Love The Mountains by InTheSnow

WINTER 2014-15 | VOL. 01

PHOTO  GIUSEPPEGHEDINA.COM | ALPINE GUIDE  PAOLO TASSI

THE ART OF LAYERING FALL-WINTER 14/15 ODLO.COM

Welcome to Love The Mountains, our

publication of my new book Powder, which

online – incisive news, great images, and

special new bumper annual edition, as we

lists the world’s 50 greatest ski runs. That

rich content on all aspects of winter sports.

look forward to a great 2014–15 ski season!

follows hot on the heels of a report I wrote

So you’ll be able to read about everything

Traditionally most ski publications start off

on children’s lift ticket prices around the

from new destinations from our leading

with a few thin editions in the early autumn

world for the International Ski Federation’s

tour operators, to where to ski this autumn

months as people begin to get excited about

campaign, aimed at getting more kids skiing.

if you just can’t wait, or how the UK ski

the coming winter. They build up to their

So what with keeping InTheSnow’s website

industry is trying to build on Team GB’s

bumper editions around early November,

and social media up-to-date and working on

unprecedented success at the Sochi

but at InTheSnow, we’re fanatically excited

several more publications we have in the

Olympics earlier this year, and much more.

about winter sports all year round, and we

pipeline, it has been a busy summer, and I’m

We’ve been able to go into far more detail

already know much of the big news for

already fired up for the snow.

on these news stories than we normally

2014–15, so we figured, “Why wait?!”

We wanted to use Love The Mountains to

have space for in our regular monthly mag.

In fact, as I have been working on ski

highlight some of the best travel, fashion,

So here’s to winter 2014–15; it may seem

magazines for 30 years now, it’s great to

equipment, and ski holiday news in more

a way off but it will soon be upon us. If you

be able to say that I’ve never worked on

detail than we usually can each month,

can’t wait, remember the season never

a better publication, and it’s wonderful to

with a different format and a longer

ends at Hintertux in Austria or Zermatt in

think that ski magazines are continuing

planning period to consider the main

Switzerland, which, should be open this

to look better and have ever-improving

issues of the coming season.

very day for snow sports, or if you just need

content – even in this era when more and

The magazine also contains some of the

a quick snow fix, your nearest indoor snow

more information is constantly going online.

best of what InTheSnow offers every month

centre should be able to satisfy your craving.

The next month or so will also see the

through autumn and winter, and every day

Here’s to the return of the white stuff!

PATRICK@INTHESNOW.COM //

@INTHESNOWMAG //

INTHESNOW

OTM14 // 005

045

010 SKI JAPAN  FAMILY SKIING IN THE FAR EAST Japan is just for 30- or 40-something powder crazed blokes right? Our lucky editor decided not, and took the family for a "once in a lifetime" experience (they now hope to repeat).

SLOPE STYLE  26-PAGE FASHION SECTION What’s new and, more importantly, what’s cool, or perhaps hot, for the coming ski season? Enjoy our specially commissioned fashion shoot of all the best brand choices for 2014–15.

042

CONTENTS

FEATURES

020

TELLURIDE  AMERICA'S LAST GREAT SKI TOWN If you’re worried that American resorts, too bland, take a gander at Telluride, where traffic lights are banned and it's celebrating 125 years since Butch Cassidy robbed the local bank.

LAP OF LUXURY  SKIING WITH THE RICH & FAMOUS

THE TIROL 040 WHY SKI ANYWHERE ELSE?

If you’re rich and famous you simply have to go skiing darling,

Every year many of us agonise about which resort will be bless-

otherwise what’s the point? Here’s our guide to where to share

ed with our presence on its slopes this season. Tirol argues the

a chair with A-listers and royalty.

choice is easy as they have a resort to suit every desire.

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@INTHESNOWMAG

GEAR

022

BOOT ROOM 092

TEAM PUBLISHER

DOMINIC KILLINGER dom@inthesnow.com

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Alongside our fashion shoot, we bring you

DEBBIE GABRIEL debbie@inthesnow.com

details of some of the

EDITOR

coolest new kit around

PATRICK THORNE

for the coming season.

patrick@inthesnow.com

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

MATT NICHOLSON

10 MINUTES WITH  CHARLOTTE VAN GILS Charlotte Van Gils is a lady who has got her life

matt@inthesnow.com

SALES MANAGER

JOIN US! 097

sorted. Starting as a Dutch fridge kid, she now lives in Colorado and boards all days long.

FINLAND'S ON THE UP 024

GIANCARLO GAMBARDELLA giancarlo@inthesnow.com

PICTURE EDITOR

Win ski holidays and gear,

ROSS WOODHALL

access premium ski content,

SUB-EDITOR

receive a free ski magazine

MICHELLE SADDLER

and much much more... CONTRIBUTORS

SAM THORNE

MOUNTAIN HEAVEN 087

OLIVIA PARRY-JONES

PURE POWDER HELI-SKIING 088

DAVID BLACK

SALLY BROOKES

075

SCHOFFEL 2014/15 017 Top brand Schoffel

EQUIPMENT EDITOR

SALLY BARTLETT DESIGN BY

ROCKET BASE rocketbase.co.uk

unveil their best new

products for 2014/15

PRINTED IN THE UK

and tells us why they’re so good.

No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in anyway or means, either

Since the ice hotel debuted more than two decades ago the choice and the spec of snowy and icy accommodation available has grown dramatically. Here’s our cool guide.

039

SLEEPING ON SNOW  RESORTS BUILT OUT OF ICE

WORLD'S SNOWIEST 028 TOP TEN BEST RESORTS

DYNASTAR AT FIFTY  FRENCH BRAND CELEBRATES

There are snowy resorts, then there are ridiculously snowy resorts.

The famous French ski manufacturer, celebrates a big birthday and

Here’s our guide to the world’s snorkel deep snow destinations.

tells us how it’s still innovating at 50 years young.

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.

INTHESNOW LTD THE SNOW STUDIO KINGS LANE, BUCKS HP16 0QY +44 (0)1494 862 423 DOM@INTHESNOW.COM INTHESNOW.COM

OTM14 // 007

WHERE TO SKI & SNOWBOARD IN SEPTEMBER

S eptember is traditionally one of the quietest months in world skiing. There are around 6000 ski areas on the planet, but in

September many of the glacier ski areas in

the Alps have closed after their summer ski season, and the southern hemisphere’s ski

season is also drawing to a close, with most ZILLERTALTOURISMUSGMBH_AND_LEO HIMSL

of the 100 odd ski areas south of the Equator calling it a day by the end of the month. But at the same time there’s excitement building as summer draws to a close, and we really start looking forward to the ski season ahead. For most of us that means looking towards a ski trip in December at the earliest, but in fact there are places open this very day, or opening very soon, where you can get onto the slopes. There may even be fresh snow (it can fall any day of the year at the high altitudes concerned), and the ski centres are likely to be offering you the chance to demo 2015 season ski equipment. What’s for certain is that the slopes will be

October up to eight Austrian ski areas

blacknose sheep, and for the Shepherd of

has fallen in abundance, most resorts in

quiet, and if you fly out the airline ticket

are open – more than half of the northern

the Year.

Argentina, Australia, Chile, and New Zealand

prices are likely to be lower than summer or

hemisphere total between them, but most

The Festival takes place at the

should stay open until mid- to late-September,

winter – so hopefully that means it’s a win,

won’t open until later in September, with

Schweigmatten/Furi, and the resort says

some into October.

win, win, win, win, for September skiers and

the Pitztal, one of Austria’s highest, usually

that, “The day offers plenty of opportunities

In North America there’s rarely anywhere

snowboarders!

among the first to open.

to marvel at the attractive and affectionately

open in September, the only month in

The Swiss resorts of Saas-Fee and Zermatt

coiffed sheep.”

the year there isn’t, although last year an

SO WHERE TO GO?

are both open right through September.

A varied festive programme is organised for

unexpected 60cm of snowfall in Washington

All the ski areas in France are closed until

Zermatt, in fact, has a special attraction on

young and old alike, and Zermatt’s mascot,

state about this time led to several areas

October, and Passo Stelvio will probably be

13–14 September, with the annual Shepherd

Wolli the sheep will, of course, attend the

opening early for a few days until it all melted,

the only centre open in Italy once Cervinia’s

Festival. The event features an entertaining

festivities personally, as he will also be

so who knows! High areas like Arapahoe

summer opening is over, but Austria’s

award ceremony for what’s determined by

celebrating his birthday on the 13th.

Basin and Loveland in Colorado are often

Hintertux glacier is a safe bet year-round. By

the judges to be the best-looking Valais

In the rest of the world, assuming the snow

snowmaking from late-September.

OTM14 // 008

@INTHESNOWMAG

Ski holidays

£491

from

GET YOUR SKIS ON! The new season is nearly here and there’s no better feeling than being back on the slopes. Take advantage of our early booking prices and choose from our portfolio of hand-picked chalet hotels in some of the finest, snow-sure resorts in the Alps.

ATOL1176 protected. *Courmayeur only. Price shown is per person based on two people sharing, apply to 7 nights at Chalet Hotel Moris, Val d’Isère departing 19/04/15, is subject to availability, cannot be combined or offered in retrospect and can be withdrawn at any time. Facilities & inclusives vary between resorts. See website for full terms & conditions.

FA M I LY SKIING J A P A N Back in the 20th century, very few Europeans skied in Japan. True, there was (and still is) a Club Med in Sahoro, but for most people – even if they knew you could ski in Japan – it was too far, too crowded, too expensive, and too incomprehensible. Then around a decade ago all that changed, thanks largely to Australians. As Australia’s economy boomed, Japan’s stalled, leading to something of a switcheroo in financial terms. Where once Japanese companies bought ski areas around the world (they once owned Tignes in France, Heavenly in the US, and Whistler Blackcomb in Canada) so the Aussies realised Japanese ski areas (and there are over 600 of them), were crying out for investment and skiers. In Hokkaido, Japan’s ”wild north” island, the surf-loving Aussies found the world’s best powder in terms of both quality and abundance, and a local population that wasn’t very interested in it, with the added bonus for Australians

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OTM14 // 011

NISEKO VILLAGE NISEKO VILLAGE

at least that there was no jet lag – as they

yen against the pound – a delightful state

don’t have to fly (quite such) vast distances

of affairs for travellers to Japan, and a rare

east across the Pacific to North America, or

one for we Brits in recent years, used to

west to the Alps – prices were lower, the

the pound depreciating against most of the

snow quality better, and the flight shorter if

other major ski nation’s currencies.

they just went due north.

Families will also be pleased to know an

So it was that Japanese skiing started to

ever-growing number of Japanese resorts

grab the skiing world’s attention far more

offer completely free skiing for under-12s.

than the 1972 Sapporo or 1998 Nagano

Service in Japan is something else. It is

Winter Olympics ever had.

neither the corporate “have a nice day” of

Never slow to spot a ”new” international

the US, nor the “we’re efficient because

destination, British tour operators like Crystal

that’s who we are” attitude of the Swiss.

began to offer ski holidays to Japan about

The Japanese just seem to like to help

10 years ago, taking the worry out of arriving

people, and for their guests to be happy.

at a destination where you understood

Serving up good food rather than junk

nothing, and had limited hope of finding an

seems to be regarded as normal too,

English speaker or signpost to point you

following the “why wouldn’t you?” approach.

towards the slopes, from their clients.

Apartments and hotels are of high quality,

Hard-core skiers who had travelled much

and range from minimalist traditional

of the western world searching for perfect

Japanese style, to now luxury chalets of the

powder were in raptures about the famed

Courchevel and Verbier variety, only at a

snow and said there was nowhere better.

fraction of the price (if you are well-heeled

When I first landed in Tokyo 5 years ago I

you should be able to organise a lux ski

was the typical 40-something single male

holiday in Japan for less than the French or

that makes up the typical Western-skier-

Swiss equivalent, including travel).

in-Japan demographic (and actually the

And Japan is delightfully different from

Japanese skier in Japan). I didn’t actually

Europe and North America. There’s the

want to be there, particularly, but had been

volcanic landscape, the sushi, the onsen

sent on an assignment (poor me).

hot spring baths, that abundant snow, the

I had expected the snow, I had not

fact that almost no one can speak English,

expected the wow factor of the scenery,

and few of the signs are in English either.

the people, the food. I fell in love, and

They even have the decency to drive on

I thought, why is Japan just about the

the left.

powder when there’s so much more?

In short, it’s not difficult to take the family on a ski trip to Japan, there are daycare and ski schools with English-speaking staff

Take The Family

if you need them in resorts like Niseko, and English-language menus with kids meals

The concept of skiing in Japan with your

are often offered.

family is not unheard of in Australia, or

It feels nice skiing in Japan, it feels different,

of course Japan, and even among a very

and you should feel lucky to be there.

few Brits. It’s just that all promotion of Japan in ski media tends to be targeted at 30- to 50-something males looking for deep powder skiing.

Niseko

On the basis of my previous visit, however,

Niseko is, as Whistler is to Canada, or

I was unexpectedly aware that Japan can,

Chamonix to France, THE Japanese ski

in fact, offer a high-quality and affordable

resort most people have heard of. It is

ski holiday, as well as something a little

second in the world for average annual

different, even to people who aren’t totally

snowfall volume headed by Mt Baker,

obsessed with powder snow. Or “normal

across the Pacific in Washington State,

folk” as I like to call them. Families included.

USA, but here it is far fluffier, lighter snow.

OK, ”affordable” needs some qualification

This is due to the fact that the air bringing

I know. It is clearly quite pricey to fly to

it over thousands of miles of mainland Asia

Japan, although not much different to

before dumping on Niseko is toaster dry,

any long-haul flight to North America’s

as opposed to having crossed thousands

West coast, for example, which is a similar

of miles of wet ocean before being

distance away from the UK.

dumped on Mt Baker.

Once you get to Japan though, things do

It’s also regarded as ”Japan-lite” by

get more affordable – accommodation,

purists as it’s now full of Western-run

lift passes, and eating all seem to cost

hotels, chalets, and restaurants. English is

rather less, like-for-like, than in the Alps

widely spoken, and a lot of the signage is

and North America. This situation has been

bilingual. There’s even an Irish pub.

helped by a significant weakening of the

It’s also in a stunning location, with the

OTM14 // 012

views from the slopes dominated by

which, just like in the Alps, offer a fully-

Mount Yōtei, reputed to be a 50% scale

catered chalet holiday service.

replica of Mount Fuji. On the slopes there are four main ski areas, with the main sector Grand Hirafu located above the main resort town

Tokyo Stopover

(actually called Hirafu, but generally what

Skiing in Japan normally involves

most people call Niseko)

changing planes in Tokyo. After the 12-

But Niseko is not huge, there’s only about

hour flight from London Heathrow there’s

48km of groomed piste in the whole

a 90-minute hop up to Sapporo. So why

place – tiny compared with well-known

not spent a few days there?

ski areas in the Alps, and it even feels a

Tokyo is a vast metropolis, home to 25m

little small compared with many North

people, and looks like a scene from

American areas too. But for families, it’s the

Bladerunner when viewed from above,

perfect size – plenty of variety to keep you

stretching into the distance.

entertained, including an excellent terrain

At street level, however, it is clean, calm

park – but all on a manageable scale.

and friendly – as you’ll quickly come to

Off the slopes there’s a vibrant mix of

expect in Japan. Traffic flows efficiently

Japanese and international culture,

because people drive at the best speeds,

with wide-ranging restaurant and

and let each other into gaps so things

accommodation options, and plenty of

keep moving – an alien concept to M25

great bars too.

regulars, but quite a pleasant one.

One surprise was the wonderful bakeries,

There’s more green space than you’d

which serve up gorgeous homemade

expect, great shopping, thousands and

breakfasts and lunches in portions far

thousands of excellent restaurants, open

larger, and for far less, than in the Alps.

parkland, museums, Royal palaces and

Graubünden was a particular favourite.

Buddhist temples. If you visit at the end of the season in early-April you can time your trip to coincide with the spectacular annual

Luxury Living

cherry blossom festival. We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, a

Accommodation options in Niseko are

chain that offers exceptional hotels in

continuing to expand and improve, so

major cities worldwide, and, unlike some

there really is a lot of choice now, with

other luxury brands, you really feel you’re

competing providers and accommodation

getting your money’s worth (rooms are

in all categories.

from £270 per night).

There are slopeside hotels and condos,

Located on the upper floors of a 38-storey

ranging from utilitarian Japanese to new

block, in the prestigious Nihonbashi city

luxurious designer homes, equipped with

district, it is next door to Tokyo’s version of

private onsen hot springs baths, each

Harrods and shops like Ibasen, which has

with at least a seven-figure price tag for

been manufacturing fans since 1590. Its

the owners, although often comparatively

rooms and suites (and indeed its spa and

reasonably priced to rent (especially when

public toilets) offer spectacular views out

compared with top resorts in the Alps).

over the city. It’s close to Tokyo Station,

Niseko Boutiques are one of several

and attractions like the Imperial Palace.

expert local agencies that source

Along with the tranquil spa, the hotel has

superb properties for rental, all of high

a selection of restaurants, ranging from

quality, probably its most beautiful being

a remarkable pizza bar where an Italian

Seshu, a three-storey, five bedroom, six

master of the art creates pizza in front of

bathroom designer home, full of art work

you, to several Michelin-starred gourmet

selected by the owners, with facilities

options, including a 3-week residence by

including a large hot tub, and a media

the famous Noma planned for January 2015.

accommodation to the slopes, and a

Niseko: niseko.ne.jp/en/

daily housekeeping service.

Niseko Boutiques: nisekoboutiques.com

The company has a sister business,

Niseko Gourmet: niseko-gourmet.com

Niseko Gourmet, which can deliver food

Niseko Gourmet Chalets:

to your accommodation (whether booked

nisekogourmetchalets.com/

through Niseko Boutiques or not), and it

Mandarin Oriental:

also organises fun activities like Japanese

mandarinoriental.com/tokyo/

cookery lessons.

Crystal: crystalski.co.uk/ski-resorts/

Putting the two together it has also launched

japan-ski-holidays/

a first for the resort, and something still rare

Japanese Tourist Office: seejapan.co.uk

in all of Japan – Niseko Gourmet Chalets –

Club Med: clubmed.co.uk/Sahoro

INTHESNOW.COM // OTM14 // 013

MANDRIAN ORIENTAL

room. There’s a shuttle service from the

Ski CALENDAR 2014/15

Sochi where? Yes the much-talked

DECEMBER 2014

with almost no funding it’s not

about tropical Winter Olympics

Most resorts open in December,

yet clear if there’ll be any British

is now behind us, and talk has

and many throw opening events to

entries. vailbeavercreek2015.com

moved on to Pyeongchang 2018

get the party rolling, and indeed get

already (that’s the next Winter

people in resort before Christmas

MARCH 2015

Olympics in South Korea as if you

week. One on the biggest is Rave

March is when the majority of

didn’t know).

On Snow at Saalbach Hinterglemm.

music festivals are staged. Rock

So with events for 2014–15 already

raveonsnow.com

The Pistes, 15–21 March, will

lining up, here’s a quick lowdown

be back in the Portes du Soleil,

on some of the key dates for the

JANUARY 2015

with gigs at resorts around the

coming season:

After our Sochi success in

huge Franco-Swiss ski region

freestyle events, we can afford

(rockthepistes.com). The Brits, the

OCTOBER 2014

to be getting excited about

longest running festival, staged

The World Cup racing season in

the FIS Freestyle Ski and

since 1989, is also likely to be back

the northern hemisphere kicks off

Snowboard World Championships,

at the end of March (the-brits.com),

sooner than you might think, on

16–25 January, which will take

probably in Tignes, France, as

the weekend of 25–26 October

place in Kreischberg, Austria

will Snowboxx (snowboxx.com) in

on Sölden’s Rettenbach Glacier,

(kreischberg2015.at). This month

Arinsal, Andorra.

with a women's giant slalom held

also sees the return of World

on Saturday, while the men's

Snow Day, 18 January, for its

APRIL 2015

competition takes place on Sunday.

fourth staging, aiming to beat the

Snowbombing will be back in

skiweltcup.soelden.com

half million young people that

Mayrhofen, Austria, for its 15th

took to the slopes free, or at big

edition. Always one of the best bets

NOVEMBER 2014

discounts, in a global participation

for the biggest acts and parties,

Music festivals in the mountains

drive last year.

Snowbombing literally takes over

continue to get ever more popular,

this Tyrolean village in early-April each year. snowbombing.com

and you don’t have to wait for all

FEBRUARY 2015

the big British-organised festivals

Although, as mentioned, we’re now

in the Alps to roll around in the

all freestyle fanatics after Sochi,

MAY 2015

spring if you want to get dancing

the biggest event in traditional

Ischgl’s season-ending Top of the

sooner. The wonderfully-named

downhill speed events, besides

Mountain concert always secures

new Wow Glacier Love fest, 7–9

the Olympics, comes around every

the biggest star to hit the slopes

November, mixes snow sports

2 years in the shape of the Alpine

each season, taking place at the start

on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, with

World Ski Championships, 2–15

of May. Last winter it was Robbie

partying in nearby Kaprun and Zell

February. It’ll be hosted by regulars

Williams, who will it be for 2015?

am See. wowglacierlove.at

Vail and Beaver Creek, although

ischgl.com

OTM14 // 014

@INTHESNOWMAG

JAPAN, SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A SKI HOLIDAY Experience the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most fascinating ski destination. Relaxing onsens (natural hot springs), stunning scenery, amazing food and culture - and all at reasonable prices.

And not forgetting, the greatest powder on earth. With over 13 years experience of skiing Japan, and an unrivalled selection of resorts and properties on offer, let us be your guide to this incredible destination.

SKI JAPAN...WE DO.

S K I J A PA N . C O . U K | E N Q U I R I E S @ S K I J A PA N . C O . U K | 0 2 0 3 2 9 0 8 6 7 1

 PROMOTION 016 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

WITH OVER 200 YEARS' EXPERIENCE, SCHÖFFEL HAS LONG ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS THE GO TO BRAND FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE AND STYLISH SKIWEAR

@INTHESNOWMAG

SCHÖFFEL ALPETTE £440 Sporty yet stylish women’s skiing jacket, made of windproof and waterproof two-layer Venturi®. Featuring classy and flattering smocked inserts at elbows and sides, plus pocket and front zippers in high-gloss metal. Complete with a full ski feature set.

SCHÖFFEL LILITH £290 Stylish and super-flattering, the Lilith down jacket for women is the perfect lightweight insulation piece for those colder days on the slopes. Complete with a full ski feature set, including snow guard, a pocket for your lift pass with its seam-concealed zipper at the end of the left sleeve, and a cosy high-closing collar with chin guard and fleece lining.

SCHÖFFEL KENT £390 A multifunction, stretch skiing jacket for men made of wind and waterproof Venturi®. Featuring a sporty colour contrast design and zippers. The Kent incorporates Schöffel’s legendary design and attention to detail, complete with sporty race style.

SCHÖFFEL JOSH £490 The Josh jacket combines sport style, design and comfort, complete with Schöffel’s exclusive Ventloft® by Primaloft® insulation for lightweight warmth. The Josh is the ideal jacket for the serious skier whatever the weather. For stockist information call 01572 770900.

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OTM14 // 017

 PROMOTION

HELI-SKIING YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!

range around Whistler. It was not bad,

group. Up on the glaciers you get a 1,200m

but then I heard about the "champagne"

or so descent down to the treeline where the

powder further east and that's where I

snow is invariably fantastic; light and fluffy

have skied ever since. Eastern BC usually

snow like we never, ever see in Europe.”

has fabulous fluffy, light snow, particularly below the treeline – perfect for ageing

RK HELISKIING

knees and so easy to ski in. With a bit of RK Heli-ski is based in the Panorama ski

every day. The ski guides talk about hitting

area in British Columbia – so uniquely it’s

e’ve all seen the drool-worthy powder

the reset button overnight.

possible to combine a ‘regular’ ski holiday

pics of ski stars heli-skiing in Canada and

“For a first time heli-skier, I would strongly

with one or more days of heli-skiing here

thought, “If only…”

recommend RK Heli-Ski located right in the

and lots of Brits do just that, every season.

Yet for many of us it seems an impossible

resort of Panorama in the Purcell Range (RK

Daily, weekly or private excursions can be

dream, beyond our capabilities. But one man

are not offering me any inducement for this

tailored to anyone’s needs.

who left it 62 years before taking his first

endorsement!). RK is about the lowest-cost

The company offers the highest landings

heli-ski holiday says it doesn’t have to be.

heli-skiing operation. All the personnel are

in North America, starting at 3000m – this

Veteran British heli-skier Ray Lambert tells us

very professional and friendly and the bonus

means the snow is extra good and the runs

how he first began heli-skiing a decade ago,

is that my wife loves skiing on the pistes of

extra long.

and provides top tips for heli-ski virgins:

the Panorama resort where they’re based, so

Storms from the west bring loads of dry,

“Ten years ago, newly retired aged 62, I was

she is happy too.

low-density snow. Being at the apex of the

at the premiere of one of Warren Miller's epic

“There is a great choice of accommodation

Purcell Mountains means that RK’s snow is

skiing films. In the freebie bag I received

in Panorama which also boasts a truly hot

light and dry and we get a lot of it.

were some adverts for heli-skiing in British

outdoor pool plus various other outdoor very

Because of the company’s location they

Columbia ... it took all of 10 seconds to

hot tubs – a definite bonus for a relaxing

boast no more than two ‘no fly’ days a

decide to GO FOR IT – the best decision I

evening.

season … and when they do happen it’s

have ever made! February 2015 will be my

“RK Heli-ski, over the years, have thinned the

generally because it’s snowing too hard!

10th consecutive year of heli-skiing in BC.

woodland so that the tree skiing is not (too)

“Initially I went two years running to an

terrifying for the first-timer. Though there are

info@rkheliski.com / +1 800-661-6060

expensive lodge operation in the coastal

some steep tree pitches available for a good

rkheliski.com

018 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

KYLE HAMILTON/HELISKIING CANADA

luck, you will have 20cm of fresh powder

@INTHESNOWMAG

Résidence Orelle 3 Vallées Hidden Gateway to Les 3 Vallées

LEARN TO CHALET COOK

it’s becoming harder to find the

“Last season it was particularly

skilled chefs it demands.

difficult sourcing cooks. We

Intent on offering courses that

finally managed to recruit some

current food trends, the courses

phenomenal talent and the season

available at The Abinger are

went fantastically, but there’s

designed to be upbeat, modern

definitely a shortage of good chefs

and fun – equipping you both with

out there,” said Holly Chandler (nee

basic cooking skills along with the

Fisher, the “Fish” of Fish&Pips).

expertise to cook food we all want

“Food is so high profile now, and

to eat. The school insists on using

top-end chefs in the UK are being

the best locally-sourced produce

paid more, so we thought we’d

brand new cookery school has

Britain has to offer.

create the opportunity to train

opened in the heart of the Surrey

The Abinger’s 5-day Chalet Cooks

more. If we can help introduce

Hills, dedicated to teaching chalet

course is designed for university

people to a career path then all

cookery skills.

and school-leavers and covers all

the better.”

The Abinger Cookery School was

areas needed to become a chalet

The 5-day Chalet Cooks syllabus

partly set up to meet the need

chef from planning and budgeting

takes hosts-to-be through

for good chalet cooks by lifetime

menus to executing them.

everything they need to know

foodie and majority owner Lewis

All of the school’s courses are led

to achieve great chalet or yacht

Davies, in partnership with Holly

by Head Chef Vincent Clist, who

cook status; incorporating knife

Chandler and Phillipa Hartley

fell into cooking after working in his

skills, menu planning, how to plot

who run gourmet chalet holiday

local pub, and went on to complete

the week from breakfast, through

specialist Fish&Pips. But it’s also

three seasons working as a chalet

afternoon tea to dinner, and

open to anyone who’s interested in

chef for Fish&Pips in the French

how to impress with remarkable

learning to cook like a chalet cook.

Alps, before being awarded The

canapés. Chalet Cooks students

Fish&Pips is the forerunner in

Times Chalet Chef of the Year.

will also receive a copy of A

chalet food excellence, and prides

A former pub, which has been

Portion of Fish&Pips in their

itself on staff retention, the quality

completely refurbished, The

welcome pack to inspire them for

of food, and the service delivered

Abinger offers somewhere to stay,

the ski season. Course fees start

to its guests. As the company has

with six double bedrooms above

from £695.

expanded however, it’s noticed that

the school.

abingercookeryschool.com

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OTM14 // 019

Residence Orelle 3 Vallées comprises over 150 apartments with on site spa, swimming pool and restaurant in the unspoilt village of Orelle in the Maurienne Valley. Orelle offers great skiing and within easy reach of the village are six other ski resorts dotted along the valley including Val Cenis. But the real secret of Orelle is the fast gondola link to Val Thorens, opening up access to the world’s biggest ski area the mighty Les 3 Valées.

Staying in Orelle is a great option for families and anyone looking to access Les 3 Vallées, but without paying the premium resort prices of Méribel, Courchevel or Val Thorens. Check out the new website.

Discover Orelle For Yourself

residenceorelle3vallees.com

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

THE KULM HOTEL ST MORITZ

IN THE TRACKS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

I THE OMNIA ZERMATT

THE CAMBRIAN ADELBODEN

t’s not often that we get to ski in the

ROYALTY IN THE SNOW

same tracks as the rich and famous.

The British royal family are, of course, well-

But sometimes it is possible to stay

known for their love of snow sports, helping

in the same hotels, even the same

to encourage the creation of ski areas in

hotel rooms, as kings and queens,

Scotland in the 1960s, and then regular visitors

Shahs, sultans, presidents, prime

to Klosters, Switzerland, although Prince

ministers, popes, billionaires, and

Charles took Princess Diana to learn to ski

Hollywood A-listers, in fact, almost

in Lichtenstein to avoid the media expecting

every type of “famous person”

them at the Walserhof hotel (walserhof.ch).

who has lived since the first winter

Later in their marriage they stayed at the

sports holidays were organised in

historic Arlberg Hospiz Hotel, in St Christoph

St Moritz in the 1860s.

above St Anton, Austria (arlberghospiz.at).

It’s perhaps one of the nicer things about

The younger generation have been spotted

winter sports; because of the necessity to

in the French Alps, but Prince Harry is thought

wear body-covering ski attire, you can be sat

to favour the global favourite of the rich and

next to someone famous on the chairlift and

famous, St Moritz in Switzerland, and his brother

not even know it (unless there’s an armed

and sister-in-law are reported to be organising

bodyguard between you and him/her, which

a 30th birthday party for him with a St-Moritz-

might give the game away!).

themed room created in Kensington Palace.

And although there have been a few

Prince William and Kate themselves enjoyed

infamous attempts by the super-rich to take

a post-wedding summertime escape to

over slopes for their private use – most

the isolated Skoki Lodge (skoki.com) in the

notoriously the multi-billionaire boss of

backcountry near Lake Louise in western

Samsung, who once requested the private

Canada. You can stay where they did by taking

use of a public slope at Courchevel so

an excursion if you’re staying at Lake Louise.

that he could learn to ski away from the

Many other royal families are keen skiers too.

media spotlight, thankfully resulting in

The Dutch royals are regulars in the Arlberg,

howls of protest that such a thing could be

Austria, although perhaps not so much now

contemplated by the general skiing public

after Prince Friso tragically died after being

– most famous folk are happy to spend time

buried in an avalanche while skiing there

on the slopes with the rest of us.

off-piste. The exclusive enclave of Zürs in

So, remembering it’s not cool to actually go

the same region also attracts other royals,

and hassle a ski holidaying celeb, here’s a

including members of Monaco’s royal family.

quick guide to the places where you’re most

The Spanish royals have their own resort village

likely to end up sharing a lift with a royal, or

at Baqueira-Beret in the Pyrenees, known as La

other VIP.

Pleta de Ley (or “the King´s hamlet”). The new

@INTHESNOWMAG

THE TSCHUGGEN GRAND HOTEL: WWW.TSCHUGGEN.CH

King Felipe VI and his sisters, Princesses Elena

present – President Putin is reputed to ski

many great names including Frank Sinatra

and Cristina, are reported to be keen skiers.

alongside other visiting Muscovites at the local

and Marilyn Monroe grace its facilities, and

Back in the Alps, The Beatles filmed Help!

But St Moritz remains the destination of

Shukolovo Ski Club (although that may be a bit

in St Moritz, once again, the list of famous

in the Austrian resort of Obertauern, and

choice for many other royal families, as

hard to believe), he was, of course, the major

names visiting is probably in the thousands.

stayed in the Hotel Edelweiss (luerzer.at/

it has been for a century and a half, with

driving force behind resort development at

Charlie Chaplin was reputed to be the first

de-sporthotel-obertauern.htm). For the

most choosing to stay at one of its 5★

Sochi for the Olympics last winter.

man to drive a vehicle up to St Moritz in

same reason, George Michael stayed at

luxury hotels. The secluded Suvretta House

President Obama isn’t believed to be a skier,

the winter, using a car sporting cat tracks

the 5★ Ferienart (ferienart.ch) in Saas-Fee,

(suvrettahouse.ch), with its Prada-clad

although previous presidents have been, with

on its rear wheels, whilst Alfred Hitchcock

Switzerland, 30 years ago this winter, where

private ski school, is a particular favourite,

the Ford family leaving a lasting legacy in the

maintained a suite at the Palace Hotel for

he and Andrew Ridgeley filmed the video for

and excellent skier King Carl Gustav of

US resort of Vail Valley, Colorado. However,

many years. Sophia Loren did the same, but

Last Christmas.

Sweden is one of its regular visitors.

First Lady Michelle Obama has been to several

she chose the Gstaad Palace, with David

Some celebrities are so taken with ski resorts

ski resorts, and caused a controversy (among

Niven preferring to stay in the neighbouring

they actually buy them, examples include

those who don’t like her) with her hotel bill

village of Chateau D’Oex.

(Robert Redford who owns Sundance in Utah,

a few winters back, when she stayed at The

Western Canada is another popular choice.

and Bruce Willis who formerly owned Soldier

Sebastian in Vail (thesebastianvail.com).

Chateau Lake Louise’s past guest list includes

Mountain in Idaho).

Jim Carrey, Dan Ackroyd, and John Travolta,

However, not all Hollywood stars are good

PRESIDENTS + OTHER POLITICIANS The Swiss resort of Davos is a pretty sure bet

balled Fortress ski area just up the valley.

if you’re hoping to meet many of the world’s

A-LISTERS

while the Banff Springs has hosted Robin

guests. Frank Sinatra immediately ordered

top politicians and super-rich on the slopes.

Probably the richest pickings for celebrity

Williams, Bob Hope, and Marilyn Monroe

200 fresh raw eggs when he checked in at the

Make sure you buy your lift pass during the

spotting are those with historical

was a guest when filming The River of No

luxurious Cristallo Palace in Cortina d’Ampezzo,

World Economic Forum (weforum.org), which

connections to Hollywood stars from the

Return in 1953. More recently, Leonardo

Italy. An egg fight ensued, and by the end of

is next staged here from 21–24 January 2015.

golden years of Hollywood, as many current

DiCaprio stayed at the Delta Kananaskis at

the evening the wallpaper in the suite needed

Unfortunately, one of the world’s top skiing

stars still make their way out to these resorts

Nakiska Mountain Resort, during the filming

replacing. On the upside the redecorated suite

politicians is not the planet’s most popular at

today. Sun Valley in Idaho, for example, saw

of Inception, which took place at the moth-

is now named the Frank Sinatra.

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OTM14 // 021

CHALET ZEN

NEW SWISS LAW THWARTS BRITISH CHALET OPERATORS!

022 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

A change to the law on the minimum wage in

“Neither Esprit nor Ski Total are offering any

that the law change marked the end of the

Switzerland is being seen as the final straw

Swiss properties next year, but Inghams is still

traditional Swiss chalet holiday for Brits, several

by some operators in their attempts to keep

able to offer all their Swiss partner hotels, and

smaller operators are stressing they’re still

operating holiday chalets in the region, as well

is holding onto the one Chalet Hotel in Verbier

running their Swiss chalets, and one small new

as offer affordable prices to British skiers.

(the du Verbier), which has more beds than some

operator has come on the market.

The change means that Swiss-based British

other chalet companies offer in all their Swiss

VIP SKI (vip-chalets.com) is continuing to

workers, including all chalet staff, who could

properties combined, so we still have a presence

feature four chalets in Verbier and Zermatt,

previously be employed under British terms and

there whilst we continue negotiations with the

and a new company, Matterhorn Ski Chalets,

conditions, must now be employed under Swiss

Swiss for the future of chalets in Switzerland,”

has taken over Chalet Ulysse in Zermatt

working conditions, to include rest periods and

said Esprit Ski’s Head of Marketing Moira Clarke.

(matterhornchalets.com).

being paid the Swiss minimum wage.

Inghams say its focus on value for money

“I appreciate the concerns that many chalet

“Switzerland Tourism is very sorry that most

means that it cannot absorb the extra staff

operators have expressed, but at our position in

UK tour operators decided not to renew the

costs, and its research shows that their guests

the market, quality of service is a priority,” said

contracts with their chalets,” said Sara Roloff,

would be unwilling to pay the extra. The

Matterhorn Ski Chalets Founder, Ed Mannix.

Switzerland Tourism’s UK Communications

company calculates that at current exchange

Other operators still running their Swiss

Manager. “Recent figures of a +6.2% growth in

rates salaries would be around £33,000 for

chalets include Ski Supertravel (supertravel.

overnight hotel stays in Swiss hotels last year by

chalet staff, and it says that it would also be

co.uk/ski) with eight properties in Zermatt, and

British people show UK guests love Switzerland.”

unhappy to pay its staff one rate in Switzerland

Skiworld with properties in Nendaz and Zermatt

Inghams, one of the UK’s largest ski holiday

and another in other countries.

(skiworld.co.uk).

operators, who together with sister brands Ski

Scott Dunn has also ceased operating Swiss

The good news for operators, and everyone

Total and Esprit Ski is a division of the Swiss

chalets, and it’s believed some other companies

who likes a Swiss ski chalet, is that earlier

company Hotelplan, is the biggest operator to

would too if their contracts allowed it. Crystal

this summer the Swiss voted in a referendum

withdraw from Swiss chalet operations following

and Neilson have not had any Swiss chalets for a

against raising their minimum wage from the

the law change, although it does appear to be

couple of seasons now.

current tenth highest in the world to the highest

still negotiating.

But, although initial media reports proclaimed

in the world.

@INTHESNOWMAG

C h a r l o t t e V a n G i l s Charlotte van Gils is one of the

How did you get involved in

world’s best snowboarders and a

designing your own signature

Sinner-sponsored athlete. Originally

helmet and goggles?

from the Netherlands, van Gils went

CVG> I tried out some Sinner products

on her first winter sports holiday

to find my favourite designs; I’m really

when she was 11, unusually opting

picky about how helmets and goggles

to snowboard rather than ski. After

should fit. So I was stoked when I tried

taking a boarding trip and practising

the Galaxy goggles and Titan helmet. I

gymnastics through school, van Gils

like the Galaxy goggle because it’s like

got air and pulled her first tricks on

looking through a wide-angle lens. You

indoor slopes and now snowboarding

can see everything without having to turn

dominates her life.

your head. The helmet I love because it’s very light; I don’t notice having it on, and

Why did you decide to board on your

it has proven to do its job multiple times.

first holiday?

I have broken a couple of helmets by

CVG> It was pretty random. I was

slamming without having one concussion

at home, 11-years-old, and my dad

in the last 2 years. I love the design,

was filling out what ski classes my

based on the red rocks of Moab, Utah,

sisters and I would do on our annual

and Denver, Colorado. It’s where my

trip to Austria. There was a big air

friends and I cut loose after a fun season.

snowboard competition on TV and

We camp and party until the sun comes

seeing people flip and do tricks on

up. The views are pretty much like the

a snowboard made me want to ride,

goggle strap show!

so I asked my dad to enrol me onto a snowboard class.

What are your main ambitions for the coming season?

Which are your favourite mountains?

CVG> I have some tricks in mind that

CVG> Breckenridge is home and I

I really want to learn. I won’t spoil the

love it because of the perfect jumps,

surprise, but keep checking the videos

and there is always something to ride

uploaded on my website! I’ve always

no matter what the weather is like.

wanted to hit a big powder jump, so that

Copper Mountain, also in Colorado,

one is on the bucket list for this season.

has good jumps, fun rails, and they

I don’t like to think in results but I

change the jibs weekly so there’s

hope to land some nice runs in the

always something new to ride. Its

competitions this season.

back bowls are a lot of fun on the

Beyond that, I don’t know, sometimes

powder days as well! I was in Perisher,

it’s better not to plan to far ahead but

Australia, last month and it has a

just enjoy the ride!

perfect park, jumps and jibs, with a

charlottevangils.com

little T-bar, allowing 100 runs a day!

sinner.eu

TRIPP FAY

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OTM14 // 023

t is possibly a sign of the

from the brochures. Fortunately, since then

age-old world of reindeer herding, husky

ongoing recovery in the UK ski

most of the old Finnish destinations have

farms and ”kotas” – tepee-shaped huts – a

travel market, or possibly just

been returning to the brochures, with Salla

warm welcome will be extended to you with

a trend, but interest in winter

being the latest.

blazing log fires and hot berry juice. Santa

sports holidays to northern

Crystal now offer Ruka, Salla, and Iso-Syöte,

is, of course, also based here.

Finland continues to grow again,

while Inghams has Ylläs, Pyhä, Levi and

Salla is home to over 10,000 reindeer,

with leading operator Crystal

Saariselkä, giving seven choices between the

and situated in the middle of an unspoilt

(crystalski.co.uk) announcing a

UK’s two biggest ski operators.

wilderness with frozen rivers, lakes, and fells.

new destination option, and a

As it is dark for much of the day in midwinter,

Activities include a Northern Lights reindeer

new flight route from Manchester,

although the slopes are floodlit and if you’re

safari, and a snowmobile excursion to the

so that fewer people in the north will need to

lucky the Northern Lights may shine overhead,

Russian border, only 20km away.

travel south to London in order to fly north to

ski holidays to Finland are much more multi-

Accommodation is predominantly in cosy

Lapland next winter.

activity than for ski areas in the Alps.

wooden cabins dotted around in forests

The new choice of Salla in eastern Lapland

Besides downhill skiing you can try

surrounding the ski slopes. An example is the

close to the Arctic Circle is not new, in

snowmobile safaris, husky dog sledding, ice

Sallainen Cabins, with prices from £429pp

the sense that this was one of 10 Finnish

fishing, and cross-country skiing. In addition

for 7 nights (based on four sharing) including

destinations offered by the UK’s leading tour

to this, the original people of Lapland, the

flights from Manchester and transfers.

operators during a growth in interest from

Sami, bring a timeless touch to the place.

The season starts on 21 December, and the

2000up until the financial crash of 2008 –

They have carved out simple lives in the

last departure from Manchester to Kuusamo is

after which Finland was pretty much removed

Arctic wilderness for centuries. Step into an

on 15 February 2015.

RUKA

OTM14 // 024

@INTHESNOWMAG

Spas & Salons +44 (0)117 316 1888

Retail Selected Debenhams, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols, World Duty Free

Online timetospa.co.uk, debenhams.com, johnlewis.com houseoffraser.co.uk, harveynichols.com

Discover elemis.com elemisltd

@Elemis

WHERE’S NEW FOR THE COMING SEASON?

culture down in the southwest of the country

Peak Retreats has also created a whole

near Slovenia and Italy. We’ll have a full report

new business, Pyrenees Collection

on Bad Kleinkirchheim in the October edition

(pyreneescollection.co.uk) to focus on

of InTheSnow.

French Pyrenean resorts.

Erna Low (ernalow.co.uk) is also adding

In addition, Crystal is joining smaller

small family-friendly resorts close to Ischgl,

companies already based in France, and

Kappl, Galtur, and See to its programme.

moving into the niche resort of Sainte Foy, between Les Arcs and Val d’Isère.

FINLAND Like the economy, Finland is almost back to

ITALY

where it was 6 years ago. It was the most

Neilson (neilson.co.uk/ski) has added the

obvious victim of the 2008 financial crisis,

resorts of San Candido and Versciaco for

with most ski holiday operators dropping the

the coming winter.

majority of Finnish destinations, from a peak of

The two villages are located about 129km

he 2014–15 ski season brochures are

ten in the preceding season to the economy

from Innsbruck, situated in the Hochpustertal

out, and we now know many of the new

meltdown. Gradually, destinations are being

area of the South Tyrol, which is included on

destination choices tour operators are

reintroduced by the top tour operators, and

the giant Dolomiti Superski lift pass.

offering for the upcoming season.

this winter you’ll be able to return to Salla

New choices from Inghams are Kronplatz

With the economy officially back to pre-

with Crystal (crystalski.co.uk), taking the list of

and San Cassiano, which are also in the

recession levels, the pound riding high (well,

destinations back up to seven.

Dolomites – the company now offer ten

higher than it has been), and sales up, the

resorts in this region.

British ski travel trade is in optimistic mood.

FRANCE

Crystal is also adding Kronplatz and San

Along with the exciting new option of South

With France already our most popular

Vigilio; the former is an exciting choice as

Korea (see separate report), there are dozens

destination, attracting a large number of

it has received lots of recent investment

of new resorts to try in more familiar countries.

operators who already cover most areas, it’s

resulting in a modern resort with new state-

hard to add many new choices.

of-the-art lifts.

AUSTRIA

However, award-winning French specialist

There are some interesting new

Peak Retreats has managed to find some,

SWITZERLAND

destinations to try in the country that’s our

and the villages of Albiez, Doucy, La Norma,

Inghams, again, has added the classic resort

second most popular for ski holidays.

Chamrousse, and La Toussuire have been

of Arosa, which we featured last season

Inghams (inghams.co.uk) has four new choices,

newly-added for 2014–15. Chamrousse is

after it was linked by a spectacular cable

including Oberperfuss above Innsbruck, which

one of the easiest resorts to reach in France,

car to Lenzerheide, thus creating one of the

they describe as “a dedicated learn-to-ski/-

the 1968 Winter Olympics venue is very close

biggest new ski areas in Switzerland, and

snowboard resort”; Bad Kleinkirchheim, home

to Grenoble, and La Toussuire is part of the

the world, with 225km of runs. Take it from

of Franz Klammer; and some serious spa

giant, but less well known Sybelles region.

us, it’s well worth a visit!

CMY

WORDS: SALLY BROOKES  PIC: CRYSTAL SKI HOLIDAYS

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OTM14 // 028

now is, of

avalanche risk, and you can do nothing but

northerly island. In both of these latter cases

course,

hole yourself up in the nearest mountain

the air has been toasted dry over plains

the vital

restaurant, and stretch après-ski out from

stretching for thousands of kilometres, before

component

dawn until the small hours (nightmare …!).

it hits the mountains and is forced to rise,

of a ski or

No, what we really want is a huge fall the day

depositing precipitation in abundance.

snowboarding

before we arrive, then the sun to come out and

So there’s a question of quality as much as

holiday.

blue skies above for our perfect powder holiday.

quantity. Some areas get lots of snow, but not

Resorts spend

In fact some of us, although we don’t like to

lots of great snow.

hundreds of

admit it, are even happier if the piste bashers

And as a final proviso, it has to be noted

millions of

have had the chance to groom the slopes

that average snowfall figures are forever

euros and dollars each year in snowmaking

into shape, so we don’t have to work up a

changing, and are generally published by

systems to ensure, they hope, they have

sweat freeriding, giving us groomed carving

resort marketing departments. So if they

enough, and we drool over ski movies that

slopes every time.

have a good season, that one season will be

invariably show pros bouncing effortlessly

And there’s also the question of what is perfect

measured and put out as the area stat, but

through waist deep powder. It seems we can’t

powder? The quality of snow varies a lot you

if they have a good season then four bad

get enough of the white stuff.

see. The driest, fluffiest powder tends to be

ones, they’ll add the past five together to

And yet … can you have too much of a good

found some way inland in North America, in

reach the one good one to include in their

thing? When it snows and snows, then you

states like Colorado and Utah, which have

”5-year average”.

may have difficulty actually getting to the

trademarked terms like “The greatest snow on

But all that being said and understood, here

ski slopes, and (less of a big deal) getting

Earth”, and further north in British Columbia,

we go with what are (probably) the world’s

home. The lifts and runs may be closed for

Canada, as well as on Hokkaido, Japan’s

ten snowiest ski resorts.

@INTHESNOWMAG

1. MT BAKER

3/4. ALTA & SNOWBIRD

6. REVELSTOKE

9. KIRKWOOD

WASHINGTON STATE, USA – 16.3M

UTAH, USA – 15.6M

BC, CANADA – 15M

CALIFORNIA, USA – 13.95M

Mt Baker not only holds the average annual

Snowbird is accurately named, and for its

Canada’s highest entry is one of the world’s

California’s snowiest entry has one of the

snowfall record, but the ski area is also home

powder skiing famed, with one of the longest

newest resorts. As such it has not had long

state’s best reputations, and is now part of

to the world record for the greatest recorded

seasons in the US, right through to the end

to build-up a reliable average annual snowfall

the Vail Resorts empire.

snowfall in one season, 29m, recorded during

of May and sometimes longer, thanks to the

figure, but the early signs are good.

the winter of 1998–99.

abundance of exceptionally light powder. Alta – to which it is linked – is famed for its steep

2. ALYESKA ALASKA, USA – 16.25M

and deep terrain.

7. NOZAWA ONSEN

USA – 12.7M

JAPAN – 14.44M

A collection of five western US ski areas all,

Another Japanese area famous for its abundant

remarkably, claim the same 12.7m average

snowfall. Monkeys famously bathe in natural

base depth. They include Mt Brighton, Powder

hot springs. You can’t blame them considering!

Mountain and Solitude in Utah, Sugar Bowl in

Alyeska, located around 48km from Alaska’s

5. NISEKO

capital Anchorage, has been in British tour

JAPAN – 15.1M

operator brochures in years gone by, but you

What’s interesting when you look at a world

need to make your own way there now. You’d

map is that most of the world’s snowiest

be best to book a 4x4 rental cat though,

resorts, are located in a fairly narrow band

8. GULMARG

given that more than 15m of snow falls on

approximately 42–48° above the Equator.

INDIA – 14M

average each season; and around 24m was

Many of the resorts in the Alps and the

It’s difficult to get any official snowfall stats

recorded for their 2011–12 season.

Rockies are there, so is Mt Washington and

from Gulmarg, but 14m is the consensus,

Niseko. The powder here is world-famous for

and the resort is certainly famous for its

its quality, as well as its abundance.

spectacular snowfalls and deep powder.

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10. IT’S A DRAW

California, and in Wyoming, Grand Targhee.

INTHESNOW.COM // OTM14 // 029

SNOW FACTOR AND JEFF HOLMES SNS

FRIDGE

The number of people hitting indoor snow

Several of the UK’s other indoor snow

centres and dry slopes in the UK is on the

centres, in Hemel Hempstead, Tamworth,

rise, thanks in part to the success of British

Manchester, and Glasgow, have announced

athletes, endearingly known as the “Fridge

their own initiatives to encourage new talent.

Kids”, at Sochi. Snowsport England, which endeavours to

NEW SKI RACE ACADEMY

encourage snow sports participation (there

In association with the British Alpine Racing

are similar bodies in other British regions),

Ski Clubs (BARSC), Skiplex, the UK’s only

has recently published data showing

continuous, indoor, revolving ski slopes,

participation up by 23.1%, from 2011 to 2014.

have set up a new ski race academy

Now a number of facilities and

offering “introduction to ski racing”

organisations are hoping to keep that

sessions for young children.

momentum going, by introducing new

The aim is to give young skiers the

initiatives to keep people skiing on British

opportunity to fast track into ski racing, and

slopes, as well as trying to encourage the

the chance to train with top British coaches.

next generation of Fridge Kids.

Children aged 6–10, who are already able to ski in parallel and want to start ski

GOSKIGOBOARD EXTENDED FOR 2014–15

racing, are invited to sessions beginning

The GoSkiGoBoard initiative, designed to

Sunday morning from 8–10am at all three

make learning to ski or snowboard easy

Skiplex centres – Reading, Basingstoke,

with low, fixed-price beginner or improver

and Chiswick in west London.

14 September, which will take place every

sessions offered at centres across England, is to be extended for the coming year.

FREESTYLE FRIDAY NIGHTS

The programme, which launched a year

“Freestyle Friday Nights” has been launched

ago, sponsored by Austria’s Tirol region,

by Active Nation at Alpine Snowsports in

has attracted more than 10,000 participants,

Southampton. The inaugural event this

and new initiatives, “Go Freestyle” and “Go

summer saw three dozen people come

Race”, are being added using the same

and have a go at freestyle skiing and

formula, with a focus on skiing gates, or

snowboarding in the company of Sochi

trying the jumps and rails in the park.

Olympian Billy Morgan, who was back at the slope where he started almost 10 years

SNOZONE SPONSORED RIDERS

ago, riding the brand new freestyle features,

Many Team GB Winter Olympic athletes use

youngsters taking part.

the slopes at Snozone in Milton Keynes and

“It’s been a few years since I’ve ridden down

Castleford, and the company has recently

at the Alpine Centre like that. Rocking up to

selected 23 riders, aged from 11–44, to join

see heaps of people of all ages enjoying it

Team MK, becoming Snozone-sponsored

like I did when I was younger is so inspiring.

riders. It is hoped that with the support of

I hope that it carries on, grows the freestyle

Snozone, they will now have the potential

scene, and allows us to build on and improve

for future Olympic success.

the slope and features” said Morgan.

and giving tips and advice to the adults and

KIDS INSPIRE US

goskigoboard.org.uk  activenation.org.uk  skiplex.co.uk  snowsportengland.co.uk  snozoneuk.com/blog

OTM14 // 030

@INTHESNOWMAG

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032 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

It’s the age old battle that seems to have

single chairlifts with dubious safety

raged since the dawn of time. Which is

features (no Lego Minifigures are seen

better, Denmark’s Lego or Germany’s

boarding them), to elaborate detachable

Playmobil?

gondolas and fully-functioning trail

For skiers it’s a particular conundrum. Lego,

groomers, although they seem to have no

perhaps because Denmark is rather flat

luck flattening Lego snow to anything that

with just a couple of dry slopes and a small

looks safe to ski!

local ski hill, which opens its 50m vertical

Now it seems Playmobil, perhaps inspired

occasionally when snow cover is adequate,

by its much more mountainous German

has not yet tried very hard to pander to the

location, has played its trump card by

ski market directly.

releasing a working toy ski lift, to add to

True there are Lego City Arctic and Arctic

its mountain rescue series of sets, which

Outpost sets, and Series 2 and 8 of their

may well go a long way to encouraging

Minifigures included a male and a female

more youngsters to try the real thing after

downhill skier, respectively (as well as

playing with the new toys.

Series 3 and 5 that include a female and a

Along with the 2m-long working cable

male snowboarder, respectively).

car, complete with ticket office, your ski

But if you’re looking for something

resort can include an Alpine Lodge, with

more substantial, it has been left to the

a collection of Alpine animals, including

company’s professional model makers

lovable marmots that you can allow to free

to build a scale replica of the Aiguille du

roam nearby.

Midi ski lifts in Chamonix at Legoland

If there’s an accident on Playmobil mountain,

Windsor, while adult Lego ski enthusiasts

there’s also a mountain rescue vehicle, and

have created still more impressive Lego

even a rescue helicopter to fly in and save

ski resorts, which they’ve lovingly filmed

the day. Sets are priced at approximately

on YouTube.

£20–£50 and are available from Playmobil.

These contain everything from working

com, as well as all good toy retailers.

@INTHESNOWMAG

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OTM14 // 033

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OTM14 // 034

@INTHESNOWMAG

£7.6M BRITISH ALPINE TEAMS FUNDING BOOST

UK, over the last three funding cycles,” said

go into a pot that also includes investment

Fiona Young, CEO of Disability Snowsport

in our national team from the National

UK, the charity that runs the British Disabled

Lottery and private sponsors led by

Ski Team (BDST).

Delancey, will be allocated among athletes

“Discussions will now take place on the

is not yet known, it seems likely that the

best way to utilise this funding and take

onus of “rewards for results” will continue,

PyeongChang 2018:

the BDST forward.”

meaning much, if not all, of the funding will

pyeongchang2018.org

British Ski and Snowboard also welcomed

be concentrated on freestyle events.

their funding, which is a significant increase

“We will now continue to move forward

Disability Snowsport:

on the £1.51m it received from UK Sport

and develop athletes who will compete,

disabilitysnowsport.org.uk

in January 2012 for a nearly 3-year period

and aim to beat, the world’s best over the

ending this September. During the previous

next 4 years and in Pyeongchang in 2018,”

British Ski and Snowboard:

2 years British Ski and Snowboard

said Edwards.

teambss.org.uk

received no public money at all.

It is unclear whether there will be any

MORE INFO

“The level of funding is reflective of

British competitors in traditional Alpine

UK Sport/National Lottery:

he public funding body UK Sport has

the current talent in our Park and Pipe

downhill skiing events moving forward.

uksport.gov.uk

announced awards of £2.75m to Para-

programme, and it will allow us as a

The UK’s only 2014 Olympian was Chemmy

Alpine skiing, and £4.89m to British Ski and

governing body to maintain world-class

Alcott who has now retired, as has

Delancey:

Snowboard to cover the 4-year run-up to the

performance programmes, and offer even

T J Baldwin, who was not selected for the

delancey.com

2018 Winter Olympic and Winter Paralympic

more support systems for these athletes,”

British team for Sochi despite meeting IOC

Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

said Dave Edwards, Chief Executive of

criteria. Sadly, he has recently announced

The money follows the UK’s best-ever

British Ski and Snowboard.

that the battle for funding, combined with

performances in Alpine sports at both

British Ski and Snowboard athletes finished

the risk of injury, means that it is no longer

the Sochi Winter Olympic and Winter

with six top ten results at Sochi 2014,

worth him continuing.

Paralympic Games earlier this year.

including Jenny Jones’ Olympic Bronze

UK Sport funding is based around athletes

“This is great news that UK Sport has

medal in snowboard slopestyle, plus five

who are identified as having the ability to

recognised the achievements and hard

more athletes finished in the top 20, and

“Podium”, or are deemed to have “Podium

work put in by the athletes, the British

another three in the top 30.

Potential”. This applies to athletes in the

Disabled Ski Team, and Disability Snowsport

Although exactly how the money, which will

Park and Pipe programme.

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INTHESNOW.COM // OTM14 // 035

SHOULD

WE SKI OR SHOULD WE GO?

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE  PIC: SLOPEPRO

036 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

French courts at the same time.

“I don't think that France is unwelcoming,

In the UK, however, parties like UKIP

especially not in Mégève where people

have been quick to label the cases as

tend to be very friendly, but it's all about

protectionism by the French, and on social

perception, and high-profile court cases

media some people have been calling on

don't help. Perhaps a solution might be for

Brits to boycott French ski resorts in protest.

the French authorities to produce a lower-

Others say it is quite fair to make rules and

grade ski group leading qualification that is

enforce them, and the French Embassy in

not teaching, but gives some guidance on

London felt the need to step in and point

how to lead small groups skiing safely?”

out that the rules were equally applicable to French, and other nationalities, as much as to the Brits. We asked three French skiing experts

series of three separate legal cases

whether they thought the court cases would

against British individuals and

have any impact on our long-term love

organisations are making their way

affair with French skiing, still by far our most

through French courts this summer.

popular ski destination.

Each has a different angle on a common

theme – Brits showing other Brits around

However some parts of the media might portray it, it’s not

French ski slopes without professional

Olivier Lepoureau:

qualifications that meet French requirements.

“We don’t believe this will have any impact

The Tirol in Austria requires ski

One case concerns tour operator staff

whatsoever on the number of British skiers

hosts to have some ski teaching

showing new arrivals around the gentler

going to France,” says Olivier Lepoureau,

qualifications (if less stringent than

slopes of French resorts in an orientation

boss of specialist French ski travel company

the French for less technically-

tour known as ski hosting. The French

Ski Collection (skicollection.co.uk). “France

demanding roles), and a Tirolean

want anyone ski hosting to have high-level

is by far the first ski destination in the world

ski resort took a Dutch ski club to

professional ski teaching qualifications.

for British skiers, and none of this will change

court earlier this year on this matter.

A second case concerns a British man

the fundamental reasons for this – big, high,

The Dutch ski club did not pay its

who has been ski teaching in France for

snowsure ski areas that are easy to reach

guides directly to lead groups, and

over 30 years, appears highly regarded

and offer ski-in, ski-out access along with

the court decided it had not broken

as an instructor, and has high international

excellent gastronomy, for example.”

the rules.

qualifications. He does not, however, hold

“British skiers will continue to be welcome

the required French qualifications, and

by all tourist professionals who are not

has refused to take them, saying the EC

involved in those court cases and who don’t

employment equality laws mean that he

even know about them! (Virtually no one in

shouldn’t have to. That case is making its way

France has heard of these cases, unless they

Richard Sinclair:

on towards ever higher courts for hopefully,

subscribe to British newspapers after a bit of

“On hosting, yes, the French are acting in

ultimately, an independent EC level decision.

Eurobashing to boost their popularity).”

a protectionist manner in some cases, but

Finally, the Ski Club of Great Britain is being taken to court over its long-standing

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IT’S NOT FRANCE VS BRITS

just a France versus Britain issue.

they’ve been given an excuse to do so by a small minority of Brit hosts who have

ski guiding operation in France, again the

Elizabeth Cahir:

issue being the precise status of the Club’s

“I can understand that there are laws there

outer limits of hosting to be ‘close enough

guides, and whether they do or do not need

that need to be enforced and a country

to argue’ they exhibit elements of coaching

to hold acceptable qualifications for the

does have a right to enforce them. However,

or off-piste guiding,” said Richard Sinclair of

French, as they are not paid wages as such.

I think that the loss of guiding and the

online travel agency SNO.co.uk.

It is open to debate whether the three

general perception in the UK that France

“At SNO we’ve had several customers

legal cases are connected to the mood

is unwelcoming could persuade people

(mostly larger groups) ask us to find them

across Europe, which has seen the rise

to try other countries,” says Elizabeth

something outside of their regular French

of nationalist parties in most European

Cahir, whose family have been running the

haunts next winter, so I do think the legal

countries. It may be just coincidence that

Mégève ski holiday specialist company

wranglings will have a negative impact

these issues, which have been known about

Stanford skiing (www.stanfordskiing.co.uk)

on the number of us skiing in France next

for decades, have all suddenly reached

for many years.

winter, but not a big one.”

pushed the boundaries too far, allowing the

OTM14 // 037

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3. PRE-BOOK EXTRAS – Ski chains

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and snow tyres will be in short supply.

cramped 4-hour coach transfers, and the

These need to be paid for locally, but

freedom to make your way to the resort

pre-book to guarantee availability. Save

at your leisure, and explore the local area.

money on other extras by simply planning

These five simple steps from car hire

ahead. Take your own child booster seat,

comparison website carrentals.co.uk will

and download a free satnav for your

help you to get you the best deal on car hire,

smartphone that works offline.

and stop you falling foul to hidden charges. 4. PRE-PURCHASE EXCESS INSURANCE 1. BOOK EARLY – As soon as your ski trip

– You will be offered excess insurance

is booked, get online and book your car

when picking up the vehicle but at a higher

hire. You can save up to 40% by booking 4

cost. It is available to buy online for as little

weeks or more in advance. You will also be

as £4.99 per day from carrentals.co.uk, and

able to guarantee the car you require, as

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4x4 and larger family vehicles are in high

cover the excess amount of the policy for

demand at ski destinations.

you, which can be up to £2000.

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5. CHECK THE CAR – On arrival, the

comparing car hire prices, read the T&Cs

last thing to do is simple – check the

to look for hidden extras, and pay attention

car before you drive off. Make sure the

to the fuel policy. Rent a vehicle on a “pick

supplier makes a note of any visible

up full, return full” basis to avoid expensive

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Dynastar’s sponsored athletes include: Marion Josserand Olympic medallist at work laboratory, and the company is currently

and Eastern Europe. Dynastar’s cutting-edge

looking at Chamonix to serve as a launch pad

factory in the Chamonix valley is the only

for new expeditions around the world.

remaining production site for skis in France. In

Jean-Frédéric Chapuis

What makes Dynastar’s products so special is

2012, Dynastar was rewarded with an official

2013 World Champion

their innate ability to adapt to each destination,

certification for its products, which are now

every project, and every individual skier’s desire

labelled “Guaranteed Made in France”.

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on the slopes. Each one is designed to offer

This guarantee is issued by an independent

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the main specifications of the production

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ynastar, the world-famous ski company, has just

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Dynastar make skis for all types of skiers –

The Powertrack range ingeniously

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all mountain, freeride, ski cross, ski touring

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GUARANTEED MADE IN FRANCE

This season the company launches the

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FB.COM/INTHESNOW

OTM14 // 039

WORDS: SAM THORNE  PIC: ANDRE SCHOENHERR & STUBAIO GLACIER

@INTHESNOWMAG

040 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

TH TI

Face it there is a lot of choice for where to

goes a long way, and has helped sustain

of the northern hemisphere’s ski areas are

go skiing each winter, and it can be a bit

that authentic mountain atmosphere.

closed, Austria has more glaciers open

overwhelming to choose from.

Many of the villages have developed from

for summer skiing and boarding than any

Sometimes everything comes together –

farming communities into fully established

other country, with up to eight centres to

timings, price and the destination seems

ski resorts, without losing sight of their true

choose from. And more than half of those,

right, other times you spend weeks and

mountain heritage.

five in fact, are in the Tirol.

These include the Hintertux glacier – one

months trawling the brochures or the net and still can’t narrow it down.

APRÈS-SKI

of two ski areas in the world open 365 days

But for some skiers and boarders the

Austrian après-ski is the stuff of partying

a year – and the glaciers at Sölden, Stubai,

choice is easy. What is it that makes skiers

legend, and no part of Austria has more

Kaunertal, and Pitztal. If you’re worried

and boarders return year after year to the

famous après-ski centres than the Tirol.

about high prices and crowded slopes

Austrian Tirol?

Whether you opt for the famed Krazy

during the February half-term holidays, you

Kangaruh or the Mooserwirt in St Anton,

could always book for the October school

BIG SKI AREAS OR INTIMATE RESORTS?

or one of the other party towns like

holidays instead at the Tirol!

Ischgl, Sölden, or the hometown of the

During wintertime,

The Tirol is home to such world-famous

Snowbombing festival, Mayrhofen, you’ll

most of the Tirol’s

resorts as St Anton and Kitzbühel, and

need the energy to keep going day and night.

other leading

long-time British favourites like Mayrhofen,

But it doesn’t have to be dancing in your

areas have huge

Obergurgl, and Alpbach. The biggest, such

ski boots on the tables every night. There’s

snowmaking arsenals

as the Skiwelt and Arlberg, offer more

nowhere better for a quiet drink in a

covering all or most of

than 280km of lift-linked piste, among

less raucous bar, a magical horse-drawn

their slopes, so when

the largest ski areas in the world. They

sleigh ride through the woods, or perhaps

temperatures drop

For more on the region go to

include freeride meccas, and centres

tobogganing – another activity where the

low enough they’re

visittirol.co.uk or keep updated at

with seemingly endless miles of perfectly

Tirol excels, with long tracks, often floodlit

covered in the white

facebook.com/visittirol or on

groomed, fast sunny pistes.

for night use, and with lifts to take you to

stuff to top-up Mother

Twitter @VisitTirol

In fact, there are more than 100 ski areas

the top.

Nature’s efforts.

other region on the planet, and besides

AFFORDABILITY

EASY ACCESS

Ski Juwel: skijuwel.com

the giant domains, there are also lots

Austria has built a strong reputation as an

Not having a long

Kitzbüheler Alps: kitzbuehler-alpen.com

of smaller, friendly, and very affordable

affordable skiing destination that continues

flight, or a long

Kitzbühel: kitzbuehel.com

choices too – should you prefer staying

to draw skiers and boarders year on year.

transfer to resort at

Zillertal: zillertal.at

in a village where you may well have the

Tour operator packages, as well as tourist

the end of that flight

Innsbruck: innsbruck.info

slopes to yourself, and everyone quickly

board offers, include attractive incentives

has to be a good

Obergurgl-Hochgurgl: obergurgl.com

knows your name.

to contribute towards keeping the costs

thing, right?

St Anton am Arlberg:

down, such as children ski free deals, lift

There are daily winter

stantonamarlberg.com

SCENIC BEAUTY & PICTURE PERFECT VILLAGES

pass offers, and free ski guiding.

flights from the UK to

Lift ticket prices are on the more affordable

Innsbruck (innsbruck-

No other skiing nation has maintained the

side of the European average for the

airport.com) if you

strict architectural controls that Austria

big four Alpine nations. What sets the

want to put together

has, with the result that concrete rectangle

Tirol further apart is the lower in-resort

your own holiday,

buildings are almost unheard of, and

prices; mountain restaurants serve up

and dozens of charter flights from the tour

traditional architecture is the norm across

inexpensive options, and après-ski bars

operators, mostly at weekends. Getting to

the Tirol. Add in some of the most beautiful

offer reasonable prices.

the Tirol has never been so easy, and once

scenery in the Alps, such as the stunning

For those who haven’t been skiing in a few

there most resorts are located between 30

Ziller valley around Mayrhofen; “Austria’s

years, the Austrian National Tourist office

30 minutes 2 hours away. minutes andand 2 hours away.

most beautiful village” award for Alpbach;

is also running a special promotion, “Ski

So there you have it – vibrant, wide-

or the splendour of the Wilder Kaiser

Again”, for the coming winter, in partnership

ranging, authentic, snow-sure ski

mountains, to name but a few, and you

with one of the UK’s leading tour operators,

resorts, with a choice of small, personal,

have a ski holiday destination that looks

Inghams. For more information and special

unintimidating areas, or world-famous

good as well as feeling good.

packages, which include refresher lessons,

giants offering limitless skiing, all a short

see inghsms.co.uk/skiagain.

hop away, and at the more affordable end

across the region, more than almost any

HOSPITALITY

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

 PROMOTION

THE TIROL

WHY SKI ANYWHERE ELSE? TIROL INFO

Wilder Kaiser: wilderkaiser.info

of the pricing spectrum. When you look at

The affectionate hospitality shown by

SNOW SURETY

all the reasons, it’s really no huge surprise

Tiroleans towards their guests is another

Nowhere beats the Tirol for guaranteed

that so many people keep going back to

strong plus point. The genuine welcome

snow. In spring and autumn, when most

the Austrian Tirol.

OTM14 // 041

 PROMOTION 042 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

BRETT SCHRECKENGOST

If you’ve ever worried that North American ski areas

well as exciting freeriding in Prospect Bowl.

are a little too corporate, a little too sanitised and

The terrain mix is roughly divided up into a little over

"samey" – then Telluride is the place to prove all

a fifth of runs best suited to beginners and young

those preconceptions wrong.

families, a further two-fifths to intermediates, and the

While many of Colorado’s world-famous resorts stack

remaining 40% to experts.

up bumper to bumper, like the cars that fill the I-70

One of the thrills of skiing at Telluride is getting to

freeway west of Denver, Telluride stands proudly

the top of Gold Hill Express (Lift 14) and enjoying the

alone, miles from anywhere, surrounded by the

incredible views. The best part of the experience

stunning scenery of the 4265m+ peaks of the San

is that it can be enjoyed by people of almost all

Juan Mountains, in the south of the state. It’s closer to

abilities. From the top of Lift 14, beginners and

the Grand Canyon than to Denver, has not yet seen a

experts alike can ski the See Forever trail to the

traffic light (the nearest one is 72km away), and boasts

base of the mountain – enjoying scenic vistas on a

more animals and wildlife than people.

long groomed slope.

But that’s not to say Telluride is some remote back-wa-

The grooming staff at Telluride have a wonderful

ter. Telluride is cool and draws the world’s A-list celebs

way of grooming one side of the trails and leaving

like a snowy magnet. A survey published last month of

the other side to “bump up” into tantalising moguls.

the most expensive towns in which to rent property put

If you get tired, or bungle a turn, there is an easy

Telluride top of the 16 resorts named, ahead of Aspen

escape onto the flat side – perfect for those times

and the rest.

when one of you wants to cruise and the other needs

So along with the jaw-

the exercise; no need to ski separate runs and miss

dropping scenery, perfect

out on each other’s company.

powder, and extensive

And there’s lots to do outdoors besides ski or board

TELLURIDE

groomed terrain, you can

on the groomed runs – snowshoeing or snowmobiling

expect a fast, modern lift

tours, women-only camps, ski and yoga holidays, or

tellurideskiresort.com

network on the mountain

heli-skiing trips are all options. Childcare is available

to access it all, and a

for children from 2-months-old, and ski school from as

2000 acres, 1172m vertical,

vibrant foodie culture

young as 2½ years.

127 runs, 18 lifts, 26 ft annual snowfall.

with upmarket retail and

This being Telluride, the slopes are easily accessed

accommodation options

with a gondola from the old mining town, or from

Telluride is located 65 miles from

down in town, along

the newer resort development at the base of the

Montrose Airport.

with plenty of "regular"

slopes. This was an industry-changing initiative to

choices.

protect the local environment 20 years ago in the

Compared with other

mid-1990s, long before caring about the environment

resorts in Colorado,

was fashionable. It runs from 7am to midnight daily so

AMERICAN SKI: americanski.co.uk

which tend to sit just a

it’s no problem if you want to head out early, or get

AMERICAN SKI CLASSICS:

valley or high mountain

caught up in some serious après-ski.

americanskiclassics.com

pass away from one

SKI SAFARI: skisafari.com

another, Telluride

SKI SOLUTIONS: skisolutions.com

has grown up alone.

SKI INDEPENDENCE: ski-i.com

Originally a Victorian-era

SKIWORLD: skiworld.co.uk

mining town, Telluride’s

The old town of Telluride is brimming with character,

first skiers, more than

its old buildings converted into shops and restau-

130 years ago, were

rants, but it lacks the glitz of Aspen or the corporate

the Swedes and Finns

feel of Vail. You can opt to stay here or, for ski in/out

who used barrel staves

convenience, in the modern Mountain Village at the

British tour operators to Telluride:

Town

base of the slopes.

back in those mining days of the late 1800s. The last

Telluride and Mountain Village boast more than 50

of these female boarding houses didn’t close down

restaurants, bars, and coffee shops between them.

for good until 1959. A stunning $60m in gold and

The resort has become increasingly well known for

silver was pulled out of local mines during the town’s

the varied cuisine on offer, from romantic bistros and

first 30 years alone. Some of this money went astray

western steakhouses, to fine dining and sushi bars. A

with Butch Cassidy’s first bank heist in 1889.

delicious option for every taste abounds.

Things were less rosy by the 1970s when the mining

Shoppers will find Telluride’s downtown lined with

had just about died out, and it was a group of

boutique shops and galleries of all types, and Mountain

local miners and other small business owners who

Village’s shopping district incorporates fashionable

re-invented Telluride as a ski resort 40 years ago,

stores for all and a Telluride logo wear shop.

striking white gold with their idea, as it were. Over

Among the locals, tolerance is a valued commod-

the past decade or so in particular, the resort has

ity in Telluride. Cowboys get along with trust fund

gone from strength to strength as its fan base among

managers, who buy tickets to the movies made by

the great and good has rapidly grown.

Hollywood celebrities, who own homes here and ride lifts with everyone else. The hippies that pad down

Mountain

the town’s streets have been known to put off some visitors because they don’t look like Barbie and Ken. But remember that Barbie and Ken’s dream world is

Telluride is a multifaceted ski area, with over 120 trails,

made of plastic, and that’s about the last word you’d

a big vertical, and a reputation for deep powder, as

use to describe Telluride.

BRETT SCHRECKENGOST / BEN ENG / BRETT SCHRECKENGOST / BRAD FOLEY / TELLURIDE SKI RESORT

to beat their co-workers to the bordellos on payday,

ZERMATT CELEBRATES 150 YEARS The feat that was achieved by Zermatt’s

the beautiful area at the foot of the

ZERMATT CELEBRATES IN 2015

mountain guides Peter and Peter

glaciers, which guide visitors through this

To mark the 150th anniversary of the first

Taugwalder (father and son), and the British

spectacular Alpine region. Zermatt also has

ascent of the Matterhorn, Zermatt will

mountaineer Edward Whymper, 150 years

100km of flow-tastic bike trails to offer.

host a series of activities for everyone to

ago next year, turned Zermatt into the

The efficient mountain rail system takes

experience, both in the village centre, and

tourist destination it is today.

day-trippers up to the mountains featuring

at the foot of the peak, throughout 2015..

However, their successful first ascent

the most spectacular views, including

And it promises many surprises too.

of the Matterhorn on 14 July 1865 was

Rothorn (3103m), Gornergrat (3089m),

Visitors from around the world are expected

overshadowed by tragedy: during the

and the Matterhorn (3883m) – the highest

for a specially commissioned open-air

descent, seven of the climbers fell to their

mountain railway station in Europe.

performance detailing the Matterhorn story,

deaths. This became a worldwide news

which will take place at Riffelberg, above SNOW SPORT 365 DAYS A YEAR;

Zermatt, from the beginning of July to the end

poor village’s tourism industry.

GREAT DINING TOO

of August. The production will be performed

Today, Zermatt ranks among the most

Zermatt offers snow sport aficionados

in multiple languages during its run.

famous tourist destinations in the Alps.

excellent pistes 365 days a year. During

The newly-designed Hörnli Hut will also

Each summer, the village attracts scores

summertime, the Theodul glacier provides

reopen in July 2015. In mid-July visitors will

of Alpinists who come to climb the 38

21km of pistes. In wintertime, snow sport fun

be given an impression of what life was like

4000m peaks surrounding Zermatt. Up to

may be had on a total of 365km of pistes

in Zermatt 150 years ago. And in August,

3000 mountaineers attempt to conquer the

in this Swiss/Italian skiing region. Whether

fine-food lovers can enjoy gourmet treats

Matterhorn (4478m) every year.

on a sunny terrace, or in a homely dining

during the “Swiss Food Festival Extended”.

Zermatt is also a hikers’ and bikers’

room, Zermatt’s 100 village restaurants and

Events are being continuously added, so

paradise. There are 400km of signposted

50 mountain restaurants are great places

check zermatt.ch/en for details.

hiking and themed trails, running between

to while away the hours, along with the

But always the central attraction, visually

the village, the mountain pastures, and

stunning views of the Matterhorn.

and thematically will be the Matterhorn.

KURT MÜLLER

story, which planted the seeds for the then

OTM14 // 044

@INTHESNOWMAG

BEHIND THE SCENES

ermatt, Europe’s

were hosting our organised chaos for the

highest ski area

next few days.

and a snow sure

The core team was made up of Rob Stewart,

bet, was the

Owner of PR company Ski-Press, who ran

chosen location

Operations and Logistics for the shoot,

for this years

Debbie Gabriel, Director at InTheSnow

 Charming, friendly 3 hotel.

InTheSnow

became Creative Director and InTheSnow’s

 Close to the centre of Zermatt.

Fashion Shoot.

publisher Dom Killinger was Art Director.

 Rustically furnished rooms.

Photographer

With just 5 days allocated to the job, the

 Spacious apartments.

genius Ross Woodhall (rosswoodhall.com),

pressure was on and mother nature took us

 5 minute walk to the Matterhorn Express Lift.

our regular picture editor at InTheSnow,

through her full repertoire from burning sun to six

 10 minute walk to funicular and train station.

was the obvious choice, and he took all of 2

inches of snow within the first 36 hours alone.

 The ski bus is only 2 minutes away.

seconds to say ‘ow yeah’ at the thought of

However those variations in conditions , I

 Free wifi.

catching some spring snow conditions in this

think you will agree, really add to the shoot.

 Hotel gym facilities.

beautiful Swiss resort.

Particular mention goes to models Emily

 Free pick-ups from train station on request.

Some 600 pieces of equipment were loaded

Sarsfield, Vicky Norman, James Henri and

 Most rooms have balconies, some with

and driven to car-free Zermatt in Switzerland.

Kieran O’Rourke who put up with some pretty

Meanwhile, the InTheSnow team enjoyed a

harsh conditions!

 Excellent restaurant.

smooth journey by Swissair from Heathrow to

Four very long hard days later, whilst drinking

 Swiss menu including game specialities.

Geneva and completed their journey with the

a cool Swiss beer and tucking into the best

 Jägerbar with real fireplace for après-ski.

always efficient rail connection from Geneva,

Pizza in Zermatt, we reflected on a really fun-

travelling first class to fully appreciate the beauty

filled week.

of the scenery. Thank you Swiss Tourism.

Here’s hoping you enjoy the fruits of our

jaegerhofzermatt.ch

Kit and staff arrived simultaneously at the

labours to inspire your next purchase for the

+41 27 966 38 00

Hotel Jägerhof ( jaegerhofzermatt.ch) who

new season ahead.

jaegerhof@zermatt.ch

OTM14 // 046

HOTEL JÄGERHOF

Matterhorn view.





AIR FREE 30 RED GREY Backpack £250

EXPLORAIR NG OCEAN BLUE Shell Jacket £400

EXPLORAIR NG TILE BLUE Shell Jacket £400

EXPLORAIR NG CERISE PINK Ski Pants £365

EXPLORAIR NG BLUE NIGHTS Ski Pants £365

MTN 40 HEATHER GREY Beanie £18

74 BLACK Poles £40

MNT TECH 30 GT PL WHITE GREY Gloves £100

POWD'AIR Skis £650

DANA BLACK PINK Goggles £85

LCG WHITE Goggles £165

POWD'AIR Skis £650

MTN 30 ROSIN GREEN Beanie £22.50

COLTEX Skins £160

MTN TECH 40 GT PL BLACK Gloves £90

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

047 // OTM14

 HOLLIS 100 SYCAMORE GREEN Insulated Ski Jacket £250 THE SKI Skis £500 DANA BLACK/PINK Goggles £85 MNT TECH 30 GT PL Gloves £100 MTN 40 HEATHER GREY Hats / Beanie £18

 CAMBIE TRUE RED Insulated Ski Jacket £285 JEWEL MATRIX WHITE MATT Helmet £95 LAYLA Skis £500 SNOW-TAC 30 HP WHITE BLACK Gloves £60 DANA WHITE Goggles £80

048 // OTM14

@INTHESNOWMAG

 LOMBARDO 100 JACKET MAUI BLUE Insulated Ski Jacket £295 LOMBARDO MARIGOLD Ski Pants £275

 BELMONT MARI GOLD Insulated Ski Jacket £285 LOMBARDO MAUI BLUE Ski Pants £275



74 SILVER Poles £40

COULTER STORM GREY/BLUE MATT Helmet £100

POWD'AIR Skis £650

LCG ORANGE Goggles £165

LCG BLUE Goggles £165

SNOW-TAC 30 HP BLACK Gloves £60

MTN TECH 40 GT PL BLACK Gloves £90

BLACK MAGIC Skis £525

CHASE GREY RED MATT Helmet £120

74 BLACK Poles £40

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

OTM14 // 049

 SCHÖFFEL JOSH - RED Insulated Ski Jacket £490 SCHÖFFEL IRVING DYNAMIC - BLACK Ski Pants £200 ROSSIGNOL EXPERIENCE Helmet £75 LCG ORANGE Scott Goggles £165 HEAD REV 80 Skis £490 Inc Binding HEAD ADAPTEDGE 90 Ski Boots £220

 SCHÖFFEL HARMONY - BLACK Insulated Ski Jacket £490 SCHÖFFEL FERGIE DYNAMIC - BLACK Ski Pants £200 HEAD ALIA Helmet £100 HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85 LEKI CHALLENGE Ski Poles £39.95 HEAD TOTAL JOY Skis £610 Inc Binding

OTM14 // 050

 SCHÖFFEL BELVEDERE WHITE Insulated Ski Jacket £390 SCHÖFFEL LATEMAR - WHITE Ski Pants £230 LEKI Ski Poles £39.95 HEAD ABSOLUTE JOY Skis £430 Inc Binding HEAD ALIA Helmet £100 HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85





ICEBREAKER OASIS Beanie £35

SCHÖFFEL KENT - BLUE Insulated Ski Jacket £390

SCHÖFFEL RYDER - BLACK Insulated Ski Jacket £590

SCHÖFFEL IRVING DYNAMIC - RED Ski Pants £200

SCHÖFFEL IRVING DYNAMIC Ski Pants £200

SINNER SUNBURST Sunglasses £40

ICEBREAKER NOVA Hat £32 HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85

@INTHESNOWMAG

 SCHÖFFEL BELVEDERE - BLACK Insulated Ski Jacket £390 SCHÖFFEL FERGIE DYNAMIC - BLACK Ski Pants £200 MANBI RUSH Sunglasses £24.95

 SCHÖFFEL JAKE - GREEN Insulated Ski Jacket With Integrated Hand Warmers £390 SCHÖFFEL IRVING DYNAMIC BLACK Ski Pants £200 ICEBREAKER POCKET Hat £20 HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

053 // OTM14



 SCHÖFFEL LILETH - RED Insulated Ski Jacket £290

SCHÖFFEL ALPETTE - BLACK Insulated Ski Jacket £440

SCHÖFFEL FERGIE DYNAMIC Ski Pants £200

HEAD TOTAL JOY Skis £610 Inc Binding

HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85

HEAD ABSOLUT JOY Skis £430 Inc Binding

HEAD ALIA Helmet £100

HEAD ALIA Helmet £100 For Schöffel stockists call 01572 770900

054 // OTM14

@INTHESNOWMAG

 SALOMON BRILLIANT JACKET LITTLE VIOLET Insulated Ski Jacket £300 SALOMON ICE GLORY PANT CASCADE GREEN Ski Pants £170 SALOMON FORCE GTX W Gloves £55 SALOMON SHIVA 115 Poles £35

SALOMON QUARTZ 167 Skis £500 SALOMON QUEST PRO 100 W Boots £320 SALOMON X-VIEW Goggles £65 SALOMON IVY LAVENDER GREY Beenie Hat £22

 SALOMON ICE GLORY PANT RED Ski Pants £170

SALOMON QUEST PRO 130 Boots £360

SALOMON SPIRIT GTX U YELLOWSTONE Gloves £100

SALOMON X-TEND YELLOW/ML MID RED Goggles £130

SALOMON X8 125 Poles £30

SALOMON LOGO BEANIE BLUE Beanie £15

SALOMON Q90 190 Skis £385

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

OTM14 // 055



 ROSSIGNOL SMASH JACKET Dark Denim Insulated Ski Jacket £260 ROSSIGNOL SMASH PANT Freeze Ski Pants £165 ROSSIGNOL SOUL 7’S Skis £600

OTM14 // 056

MANBI BEANIE Nordic Hat £22.99

SMARTWOOL ALPINE Gloves £35 LEKI VISTA Ski Poles £24.95 HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85

ROSSIGNOL MONSIEURE 1907 Down Jacket £260

ROSSIGNOL EXPERIENCE Helmet £75

ROSSIGNOL HERO STR PANTS Ski Pants £230

LEKI CARBON D Ski Poles £149.95

ROSSIGNOL EXPERIENCE 88 SKI Skis £575

LEKI Gloves £99.95 HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85

@INTHESNOWMAG

 ROSSIGNOL IDYLLIC JACKET Dark Denim Ski Jacket £260 ROSSIGNOL IDYLLIC Berry Ski Pant £165 ROSSIGNOL TEMPTATION 80 Skis £400 ROSSIGNOL FREE - BLACK Helmet £75 HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85 LEKI Ski Poles £39.95

 ROSSIGNOL COSMOS STR JACKET Goldenrod Insulated Ski Jacket £350 ROSSIGNOL MOON PANT White Ski Pants £120 ROSSIGNOL TEMPTATION 84 Skis £480 ROSSIGNOL GLORY - WHITE Helmet £60 HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85 LEKI CHALLENGE Ski Poles £39.95

 ROSSIGNOL ALL TRACK 120 Ski Boot £300

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

057 // OTM14

OTM14 // 058

 ASTRO Down Jacket £220

BONFIRE RUSSEL Insulated Ski Jacket £190

REMY Ski Pants £130

DAVIS Ski Pants £130

SHERPA Beanie £20

LAUNCH FAT LACE Boots £180

 PENROSE PANTS Ski Pants £140

 BRAVE Insulated Ski Jacket £220 SHERPA BEANIE Hats / Beanies £20

059 // OTM14

SALOMON PEARL Boots £140

WOMENS RIDGELINE 3L Shell Jacket £350 WOMENS RIDGELINE 2L Ski Pants £250 MENTOR LIVE FIT Helmet £120



MENS RIDGELINE 3L Shell Jacket £350 MENS CLIFFLINE 3L Ski Pants £330 NOMAD LIVEFIT Helmet £100

AFFINITY STORM Skis £480

AUTOMATIC 109 W/ TRACKER 13 BINDING Skis £450

SAVOR 3 PINK/BLUE ML + XLENS Goggles £85

REVEL 3M RED/RED ML Goggles £130

SALOMON FORCE GTX W Gloves £55

SALOMON SPIRIT GTX U Gloves £100 SALOMON X8 125 Poles £30

060 // OTM14

@INTHESNOWMAG

 SAAS FE JACKET Insulated Ski Jacket £350

SCOTT CELESTE Ski Boots £120

ST ANTON PANT Ski Pants £190

HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85

CAIAM III Mittens £80

HEAD TOTAL JOY Skis £610 Inc Binding

KOOTENAY II Beenie £27

LEKI CHALLENGE Ski Poles £39.95

 SOLDEN JACKET Insulated Ski Jacket £350 BORMIO PANT Ski Pants £190 OLYMPUS GLOVES Gloves £55 GARMISCH BI-FACE Beenie £20 HEAD CLASSIC Ski Poles £60 HEAD REV 80 Skis £490 Inc Binding

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

OTM14 // 061

 SHIBUYA DOWN JACKET Down Jacket £350 BAQUIERA PANT Ski Pants £170 SINNER SUNBURST Sunglasses £40 DATCHA GTX Glove £80 HEAD DREAM 100 Ski Boots £270 SINNER CRYSTAL Helmet £130

 MANHATTAN JACKET Insulated Ski Jacket £250 LA MOLINA PANT II Ski Pants £130 CAIAM III Mitten £80 MANBI PARK PEAK PISTE FUSE Sunglasses £19.95 SCOTT CELESTE Ski Boots £120

OTM14 // 062

 KANDA JACKET Insulated Ski Jacket £350 MANHATTAN PANT Ski Pants £160 ALPENGLOW II GTX Gloves £90 GARMISCH BI-FACE Beenie £20 HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85 SCOTT BLACK MAGIC Skis £250

 ALTA BADIA PANT Ski Pants £135 LILLEHEMMER Insulated Ski Jacket £300 GARMISCH BI-FACE Beenie £20 SCOTT LCG ORANGE Goggles £25 HEAD REV 80 Skis £490 Inc Binding OLYMPUS Gloves £55 LEKI CHECKERS Ski Poles £39.95

 APPOLA ONE PIECE Insulated Suit £479.99

OLANG BOOTS Overland - Unisex £95

JAM GLOVES Gloves £59.99

SINNER THUNDER Sunglasses £30

SINNER LOST VALLEY Beanie £15

 AWARD JACKET Insulated Jacket £289.99

DOOM GLOVES Gloves £35

AWARD PANT Pant £219.99

SINNER FURY Sunglasses £35

CLUB BEANIE Beanie £5

OLANG BOOTS X-Cursion - Mens £95

064 // OTM14

 SYDNEY Insulated Jacket £190

MOLLY Beanie £5

SYDNEY Pant £179.99

SINNER TOXIC Goggles £45

NAIL Gloves £35

OLANG FANTASY Boots £65

 ACTION JACKET Insulated Jacket £290

SINNER LOST VALLEY Beanie £15

ACTION PANT Pant £209.99

SINNER GALAXY Goggles £70

OLANG BOOTS Polo Mens £70

For Picture Stockists Call 01637 870640

066 // OTM14

 (Far Left)

ODLO JACKET HARDSHELL 3L GORE-TEX SPIRIT Shell Jacket £380 ODLO PANTS 3L GORE-TEX SPIRIT Ski Pants £330 OLANG LADIES HUPA Boots £105

(Middle Left)

ODLO VEST PRIMALOFT FAHRENHEIT Down Jacket £130 ODLO SHIRT L/S CREW NECK EVOLUTION WARM Skin Layers £65 ODLO PANTS 3L GORE-TEX SPIRIT Ski Pants £330 OLANG CENTAURO OC Boots £155

(Middle Right)

ODLO JACKET INSULATED COCOON X Down Jacket £270 ODLO PANTS 3L GORE-TEX SPIRIT Ski Pants £330 OLANG X-CURSION Boots £95

(Far Right)

ODLO JACKET INSULATED AIR COCOON Down Jacket £200 ODLO SHIRT REVOLUTION TW LIGHT Skin Layers £50 ODLO PANTS CARGO Ski Pants £80 OLANG BOOTS Overland - Unisex £95

OTM14 // 067





NTS LIGHT 195 CREW Skin Layers £69.99

NTS 195 ZIP T Skin Layers £74.99

PHD SMARTLOFT DIVIDE HOODY Mid Layer / Micro Fleece £209.90

PHD SMARTLOFT DIVIDE HOODY SPORT Mid Layers / Micro Fleece £209.99

NTS MID 250 BOTTOM Skin Layers £69.99 SKI TOWN HAT Hats / Beanies £29.99

NTS MID REVERSIBLE PATTERN Beanie £20.99 NTS LIGHT BOOT TOP BOTTOM Skin Layers £59.99 NTS MID PATTERN Gloves £22.99

068 // OTM14

@INTHESNOWMAG



FB.COM/INTHESNOW

(Far Left)

(Centre Left)

(Centre Right)

(Far Right)

HARRIET PARKA Jacket £350

EMANUEL PARKA Jacket £400

YED Jacket £180

SONJA Vest £160

KARIN HEAVY KNIT JKT Knitwear £150

EVERT HEAVY KNIT Sweater £140

SEGIN Pants £95

ASTA Skirt £150

GULLHOLMEN Beanie £40

SEGIN Pants £95

BRITT HEAVY KNIT Knitwear £140

HEZE WOMENS Pants £130

GULLHOLMEN Beanie £40

OLANG MUSICA Ladies Snow Boots £125

OTM14 // 069

 ALEXIS Insulated Ski Jacket £150 FAST Ski Pants £100 SINNER ASPEN WHITE Hat £16 SALICE FISHBOWL Goggles £70 OLANG BOOTS Overland £95

OTM14 // 070



TARRA Insulated Ski Jacket £170

TARFALA Insulated Ski Jacket £150

FAST Ski Pants £100

MAMBI COMMANDER Helmet £54.95 MANBI SCOPE Gloves £35.95 SALICE FLASH SONAR Goggles £85





FAST Ski Pants £100

TERRI Insulated Ski Jacket £110

DORIAN Down Jacket £90

FAST Ski Pants £100

MANBI PARK PEAK PISTE FUSE Sunglasses £19.95

MANBI MOTION Gloves £25.95

HEAD HORIZON Goggles £85 HEAD ANDOR Helmet £100

071 // OTM14

STOCKIST DETAILS

bonfiresnowboarding.com nikitaclothing.com

salomon.com

ardblairsports.com

01637 870640

eider.com

jp@facet-ltd.com 07712897409

01572 770900

01572 772437

atomic.com

sinner.eu sinner.eu/store-locator

scott-sports.com/ global/en

didriksons.com 01275 390451

head.com head.com/ski/store-finder

manbi.com

storefinder.rossignol.com

smartwool.com 01753 497190

snowandrock.co.uk 0845 100 1000

072 // OTM14

@INTHESNOWMAG

JUL IAN PHO CAR TO ERI R PH KH O STE TLE R

OTO COL ES AX

bernunlimited.com

#BERNSNOW

INTRODUCING THE

www.ultrasporteu.com e: bern@ultrasporteu.com

Zip Mold+

14/15 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS BOOKING UP FAST!

quickly and it’s partly down to

rather than being spread over

little quieter than New Year

says Schouller. “This year it

the stepping-up of the fines

several weeks as is more usually

and prices for Christmas are on

falls outside the main European

system for parents taking

the case.

average about 20% less than

holidays so prices can be half

children out of school in England

Other school holiday periods are

for New Year,” added Xavier

of what they are for February

during term time, they say.

busy too; “Christmas and New

Schouller of French ski holiday

half-term. Because of this we

In the case of the February

Year is selling really well and is

specialist Peak Retreats. “

expect it will be massively

half-term week (14–21 February

up over 40% year on year,” said

But it seems Easter 2015 may

popular, and a great alternative

2015), there is particularly

Marion Telsnig of Crystal Ski.

offer the best value for school

for those with school-age

intensive early booking,

Both Christmas and New Year

holiday bargain hunters.

children who want to get the

specifically for holidays to

holidays are the same weeks for

“With the main UK Easter

most for their money.”

France, as English, French, and

the whole of Europe, so there is

holiday week being back in

The second Easter week starting

our operators are reporting that

several other key European

usually even more concentration

March, the week of 28 March

on 4 April will be popular too,

school holiday periods for next

nations holidays are all

on that fortnight.

is booking well too and we

but it is also the first Belgian

winter are already booking up

concentrated on the same week,

“Traditionally Christmas is a

expect it will be very popular,”

holiday week so it will be busier.

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

info@codatravel.com CALL A SKI SPECIALIST 07827811477

www.codatravel.com

PHOTO Biege Jones

TAILOR-MADE SKI HOLIDAYS TO THE USA & CANADA

SLEEPING ON THE

SNOW

WHITEPOD

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LIVING IN HOMES MADE OF SNOW FOR MILLENNIA OF COURSE, BUT IT'S RATHER MORE RECENTLY THAT THE IDEA OF SPENDING A NIGHT IN A ROOM MADE OF SNOW AND ICE HAS CAUGHT ON IN THE WORLD'S SKI RESORTS. PATRICK THORNE REPORTS.

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OTM14 // 075

WHITEPOD

T OTM14 // 076

hese days it’s

Apart from the unique experience of a night

skin flap; limited light comes from minimal

possible to do just

staying in a structure made of snow, there

LED lighting. You’ll need to wear thermal

that at dozens of

can be a few unexpected advantages. For

underwear, a hat, socks, and, if you want,

locations in the

one thing, you’re likely to find you're located

gloves, and wrap yourself up in a thermal

Alps, Canada and

at the top of the ski slopes, which means

sleeping bag. Temperatures are a few

Scandinavia, often

you’ll have first tracks next morning when

degrees below zero, and the thick ice walls

surrounded by

everyone else is queuing at the bottom of the

deaden any sound. Your chance of a good

beautiful ice carvings,

mountain for the first lift up.

night’s sleep really depends on how quickly

and sometimes with

You’ll also be away from light pollution,

you get used to sleeping in thermals in a

surprising facilities to

meaning you’ll get a fantastic view of the

bag with a hat on – if you can adjust to the

enjoy – a hot tub in an igloo for example.

stars, presuming it’s a clear night, or if you’re

strangeness of that you can get a good kip,

Ice hotels and igloos are built from scratch

at a northern most location perhaps the

otherwise it may all seem a bit too odd for

at the end of autumn each year, usually a

Northern Lights, if you’re lucky, before you

you to be able to drift off. But at least you can

huge task involving thousands of tonnes

turn in for the night.

brag in the après-ski bar that you’ve done it.

of snow and ice, and are normally ready to

But what’s it like to sleep in an igloo or ice

If you’re booked on a package holiday, or

rent anytime from mid-December to early-

hotel? Or to try to. They do vary, but typically

travelling independently, you can usually add

January, up until they begin to melt away in

rooms are essentially empty (except for any

a night in an igloo or ice hotel room to your

April. So the one you book into will always

ice art) apart from a bed frame, with reindeer

stay. If you don’t want to sleep over, it’s also

be unique, especially built for that season.

skins on it for insulation. Doors are an animal

a popular option to visit for an evening meal @INTHESNOWMAG

IGLU DORF GMBH

ICE HOTEL

then head back down the mountain to your

has a chain of igloo villages in half a dozen

winter and from village to village.

this spectacular structure is made from

comfy warm hotel bed.

resorts from the Alps to Andorra. It offers

Recent themes have included Tales of the

ice blocks and pre-formed snow sections,

much more than just plain old igloos, creating

Arabian nights, and movie-inspired carvings

created using specially designed wooden

IGLOOS

designer romantic igloos, and installing hot

including a King Kong igloo, a Charlie Chaplin

arc-shaped frames to produce the required

tubs in some of its igloos too.

room, and Jurassic Park dinosaurs in one of

shape on which the snow freezes in place.

Igloos are the commonest form of snow

The company was established by Adrian

its restaurants.

The ice blocks are cut from the River and

accommodation in the Alps, popping up

Günter, a former ski and snowboard instructor,

stored in a giant refrigerated hangar. They are

every year on the mountains above many of

back in 1996, and uses around 3000 tonnes of snow at each of its locations, creating

ICE HOTELS

amazing things – about 1.8m long and 0.3m2,

the continent’s top resorts. Usually created as a network of individual

snow villages that cover around 1200m2

Ice hotels have been with us for more than

beautiful natural patterns in them – it is only

igloos linked by tunnels under the snow,

each. Seen then as a "daring idea", nearly two

20 years now, and the original ICEHOTEL in

once you visit that you can appreciate how

some are built the traditional way, with snow

decades later igloo villages are ever more

northern Sweden is a truly amazing structure.

much work is involved in its construction.

blocks gradually closing inwards to form a

popular, attracting around 8000 overnight

Located at Jukkasjärvi, a short distance from

The beautiful building is a big part of

roof, others with the more modern idea of

guests between them, and hosting many

the city of Kiruna (which you can fly into,

the hotel’s overall appeal as are the ice

inflating a giant room size balloon, covering

other people for visits and meals – one recent

or take a direct 12-hour sleeper train from

sculptures that fill it. Of course these take

it in snow, waiting for that to freeze, then

season alone Iglu Dorf reported it served 4.5

Stockholm), the ICEHOTEL is rebuilt each

time to create, but also need to be ready

deflating and removing the balloon!

tonnes of cheese fondue during the winter!

autumn on the shore of the vast frozen Torne

when the hotel opens in December, so

Alongside individual resort creations, one

Always innovating, the company has different

River.

they’re made in advance by ice sculptors who

award-winning Swiss company, Iglu Dorf,

themes for its ice and snow carving art each

Now a methodically planned, major business,

fly in from around the world to work in giant

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in varying shades from clear to blue with

INTHESNOW.COM // OTM14 // 077

sub-zero art studios beforehand. You see it is

A Glass Igloo is a relatively new idea in

quite an operation.

Scandinavia. Shaped like a traditional domed

The hotel comprises around 40 bedrooms,

igloo, it has a glass roof, with the bed placed

sleeping up to 80 people. There are also

directly below so you can look up at the

various public rooms, including the popular

starry sky, and hopefully the aurora too.

ice bar and an ice chapel. There’s also a

The Kakslauttanen Centre in northern Finland,

warm, dry room where you can change and

is 15 minutes from the ski area of Saariselkä

use the bathroom.

(which is included in the Inghams brochure,

This is also a great location for spotting the

who offers stays at Kakslauttanen as an add-

Northern Lights, due to low levels of light

on). For 2014–15 Kakslauttanen is creating new

pollution in the area, and its northerly latitude.

family-sized four bed glass igloos, to add to the

It’s also a top spot for getting married using

existing doubles, as well as its traditional igloos.

the ice chapel.

Whitepod was launched around a decade

The Ice Hotel also has also launched a

ago as a kind of luxury gourmet eco camp

chain of ice bars in cities around the world,

in the snow, originally above the resort of

modelled on the ice bar in the Hotel, where

Villars, Switzerland, but now it’s perched in its

coloured vodkas are served in ice tumblers –

own private ski area of Les Cerniers, close to

fortunately it takes two or three drinks before

the Swiss section of the Portes du Soleil, with

body heat thaws a hole in them! They’re

its own drag lift and a 700m vertical.

then cast on a growing pile of discarded ice

The ex-NASA pods have wood-burning

glasses ready to melt back into the River in

stoves, luxurious fittings, and there’s a

the spring, along with the rest of the hotel,

mountain hut serving gourmet meals on-site.

which is entirely gone by June.

Finally, you can, of course, make your own

If you want to ski on your trip, the nearby

igloos, the old-fashioned way – or dig a snow

city of Kiruna does have a small ski area,

hole to sleep in. The mountain guides in

but there are bigger areas, including

many ski resorts, including at CairnGorms in Scotland, offer this as an option – either for fun or as a survival camp activity.

ICE HOTEL

"YOU'RE LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE SLOPES, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE FIRST TRACKS NEXT MORNING WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS QUEUING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MOUNTAIN"

Most organised is the Swiss resort of Adelboden, which offers enthusiastic igloo lovers the chance to build their own as part of an organised weekend in mid-March each season. Equipped with shovels and snow saws, the igloo builders set about creating the shelters in which they will spend the night. Building one yourself can be a bit primitive compared with the options listed above, but at least it’s the real deal, harking back to the days long before people had the idea of putting a hot tub in an igloo! Plus, you have

Björkliden (bjorkliden.com) and world-famous

the added satisfaction of knowing you’ve built

Riksgränsen, around 90 minutes to 2 hours

your home for the night yourself.

away, good for a two-centre holiday. Other ice hotels include the Lainio Snowhotel, close to the ski areas of Levi

RESORTS

and Ylläs in northern Finland. Covering an area of 20,000m2, some 1.5m kilos of snow

Andorra: Grandvalira

and 300,000kg of crystal clear, natural ice

Finland: Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä

are used for the construction of this 30-

France: La Plagne

room hotel. The Hôtel de Glace, located 10

Germany: Garmisch

minutes from Quebec City, is another option,

Slovenia: Kranjska Gora

very close to ski areas, including Stoneham,

Switzerland: Davos, Engelberg, Gstaad, Les

Mont-Sainte-Anne, and Le Massif.

Cerniers, Zermatt

UK: CairnGorm

VARIATIONS Hot Igloos from Iglu Dorf are in fact heated

LINKS

igloo-shaped tents, which allow you to stay

OTM14 // 078

on the mountain, but in a cosy furnished

Hôtel de Glace: hoteldeglace-canada.com

all-weather tent with "winter grade insulation".

IceHotel: icehotel.se

Each is luxuriously equipped with a wood-

Iglu Dorf: iglu-dorf.com/en

burning stove and double bed, and directly

Inghams: inghams.co.uk/ski-holidays

connected to the igloo village. They’re

Kakslauttanen: kakslauttanen.fi

available at Engelberg-Titlis, St Moritz, and

Kranjska Gora: eskimska-vas.si/en

Zermatt, all in Switzerland, and guests can

Lainio Snow Hotel: snowvillage.fi

combine a warm night in a hot igloo with a

La Plagne Igloos: blacksheep-igloo.com

colder one in a genuine igloo.

Whitepod: whitepod.com @INTHESNOWMAG

South Tyrol ... Italy with a twist

South Tyrol is Italy at its best â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with an added dash of Alpine influence. Discerning skiers enjoy guaranteed snow coverage on 90% of slopes, cosy huts very close by and an awe-inspiring backdrop of the Dolomites. Add to that, 300 days of sunshine a year, delicious food fusing Italian and alpine flavours and quality regional wines and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear to see why South Tyrol really is Italy with a twist. www.suedtirol.info

Born in Chamonix Atris shaped by Julien Regnier www.blackcrows-skis.com

ROSS WOODHALL

EUROPE’S MOST EXPENSIVE TICKET GETS MORE EXPENSIVE

T he cost of a lift pass for the Zermatt International ski area, covering 360km of piste including Europe’s highest, and

those of Cervinia and Valtournenche over the Italian border, will rise for the first time in 4 years next winter, says the

famous Swiss resort. The average price increase will be 3.5%. A 6-day adult pass will cost CHF434 (currently around £290), which is believed to be substantially more than any other

European lift pass. This represents a rise of CHF11 (£7) during the main season from 29 November 2014–19 April 2015. A lift pass costing a lot less, but covering the same area, can be purchased more cheaply in Cervinia, but must be used first on the Italian side. A cheaper Zermatt-only pass is also available for those happy to stay on the Swiss side. Zermatt is encouraging guests to buy online in advance via matterhornparadise.ch/tickets. There’s no automatic online discount, but the resort says there will be limited time offers, with savings of up to 20% on standard rates, publicised on the site, and via the Zermatt Bergbahnen page on Facebook. Although the adult price may be Europe’s highest, child discounts at Zermatt are among Europe’s most generous, with children aged under 10 free of charge, and children aged 10–16 paying half-price, so overall family costs may work out cheaper than at other resorts where adult tickets cost less, but child tickets are more. The cost of buying lift tickets in several of Europe’s other top resorts will rise a little next season too, although the actual price difference is likely to be down to the strength of sterling more than any resort price rises. In France the 6-day adult Les 3 Vallées pass rises by just over 2%, from €277 to €283 in the main season – currently around £224. There are lower prices for individual sectors, and in low season weeks at the start and end of the season. Families and groups of two or three people buying tickets together also receive discounts. Children pay around 75% of the adult price (€228/£180) from age 5 for a Les 3 Vallées pass, and the full adult price from age 13. A 6-day adult Mont Blanc unlimited pass for the full region around Chamonix will be €285 (there are cheaper passes for smaller areas available), and an Espace Killy pass will be €260.

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OTM14 // 081

THE SNOW-CAMP ALPINE CHALLENGE

whilst raising money for youth

opportunity to pack as much

“Participants will typically save

medals and certificates, hog

charity Snow-Camp.

skiing, snowboarding, and night

£100+ which will cover the

roast and a free drink on the first

Teams of 4–5 riders must clock

snowshoeing action into the

registration fee. We also pledge

night of the event and entrance

up 150km of GPS-tracked skiing

shortest space of time possible,

that 100% of profit on all the

to the après-ski party.

or snowboarding over two non-

but they also help raise funds to

Alpine Challenge bookings

The 2014 challenge broke records

stop days, across more than a

support inner-city young people.

made through us will go directly

and raised over £40,000 for Snow-

dozen resorts in the massive

The Alpine Challenge 2015 will

to Snow-Camp fundraising,”said

Camp’s work, which involves

Portes du Soleil ski area. The

also benefit from the support from

Dan Fox, Managing Director of

using a combination of skiing,

event is all about strategy,

new key partner Ski Weekends,

Ski Weekends.

snowboarding, and life-skills

pen to all, The Snow-Camp

stamina, teamwork, and fun, but

which is offering heavily

The Snow-Camp Alpine

programmes to support inner-city

Alpine Challenge, is a unique

best of all, it’s for a great cause.

discounted packages (including

Challenge is based in Morzine,

young people. The programmes

2-day snow sports endurance

By taking part in the 2-day

accommodation, flights, transfers,

Portes du Soleil, France and

aim to enable young people to

event, designed to give teams

endurance event, which takes

and ski hire) exclusively to those

registration is £100pp (£400

grow in confidence and develop

a skiing and snowboarding

place from 12–15 March 2015,

participating in the Snow-Camp

per team), and includes entry to

as individuals and make positive

experience they will never forget

contenders not only have the

Alpine Challenge weekend.

the event, bibs, GPS tracking,

choices for their lives.

SKI BOOT LAB

www.profeet.co.uk/skiing

PROFEET ARE THE UK SPECIALISTS IN SKI BOOTS, SKI BOOT FITTING, CUSTOM SKI INSOLES & CUSTOM LINERS

A personal assessment with a skilled ski boot fitter

Biomechanical analysis and ski simulation to test boots

Custom insoles to support your feet and improve fit*

Shell customisation and foam liners comfort and precision

Call 020 7736 0046 Profeet 867 Fulham Road, London, SW6 5HP *depending on appointment type

PROMOTION

SKI HOLIDAYS BETTER BY TRAIN

A rriving at the ski slopes by train is

becoming ever more popular as increasing

numbers of skiers realise that it has many

most environmentally-friendly way to

London St Pancras and Ashford International to

advantages over air travel.

travel to the mountains.

the French Alps (on sale now from £149 return),

These include:  Generous luggage allowance, and no additional charges for ski carriage.

 More time on the slopes due to the early arrival and late departure of overnight trains.

other indirect services can be booked from mid-October to ski resorts all over Europe,

Although rail trips do, of course, take longer

allowing you, for example, to travel to the

 Short check-in times.

than by air, the fact that you don’t have to

Italian resorts of Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere

 Travel into the heart of the mountains

travel to the airport, park, and spend several

via Paris, or to Switzerland (either Geneva or

rather than a distant airport, so alleviating

hours before you even board the flight, with

Lausanne), again via Paris, where you can pick

the need for long transfers.

the same process at the other end then a

up local Swiss services to the slopes.

transfer coach, means it often doesn’t add up

To find out more about taking the train

watch stunning Alpine scenery from your

to much longer, is usually much less stressful,

this winter, visit voyages-sncf.com, or call

window or Take in the stunning Alpine

and (especially if you take your own gear and

0844 848 5848, or if you’re in London pop

scenery as you relax en route to the slopes.

book early) can be cheaper.

into the Voyages-sncf Travel Centre at 193

Along with Eurostar Direct Ski services from

Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU.

 A more relaxing way to travel as you

 Good for your conscience – by far the

hilst w d n i m Peace of slopes! e h t n o e you'r

z, lpe d'Heu nies in A n a n , d ts e e sG qualifi rzine, Le Reliable lpes, Mo A x , Tignes u e ia D n Les La Ta l, e v e h c r Cou Meribel,

k nies.co.u n a ln e g n wa www.sno

ing level d u l c n i rogram p p a g k e cations fi i l 8 we a u q I AS 1 and 2 B

ily weeks ps, Fam m m a c e c n a and Slalo Perform nt Slalom ia G g ainin & Race tr

m ching.co a o c i k s p o @INTHESNOWMAG www.tipt

T H E U K’S LE A D ING WI NT ER SP ORT S S PEC IAL IS T CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT & FOOTWEAR

STORES NATIONWIDE Shop online at www.snowandrock.com

TAKING THE CAT SKIING

(pierreetvacances.co.uk) say that its family

rules on taking pets abroad 2 years ago,

ethos of ”playing together and staying

the number of people taking their dogs,

together” also extends to pets, as long as

cats, and even ferrets abroad, each

they have a valid rabies certificate.

microchipped, vaccinated, and holding their

All Pierre & Vacances properties are mutt

own pet passport, is increasing.

and cat-friendly, with pet prices from €55

Ferry companies are reporting an increase

(£44) per week (booked in advance) –

in pet travel business. Last year DFDS

which is likely to be anything from a third to

Seaways transported 42,129 pets across its

a quarter of the cost of a week in a kennel

eastern Channel routes, a 14% year-on-year

or cattery. It does, however, cost to take

increase, and another operator, LD Lines,

your pet across the Channel, for example,

also reported a 29% increase in pet travel

£16 to carry pets each way with Eurotunnel,

last year on its Portsmouth–Le Havre route.

and £19 per carriage with DFDS Seaways,

In ski resorts, accommodation providers are

and there are also pet passport costs and

reported to be responding to the growing

vaccinations to factor in.

pet travel, and in some cases it can work

Pierre & Vacances is currently offering a

out cheaper to take your pet with you,

20% discount on accommodation for early

rather than pay for a kennels or a cattery

bookings. Deals include a week in the

stay back home (especially at peak times,

new 4★ Residence Atria-Prices in Avoriaz,

when there can be problems finding a

France, for which prices start from £632

space for your pet).

(reduced from £790, saving 20%) based on

The biggest French accommodation

four sharing a one bedroom apartment (and

provider Pierre & Vacances

their pet), arriving 12 December for 7 nights.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Following the introduction of simpler

086 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

ENJOY SOME MOUNTAIN HEAVEN

search priority, it is wise to look at the

The company offers both self-catering

sources you are researching from first.

apartments and fully catered chalets.

Look for companies with a proven

All of its properties are slopeside, or

reputation for customer service, high

within 200m of the slopes, with no

levels of repeat business, established

long walks or bus rides to the lifts. And

reputations, ones that guarantee no

there are no hidden extras, with all bed

annoying hidden extra prices, and ones

linen, towels, and local taxes included

that are fully financially bonded against

in the price for all of their self-catered

all eventualities. Offering great value

apartments, and no hidden charges

for money is an added bonus.

in any of their catered chalets either.

Mountain Heaven, an independent

Finally, the company is a member of

family-owned company, has been

ABTOT, the Association of Bonded

inally tracking down your perfect ski

providing high value, catered and self-

Travel Organisers Trust Limited, which

resort accommodation from a brochure

catered, chalet holidays in the French

provides added financial security if

or website is always an exciting

and Swiss Alps since 2003.

things ever went wrong.

Mountain Heaven has several new catered chalets

moment, but all too often the reality

It’s a business that has been

“We are very proud of the fact that we

for the 2014–15 ski season, including a brand new

does not quite match the anticipation.

successful thanks in large part to

have gained a reputation for looking

one being built for the company in La Plagne 1800,

When things don’t live up to

the owners’ extensive knowledge

after our guests, and have developed

Boule de Neige, and their first in La Tania, located

expectations it can be down to

of the resorts where they operate,

our holidays through listening to, and

between Courchevel and Méribel in Les 3 Vallées,

things like poor customer service,

their experience, and their genuine

acting on, our guest’s suggestions,”

called Vallon Blanc. Always looking at ways to

the annoyance of unexpected

passion for the mountains.

said Company Director and Founder

improve their services even more, new for this

additional costs on top of the price

Mountain Heaven has grown steadily

Nick Williams who runs Mountain

year, when you book a full chalet with Mountain

you thought you had to pay, and in

over the years, from firm roots in La

Heaven with his wife Vicki.

Heaven, you automatically get free private

the worst case scenario the company

Plagne, France, and now featuring

mountainheaven.co.uk

transfers from any local airport or train station,

disappearing altogether with your

seven of the best resorts in France

0151 625 1921

whilst part chalet bookings are still able to get free

money, leaving you with no holiday

and Switzerland, each of which offer

and no compensation.

superb skiing, and are high enough

So rather than going straight to seeking

to guarantee great snow cover all

your perfect accommodation as your

season long.

 PROMOTION

NEW FOR 2014/15

shared transfers to and from Geneva airport.

INTHESNOW.COM // OTM14 // 087

TOPHER DONAHUE_MONTAGE

 PROMOTION 088 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

run exclusive off-piste skiing powder

further west to Alaska, to Chile in the

development trips to Europe for those

southern hemisphere during our summer,

who’dlike to test the water first. Otherwise,

and also to Sweden.

CMH Heli-Skiing run specialist Powder Intro trips designed to introduce novice

TOP VALUE

off-piste skiers to deep powder skiing.

Of course, heli-skiing does not come cheap,

Skiing with like-minded skiers on skis the

but like the myth that you have to be an

width of snowboards, plus video tuition,

expert skier to try it, it’s also untrue that you

can do wonders for your skills, but more

need to be a millionaire to afford it.

importantly, confidence.

Pure Powder’s Combo Resort and Heli-Skiing

It is good to be fit before you go though

trips in Canada offer a full powder skiing

in order to really enjoy your heli-skiing

adventure, for much less than a week’s full-on

experience, and Pure Powder has created

heli-skiing. A package, including 3 days of

eli-skiing can seem like an impossible

its own ski fitness programme, with the

resort skiing and 3 days of high-octane heli-

dream to many of us. You’ve seen the glossy

help of Craig McLean who runs the Putney

skiing, starts from £2850pp.

magazine pictures, perhaps watched a

Chiropractic Centre (and is an avid ski

Based in the interior ranges of BC,

video, but could you really do it yourself?

enthusiast). This can be downloaded free of

participants have

Most are happy on the piste, but never really

charge from the company’s website.

access to some of

see the “wow” factor of off-piste (which

the deepest, most consistent powder

have the technical ability to swoop down a

CANADA – WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

slope of deep powder like they do in those

The 2015 season marks the 50th

and can tailor their

ski movies.

anniversary of heli-skiing, originally

package to suit their

Established in 1978, Pure Powder

“If I can do it then anyone can,” says

pioneered by Austrian mountaineer Hans

personal preferences,

is the exclusive UK partner of CMH

now-confirmed heli-skier Suzy Small, who

Gmoser who had emigrated to Canada

with a choice of

Heli-Skiing, the world’s largest heli-

made her initial heli-ski ascent 5 years ago

14 years before. Gmoser’s apparently

resorts. For the first

ski holiday operator; while Pure

making her first turns on light fluffy Canadian

fanciful idea was an almost instant hit,

portion of the trip you

Powder itself is the biggest and

powder, having never before even ventured

and the company he had founded in

choose how many

most experienced heli-ski travel

off-piste, nor having ever really progressed

1959, Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH),

days you want to ski

agency in the UK.

past that infamous “intermediate plateau”.

launched its heli-ski division in 1965. Within

in a resort, and which

Visit purepowder.com for lots of

“Ideally we wouldn’t recommend doing

3 years the original Bugaboo lodge, with

one you prefer. This

useful, down-to-earth information

what Suzy did, and we don’t send out

accommodation for 35, had opened. This

can be anything from

on heli-skiing and off-piste ski

beginner skiers,” says Charlie Brooksbank

would prove to be the first of many, as

2–4 days at Kicking

holidays in Canada and around

of specialist London-based heli-ski travel

Gmoser pioneered heli-skiing in other

Horse for ski in/out

the world, including practical

agency Pure Powder. “We know our market,

famous Canadian mountain regions in

convenience and

advice, fitness tips, and customer

and we pride ourselves on talking to every

subsequent decades. CMH has now grown

loads of off-piste, or

testimonials.

guest before they book their trip ensuring

to be the largest heli-ski operator in the

perhaps at Revelstoke,

To obtain a DVD or brochure, you

they’re going to the right area, on the right

world, while many others have sprung up

which offers the

can also call: 020 7736 8191, or

programme for them.”

around the planet. Pure Powder has been

biggest lift-served

email: info@purepowder.com.

“But fear of this ‘extreme sport’ is a myth we

working with CMH for more than 35 years.

vertical in North

seems more like hard work!), and may never

are constantly trying to put to rest. Anyone

PURE POWDER

America, or even at world-famous Banff/

skier or above in the Alps can have a blast

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE CANADA

heliskiing,” adds Brooksbank.

It’s true to say that Canada is the home of

to the Big Three ski resorts.

heli-skiing. It all started here, and there are

Once you’ve tuned your powder skiing

IT’S THE SNOW, STUPID!

probably more serious operators in British

legs you’re ready for the main event; 3, 4,

While many have failed to get the powder

Columbia (BC) alone, than in the rest of the

or 5 full days of heli-skiing, with the most

bug rattling over wind-blown slab, or cutting

world put together.

experienced heli-ski operator in the world.

through cottage-cheese-like snow in the

But there are millions of acres of pristine

Heli-skiing in the heart of BC, famed for

Alps, Canadian powder, the stuff that the

mountainside to be found at locations

the driest, lightest, champagne powder,

helicopters lift you up to, is light, fluffy, and

ski lifts will probably never reach, but

you’ll experience 10–12 drops per day on

almost weightless. Equipped with wide skis

helicopters can, and heli-ski operations have

average, skiing in a group of 11 guests led

it’s a magical experience, almost like floating

popped up all over the world over the last

by your CMH guide.

– one which intermediate level skiers who

20–30 years.

At the end of each ski day the powerful twin-

have never even ventured off-piste before

So if you don’t fancy Canada, or if you’re

jet Bell 212 helicopter transports guests back

can quickly master. Better skiers will, of

lucky enough to have “been there, done

to the lodge to relax, where they can choose

course, find it easier still.

that” (although to be honest if you have

to soak in the hot tub, relax around the open

Pure Powder, who is the UK’s most

you’re likely to want to keep doing it

fire, then enjoy a hearty dinner with the

experienced and largest heli-ski specialist,

indefinitely), Pure Powder also offer trips

guides, whilst swapping heli-ski anecdotes.

who is a good intermediate level piste

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

skiing on the planet,

Lake Louise for access

OTM14 // 089

IT HAS TO BE... SIMPLY VAL D’ISÈRE f you’re planning a trip to Val

these days in light of people turning

simplyvaldisere.com/testimonials.htm.

d’Isère (and why would you

up to fake chalets last winter!

Simply Val d’Isère’s service sees

want to ski anywhere else?!)

Simply Val d’Isère can also sort out

guests rebooking year after year,

you’ll find a lot of different

your ski passes, tuition, ski hire,

and recommending them to their

packages on the market, but

transport, childcare, events, resort

friends/family.

there’s only one agency that

information, concierge service … in

To find out more please call:

specialises exclusively on

fact anything you might require.

0845 021 0222, email:

the famous French resort,

The company’s website has a new

info@simplyvaldisere.com, or

and can offer a far wider

search engine, with access to location

browse simplyvaldisere.com.

selection of accommodation

maps, floor plans, pricing guides,

than any other.

resort information and guides,

Simply Val d’Isère has 16

webcams, and lots more – including

years’ experience in the re-

feedback from existing customers:

sort, and has built up an unrivalled contacts network. Uniquely, the company also has staff in-resort during the season to provide advice and assistance whenever required, with a personal contact number given to guests. The specialist travel and accommodation agent can help you choose your perfect place in the village from its huge portfolio, which includes more than 200 self-catered apartments, 120 catered chalets, and 30 hotels, for all budgets. Simply Val d’Isère is also 100% financially bonded so all bookings are protected – quite important

OTM14 // 090

 PROMOTION

 POC FORNIX BACKCOUNTRY MIPS

 SLYTECH VEST BACKPRO XT

£175

£199

One of the safest lightweight helmets

Built to protect you from the

available, the Fornix Backcountry MIPS

impact of whatever you take

is ideal for all your freeride adventures.

on. The flexible memory foam

Its combination of MIPS technology and

softens with the warmth of your

its strong, energy absorbing, aramid

back, making it feel very pliable

reinforced shell gives you excellent

and unrestrictive for every move

protection. The Fornix is also a well-

you make. Have a crash and the

ventilated helmet keeping you cool when

back protector goes rigid on

you’re working hard.

impact, dissipating more impact than almost any other multiimpact back protector available.

 LINE MAGNUM OPUS SKI £550

BLACK CROWS  ATRIS SKI £580

Just when you thought freeride skis

After skiing the Nocta we thought we’d

couldn't get any better, Eric Pollard creates

found our first truly performance fat

the NEW Magnum Opus! The combination

ski that can still rip it up on piste, but

of a wider, longer and lighter cloud-core

the Atris has just made our day even

construction with an early rise tip gives

more! Giving you float for ripping the

you a super floaty and easy turning

light fluffy powder, stability for charging

freeride ski. This ski will take you as far as

heavy crud, but still agile when it comes

you want to go, and put a smile on your

to skiing on piste.

face while you do it.

 MAMMUT ALYESKA PROTECTION AIRBAG VEST £590 The ultimate freeride avalanche backpack, that you’ll forget your wearing! This combines high safety features with the comfortable hugging fit of a vest. Its slim fit means there’s no need to take off your pack to sit on lifts, but still big enough to carry your shovel and probe.

 FULL TILT DROPKICK SKI BOOT £290

 BLACK DIAMOND EXPEDITION 3 £69 A reliable three-section adjustable pole, with solid dual FlickLocks, and a

It was hard to miss the bright green Dropkick at

comfortable, extended foam grip. The Expedition 3 offers maximum versatility

the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics! Recognised as a

and maximum adjustability, whether you’re skiing on-piste, off-piste or ski

leader in freestyle and freeride boot technology, the

touring. Keep afloat off-piste with its accessory 10cm powder baskets. The

3-piece construction eliminates the need for thick

poles collapse down to approx 24cm.

overlapping plastics, making this boot one of the lightest on the market. 100% heat mouldable, the fit is warm and super comfortable, with wide scope for adjustments to suit your unique feet.

OTM14 // 092

 SCARPA SKI BOOT F1 EVO £500 Scarpa's revolution of the "Classic" touring boot. Designed to be lightweight and simple, the F1 Evo is a put on and go boot for dedicated Alpine tourers who still want performance. Its clever tour mode automatically locks into ski mode when the boot heel is clipped into the binding, and automatically frees the cuff into walk mode when you start touring.

ORTOVOX ZOOM+ TRANSCEIVER £179  When it comes to transceivers, simplicity is key for ease of use under pressure. Clear direction arrows and distance measurements means you won’t get flustered when it matters. Easy to hold and slim in your pocket. At this attainable price there's no excuse for riding off-piste without a Transceiver.

HEAD PURE JOY SKI £335 INCL BINDING With its unique shape, the Pure JOY is designed for you to ski down any piste with ease. It’s super light construction and generous shape will give you a lovely manoeuvrable ski, whether you want a casual piste cruiser or you’re after a bit more of a sporty lively feel.

 SCOTT LCG GOGGLES £150

 SHRED HALF-BRAIN D-LUX £130 For the utmost protection, Shred have integrated Slytech

The reigning champion in goggles is back for a

2nd Skin XT, a progressive shock-absorbing material which

third year. Featuring Scott's award-winning Lens

dissipates any impacts from your head, customisable venting

Change Slider system, making lens swap easy

system keeps you cool when it's warm, and warm when

even when you’re wearing gloves. Scott Spherical

it's cold, and the X-static antimicrobial silver fibre in the

OptiView lenses are super strong, optically correct

removable lining helps to control that sweaty helmet smell.

and distortion free, and with an anti-fog treatment permanently bonded to the lens your vision couldn’t get much better.

MORE AT SKIBARTLETT.COM  FALKE SK5 SKI SOCKS £29 A thin very close fitting sock, ideal for racers, instructors, and people who want greater feeling in their ski boots. Falke Socks are without a doubt the best ski socks on the market – with warm Thermolite combined with 32% silk. The SK5 socks were developed for the Austrian ski team, what a better recommendation.

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! INTHESNOW.COM // OTM14 // 093

 FISCHER WOMEN'S VACUUM HYBRID 10+ £449

 FISCHER ALPATTACK SKI £519 Fischer are revitalising their touring and

The Hybrid is Fischer's most

mountaineering range this season. Their new

versatile ski boot, with the Hike /

Air Tec technology, mills out material from

Ride / Lock feature. With its two

the core where it isn’t needed, reducing the

flex positions and walk mode,

weight of the ski by 25%. A lightweight touring

giving you the option of two

ski, giving you a more effortless skin up to the

performing boots in one! And

top, whilst maintaining a great feeling on the

don’t forget its ultralight heat

downhill section of your ski tour.

mouldable Vacu-plast shell, utilising a vacuum process to create a unique comfortable foot-shaped boot.

 SWEET IGNITER ALPINISTE £179 The Sweet Igniter Alpiniste helmet is engineered to meet the demands of professional mountain guides and freeride

 MAMMUT GUIDE WORK GLOVE £85

tourers. It uses a superlight impact resistant shell with a rubber toughened construction,

The tough one, a durable warm glove for

and CDIP (Composite Drop Impact

years of use or just a season of abuse.

Protection) an internal composite shell

Seasonaires, mountain guides, instructors

covering the crown of the helmet, giving

and lift staff know quality when they see it,

you better protection from falling debris.

cow hide leather in places where durability is required, sheepskin leather in areas where flexibility is needed, and a DRYtech waterproof membrane.

 SHRED SHRASTAWOOD GLASSES £130-150 Blues brothers meets classic Italian design and craftsmanship! Classic, timeless sunnies that not only look awesome, but also do the job of protecting your eyes extremely well! Using the highest quality lenses by Carl Zeiss Vision you are guaranteed to experience superior protection, precision and performance.

 DOUCHEBAGS SLIM JIM £99.99 The skiers’ brand of luggage, developed by skiing legend Jon Olssen as the fusion of passion and necessity. Douchebags are cleverly designed and super durable. Featuring a Length

 ATOMIC HAWX 2.0 120

Adjustment System, making the bag easily adjustable to all skis

£329

you are travelling with, always

This best selling boot just got better. The legendary Hawx fit hasn't changed but it now has the addition of Memory Fit, a heat mouldable plastic shell, which can be customised for an even better fit. The Hawx performance has also increased with flex zones in the sole giving you better balance and more feel.

providing a rigid structure for safe and comfortable transportation.

 SIDAS PRO FOOT WARMING SYSTEM £199 Cold feet? This is the solution. A super thin heating element attaches to your existing footbed and is heated up by a compact rechargeable battery. Provides heat for up to 8 hours, at three levels of heat dependent on the weather. And dry your boots in the evening whilst charging them ready for the next day!

GAP ISIA LEVEL 4

HIGH PASS RATES GUARANTEED JOBS COOL UNIFORMS SPECIAL PROMOTION > CHANCE TO WIN YOUR MONEY BACK. CHECK IT OUT AT ALTITUDE-FUTURES.COM

CAMPAIGN TO REOPEN SCOTTISH SKI AREA RENEWED A campaign to renovate and restore two

and Islands Enterprise, when it began a

future British Olympians at Cairngorm

chairlifts at Cairngorm ski area in Scotland

2-year process to seek a new operator for the

Mountain. These athletes will win gold

has been renewed by pressure group ”Save

facilities on Cairngorm Mountain in 2012.

medals at the Winter Olympics in 2018 and

the Ciste” (savetheciste.com), as the currently

A company called Natural Retreats UK Ltd

the Summer Olympics in 2020,” he said.

publicly-owned and run ski area comes under

took over private ownership of the operating

Unfortunately, X Games owner ESPN

private operation for the coming winter.

company (CairnGorm Mountain Ltd) on

announced in late 2013 it is withdrawing from

Cairngorm Mountain’s ski area is made up of

a 25-year long-term lease in June. The

staging international versions of the events

two halves: Coire Cas and Coire na Ciste. The

company’s website says that since it was

in Brazil, France, and Spain, and running

Ciste and Westwall chairlifts were shutdown

founded in 2004, it has grown to operate in

future X Games in the US only for economic

in 2005, during a period of poor winters, with

18 destinations across Europe and the USA.

reasons, which led to the cancellation of the

resulting lower revenue for the ski area.

Natural Retreats’ Founder and CEO Matthew

X Games in Tignes, France, last winter.

While served by two

An initial statement

chairlifts and two surface

from Save the Ciste

lifts, Coire na Ciste is a

highlighted the plan

haven for intermediate to expert skiers and snowboarders, serving a unique variety of extensive natural terrain of the sort that is not available in Coire Cas. The campaign to

“We will nurture, develop and create future British Olympians at Cairngorm Mountain”

restore the lifts was

096 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

of Cairngorm did not include any provision for improving what the group described as, “inadequate snowsports uplift capacity,” adding “the 5-year plan therefore fails to address the major concerns of

first launched during

WORDS: PATRICK THORNE

for redevelopment

snowsport customers.”

the 2010 season, when a good season

Spence issued a lengthy statement on taking

However, representatives of Natural Retreats

was recorded. Subsequent generally good

over at Cairngorm, which confirmed investment

and Save the Ciste met in July, and initial steps

winters have meant that the rolling 5-year

of over £6m over 5 years, largely funded by

were agreed to look into practical and financial

average skier day figure has climbed to over

public body Highlands and Islands Enterprise,

issues involved in reopening the area.

104,000 per season, twice what the 5-year

along with his hope to bring the American

“It was agreed, on the day, that the campaign

average was in 2007. The pressure group

summer and winter X Games to the ski centre.

would produce a detailed plan for the

has an online petition to restore the lifts,

He also expressed his company’s desire to

redevelopment of Coire na Ciste. This plan

which to date has nearly 3000 signatures.

work with local people and businesses.

will then be presented to Natural Retreats,

CairnGorm Mountain did put forward plans

Mr Spence also announced his company’s

following which we’ll jointly investigate the

to partially reopen the area, but these were

commitment to the British ski and snowboard

economic/financial case,” said a statement

shelved by the public operator, Highlands

team, “We will nurture, develop and create

from the pressure group.

@INTHESNOWMAG

FREE APP FOR ALL DEVICES Get the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest ski and snowboard magazine free, find last minute holiday deals, access premium ski content, exclusive competitions, unique ski hotel and chalets guides, and stay up to date with great snow reports

of Colorado residents are using marijuana at least once a month

Dope Tourism

121

metric tonnes of pot will be consumed in Colorado annually, 9 tonnes by tourists

“Far Larger Than Predicted” in Colorado Initial results from a study commissioned

alcohol) is not accepted, and that using

"The ski industry has a strong opposition to

by Colorado state marijuana regulators,

dope on Federal forest land, which many of

the appropriation of ski resort symbols for

and conducted by the Marijuana Policy

the centres have their slopes on, remains

marijuana use," Jenn Rudolf from Colorado

Group, a collaboration between private

illegal. Some have prevented marijuana

Ski Country USA told local media.

consultants and the University of Colorado,

shops from opening, and there have been

A doctor interviewed by CBS Denver, while

has found that “dope tourism” in the

highly-publicised and widely circulated

not directly endorsing the idea of using

famous ski state is seeing much more

reports of skiers and boarders being

ski area gradings for drugs, said he did

business than initially thought.

removed from the slopes, and their tickets

support the idea of grading drugs so that

The change in the law, which came

confiscated, when seen to be smoking

people had a better idea of the volume

in at the start of the year following a

marijuana on the slopes.

and strength of the substance they were

referendum, allows people in Colorado

However, a number of travel services have

buying, and were able to compare it with

to buy marijuana from registered shops

been set up offering to take skiers from the

other offers on a like-for-like basis.

for personal use, but the study found that

airport to marijuana shops, and then onto

The newly-legalised drug use has certainly

around 90% of legal drug sales in some

ski areas.

not harmed the state’s ski business, which

Colorado ski towns are made to tourists

But a plan put forward by “leaders in the

saw a 13% leap in skier days last winter

not locals. This equates to “tens of millions

marijuana industry” to grade the drug with

(although that could, in part, be due to terrible

of tourist dollars” spent in the Colorado

the same colour-coding system used to

conditions for much of the winter in California).

“marijuana economy”.

rate ski run steepness and challenge (in

Some reports have also suggested that

On the ski slopes, resorts have gone to

the US – green circles, blue squares, and

“marijuana tourism” could ultimately be

great lengths to advise tourists that skiing

black diamonds) has been rebuked as a

bigger for Colorado than the currently

under the influence (whether drugs or

step to far by the state’s ski industry.

dominant winter sports business.

098 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

@INTHESNOWMAG

SCARPA.CO.UK MADE IN ITALY. ESTABLISHED IN 1938

FREEDOM “A TRUE FREERIDE BOOT”

FRE EDO MS LW MN S

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Tom Grant, Extreme Skier

Book now at

Climate Change

Big Factor in Location of Future

OlympicS

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

Time may be running out for some potential

these trends, not all previous locations are

third (six out of the 19) of the previous host

host locations for the Olympic Winter

likely to be suitable hosts for the Winter

locations is projected to be climatically

Games– including the 2014 host, Sochi

Games in future years.

reliable by the 2080s. This raises a number

(Russia) – according to an article in Current

The study focuses on two specific conditions

of issues for organisers of the Winter Games.

Issues in Tourism (tandfonline.com/ccsa).

to assess the suitability of host locations,

Over the next two decades there may be a

The article’s authors have analysed two

namely the probability that minimum daily

greater impetus to award the Winter Games

climatic indicators – minimum temperature

temperatures will be 0°C or lower, and the

to locations that are expected to become

of ≤0°C and snow depth of ≥30cm – both

probability that the snow depth will be 30cm

unreliable by the 2050s. If fewer regions

from a historical point of view, and using

or more (with snowmaking capacity). They

of the world are climatically suitable, other

future projections. They find that only ten

classify each of the 19 previous host locations

regions that have not previously hosted the

of the 19 previous host locations for the

for three time periods: baseline (1981–2010),

Games may need to be considered.

Winter Games are expected to remain

2050s (representing 2041–2070), and

“In a substantially warmer world,

suitable in the 2050s, and as few as six by

2080s (representing 2071–2100). They

celebrating the second centennial of

the 2080s. This will have a major impact on

have considered low- and high-emission

the Olympic Winter Games in 2124

where – and how – future Winter Games

scenarios for the two future periods. On the

would become increasingly challenging.

can be staged.

basis of how often these conditions were,

Organisers of the Games need to consider

Average February daytime temperatures

or are expected to be, fulfilled, locations are

changes in the scale and format of future

of Winter Games locations have steadily

classified as climatically reliable, marginal/

events, and investigate technologies that

increased, from 0.4°C in the period 1920–

high risk, or unreliable.

can overcome climate vulnerabilities,” co-

1950s, to 7.8°C in the 21st century. Given

In a high-emission scenario, less than a

author Daniel Scott concludes.

OTM14 // 101

 PROMOTION

Maintain YOUR OWN GEAR & SAVE MONEY

It’s a job we often put off until the last minute,

This begins with preparing the base,

are going for high performance, then try 88°

which is the best for you. If you use a waxing

getting our skis or snowboards serviced.

repairing any base damage, filing the base

– but you’ll need to sharpen the edges more

iron, remember it can’t be used for clothes

Then we have to get the gear to the shop for

and edges, using iron-on or rub-on wax, and

frequently.

afterwards! Gently drip on the wax and then

its annual tune-up just when everyone else

scraping the base smooth.

is doing the same, and get it back before we

iron smooth. Once it has cooled (at least

BASE BEVEL

30 minutes) scrape off the excess wax –

A very small base bevel will stop skis

remember it is the wax IN the ski or board base that is important.

head-off to the slopes.

PREPARING THE BASE

It all adds up to extra stress and extra cost,

It is most important to ensure that your base

catching an edge, and make it easier to

but it doesn’t have to be that way. Doing

is clean before doing anything else. Then

initiate a turn. For slalom skiing half a degree

your own ski and board maintenance is

repair any little dings – a bit of patience goes

is plenty, but you could consider a full one

THAT'S IT – YOU’RE SET TO GO!

easy, according to DataWax, the company

a long way!

degree for grand slalom or free skiing.

The company also stock all the hardware you

If you spend a lot of the time in the park

need to maintain your gear, with main items

that supplies the equipment you need to do the job. It’s also essential to know your kit

SHARP EDGES

then slightly more is even better. But this is

like scrapers and files costing from just a few

in order to stay safe, as well as making your

We all know what a difference having sharp

one of the trickier elements of equipment

pounds, and other more complex specialist

skiing or boarding easier, less tiring, and

edges makes on the slopes. It’s easier to turn

maintenance, and DataWax recommend you

equipment worth considering as a longer-

more fun.

and gives better grip, meaning you can ski or

start small.

term investment.

board better and more confidently in tough

Use DataWax to keep your gear in top

HOW TO?

conditions.

WAXING

condition, which will extend its life, and make

The DataWax website is not only the place

DataWax recommends that for recreational

Waxing is easy: for simplicity iron-on wax

your skiing or snowboarding manoeuvres

to find the products you need, but also has a

skiing and snowboarding you should

is always best. Universal wax is great for

easier, safer, and more effective.

helpful and detailed “How To” section, which

sharpen your edges to between 88° and 90°.

most purposes, but there’s a huge choice

takes you step-by-step, in clear and simple

At 90° this will be sharp enough for almost all

of different types of wax, as well as the

To find out more call: 07848 106258,

language, through the process required to

conditions and will require less maintenance.

equipment you need to apply it to your

email: sales@datawax.eu,

service your equipment.

However, if you are in tougher conditions, or

skis. Simply contact DataWax for advice on

or browse: datawax.com.

OTM14 // 102

@INTHESNOWMAG

DELAZIFY MAKES BRITISH GPS SNOWSPORTS WRISTOP

speeds, distances, number of runs,

critical when you consider the harsh

temperature, altitude, and many other

conditions it is used in. That’s why we

parameters. It also features virtual

ensured the device could be operated

gate split timing, and helpful safety

in mitts, because no one likes taking

features such as displaying your

their gloves off and undoing their

"my-location" co-ordinates, for quick

jacket to check their phone at minus

rescues, and speed alerts.

25 degrees. It’s also why we use the

The YETI is currently available in 32

snap strap so you can simply snap it

different colour combinations, with

on your wrist and ski off,” said Delazify

replacement snap straps so it can

Co-Founder Arron Duddin.

be customised to suit your style. The

The YETI will be available from the

YETI’s high-visibility OLED colour

end of September, priced at £179.99,

display, combined with its high-

via delazifyourself.com.

he YETI, from new British adventure

sensitivity GPS receiver and

sports brand Delazify, is a dedicated

long-life rechargeable

GPS wristop developed specifically

battery, also mean you

for skiing and snowboarding.

can ski all day and

Made in Britain, the YETI is a fully

brag about your

customisable GPS sports computer

performances all

designed to track, map, and analyse

night! Plus back

your performance on the slopes,

at the chalet

and can still be operated wearing

you can upload

ski mitts.

your data and

Featuring TufNut technology the

fully analyse

YETI is waterproof, freezeproof and

your performance,

shock resistant, and it is precision

see which runs you have

engineered specifically to work

completed, and compare

in extreme conditions. Designed

your performance with others.

to track your performance on the

“The YETI has been designed

slopes the YETI measures your

with the user in mind, which is

FB.COM/INTHESNOW

INTHESNOW.COM // OTM14 // 103

PACKAGES SOUTH KOREA: Seoul and Yongpyong Ski Resort – 8 nights, including accommodation at the 3★+ Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong, and the 4★ CenterMark Hotel in Seoul, costs £1230pp. SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN: A 14-night holiday, which adds a stay at the 3★+ Hirafu Apartments in Niseko to the South Korean holiday, costs £1970pp. Both holidays include flights with Korean Air and transfers, and are based on two sharing. Visit skisafari.com, or call 01273 224060.

With the Sochi Winter Olympics behind us,

Alpensia, along with Yongpyong and Phoenix

conditions for showing off their techniques.

and the 2018 Winter Olympics scheduled to

Park, which are all located around 2½ hours

Ski Safari is thought to be the only major

be staged further east still, in South Korea,

east from Seoul, towards the coast.

operator offering ski holidays to South Korea

it seems that, as with so many things, Asia

Phoenix Park, with 21 slopes, will host the

at present, although a decade ago Virgin Ski

is the continent to watch for skiers over the

ski moguls, aerials and ski cross at the

did briefly offer ski holidays to the country.

coming 4 years.

Olympics, as well as snowboarding for the

For those wanting to enjoy the famous

Winter sports are booming across the

parallel giant slalom, snowboard cross and

world-beating powder of Japan, Ski Safari

continent, with new ski areas being created

half-pipe. Consequently, this will be the

is also offering a full Eastern Asian ski

from Turkey to China. The world’s highest lifts,

place where most British medal hopes will

experience, combining a stay in South Korea

once in the Andes, are now in the Himalayas,

be focused in 2018. This being Korea, the

with time in Hokkaido, Japan’s northern

and even North Korea has built a resort.

resort opens daily from 8.30am to 4am the

island, and a stay in world-famous Niseko.

Britain’s winter sports athletes are now in

following morning.

“In Korea we have brand new destinations

a 4-year cycle building to the 2018 Winter

Yongpyong Ski Resort is the oldest and

to offer the ski fraternity – not only are they

Olympic Games, which is to be staged in

largest ski area in the country, with 15

different, but they offer a new experience that

the Pyeongchang region of South Korea,

chairlifts and 31 pistes. Dragon’s Peak, at

marries an infectious and invigorating city with

and the long-established tour operator

the top of the Rainbow gondola (1458m), is

accessible skiing,” said Ski Safari Founder and

Ski Safari is one of the first to offer pre-

where most of the Alpine skiing action will

Chairman Richard Rice. “In Japan the resorts

packaged ski trips to the country for Brits,

take place at the 2018 Games. The 3.7km

are beautiful, simply snow laden, and ideal for

starting this winter.

gondola whisks skiers to the Grand terrain

those longing for the powder rush, and a full

Ski Safari will exclusively feature the resort of

park, which offers all levels of skiers the best

on eastern cultural submersion.”

104 // OTM14 // INTHESNOW.COM

SHUTTERSTOCK

SKI SOUTH KOREA

@INTHESNOWMAG

SKIWEAR THAT DOES WHAT SKIERS NEED. BUILT BY ATOMIC

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T e d

L i g e t y

American racer Ted Ligety, who turned

Then you can make calculated risks

30 on the 31 August, is one of the

instead of foolish risks.

greatest ski racers of all time. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist who

How do you see safety gear evolving

won the combined event at the 2006

for racers?

Olympics in Turin, Italy, and the giant

TL> Back protectors and arm guards

slalom race at the 2014 Olympics in

are increasingly becoming the norm

Sochi, Russia. Ligety is also a five-time

for ski racers at all levels. The most

World Cup champion in giant slalom, a

critical component of safety gear

multiple World Championships winner,

is that it performs at a high level,

and at the last count had 23 victories and

whether thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s making a helmet safer,

46 podiums in World Cup competition.

or goggles that help you see better.

In his spare time Ligety works for

At Shred, we work hard to make our

two companies, Shred, which he

products look good too. We strive

established himself, and Slytech, which

to make products that enable our

are both dedicated to improving safety

athletes to confidently charge hard

and performance for downhill racers,

and have more fun.

as well as everybody else on the slopes. The gear also looks good.

What are the biggest kit improvements of the past few seasons?

What are your career goals

TL> Helmets have become safer;

post-Sochi?

an example of an innovative safety

TL> I still have many goals I want to

improvement is our Shred helmets with

accomplish in ski racing. My main goal

Slytech second skin inside of them.

is to win the overall World Cup title.

I'm always trying to come up with new

For me to win the overall title, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have

design ideas. I often see things in my

to be more consistent in the speed

travels that inspire me, whether its kids

events, and win some slalom races.

artwork, beautiful mountaintops, or random things I see on the road.

What would you advise young racers

I also put a lot of thought into how

as most important to wear/think

the product could be improved. I am

about to stay safe?

lucky to have a partner, Carlo, who is

TL> Every young racer should be

an engineer, so we are always pushing

wearing a helmet when skiing. The

the boundaries technologically.

head and brain are the most important

I work at Shred on a daily basis, and

body parts to keep safe. I personally

it is a great outlet for me to put my

want to continue doing my sport for

energy into something other than

a long time, which is why I work so

skiing. I am constantly coming up

hard with my companies Shred and

with new ideas and working on them

Slytech to create the safest products.

daily, this gives my mind a break from

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critical to work hard, prepare, and

the daily grind and the high-pressure

know your surroundings and ability.

atmosphere of the World Cup Tour.

OTM14 // 106

@INTHESNOWMAG

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