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Crystal Ski hit by recesssion?

The ski market fell by 13.3% overall across all sectors last season despite good early sales and excellent snow conditions according to the recently published Crystal Ski Industry Report 2009 from the UK's leading ski tour operator.

The Report is one of several British ski industry measures published each year. The Report amalgamates information from tour operators' own statistics, CAA published statistics, tourist office figures and travel agency feedback.

The fall follows seven successive years of growth and means the number of skiers travelling abroad fell from more than 1.22m in 2007/8 to just over 1m in 2008/9.

The report's authors believe the decline in numbers is due to some skiers giving the season a miss and others taking just one trip where they might previously take two or more.

However, there was one encouraging sign at least as the schools market remained stable with more than 140,000 young skiers taking to the slopes and memories of last season's great snow will have whet the appetite of many skiers to return.

[They allege that...] The independent travel sector was down by 15% to 327,000 skiers with some low cost carriers reducing their flight capacity to ski destinations.

The tour operator sector also saw their number decreasing by 15% to 597,000 skiers, partly due to fewer multiple trips, fewer new skiers and a shorter ski season.

The top six operators' market share remained stable at 73%. Crystal strengthened its market leadership by 0.1% to 24.3% and Inghams increased its share by 1.3% to 18.4%, both still comfortably ahead of the pack. Thomson's share fell by 1.1% and Neilson, who enjoyed a good season, added 0.7%. First Choice lost 1.3%, but is still ahead of Airtours who gained 0.4%.

France continues to be the most popular country despite seeing a slight decline of 0.5%, taking 37.0% share of holidaymakers last season. Switzerland, which benefits from higher resorts than its neighbour France, shows a steady share of 6%.

Austria and Italy increased market share by 1.8% and 1.1% respectively. Bulgaria also saw a small increase to 3.2% and the small countries sector grew by 0.5% reflecting the rise in popularity of Slovenia.

Despite good snowfalls, North America's share dropped by 1.4% due to Zoom's demise, other airlines reducing seat capacity and many skiers opting for what they perceived to be better value European resorts in the current economic climate. The Andorran ski resorts saw a further decline in visitors from a 2% fall last season to 5% which is attributed to its continuing attempt to reposition itself from a budget to quality destination. It also suffered from end of season capacity reductions from most operators.

"The 2009/10 season undoubtedly poses serious challenges for an industry that is impacted by the effects of the recession, exchange rate pressures, high fuel costs and high fixed costs for ski holiday companies. The Crystal Ski Industry Report finds strong evidence of chalet companies significantly reducing the numbers of properties for next winter leading to fewer holidays on offer." concludes the report.

Crystal's MD Mathew Prior said: "Winter 08/09 was a difficult year for the ski industry and 09/10 poses challenges for us all. Our research shows that the key is to inspire customers, remind them how fantastic a ski holiday is and create good value and compelling holidays. We know that in their hearts no skier wants to miss out on a season provided they can justify the expense. Creating transparently good value deals I see as the key to ensuring that as many as possible return to the slopes this coming season."

The above courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

J2Ski, the leading online destination for the Independent Skier, would like to reassure you that the Tour Operators will not be reducing the number of properties in The Alps! They may not be selling them but someone else will. J2Ski predict a good season for the independent traveler, with exceptional deals on accommodation.

J2Ski - through our Ski Accommodation Partners - offers a choice of tens of thousands of Ski Chalets, Apartments, Residences and Hotels throughout The Alps and beyond.

J2Ski will be (significantly) increasing the number of Accommodation Only Ski Deals that we offer; to browse and book, visit our Ski Accommodation and Ski Hotels sections today.

Fourth and Final Ski Area Opens for Season at Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

Lake Wanaka's 2009 ski season is officially underway with all four fields open for business.

Good snowfalls throughout May combined with a prolonged period of cool and calm weather, ideal for snow making, has equipped the mountains across the region with one metre bases providing the best opening conditions in a decade. A cold front moving across the region over the past few days has provided a timely deposit of fresh snow for the July school holidays starting on Monday.

Snow Farm opened in mid-June for cross-country skiers with many kilometres of world class trails. Snow Farm is New Zealand's only Nordic ski area will host many international teams and events this season as well as continuing is successful development of Biathlon.

Cardrona Alpine Resort opened all facilities and 100% of their extensively groomed trails last Friday. Skiers and boarders had great on-piste and weather conditions throughout the day.

Treble Cone kicked off their season on Saturday opening all of its 550ha of skiable terrain, including the Saddle Basin and Motatapu Chutes, plenty of beginners took advantage of the free learner's lift as well as the shuttle bus transporting visitors up the mountain access road.

The roll-out of Lake Wanaka's ski areas continues with Snow Park NZ opening tomorrow (4 July). With good fresh snow coverage across the terrain park and new features introduced over summer the freestyle action will get underway. Snow Park NZ is looking forward to starting their night skiing and riding sessions, twice weekly, on Tuesday (7 July).

James Helmore, general manager of Lake Wanaka Tourism said there was a positive buzz of excitement in town, "The ski season has started and it is great to see keen skiers and boarders coming from around the globe to experience our four world class resorts and enjoy the unique alpine town. We are looking forward to the busy season ahead," he said.

Lake Wanaka's resorts will again host many national and international events over the coming winter months. Events such as the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games, incorporating the LG FIS Snowboard World Cup, and the Burton New Zealand Open will offer spectacular action from world class athletes.

The new developments for Lake Wanaka's resorts include: a new FIS certified trail and expansion of terrain at Cardrona with a snowmaking upgrade to cover the entire resort, night skiing and riding extended to three nights a week at Snow Park NZ as well as new all-inclusive accommodation packages. Treble Cone is offering free use of the lower mountain learner lifts all season long and 90 minute complimentary guided tours of the mountain (groomed trails) twice daily.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

The great start to winter 2009 is continuing in Australia with resorts reporting larger than expected snowfalls in the past few days.

After hoping for a few centimetres of powder, Mt Hotham received 47cm of fresh snow in 48 hours last Thursday/Friday, just in time for the weekend, taking the resort's natural snowdepth to 58cm or two feet.

More snow is expected to fall until Sunday enabling the rest to re-open more lifts. Summit Quad, Summit Trainer, Upper Playground, Road Runner, Village and the Big D are running.

At perisher the numbers they're claiming are 70cm of new snow in 7 days. 25cm more light dry powder settled in the resort on Thursday night, taking the total to 70cm in the last 7 days. There are reported wind-drifts, powder stashes and silky smooth groomed runs galore.

Due to recent snowfalls Perisher plans to open 40 lifts for the weekend. Some of the resort's favourite areas due to open this weekend include: all of Guthega; Excelerator and the Ridge Quad Chair in Blue Cow; Eyre and Sun Valley T-Bars on Mt Perisher. Access to and from Blue Cow will be via the Interceptor Quad Chair and Pleasant Valley Quad Chair.

Other Australian Ski areas are reporting similar snow falls in the past week.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

A new chairlift at Gulmarg in India's Kashmir region seems likely to be the world's highest lift of this type when it opens.

Gulmarg currently operates the world's third highest gondola lift, behind two lifts in China, and the world's second highest ski area, behind the small facility on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in China, following the demise of the former highest ski area in Bolivia which has closed due to climate change melting the snow pack. However Gulmarg can claim to be the highest 'proper' ski resort in the world with runs up to 5km (three miles) long.

The new lift's construction, which is said to be starting 'in the next month' was announced by the Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora, during a day-long excursion tour of Gulmarg in North Kashmir last week.

"The up-gradation of tourism related infrastructure at par with international standards, to tap tourism potential of the destination, is afoot." He said. "…to explore fully the potential of this premier hill resort, a chairlift from Kongdoori-Marrishoulder of Apharwat will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 9 crore (about $2m)."

Currently the world's highest chairlift is in Breckenridge, Colorado, and reaches 12,840 feet (3,914m). It is not clear yet how high the Gulmarg lift will go, but the resort does offer gondola accessed skiing to nearly 4,000m/over 13,000 feet.

The Minister also announced the state's highest altitude cafeteria, an Igloo-type hut, would be built at Apharwat and that accommodation improvements including a new 20 bed budget hostel and the conversion of old Maharaja palace into a convention centre would also take place at a cost of about Rs 6 crore (about $1.3m). There would also be improvements in the electricity and water supply networks in the resort.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

This summer the SNO!zone in Castleford Xscape will be encouraging people to support the Prince of Wales Hospice when they provide a full day of entertainment in aid of the charity.

The indoor snow slope at Castleford is hoping to raise lots of money on the 18th July with a new event, LIVEZONE, where everyone will be entertained from 12noon until the evening.
The day long festival of fun and music will include a Battle of the Bands in association with Marshall Amplifiers, live from 7pm with a host of local bands battling it out to win a slot at the Limetree Festival.

Fran Hennessy, Events Co-ordinator for SNO!zone said: "We are really looking forward to the event in July, we have been working with the cheerleaders, the Wildcat Dolls, from Wakefield Wildcats who will be holding one hour streetdance workshops for free throughout the day.

"There will be something for everyone from circus skills workshops, facepainters, stalls, giant games to treasure hunts. We are hoping to raise lots of money for the Hospice and really want people to get behind the event as it is amazing to see the excellent work that the Hospice do."

Mandy Mefcalfe, Events and Community Fundraiser for The Prince of Wales Hospice said, "It is great that SNO!zone are holding this event with the aim to raise money for the Hospice. We rely heavily on the support of local people and are really looking forward to the event."

Entry to the event is free, although there is a £2 suggested entry fee in place. Collection buckets will be going around all day for people to donate as they wish and help the Hospice raise the vital funding needed.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

The Swiss branch of the WWF has given a positive report on the annual ski marathon in the Engadin region around St Moritz, which is one of the country's larger sporting events, attracting thousands of competitors.

A newly released WWF Report on the efforts of major Swiss sporting events to be environmentally friendly says that the Engadin Marathon makes a concerted effort to reduce its environmental impact, by encouraging participants to use public transport to reach the area, using power from renewable sources at the event, providing bio-degradable containers for food, and bio foods among other initiatives.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

This summer will once again see many of Europe's top freeskiers compete in the Allalin Snow Park on the Saas-Fee glacier at the Saas-Fee Ride 09. Last year's event was seen across the globe with a 26 minute TV programme showcasing just how good summer glacier skiing can be. It has just clocked up over 500 hours of television airtime and has given the 50+ athletes at the comp some much deserved publicity.



On the day you can expect to see International and National team riders, aspiring pro's and many people from the freestyle skiing community getting involved to make it a day to remember. You can check out the latest event schedule here.

Saas-Fee is the perfect location for the comp due to the north facing glacier, which keeps the snow in great condition and the safety standards high. For everything to do in Saas-Fee check out www.saas-fee.ch.

TEAM MANAGER + RIDER INFORMATION
This year's main discipline is Big Air. There will also be a Rail Jam session for athletes to show their style for the TV crews. All of the event details can be seen by clicking here.

To submit an entry please save the PDF or Word Document from the COMPETITION page of the website and email it to events@ridefreesport.com . You can also print and send it to Ride Freesport, Hotel Dom, 3906 Saas-Fee, Switzerland. The final start list will be made on the 16th July and displayed on the competition page of the website.

Most athletes will have the opportunity to appear in the 26 minute TV programme that will gain over 500 hours of television airtime across the globe. Athletes will also have access to the photography taken of themselves featured in the results pages of the website.


FREESKI CAMPS IN SAAS-FEE

The British Freeski Camps 2009, in association with Freeski Britain, are running from the 11th July to 8th August in Saas Fee. The camps will be focused on bringing the British freeskiing community closer together and building a basis for training riders to become top level New School, Mogul and Big Mountain competitors. For more info check out www.britishfreeskicamps.com. This years camps will also be supporting British Team World Cup freestyle athletes and helping them to prepare for Half Pipe and Mogul competitions in Winter 2009/10.


PLACES TO BE IN SAAS-FEE

Saas-Fee is famous for being car free and having the best snowpark conditions for summer riding in Europe. Official event partner and long term supporter of Ride Freesport events, the Unique Hotel Dom and Popcorn Shop + Bar is a location where you will find many of the athletes from the event either staying in, hanging in the Living Room Bar or partying in Popcorn Bar. The location also has the Popcorn and P2 Shop.
- Summer Special Offers from Unique Hotel Dom: Book 4 nights pay 3 www.uniquedom.com
- Summer Special Popcorn Bar: Every Wednesday Riders Night, with DJ's and 1/2 on drinks www.popcorn.ch

Quite. Although...

bandit wrote:reprimanded as the monitoring equipment shows that they sat down in the middle of a slope for too long......

Every cloud... :wink: :lol: