Category: skiing

150 Years Of Skiing

SnowAustraliaAnnaSegal 682x1024 150 Years Of Skiing

World Champion Slopestyle Skier Anna Segal, Snow Australia Ambassador 2011.

Australia is marking 150 years of skiing with many events this year.

Snow Australia has named World Champions Boarder X snowboarder Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin (below) and Slopestyle Skier Anna Segal (above) as its new official Ambassadors.

Winter Olympian and mogul skier Britteny Cox has been named honorary junior Ambassador.

SnowAustraliaAlexChumpyPullin 949x1024 150 Years Of Skiing

Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, Snow Australia Ambassador 2011.

At Mt Buller in Victoria, Pullin and Segal learned how to snowboard and ski.  Both champions are on track for the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014.

Pullin won the World Championship in Spain in December and finished first in the FIS ranks at the end of the season.

Segal won gold at the World Championships in Deer Valley and bronze at the World Skiing Invitational competition in Whistler.

These SSA Snowsports Athletes of the Year will inspire Australians to ‘Discover Our Winter’ and experience Australia’s snow regions for skiing, snowboarding, snow play and cross country skiing.

Back in 1861, skiing in Australia was introduced by three Norwegians who formed a ski club in the gold rush town of Kiandra.

Then the Kiandra Ski Club (now the Kiandra Pioneer Ski Club in Perisher) offered member activities and ski races on wooden skis made from wood shaped like fence posts.

Today, Australia’s skiers and snowboarders have access to nine ski resorts including Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass, Selwyn Snowfields, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, Mount Baw Baw and Lake Mountain.

Images courtesy of Snow Australia.

New NZ Package

NZfirstskiseasonspa 1024x682 New NZ Package

The good life at Matakauri Lodge, New Zealand.

New Zealand’s Matakauri Lodge has launched a new Winter Ski Package for some of the country’s best winter skiing and snow sports.

The team at the lodge will drive skiers to and from Cornonet Peak for a day on the South Island slopes.

One of New Zealand’s most recognized luxury lodges, Matakauri Lodge opened in August 2010 as a sister property to North Island lodges Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

The lodge has been named one of 101 Best Hotels in the World for 2011 by Tatler Magazine and on the 2011 HOT LIST by Conde Nast Traveller.

Matakauri Lodge features 11 luxury suites and villas, lodge facilities, fine dining by Chef Dale Gartland, a well-stocked wine cellar from Central Otago and a spa.

The new winter ski package includes accommodation, a 50 minute massage per person per night, transfer to/from Coronet Peak from Matakauri Lodge, pre-dinner drinks, canapés, dinner full breakfast non-alcoholic mini bar and use of lodge facilities.

This package is available until August 31, 2011.

For more info, visit the Matakauri Lodge site.

Image courtesy of Matakauri Lodge.

SuperSkiing In Australia

AustraliaThredboskiresort 1024x687 SuperSkiing In Australia

Australian snow resorts, Perisher and Thredbo, now offer the SuperSki Ticket, a joint lift ticket.

Planning an Australia ski trip this year?  If you’re visiting snow resorts, Perisher and Thredbo, they now have a new joint lift ticket that will give skiers and snowboarders access to both resorts.

This new, five-day, SuperSki Ticket will be available in the peak winter season from June 25 to September 4, 2011.

The SuperSki Ticket can be used within any six day period.

Says Peter Brulisauer, CEO of Perisher:

“We’re delighted to be announcing the SuperSki Ticket. In addition to offering greater flexibility and value for money, it opens a multitude of opportunities for skiers and snowboarders who now have access to over 1,700 skiable hectares, over 60 lifts, Australia’s best terrain parks, not to mention the widest choice of terrain in the Southern Hemisphere, all on the one ticket.”

With this ski travel deal, skiers and snowboarders can choose to ski or snowboard at Perisher for a minimum of three days and Thredbo for up to two, or the opposite.

The new SuperSki Ticket can be purchased online from either the Perisher or Thredbo websites or the SuperSki website www.superski.com.au, or through select snow holiday agents.

For more info, visit the SuperSki Ticket site.

Image courtesy of Thredbo.

Top 5 Après Ski Destinations

ChaletChocolat1 1024x731 Top 5 Après Ski Destinations

Chalet Chocolat, Chamonix.

What are the world’s ten best locations for après ski recreation?

Many of our favorites are European ski destinations including Chamonix.

Recently, Cheapflights.co.uk released its Top 10 Après Ski hotspots.

Says Nadine Hallak, spokesperson for Cheapflights.co.uk:

“Let’s face it, snow is beautiful and the skiing part itself only lasts for a few hours. It’s the atmosphere that makes travelers head for the slopes year after year whether they ski or not, so why not take some time out in a white wonderland and just enjoy the after-party.”

Here are the Top 5  Après Ski hotspots:

  1. Chamonix, France. “Known for its excellent value for money, this alpine resort is also full of celebrities.”
  2. St. Moritz, Switzerland. “St. Moritz is a go-to for skiers and snowboarders with its dry-air “Champagne Climate”.”
  3. St. Anton, Austria. “Extremity is the name of the game here; St. Anton’s slopes mean its visitors ski hard and reward themselves by playing hard afterwards.”
  4. Cortina, Italy. “Often referred to by Italians as “salotto dei famosi” meaning “the celebrities’ living room”, Cortina has been known to draw epic A-listers dating way back in the form of Ingrid Bergman, Brigitte Bardot and Clark Gable.”
  5. Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “It may not be an immediately obvious ski destination, but it happens to be a celebrity hotspot, attracting A-list regulars such as the likes of Uma Thurman and Harrison Ford.”

Check out the full top 10 list here.

10 Family Ski Holiday Tips

SkiClubFamilyGuide 10 Family Ski Holiday Tips

Heading on family ski holiday soon?

The Ski Club Of Great Britain has released its ultimate family guide for half term ski holidays.

The club is a not-for-profit snowsports club offering membership benefits to 33,000 members.

Here are the Ski Club of Great Britain family ski holiday tips:

  1. Check you have all the right kit for your children. These include a helmet, goggles, lots of layers, mittens, snow boots and high factor sunscreen.
  2. Find out how far your accommodation is from the slopes or ski school meeting points.
  3. See what ski resort transport options are available.
  4. Use resort maps.
  5. Get the snow report for your resort before you head out so you can prepare.
  6. Save money by packing lunches each day for the family.
  7. Pop sweets in your child’s pockets to keep energy levels up.
  8. Ensure your children drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
  9. Think about booking a year ahead to get the resort or accommodation you want.
  10. Look at the Ski Club’s top recommendations on family-friendly resorts.

For more family skiing and skiing with children tips, see the club site.

Image courtesy of the Ski Club of Great Britain.

The Ultimate Tour Test

ErnaLowSerreChevalierVal 1024x511 The Ultimate Tour Test

Serre Chevalier Vallée.

French Alps resort Serre Chevalier Vallée will host the Ultimate Tour Test and the Serre Chevalier Derby on March 19-20 2011.

Serre Chevalier Vallée Derby on March 19th is a freeride ski, snowboarding, monoski and telemark event open to entrants 16 years and over.

This event will offer three demanding runs with vertical drops on north facing, tree-lined pistes.

The Ultimate Tour Test will give ski enthusiasts the chance to test extreme equipment crafted by Artisans du Ride, freeride craftsmen or ‘shapers’.

Some 30 brands - Quicksilver, Aigle, North Face, Arva, Recco, Magic Potion and more – and 500+ products and equipment will be represented.

Erna Low offers self-catering accommodation including a studio apartment al L’Alpaga, Villeneuve and 1 bedroom apartment at Le Hameau du Rocher Blanc, Chantemerle.

For more info, visit the Erna Low site.

Image courtesy of Erna Low

America’s Best Skiing?

Happy Thanksgiving to our American visitors!

Is America’s best skiing in Colorado?  That’s what some ski travelers say about Colorado, where the  2010/2011 ski season is now open.

If you’re planning a Colorado ski or snowboarding holiday, Colorado.com is an excellent info resource.  Take a look at the site’s latest ski video.

For more info on resorts, snow reports, travel deals, check out Colorado.com.

Video courtesy of Colorado.com.

Garmin Ski GPS

Garminski 808x1024 Garmin Ski GPS

Looking for a skiing GPS device?

Then think about Garmin’s DakotaTM 20 ski edition.

The GPS device assists skiers in finding the best runs and lifts back to their chalet and even their friends on the slopes.

This device uses Mountain Dynamics SnowRanger ski resort maps for Europe or North America.

SnowRanger maps gives users turn-by-turn directions telling them which lifts and slopes to take to get to their destination.

Ticket offices, parking, snow parks, restaurants and ski schools are also marked on the map.

Users can also join Garmin Connect, a free online community of 30+ million activities from around the world.

Image courtesy of Garmin

Top 10 Early Ski Destinations

BreckenridgeCO PhotoProject2007 0053 Top 10 Early Ski Destinations

Breckenridge, Colorado at dusk.  Photo credit: Matt Inden/Weaver Multimedia Group

Planning an early ski holiday in the U.S?  Then take a look at the Top 10 Early Ski Destinations for 2010 list from Orbitz.

The list is based on hotel and package bookings on Orbitz.com made by October 25, 2010 for travel between November 1 and December 23, 2010.

Says Jeanenne Tornatore, senior travel editor of Orbitz.com.

“Where there’s early snow, there’s early ski, and that initial wave of enthusiasts will find powder as well as steep savings with the Orbitz Ski Sale. Even if you never strap on a boot or a board, there’s still a world of adventure and shopping to be had at these destinations.”

Here are Orbitz’s Top 10 Early Ski Destinations for 2010:

  1. Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
  2. Park City, UT
  3. Breckenridge, CO
  4. Vail, CO
  5. Whistler, BC
  6. Aspen, CO
  7. Mammoth, CA
  8. Jackson Hole, WY (tied for 8th)
  9. Snowmass, CO (tied for 8th)
  10. Steamboat, CO

Top 10 Ski Destinations

DirectSkiSkiJumper 1024x691 Top 10 Ski Destinations

Planning an European ski holiday in 2011?

Then take a look at the UK’s Top 10 European Ski Destinations list chosen by ski holiday expert Directski.com.

The ski destinations list is for families, non-skiers to advanced skiers, budget conscious skiers and groups of friends, apres ski and spa and guaranteed snow.

Here are Directski.com’s Top 10 European Ski Destinations:

  1. Best ski resort for a group of friends – Söll, Austria
  2. Best family ski resort – St. Johann, Austria
  3. Best après ski – Arinsal, Andorra
  4. Best skiing for ski divas – Val d’Isere, France
  5. Best new kid on the block – Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
  6. Best beginners resort - Pas de la Casa, Andorra
  7. Best for ski & spa – Bad Gastein, Austria
  8. Best high altitude skiing – Tignes, France
  9. Best budget skiing – French Alps in mid-January
  10. Best non-ski activities – Zell am See, Austria

For more info, check out Directski.com.

Image courtesy of Directski.com