to the upbeat mood seen in the Alps in the mid-20th century.

minute journey time at a speed of 5m/s and will be able to transport up

hewn wood that integrates them atmospherically into the environment.”

Ha Long Bay, in the north of the country, also ranks as one of

to 2,600 people per hour.

The ski area is of modest proportions compared to giants like Park City

Vietnam’s most popular tourist attractions. With the opening of the

In addition, a rising safety bar will ensure that smaller children cannot

with about 180 hectares and 41 runs of sprawling powder bowls and tree-

new tramway, the seven million visitors who head for this area every

slide out, and finally a hood will lower automatically to protect skiers

lined trails, and plenty of backcountry terrain too.

year will now be able ride across the “bay of the descending dragon”

from the cold and bad weather.

Après-ski activities are a little different to your run-of-the mill ski resort

in comfort. Travelling at 10m/s (36 kph), the lift is also one of the

In addition, the Schaffürggli chairlift will have heated seats, and sit-skis

with creative classes in pottery, photography, painting and sculpting on

world’s fastest yet.

for wheelchair users can also be transported. madrisa.ch

offer. Prices from £2,125pp. scottdunn.com

CHRIS HENDRICKSON FAIRMONT HOTELS && RESORTS

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

030 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

Altogether the three areas offer 334 runs set across

and museums. The locals are warm, open and

highway. As you leave Calgary, a wide, flat plain

a combined skiable terrain of almost 8,000 acres.

genuinely connected to the inspiring environment

spreads out in front of you, and then the iconic

All three resorts share an amazing record for

in which they live. The town of Banff offers you

Canadian Rocky Mountains tower up high into the

reliable powder snow cover that allows them

endless options for rejuvenation and exploration

sky. It’s one of the most spectacular sights on earth.

to be among the first in the world to open each

every day.

season in early November (this season’s opening

Lake Louise Village, a 45-minute drive away from

day is 10 November and Lake Louise stages some

Banff but located five minutes from the lifts and

Free Access To Banff National Park in 2017

of the first World Cup races here by the end of

linked to them by a free bus shuttle service, is

November each season too), and then to stay

a more intimate base with a dozen or so hotels,

It’s difficult to keep improving on one of the best

open to mid-spring, with sunshine closing after

each with their own restaurants, bars and other

ski holiday destinations there is, but there are a

nearly seven months in late May.

facilities, largely open to the public.

few ways in which a visit this season will be even

Pre-purchase your Tri-Area lift ticket and enjoy the

Banff & Lake Louise has a reputation also

better than before.

free daily transportation to and from all three ski

for being extremely good value and having

Firstly, all National Parks in Canada will offer free

resorts. Modern shuttle buses will pick you up at your

genuinely friendly inhabitants, and for

admission to visitors throughout 2017 in celebration

hotel and take you right to the resorts. New for this

being about more than “just” skiing and

of Canada’s 150th birthday, so it’s a great time to

coming season, visitors will receive a complimentary

snowboarding. There are dozens of other

take advantage of added value for money.

pass to check out the historic Banff Hot Springs with

activities to try here if you fancy a change, or

anff & Lake Louise is one of the world’s great

the purchase of 3+ multi-day Tri-Area lift tickets.

just want to add a little more to Your ski day. All

holiday destinations. Spectacular scenery, three

In 1883, three railway workers discovered a natural

manner of outdoor winter activities are available

world-class ski resorts, light and fluffy snow, friendly

Where To Ski

hot spring that ultimately brought rise to the

from ice skating to dog sledding or just take

locals, lots to do off the slopes, excellent dining,

One of the great things about Banff & Lake Louise

founding of Banff National Park. In the early years,

a plunge in those hot springs. There’s also a

shopping and après-ski, and it’s even great value.

is that you have a choice of three ski resorts all on

travellers lured by the healing minerals of the hot

world-class and eclectic collection of shopping,

There are few, if any, other ski resorts in the world

one lift ticket, so you can choose each morning

springs journeyed to the area via the Canadian

dining and après-ski entertainment venues for

that manage to tick every box for a successful

which one to head to, or even ski two in the same

Pacific Railway. Nowadays visitors can soak up

all budgets and all tastes.

ski holiday, and even fewer where it’s almost

day if the mood takes you.

these benefits after a day on the slopes.

impossible to find anyone who has stayed there and

Home to unparalleled mountain scenery in the

doesn’t want to return the next opportunity they get.

heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies,

Genuine Ski Town

For the first time this winter, WestJet will operate

Well, it’s rare that I’m able to be quite so genuinely

with wide open slopes and world famous Rocky

There are few truly authentic ski towns around

a year-round direct flight from London Gatwick to

effusive about a ski destination, but thankfully, with

Mountain powder, there’s never been a better

the world, especially those with a choice of top

the gateway of the Rockies, Calgary, three times

Banff & Lake Louise I can be.

time to visit.

ski resorts on their doorstep. The town of Banff is

a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) offering

But while it’s all good, different people like

These aren’t any old ski areas either, but three

a spirited place, alive with adventure and wonder.

greater accessibility for UK travellers planning a ski

different things about the region to a greater or

of the world’s best, including Sunshine Village

In all directions you’re surrounded by strikingly

holiday in Alberta. This new route is in addition to

lesser extent depending on their personal taste.

and Lake Louise – two of the biggest and best

beautiful and rugged mountains that seem to burst

existing direct services offered by Air Canada, Air

For me, having visited hundreds of ski areas

ski areas in Canada and indeed the whole world,

straight out of the ground. You might see a herd of

Transat and British Airways throughout the winter

around the world, it’s the scenery that gets me first.

as well as Banff’s locals’ ski hill, Mt Norquay,

deer wandering down the main street during your

as well as non-direct flights with Icelandair and

Simply stunning.

which has decades of history and a fan list that

early morning jog. The lively streets of downtown

KLM, which offer regional departures via Reykjavik

After landing in Calgary on the direct BA flight from

has included many famous names, even Marilyn

are lined with top-class restaurants, bars and

and Amsterdam. Travel time to Banff from Calgary

Heathrow or the WestJet service from Gatwick, it’s

Monroe, over the years.

shops, as well as a vibrant range of art galleries

is just an hour and a half (90 miles).

 PROMOTION

a 90-minute drive almost due west on a wide, easy

DARRENROBERTS.CA

More Ways to Get There

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BANFFLAKELOUISE.COM | SKIBIG3.COM

WORDS: LUKE REES

D

loading, cracks and avalanches. Understand

indicator for steeper slopes. If snow collapses

the local snowpack by digging a snow pit to

– whumphs – beneath you, it means there

identify weak layers. Heed nature’s warnings

are weak layers in the snowpack, and cracks

and don’t be afraid to say no.

appearing around your board/skis indicates a cohesive slab that could slide.

Obey signs Don’t ignore closed signs. It may look safe

Where to stop

(and inviting), but ski patrol only close parts of

Don’t stop at the base of a slope. Move to

the mountain that are dangerous.

the side, preferably on a slightly raised area in case anyone above triggers a slide. Unless unavoidable, do not go out of hearing range

Steepness safe when heading off-piste, but the risk can be minimised by following these tips:

Gear

Most avalanches happen on slopes between

When heading into the backcountry, everyone

avalanche safe. So if the risk is high, stay

in your group should have an avalanche

away from the steep stuff.

Research

transceiver, shovel and probe. You also need

Before you even contemplate what off-

an avalanche course and regularly practise

piste routes you’d like to tackle, read, and

rescues. The Mint Snowboarding Backcountry

understand, the avalanche bulletin – there’s

35° and 45°; slopes under 30° are considered

or line of sight from your group.

Guide The Mint Snowboarding Backcountry Camp convinced me that a local guide is

to know how to use them, so get yourself on

invaluable for finding fresh snow and safe

Single file

lines. Avalanche safety is highly complex, so

Camp was excellent. Not only did we learn

When on a risky slope go one at a time.

I’ll still be hiring a guide for my backcountry

far more to it than an avalanche risk number. It

a huge amount, but we also spent five days

This reduces the load on the snowpack,

adventures.

informs you about the weather, snowpack and

freeriding fresh lines in the seriously underrated

decreasing the chances of a slide, plus you

how risk varies by altitude, aspect and time.

Portes du Soleil. There are avalanche courses in

won’t all get caught in an avalanche so can

Mint Snowboarding offer a range of off-

You can identify where wind loading could be

most resorts – some are even free.

perform a rescue if the worst happens.

piste courses. Backcountry Camp: €635.

a problem, what kind of slabs are forming and

uring 10 brilliant days in Morzine, I joined the

how recent and future weather could affect

Mint Snowboarding Backcountry Camp in

the snowpack. From this you can determine

exploring the excellent Portes du Soleil, while

combinations of steepness, altitude and

learning about avalanche and off-piste safety.

I learned that ultimately you’re never 100%

032 // NOV16

LUKE REES

OFFPISTE SAFETY

despite now being armed with knowledge,

mintsnowboarding.com

Know when to say no

Stay vigilant

Morzine: morzine-avoriaz.com/

aspects to avoid, and decide which slopes will

Before tackling your intended route, look

On shallower terrain remain aware of the

Swiss Air: swiss.com

be safest at different times of the day.

out for danger signs such as cornices, wind

snow quality, as it’s a great avalanche

Rude Chalets: rudechalets.com

@INTHESNOWMAG

NEW INDOOR SNOW CENTRE IS SCI-FI THEMED

FREERIDE WORLD TOUR SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

NEXT-GENERATION CHAIRLIFT FOR LA PLAGNE

First there was Ski Dubai, next year there’ll be Ski Egypt and right now

The famous Freeride World Tour is a decade old in 2017 and reloads

La Plagne is set to unveil a next-generation chairlift this winter, thanks to a

there’s the all-new Ski India.

with a five-stop journey, once again featuring the world’s top riders

partnership with The MND Group, a division of LST, which describes itself as

It’s not India’s first indoor snow centre – around half a dozen snow

competing on legendary competition faces from the Alps to Alaska.

“a leader in innovative solutions for mobility development in the mountains.”

experience facilities have opened there in leading cities over the past

The contest kicks off on 27 January 2017 at Chamonix with the

The company’s new detachable six-seater chairlift design is the result of

five years – but it’s the biggest indoor snow park so far with a reported

competitors facing off with a clean slate among the razor-sharp

several million euros spent on the design of a new range of devices which

9,300m2 of indoor snow space placing it in 20th place for size of the

Alpine needles of Mont Blanc Massif in the home of all that is extreme

were tested earlier this year and are now protected by new patents, MND

world’s 68 currently operational indoor snow centres.

in the ski and snowboard world.

report. How much of the new technology which MND has patented will be

In what’s believed to be a first for indoor snow centres, the facility has a

A fortnight later on 10 February, it’s down to the Pyrenees and Vallnord-

visible to skiers and boarders using the new lift is not yet clear.

“sci-fi” theme with entry via an illuminating “wormhole portal” intending to

Arcalís in Andorra, where creativity and technical innovation will be the

The company say they have “significantly improved” the detachable grip

give the impression of entering a different planet. Compared to Delhi’s heat,

name of the game as riders attempt to solidify their strategies at the centre

process that connects the seat (or with gondolas the cabin) to the cable,

there’s certain to be some other-worldliness, and the complex includes a ski

of the Pyrenean freeride capital straddling the frontier of Spain and France.

improving performance and making it easier to maintain.

run, tubing slide, sledging and tobogganing, ice-skating rink and a children’s

Three weeks further on, its back to the Alps but further east at

Perhaps more visibly, the departure and arrival stations and vehicle

play area “cave”, where it doesn’t stop snowing. Visits are limited to one hour

Fieberbrunn in the Austrian Tirol on 4 March, where pressure will

ergonomics have also been redesigned in consultation with operators of

45 minutes at a cost of INR1,200pp (approximately £14.60pp) which includes

be beginning to mount on competitors as the first cut is made with

many stations to meet their requests for change for a reduced impact on the

rental of a pair of gloves, shoes, jackets and skates as well as the chance to

only the very finest riders of the first three stops qualifying for the

environment, improving safety and passenger comfort.

try all or any of the attractions.

penultimate contest of the 2017 tour at Haines, Alaska, on 17 March.

“We were attracted by the innovative technologies offered by LST,” says

With another developer recently reporting plans to build five new indoor

1 April sees the grand final back in the Alps on the infamous,

Jean-Yves Salle, Director General of SAP, La Plagne’s lift company. “With

snow centres in India in the next few years, it looks like the world’s two

intimidating and mighty Bec des Rosses face above Verbier in

nearly 400km of slopes, the technical challenge is to enable many La

most populated nations are going head to head in indoor snow centre

Switzerland, which riders must ride and tame if they wish to be

Plagne skiers to evolve in the best conditions. The new chairlift will enable

construction; China already has nine facilities operating and at least five

crowned world champion of the 2017 Swatch Freeride World Tour.

better management streams of skiers, and more widely meet all our security

more under construction.

freerideworldtour.com

requirements, comfort and design.”

SKI-ALL-IN DEALS

La Plagne from £769pp!

Price Includes: Flights | Transfers | 7 Nights Catered Chalet | Lift Pass | Ski & Boot Hire O ff e r s s u b j e c t t o a v a i l a b i l i t y. Te r m s a n d c o n d i t i o n s a p p l y.

0330 102 8004

skiworld.co.uk

JENNY JONES TO LEAD POWDER HOLIDAY IN JAPAN

HELMET COLLECTION

to snowboarding in Japan. Having

out some neighbouring resorts such

a powder tour of Japan’s northern

competed there years ago, I never

as Rusutsu, Kiroro and Moiwa.

island of Hokkaido in January.

really had the chance to explore

The Hokkaido Powder Week with

Based in Japan’s most famous

it until recent years. It really was

Jenny Jones will run from 15–23

resort, Niseko, home to some

worth the wait. Unbelievable terrain

January 2017 with space for a

of the highest snowfall records

and snow, mixed with an incredibly

maximum of 12 good- to expert-

and best tree skiing in the world,

unique and beautiful culture. From

ability snowboarders paying

Jenny will explore the mountain

fluffy knee-deep powder, the

£3,499pp. The price includes

with participants on the holiday

night riding, to trying amazing and

return flights to Hokkaido, twin or

being organised by Ski Safari.

healthy food served by the nicest

double-share B&B accommodation

Based in luxurious slopeside

of people, Japan is a truly unique

in the 4★+ Ki Niseko, 6-day lift

accommodation, the time off the

experience,” said Jenny.

pass, 5 hosted/guided days, 2

slopes will pack in as much as the

Participants will have a total of six

yoga classes and a cooking class

enny Jones, the only UK snowsports

time on, with activities throughout

days on the mountain, five of which

with dinner. A Tokyo stopover can

athlete to win and hold on to an

the week including après, yoga

will be spent with Jenny and local

be included at additional cost. For

Olympic medal, winning bronze

and a Japanese cooking class.

guides discovering Niseko’s on- and

more details, email:

in Sochi, and the holder of three

“I’ve always felt incredibly drawn

off-piste terrain, as well as checking

andrea@skisafari.com.

ARABBA GETS A NEW GONDOLA ALTO ADIGE MARKETING/ALESSANDRO TROVATI

DARE TO BEAT

J

X-Games gold medals, is to lead

off-piste terrain than most areas in

slope Alpenrose, doubling in width

the region.

from 35 to 70m.

The resort is located on the famed

Piste 13 (linking Ornella and

Sella Ronda circuit next to Alta

Seurasas) has also been widened

Badia and is part of the Dolomiti

and gets a new snowmaking

Superski pass, but its remote

system. A third run, Savinè (from

location led to it being all but cut

Bec de Roces to Plan Boè) has

off by the last severe snow storm in

been widened on its steepest

The cult Italian destination of

long, climbs 492m and can carry

the region a few seasons ago.

section and also gets a new

Arabba in the Dolomites will

2,400 people/hour.

In addition to the new gondola,

snowmaking system.

unveil a new eight-seats-per-cabin

Arabba, located next to the

the main slope N°1 Salère has

Finally, the resort’s Lezuo Chairlift

gondola lift this winter. The Leitner-

Marmolada Glacier, is known for

been widened from the top station

will be more comfortable to rise as

built Portados Gondola is 1.438km

having more-extensive steep and

Carpazza to the beginning of the

it gets new seats.

034 // NOV16

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WORDS: ANDY BLEAKLEY | IMAGE: TRISTAN SHU

036 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

What is telemark skiing?

Jaz Taylor

Telemark skiing is a skiing technique that

The only female member of the British team is

combines the elements of alpine and nordic (or

British number one and currently ranked eighth

cross-country skiing). These days alpine skis are

in the world rankings. She is also the first Briton

used but with nordic style “free heel” bindings –

to have won a World Championship medal in

so your toes are connected to the skis, but your

telemark skiing.

heels can lift off them. It’s easy to spot a telemark

Jaz has been telemark skiing since 2009,

skier on the slopes as they will be lunging into

beginning as a talented junior athlete. She

turns and bending their legs at the knee.

joined the British Ski Academy aged 12,

In the days before ski lifts and before ski touring

competing as an alpine skier back then, and

equipment the telemark was also popular

became the youngest British ski cross champion

because it was easier to climb the mountain

ever, aged just 15.

with a free heel binding, the natural option to

In 2009 she joined the England freestyle ski

best allow walking on skis.

team and during this time was first introduced to telemark skiing. Jaz is based in Chamonix

The Telemark World Cup

and is currently training for the 2017 World Championships with the ambition of becoming world champion.

Telemark ski racing is the oldest, hardest and most exciting form of ski racing! It is the only World Cup discipline that tests all forms of competitive

I Try Telemark!

skiing in one top-to-bottom event. Each discipline

H

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includes alpine, jumping and nordic skiing

In recent years telemark skiing has seen a

components. La Plagne has twice been the venue

resurgence among resorts, and many ski

for the Telemark World Cup, which has grown

schools and hire shops are jumping in on the

increasingly important over the past decade or so.

action, offering private and group lessons and

The World Cup race circuit starts in November in

equipment rentals. I was lucky enough to enjoy

Hintertux and ends with the final race usually in

a couple of hours with ski instructor Nicolas at

March, with each round in between hosted by a

the Oxygène Ski School in La Plagne.

different country.

I’m a confident downhill skier (at least I like to think

Each chooses which telemark races they want to

I am!) and I am quite happy tackling black runs and

host, from three possibilities: for La Plagne, it was

enjoy venturing off-piste (with a mountain guide),

Dual Sprint and the Sprint, but they could have

but trying telemark skiing brought my confidence

was developed in Scandinavia 150 years ago

done a Classic race too if they had wanted – not

and technique back to basics.

as a way of skiing down hills more effectively,

every round has to include all three disciplines.

Getting accustomed to the free heel and lunging

after thousands of years of cross-country skiing. It was first conceived in the Telemark region of Norway, hence the name. The

into turns was both challenging and rewarding.

The British Team

idea caught on and spread across to the

One big factor to get used to was having the outside ski in the front on turns, which can take some getting used to as that’s the opposite to

Alps in the late 18th century. Here, pioneers

There are 10 members of the GB World Cup

alpine technique. On the plus side I found it was

reinvented the technique to create the

team, Jaz Taylor being the only female on the

a great workout, the most lunges I’ve ever done

forerunner of the alpine technique we use

team; they are coached by Sébastien Mansart

in a window of two hours!

today. But telemark has kept going as a style

and based in Tignes for the pre-season and Les

The verdict? I’d highly recommend giving

all these years and in the past decade has

Houches for the main bulk of the winter.

telemark skiing a go. For first timers I’d definitely

seen a resurgence in popularity.

When I met them I found they were a young,

recommend investing in a lesson, as there

Anyone can try telemark just like any other

friendly, talented team of athletes who are

is a lot to the telemark technique that’s very

winter sport, and recently I was invited to the big

clearly passionate about their sport and striving

different to regular downhill skiing, and a lesson

French ski resort of La Plagne for a “Telemark

to push to the next level. I was impressed

will help get you started.

Experience”.

by their camaraderie and also by the mutual

The itinerary included watching the action in a

support between competitors from competing

stage of the Telemark World Cup, meeting the

nations. They showed a real respect for the

GB telemark team – who have scored some big

sport, with athletes of all different nations

ave you ever tried telemark skiing? Perhaps

successes in recent years – and trying telemark

encouraging and supporting each other during

Telemark World Cup: telemarkworldcup.com

you’ve never even heard of telemark skiing?!

skiing for myself! Needless to say, I was a little

the competition. It felt a real honour to have met

GB Telemark Team: gbtelemark.co.uk

Well, it’s the original way of skiing downhill. It

excited …

the team and to be part of the event.

Jaz Taylor: jaztelemark.com

More Info

GBTELEMARK.CO.UK

T H E A D VA N T E D G E 1 2 5 , W I T H E A S Y E N T R Y D E S I G N A N D P E R F E C T F I T C U S T O M I S AT I O N – I N N O VAT I O N YOU’LL FEEL. ONE OF FOUR FLEX OPTIONS IN OUR REVOLUTIONARY NEW RANGE.

EUROSTAR TO RUN EXTRA TRAINS IN HALF-TERM

LIFT TOWER TO CARRY MOST SKIERS IN WORLD

Eurostar has announced additional trains will be running direct to the French

Ischgl ski area in the Austrian Tirol is replacing an old quad chairlift

Alps from St Pancras on key February half-term dates in 2017. Tickets for the

ahead of the coming ski season and spending more than £10 million

additional services are already on sale with return fares from £309.

on its replacement – a swish new eight-seater.

The extra ski trains come in response to popular demand with the

But for lovers of ski statistics (and who isn’t?), one of the most

original half-term services. The four extra services will follow the usual

remarkable aspects of the new Flimjoch lift is not its snug heated

timetable – with two outbound trains departing from London on a

seats and weather-protection bubble but the fact that it will share

Saturday night, whisking travellers up to the mountains in time for a

one of its 16 towers with the another eight-seater chairlift, the

Sunday morning on the slopes. The journey home will depart on Sunday

Hollboden, as the two routes cross above one another.

mornings, arriving in London that afternoon.

With both lifts able to quickly carry more than 3,000 skiers every

“The services to the French Alps offer a hassle-free journey, taking

hour (that’s very high capacity) up the mountain, this means that

winter-sports fans direct from platform to piste and offering a generous

this one tower will support 6,900 skiers and boarders per hour –

baggage allowance including two suitcases plus hand luggage and skis

believed to be a world record.

or snowboards at no extra cost,” a Eurostar statement reads.

The new Flimjoch chair, which has a €14 million (approximately

The extra trains are on 11 and 18 February 2017 from London to the

£12.6 million) price tag, will have a new mountain station with an

French Alps, returning from France on 12 and 19 February 2017.

enclosed exit area. The lift it replaces had gone into operation

They depart from London St Pancras at 19:42 and Ashford at 20:28,

back in 1993.

arriving in Moûtiers for Les 3 Valleés and other resorts at 05:34, Aime

Other ski area improvements at Ischgl include new ski-run signage

La Plagne at 05:58 and Bourg St Maurice for Les Arcs, La Rosière and (a

and 40 more of the latest propeller snowmaking machines to help

bus transfer away) the Espace Killy at 06:17.

the area maintain its reputation for a famously long ski season from

Return trains depart from Bourg St Maurice 09:34 and Moûtiers 10:14 and

late November to early May. As reported last month, Ischgl has also

arrive in Ashford 15:37 and St Pancras 16:13.

unveiled a new 2km zip wire this season.

eurostar.com

HI TOP TECH Wra ps yo u r sh in for immedia te b o d y- to - ski en ergy tra n sfer.

NEW HOTEL TO OFFER HEALTH PLAN ALL THE WAY HOME The personal fitness plan looks at activity and recovery, performance and health, and nature and technology and is described as “an ideal starting point for a sustainable active lifestyle or to increase current sporting performance.”

The service is accessible to all ages and fitness

DUOFLEX

levels and encourages guests to get active and

A l l ows m o re dow nwa rd flex from a n i n st i n c t ive, u pr igh t sta n ce.

immerse themselves in the outdoor lifestyle in one of the sunniest towns in the Kitzbühel Alps.

The Sportresort Hohe Salve is in easy reach of the traditional market town Hopfgarten, where a cable car takes skiers directly to the top of the

CONTROL FRAME Bl e n d s two pla stics for better fit cu sto m i sa t i o n a n d rea r wa rd su ppor t.

Experts at a new ski hotel opening this

in the large SkiWelt region, introduces a healthier

Hohe Salve at the heart of the SkiWelt Wilder

December in the Austrian Tirol will work with

way to enjoy your ski holiday.

Kaiser-Brixental ski area.

hotel guests to put together an exercise plan

Working in co-operation with the Institute for

There are 104 rooms and eight suites with access

that can not only be rolled out on their trip but

Sports Science at the University of Innsbruck

to a large indoor “movement” area with private

even continue beyond the holiday once they’re

and experts from the sports programme, the new

yoga room, gym and outdoor training area, spa

back home. Opening in December 2016, the

accommodation offers a personalised service to

and regeneration zone and pool.

Sportresort Hohe Salve in Hopfgarten, a village

guests to enhance the healthy nature of their stay.

hohesalve.at

038 // NOV16

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GET MORE ALTITUDE IN ALBERTA

Escape to the Rockies for huge ski areas, staggering scenery and phenomenal snow records.

Banff | Lake Louise | Jasper Find your perfect ski holiday at crystalski.co.uk ATOL protected. For more information please see our booking conditions.

CRYSTAL MAKE ALL SWISS RESORT TRANSFERS BY TRAIN Crystal Ski, the UK’s largest ski tour operator, has announced that from the coming ski season transfers to all of its Swiss ski resorts will be by train instead of coach.

“This change is due to the excellent existing Swiss transport system and encouragement from smart customers who were concerned about the carbon footprint. The positive side effect is that transfer times will also be shorter by train,” said a company spokesperson. As an additional incentive, all customers who book ANDREA BADRUTT

before 15 December 2016 will receive a first-class upgrade.

“The Swiss train transfer is the ideal solution for skiing holidays as the

TIGNES LE LAC

integrated timetables between and Zermatt. All have stations in

when they arrive at the airport and

and Communications.

resort except Saas-Fee, which has

assist them on their train transfer, if

meet in the hub of the station, mostly

Crystal offer holidays to five of

a short inclusive coach transfer

needed. Ski holiday prices will remain

sharing the same platform, to minimise

the top Swiss resorts: Engelberg,

from the nearest station. Crystal

the same as before.

further transfer times,” said Sara Roloff,

Grindelwald, Saas-Fee, Wengen

representatives will meet customers

crystalski.co.uk

ROGER GRUETTER

Switzerland Tourism Manager, Media

the Swiss network are programmed to

CRYSTAL SKI

www.hotel-le-taos.com

interregional and regional services on

VAL THORENS LES MENUIRES

•

•

COURCHEVEL

LA PLAGNE

•

TIGNES LE LAC

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

ANOTHER NEW SKI RUN AT KRONPLATZ

ENGELBERG’S SNOW AND SAFETY DAYS

Kronplatz in Italy’s Dolomiti Superski area has been one of Europe’s

Engelberg has announced it will be staging a number of Snow and

most rapidly evolving ski areas since the turn of the century.

Safety Days, each lasting three days, during the coming season.

The resort now operates more gondola lifts than almost any other ski

The Swiss resort, which has a reputation as a freeride and ski

area on the planet, has been building long new ski runs when most

touring destination, will have mountain guides introduce freeriders

resorts just stick with what they have these days, and a few years ago

to the secrets of skiing off-piste and use various methods to

they even built a new railway station next to a gondola base station

demonstrate the most important safety rules on the days.

making it easier to arrive by rail.

Highlights of the three-day programme, which is free of charge

No new gondolas this year but there is another major new run. The new

to guests staying overnight in Engelberg and therefore holding

Hinterberg piste that runs down from the top of Kronplatz on the right

a guest card, include avalanche transceiver training with

side of the Belvedere gondola to the bottom station of the Marchner

shovels and probes, powder riding and ski tours accompanied

gondola drops a huge 700 vertical metres over its nearly two mile (2.9

by mountain guides, as well as a checkpoint expedition

km) length. Other improvements include widening of the Furcia 9, 12, Piz

around the ski area.

de Plaies and Pedagà runs above San Vigilio di Marebbe, widening of

The course runs from Monday to Wednesday on four separate

the slopes, a new carpet lift with automatic body height recognition for

weeks in 2017: 23 to 25 January 2017; 30 January to 1 February

the safer boarding of children in Valdaora, and there are snowmaking

2017; 20 to 22 February 2017 and 27 February to 1 March 2017.

upgrades and improvements across the region.

engelberg.ch/safety

040 // NOV16

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RIDES FREE CARBON CORE TECHNOLOGY. LIGHTNESS AND SENSITIVITY, FOR PERFORMANCE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. Freedom RS combines maximum performance downhill along with a smooth and natural walking phase, thanks to the 25° range of motion.

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ENGADIN ST. MORITZ

Bucket lists are for ticking

CRESTA RUN CELEBRATED IN NEW LONDON BAR

s

home of the famously hazardous

their descent of the infamous

recently James Cracknell.

Cresta Run.

“men only” toboggan run.

The Cresta Bar at The Goring will

Two early adventurers were Otto

The Cresta Run was first created

feature everything from archive

Goring and his son (also Otto),

back in 1885 when five guests

photos to paraphernalia used to

founders of the hotel with the

(four British; one Australian)

survive the Run, including metal

family name in London’s Belgravia,

formed the Kulm’s “Outdoor

and leather hand and elbow

who made it their winter escape in

Amusements Committee” and built

guards, steel boot rakes and

the 1920s and 1930s.

the splendidly dangerous three-

helmets, as well as the famous

All of this has inspired the

quarter-mile course down to the

Shuttlecock Club tie automatically

imminent creation of The

ancient village of Cresta, on which

awarded to those who leave the

Cresta Bar at The Goring this

the small metal sledges can hit

track at Shuttlecock bend.

December, in collaboration with

nearly 133kph.

As Jeremy Goring says, “If you

the Kulm Hotel St Moritz, home

The membership list of the

want to do the Cresta Run this

t Moritz has a history very much

to the Sunny Bar, the infamous

subsequent St Moritz Toboggan

winter, but do not have time or a

shaped by the British and their

toboggan run’s unofficial

Club has contained many famous

death wish, The Cresta Bar at The

spirit of adventure, and for more

clubroom where riders come for a

names through the years including

Goring is where you need to be.”

than 130 years it has been the

fortifying snifter before and after

Errol Flynn, Lord Lucan and more

thegoring.com kulm.com

CORTINA’S NEW STARLIGHT ROOM

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The Starlight Room is located

appear so close you can almost reach

2,055m up in Col Gallina, a few

out and touch them … and finally,

kilometres from the centre of

at dawn, you’ll see the Dolomites

Cortina, but far away from any

blushing pink as they are kissed by

source of light pollution. The room

the first rays of the rising sun.

comes equipped with adjustable

The Starlight Room Dolomites

seats to help find the perfect

is accessible by snowmobile

stargazing position.

from Rifugio Col Gallina (or by

On clear nights the famous

snowshoeing or on a fat bike) and

A new portable warm bedroom

has been created by Raniero

“enrosadira” sets the Dolomites

can be booked for one or two

with glass walls designed for

Campigotto, manager of the

ablaze at sunset with fiery shades

persons at the cost of €300 (£270)

stargazers to enjoy an amazing

Rifugio Col Gallina above Cortina

of red; then, during night time, the

pn (dinner and breakfast included).

night high in the Dolomites

d’Ampezzo.

multitude of stars across the sky

cortinadolomiti.eu

042 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

 PROMOTION WORDS: PATRICK THORNE | PHOTOS: BLAKE JORGENSON & MARK GRIBBON

Whistler Blackcomb has just wound up the celebrations of its 50th anniversary season. It has been quite a year, to conclude five decades in which the once unknown ski hill grew to become the largest ski area in North America. Its way of operating is so successful that it has been copied worldwide, an achievement crowned a few years ago by hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics.

But after the year of celebration and with their 51st season just around the corner, Whistler Blackcomb has decided it’s time to start looking forward and consider what the next 50 years may hold.

The Canadian ski area has long been a world leader in some of the big issues that face the winter sports travel industry, becoming green energy self-sufficient with their Fitzsimmons Creek hydro power plant, for example, as part of a longBLAKE JORGENSON

standing resort-wide campaign to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

So, in the hopes of creating a conversation among peers, Whistler Blackcomb has created The Big Picture Documentary Series, a four-part documentary broaching some of the bigger issues that the ski industry will face in the next 50 years. 

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043 // NOV16

 PROMOTION 044 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

 “Several questions were posed with few answers provided,

Part 1:

The point is also made that whilst ski areas themselves have

so we dug a little deeper into some of the issues facing our

Is Our Thirst For Adventure Threatening Our Environment?

made achievements in this area and are trying to do more,

industry”, said Whistler Blackcomb’s Emily Wright.

The first video tackles climate change, which as mentioned is

each one of us can look at what we do in our day-to-day lives

Each video in The Big Picture Documentary Series is around

a subject very near to Whistler Blackcomb’s heart. The resort

year round in our transportation, home energy and food-miles

six to eight minutes long and each is very thought provoking

has had longstanding ambitions to operate in a CO2-neutral

choices and even who we vote for.

whilst also, happily, a joy to watch. This is thanks in good part to

way as far as possible and even to be a net exporter of green

the efforts of Switchback Entertainment and Origin Design and

energy. To that end it has employed a team of staff whose remit

Communications who put it all together with additional support

is entirely focussed on making Whistler Blackcomb ever more

Part 2:

from Canadian Telecomms company TELUS.

environmentally friendly.

What if Kids Stopped Playing Outside?

The first film in the series looks at the state of the battle against

As with all four of the Big Picture videos, the film begins by

The UK gets a mention in the second documentary, which looks

climate change; the second asks, "What if kids stopped playing

pointing out the key facts, namely that according to the UN

at the issue of changing habits for children. The Big Picture

outside?" (Because sometimes it feels as if we’re going that

World Meteorological Organisation figures, 14 of the 15 hottest

stat comes from the UK where, according to The Guardian,

way). The third asks “Is the pull of the backcountry pushing our

years on record have occurred since the year 2000, and

75% of children now spend less time exercising outdoors than

limits?” … and the final instalment is “Survive or thrive. What’s

Whistler Blackcomb’s main 50th anniversary year – 2016 – this

prison inmates do! It’s very different to the era before modern

the future of ski resorts?”

year will be the hottest yet, according to NASA.

technology when children were bored inside and wanted to get

If this all sounds heavy going, fear not; there’s no lecturing,

The documentary then opens by interviewing pro-snowboarder

out; now the reverse is increasingly the norm.

only considered discussion; no demanding perfection, only

Marie France-Roy who points out that whilst losing the chance

The argument here is that out on the mountain, unlike in video

encouragement to keep trying, and fortunately it’s all presented

to enjoy snowsports is a big deal, it’s nothing compared to the

games, actions have real consequences, so you can learn,

consequences of the bigger picture for the planet.

and outdoor activities have a deeper satisfaction than winning

Whistler Blackcomb’s Planning and Environmental Resource

in video games. The conclusion: seek a tech/outdoor activity

Manager, Arthur De Jong, then voices the concerns many of

balance, and the good news, in North America at least, is

us have about the question of how we continue to enjoy the

that last year families with children were the biggest growth

snowsports we love, but have a lesser impact on the environment

segment in the ski market.

with a nice laid-back soundtrack playing and some gorgeous film of skiers and boarders playing in the snow and of resort operations. It’s a bit too easy to drift off to the music and video, in fact, but hopefully the words filter into our brains too.

and avoid contributing to the climate damage which is slowly killing off snowsports. He points out that it’s an issue to be dealt with by our generation, not passed on to the next.

Part 3:

The documentary then sums up the big picture – all the

Is the Pull of the Backcountry Pushing Our Limits?

different and sometimes apparently conflicting factors involved.

Another big issue – the booming backcountry scene (off piste,

The fact that it is the people who love the mountains and being

freeride, ski touring) – is tackled in the third documentary,

outdoors who most commonly understand best what climate

beginning with stats that indicate that two million Americans

change means, but equally they’re more likely to be heavier

tried backcountry last season and there was a 40% rise in

contributors to climate change than the average person by

backcountry skiers doing likewise.

using long-haul air travel to reach the mountains.

As with the other videos, interesting and often profound

Arthur De Jong discusses ways to counter these conflicts and

questions are posed. For example, with ski areas doing

area after their success in moving to green energy – cutting waste still further towards a 90% reduction and planned hydroelectric conservation projects which will have a potential impact of 3,210,000 kWh over three years.

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ever more to try to keep people safe, with clear signposting of hazards and sometimes gates that are closed when the avalanche or other risk is too high, does that give the (incorrect) perception that when the gates are open the backcountry is “safe” when it’s clearly not? Is it better to have no gates? The 

WHISTLERBLACKCOMB.COM

BLAKE JORGENSON

details some of Whistler Blackcomb’s current priorities in this

Part 5:

and provides a front row seat to all the action in Skier’s Plaza.

their limit and that the issue is not with backcountry snowsports

What’s New For Season 51?

Steeps Grill and Wine Bar in the Roundhouse Lodge will also

themselves, but with the people who choose to do them,

Although 50 seasons have gone by and Whistler Blackcomb is

introduce a new heated patio this winter, offering diners the

particularly those not fully prepared.

looking at the big picture for the next 50, it’s business as usual for

opportunity to enjoy a full service fine-dining experience in a

The good news, according to the expert commentators, is that

winter 2016/17, which kicks off in a few weeks on 24 November.

comfortable outdoor setting in Whistler’s Alpine location.

good decision-making is now far more widely respected than

This winter sees improvements to the on-mountain dining

Whistler Blackcomb will also be enhancing their new WB+

“going for it” when you’re not sure if it’s safe, and enrolments on

experience for all, and a focus on improved facilities for beginners.

online interactive platform connected to the resort’s RFID

avalanche awareness courses are up 250% on a decade ago.

As part of its continued efforts to grow the sport of skiing

technology, which was initially launched last season. WB+ offers

As an added enticement to view, I can certify that this particular

and snowboarding, Whistler Blackcomb has invested in

guests the option to create a personal WB+ profile to collect

documentary has the most beautiful filming of the four.

improvements to the learning areas on Whistler Mountain this

stats and data about their days on the mountains simply by

season. Improvements include terrain grading in the Olympic

scanning their lift passes at the RFID chairlift access gates.

Zone to optimise learning for new skiers and snowboarders,

This winter guests will also be able to enjoy the WB+ Groups

Part 4:

new snowmaking to ensure a good snow surface and the

function, which enables skiers and riders to set up leaderboards

Survive or Thrive. What’s the Future of Ski Resorts?

installation of two new covered carpet lifts to help eliminate

with their friends and family to compare stats, such as number

The final documentary is at a slight tangent to the first three as it

congestion and improve learning progression.

of days on the mountain or total vertical skied.

is less about what the individual skier or boarder can do to help

The section of the Garibaldi Lift Co (GLC) patio overlooking

the environment, their families or to stay safe in the mountains

Skier’s Plaza at the base of Whistler Mountain has been

and more about the ski industry itself looking at ways to keep ski

expanded for the upcoming winter to allow for more outdoor

The Big Picture

areas healthy and viable, when the stats show the number of ski

seating. The enhanced patio space includes a new roof,

To see the documentaries visit:

areas in the US has dropped almost 20% in the last two decades.

heaters and fire pits to ensure the utmost comfort for guests at

whistlerblackcomb.com/bigpicture

To end on a positive though – as each of the four documentaries

Whistler’s signature slope-side restaurant all season long. The

Whistler Blackcomb offers great value on Stay & Ski

does – a million new entrants to snowsports were recorded in

patio expansion increases the all-weather capacity of the GLC

packages all year long and more information is available at:

North America last year, the vast majority aged under 35.

on a year-round basis with a total of 90 outdoor covered seats

whistlerblackcomb.com

046 // NOV16

MARK GRIBBON

 PROMOTION

 argument is that search and rescue services are stretched to

WHISTLERBLACKCOMB.COM

YETI SERIES 16/17 COLLECTION

Ide al for b ig pow de r days, b ackcountry kicke r sessions or stormy tre e l ap s.

E ve ry thing you ne e d to ke e p you hunting pow al l day long.

You may have heard of Mount Olympus, the

In terms of regular ski areas, however, Parnassos

of the newest, established in 1988.

famous home of the Greek Gods, but did you

ski resort is the biggest in the country, with more

Ski hire, food and overnight accommodation

know you could ski there? Greece may be

than a dozen lifts, 620m of vertical and 25km

are all available by the slopes which continue

famous for its beaches and warm sun, but

of runs. This is one of the most spectacular

up to the 2,340m summit, making it one of the

what you may not realise is that Greece is a

mountains in Greece, covered with fir trees.

country’s biggest lift-served verticals. There

very mountainous country and it gets a lot of

There are wonderful views from the Gulf of

are 12 ski runs served by seven lifts and it is

snow in the winter. Greece is in fact home to

Corinth to the Gulf of Euboea. A combination

only 203km from Athens.

more than a dozen ski resorts and has a long

of altitude and north-facing slopes normally

More mythology is to be had at Mainalo ski

history of skiing, with the first centres opening

ensures skiing well into April.

resort, one of the country’s oldest and long

nearly a century ago in the 1920s.

According to Greek mythology Mount

ago still home to Panas, the shepherds’ goat-

There’s even a Greek heli-skiing operation

Parnassos has rather more significance than

legged god (who was half human and half

(heliskigreece.com), which will take you to ski

for just skiing, as it was here that Zeus granted

goat), and the nymphs.

on Mount Olympus. This mountain rises 2,917m

Deukalion’s wishes and the human race was

Or if you like your slopes fully modernised,

straight up from the Aegean Sea, making it one

created; so quite a heritage.

consider Pigadia ski resort, Greece’s only

of the biggest vertical rises in all of Europe. The

Kalavrita ski resort on the north west side of

centre with 100% snowmaking coverage

mountain has 52 summits and the snow often

Mount Helmos is another of the leading ski

and the one with the reputation as the best

lies several metres deep on these. It has been

areas in Greece that boasts a history dating

organised ski resort in the country, boasting

known to snow at sea level, which means some

back into mythology. At 1,700m this is one of

modern, up-to-date facilities as well as some

serious vertical can be had here!

the highest centres in Greece and is also one

of the steepest terrain.

TAILOR-MADE SKI HOLIDAYS TO THE USA & CANADA

CALL A SKI SPECIALIST 07827811477

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

HELISKIGREECE.COM

PHOTO Biege Jones

GREECE

www.planksclothing.com

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

info@codatravel.com

www.codatravel.com

AROSA LENZERHEIDE SWITZERLAND’S BIG NEW ‘MUST SKI’ DESTINATION

A

separately over the years; two classic

World Class Skiing

Swiss ski resorts, both famous names in

area’s west side.

and the Stätz Jib area, are both excellent too.

The slopes climb up to 2,865m above sea

The new fun slope in Stätzertäli is especially

Arosa Lenzerheide’s ski area is one

level meaning not only great long ski runs

popular with families.

Known for their well-designed, snow-sure

of the world’s best with an incredible

back down but also snow-sure altitudes to

Besides regular days on the pistes the

slopes, beautiful scenery, great facilities

range of terrain for all levels of skier and

help guarantee great conditions.

ski area organises lots of extra options to

and high quality in everything from

snowboarder and for every taste. Along

For experienced freeriders the Rothorn

make your Arosa Lenzerheide ski holiday

gastronomy to accommodation, they’re

with wide gentle, perfectly groomed pistes

in Parpan and the Arosa Weisshorn are

even more special. For example, with the

resorts all of us would be happy to visit.

for beginners and nervous intermediates

among the most well-known Swiss freeride

Early Bird package you can get out on the

But a few seasons ago things changed

there are big, steep-sided bowls for

mountains, with great lines descending

slopes at 6.30am (or perhaps lie in a bit

dramatically! Arosa and Lenzerheide were

freeride freaks, and every type of ski run

from the Rothorn and Weisshorn (second

longer and take the 8am option, hmmmm)

linked by one of the world’s coolest cable-

in between. On the slopes good skiers can

section) cable cars.

and have the freshly groomed slopes

car lifts to create one of Switzerland and

also tackle the World Cup piste.

Freestyle skiers and boarders can have a ball

to yourself before a great breakfast. Or

Europe’s biggest ski areas.

To add to the fun you can download the

in the Arosa Lenzerheide snow park, which

at the other end of the ski day, if you

This huge ski domain now offers 225km of

Skiline app and keep track of where you

extends to four different areas, again suitable

have not had enough of the slopes by

r osa Lenzerheide is the name of one

fully connected piste served by more than 40

skied, how fast and much more, and you

for all tastes and levels. The spacious

the time the lifts close, there are night

of Switzerland’s biggest and best

lifts. Arosa Lenzerheide went from being a

can practise your ski racing and also get

Tschuggen Park’n’Pipe is one of the best in

skiing options and even skiing under

ski destinations. You may well have

destination you might hope to visit one day to

an automatic film of your skiing on the

Switzerland, whilst the Wood Ranch on the

the full moon when it provides maximum

heard of both Arosa and Lenzerheide

becoming one that every skier needs to visit.

Skimovie route at Stätzertäli on the ski

descent to the Weisshornbahn valley station

moonlight each month.

LUDESCHER SIGI

the ski world.

048 // NOV16

 PROMOTION

FURTHER Info: arosalenzerheide.ch 225km of piste / 43 lifts Holidays from the UK: inghams.co.uk

are plenty of other activities to try.

the two halves of the ski area. And there’s

and most spectacular spas you’ll find in any

this winter 2016/17.

For example, Arosa Lenzerheide is one

plenty more besides: curling and ice skating

ski area, created by the famous designer

The key idea behind "Ski School Included"

The choice and quality of dining experiences

of the world’s leading centres for the

or even ice hockey, sledging, snowshoeing

Mario Botta. You’ll find lots of special

is to get more young people skiing and fight

on the mountain and in the resorts are a big

exciting sport of biathlon, a combination of

and snow biking to name but a few.

packages available on the resort’s website,

back against the problem in Switzerland and

attraction for foodies in Arosa Lenzerheide.

cross-country skiing and rifle range target

and it’s easy to reach Arosa Lenzerheide

the wider world which is that fewer and fewer

You can expect a wide variety of culinary

shooting. It’s an intriguing mix of exertion

with a flight to Zurich followed by a short

young people are getting out on the slopes.

delights from Gault & Millau and Michelin

on your skis and then needing to calm your

transfer using Switzerland’s famously

Thanks to a partnership with many of

gourmet guide rated cuisine to genuine

body in order to shoot straight, and it is

efficient and uncrowded public transport

the resort’s hotels, all group and ski and

regional specialities, such as fondue and

great to watch the professionals doing it

Arosa Lenzerheide is big enough to be able

system from the airport terminal right to the

snowboard classes are free of charge

raclette in the Bündnerstübli.

on Eurosport each winter.

to offer every type of accommodation for all

resort. The leading tour operator Inghams

for children born in or after 1999 (so up

In Arosa Lenzerheide you can try it for

budgets. You can stay in almost every type

also offers holiday packages from the UK.

to around age seventeen or eighteen

yourself with a fun taster session; there

of property you can think of, from a youth

are even special classes for children aged

hostel right up to one of the most luxurious

from 10 years old.

ski hotels in the world, the incredible

Although you can ski all day from dawn

Winter hiking is also big in Arosa

Tschuggen Grand Hotel, which has its own

until dusk if you wish then just collapse

Lenzerheide with 140km of cleared and

private funicular railway lifting you from the

The "Ski School Included" programme has

snowsports schools in Arosa, which have

in one of Arosa Lenzerheide’s enticing

marked trails including the new Heidi & Gigi

hotel to the ski slopes like a James Bond

been one of the region’s most popular

a reputation for being amongst the best in

restaurants or bars for the evening, there

trail created as a result of the connection of

mastermind, as well as one of the biggest

promotions and is back for its fifth season

Switzerland for teaching children to ski.

JOHANNES FREDHEIM

Lots To Do

Wide-Ranging Accommodation

depending on the time of your holiday).

This offer is valid for a minimum two-night

Ski School Included

stay in many participating Arosa hotels and holiday apartments and for the two

FERIENREGION LENZERHEIDE

Great Dining

MATT ALEXANDER

MORE THAN 1,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN TRY SNOWSPORTS

A

Snowsport England initiative.

including a Schools Race at Suffolk

By getting over a thousand

Complementing the success of the

Ski Centre and the Independent

children involved we have beaten

national snowsports participation

Schools Association Championships

all targets, and more importantly

campaign, GO SKI GO BOARD,

at The Snow Centre.

given the snowsports bug to

which was started by Snowsport

The week started with a launch

hundreds of children across the

England in 2013, National

event featuring National Schools

country,” said Dominic McGonigal,

Schools Snowsport Week gave

Snowsport Week ambassadors

Chairman of Snowsport England’s

opportunities for schoolchildren

Stacey Solomon and GB

Youth Development Committee.

across England to try skiing or

snowboarder Aimee Fuller (pictured).

He added, “A big thanks goes

snowboarding either for free or at

Thanks to Visit Andorra and school

out to all the schools, slopes and

low cost.

tour operator Equity, each child

volunteers involved.”

t the conclusion of the inaugural

The campaign, which ran at 21

who took part in the week went

The success of the inaugural week

“National Schools Snowsport

slopes across England, included free

away with a goody bag.

will act as a springboard for future

Week sponsored by Visit Andorra”

taster sessions at most slopes as

“2016’s National Schools

events, with plans already in place

earlier this year, 1,066 children and

well as recreational slope time and

Snowsport Week has exceeded

to run National Schools Snowsport

149 schools got involved in the

several events aimed at schools,

our expectations by a long way.

Week again in April 2017.

NEW IN CHAMONIX: ROCKYPOP OPENING DECEMBER 5

NEW HOTELRESTAURANT www.rockypop-chamonix.com reservation@rockypop.com 1476 AVENUE DES ALPAGES 74310 LES HOUCHES TEL +33 (0)4 85 30 00 00

ROCKY POP HOTEL

TH

described as a mixture of a hotel

and open space, with pop-art

and a hostel that offers cheap and

décor, a boutique hairdresser’s

cheerful accommodation in the

and barber’s, a photo booth,

famous ski region.

movies to watch and plenty of

Located in the village of Les

entertaining games. The first

Houches, the RockyPop has 148

floor includes a ski shop and a

bedrooms that can sleep from

storage area.

one to twelve people. The hotel

Groups of friends can stay at the

also has three food counters

RockyPop from as little as

serving gourmet burgers,

€10 (£9)pppn, families from

local specialities and pizzas

€25 (£22.50) pppn, and couples

A new accommodation concept

Chamonix valley this winter.

respectively.

from €60 (£54)pppn.

is set to open its doors in the

The 3★ RockyPop hotel is

The ground floor has a fun

rockypop-chamonix.com

050 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

Buy your

SKIGEAR IN BRITAIN It Has More Benefits Than You Think

052 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

see them for sale in stores there’s

sports stars.

probably a reason for that.”

He also feels that for people to get

Being able to see, hold and try on

the best out of their own snowsport

kit, especially ski and snowboard

and maximise their ski holiday

hardware, has no substitute. Local

enjoyment, they need to be using

ski shops have staff who are

the best kit for them.

knowledgeable about skiing or

Damon believes that buying kit

snowboarding, and about the

from a specialist shop in the UK,

products, and they have got time

particularly your skis, snowboards

for you, helping you decide what

and boots, can mean the difference

works best for you.

between an average and a great holiday, hence his enthusiasm for the Go UK, Buy UK campaign.

Maintenance

The Best Advice

How many times have you bought

price you pay. And even if there

To make the most of your next trip

very good?

wasn’t, the price you end up paying

to the mountains, it’s vital that you

“The internet is great for many

can often be much more than you

have properly fitted boots and the

things, but one thing it’s not very

thought if you don’t buy from a

right choice of ski or snowboard.

good for is waxing and edging,”

British specialist snowsports retailer.

That way you can maximise your

Damon points out. “If you buy

That’s the message that the Go UK,

snow-time fun.

online or in resort and things go

Buy UK campaign is trying to get

“Where are you going to get the

wrong, it is likely to be a headache

across this autumn.

best advice? Are you going to get it

to return or replace your item of

The basic message is quite

from searching the internet or from

kit, especially if it is a pair of skis

simple: there are multiple

going in to your local store and

or boots.”

benefits to buying in the UK from

talking one to one with someone

“If you’ve bought from your local

a specialist snowsports retailer

who is an expert in their field and

specialist you can pop back and

compared to snapping up an

knows what it is you’re going to go

change your item or put it in for an

apparent bargain in resort or

and do? Where are you going to

affordable servicing, and even

online. But to fully understand

go? What are the snow conditions

if it gets broken or damaged

why, it takes a little explaining.

typically like there?” asks Damon.

they’re much more likely to want

If you’re planning on buying

“You may have your eye on a

to try to help make things better

gear for your next ski holiday,

particular set of skis or board and

– the goodwill factor here on both

it’s worth listening to the words

are wondering if they’ll do you

sides is unquantifiable. Sometimes

of Damon Street, a man with a

for your next trip, and the answer

you will have to pay, sometimes

deep understanding of the British

might be yes, but your local retailer

you’ll get a discounted rate,

(and indeed global) snowsports

might be able to advise on different

sometimes you get lucky, but it’s

retail business. Damon has a long

equipment that will suit you better

all down to getting that quality

history in the snowsports trade

and last you longer. It’s really about

of service that we offer here

and is currently General Manager

getting best value overall.”

in the UK, and that’s massively

here’s a lot more to buying your ski or snowboard equipment than the

something in resort, got it home and realised it doesn’t fit or isn’t

for the famous snowsports brands

important.”

K2, Volkl, Marker, Ride & Dalbello

If you have bought it in the UK you

in the UK, as well as being a

Quality

know you can easily return it, plus

Great Britain (SIGB).

Local ski shops work hard to

suitable kit in the first place. UK

Damon is particularly passionate

offer a good range of high-quality

specialist retailers, especially

about British snowsport and has

skis, snowboards and boots,

ones that are a member of

a clear vision focused on growing

allowing you to choose the kit

SIGB (the UK ski trade association),

participation in the UK from the

that will ensure the most fun on

pride themselves on their service

grassroots level up, capitalising

the slopes. And if you are worried

and after-sales support.

on the success of Team GB

about price, a lot of UK retailers

and building on a passion for

– both in-store and online – are

To support the Go UK, Buy UK

snowsports which he believes is

offering competitive prices for both

campaign and ensure you are

very unique:

hardware and clothing.

buying British, find your nearest

“When you talk to people about

“There’s a glut of gear out there.

SIGB retailer by visiting

how they feel about their skiing or

Some of it’s cheap because it’s well

sigb.org.uk/directory/shops.

snowboarding, they say they ‘loved’

priced, some because it’s not the

a particular run or that the snow that

most popular product out there,”

day was ‘awesome’. Most people

explains Damon. “Some people will

don’t talk in such passionate terms

just buy the cheapest because they

about other sporting activities,”

believe it’s money well invested,

Damon explains.

but actually with a bit of advice you

He feels strongly that by buying

may find the quality is not worth

kit from your local specialist shop,

investing in. There are a lot of

this supports the brands in the UK

unknown brands floating around

committee member of the trade body, Snowsport Industries of

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

on eBay and similar, but if you don’t

our under-funded British winter-

 PROMOTION

T

which in turn helps them invest in

the shop wants you to be a loyal customer so they’ll sell you the most

SIGB.ORG.UK/DIRECTORY/SHOPS

WIN AN EIDER

SKI JACKET WORTH UP TO £400 French mountain brand Eider is offering one lucky winner the chance to win the Shaper – a cutting-edge men’s ski jacket – or the luxurious down-filled Montmartre jacket for women this issue.

The technically advanced men’s

the women’s Montmartre jacket (SRP

either online or at a store. Eider reserves

Shaper Jacket (SRP £400) features the

£330) offers a detachable faux-fur-

the right to send a suitable substitute jacket

Fix A Shape™ YKK zip – the first zip to

trimmed hood and features a flattering

should stock become unavailable.

match the profile of your face. Got a

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Prize must be claimed by 5 Dec 2016.

beard? This could be for you!

Available sizes: Men S–XXL; Women: 8–18;

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Benefitting from luxurious duck down,

product to be selected from Ellis Brigham

eider.com

HOW TO WIN To enter visit InTheSnow.com/competitions and simply enter your name and email. Good luck.

SC_in-the-snow_24-10-16-Jnr_HP_SC_in-the-snow_24-10-16-Jnr_HP 07/10/2016 14:06 Page 1

Stop dreaming and start booking your perfect snowy ski holiday to Serre Chevalier Vallée and explore these Alpine wonders

€217pppw

Ski and board from

*Selected dates apply

INCLUDING your lift pass*

Photo accreditation: Agence Zoom

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

JET2 / CHILL FACTORE

JET2 EXPAND WINTER 2016/17 SKI FLIGHT PROGRAMME

BIGGEST INDOOR SNOW CENTRE NEARS COMPLETION The new biggest indoor snow

(five) and lifts, also has a main run

centre in the world in terms

of 520m.

of its snow-covered area is

Apart from its size, the

nearing completion in China.

Harbin centre is interesting

The centre will have six ski

in that it is one of the few

runs, far more choice than the

built worldwide where it will

one or two offered by most

actually be warmer skiing

existing centres. The combined

indoors than outdoors in winter.

snow slope area of 86,000m2

Harbin, in China’s leading ski

is around double the biggest

province of Heilongjiang, in the

slope area currently offered.

country’s north east, can see

Eight lifts, comprising two

temperatures as low as -38°C

chairlifts and six carpet lifts,

(-36°F) in January, while indoors

will serve the indoor ski resort,

the slopes will only be a few

equalling the number at

degrees below freezing.

SnowWorld Landgraaf in The

The Harbin centre will be China’s

Netherlands.

tenth to become operational,

The longest slope, at 520m long,

making it the first country in the

will be the joint third longest in

world to get into double figures

the world. Currently there are

for indoor snow centres.

two indoor slopes of around

The current official opening date

600m in length at Amnéville in

for the Harbin centre is 5 August

France and the Alpincenter in

2017. Prior to that the first indoor

Germany. SnowWorld Landgraaf

snow centre in Africa, Ski Egypt,

in the Netherlands, which is the

from the same company that

closest to Harbin in terms of its

created Ski Dubai, is due to

slope area, number of slopes

open next spring.

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

055 // NOV16

Jet2.com has launched its ski flights

flights from Edinburgh to Geneva and new

week, including six weekly flights to Geneva

programme for 2016/17 with an expanded

Sunday flights to Salzburg and Verona.

and new destination Grenoble.

programme of 47 weekly flights operating

From East Midlands there are two new routes to

From Manchester there’s a choice of 20 weekly

to Barcelona (Pyrenees), Geneva, Grenoble,

Grenoble and Salzburg plus four weekly flights

flights to seven ski destinations, including to new

Lyon, Salzburg, Turin, Verona and, new for

to Geneva. From Glasgow there are two new

choice Sofia, plus eight weekly flights to Geneva

next season, Sofia for Bulgarian ski areas.

destinations, Geneva and Grenoble, with three

for the first time. From Newcastle there’s a new

In total, the company says, more than 230,000

flights per week. The airline has also announced

destination choice, Grenoble.

seats will be available, a 50% increase on

a partnership with local snow centre Snow Factor

“With this growth, plus our friendly flight times

last season. Plus there’s major growth on key

meaning Jet2.com passengers are able to get

and industry-leading baggage allowance, I’m

routes including Geneva and Grenoble, with

20% off Snow Factor ski passes.

confident even more people will slope off with

more weekday flights.

From Leeds Bradford Jet2.com will become

us next season!” said Steve Heapy,

Key programme developments include more

the largest ski operator offering 10 flights a

CEO of Jet2.com.

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

056 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

L

Savoie, with 60km of tracks nestled

the month for a new North American

amongst amazing scenery and nature.”

destination this winter. Not only have

Crystal have a “kind of” new Alpine

Crystal added it to their options, but

destination in Hochsölden, which is a

the Snowbombing Festival say they’ll

small resort that shares Sölden’s ski

be staging their first-ever fest outside

area. Hoch is of course German for

Europe there next April.

“high”, and “small, intimate” Hochsölden is one of the highest in Europe at 2,090m, “the ideal choice for serious skiers and boarders,” Crystal say.

Asia You will read on other pages of this

Scandinavia

magazine the exciting news that you can now buy a package holiday to ski in Iran with British company Mountain

Iglu Ski have added Oslo in Norway to

Heaven. There’s a new Club Med

their portfolio, offering a city break in a

resort opening in China which you’ll

capital which is home to a mid-sized ski

find covered in our feature on skiing in

ove it or hate it, Brexit may be upon us,

area along with a rich Olympic heritage.

China. Tour operators are also taking

but after the initial shock of the vote

“The great thing about Oslo is that

advantage of more flight routes to

result stopped us from booking holidays

the ski area is really close to the city,

Canada (see the "New routes" feature)

for a few weeks, the realities have

just 30 minutes by train from the

and to Salt Lake City in Utah (see our

gradually begun to sunk in. Namely:

centre, and there’s a variety of terrain

separate feature on that too!).

1: We can’t do anything about it.

for everyone, from easy slopes for

In China, also featured on other

2: Nothing much is going to change for

beginners to fun, varied pistes for

pages of this magazine, Club Med

at least two years, and we won’t even

all the family,” says Krystelle Kubicki,

has announced the opening of its

get an idea of what’s going to change

Digital Ski Editor at Iglu Ski.

highly anticipated new ski resort,

until the ski season is well underway.

Crystal have added two more ski

based in Beidahu, the company’s

3: It should keep snowing and whatever

resorts in Finland, Levi and Ylläs, as well

second Chinese ski resort and the

happens we still want to go skiing.

as Trysil in Norway, this winter. They

fifth Club Med resort in China overall.

It’s perhaps because of point 3 in

now offer six ski areas in Lapland. Ski

Beidahu has 19 ski slopes with runs

particular that tour operators report

holidays in Finland were increasingly

for all levels, from beginners to more

they’re seeing bookings start to

popular with Brits up to the economic

confident skiers.

build again after that initial post-vote

crash in 2008, after which they all

Finally, Ski Safari are adding the

fortnight we spent in shock.

but disappeared from the leading

Japanese resort of Kiroro to their list

“Although Brexit has had some impact

UK operator’s brochures. Since then

of destinations for the coming ski

on currencies, when you allow for the

they’ve been regaining lost ground, and

season. Located on Japan’s famously

fact that a percentage of the holiday

Crystal’s selection now also includes

snowy north island of Hokkaido,

cost is the flight, which is in pounds, the

Iso-Syöte, Pyhä, Ruka and Salla with

a two-hour drive from Sapporo

impact on the overall cost of a holiday

Inghams (who also offer Levi and Ylläs)

Chitose Airport, the resort averages

is relatively low,” says Richard Rice,

also having Saariselkä as an option.

a massive 14 metres of snowfall each

owner of tour operator Ski Safari. “We

“We tend to recommend Scandinavia

winter and has eight lifts servicing

have seen bookings slow a little, but we

primarily to families, but the truth is

21 runs (the longest of which is four

remain confident that skiers like to ski

that with all of its charm and potential

kilometres). Lift lines are rare and

and will still book their skiing holidays.

for adventure, Finland is suited to

there’s expansive off-piste available.

So it’s very much business as usual.”

anyone looking for more than an

There are two hotels at the resort

That means that the 16–17 new

average ski holiday. There are so many

base which together provide more

destination lists are out and, along with

other activities available which make

than 400 rooms, plus a wide range of

the familiar choices, there are a swathe

it particularly attractive: an overnight

restaurants and activities.

of new options to ponder:

at the Ice Hotel, glass igloos, ice

Due to its proximity to other Hokkaido

fishing, husky and reindeer safaris,

resorts such as Niseko and Rusutsu,

snowshoeing, cross-country skiing,

Kiroro can be easily included in a twin-

walking and more. And if Santa Claus

centre or multi-resort itinerary such as

can make his home there then it must

the Hokkaido Explorer Safari.

Alps

be pretty special,” a Crystal statement Most tour operators have announced

reads, continuing,

some new destinations in the Alps,

“As well as ensuring excellent ski

but the majority are already offered

conditions, Levi and Ylläs’ high

by others.

latitudes also mean a vastly elevated

An exception is Praz de Lys, a new

chance to witness one of the world’s

Club Med: clubmed.co.uk

addition to the programme of French

most sought-after phenomena – the

Crystal: crystalski.co.uk

specialists Peak Retreats, who describe it

Northern Lights.”

Igluski: igluski.com Inghams: inghams.co.uk

IMAGES: CRYSTAL SKI

as “a hidden gem set in a beautiful tree-

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

Tour Ops

lined area with views of the incredible

Mountain Heaven: mountainheaven.co.uk

Mont Blanc, just a short drive from

Peak Retreats: peakretreats.co.uk

Geneva Airport. An ideal family resort

North America

Ski Safari: skisafari.com Snowbombing: snowbombing.com

with a beginner’s area situated in the heart of the resort, and one of the most

Canada’s Sun Peaks resort in British

extensive cross-country areas in Haute

Columbia seems to be the flavour of

057 // NOV16 // INTHESNOW.COM

SUEDTIROL MARKETING/FRIEDER BLICKLE

d

Train and Prepare Anywhere, FAST

SkiA SkiTrainer SkiA SkiTrainer

Train and Prepare Anywhere, FAST

A TASTE FOR SKIING IN THE DOLOMITES

s

in the Alta Badia region, famed for

season. On the line-up there’s

to gastronomy. Other planned

its culinary culture, for the 2016/17

a Gourmet Ski Safari on 11

events include a celebration of

season, starting on 11 December.

December; Sommeliers on the

the local Ladin gastronomy and

This culinary event involves no less

Slopes offering wine tasting with

a wine-themed ski safari, both in

than 14 Michelin-starred chefs taking

some of the most refined wines of

March 2017.

up residence in huts in the Alta

South Tyrol on 9 and 26 January,

But whenever you visit this season

Badia ski region. Each of the chefs

9 and 16 February and 9 and 16

there’s the opportunity for foodies

will create a unique recipe by mixing

March 2017; plus ethical chef

and ski lovers to explore the

flavours and traditions from their own

days from 22–25 January, when

ski slopes of Alta Badia whilst

regions and home countries, and

some of the world’s leading chefs,

savouring delectable cuisine at

their dish will feature on the menu for

winemakers and food professionals

fair prices. The tour also offers

the whole winter season at one of the

from the five continents will meet

an exclusive opportunity to meet

mountain huts on the slopes.

in Alta Badia to share and discuss

the famous chefs in person and

outh Tyrol’s popular Gourmet Ski

In addition there will be special

a common vision of an innovative,

discover the story behind the dish.

Safari “A Taste for Skiing” is back

culinary events throughout the

ethical and sustainable approach

altabadia.org

Emily Sarsfield

MORE CHALETS & FLIGHT CHOICE FROM SKI FAMILLE

skia.com

SKI FAMILLE

Recommended by:

they’re continuing to improve

Select chalets which this winter

and expand their operation with

will feature espresso machines

two new chalets and a far wider

and an upgraded wine list.

selection of flight options. The

All Ski Famille holidays include

two new chalets, Corbeau and

a flight from London Gatwick,

Aigrette, in Les 3 Vallées, are

but they can now offer flights

in Ski Famille’s Premier Select

from 12 airports across the UK

Chalet category and have

for a supplement. The company

facilities for families including a

promises that “… there will always

cinema room in each chalet and

be a saving on the same flight

à la carte childcare available

booked direct and resort transfers

Family ski holiday specialists, as

celebrated 25 years in business

throughout the season. The

are included.”

their name suggests, Ski Famille

last season, but this season

company now has four Premier

skifamille.co.uk

058 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

South Tyrol seeks dolce vita skiers.

South Tyrol seeks you.

bo

de

ns

d

ee

a ch 4

Bolzano Bozen

Discover South Tyrol – the Alps’ best-kept secret. You’ll find 1,000 km of perfect pistes in this stunning winter wonderland, where the sun shines 300 days a year. And when you’re finished skiing for the day, bask in the midst of the Dolomites while you sample some of the area’s sensational food and drink. www.suedtirol.info/dolcevita

12/18/11 4:46 PM

07.indd 1

1/4/12 10:29 AM

 PROMOTION

HOW TO SKI 8 DAYS ON A 7-NIGHT HOLIDAY

C

management living in resort and always available

resort with most operators you would normally

holiday you will also have the slopes to yourself as

when you need them is a big plus point; but

have to check out at 10am and go straight to the

its changeover day for almost everyone else!

Chalets 1066 have also cleverly worked out a way

airport. But with Chalets 1066 you can again leave

Chalets 1066 offer a choice of 21 self-catered

for their guests to enjoy eight days skiing instead

your bags at Chalet Hastings, have a whole day

properties, ranging from economy self-catering

of the usual six on a seven-night holiday, and you

skiing, have a shower and get changed at Hastings

accommodation to the very high-quality

can’t argue with that!

at the end of the day and have your transfer

but affordably priced Chalet De L'Atray. The

Here’s how it works: you arrive early on a

arranged for an evening flight (and Ski Mobile will

company’s Le Lapye catered chalet is now No 2

Saturday, leave your bags at the company’s Chalet

pick your rental equipment up – you don't even

on in Les Gets TripAdvisor and offers a standard

Hastings having pre-ordered your ski passes from

need to queue to return it).

of catering and service for which you’d pay

Chalets 1066 (they actually have the facilities to

If you are going to enjoy eight days skiing

double the price elsewhere.

make ski passes to order at Chalet Hastings) then

anywhere, there are few better choices than Les

The company offers additional optional services

you can be straight out on the slopes within half

Gets. One of the best resorts in the French Alps it

for self-catered properties including fresh bread

an hour of arrival! So the Saturday most skiers

has an authentic nature, beautiful scenery, plenty

and croissants delivery in time for breakfast by the

spend travelling, getting their gear and passes

of ambience and a great ski area. You can stay on

local baker, a chef service and so on. Most chalets

halets 1066 are one of the most successful

organised, and after mooching around the resort

the friendly local slopes or venture out on a ski

are less than 10 minutes’ walk to the slopes, and

operators in the beautiful French ski resort of

you’re on the slopes.

safari across the Swiss border as the ski area is

quite a few are ski back.

Les Gets. They have grown by over 400% since

If you need to hire equipment, Chalet 1066 can

part of the huge Portes du Soleil region offering

Call 0207 183 5082

they started 8 years ago to become the largest

arrange for this to be delivered by their partner Ski

more than 600km of piste above a dozen resorts

or visit chalets1066.com

accommodation provider in the resort.

Mobile to arrive when you do.

on the one pass.

So why so popular? Well being family-run, with the

On the following Saturday when you leave the

Skiing on Saturdays at the start and end of your

060 // NOV16

0207 183 5082 | CHALETS1066.COM

Foto © Christoph Schöch

BLOW BONUS THE APARTMENT WORDS: GABRIELLA LE BRETON

Top price:

create a super chalet comprising nine suites, a

furs, pelts and cashmere throws.

€415,312.50 / £356,803

master apartment, restaurant and spa.

Unsurprisingly, the ski room and spa aren’t

One night’s exclusive use of Blumen Haus

So far, so not very new, you’re thinking.

shoddy. The former houses a quiver of

Another gazillionaire builds another flash

handmade Indigo skis and limited edition

Bargain price:

chalet for other smug gazillionaires to enjoy.

helmets created specially for Blumen Haus.

€2,340 / £2,010

But hold your cynical horses: Flowers is a

The latter features a treatment suite, hair salon,

One night in a Blumen Haus suite

businessman and, in his first sortie into the

indoor infinity pool with a current stream and

hospitality industry, he’s here to prove himself.

whirlpool, two saunas and a steam room. If ski-

It’s easily done: spend enough time in hotels

Thus, Blumen Haus is actually a boutique

in/ski-out access to the Arlberg isn’t enough to

and you get to thinking that you could create

hotel in chalet form – each of the nine suites

satiate your fitness needs, Flowers has installed

your own, infinitely better one. As you rant

is sold individually by the night (although you

a state-of-the-art Technogym and cardio area

about power sockets located miles from the

can rent them on an exclusive use basis from

in the Blumen Haus. But the pièce de fitness

bed and drip your way from bathroom to

€212,625 / £182,670 per night). Yes, the walls

résistance is the hypoxic chamber, a super-

bedroom to scoop up a towel “thoughtfully”

are clad with reclaimed wood and the roof

handy bit of kit that enables one to train at an

placed on the bed, your own peerless hotel

fashioned from copper according to Alpine

altitude of 5,600m.

takes imaginary shape.

tradition, but the “Living Room” garage is

After après at 5,600m, you’ll need top nosh,

Yet, it takes a true entrepreneur to put his

lit with colour-changing mood lighting and

and Flowers doesn’t disappoint, having

millions where his mouth is and actually

equipped with a sound system, for when you

drafted in Gordon Ramsay protégés Steven

build a hotel. Meet Andrew Flowers, British

want to chill with your Bentley. (Do a Blumen

Ellis and Barbara Mairhofer to rustle up

entrepreneur and owner of what promises to be

Haus self-drive and the team will clean your

exceptional cuisine served in the restaurant,

the hottest new hotel in the Alps, Blumen Haus

motor and fill her up, thus saving on petrol.)

your suite or the James Bond suave wine

in Lech, Austria. By no means a silent investor,

Clearly something of a tech geek, Flowers has

cellar. Alternatively, push the Titanic out and

Flowers has been directly involved with the

equipped the suites with top-notch Loewe TVs

book out Flowers’ master pad so you can dine

conception and build of Blumen Haus (meaning

(with Netflix), Revox sound systems and iPad

there. The four-bedroom apartment spans two

Flowers House – clever, eh?). Single-minded in

wall activations to control the lighting, air con,

floors of the Blumen Haus and comes with its

his determination to raise the already sky-high

heating and fireplace. While the boys play with

own elevator, cinema, pool table, whirlpool,

luxury benchmark for chalets in Lech (home

the toys, the ladies will love the lost-count-of-

kitchen, dining room, butler and chauffeur.

to the pimping Chalet N, 1597 and Überhaus),

the-thread-count Egyptian bed linen, Italian-

Book it for a night (€120,000 / £105,000) or

Flowers has injected undisclosed millions to

sleek Minotti furnishings and assortment of

two and you’ll come up smelling of Blumen.

POLE BLUE BIRD VARIO GLOVE ELEMENTS PALLADIUM S

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064 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

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066 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

 BURTON IMPACT SHORTS

HOW DO AVALANCHE AIRBAG BACKPACKS WORK?

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 686 AUTHENTIC MONIKER INS JACKET The 686 Authentic Moniker Jacket is

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you have of staying nearer the surface of the snow and therefore the more chances of survival. If you think an avalanche has started you can activate your

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bag. A large balloon-like bag inflates out of the top of your backpack; with the airbag activated you are much bigger than you would usually be, helping you stay

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nearer the snow's surface. Avalanche airbag balloons

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canister and others use a tiny internal explosive charge to trigger a gas canister. Newer rechargeable-batteryoperated versions are also available. There are pros and cons for each – air canisters can sometimes be tricky for airplane travel, whilst battery-operated ones should cause you no problems. Battery units also allow you to practise setting off the airbag as it can be set off multiple times on one charge.

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 VOLCOM ARCTIC WOMEN’S THERMAL PANT The Volcom Arctic thermal pants are specifically designed for women, offering a women-specific fit and design. Made from Volcom’s V-Science Dermis fabric they give great warmth and breathability. £44.95 | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

& SKIBARTLETT.COM

around your head and is designed to help protect you from the effects of tumbling and from debris hitting you. Some airbags will keep injecting air into the balloons every few seconds; this means if the balloon gets punctured it will still stay inflated.

In the unfortunate event of you getting buried under the snow the bag will begin to slowly deflate leaving you with a breathing air pocket under the snow.

Avalanche airbags are not a replacement for avalanche transceivers, which are a must when skiing off piste.

They are also not a licence to ski in unsafe terrain, but an aid to helping you if you are in the unfortunate situation of being caught in an avalanche. Be prepared, but make sure you are always very aware of the current avalanche conditions wherever you are skiing.

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067 // NOV16

PAUL KEPPEL PHOTOGRAPHY

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

Beginner Tips WISE DECISIONS

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

BASIC TECHNIQUE

BE IN GOOD SHAPE

JON (AKA WESTY)

This month Jon looks at some

You can help to increase your

 Be realistic and don’t try to run

 How to stand – Your position

We advise you to prepare your body

Jon holds the top qualifications from

technical and psychological tips to

chances of having a fantastic

before you can walk. Make sure you

over your skis is crucial to help

for the exercise you are planning to

France, Switzerland and Britain,

help a beginner skier to master their

holiday and successfully learning to

have some lessons, learn the basics

you easily control your speed with

do. Skiing is definitely demanding

and we can say firsthand that he is

new chosen sport. With all the new

ski by making some key decisions

and be patient – remember, the

minimal physical exertion. When

on the body – you will not only be

a great ski instructor! Jon heads up

equipment and skillful instructors

ahead of the holiday:

person with the best technique will

sliding make sure you stand above

using new muscles, but also you are

the team at Altitude Ski School –

on the mountain there has probably

 Choose a resort that has a good

make the fastest progress.

the centre of the ski and enjoy the

challenging your body by doing it at

Verbier’s most established British ski

never been a better time to learn

snow record and a few beginner

 Choose terrain that is not too

ride – look forward, keep your legs

some 2,000m above sea level.

school. Each month Jon or one of

to ski. Here are a few tips to help

slopes – this will mean the slopes

busy or steep and looks welcoming.

slightly flexed, try to be relaxed

 Try not to leave this until the last

his team will provide us with a few

you have an enjoyable holiday

are likely to be less busy and the

From here you will learn the

and keep your skis parallel and hip

minute – start at least six weeks

tips and words of wisdom to help

experience.

snow will be in good condition,

basics without worrying and being

width apart.

before the start of your holiday and

improve our understanding of skiing.

making it easy to turn.

distracted by fear.

 How to stop – Learning how to

you’ll notice a big difference.

 When choosing a ski school,

 We would advise you to tell

create the famous “snow plough”

 Ideally, head to the gym;

we recommend you pick one that

friends and family they won’t be

will probably be a big step towards

however, if this is not possible

employs instructors who speak your

teaching you and book a lesson

feeling in control. Make a V shape

then at least think about using the

language – you will find it easier to

with a local ski school. There are

with your skis by pushing the tails

stairs instead of escalators and up

The Altitude winter company portfolio

learn and you will understand their

usually lots of great schools in the

of your skis outwards – this will

your level of exercise any way you

includes the ski and snowboard

jokes better (hopefully).

resort; even better, ask the hotel or

create resistance against the snow

can. Try whenever possible to get

school, the Futures instructor

 Build your confidence and

chalet company to recommend a

and enable you to slow down. Your

yourself a little bit out of breath.

training programmes, and FREERIDE

fitness in advance of the holiday by

good, patient instructor.

instructor will ask you to adapt the

 Get on a bike, go running, rowing

VERBIER, a new school dedicated to

practising on a dry slope or indoor

size of your plough and you will learn

or hiking for 20 minutes three times

off-piste coaching in Verbier.

snow dome if you have the chance.

to feel how this affects your speed.

a week – this will provide you with a solid base and limit your risk of injury.

068 // NOV16

ALTITUDE

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

S K I

Skis are Now More Versatile and User Friendly...

Isn’t It About Time You Upgraded Yours?

F O R

PAUL KEPPEL PHOTOGRAPHY

KIDS THINGS FOR PARENTS TO REMEMBER Taking the kids to the slopes should be fun for everyone involved. Get it right and your children will be hooked on snowsports for life, get it wrong and your holiday could be horrendous and you’ll spend the next decade and a half trying to put right those earlier mistakes and convince your kids skiing is great really. Still, no pressure.

Here are some top tips on the basic rules to follow to up your chance of family success on the slopes.

Safety • Sun cream in all weather • Well-fitted helmet • Not cold – layering works well • Hydration before and during the lesson • Boots on the right feet • Goggles and glasses • Socks to be above the height of the ski boot • Lift pass in advance of the lesson

Enjoyment • Encourage your kids to ski, but don’t add pressure to learn … make it fun • During the lesson, it’s often better if parents are not hanging around distracting the children – maybe watch from afar?

• In advance of the lessons, let your kids get used to playing with other kids without you being around • Money for a drink and a snack

Learning • Well-fitted ski boots • Skis correctly sized

Can you ski everything you want to?

Skis are now much more versatile & user friendly helping you ski with less effort in lots more varied snow conditions.

Choose the correct ski for your ability level & preferred terrrain & you will feel huge changes in their ease of use, your progression and your enjoyment.

Recent technology and innovation means ski equipment is better than it’s ever been before... isn’t it time you upgraded your equipment and made the most of your experience in the mountains?

Before you invest in your next trip... come and visit us today to ensure you have the correct advice from experienced equipment specialists.

Bringing you the UK’s largest specialist range of skis & boots and advice and expertise since 1965.

We’ll always be here to help and advise you on the correct equipment for wherever your passions and dreams take you.

Custom Boot Fitting Specialists Ski Industries of Great Britain Official Ski Testers Winner of the World Snow Awards - Best UK Speciailst Retailer

• Instructors that speak their language • Avoid over-tiredness Follow this advice and play by the rules and (hopefully) family fun on the slopes is guaranteed. Well, nearly.

Remember that ‘the family that skis together, stays together’ so it really is worth the effort now for the chance of long term family happiness on the slopes.

FREERIDE | FREESTYLE | TOURING | TELEMARK | RACE | RECREATIONAL Ski Bartlett, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP T: 020 8848 0040 | E: info@skibartlett.com | www.SkiBartlett.com

ALTITUDE-VERBIER.COM

10% Off All Non-Discounted Products - Special InTheSnow Discount - Code: ITS-NOV

DEBBIE GABRIEL

BY PATRICK THORNE

BRITS HELP CLEAN UP CHAMONIX’S GLACIER Employees from the British Consulate in Marseille and from Crystal Ski Holidays joined forces once

MOUNTAINS ON STAGE FESTIVAL COMES TO UK

the Mont Blanc massif, France. The glacier forms a large part of the world’s longest lift-served offpiste ski run, the Vallée Blanche.

The annual clean-up operation, which took place last Friday, has been running since 2008, organised by the town of Chamonix-MontBlanc, the French Alpine Club, Lafuma and other mountain-based organisations.

It calls on large numbers of volunteers who, to date, have picked up 18 tons of rubbish left by 500,000 visitors, as well as waste from abandoned bivouacs, cables and ski lifts that reappears decades later as the glacier ice melts.

Michèle Solari, Vice Consul at the British Consulate in Marseille, said: “The British Consulate in Marseille works closely with Crystal Ski Holidays and other partners, as well as the French authorities, to ensure that our many British visitors to the Alps remain safe through our #skisafe campaign. It is also a perfect way of

A

AUSSIES TAKE LEAD IN LUX MARKET

France three years ago, the festival

The Great Alone from director Greg

aims to bring an exciting and varied

Kohs, a film about Lance Mackey in

mix of winter mountain films.

the world’s hardest sleddog race:

On the programme is The Warmth

the Iditarod.

of Winter from director Ben

The festival begins in London on

Sturgulewski, a film focused on

Monday, 7 November 2016 at Vue

the quality of Japanese powder;

West End, Leicester Square, then

Link Sar West from director Renan

is at the Showcase in Bristol on the

In what is perhaps a reflection of the current

Ozturk, a film on the fourth attempt

8th, Vue Birmingham on the 9th,

state of the global economy, an annual study

to climb a virgin peak in Pakistan;

Showcase Manchester on the 10th,

of the luxury ski chalet market has found more

La Liste from director Guido Perrini,

Vue in Edinburgh on the 15th, and

Australians are now booking lux chalets than

new Mountain Film Festival launches

a film following Jeremy Heitz, one

it ends at Showcase Glasgow on

Russians. According to the annual Chalet Ski

in the UK for the first time this

of the best freeriders on the planet,

the 17th. Doors open at around 7pm

Stats 2016 report, which gathers data from 43

November. Known as “Mountains

skiing steep skiing’s historical lines

and tickets cost £16.

of the UK’s “top ski influencers,” the number

on Stage” and originally launched in

in his fast freeride style, and finally

mountainsonstage.com

of bookings from Australians last winter

KLAUS LORKE

again this year to help local volunteers to clean up France’s longest glacier, the Mer de Glace in

doubled from 5% to 10% while the Russian

raising awareness of the importance of protecting the environment.”

share has dropped from 12% to 9%. The report,

Nial McLean, General Manager for Crystal Ski

compiled by the respected ski publishing house

NEW FLIGHT ROUTES TO GRENOBLE

Holidays France, Switzerland and Andorra, said: “We work hard to provide high quality

Welove2ski (welove2ski.com) in conjunction with luxury chalet company Consensio Holidays, found that UK clients still made the most chalet

holidays that cause minimal environmental Les 3 Vallees, La Plagne, Saint-Foy,

bookings though with 55% of the market. Just

destinations and offer real economic benefit to

and Espace Killy than other airports.

as the top end of the chalet market seemed

local communities. For us, sustainable tourism is

There are four new ski routes from

to survive the global economic crash in 2008

the UK to Grenoble-Isère airport,

largely unscathed, so recent events seem to

with weekly flights launching on 23

have had no effect on bookings:

December from Glasgow, Newcastle,

“The ski market has had to wait to see how

Leeds Bradford and East Midlands

Brexit would affect bookings but the consensus

airport with Jet2 adding to existing

is that it is looking healthier than ever, with

services from Gatwick, Luton,

peak weeks already sold out,” said a Consensio

Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham,

spokesperson. Other findings were that the

not just an idea, it’s fundamental.”

The clean up at Chamonix is one of many doens that tale place at ski areas around the world each summer and autumn, with volunteers collectively cleaning hudreds of tons of rubbish from the planet’s ski slopes every year. The

STEPHANE LAVOUE / PASCO

impact, respect the culture and people of the

Dutch based Respect The Mountain group Hot on the heels of the news of

improvements to make it better to

Bristol, Edinburgh and Liverpool.

biggest spend in resort was on private ski

€10m (£900,000) in improvements to

travel through for skiers this winter.

Improvements to the airport’s

guides, and chalet guests are spending more

Chambéry airport, a second French

Grenoble is particularly well

infrastructure include free wi-fi,

on childcare but less on massages. Val d’Isère

programme each summr. Many other ski areas

“ski-airport”, Grenoble-Isère, has

positioned to reach Alpe d’Huez,

improved signage, fast-track

remains the most popular resort with over 30%

organise their own mountain clean ups locally.

announced new flight routes from

Chamrousse and Les 2 Alpes and is

boarding and a new gate to house

of bookings.

the UK along with departure terminal

sometimes a faster route to Les Arcs,

the extra flights.

consensiochalets.co.uk

is particularly active in this area, organising numerous mountain clean ups at resorts right across Europe with an ever-expanding

070 // NOV16

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LES SAISIES Les Saisies may not be a ski resort you are

25–35% lower than at many similarly sized

at Albertville in the French Alps when it

familiar with, but perhaps it ought to be! A

ski areas. Les Saisies’ own slopes are ideal

hosted the cross-country ski events. The

large, vibrant village with plenty of après-

for beginners who will find plenty of gentle

Olympic area has 80km of marked pistes

ski, Les Saisies is easy to reach, has a great

nursery slopes and long, wide blue runs to

and extends over a large, sunny plateau

snow record and offers stunning views from

progress on, and intermediates will enjoy

at between 1,570m and 1,760m, which

the local slopes, which are part of the big

the easy links to neighbouring Crest-Voland

guarantees a long season of snow cover.

Espace Diamant ski region.

and the runs from the top of Mont Lachet.

Advanced skiers will enjoy the black run

Best In Snow

Stunning Location And Easy To Reach

from the top of Légette, one of five, with its

Les Saisies benefits from above-average

Situated halfway between the Beaufortain

narrow couloirs, or off-piste runs, through

snow conditions. The close proximity of

and the Val d’Arly valleys, two magnificent

the trees.

Mont Blanc provides not only superb views

Savoy areas, it offers a spectacular setting

but also above-average snow coverage.

with glorious views across to Mont Blanc.

Two Villages For The Price Of One

The French weather centre confirms that

There’s an amazing 360° panorama ranging

There are actually two typical Beaufortain

since 1982 the average accumulated

from Alpine meadows to the snow-capped

villages making up Les Saisies. They are

snowfall is superior to all surrounding

summit of Mont Blanc in Beaufortain, Aravis

Hauteluce and Bisanne 1500. Combined

mountain ranges!

and the Chartreuse Mountains. In fact

they form a charming French ski resort with

the Beaufortain region, with its wonderful

timber-clad chalets where visitors can enjoy

The French Alps specialist Peak Retreats

scenery, is sometimes called “The French

both the architecture and the traditional way

(0844 576 0170; peakretreats.co.uk) offers

Tyrol”. What’s more, it’s easy to access from

of life. There’s a bustling high street complete

holidays to Les Saisies from £212pp per

the motorway from Albertville to the south

with some 40 shops and a big selection of

week, including Eurotunnel crossing with

and Megève to the north.

bars, crêperies, grills and restaurants offering

free FlexiPlus upgrade. Peak Retreats

delicious Savoyard dishes.

recommends the 4★ self-catered residence

Les Saisies has a mid-sized ski area with

Olympic Cross-Country Ski Heritage

convenient doorstep skiing, superb views

70km of terrain but shares the Espace

Les Saisies is the top Nordic ski resort in

and indoor heated pool and spa facilities.

Diamant pass with five other pretty Alpine

France. Already well-known to the French,

Seven nights from 31 December 2016 from

villages. Altogether there’s 192km of piste

it sprang to international prominence

£383pp based on five sharing a two-bedroom

and as an added bonus lift ticket prices are

during the 1992 Winter Olympic Games

silver apartment including Eurotunnel.

Le Hameau du Beaufortain which offers

Plenty To Ski

072 // NOV16

PEAKRETREATS.CO.UK

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

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...KEEPS YOU SKIING LONGER

IMPROVES SKI POSTURE

THE ECO-FRIENDLY SKI JACKET MADE OF SUGAR

o

materials ever more popular and at

and christened “Ecodear”. It is

and reducing the industry’s

least one manufacturer even going

developed in conjunction with a

dependency on non-sustainable

as far as to suggest people repair

Japanese manufacturer.

materials and processes which

damaged gear rather than throw it

The Ecodear polyester outer layer

it has called Expedition 2020.

away and buy new.

of the jacket is part of a triple-layer

This has a target of 70% of

Bergans of Norway are claiming to

jacket build. The chemical structure

their products to be made from

have reached a milestone in the

of Ecodear is identical to its regular

sustainable raw materials and

outdoor clothing business by creating

shell material, Bergans say, so is as

75% of production methods to

a technical ski jacket that uses

functional as always.

be sustainable too. This includes

ne of the big battlegrounds

“plant-based material” – the waste

The waterproof, windproof but

using renewable energy for power

between outdoor clothing

by-product of sugar plant production,

highly breathable Eidfjord jacket is

in its European bases and using

manufacturers at the moment

in fact – in its shell material.

available in sizes S to XXL and is on

overland transportation by rail

is who can be the most

The company’s new Eidfjord jacket

sale in Tiso and at other retailers.

from Asia to Europe, rather than

environmentally friendly, with the

(RRP £280) is the first to use the

The new jacket is part of Bergans’

air, from its manufacturing bases to

use of recycled or sustainable

material, which is 30% plant based

overall focus on sustainability

the shops.

SHOCK ABSORBERS FOR KNEES

SOLDEN WORKS ON NEW GIGGIJOCH GONDOLA The Giggijoch Gondola climbs from 1.363 to 2.174km, and the resort

POWERFUL SPRINGS OFFLOAD WEIGHT FROM KNEES

promises that the new gondola will be more comfortable, faster and RUDI WYHLIDAL

have around 80% higher capacity

Olympic Mogul Skier Laura Donaldson with her ski~mojo

Tel. +44 (0)7786 753267 | info@skimojo.com | www.skimojo.com

of 4,500 people/hour, which should have a significant impact on peaktime queues.

Sölden has already opened for Sölden in the Austrian Tirol, which

joch Gondola, which lifts skiers and

1998 and with a capacity of 2,800

the winter 2016/17 season and

made world headlines last season

boarders from the resort up to the

skiers per hour, had its last run on

stages the first World Cup races

as a location in the last Bond movie,

heart of the ski area, this summer.

Sunday. It had replaced the original

of the season at the end

Spectre, is to replace its key Giggi-

The current gondola lift, installed in

gondola installed in 1977.

of October.

074 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

Winter Sports Travel Insurance from

Save 20%* at

Holidaysafe.co.uk/Winter

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‘ITS1617’ Cover starts from just £8.33 Cover for equipment up to £1,500 per person Skiing and Snowboarding on and off piste in resort covered as standard Cover for ski packs, lift passes, avalanche, no snow, piste rescue plus much more Holidaysafe is a trading name of Infinity Insurance Solutions Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the FCA: FRN 528912 © Registered Office: 1 Tower View, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4UY. Company Reg: 4319592. *Please note, Holidaysafe’s online prices automatically include a 15% discount, using ‘ITS1617’ gives you an extra 5% off, making a total saving of 20% against our customer service centre prices.

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VERTICAL UP-HILL RACING OVER SNOW?

v

interest and make it competitive,

five-resort, three-country Vertical

a 590m vertical climb.

and do it at night.

Up tour and will take place on 21

Other Vertical Up races will be

That’s the plan for the Saslong

January above the resort town of

held at Hinterstoder (7 January);

Uphill that will be staged for

Selva. Competitors choose from

Madonna di Campiglio-Pinzolo

the first time this winter in Val

the long and the short route. The

(28 January); Kitzbühel (25

Gardena in the Italian Dolomites.

original course is 3.5km, with an

February); and Wengen (25 March).

The race route mirrors the famed

830m difference in altitude; the

Registrations are now open.

Saslong World Cup Downhill –

shorter track is just under 2km with

saslong.org/verticalup

only backwards and without skis – racing from the finish line to the starting gate instead of the more

ertical Up racing is the perfect

conventional way around.

answer for those who decide that

The rules are that there are

taking a ski lift up the mountain

practically no rules. Any type of

and then skiing down it seems just

footwear and clothing can be used

that bit too easy and inadequately

and any line of ascent. Up to 1,500

energetic.

people compete, with men and

The concept is simple: ignore the

women in separate categories.

lifts and make the ascent under

The Val Gardena-Gröden Saslong

your own steam, to add more

Uphill is the second stage in a

STEVEN MCKENNA

GLENCOE ANNOUNCES NEW TRIPLE CHAIR after next, 2017/18.

in recognition to the centre’s

The centre says the Doppelmayr-

proximity to the shooting locations

built lift will be installed in the

of the final scenes in the last but

Plateau area and run from the top

one Bond movie, a front runner.

of the Access Chair to the base of

Glencoe has one of the longest ski

the Spring Run.

seasons in Scotland and normally

This location would improve access

re-opens for midsummer skiing on

to some of the area’s steeper and

the longest day in late June at the

more snow-sure terrain.

start of summer so that die-hard

Glencoe is currently seeking

skiers can ride on large snow

Scotland’s Glencoe ski area has

triple chairlift which it aims to

suggestions for names for the

patches left on the mountain. It also

announced it has purchased a

install, all being well, for the winter

chairlift, with “Skyfall Chair”,

has a year-round artificial ski slope.

076 // NOV16

@INTHESNOWMAG

CARLTON HOTEL ST MORITZ

HOTEL PLEIN SUD SERRE CHEVALIER

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

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

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

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

HOTEL COURCHEVEL OLYMPIC COURCHEVEL 1850 

RESIDENCE LES TERRASSES DE VERET FLAINE 

BELLE EPOQUE HOTEL VICTORIA BERNER OBERLAND 

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

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

Kandersteg is an ideal family ski resort and cross-country paradise.

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

0203 475 4756 MADAMEVACANCES.CO.UK

0203 475 4756 MADAMEVACANCES.CO.UK

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

RESIDENCE & SPA VALLORCINE CHAMONIX 

L’ AIGLE DES NEIGE VAL D’ISÈRE

Nestled in the charming village of Vallorcine, in the Chamonix MontBlanc valley, Vallorcine Mont-Blanc offers a relaxing atmosphere.

The 5 Residence gives guests a choice of 50 cosy apartments with services. Facilities include an indoor heated pool, two saunas, a spa, a tea-room, a ski shop and a private ice-rink. Less than 10 minutes from your breakfast to the ski slopes!

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

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

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

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

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

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077 // NOV16

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TOBY P H I P P S INTERVIEW BY: ALISON FOSTER

Feeling comfortable and looking good on

change without breaking the bank.

the slopes doesn’t come cheap. But now, for

What has surprised us is the fashion

the first time in the UK, you can hire premium

element – our customers love the top-end

branded ski wear at a fraction of the cost

gear and will often order something they

of purchasing. The company behind this

wouldn’t necessarily buy. One lady even

idea is Skismart and we caught up with its

ordered four outfits from us for a week to

Managing Director, Toby Phipps.

mix things up!

skismart.co.uk

We don’t have exact stats but our feedback suggests many of our customers already

When did you have the idea for Skismart?

own ski clothing – they just like the idea of

TP: Two years ago. I’d bought new ski gear

trying something different for a week or two.

for the family and it cost almost as much as the holiday! Was there a way to make this

How do customers ensure they order the

more affordable? In the USA it is possible

right fit?

to hire quality ski clothing, but there was

TP: We offer a free “try before you fly”

no equivalent service here.

service. We’re happy to send items to customers to try out in their own home

So what do you offer?

before their trip. That way they can be sure

TP: We supply jackets and pants from some

their clothing is a perfect fit before they

of the best European and North American

reach the slopes.

brands in a wide range of styles and colours. Our stock is all new for 2017 and

What happens at the end of the

spans adults, juniors and kids categories.

hire period?

TP: Each order is despatched in a rigid box.

What are typical hire costs?

That same box is used to return the items

TP: From around £80 per week for an

to us, again for free. No need to wash

adult; and for that you’re wearing a jacket

anything. We take care of that.

and pant pairing worth up to £1,000. For kids, hire costs start at around £40 per

Have you had any strange requests?

week. Our prices include free courier

TP: Yes, one or two. We’ve recently been

delivery and collection.

approached to provide ski clothing for a “lad’s mag” photo shoot. We’re still

Who are your customers?

considering that one!

TP: Many and varied. We knew the service would appeal to families who may

Do you have any general advice on ski wear?

not be committed to skiing or boarding

TP: Whether you hire or buy, go for the best

every year. They can avoid investing in

clothing you can afford. Most of us have cut

kit that their kids rapidly outgrow, plus

corners and regretted it. If you’re not warm,

we find that Mum and Dad like to wear

dry and comfortable all day, you won’t get

something a bit sporty, chic or retro for a

the most out of your time on the slopes.

078 // NOV16

SKISMART.CO.UK

RAIN AND SLEET, OR SNOW AND MINUS? Winter weather in our country can change quickly, from to rain to sleet and snow.

No matter, Didriksons outerwear will keep the whole family dry, warm and happy, so don’t let the weather determine what you do. Learn more about our stylish, protective, warm and comfortable garments at www.didriksons.com

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