Both of Andorra’s ski areas opened at the weekend with up to a metre of fresh snow on upper slopes, which some resorts are claiming is the best snow conditions they’ve seen in 40 years.
On the Spanish side of the border Baqueria Beret, one of the country’s three largest resorts, also opened. All three resorts and a dozen others in Spain, several of which – including Formigal and Sierra Nevada - had already opened a week ago, are opening at least a week ahead of schedule.
On the French side of the Pyrenees, home to another few dozen ski areas, resorts are sticking more closely to their planned opening dates despite huge falls there, with St Lary at one point reporting the biggest snowfall in Europe.
Continue reading ‘More european ski resorts follow footsteps with 2008 openings’
Archive for the 'Ski Resorts' Category
The Alpe d’Huez is undoubtedly the most famous alpine skiing resort in France. Its lowest region is at 1,860 meters and the highest elevation is at 3,330 meters. A mountainous pasture in the central region of the French Alps cradles the new ski resort of the Alpe d’Huez. The surrounding is charming, but this is not the major reason for its fame. What makes the Alpe d’Huez an undeniably famous ski resort? The ski resort is known for many things, such as being the world’s most extensive and most challenging alpine skiing region, being the principal venue of the Tour de France, and being the location of the bobsleigh events during the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Continue reading ‘Alpe d’Huez ski resort, adventure on the slopes’
Ski manufacturer Dynastar Lange have launched their first web photo contest called the Legend Days Photo Contest.
Participants will have the chance to win three “Legendary days” in the Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley with living-legendary athletes (Aurélien Ducroz, Jean-Pierre Vidal and others ) all inclusive. Other prizes for runners-up include skis, ski boots and backpacks.
To enter the competition, skiers are invited to upload their best pictures, in which they are the subject, to: http://legend-days.dynastar-lange.com
There are three categories: action – lifestyle – unique
Web users will vote for the best shot in each category. The best 20 pictures in each category will be selected and a jury made of Dynastar Lange team skiers and other experts will choose the winner in each category.
The game will be online until January 18th 2009 and the winners will be announced shortly afterwards.
A detailed analysis of 111 Alpine ski resorts carried by the Italian Touring Club Study Centre has voted Italy’s Alta Badia region, home to five ski villages including Corvara, the best.
The study included all of the main winter sports stations in the Alps, making the first place reached by Alta Badia, even more prestigious.
To reach its result, the Club looked at 16 different criteria, placing quality at the centre of its analysis.
Alta Badia enjoys a considerable advantage in the ‘geographical situation and mountain setting/’ category as it is set in the heart of the Dolomites which are widely regarded as amongst the most beautiful mountains in the world.
The climate and the quality of accommodation, the ski tows, the skiing area and the variety of the slopes were also examined. The inter-valley connections were judged to be excellent in Alta Badia, with the connection between five villages and the chance of reaching more than 520km of lift-connected slopes in the valleys around the Sella Group.
In addition snow-surety was also analyzed and again Alta Badia scored highly with 90% snow making coverage.
The study also considered summer access in to the peaks, the presence of mountain paths, woods and picturesque destinations for excursions, the relationship between beds in second houses and hotel beds, other activities available, distance from major cities and metropolitan areas, guest reception on arrival and the overall image of the resort.
In total Alta Badia scored 68 out of 80 points, 7 points ahead of the resorts placed in joint second in the table, Zermatt and Val Gardena.
An indoor snow centre has been proposed for the European Mediterranean island of Malta.
An outline planning application for the facility, reputed to be backed by British investors, has been submitted to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. The application refers to a ‘family-oriented sports complex’ which would include the indoor snow slope, tennis and basketball courts, rugby pitch and ice climbing wall.
The proposed facility would be sited in an Outside Development Zone and is being promoted as an initiative that is in line with the Ta’ Qali action plan. It would be powered by solar energy and use recycled water to minimise its environmental impact.
Powdr Corp announced today that it has received a 2008 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country’s leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to advancing the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market.
EPA presented Powdr Corp with the award at an event held in conjunction with the 2008 National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference in Denver, Colorado.
Powdr Corp operates seven ski and snowboard resorts including Park City Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah, Killington Resort and Pico Resort in Killington, Vermont, Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, Boreal Resort and Soda Springs Resort, both in Donner Summit, California, and Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.
This award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy credit (REC) supplier. Powdr Corp currently purchases nearly 50 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization’s purchased electricity.
“We are proud to receive this prestigious award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said Brent Giles, director of environmental affairs for Powdr Corp.
Purchasing green power helps our organization become more sustainable, while also sending a message to other companies and individuals across the U.S. that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing climate risk.”
Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.
“Our nation is shifting to a ‘green culture,’ with more and more Americans understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.
EPA commends Powdr Corp for making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green power.”
According to the U.S. EPA, Powdr Corp’s current green power purchase of nearly 50 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 7,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power just about 5,000 average American homes annually.
Powdr Corp is committed to being an industry leader in environmental stewardship. In addition to the purchase of 100 percent renewable energy, Powdr Corp resorts are actively involved in environmental initiatives including energy reduction, the use of alternative fuels and recycling. These initiatives have so far offset Powdr Corp’s carbon footprint by 92 percent.
www.powdr.com
There will be more variety for snowboarders in South Tyrol this winter as a brand new snow park is set to open in December 2008 in one of the the Dolomiti Superski’s leading area’s of Plan de Corones/Kronplatz.
Thanks to its south facing slope, the new snow park, known as ‘’Kronplatz Superpark’ promises to be one of the sunniest in South Tyrol.
There will be four independent courses for different levels of ability spread over more than 58,000m2 and descending approximately 800m. Ranging from the Pro Line to the Family Fun Line, the courses have a variety of jumps and obstacles to provide a challenge at any level. UK tour operator Neilson features Plan de Corones.
This is the fourth major snow park in the region, the others can be found in Val Senales/Schnalstal, Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm and Sopra Ega/Obereggen.
www.kronplatz.com