J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

Ski Republic, which operates 40 ski rental shops in top French ski resorts as joined forces with ELA (www.ela-asso.org), a European charity fighting the disease of Leukodystrophies and is itself supported by the world famous French footballer Zinédine Zidanne.

Leukodystrophies are genetic diseases of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) where myelin, the fatty sheath isolating every nerve in the brain and spinal cord, is affected. When myelin is damaged nerve signals don't work properly which can severely damage vision, hearing, speech, mobility and memory and can lead to an early death.

Now some of Ski Republic's employees have got involved with helping ELA raising funds and now the ski hire company has decided to do something too.

Firstly for every online booking made between 15 February to 15 March 2013 Ski Republic will donate 1€ to ELA. Then it will also donate when anyone 'likes' a picture of the ELA charity posted on Ski Republic's Facebook Ski Republic' s Facebook page each week. Thirdly from 15 February, skiers can support ELA in any of Ski Republic's shops by purchasing ski accessories with 3€ given to the charity for each pair of goggles or helmet bought from a range of items (www.ski-republic.com).

Have been to the Pyrenees a few times in all three countries and really like it - nice laid back atmosphere, lower prices than Alps, pretty good scenery on French and Spanish sides (Andorra less so). Most recently went to Cauterets and st Lary on French side - both good but Cauterets interested me as old spa town from Roman times I think and it was very fashionable 120 (?) years back when the two street town had one street done up like one of those typical Grand Parisien streets which looks fairly surreal in a Pyrenean mountain village but v good for it - could not find a decent pic but this is a bit of it: http://www.lafrance.co.uk/information/midipyrenees/midipyreneesimages/hautespyreneesimages/Cauterets.jpg

We are now three weeks in to an almost continuous truly epic snowfall in the Pyrenees which some resorts say is the biggest in a decade. More than three metres (10 feet) of snow has fallen so far right across the south western European mountain range, which prior to New year was having an only 'average' snow season. The snow is great news for the rest of the season but in the short term closed roads and led to many other logistical problems.

"The generous snowfalls of the recent days have increased the snow base considerably of the ski resort which has reached three metres affirming that 2013 will be a year to remember," said Baqueira Beret spokesperson Josi Martinez.

In France some resorts in the Pyrenees now have bases of more than 4m, overtaking the Chamonix Valley to the north which previously topped the snow depth league table for two months. Bases in Andorra are also getting up near 3m.

(Picture by Anthony Upton)

Most of the line-up for the Altitude Comedy Festival 2013 has just been announced with John Bishop the main new big name joining a long list of returning A-list comedians. However the organisers have tantalisingly announced that a major international star who has been selling out stadiums since rising to fame in the 1990s is set to be added to the line up – they just won't announce who it is until March 4th, a fortnight before the Festival kicks off.

Altitude (altitudefestival.com), the brain child of Andrew Maxwell and Marcus Brigstocke, was initially launched six years ago in Meribel, but is back in Mayrhofen for the third time, running from March 18th – 22nd.

It is open to all whether travelling independently, in Mayrhofen on a package tour, or booking a package direct through the Festival. These range from £349pp (extra nights £40) in a two star to £459pp (extra nights £65) in a four star, both based on bed and breakfast for 5 nights (based on 2 sharing) and including week's wristband. A full week Festival wristband is £177.50 (inc. Booking Fee) via www.ticketline.co.uk/altitude-festival#tour

The 2013 line up also includes Phil Jupitus, Germany's top comedian Michael Mittermeier, Daniel Sloss, Craig Campbell, Benny Boot, Brendon Burns, Phil Nichol, Howard Marks and Rob Beckett, who, following his stint hosting ITVs I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Now! returns from the Jungle and heads to the slopes.

Deep Purple are to be the latest big name band to play Ischgl, following on from the concert by vintage german rock act The Scorpions at the start of the season.

Ischgl will bring the great band famed for rock anthems such as "Smoke On The Water" to the legendary Top of the Mountain Closing Concert at 2,300 metres above sea level, wrapping up the skiing season on 30 April in the heart of the Silvretta Arena on the Idalp.

A valid ski pass is your concert ticket and at 1pm on the 28th you can exchange your ski poles for an air guitar when guitarist Steve Morse launches into the legendary chords in front of an impressive Alpine backdrop and Rod Evans belts out the lyrics to some of the most famous rock song ever written. The only remaining member of the original line-up is drummer Ian Paice, a veteran of 18 studio albums.

It's 18th time, Ischgl is hosting the Top of the Mountain Closing Concert. On 30 April 2013, Deep Purple will follow in the footsteps of famous top-acts such as Elton John, Tina Turner, Pink, Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue.

Thanks to the high-altitude location between 1,400 and 2,900 metres, good skiing conditions are ensured until the beginning of May at Ischgl (www.ischgl.com). Especially in spring, the area is very popular with skiing and snowboarding fans for enjoying sunshine skiing. No wonder, as the Playstation Vita Ischgl Snowpark, freeride options and first-class events make Ischgl a varied and eventful winter sports resort well beyond its borders: 238 kilometres of slopes all the way to Swiss Samnaun and state-of-the-art facilities are par for the course in Ischgl.

Recently awarded the title of Best Ski Resort 2012 by the Mountain Management study, the resorts of Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis
(www.serfaus-fiss-ladis.at) are fairly unknown in the UK.

Only an hour from Innsbruck, the resorts offers extensive snow-sure skiing on 185km of piste on a joint pass.

Before exploring the snowy landscape on a Segway, you can have a practice session at the obstacle course in Fiss.

After seeing how easily the well-balanced tyres grip the snow it won't be long before you are performing elegant pirouettes in the snow, they promise.

A 90 minute panorama or adventure tour starts from €59 per person.

Skiers and boarders are being sought to take part in a new charity ski challenge in aid of charity Ski 4 Cancer (www.ski4cancer.org/ski-challenge).

The event staged in the French 3 Valleys resort of La Tania in March challenges individuals or teams will be challenged to ski either the vertical height of Mont Blanc (4807 metres) or Everest (8848 metres) in just one day, raising funding through donations for the charity.

The challenge, staged on both Wednesday the 20th and Thursday the 21st of March 2013, will focus on the green, blue or red pistes which run adjacent to La Tania's main gondola, dropping from a height of 1900 metres to 1368 metres.

With a vertical drop of 532 metres, skiers and boarders will need to complete 9 runs to descend the height of Mont Blanc and 17 runs to descend the equivalent height of Everest. Intermediates should be able to complete the Mont Blanc Challenge in approximately 3 hours whereas Everest challengers should allow 6 hours.

The event is being organised by ski holiday specialists Alpine Elements and iGOSKI and to participate, skiers and boarders will be asked to make a minimum donation of 10 Euros to Ski 4 Cancer. Participants are asked to sign up in advance online or just turn up on the day and sign in at the reception of the Hotel Montana near the gondola base.

Ski 4 Cancer was set up last year by a group of keen skiers and snowboarders who have all lost a close relative or friend to cancer. The charity's aim is to provide a range of alpine respite holidays for British families living with cancer and it also makes grants to palliative care centres and funds research into the positive effects of exercise and how it can both prevent cancer and assist in people's recovery post diagnosis.

"My mother had cancer about 25 years ago and ever since I have been a passionate supporter of cancer related causes. Ski 4 Cancer do some excellent work and I'm delighted that Alpine Elements and iGOSKI are able to sponsor this event," said James Hardiman, Managing Director of Alpine Elements and iGOSKI,

"Participants will collect a stamp after completing each run and certificates will be given out to people who complete one of the challenges. Everyone is welcome to take part and we hope skiers from all over the Three Valleys will join us. If you're skiing in neighbouring resorts like Meribel and Courchevel, it would be great to see you. The event is open to anyone – all you need is a valid Three Valleys ski pass."

Outdoor ski brand Bergans of Norway are inviting customers to experience Norway in 2013. Bergans of Norway are using their motto "Bergans Ekstrem Turglede" – which translates as 'the joy of being outdoors' – as an invitation for customers to undertake one of Bergans of Norway's exciting outdoor programs amidst the beautiful Norwegian landscape.

As a thank-you to its customers, Bergans started the "Bergans Ekstrem Turglede" program of tours in 2008, and 500 have participated from all over Europe since the scheme began.
The Fjord ski tour in the Sunnmørs Alps will run from 14-17 March 2013. The company say this will be the ultimate trip for everyone looking to experience the most beautiful and pristine skiing areas of Norway.

The starting point is the legendary Hjørund Fjord, which is framed by majestically protruding white summits. The snow-covered mountains appear to emerge straight from the clear blue sea. You'll rely on a boat for many of the tours in the area, and you can literally ski down until you're standing on the edge of the water.

The company organizes each event and participants are accompanied by experienced guides and will also be supplied with the necessary Bergans of Norway clothing and equipment, which they can keep after the trip!

To be selected by Bergans for the tour, entrants need to be open to new experiences, have a sense of adventure and be willing to encounter new people and new landscapes.

Those interested can apply online with a picture and a short paragraph at www.bergans.com/campaign_2013 The application deadline is 1st February 2013.

Bergans of Norway will cover all costs, including travel expenses from the nearest international airport as well as an equipment package.