J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

It is snowing again in Austria this week as the country, like most of the reest of the Alps, continues to enjoy one of the best winters in years for snowfall.

But the Tirol Tourist Board have warned that while it can be easy to get carried away with the excitement of fresh powder, heavy snowfall over a short period of time can also increase the risk of avalanche danger.

The body says that understanding mountain safety is an absolute must and it recommends that all skiers and boarders follow their five basic safety tips. They are also offering free avalanche safety camps.

First they say be aware of conditions by checking before you go up the mountain, and be prepared if they change for the worse.
Second be aware of signage when you're on the mountain – particularly piste closure signs and avalanche warning flags.

Third, "Wear the right equipment and clothing. Protecting your head is vital – so make sure you wear a helmet," say the tourist board. If you choose to go off-piste, always go with a certified guide and don't forget to carry a transceiver, probe and shovel. "Having the correct safety equipment and more importantly, knowing how to use it, is fundamental."

Fourthly ski or board responsibly - check out the FIS (International Ski Federation) rules for ski and snowboard conduct – your Highway Code to the slopes! Finally learn from the experts and take advice from ski instructors and guides.

The free Snow & Avalanche Awareness Camps (SAAC) were set up in Austria for skiers or snowboarders, over the age of 14, to encourage them to learn about the mountains, with particular attention to alpine dangers, improving awareness and increasing an individual's own sense of responsibility.

The two-day SAAC basic camps offer a mix of theory and practice, including learning about the factors that make up an avalanche, analysis of the snow, route finding and search techniques. Participation in the SAAC Basic Camp and the emergency equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe) is free.

Camps during the remainder of the season in March include Galtür (March 17/18) Obertauern(April 14/15) and the Stubai glacier (April 28/29).

There's probably not a huge chance that we'll see a repeat of last year's July 4th opening of around 10 California resorts following their record breaking winter 2010-11, but the good news is that Western USA has received its biggest snowfalls this season over the past week.

Some may be lamenting that the season is more than three months over while many resorts will be closing in a month's time – as they often do even before Easter week in many cases.

That's probably not the case now for Squaw Valley however, which promotes itself as 'North America's Spring Skiing Capital' and has been blessed by a four foot/1.2m snowfall in recent days.

"Snow has been consistently falling since Monday morning, and both Squaw and Alpine Meadows have been averaging a foot of snow each day. Beautiful weather is now in the forecast for Friday through Sunday for great driving conditions and even better skiing and riding this weekend,"said Squaw's Amelia Richmond.

Most other Californian resorts have also had big falls – Mammoth reported a foot (30cm) in the past 24 hours and Kirkwood went better still with 58cm (less than an inch under two feet).

Further East there have been similar falls in Utah at The Canyons and Snowbird and Jackson hole has continued what for it (up in Wyoming, compared to Colorado and Utah), have been a generally very good snow season all winter, with more huge falls of powder snow, which have also ignored manmade geographic boundaries and covered BC, Canada too.

Very far east indeed in the USA, but about closest west from here, New England big snowfalls last week have amounted to up to 1.2m accumulations at resorts like Stowe.

It's all change in the alps where temperatures have moved from 20 below at the start of February to up to +10 now, but most resorts are 'OK' due the snow built up over December and January. It's also supposed to turn colder over the next week.

Not so Scotland however – all five centres north of the border are now closed for the season unless a substantial new snow fall arrives after what may turn out to be the warmest ever February there.

You may not think it was possible, but people have been skiing in Afghanistan for years – with a hike up rather than any high speed quad chairs surprisingly.

Now it's getting organised and next month the second Afghan Ski Challenge takes place in the scenically beautiful Bamiyan valley.
There's even an international sponsor for March 2012 in the form of Canadian skiwear firm Arc'teryx.

Bamiyan was once famous for its giant Buddha statues which attracted around 150,000 tourists each year, but after they were destroyed by the Taliban, there are no longer any visitors, although there has been no sign of war in the region for more than a decade.

The area does still have at least one major asset remaining though according to reports, great snow, due to its very dry climate and north facing slopes.

The Bamiyan Ski Club was established in 2011 by Swiss journalists and Afghan locals to the northern exposition and a very dry climate.

Participation in the Afghan Ski Challenge – described as "a backcountry ski touring race" involved the training of 10 local people who were taught how to ski and competed in the race free of charge along with paying Swiss competitors.

"150 years ago, the British brought skiing to Switzerland. Now the Swiss bring skiing to Afghanistan," said a statement from the race organisers.

www.afghanskichallenge.com

Italy's Monterosa ski region which lies up in the country's North West corner within the spectacular Aosta Valley is offering free lift passes to all during the first three weeks of Spring, including the Easter fortnight.

What makes the deal particularly good, is that unlike most other 'free lift pass' deals advertised by resorts, you don't need to book your accommodation direct with the provider or through the resort's website, you qualify even if you book a package through a UK tour operator, and as several have Easter deals on offer, there's the potential for double prizes!

The only provisos on the deal are (1) you stay in either the resort of Champoluc or Gressoney (2) you stay a minimum of three nights and (3) your stay is between 25 March and 15 April 2012.

Still relatively undiscovered by many, but adored by those who have, Monterosa is Italy's largest ski region, with more vertical drop and acreage than many central Alpine ski areas.

A 90 minute transfer from Turin airport Champoluc and Gressoney are situated at the base of the mighty Monte Rosa massif and boasts 200km of piste.

Deals currently on offer (at time of writing...), include, from Inghams, seven nights half board accommodation at the three star Hotel Dufour in Gressoney from £526 per person, departing 24 March 2012 or seven nights half board accommodation at the three star Hotel Bellevue in Champoluc from £799 per person, departing 31 March 2012 (www.inghams.co.uk, 0208 780 4447).

Prices include return flights from Gatwick to Turin and resort transfers. Regional flights available for an additional supplement.

Or Echo Travel offers seven night half board packages including private return transfers from Turin airport (based on four sharing) from £575 per person staying at three star Hotel de Champoluc, or from £620 staying at Hotel Ellex in Gressoney (1937 572455, www.echotravel.co.uk).

For independent travellers Turin airport is served twice daily by UK scheduled flights.

Vail Resorts have added a seventh resort to their growing family of world class resorts, Kirkwood is their third in the Lake Tahoe region of California, joining most recent previous purchase Northstar as well as Heavenly at the south end of the lake.

The company's original four resorts are Beaver Creek, Keystone , Breckenridge and of course Vail itself.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kirkwood into our family as our seventh world-class mountain resort. Kirkwood offers some of the most extraordinary ski terrain found anywhere in North America with high alpine trails and the most annual average snowfall in Lake Tahoe. Kirkwood represents skiing and riding at its purest, something we intend to retain and protect long into the future," said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts.

"When combined with Heavenly and Northstar, we will be able to offer our guests and pass holders unparalleled value with the very best that Lake Tahoe has to offer. We are excited to be able to offer Kirkwood to our pass holders right away – it's like opening day to a whole new season."

The move means that five Tahoe resorts are now opened by two companies, following the merged operations of Alpine meadows and Squaw Valley announced earlier this season.

Vail Resorts say they have no plans to change Kirkwood's ticket structures or prices and in fact Kirkwood pass holders now have access at no extra cost to skiing at Heavenly and Northstar.

The company expects to close on the acquisition of Kirkwood Mountain Resort within the next month.

quote=AllyG]

J2SkiNews wrote:Yes all these slurs on the authenticity of Santa and flying reindeer are meaningless to my 10 year old son, but personally I am finding them very upsetting and may have to complain... You'll be claiming there's no tooth fairy next.

Let's get this straight, shall we? Do I have to censor my posts from now on so that they're suitable for 5 year olds as well as 10 year olds (and the rest of us?) :wink:

Ally

Verbier's famous and infamous High Five competition (www.verbierhighfivebycarlsberg.com), sponsored by Carlsberg, returns on Saturday, 31 March. The fun contest is unusual and exciting as it mixes professional ski champions alongside amateur skiers and snowboarders competing in five races: giant slalom, boardercross, speed skiing, a fun triathlon and parallel slalom.

Last year's event saw Didier Cuche, Alberto Tomba, Luc Alphand, Eric Guay, Edgar Grospiron the famous French 'mogulist' who took part in the very first High Five compete in attendance, as well as the then still-injured Didier Defago and J2Ski contributor Chemmy Alcott who were able to join the festival and assist with the race commentary, meeting their fans and giving last minute racing tips to the 350 amateurs.

After the four classic disciplines of the High Five (Giant Slalom, Speed Race, Skiercross and the Triathlon), it was Federica Brignone (ITA) and Sandrine Aubert (FRA) who had tied for first place but for the men, Christoph Innhofer (ITA) was the winner. From the 350 amateurs, Natalia Cornaz was the best of the women and Sebastien Revaz for the men.

The four top female amateurs and the eight best men then had the chance to ski with the Pros and compete in the hotly-contested Parallel Slalom. At the end of the two runs, the mens pro-am team of Luc Alphond and Serge Kummer came out on top, as did the women's team of Fanzi Auftenblatten and Natalia Cornaz.

Under the hot sun and in front of an enthusiastic public, Luc Alphond, drew on all his skills and experience to win his two Parallel Slalom Runs. The friendly French Champion could not conceal his joy at having won after six previous appearances at the High Fives.

"At last, I have won a ski race 12 years after retiring from the White Circus." I have had great fun all day in these perfect conditions".

"It could not have been better. The organisation was perfect, the conditions optimal and the piste just right. And moreover, everyone enjoyed themselves. It was tremendous fun!" said Didier Cuche.

At the awards presentation, Keld Strudahl, Carlsberg's International Marketing Director explained how this once-small event has grown in stature, significance and popularity. "The High Five is now a true brand in its own right; it combines the best of sport with fun, entertainment and sharing good times with friends."

Yes all these slurs on the authenticity of Santa and flying reindeer are meaningless to my 10 year old son, but personally I am finding them very upsetting and may have to complain... You'll be claiming there's no tooth fairy next.