InTheSnow | Issue 68 | November 2021

INTHE SNOW

GUY FATTAL

ISSUE 68 | NOV 2021

FRANCE

AUSTRIA

SWITZERLAND

ITALY

CANADA

ANDORRA

FINLAND

Get back on the mountain with the only Which? recommended provider for ski holidays, 2021 Elevate your winter from just £299 per person* Call 01252 980228 visit inghams.co.uk/ski Based on Residence Les Constellations Apartments La Plagne, Paradiski Ski Area, Self Catering, 04/01/2022 - 4 nights, 2 adults From London Stansted. Price correct at time of printing - see website for up to date prices and availability.

SKI NEWS

SNAPSHOT

AFRICAN SNOWBOARDER AIMING FOR TOP SPOT Ugandan Brolin Mawejje is hoping to make history by becoming the first African to compete in

In A Hurry? Here Are Some Of Ski’s Current Top Stories ...

snowboarding at an Olympics, while also training to become a neurosurgeon.

NZSKI

TXEMA TRULL

SKI CHALET CO SINGLEUSE PLASTIC FREE MEALS

2022 FREERIDE WORLD TOUR ADDS NEW STOP

OVER 150 DOGS COMPETE ON SNOW IN NZ

Holiday company Skiology, which runs chalets in

There’ll be two stops in the Pyrenees on the five-

More than 150 dogs and humans turned up at

the French Alps, has decided to ensure its menu is

date Freeride World Tour (FWT) this winter with

Coronet Peak in New Zealand in September to

totally “single-use plastic free” one day a week this

Spain’s Baqueira Beret unveiled as the contest’s

compete in the resort’s 47th annual Dog Derby,

coming season.

new starting point.

which ends with a barking competition.

GONDOLA GENERATES GREEN ENERGY

VAIL RESORTS TO SPEND $320M ON LIFTS

SKI RESORT RENAMED TO “REMOVE SLUR”

A new gondola installed at Vallandry by Les Arcs

Vail Resorts have announced a massive $320

One of the world’s most famous ski resorts has

features solar panels to help it generate electricity

million spend on new lifts for 19 of its 34 resorts

changed its name to “remove a racist/sexist slur”.

year-round, and the heat produced by the motors

ahead of the 2022/23 season, probably the biggest

Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are now jointly

powering it will be recycled.

single-season lift construction spend in history.

known as “Palisades Tahoe”.

MONTE BIANCO ENRICO ROMANZI

MARK LASSETER OF SOUTHAMERICASKI

ARGENTINIAN RESORT MISSES TWO SEASONS

NEW LONGEST NIGHT SKIING RUN IN EUROPE

Most ski areas in France and Italy didn’t open at

Italy’s Aprica ski resort will unveil the longest floodlit

all last season, but one ski area in Argentina, Las

night skiing run in Europe, at 6km, this winter. The

Leñas, has now missed two successive winters,

floodlit Superpanoramica blue piste offers fantastic

2020 due to Covid and 2021 due to drought.

panorama views.

I’m getting a sense of déjà-vu this autumn. Glacier ski areas are already open for winter 2021/22, tour operators are saying booking levels are very high – in part due to pent-up demand and in part to held-over bookings – and are warning that skiers may face a problem finding transport and accommodation if they don’t get it secured because so many people from across Europe are trying to secure their spots on the slopes.

There was similar talk last autumn before the

BANKES WINS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD

NEW 1.2KM WORLD’S LONGEST DRY SKI SLOPE

After British boarder Katie Ormerod won the

A new theme park planned for Malaysia will

Snowboard Slopestyle World Cup Crystal Globe

incorporate the world’s longest dry ski slope yet, at

in 2020, Charlotte Bankes took gold in the 2021

1.2km, descending 220 vertical metres.

Snowboard Cross World Championships in Sweden.

second wave hit. The mood is different this time though, and governments and resorts are stressing that they will be open. It will even be possible to ski in North America for the first time in nearly two years, we’re promised. There is a sense that lockdowns will be avoided in Europe and North America at all costs, and Austria’s government has already promised that.

Ski nations are not opening up in quite the same way England has though and remain very focused on protecting their populations from the virus with virus-spread prevention measures still firmly in

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place. Instead, the onus is on vaccinations, firstly of all resort staff, and secondly of us skiers … it looks like holding a vaccine-passport down to age 12 will make life a lot easier in most countries this winter.

But beyond the seemingly never-ending virus concerns, another, more familiar one lurks on the horizon. Will there be loads of snow? The irony

PUBLISHER

Dominic Killinger dom@inthesnow.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Patrick Thorne

CAIRNGORM FUNICULAR DELAYED TO 2022/23

patrick@inthesnow.com

tom@rocketbase.co.uk

Mountain above Aviemore has been delayed until 2022 due to logistical issues. The centre will operate for its fourth season without the key lift.

WEB & DIGITAL DESIGNER

Max Spooner-Blind

MANAGING EDITOR

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Tilly Tasker

SALES MANAGER

James Bishton

SKI TECHNIQUE EDITOR

Warren Smith

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Debbie Gabriel

debbie@inthesnow.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Debbie Gabriel Sam Thorne

MAGAZINE & BRAND DESIGN BY

Tom Showler Rocket Base

DEPUTY EDITOR

Megan Hughes Henry Druce

The reopening of the funicular railway at Cairngorm

SUB EDITORS

Nick Jones Marion Adams

GEAR EDITOR

Sally Bartlett

in the Andes this summer (winter in the southern hemisphere) was that although South American ski areas were able to reopen, some were unable

© Copyright 202I

to as there wasn’t enough snow. Last autumn

Printed in the UK.

saw huge snowfalls in the Alps and then decent

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.

dumps all season, so as the main season nears, we all need to keep at least two pairs of fingers crossed – one that virus fears increasingly move into the rear-view mirror and second that it’s a great winter for snow. Here’s hoping.

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e h t l i a R Is Future for ? s y a d i l o H i Sk There were lamentations when Eurostar announced that the ski train service which connects Southeast England with a direct rail service to the French Alps was to be cut last year.

The decision seemed to fly against the hope that we’d be a more eco-aware society post-pandemic, especially with the growing threat from climate change ever more obvious.

So there have been celebrations at the news that the ski train is back for this coming winter. But it is a different ski train this time. You can’t just buy a ticket and hop on. It’s actually a return to the origins of ski package holidays from the first half of the last century when pioneering entrepreneurs like Erna Low and Walter Ingham took groups of skiers by rail to the Austrian and Swiss Alps on inclusive packages.

In the 21st-century ski train package holiday, though, there’s no need to get off and board a ferry to cross the

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Channel; you’re straight to the French Alps from St Pancras in eight or nine hours. That’s not a lot longer door to door than the whole flying process, and of course, you just get on and off once. With the climate emergency getting worse, will ski holidays by train be the future as well as the past?

Alongside self-driving in an electric car.

The new ski train has been chartered

by Europe’s largest ski resorts operator, the Compagnie des Alpes, which runs many of France’s leading resorts.

Their wholly owned travel company, Travelski, will offer ski holidays to six of the group’s resorts by train: Les Arcs, Les Menuires, La Plagne, Méribel, Tignes and Val d’Isère.

“It is such good news to have this service up and running for winter 2021/22. British customers are so important for Les Menuires, and we are keen to welcome them again!” said Marlène Giacometti – Director of the tourist office in Les 3 Vallées resort.

Trains will travel overnight from London St Pancras on Friday evening and arrive in the Alps on Saturday morning. That means skiers using

the service will get an extra day – the usually quieter Saturday change-over day at that – on the slopes while air passengers will be spending Saturday making their way to the mountains.

The ski train will run between 18 December 2021 until 16 April 2022 with each train carrying up to 600 passengers. Packages will be from £640pp for a family of four staying in an apartment in the Résidence CGH & SPA Kalinda 4★ in Tignes.

In a statement the Compagnie des Alpes said the ski train’s reinstatement was in part because the company wanted to “Strengthen its commitments in corporate environmental, social, and societal responsibility” and take steps towards its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The resorts being served are all powered by 100% green electricity.

The return trip is during the daytime on the following Saturday. The holiday packages include return train travel, return transfer from station to ski area, a week’s accommodation and a sevenday lift pass, along with the booking reassurance of ABTA.

“This is excellent news for the area,” commented Guillaume Desrues, the Mayor of Les Arcs - Bourg Saint Maurice. “It will allow our English friends to come to Tarentaise and Les Arcs with a very low impact on the environment. This rail link is particularly important for the community of Les Arcs - Bourg Saint Maurice which wishes to become more virtuous and promote more responsible tourism. Les Arcs is now just two stations away from London!”

Of course, you can still get to Les Arcs and hundreds of other ski resorts across Europe by train, booking your tickets. Services may not be direct, but it’s usually easy to change trains in Paris, Lille or Brussels and a fast way to travel.

“Plenty of skiers travel this way and we need to develop and expand these indirect options too, to create a sustainable ski industry, with comfortable, scenic, low-carbon journeys to ski resorts all over Europe,” said Daniel Elkan, who runs the ski-resorts-by-rail specialist website snowcarbon.co.uk

UK.TRAVELSKI.COM/TRAVELSKI-EXPRESS

PREVIOUSLY UNSKIED PEAK, SKIED Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel has become the first to summit Yawash Sar II (6,178m) in the Karakoram range in Pakistan. He is then reported to have skied down to the mountain’s base. Bargiel was the first (and so far only) person to successfully ski down the world’s second highest peak, K2, in 2018.

SUE MEURES

WORLD RECORD GLACIER CAVE SWIM Austrian extreme athlete Josef Koeberl has set a new world record for distance swimming in freezing fresh water. He swam 1,511m and 38 minutes in water, with a temperature of -0.23°, located in a crevasse

AFGHANISTAN’S SKI CLUB ESCAPES TO ITALY, SEEKS DONATIONS

3,216m above sea level within the glacial ice beneath the snow of the

Members of Afghanistan’s Bamyan

friends in the Alps and have secured free

Afghanistan’s first Olympic skiers

Hintertux ski area. “I could scream in

Ski Club who worked with foreign

accommodation for the next year while

and participated in the World Skiing

pain all the time,” said Koeberl.

journalists and NGOs to promote

they begin the long process of applying

Championships in St Moritz in 2017.

skiing in the country have

for refugee status.

The sum of €60,000 (around £51,000) is

escaped with their young families

During the West’s two-decade intervention

needed to support the families over the

to Italy on a military plane as

in Afghanistan, many local Afghan boys

coming year; donations can be made via

the Taliban took over.

and girls learnt to ski with the Ski Club.

bamyanskiclub.com where you click on

The Afghan skiers are being helped by

A number of Afghan skiers became

the yellow dot.

RITZ-CARLTON COMING TO ZERMATT Marriott International has signed an agreement to open the first Ritz-Carlton in the famous Swiss resort of Zermatt, opening in 2026.

The hotel brand already operates in several North American ski areas, but this will be their first hotel in a ski resort in Europe.

PARTING OF WAYS ON SHEFFIELD SKI VILLAGE MEDIALOUNGE

Sheffield City Council have discontinued their plan to redevelop the city’s dry ski area in partnership with developer Extreme. Sheffield Ski Village was once Europe’s

DOUBLE HAHNENKAMM DOWNHILLS IN OLYMPIC YEAR

largest dry ski centre and was where many of the UK’s current

The famous Hanhnenkamm Downhill at

with “The Hahnenkamm Original Downhill”

happens every five years, although usually

world-class freestyle skiers and

Kitzbühel in the Austrian Tirol is to run

on the Saturday, replaces the usual Super

that’s not planned in advance. Last winter,

boarders began. It was destroyed in

twice on the infamous Streif course on

G event. The slalom race is still scheduled

the second race, a replacement for the

an arson attack in 2012. The council

21 and 22 January this winter, the 82nd

for the Sunday. It’s to allow more space for

Lauberhorn downhill at Wengen, was

staging of the race.

(hopefully) returning fans.

cancelled due to a pandemic spike there.

The Friday staging of the race, named

There were actually two Hahnenkamm

Both races were won by Switzerland’s

“The Hahnenkamm Kitzbühel Downhill”

downhills last winter too, and it typically

Beat Feuz.

say there’ll be a new plan.

008 // NOV21

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FORD MOTOR CO

CHINESE SKI RESORT USING AI

40 YEARS SINCE 007 CAME TO VISIT

A Chinese company called IntelliCloud is running an

The long-delayed release of the latest James

artificial intelligence (AI) system to manage one of

Bond movie No Time to Die is finally in the

the ski resorts that will host some events at the 2022

cinema, but famous Italian ski resort Cortina

Winter Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games next

d’Ampezzo is celebrating a previous incarnation

year. IntelliCloud operates a “smart safety management

of 007. It’s 40 years since the release of For Your

solution” at Zhangjiakou ski area which integrates

Eyes Only, which included scenes filmed there.

software, hardware, the internet of things and an AI

During the film 007 visits the Bob Bar and stays

sensing system to survey the slopes and use AI to react if

at Cortina’s 5★ Miramonti Majestic Grand Hotel

any problems are detected. “In the ski field, which covers

(the same hotel used in the original Pink Panther

four square kilometres and includes abundant forests, our

starring Peter Sellers). Bond then meets his arch

smart solution carries out autonomous inspection, leaving

enemy at the Olympic Ice Stadium and has a ski

no blind zones and operating around the clock to ensure

chase down the Olympia delle Tofane piste also

fire prevention, spot illegal entry, guarantee safety on

taking in the Olympic Ski Jump and the Olympic

the slopes and discover emergencies and issue first-aid

Bobsleigh Run.

FEEL THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE PYRENEES

alarms,” said Wei Hongfeng, IntelliCloud’s CEO.

Over 160 km of ski slopes GIACOMO BUZIO

COURMAYEUR LAUNCHES NEW SMART-WORKING INITIATIVE Lots of ski areas have been

station” now available.

selection of alpine offices, all fully

trying to sell the option

“Digital nomads can enjoy the

equipped with comfortable working

of people who can work

serenity of the majestic Mont

spaces and high-speed wi-fi. Along

remotely spending longer in

Blanc, hit the slopes for some fresh

with various accommodation/office

resort during the pandemic

mountain air and exercise and

packages, a brand-new workspace

for a perfect balance of work

experience a more motivated working

has also been designed in the

and leisure.

relationship and healthier lifestyle,”

spectacular Skyway Monte Bianco.

Now Italy’s Courmayeur has taken

said a spokesperson for the resort,

Remote-workers can invest in a

things up a notch by launching a

adding, “Early risers can start their

“Skyway Smart-Working Ticket”,

brand-new smart working initiative,

day with a ‘zoom’ down the slopes

which includes the option of a

inviting online workers to “live-like-a-

before their first ‘Zoom’ meeting.”

lunchtime ski and coffee available

local” with their very own “workation

Courmayeur has designed a

on demand.

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NOV21 // 009

7200 hotel rooms Spanish gastronomy The best ski resort in the Pyrenees

#ESPIRITUBAQUEIRA

www.baqueira.es / www.viajes.baqueira.es

4 JAN 202I

I4-I6 JAN

2I-23 JAN

Snow Queen Trophy

Lauberhorn

Hahnenkamm

Medvednica | Croatia The famous Snow Queen slalom races start 2022 for the women, racing in a country better known for its great beach resorts, actually just a short distance from the World Cup piste. snowqueentrophy.com

Wengen | Switzerland Last year’s Lauberhorn was cancelled at the last minute when the then new Kent variant swept through the Jungfrau. In 2022 they’re making up for it with two downhills on Friday and Saturday. lauberhorn.ch

Kitzbühel | Austria There have been two downhills at the Hahnenkamm once every five years on average apparently, but usually that’s to replace an earlier cancelled race.

This year they’re planning two downhills anyway. hahnenkamm.com

THE BIG RACES 2022 2I-23 JAN

22 JAN

22 JAN

X Games

Women’s World Cup Downhill

Inferno

Aspen | Colorado | USA While the downhillers are battling it out in the Austrian Tirol, the world’s best freestylers will hope to be back in Aspen (alongside snowmobilers and snow bikers) for their Olympic build-up on Buttermilk. xgames.com/aspen

Cortina d’Ampezzo | Italy The 2020 World Cup finals were cancelled due to Covid, the 2021 Alpine Championships are behind us, but the women are still racing each winter, and after Beijing, the 2026 Olympics will be back here. dolomiti.org

Mürren | Switzerland The world-famous race, over one of the longest courses and longest vertical descents, was cancelled last winter like so many due to Covid but aims to be back for its delayed 78th running in 2022. infernomuerren.ch

22-28 JAN

25 JAN

6-7 FEB

Freeride World Tour

World Cup Night Slalom

Olympic Downhills

Baqueira Beret | Spain The Freeride World Tour begins its 15th run at a new venue in the Pyrenees. The five-stop tour will take it back over the Atlantic before a new format brings two “Finals” competitions. freerideworldtour.com

Schladming | Austria This unusual stage of the World Cup tour sees the men racing under floodlights in front of nearly 50,000 excited fans (pandemic permitting). This year’s contest is the 25th staging of the race. thenightrace.at

Yanqing | China Politically controversial for some and still under the shadow of the virus, China is due to stage the Winter Olympics with men’s and women’s downhill races kicking off the on-snow competitions. beijing2022.cn

010 // NOV21

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TH E CENTURY IN SKI ING

BY PATRICK THORNE

100 YEARS AGO Two years before the first winter was raging as to whether skiing should be included at all. Contemporary reports from the Sixth International Ski congress in Stockholm report the Scandinavians being vehemently opposed but eventually conceding to Alpine and North American pressure.

PIERRICK AUBERT

Olympics, staged in Chamonix, a battle

CHEESE-THEMED PISTE FOR LA CLUSAZ The authentic French ski resort

slopes when the skiers are away.

The slope is not just being renamed but

of La Clusaz has an alternative

The resort has long offered skiers tasty

now has “fun activities with a mixture of

It’s Olympic season this winter, but the

summer existence as a leading

cheese-themed farm visits as an après-

challenges” along with information boards

1972 Games were staged just across

producer of Reblochon cheese,

ski option but this winter is going a step

along its 2.5km length where skiers can

the Sea of Japan from the new 2022

and dozens of famers from around

further by re-christening the popular

discover more of the area’s 800-year

the resort send their herds of

2.5km-long Envers blue slope as the

history of farming and the positive impact

Abondance cows to graze the ski

Reblochon Run.

this has on the Alpine environment.

50 YEARS AGO

Chinese venues. Sapporo on the northerly island of Hokkaido hosted the Games long before Niseko found global fame.

Switzerland topped the medal table with Bernhard Russi taking downhill gold. Russi went on to design most of the Olympic Downhill courses in the years since.

25 YEARS AGO Although they had been around for several years, 1997 is seen as the key year when a plethora of shaped or carving skis first became the skis of choice, helping skiing regain market share it had been losing to snowboarding. Boarding was becoming ever more popular, and the most optimistic forecasters predicted it would overtake skiing by the early 2000s. This was the year that saw bargain bins filled with old-style “straight skis”.

10 YEARS AGO

TOMORROWLAND BACK IN 2022

Celebrations were staged in Mürren to celebrate 100 years of British

The second edition of the huge

revellers from across Europe and beyond

– from house to techno and trance. The

involvement in the famous Swiss

Tomorrowland Winter Festival in the

expected to fill the village and mountains

festival will see performances at a variety

resort. Henry Lunn started it all, and

French resort of Alpe d’Huez is officially

of Alpe d’Huez. The eclectic line-up of

of stages right through until sunset,

the world’s first modern slalom race

on for next spring … three years after

Tomorrowland Winter 2022 is stacked

accessible to non-skiers as well as skiers

was staged here a century ago in

the first staging in 2019. Tomorrowland

with some of the finest electronic artists

and boarders, then on multiple stages in

Winter will take place from 19–26

in the world, catering to fans of all genres

the village through the evening.

March 2022, with tens of thousands of

and sounds in electronic dance music

1922. James Bond popped by in the late 1960s.

012 // NOV21

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 PROMO

2021/22

WINTER IS BACK ON TRACK! Missing the sights, smells and sensations of the slopes? Well, you won’t have to wait much longer …

Whether it’s the fresh Alpine air, the pre-ski holiday buzz, the après boogies or the mouthwatering mountain food, a year off has us all committed to appreciating the smaller joys of a ski holiday in a whole new way.

Though it’s impossible to predict anything with certainty, it seems that many ski resorts are gearing up for a ski season as close to normal as possible this winter.

Certainly the demand is there, with some tour operators seeing bookings for the winter 2021/22 season well above normal levels, especially since the recent easing of travel restrictions.

With this huge pent-up demand for ski holidays, many companies are offering increased protection for bookings this winter so you can book with complete peace of mind.

Sunweb, for example, are offering flexible (re) booking options and a Covid Comfort promise that ensures complete financial protection, repatriation guarantees and 24/7 support.

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However, increased demand = decreasing availability, so if you still haven’t got your next ski trip booked, we’d recommend booking soon to avoid missing out!

So, what do you miss the most?

Here at InTheSnow, we’ve narrowed it down to the five things we’ve missed the most about the mountains …

The pre-holiday buzz!

For some reason, packing and preparing for a ski holiday is about 10 times more exciting than any other holiday! You’re not just chucking any old thing into a suitcase; you’re systematically making sure you have all the essential gear you need, and in doing so, each item signals the adventures ahead.

The food There’s just nothing that compares, especially after an epic day’s skiing! Sitting down with your friends or family to debrief on the day over a glass of wine and a table full of hearty (often cheese-based) food? One of life’s great pleasures if you ask us.

The mountains The fresh mountain air, the incredible mountain landscapes, the sparkle of the snow … It’s hard to ever do it justice in words. Just being in among these snow-capped peaks provides a sense of peace and real detachment from dayto-day life, something we all need now more than ever!

First lifts up, last runs down After a year off, we’re planning to squeeze the most out of every minute on the slopes this winter – and we doubt we’re the only ones!

From first lifts to last, we’ll be savouring every moment.

The off-slope adventures Horse riding, ice skating, dog sledding or simply sitting in a Jacuzzi looking out over the mountains, if you think skiing is simply about the skiing, you’re not doing it right! Exploring alternative activities allows you to enjoy an area in a whole new way.

Create your perfect ski holiday this winter with Sunweb.

SUNWEB.CO.UK

014 // NOV21

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BRAD KASSELMAN - COASTPHOTO.COM

During the pandemic, many of us reassessed our priorities in life, and most of us realised skiing or snowboarding were even more important to us than we had realised before.

This winter, travel companies tell us that people are responding by booking several ski holidays in the coming season to make up for trips lost, upgrading to better quality accommodation and staying longer if they can.

It’s also the season when some skiers are focusing on finally making it to ski resorts they’ve always thought they should get to at least once in their skiing or boarding lives. The kind of places that invariably appear on a list of resorts to ski before you die.

Of course, compiling a bucket list of ski resorts immediately makes you think of all the other resorts that deserve to be on it (Val d’Isère, Aspen, Alpe d’Huez, Innsbruck, Mammoth, Treble Cone, Portillo, the list goes on …), and to paraphrase famous ski filmmaker Warren Miller, “The best ski run in the world is the one you’re about to ski today” (wherever it is).

But that being understood, here’s an A–Z of 10 of those destinations, and why they should be on every skier’s bucket list.

Banff, Canada, Because: The Canadian Rockies Most ski resorts offer great views from their slopes, but the ski areas around Banff take it to another level.

It starts well as you drive west across the plain from Calgary Airport and the Rockies tower up above you as you approach. Then skiing at Sunshine or especially Lake Louise, you spend your day not only enjoying great terrain but pinching yourself that you can be at such a spectacular location.

Chamonix, France, Because: The Vallée Blanche Which is the world’s most famous ski resort? Several of the ski areas in this list could easily be candidates, but somehow you can’t think of any one topping Chamonix. Host to the very first Winter Olympics in 1924 and located in the shadow of western Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, it is, among its many attractions, home to the world’s tallest lift-served vertical which can be skied, snow permitting, along the legendary Vallée Blanche run.

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Because: The Hidden Valley, Olympics, Bond, Espressos … Everything If one ski area has everything, it’s Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Located in the stunning Dolomites, it has a beautiful pedestrianised centre lined with enticing cafés and boutiques selling Italian designer brands and great coffee. The fabulous ski area staged the most recent World Championships and will host Europe’s next

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Winter Olympics, and new lifts now connect its ski runs to those of the Sellaronda and Val Gardena.

Kitzbühel, Austria, Because: The Hahnenkamm One of the world’s most famous resorts, Kitzbühel’s relatively low elevation means it might be an early victim of climate change, but the resort has fought back using snow farming to create the longest non-glacier ski season in the Alps, 200 days long from October to May. It’s most famous though for the greatest World Cup downhill race of them all each January.

Niseko, Japan, Because: Mount Yōtei And The Snow Niseko appeals to different skiers in different ways.

Many do visit for the incredible snowfall that is usually the midwinter norm, when super-light powder lands snorkel-deep on the resort’s slopes. Others are transfixed by the vision of spectacular Mount Yōtei, a scaled-down version of Fuji, that fills the view from the runs. For most it’s both and everything else.

St Anton, Austria Because: Alpine Skiing Started Here Austria’s Arlberg region is where the modern alpinestyle of downhill skiing was invented at the start of the 20th century, developing on from the Scandinavian telemark style to suit the steeper slopes of the Alps.

Today it and the wider Arlberg are a cult ski destination with one of the largest linked ski areas in Austria.

St Moritz, Switzerland, Because: It All Began Here St Moritz is a very special place where the very first winter-sports holiday took place way back in 1864. A local hotelier bet a group of Brits they’d find the winter climate better in the mountains than in London. The hotelier won the bet and the rest is history. The resort’s “champagne climate” brings abundant snow but also 300 days of sunshine a year.

The simple mountain guesthouse where those first tourists stayed remains preserved in a corner of the huge 5★ Kulm Hotel it has become.

Les 3 Vallées, France, Because: The World’s Biggest Home to a multitude of ski villages including famous names like Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens, the latter Europe’s highest full-scale ski resort, this region has taken the title of world’s biggest for almost 50 years, and despite many new runs being created over the decades, it’s sticking to its magic number of 600km of interconnected-runs.

Whistler, BC, Canada, Because: Biggest In North America Few resorts have found fame over the past three decades like Whistler Blackcomb. Its design has

been copied by many other resorts since it came to global prominence. Host of the 2010 Winter Olympics and home to North America’s largest ski area, it draws skiers from around the world every winter.

Zermatt, Switzerland, Because: The Matterhorn Zermatt may be one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world to visit, but it’s worth it. Apart from its huge area crossing the border to Cervinia in Italy and its slopes reaching the highest lift-access runs in Europe, open year-round, it’s the incredible Matterhorn towering above that makes this a truly stunning place to be, and ski.

SKI WHISTLER THIS WINTER Our friends at Ski Independence have over 25 years of experience creating tailor-made Whistler ski holidays.

This winter, they have their usual wide range of excellent offers and are also giving away $250 (around £185) to spend on food and drink for all Whistler stays of 10 nights or longer when you book by 15 November 2021: Æ

Æ

Æ

Luxury Whistler: 10 nights at the 5★ Westin Whistler Resort & Spa from £1,520pp. Price based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Studio, including flights with Air Canada (free ski carriage) and shared transfers. Dep. 10 March 2022.

Family Offer: 10 nights at the 4★ Plus Delta Whistler Village Suites from £4,920pp. Price based on two adults and two children (under 12) sharing a Two Bedroom Suite, including flights with Air Canada (free ski carriage) and shared transfers. Dep. 9 April 2022.

Whistler + Vancouver stopover: Eight nights at the Crystal Lodge + two nights at the Sheraton Hotel Vancouver from £1,425pp. Combine a city stay with your Whistler ski holiday and soak up Vancouver’s stunning vistas and vibrant cultural scene.

Price based two adults sharing a Crystal Room at the Crystal Lodge for eight nights and a Traditional Room at the Sheraton for two nights, including flights with Air Canada (free ski carriage) and shared transfers.

Dep. 25 February 2022. ski@ski-i.com | 0131 243 8097 | ski-i.com

SKI-I.COM

With the 2022 Winter Olympic Games just around the corner, Team GB’s Snowsport athletes are gearing up to grace the biggest stage of their lives.

This is the first time since 1992 that the Summer and Winter Games have been held less than six months apart, and it provides a unique opportunity for Team GB’s winter athletes to continue the momentum of their summer counterparts.

Since switching from representing France to representing Great Britain in 2018, Bankes has achieved some incredible results and will go into the 2022 Games in the form of her life.

Izzy Atkin

So, we thought we’d familiarise you with some of the skiing and snowboarding names to watch this season as we build up to February ‘22!

One of GB Snowsport’s brightest stars, a teenage Izzy Atkin made history when she claimed the Slopestyle skiing bronze in PyeongChang 2018, becoming the first British skier to win an Olympic medal. With four more years’ experience under her belt and the addition of Ski Big Air to the Olympic schedule, we cannot wait to see if she can build on this success in 2022.

Charlotte Bankes

Katie Ormerod

The 2021 Snowboard Cross World Champion, Charlotte Bankes, is undeniably one of GB Snowsport’s most exciting athletes ahead of Beijing 2022.

In the build-up to PyeongChang, snowboarder Katie Ormerod was in the form of her life, but a devastating heel injury stopped her being able

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to compete at the very last minute.

Since then, Katie has reached the pinnacle of her sport by winning the 2020 Slopestyle Crystal Globe. She’s both the first female Brit and the first British snowboarder to win a Crystal Globe and will be bringing great confidence into the 2022 season.

James Woods One of GB’s best freestyle skiers, with multiple World Championship and Winter X Games medals to his name.

However, that elusive Winter Olympic medal has always evaded him. After taking a break from competitive skiing a couple of years ago, Woodsy is now back on his skis and looking better than ever as Beijing draws closer.

Gus Kenworthy After winning a Slopestyle silver for Team USA in Sochi 2014, freestyle

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skier Gus Kenworthy switched to represent the UK in December 2019, going on to win a World Cup gold medal just a few months later. After having knee surgery in 2020, he was quickly back competing and now has his eyes firmly on Beijing 2022.

Dave Ryding One of the most well-known names in British snowsports, you simply can’t ever bet against Dave Ryding.

From humble beginnings on dry ski slopes, the slalom skier has been a firm fixture on the alpine skiing circuit for over 10 years. Beijing 2022 would be Ryding’s fourth Winter Olympics, with him improving on his results every Games – coming 27th in 2010, 17th in 2014 and ninth in 2018.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games begin on 4 Feb 2022.

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SYO VAN VLIET / RED BULL CONTENT POOL

Our top six skiing and snowboarding stars to watch

Tailor-Made Whistler

Enjoy $250 to spend on food & drink Not only can you experience superb skiing on two massive mountains this winter, you can also explore Whistler's amazing dining and après-ski scene on us! We're giving away $250 to spend on food & drink in resort when you book a stay of 10 nights or longer before 15th November. You can also make savings of up to 50% on your stay and benefit from some excellent flight fares.

Our Complete Service Your Whistler holiday will be completely tailor-made. Trust our team of Ski Specialists to plan every detail of your trip and be there for you, from start to finish.

Your holiday payments will be 100% financially protected by our ATOL or ABTA bonding.

With Ski Independence you can book and travel with complete peace of mind.

Speak to a Ski Specialist on 0131 243 8097 or visit www.ski-i.com

Terms & Conditions: Qualifying packages must be for a duration of 10 nights or longer in Whistler and must include transfers & lodging. The CAN250 voucher is per booking and applies to new bookings for stays during winter 2021/22 only. Must be booked by 15 November 2021, or until supplies last.

Image Credits: main - David McColm; left to right - Brad Kasselman, Robin O’Neill, Justa Jeskova.

LA PLAGNE TURNS La plagne’s villages set to celebrate in december '21

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ELINA SIRPARANTA

The year 1961 was one of many historic moments. JFK became President of the United States, the Soviet Union launched the first man into space, and most importantly, the ski resort of La Plagne was born …

Now, 60 years later, La Plagne has become one of Europe’s most popular resorts. Part of the Paradiski range in the Tarentaise Valley of France, La Plagne is easily accessible by plane, train and car, and offers 225km of well-groomed pistes and a collection of beautiful, friendly Alpine villages with unique personalities.

Plus, this winter it’s incredibly easy to book your perfect holiday in La Plagne. The La Plagne Travel Agency (laplagneresort.com) is a one-stop-shop for accommodation, transport, insurance and lift passes, with everything grouped together in one booking.

The only issue you’ll have is choosing which village to visit!

Here’s our guide on where to start …

FOR BEGINNERS La Plagne is an exceptional ski area for beginners, intermediates and families, thanks to a huge variety of wide, well-groomed pistes and top-quality ski schools.

Plagne Bellecôte, Belle Plagne and Plagne Centre all have nursery slopes around the resort centre itself, ideal for brushing up on your turns before you venture into the main ski area.

Plagne Bellecôte offers the largest of these areas, with plenty of amicable blue runs that gently roll into one another.

Beginners should also be sure to explore La Plagne’s CoolSki Zones – areas specifically for learning to ski with free lifts, marked circuits and progressive open slopes. You can even wear a coloured beginner’s bib so others take more care skiing around you.

Beginners lift passes in La Plagne offer great value too – from just €37pp (around £32pp) per day.

FOR YOUNGER FAMILIES Quieter villages such as Plagne 1800, Belle Plagne, Montchavin, Les Coches and Champagny are highly popular with families, thanks to their slower pace of life.

On the slopes, younger skiers will find a world of entertainment in the famous Buffalo Park. Just a chairlift away from Plagne Centre, this exciting zone is an exhilarating adventure through the Wild West and has added an additional fun slope this winter!

Meanwhile, children aged 3–5 can enjoy the snow kindergarten in Plagne Bellecôte, a snow-filled play area to have fun in while they learn the ropes.

Off the slopes, don’t miss the Deep Nature spa in Belle

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Plagne, where children can accompany their parents into an amazing water world. Explore the outdoor water trail with incredible views of the snow-capped mountains, or unwind with a child–parent tandem massage.

FOR TEENS Teenage skiers are in for a treat in La Plagne, with five impressive freestyle zones across the Paradiski, along with boardercross tracks, a snow park and an airbag in Belle Plagne and a mini half pipe at Bellecôte.

For those looking to get into snowparks, Montalbert is the place to go, while off-slope adrenaline can be found at France’s only bobsleigh track, the Giant Spaghetti Bob Raft.

New for 2021: Stay at the brand new mmv Hotel Club in Plagne Aime 2000, an impressive new hotel with family suites, kids’ clubs and even a climbing wall! Older kids will love the hotel’s Teens’ Squ@t, a teens-only area that allows older kids to chill out and enjoy their evenings, with sofas, games consoles and speakers!

FOR EXPERIENCED SKIERS Though very much geared to families, the Paradiski area also offers a great choice of off-piste lines and difficult slopes for the more advanced skier or snowboarder.

The ungroomed Bellecôte Glacier provides experts with challenging, powdery routes to play on, including a dramatic 2,000-m off-piste descent from the north face.

Mogul fans must ski the “des Bosses” run (which literally means “ski the moguls”), and will find further mogul fields at Verdon Sud and at the top of the Traversée chair lift.

The area’s best black runs can be found at Le Biolley and Montchavin/Les Coches, and some fantastic steep terrain lies off the back of the Grand Rochette and Les Verdon.

New for 2021: Take on an enthralling evening of ski touring with Oxygène – climb up to an altitude restaurant for dinner, before skiing back down with headlamps.

FOR FOODIES Ahead of its 60th birthday, La Plagne has certainly developed a taste for fine food with a range of unique new foodie opportunities available this winter.

Our favourite has got to be the Aperitif Escape Game, where delicious local aperitifs are brought directly to your home – but you have to crack the codes to unlock the cooler and get to them!

Coming a very close second favourite is the new “just like home” culinary experience at the Chalet du Plan Bois, where guests dine in slippers. After wearing ski boots all day, we can’t think of anything better.

There are plenty of other restaurants you simply can’t miss in La Plagne, including UNION in Plagne Montalbert, La Cantine in Plagne 1800 or Le Refuge, one of the oldest restaurants in La Plagne and full of Savoyard character.

EN.LA-PLAGNE.COM

© LUKA LEROY

RESORTINSIDER

SERRE CHEVALIER Serre Chevalier (“Serre Che” to its friends), one of the world’s great ski resorts with 250km of slopes located in the Southern French Alps, celebrates its big 8-0 birthday this winter. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting (check out our Readers' Trip!), here are a few tips to look out for when you’re not just happy cruising the spectacular slopes.

Grab First Tracks You can be the first to carve your tracks on the freshly groomed tracks at 8am if you sign up for a pre-opening run under the "Premières Traces" initiative with the resort’s ski patrol team.

Best Restaurant Serre Chevalier has a strong reputation for its authentic local cuisine, but one restaurant tops the

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TripAdvisor listing with, remarkably, a more than 90% 5★ rating from over 100 reviews in the past year. We had a superb dinner here. 16âme in Le Monetier-les-Bains has, “…an excellent young team, very friendly and professional. The food is modern and inventive using top quality local ingredients presented beautifully”, one lucky diner enthused.

Check Out Those Turbines Refreshingly not-very-obvious, Serre Chevalier has a major commitment to fight climate change by generating its own green electricity on site. The target percentage of power from green sources is increasing rapidly with a target 3% of selfproduction by the end of 2021, 8.2% by the end of next year and 30% by the end of 2023, then 50% carbon neutral by 2030. It’s a resort-wide multi-faceted effort and you’ll see solar panels, locally designed for the area’s climate, all over the lift network.

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Stop Off For A Honey Lolly This winter Serre Chevalier is opening a "sugar cabin" high on the slopes above 2,000m. Located in the Prorel sector, the cabin will serve up lollipops made from local honey in the same way that Canadians have sugar cabins to make sweets out of maple syrup. The honey lollies are made in the snow on the spot or you can linger a little longer to toast marshmallows in the fire outside on the terrasse.

Switch Skis For Karts If you fancy trying a different way of sliding downhill, try exchanging your skis for a Mountain Kart and practise skidding round corners.

Alternatively, fly over the runs on the resort’s new zip line, one of Europe’s fastest going at over 100 km per hour, or try a run on Deval'Bob, a four-kilometre sled run through the forest.

SERRE-CHEVALIER.COM

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WOOL TECH LONG SLEEVE SHIRT Using only the finest merino wool and natural materials, Falke’s baselayers are sure to keep you warm and toasty on the slopes, while also neutralising any odours that may sneak out after a long day’s skiing! Throw in moisturewicking properties, superior thermal management and great freedom of movement, there’s no surprise so many skiers swear by the Falke Wool Tech base layer.

RRP €110 (AROUND £95) | falke.com

Dubbed “the world’s warmest baselayer”, Zerofit’s Ultimate Heatrub layer has been proven by the Boken Institute in Osaka to be five times warmer than a standard baselayer. It achieves this thanks to five separate fabrics, a patented knitting process and super-soft fibres. You’ll never feel a chill again!

RRP £60 | zerofit.co.uk



HELLY HANSEN LIFA® MERINO

LIGHTWEIGHT CREW

A brand that seriously knows their stuff when it comes to outdoor adventure, you simply can’t go wrong with Helly Hansen.

Their LIFA® Merino Lightweight crew is a highly versatile, super-soft baselayer that combines the impressive natural warmth of merino wool fibres with the unique wicking properties of Helly Hansen’s LIFA® Stay Warm moisture management for ultimate comfort.

RRP £65 | hellyhansen.com  OOSC

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Why should outerwear have all the fun?! For a seriously eyecatching undergarment, there’s only one place to go – OOSC. The Blue Steel combines a unique, colourful print with OOSC Fresh Tech – designed to keep you warm on the cold days, but with breathability to keep you feeling fresh if it warms up.

RRP £40 | oosc-clothing.com

Made by women, for women, Eivy’s awesome baselayers are always top of the class when it comes to style and substance. This cosy leopard-print layer is made using 88% recycled polyester and features a super-soft fleece-lined high collar hood making it a game changer on cold and windy days.

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As mountain resorts prepare to welcome skiers back to their slopes, this winter has so much to give. A 2021/22 ski holiday offers a chance to experience all we’ve been devoid of for so long: social interaction, new adventures, incredible and unfamiliar landscapes and a true feeling of freedom.

GET ACTIVE IN THE FRESH SNOW There’s no better feeling than seeing those thick, white flakes coming down heavy under the lights of the resort, knowing an epic powder day is on the horizon.

After being cooped up in our homes for so long, there’s no wonder that more of us than ever are itching to get outdoors and get active again.

This year, there will be no such thing as a fairweather skier … We’ll all be out getting our heart rates up, even as the temperature drops. Forget dreaming of perfect bluebird days. This winter, we’re just as excited to feel the heavy snow on our faces and fresh powder under our skis.

CHILL OUT WITH CHAIRLIFT CHATS After 18 months of social distancing, it seems strange to think back on chairlift chats, particularly those with strangers.

But for us skiers, the chairlift provides a place to chat away about the one thing we all love. Whether you’re hearing all the stories from your mate’s morning at ski school, or asking a local for advice on where to head for lunch, a chairlift is never simply a way to get from A to B; it’s an opportunity to interact.

Plus, if you are lucky enough to get a lift to yourselves, it’s a chance to have a real conversation

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with friends and family, with no one distracted by checking their emails or scrolling social media.

That’s an opportunity almost unheard of in 2021!

REDISCOVER YOUR DANCING SHOES AT APRES-SKI Ahhh après, an undeniable staple of many ski holidays. Though certain après-ski institutions may seem worlds away at this point, the carefree, social atmosphere of late mountain afternoons will always stand the test of time!

Whether you’re dancing on tables singing Europop classics, testing your ice-skating skills, relaxing in the spa or simply sipping local wine in a cosy resort bar, après offers a true escape from the stresses of everyday life – something we need now more than ever!

DISCOVER NEW CUISINES WITH MOUNTAIN LUNCHES From long, cosy lunches by the fire when the weather’s not quite playing ball to topping up your goggle tan on a deckchair in the sun, a good mountain lunch is a surefire way to level up your ski day.

After months of home-cooked meals and tried-andtested takeaways, we could all do with expanding our taste buds a little, and what better way than with some delicious Alpine cuisine. Wherever you decide to ski this winter, you can be sure that the local specialities will be a welcome treat, fuelling you up nicely for an afternoon’s adventure.

SHARE SLOPE STORIES AND SPECIAL MEMORIES One undeniable lesson the past year has taught us is to make every moment with your loved ones count and to truly appreciate the experiences you are able to share.

Sure, carving down freshly groomed slopes is an incredible feeling, but a ski holiday also gives us the simple joys of spending quality time with your loved ones.

Whether you’re making memories in the powder, or sharing ski school stories over a delicious dinner, these are the small moments we so often take for granted.

A ski holiday offers the unique opportunity to do both, in the best possible way. When else do you get to have a family reunion over fondue and fine wine? Or catch up with a group of friends, while racking up the miles from first lifts to last, making incredible memories along the way?

We certainly can’t think of any better way to put the social distance behind us!

PROTECT YOUR HOLIDAY WITH FINANCIAL SECURITY This year, it’s more important than ever to make sure you book with a reliable company, to ensure your money is protected in case of changing circumstances.

With over 100 resorts to choose from, Crystal Ski Holidays have a long tradition of providing high-quality, great-value ski holidays, with a simple booking process and friendly staff to assist you every step of the way. Flights, transfers and accommodation are all included when booking, as well as the ability to add lift passes, equipment hire and ski school, so everything’s ready for when you arrive.

Most importantly, you can book and travel with confidence with Crystal this winter, with ABTA and ATOL protection. With Crystal, secure your booking for just £100pp deposit. Plus they’ve got you covered with their Crystal Holiday Promise, which includes fee-free changes up to 28 days before you travel (if you’re flying with TUI Airways), Covid-19 flexibility and their package refund guarantee.

CRYSTALSKI.CO.UK

WORDS: SAM THORNE

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© INNSBRUCK TOURISMUS / CHRISTIAN VORHOFER

Vegetarianism can be a hard nut to crack. For some, it might only require a couple of slight dietary changes to achieve, such as giving up gelatine or finding an alternative to fish sauce.

For others, it involves a full re-evaluation of the self, followed by several disastrous attempts to recreate a funky lasagne from an online recipe, and finally concluding with a lot of crying and a bucket of KFC. Fortunately, though, whereas once people trying to “go veggie” were forced to give up trying very hard when they headed to the Alps and were faced with an almost exclusively meat-based menu, that’s no longer the case. Vegetarian and indeed vegan options can be found served in most mountain restaurants, and tour operators like Ski Beat have gone so far as to offer special culinarythemed weeks including “Nut-free”, “Vegan” and “Gluten-free” in selected chalets in recent seasons.

So it was I headed off to La Plagne in France with this Brighton-based group who have been arranging winter breaks for British skiers since the 1980s. They’ll fly you out, put you up in a cracking chalet and have a host on hand to ensure that you are well looked after and expertly catered for. In recent years they’ve made ever greater efforts to cater for individual dietary requirements, organising special ski holiday weeks where only vegan, gluten-free or nut-free meals are served in selected chalets.

Not quite ready to go the “full vegan” I limbered up by having a few weeks of “flexitarianism” (being an occasional masticator of meat) before getting on the plane to France having bravely (I thought) ordered a full-blown vegetarian diet in my French chalet.

Fortunately, though, it turned out my new-found plant preferences were well catered for and my efforts to improve my health, save the planet, and save a few more

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animals from needless slaughter were fully supported by the SkiBeat team in resort.

On arrival at my chalet for the week, I was met by the friendly hosts who immediately made a note of all dietary requirements and went on to ensure that something extremely tasty and filling while fully veggie was provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner each and every day.

For breakfast they have hot and cold options, and the hosts do a wonderful job of baking some vegan cakes for the more hardcore herbivores. If there is a particular ingredient that you are not too fond of (e.g. mushrooms in my case, which most people strangely choose to accept but which I know were obviously made by Satan to punish the wicked), you just mention it to your hosts and they find you some alternatives.

Of course, a good breakfast is important when you’re going to spend the day on the slopes, and nowhere is that more true than in the incredible ski area of La Plagne where the skiing seems to go on forever (it was already one of the world’s biggest when it was linked to neighbouring Les Arcs to create the massive 400km+ Paradiski area, one of the world’s three biggest).

I certainly skied hard and long all day and found that being fuelled up on that big veggie breakfast kept me moving without getting hungry.

Cheese is the elephant in the room. Not that I’m seeing cheese elephants, but when in the French Alps, if you’re not vegan or at the more puritan “No animal fats” end of vegetarianism, you’re going to be eating a lot of cheese. In France, of course, disliking cheese is punishable by death via guillotine, so I made sure I ate quite a lot in the mountain restaurants.

For the vegans who escape the blade, though, Ski Beat have also committed to providing food

free from any animal products - a service they have been providing for more than four years now. Therefore if you are unable to find much food out on the mountain then at least you can expect to have your stomachs filled upon your weary return to your accommodation.

In short, travelling to France as a vegetarian may seem like the toughest of nuts, but in reality it no longer is.

There are veggie and vegan options on almost every restaurant menu (other than the most hardcore carnivore emporium), and holiday companies like Ski Beat with friendly staff serving up fantastic veggie and vegan food, alongside meals made from animals if you still have old-fashioned carnivores in your party, to provide a 5★ winter break for all.

All this means that heading to the Alps you no longer have any excuse not to improve your health even more than just the exercise of skiing and boarding, by improving your diet, while simultaneously keeping an animal alive and doing your bit to save the planet.

OK, it sounds a bit puritanical, but with the meals being a no brainer thanks to companies like Ski Beat it’s easy to feel better about yourself and a bit smug that you’re doing the right thing, compared to everyone else. Well, except for the vegans.

sKi beAt Ski Beat offer chalet holidays to seven leading resorts in the French Alps.

2021/22 holidays cost from £619pp (price based on London Gatwick flights to La Rosière, transfers and catered chalet accommodation). skibeat.co.uk

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With the ski holiday business focused mainly on just getting us back on the slopes this season, there’s not been much thought of actually adding new options for the coming winter. However, Peak Retreats, which specialises in offthe-beaten-track authentic French ski villages, often linked into well-known massive ski systems, does have an option new to the UK market, Monts Jura.

MONTS JURA

PEAK RETREATS

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The Jura mountains, still part of the Alps, are on the Franco–Swiss border and form part of the Haut-Jura National Park, home to 37 traditional French villages, close to Geneva. Travelling around the region means frequently crossing over between the French and Swiss sides. Indeed one famous restaurant here, La Cure, has its kitchen on one side of the border and dining room on the other!

With 42km of ski runs, split between three separate small Alpine ski areas, and a fourth area focused on cross-country skiing only, this is not a region likely to appeal to steep-and-deep powder-hounds or those who like to clock up the piste-kilometres.

To be fair, though, there are 13 runs graded red, and a further five blacks.

But for those looking for an authentic experience, with traditional villages, great food and perhaps mixing in some snowshoeing, cross-country skiing (a real forte of the region with 150km of trails for all abilities here) or dog sledding to a more rounded winter-sports holiday, it’s an intriguing new opportunity.

Peak Retreats have chosen Lélex-Crozet as their accommodation base in the region, offering 5★ accommodation at the luxurious 5★ Jiva Hill Resort.

It is an exceptional Relais & Châteaux property nestled in a private estate of around 40 hectares facing majestic Mont Blanc and just 15 minutes away from Geneva International Airport.

The local ski slopes at Lélex-Crozet, some of the region’s best, are accessed by a cable car with a base station five minutes from the hotel, offering breathtaking views of Lake Geneva. It’s the largest of the four areas with 21km of piste – about half of the skiing for the entire area, with three of the five black runs here too and 23 other, easier slopes.

The other three areas are Mijoux-La Faucille (with another 15km of piste) and smaller Mentières with another 6km of runs. There’s also that cross-countryonly centre at La Vattay-Valserine.

Cheese-lovers will be delighted to know that this region of the Alps is also home to Comté cheese, not only gorgeous to eat but also the first French cheese to receive the highly sought-after AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) recognition.

PEAKRETREATS.CO.UK

GLENSHEE SKI CENTRE © SKI-SCOTLAND/STEVEN MCKENNA

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Plan a Scottish Snowcation in 2022 and Beyond One destination that British skiers have always had a great interest in is Scotland, but criminally few of us have actually skied there ourselves.

Glencoe Mountain, Highlands

Scotland’s stunning mountain centres offer a fantastic range of skiing and snowboarding, as well as great places to eat and stay locally and a variety of off-slope activities and visitor attractions.

Scotland’s oldest snowsports centre has a great snow record and 20 excellent runs. Experienced skiers will enjoy some of Scotland’s most challenging terrain, including the UK’s steepest black run, the Flypaper. Glencoe Mountain has just installed the new three-person Rannoch Chairlift, and a new café and reception area open in 2022. glencoemountain.co.uk

Cairngorm Mountain, Highlands

Glenshee Ski Centre, Aberdeenshire

With unbeatable views across the Cairngorms National Park, Cairngorm Mountain is one of Scotland’s most popular winter destinations. Over 32 varied runs, on-site ski hire and superb ski schools make this an ideal centre for families, while its close proximity to the bustling town of Aviemore means there’s a huge amount to see and do – from biking to whisky tasting! cairngormmountain.co.uk

Highly accessible by road as the closest mountain centre to Edinburgh, Glenshee is the UK’s largest snowsports centre. Here, 22 lifts reach heights of 3,500ft and serve an impressive 36 runs. With three mountain cafés and a fantastic ski school, you’ve got a great area for all abilities. There’s a good range of places to stay and eat in Braemar and Ballater north of the centre and

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Spittal of Glenshee and Blairgowrie to the south. ski-glenshee.co.uk

Nevis Range, Highlands

culinary options in nearby Tomintoul, Kildrummy, Ballater and Braemar. lecht.co.uk

Boasting unparalleled views across Lochaber, Nevis Range is one of the most reliable destinations for Scottish snow. The ski area consists of 32 marked runs and 11 lifts, including the UK’s only gondola. Stay in the nearby town of Fort William where you’ll find a range of restaurants, bars and great value accommodation. nevisrange.co.uk

Lowther Hills Ski Club, Dumfries & Galloway

The Lecht 2090, Moray Speyside

Scottish resorts have taken great steps to keep visitors safe this winter, so do make sure you follow all the latest Covid-19 protocols at your destination.

One of our favourite Scottish spots for families and beginners, the Lecht offers plenty of wide, well-groomed ski runs and a convenient day lodge at the bottom of the runs, which has everything you need for a day on the slopes, all under one roof. Set on one of the UK’s highest roads, the Lecht is slightly more remote, but there are great accommodation and

Closer to the English border, Lowther Hills Ski Club is a small, communityowned club, with an incredibly friendly feel. Though you have to be a member to ski here, the fees are very modest and the scenery is stunning. skiclub.lowtherhills.com

2021 Safety Measures

Before visiting, remember to check centre operating hours, travel and weather reports and snow conditions reports before travelling, and book lift passes and equipment hire in advance.

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OF SKI

REUBEN KRABBE

With travel resuming to North America this winter, it’s going to be a season to celebrate on Canadian slopes.

Sun Peaks in British Columbia has quietly grown to become Canada’s second-largest ski area and is the perfect choice if you want to make the most of your trip west, leave the crowds behind and enjoy the 360° views and wide-open spaces.

Sun Peaks’ popularity has come from a multitude of positive factors that have helped it cement a loyal following of returning skiers each winter.

Firstly, there’s the convenience. The village is so easy to reach with a short transfer from the local Kamloops airport.

Then, once there, the village’s compact

028 // NOV21  PROMO

pedestrian centre means wherever you stay you are only a few minutes from all amenities, including the ski lifts.

When we say “pedestrian-only”, in Sun Peaks that includes careful skiers so you can ski through from your hotel or condo to the chairlift in less than a minute, though you’ll be very tempted to stop for a ski-in/ski-out breakfast or just a nice, fresh coffee en route.

Then there’s the snow. Sun Peaks is located inland so doesn’t get wet, coastal conditions and instead enjoys consistent snowfall that’s perfect light, dry power, meaning fabulous floaty conditions on the slopes are the norm here. It was actually a record-breaking snow totals winter last season, when Canada’s borders were closed and only lucky locals could get on the slopes.

You won’t get tired of the terrain you’re skiing either. Sun Peaks’ ski area extends over three interconnected mountains, offering 360° of skiing with no lift queues, no crowds and slopes to suit everyone.

That variety extends off the slopes with everything from spa days to dog sledding on offer, and that pedestrianised village comes back into its own at the end of the ski day with an enticing collection of cafés, boutiques, coffee shops, bars and restaurants to peruse.

And besides us all being able to get back together at last, 2021/22 is another special season for Sun Peaks. The original ski area here, Tod Mountain, hits the big 6-0, so it’s a double celebration.

This intimate, friendly resort base

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that’s safe and easy for families to navigate, coupled with the wonderful empty slopes, makes Sun Peaks a top choice for everyone from toddlers through to seniors. This being North America, the nursery and ski school facilities for the younger end of that age spectrum are superb.

Heck, as a year-round mountain community, Sun Peaks is one of the few ski resorts anywhere that’s built a primary school at the base of its slopes for village kids to take a lift up to then ski out of at the end of the day. How cool is that?

The friendly, community-driven, proactive attitude is perhaps Sun Peaks’ greatest asset of all. It’s the locals that make it extra special and the main reason why the rest of us want to keep going back.

SUNPEAKSRESORT.COM

Leave the crowds behind.

Sun Peaks. Where you belong.

3D PISTE MAP OF PYRENEAN RESORT

Visitors to the leading Spanish ski resort of Baqueira Beret can study a new 3D map of the resort before they hit the slopes this winter.

ROCKO MENZYK

The 3D map allows skiers and boarders to view ski lifts, ski slopes and many additional points of interest updated instantly through the ski run manager.

The map also allows skiers to be geolocated, and pistes and services can be selected specifically according to the needs of the individual skiers and

SKIER MARKS 30 YEARS OF BEING LAST TO RIDE LAST LIFT OF SEASON

snowboarders using the map. In There’s always a contest at

Now Utah-based Mike Wisland has a

made sure he has been the last person

view their day’s skiing or boarding

the start of each season to be

record for being the last person to ride

on the Sunshine lift on its final run before

using the Ski Track facility. The map

the first on the first lift up,

the last lift of the season at Alta ski area.

closing each season.

can be found on Baqueira’s app as

often with people camping out

Wisland told local media that he started

“I did it for five or six years,” he said,

overnight to get pole position in

skiing at Alta on the day he arrived in

adding, “… and then it just became

the lift queue.

Utah. Then for the past three decades he’s

something I did.”

addition, BaqueiraPASS holders can

well as its website baqueiraberet.spotliomaps.com

ETHICAL CAFE OPENS IN TIGNES A brand-new café offering vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food and drink in Tignes has a focus on being both socially and environmentally friendly. Instructors Federico Luzuy and Beatrice Davico have fulfilled their ambition to open their own ski school, along with the new Oxygène Café. Federico VALENTIN LUTHIGER

and Beatrice have partnered with Caffè Vergnano, an Italian venture that supports coffee projects run by women. In 2018, they launched the Women In Coffee programme in partnership with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance. Their mission is to support coffee projects

E-QUAD RIDING ON SWISS SNOW

(at all stages: plantation, production and export) run by women, so they

Ski resorts continue to offer more and

hard to find ice circuits to skid gas-guzzling

Andermatt has an exciting new activity

can be economically independent.

more alternatives to JUST skiing or

cars around, with many of these already

along similar lines – E-quad biking. You can

“We are proud to be the first café

boarding on the snow, and there’s also an

now offering electric cars instead, and the

rent the electric quad bikes by the hour

supporting them in France!” said

emphasis from most on doing things in an

other old favourite of snowmobiling is also

and ride them on a special track over to

environmentally friendly way.

switching to electric versions.

Hospental – about 3km away. Drivers must

So petrol heads will find it increasingly

This winter, the leading Swiss resort of

be 18 or older and hold a full driving licence.

Federico and Beatrice, adding “We don’t just sell any old coffee …”

030 // NOV21

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SOCIAL-SKI DISTANCED Remote Relaxation in Les 3 Vallees Explore the Refuge de la Traye, the luxury Alpine retreat where isolation comes with a ski pass.

This winter, many of us will undoubtedly be looking for a different type of ski holiday.

Though some will feel comfortable going back to busy resorts, others may be seeking a more secluded getaway. A chance to truly switch off and escape from the four walls of your home office. An opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones in the most private environment.

The world’s largest ski area, Les 3 Vallées, isn’t often the first place you would consider for a remote, off-the-grid ski holiday. With over 600km of skiing on offer, the area is home to some of Europe’s most popular resorts and attracts skiers from across the globe to its world-famous pistes.

However, it’s in a lesser-known hamlet of Les 3 Vallées that you’ll find one of Europe’s most exclusive remote accommodations: the mountain escape that is the Refuge de la Traye.

The first high-end refuge in the French Alps, the Refuge de la Traye sits in an idyllic forested glade above the small hamlet of Le Villard, close to Méribel.

When we say it’s in the middle of nowhere, we mean the middle of nowhere. The refuge is accessible only by snowcat, with expert drivers on hand to whisk you up on the 20-minute

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journey through the woods. Ski holidays don’t get much more secluded than this.

Upon arrival, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled into some sort of storybook. In the cosy courtyard, cauldrons of hot chocolate warm over an open fire, providing the perfect welcome after a day on the slopes. Inside, your outdoor boots are hastily replaced with the fluffiest of bespoke slippers, rustic wood fires crackle and pre-dinner drinks await.

First created in 1982, the refuge underwent a full renovation in 2019 and now boasts high-end suites, a stunning restaurant and a huge spa area offering a unique blend of modern and traditional treatments. Detox in the Iyashi Dome, experience LED-light therapy or try out a milk bath and hay bed, before taking in the views from the outdoor hot tub. You’ll have no trouble finding your zen here.

Indeed, the blend of authentic Alpine tradition and modern refinement present throughout the refuge promotes an atmosphere of ultimate relaxation. With only six rooms and suites, and an exclusive restaurant catering only to residents in the evening, the entire complex has a real home-from-home feel.

Regular snowcat shuttle services run down to the cable car at Les Allues, where it’s just a 15-minute ride up to Méribel.

Your only issue will be never wanting to leave!

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BY PATRICK THORNE

ALPS-WIDE SNOWFALL ANALYSIS REVEALS 10–50% SNOW LOSS What is believed to be the first-ever analysis of snowfall data going back 50 years from countries across the Alps has been carried out.

The study, by an international team of researchers, includes data from more than 2,000 measuring stations in six countries dating back to 1971. Previous studies have tended to look at one country at a time and to use different measuring models.

The results, published in the journal The Cryosphere, are unsurprisingly not great news, showing widespread declines in snow cover. However they did uncover different trends in different parts of the Alps and at different altitudes.

The main trend identified was that the snow tends to arrive later than it did 50 years ago and melts away earlier in the spring.

Snow depths were found to have “decreased significantly” in winter at 82% of all measuring stations, with the decrease even worse in spring..

In terms of snow cover, below an altitude of 2,000m, the number of days with snow has reduced by 22 to 27 days in the north and by 24 to 34 days in the south compared to the 1970s. The greater decrease was recorded at lower altitudes. Overall, depending on the altitude, this corresponds to a decrease of 10% to 35% in winter and as much as 30% to 50% in spring.

032 // NOV21

HOT TUG SETS SAIL ON ALPINE LAKE Skiers heading to the Interlaken

on Lake Brienz this winter! The boat’s

but the captain must be at least 18 years

Holiday Region in Switzerland

on-board hot tub is heated to 38°C by a

old. Brienz is located next to the small

have an unusual new attraction to

wood-fuelled boiler and the boat itself

but perfectly formed ski area of Axalp, 20

enjoy this winter.

can be steered by the hot tub’s temporary

minutes from Interlaken, itself located near

The new Hot Tug – a wood-fired hot tub

captain after a brief instruction course.

famous resorts like Grindelwald, Murren

on an electricity-powered boat – sailing

Up to six people can sail in the hot tug,

and Wengen.

BEARS MOVE INTO SKI RESORT A number of bears moved into the

some returned to find bears had moved

spotted on South Lake Tahoe streets

ski resort town of South Lake Tahoe

in to escape the fire themselves and find

by fire fighters. “The delicate balance

beneath Heavenly ski area in California in

food. One cabin owner watched on a

between humans and bears has been

September during its evacuation because

remote video camera link as four bears

upset, and anyone who thinks a bear may

of a huge forest fire.

attempted to break in, and police reported

have entered their home should call law

Human inhabitants of the town were

over a dozen calls from people concerned

enforcement,” warned El Dorado County

ordered to leave for several days, but

about bear behaviour. A coyote was also

Sheriff’s Sgt. Simon Brown.

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One of the most famous ski areas in the world, Chamonix provides the perfect combination of Alpine heritage and incredible snowsports terrain. It’s no surprise that so many skiers return to Chamonix year upon year; this is a resort with endless entertainment.

The resort’s four ski areas all offer something a little different.

Les Houches’ varied slopes are a family-friendly favourite, dotted with cosy mountain restaurants.

Brévent-Flégère offers sun-drenched south-facing slopes, while over on the Swiss border, Balme is a true winter wonderland with gentle forest trails and unparalleled views. Intermediate to expert skiers will always be drawn to the Grands Montets, the ultimate mountain Mecca for free riders and ski tourers. Here there are countless off-piste routes to explore, and when the snow is deep, there’s nowhere else we’d rather be.

Getting between the four areas couldn’t be easier, thanks to free bus and train shuttles between the slopes.

Plus, if you purchase the wider Mont Blanc Unlimited Pass, you’ll also get access to the slopes of Megève

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and its surrounding resorts (the Espace Evasion ski area) as well as Courmayeur in Italy.

This winter, Chamonix is giving skiers further incentive to enjoy these incredible areas. Between 7 January and 4 February, and 7 March to 1 April, guests staying three or more nights in paid accommodation in Chamonix will receive free ski lessons.

Designed to support local businesses and reward visitors returning to the area, this fantastic offer includes two- to six-day group ski lessons (downhill, freeride, ski touring, cross-country) and children’s lessons.

However, reasons to visit Chamonix go way beyond just skiing. An impressively easy-to-reach destination, the valley holds five uniquely charming villages – Servoz, Les Houches, Chamonix, Argentière and Vallorcine, all of which offer a huge variety of fantastic accommodation options.

Chamonix itself is undeniably the most recognisable, with architecture spanning three centuries and an Alpine prestige that permeates all areas of the village.

There’s something for everyone in Chamonix, whether you’re a foodie itching to sample the best local produce or a hardened adventurer looking to stock up on the latest mountain gear.

Non-skiers can experience the quiet magic of Europe’s most incredible mountainscapes through a range of outdoor adventures, explore the International Crystal Museum (opening for winter 2021/22) or simply relax in style at the QC Terme, Chamonix’s impressive wellness centre.

Finally, a trip to Chamonix is not complete without a journey up the Aiguille du Midi (and its exhilarating Step into the Void glass floor skywalk at 3,842m altitude) as well as a ride on the unbelievably picturesque Montenvers Mer de Glace train.

This winter, you can experience Chamonix’s Alpine heritage for yourself, as the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix (the oldest guiding company in the world) celebrates its 200th anniversary. To mark the occasion, historic buildings in Chamonix will be illuminated every night throughout December and January in a beautiful display, marking an historic moment in the resorts’ developing Alpine legacy.

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UKRAINE Ukraine may not be a wellknown winter-sports nation, but perhaps it should be, with more than 50 ski areas located in the Carpathian Mountains here. That puts it in the world’s top 20 (of around 80 nations where there’s at least one ski lift) in terms of the number of ski areas.

It was even an early candidate to stage this winter’s 2022 Winter Olympics, before pulling out of the bidding process. Against that, SkiResort.info reports that the total amount of groomed

034 // NOV21

slopes across the country adds up to 185km – or less than 120 miles – so you can see the average size of these 50+ ski centres is small, with a little more than two miles of runs each.

The mountains of Ukraine are not the highest, with most of the larger ski areas sat at between 500-900m above sea level and the slopes topping out at 1,300-16,000m altitude, but the winters can be long.

When you look at the list of resorts in Ukraine you’ll also see one ski resort dominates in a way you don’t really see in any other countries. While most of Ukraine’s ski areas are small, Bukovel in

the west of the country dominates like no other with 68km of runs (more than a third of the national total). While most Ukrainian ski centres have a few simple drag lifts, most of the lifts here are fast quad chairlifts too – there are more than a dozen of them – with a six-seater added in 2020. It’s one of the claimants to the title “biggest ski area in Eastern Europe”.

Bukovel’s size is particularly remarkable when you consider it is also one of the world’s newest resorts, at least in terms of modern developments, having developed from almost no skiing and a few thousand skiers back in 2000 to receive over a million skier visits

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annually each winter now. Extensive investment in modern snowmaking enables it to operate for up to a sixmonth season from November to May. But Ukraine’s skiing is not all Bukovel.

There are at least half a dozen smallbut-not-that-small Ukrainian ski areas also worth a look. Dragobrat is one of the more interesting due to its 1,400m base altitude and highest lift at 1,703m – both the highest in the country. It has 13 lifts, mostly drags, but interestingly also a cat skiing operation. Then at 552m, another Ukrainian ski area, Vysokyy Verh, has the country’s biggest lift-served vertical.

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THE World’s Warmest Base layer®

FREE THERMAL BOBBLE HAT

worth £20 when you buy a Zerofit baselayer using code ITS001 at checkout

We all know that nothing can ruin a ski day as quickly as the cold. However, this winter, there’s one brand that is hoping to change the game when it comes to keeping you warm, even on the coldest of days.

Japanese brand Zerofit has created what is believed to be “the world’s warmest baselayer” – and after testing them for ourselves, we can’t deny that they have a point. Their impressive claim to be five times warmer than a standard baselayer is actually a tried and tested fact, confirmed by heat retention research conducted by the Boken Institute in Osaka.

How do they do it? Well, there’s a tonne of tech packed into these stylish layers that comes together to form the ultimate cold weather counter-measure.

A standard baselayer tends to work by trapping body heat between your skin and the material, meaning you have to wear it for a little while before you begin to feel the warmth.

A Zerofit baselayer, on the other hand, boasts five separate fabrics and a patented knitting process, which means it creates heat as soon as you put it on.

Meanwhile, extra-long, super-soft fibres on the inside of the garment rub gently against your skin, allowing the product to produce further frictional heat as you move.

Unlike other baselayers, Zerofit’s Ultimate products also don’t use compression, so you don’t constantly feel squished into your layers!

OUR TOP PICKS

 Zerofit Heatrub

 Zerofit Heatrub

Heatrub Ultimate

Ultimate Leggings

Move Baselayer

Baselayers

Super-soft comfort and warmth without compromising ease of movement, these feel more like fleece-lined trousers, but with a design that fits easily under ski pants. RRP £60

Slightly lighter than the Ultimate, but still twice as warm as a standard baselayer, performing best in temperatures between -5°C and 12°C. Great both on the slopes and on cold UK days!

RRP £40



Zerofit

Zerofit’s most popular product and our top pick for days on the slopes, designed to perform best in temperatures between -10° and 10°C. RRP £60

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ZEROFIT.CO.UK

Sail & Ski the Norwegian Fjords

036 // NOV21

Western Norway’s famous and spectacular fjords are a treat for the eyes year round, but how about skiing or snowboarding down them?

This coming winter it will be possible to make your own tracks ski touring in the wild and remote Sunmøre Alps far away from the crowds.

In better news still, you can reach the slopes by chartering the newly refurbished and renovated HMS Gåssten – a 24-metrelong oak-built Swedish minesweeper in a previous life – now luxuriously designed for the discerning, adventurous skier … who also appreciates added luxuries like a floating sauna.

The region is home to six of the “top 10 Norwegian ski tours” as voted for by the Norwegian Mountain Guides Association, and this is a bucket-list trip for keen backcountry skiers. You will have the opportunity to ski in the Hjørundfjord, popularly regarded as one of the most idyllic and beautiful fjords in the world.

Spend your evenings relaxing on the deck, dine on freshly caught crab, cod, and lobster, and if you’re lucky you may even get a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Holidays cost from £45,000 for a sixnight, fully guided exclusive charter for up to eight guests (10-night trips available on request) and are available between

mid-March and mid-April 2022. Staying on board HMS Gåssten, you have the services of two private IFMGA ski guides for five days and RIB transportation between boat and beach. There’s also a full crew with private chef, and the budget covers all meals (with afternoon tea and canapés).

There are also additional excursions to a Viking Hut, a private beach and a movie night under the stars all included.

But what about that floating sauna? Well you’ll be relieved to hear that the old “rustic floating sauna” in Sagafjord is due to be replaced before the Gåssten starts her spring saiklings. The all-new floating sauna will be anchored at the head of Huronfjord and will have 1,500m peaks surrounding it plus three waterfalls behind it. Complete with a turf roof there’ll be room for 10 people to bathe in the heat and plunge into the, er, bracing water of fjord.

You’ll need to be pretty fit and preferably have some ski touring experience, although the trip can be tailored for nonski tourers or can include ski touring and avalanche awareness tuition. For those with touring experience expect to spend five to nine hours per day going uphill and skiing back down. The terrain will be chosen according to your group’s ability and preferences, and there is something for everyone – from open mellow bowls to steep, challenging couloirs.

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©FOCUS OUTDOOR

Frances destinati third biggest of fresh on Isere is a b mountain reath air A true winter-sports playground with a wealth of natural assets, Isère has it all: stunning high peaks, glaciers, forested valleys, three natural parks, wide open spaces, worldrenowned resorts and pretty, traditional villages.

It’s also easily accessible from the UK – fly to Grenoble Alpes Isère airport, take the train or make the easy drive from Calais.

There are 22 fantastic resorts in Isère, and we want to share eight of our favourites with you.

Isère’s unspoilt surroundings are the perfect place to unwind, recharge and reconnect with nature. Switch off and enjoy the simple beauty of pale winter

sunlight streaming through snow-laden branches on a winter walk through one of Europe’s highest spruce forests, thanks to a new marked trail in familyfriendly Auris en Oisans.

Or try a Snowga yoga session at 2,000m altitude in Oz en Oisans, a pretty resort with an authentic village feel that is part of the Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine Ski, the same ski area as Alpe d’Huez.

The traditional village resort of Vaujany is also just a short cable car ride from the heart of this ski area.

Breathtaking views of the surrounding summits greet those at the top, while down in the village a huge indoor ice rink awaits, where you can try curling, watch ice hockey or simply skate!

For visitors looking for lively après-ski and adventurous skiing, the world-

class resorts of Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes are our top pick.

Alpe d’Huez has a vast ski area with 250km of slopes and over 2,200m of altitude difference between the highest skiable point and the lowest.

Refuel at Camp de Base, a new food destination serving street food and putting local produce in the spotlight.

Les 2 Alpes also does big skiing well, with long descents (ski 2,300m without taking a single lift), snow-sure glacier skiing at 3,600m, a freestyle area and unparalleled off-piste.

Off the beaten track in Isère, you’ll find smaller resorts like Les 7 Laux, a popular spot with freeriders, renowned for its mythical black run, Vallons du Pra. The resort of Villard de Lans/ Corrençon is made up of two villages

and is set in the Vercors natural park.

The resort holds the Famille Plus Montagne label for its family-friendly credentials. Try out toboggans, bobsledding, snow tubing and more at the innovative snowpark.

Closer to Grenoble is Chamrousse, another family favourite with treelined slopes and night-skiing sessions that offer spectacular views over the city lights. Don’t miss the resort’s award-winning ski touring trail specially designed for exploring the slopes under the stars.

Peak Retreats (023 9283 9310) and sister company Ski Collection are award-winning French Alps specialists featuring a hand-picked selection of authentic and charming apartments and hotels in Isère.

©A. GELIN

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©THIBAULT LEFÉBURE

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©THIBAULT LEFÉBURE

©FOCUS OUTDOOR

PEAKRETREATS.CO.UK/ISERE

IN POLE POSITION

NEW FLIGHT ROUTES TO THE ALPS Jet2.com have launched a number

of new routes to the Alps this winter.

There’s a new service from Edinburgh to Innsbruck and new Bristol and Leeds routes to Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc Airport, the closest to many of the major resorts in the French Alps including Paradiski, Les 3 Vallées, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Les Arcs, La Rosière and many more.

SKI INSTRUCTORS EXCHANGE VOWS BY BORDER Two ski instructors have exchanged vows ahead of their wedding on a street in New York state next to the Canadian border. Karen Mahony and Brian Ray made the move so that Karen’s mother, father and 96-yearold grandmother, who live in Canada,

GONDOLA AND RUN AT SLOVAKIA’S JASNÁ NAMED AFTER SKI STAR VLHOVA

could witness their exchange from across the closed border, even

Jasná, Slovakia’s largest ski area,

Jasná has also renamed their number

ride on this slope; I’m at home here, I’ve

though they were not allowed to

has started work on a long-planned

one piste after Vlhová, who specialises

won several races here. Last season, I

cross to attend the wedding itself.

€15m gondola lift, due to open for

in slalom and giant slalom and won

gained new energy right here in Jasná

winter 2022/23, and have decided

the World Cup overall title last season,

and on this piste and brought the whole

to name it after the country’s ski

becoming the first Slovak skier to

season to the most beautiful end,” said

racing superstar Petra Vlhová.

achieve this feat. “I’ve always had a great

Petra Vlhová.

RESORT CLOSED DUE TO DROUGHT A small ski area in the Manitoba has announced it won’t open this winter due to “unprecedented drought conditions”. Holiday Mountain’s Bernice Later said it was the first time in the resort’s 60-year history that it has had to cancel a season but that it no longer has the natural snow cover it once did and needs reliable snowmaking water sources.

EDDIE THE EAGLE OPENS DRY SLOPE World-famous ski jumper Eddie The Eagle was guest of honour at the reopening of the dry ski slope at Folkestone Sports Centre in southern

NEW LIFTS AND RUNS FOR NISEKO

England, which has a new surface

Niseko continues to cement its position

cabins go into service as well as a new

feature individual leather seats, “to provide

and a new sprinkler system. Eddie,

as Japan’s and one of the world’s leading

six-seat high-speed chairlift complete with

more personal space,” the resort says. The

who competed in the 1988 Winter

destinations of the 21st century with two

heated leather seats. Work on the gondola

gondola will also access new runs being

Olympics in Canada, enjoyed a

major lifts being installed for the coming

began last year, but its completion was

created at the eastern extreme of the ski

practice session on the 60m slope.

winter. The resort’s Hanazono sector will

delayed due to travel restrictions on teams

area, Colly’s Folly, a wide, fairly easy run,

see a new gondola lift with 10-passenger

coming from Europe to install the lift. It will

and Juicy Fruit, a very gentle run.

038 // NOV21

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©CAM MCLEOD 2014

r This Winte WI

TH

If there’s anything better than a day on the slopes, it’s a free day on the slopes! This winter, when you buy a participating Helly Hansen ski jacket or pant with the Ski Free hang tag, you can enjoy a free day’s skiing at one of over 50 incredible ski resorts across the globe.

Helly Hansen has a long-standing tradition of providing exceptional ski gear for resort professionals all around the world. This year, they are encouraging their loyal customers to experience these resorts for themselves.

The Ski Free deal sees Helly Hansen partner with over 50 premier resorts, offering a Ski Free deal (either a free lift ticket or a two-for-one lift ticket) when you buy a participating jacket or pant.

Our top picks? The Odin Mountain Infinity Shell and the Elevation Infinity

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Pro jackets, both of which feature Helly Hansen’s revolutionary LIFA INFINITY PRO™ technology. The brand’s most innovative and responsible waterproof/ breathable technology to date, it’s a great option for those looking to make more conscious choices. Available at all Helly Hansen ski stockists and HellyHansen.com.

It’s super simple to claim the Ski Free offer. Once you’ve got your new gear, head to www.hellyhansen.com/ skifree, find your resort of choice, and validate your ticket.

Our top picks of where to ski for free this winter:

Glenshee, Scotland Closest to home is the Scottish ski centre of Glenshee, with an impressive 36 runs across four mountains, served by 22 high-quality lifts. Glenshee is easily accessible by road, and you can even combine your

free day’s skiing with a city break in Dundee, the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design.

Chamonix, FrancE The site of the first-ever Winter Olympics, Chamonix has a long history of adventure, so there’s no surprise they’ve teamed up with Helly Hansen on the Ski Free programme.

Skiers in Chamonix have four varied ski areas and some of the world’s best freeride terrain at their fingertips.

Verbier, Switzerland Verbier is a firm fixture on many skiers’ bucket lists due to its unique combination of incredible skiing, picture-perfect town centre and vibrant atmosphere. Part of the vast 4 Vallées ski area, with 410km of pistes, 80 lifts and a huge vertical, it’s one every skier needs to experience.

Hafjell, Norway One of Norway’s largest ski areas, Hafjell offers the opportunity to explore something a little different this winter. Stunning landscapes, Olympic heritage and tree-lined slopes for all abilities await in this slice of winter paradise.

North America If recent announcements have you thinking of heading stateside this season, how about world-famous destinations such as Aspen Snowmass, Sun Peaks and Kicking Horse?

View the full list of over 50 resorts across Europe, Scandinavia and North America at hellyhansen.com/skifree. The Ski Free deal is valid within the season the Ski Free item is purchased and within opening and closing dates of the participating resort.

Note that some resorts have blackout periods and exemptions.

HELLYHANSEN.COM

JEANNETTE MEIER KAMER

How to maximise your time on the slopes this winter

It is time to get back on the slopes, and there’s no better way than by joining us on our inaugural ski holiday for readers, in association with Club Med. We’ve chosen to head to Serre Chevalier, France, in March as it offers a vast, snowsure ski area with over 80 slopes and oodles of fabulous off-piste. The resort has a relaxed feel and more down-to-earth prices than many other big French resorts.

If you are as desperate to get back to the mountains as we are, you’re surely wanting to squeeze every last run out of your ski holiday this winter!

resort early when you could be skiing up until the last minute of the last day.

Surely hiring a car would be better?

You’d think so, but those of us who have experienced the joys of car hire pick-up

It has been described as being like Provence on the slopes. With Club Med almost everything is included, so our trip not only includes flights, transfers and full-board

queues and mountains of unexpected

accommodation, but also lift pass,

Here are our top tips on how to seriously

paperwork know that this is not always

lessons (whatever your level), off-piste

maximise your ski time in 2021/22 and

the case! Then driving in snow and

guiding and even all your drinks! The

beyond…

paying to park.

only essential you’ll need to pay for is

The Best Flights

Instead, avoid any waiting times by using a shared private transfer or

Though you might not always have masses

minibus. Consider your resort choice

chalets and features an indoor pool

of choice when it comes to your flights,

carefully – a slightly longer transfer

and spa facilities – always an après-

there are a few tips you should certainly try

might mean a ski area right on your

ski winner. Entertainment includes

and follow as much as possible.

doorstep, so more ski time (e.g. ski-in/

Early flights out and late flights back

ski-out Avoriaz as opposed to Morzine).

mean you can ski on those days too,

everything is running smoothly,

conventional package might suggest.

starting with a welcome drinks party

Airport location is also key. Avoid airports a

to help people mingle and then share

long way from home and instead consider

some slopetime with you. It’s going

Unsurprisingly, ski-in/ski-out is essential

regional airports, many of which now offer

when trying to maximise ski time!

a wide range of winter destinations.

to be a blast – do join us. The trip runs from 20 to 27 March and costs

However, so too is the catering element of your holiday accommodation. Selfcatering means you have to spend

discos and shows.

InTheSnow’s Managing Editor, Henry Druce, will be on hand to make sure

so you get two days more than your

The Right Accommodation

ski or snowboard hire. The ski-in/skiout Club Med is made up of traditional

£1,573pp including return Gatwick flights, resort transfers, seven nights’

Efficient Transfers

additional time shopping, cooking,

full board (breakfast, lunch, afternoon Finally, however short or long your

tea, dinner), accommodation, all non-

washing up – all of which take up time

There’s nothing worse than arriving at

trip, to really get the most time on the

premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic

you could be spending on the slopes.

your destination airport on a gorgeous

slopes, book with a holiday company

drinks, six-day lift pass, five full days

Choosing a catered chalet or hotel means

morning, excited at the prospect of

that have made this their mission for

of ski and snowboard lessons and

you don’t have to worry about anything

some bonus afternoon ski action, only to

over 30 years. Skiweekends will take

other than enjoying yourself. Instead, all

realise you’re stuck waiting on a coach

care of everything for you, meaning all

Club Med: 0203 692 6018 or email

your energy can be directed towards

for hours until more flights arrive to fill

you have to do is kick back, relax and

UK.meetings-events.coordination@

skiing all day and enjoying the après!

out your transfer bus! Then leaving the

plan your next adventure!

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SKIWEEKENDS.COM

hosting by Henry. To book, call

clubmed.com

NOV21 // 041

The

TIROL 042 // NOV21

@INTHESNOWMAG

SKIWELT WILDER KAISER – BRIXENTAL

ST. JOHANN IN TIROL

If you’re looking for a big ski area for your family, it doesn’t get much bigger than the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental with its 288km of slopes, many of them wide and easy. These are served by 90 swish gondolas and chairlifts, several of them with special child locks to ensure no danger of slipping on the ascent, giving added peace of mind. There are special beginners’ areas for children as well as childcare services for babies and toddlers, and no less than 22 ski schools to choose from. Taking a break isn’t an issue either with an incredible choice of 80 mountain huts for a pitstop anytime. And you can visit the igloo village or have more fun on the toboggan runs and fun slopes if you want to take your skis off. There are nine resort villages to choose from here, all great for families.

St. Johann in Tirol is a lovely small town with a pedestrianised centre and its own perfectly family-sized ski area. All the facilities you need are here, on and off the slopes, including non-ski childcare, a choice of three friendly snowsport schools and even a “baby hotel”. Older kids and teens will love the fun park with jumps and obstacles, and parents will like the discounts on lift tickets for children and youths.

There are several great swimming and spa complexes in the area, including the Panorama Badewelt with its giant water slide. There are also zipwires, a climbing hall and for younger children the fabulous Murmi’s Kinderland with its 1,200m2 of softplay heaven.

Offering the best of both worlds, the Ski Juwel region was created when lifts and slopes were linked between the Alpbachtal and Wildschönau valleys a few years ago to create one of Austria’s larger ski areas. But it’s still made up of lots of small- to medium-sized villages, and there’s a very relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere in each.

Although there are some challenging black runs and freeride routes most of the slopes are rated blue (easy) or red (intermediate), and both The Snowpark Alpbachtal and Family-Park Schatzberg have easy Beginner Lines with small jumps and obstacles.

There’s plenty of fun to be had when not skiing too, with activities like being a co-pilot on a pistebasher or igloo building on offer. Ski Juwel offers a big choice of ski schools, two ski kindergartens for children, and family lift pass discounts on offer. It’s all just 45 minutes from Innsbruck.

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MOORE CASEY

SKI JUWEL ALPBACHTAL WILDSCHÖNAU

MIRJAGEH.COM

CHRISTIAN KAPFINGER: WWW.GRIASSDI.COM

Fortunately, though, you can’t go wrong on a family ski holiday to Austria’s spectacular Tirolean regions.

The flights to Innsbruck are short, the airport small enough to pass through formalities quickly and then whichever resort you choose, the transfer will be short.

Then Tirol’s ski resorts themselves are very easy on the eye, with alpine chalet-style buildings, most often nestled in a picturesque, wooded valley with the snow-capped mountains above.

They’re real, year-round communities, they love families and offer great childcare facilities and ski schools, as well as plenty of family-focused accommodation options and off-slope activities.

There are also better-value ski passes for families than in much of the rest of the Alps.

The choice of Tirol is easy. It’s just picking which resort that’s the tricky bit – not that you’re likely to go wrong whichever one you choose.

©SKI JUWEL ALPBACHTAL WILDSCHOENAU

L

When it comes to a successful family ski holiday, it so often comes down to getting the details right. A long transfer to start your holiday can set things off on the wrong note, as can rolling up to a big, soulless concrete resort without much atmosphere.

SERFAUS-FISS-LADIS Located on a sunny plateau, the villages of Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis are a great option if you have good skiers or snowboarders in your party, because while most of the slopes are geared up to beginners and intermediate skiers, there are lots of challenging runs and exciting freeride terrain too. The lifts climb up to a very snow-sure 2,820m too, opening up a big vertical.

The entire ski resort revolves around families with the “Murmli Crèche” in Serfaus or “Berta’s Kinderland” in Fiss able to care for babies and toddlers, then child-focused teaching at the Kinderschneealm on a giant snow play and practice area. Off-slope facilities are fabulous too with the PlayIN Indoor Playground in Serfaus featuring an incredible 12 climbing walls, two climbing towers, an obstacle course, a bouldering room and a six-storey soft-play facility. You can even rent an e-buggy or mountain buggy to swap for your pushchair to make getting around with a baby or toddler on the snow a piece of cake.

SILVAPARK GALTÜR A long-time family favourite surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Silvretta Mountains, the Silvapark Galtür has a very snow-sure reputation which also makes it very popular with freeriders.

The Silvapark is divided into five sectors and includes the children’s snowy paradise of Siggi’s Bambiniland. A great place to learn and have fun on the slopes include an easy slalom track, wave line and more. The “Zwergerlwelt” and the “Abtenauerland” offer more superb learning areas for children, whilst teens will prefer the more challenging Action Park.

VISITTIROL.CO.UK

ATOUT FRANCE/GILLES LANSARD

THE

It’s no secret that ski-in/ ski-out is the dream when it comes to a ski holiday. Just ask anyone who’s ever had to walk more than 30m in ski boots…

However, some ski resorts offer far more slopeside options than others.

Luckily for us Brits, it’s just a short hop over the channel to France, where brilliant ski-in/ski-out resorts are something of a speciality! Here are some of our favourites:

VAL THORENS Set at 2,300m altitude within the huge Les 3 Vallées ski area, Val Thorens is one of the Alps’ best resorts for reliable snowfall and makes a great spot for early and late season skiing.

Slopeside accommodation is everywhere in Val Thorens, with

044 // NOV21

pistes running through the resort allowing you to ski right to your door, even if you’re staying in some of the less central spots. Consider locations near the Place de Caron, Rue de Soleil or Plein Sud pistes.

LA PLAGNE Ski-in/ski-out comes naturally in La Plagne. Like many resorts in the world-class Paradiski area, La Plagne is driven by the idea that skiing should be hassle-free – time should be spent on the slopes, not in queues, buses or carrying skis around town!

Plagne Soleil and its next-door neighbour, Plagne Villages, both offer impeccable ski-in/ski-out accommodations for all abilities, thanks to three gentle pistes that entwine themselves around the various hotels and apartments and down to the lift hub.

ARC 1950 From the very beginning, accessibility has been a guiding principle in Les Arcs’ development, with access to the resort from the valley by electric cable car.

The charming village of Arc 1950 has low-rise chalets spread around a fully pedestrianised central square, crossed by part of the Baptiste Giabiconi trail, which provides almost instant access to the snow from every one of its résidences.

LES ORRES Les Orres is one of our favourite hidden gems in the French Alps and, thanks to its wide range of ski-in/ ski-out accommodation, is a dream for families looking for the ultimate convenience this winter.

As well as 100km of easily accessible ski slopes, Les Orres holds the coveted

“Famille Plus” accreditation, meeting the highest standards of family facilities and off-slope activities. The resort also has an impressive focus on environmental sustainability, making it a great option for responsible travellers.

AVORIAZ Avoriaz enjoys a dramatic highaltitude location, the highest average snowfall of any French ski resort and easy access to the huge Portes du Soleil ski area. Indeed, there’s so much skiing to enjoy here that ski-in/ ski-out is a must – less time walking, more time on the slopes!

Avoriaz seems almost to be designed for ski-in/ski-out holidays, with pistes surrounding the resort that allow you to start skiing just a few metres from your doorstep. The entire resort is pedestrianised, so the only traffic you’ll face is on the pistes home!

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 Scott Cosmos Pro Touring Ski Boot

The Cosmos has just found a beefier big brother. A high-performing Grillamid mixed material gives you a beefy 125 flex making this one of the stiffer boots in the freeride touring market.

Add in a Cabrio Hybrid construction to deliver a walk mode with 60° range of motion for freer movement and less effort on the skin up. £599.95 | skibartlett.com

 Scott Line Chaser

 VOLKL

 Dalbello Quantum

Anorak 3L Ski Jacket

M6 Mantra Ski 2022

Free Asolo Factory 130

So many of you have got into touring over the last few seasons, but you’re not necessarily after the tightly clad ski touring image from the past!

Bridging the gap between touring and freeride, the ‘line chaser’ anorak is for those of you doing exactly that. A modern-looking freeride pull-over-the-head jacket which doesn’t compromise on touring breathability, lightness and stretch. £389.95 | skibartlett.com

Lighter carbon mesh in the tips and tailored titanal metal, adapted to each ski length, helps make the new Mantra M6 more agile from turn to turn, more controllable, but also more directed performance onto an edge. With its added 3D radius, tighter underfoot and more open in the tip and tail, you can easily adjust your turn shape for whatever terrain is in front of you. £639.95 | skibartlett.com

Touring Ski Boot

A top-of-the-range versatile free touring ski boot combining excellent fit, control and downhill performance with smooth and comfortable walking on the up.

It’s innovative two-piece shell gives you a huge 65° range of movement tour mode for much less effort whilst skinning, but also a more responsive feel when buckled up and turning on even the widest of touring skis. £639.95 | skibartlett.com

 Black Diamond Impulse 98 Ski

The shape of the new Impulse range of skis gives you added manoeuvrability at speed and a strong and sturdy underfoot feel for ice and rapid off-piste adventures. If you’re after a ski that can ski equally well as a solid freeride ski or a touring ski then these could be your match. For those of you who need playful planks that can charge on command. £599.95 | skibartlett.com

 DryRobe Dog Jacket

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Dryrobes have become huge over the summer whether you’ve been using them sitting outside with friends, away camping, at the beach, outside at the pub, or watching your kids play their favourite sports… Now your dog can join in the action too! Tough, waterproof and wind-resistant outer shell lined with super-warm lambswool so you can all venture out whatever the weather. £39.95 | skibartlett.com

 POC Skull Dura Comp SPIN Helmet

 Freebirds™ Ski Goggles

The all-new Freebirds™ combines a minimalist retro design with high-tech features and top-of-the-range optics from Carl Zeiss. The spherical lens construction maximises your peripheral vision, whilst the mirror-coating enhances contrasts and provides all-day comfort on the mountain. £119 | vallon.store

The Skull Dura Comp combines special VPD impact-resistant zones in the forehead and SPIN silicon pads inside the helmet to dissipate impact from race gates or a fall. Now with a built-in size adjuster to fine tune your fit even more.

For those of you who like to throw yourself down a hill and hold on tight. £409.95 | skibartlett.com

Elan Voyager FOLDING ALL-MOUNTAIN SKI 

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!

Say hello to the world’s first fully functional, folding (yes, folding!), all-mountain ski – the Elan Voyager. Incredibly easy to transport, with Elan’s new Connect technology ensuring absolutely no compromise on performance, the Voyager is a true game-changer. The package includes Voyager skis, bindings, poles and custom bag. £1,349.95 | elanskis.com/en

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 Scott

 Douchebag

 Tecnica Cochise 130

‘The Duplex’

DYN GW Touring SKi Boot

Line Chaser 3L Ski Pant

50L Duffle Bag

This new iteration of the Cochise has been completely redesigned, enhancing its performance, improving its versatility, reducing its weight, optimising its fit and ability to be customised – all whilst maintaining its impeccable skiing heritage. These always have been a benchmark boot for exploring the mountain and they’ve now got even better. £599.95 | skibartlett.com

Pair these lightweight breathable touring pants with the Line Chaser Anorak and you have a comfortable match made in freeride ski touring heaven! Great fit and freedom of movement for skinning up and most importantly for uninhibited hooning back down! £349.95 | skibartlett.com

Duffles are one of the best bags to take on any adventure, but no longer are these a black hole of chaos!

A clever zip splits the bag down the middle, opening up this clamshell duffle into two easily accessed zippered compartments. Recycled fabrics. Carry-on approved.

This will definitely be your new adventuring best friend. £239.95 | skibartlett.com

 POC Resistance Layer Jersey & Tights

Ski edges are sharp and more and more cases have been occurring of people falling and landing on top of the sharp edges of their own skis, creating serious injuries. A new stretchy Dyneema material has been specifically developed for POC to create one of the strongest fibres to prevent lacerations from ski edges. Available as a comfortable cut-resistant base layer for the lower and upper body. £239.95 & £279.95 | skibartlett.com

 Oneskee KIDS ACCLIMATE™ SUIT ORANGE NASA

Oneskee’s very first kids collection features their brand new design protected Acclimate™ technology, allowing you to turn your one piece into a standalone jacket with one simple zip. This NASA approved design has 10k/10k performance, with all kids suits available in matching adult styles. £169 | oneskee.com

 Full Tilt LIMITED EDITION Kicker Pink

It’s the most renowned go-to boot of freestyle skiers across the world and now it’s in a very limited edition pink version – and to make it even more exciting it’s not only in girls sizes, now you can ‘all’ look pretty in pink! Get them if you can... £TBC | skibartlett.com  Bluebell & Moss Piste Map Art Prints

Bluebell & Moss have a range of 145 resort piste maps, hand drawn and reimagined into contemporary art prints. Available in 4 sizes and professionally printed on highquality 250gsm art paper. The perfect gift for skiers and snowboarders.

From £19.95 | bluebellandmoss.com

 Lange XT3 Tour Pro Ski Boot

 Black Diamond Recon LT Beacon Avalanche Transceiver

Welcome to the new lightest fully featured avalanche transceiver on the market! Pocket sized for comfort, whether you’re wearing it in a harness or prefer to wear it inside a trouser pocket. Bluetooth enabled so you can easily update software, manage settings and even enter a training mode, all from your smartphone. £299.95 | skibartlett.com

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These lightweight touring boots are built with all the uphill requirements you need combined with Lange’s impressive heritage in downhill performance. Friction-free hinges, huge range of movement and lightweight grillamid for easy uphill skinning. Dual Core shell for added rebound and Active Power V-Lock gives you locked down precision for the descent. Built for those of you with an adventurous spirit who do not want to compromise on your downhill skiing. £479.95 | skibartlett.com

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NOV21 // 047

 UNION FALCOR

 THE NORTH FACE DIABLO

SNOWBOARD BINDINGS

WOMEN’S MID LAYER ¼ ZIP

The biggest lines and the steepest spines … there’s only one binding that Travis Rice will trust when he straps in. The Union Falcor is the best of both worlds: Forged Carbon carving power + Fused Vaporlite dampening provide a riding experience unlike anything else on the market. Lightweight, responsive, shock-absorbing and designed by the man himself – Trust Travis. £314.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com

The Diablo Quarter-Zip Zip Fleece provides breathable, quick-drying and lightweight warmth in a classic The North Face® package. Made from recycled polyester fleece, it wicks away sweat and ventilates without compromising its insulating ability. Layer it with a base layer and shell for full weather protection. £69.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com

 THE NORTH FACE CIRQUE DOWN WOMEN’S JACKET

It looks like a city jacket – and it could be – but the Cirque Down Jacket is built for the slopes. It’s filled with 550-fill of responsibly sourced down that packs serious warmth without serious weight or bulk. Features waterproof fabric, funnelneck collar, underarm vents, stretchy, removable powder skirt, headphone-compatible internal pockets for phone and goggles. £389.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com

 BATALEON THUNDER SNOWBOARD

 THIRTYTWO LASHED DOUBLE BOA WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD BOOT

The ThirtyTwo Lashed Double Boa Snowboard Boots are the perfect-fit, go-anywhere boot enhanced by a dual Boa® lacing system. Experience true performance fit with the zonal, upper and lower, Dual Boa Closure System.

Customisable features, including the heel hold kit and heat mouldable liners, will have you enjoying every moment on the mountain through any type of terrain. £299.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

 BATALEON

 POC OBEX SPIN SKI HELMET

STORM WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD

The Obex SPIN helmet provides adaptable protection for a variety of styles of skiing and snowboarding.

Constructed with an EPS liner, PC Shell and ABS top shell, the Obex is lightweight, making it ideal for all-day use. An interior size-adjustment system allows the user to find an ideal fit without needing to change pads. Sliding vent covers allow the wearer to open or close helmet ventilation for maximum comfort in all weather conditions. £164.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

The Bataleon Storm is designed for a female snowboarder wanting to explore the whole mountain. With a dynamic camber, the Storm is an aggressive mid flexing board that is designed to destroy deep powder, carve apart groomers, and ride hard and fast all over the mountain. £529.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

Sharing much of its DNA with the highly acclaimed Storm, the Thunder is equally at home charging around groomers as it is hitting up the backcountry, making it the perfect choice for riders who want to get out and about around the mountain.

Built around a state-of-theart fully directional shape, it utilises Bataleon’s all-terrain specific Freeride 3BT base profile to deliver stunning performance no matter what or where you ride. £569.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com

 YETI RAMBLER 12OZ BOTTLE

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 a beginner or expert, we can kit you out to ensure you have a great day on the mountains.

On-the-go caffeine enthusiasts, meet the ultimate drinking vessel for filling up and hitting the road. While this 12 oz. bottle is conveniently light, it holds more than enough joe to jump-start your day.

The 100% leakproof HotShot Cap lives up to its name by letting you sip from any side while locking in piping-hot temperatures for hours on end. £29.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

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 AIRBLASTER

 ARCADE RANGER BELT

TOASTER JACKET

Light weight, low-profile and stretch makes the Arcade Timber belt the perfect belt for all of your adventures. The Magic Webbing offers a superior fit and comfort by weaving a blend of the lightest, most durable fibres together with natural rubber.

With no metal, this belt makes airport security a breeze and as an added bonus makes the belt completely machine washable. £19.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

Rugged, waterproof and always toasty warm.

Tough where you want it, and tweakable where you need it, the Toaster is as warm and versatile as they come. 10K Hammercloth at the main body brings the durability, while 10K midweight Oxford at the hood and sleeves keeps mobility unrestricted. 80g insulation allows you to keep progression on the rise, even when the mercury drops. £199.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com  Heron Glacier Sunglasses

A classic alpine design featuring a durable TR90® frame and shatterproof category 4 lens. The leather side shields minimise glare and provide unrivalled protection for your eyes, whilst fully adjustable temples ensure a secure and comfortable fit. £96 | vallon.store

 Montec Moss Light Grey/Black

 BURTON BULLET TOOL

The Moss jacket (20K/20K) is the perfect jacket for the all-weather rider. Equipped with an exposed waterproof zipper, four large external waterproof pockets, and a storm-ready design, this jacket is built for adventure, and capable of handling even the harshest conditions and the deepest powder. £175 | montecwear.com

Speed and safety make the five-in-one Burton Bullet Tool the choice of pros and ams alike. The low-profile shape prevents impactful landings when pocketed, while a foldout handle provides maximum cranking power for tightening screws.

Easy to operate with gloved hands and stocked with two-ended Phillips and flathead/Allen bits, as well as a mini binding wrench, all stowed securely inside the tool when not in use. £21.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

 VOLCOM TONIC CAP

Change your head space, change your life. The Tonic Hat will get things rolling with its 100% nylon five-panel construction with snapback adjustable fit. £29.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com

 PATAGONIA

 AIRBLASTER

NANO PUFF JACKET

FREEDOM CARGO PANT

Warm, windproof, water-resistant, the Nano Puff® Jacket uses incredibly lightweight and highly compressible 60g PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation, wrapped in a 100% recycled polyester shell and lining. This makes it incredibly lightweight and versatile.

Use as an insulator under a shell or as a standalone jacket around town. £179.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

The Airblaster Freedom Pant is the perfect combination of relaxed fit and 10K durability, with enough stretch for full mobility and freestyle expression.

The main body fabric is a Stretch Canvas, with 10K waterproofing. The extra pockets let you pack your whole bag of tricks, with room to spare for new ones you’ll be adding daily. £169.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

 THE NORTH FACE

 BURTON LEXA RE:FLEX WOMEN’S BINDING

SNOGA WOMEN’S PANT

Boasting legendary all-terrain performance, it’s no wonder the women’s Burton Lexa Re:Flex Snowboard Binding is a top pick for a whole host of Burton (and nonBurton) pro riders. Double Take buckles with Insta-Click get you strapped in fast and dropping first. The Asym Hammockstrap and Supergrip Capstrap combined with a supportive Heel Hammock in the hi-back cradles your boot in supporting comfort. £249.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

With a slim fit, these high-waist trousers are perfect for the style-and-comfort-conscious rider. Featuring stretchy, windresistant fabric and a Chimney Venting system for optimal temperature regulation. £159.95 sputniksnowboardshop.com

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NOV21 // 049

 PATAGONIA

 THIRTYTWO

BETTER SWEATER JACKET

ASI COOLMAX COMFORT

This warm, 100% recycled polyester full-zip jacket combines a sweater-knit aesthetic with the easy care of Better Sweater fleece. It’s dyed with a low-impact process that significantly reduces the use of dyestuffs, energy and water compared to conventional dyeing methods. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn. £109.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

SNOWBOARD SOCK

The ThirtyTwo ASI COOLMAX Socks are some of ThirtyTwo’s highest-quality thin-knit snowboarding socks. The advanced sock integration consists of a more technically padded sock than traditional socks while maintaining a thinner knit throughout the foot giving you the best boot fit possible. £27.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

 Scarpa Maestrale Touring Ski Boot

The synonymous benchmark orange ski touring boot that no doubt you’ve seen in former guises all over the mountains. New reinforcements in the shell of the boot allows the boot to stay light whilst directing more performance into the skis. All the award-winning technology is still included – friction-free walk mode with huge range of movement, unique ankle retention strap, sustainable pebax renew shell and loads more. These have always been the go-to touring boot and the performance bar has now been raised. £449.95 | skibartlett.com

 Black Crows Mirus Cor Skis

Designed as a modern resort ski, combining playfulness, carvability and float off-piste. They’re quick from edge to edge and feel like a slalom race ski on piste, but elongate that carve out and you’ll be touching the snow and making troughs. The wide tip and swallow tail give you a surfy, playful feel off-piste. With their distinctive good looks they will surely turn some heads and not just because of the ski, but the way you’ll be skiing on them! 10-out-of-10 smile factor coming up! £629.95 | skibartlett.com

 CRAB GRAB MEGA CLAWS GRAB PADS

The Crab Grab Mega Claws stomp pads use a specially formulated rubbery foam blend that’s lightweight, durable and grabs like a crab. The signature texture provides maximum grip for tweaking out grabs and giving the foot traction on the board when getting on and off lifts. £13.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

 ANON M4 TORIC GOGGLES

The Anon M4 Toric Goggles offer a precise helmet-to-goggle fit with the wide field of view and enhanced peripheral vision of a toric lens. Our innovative MAGNA-TECH® quick lens change technology uses powerful magnets to make lens changes easier than ever. This edition of the M4 includes two toric lenses featuring PERCEIVE optics for highcontrast, terrain-defining clarity and our best anti-fog treatment for crystal-clear vision through a wide range of conditions. £279.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

 Atomic Maverick 95 Ti Ski

Versatile enough to ski the piste or to escape for a tour. Lighter than a lot of similar width freeride models on the market making these a great one ski option of a light off piste and touring ski, but solid and dampened enough for high-speed piste skiing. Shaped to give you manoeuvrable and playful fun in any shape of turn, all over the mountain. £549.95 | skibartlett.com

 Oneskee MEN’S ACCLIMATE™ SUIT - CAMO PARKA

Acclimate™ technology is Oneskee’s latest innovation, transforming a one-piece suit into a standalone jacket with one simple zip. Made from 100% recycled fabrics with 20k/20k performance, in a selection of trademark stand-out styles including this arctic camo parka with detachable faux fur hood. £399 | oneskee.com

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@INTHESNOWMAG

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M4 BRINGING YOU THE UK’S LARGEST RANGE OF SPECIALIST SKI & SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT ALONG WITH THE BEST ADVICE AND EXPERTISE

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SKI | SNOWBOARD | FREERIDE | FREESTYLE TOURING | TELEMARK | RECREATIONAL | RACE WORLDWIDE MAIL ORDER SERVICE SKIBARTLETT.COM | SPUTNIKSNOWBOARDSHOP.COM

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 VANS AURA PRO SNOWBOARD BOOT

Featuring comfort, control and re-inspired style like only Vans can offer, the redefined Men Aura Pro improves upon its versatile, hardworking reputation as the Boa boot built to perform in all environments. It features a dual-zone Custom Focus Boa construction for unlimited, on-the-fly micro-adjustability backed by the customisable comfort and heel hold of the Custom Slide Guide. £299.95 | sputniksnowboardshop.com

 Black Crows Serpo Ski

 SQI HYBRID WINTER JACKET

Winter sportswear with urban influence: suitable for the slopes and optimised for city life. SQI Jackets are made from recycled plastic bottles, feature a detachable faux fur hood, quilted insulation and can be purchased with wireless phone charging technology. Waterproof, wind-resistant, warm and stylish, arriving in a free gym bag made from recycled plastic. SQI [ski with a q] is the newest winter sportswear brand from the UK and the debut collection of limited-edition jackets are available in four colours from 1 November. We aren’t like any other ski brand you’ve seen before… We Are SQI. £245 | wearesqi.com

A new playful all-terrain ski in the Black Crows collection. Like other Black Crows skis these are solid at speed, but with added shape and a lively flex these are responsive and carvy for ripping up the piste and digging into harder snow. At 93mm underfoot, they’re also happy playing off-piste when the urge draws you in. Even with their performance piste feel, they are no less playful and adaptable to different turn shapes and terrain, keeping your playful side in check. £629.95 | skibartlett.com

 Dope Blizzard Jacket W Faded Violet

The Blizzard feels like a riding hood, and performs like a full-blooded snow jacket.

Awesome waterproofing and all the features you need for all-mountain hijinks, the Blizzard is a no-fuss, lightweight choice ideal for fairer weathers or as an outer shell. Tech specs: 15K waterproofing, 15K breathability. £133 | dopesnow.com

WIN A HOLIDAY FOR TWO! See details on opposite page

WIN

SKI-HOLIDAY-INSPIRED CHRISTMAS GIFTS

©POWDERHOUND

A SKI CHALET HOLIDAY FOR 2 WITH

Boutique London brand Powderhound have launched a new range of Christmas baubles handdecorated with skier motifs. Designed by British artist Natasha Durlacher, the baubles are made from fine bone china and available in four designs featuring skiers, mountain huts, wintery walkers and ski tourers. Founded by Natasha and her husband Tim Hall in 2018, Powderhound makes bespoke homeware and clothing and has an extensive range of Christmas gifts available this year. All are handdecorated in a range of Natasha’s evocative designs born out of years spent skiing and photographing life in the mountains. “My vision with Powderhound has been to create fun but also luxurious and sophisticated mountain homeware, as well as art and après-ski clothing,” says Natasha.

THE FASTEST MARATHON RUN IN SKI BOOTS

You’ll be staying in Chalet Violetta, one of their awesome

We can advise you on flights, insurance, equipment and

ski-in, ski-out chalets in the picturesque resort on Avoriaz.

instruction, but these are not included in the prize.

Chalet Violetta is surrounded by snow and yet only a

There is no cash alternative and the prize is not

5-minute walk to the centre of Avoriaz.

transferable. One member of the party must be at least 18

The prize includes: Æ

3 or 4 nights’ accommodation

Æ

Catering on all but one day.

Æ

One twin or double bedded room.

Æ

Shared return transfer from Geneva and the inresort snowcat to your chalet.

Æ

Choose from several dates, although booking is subject to availability and excludes peak dates.

Æ

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

41st London Marathon saw 54 record attempts take place, and a total of 30 new Guinness World

HOW TO ENTER

little more than two hours behind the 29th record

Records titles achieved. The slowest of these, a

Simply go to: Skiweekends.com/ITS ... using the web browser on your phone, tablet or PC and subscribe to the newsletter with your name and email for a chance to win!

The duration is 4 nights, arriving on Thursday for a The holiday must be taken during winter 2021/22

Guinness World Records reports that this year’s

years of age on the date of travel.

setter, was Paul Bennett, who heroically set a new fastest marathon run in ski boots (male) time of five hours 30 minutes and 20 seconds.

Paul and his mother, Alison, who also competed in the marathon, were raising money for Stanford Hall, a medical rehabilitation centre for injured servicemen and women. At the time of going to press, they had raised over £7,400, and donations can still be made by searching Paul’s name at uk.virginmoneygiving.com

long weekend, or 3 nights leaving on a Monday. Æ

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

InTheSnow and SkiWeekends are partnering to giveaway a 3- or 4-night ski holiday for two people!

Competition closes 5 November 2021.

NOV21 // 053

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NIMA SHAHINIAN Thirty-three years ago as a child in a small town 30 minutes north of Oslo, Nima Shahinian had a dream of building the world’s fastestever sledge. Really fast, reaching 300 kph and making its pilot the fastest person on earth without an engine powering them. That record currently stands at 254.958 kph and is held by a speed skier. No sledge as yet has gone faster than 134.36 kph.

Having worked on sledge prototypes for more than six years, Nima is now trying to find the perfect pilot to ride the sledge and become the fastest non-motorised human in history.

When did you first dream of building the world’s fastest sledge?

NS Right by the doorstep of the house I grew up in there was a 200m slope that went straight down. So the dream started as a child with the desire to build the “best” sled. When I was eight years old I changed the original plastic skis that came with the sled to some old real alpine skis, and the sled started to go crazy fast.

Do you have any dimensions in mind for your preferred sledge pilot?

NS Since the vehicle is tailored to the pilot, there is no height and weight

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requirement, but there are some medical requirements. The driver must have good physical health and stamina with the ability to withstand G-forces and no kind of infirmity that might impair fine motor skills.

The candidate must also have good mental health to be able to tolerate both the pressure required for training and keeping focus during the actual record attempt.

What’s the cost of buying your seat?

NS The seat must be bought, as you can now buy a seat on the Amazon Blue Origin or Virgin galactic space craft, or even a Formula One car. Of course, buying the seat on the sledge does not cost as much as buying a seat in a space-rocket, and it is actually a more unique seat with the sledge built around you personally, but we are still talking in the range of $3-5m US. Any idea where the record will be set?

NS We do not have a fixed location at this stage. That’s because in the same way as the driver, we can develop the vehicle exactly according to the slope we end up choosing.

We do know the best location will be a very steep hill, as high above sea level as possible and with good braking distance. But if we find a hill that does not have all this we must develop something different. We are open to suggestions.

@INTHESNOWMAG