Monthly Archive for September, 2007

Serre Chevalier Readies For Winter

Published
by
Jet
on September 30, 2007
in News and Ski France
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This winter the southern Alpine resort of Serre Chevalier will unveils its latest six-seater chairlift, Les Combes. Serre Che will also widen its “les vallons” trail and create a new beginners’ area on the Aravet plateau.

There’s a large extension of the artificial snow coverage which will now cover the Serre Ratier plateau, Luc Alphand piste, the bottom of the Cucumelle and the ski run connecting the resort bases of Briançon and Chantemerle.

The season is due to run from December 15th to April 26th.

Small Volcanic eruption closes New Zealand Ski Area

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by
Jet
on September 30, 2007
in News and Ski New Zealand
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A small eruption on Mt Ruapehu at 8.23pm on Tuesday night threw rocks, volcanic debris, ash and water from the crater, landing in a two kilometre radius. The earthquake that triggered the eruption measure 2.8 on the Richter scale.

The eruption was too small to set off warning systems and a local expert told media, “all the ski facilities are in a safe location, they are five kilometres from the crater. There needs to be an absolutely huge eruption to threaten them and there’s been nothing like that for 10,000 years. If there was going to be a big eruption warning signs would be seen for up to 20 years or more. You get lots of warning because there’s lots of magma coming up through the volcano.”

There are small earth tremors and eruptions on Ruapehu quite frequently. The eruption on Tuesday came exactly 12 years to the day since the last major eruption on September 25th 1995 which ended the ski season that year prematurely. The following winter in 1996 there was a smaller but significant eruption on June 17th which led to the ski area being closed for the entire winter.

New Direct Airline Service to Santa Fe begins in December

Published
by
Jet
on September 29, 2007
in Industry and SKI USA
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American and Delta Airlines will begin direct air service into the Santa Fe Municipal Airport starting in late 2007. Both airlines made their announcements within a day of one another, just one month after Santa Fe’s award-winning Municipal Airport attained Class 1 status under Part 139 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, will add nonstop service between Santa Fe Municipal Airport and both Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles International Airport starting December 13, 2007. American Eagle will operate round-trip service using the quiet and efficient 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 jet. Continue reading ‘New Direct Airline Service to Santa Fe begins in December’

Snowmaking is underway for 2007-08 season begins in North America

Published
by
Jet
on September 29, 2007
in Industry, News and SKI USA
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Snowmaking crews at Loveland Ski Area in Colorado began snow making operations this week in an effort to become the first ski area in the county to open for the season. The warm temperatures from last week have finally moved out of the area surrounding the Continental Divide and the snow guns were ready to go once the temperature drops below 28 degrees.

“We set all of our snowmaking equipment up last week thinking there might be a chance we could begin,” said Mark Abrahamson, Snowmaking and Trail Maintenance Manager. “We always expect to begin in late September and we are right on track.”

Every year Loveland Ski Area snowmaking crews work around the clock to lay snow down on one of the first runs of the season. The opening day run, consisting of 1,000 vertical feet, must be covered top to bottom, side to side with a minimum packed base of 18 inches.

“This is a very exciting time of year at Loveland as we prepare to open. The guns are placed, there is snow on the peaks and people across the Front Range are preparing for the season,” said John Sellers, Marketing Director.

Loveland Ski Area has revamped its website but will still provide the snowmaking update page at www.skiloveland.com/snowmaking. Visitors to the website will see a trail map showing regularly updated pictures of snowmaking progress, gun placement, live web cams and real time weather forecasts. Visitors can also sign up to receive the first announcement of opening day.

Snowmaking is also reported to have begun at nearby Arapahoe Basin.

Air & Style Returns to Innsbruck

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by
Jet
on September 29, 2007
in Ski Austria and Snowlife
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The famous Air & Style snowboard contest will return to Innsbruck this winter for the first time since 1999. The competition was first staged in Innsbruck in 1994 and was attracting about 50,000 fans by the time it was last staged there, but there was a crowd crush that year as fans tried to leave the Bergisel stadium and six people died.

The contest then moved to Seefeld until 2005 for five years and then moved to Munich. It will be staged in Munich again this winter but for the first time there will be two contests with the main event in Munich on 1st December and the new Innsbruck event, back in the Bergisel Stadium, on 2nd February. That will be a quarter pipe only contest with a 12,000 crowd capacity. The Munich event will have a capacity of 35,000.

Air and Style originally began as a film shoot event in 1994 when Andrew Hourmont expected only 100 or so spectators to turn out to see a straight jump, however about 5,000 turned out.

www.air-style.com

WHEREVER YOU GO, TAKE A VANGO!

Published
by
Jet
on September 29, 2007
in Ski Resorts
. 0 Comments

INTRODUCING THE NEW 2007 TRAVEL RANGE

The strongest lightest fabrics combined with practical and stylish colours make Vango’s new travel series of luggage ideal for weekend trips, to trips around the globe.

With excellent harness systems for trekking and backpacking, the planet range targets the traveller who requires luggage that can be carried as a rucsac, yet be strong enough to be thrown into the hold of an aircraft.

The Globetrotter, available in 60+ 20 (SRP £50.00) and 80+ 20 (SRP £70.00) versions is tough, sturdy and reliable. With two main compartments, it includes features such as internal content straps, inclusive padlocks, a transport protection cover and a malleable framed chassis to ensure luggage is safe and secure wherever your journey may take you.

For added versatility the Globetrotter contains a removable daysac with a zippered front, a front opening for flat packing and removable shoulder straps to offer multiple carry options.

Another great travel companion, the Planet Transit is an extremely versatile travel pack with space to hold a laptop, overnight clothing and accessories.

With an ergonomic hipbelt, shoulder straps shaped for protection and load carrying and an Air Force carry system to provide ventilation and breathability, the 30 litre Transit is designed around comfort for the wearer whilst providing maximum security for contents.

For quality minded trekkers, travellers and adventurers the Planet Traveller features the best of both worlds. Spacious well thought out luggage combines with the ruggedness and comfort known through Vango’s traditional expedition and trekking packs.

With a Quick Adjust carry system offering simple adjustment to suit the individual, a three in one transport cover and a reinforced base the Traveller is the perfect compromise for those who need to trek and travel.

Available in a 50+20 (SRP £80.00) volume specifically designed for women’s fit and shape and a larger 70+20 version (SRP £90.00), the pack also comes complete with a removable daysac for extra capacity and versatility.

For more demanding trekkers, the Planet Trekker offers superior fit, comfort and security. Using the A3 Advanced Anatomical Adjustment back system to enable confidence when carrying heavy loads, Bi-radial technology to offer stability and a reinforced base, this is a pack that really delivers when you need to carry your gear further.

Expansion side pockets, side wand pockets and a removable daysac provide extra capacity and versatility whilst a reinforced base, main compartment padlocks and a three-in-one transport protection cover ensures gear remains safe and secure.

The Trekker is available in a 55+ 20 volume women’s version (SRP £90.00) and a 65+ 20 larger version (SRP £100.00).

All Vango rucsacs come with a lifetime guarantee and use hardwearing materials. To find out more about Vango products visit www.vango.co.uk or call Vango on 01475 746000.

ENDS

For further information please contact Sujarda or Kerrie at Karol on 0191 265 7765 or email sujarda@karolmarketing.com or kerrie@karolmarketing.com

Ski News headlines for Sept. 30

Published
by
Jet
on September 29, 2007
in News and Ski Scotland
. 0 Comments

The snow’s here - and early falls raise hopes for beleaguered ski resorts
SCOTLAND’S ski resorts believe they could be in line for a bumper year as the first snowflakes of the season fell on Scottish mountains yesterday.

The industry said unseasonable flurries in the Cairngorms could indicate a big freeze is on the way this winter.

Environmental ruling won’t deter ski expansion plan
ASHLAND — After meeting with U.S. Forest Service officials to discuss the ramifications of a court decision against the Mount Ashland ski area expansion project, Mount Ashland Association officials announced Friday they intend to continue on the same course.

Season’s greetings: Get ready for winter on the slopes
As the French resort of Tignes opens for its 2007-8 season, Stephen Wood examines how ski operators are adapting to the changing climate – and to the changing demands of winter holidaymakers

Family ski trips hitting school attendances
Family break-ups and term-time skiing trips are damaging pupils’ attendance records, a teachers’ leader claimed yesterday.

Estranged parents are taking their children out of school for holidays because pupils spend their summer breaks with the parent that has custody, says head teacher Dr Chris Howard.

Former Idaho mining town turns swanky ski resort
It may seem an unlikely candidate for the Pacific Northwest’s latest vacation hot spot, but this former mining town has survived decades of decline to boom once more.

The once-heavily-polluted mining community — a massive Superfund site — seems to have been transformed virtually overnight into a swanky ski resort, Silver Mountain, with newcomers flocking to buy condos and open businesses.