The Ski Blog

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!

Meribel She Rides Freesessions - bigger and better for 2014!

Photo by Dan ReesBack in 2011 a group of seasonnaires in Meribel got together to create the first She Rides event. Their aim was to build confidence amongst female skiers and boarders and to provide coaching in park technique - so that girls could enjoy and be part of it as much as the boys. For the 2013-14 season She Rides is still going strong and promises to be bigger and better than ever. 

Here, Claire of AktivExperience in Meribel gives us a bit of the history of She Rides and tells us what's new for 2014.

"The ethos of She Rides is to encourage female skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the mountains, gain experience, confidence and have fun on the hill no matter what your standard.

She Rides Freesessions was born out of a love of riding the mountains & parks of Meribel. Fed up of feeling the parks were dominated by the guys, it was time to encourage, instruct and build confidence in the female seasonaires to hit the parks.

She Rides Freesessions was founded in Meribel in 2011, when the first She Rides day was held in the Moon Park of Meribel, a girls-only shred day. It was aimed at seasonaires from Meribel and beyond with local snowboard school Cab9 taking on the coaching and judging of the competition. The day included tuition to gain confidence and new skills then after lunch a bit of a comp to show off those skills and pick up some swag!

Since 2011 the day has returned in 2012 & 13, and with each passing year it is growing in size, popularity and reputation. 2014 will see the She Rides come back bigger and better, not just one day in March but there will be several half days for the female seasonaires to pop along to and try out something new."

This year AktivExperience are hosting their first ever She Rides Freesessions week, where girls who can`t make a season can still enjoy the whole She Rides experience, with the aim being to improve riding skills and have fun.

This unique camp for women takes place during the week of the big She Rides day (16-23rd March), so guests are entered free into the comp with a chance to win some amazing prizes (last year there were boards, boots, bindings, clothing plus more to give away). For more details on what's included take a look at their Chalet du Fruit - a great setting for a week of fun and the opportunity to learn new skills with like-minded females.

For more information about She Rides take a look at their Facebook page and for more information about AktivExperience see their website!

Time to get fit for skiing - useful handbook helps you get the best from exercise.

It's that time of year. You are thinking about your ski holiday, browsing the web and shops for the latest gear and grabbing moments of ski instruction clips on Youtube.

How’s your fitness? Do you need to get down to the gym? Dust off those running shoes? Lose a few pounds? How do you get really ski fit and reduce your risk of injury? A book out by David Murrie, an expert skier and lecturer in Biomechanics, makes a very interesting read.

David has coached many professional athletes at elite and Olympic level. His main point is that for exercise to be most effective it has to simulate the actual movements of the activity itself. You might be thinking you are getting fit but actually you are just getting better at whatever activity you are doing.

Dave focuses on the skier's knees and back, statistically the most vulnerable parts of the body, which  can prevent skiers making the most of their ski holiday. He gives examples of exercises that should be done to enhance your ski experience and reduce injury risk. His key emphasis is on accuracy and the need to recognise when you are balanced whilst doing the exercises. Performing exercises just for exercise sake is far less effective than doing accurate well balanced sport-specific movements. Recognition of when you are balanced and how that feels is a vital part of that process.

Other chapters cover altitude, muscle soreness and recovery and are both educational and practical. Next time you are exercising for your ski holiday wouldn’t it be great to know you are doing it correctly and in the most accurate way possible?

Do not be put off that the book is published under the Ski Instructors Handbook series. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge a recreational skier can pick up, which if implemented will improve your ski fitness and allow you to have more fun on that mountain.

His book can be purchased on Amazon.

Win tickets for the London Ski Show!

This year's London Ski Show promises to be bigger and better than ever - and we've got 10 pairs of adults tickets and 4 sets of family tickets to give away in our Ski Slick Limerick competition.

Where, When, What

From the 30th October the Ski and Snowboard Show is back in London for an even bigger and better 2013 extravaganza. With its iconic, exciting activities and amazing giveaways its set to be this year's biggest and best show yet.

The Ski and Snowboard Show will also be landing in Manchester this year for the ultimate winter themed day out from the 25th to 27th October at EventCity.

Both London and Manchester shows are set to feature a host of activities that will provide enough entertainment for adults and children, with activities for the whole family to enjoy.

A Winter Wonderland in London:

London will become a winter wonderland this year as ice rinks, ski slopes, tubing, curling and learning comes to Earls Court for the coolest day out. Along with fantastic activities, guests are given the chance to chill out at the many apres ski style bars with alpine food and wine tasting.

Whether you are an advanced ski / snowboarder or just a beginner, the Ski and Snowboard Show will have more than 250 stands, including the top brands to kit yourself out for the next ski season ahead. Experts from around the world will be there ready and raring to tell you the latest travel ideas and tips for the upcoming holiday season.

Ski and snowboard lessons for kids!

As well as endless activities for the little ones including inflatable kid's slides and real huskies and reindeer to pet, children are offered exclusive ski lessons available from ages 4 and up as well as snowboard lessons for ages 7 and up. On top of this, children under 11 are getting in for free!

The Ski and Snowboard show is the ultimate destination this October as the UK's largest winter sports show comes back with a bang.

The London Show will take place from the 30th October to the 3rd November at Earls Court 2. More information can be found at http://www.skiandsnowboard.co.uk/london/.

The Manchester Show will take place from the 25th to 27th October in EventCity. More information can be found at http://www.skiandsnowboard.co.uk/manchester/

Win tickets for the London Ski Show - compose a Ski Slick Limerick:

Chalets Direct has 10 pairs of adult tickets and 4 family tickets to give away to keen skiers and snowboarders wanting to visit the London show.

How to enter:

1. All you need to do is to get creative and compose a limerick beginning with the line:
   There was a keen skier/boarder* called Joe ...
   (*You can choose skier or boarder - whichever you prefer)
   
   Just a reminder that the format of the limerick is 5 lines; lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme, and lines 3 and 4 also rhyme. They are usually humourous. For examples and inspiration take a look at http://examples.yourdictionary.com/limerick-examples.html
   
2. Send your limerick to [email protected] - please put Ski Slick Limerick in the subject line.
   Please state your preference of tickets ie. adult or family in your email. Winners will be notified by email! 
3. Closing date is 18th October - so get your poetic thinking caps on!

For competition rules please see here. 

 

 

 

 

Great forecasts for Easter Skiing!

As the holiday rush begins it's looking like most places in Europe will be having a chilly, wet Easter. Not so great if you're going to the Lake District but excellent if you're heading to the mountains.

Snow is forecast for most resorts across Europe for the weekend, providing a good top up to the already generous snow depths we have. Late season snow can be quite different to the early season variety - a bit wetter and heavier generally, and doesn't hang around for as long on roads and warmer slopes.

Next week's forecasts look as though the weathermen could be hedging their bets a bit - a mix of snowy showers, sunshine and cloud. It does appear that temperatures will gradually be creeping up towards the end of the week - so there is a chance that you'll return with those fashionable tell-tale ski and snowboard holiday tans. Check out the forecasts on Netweather or Meteoblue.

We've said it before but this season has been a record - it feels like the snow hasn't let up that much since early December and as we head towards April, conditions are exceptional. There are still very few rocks to be seen, and snow depths are extremely healthy. On a ski trip to the Portes du Soleil this week, CD staffers were amazed that even in late March the run down to the bottom of the cable car at Les Prodains in Morzine was still perfectly fine and skiable, albeit a bit slushy in the late afternoon sun.

So next week could be a bit of a mixed bag - a bit of this...

and a bit of this...

Either way it looks like this year's spring skiing will be truly exceptional. There are some amazing deals to be had for now to the end of the season - take a look the Last Minute offers.

Happy Easter!

 

Turning Tragedy into a Good Story

Saturday 8th December 2012: with record early snowfall Argentiere's Grands Montets opened up for the weekend.

Among the early season skiers and snowboarders was Emily Watts, known as Mimi or Mims to her friends and family. Mimi was in Chamonix for the season.Having previously worked in Morzine and been bitten by the seasonnaire's bug, she had moved to Chamonix for the winter.

Tragically that day Mimi lost her life - after an excellent day with fabulous conditions, she was making her last run down alone. Jibbing around in the powder just off piste, she caught an edge and fell head first into a very deep, soft snow bank.

A few minutes later a passing skier stopped by the edge of the piste to wait for his family and noticed what he thought at first to be a bird stuck in the snow. It was the tip of Mimi's board. He tried to free her and couldn't. The rescue services were alerted. They dug her out but she had sufferred a cardiac arrest. They managed to get her heart started but by then her brain had been without oxygen for 45 minutes. Five days later, on Dec 13th, with family and friends at her bedside, doctors switched off her life support. She was just 26.

Passions, ambitions - and Good Story

Mimi was passionate about snowboarding and the mountains. She was also a talented designer and artist and had wanted to design a range of snowboarding wear for women under the name 'Good Story.' Good Story Clothing would be aimed at female snowboarders and skaters, giving them the same versatility and style of men's brands, but in women's sizes.

Now following her death, Mimi's family have set up the Good Story organisation - aimed at helping young, creative people with good ideas to find the help, advice and even funding they need to turn their ideas into a business.

Mimi was at times overwhelmed about how to turn her designs into a business, and often found advice to be conflicting and confusing. Good Story aims to take away that confusion through offering advice, mentoring, and start up loans or funding. 

Charlotte Grant, one of the trustees of Good Story, and Mimi's best friend, explains;

"Good Story is looking for applicants between the ages of 18 and 30, who can tell us a 'good story' about how their creative passion started and what has driven them to want to turn it into a business. If we feel it can work, the Good story team will meet the applicants, give them advice, and also assign them to one or more of our mentors who we feel can help them. In some cases we may also offer some forms of funding or loans if we think this is appropriate"

Good Story already has a host of different mentors who have agreed to give their time; from designers, accountants, marketing and PR professionals to tattoo artists! If you feel you have the skills and experience which could help young creatives to move into the world of business, then why not get in touch? The time can vary from just giving an hour or so for a chat, to a longer term commitment.

If anyone is interested in applying to be an applicant or mentor they can email Good Story at: [email protected]. Donations are also welcome.The money will be put towards loans or small donations to help young creative people start up in business, to help pay expenses to mentors who are volunteering to help these young creative people, and, at the Trustees discretion, to make grants to help young creative talent. If you are keen to make a donation you can do so on the Good Story website.

Mimi's family and friends returned to the Grands Montets in January to scatter her ashes in the mountains, the environment she loved and where she died.

Hard Work and Good Results for Honor Clissold

Our favourite young ski racer, Honor Clissold, has had a mixed season so far as she is training hard to consolidate new technical elements into her skiing. This is the last season she will be under the Childrens classification - and  in preparation for moving up to Junior level next year Honor has been training with both the Juniors and Children with Team Evolution, the expert coaching team which Honor first joined around 18 months ago.

During the summer, with Team Evolution in Chile, Honor had the opportunity to fore-run some FIS races - which went well for her and gave her the chance to experience FIS level racing. So far this season the varying weather and conditions have meant that some of the fixtures she hoped to take part in have been cancelled, and her first races were in Czech Republic at the Nationals in January, quickly followed by the British Schoolgirl Races in Flaine. She performed well in both events - despite falling in the first run of the Flaine GS, she won the second run overall by 3 seconds. In slalom, which she has considered her weaker discipline, she won her age group and was third overall.

Honor is also one of the GB Children's Ski Team and her next races will be at the English Alpine Races over half-term in Bormio. She continues to work and train hard - and in her time out of skiing she still continues to do a lot of other sports, having represented the North of England in Tetrathlon (running, swimming, shooting and cross country riding), and was part of her school showjumping team which went to Windsor.

In his article Ski Racing is One Brutal Sport, Dr Jim Taylor explains why ski racing is possibly one of the hardest things to do - aside from the physical demands, the psychological toughness required is extreme;

"Alpine ski racing also takes you for a ride on an emotional roller coaster. You can feel inspiration, excitement, joy, and pride one run and then frustration, anger, despair, and disappointment on the next run. Because you care about ski racing so much, you feel these emotions powerfully and frequently."

Although it may appear pretty glamorous on the outside, ski racing, even as a teenager, requires strong commitment and focus, a rigorous physical programme both on and off snow, and nerves of steel in the gates, as well of course as getting homework done and keeping up with schoolwork.

Here's a clip of Honi training GS - best of luck for the rest of the season!

January Snow Update

So how's the ski season been so far?

We're now a few weeks into season 2012-13 and it's proving to be a corker! Abundant snow in early December meant that most resorts could open up with a good solid base - and despite warmer weather over Christmas, January has so far provided welcome top ups - along with bracing sub-zero temperatures.

In most European resorts snow depths are pretty respectable for the time of year - both in resort and at the top, with some resorts (eg. Chamonix and Flaine) even registering over 3 metres at the top - quite exceptional for mid-late January. Snow quality is good, even down to low altitudes thanks to an extreme sub-zero snap and heavy snowfall around 10 days ago and more last week.

Resorts in the Pyrenees are also enjoying great conditions, despite pendulum changing temperatures - and it looks llike there's more snow coming to the region imminently.

The forecast is looking pretty good - European resorts may be getting another nice top up at the weekend.

Piste conditions are pretty good and there's been some excellent off-piste opportunities.

So if you're tempted to escape the snow at home, get to the mountains to enjoy it - that's where the snow is a blessing not a curse and is welcomed with smiles and open arms!

At the top of the Grand Massif yesterday, Jan 20th, looking over towards Megeve/Les Contamines. Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley is just out of shot to the left.

So as you can see, beautiful snow, blue skies, empty pistes - even on a Sunday.

Need any more reasons to get out there? For some cool holiday ideas take a look at our Last Minute promotions area, or try our Solutions Room if you need a helping hand!

 

Forecasts looking good for the start of the season!

It's generally been a wet autumn in the Alps with variable temperatures and some early snow. So far there are a handful of resorts open - mainly the high glacial resorts such as Tignes. There are a few more due to open this weekend December 1st, including Les Deux Alpes and Val d'Isere, and according to the forecasts it looks like there is more snow on the way during the coming week.

This time of year can often be a bit nerve-wracking for ski resorts and people who work in them as they scan the skies and the weather reports, but it looks like this week will bring cold temperatures and a good dose of the white stuff to many areas. Chamonix temperatures for example, are set to tumble this week, with precipitation all week and the rain-snow limit falling from above 2000m tomorrow to below 1000m by Thursday ( see the Netweather forecast here !). It's a similar situation in St Anton, Verbier, Zermatt and Val d'Isere.

There'll be a few more resorts openingon 8th December, including partial opening of Chamonix's Grand Montets, and the majority of resorts will be opening 15th December.

That's now a little over 2 weeks. Bring it on - we can't wait!

 

 

 

Snowfall!

The social networks are buzzing with the news today. After a snowy weekend, with the opening of the ski World Cup circuit taking place in blizzard conditions, ski resorts across Europe have received their first big snowfalls for the winter.

35cms in Verbier, 30cms in Flaine, all over the 3 Valleys, Morzine, Solden, Alpe d'Huez - it looks like everywhere has received a healthy helping of the white stuff.

Of course it's only late October, so we know that with the vagaries of the weather, this snow could disappear. Temperatures, at least for the next few days however, are staying low. It's good news for resorts, and means that the ground will start to freeze - so any new snow that falls has a much better chance of sticking around. Any precipitation now is a good thing!

With the London Ski Show opening tomorrow, we've all got that feeling that we're on the brink of winter and the ski season wil be starting proper in a matter of weeks!

So we thought we'd just share some of the photos posted on Facebook and twitter today - hopefully they will make your Monday!

Posted by Powder n Shine on their Facebook page this morning. Reberty, Les Menuires, Three Valleys, France

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by Warren Smith Academy on Facebook - 35cms in Verbier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alpe d'Huez - not to waste the opportunity of cold, cold temperatures, the snow cannons are working overtime. See the full album on their Facebook page.