Monthly Archive for July, 2008

Australia keeps on getting whacked with snow

Published
by
Mike Styles
on July 25, 2008
in Ski Austria
. 0 Comments

After a testing June, Australia’s ski areas are continuing to see healthy snowfalls and reporting base depth building. Mt Hotham has reported 48cm (19 inches) of fresh snow in the past week (two thirds of it this past Sunday and Monday) and a natural snow depth that has cracked over a metre at 105cm (42 inches).

The big blizzard kicked in on Sunday morning and continued to dump dry powder right into Monday night. Resort guests awoke on Monday morning to find their cars completely encased in a shell of snow and a lot of digging to be done.

Hotham claims to have received more snow in the 24 hour period to Monday morning than any other resort in Australia, reaffirming that we still remain ‘Australia’s Powder Capital’.

All lifts are now open including Keogh’s and The Orchard where there are reported to be enough stashes to satisfy any powder hound

“Skiing the World’s Greatest Mountains” London lecture with Chris Davenport announced

Published
by
Mike Styles
on July 24, 2008
in Ski UK
. 0 Comments

World famous extreme skier and mountaineer – Chris Davenport – will be in the UK for one night only to host an exclusive evening dedicated to his awe inspiring skiing adventures around the globe.

The Ski Club of Great Britain are teaming up with Helly Hansen and Snow+Rock to present the one-off lecture at the historic Royal Geographic Society in London at 7pm on Friday 17th October.

Continue reading ‘“Skiing the World’s Greatest Mountains” London lecture with Chris Davenport announced’

Courchevel goes ahead with luxury lodging at 1850

Published
by
Mike Styles
on July 24, 2008
in Ski France
. 0 Comments

Courchevel is currently the target of several real estate developers as they focus on building new luxury resorts at the world famous mountain resort. Unlike the current real estate doldrums that are affecting the United States at the moment, it would seem that things are still steaming along in destination alpine resorts.

Among the new changes to take place are a redesigned arrival area of Courchevel 1850 that will include a state of the art tourist complex development by MGM.

A 10,000 square metre site will house a holiday residence featuring 42 apartments and a 22-suite hotel with a major luxury spa. This development will further improve the entry to Courchevel 1850 and is expected to open its doors in December 2009.

But sooner that that, the “La Potiniere” hotel, located in 1850, has been completely demolished to make way for a four-star (The highest category in France) luxury hotel made up of 15 suites, an apartment, a relaxation centre (swimming pool, spa, hammam, sauna, Jacuzzi…), all; due to open for the coming winter this December.

Another four-star luxury hotel, Le Strato, construction of which began in 2007, also plans to open its doors for the 2008/2009 winter. It will be made up of 21 rooms, four suites, a restaurant, piano bar and relaxation centre (swimming pool, spa, hammam, sauna, Jacuzzi…)

And finally at Courchevel 1650 the three-star Portetta hotel is undergoing renovations to offer upgraded service facilities.

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    • Courchevel to add major swimming pool facility

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    City Centre Snow Event For Christchurch

    Published
    by
    Mike Styles
    on July 23, 2008
    in Ski New Zealand
    . 0 Comments

    Christchurch New Zealand will play host to a rail jam on a purpose built structure right in the middle the city, providing exciting spectator action on Saturday 9th August.

    The 2nd Annual SkullCandy Winter Rail Jam will see around 100 freestyle skiers and snowboarders are expected take part in the event which offers prizes valued at more than $5,500 (NZ) for top tricks and aerials as judged by an expert panel.

    Snow is being shipped into the Strip (Oxford Terrace) from Mt Hutt to cover a 4.5m high structure for the event. A Dj will provide the soundtrack while MC Mana from New Zealand band Rhombus will host the event. $2,500 worth of prizes are up for grabs by spectators with the main prize going to the spectator in the best retro ski outfit.

    Red invests on lift and trail upgrades

    Published
    by
    Mike Styles
    on July 23, 2008
    in Ski Canada
    . 0 Comments

    Red Mountain Resort in British Columbia, Canada, is investing close to $1 million on mountain projects designed to make the resorts lifts and pistes more reliable. A comprehensive lift-service audit is a major part of this investment which includes upgrades to chairlift components on Red’s Motherlode, Paradise and Red chairlifts.

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    Continue reading ‘Red invests on lift and trail upgrades’

    Another ski resort planned in Bulgaria

    Published
    by
    Mike Styles
    on July 22, 2008
    in Ski Bulgaria
    . 0 Comments

    Bulgaria is quickly expanding into a major ski resort developer in the eastern European community following the recent announcement that yet another ski facility is being planned in the Rhodope Mountains.

    The latest new ski resort for Bulgaria, has been announced. This is the latest of a string of new Bulgarian ski area announcements, which seems to be announced at a rate of almost one a week.

    The latest resort, to be called Mechi Chal, is due to be constructed over the next five years in the country’s Rhodoppe Mountains.

    The resort is ear-marked for a small existing ski hill close to the town of Chepelare where the existing lift will be renovated at the first stage of a 50 million Euro investment.

    The ski area should be operational for the coming winter with a second lift, 2.7km long, installed and a new 3.5km long ski run with snow making. During the next three years a third lift, 3km long, will be built along with a sports centre in Chepelare, and another 3-km long lift.

    Locals have welcomed the new ski area plan as, unusually for Bulgaria, the local community is reported to have a 50 percent share in the development alongside private investors.

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    Sheraton announces new hotel at critized Xanadu entertainment facility

    Published
    by
    Mike Styles
    on July 21, 2008
    in SKI USA and Snow Domes
    . 4 Comments

    Although Meadowlands Xanadu in New Jersey has recently come under heavy fire by US media for its unattractive architecture and and potential damage to the environment, owners are now saying that it is because there have been no public relations efforts behind the project to calm fears and skeptical critics.

    But that doesn’t seem to worry major hotel chains such as Sheraton who recently announced the opening of its property right next to the facility.

    Continue reading ‘Sheraton announces new hotel at critized Xanadu entertainment facility’