Inghams launch high end ski packages

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Mike Styles
on August 22, 2008
in Ski UK
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Inghams have released their 2008 - 2009 Ski Luxury collection which the company says aims to offer the elusive combination of affordability and luxury. Its seventy-one hotels, in forty-three of the world’s finest resorts are as distinctive as they are distinguished. Hotels have been chosen for their exceptional quality, individual style and unique ambience.

With gourmet dining and pampering in opulent spas, the highest possible standards of service are found in these hand picked, minimum four-star hotels.

New additions this year include three of the worlds leading resorts including Baqueira-Beret, Spain’s answer to Klosters, where the Spanish Royal family take their luxury holiday breaks. Their hotel of choice, the five star La Pleta, is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. Exclusive to Inghams, the Austrian resort of Serfaus adds to their range of destinations suitable for intermediate skiers.
Its highlight, the 5* Spa Hotel Schalber, combines Gault Millau award winning dining with stunning amenities. Other accommodation additions in Austria include the totally renovated Schloss Lebenberg in Kitzbühel, once an aristocratic hunting castle, and the recently refurbished four star Alpine Hotel Wolf in Hinterglemm in the vast interconnecting ski circus of Saalbach Hinterglemm. In the Italian resort of Cervinia, the newly built, 27 bedroom, four star boutique hotel Principe Delle Nevi offers an enviable ski in-ski out location with a relaxed ambience, superb food and excellent views of Monte Rosa. In Courchevel 1650, one of the resort’s finest hotels, the four star Hotel Le Manali has been included for the first time.
Litsa Constantinou, Chief Executive, said

“Last winter more clients than ever travelled with Inghams to our luxury winter properties. We appreciate that luxury ski holidays are about much, much more than just first class hotels. We put great emphasis on giving a complete service during the booking process all the way through to clients’ return journeys. We offer convenient and flexible flight times from 23 UK airports, relaxing rail options with daytime services to Switzerland, an array of transfer arrangements including Audi 7 private transfers in Austria and bespoke holiday choices. Private instructors and mountain guides are also available as part of the highest standard of ski pack options in our market sector.

Inghams has built its reputation over 70 years and has found that the combination of these components guarantees the ultimate luxury winter adventure which this winter starts with White Weeks in Obergurgl on 6 December 2008.
A week’s luxury ski holiday from the Inghams Luxury Collection costs from £579 per person, based on four sharing a room at the five star Rimrock Resort Hotel in the Canadian resort of Banff, on room only, while luxury at the top end is provided by a week at the 5* Hotel La Palace des Neiges in Courchevel 1850 costing from £4745 per person, based on two sharing a suite. Both prices include return flights and transfers.
www.inghams.co.uk

Austria introduces green lodging ratings

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Mike Styles
on August 21, 2008
in Environment Issues and Ski Austria
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“When it comes to the environment,” says Alfred Strigl, deputy director of the Austrian Institute for Sustainability, “Austrians are top of Europe and top of the world.” Being green, he explains, has always come naturally to his countrymen.

We are the indigenous people of Europe. We have a broad traditional knowledge of natural topics that has been handed down from generation to generation. We know about the cycle of life, to listen to the wind and to pay attention to the seasons and the way the herbs grow, the birds, the mushrooms and so on.”

It is the combination of what Strigl calls this “aristocratic” green sensibility along with a new environmental awareness triggered by global warming and globalisation that makes Austria the world’s most environmentally friendly country today, continues Strigl.

“Seventy per cent of our power comes from alternative energy,” he says. “And 60 per cent of all waste is recycled. We are a recycling world master. It’s been like this for ten years, and there’s not much more we can do to make it better.”

In Austria, there are a huge number and variety of affordable places to stay – from B&Bs and guesthouses to campsites and mountain huts – for the environmentally conscious visitor. More than 180 have achieved the standards of the Östereichische Umweltzeichen – Austrian Eco-label – a government run scheme that attaches particular importance to efficient waste and energy management, easy-to-use recycling systems, minimising the use of packaging and using seasonal, local, organic food, sustainable materials in bedrooms and ‘soft chemistry’ to clean bathrooms.

It’s the same story up in the mountains. In fact, Austria has the largest number of eco-friendly mountain huts of any country in Europe. The 40-bed Adolf Nossberger hut in Carinthia’s Schober Mountains is one of 63 that have achieved the prestigious Austrian Alpine Association’s Seal of Environmental Excellence.

It uses solar-charged batteries to power low-energy light bulbs, sustainably sourced wood for heating and a combination of filtration and composting to process toilet waste.

Several Austrian ski villages are promoting the concept of car-free holidays and low-traffic or vehicle-free zones. At the Alpine resorts of Werfenweng, Neukirchen am Grossvenediger and Hinterstoder, for example, subsidised shuttle buses are on hand to transfer visitors to and from the train station. Solar powered cars and electric bicycles can be hired at minimal cost, and guests are also provided with free mobile phones with which to hire taxis.

August skiing in Europe?

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Mike Styles
on August 20, 2008
in Ski Resorts
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Our friends at Skiinfo recently sent us this copy on places where you can ski in Europe this time a year despite the high temperatures and melting glaciers. So if you are near one of these ski resorts and you fancy some skiing, so you can get early bragging rights on the season then you know what to do :-)

Warm temperatures on Europe’s glaciers have led some summer ski resorts to close early, but the majority remain open and the leading snow-reporting service Skiinfo.com has snow depth details for all of them. The company tracks snow conditions several times daily, year round, at more than a thousand European ski resorts, including the dozen that are currently offering summer snow sports. Remarkably, ski areas in Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland have all reported fresh snow falling at times over the past fortnight.

The Tux glacier in Austria was amongst those recording fresh snowfall in the past week, topping up snow depths on the glacier to 105cm. Although temperatures have been variable, reaching +9C degrees at the bottom of the glacier ski area and +4C at the top, the centre currently has 13km of piste open , served by the three giant Glacier Bus lifts, one chair and five drag lifts. The ski day starts at 8.15 in the morning with the ski area winding down by 1pm daily because of the heat. The action then moves to the Treffpunkt Panoramaterrasse restaurant which also has specials on between 11am and 1pm. The lifts back down run to 4.30pm so there’s no need to hurry!

You can also ski on the Dachstein Glacier, which has two kilometers of piste on a 180cm base available although the terrain park is now closed until
(hopefully) September. The Molltal glacier is currently running three
lifts, serving nine kilometers of slopes.
A fourth choice, Kaprun, has about 70cm of snow on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and five runs open served by six lifts. Several more glacier ski areas in Austria are due to re-open in September, including the Kaunertal, Pitztal and Stubai areas.

In France Val d’Isere’s glacier did close slightly earlier than expected usual after temperatures at 3000m reached 13 degrees Celcius, however Les 2 Alpes and Tignes both intend to stay open for the remainder of this month.

Les 2 Alpes has over 110 hectares of piste, including a popular terrain park, on a 400m vertical between 3,200 and 3,600 metres available to August 30th. Currently around 15 lifts are serving a dozen easy to intermediate grade pistes.

At Tignes the summer ski area on the Grand Motte glacier is open every day to 31st August, from 7.15am to 1pm daily. There are 20km of piste between 3,000m and 3,656m altitude available with 750m of vertical - as big as the biggest lift served vertical in the southern hemisphere. There are 12 ski lifts and a snow park to enjoy, with a new boarder cross course open this summer, as well as a mini slalom. Current snow depth is 40cm (16 inches).

In Italy Passo Stelvio has the most skiing available in the country at present. Sitting up at 2760 metres, the bottom lift station at Italy’s Passo Stelvio ( Stilfserjoch ) is the highest lift base in Europe, with trails up to 3450 metres, giving a near 700 metre vertical. The current snow depth varies between one and three metres with fresh snow a few weeks ago. The centre, one of Europe’s largest summer skiing areas, has 10 runs, with 20km of piste currently open. All but one of which are graded ‘red’ or of intermediate/more difficult standard, the other is an easy trail. A second Italian glacier ski area, the Val Senales glacier, is also open but with only a kilometer of skiing currently available.

The Matterhorn Ski Paradise in Switzerland, above Zermatt and also accessed from Cervinia in Italy, is Europe’s highest ski area, one of the largest summer snow operators, and one of the few remaining year-round operators.
Following recent snowfalls glacier snow depths are around 190cm with 10km of runs available served by six lifts. The resort is currently installing a pioneering new snowmaking system from Israel that can make snow in plus temperatures which the resort hopes will bridge a piste-gap that has grown at the base of the glacier where it has melted away, so skiers no longer need to walk to the lift station but can ski there as they could 20 years ago.

Norway’s three summer ski destinations remain open. Galdhoppigen has two
kilometers of skiing and a snow depth of 180cm, Folgefonn four kilometers of piste and a snow depth of 120cm and Stryn five kilometres and a 150cm base.

New Indoor Snow Centre Choose HEAD’s Innovative Fitting System

Published
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Mike Styles
on August 20, 2008
in Industry
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Stephen Jordan, Head of Marketing for the new indoor Snow Centre under construction at Hemel Hempstead has recently announced a decision to award supply of all snow sports equipment to HEAD – confirming an agreement to be the first UK snow sports centre to use HEAD’s innovative BYS system for rented skis and boards.
‘The equipment meets all our requirements with regard to quality, technological specification across the full range and its ability to cope with the demands of constant multi-user hire,’ said Stephen.

But most important was the development of the BYS system which will significantly streamline the hire process, reducing the amount of time taken to set up each customer with appropriate skis and boots.

The BYS (Black, Yellow and Silver) system, which is already proving successful at resorts in Europe, Canada and the US, reduces the amount of time taken to fit boots and skis – allowing customers the maximum amount of time on the slopes.

The system works with HEAD Ski Boots being available in just three fixed sole-lengths with the adjustment for individual foot sizes made inside the boot – which means the boots can fit perfectly into pre-adjusted bindings. The boots and skis are colour coded – black, yellow and silver – matching the base colour of the boot to the ski. The only additional setting is DIN adjustment to allow for the correct release setting.

To make things even more efficient all customer settings and details will be recorded so on subsequent visits individual snow ticket information will ensure that customers have the same boots, skis or board so they can get out on the snow even more quickly.

The HEAD Speed Disc Snowboard system works in a similar way to provide customers with a perfectly set board in less than a minute without the need for tools - regular to goofy happens in seconds!
Stephen said, ‘We’re delighted to be working with HEAD and in particular to be the first UK operator to offer our customers the benefit of the speedy and innovative system for fitting boots, skis and boards. Our aim is to allow visitors to the Snow Centre the maximum time on the slopes. Making the process of getting kitted out more efficient will help provide the best possible indoor snow experience.’
The Snow Centre at Hemel Hempstead is on target for opening to the public at the end of April 2009.
www.snowcentre.com

Snow conditions are pointing up for spring Kiwi season

Published
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Mike Styles
on August 19, 2008
in Travel
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A combination of great snow and weather conditions, world-class events and quieter slopes makes September the prime time to visit Lake Wanaka’s four ski areas.

With accommodation, gear rental and lift pass specials on offer throughout September, groups of friends and families will be enticed to the mountains with good value holidays. Trips do not need to be booked too far in advance with the ease of internet bookings and great last minute deals.

Longer and warmer sunshine hours in September allow for more action on the mountains, with crisp snow in the morning softening throughout the day. Natural snow fall and extensive snow making during Winter ensures great conditions until the end of the season in early October, with average September snow depths comparable to July.

The quieter slopes and minimal queues for lifts provide skiers and boarders a relaxed environment on the mountains. Lunch can be taken outdoors soaking up the warmth and spectacular scenery. As the sun starts to set high on the hills alternative après-ski activities can be enjoyed in Lake Wanaka’s attractive resort town.

Tiered ticket pricing for day passes at Treble Cone and Snow Park provides great value riding during the off-peak month of September with adult day passes as low as $65 at Snow Park and $89 at Treble Cone.

A good selection of ski and snowboard events will entertain visitors to the resorts throughout September. Elite snowboarders can be seen in action for the FIS World Cup at Cardrona (1-7 September) while the skiers will shine at Treble Cone’s ANC Tech Series (4-5 September). The action continues at Snow Park NZ for the Armadageddon ski competition in the halfpipe and slopestyle (12-13 September) and The Volcom Peanut Butter Rail Jam, for the snowboarding youth (27 September). Rounding off the events on the mountain the Kids Festival at Cardrona includes the Junior Freeski and Snowboard Nationals (28 September – 1 October).

John Alldred, CEO of Lake Wanaka Tourism believes September is a fantastic time to visit Lake Wanaka,

You get all the benefits of winter but at a quieter, warmer and cheaper time of year. The pleasures of spring conditions for skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in the morning with further pursuits such as mountain biking, wine tours or lake cruises available for the afternoon,”

he said.

Kicking Horse plans ski resort expansion and 18-hole course

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Mike Styles
on August 19, 2008
in Ski Canada and Ski Resorts
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Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (KHMR) in British Columbia has unveiled a new Draft Master Plan during a series of Open House sessions in the local resort town of Golden.
The new Draft Master Plan proposes the expansion of the existing ski resort (KHMR) into a destination resort including a signature 18-hole golf course, a densification of the resort base and major improvements to the ski area.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort opened in the 2000/2001 ski season with the dramatic introduction of a gondola to the top of the mountain range, and it has now reached an important stage; the point when it has to look at the long term future. Following a rapid start and tremendous local support, KHMR captured the imagination of the riding public as unique place to ski/ride and enjoy the mountains,”

said a company spokesman.

“The time has come to re-think this project, taking a fresh look at the plans, the markets, the community and what we have learned in the past eight years” said Kicking Horse’s President Steve Paccagnan.

Ballast Nedam, the owners of KHMR, are enthusiastic about the opportunity to make the resort even more successful into the future. We see this as a uniquely appropriate time. Tourism is gaining positive momentum in the Kootenay’s, and KHMR is well positioned to participate in the process of drawing the attention of international clientele to the interior following the world wide exposure of the 2010 winter Olympics.”

After a year of planning with the development team at KHMR and resort industry consultants, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort’s management are pleased to submit an amended Draft Master Plan to update and expand the 1999 Master Plan for Kicking Horse Mountain resort by formally submitting the plan to the government of British Columbia (under the Commercial Alpine Ski Policy).
The full 200 page, 99MB plans can be viewed at: http://www.tsa.gov.bc.ca/resort_development/resort_plans/proposed_resort_plans.htm

Arizona Snowbowl wins legal challenge to build Wastewater Snow

Published
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Mike Styles
on August 18, 2008
in Environment Issues and Snow Domes
. 0 Comments

A long running legal battle between Arizona Snowbowl ski area and local indigenous tribes who hold the mountain sacred appears to have finally concluded in the resort’s favour. Arizona Snowbowl wants to use purified waste water to make snow above Flagstaff on the ski mountain known as Humphrey’s Peak in northern Arizona’s San Francisco Peaks.

Continue reading ‘Arizona Snowbowl wins legal challenge to build Wastewater Snow’