J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by admin

Courchevel will install a new six seater chairlift for the coming season, equipped with the Magnestick system, to modernize the link between Courchevel 1850 and Courchevel 1650. This is the main part of a host of initiatives and improvements for the coming winter at the famous French resort.

There will also be a new Family terrain park beneath the Verdon cable car incorporating snow park, snow cross and an 'animation's area.' In addition the Cospillot's ski lift will be extended to help make many more accommodation ski in ski out.

Six defibrillator machines will be placed in different levels of Courchevel for rapid availability for heart attack victims if required.

Lift pass changes include the creation of a three hours lift pass valid for any three hours of the day. This will replace the 'morning' lift pass that will no longer be available, although the afternoon's lift pass (from 12.30pm) will still be available. Courchevel 1650 will be incorporated in to the minipass.

A new tourism office will welcome guests in resort. The new tourism office will be built in the heart of "La Croisette", in Courchevel 1850, near to the lift pass sales desks, ski school desks and ski lifts. The new facility will include a free internet wifi area.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

:oops:

LONDON RIDE 09 - Saturday 24th October 2009

Ride Freesport is once again proud to announce the 6th edition of the London Ride event series. The London Ride 09, presented by Snow + Rock and Switzerland Tourism (www.myswitzerland.com), will take place at the Kensington Olympia on Saturday 24th October and will be run in association with and as part of the Metro Ski + Snowboard Show 2009. Athletes from across the globe will compete in the Big Air event and show the London crowds the latest tricks on the freestyle ski scene.

You'll get to see the top British riders go head to head with some of Europe's best athletes. All the action will be filmed for International TV distribution and a 24 minute TV broadcast is scheduled for release just after the event. For all event info and to watch last year's TV action check out www.thelondonride.com.

SAAS-FEE RIDE 10 - Date Confirmed for July 17th 2010

The resort of Saas-Fee and Ride Freesport have confirmed that next year's Saas-Fee Ride 10 will take place on Saturday 17th July 2010. The event will cover the same format with a Big Air competition and Rail Jam session. The event will be open to pros and amateurs and will take place in the Snowpark on the Allalin Glacier.

SAAS-FEE RIDE 09 - Event Postponed due to Bad Weather

This year's Saas-Fee Ride 09 event has unfortunately been postponed until next summer due to unusual weather patterns over the past few days. Extremely high temperatures and the forecasted heavy rain for most of Friday and Saturday morning has made it impossible to shape the kicker for the Big Air contest to the standard needed for the event.

Ride Freesport and Saas-Fee Bergbahnen took the decision to postpone the event until next summer so as to maintain a level of safety for the athletes and also to not compromise the athletes professional skiing standard. It is important that freestyle skiing is portrayed in a professional manner and running the event with the athletes not being able to output their full level and style due to conditions does not do the sport justice.

If you were planning on being in Saas-Fee for this event you should expect to ski powder snow due to the heavy rainfall and the temperatures dropping in Saas-Fee on Friday and Saturday. Ironically, the snow conditions on Saturday afternoon and Sunday should be the best of the summer so far with good fresh snow. Unfortunately there will not be enough time to shape the kicker for the Big Air with the new snow for the competition.

You can watch the action from the previous three Saas Fee Ride events here - Saas Fee Ride 08, Saas Fee Ride 07 and Saas Fee Ride 06.

Gavin, Arc 2000 has at least two lifts (both slow chairs I think) that are free for beginners and one very easy (flat, wide and generally quiet) but quite long Green run that's great for the nervous / first-timer. If they progress well (i.e. are keen and fit) then there are a number of long Blues in the 2000 valley that they can work up to. These are fairly central, so the more experienced of your group can easily / regularly meet up with your beginner whilst whizzing around the valley.

For anyone experienced and confident, Arc 2000 is just brilliant and boasts some of the finest Black runs anywhere. End of. If you're competent away from the piste then it just gets better. Access to the other valleys is easy with a number of well-connected chairs and the TransArc gondola hooking you into 1800/1600 and the Peisey area from where you can take the Vanoise Express over to La Plagne (although you probably won't bother!).

The architecture is not to everyone's taste (towerblock stylee in 2000, contrasting with disney-mock chalet complexes in 1950) but it's perfectly located amongst some fabulous skiing.

A number of the regulars know Les Arcs well, so sure you'll get some more info - but it's great.

Treble Cone hosts fourth annual Mapei Children's Ski Race this Thursday

For the fourth year, Treble Cone is hosting the widely acclaimed Mapei Ski Race this Thursday, July 16th at 10:00AM. They expect over 100 competitors under the age of thirteen competing in Novice and Elite categories. Fiona Stevens at Snow Vision, the Wanaka Ski Club, Cardrona HPC and Treble Cone have also put together three $500 scholarships that all athletes will be eligible for as well
as medals and spot prizes for all ages and abilities.

The Mapei Race has established itself as a prestigious event that attracts both the top athletes from all over the South Island and also aspiring racers looking to get into the sport. With big sponsors and top coaches around, this is a showcase for New Zealand's skiing youth.

The focal point of this event is its accessibility to new comers to the sport. With a $15 entry fee, this event is available to any child who is interested in the fun and challenging sport of ski racing.

Novice entries can be made at Treble Cone Snow Sports Office, the Cardrona HPC Office and the Ski Connect Office at anytime before the race, but Elite entries must be received by 5:00PM on Tuesday at any of the aforementioned offices.

With the South Island's largest vertical descent, the most terrain and longest groomed trails, Treble Cone is New Zealand's premier alpine resort. 360 degree views of the snow capped Southern Alps, the brilliant blue Lake Wanaka and the rugged Central Otago landscape make this one of the most memorable views of any global resort. Situated on the edge of Lake Wanaka, Treble Cone has established itself as a mecca for all snow enthusiasts both locally and abroad.

To find out more please visit treblecone.com.

Fresh snow in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Chile has been reported in the past week. Virtually all of the southern hemisphere's ski areas, including Tiffindell in South Africa, are now open.

In South America snow conditions are good at many resorts in Argentina and Chile.

In Australia the Heavenly Valley chair started turning for the first time this season last Saturday after over half a metre (20 inches) of snow dumped on Hotham in Australia in a 48 hour period. Keen skiers and boarders heading out for first tracks on Hotham's signature terrain and what is arguably some of Australia's best black diamond terrain. The lift will open everyday and for first tracks at 7.30am from Wednesdays to Sundays all season long (snow and weather permitting).

Many of New Zealand's resorts got a good amount of new snow early in the week. This took the base to 134cm (4.5 feet) at Turoa and 91cm (3 feet) at Whakapapa for example.
Snow Park NZ was the latest resort to open, last Saturday 4 July, with good fresh snow coverage across the terrain park and new features introduced. Night skiing and riding sessions kicked off twice weekly, on Tuesday (7 July).

Mt Hutt reported receiving 50cm (20 inches) of new snow at the start of the week and 74cm (2.5 feet) in the last week and is now boasting a good base of 150cm (five feet) with more snow forecast for the next couple of days.

"Everyone was beaming ear-to-ear today as they skied knee-deep powder," said Dave Wilson, Ski Area Manager. "Awesome snow falling with little wind has created near-on perfect conditions at Mt Hutt for the school holidays."

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