The Ski Blog

Flying high in France

We chat to John Layden, founder of Drone Alps – a company specialising in aerial video & photography in the French Alps.

Introduce yourself….

I’m 26 years old and grew up in Northamptonshire, UK. At 18 I did a ski season as a dishwasher in Chamonix and immediately fell in love with the French Alps. Life as a plongeur was hard and although the rewards of living in a ski resort were invaluable, the pay wasn’t. I decided it was best to go back home, go to university and get qualified. I had very little idea on what I was going to do and so I needed some inspiration. Since I was born in the 80’s Shania Twain was hugely influential to me, in particular her smash hit “That Don't Impress Me Much”. The seed had been planted; my life goal was to become a rocket scientist.

When the time came, I had decided on aerospace engineering as my university course of choice. It was as close to learning about rockets as I could realistically get and gave me the perfect opportunity to impress girls relentlessly during the 3 years I was a student. It didn’t really work. I should have paid closer attention to the lyrics of the song when I was young.

After a short stint as a maths teacher in the UK, I decided that what I really wanted to do was to move back to the French Alps and get something off the ground there. I have always been a keen RC flyer and videographer and so when camera drones came into the picture I was instantly hooked. It was time to give drone piloting a shot.

How did you become a drone pilot in France?

It wasn’t easy. The hardest part was definitely the paperwork! Anyone who has opened a bank account in France will know what I’m talking about. The amount of red tape is astounding. Not only was there hundreds of forms to complete, but the technical language is barely comprehensible, even to many native French speakers!  It was a long battle, helped massively by Google and motivated by the bittersweet words of my old French teacher who repeatedly told me: “You’ll never succeed in French”.

The basic key requirements are:

• The drone you fly must be authorised
• You must have public liability insurance
• You must be trained
• You must declare your activities
• You must have a pilot’s license

It was the last requirement which was most surprising to me. Because there is currently no such thing as a drone license (as of July ’15), you have to get an actual pilot’s license instead. It was a huge undertaking and one that will no doubt put a lot of people off. All those hours spent playing Microsoft Flight Simulator will not come in handy here I’m afraid. I chose to do a microlight theory test, which is rumoured to be the easiest one to pass, and spent many months learning the French terms for parts of an airplane and various stages of cloud formation. Here is an example of the types of questions you can expect to see. I have graded their difficulty as best as I can.

"Student Pilot

L'alcool, même absorbé en faible quantité:

• A.      augmente les performances visuelles
• B.      n'affecte en rien la sensibilité au manque d'oxygène et favorise la montée en altitude
• C.      diminue les facultés du cerveau et augmente la sensibilité des cellules au manque d'oxygène
• D.      stimule le cerveau et diminue les effets au manque d'oxygène"

 Private Pilot

L'angle entre le cap magnétique et la cap compas s'appelle:

• A.      la dérive.
• B.      la déclinaison.
• C.      la déviation.
• D.      la variation.

 Commercial Pilot

Dans une TMA, la position verticale d'un aéronef doit être transmise en prenant comme référence:

• A.      1013 sous l'altitude de transition et le QNH au-dessus.
• B.      le QNH sous l'altitude de transition et 1013 au-dessus.
• C.      le QFE au-dessus de l'altitude de transition et 1013 au-dessus.
• D.      le QFU en dessous de l'altitude de transition et 1013 au-dessus."

I’m convinced that Shania Twain helped me pass this exam, as my degree in aerospace engineering definitely helped me out on a few occasions. I will never forget the expression on my examiners face when I struggled to find the words for “have I passed” in French. Not surprisingly he double checked my ID before handing over my certificate. Before I forget, the correct answers are: CCB, and there are 40 more questions like that waiting for you in the real exam!

What’s it like being a drone pilot?

It’s incredibly fun but can be immensely challenging.

The drones give me so much versatility and allow me to take part in some really interesting projects. I’m currently using my drones to do many different types of filming, including property, sports and events.

Sports filming is particularly difficult because it involves a moving subject and adds an added level of pressure when you only have one chance to get the shot, such as during a race!

Chalet filming is really unique because you can fly up close to the property and capture its backdrop in dramatic ways that were previously impossible to achieve. The feedback has been great, as chalet owners love seeing their property from a totally new angle.

The potential applications for drones are endless though, and so I’m looking at future uses such as 3D terrain modelling, aerial mapping and even aerial delivery too. Search and rescue is also an area I see drones helping with in the near future. I have already been approached twice to help locate missing animals in the mountains of Chamonix Mont-Blanc.

Why Drone Alps?

I wanted to create a go-to brand for aerial filming both in the Rhône-Alpes and beyond. Safety, legality and creativity are what we believe in. It’s important that our customers trust us to deliver a reliable and safe service every time.

As a keen paraglider I am well aware of the danger that a potentially out-of-control drone can have on other aircraft in the sky. We follow the guidelines set out by the DGAC (the French FAA) and liaise regularly with the local gendarmerie.

Having a license in France enables us to fly our drones anywhere around the world (with permission), which in the future will give us the potential to offer our services globally. If you would like to see examples of our work, check out our most up to date showreel at www.dronealps.com and don’t hesitate to get in touch about a filming project you have in mind.

 

Here's the current showreel from Drone Alps - impressive and exciting stuff! 

 

 

 

Finding the best snow and the best skiing for your next holiday

Edmond Nico of Chalet Alpina shares his expert knowledge and experience of what to look out for when choosing your next ski resort!

There is no doubt climate change is effecting ski resorts and every skier hunts for a high altitude ski resort hoping that it will guarantee skiing. High altitude resorts generally come with a price but altitude is not the only factor that one should consider when choosing a reliable ski resort so check out these pointers first and you will be pleasantly surprised as to how many little known resorts can be just as reliable and won't leave you mortgaging your home to pay for your ski holiday

• Having north facing slopes are just as critical for a ski resort. In the snowy, pre talked about global warming days, many resorts in the northern hemisphere were built facing south into the sun as that meant you could stay alive while skiing and not end up with frost bite. Nowadays cold north facing slopes are where the snow stays best.
• Probably the most important factor is geographical position in relation to the topography of the mountains. Resorts that are built only on one side of a high main mountain chain may only get snow if it comes from a certain direction - north, south east etc. A resort that extends to both sides of the main mountain range means that it will always get snow from whatever direction it comes from. Resorts built on both sides of a mountain range also means that the surrounding mountain range is not too high to restrict the weather from passing over to both sides of the resort.
• Nearby surrounding glaciers also play an important part not only because they keep the temperatures colder but also because they wick away the moisture in the atmosphere. Humidity in the atmosphere melts snow very quickly when the temperatures warm up. Low humidity also keeps the snow in better condition as it gets less icy and lasts longer. An open valley, rather than a valley that is closed in with high surrounding mountains, also has a drier atmosphere.
• Wind plays an important role as well. Windy resorts tend to have a drier and colder climate as well and wind tends to shift the snow into bowls creating unbelievable depths of snow sometimes. Look for resorts with wide open bowls especially on the leeward side of the predominant wind direction which is usually West to East in the European Alps and stangley enough on most mountain ranages.
• The other fallacy that skiers tend to believe is that it snows more the higher up the mountain you go. Unless temperatures are well above zero in the village it actually snows less per square meter on a steeper slope than a more gentle slope and the volume of snow is less the colder the temperatures are when snow is falling. It snows less on a steeper slope because the same square meter of snow falling out of the sky covers a larger area on the ground the steeper the slope gets, so more gentle slopes have far more snow coverage than steep slopes.

This all means that you can find resorts that are reliable for snow but that are not generally high in altitude and of course with high prices to match. It takes a bit of research to suss them out but it’s well worth it as not only do you save money but you’ll find these resorts are generally less known and usually totally CROWD FREE.

You could of course save the hassle and just come to La Thuile in the north western Italian Alps where Eddy Nico who owns the Chalet Alpina has already done all the research for you as it fits all the aspects mentioned above.

• Situated on a major alpine divide between France, Italy and Switzerland it manages to get snow coming from all directions. 
• Surrounded by some large glaciers it has a dry, cold climate and the pistes are mainly north facing.
• Snow reports over the past 10 years have shown that it has far better snow right down to 1500 meters than most other resorts in the Alps. It’s ski runs are usually open from the end of November until the end of April right down to the town which is at 1500 meters.
• Prices are half the price of other resorts.
• It’s crowd free as the lift capacity serves 50,000 skiers per hour and it’s bed capacity is only 3000.
• It’s in Italy so the food’s good and the people are friendly.

There is no doubt about it Italy offers the best value for quality skiing in the Alps. Hotels are great, food is the best and Italians are the most caring people on earth. There is no doubt about it though the French pistes (not the off piste) are more challenging. La Thuile fortunately is one of those hidden gems that offers you the value and quality of Italy plus the challenge of French skiing.

Why should a border line make such a difference you ask when mountains are mountains ?

3 million years ago who cared or even noticed whether you were skiing in France, Switzerland or Italy. There are however some reasons for this. Italian resorts fear injury claims. If you've ever been involved in an Italian court case you'll understand why. They take forever to resolve. Italians also want to enjoy their skiing as part of an all round experience - the fresh air, the good food and the sunshine.

Piste making in Italy is geared towards this. Wide open perfectly groomed runs with the first runs of the morning facing the sun and the last ones following the setting sun. That's not to say all ski runs in Italy are easy and some of the black runs in La Thuile will even give the good skier a run for their money but when you are looking for some big mogul runs and some snowboard fun parks all you have to do is pop over the border on your skis and you're in France skiing "a la liberte " in the resort of La Rosiere.

La Rosiere linked to the resort of La Thuile in a ski area with 150KM of pistes offers you that opportunity to experience French freedom and French patisseries. It's worth skiing over to La Rosiere. It only takes half an hour to ski to the La Rosiere lift system from the main gondola station in La Thuile and the views down to Val d'Isere with Bourg St. Maurice in the valley are majestic. Don't delay though while delighting in that little French tart smothered in cream or you'll miss the last ski lift back and have to spend the night wining and dining in the cute little village of La Rosiere.......so !!!!

Summer Holidays in the Alps - a great destination!

Gina from Reach 4 The Alps gives us the lowdown on alpine summer stays:

The Alps are arguably even more beautiful in the summer with lush green meadows and turquoise blue lakes sitting below the snowy white peaks. 

Apart from the scenery what a lot of people don’t realise is just how much there is to do in the Alps in the summer. 

Swap the skis or board for a mountain bike!

Morzine, Les Gets & Chatel in the Portes Du Soleil have some of the best mountain biking tracks in Europe with 650 kilometers of marked itineraries from easy winding tracks along the river or through the forest to steep and very technically demanding single tracks. 24 of the ski lifts are specially adapted to carry you and your mountain bike.

If mountain biking isn’t your thing what about road biking? The Alps host some of the toughest mountain stages in the Tour De France, come and test your strength and ride some of these famous “cols” or mountain passes.

But there is so much more than just biking

Other activities include paragliding, canyoning, rock climbing ,via ferratta, golf, white water rafting and then more gentle activities such as swimming in the outdoor pools and the swimming lakes, having a game of tennis, sampling the local cheese and wines and relaxing in the sun enjoying the scenery. 

The Alps offer excellent value and no crowds, you won’t need to fight for your space to get your beach towel down beside the local lake! Accommodation is also extremely good value as there are so many ski chalets and apartments that are fully booked in winter but come at really good prices in the summer! 

The Portes du Soleil Multi Pass

In The Portes Du Soleil the Multi Pass scheme offers amazing value. Perfect for individuals, couples, families and groups. The Multi Pass is similar to a winter ski pass and gives guests access to 2 lakes, 25 chairlifts and telecabines for walkers , 9 tennis courts, in resort buses and trains, 2 ice rinks & 5 tourist attractions all for only €2 a day or just €8 for 6 days. 

This means you can go for a hike in the morning, swim in the afternoon and then have a game of tennis in the afternoon all for only €2 or less!! This is only available to guests staying with hotels/chalet companies who have paid to join the scheme such as Reach4thealps chalets, Cairn Lodge, Claire Vallee in Morzine and Chalets Alouette & Martinet in Les Gets.

If you fancy being truly looked after why not opt for a fully catered Multi Activity holiday, one of our partners in Morzine offer a week stay fully catered, return transfers from Geneva, a 6 day multi pass PLUS 4 activities (canyoning, ½ day mountain biking, high ropes course & white water rafting) for only €750 pp, staying at the gorgeous Brown Bear Lodge.

Reach 4 the Alps also offer dedicated triathlon training breaks in the Portes du Soleil - more details at Tri4theAlps

It's the best snow of the season so here's some great resorts for Spring ski holidays

 

This is what #skiing in April looks like. Notice all the crowds? :) #springskiing

A video posted by Chalets Direct (@chaletsdirect) on Apr 9, 2015 at 12:51am PDT

Whilst this winter may not have started well it looks like it could end on a high. Snowfall in late March and over the Easter weekend means that a lot of resorts are looking good and piste conditions are great. Throw some long sunny days into the mix and you have the ideal recipe for an excellent April ski holiday. You may not have thought about skiing in April before but consider the benefits - cheap flights, lots of last minute ski deals on offer, no crowds, and longer daylight hours with more chance to top up your tan!

So if you're ready for some super spring skiing here are our top picks of places to go.

Tignes - Val d'Isere: 

It certainly helps to aim high at this time of year - so with skiing to over 3000m the Espace Killy certainly fits the bill. Lifts are open into May, so April visitors won't get that feeling that the resort is gradually closing down and please turn off the lights when you leave. 

Whilst most of the high altitude skiing is in Tignes itself, Val d'Isere at 1800m does its utmost to maintain good links between the two. You will also find the party atmosphere continues in both resorts.

Ischgl: 

Known for its apres scene as much as its skiing, Ischgl has a lot to recommend it for spring ski holidays. With skiing well over 2000m and a traditionally good snow record it's also a good place to catch some rays and enjoy gourmet food, great music and good times. It's an upbeat resort and it works hard to keep its visitors entertained and happy. There's a lot going on this April too - the World Rookie finals for snowboarders, top class skiing chefs and the Silvretta Trophy just for starters. For more details look at the events calendar.

Avoriaz:

At 1800m, Avoriaz' lifts remain open until the last weekend of April. Whilst the lower resorts of the Portes du Soleil may be turning back into pastures you can be sure of some great piste skiing and fantastic views higher up. This is another resort which is is good at keeping you entertained and there is usually a lot going on - ski tests, pop up parties, live music. The Aquariaz water park in the centre of the resort is also a great place to relax after a great morning's ski. 

The fast cable car at Les Prodains links Morzine to Avoriaz, and also closes on the 26th April this year, which means staying in Morzine, and enjoying the springtime ambiance in the valley is also an option.

Val Thorens & Three Valleys:

Val Thorens is open until 9th May, whilst it's neighbours in the vast 3 Valleys area will be closing on 26th April 2015. So there's still time to grab a last minute break in one of the best ski areas in the world! It's uncrowded and conditions will certainly be good at high altitude Val Tho. Meribel and Courchevel are always great places to ski, just take a look at this instagram video posted on 3rd April from Meribel.

[#Live] Avec les hirondelles arrive le Ski de Printemps à @meribel3vallees ! /// Enjoy Spring skiing in #Méribel ! #perfectday #nofilter

A video posted by Méribel (@meribel3vallees) on Apr 6, 2015 at 2:13am PDT

 

Zermatt:

Zermatt is currently recording 280cm of snow at the top. It provides high glacier skiing winter and summer, so the conditions now, with recent snowfall, should be great!  The town itself is a great place to explore and enjoy with its unique mix of style and tradition.  

 

Heavy snow due at the weekend - be prepared!

If you're heading out to ski in the Alps or Pyrenees this weekend then you will probably have heard that there is mega-snowfall forecast. Some resorts are expecting over 150cms over the course of the next 4 days, with the heaviest snow due on Thursday (tomorrow) and Saturday. 

Whilst we all love this kind of news, travelling in these conditions can present a few challenges. Here's a few tips which we hope will help!

Self-Drive Holidays:

If you're driving out in your own car there are a few essential items to include:

1. Snow chains:
Before you leave home take them out of the box and fit them, so you know how they work. There's few things worse than having to stop halfway up a mountain road as night is falling, trying to make sense of a flimsy paper instruction leaflet which is slowly disintegrating as the snow is coming down.
Having a couple of dry runs in more comfortable temperatures in full daylight, with the prospect of popping inside for a cup of tea afterwards, can make all the difference. 

2. Old waterproof jacket/blanket/thin gloves/head torch: 
All these items are related to the fitting of chains. An old jacket means you can pop it on and you don't mind it getting wet or dirty whilst you fit your chains. Thin gloves mean your fingers can stay warm. An old blanket or similar will give you something to kneel on on the snow, and a head torch will free up your hands.

3. Flask of something hot/snacks/water: 
It can be very slow going up a mountain road when the snow is heavy. If you and everyone else has chains on then everyone has to go slower anyway, plus there could of course be hold ups along the way. Have some snacks and drinks in the car, and if you can a flask of hot coffee can do wonders.

4. Shovel/Broom: 
If the forecasts are correct, snow could be continuing throughout the week, so it's not a bad idea to have your own shovel (ideally with a plastic blade, such as those used in avalanche backpacks, this will protect your paintwork). A soft bristled broom will also be very handy in brushing off soft light light snow, particularly from the roof of the car.

Self-Drive from the airport:

1. When picking up a hire car make sure it is equipped for snow. The hire company should supply chains and also ask what kind of tyres you have. When you get to the car make sure the chains are in the car before you set off and take them out of the box to see how they work. 

2. As in 2 above - if you know there will be snow on the road don't travel in your best and brightest jacket, and keep some thin gloves handy.

3. Before you leave the airport grab some snacks for the journey and bottles of water. 

It's a good idea if all members of your party keep their phones well charged and take a car charger if you have one.

Coach/Minibus from the airport:

1. If you're getting a transfer from the airport then one of the best things to have with you is patience. Whilst transfer drivers are generally pretty experienced in tough road conditions they could be caught up in delays getting to you. Look on it as a good thing - when you get to resort you'll have lots of fresh snow and probably excellent conditions.

2. Warm clothing: this might sound obvious, but it's not unusual to see people coming off the plane in t-shirts or high heels or generally under-dressed for severe alpine weather. Make sure you have gloves, a hat, a warm outer layer and appropriate footwear. Looking like a fashionista at Gatwick doesn't mean you'll look cool in resort as you struggle to stay upright with your luggage to get into your accommodation.

It certainly looks like the next few days are going to deliver - all the forecasts are saying pretty much the same with just a few variations in amounts expected. It also looks like the snow will be arriving across the board - so wherever you're skiing in Europe, there will be some fresh snow on the way. Temperatures are set to stay cold with the freeze level generally well below 1000m - which means that there should be generous dumps of snow in the lower resorts and valleys too!

If you're as excited as we are it's not too late to grab a last minute ski break - take a look at our Latest and Greatest ski offers, or see all our Last Minute offers here. 

It also means that skiing in February is going to be excellent!

 

Top Tips to Prepare for your Ski Holiday

Whoa how did that happen? Suddenly we're approaching mid-October. Ski Shows, Halloween and winter are round the corner. It's the ideal time to start thinking about getting ready for skiing. Whether you're taking the plunge for the first time or an experienced skier, a little bit of preparation and planning will make everything go a lot smoother. 

1. Holidaying wth beginner kids? Get them some lessons. 

It's hard for intermediate/experienced adults to remember how unfamiliar and strange everything was the first time you clipped into bindings. Cumbersome boots and planks under your feet is something we obviously don't experience everyday. Factor in your age and if you're under 10 the weirdness element can be mutliplied by 10.

So what can you do to avoid a first day fall out - when you go to pick up the kids from ski school and find them in tears and vowing never to return?  If you can, get them some pre-season lessons. Snow domes, snow centres and artificial ski slopes all over the country offer beginner lessons aimed at children from as young as 3. This can make an enormous difference to how successful the ski experience will be in resort - and will often allow your children to improve quicker once they're on real snow.

The UK Snozones for example, based in Milton Keynes and Castleford, offer the SnoAcademy for kids from the age of 3. It consists of weekend sessions and the emphasis is on fun and play whilst developing new skills. The Snow Centre in Hemel also offers group lessons for juniors (from age 4) and during school holiday periods, 2 day courses - you can book now for the upcoming half term week.

Whilst it may seem like an unecessary expense think of it as an investment. By the time you get them into resort and onto snow they'll know the deal and will be excited and raring to go, rather than scared!

 2. Physical Preparation.

Ok so you say it every year about this time - I must get fitter for skiing. But somehow, with the pressure of work, family, social life, the best intentions get forgotten. Then suddenly you're at altitude and trying to negotiate something steep and you wish you'd taken the time to do just a bit more. Make this the year that you do something about it! Just stepping up your regular fitness routine by about 10-20% will pay dividends in a month or two - so by the time you're on the slopes you'll feel the benefit.

Just googling "exercises for skiing" will give you a great range of resources and tips. Start easy and adapt exercise to your level. It's never too late to start.

3. Do Some Research.

So you may have already booked your holiday or are looking around to see what's available. The main thing is to choose a holiday which meets your expectations. if you're a seasoned skier you'll have a good idea of what to expect and what you want. If you're not (or even if you are), spend the time and make a list of what's important to you. Do you need a short transfer? Some airports can be 3 hours or more away from mountain ranges. Do you want chocolate box charm? Do you want a lively resort with lots of apres ski?  Do you want a good swimming pool, gym, ice rink, bowling alley? Are you looking to  tour the local area - what are the roads like for driving? Is there public transport? What's your budget - do you want the best of the best, or cheap and cheerful? In your accommodation is wifi essential? how about a hot tub or sauna?

If you're organising the holiday, whether for a large group,  family or just you and one other, it's a good idea to set the guidelines so that nobody is disappointed. If you haven't found your holiday yet then you could try The Solutions Room - that's where you can ask all your questions and see what offers/answers/solutions come back.

4. Learn about Snow Conditions

If you're an experienced skier/snowboarder chances are that you will at some point be skiing off-piste. Modern skis make it much easier for relatively inexperienced skiers to try the powder - and snowboarders have been doing it for years. So if you are going to do that it makes sense to learn more about the environment. During the autumn Henry's Avalanche Talk runs regular sessions in partnership with Ellis Brigham and the Ski Club of GB. 90% of avalanches are triggered by the victim, and in many cases the situation could have been avoided with a bit more knowledge. The HAT Autumn Tour kicks off in Manchester on November 29th. If you're an off-piste regular you owe it yourself and your ski/snowboard buddies to go along.

 Will you be jumping for joy on your next ski trip?

Ski Holidays in the USA

With a dollar exchange rate which is currently pretty attractive for European travellers Helen Brown of Chalets USA tells us what's great about skiing in the Rockies!

Why do we love to ski in the Rocky Mountains USA?

"The powder!" you hear the locals cry and yes the knee to thigh deep fluffy powder snow is incredible, but there are all sorts of other elements to the USA ski experience which bring visitors flocking to Colorado ski resorts from all over the world...will you love it too?


Snow, snow, snow...


Ski resorts in the Rockies are famous for their powder snow - light fluffy flakes that feel like skiing on air. Steamboat Springs coined the term "Champagne powder" from the delicacy & lightness of the snow & its bubbly namesake.

"Powder days" are special & many local businesses will even shut for a few hours to let their employees "shred the pow" if there's over 8 inches of powder snow over night...and yes it happens quite a few times each season! Knee or even thigh deep powder is common and you'll hear skiers & riders whoopdy-doing down the mountain as they float along with just their ski tips poking through the snow.

Big snow

Ski resorts in the Rockies get a lot of snow! Year after year snow conditions are pretty reliable & the snow total averages are impressive - Jackson Hole gets 459 inches (1166cm) on average, Breckenridge 300 inches (762 cm) & Winter Park  348 inches (884cm).

So what's the skiing like?

Wide pistes

Wide open motorway pistes are great for beginners & intermediates to master their turns without feeling like they're going to careen over a cliff.

Good visibility

Most of the ski runs in Colorado (except the bowls) are lined by trees which gives you good definition & helps you see even in low light & when it's snowing - whiteouts are rare here.

Off piste in bounds skiing

In many US resorts there tends to be a ski boundary around the whole ski area & anything within that can be skied (avoid closed areas of course & only ski terrain appropriate to your ability level). So in the USA you can pop off the ski run into the powder at the side of the run, nip in & out of the trees or make your own route between runs. It's pretty much all in bounds, making the ski area twice as big as it seems. 

Bowls

So to the bowl skiing - huge wide open, in-bounds, bowls with off piste conditions, often plus some groomed runs, can be found in many resorts - Vail has its 7 bowls, Aspen has its Highlands Bowl, Beaver Creek Larkspur bowl & Breckenridge its Imperial Bowl as well as peak 7 bowl, Winter Park has Parsenn Bowl, plus Jackson Hole has Rendezvous & Laramie Bowls.

Yes some of the bowls are advanced / expert skiing, but there are also blue bowl runs, ideal for intermediate skiers to improve their off piste skills.

Iconic Runs

Vail is famous for its Back Bowls & Blue Sky Basin, Aspen for its Highlands Bowl & Ruthie's Run, Beaver Creek for its Golden Eagle Birds of Prey downhill course &  Jackson Hole for Corbet's Couloir. For keen skiers these are "must ski" runs & not to be missed!

Yes you need to be pretty good (and pretty brave!) to attempt Corbet's Couloir, but intermediates can definitely give blue Ruthie's Run in Aspen or some of the blue runs in Vail's back bowls a try.

Ski lifts

Rest your legs

Most of the ski lifts in the major resorts are chairlifts or gondolas, so you can rest your legs between runs. Poma / draglifts & T-bar's are rare, so you can avoid achy legs and not have to worry about falling off half way up the lifts.

Orderly queues if any

Many times you'll ski in the Colorado resorts without having to queue for lifts at all, especially during the week. On the whole lift queues in the USA are orderly, with skiers / riders politely alternating taking turns to get on the lift from left & then right. Unlike Europe you tend not to have little kids or angry Frenchman (!) barging in front of you to get onto the lifts.

Uncrowded slopes

Especially on weekdays the slopes tend to be pretty quiet & uncrowded, leaving you free to whizz at top speed down that run or wind your way gently down through the glades at your leisure.

Service with a smile!

The Americans are hugely customer service orientated and will greet you & be friendly at every opportunity. The "lifties" help you get on the lifts & have a chat, staff at your lodging ask about your day & want to make sure you know about the latest great restaurant or event. They all just want you to have a great ski holiday...

Many of the luxury hotels / apartments have ski valets, who will bring your gear to the slopes & even help buckle your boots for you if needed!

Spacious accommodation

Well they say everything is bigger in the USA and to some extent its true. Accommodation in the USA tends to be a lot more spacious than in Europe and often homes includes rec rooms with pool table / table tennis / full size bar, family rooms with big screen TVs and even home cinemas complete with stadium seating in leather, reclining chairs & projector screens.

Restaurants

Yes the portions are bigger! The Americans are pretty used to eating out regularly as in several times a week, so you'll find a large variety of restaurants in resorts and often many affordable options which are pretty decent. The huge portions mean you can share dishes to keep the cost down or it really is the norm to take a doggy bag home, perfect for a snack or lunch / dinner the next day.

Ask us about skiing in the USA

We first skied in Colorado USA back in 2001, fell in love with the snow, ski resorts & people, moved here & never looked back.

We're thrilled to be able to share this fantastic USA ski holiday experience with our guests from all over the world, so if you haven't already, it's time to give it a try...

Happy Skiing!

Latest & Greatest Ski Gadgets for Next Winter

It might be one of the hottest days of the year so far but we know that it's never too soon to start thinking about your next ski holiday.  Whilst you're sipping on your cold beer in the sunshine here's some exciting new gadgets to bring hi-tech to high altitude.

Snow Sports Cameras:

You could be forgiven for thinking that GoPro is the only POV camera - but a slew of competitors have arrived. The new iON Air Pro 3 camera, for example, offers a major, high-definition upgrade in self-mounted camera footage. The camera is waterproof and wifi enabled and will shoot up to 60 frames per second at 1080 pixels. It also has a shake-reduction feature and built-in microphone - which allows for good quality sound even on windy days. Footage can instantly be uploaded to Facebook too.

GoPro's Hero 3 gets an upgrade this year in the shape of the Hero 3+,  smaller and lighter than its predecessor with longer battery life, and faster wifi connnection. Again the built-in microphone has been improved, and the lens is now wider angle.

If you're worried about the POV camera spoiling the look of your sleek silhouette, you could try the latest camera goggle from Zeal - an extremely cool piece of kit, with an updated lens and improved camera performance. Integrated wifi also means you can share content directly on Facebook and other social networks.

The footage certainly looks pretty good!

Goggles with Heads-Up Display

When it comes to techy goggles it looks like most manufacturers are getting in on the act - with Zeal, Oakley, Smith, Scott and Uvex all coming out with integrated GPS heads-up displays. Many will be using Recon Instruments Snow 2 HUD. The technology adds a tiny GPS-enabled screen inside the lens which shows speed, vertical descent, airtime, navigation, distance and more. There's also a "friend-tracking" feature and wireless connection to your phone for receiving texts. You can also connect to your favourite ski apps to get latest weather and snow information. 

Warm Hands, Warm Heart

With all this stuff to operate, constantly removing your gloves very soon becomes annoying and uncomfortable. Beartek Snowsport gloves provide the solution! The glove allows users to wirelessly control a smartphone or GoPro camera through Bluetooth and wifi modules built into the glove.  Just tap your thumb and finger together to stop and start video recording, answer a call or fast forward your playlist.

Finally Burton's Chill Hero jacket is waterproof, breathable and has an Emergency Blanket heat reflective liner for warmth. You can also unzip the liner completely and pack it away into the jacket's back pocket on those warmer days. The Chill Hero will be available in men and women's sizes and what's more it is socially responsible - each purchase also means a donation to the Chill Foundation - a non profit organisation which gives at-risk youngsters the chance to learn to snowboard. 

 

And of course don't forget if you've got the gear but no idea of where you'll be skiing and snowboarding next winter try our super cool ski holiday finder gadget the Solutions Room - for a tailor-made ski holiday ideas!

Summer Deals and Earlybird Winter Special Offers

Still stumped for school holiday ideas for this summer? Alpine summer holidays are great for all the family with lots of opportunities to be active and adventurous - or space and time to chill out and enjoy the scenery. Here's a few summer ideas to try out for size.

Summer Holiday Offers:

Morzine: The Big Summer Sale at Chalet Sherpa - Jolly Good Alpine Adventures are now oferring big reductions on all remaining rooms in Chalet Sherpa or in their self-catered studio Marquis. 7 nights catered is now just £340pp up until end of August ! More details ...

Les Gets: Save 20% - Reach 4 the Alps have announced a generous 20% discount on holidays from 28th June to end of July. They have some lovely self-catered chalets available and prices include linen, towels and use of hot tub. More details ...

Samoens: Great discounts - Chalet 365 is offering up to 20% off per person in their super Samoens chalet with fabulous views of the Giffre Valley. More details ...

Chamonix - Argentiere: Bigfoot in Chamonix have the beautiful Hideaway Chalet on offer from £99 pp/pw. The chalet is in an idyllic location with amazing views of the Mont Blanc massif and has a swimming pool and hot tub! More details ...

See all the summer offers!

Winter 2014-15 - Earlybird Promotions: 

Whilst winter is half a year away we know that if you're looking for peaks weeks there's a good chance that places will be selling out fast. So we've rounded up some of the best ski special offers here!

3 Valleys, Portes du Soleil, Paradiski, Val d'Isere and more: Alpine Elements can always be counted on to offer some exciting, good value offers. They have a big choice of accommodation in resorts to suit all levels and budgets, and prices include flights and transfers. They're currently running some interesting lift pass offers which could help you save up to a whopping £210! More details ...

Paradiski and Tignes: Snowchateaux are another company who have some extremely, tempting deals available right now. They still have some availability for Xmas and half term, and have frozen their prices for Easter too! More details ...

Grand Massif: Book by June 21st and get 20% off the lovely self-catered Chalet Fischer which sleeps up to 8 - perfect for a family or group looking for flexibility! More details ...

St Anton and Val d'Isere: Ski Val's Super Saver weeks are available in both locations and offer huge savings - prices include flights, transfers and catering. They got some cracking Easter deals in St Anton too with BOGOF lift passes and free ski hire for kids! More details ...

See all our Earlybird winter offers!

Christmas Present Ideas for the Skier and Snowboarder in your life!

It's less than a week away - Christmas that is. are you still stumped for a gift for that extra special ski junkie in your life? Need some ideas? Here's some top tips to make them smile on Xmas Day.

Extra Special for that Extra Special Someone: 

1. Clothing: Experienced skiers and boarders will generally prefer to buy their own jackets and pants as they will be looking for gear which is hardworking and technical - so it's always better for them to tell you what they want, or to choose it with you. Garments with Gore-Tex will add a premium to the price tag, but most brands will also have their own version which can be just as good at a much cheaper price. A good technical garment means that it will keep you warm and dry whether you're on the chairlift or in a couloir; it will have enough pockets to stow goggles, glasses and other paraphernalia; jacket hoods will cut out the wind without restricting field of vision too much, moisture generated by exertion will be wicked away so keeping the body dry. There are a lot of features to take into consideration - so make sure you know what they want.

2. Equipment: Again take them with you to the shops, or get a gift voucher. If he or she is a backcountry enthusiast you could also consider items such as beeps, probes, shovels, rucksacks - again unless you know exactly what they want, it's probably better for them to choose for themselves.

3. Holidays: Why not bring a big smile to their face and book a ski break for them? If you need some ideas take a look at Chalets Direct's promotions area, or try the Solutions Room.

Mid-Range Presents:

1. Accessories: Skiers and boarders need a lot of other items on the mountain - so this is ideal if you're not wanting to buy big but still want to make it meaningful. Items that could come in under the £100 mark include goggles, gloves, and glasses too.

2. Underwear: Baselayers are often overlooked by the beginner so would make a great gift. Good baselayers will keep the skin dry and so the wearer stays warm. This is particularly good for beginners, who will usually get hot and sweaty quite quickly with effort. If you get sweaty in low temperatures dampness on the skin can very quickly turn cold which will effect your enjoyment. Brands to look for include Helly Hansen, Odlo, etc - make sure that any baselayer garments you buy promise to wick moisture away from the skin. Merino wool base layers are very popular and do the job!

Stocking Fillers:

Socks, neckwarmers, hats, sunblock, hand warmers, hip flasks - you name it the gift is out there. The more experienced skiers and boarders will tend to shy away from novelty items - so maybe forget the hat with fake dreadlocks. For the intermediate to expert, look for function as well as funky.

When buying hats it's a good idea if these aren't too bulky - so that they can be easily put in a pocket if the temperatures rise, and also look for fleece lined hats which keep heads and ears much warmer than hats without linings.

Apps: There are loads of apps out there which can measure speed, altitude, distance covered, where the nearest bar is etc. So just shop around in the relevant app store to get an idea.