Adelboden in Switzerland.

Swiss resort Adelboden is the latest to report an increase in business this past ski season.

The resort’s Mountain Transport System reported high numbers of passengers throughout the period, resulting in figures 5 percent above the five-year average, making this their third best winter ever.

One reason for the good season was that visitors were blessed with a large number of sunny days. Another notable highlight of the season were the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup Races held in January.
Continue reading ‘Adelboden reports solid ski season’

Jahorina ski resort in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Sarajevo’s Jahorina ski resort has at last seen an upgrade to its chairlift network.

The 1984 Winter Olympic venue became a war zone in the 1990s during the Balkan conflict, and as a result hasn’t seen much investment in decades.

Jahorina, which is located in the Republika Srpska sector of Bosnia Herzegovina, has installed two new six-seater detachable chairlifts at a cost of 10 million Euros.

Continue reading ‘Sarajevo ski resort gets long-awaited upgrade’

Les Deux Alpes in France.

A great place for first timers to learn to ski and board could be summer glacier skiing in Les 2 Alpes in France.

There are 90 hectares of ski runs including two green nursery slopes and four more easy blues to progress on to. For the more advanced there are two red runs as a freestyle zone and off-piste area. 16 ski lifts operate in summer (51 in winter) comprising two gondola lifts, a cable car, four chairlifts, seven drag lifts, a snow tow, a funicular and an inclined lift.

From the top of the glacier skiers and boarders also enjoy a breathtaking 360 degree panorama, views over Mont Blanc and the Ecrins National Park and the chance to visit a glacier ice cave.

Continue reading ‘Summer skiing in the Alps is a beginner’s paradise’

Many ski travelers were stranded for days.

The UK’s largest tour operator has been praised by its customers for getting them home from Europe following the eruption of the volcano in Iceland.

TUI Ski is the company which runs three of the UK’s leading ski tour operators including the country’s number one, Crystal Ski. It was hailed on Twitter and via email after last week’s air travel nightmare.

The company, which also runs Thomson Ski, First Choice Ski and Flexiski had over 2,500 skiers and boarders in Europe for the last week of the season. Working closely with all airlines with whom those customers had been due to fly back on April 17th, it decided that it was better to transport all of our customers back to their UK airport of origin by coach.

Continue reading ‘Tour operator defies volcanic ash cloud’

Lesley McKenna waving the flag high above Laax's superpipe at The Snozone British Halfpipe Championships.

Laax ski resort says it received over a million visitors from 38 different countries this winter, making this season one of the Swiss resort’s most successful to date.

The resort’s reputation amongst freestylers and snowboards from the UK continues to grow. Its celebrated rocksresort apartment complex also got the best “New Ski Resort” accolade from Wallpaper magazine in early 2010.

Then Jamie Nicolls from Bradford set the bar high for young snow sport enthusiasts at this year’s British Snowboarding Championship (BRITS). A haul of gold medals brought his total up to 101 – not bad for a 16-year old from Bradford.

Continue reading ‘Another million visit season for Switzerland’s Laax’

Hotel Les Sources in Leukerbad.

Leukerbad’s Hotel Les Sources des Alpes has been upgraded to superior five-star status.

The HotellerieSuisse association has awarded Hotel Les Sources des Alpes superior five-star status – the top official star category in Switzerland. The luxury hotel is steeped in history and its gourmet restaurant “La Malvoisie” holds 15 out of 20 Gault-Millau points.

The “Relais & Châteaux” property, which dates back to 1834, has just 30 beautiful rooms and suites. Hotel facilities include two thermal baths (indoor and outdoor), sauna, Turkish bath, solarium, fitness room and a beauty and well-being centre offering a large choice of treatments and packages.

• Continue reading ‘Swiss hotel gets star-studded rating’

Tignes in the French Alps.

With excellent late season snow conditions dominating the European ski resorts, it’s a good time for Brits to catch a good deal for the Bank Holiday.

Ski Freshtracks is offering a weekend break for all ski abilities over the first of May weekend, based in the snow sure French resort of Tignes. It includes evening flights and convenient transfers giving four full days on the snow.

The Bank Holiday Blast is open to skiers of all abilities (except beginners) wishing to sample the wide range of pistes and glacier runs in the Espace Killy. The price of £595 (€678) includes four nights bed and breakfast in a three star hotel, twin share, return scheduled flight and coach transfer and Club leaders.

Continue reading ‘Ski for cheap on the Bank Holiday weekend’