J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

Whistler ski area in Canada have announced plans for a huge 345m Canadian Dolar investment in new infrastructure, much of it focused on the resort's Blackcomb Mountain, in a three-phase project entitled 'Whistler Blackcomb Renaissance.'

The plans include new base and mountain stations, a new high speed lift linking them, other ski area improvements in the region and the construction of an indoor water park, The Watershed, at the mountain's upper base.

This is expected to be a 163,000 square foot facility featuring activities like waterslides, the latest deep water surf simulator technology, cliff jumping and rock climbing experiences, a wave pool, hot and cold pools, bowling, food and beverage facilities and retail amenities, as well as other weather-independent activities.

New snow school learning zones, a night skiing zone, and enhanced snowmaking on Blackcomb Mountain are also part of the plans, with The Watershed part of phase one, which has an estimated $100m budget and the resort hopes will begin to see the first parts opening to the public within two years of all approvals being granted.

The plans – which focus on increasing year rod attractions at the BC ski area - also call for a four-season mountain coaster; a new outdoor tree-top ropes course and what the resort describes as 'air-based activities' as well as electric ATVs and snowmobiles for children; night skiing facilities; a sightseeing suspension bridge connecting the peaks of Whistler Mountain; the expansion of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park at Creekside; and expanded hiking trails, among others.

"Whistler Blackcomb Renaissance is the most progressive investment in our history and will leverage our tremendous success building our non-ski business. Renaissance will further diversify our revenue and enhance the activities available for our guests while elevating Whistler Blackcomb's core skiing, mountain biking and sightseeing experiences and continuing our evolution as one of the industry's leading four-season mountain resorts," says Dave Brownlie, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Indeed, I did check it wasn't sent out on April 1st, but it wasn't. I can only think it is (possibly) PR genius, they have gone strongly for the 'green concerned market' and may be trying a version of "There's no such thing as bad publicity," approach (Which usually works except for Ratners). So, cynical hat on, (1) everyone talks about Patagonia (Putting the planet before their profits) (2) Very few people really do repair their skiwear (3) People remember the name Patagonia and buy that.

"Extending the life of our garments is the single most important thing we can do to lower our impact on the planet," a news release on behalf of global skiwear brand Patagonia states, adding,

"This simple act of extending the life of our garments through proper care and repair reduces the need to buy more over time — thereby avoiding the CO2 emissions, waste output, and water usage required to build it."

Patagonia has launched a campaign to encourage people to make their apparel last longer by repairing it rather than putting it in to recycling and buying something new.

The company has launched a tour of five European countries, stopping at 50 stores and other locations on a mission to encourage its customers to make their clothes "last a lifetime" (regardless of brand).

At each stop, Patagonia will be offering free repairs on broken zips, rips, tears, buttons, pulls and more – in addition to teaching people how to fix their own gear.

The 'Euro Worn Wear Tour' will kick off simultaneously on Friday April 15th in both the UK and Germany and end in France, Italy and the Netherlands.

The tour will be stopping at a variety of locations such as retail locations, sport events, farmers' markets and universities.

UK 2016 Tour:



15th & 16th April - Keswick, George Fisher & Nurture Lakeland blogger-fest
17th April - Grassington, Fellsman Ultrarun Event
18th & 19th April - Betws-y-Coed, Wales, Moel Siabod Cafe with Save the Conwy
21st & 22nd April - Shrewsbury, High Sports
23rd & 24th April - Stevenage, Countryside Ski & Climb
26th & 27th April - London, The Brokedown Palace at Boxpark with Waterkeeper
28th April - London, The Brokedown Palace at Spitalfields Market
30th April & 1st May - Cornwall, Down The Line Surf Shop with Save Our Sands

The Alaskan ski area of Alyeska has passed the 20 metre mark in terms of snowfall it has received this season.

In fact the latest 20cm of snow reported overnight took the American resort's total to 20.5m. Ironically it's currently closed due to 'extreme weather.'

Alyeska is frequently in the world top three for snowfall, often behind Mt Baker in Washington state, which is believed to have the world's deepest average annual snowfall (16.3m) as well as history's biggest recorded seasonal snowfall (29m); and Niseko in Japan.

After a very poor winter last season, in which it was forced to close in March, Mt Baker has bounced back this year in common with other North American West Coast resorts, but it has had 6m less snow so far than Alyeska, reporting 14.5m so far this winter – although figures available have not been updated for three weeks.

Most major resorts in Western North America have reported good seasonal snowfalls. Both Steamboat in Colorado and Jackson Hole in Wyoming closed over the past two weekends both having received more than 10m of snow his winter, the latter describing it as 'average.'

In California Mammoth Mountain has more than a 5m snow base and Squaw Valley has announced plans to stay open to the end of May with more than 3.5m lying, Heavenly has also extended its season.

There's been an unusually heavy snowstorm in Andorra bringing up to 30cm (a foot) of fresh snow to the country's slopes this week - great news for anyone lucky enough to have booked there this week, the second of the school holidays for many families.

The Alps have had more mixed weather conditions with mostly sunny spring skiing although some strong winds at time. However significant snow is forecast (The most optimistic, 1.2m/4 feet for Zermatt) in the coming week and up to 90cm (three feet) in the Dolomites. There has been some new snow already as illustrated by this picture today on the Kitsteinhorn glacier in Austria.



There has also been snow in Scotland with more forecast so it's looking better for the three centres still open at Glencoe (pictured) as well as Cairngorm and Nevis Range.



First snow has also been reported today in the southern hemisphere at Cerro Catedral in the Andes of Argentina.

In a bizarre turn of events, reports are claiming that cloud-making technology being developed for the 2022 Qatar World Cup have resulted in an unprecedented – and accidental – snowfall in the region. This breakthrough has created an incredible bidding war in the Alps, with several resorts clamouring to become the first to use artificial snow clouds to give their snow levels a bit of a top up.

The clouds will be made from a light weight carbon structure carrying a giant envelope filled with helium. Four solar powered engines move the structure via remote control. A mist-dispenser was built into the clouds, but it appears that the temperature controls regularly malfunction, pumping out buckets of fresh powder.

When asked if the technology could help some resorts suffering from a lack of pow in recent years, a spokesperson for the World Cup committee said "we've managed to create clouds that can create snow in the literal desert. I think topping up some of these ski resorts will be a piece of your so-called cake".

It seems that this development will mean that it won't just be resorts like Zermatt and Hintertux that can stay open 365 days a year – it could soon be the case that sleepy little Alpine villages will be offering off-piste action in July.

In response to this, leading British ski tour operator Crystal Ski Holidays have offered to support many of the resorts trying to obtain the cloud making systems. "For us, there are two seasons in our calendar – winter and too warm" said a Crystal spokesperson. "Anything to prolong winter and keep us winter worshippers on the mountain for longer can only be a good thing".

A British company is offering wold-be ski instructors the chance to train from scratch to become qualified ski instructors over the summer. Once qualified, Snoworks GAP are then offering a guaranteed job teaching in St Anton next winter.

There's o catch and no small print BUT anyone tempted should be aware that they'll need to have a working knowledge of German to understand the course and for the job afterwards, they'll also need to find the £2,995 – course fee for the three week course.

That fee cover the cost of three weeks of training and examinations on the glacier at Hintertux, exam assessment, half-board accommodation in a four Star hotel, return airport transfers from Munich, ski pass and that guaranteed job in St Anton when you've successfully passed the course. Graduates receive the Antwärter qualification that is the entry level required to work and teach in a ski school in Austria. The three week course takes Sunday July 3rd to Saturday July 23rd, 2016.

"For post graduates, the obvious benefit is that the course takes place during the summer break, leaving some time in the autumn to earn extra money or relax before the start of winter," said Snoworks GAP Director Lee Townend, adding, "For students taking a GAP year between their A levels and university, it's also ideally placed so that you can maximise your time working on the snow during the winter whilst qualification way before those who choose to join GAP ski courses over the winter."

Although the job in St Anton for successful course completion is guaranteed, once you have an Antwärter qualification, you can in fact apply to and be employed by any ski school in Austria.

It is the first of four stages of ski instructor qualification, much like any other system in other countries. It's also possible to follow the pathway all the way through to the very highest qualification, which allows you more freedom to work independently and take skiers off-piste.

www.snoworksgap.co.uk/gap-austria.php

The record for the fastest speed achieved on skis – also the fastest speed achieved by any lining creature without mechanised assistance – has been broken in the French ski resort of Vars.



Italy's Ivan Origone reached 254.958 KM/H (158.424mph) breaking the old record set by his brother Simone two years ago at the same location.

Yesterday Simone was second fastest at 252.101 km/h a shade under his old world record speed of 252.4 kilometers per hour set in 2014. Simone had actually held the record for almost a decade as his time in 2014 broke a record he himself had set in Les Arcs in November 2006 of 251.4 km/h.

The women's world record was also broken yesterday by Valentina Greggio, also of Italy, who skied at 247.083 km/h.