J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by J2SkiNews

Ski areas in the Western US as well as Canada have been hit by a rapid series of storms, with four reported in the past week and another two, at least, lining up for the weekend.

Steamboat in Colorado has already reported 100" (2.5 metres) of snowfall this season and 7-day snowfall totals for some Californian ski areas has reached five feet (1.5 metres) with more on the way.

Although great news for the season ahead, the snowfall has inevitably caused short term issues. At times it has been accompanied by strong winds of up to 100mph giving blizzard conditions and along with logistical matters in clearing roads and making slopes safe, many resorts are warning of avalanche dangers and issues like tree wells for skiers and boarders to be aware of, especially off piste.

"We are so stoked on this weekend's storms but want to take the time to remind our guests of some snow immersion safety," a statement from California's China Peak Mountain Resort warns, continuing, "Despite the common phrase, "There are no friends on a powder day," we cannot stress enough the importance of riding with a buddy. Tree well "snow immersion" suffocation accidents can happen to anyone and are a serious hazard, even if you are an expert skier or boarder. Keep yourself and your pals safe by giving trees a wide berth to avoid tree wells and carrying rescue and safety equipment such as RECCO reflectors, whistles and of course a helmet."

Mammoth Mountain currently has the deepest reported snow depth in the USA and the world at 266cm (nearly nine feet).

British travel trade body ABTA has estimated that approximately 1.7 million Brits will head to the slopes this winter, many for the first time in three years.

The calculation was made on the basis of ABTA's Holiday Habits consumer research, conducted in the last two weeks of August 2022 by The Nursery Research and Planning with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 consumers. Of these 6% said they were planning to take or had already booked a skiing/snowboarding holiday. Based on the ONS 2020 GB population estimate of 67,000,000 this leads to an estimated 1,688,400 people potentially going on holiday skiing or boarding.

"For many people it will be the first time in three years that they've had the opportunity to hit the slopes after the COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted winter sports seasons," a spokesperson for the organisation said, adding, "ABTA Members are reporting very strong demand for winter sports breaks particularly at the busiest times of year, Christmas, New Year, February Half Term and Easter, and it is essential that people book as early as possible to avoid disappointment."

The numbers were announced as ABTA published what it describes as, "a handy check list of Ten Top Tips to help winter sports enthusiasts stay safe on the slopes and make sure that holidays will be memorable for all the right reasons."

ABTA's Ten Top Tips to make sure you're winter sports ready

1. Buy a good quality travel insurance policy which covers you for winter sports activities.
2. If you're feeling really adventurous and want to do unusual sports activities like tobogganing, or heli-skiing, always let your insurance company know.
3. Get a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which entitles you to state medical care in participating countries, mostly within the EU. Be aware that a GHIC won't cover you for costs if you have an accident and need to be airlifted off the slopes or flown home. Travel insurance should cover those costs, so check at the time of booking your travel insurance.
4. Get fit before you travel with some basic exercises to help minimise injury while you are away.
5. Check out the International Ski Federation's FIS Rules of Conduct, this 'highway code' for the ski slopes helps everyone stay safe.
6. Whether you're a beginner or an old hand, ski or snowboard lessons can help improve your skills and confidence.
7. It is advisable to wear a helmet and in some countries it is mandatory. If you don't own a helmet, you can usually hire one in resort.
8. The sun is stronger at altitude. Apply high-factor sunscreen frequently and take extra care with babies and children.
9. Wear sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes.
10. Be alcohol aware, the effects of drinking alcohol increase with altitude and your judgement, coordination and reaction times can be affected.

Further information and more detailed health and safety advice is available at [url]https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/staying-safe-on-holiday/safe-and-healthy-holidays-snow
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The cross border Espace San Bernardo –between La Thile in Italy's Aosta Valley and La Rosière in France have announced some small upgrades for this winter – with the season just started – and announced bigger developments planned for next winter.

In La Thuile various modernization works took place over the summer focussed in particular to the "Arnouvaz" chairlift, which underwent a general overhaul, as well as levelling the bottom of slopes 12 and 14.
On the French side of the area above La Rosière, three dynamic information panels have been installed at the arrival of the Roches Noires and Du Fort chairlifts.

The aim of the panels is to improve skier circulation around the skiable domain by showing busy spots to allow people to choose quieter slopes to ski on. The panels show lift and slopes open or closed and weather conditions all updated in real time.

The big news for next winter is the modernization of the ski area between Les Suches and Chaz Dura, where two old triple chairlifts will be removed and be replaced by a new detachable gondola.

The departure station of the new gondola will be connected to the top station of the DMC cable car, thus allowing skiers to leave from La Thuile and reach the top of Monte Chaz Dura comfortably seated in cabins and sheltered from bad weather.

For the resort it will mean a year-round attraction allowing non-skiers to reach one of the most panoramic points in the Alps and enjoy a unique view of Mont Blanc and the wonderful 4,000m peaks of the Graian and Pennine Valdostane Alps, during both winter and summer seasons.

Work is planned to start next summer of 2023, continue in summer 2024, with operations starting in December 2024.

A series of major storms have slammed into America's Pacific Coast bringing reports of up to two feet (60cm) of fresh snowfall.

The storm also brought wind gusts over 100 mph at times and led to temporary closures of ski slopes as well as road access issues, both of which led to long delays for skiers trying to get on the snow.

There is also now avalanche warnings in place in California as well as in the Rockies, where snow levels are also well above average for this early in the season, in Colorado, Idaho and Montana.

It's a very different start to December to a year ago when Western US resorts were struggling to open because of dry, warm conditions.

Mammoth Mountain is currently reporting the world's deepest snowpack at 2.3 metres (nearly 8 feet) on its higher slopes. The coming week should have a few sunny days but also a lot more snowfall.

After limited openings a week ago, this weekend sees the official opening of lifts and slopes in most of the Dolomiti Superski's ski resorts.

In total, there are more than 200 lifts operating and around 400km of slopes accessible in 13 out of 15 Dolomiti ski resorts.

The famous Sellaronda circuit is open in both skiing directions from December 3rd onwards providing
vital connections between key valleys in the region.

One of them, Val Gardena, is currently posting 150km (93 miles) of slopes open, the most in the world so far, overtaking Ischgl/Samnaun (136km) and Cervinia/Zermatt (110km)

After Cortina (Col Gallina), Kronplatz, 3 Cime Dolomites (Passo Monte Croce), Val di Fiemme (Pampeago) and Obereggen last week, on December 3rd the ski resorts of Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Carezza, Arabba/Marmolada, Rio Pusteria-Bressanone, Alpe Lusia/San Pellegrino and Rolle Pass will also open.

The two remaining areas not yet open, Alpe di Siusi, will start operations on 7 December, San Martino di Castrozza and Civetta will open on 8 December 2022.

Olympic snowboarder Jamie Nicholls and Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton CBE were present to judge the 'Best Trick' prize at Warmwell's dry slope as young contestants performed adrenaline-pumping tricks in support of the charity #Willdoes.

Deja Parker and Max Baxter-Fox were judged the winners at the annual Snowboard and Ski Jam, receiving a £200 voucher, donated by Thrudark clothing, for their breath-taking back flip, performed in perfect unison.

There's a video of the stunt here:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&v=1462848070793261

Other fantastic prizes were donated by local independent ski and snowboard shop Big Dreams, run by Ben who has over 35 years of experience. Louis Tinsley, Thrudark clothing co-founder and former SBS operator, was also present to support the event.

#WillDoes is dedicated to the memory of William Paddy whose life sadly ended early at the age of 14. It aims to carry on Will's energy by helping young people achieve wellbeing and contribute financially to charitable projects for the benefit of young people in Dorset andthe surrounding areas.

"Warmwell is a very special place for the #Willdoes charity as this was one of my son, Will's, favourite places to hang out – he learnt to do his front flip here! As a charity, we want to encourage young people to pursue all sorts of sports and activities, especially in the outdoors, as we know it has an incredible power to raise spirits and give you a sense of accomplishment," said Will's Mum Lesley.

https://www.willdoes.co.uk/

Apple's Watch Ultra has a new feature for skiers and boarders with the new app Slopes.

Once installed, the watch is able to track your skiing or snowboarding on the mountain and if you don't know where you are, it can tell you that too.

The Slopes app also works with the Action button on the Watch Ultra, enabling wearers to assign the button to start a workout through Slopes with a single press. Slopes works with Siri as well so voice commands are on the menu.

In additionally, all Apple Watch devices can switch to water lock mode when a Slopes workout is started in order to prevent accidental touches on the display in the snowy environment.

110km of slopes will be open in the 'Matterhorn Ski Paradise' that straddles the border between Cervinia in Italy and Zermatt in Switzerland, from this weekend, 3rd-4th December. That's more than double what's currently open there and will be one of the largest areas open in Europe so far this season.

"For several weeks now, Zermatt Bergbahnen have been offering excellent slopes thanks to intensive preparation work, and a trip to the Italian side of the ski area has also been possible since last weekend. Now, this coming weekend, various slopes and lifts in the Rothorn Sunnegga and Gornergrat areas will be open, as well as in Cervinia and Valtournenche," the lift company's Communication & Media Manager Marc Lagger commented.

Cervinia and Zermatt often have the largest ski area open in Europe during the period from late November to early December, before bigger areas like the 3 Valleys are fully open.

This winter though it has lagged behind some resorts like Obergurgl and Solden in the Austrian Tirol who have both had more terrain open so far and it remains to be seen how much Ischgl, which currently reports 120km of runs open already in its area shared with Swiss resort Samnuan, will have open at the weekend.