HANS BEZARD / AGENCE ZOOM / GETTY IMAGES
INTHE SNOW ISSUE 63 | OCT ‘19
SKI LEGEND SVINDAL CONTEMPLATES LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT
SKI NEWS
SNAPSHOT
POWER PLANT SKI SLOPE OPENING October sees the opening of a year-round dry ski slope down the sides of the Amager Bakke
In A Hurry? Here Are Some of Ski’s Current Top Stories ...
power plant in Copenhagen after delays due to
JAMES NORTH
MIRJAGEH.COM
ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL CONTENT POOL
technical issues.
NEW BIGGEST AUSTRIAN SKI AREA
LONDON SKI SHOW IS GO
The FIS 2019/20 Alpine Skiing World Cup gets
A piste and lift connection between Saalbach’s
The last remaining ski show in the UK, The Ski
underway at the end of October at Sölden in
and Zell am See’s ski areas opens this winter
& Snowboard Festival, is back at Battersea Park
the Austrian Tirol. Women race first on Saturday
giving the most combined piste in Austria, but
during the kid’s half-term week, Thursday 24 to
26 October, men on Sunday.
so far it’s one way with a bus back.
Sunday 27 October.
KAPRUN KONNECTS
CORTINA TO HOST THE BIGGEST COMPETITIONS
FIRST MAN TO SKI EVEREST DIES
A long-standing dream to connect Kaprun’s two ski
The 2020s will see a renaissance for Italy’s
Davo Karničar, the first man to ski down Everest
areas, Kitzsteinhorn and Maiskogel, will be realised next
Cortina d’Ampezzo. It will host this season’s finale
from the top, back in the year 2000, and the first to
month. The K-onnection gondola removes the need for
World Cup Finals, then the Alpine Skiing World
ski complete descents from the highest peaks on
a 6km drive and climb of 2,261m.
Championships in 2021 and the Olympics in 2026.
seven continents, has died in a tree-felling accident.
PAOLA DANDREA
WORLD CUP SEASON STARTING
PETER-LINTNER
YEAR-ROUND SKIING COMING TO AMERICA
About a dozen glacier ski areas are open already
An indoor ski centre built in 2008 is set to finally
at the start of autumn, about half of them in Austria
open this month in New Jersey, USA, the first in
for ski Oktoberfests, but more open this month
North America. Unusually indoor snow centres
including Finland’s Ruka and Austria’s Kitzbühel.
opened first in South America and Africa.
THE NORTH FACE / NIC ALEGRE
SKI AREAS OPENING EARLY
THE FUTURE OF SKIWEAR?
LEGO LAUNCH NEW SKI SET
The North Face launch gear this month with
Lego have just launched its first ski resort set.
their new patented fabric, years in the making.
Part of the Lego City range and retailing at
Nanotech-manufactured FUTURELIGHT™ allows a
about £70 it features ski resort base buildings
soft shell to be waterproof as well as breathable.
and vehicles, but no lifts.
INTHESNOW @INTHESNOWMAG INTHESNOW INTHESNOW_MAGAZINE PUBLISHER
CONTRIBUTORS
Dominic Killinger
Megan Hughes Sega Fairweather Fiona Liddell Bruce Pope
dom@inthesnow.com
2019 SEASON ENDS IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
EDITOR
Patrick Thorne patrick@inthesnow.com OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Debbie Gabriel
MAGAZINE & BRAND DESIGN BY
Tom Showler Rocket Base tom@rocketbase.co.uk
debbie@inthesnow.com
Most ski areas south of the equator have closed, or will do shortly, at the end of the 2019 season.
WEB & DIGITAL DESIGNER SOCIAL DIGITAL & CONTENT EDITOR
Max Spooner-Blind
Megan Hughes
EQUIPMENT BY
It’s been a good one for snow in Australia, mixed
SUB EDITORS
in Argentina and New Zealand, poor in Chile.
Nick Jones Marion Adams
Ski Bartlett Sputnik
© Copyright 2019 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 of the publishers in writing.
InTheSnow Ltd Broombarn Lane, Great Missenden, Bucks, HP16 9JD +44 (0)1494 862 423 dom@inthesnow.com inthesnow.com
The snow has already started falling in the Alps, ski resorts are inundating us with their news for the new season and tour operators are sending in ever more holiday discount deals – it seems like the 2019/20 ski season is imminent! With everything starting to kick off, InTheSnow is back in print for autumn and winter, on top of our year-round online presence. In fact, as you can read in our main news story at the front of the magazine, more than a dozen ski areas are already open and by the end of October that number will have tripled. Why worry about the ski-high prices to take the family skiing in the February half-term when you could go to empty slopes for a fraction of the price in the October holidays instead! This year we’ve introduced our ski news matrix at the front of the magazine where you’ll find a quick information fix on some of the season’s big news, mixed in with some of the big events of the coming month, so you’re instantly prepared if you need a quick bit of après-ski banter to prove you’re on top of your skiing game. In this issue we’ve got our usual mix of the big news stories, our regular columns and some great features. You can read all about the incredible Audi Nines competition, find out what one of our writers made of skiing in Georgia, a new destination choice for 2020, and get the lowdown on the best dates to travel to the slopes this winter from travel industry experts. We post new stories daily year-round on the InTheSnow.com website and if you’re looking for inspiration for your next ski holiday) check out our constantly updated ski deals pages online too where we publish the latest offers as they come in from the tour operators.
patrick@inthesnow.com
CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC
EARLY BOOKING OFFER Lift pass & Accommodation from 80€ pp / night
www.booking.chamonix.com
CHRISTOPH NOESIG
EARLY AUTUMN SNOWFALLS OPENS GLACIER SKI AREAS It may still be early autumn, but the 2019/20 ski season is starting to take shape with a dozen ski areas open in the Alps and Scandinavia for the start of October, and at least as many again planning to open through the coming month.
and the majority had already opened by
Switzerland, Val Senales and Passo Stelvio
re-opening is a big media event and draws
the start of October, making up half of all
in Italy and, as well as the areas already
several thousand skiers and boarders.
the areas open in the resort of the northern
mentioned, the Pitztal and Kaunertal
There have been some good early autumn
hemisphere so far. Year-round Hintertux
glaciers in Austria.
snowfalls in Western North America too,
was joined by Stubai and Sölden (where
October also sees the first non-glacier ski
and here at least half a dozen ski areas
the 2019/20 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup
areas opening in both Europe and North
in Colorado, California and Oregon in the
kicks off at the end of October) after a mid-
America. Ruka in Lapland is the first, using
West, as well as (thanks to snowmaking if it’s
September snowfall brought 50cm of snow.
snow-farming techniques to save snow
cold enough) Maine, New Hampshire and
It was very welcome after Europe’s glaciers
from last winter to spread back out on the
Vermont in the East, will all do battle to claim
There have been plenty of excited social
had endured one of the hottest summers
slopes as the temperatures cool in the
the prestigious “First in the US to open” title.
media posts from ski resorts and tour
on record, with all-time highs recorded
autumn, then opening three runs for early-
This year Vail Resorts are hoping their high-
operators over the last few weeks as
above 3,000m in the French Alps earlier
snow fans, white ribbons on the landscape
altitude keystone ski area in Colorado will
the first snowfalls of autumn have been
in July. Summer skiing had ended early as
against an otherwise autumnal backdrop.
be first, having invested in snowmaking with
spotted on ski mountains across the
a result at a number of areas, and Tignes
After Ruka, Kitzbühel kicks off its 200+
the aim of making that possible and being
northern hemisphere, with some of the
decided to delay its autumn re-opening
day ski season through to May 2020, the
able to offer their Epic Pass season pass
biggest to date in the Alps and Western
planned for the end of September as it
longest of a non-glacier ski area in the Alps,
holders at least an eight-month season, with
North America.
felt it needed more snowfall first. But you
when it opens, also using snow-farming
Breckenridge now open to late May. But
Austria has the most glacier ski areas open
can already ski at Saas-Fee and Zermatt in
techniques, from mid-October. Their
other resorts may have other ideas.
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OCT19 // 005
LEADING MAGAZINE SHUTS DOWN One of the world’s leading snowboarding magazines has announced that it is ceasing publication. TransWorld
SNOWboarding launched in 1987 ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL CONTENT POOL
when snowboarding was a very new sport to the mainstream and banned in many US resorts, including Park City, which would later host Olympic snowboarding competition in the 2002 Games.
FUNICULAR REPAIRS TO START NEXT MAY Work to repair the Cairngorm funicular railway, which some have said will cost £10 million, may get underway next May 2020, nearly two years after problems with the lift’s structure were made
MIKAELA SHIFFRIN SETS ALL-TIME RECORDS
public, if the process involved in reaching the stage where work
American ski racer Mikaela
The previous record of 14 wins was set
the third time.
can begin goes smoothly over the
Shiffrin, who turned 24 last
by Switzerland’s Vreni Schneider three
She also became the youngest skier – male
season, set several records last
decades earlier in winter 1988/89.
or female – to win 50 World Cup races (at
winter including becoming the first
Shiffrin, who was the youngest slalom
the age of 23 years and 9 months), and she
person to win more than 15 races in
champion in Olympic alpine skiing history
has now won 60 World Cup races, the fifth
one season, eventually topping the
at 18 years, back in Sochi in 2014, also
most of all time, with the four racers with
podium 18 times.
won the ladies’ overall World Cup title for
more wins than her all now having retired.
intervening months.
SKI FLIGHT FREE CAMPAIGN A new not-for-profit independent campaign, skiflightfree.org, has been launched by digital marketing consultant Iain Martin, with the goal of encouraging skiers to reduce their CO2 emissions when travelling to ski resorts. The website includes advice on how to book train travel, as well as information about sustainability projects by tour operators and resorts.
TOMORROWLAND
FREE SKIING FOR FAIR-SKIN REDHEADS When temperatures hit 27°C in Manchester in the summer, the city’s indoor snow centre, Chill Factore, decided to give those with
TOMORROWLAND WINTER BACK IN 2020
red hair and fair skins who are particularly susceptible to strong
The huge “Tomorrowland Winter” electro
much taken over the resort for the festival,
impressive line-up with acts performing on
sunshine the chance to escape
music festival will return to the French
which is the first winter outing for the
eight separate stages, including three on
indoors away from the heat,
resort of Alpe d’Huez next spring after
Belgian summer extravaganza established
the slopes.
free of charge. They could enjoy
organisers of the inaugural event last
in 2004, which attracts half a million to its
The largest of these, measuring 65m wide
skiing and boarding or tubing,
March declared it a huge success.
summer version down closer to sea level.
and 22m high, is believed to be the largest
tobogganing or the ice slide.
Around 25,000 festival-goers from 113
Tomorrowland Winter 2020 will take place
stage of its kind to ever have been erected
countries were reported to have pretty
from 14 to 21 March and promises another
at such an altitude! tomorrowland.com
006 // OCT19
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SKI SHOP CLOSING AFTER 30 YEARS
CHARITY AIMS AT VERBIER FOR ALL
One of the owners of an independent ski and
A new charitable association has been founded
snowboard shop located near Chichester that is to
with the aim of enabling anyone, regardless of
close after nearly three decades has blamed online-
physical or visual deficit, to access Verbier’s
only retailers as the primary issue that has forced it out
mountains all year round.
of business.
Verbier4All has already received the backing of
Steve Filary, who has owned ski shop Rinskis for
Téléverbier, which is now actively planning to
29 years, told the Chichester Observer he felt
make its infrastructures more user-friendly for
5%
“bitter” that his shop had to close but thanked loyal
people with a physical or visual deficit, and is also
QUOTE CODE 'ITS'
customers and said:
working closely with the resort’s tourist office and
“I don’t want to thank the people who came into the
local businesses. The association aims to provide
shop, tried clothes on for half an hour, and then left
the necessary equipment to facilitate the creation
after saying they had found it cheaper online. It is bad
of a pool of qualified “buddies” to provide anyone
taste, cheeky and rude.”
with the assistance they need.
Mr Filary said the shop could not compete against
It is also the aim of Verbier4All’s founders that
online retailers and that Brexit uncertainty was a further
the association be staffed entirely by volunteers
factor. He is now planning on using his 30 years’
and all funds raised go directly to support the
experience to set up a ski boot fitting, ski/snowboard
association’s activities. The next few months
servicing unit along with e-bike sales, servicing and
will see Verbier4All fundraising to purchase
tours on the South Downs.
equipment for this coming winter. verbier4all.ch
Heavenly Skiing At Down To Earth Prices
DISCOUNT
JPNOISILLIER-NUTS.FR
High Quality Catered + Self Catered Accommodation French and Swiss Alps Snow Sure Resorts
NEW SIX-SEATER CHAIR FOR MEGEVE A new six-seat chairlift will
Kinnear, whose family-run Stanford
Blanc and finishes winding through
open up a previously little
Skiing company (stanfordskiing.co.uk)
the trees to Chattrix,” says John,
skied area of Megève, according
has specialised in Megève for more
adding: “It was only spoilt by the slow
to a long-established ski
than 30 years and has permanent
lift back and an exposed corner near
holiday company in the famous
staff in the resort.
the bottom, which faces west, making
French resort.
“The Epaule run from Mont Joly is in
the snow heavy at the end of season.
The new chairlift will replace a rickety
my view the best piste in Megève.
The corner is being redesigned and
old one at the small village of Chattrix,
It’s about 7km starting on a ridge
the new express lift will make it even
near St Nicholas de Véroce, says John
with stunning close-up views of Mont
more enjoyable.”
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OCT19 // 007
On / Near Piste locations No Hidden Extras Financially Bonded
0151 625 1921 mountainheaven.co.uk
© VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION - DAVID CARLIER
For The Adventure Seekers
LE PAS DE CHAVANETTE (AKA THE SWISS WALL)
to the world-famous resort of Zermatt
the gradient and enjoy developing their
offers some of the most stunning views
skills, while advanced to expert skiers
in the Valais region. At an altitude of
will relish the opportunity to crank up
3,883m, this is one of the highest cable
their carving turns.
Perhaps the most famous run in the
car stations in Europe, giving skiers an
Portes du Soleil ski area, this is on
incredible panorama of the surrounding
many skiers’ bucket list. After heavy
mountains. From here, you can see the
snowfall, moguls of up to 2m have been
mountain peaks not just of Switzerland
known to form on the upper section,
but of France and Italy too.
For On-Slope Refreshment
MITTELALLALIN TO SAAS-FEE
Starting at 3,500m, this high-altitude
For Picture-Perfect Scenery
9km run is dotted with mountain restaurants offering food, drink and
making this run a rite of passage for
RIPAILLE TO GRAND-PARADIS
keen mogul skiers. It covers a descent
This beautifully varied run is sure to
you pass through a steep dramatic
remind all skiers why they absolutely love
glacier landscape of crevasses and
LES ATTELAS | VERBIER
the mountains. A 10km trail down from
mountain peaks down to the slopes
1,820m to 1,055m, this slope provides
of Spielboden. Once you arrive in
One of the most picture-perfect in
exceptional views of the dramatic Dents
Spielboden you can then choose
the area, hit this run first thing in the
du Midi and Dents Blanches peaks, before
between two further descents – the
morning and you will find yourself with
winding through enchanting pine forests
off-piste, often mogul-filled Weisse
MATTERHORN GLACIER PARADISE
perfectly prepared, wide-open pistes
and snowy wonderlands. With twisting
Perle, or the gentler option of the
all to yourselves! With 10km of gentle
trails, straight schusses and some steeper
groomed descent.
sunny slopes, this is a piste that skiers of
sections, this run is a lot of fun. We’d
This 25km run from the cable car
all abilities can enjoy. Upper beginners
definitely forgive you for getting the lift
station of the Matterhorn glacier down
to intermediate skiers will appreciate
straight back up to do it again!
of 400m despite being just 1km long, so it is recommended for only the most experienced skiers.
For The Best Views
008 // OCT19 PROMO
For All Early Birds
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a place to rest your legs! The more challenging upper section sees
For more information visit: visitvalais.ch/dream-descents
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Pristine powder...
...and relaxing onsens
Exciting local cuisine...
...and friendly locals
Modern marvels...
...and sacred temples
Discover Japan with Ski Safari The UK’s #1 Japan Ski Specialist
With world-famous powder, fun and varied terrain and unique resorts, Japan is a ski and snowboard destination like no other. However, there is so much more to a Japan ski holiday than the slopes.
Call 01273 224060 or visit skisafari.com/japan to find out more.
THE PERFECT SKI HOLIDAY IS POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE WINTER IN SALZBURGERLAND & FIND OUT WHY
010 // OCT19 PROMO
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ALL IMAGES: © SALZBURGERLAND TOURISMUS
With incredible snow-covered landscapes, charming Austrian resorts and pristine ski slopes, winter in the Austrian district of SalzburgerLand is a truly magical experience. But a winter holiday in SalzburgerLand isn’t just about life on your skis. It’s about all the experiences that come alongside it, those unique and varied experiences that make up the perfect winter holiday. To enjoy the best of winter in the mountains, SalzburgerLand is the place to be, with regular flights direct to Salzburg airport.
of Neukirchen am Großvenediger and Werfenweng. Much of SalzburgerLand’s accommodation remains family-run, so you can enjoy that famous Austrian hospitality too!
Off The Slopes Often lively, loud and continuing way after the lifts close, energetic après-ski is a staple of many Austrian resorts, and this is no different in SalzburgerLand. What is different, though, is that you can easily swap an afternoon’s skiing or an evening dancing in your ski boots for a host of other unique and equally entertaining activities. You may have seen Segway tours in busy cities, but have you ever driven one through a snowy winter landscape? How about orbing
World-Class Skiing Yes, I know we just said that winter in SalzburgerLand isn’t just about the skiing – but if it were, you would be in for a treat. As the birthplace of legendary ski racer Marcel Hirscher, it’s no surprise that SalzburgerLand’s slopes are some of the best in the world. SalzburgerLand has a rich history of skiing, with the first glacial ski area in Austria opened here in 1965 on the Kitzsteinhorn. Now, 70 resorts are dotted across 22 ski areas in SalzburgerLand, with a grand total of 2,000km of ski slopes.
across a ski slope or ice climbing to keep those adrenaline levels topped up? In SalzburgerLand you can take on all these activities, and more! Why not try laser biathlon, an entertaining Olympic-style challenge that combines cross-country skiing with laser shooting (particularly fun for those with a competitive streak!). Or, if your idea of a perfect ski holiday is more about calm relaxation than competition, SalzburgerLand offers many ways to wind down and enjoy the unique sense of peace that only the mountains can offer. Escape the excitement of the pistes by enjoying picturesque hikes in the Rauriser Forest, accompanied by National Park Rangers showing you all the best sights. Or take a romantic horse-drawn carriage
Perfect For Ski Touring Not just a great destination for downhill skiing, SalzburgerLand is also an ideal place to head up the slope! Head off the beaten track and find some of the area’s best powder runs, or take on your first ski touring adventure with one of SalzburgerLand’s highly experienced guides. Across SalzburgerLand, a number of ski touring trails and touring training routes are available in resorts such as Kitzsteinhorn and Obertauern, and keen skiers can even visit the first ski touring mountain in SalzburgerLand at Zell am See-Kaprun.
ride through a winter wonderland, where you might even get the opportunity to feed some wild mountain animals! Muscles aching after a day on the slopes? Head to one of SalzburgerLand’s many relaxing spa facilities, or to one of the six thermal baths and wellness centres that provide welcome tranquillity after a day’s activity.
Fantastic For Foodies We all know that delicious Alpine food is an important part of any perfect holiday, and SalzburgerLand does not disappoint in this respect. Exceptional culinary offerings available both on and off
Modern Skiing With A Traditional Feel
the mountain are the result of centuries-old traditions and focus on fresh, local ingredients. What’s more, SalzburgerLand has even created a dedicated “Via
At the forefront of advances in lift systems and on-slope facilities,
Culinaria” for ski hut fans. This taste trail running through the
SalzburgerLand is a destination where skiing gets bigger
area’s winter regions allows you to combine a day on the slopes
and better each year. Whether it’s the cable-car companies
with some of the area’s best culinary delights. Delicious!
implementing new technologies or the expansion of the ski resorts,
So whether your idea of the perfect ski holiday includes carving
this is a destination showcasing skiing at its 21st-Century best.
down perfect pistes from dawn to dusk, hurtling across the
However, though SalzburgerLand is well and truly a state-of-the-
snow in an inflatable orb, relaxing in a spa under the stars or
art ski destination, it has lost none of that traditional Alpine charm
sampling the best of Austrian cuisine, winter in SalzburgerLand
that so many skiers adore, particularly in the “Alpine Pearl” towns
is sure to deliver.
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RESORT:INSIDER
ARINSAL
Arinsal is one of Andorra’s best-loved ski resorts. It has a mid-sized, familyfriendly ski area that is linked by lifts and ski runs to neighbouring Pal in the ski area known as Vallnord.
resort has the longest on-piste run in
of teaching for which the principality is
Argentinian Food?
Andorra: over 900m from Pic Alt de la
famed, with a lot of English-speaking
Although Arinsal’s 40 or so eateries
Capa all the way down to Cota 1550,
instructors from all over the world. Pal
tend to specialise in Mediterranean
where the chairlift departs from.
Arinsal Ski School is the only school in
and Spanish dishes as you’d
Andorra to have successfully achieved
expect, Argentinian cuisine is also
Best Bar?
accreditation under the British
offered in half a dozen locations.
It’s a close call, but Hunters tops the
Association of Snowsport Instructors
One of these, Ruta 40 (facebook.
chart. For sports fans, there are big
(BASI) Ski School Quality Assurance
com/Ruta40arinsal), is rated the
screens to watch the latest events; for
Programme. They were first certified in
best restaurant in the resort by
foodies, the team of Peruvian chefs
2014 and renewed in 2017 – it’s every
TripAdvisor reviewers.
Although Vallnord is a little smaller
do great cuisine, including veggie and
three years, so next up 2020.
than Andorra’s other ski region,
vegan options; and one punter was
Grandvalira, the lift ticket costs a little
delighted you could text in your drinks
How Snowy?
less. Like all of Andorra’s ski centres,
order from the terrace. Happy hour
Although Vallnord doesn’t have a
blues; there’s a huge 40,000m2
it’s famous for well-priced food and
in Arinsal generally starts at 4pm and
reputation for deep powder, the stats
terrain park that’s divided into
drink compared to the Alps.
ends around 7pm.
show that in every year for the past
three zones containing, between
decade, at least one winter month has
them, a permanent boardercross
Fab For Freestyle? Yes, it’s not all easy reds and
Off Piste?
British Instructors?
seen more than a metre of snowfall.
run, a large halfpipe and an area
Although perhaps best known for its
One of the big upsides of learning to
There are 400 snow cannons standing
with jumps, rails, spins and fun
easy intermediate slopes, Arinsal ski
ski in Arinsal is the very high standard
by in case nature doesn’t cooperate.
boxes.
012 // OCT19
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JIMMY CHIN
WORDS: PATRICK THORNE
014 // OCT19
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NICK KALISZ
JIMMY CHIN
MAREK OGIEŃ / RED BULL CONTENT POOL
There are lots of feats in skiing that at one time were considered impossible. Almost every ski resort has some couloir or cliff jump skiers have looked up at for decades and thought, “At some point, someone will ski that.” Often, finally, they have.
The First Descents
skied from the top of the same seven summits, although unlike Karničar she did not accomplish complete
Probably the first descent of an 8,000m peak (and you
descents of Everest and Denali.
can argue about what constitutes a full descent) was
K2 (8,614m), the second-highest peak, has proved an
made by Swiss skier Sylvain Saudan. Regarded as one of
even tougher nut to crack, and it was not finally skied
the fathers of extreme skiing, Saudan hop-turned down
until last summer, when the Polish skier Andrzej Bargiel
the face of the world’s 11th-highest peak, Gasherbrum I
made the first full descent on skis on 22 July 2018. It
(8,080m), in 1982. He skied 3,000m of vertical.
had previously claimed the life of Swedish skier Fredrik
Not many people have seen firsthand the tops of the
Three years before Saudan, Frenchman Yves Morin
Ericsson during his attempt in 2010. Bargiel is back
world’s 14 mountains in the Himalayas, which have
skied all the sections of the 10th-highest peak,
in the Himalayas this autumn attempting to become
peaks above 8,000m, and even fewer have probably
Annapurna (8,093m), but did so in stages, not in one
the first to summit and then ski down Everest without
considered that one day someone would ski all of them.
descent. Sadly, Morin died at 6,600m while making a
supplemental oxygen.
As of today, 12 of the 14 have been conquered by skiers,
descent from the summit.
The world’s third- and fifth-highest peaks, Kangchenjunga
although for a couple of the 12 there’s some debate
More than a decade before him, Japanese skier Yuichiro
(8,586m) and Makalu (8,485m), both in Nepal, remain
about whether they have, as yet, truly been skied from
Miura was the first man to actually make turns above
unskied, but after a partial descent of the fourth highest,
the top.
8,000m, on Everest no less. He didn’t go from the top all
Lhotse (8,516m), in 2007, Americans Hilaree Nelson and
The most that any one person has skied is three,
the way down, although he did separately ski down the
Jim Morrison skied the famous “Dream Line” – a very
although several people have now skied the highest
mountain’s South Col, an incredible feat in its own right.
long, very steep couloir giving almost 2000m of vertical
points on all seven continents. Nevertheless, as each
A film, The Man Who Skied Down Everest, was made
from the top of Lhotse – in September 2018.
spring-to-autumn ski season passes in the Himalayas,
about his adventure.
Cho-Oyu (8,188m), the world’s sixth-highest peak, has
news comes of more incredible achievements at the
It’s worth pointing out that thanks to advances in
almost seen more ski descents than the other 13 over-
very extreme of skiing, and more of the planet’s 8,000m
technology, 21st-century skiers are likely to be a
8,000m peaks combined – at the last count there had
peaks being conquered.
good 10kg or more lighter than their 20th-century
been 46. These include the 1988 descent by France’s
Of course, in these days of amazing images and videos
predecessors, and both their clothing and that lighter
Véronique Périllat, who became the first woman to ski
thrown at us endlessly via social media, we almost
skiwear are likely to perform better too.
from the top of an 8,000er and the first person to do so
certainly take these achievements too lightly. The few dozen extreme ski mountaineers who are making these
on a monoski.
From The Top
incredible descents are supremely skilled, incredibly
Of the remaining eight peaks, all have been skied, most from the top to the highest camps below without
fit individuals, usually with decades of experience
After many partial ski descents of Everest, the first full
dispute, with a couple still being disputed.
of climbing to high altitudes and skiing the most
descent from the top of the mountain down to base
So, the only questions remaining now are when will all
challenging of terrain and conditions.
camp was made by Slovenia’s Davo Karničar on 7
14 have been skied and who will be the first person to
They will also be aware of the number of people who
October 2000. Over the next six years, he conquered
ski them all? Despite all our advances in technology, kit
have died, either on the climb up to these great heights
the highest peaks of each of the world’s continents,
and technique, that may have to wait for an edition of
or as they descend.
finishing in Antarctica a month after Kit DesLauriers
the famous Guinness book some decades in the future.
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24-26 JAN 20 GEPA PICTURES/RED BULL
SAMO VIDIC/RED BULL CONTENT POOL
I9 JAN 20
ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL
4-5 JAN 20
Slalom World Cup
Lauberhorn Men’s World Cup Downhill
Hahnenkamm Men’s World Cup
Zagreb, Croatia
Wengen, Switzerland
Kitzbühel, Austria
The event is held in its customary location close to
The men’s tour ramps up with the 90th staging of the
With no Olympics or World Championships this year, the
the Croatian capital and near the Adriatic Coast.
Wengen classic, the Lauberhorn, known among other
Hahnenkamm title will be even more sought after this
Slalom races take place for women on Saturday and
things for seeing the highest speeds achieved on the
winter. The schedule is Super G Friday, downhill Saturday
men on Sunday. There’s €120,000 in prize money.
circuit: up to 162kph if the full 4.4km course is run.
and slalom Sunday. Dave Ryding will be hoping to better
snowqueentrophy.com
lauberhorn.ch/en
the silver he won three years ago. hahnenkamm.com/en
I-2 FEB 20
I5 FEB 20
ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL
ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL
28 JAN 20
Men’s Night Slalom
Women’s Downhill
Men’s Downhill
Schladming, Austria
Rosa Khutor, Russia
Yanqing, China
There are 12 World Cup slalom races scheduled for
February is the busiest month of the season for downhill
February 2020 marks two years since the last
the 2019/20 season, and half of them take place in
racing, with three competitions for the ladies. Germany
Winter Olympics in South Korea and the start of
January. No other month has more than two events, but
and Switzerland are later in the month, but it all kicks
the two-year countdown to the next, centred on
in January there are six, including three night slaloms
off at the venue used for the 2014 “tropical Olympics” in
Beijing. So it’s time to start testing the brand-
under the floodlights, of which this is the biggest.
Sochi, Russia. fgssr.ru
new venues.
THE BIG RACE CALENDAR FOR 2020 I3-I4 MAR 20
I8-22 MAR 20
Freestyle World Cup
Ladies’ World Cup Slalom
World Cup Finals
Tbilisi, Georgia
Åre, Sweden
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Georgia has never staged a World Cup snowsports
After lots of Scandinavian action in recent seasons,
Things were already going Cortina’s way a year ago,
competition but won the bidding to host the 2023
including last year’s World Championships, the focus
after winning the right to host these finals in 2020
Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships
seems to be heading south, with Cortina hosting the
and with the World Championships coming up in
and has announced ambitions to ultimately host a
next championships and beating Stockholm in the
2021, but now its importance has grown again with its
winter Games. First up though is this freestyle contest
2026 Olympics final knock-out. But there’s still a night
recently announced successful bid to host the 2026
in the country’s capital.
slalom coming up in the Swedish capital, and then this.
Winter Olympics. skiworldcupfinalscortina2020.com
FRODE SANDBECH/RED BULL
ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL
I5 FEB 20
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TIROLWERBUNG / NEUSSER PETER
THE TIROL
Easy to reach from the UK, the Austrian Tirol region is home to dozens and dozens of authentic ski resorts and includes destinations that are part of some of Europe’s largest ski areas, as well as some of the most snowsure ski resorts on the planet.
fact, at the end of September this
world-famous Kitzbühel or the
stay in a famous party town like
with wooded hillsides and
year there were just 10 ski areas
glacier resort of Sölden where
Ischgl or make it a ski-and-city
white mountain peaks.
open in the northern hemisphere
the International Ski Federation
break at Igls, perhaps?
and half of them were in Tirol!
(FIS) kicks off the annual World
One Tirol area, Hintertux, is one
Cup tour for the best ski racers
of only two in the world open for
on the planet each October.
Easy access Ski areas in Tirol are some of
Whichever resort type you
the quickest and easiest to
A Big Choice
choose, you’ll find they all
reach from the UK, with many
share some core values –
located less than an hour from
Besides the famous resorts
including the importance
Innsbruck Airport and almost
Famous Resorts
mentioned above, you’ll find
of traditional chalet-style
all within a two-hour transfer
ski village choices of all shapes
buildings and there being no
window. Many resorts are
Several of the most famous
and sizes to base yourself in
concrete rectangles to be
actually less than an hour from
A Longer Snow-sure Season
ski resorts in the world are in
during your stay in Tirol. Perhaps
seen. Authentic wood-lined
Innsbruck, including most of the
Tirol, though you may not have
one of the utterly picturesque
bars and restaurants serving
dozen or so ski villages included
known it. Along with the famous
villages in Ski Juwel Alpbhachtal
hearty local fare is the norm
on the Innsbruck lift pass.
Tirol is home to five glacier ski
ski city of Innsbruck, and the
Wildschönau, or Europe’s
across the region, and almost
Alternative airports including
areas which are open from early
cradle of alpine skiing, St Anton
highest traditional village, snow-
all of Tirol’s villages are located
Munich and Salzburg provide
autumn through to late spring. In
am Arlberg, you can opt for the
sure Obergurgl. You could even
in picturesque valley scenery
fast access to North Tirol.
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PROMO
skiing all year round. You can’t
Authentic
get a longer or more snow-sure season than that.
VISITTIROL.CO.UK
VISITING THE VALAIS
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SWITZERLAND’S MOST VERSATILE SKI REGION If you love winter, you will absolutely adore the Swiss region of Valais. Here, 4,000m peaks watch over the highest-altitude ski regions in Switzerland, where great snow is guaranteed and activity options are endless.
An incredibly family-focused area, here you will find kids’
and with access to the same world-class ski area,
playgrounds, children’s entertainment and ski schools
Nendaz is the perfect base from which to access Les 4
that can familiarise children with the slopes from as
Vallées’ 400km of high-altitude pistes.
young as two and a half years old! It’s the perfect place
However, where Nendaz really shines is off the groomed
to nurture the growing talent of your child.
runs. Nowhere else can you find as much secure
Plus, carrying your skis in Aletsch Arena is a thing of
freeride terrain as here, with seven legendary routes
the past, with all accommodation ski-in/ski-out in this
that draw athletes from around the world to the area.
Fly to Geneva or Zurich and a direct train to Valais from
For Non-Skiers?
Snowshoeing, winter hiking and sun-drenched terraces
both airports will whisk you off to the mountains in two to
In the Aletsch Arena, you can easily enjoy the beauty of
also await those who don’t fancy hitting the slopes in
three hours. If you’ve never experienced the beautiful vistas
an Alpine winter away from the heights of the ski slopes.
Nendaz, and we know where we’ll be resting our post-
of a Swiss train journey (not to mention the efficiency!), this
With 75km of marked winter hiking trails, snowshoeing
walk legs! The 2,200m2 Spa des Bisses has both indoor
is the perfect way to kick off your winter holiday.
trails, lakeside cross-country runs, natural ice rink and a
and outdoor pools, saunas, hammams and treatment
With over 2,000km of pistes available at an impressive
13km sledding run, the active travellers among you have
rooms with a team of qualified therapists to boot.
altitude, the ski areas of Valais offer some of the most
a huge array of choice if you fancy a day off your skis.
Once sufficiently relaxed, taste local produce
exceptional snow-sure skiing we’ve ever experienced,
Or, you can pamper yourself in the only thermal brine
and experience the friendly local hospitality that
with fantastic local wine and unique gastronomy
bath in the Swiss Alps at Breiten, where 33°C water
radiates from this charming resort at the 30 fantastic
awaiting you off the slopes. There’s no surprise that
loaded with mineral salts is sure to be the perfect end
restaurants and bars.
this area is home to some world-famous resorts, with
to a day on the mountain.
Don’t miss the snowshoe hike and raclette in the
big names such as Zermatt and Verbier attracting
Don’t miss the route from Moosfluh to Riederfurka
woods. Experience the magical landscapes of the
skiers from across the globe.
along the Aletsch Glacier – known as one of the most
mountains as the sun sets, before enjoying delicious
However, some of Valais’ best ski areas are those
beautiful high-altitude hiking trails in the Alps.
melted raclette and local wine.
Top Winter Deals
Top Winter Deal
Ski For Free: Children and teenagers up to the age
Dare To Ski: The perfect way to try skiing for the first time
of 20 (year 2000–2013) can ski or snowboard for free
or simply refresh your skills! Equipment rental, one-day ski
every Saturday at the Aletsch Arena.
pass and two-hour lesson all for CHF111 (around £90).
beautiful car-free resort.
For Non-Skiers?
slightly off the beaten track, where incredible skiing meets small traditional Swiss resorts.
visitvalais.ch/ski
ALL PHOTOS: © VALAIS/WALLIS PROMOTION - DAVID CARLIER
Aletsch Arena
Aletsch Winter Hiking Pass: The ideal cableway ticket
A True Ski-In/Ski-Out Winter Wonderland
for all winter hikers and snowshoers.
Events
The Aletsch Arena, encompassing the resorts of
aletscharena.ch
Mud Day Winter: Think “Tough Mudder” on snow! 28 March 2020.
Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiesch-Eggishorn, is one
Nendaz Freeride: This event from 13 to 21 March includes
such destination, with 104km of pistes including beginners’ slopes, snow parks, halfpipes and floodlit
Nendaz
four competitions: Nendaz Freeride Junior, Nendaz
night runs. With an altitude between 1,845m and
The Hidden Gem Of
Freeride 2*, Nendaz Freeride 3* and the Nendaz Freeride
2,869m, the area also boasts exceptional off-piste
Switzerland’s Largest Ski Area
Elite 4* on the 21st of March on the Mont-Gond.
opportunities, with three dedicated freeride pistes in
In the heart of Les 4 Vallées, Switzerland’s largest ski
Nendaz Spring Break: Celebrate the arrival of spring with
Fiescheralp as well as a number of entertaining routes
area, lies the traditional resort of Nendaz. Quieter and
waterslide contests and tropical dance floors!
from the Eggishorn.
arguably more charming than its bigger brother Verbier
nendaz.ch
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COLORADO “SNOW HUGGERS CLUB” Arapahoe Basin ski resort in Colorado has launched the “Snow Huggers Club” as an add-on to any season pass. For an additional $30 (around £25 on the season pass price), skiers and boarders can make their trips to A Basin’s slopes more sustainable by helping to offset carbon emissions from travelling to and from the ski area.
VICAR RIDES UK SNOW CENTRES IN A DAY A “snowboarding vicar” who set himself the challenge of boarding at all six UK indoor snow centres in one day in a charity fundraiser hit his target. The Reverend Steven Young, Vicar of St Michael and All Angels in London, completed his 769km odyssey earlier this year, raising
COUPLE FIND OUT BABY’S GENDER BY SKIING THROUGH PINK CLOUDS
funds for the North London Hospice. A first-time father-to-be has skied
were expecting their first child, but when
and provided the canisters that let off the pink
BC SKI RESORT TO RE-OPEN
down a slope letting off clouds of
the doctor knew what gender the child
smoke across the snow. Greg realised he was
pink smoke from canisters attached
was going to be, they asked him not to tell
going to be the father of a baby girl when he
to his ski poles to reveal to his
them. Instead the information was provided
set off the canister at the top of the slope; his
A ski area in British Columbia,
pregnant wife, and himself, that
in a sealed envelope.
wife Amanda stood at the bottom saw it too.
they were expecting a girl.
The envelope was passed to filmmaker Dustin
“It’s a girl!” everyone cheered, raising their
Colorado-couple Amanda and Greg Day
Farrenkopf, who organised the special ski day
poles in the air.
which last operated in 2014, may re-open but with a new name. Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, located in West Kelowna, closed after a chairlift accident led to three people being injured.
OMAN INDOOR SNOW CENTRE FOR 2021 The Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim group, which has given us Ski Dubai, Africa’s first indoor snow centre, Ski Egypt, and is working on a third mall with indoor snow centre in Saudi Arabia, has said a fourth complex with indoor snow facility is progressing in Oman. The €650 million (around £570 million) centre is due to open in March 2021.
COLORADO SKI TRAIN SETS RECORD
SKI SLOPE ON POWER PLANT FINALLY OPENING
The reinstated ski train from Denver
A new dry ski slope that runs down the
licence it needed to operate on top of,
The centre’s operators say that the
to Winter Park in Colorado set a new
roof of a giant waste-to-energy “green”
essentially, a giant boiler, according to
Amager Bakke power plant “has become
record for the number of passengers
power plant near Copenhagen in
Danish media reports.
part of the city” and that they plan a
carried last winter, since the service
Denmark is due to finally open at the start
It has just opened on occasional days over
three-day party with sports activities,
was reinstated in 2017. An amazing
of October.
the past year when the power plant was
competitions, celebrations and concerts
The facility was built a year ago but did
shut down, but the issue now appears to
all with “a focus on showing what the city’s
not have the necessary health and safety
have been resolved.
new mountain sports Mecca offers.”
19,200 tickets were sold through the season, up 7% on last year.
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APRES-SKI TREAT FUN FOR DOGS
DRY SLOPE MAY NOT BE DESTROYED
Given the growth in dog-friendly accommodation in the
Exeter City Council may be reining back on
Alps, it is perhaps inevitable that après-ski fun for dogs
plans announced earlier this year to sell off land,
would be next. Chalet-company Consensio, which sells
including the area where its dry ski slope is
holidays with dog-friendly chalets and self-catering
located, for housing.
apartments, has announced that they will be offering
The council voted to sell a sports complex and
the first après-ski for dogs, in partnership with pet drinks
the adjacent land where the ski slope is located
company WOOF&BREW.
to a housing developer in February, against the
“It’s non-stop for Fido when lapping up the life of luxury
advice of its own officials and despite a petition
in one of Consensio’s chalets, from early morning snow
against closing the slope signed by more than
runs, being chauffeured to meet the humans off the
2,600 people.
slopes to enjoying exquisite, homecooked meals,” a
The volunteer-run slope has operated more
company spokesperson said.
than 50 years and over the decades had taught
Dogs can sample “the world’s first doggy herbal
tens of thousands of people to ski or board,
teabags” in the shape of a cup of LapDog Souchong,
with a particular focus on teaching children and
Earl GreyHound or Barkjeeling. Alternatively those
disabled people.
in need of the hair of the dog can opt for a bowl
The new council leader is said to be “reviewing
of CHAM:PAWS, described as “a light, crisp, non-
the decision” and has been quoted as saying, “I
carbonated drink made using 100% natural herbs,
would like to keep this space as it is, without …
developed with leading veterinary experts.”
the redevelopment of the … ski slope.”
Learn French & Learn French +Ski/Snowboard Adventure Activities WILL A 3,000-PIECE LEGO SNOW GROOMER GO INTO PRODUCTION? Although Lego are selling a Lego City
will agree to produce it.
Lego giving a six-month extension, but
model, the jury is still out on whether
So far the plan to build a fully working
the 10,000 must be reached by the end
they’ll create a high-spec 3,000-piece
model Leitwolf, Prinoth’s top-of-the-
of October. Anyone can register free of
replica of a piste-basher that has been
range snow-groomer, is halfway there,
charge on the site to vote.
proposed by Tirolian firm Prinoth.
but time is running out.
The model is fully remote-controlled,
Anyone can put forward a Lego set
The project, first announced in February
and all the functionalities of the
plan on the company’s “Ideas” forum,
last year, would normally be allowed 12
real model are working thanks to it
but proposals need to get 10,000
months to get enough support, but the
incorporating nine motors, four remote
registered “Likes” before the company
popularity of the proposal so far led to
control units and two battery packs.
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Ski/Snowboard Ski/Snowboard every every day day 10h 10h or or 20h 20h Interactive Interactive French French per per week week Morzine-Avoriaz, Morzine-Avoriaz, French French Alps Alps
WORDS: MEGAN HUGHES
HERE COME THE GIRLS
DAVID MALACRIDA
The Audi Nines Introduce The First Ever Women’s Setup Running Simultaneously To The Men’s Event
022 // OCT19
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© THE DISTILLERY / FLORIAN BREITENBERGER
DAVID MALACRIDA
If there’s one thing you can be sure to expect from the Audi Nines, it’s freestyle skiing and snowboarding like you’ve never seen it before. And last winter, for its 11th edition, the 2019 Audi Nines by Falken continued to up its game, with two separate event setups running concurrently for the first time in its history.
the athletes at its heart, from
by the all-female Diamond Girls Crew.
10m-high ramp which launched
conception to completion. Now,
The 2019 edition saw a space age
riders over a wild 32m gap. The
the introduction of a second
theme hit the slopes of Obergurgl,
lower section showcased the Audi
resort, with a setup designed and
with a setup that featured a huge
Nines’ signature creativity with
created by women, for women, has
23m Big Air jump, a cannon rail,
spectacular transition features
provided a welcome opportunity for
and the main centrepiece, the
that saw top skiing names such
female riders to shine in their own,
“UFO” feature. A combination of
as Freeride World Tour Champion
bespoke setting.
a rainbow rail with a wallride and
Markus Eder and British freeski
From the initial planning phase,
some impressive extraterrestrial
legend James “Woodsy” Woods
female athletes were involved as
design inspiration, it set the scene
seemingly defy the laws of physics.
collaborators, brought on board to
for some incredible imagery.
The week was rounded off with a
share their ideas with the course
Luckily, throughout the week, world-
Big Air contest, on the women’s
shapers and Audi Nines team. This
class female photographers were
side won by Johanne Killi (freeski)
resulted in a course which allowed
on hand to capture all the action,
and Yuka Fujimori (snowboard). On
riders to take on features they had
as international heavyweights such
the men’s side, Elias Syrjä took the
While the men’s course returned
always dreamed of.
as Sarah Hoefflin (Women’s Ski)
freeski title while Mons Røisland
to Sölden, Austria, for the first time,
“It’s so special to be involved
and Anna Gasser (Women’s SNB)
topped the snowboard podium.
the women of the Audi Nines were
in the planning of one of my
providing the goods on the course.
Awards were also given for Ruler of
busy creating a totally different
favourite sessions,” says Canadian
In an industry that is notoriously
the Week and Best Style.
setup up the road in Obergurgl.
snowboarder and 2013 Olympic
male-dominated, this is something
The Audi Nines is a week of epic
Blasting onto the scene back in 2010,
gold medallist Spencer O’Brien.
we seriously love to see.
photography, video shoots and an
the Nine Knights and Nine Queens
“It’s a dream come true to work
Having two separate courses
exhilarating contest or two. However,
contests have seen the world’s best
together with the other girls and
running concurrently ultimately
as the 2019 event has shown, it’s
freestyle skiers and snowboarders
the organisers to bring the perfect
meant double the action for the
also so much more than this. It’s
take to the slopes across a series of
setup to life.”
2019 Audi Nines.
an opportunity for riders to enjoy,
epic locations and setups growing in
To create this perfect course, a
Epic tricks, jaw-dropping air
experiment and entertain, taking
both size and stature.
dedicated team of eight shapers,
and a few impressive wipeouts
their sports to previously inaccessible
Since becoming the Audi Nines in
two snowcats, and one excavator
were standard order for both
levels. For both men and women, the
2018, the event has continued to
were called into action, with the
resorts, though perhaps the most
2019 Audi Nines has firmly cemented
push boundaries in ways we didn’t
experts at Schneestern helped
entertaining moment was two-time
the event’s place as one committed
even think possible – 2018’s insane
out by the talented shapers of the
Olympic gold medallist David
to progression and promotion of
“SlopeX” course (think snow cross
Diamond Girls Crew.
Wise’s record-breaking quarterpipe
these world-class athletes and their
meets slopestyle but much, much
Using over 35,000 cubic metres of
highest air – a staggering 11.7m!
amazing sport.
bigger…) demonstrating this is an
snow, they created a course sure
The men’s setup saw two huge
event that truly takes no prisoners.
to challenge not only the athletes’
avalanche barriers converted into a
One of the unique elements of
ability, but also their imaginations
serious freestyle playground, with
the Audi Nines as an event is
and, in an Audi Nines first, the setup
big air jumps, giant quarterpipes,
that this is a setup that truly has
was maintained throughout the week
and the notorious “Launch Pad” – a
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THE AUSTRIAN TIROL
TIROLWERBUNG / HEINZLMEIER BERT
YOUR NEW FAVOURITE SKI HOLIDAY CHOICE
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WILDSCHOENAU-TOURISMUS / THOMAS TRINKL
Having a great ski holiday shouldn’t be a game of Russian roulette, battling through big airports and taking long transfers to end up just in a large , soulless ski centre. It’s so much better to take a short flight to a smaller airport, just an hour or so from a charming ski village that’s a true year-round community and famous for its warm hospitality.
Zillertal
ski areas in Tirol, naming it Ski Juwel.
Seventeen modern lifts provide fast,
The Alpbachtal and Wildschönau ski
comfortable access to all slopes, but if you
valleys were connected after 50 years
do want a bigger area, a regional pass
of separate operations on either side of
costing just a few euros more provides
The wide Zillertal Valley, close to
a mountain ridge. The region now offers
access to hundreds of kilometres of more
Innsbruck, is one of the most-loved
something for all tastes and abilities from
slopes just a little way away. The beautiful
Tirolean ski destinations and home
family-friendly terrain to some highly
countryside surrounding the resort is also
to multiple ski villages boasting more
challenging black runs as well as exciting
popular for winter hiking, cross-country
than 500km of ski slopes between
freeride terrain which a local guide will
skiing and snowshoeing with well-marked
them, some of which are open 365
be delighted to help you discover, with
trails to follow.
days a year. One of the world’s most
expert access to the best of the powder.
famous ski resort towns, Mayrhofen, is
The difficulty though is choosing which
reached first as you enter the valley,
charming village to base yourself in, as they all now provide access to the same
The SkiWelt
before you move on to the ski resorts of Hochzillertal-Hochfügen, Zell-Gerlos and Mayrhofen to Fügen. There is also
great ski area. Alpbach has been voted the most beautiful in all of Austria, but the
If you like your skiing on a really grand
the high valley of Tuxertal, crowned
Whether you’re an avid skier or
villages of the Wildschönau Valley are
scale but don’t want to have to hop on
by the Hintertux glacier with its year-
snowboarder, a beginner or you’re looking
extremely enticing too. Auffach, Oberau
a ski bus to go from one area to the
round glacier ski slopes, the only one in
for a family-oriented holiday, and whether
and Niederau here also have picture-book
next, you can’t do much better than the
Austria and one of only two in the world
your preference is relaxing après-ski or
wooden chalets and lots of enticing shops
SkiWelt region, one of the Tirol’s (and
that’s open every day of the year for
more of a party resort, you can be sure
and restaurants as well. They also each
indeed Austria and the world’s!) largest
skiing and boarding.
to find your gem in the Austrian Tirol this
boast their own great local ski school and
ski areas. It features 284km of wide,
winter.
plenty of après-ski activities to enjoy once
well-groomed piste served by 90 fast,
There are dozens of ski resorts here to
you’re off the slopes. At least, whichever
modern and comfortable ski lifts and a
choose from, all with perfectly prepared
you pick to stay in, you can easily ski over
mighty snowmaking arsenal covering
pistes and some of the most comfortable
to visit the others.
more than 95% of the slopes. There are
Zugspitz Arena
and quick ski lifts you’ll find anywhere –
four great terrain parks if you like to get
The Tiroler Zugspitz Arena is located
the perfect setup in fact to make your ski
some air and Austria’s biggest night-skiing
up in the north of the region, close to
operation if you want to hit the slopes
Germany’s famous Zugspitze mountain,
after dark as well. Of course, just because
just over the invisible border. The
there are nearly 300km of inter-connected
area is made up of seven picturesque
St Johann has a great mid-sized ski area
slopes, you don’t need to rush around
villages, each of classic traditional
based above a historic ski town with its old
them. The SkiWelt (or the SkiWelt Wilder
Tirolean style and atmosphere, ideal
pedestrianised centre lined with enticing
Kaiser - Brixental to give it its full title) has
for a wonderful family holiday you’ll
shops and restaurants, many run by the
77 mountain huts to choose from – and
never forget. The ski region has 139km
same local families for generations. There
with mouth-watering home-made cuisine
of ski slopes, most of them delightful
are 43km of varied runs that are perfect for
available at each it can be hard to ski past.
cruises between the wooded hillsides
If you do know your Tirolean ski villages
anyone looking for a relaxed ski holiday
It’s also hard to decide which of the nine
and through beautiful mountain scenery.
but don’t think you know the Ski Juwel
destination as well as beginners seeking
villages at the base of the slopes to stay
Despite this benign image there are
area, you may be forgiven. A few years
the best place to start. Those who are
in, each with many of its own attractions .
more challenging slopes here too,
ago, two of the best-loved and most
looking for some challenges won’t be
Wherever you choose, though, you’ll find
though, if you wish to push your limits,
beautiful ski valleys in the Alps created a
disappointed either with some wonderful
access from Innsbruck or Salzburg quick
and some great freeride terrain.
state-of-the-art lift link between them and
long blacks and local guides happy to
and easy, and Munich Airport too just an
in so doing made one of the 10 biggest
lead you to the area’s powder stashes.
hour away.
holidays here the best you’ve ever had.
St Johann in Tirol
Here are some hidden gems to discover this season:
Ski Juwel
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TH E YEAR IN SKI ING BY PATRICK THORNE
100 YEARS AGO ©2019 ANTHONY UPTON
In 1919, soon after World War I, Hannes Schneider from St Anton, Austria, popularly regarded as the father of alpine skiing, said, “If everyone skied, there would be no wars.” Two decades later, he escaped religious persecution from the Nazis and fled to the US, helping establish Mt Cranmore in New Hampshire.
50 YEARS AGO
ALTITUDE COMEDY FESTIVAL RETURNING IN 2020
The Sundance ski area in Utah was established by actor Robert Redford
The Altitude Comedy Festival has
Friday 3 April.
Both Maxwell and Brigstocke are very
in 1969. Rather ahead of its time, as
announced it’s back next spring 2020
For those unfamiliar with the Altitude
much involved with the festival which
concrete accommodation was going
and tickets are already on sale.
festival, it essentially comprises a week
Maxwell continues to compere. Over the
up in the Alps and the Rockies, the
Although only a few of the acts have been
of evening gigs in various formats and
years most of the great and good of British
area’s emphasis was on maintaining a
announced this far in advance, we do know
lots of daytime fun on and off the slopes.
comedy have turned up at Altitude with
natural environment, including working
the festival will kick off at 5pm on Monday
Wristbands get you access to all, but you’ll
names including John Bishop, Tim Minchin,
30 March 2020 and run to the following
need to book a holiday to be there too.
Sean Locke and Eddie Izzard all performing.
with local Native Americans and serving organic cuisine grown on local Sundance farms.
25 YEARS AGO Although shaped or carving skis had been around, mostly as test and prototype models, for some time, the breakthrough year, led by Slovenian manufacturer Elan, is considered to be 1994, when the term “parabolic skis” was first coined and skiing began to reclaim ground lost over the previous decade to the success of snowboarding.
10 YEARS AGO Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal won the super combined race at the 2009
ABERDEEN’S SKI CENTRE GETS A CONVEYOR LIFT
Alpine Skiing World Championships at Val d’Isère and took the overall World
A new lift has been installed at Aberdeen’s
areas at many ski resorts now, but less so
primary schools who were among the first
Cup title for the year. Lindsey Vonn
Snowsports Centre at Garthdee in Scotland.
at dry ski slopes – will allow children and
to use the new lift.
took gold in the downhill and Super G
Operators Sport Aberdeen have invested
adults with additional support needs to
Mr Taylor said that he hoped the new easy-
at the World Championships and was
£100,000 in the facility, which incorporates
access the slopes.
to-use lift would encourage more people of
a Snowflex dry slope and facilities for
The new facility was opened with a ribbon-
all ability levels to use the slope.
skiing, boarding and tubing.
cutting ceremony by Sport Aberdeen’s boss
A free tubing taster session was also
The conveyor lift – common in beginner
Colin Taylor along with children from local
organised.
the overall Ladies’ World Cup champion. Both athletes retired after the World Championships in Åre, Sweden, earlier this year.
026 // OCT19
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Drei Zinnen
The UK’s biggest ski holiday company, Crystal, is adding a new resort in the Italian Dolomites, just south of the Austrian border, for the coming winter. Drei Zinnen, which is German for “Three Peaks” and which is also known by its Italian name of “Tre Cime di Lavaredo”, is situated in the east of South Tyrol, to the north of Cortina and Venice. It is a high valley in the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage park. The Three Peaks are among the most famous peaks in the Alpine region and constitute a major part of Alpine history. Although as yet largely undiscovered by the UK market, the area can be easily reached from both Verona and Innsbruck, and its uniqueness comes from the fusion of Austrian and Italian cultures, which influences the design, architecture, cuisine and language of the region. The region has 100km of slopes and a strong family-friendly reputation. It is also one of Italy’s leading cross-country ski destinations, with 200km of groomed tracks. The local ski area can be more than doubled to around 210km of downhill piste thanks to a direct rail connection, inaugurated in 2014, which runs from the bottom of the Monte Elmo cable car station in the Three Peaks to the neighbouring ski area of San Candido and Val Pusteria every 30 minutes. The entire region is also part of the huge Dolomiti Superski pass, with its 1,200km of piste. The area has five main resort villages, known by both Italian and German names in this bilingual region: Sesto (Sexten), San Candido (Innichen), Dobbiaco (Toblach), Villabassa (Niederdorf) and Braies (Prags). Most of Crystal’s accommodation is in San Candido. The resort can be accessed with Crystal from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick and Manchester airports. “Our 2019/20 ski holidays are now on sale and we are already counting down the days to the slopes reopening,” said Chris Logan, Managing Director at Crystal Ski Holidays. “We have already announced new flight routes, new childcare clubs, a new resort and a revamped chalet product, so we are really looking forward to the coming season.”
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s è r p A t s i w T A H
T I W
ss gla a th e, e wi e Douc on r fi i g lin La Fol a day èsk c a r to t a cr les a ment eir ap ng y b i b th an ta ng ini axi n the accomp pping terta n. l e u o r n i t’s ncing timate sorts more e ounta i r e ul ir he m r da the now Whe wine o is the any sk e are y on t of -ski ith m ther ff a da W o ès y, apr opes. centl to top sl re r the game an eve i h sk ys t wa
028 // OCT19
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SHANNON MARTIN
EKUSHENKO IVAN IVANDAN.RU
Ice Diving in Tignes
Pet the Elk in Jackson Hole
Try E-Fat Biking in Samoëns
Go Stargazing in Banff
The natural frozen lake at Tignes 2100
Top off a day’s spectacular skiing in
Exhilarating, entertaining and a whole
Choose from an array of ways to admire
offers the perfect place to try ice diving,
Jackson Hole with a visit to the National
new way to view the mountains at night,
the spectacular night’s sky in Banff, from
with ice up to 2m thick creating a magical
Elk Refuge, where you can view
it’s no surprise that e-fat biking is taking
night skiing, snowshoeing and ice-walking
environment of ice shapes and shadows.
thousands of elk in their natural winter
off in ski resorts across the world. In
to relaxing in the Banff Upper outdoor hot
A thick drysuit will keep you from feeling
habitat, as well as bison, wolves, bighorn
Samoëns, take on the Bostan slope,
springs. At 2,900m high, Banff Gondola’s
the chill, and highly experienced divers
sheep and bald eagles. The perfect
where you can climb 1,100m in elevation
evening stargazing sessions combine
will be on hand to show you the ropes.
après-ski adventure for animal lovers!
and enjoy an epic downhill descent on
telescopes and interactive exhibits with
the way back down!
tips from professional photographers and
Available in daytime and at night with
warm drinks!
JESSIE UNRUH/BRECKENRIDGE DISTILLERY
Evolution 2.
Wine Ski Safari in Alta Badia
Visit Snow Monkeys in Japan
Sample Local Spirits
Slopeside Distillery
With a unique location in the heart of the
The skiing in Japan is unlike any in the
Experience a ski-in/ski-out whisky distillery
Over in Colorado, the Breckenridge
Dolomites, Alta Badia is home to some
world and so too is our favourite off-slope
in Park City, Utah! The High West Saloon is
Distillery blends water from the melted snow
of the best wines you can get on the
activity here, a visit to the Jigokudani
only a stone’s throw from the slopes and
of the Rocky Mountains to create delicious
slopes. Ski between mountain huts and
Snow Monkey Park. Wild Japanese
allows skiers to sample locally made spirits
spirits, from award-winning whiskies to
sample some of the area’s most delicious
macaque monkeys bathing in the
in a truly unique setting.
flavoured vodka. The highest distillery in the
offerings in one afternoon!
snowy hot springs? That’s certainly not
world, it’s truly après with a twist.
BANFF GONDOLA BY PURSUIT
something you see in the Alps!
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ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL CONTENT POOL
C R O AT I A
Croatia is of course famous for its beautiful coastline along the Adriatic, which the vast majority of its 20 million visitors each year are heading for. But the country does have mountains in the form of the Dinaric Alps, the highest point of which is Mt Dinara (1,831m), located down near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the south.
For a country with a population of four
the tour heads to what seems a rather
The skiing takes place at Croatia’s mountain
million – which is less than Scotland – it
unusual location by the Adriatic.
sports centre, which is currently undergoing
does remarkably well at sport. Croatia
In fact, World Championships and
an upgrade, with a new chairlift among
might be most famous for football, but the
Olympics aside, it’s quite unusual for
improvements in the works. The lifts and
Kostelić siblings are among the all-time-
Alpine racers to be in the same resort at
runs are situated on the northern slopes of
great names in skiing. Janica is the only
the same time, but the first weekend of
Medvednica and located only about 19km
woman to win four gold medals in alpine
the New Year (4–5 January) has for more
from Zagreb, beginning at the Sljeme peak
skiing at the Winter Olympics (in 2002
than a decade now become the Snow
with about 300m of vertical. The total slope
and 2006) and three alpine skiing gold
Queen Championship weekend in Croatia,
length is about 4,500m, with three lifts: two
medals at one Olympics (2002), while her
partly in honour of Janica and Ivica. Part
drags serving the White and the Green
brother Ivica won a total of 26 World Cup
of the popularity of the two slalom races
slopes, and a chairlift to the World Cup run,
races during his career, taking the slalom
is that the contest has one of the biggest
the so-called Red slope, which is equipped
World Cup title in 2002 and 2011 and the
combined prize purses on the circuit:
with snowmaking and night illumination.
And although it’s warm and sunny much
combined World Cup title in 2011 and 2012.
€120,000. The snow is, however, often
Croatia has another eight or nine small ski
of the year, January and February often
But what of Croatia’s own skiing? Well,
of a rather sugary consistency, and there
hills dotted around the country too, most
see sub-zero temperatures, especially up
avid followers of the Alpine Skiing World
are SnowFactory all-weather snowmaking
with less than 100m of vertical and served
in the hills.
Cup will have noted that every January
machines on site if needed.
by single drag lifts.
030 // OCT19
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INGHAMS OFFERING NEW LAPLAND 5★
NEW GRINDELWALD GONDOLA OPENING
SKI CENTRE TO GET £13.8M CASH INJECTION
Inghams will be one of the first British tour operators
The first stage of a massive overhaul and upgrade
One of the world’s leading dry ski centres is to get a major
to offer ski holidays based in a brand new 5★ hotel in
of ski lifts above Grindelwald and Wengen in
cash injection from the local council to transform it into a
Finland’s largest resort, Levi.
Switzerland’s stunning Jungfrau Ski region is due
multi-sport outdoor activity centre.
The new Design Hotel Levi is set to open on 1
to begin operations this December.
The Hillend dry ski centre above Edinburgh, also known as
November this year and is part of the same large
A new gondola lift with a new terminal in Grindelwald
the Midlothian Snowsports Centre, located in a prominent
complex as the existing 4★ Levi Hotel Spa, and guests
will open on 14 December providing much-improved
position on hillside above the Scottish capital, has been
at the Design Hotel will have access to some of the
access to the Männlichen ski sector. The state-of-
one of the world’s biggest year-round ski centres for
existing hotel’s facilities, including its huge complex of
the-art aerial gondola, with 111 ten-passenger cabins,
around five decades.
themed swimming pools, while also having their Design-
replaces a more than 40-year-old lift, which at the
Its ski slopes were overhauled and expanded several
Hotel-only space and amenities.
time of its installation back in 1978 was the longest ski
years ago with investment from the council and Scottish
The boutique hotel will feature 77 deluxe rooms,
lift of its kind in the world with a total length of 6.2km.
government; however, this new £13.8 million council spend
which will combine traditional Lappish style with a chic
The new lift will double the transport capacity from
on “Destination Hillend” will go on widening the centre’s
design: materials sourced from Finland will include grey
900 to 1,800 guests per hour and cut the journey
appeal including building the highest zip line and longest
pinewood, natural stone, and black and copper finishes.
time from 30 to 19 minutes.
Alpine coaster in the UK, an activity dome with high ropes
In a separate development, Inghams have also launched
The lift is the first of several in a huge CHF420
and soft play as well as a food court and shops. There are
a “Big Three” excursion bundle to Lapland, including a
million (around £345 million) multi-year upgrade
also plans for a hotel and glamping-style accommodation.
shared snowmobile safari, a husky safari and a reindeer
known as the V-Cableway project, which from
The ski facilities will get a new reception building, and the
safari and farm visit for £112 per adult, and for children
December 2020 will see a second new lift installed
fun slope will be upgraded for the Snowsports Centre.
aged 13 and over, a saving of £85pp. For children aged
to transport skiers from the same new terminal to
The upgrades will be phased over three financial years
four to 12 years, the price is £85, down from £113.
Eigergletscher station.
between 2019 and 2022.
WORDS: BRUCE POPE
032 // OCT19
@INTHESNOWMAG
When it comes to skiing, Georgia (the country, not the US state) seems to be hiding in plain sight, off the radar of most snow-seeking Brits, despite being less than a five-hour direct flight away and bordered by the towering mountain peaks of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus.
road in place within three years, but at the moment it’s slightly surreal to come bouncing up an ancient track to find this toddler of a ski resort taking its first steps 1,700m up in the Lesser Caucasus. There are only two lifts in Goderdzi, with the top station at 2,300m servicing just a few pistes, so this is more a destination for experienced freeriders seeking fresh lines and a little adventure.
The snowy slopes of those two mountain ranges are home
Cat-skiing is available for GEL1,000 around £285) per day
to a handful of fast-improving and expanding ski resorts,
– that’s for group use of one piste groomer with an open
where daily lift passes cost as little as 50 Georgian lari
carrying platform at the rear, not per person.
(GEL), roughly £15.
The higher slopes of Goderdzi are dotted with huts and
Accommodation and meals are also a fraction of the price of
small houses, and they were the backdrop (and occasional
ski resorts in the West. It is a place where the cultures, ideas
playthings) as we made fresh tracks through creamy mid-
and flavours of Europe and Asia have flowed and intermingled
March corn snow.
for millennia to produce something pretty special.
There was one hiccup when our piste-basher didn’t have
Landing blearily from an overnight flight to Tbilisi, I was soon
the clearance to get under a telephone cable in our
wide awake at the sights of Georgia’s fascinating capital
path. This was swiftly solved as the offending wire was
city, the starting point of a whistle-stop tour of the country’s
unhooked and shoved further up its pole.
skiing areas that proved to be no less eye-opening.
That cleared the way ahead but perhaps left some
Our group’s first destination was Mestia, a base within
muddled lines of communication behind us. But that’s
striking distance of two ski areas: Tetnuldi and Hatsvali.
Goderdzi: rough, ready and a little bit bonkers.
Mestia would have been worth the trip by itself, with
In contrast, Gudauri, the country’s largest resort, ticks the
its distinctive medieval-period defensive house-towers
boxes for all levels of skier.
providing a stunning backdrop to our stay, but we were
Situated less than two hours’ drive from Tbilisi along one
here to ski, and we weren’t disappointed, as we were
of the main goods roads into Russia, Gudauri was begun in
treated to a fresh dump of snow at Tetnuldi.
the 1980s under the guidance of a group of Austrians.
Tetnuldi’s lifts climb to 3,160m, and although the area has
From its purpose-built base at 2,100m up to the top station
only a handful of marked pistes, there is a huge amount of
at 3,276m, Gudauri has everything you would expect from
easily accessed off-piste terrain.
a “proper” ski resort: dedicated learner areas, long cruisey
We spent most of the day lapping the Jumber Kakhiani
blues, a couple of testing reds and blacks, plus a good
chair midway up the mountain, finding fresh lines through
choice of mountain restaurants and après-ski bars.
wide open bowls before darting through copses of well-
For expert skiers there is a huge choice of off-piste, while
spaced trees and jinking through gullies.
there are three heli-skiing companies in operation.
The freeride possibilities in Tetnuldi are exciting, and as
A year on from the accident and a €90m (around £80m)
it costs around £200 to hire an internationally qualified
investment has added new lifts to expand Gudauri, with
mountain guide for the day, even a small group of
the government planning further improvements that can
freeriders will get tremendous value from a trip here.
only increase the country’s lure.
Neighbouring Hatsvali offers more tree skiing, while its
Georgia is puzzlingly under-explored and ignored, but with
handful of mostly red runs are brilliant swooping pistes dotted
all it has to offer, it is unlikely to stay that way for much longer.
with rollers to set the stomach fluttering at high speed. Hatsvali’s main advantage is that it can be accessed by a chairlift on the very edge of Mestia while Tetnuldi is a 15km drive, although there is a plan to cut out the tricky last 6km
Ski Georgia in 2020
by lift-linking the nearby village of Mulakhi.
British ski holiday company Mountain Heaven
Difficult access is the Achilles heel of much of the skiing
(mountainheaven.co.uk), who are best known for their
in Georgia, and although the government is forging ahead
apartment and chalet holidays in the Alps but also have
with improvements to infrastructure, hiring a 4x4 vehicle
experience of organising ski trips to Iran, will organise
and driver is the best option on mountain roads that are
a trip to Georgia in 2020. The trip will combine skiing
often little more than dirt, stone and potholes.
with experiencing some of the culture, food and wine of
Nowhere was the variable state of the roads better
Georgia. The trip, from 13 to 22 March, will include a stay
demonstrated than when approaching our next
in the country’s capital, Tbilisi – fast becoming a hot-spot
destination, Goderdzi, with our rugged Mitsubishi Delica
destination for foodie city breaks, with its hipster bars
van taking an hour to inch its way up the last 25km.
and great-value restaurants – before hitting the slopes
Goderdzi resort was only created in 2012, but it is growing
of Gudauri. Price was to be confirmed at time of going to
rapidly, with hotels and chalet-style cottages being thrown
print but was expected to be around £1,500pp, including
up to take the accommodation from 100 beds to 2,000.
five days’ skiing and three days’ sightseeing. Return flights
I was told the government has promised to have a new
cost extra, at around £300pp.
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DASBILD.CH | JUDITH STADLER && ANDRÉ USTER
Last winter the first European Hard Rock Hotel was unveiled, and being one of the coolest leisure groups in the world, Hard Rock didn’t mess about knocking up a new place but instead took over a historic building, complete with chapel, in central Davos.
benefit from private parking and card access to the ski room. The hotel’s exclusive 1000m2 Rock Spa®, the world’s first fully immersive music-centric spa, is a particularly unique facility. Utilising amplified vibrations, pressures and patterns as the foundation of its treatments, the groundbreaking experience takes guests on a rhythmic massage journey. Bass vibrations
Your Own Swiss Apartment In The Hard Rock Hotel From: CHF800K to CHF2m (AROUND £665k to £1.6m)
034 // OCT19
Ideally located just off the resort’s main street
ripple through the massage table as treble
and midway between the ski lifts and the
beats come from above, sending pulses
various sectors of the huge Davos Klosters ski
through the body and leaving guests feeling
area, the Hard Rock Hotel oozes the kind of
energised and invigorated.
cool rock-star credibility for which the company
Designed by world-renowned architect Woods
is famous, perfectly blended with high-class
Bagot, the spacious one- and two-bedroom
Swiss quality. So essentially you can feel both
residences are sleek and contemporary,
rock-star cool and very, very comfortable at the
combining Swiss quality and design with a
same time. And then go skiing.
Hard Rock twist, and range in size from 60m2
What’s unusual for Switzerland is that foreign
to 128m2. Residents can also enjoy a variety
buyers can actually purchase one of the
of exclusive perks and events – providing a
hotel’s serviced apartments. The residences
modern-day opportunity to “live like a rock star”.
at the Hard Rock Hotel in Davos are a
When you are not in residence, your
collection of 31 high-specification, one- and
apartment can be rented out via the hotel,
two-bedroom apartments, with the service
providing a rental return estimated at around
levels and convenience of hotel living.
5%. You may also be able to claim that
Buyers are able to benefit from VIP access to
some billionaire, prince or perhaps a lesser
a suite of first-class amenities within the Hard
president has stayed at your place, as the
Rock Hotel, from a spa, pool and gymnasium,
residences commend a premium rental
to private dining or drinks at The 5th – the
during the annual meeting of the world’s
only rooftop bar and terrace in Davos with
movers and shakers at the Davos World
360-degree views. Apartment owners also
Economic Forum each January.
+41 79 5396782 | RESIDENCESATHRHDAVOS.COM
ESF OPENS IN CHINA The Ecole du Ski Français (ESF) has opened a ski academy in Chins in partnership with Club Med at Beijing’s Star Mountain ski resort. Club Méditerranée SA is known as an iconic French brand, although it was actually founded by a Belgian in 1950. Although headquartered in Paris, it was bought by the Chinese Fosun corporation in 2015.
SNOWBOARDING PIONEER DIES One of the biggest names in the development of snowboarding has died at the age of 89. Back in 1965, while living in Michigan, Sherman R. Poppen decided to nail his daughter’s
EUROPE’S GLACIERS WILL MELT FAST EVEN IF CLIMATE CHANGE STOPPED
skis together to create what he named a “Snurfer,” the forerunner to the snowboard, and the inspiration behind Jake Burton’s invention.
NEPAL’S FIRST SKI AREA OPEN
A new report from scientists at
The study found that two-thirds of the
Even if urgent action is taken, the study found
Delft University of Technology has
continent’s remaining formerly permanent
that around half of all glaciers will be gone by
calculated that most of Europe’s
ice will be gone by the turn of the century
2050 due to “locked in” climate change.
The Guardian has reported that the
remaining glacier ice will have
if people act urgently now to slow climate
Dr Harry Zekollari, who led the study, told
first ski area in Nepal has opened at
gone by 2100, even if mankind
change. If they don’t, the scientists believe
The Independent website that over the last
manages to suddenly stop climate
that all 4,000 glaciers in the Alps will have
30 years glaciers have been “… massively
change emissions very soon.
disappeared by then.
losing mass.”
the village of Kuri. The newspaper reports that the ski area currently has one gentle ski run and one homemade ski lift; however, unfortunately it had stopped working because it is too cold.
VAL D’ISERE TRIAL HORSE-POWER Val d’Isère have tested out what they believe is the first horse-powered gritter used to spread salt on pavements to break up the ice. A team led by Xavier Mattis have developed the machine which rotates automatically to spread salt on pavements around the resort with the speed of spin determined by the pace of Odyssée, the 13-year-old Comtois mare pulling it.
£75 SEASON PASS FOR TEACHERS
DELAYED SNOW CENTRE TO OPEN The world’s longest-delayed indoor snow centre will open on 25 October, its operators say. The “BIG SNOW Ski and
Angel Fire resort in the USA put a season
use it then too.
adding: “The game-changing pass is a first
pass on sale at a very low price for
“The Teacher Pass is designed to thank
of its kind in the industry as it is the first
Snowboard Park” in New Jersey, the first
teachers, just $99 (approximately £75).
educators for the work they do with
discounted season pass that has been
indoor snow ski and boarding centre to
It is valid all season with no blackout
students and to make skiing easier and
offered exclusively for today’s educators.”
be built in North America back in 2008,
dates so teachers who are usually
offer more value for teachers and their
The resort has launched the 2019/20
is part of a huge $5 billion+ (around £4
restricted to travel at the most expensive
families during the ski season,” said Angel
Teacher Pass during “Teacher
million+) mall, the construction of which
school holiday periods of the season can
Fire Resort Marketing Director Greg Ralph,
Appreciation Week” in the USA.
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broke several big corporations.
OCT19 // 035
THE Season Break down 2019/2020
With the new ski season coming up fast, InTheSnow consulted with tour operators and travel agents to talk through the key periods and find out what to be aware of when considering your holiday dates. December 2019 The consensus is that December is continuing the rebound in popularity we saw last winter. Prior to that, early-season bookings had dipped after a series of poor-snow early seasons, but nerves have been soothed in that regard the past few years with much more snowy Decembers. Of course, no one really knows what the start of the season is going to be like, and it remains wise to book somewhere with a good snowfall record for early season in case 2019 isn’t great (though fingers crossed it will be!). The good news for Christmas and New Year ski holidaymakers is that they each fall on a Wednesday – midweek – meaning those booked on the standard weekend changeover get to their resort for the Christmas/New Year build-up and then get a few recovery days before the trip home. In terms of school holidays, the whole of Europe is on holiday for the two weeks from 21 December, so that puts price-rising pressure on space. “Many private schools are on holiday the week commencing 14 December and no other European country has holidays that week, so prices are extremely low and it could be a good way to be the first ones on the slopes while being back for Christmas at home,” suggests Xavier Schouller of French ski specialists Peak Retreats. Of course, if you don’t have school-aged children and book somewhere as snow-sure as you can find, that works too.
036 // OCT19
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January 2020 January was traditionally one of the quietest and most affordable months of the season, and we seem to be reverting to type now that the years in which Russians filled resorts and celebrated their Orthodox New Year a week after everyone else, thus pushing prices up, are behind us. Even in the bad-early-snow seasons, the snow has started to arrive in abundance by the start of January, so the month is a relatively safe bet, although this is also the time that has seen too much snow some years, bringing parts of Austria to a standstill a year ago and affecting France and Western Switzerland in the same way the year before that. Not that that implies anything similar has to happen in 2020.
February 2020 February half-term is going to be “one of those” again, with many properties and flights already fully booked and prices for remaining holidays eye-wateringly high (and then some). That’s because the main week for the UK is again from 15 February, which is also a holiday week for some of the largest European ski markets, including Holland and Belgium. The French stagger their holidays over four weeks from 8 February to 8 March, but the second week, which clashes with the main week for the rest of Europe, covers the huge Paris area and another third of France, so it adds to the huge demand over what is the half-term holiday week for most British schools. The message, therefore, is this: if you’ve not got school-aged children and have a choice, avoid the week from 15 February. If you do have school-aged children and aren’t tied to that week, you’re very fortunate. One piece of advice for those finding February skiing unaffordable is to avoid the most common ski airports, like Geneva, Salzburg and Innsbruck, as you may find something less exorbitant elsewhere. For example, flights to Munich will open up all of Austria and even the Dolomites, which tend to be a little less booked up in half-term week.
March 2020 After the French holidays end on 8 March, the last two-thirds of the month should bring some good deals. With the longer, warmer days and hopefully good bases built up by now, resorts tend to offer lift ticket deals, and this is when many of the big snow and music festivals take place. Easter isn’t until well into April, so there are not going to be many schoolchildren around.
April 2020 After a late Easter last year (21 April), this year Easter Sunday is a little earlier (12 April) and falls in the middle of the holiday fortnight for many schools, with holidays running from 4 April (although some private schools do break up the week before). French school holidays also run from 4 April with Paris divided over the two weeks, and as Belgium and most of Germany also have that school holiday fortnight, you can draw your own conclusions. “Availability for Easter may disappear a little earlier than last season, but for the moment there is still decent availability, although bookings are very strong from the UK for that period,” concludes Xavier. Whenever you decide to hit the slopes this winter, have a great holiday!
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NEW RUNS & LIFT AT HEMSEDAL The new Totteskogsheisen lift will link the accommodation area at Totteskogen, where a new hotel is being built in addition to existing cabins, making it easier to access the slopes. In addition, two new ski runs ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL CONTENT POOL
are being added to further expand the already large run choice at Hemsedal.
ELECTRICITY THIEVES GET 40 HOURS A duo who hid away in an indoor snow centre until staff had gone home, then played on the slopes for several hours, were sentenced to 40 hours’ community service for stealing electricity. The pair were originally charged with stealing “hot beverages” during their unauthorised stay at Snozone in Milton Keynes.
BURTON: 50 YEARS OF LED ZEPPELIN Snowboard company Burton have released a snowboard with a shape and graphics inspired by rock band Led Zeppelin’s first album. Burton’s “Misty Mountain Hop” snowboard
MARCEL HIRSCHER CONFIRMS RETIREMENT AT THE AGE OF 30 Following Lindsey Vonn and Aksel
from 2012 through to 2019, winning more
the world for downhill skiing behind only
Lund Svindal earlier this year,
Crystal Globes than anyone else in history.
Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark (86) and
Austrian ski racer Marcel Hirscher
However, following his marriage and then
America’s Lindsey Vonn (82).
confirmed his retirement from the
the birth of his son last year, he says his
He also has two Winter Olympic and seven
sport at the age of 30 last month.
priorities have changed.
World Championship gold medals as well
Hirscher is the current overall World Cup
Among his many achievements Hirscher
as being voted five-time Austrian “athlete
champion, a title he has won eight times
has won 67 World Cup races, the third in
of the year” (another record).
has been released, the company says, as part of the celebration of 50 years of Led Zep this year.
ROSSIGNOL DITCH FUR The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation says ski company Rossignol will no longer source fur for use in their clothing. Rossignol owns 12 brands that are sold in over 6,000 outlets around the world and distributed in 51 countries and joins a PICMONKEY
growing list of companies that have recently taken a stand against fur.
UPGRADES FOR SKI AREA IN MOROCCO One of the few ski areas in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa
PARK CITY AIMS TO RECLAIM SHOT SKI CROWN Park City has announced plans to try
laws, both now with their local ski
1,299 shot ski drinkers.
could be about to receive a major
to retake the world record for the most
mountains owned by Vail resorts, have
Park City is coming back with, they hope,
upgrade. A 204-million Moroccan
people drinking a shot from a very, very
been outdoing each other to take and
1,310 simultaneous drinkers on Saturday,
dirham (around £44.6 million) spend
long “shot ski”, which it formerly held,
retake the title for several years now, and
12 October, thanks to the local High West
by the Wilaya of Marrakech-Safi
before the record was taken from it by
the skis keep getting longer.
Distillery and the city’s Rotary Club, who
on upgrading Oukaïmeden ski
Breckenridge.
In 2018, Park City took the title back when
hope to raise $40,000 (around £32,000) for
The famous ski towns, the Utah one once
1,275 people tipped back an 840m-long
good causes from the stunt, coming mostly
having had strict alcohol consumption
ski, only to see Breckenridge line up
from a $25 (around £20) participation fee.
centre, located about 80km from Marrakech, is being planned.
038 // OCT19
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FIRST MAN TO SKI EVEREST DIES Davo Karničar, the first man to ski down Mt Everest and the first person to record complete descents of
BRAND NEW SKI SHOW WATCH NOW
all seven highest summits on every continent, has been killed in an accident at his home in Jezersko in northern Slovenia according to news agency reports. Karničar, aged 56, was reported to have died while felling a tree at his home. Karničar was a member of the Yugoslavian national ski team between 1975 and 1982 and began climbing in the Himalayas in 1989, climbing K2 in 1993. He made his first ski descent from Annapurna in Nepal in 1995. Karničar made world headlines when he completed the first complete ski descent of Mt Everest on 7 October 2000 and went on to make complete descents from each of the highest peaks of the world’s six other continents by 2006.
NEW GONDOLA TO CUT CO2 EMISSIONS A new gondola has opened in the French Pyrenees which will lead to reduced road traffic from the Louron Valley up to the ski area of Peyragudes this season. The new Skyvall gondola, with a price tag of €10 million (around £8.8 million), has its base station located north of Loudenvielle near Balnéa and its upper station on the snow front in the heart of the resort. The 3kmlong lift has 32 cabins, each holding up to 10 people, climbs 650 vertical metres and is the first stage of a €30 million (around £26.5 million), 10-year project to
SKI NEWS GEAR REVIEWS WORLD SNOW REPORTS & EVERYTHING YOU LOVE ABOUT SKIING
transform Peyragudes into a year-round resort. The new lift is expected to result in a sharp reduction in car traffic on the Peyresourde pass road up to the ski area, and the resort has calculated it will significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the valley (estimated reduction to 274 tonnes of CO2 or 89,072 car trips/year less).
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WORDS: FIONA LIDDELL
040 // OCT19
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I feel I should start with a minor confession – my first skiing experience was actually when I was a toddler, rather than an adult. My parents took me to the Scottish ski area of Glencoe for the day and attempted to put long sticks on the feet of a very confused child.
night off, we were supplied with a delicious three-
nothing says “fun” like four adults screaming in
course meal along with a constant flow of wine
terror while racing down an ice slide at 80kph!
and conversation with our fellow guests and our
After a few days I was starting to feel the aches and
knowledgeable hosts.
pains familiar to most experienced skiers. Fortunately,
First things first – rentals. We used the services of
Massage Me was there to help, providing skiers with a
Skiset’s Boudu Ski Hire where we tried out the latest
wide range of massages to help relax those affected
thing in ski footwear technology – a foot scanner!
muscles. I can also highly recommend the resort’s
On my last two ski trips, I found my boots to be too
Superluge experience (in essence tobogganing down
narrow for my wide feet, leading to painful arches.
a blue run with a guide), which I swear I was much
Ultimately, the experience culminated in tears and
With this scanner, the assistant was able to give me
better at than I will ever be at skiing!
being run over by an overly enthusiastic boy in a
boots that were perfectly fitted.
When I think back to that trampled, red-faced child
toboggan. After this disaster, I was understandably
We began our trip by going on a guided tour of
on skis, I would never have imagined her whizzing
uninterested in repeating the affair with future ski trips.
the resort with Sylvain from Oxygene Ski School.
down a red confidently. Despite being nowhere
Years later as an adult, my fiancé, Sam, took me to
Luckily my vague intermediate standard wasn’t a
near 2020 Olympics standard, I found I was able to
Austria for a few days with the intention of teaching
problem for Sylvain, who was happy to adjust the
see as much of La Plagne as anyone else. Even if I
me how to ski and convincing me that, contrary
runs included in the tour to match my ability and
had been a complete beginner, there were so many
to my toddler trauma, it can actually be a fun and
still provide challenging sections for those with
options for easy runs all over the resort and plenty
rewarding activity. After a couple more of these
more experience.
of après-ski activities to keep non-skiers happy. For
trips, I was starting to feel fairly confident with my
Four hours of skiing is no small feat for a relative
learning or improving skiers like me, La Plagne is a
ability and – shock, horror – to really enjoy myself.
novice, but with Sylvain’s help I was able to conquer
perfect playground to perfect your skills.
I’m not amazing, but I can tottle down blue runs
a few red runs along the way. I was sceptical about
without losing control completely. So, when the
getting La Plagne’s Paradiski pass that includes all
chance came to spend a week at La Plagne with
the lifts at Les Arcs too, but I found that the vast
Ski Beat, I was excited at having the opportunity to
number of blue runs and easier reds available in La
hone what I had already learnt with a longer period
Plagne meant I could ski everywhere really.
A week’s fully hosted ski holiday to the vast La
of skiing.
As my confidence grew in the coming days, we took
Plagne ski area, part of the 425km of pistes that
We arrived at our chalet in the middle of a blizzard
our trip out to Les Arcs with the aim of getting to the
make up the Paradiski region, costs from £549pp.
and were greeted by our friendly Ski Beat chalet
highest point in the resort. The waiting time for chairlifts
The price includes return Gatwick flights (Manchester
hosts, Sam and Jenna. Chalet Bartavelle is exactly
and gondolas was minimal and we were able to find
+ £20), transfers, seven nights’ accommodation in
what I imagine when I think of a classic winter
our goal with the help of La Plagne’s app, YUGE.
a homely, hosted chalet, with cooked breakfast,
wonderland homestead – open log fire, a sauna,
Off the slopes there’s a plethora of exciting
homemade afternoon cakes and tea, three-course
incredible views and everything being made of
activities to be enjoyed after a hard day’s skiing at
evening meals with wine (six nights) and the services
wood. Each room has its own en suite bathroom
La Plagne. We were lucky enough to be able to try
of a friendly chalet host. A week’s stay at the Chalet
and balcony, and every night bar the staff’s one
out the resort’s famous Olympic Bobsleigh Track;
Bartavelle costs from £659pp.
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Travelled To La Plagne With Ski Beat
01273 855100 | SKIBEAT.CO.UK
BY PATRICK THORNE
MORE AUTUMN SKIERS FOR SHRINKING GLACIERS Although the number of ski areas remaining where you can ski or board in summer is dropping, and the summer season is getting shorter at those that do still run their lifts up on the glaciers in the warmer months of the year, the number of people wanting to ski or board in summer is growing fast – at least that’s the experience reported by Saas Fee in Switzerland and particularly with race teams looking for summer training. “Saas-Fee is now regarded as a global snowsports resort for young and top athletes during the training phases in summer and autumn. Expressed in numbers, over 330 teams from
GO SNOWBOARDING WITH BILLY MORGAN & JENNY JONES Club Med has spent €85 million
Jenny, slopestyle Olympic medallist from
with stretching and meditation classes to
(around £75 million) renovating
Sochi, and Billy, the men’s big air Olympic
relax both the mind and muscles,” a Club
and extending its village in Alpe
medallist from Pyeongchang last year.
Med spokesperson said.
d’Huez ahead of this winter, and as
“The pair will be offering riding sessions
Prices for the week start from £2,099pp,
part of the celebrations British
on how to glide down the mountain like
which includes flights from London,
Olympic medallists Jenny Jones and
a professional, through to technique
transfers, premium accommodation,
Billy Morgan are set to host a week
top tips to ensure guests have the
gourmet food and open bar, ski pass,
of snow-filled activities.
opportunity to discover their inner
lessons and guides, exclusive activities and
Taking place from 22 March 2020, British
champion. Away from the slopes, both
riding sessions and tips from Jenny and Billy.
customers will have the opportunity to join
ambassadors will help guests unwind
clubmed.co.uk/masters-of-the-mountain.
19 different countries train on more than 50 race tracks of Saas-Fee,” a statement from the resort’s lift company reads, continuing, “This is increasingly leading to capacity bottlenecks at the Allalin 5 glacier ski lift, with waiting times of up to 45 minutes per trip.” But while summer skier numbers are increasing, Saas Fee’s glacier, like most others, is shrinking due to climate change, so the solution this year has ROCK THE PISTES
been both additional uplift capacity to cope with the numbers, and a realignment of lifts to cope with the changing terrain as the ice melts. “For years, global warming has also been noticeable in Saas-Fee. At the exit point of the Allalin 5 glacier ski lift, the glacier has melted, making the descent steeper and shorter. When the number of incidents increased at the exit point last summer/autumn, the supervisory authority together with the Saastal Bergbahnen AG analysed the situation. Consequently, the mountain station had to be lowered,” the statement concludes.
042 // OCT19
ROCK THE PISTES BACK FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY 2020 dates have been announced for the
region from 15 to 21 March 2020.
performance to the next, and with entry
10th edition of Rock the Pistes in the huge
The festival will comprise five live
to the concerts free to lift-pass holders,
Portes du Soleil region on the French/
concerts on the ski slopes and more than
revellers can enjoy the freedom to rock out
Swiss border.
30 après-ski concerts across multiple
where they please. The 2020 line-up has
Rock the Pistes is one of the largest music
resorts on both the French and Swiss side
not yet been announced but past acts have
festivals in the Alps, with more than 28,000
of the Portes du Soleil.
included Rag’n’Bone Man, the Klaxons and
music fans expected set to descend on the
Festival-goers can literally ski from one
Pete Doherty.
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importance of choosing the correct
you see online, but this is more than
equipment, particularly for anyone still
compensated for by their expertise
learning the sport.
and advice, which could save you
I was quietly confident and managed to
money later. Above all else, be sure
get up to ride the wave on the first try.
to honour that guidance by buying
Buoyed by confidence on the second
from the store, rather than taking the
trip, I chose to ride their carving board
counsel and buying online. That isn’t
instead of the beginner-friendly one.
fair to the independent shops, whose
Each attempt ended similarly, after a
passion and knowledge is not to be
few seconds, with a dive, a crash or a
undervalued.
slam into the lake. More than my ego
Underestimating to what extent
took a bruising, leaving me frustrated,
equipment can hold someone back –
disheartened and wanting to call it a
even making them want to quit – has
day. I sheepishly took the white board
given me a renewed appreciation of
next and was comfortably riding the
the importance of seeking the correct
wave in a matter of seconds, proving
advice when it comes to equipment.
that my inability was entirely due to
It reminded me of the importance of
the equipment choice.
the SIGB ski test and particularly that
you should be feeling! Interestingly,
Slopeside, it is difficult to rectify
our team has the experience to be
a few skiers on the SIGB ski test
equipment choices within the limited
able to describe exactly how a ski
last year struggled to differentiate
time of a lesson. Having suggested
rides and to know who to recommend
between two similar sets of skis. This
adjustments, many clients are reluctant
them to. This will ensure that not only
can lead to all reviews reading “this is
to change their bought equipment, and
our clients but also many readers
a great ski” regardless of its intended
sometimes rental shops can be hit or
continue to enjoy being on the slopes
user and conditions.
miss having never seen the client ride.
using the right equipment!
Compared to many sports, where
Personally, I have always told my
The key is to get the right equipment
You can find our unbiased video
the equipment looks very similar to
young athletes that the most important
from the beginning. If you are renting,
reviews of 2019/20 skis on
1990, the snowsports industry has
thing is the skier and that the ski
research where has good reviews; often
InTheSnow’s YouTube channel,
seen huge technological advances
shouldn’t matter, especially if they
ski schools have affiliated partners they
InTheSnow.TV, while videos on how
that have even increased popularity
can’t tell the difference between
trust. Ski schools like ours may offer
to find your skier level appear on
in certain sectors of the sport, such
skis. On a surprise powder day, I
to meet at the shop to ensure that the
AlpineMojoskischool.com.
as the prominence of freeride skiing,
used to scoff at the athletes who
equipment is really the best option.
born out of powder boards.
would ask, “Could we please go back
If you are unsure what you should be
For most people, fine differences
to get powder skis?” I saw it as a
buying, head to a British shop. They
between two similar sets of skis are
learning opportunity in balance and
may not offer the
difficult to notice, especially when
coordination (and didn’t want to miss
exact deal
they’re focused on their body’s
the powder!).
that
movements. This makes it even harder
This summer I was lucky enough to
to choose which is the best ski for your
try wake surfing for the first time.
ability, body composition and goals,
This experience caused me
when you might not even know what
to reappreciate the
WORDS: SEGA FAIRWEATHER
The advancement in snowsports technology over the past two decades is nothing short of amazing.
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THE SEASON AHEAD What’s New From Tour Operators This Season
044 // OCT19
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It’s that time of year again when travel companies, airlines and everybody else hoping to grab your business during those four months of the main ski season from mid-December to mid-April announce their new ski destinations, new chalet and hotel choices, new flight routes, and anything else they can think of to get you to book.
flagship property in the resort this winter after, they
the Arctic Circle and is one of the most northerly
say, five years of planning and two decades after their
towns in the world. A new Porsche-designed gondola
first Aspen house. They have unveiled the all-new
was unveiled there earlier this year.
Aspen Lodge, which features their trademark smart
Nozawa Onsen, Japan – Inghams have added this
contemporary mountain design, snugly wrapped in
classic ski resort in Japan, which has associations with
local timber and generously filled with impeccable
the early years of skiing in the Austrian Arlberg and
interior design delivered with aplomb.
the famous hot-springs snow monkeys. Sierra Nevada, Spain – Sierra Nevada is already offered by a number of tour operators, who are joined
The Brexit Eternity
this season by Ski Solutions. “It’s a resort that is well known for its great snow record and sunny climate,
Of course, the Brexit process continues (or at least it
and it is also really close to Granada, making it the
The list of new options is always too long to squeeze
was doing when we wrote this), and there’s concern
perfect city and ski combination break,” said Craig
into a double-page feature, which is one of the
that a hard Brexit will cause issues for British workers
Burton, CEO Active Travel Group.
reasons why we publish hundreds of news stories
hoping to be in the Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees and
in print and online through the autumn, but here are
elsewhere at the start of the season, although many
some key points to be aware of this winter.
people now seem beyond caring.
New Ideas?
“Interest in ski holiday booking is still very high, and it would seem that 31 October is having less of an effect
Along with lots of new destinations, some tour
Less Austerity, More Flexibility
than the previous March deadline. I think most people
operators have some nice new ideas too.
got used to the idea one way or another and just
Ski Weekends are launching a new fully flexible
want to get on with it in a kind of ‘whatever happens,
door-to-door pick-up and return service for their
More than a decade after the age of austerity ushered
happens’ way,” said Xavier Schouller of Peak Retreats
guests. Manager Dan Fox explains that skiers can, for
in a boom in all-inclusive fixed-price ski holidays, we’re
in early September.
example, be collected and driven to the airport from
seeing far fewer tour operators talking about that this
work and be in resort effortlessly that evening. For the
season. Instead, the onus is more on affordable luxury
return trip, they can be picked up from their UK arrival
and flexible travel options and trip durations. That
New Destinations
matches with what various industry reports have been
airport and driven home. Sociable singles specialist Friendship Travel has
telling us has been the trend for the past few years.
Vars, France – Erna Low have resumed offering ski
introduced Chalet Pregentil in Alpe d’Huez to its line-
One example is the new Premium range from Ski
holidays to the underrated “White Forest” ski region in
up of ski holidays for the coming season. The seven-
Collection, which features 11 properties in top resorts
the southern Alps, which Vars shares with Risoul on a
bedroom traditional chalet will operate as a house
in the French Alps.
well-priced lift ticket.
party exclusively for single travellers on six departure
“All have an undoubtedly luxurious feel with
The specialists in smaller French ski resorts linked in
dates, including Christmas.
exquisite interiors and quality facilities,” a company
to big ski areas also have new choices. Villard de Lans
Finally, Clarian Chalets are planning a Ladies’ Ski
spokesperson enthused.
is a lively village with a large market centre and a dairy
Week staying in their La Grange au Merle Chalet in the
cooperative that has been producing blue cheese for
French resort of Châtel in March. The special week
over 600 years, while Les Sept Laux, another typically
will include women-only instruction and plenty of
Fewer Chalets (From Some Companies)
French resort in the Belledonne mountains, is made
pampering, with an all-day resort driver, a concierge
up of three lift-linked villages that have access to
service, a professional chef, gourmet food with wine
120km of piste, as well as being home to one of the
during the evenings, and aperitifs with Crémant
“This season, as a result of Brexit, some chalet
best-rated snow parks in France.
(French sparkling wine) on demand. Nice.
companies have reduced their offering, resulting
Drei Zinnen, Italy – Crystal have announced a number
in fewer chalet holidays being available overall for
of new destinations, and Drei Zinnen, with 110km of
2019–20,” said Craig Burton, CEO Active Travel
piste near the Austrian border in the northern Italian
Group. “It’s therefore vital that families and groups
Dolomites, isn’t offered by any other big operator.
keen to book the traditional week-long chalet break
Rather further afield, Mountain Heaven, who have
Clarian Chalets: clarianchalets.com
get booking soon.”
previously broken away from their norm of apartments
Crystal: crystalski.co.uk
However, one leading operator at least doesn’t
and chalets in the Alps to offer ski trips to Iran, are to
Friendship Travel: friendshiptravel.com
seem to have got that memo. Neilson, one of the
organise a trip to Georgia in 2020 – see our separate
Inghams: inghams.co.uk
UK’s biggest ski companies, has announced it will
Georgia feature.
Jet2: jet2.com/en/ski
be significantly expanding its Mountain Collection
Italian ski holidays have been added to Skiworld’s
Mountain Heaven: mountainheaven.co.uk
portfolio for winter 2019/20 with the addition of a new
portfolio for the 2019/20 season, with self-catered
Neilson: neilson.co.uk
flagship hotel, two chalet hotels and 12 chalets in Val
apartments and hotels in Arabba, Corvara and Colfosco;
Peak Retreats: peakretreats.co.uk
d’Isère. This brings the overall number of exclusive
Madonna di Campiglio; and Selva Val Gardena.
Ryanair: Ryanair.com
Neilson-run properties offering the free “Mountain
Ski Safari have their usual long list of enticing ski
SAS: flysas.com
Experts” professional ski guiding and coaching service
trips around the world, including Canada and Japan,
Ski Solutions: skisolutions.co.uk
across France, Andorra, Austria and Italy to 44.
but seem to have an ever-growing Scandinavian
Ski Weekends: skiweekends.com
VIP SKI, which already has 11 chalets and one CLUB
focus. This season, they’ve got a trip to Narvik on the
Ski World: skiworld.co.uk
Chalet in Val d’Isère, are also unveiling their own new
northern Norwegian coast, which sits 225km within
VIP Ski: vip-chalets.com
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Tour Operators
OCT19 // 045
THE VIVIENNE BRINGS PRIDE TO INDOOR SNOW
NEW LIFTS AT “EVER GREENER” SERRE CHE
SKI RESORT TRANSFERS BY DOG SLED
The UK’s longest indoor snow slope, Chill Factore,
The southern French ski area of Serre Chevalier
It will be possible to get to your ski resort
celebrated Manchester’s Pride by inviting one of the
Briançon, known as “Serre Che” for short, sees big
accommodation from the new Scandinavian Mountains
UK’s most famous drag queens, The Vivienne, to ski
spends on infrastructure improvements each year
Airport by dog sled when it opens this winter.
down the slope in full regalia.
and 2019/20 is no exception with two major new
The new airport, which will be served by direct SAS
The Vivienne has been performing around the world
lifts due to be installed.
Airlines flights from London Heathrow, is located 10
for the past 11 years and since 2015 has been the UK
However, the resort is also building on its
minutes from Sweden’s Sälen ski area, with Norway’s
ambassador for the global hit TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race.
commitment to be increasingly renewable-energy
Trysil 40 minutes away just over the border.
She donned her famous blue sequin dress, swapped her
powered and producing 30% of its electricity
The trip to Sälen by dog sled towed by a team of 10 Alaskan
pink stilettos for ski boots and let her blonde locks loose
needs on-site by 2021, with hydroelectricity
huskies does take longer than the 10-minute trip by private
on the snow. The Vivienne sashayed down the 180-m
generated through its snowmaking network,
transfer or a shared shuttle bus and costs more at 4,995
snow slope complete with a free-flowing Pride flag trailing
photovoltaics with 1,420 solar panels, some of
Swedish krona (about £420 at time of writing) per sled, which
behind her, showcasing its array of mesmerising colours.
which were designed in Serre Chevalier, and
is also likely to be a lot more than the flight, but it is different.
“This is the best I’ve ever felt in drag. If I can walk in 10-
micro-wind turbines with two wind energy devices.
“We’re excited to offer the unique experience so
inch heels, I can walk in skis! I’ve always been a fan of
For the coming winter, a second wind turbine
guests can immerse themselves in the magical winter
skiing; it really is an activity for anyone and everyone,
is to be added along with four new sites of
landscape as soon as they’ve stepped off the plane,”
regardless of ability,” said The Vivienne, adding: “It
photovoltaics and the resort’s first production unit
said Mathias Lindström, Sales and Marketing Director at
has been such an honour being asked to represent
for hydroelectricity.
SkiStar, which runs the resorts.
the LGBTQ+ community at Chill Factore and be the first
Serre Chevalier will open for the weekends of 30
The fee includes overalls, safety clothing, hat and warm
drag queen on the slope; it’s the perfect way to glide
November and 1 December and 7 and 8 December
shoes provided and flights from Heathrow commence
into Pride.”
then non-stop 14 December to 19 April 2020.
on 28 December.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
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Lange RX Heritage
Mons Royale Bella Tech
Ski Boot
Flex Women’s Baselayer
Norrona Lyngen Down850 women’s hood jacket
The pink panther is back. Originally developed in 1988, the iconic XRi has been brought back to life but with modern performance and fit. Those of you that remember the original version will definitely appreciate the historic good looks, bringing back amazing memories from your past. Who wouldn’t want a pair? £499 | skibartlett.com
The Bella Tech looks flattering and performs impressively well whether you’re hot or cold. A merino wool drop back, long sleeves and high neck mean no gaps to let in the biting cold. Strategically placed mesh panels allow excess heat to escape where it needs to. Super-soft, comfortable and odour-resistant. £89.95 | skibartlett.com
If you’re looking for a very packable down jacket that feels like you’ve just snuggled into a sleeping bag, then the Lyngen Down850 Jacket is the ultimate. An ideal accompaniment to every backcountry tour, easily fitting into your backpack with its small and light pack size and ready to throw on at the top of the mountain to keep you warm. You’ll get loads of use out of this jacket, as it will be the first thing you reach for on cold days in the mountains and the streets. £319 | skibartlett.com
Lange Podium Shoe
Originally designed for World Cup athletes to be able to represent their sponsors, Lange, when they went up onto the podium, these are now available in a very limited quantity for you. Comfortable and warm, you can wear them to the slopes, onto the podium or for everyday use around town. These truly are an iconic Lange product that definitely stands out in the crowd. £85 | skibartlett.com
Scott Scrapper 105 Ski
A lighter-weight and playful-feeling all-mountain ski that will be just at home floating in powder, carving clean turns on piste, agilely playing on any terrain you throw at it and light enough for touring into the backcountry to find a hidden gem. This is one of those all-round skis that really can be your quiver of one for on-piste, off-piste and touring, and what’s more they’re great fun with a feel-good factor of 10! £524 | skibartlett.com
Faction Prodigy 2.0 Ski
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The ultimate all-mountain ski with a cheeky freestyle-inspired touch. Its poppy wood core and directional twin shape give you the inspiration to pop, stomp and surf all over the mountain. And don’t be fooled by its freestyle looks; these will rip down the pistes and at 98mm underfoot they will happily cruise through powder and crud. A great ski if you want a one-ski-does-everything tool to have loads of fun on. £468 | skibartlett.com
Anon Define Junior Helmet
Dakine Racoon Scrambler Mitt
Who wouldn’t want raccoons on their hands, including all you parents? These adorable little characters will keep your loved ones warm and dry, and with their long gauntlet-style cuff and cute good looks there will be fewer battles to get them on your little cherubs! £19.95 | skibartlett.com
With an integrated goggle helmet combination, your kids will have no chance of losing their goggles and there’ll be no more wrestling with your little ones every time you need to put their goggles on! What’s more, your ‘little Miss Independent’ will want to do it all on their own. £114.95 | skibartlett.com
Volkl Mantra 102 Ski
A completely redesigned Mantra ski. Lighter carbon tip and tail and a titanal frame give you more stability, dampening and a livelier feel. A rockered tip and tail make it easier to initiate the start of turns. Add to this a new 3D radius concept, which gives you a much more versatile feel to the ski, allowing you to play much more with the shape and length of your turns. All in all, a great all-mountain freeride ski that will never let you down! £649 | skibartlett.com
More at skibartlett.com With their renowned reputation for specialist expert advice, combined with their carefully selected and tested range of products, it’s no surprise that Ski Bartlett’s word-of-mouth reputation over the last 50 years has made them the UK’s most popular independent ski shop!
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Arc’teryx
Patagonia Powder
Sidewinder Jacket
Bowl Jacket
If you’re looking for a fully waterproof and extremely durable jacket that’s also lightweight, the Sidewinder is a great choice. With its cleverly designed offset zip and 3D articulated fit, this jacket has been created to give you uninhibited movement for every activity. £579 | skibartlett.com
If you are an ecoconscious consumer then why compromise when it comes to purchasing your ski equipment? Built with a 100% recycled polyester Gore-Tex face fabric and carefully thought-out mountain design, it gives you waterproof, windproof and breathable protection against the winter elements. Combine this durable outer shell with its wicking mesh liner and you have a comfortable jacket for all the rigours of mountain activities and daily winter life. £339.95 skibartlett.com
Arva Evo5 Avalanche Transceiver
Fed up of bulky, heavy transceivers digging into your ribs? Prefer to wear your transceiver in your pocket? The compact Evo5 transceiver is not much bigger than an iPhone but doesn’t lack performance features – an easyto-use, large 50m search area, interference management for electronic devices, secondary avalanche activation and much more. A small but powerful device that should be in everyone’s pocket! £319.95 | skibartlett.com
Patagonia Descensionist Backpack
Durable CORDURA nylon fabric makes the Descensionist extremely lightweight, but the fabric is tough enough to help prevent damage and wear. After extensively being put through its paces by the likes of designers, athletes and mountain guides, the result is a host of impressive backcountry touring features and truly reliable performance when you really need it. £139.95 | skibartlett.com
Arcade Santa Cruz Rambler Belt
A lightweight elasticated belt with new limited edition Santa Cruz screaming hand graphic. No metal buckles to freeze up in the cold. Elasticated for comfort while moving, whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding or just wearing this every day – because once you appreciate the comfort of an Arcade belt you will not want to wear anything else! £19.95 | skibartlett.com
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Scott Alpride E1 Electric Airbag 22L
After the big hit last winter of Scott’s E1 Electric airbag, the range has now been extended to three backpack size options for this year. A new smaller 22L backpack has now been added to the award-winning E1 electric airbag range, a great size if you’re the kind of person who wants to wear an avalanche airbag all the time for everyday resort-accessed off-piste. The airbag system is removable so you can transfer it to different size E1 electric airbag packs, making this a great future proof option. £799 | skibartlett.com
Dalbello
Full Tilt Dropkick
Black Diamond
Lupo Air 130 Ski Boot
Junior Ski Boot
Spark Glove
A truly lightweight freeride touring boot that doesn’t compromise on its performance. Its revolutionary new tongueless construction and cable closure give you a feather-light feel with good performance hold around your foot. At 1,300g, why would you want anything else? £624 | skibartlett.com
Finally a Full Tilt ski boot for junior freestyle-inspired skiers. Based on the original Full Tilt design but with a shorter cuff and softer progressive flex for smaller, lighter skiers. Watch your kids’ progression soar whether hitting the park, carving up the piste or playing in endless pow. There’ll be no stopping them! £224 | skibartlett.com
These gloves combine supertough goat leather with a BD.dry waterproof insert to stand up to the rigours of many days on the mountain. Combine this with Primaloft insulation for warmth and dexterity and you have a very comfortable glove for all conditions. £69.95 | skibartlett.com
OCT19 // 049
Union Strata
Burton AK Gore Swash Jacket
Snowboard Bindings
The Swash Jacket’s PrimaLoft® insulation is like a built-in vest, focusing warmth around your core while leaving your arms light and free to move about. High-tech in every respect, the Swash is fully sealed against wind and water with the added reinforcement of GORE-SEAM tape. It is equipped with a lightweight lining for ramped-up wicking and breathability. £419.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com
The Strata is a crossperformance wrecking ball, featuring a Stage 6 Direct Injected base, which incorporates an “industry first” Fused Vaporlite Bushing System that sets new standards for how a snowboard binding should function and perform. £239.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
Volcom Nya TDS GoreTex Women’s Jacket
The Nya TDS® Gore-Tex Jacket features all of Volcom’s top proprietary technology. The GORE-TEX outer ensures you stay dry and the insulated panels use Responsible Duck Down keeping you warmer for longer tours and endeavours. It has a Split Tail back, which keeps the silhouette slim while keeping manoeuvrability. £599.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
Capita The Outsiders Snowboard
A perfect board for any rider who wants to progress in the park without having to sacrifice performance on the rest of the mountain. The lovely mix of triax/ biax fibreglass means you can still turn with heaps of response, but pop enough to throw it at any kicker and not get chucked off a rail if you land too hard. £459.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com
Capita Defenders Of Awesome DOA Snowboard
The Capita DOA has a camber mid-flex twin profile, which allows it to be poppy in the park, and carbon-fibre beams with a poplar/beech core that makes it stable and responsive for charging the whole mountain. This is a board best suited for intermediate and advanced riders that really want to push their limits in the park, hit side hits and charge on piste. £419.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Anon Insight Sonar Goggle
Burton Moto
Featuring a low-profile design that’s packed with performance, the Anon Insight Goggle offers a women-specific design for the best possible fit and comfort. Cylindrical Lens Technology provides maximum field of vision and comes with a SONAR lens by ZEISS installed in the frame to enhance contrast for the best possible definition and terrain recognition. £79.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
Top-tier comfort and ease of use at a price that’s hard to beat. The hasslefree Speed Zone lacing lets you set a blistering pace to the lift line and the Total Comfort construction offers the perfect, broken-in feeling straight out of the box. To further dial in the fit, the new Imprint 1+ liner can be heat moulded for extra comfort. £169.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
Men’s Snowboard Boot
Capita Paradise Women’s Snowboard
A perfect board for carving, jibbing and powder runs. Built for a girl who wants a stable, poppy yet forgiving ride that’s not going to leave you exhausted at the end of the day. Holds a perfect edge while feeling really light through powder, thanks to its resort V3 profile. £369.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
050 // OCT19
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Jones
Ortovox Route 32L
Mercury Snowboard Binding
Backpack (Night Blue)
The Jones Mercury binding has been designed for the all-mountain rider who needs supreme edge control and comfort balanced with a more manoeuvrable, medium flex. The asymmetrical Highback shape with Flex Hinge technology dampens chatter and follows the contours of your leg for comfort and to eliminate calf-bite. £264.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com
The Haute Route 32 is perfect for ski excursions lasting several days. Unlike the smaller models, the main compartment of the Haute Route 32 can be accessed from both the top and the back so important items are always close at hand! A separate safety compartment guarantees immediate access to emergency equipment. £150 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
Burton AK Gore-Tex Guide Glove
Featuring Gore-Tex 2-layer fabric. You’ll dig the GORE-TEX membrane + Gore grip technology that keeps the liner locked inside the shell. Screen Grab® thumb and index fingertips give you gloves-on touchscreen control, and the PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation will keep you warm in the coldest of conditions. £119.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
Volcom Stone Stud Stomp
Give confidence to yourself getting off the lift with the Stone Studs Stomp. Discrete and subtle, the stones keep your free boot in place without giving up too much real estate on your board. £14.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com
Smith I/O Mag Goggles Austin Smith x THE NORTH FACE
The I/O MAG™, utilising the Smith MAG™ lens change system, is designed for optimised performance and perfected fit: two locking mechanisms for lens security, AirEvac ventilation for fogfree integration with Smith helmets and a frame designed around one of Smith’s largest spherical lenses, providing a maximised field of view and 5X anti-fog technology. £254.99 | RX Sport
Volcom Travelin Hood Thingy
If your face needs protection from the elements, the Travelin Hood Thingy helps to keep the wind from nipping you. The Bonded Woven with Sherpa Backing material helps keep you insulated from winter conditions allowing you to spend hours outside when everyone else runs for cover. £29.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com
Capita The Equalizer By Jess Kimura Women’s Snowboard
Burton AK Gore Swash Pant
Tough as nails and fully taped, the Burton [ak] GORE-TEX 2L Swash Pant features bomber waterproofing and breathability thanks to GORE-TEX two-layer fabric. Built for those who operate at a higher level, it also features a performance-oriented articulated fit and Test-I-Cool venting, which zips open knee to knee, for maximum cooling. £329.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com
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This snowboard’s mid flex allows a nice relaxed ride, while Capita’s new technology, Technora + Flax boosters, really allow you to boost in and out of turns, making the board feel really nimble underfoot. This board really picks up speed on piste and in powder with its new quantum drive base, a strong, fast base that really lets you fly down the mountain as fast as you choose! £439.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com
Anon Highwire Helmet
The Anon Highwire Helmet features Endura-Shell construction for long-lasting durability and strength. The sleek, low-profile design with a classic brimmed look incorporates venting throughout to keep goggles clear and maintain comfort all day long. The Auto-Adjust Fit System makes it easy to find the perfect fit. £84.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com
Volcom Swift Bib Overall Women’s Pant
The Swift Bib Overall has a stretch slim fit, which assists with your mobility. It also has slight contouring and a narrow articulated knee, which gives the right look. Versatile on the mountain, throw a jacket over these on those cold days to help keep you warm or layer with a hoodie underneath the suspenders on warmer spring days. These are overalls with options! £199.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
More at sputniksnowboardshop.com Sputnik is one of the UK’s largest independent snowboard shops. We offer great choice and service to all our customers. Whether you are beginner or expert, we can kit you out to ensure you have a great day on the mountains.
CHOOSING AN AVALANCHE AIRBAG BACKPACK
Union Trilogy Women’s Snowboard Binding
Along with your transceiver, shovel and probe, avalanche airbag backpacks are rapidly becoming a firm fixture of essential off-piste equipment.
The Union Trilogy binding is the strongest women’s binding in the industry, and a favourite for many pro riders. The Trilogy is bombproof and can handle any condition or terrain with ease. The femalespecific design comes backed with the safety, security and confidence of a lifetime warranty base. £209.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com
Dynafit Hoji Free Ski Touring Boot
Utilising the same characteristics as last year’s award-winning Hoji Pro Tour boot, you can now forget worrying if your touring boots have enough range of movement for the uphill, or enough performance for the down. With the new Hoji Free you will have uncompromised performance of both. With the ‘HojiLock System’ you’ll get solid lockdown for skiing and instant free-flowing movement for skinning up – these truly are a game changer in performance and ease of use in every aspect. £584 | skibartlett.com
In the last few years, a variety of new battery-powered electric airbags have come onto the market, but what are the advantages of these vs. the traditional pressurised canister systems? Electric vs. Canister Airbags Weight – Canister-style airbags are generally lighter than their new electric counterparts, which can be important on a tour where light weight is key. Ease of use – Electric airbags utilise a rechargeable battery and are usually charged by a simple USB cable. Pressurised canisters need to be returned to a shop to refill. An electric airbag can also be activated multiple times at home, allowing you to practise using it. Maintenance – Pressurised canisters need to be weighed every year to make sure they haven’t lost pressure and gas. Batteries need to be charged every so often. Inflation time – Both electric and canister airbags claim to inflate in seconds and nowadays both are very quick. Inflation Power – Inflation power is generally better with pressurised canister airbag systems – meaning if you have weight on the airbag, it will still inflate. Multiple use – Electric airbags can be activated a second time on one charge, meaning you can continue skiing off-piste. Canisters have to be refilled at once. Air Travel – Flying is not an issue with electric airbags but with pressurised canisters, you do have to declare them to the airline, which can be awkward and time-consuming. So, whether your main priorities are lighter weight, ease for travelling or power of inflation, there is always a suitable avalanche airbag.
052 // OCT19
Full Tilt Après Bootie
From the house to the slopes, these après booties will keep you warm and dry. Fleece-lined for cosiness, DWR water-resistant coated outer fabric, gripper soles for treacherous après assaults, and they’ve even got Intuition insoles that mould to your feet! These amazing booties will protect your lovely feet from all the elements – if you’re fast enough to get a pair! £49 | skibartlett.com
FISCHER Ranger One 82 GT Twin Multiflex set
The great all-rounder! The 82 GT gives that sought-after one-ski-for-allmountains appeal. Packed with new technology, smooth and incredibly stable. Capable of handling the odd diversion into the rough or crud, but just as at home on the smooth piste. For intermediate skiers to experts, the 82 GT is truly a great all-mountains choice. £560 inc Binding Ellis Brigham | SnowFit | Blues | Anything Technical | skibartlett.com
Ortovox 280+ Carbon PFA Probe
This lightweight carbon probe is 280cm long and has all the features of a true professional probe. It is extendible, making it the first choice probe for many rescue organisations and mountain guides. The 13mm diameter and carbon material make it incredibly rigid, break-proof and accurate. It also has a steel-cable tensioning system, guaranteeing maximum rigidity. £84.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
Ortovox BEAST Shovel
Lightweight, compact, efficient and weighing only 580 grams, the new BEAST is a lightweight, cleverly designed avalanche shovel that is perfect for beginners as well as for more demanding users. Thanks to its 83cm working length and 2.3l scoop volume, the BEAST is the ideal size for efficient work after an avalanche. £49.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
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Wherever Your Passions & Dreams Take You... Wherever Your Passions & Dreams Take You...
Dakine Team Poacher RAS 26L Backpack
Not only is the Grateful Dead graphic epic, so is this avalanche airbag backpack. Chris Benchetler skis in the most challenging, off-thebeaten-track places and as a result knows the need to stay safe. Not willing to compromise on safety, the RAS avalanche airbag gives him the reassurance that it will have his back if he needs to deploy it! With these brilliant graphics you can not only stay safe in the mountains but also look good at the same time! £184.95 | skibartlett.com
Anon M4 Toric Goggle
The Anon M4 Toric Sonar Goggle offers the most precise helmet-to-goggle fit with maximum field of vision, SONAR by ZEISS clarity, powerful magnetic lens retention, and the unprecedented versatility to switch between toric and cylindrical lenses. £259.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
We’ve Got The Equipment & We’ve Got The Equipment & Expertise YouThere! There! Expertise To To Get Get You Bringing you UK’s the UK’s largest rangeofofspecialist specialist skis skis &&boots advice andand expertise sincesince 1965.1965. Bringing you the largest range bootsand and advice expertise always here helpand and advise advise you correct equipment We’llWe’ll always bebe here totohelp youon onthe the correct equipment for wherever your passions and dreams take you. for wherever your passions and dreams take you. Custom Ski Boot Fitting Specialists
Custom Ski Boot Fitting Specialists Ski Industries Of Great Britain Official Ski Testers Ski Industries Of Snow GreatAwards Britain- Official Ski Testers Winner of the World Best Speciailst Retailer Winner of the World Snow Awards - Best Speciailst Retailer
Burton Riders Pack 25L
The Burton Rider’s Pack is pre-loaded with board and shovel carry and probe storage; it also features a side water bottle pocket, ample storage, and a plush ergonomic shoulder harness and back panel. £84.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com
OCT19 // 053
FREERIDE | FREESTYLE | TOURING | TELEMARK | RACE | RECREATIONAL
FREERIDE | FREESTYLE | TOURING | TELEMARK | RACE | RECREATIONAL Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP 020 8848 0040 www.SkiBartlett.com Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, West London, UB10 0NP
020 8848 0040 www.SkiBartlett.com
ERICH SPIESS/ASP/RED BULL
M
I
N
U
T
E
S
AKSEL LUND SVINDAL Popular Norwegian ski racer Aksel Lund Svindal retired after the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Åre, Sweden, last February, at the age of 36. Svindal is widely regarded as one of the greatest ski racers of all time with four Olympic medals, two of them gold, including the 2010 Downhill at the Vancouver Games.
How did you motivate yourself for a big race? If I was not motivated enough I might ask my coach at the start who is leading the race and then I’d get the name and really focus on that one person and beating him personally and think “I’m going to kick his ass!” Sometimes you need that. Other times it might be best not to know anything and you really just need to calm down. So my ritual is knowing what I feel like inside and what’s best for that
He also has nine World Championship
particular situation.
medals, five of them gold, and 80 World Cup podiums, 36 of which were
How did you recover from your
on the top spot. With his victory in the
infamous Kitzbühel crash?
Downhill in 2013, Svindal became the
Well, Kitzbühel was complicated as
first male alpine racer to win titles in
mostly I felt fine, but there was the one
four consecutive World Championships.
knee that did not want to go skiing. It’s kind of ironic that skiing is the worst thing
What will you miss most about being a
I can do for that knee. It’s the one sport
professional ski racer?
that puts stress on the exact spot in the
This is the one thing I will miss the most
knee that has the worst injury.
and I could talk for hours about it. It’s the one part I can never experience again
How does It feel being retired?
on that scale anywhere in the world.
I haven’t really thought about what I’m
You’re with people you can truly say
going to do next winter. I don’t know if that’s
are your best friends. You’re fighting for
a good sign or a bad sign. I like to hope it’s
the biggest titles you can win against
a good sign. I think it means it’s the right
nations with athletes who are amazing.
decision and I haven’t been thinking about
You’re fighting for this dynamic that’s so
it over and over and over again.
visible as it comes down to hundredths
054 // OCT19
of seconds. I think there’s nothing else
Any regrets?
I’m going to do in my life where this
No, I have no regrets, which maybe
feeling is going to be the same. I don’t
sounds bad and like I don’t care maybe,
know what else I’m going to do, it could
because things will never be perfect.
be a lot of cool things, but being part of
Like if things come up to 99% you
a group that’s really close friends but
should be really happy, you can think
still competitors fighting for the same
about that 1% and do it slightly better
titles, I think that’s the part I’m going to
next time. But there’s no need to look
search for but I’m going to have a hard
back and think I should have done this
time finding it.
or that. It’s all history.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON INTHESNOW.COM
24-27 OCTOBER 2019 BAT T E R SE A EVOLU T ION 24-27 OCTOBER 2019 BAT T E R SE A EVOLU T ION
THE M O U N T ATIH NE S M O U N T AAI R NE S C A L LAI R NG E CALLING
LINE-UP INCLUDES: M O U N T B AT T E R S E A I C E - S K AT I N G C U R L I N G APRÈS LIVE MUSIC SK BE O -OUTP FIIN TCTLI N CS L :I N I C F I L M P R E M I E R E S L II N UG DE C H E L - SMKOI USNLTO P O-R A INNDG T OCUURRILSITNB BE A T TW EO RR SL ED A R IECSE ST KS AT GO A R D S ROSOPTO F RITTSTR EG T ACILLIENR S FILM PREMIERES A P R È S L I V E M U S I CW ISNKTIEB IN IC C H E L - S K I S L O P E W OAR RT NL DDMRUECSHO M OS RA END T OURIST BOARDS W I N T E R S P O RT S R ETA I L E R S B O O K E A R LY B I R D T I C K E T S N OW S K IA N D S N OW B OA R D .C O .U K AND MUCH MORE B O O K E A R LY B I R D T I C K E T S N OW S K IA N D S N OW B OA R D .C O .U K
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