INTHE SNOW ISSUE 55B | OCT 2017
p a t r i c k @ i n t h e s n o w. c o m
I’m trying to not get too excited about the
pressure on things like lift pass prices,
coming winter 2017/18, but it’s difficult not to.
rentals and ski schools because of online
There’s still nearly two months to go until
discounting meaning, overall, costs can be
the season really kicks off, but if you follow
lower this winter than last. That might explain
the ski business day-in, day-out, year-round
why at least one tour operator is reporting
as we do at InTheSnow, there’s a lot to get
sales up more than 30%.
excited about already, so it’s just a case of not
Then of course this coming ski season
tempting fate by shouting too much about all
has some very exciting aspects to it too,
the good news too soon. It’s hard not to.
compared to any old ski season. Of course
But still, Kitzbühel managing its earliest-ever
there are the big new resort developments
opening on 14 October is hard not to get
like new terrain opening at La Rosière
excited about, even if it did cleverly recycle
and in the Grand Massif, but we also have
last winter’s snow to do it. It’ll be opening
the Winter Olympics coming up in South
a second area on the Hahnenkamm this
Korea where Team GB is aiming to build
weekend while its neighbouring Tirol resort,
significantly on Jenny Jones’ historic
Sölden, stages the first Alpine World Cup
snowboard bronze at Sochi four years ago,
races of 2017/18.
our first medal on snow since Alain Baxter’s
Across the Atlantic, Arapahoe Basin in
bronze at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.
Colorado also opening in mid-October and
With lots of British success in world class
the season starting in North America earlier
competition since, including Dave Ryding’s
this year than for the past few autumns is
silver in the Hahnenkamm last winter, hopes
also good to see.
have never been higher.
The British ski holiday industry as a whole
You’ll find more details of the snowfall,
seems quite perky. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster
resorts that have opened already, some of
with, on the one hand, Brexit depressing
the big new projects for 2017/18 and that
most tour operators and pushing prices
report showing prices have dropped in
higher for Brits in resort because of the
some ski resorts in this special Ski Show
resulting weaker pound, but against that a
supplement. Enjoy the Show and have a
study of prices in resort showing downward
great winter – it’s not long now!
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tion moda Accom als All me ss a p t Lif hire ment ing Equip or guid n io t c u r t Ins
ALL INCLUSIVE COURSES, FROM BEGINNER TO OFF PISTE GUIDING FROM
£565
UCPA is Europe’s largest provider of Ski and Snowboard instructed and guided courses Based in top resorts across the French Alps, UCPA offer an unbeatable range of opportunities for all levels – from beginner instruction up to specialist Off Piste guiding, ski touring and split boarding. We also offer specific breaks especially for families, students and long weekends. For more information and to book:
www.action-outdoors.co.uk www.ucpa.co.uk TH E U K PA
03 // OCT17
R TN ER O F
04 // OCT17
45-year-old Furka T-bar lift in the resort’s Parsenn
new €18m 10-seater gondola to whisk skiers and
region to a high-speed six-seat chairlift. The lift will
boarders to the resort’s highest peaks this winter.
climb 380 vertical metres over its almost 1.6km
The new Piz Seteur gondola with heated seats
length, and transport up to 2,500 people per hour,
is at Selva di Gardena and replaces a 20-year-
shortening the journey time by around five minutes.
old quad chairlift to give improved access to
Summer 2017 has been no different, and in
The classic French ski resort of Megève will see
our main magazine you can read of big new
the first results of a promised €80m investment
A New Black Slope For Cortina
lift projects and terrain expansions for the
in its ski area promised by its new lift operator,
The iconic ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo will
Grand Massif, Ischgl, Val Thorens, Méribel
according to the long-time British specialist tour
have a new black run this winter. The new
and Zell am See amongst others. Here are
operator there, Stanford Skiing.
Scoiattolo slope will drop 238 vertical metres
some of the bigger projects due to open in
“The lift companies in Megève and St. Gervais
over its 905m length and have an average
the next few weeks:
have announced the long overdue revamp of the
gradient of 27%, but at its steepest section this
Chamois gondola from the centre of Megève and
will increase to 55%. The new run is part of a
La Rosière’s Ski Area Gets Bigger
the replacement of the rickety old chairlift on the
total €70m investment in the wider Dolomiti
Epaule of Mont Joly with a fast six-man chair,”
Superski region for the coming season.
La Rosière will have pistes on a whole new
said Stanford Skiing’s Elizabeth Cahir.
the popular Sellaronda ski circuit – a 42km tour
Fast New Lift for Megève
around the Sella peaks.
news as very few ski areas in the Alps open totally
Two New Quads for Niseko
Les Arcs Add €10m Heated-Seat Chairlift
new areas nowadays. The village has also built a
Niseko will see two new quad chairlifts open this
The Pré Saint-Esprit lift at Les Arcs, built 37 years
new fun track for kids that’s more than 1km long,
December, both especially benefitting beginner
ago – long before Arc 1950 was created – is
with modules, gongs and tunnels, and themed
skiers but with advantages for more advanced
being upgraded to a six-seater high-speed lift.
with the famous La Rosière Saint Bernard mascot.
skiers too. Grand Hirafu’s Ace Family Pair Lift will
Part of the price tag comes from the fact that
be replaced by a high-speed quad lift with double
the new lift will have heated seats, a pull-down
Livigno Adding Two Gondolas in Major Upgrade
the per-hour lift capacity. In addition, Niseko
bubble protection cover and will require an all-
Annupuri has announced the construction of a
new base building, partially buried in the ground
Livigno ski area in Italy is currently installing
new ski lift – the Dream Quad Lift #1 – specifically
for minimal environmental impact.
two consecutive gondola lifts, with a combined
for beginner skiers and snowboarders.
mountainside this winter, which is quite exciting
total length of 3km and a vertical rise of 900m
Switzerland’s New Super Ski Region Nears Completion
The new Doppelmayr lifts are being built during
Breckenridge Ski Resort Upgrades Falcon Chair
Livigno’s relatively short and unpredictable
Breckenridge ski area in Colorado has built a new
ski resorts of Andermatt and Sedrun are nearing
summer – the village is usually open for
Peak 10 Falcon SuperChair, upgrading the old
completion with the two ski areas connected by
snowsports from November to May.
quad lift to a six-seater and expanding Peak 10’s
lifts and runs in one direction this winter as three
uphill capacity by 25% for the 2017/18 ski season.
new lifts are completed. The full inter-connection
separated by three completely new stations.
UDO BERNHART / VAL GARDENA
Every summer the world’s ski industry collective splurges hundreds of millions of euros/ dollars/francs/yen (and various other currencies) on upgrades for the coming ski season.
Long-running plans to connect the two Swiss
Davos Changes T-Bar to Six-Seat Chairlift
New €18m Gondola For Val Gardena
winter 2018/19 with another four lifts due to be
Davos in Eastern Switzerland has upgraded the
The Dolomiti ski area of Val Gardena will unveil a
added in summer 2018.
in both directions should be finished in time for
FOR YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SKIING ACROSS THE POND InTheSnow.com
05 // OCT17
New Snow Resort Opens 3 Hours From London
Fancy a new place to go skiing from London? 365 days a year? Well the first indoor snow centre in Europe since, well, The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead eight years ago, is opening on "Ski Show Friday"October 27th 2017.
quite have the same glitz and glamour as its
big from the indoor terrain park that will be a
Coloradan namesake. More like The Snow
major attraction of the centre.
Centre in Hemel Hempstead, the Aspen
Aspen also has three bar restaurants, 120 ski
indoor snow centre has evolved from a long-
instructors, high-speed wi-fi throughout and a
established, popular dry slope, in its case close
cashless RFID booking and payment system
to the A12 motorway in Antwerp.
operating across the facility.
Aspen’s indoor slopes are bigger than any in the
The opening of the Aspen ski centre is also a
UK, however, with a 12,000m2 of indoor slopes
case of indoor-skiing-coming-home, as 30 years
including a main piste 240m long and 50m wide
ago the country was home to one of the world’s
It’s not actually in the UK, but in Belgium, 230 miles
with a gradient of 15 to 20%. Conveyor lifts with a
first three indoor snow centres, again choosing
away from Battersea Park as the crow flies, or
capacity of 4,500 people per hour mean that 350
a rather unlikely name for the first Belgian dome,
3.5 hours on the Eurostar then a couple of quick
people can be on the slope at any one time.
Casablanca. Since then more than 100 indoor
connecting trains from Brussels. Alternatively it’s
The team that has built the centre say it has
snow centres have been built in more than 30
just over an hour away taking one of the many
the latest in low-energy cooling technology
countries on six continents, of which more than
flights from London City to Brussels.
and that they’ve also created a light and airy
70 are still operating (although Casablanca and
The new indoor snow centre has a familiar
building with a 15m high roof, the latter fact
the other two from that first generation, which
name in the skiing world, Aspen, but it doesn’t
particularly good news for those wanting to go
were built in Australia and Japan, are long gone).
06 // OCT17
ASPEN.BE
CERVOS STEPHANE
IN VAL D’ ISERE
08 // OCT17 PROMO
ACTION OUTDOORS
ACTION PACKED VALUE
Rob Stewart caught up with holiday skier Sophie Morgan, aged 29, about her experience with the UCPA in the French Alps last winter. She told him all about it.
me, to have fun and ski. You can pay a little more for a twin room, but I chose to share with three others, who ended up being Swedish and Dutch. The atmosphere in the centre was great, with lots going on in the evenings, and although most of the people were my sort of age, there were also plenty of older groups and a few younger
“I’ve skied a few times before, but last winter
too. I almost forgot about the skiing – it was
I wanted to go twice, but it’s not cheap. I had
obviously amazing, Val d’Isère is well-known as
heard about UCPA, ‘sport for all’ and great-
one of the best ski resorts in Europe, and our
value-for-money holidays in ski resorts such
instructor Pierre showed us around through the
as Val d’Isère. That’s where I decided to go,
week, which left plenty of time to freeski with the
and Action Outdoors, the company selling
Swedes. Some of their friends were on an off-
UCPA holidays, offered both week-long and
piste course with the UCPA that week, which is
short-break holidays there. I managed to book
why I ended up going back for a second, short-
seven nights’ accommodation with three meals
break trip later in the season. For a great-value
included, ski pass, ski lessons and equipment
holiday where you can have a lot of fun and
hire all for under £600 during January. I travelled
meet new people, the UCPA is absolutely great.”
alone, but what I loved about the UCPA centre
Sophie travelled with Action Outdoors (action-
was the fact I was instantly thrown into a crowd
outdoors.co.uk) and you can find them at The
of like-minded people on the same mission as
Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show, stand no. 601.
ACTION-OUTDOORS.CO.UK
A thriving service that offers a low-cost way of travelling between Geneva Airport and various ski resorts within Les 3 Vallées is expanding this winter.
transfer will leave, and you get dropped off and
Pick-ups from Geneva are timed to coincide with
picked up at your accommodation. No dragging
most inbound flights from the UK with the first at
your bags through the snow in the dark to and
10:30am on Saturdays and Sundays, running every
from a central point.
few hours after that throughout the day. During the
So it’s very much like a private transfer service;
week, daily departures are at 11:15am and 16:15pm.
the only difference is the cost is shared between
On the return trip, collections start as early as
Le Van Rouge is a shared transfer service
more people. They even use eight-seater
06:30am on Saturdays and Sundays and 08:00am
operated by the long-standing professionals
minibuses, not coaches. The only real difference
on weekdays. Again, collections are every few
in airport transfers in the region, Three Vallee
to their private transfers is that, because the
hours from resort after that.
Transfers. It’s targeted at anyone travelling alone
service collects and drops off passengers at
The company has 6,000 seats available on the
or in a small group who is looking for the cheapest
different places, it can take a little longer.
Van Rouge service for the coming season, and
and most convenient door-to-door transfers to
Le Van Rouge will operate at least five shared
places can be reserved via the Quick Quote
either Courchevel, Méribel or La Tania.
transfers to and from Geneva each Saturday, four
Calculator on the website at 3vt.ski (remember
However, despite the low price for transfers
on a Sunday and a minimum of two guaranteed
to tick the "shared" box or you’ll be quoted for a
being a modest €65 (£58) per person each way,
every single weekday of the main winter season.
private transfer).
the Van Rouge service is a premium-quality
Check the shuttles’ departure times from Geneva
So, why call the service Le Van Rouge? Arguably,
transfer operation. You don’t need to wait around
before booking your flight so as to minimise your
it’s not a pun on the French name for red wine; it’s
for hours because you’ll know what time your
wait. Likewise on the return.
just that the minibuses used are, well, red. Simple.
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Huge Savings on Whistler Ski Holidays Save up to 45% when you book by 15 November 2017
0131 243 8097 www.ski-i.com
GET MORE WINTER BIGGEST &BEST WITH THE
010 // OCT17 PROMO
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Crystal Ski Holidays, Britain’s largest ski holiday company with more than 30 years’ experience, is there to make sure you get the most out of your winter. They’re all about giving you support with easy access to their expertise and knowledge before, during and after your holiday, should you need it.
travelling independently because they think they’ll pay less, but that’s rarely the case when you factor in all the little bits that make up your overall ski holiday cost. For example, Crystal offer some great-value bundles that roll up some in-resort aspects of your holiday into one low-priced package which you can pre-book, both saving money overall and locking in the price in pounds sterling. These include great deals on your lift pass combined with standard skis or snowboard rental.
That’s because the team behind Crystal are
If you’re new to skiing, Crystal offer a ski or
just as passionate about skiing as you are, and
board package which includes everything
love the mountains just as much as you do. It’s
you need to get on the mountain. That’s six
all part of the reassurance they offer.
days of ski or board hire, and boots, your ski
Crystal is offering holidays to a remarkable 126
or snowboarding tuition and your lift pass for
resorts across 13 ski countries this winter. They
one low price. You simply add your first-time
also offer a huge range of accommodation
ski or board package on the Extras page when
styles – from half-board hotels to catered
booking your holiday.
chalets and B&Bs for you to choose from. In
There’s a similar deal with the same aspects
fact, all this choice means you can design your
included (which could otherwise cost many
holiday to suit you – with as much or as little
hundreds of pounds if you tried to book
input from Crystal as you like.
separately in some resorts) if you are an
Crystal have created a free app to help you
improver and are no longer a first-time skier or
make the most of your time on the mountain.
boarder but want to improve your skills. It also
Their free-to-download Crystal Ski Explorer
includes tuition, rentals and lift pass and is very
app is packed full of useful information written
competitively priced.
and created by their team. Features include
Finally, it’s important to know that Crystal’s
piste maps, snow conditions, a ski route
holidays are accessible to all ages and abilities,
planner on the slopes, live lift info in some top
whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro,
resorts and a six-day weather forecast so you
and with flights from 22 UK airports you don’t
can plan your week ahead. It’s like having the
need to go far to start your holiday either.
mountain in your pocket. Equally, before you fly out or when you’re in resort, you can get in touch with Crystal staff via phone, email or Twitter at any time. If the ski season is underway, most of the resorts
NEW DESTINATIONS THIS WINTER
have reps based there, contactable 24/7, in case you need anything during your trip or just
Crystal are constantly on the search for the
a bit of advice or information before you’ve
best places to ski, and this season they have
even booked.
introduced three new resorts to discover. This
All their holidays include flights,
winter new options include family-friendly
accommodation and transfers, and they can
Vemdalen and Åre in the beautiful, unspoilt
organise all ski extras too, including lift passes,
landscape of Sweden, and Heavenly on the
ski and snowboard equipment and tuition at
California-Nevada state line above Lake Tahoe
the best prices, again making your holiday
in the USA.
the best value and as stress-free as possible for you. In short, you create your holiday with Crystal, rather than Crystal creating it for you. Some people still gamble on the insecurity of
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Get more winter at crystalski.co.uk or call 0208 6103135
CRYSTALSKI.CO.UK
Åre, Sweden Heavenly, Lake Tahoe
DAVE CAMARA / ARAPAHOE BASIN
The ski season really gets going in December, but quite a lot of ski resorts are already open, and fresh snowfalls in September and October have the ski runs in rather good shape.
CerviniA Italy
Ruka Finland
Right on the Swiss border so you can ski
Opened in early October using snow stockpiled
across to Zermatt, Cervinia has been open for
from last season, spread on the slopes by
weekends in October but is now open daily
groomers. It should get natural snow and be
in November.
cold enough for snowmaking in November.
Geilo Norway
Saas-Fee Switzerland
With flights, accommodation and even lift
Geilo opens a snow slope in September when
Operating a unique eight-month ski season from
pass costs low as travel providers try to attract
the surrounding countryside is decidedly green
July to April, Saas-Fee has already clocked up
customers at this time of year, and with new
and brown. It opens more terrain as the natural
more than three months of its 2017/18 season
season gear waiting to test and the ski slopes
snowfall starts and snowmaking is possible.
including several great powder days.
Hintertux Austria
Sölden Austria
One of only two ski areas that’s open 365
Opened earlier than expected for the 2017/18
Arapahoe Basin Colorado, USA
days a year (weather permitting – the other is
season in early September after some great late
Among the 10 highest ski areas in the world, A
Zermatt), Hintertux has one of the biggest areas
summer snow storms, it has already staged the
Basin had the longest ski season of a non-glacier
open in the Alps each autumn.
first World Cup alpine ski races of the season on
empty, why wait? Here are 10 top choices of already-open ski centres for November:
resort in 2016/17, open from October to July.
its glacier at the end of October. Lake Louise Canada
Engelberg Switzerland
Hosting the first of the speed events in the
Tignes France
One of Switzerland’s easiest ski areas to reach with
World Cup season in this Olympic winter,
Tignes has only one ski area open throughout
quick transfers from Zurich Airport and modern fast
Lake Louise opens early November for its
November, although others will join Tignes from
lifts to whisk you up to the glacier 3,000m up.
six-month season.
the middle of the month.
012 // OCT17
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Banff is one of the world’s few ski destinations that is on everybody’s bucket list. Once you’ve been there, you just want to keep going back.
CHRIS HENDRICKSON REUBEN KRABBE
PAUL ZIZKA PHOTOGRAPHY
DARRENROBERTS.CA
You Can’t Beat Banff reserved for, not it's current usage for pretty much
on one tri-area pass which you can pre-purchase
anything. This is the mountain scenery for which
so it’s waiting for you on arrival and also includes
North America is famous, but not many Canadian
the ski shuttle service from most downtown
or US ski resorts actually deliver quite so much.
hotels to all three ski resorts.
Truly spectacular mountains, forests and lakes in
The snow is a big factor for many. Well, what can
an untamed wilderness that’s a protected national
you say – it’s famous for being light, fluffy and
This coming ski season, with a great exchange
parkland, so there’s no over-development tainting
abundant. So much so that Banff’s ski resorts
rate, a choice of direct flights from the UK and
this wonder of nature.
have some of the longest ski seasons in the world
some very enticing deals available, it’s looking
Then there’s the actual skiing. Banff isn’t one
– from early-November to mid-May – without
better than ever.
ski area; it’s got three world class ski resorts,
needing to rely on snowmaking.
There are lots of reasons why Banff is a must-
two of them – Lake Louise Ski Resort and Banff
Après-ski and dining? Banff is one of the world’s
ski destination. Perhaps no one reason is quite
Sunshine – among the biggest in North America.
great ski towns and an authentic, truly Canadian
enough on its own, and different people will have
Imagine seemingly endless ski terrain in that
destination with hundreds of vibrant and enticing
different priorities, but whichever way you put it
magnificent landscape. It just makes you glad to
shops, restaurants, bars and cafes to explore
together, it’s a formidable, world-beating list.
be alive. The third area, historic Mt Norquay, is
and lots of other things to do too. There’s a
So let’s begin with the scenery. It’s stunning.
the "local’s hill" for Banff, and has plenty of snowy
huge choice, a great atmosphere, something for
IT’s what the word "awesome" should really be
attractions too. All three ski resorts are included
everyone. If you prefer a more intimate destination
014 // OCT17 PROMO
@INTHESNOWMAG
NOEL HENDRICKSON
NOEL HENDRICKSON
PAUL ZIZKA PHOTOGRAPHY NOEL HENDRICKSON
the village of Lake Louise is the perfect choice.
experiences you can dive in to, if you fancy
And they’re just the start. Don’t forget cross-
Banff and Lake Louise have developed a great
something different, as an add-on to your ski
country or backcountry skiing, winter hiking,
culinary reputation, with talented chefs creating
holiday or maybe, dare we say it, even instead of
snowshoeing, ice climbing or a hike through an ice
delicious food of all types. If you enjoy food, you’re
skiing or boarding.
canyon are all also available. Or you might want
going to be well satisfied in Banff and Lake Louise,
In fact most activities on ice and snow that you can
to do something a little more relaxing like a spa or
from distilled spirits to microbrews, to delicious
think of are available to do here, and what better
hot springs visit?
juices for breakfast, pizza or picnics for lunch, or
place than Banff to do them?
Finally, for a proper Western cowboy/girl
Western-style steak or vegan meals for dinner.
Dogsledding, for example, is a must-do activity
experience, Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon
How easy to get there? It has never been easier
for any winter adventure traveller, and of
offers line dancing lessons and there’s even a
with direct flights to Calgary from Heathrow on BA
course it’s a classically Canadian activity with a
mechanical bull to ride.
or from Gatwick with WestJet. Once in Canada,
long history in the magnificent scenery of the
Once you’ve done that, you can say you’ve
where you’ll receive a warm welcome, it’s just
Canadian Rockies.
REALLY been to Banff!
a 90-minute drive on the four-lane all-weather
You can also try ice skating, another favourite
highway west into that stunning scenery that rises
Canadian sport, and there are several indoor and
Book your holiday in Banff with Inghams
up ahead of you as you approach Banff.
outdoor ice skating rinks open during the winter
between 1 – 30 November 2017 and receive
Banff isn’t just about skiing and boarding in
in Banff and Lake Louise, and the best part – 90%
£100 discount per couple.
winter either, there’s a whole range of memorable
are free!
Visit inghams.co.uk/banff100
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INGHAMS.CO.UK/BANFF100
Any weekend in January for two people, arriving Friday in Milano where they will be picked up by our private driver and driven to St Moritz, leaving Monday morning where a car will take them back to Milano.
The Hauser Piöda night has become one
The two guests will be treated to a
of St Moritz’s top evening retreats, with the
chocolate-tasting session in the renowned
restaurant packed each night.
Hauser Schoggishop.
In the morning, a sumptuous full breakfast (a
Ski/snowboard passes (but not ski or
real Swiss treat consisting of bircher muesli,
snowboard hire) will be provided for the
gipfelis, yoghurts, cereals, breads, fruit juices,
Saturday and Sunday, along with piste maps,
a cooked breakfast if required, tea and coffee)
providing unrivalled opportunities to ski or
awaits. Lunch is at the discretion of the two
snowboard at one of the world’s top winter
winners, but snacks or sandwiches will be
resorts. An experienced guide is available, but
In addition to the three nights’ accommodation,
included in the package if the winners decide
the cost (approx CHF400) for the day will be
the package also includes a welcome drink
to eat in the restaurant.
the responsibility of the winners.
on Friday at the Roo Bar terrace followed by
Dinner will also be available in the hotel on
Should the winners select the last weekend in
a Piöda Hot Stone Dinner with live music. A
Saturday and Sunday. However, wine will
January (27/28) they will be treated to two free
bottle of wine is included with the dinner.
not be included.
tickets to the polo match held on the frozen lake.
ENTER AT INTHESNOW.COM/COMPETITIONS Terms and conditions: Entrants must be aged 18 years or over. One entry per person. No cash alternative will be provided and the holiday is not transferrable. The weekend needs to be requested first in case booked up, and the prize does not include flights. The competition may be running on other channels, in which case the winner will be drawn from entries from all channels.
CLAUDIA LINK
WIN A FANTASTIC WEEKEND FOR 2 PEOPLE TO ST MORITZ
STEPHANE GROS
Crans Montana
Easier than Ever to Reach This Winter
If you’re thinking of a visit to Switzerland, there are few resorts more appealing than the cosmopolitan ski resort of Crans Montana. Not only does it boast a big ski area with a reputation for both sunshine and snowfall and wonderful long runs descending from its glacier, it’s also one of the easiest resorts in the Alps to reach.
incorporates both traditional Swiss style and a touch of modernity. Everything within each chalet has been thought of in order for you to find a home away from home. Each chalet covers 250m2 with two or three floors and can provide very comfortable lodging for 8 to 10 people with elegant bedrooms and en suite bathrooms. The chalets are fully furnished and equipped with an open kitchen; dining room; plenty of leisure and lounge space; wine cellar; large terrace with a stunning view; fireplace and a private spa with an infinity Jacuzzi and dry sauna.
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That’s even more the case this coming winter
For the best experience possible, Crans Luxury
with flights to Sion, an airport only 30 minutes
Lodges provides hotel services including a
from the slopes of Crans Montana, offered
continental breakfast which is always included
by new airline Powdair from London, Bristol,
and delivered directly to the chalet. There is
Manchester, and Southampton as well as
also a housekeeping service provided so you
additional flights to Sion from Swiss airways in
can stay in the best comfort possible during a
peak periods.
longer stay. And, so you do not have to worry,
The luxurious Crans Luxury Lodges complex
the final cleaning is always included.
provides a wonderful base for your Crans
A concierge service, also inclusive with your
Montana holiday. Located high on a sun-
holiday, is always available in order to help with
drenched plateau and on land that has belonged
transfers, booking activities or to help with any
to the same family for over 400 years, it offers a
aspect of your visit. It’s also possible to book
choice of five sumptuous ski-in, ski-out chalets to
a private chef who will organise a tailor-made
rent, but with hotel services provided.
menu directly inside your chalet.
Each chalet has its own unique style with
Crans Luxury Lodges are the best way to
tailor-made decoration and a design that
experience Crans Montana.
CRANSLUXURYLODGES.COM
WORDS & PHOTOS: BAPTISTE BAUDIER
MOUNTAINHEAVE 018 // OCT17
SKIOFPER
EN.CO.UK RSIA.COM
With travel to Iran now permitted following the lifting of the trade embargo, and a British ski holiday company organising holidays there next winter, I wanted to warn you against heading to ski resorts in Iran, however good they may seem.
of as expensive, and if you’re not
your friends and relatives what you
paying a lot of money you’re not
have seen and experienced!
properly skiing. So a ski pass costing
It can be tiring. I speak from
only around £20 for a day on the
experience; I ended up creating a
slopes at Iran’s largest ski area, Dizin,
website and publishing articles like
just doesn’t seem right, and other
this – I can’t help it!
Iranian ski areas cost less still. Even worse, it can cost only £10 for a taxi
But anyway, I hope this post will keep
the 45 miles from Tehran to the ski
you away from Iranian powder (then I
slopes, and a coffee in a mountain
will have more for myself).
restaurant will only be about 40p. At I spent several months last winter
least the airfare to Iran is as expensive
skiing the different areas across the
as to anywhere else.
Mountain Heaven to Iran Should you decide you wish to ski
country, so here you have the benefit
4. People are too kind
Iran despite Baptiste’s warning,
Iran’s biggest problem is definitely the
established ski tour operator
1. Iranian ski resorts are too high
kindness of its people. How can you
Mountain Heaven is organising two
ski or ride all day long when people
fully escorted trips to ski in Iran next
Do you get dizzy when reaching a
are so kind, inviting you to drink tea
March 2018.
high altitude?
with them after each run? It’s very
If the answer is yes, then don’t go
annoying…
Each trip will include eight full days
skiing in Iran. All resorts are located
You will quickly use up all the storage
in Iran for up to 20 people, visiting
above 2,000m, and the highest one,
available on your phone taking
several of the country’s top ski areas as
Tochal, goes up to 3,750m, so they’re
hundreds of pictures with all your new
well as sampling some Iranian culture.
very snow-sure and the snow quality is
friends! It’s not worth it…
The first will run from Sunday 4 March
of my experience.
2018 (leaving the UK on Saturday 3
excellent. Of course, you can go even higher by ski touring. Just to let you
5. You might get fatter
March and flying back out on Monday
know, the highest peak of Iran is Mt
After your first powder overdose, you
12 March), and the second from
Damavand at 5,609m.
might just want to chill, but sadly your
Monday 12 March 2018 (leaving the UK
new friends won’t let you just sunbathe.
on Sunday 11 March and flying back
2. You might get a powder overdose
No, you’ll have to taste delicious kebabs,
out on Tuesday 20 March).
Iranian mountains get huge snowfalls
dishes while smoking hookah. And that’s
The tour will cost £1,300pp based on
all through the winter and become
even without all the tea you’ll drink and
a twin/double room. All hotels are in
a powder paradise from January
the sweets you will eat all day long.
the cities and ski resorts (based on
to March. The country is a gigantic
You’ll inevitably return home a few
two people in a room). This includes
playground full of virgin powder fields
kilos heavier. Your only hope is that
daily breakfast, dinner (while in the
for ski touring.
the high altitude will help you burn off
mountains), all guiding, entrance fees
Be warned that the majority of Iranian
more calories per day!
for sightseeing in the cities, airport
omelettes and all sorts of delicious
transfers and travel between resorts
skiers don’t go off-piste, so you will
6. You’ll change your point of view
and cities within Iran and a tip for
Last but not least, your point of view
holiday. It excludes flights (these can
3. It isn’t expensive enough
about Iran will change in a positive way.
be found for as little as £250 return)
Once back home, you’ll feel like you
and visa charges of approx. £250.
In the West, skiing is popularly thought
need to go on a mission to tell all of
mountainheaven.co.uk
still ride fresh powder in ski resorts even days after the last snowfalls.
the Iranian guide at the end of the
019 // OCT17
Each winter, tour operators bring us new ideas for resorts to visit, and winter 2017/18 is no exception. Here are four to consider:
AUSTRIA NASSFELD
I TALY CLAVIERE
KÜHTAI AUSTRIA
Nassfeld is the largest resort in
Italy’s oldest ski resort, Claviere,
With pop-up restaurants all the
the southern Austrian region of
is a new option from one of the
rage, why not pop-up ski resorts
Carinthia, nestled up to the Italian
UK’s largest tour operators,
too? That’s the thinking from family
and Slovenian borders. Scenic
Inghams, this winter. Located on
ski holiday specialists Esprit, who
and sunny, it has a wide range of
the French border, just minutes
have nominated Kühtai, Austria’s
intermediate slopes, along with
from Montgenèvre, it’s well linked
highest resort at 2,020m, a “pop-up”
a selection of mountain huts and
to the fantastic Milky Way ski area,
destination for Easter 2018 only.
ristorante for a delicious lunch.
offering quick access to 400km
The charming ski-in/ski-out resort
Crystal are offering holidays there
of piste. The local ski area also
is only a 40-minute transfer from
from this winter including the option
offers beginner-friendly skiing.
Innsbruck Airport and has 44km of
of accommodation at the modern
Inghams is offering seven nights on
pistes. “Some might call it a small
Hotel Franz Ferdinand at the foot
a half-board basis at the 3★ Hotel
and friendly ski area, yet there’s a
of the mountain and just 50m from
Clari from £729pp in January 2018,
welcome variety of runs here,” said
the Millennium Express gondola.
including flights and transfers.
an Esprit spokesperson.
crystalski.co.uk
inghams.co.uk
espritski.com
N E W S E A N E W
020 // OCT17
D E S T I N A
@INTHESNOWMAG
I TALY PENIA DI CANA ZEI The first Neilson Mountain Collection property in the Dolomites ski area is the Neilson Hotel Dolomites Inn near the Marmolada glacier and within the vast Dolomiti Superski region. With a bus stop just outside the hotel, guests can reach the brand-new gondola in neighbouring Alba in no time at all and access plenty of red and blue runs on the renowned 40km Sellaronda circuit. After a day on the slopes, guests can soothe their ski legs in the hotel’s hot tub and sauna or relax in the typically South
WHERE THE WORLD’S SKI RESORT DETAILS ARE STORED InTheSnow.com/resorts
Tyrolean bar. neilson.co.uk
A S O N
A T I O N S
CRYSTAL & NASSFELD
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021 // OCT17
Don’t miss your Ski moment • Choose from 91 leading resorts in 8 countries • Flights from 21 UK airports • Award-winning Ski Tour Operator
Visit inghams.co.uk Call 01483 345 117
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For offers & information
80 YEA ER
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TO ENTER SIMPLY VISIT INTHESNOW.COM/COMPETITIONS
SURVEY FINDS PRICES LO W E R THIS SEASON THAN L AST YEAR
An annual numbercrunching exercise that looks at the costs of a ski holiday at a select basket of ski resorts across Europe and North America has found that prices have actually dropped for Brits at some ski centres. The annual Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report, which has now been running for 11 seasons, uses numbers supplied by Crystal Ski Holidays on in-resort costs and covers everything from lift pass, ski school and ski rental costs to the price of meals and drinks bought in resort. In the past, the study has thrown out some unlikely-seeming big price swings from one season to the next, but changes this season are more modest. Interestingly, price movements are largely in the right direction as far as skiers are
024 // OCT17
@INTHESNOWMAG
this winter). There was a change in
resorts, but the best savings to
owned by Vail Resorts, one of the
in three-quarters of the 22 European
tuition prices too, but only a couple
be struck are where the improved
world’s most successful ski resort
resorts surveyed. In most cases it’s
of euros.”
exchange rate combines with falling
operators, came in at between
just a few per cent, but in two the
Crystal found it was a similar picture
local prices.”
£1,418.11 and £1,430.61 for a week’s
drop is into double digits.
at Les 2 Alpes, with lift passes down
Outside of France, the biggest price
skiing at either Breckenridge, Park
How? Well, a key factor is that (at the
from €245 (£219) to €212 (£189) (“in
drop was -5.8% at Kranjska Gora
City or Vail itself, and more than
time the figures were compiled at
certain weeks”), rentals down from
in Slovenia, which the Post Office
four times the cost of a week in one
least) the pound was performing a
€112 (£100) to just under €98 (£88)
Ski Resort Report now reckons is
of the three cheapest resorts in
little better than a year ago against
and tuition down €6 (£5).
the cheapest destination in Europe
Europe. They also came in at more
the euro, and quite a lot better
Overall the Post Office Report found
for skiers of the resorts in studies,
than 40% more expensive than the
against the Swiss franc.
the biggest price falls in France,
calculating a week of in-resort costs
priciest week in Canada, at £966.67
However, it seems actual prices
but smaller drops too in Andorra,
there at £325.47.
for a week in Tremblant, Quebec.
in some resorts are also being
Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Italy,
Prices in Bansko, Bulgaria,
“It is great news that prices faced
squeezed, with some lift pass prices,
Slovenia and Switzerland.
once regarded as the cheapest
by skiers will be lower than last
ski rental fees and to a lesser extent
Besides Morzine (-12.6%) and Les 2
mainstream European ski
year in so many resorts. France
even ski teaching costs dropping, at
Alpes (-10.7%), some of the biggest
destination, were down -2.5% but
and Italy are already in hot demand
least at certain times of the season.
falls noted were at Serre Chevalier
were still just over £26 more than
this season, and we expect this to
“The biggest cuts we’re seeing
(-9.1%) and Val d’Isère (-7.4%).
the Slovenian resort, and in fact the
strengthen when savvy skiers check
locally are all in France, comparing
Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel
study placed Italy’s Bardonecchia as
out prices and find they can pay
2016/17 with 2017/18, and it really
Money, which compiles the report
the second cheapest at £347.12.
less if they pick resorts like Morzine
is a mixed bag,” said a Crystal
to help publicise the Post Office’s
At the other end of the price scale,
or Sestriere, where both prices
spokesperson. “For example, a
in-branch and online currency
the report’s authors note that the
and snow are likely to be falling!”
Morzine lift pass was €197 (£176)
exchange service, commented,
USA is moving further away from
commented Crystal Ski Holidays’
last year but is €159 (£142) this in
“With increasing pressure on the
Canada and indeed the rest of
Managing Director Chris Logan.
certain weeks, so a 20% discount.
pocket, resort costs will be a key
the Western world in terms of the
The full report can be downloaded
Equipment rental is also down (from
factor in determining where to ski
expense of ski holidays there.
here: postoffice.co.uk/
€138 (£123) last season to €101 (£90)
this year. Prices are down in most
The three US resorts included, all
skireport2017
FB.COM/INTHESNOW
MATTHIEU VITRÉ
concerned, with prices down a little
025 // OCT17
N O V E M B E R We start November with about two dozen ski areas open on each side of the Atlantic, and the good news (after a long hot summer) is that there’s been lots of fresh snowfall in September and October in the Alps, Rockies and Scandinavia. Other ski areas like the Balkans, Dolomites and Pyrenees have also seen their first significant snowfalls of the autumn, building up anticipation for the ski season ahead, and hopefully ski areas there will begin opening by the end of the month too. In fact, hundreds of ski areas should be open across Europe and North America by the end of the month. Currently Austria has the most ski areas open with nine resorts to choose from. All but one of these are glacier ski areas, and although they had a challenging summer due to the intense heat in southern Europe, a series of significant snowfalls this autumn has helped to rebuild bases and even provided powder days in September and October. Let’s hope it continues! The centres open include the Stubai, Dachstein, Pitztal, Kitzsteinhorn, Hintertux, Sölden, Molltal and Kaunertal glaciers. The one Austrian resort that’s open already which doesn’t have a glacier ski area is Kitzbühel. It uses snow-farming techniques to open early each autumn, claiming to be the first non-glacier ski area to do so. Elsewhere in the Alps there are about half-a-dozen areas open, mostly in Italy (Val Senales, Stelvio and Cervinia) and Switzerland (Engelberg, Laax, Saas-Fee and Zermatt) along with Tignes in France. In Scandinavia, the Galdhøpiggen ski area in Norway is open along with Geilo, also in Norway, and Ruka in Finland. Many Scandinavian ski centres will open through November. Across the Atlantic, snowmaking ahead of the season got underway in Colorado in late September, and there have been several big snowstorms in the west of the North American continent too. Arapahoe Basin and Loveland ski areas, amongst the world’s highest, are among the first to open there, and other areas including Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Keystone all open at the start of November. Across the USA, Killington in Vermont aims to open by the end of October, which is the norm thanks to its mighty snowmaking arsenal.
026 // OCT17
@INTHESNOWMAG
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