J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by admin

The Snow Leopard moves his training to Val Di Fiemme, Italy to prepare for Vancouver Olympics 2010



Kwame Nkrumah Achaempong universally known as the Snow Leopard has switched his training from his indoor location at Hemel Hempstead's Snow Centre to Val Di Fiemme, in Trentino, Italy. The resort would win any 'picture postcard' setting as an idyllic winter sports setting with the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed mountains of the Dolomites as a beautiful backdrop and also of course great slopes. More than that it is centre of ski racing excellence and often hosts ski racing teams such as Canada, Italy and even Argentina.

This is the 4th season that the Snow Leopard has based himself in this perfect location that has already seen him qualify for the Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010. The ski resort of Pampeago in Val Di Fiemme sits at 1750 metres above sea level and the morning training runs leave you gasping for air. Once on the slopes then Kwame is at home, honing his technique and race speed.

With less than 100 days to go until the Olympics every day and every minute is vital in race preparation. Unlike the bigger teams from larger nations with coaches, medical staff and considerable funding the Snow Leopard has achieved almost all of his incredible journey without these resources. For instance, Kwame and his manager, Richard Harpham drove from the United Kingdom to Italy with his van loaded with ski racing equipment, practically non-stop with them both taking shifts behind the wheel. The next day they were out on the hills acclimatising to altitude and the conditions.

In Pampeago and Val di Fiemme Kwame holds something of the 'Rocky' story with the Olympian underdog becoming a local hero and legend. People are genuinely pleased to see him and equally delighted to hear that he has achieved part of his dream in qualifying for an Olympics. The locals feel part of that journey having watched him grow from a relative novice to an Olympic Ski Racer.

Of course for the Snow Leopard, qualification is only part of the dream, he now aims to compete well against his peers and earn the title "Middle Dog" by attempting to beat those from other smaller nations, many of whom have been skiing for many years.

For more information contact the Ghana Ski Team - info@ghanaskiteam.com.

Schladming has installed its first 'Telemix' or 'Chondola' lift which combines chairlifts with gondolas cabins on one cable.

The new Hochwurzen Sun-Jet lift has a gondola cabin after every three chairs. The new lift makes it easier for the uplift of all mountain visitors, not just skiers and boarders, as well as increasing uplift speed and capacity on the route.

Schladming, which was one of the first non-glacier resorts to open this winter, following heavy pre-season snow in October, has also expanded its snowmaking and now operates more than 610 snow making machines.

The resort believes this now gives it Austria's largest snow making facilities, able to cover the equivalent of 410 football fields.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

KSL report that an avalanche caught a group of skiers in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

A group of skiers accidentally triggered an avalanche near Cardiac Ridge Saturday.

According to the Utah Avalanche Center, the group was breaking a trail in the area just after 7 p.m. As they approached the top of the ridge, they triggered the avalanche about 100 feet above them. The last skier got caught in the slide and ended up buried in more than two feet of snow.

Fortunately he was located, by an exposed ski pole, and dug out within minutes.

Worth noting that the group had not thought there was enough fresh snow to avalanche;

The skiers said they felt several collapses before the avalanche but didn't think there was enough snow to cause one. Officials said the wind was blowing snow near the ridge, and it's likely a wind slab collapsed on the unpacked snow.

Lighten up please everyone - no one ski resort can please all the people, all the time. It's clear that Niederau - like just about every other ski resort - suits some people better than others. Whatever your experience, please own it and accept that others have a different perspective.

For an advanced take on this concept, my son recommends "The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse" by Beatrix Potter. 8)

karen72 wrote:you are not allowed to give any negatives on Neiderau on this forum.

That's simply not true Karen. Your honest account of your trip was accepted for what it was - and is still on the forum in its entirety. Same for Tony H. There are alternative opinions and experiences related too, that you allude to.


I'm going to lock this thread now, but if anyone would like to know about Niederau then please ask in the forum (and you're sure to get a range of opinions - politely and respectfully expressed... :D ).

VERBIER RIDE 09 - Event Postponed until Winter 2010/11

The Verbier Ride 09 event has unfortunately been postponed until next winter due to unusual weather patterns over the past week in the alps. High temperatures earlier in the week brought heavy rain for most of Monday as high as 2500 metres. The rain fall has made it impossible to construct the kickers needed for the Slope Style event.

Ride Freesport and Televerbier took the decision to postpone the event until next winter so as to maintain a level of safety for the athletes and also not to compromise the athlete's professional skiing standard. It is important that freestyle skiing is portrayed in a professional manner and running the event in conditions which prevent the athletes from performing at their optimum level does not do the sport justice.

If you were planning on being in Verbier for this event then still come! The snow higher up is amazing and there has been some good freeskiing this week already. The pistes are in excellent condition and the resort is in full swing!

You can watch the Verbier Ride event action from last year to tide you over until the next event at www.verbierride.com

Pat Flisher wrote:Probably better than writing inane comments......

:lol:

I like you already! Thank you (and PSC) for the info on Orelle; we'll get that incorporated shortly.

Cheers! 8)

Be patient. Alpine average temperatures are going to fall the best part of 15C by Monday, and nice things may happen. 8)

Good chance of it being pretty darn nippy in the UK by this time next week too... and maybe some... ssshhh, don't mention it... 8)

NateDogg wrote:got any good snow dance ideas?

Yeah... Elljay has a great little dance that works well (video required I think) - and you get a free coffee table from her friend Tina as well... :wink: