J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

Leading car hire comparison site www.Comparecarhire.co.uk is warning those driving to ski resorts, to be aware of ever changing winter driving rules which not only vary from country to country but also between regions within individual countries.

The latest change is in Luxembourg – a popular spot for drivers heading south for the travel wanting to fill up with cheaper petrol – which changed its laws in October 2012 to make it mandatory in wintery conditions for all vehicles, including those from foreign countries, to have winter tyres fitted, matching a change to German law two years ago.

The company also advises that in Italy car driving regulations are one of three key powers held by provincial governments and they're likely to change at any time.

"We want people to ensure they know the laws of the particular country they are visiting to avoid any costly fines or penalties but most importantly, to stay safe on the roads," advises Andy Hemmington of comparecarhire.co.uk, "Travellers should expect the unexpected in regions where you can experience extremely bad weather such as heavy snowfall. It may make for a good skiing holiday but it also makes for treacherous driving conditions."

In the main Alpine nations carrying snow chains and using them when required (as well as removing them when they no longer are, is a legal requirement.

Austria is currently the only one of the four main Alpine nations country where winter or all season tyres are also required by law between November 1st and April 15th with a minimum tread depth of 3mm when driving in bad weather.

"If using your own vehicle to travel, since it is impossible to determine the exact severity of weather conditions in other countries when you leave the UK, you must ensure you are carrying necessary items such as snow chains in case of sudden weather changes," says Andy Hemmington, "When using hire cars pre-book everything where possible to ensure availability. They will also often be payable locally as opposed to being included in the car hire price so take this into account when budgeting for car hire."

Comparecarhire.co.uk, which compares car hire prices for over 40 suppliers in 15,000 locations worldwide, further advises people planning to rent cars to drive in ski areas research in advance how to fit snow chains and other equipment before you go or ask to be shown, and check the boot of the vehicle for such items before thou drive off.

Crystal hasn't been adding a new destination country every season as it used to. Russia and Sochi two winter ago was the last new destination.

But with the possibility that the UK ski travel industry may grow again this winter after four seasons of decline (touch wood) then the likelihood that we'll be skiing in China in the next few years has increased this season, thanks in good part to the opening of several international standard resorts backed by international brands including Sheraton and Weston Hotels (so bookable direct via their international websites) and Doppelmayr ski lifts.

We reported previously on the new resort on the North Korean border and last year on resorts opened by Club Med and Dolomiti Superski, however a fourth new resort, Secret Garden, has opened this winter thanks to investment by Malaysian multi-national Gentling, a company valued at $31bn US.

Gentling Secret Garden is 250km from Beijing and its opening coincides with completion of a new high speed rail line from the China's capital that cuts journey times there to be just over an hour, the ski centre, with more than a dozen lifts and Doppelmayr built high speed gondola and quad lifts is 20 minutes from the first station at Zhangjiakou.

The 2010 Winter Olympics were seen as the crowning achievement of four decades of growth to world-class status from an unknown BC backwater for Whistler Blackcomb.

"For Whistler, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games was the realization of a dream nearly as old as Whistler, and the basis for early development," said a resort statement.

And having put all that effort in the resort is not about to forget hosting them so as we approach the third anniversary of hosting the Olympics, the 'Resort Municipality of Whistler' (RMOW) has just launched a new 2010 Games Experience guide and map.

"The self-guided tour is a starting point for visitors to learn Whistler's story of the Games and create their own unique Games Experience. Although the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games may be over, the magic and legacies it brought to Whistler will last for generations to come," said a statement from the resort.

The 2010 Games Experience Self-Guided Tour gives you the chance to relive the great moments of the Games by visiting the main points of interest including the state-of-the-art sporting venues that hosted nail-biting events to boisterous crowds celebrating in the heart of Whistler.

"During two extraordinary months in 2010, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) together with its partners engaged the world, inspired the nation, galvanized the community and affirmed its belief in the power of a dream."

Visitors to Whistler can pick up a legacy brochure at locations around town including Village Host and the Visitor Information Centre or see www.whistler.ca/2010-games

The European Ski and Snowboard School in Les Deux Alpes (www.europeanskischool.co.uk) has launched a number of specialist teaching programmes this winter including one especially targeted at those who have, "Lost your confidence as a beginner."

This course is designed for skiers that have had one or maximum two week's skiing experience (Ski School Level 1) but have found progressing from the initial basics difficult due to, "specific psychological or technical barriers that many first time skiers experience."

Our "sympathetic and understanding" instructor will use a slow logical progression in lessons, providing the necessary technical and emotional support to enable skiers to break down the barriers to become more confident accomplished skiers.

With a maximum group size of eight, the classes operate mornings 9am-11am and afternoons 1pm-3pm and costs 270 Euros over six days.

The groups wll include group stretching and relaxation sessions and technical video feedback analysis.

"We hope not only to improve your technical skiing but more importantly give our clients the necessary tools, confidence and desire to continue skiing and to enhance the enjoyment of future winter skiing holidays," said a statement from the school.

Arosa (www.arosa.ch) in the Swiss Alps will stage its annual 'Ice Snow football' tournament, (www.icesnowfootball.ch) believed to be unique in the world, later this month.

The third edition of the football competition, which attracts former national team players from various countries, will be staged from 24th to 26th January.

Germany won the first two competitions in 2011 1nd 2012, 1ith matches played on the frozen Obersee.

Teams from The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and this year for the first time Brazil will be competing in the tournament with a sponsor match on 24th January free to view,but the main tournament tickets costing 20 CHF (over 13s and adults) or 10 CHF (children 6 to 12 years old).

Matches take 30 minutes to play with the grand final taking place at 4pm on 25th January between the highest performing teams from the group stages earlier that afternoon.

Final preparations and pre-racce piglet pampering are underway with less than 24 hours to go to the annual piglet races in Klosters, Switzerland.

This New Years' Day tradition in the famous Swiss resort will see ten piglets race through the streets of the town cheered along by locals and tourists alike.

Taking place near the railway station the race is taken seriously by the piglet trainers who put their chosen animal through training with great care and attention.

"The event is best enjoyed with a warming drop of Graubunden Röteli and is accompanied by live music making for an entertaining afternoon for all to kick off the New Year," advises a resort spokesperson.

Scotland's five ski areas have had the usual mixed bag of weather to contend with but all have a reasonable amount of terrain available despite having to contend with gales, blizzards and most recently a thaw. However on the upside much of the rain that has been drenching the UK has been falling as snow on the Scottish ski slopes.

CairnGorm Mountain above Aviemore reported on Boxing Day that some 10,000 skiers had visited CairnGorm since the beginning of December.

The resort expects to be busy throughout the holiday period and has arranged, subject to weather conditions being suitable, for floodlit evening skiing and boarding to be available in the top bowls on Thursday 3rd January.

Skiers who already have a day ticket, afternoon ticket or season ticket will be able to ski on into the evening on those days and others can come for the evening session from 4pm for a charge of £9.95. The resort's Ptarmigan restaurant and bar will also remain open. CairnGorm Mountain marketing manager Colin Kirkwood commented:

"We ran one floodlit evening session last season which was very popular with our customers so we decided to offer this again over the holidays in view of the good snow cover we have and which we expect to hold onto over this period. We have hired more floodlighting than we had last year but we are watching the weather closely and if conditions and the forecast indicate that other days may be more attractive for evening snowsports we may switch a date. So we would ask people to watch our website and Facebook page to check on the latest plans for floodlit skiing and boarding."

"The season has got off to a very promising start and a good base has built up with assistance in some areas from the snow guns we are trialling this season. We have already had twice as many skiers as we had had by the same point last year so we remain optimistic about the prospects for snowsports for the New Year while bearing in mind the huge variety of conditions we have experienced over the last three seasons," Colin concluded.

Whiteface, NY, yesterday

The latest storms that have brought chaos to large parts of the US have also delivered large quantities of snow to the region which had so far been enjoying a fairly lacklustre season.

"It's a winter wonderland at Whiteface Mountain (whiteface.com), in New York state," enthused the resort's Jon Lundin, "Mother Nature delivered on her promise. This week's Nor'easter delivered 24-inches (60cm) of new snowfall to the Olympic mountain, making for great skiing and riding for the upcoming New Year."

Thirty-nine trails, including the summit, are open for all levels and abilities at the resort, which hosted the Lake Placid Olympic downhill skiing events.

The snow has transformed conditions at many resorts in the region which were previously struggling to open a quarter of their runs in many cases.

Killington has had 31inches (77cm) in the past few days and now has more than 120 runs open. Stowe, also in Vermont, reports 43cm (15 inches) in the past 72 hours, base depth up to 127cm (4.3 feet), 104 of its 116 runs open and all 13 lifts now operational.