J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by admin

Multiple reports from different US states this week reflect the attempt by ski areas across the country to lessen the danger of law suits from bankrupting their operations.
Ski laws vary across the US with most states with ski areas having some specific legislation on wintersports. In each case there is a balance to be struck between the responsibilities of the ski area operator and those of the skier or boarder to recognise that skiing is 'inherently dangerous' and that an accident may happen however well the ski area had attempted to lessen the chances of such an event.

Some states like Alaska have relatively clear legislation which puts greater onus on the skier or boarder to take responsibility for their actions rather than blaming the ski area, others give a stronger weighting to skiers and boarders who are injured and claim against the ski area.

As well as the claims themselves, ski areas are suffering from increasing insurance premiums, with one ski area that hadn't had a single claim in the past decade noting it now had to pay twice as much for insurance than it did in 2001.

In Colorado another aspect of the issue has been a move by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to launch a cinema advertisement targeting what they call 'lawsuit abuse' and featuring a seven year old boy from Vail who was sued in 2007 by a man who claimed that the boy skiing over the back of his skis led him to fall over. The boy's family disputed the reaso0nableness of the claim, but their insurance company eventually paid the man an out-of-court settlement.

"Lawsuits are turning the American dream into a litigation horror film," said U.S. Chamber ILR President Lisa Rickard. "This movie trailer about this family's legal nightmare warns that even those who play by the rules can still have their lives turned upside-down by costly, frivolous lawsuits."

Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

Two new fixed grip quad chairlifts are due to begin service in Flaine this December, in accordance with to its five year improvement plan, and the resort's famous bucket lift which links two of its sectors, is due to be renovated.

The new fixed grip La Foret quad will be a six minute ride accessing the seater chairlift accessing the beginners' zone. It will rise 300 vertical metres over its 1,770m length and open a direct link to the ski runs from the western part of the Intrawest Village, the Hameau Scandinave and the Refuge du Golf.

A second new fixed-grip quad will improve the links to the Auron sector and replace the Bois draglift scheduled for removal this summer, although the neighbouring Aujon and Grand Grenier draglifts will remain. Customer advantages will include faster and direct access to this zone instead of the current route via Aup de Véran. The two kilometre long lift will rise 400 vertical metres.

The resort's upgrading of its bucket lift will optimise user convenience on the link between the upper and lower beginners' zones. The restored lift will reduce waiting times and mean less congestion for Tête des Verds.

Flaine will also introduce new snowmaking to its pioneering system (One of Europe's longest established and most extensive networks, first started more than 35 years ago and currently operating more than 200 snow cannons. The new system will take water from a bore hole drilled 300 metres below the resort which has been tested to not interfere with the water table.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

Skiers and riders can look forward to hitting Mt Hutt in New Zealand's slopes later this month as ski area staff work to open two weeks ahead of schedule for the first time in at least 10 years.

Mt Hutt has received more than 170cm (nearly six feet) of snow over the past 12 days resulting in a 110cm (nearly four feet) snow base and a decision to work towards a Queen's Birthday weekend opening on Saturday 30 May (conditions permitting).
It's the best early snow the ski area has had in decades, according to Dave Wilson, Ski Area Manager for Mt Hutt.

"We've got awesome snow conditions so have decided to open early for some May skiing. But it's been a big call to make," he said. "There are huge logistics involved in opening a ski area ahead of schedule."

Mr Wilson said the mountain crew would be working around the clock to bring their original schedule forward.

"We need to ensure our suppliers can meet our deadlines, go through all of our health and safety checks and ensure we have enough staff to provide the best possible snow experience from opening day."

"A lot of staff have changed their plans to get here early which is humbling. We're also bringing in staff from our sister mountains (Coronet Peak and The Remarkables) in Queenstown to help us out."

Mr Wilson said the Summit Six Chairlift, the Quad Chair and the Magic Carpet would be operating for the early opening and that the Triple Chair would open in the following weeks, snow dependant.

"Our outlook for a 30 May opening is positive as long as conditions remain favourable and the weather permits on the day," he said.

Paul Creswick, from the Mt Hutt Marketing Group and owner of Brinkley Resort in Methven, said the news was fantastic.

"This is spectacular news for every tourism operator in town. The early opening and reports of lots of snow coupled with the soft New Zealand dollar and some great airline deals bodes well for everyone in Methven and the surrounding area this season," he said.

"Many operators are already reporting a significant increase in domestic and international enquiries from last year," he added.

Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

Norrie wrote:Having an army of bidders is deceptive in my opinion

Indeed.

Registering with a forum with the sole intention of dissing your competition, without declaring your own interest, could also be considered deceptive - don't you think? :evil:

The AA still say one reflective jacket per vehicle here - http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/AA_France_Monaco.pdf - updated in January.

Given the likelihood of on-the-spot fines it's worth double-checking though.

Three Bid To Host 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships

Three of the world's classic ski resorts are bidding to host the 2015 Alpine World Ski Championships run by the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Italy's Cortina d'Ampezzo, Switzerland's St. Moritz and Vail/Beaver Creek in the USA are all hoping to stage the Championships.

"I am delighted to see that despite the current economical climate we have received applications as candidates for the 2015 FIS World Championships. For us this underlines the continuing strength of our flagship events and their appeal to global audiences," commented FIS President Gian Franco Kasper.

The FIS Council will elect the organizers of the 2014/2015 FIS World Championships during the 2010 Congress week in Antalya (TUR) on 3rd June next year.

Prior to that, each Candidate Applicant, together with its National Ski Association, will prepare its detailed concept based on a specific FIS Questionnaire, containing details including the areas of sports organization, accommodation, transportation, logistics, security, legal aspects, environment, media, communications, marketing, ceremonies as well as the festival by 1st September 2009.

For the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, the registration fee for each candidature is CHF 400'000 and 200 training day. For a second consecutive candidature, candidates are entitled to a 25 % reduction in the registration fee and, for the third and further consecutive candidacies, a 50 % reduction is granted.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

Sixth British Indoor Snow Centre Opens

Heavy snow is forecast for Hemel Hempstead to the north of London from May 6th when the UK's sixth currently-operational indoor snow centre opens its doors to the skiers of Britain's capital city for the first time.

The £23 million venture has transformed the ski-mat slopes at Hemel Hempstead's Hemel Ski Centre in to a state-of-the-art indoor Snowcentre ideal for novices, experienced skiers and snowboarders alike.

With a 160 metre slope plus a nursery training slope of almost 100 metres, the new centre will offer superb facilities providing London and the South East with the region's premier venue for a real skiing experience.

Serviced by two drag lifts and two rope tows on the trainer slope, the ski runs are graded to meet the requirements of skiers and snowboarders at all levels of ability. Experienced and highly qualified instructors will provide expert tuition in a relaxed atmosphere.

A key retail partner is Snow and Rock who will have a large shop within the Snow Centre so anyone interested in buying winter sports gear can try the equipment on real snow.

With the temperature maintained at just below freezing, visitors will get a real feel of fresh mountain air while large video screens showing winter sports activities will add to the Alpine atmosphere.

And there will be plenty of Apres Ski too at the main restaurant overlooking the slopes with panoramic views, plus bars, coffee shops and meeting rooms making The Snow Centre the ideal venue for team-building conferences and parties.

The venture is the brainchild of David Surrey, director of the Hemel Ski Centre which was started by his father in 1978.

Mr Surrey, who persuaded a consortium of local business people involved in the UK leisure industry to support the project, said: "We see indoor slopes as the future for skiing and snowboarding in Britain and our aim is to create a superb facility that will allow people to enjoy the sport all year round."

Qualified ski instructor and technical management expert Stephen Jordan is part of the team running the venture. He says "Our Centre of Excellence will enable everyone from beginner to expert to enjoy their chosen snow sport. We are deploying state of the art snow making equipment for the perfect Alpine surface."

The project, also backed by NatWest bank has taken two years to plan in consultation with builders Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, and the meticulous design will feature one of Britain's biggest living roofs covering the entire length of the slope, making it visually unobtrusive and environmentally friendly.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc

With a month to go until the start of the 2009 winter season at Perisher Blue in Australia, the resort is celebrating both 50cm (20 inches) of natural snow, an unprecedented pre-season snowfall, which has been followed by the start of snowmaking at the area.

"Due to cold overnight temperatures snowmaking has commenced earlier than scheduled. Perisher is the first of the Australian ski resorts to kick-start their snowmaking efforts this season and with the bonus of natural snowfalls, a good base can now be established ready for the 6 June Opening Weekend Celebrations." Said a resort statement.

Temperatures as low as -10.4 Celcius have allowed Perisher's new automated snowmaking system to be fired up across Front Valley. This week up to 39 snow guns went into action, two weeks ahead of last season's snowmaking debut.

Perisher's three-year $19 million investment in snowmaking culminates this year, with a $5.7 million expansion covering the very popular beginner and intermediate Happy Valley area and top to bottom on Towers Run on Mt Perisher, one of the resort's favourites amongst advanced skiers and boarders.

A total of 271 snow guns are now installed across Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega resort areas, that's 53.4 hectares of terrain for all standards of skiers and snowboarders under man-made coverage.

"Snowmaking enables more season-long consistency for guests to Perisher, enhancing their holiday experiences." Said a resort statement.

Now that Perisher's snowmaking program has officially commenced it is expected that the guns will operate at every available opportunity.

At present, a thick layer of snow can be found across Perisher, from the peaks to the valleys, making the resort look more like July than early May.

The resort reports that due to the recent snowfalls, bookings have begun to take off.
Courtesy of and © Snow24 plc