Ski Resort and Snow News - December 2012
How Long Until we Can Book A Package Ski Tour To China?
Published : 31-Dec-2012 02:04
Crystal hasn't been adding a new destination country every season as it used to. Russia and Sochi two winter ago was the last new destination.
But with the possibility that the UK ski travel industry may grow again this winter after four seasons of decline (touch wood) then the likelihood that we'll be skiing in China in the next few years has increased this season, thanks in good part to the opening of several international standard resorts backed by international brands including Sheraton and Weston Hotels (so bookable direct via their international websites) and Doppelmayr ski lifts.
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Views : 3,230
Also on J2Ski :- Dolomiti Superski Snow Forecast Ski Hotels Ski Hire
Whistler 2010 Games Experience Still Alive
Published : 31-Dec-2012 11:10
The 2010 Winter Olympics were seen as the crowning achievement of four decades of growth to world-class status from an unknown BC backwater for Whistler Blackcomb.
"For Whistler, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games was the realization of a dream nearly as old as Whistler, and the basis for early development," said a resort statement.
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Views : 2,079
Also on J2Ski :- Whistler Blackcomb Snow Forecast Ski Hotels
Ski School for Nervous Adult Skiers
Published : 30-Dec-2012 03:30
The European Ski and Snowboard School in Les Deux Alpes (www.europeanskischool.co.uk) has launched a number of specialist teaching programmes this winter including one especially targeted at those who have, "Lost your confidence as a beginner."
This course is designed for skiers that have had one or maximum two week's skiing experience (Ski School Level 1) but have found progressing from the initial basics difficult due to, "specific psychological or technical barriers that many first time skiers experience."
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Views : 2,210
Also on J2Ski :- Les Deux Alpes Snow Forecast Ski Hotels Ski Hire
Snow Football in Arosa
Published : 30-Dec-2012 03:27
Arosa (www.arosa.ch) in the Swiss Alps will stage its annual 'Ice Snow football' tournament, (www.icesnowfootball.ch) believed to be unique in the world, later this month.
The third edition of the football competition, which attracts former national team players from various countries, will be staged from 24th to 26th January.
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Views : 2,457
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Pigs Ready To Race In Klosters
Published : 30-Dec-2012 03:20
Final preparations and pre-racce piglet pampering are underway with less than 24 hours to go to the annual piglet races in Klosters, Switzerland.
This New Years' Day tradition in the famous Swiss resort will see ten piglets race through the streets of the town cheered along by locals and tourists alike.
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Views : 4,590
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Night Skiing in Scotland
Published : 29-Dec-2012 05:25
Scotland's five ski areas have had the usual mixed bag of weather to contend with but all have a reasonable amount of terrain available despite having to contend with gales, blizzards and most recently a thaw. However on the upside much of the rain that has been drenching the UK has been falling as snow on the Scottish ski slopes.
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Views : 3,550
Also on J2Ski :- Cairngorm Mountain Snow Forecast Ski Hotels
Huge Snowfalls in Eastern USA
Published : 29-Dec-2012 10:01
Whiteface, NY, yesterday
The latest storms that have brought chaos to large parts of the US have also delivered large quantities of snow to the region which had so far been enjoying a fairly lacklustre season.
"It's a winter wonderland at Whiteface Mountain (whiteface.com), in New York state," enthused the resort's Jon Lundin, "Mother Nature delivered on her promise. This week's Nor'easter delivered 24-inches (60cm) of new snowfall to the Olympic mountain, making for great skiing and riding for the upcoming New Year."
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Views : 3,138
Also on J2Ski :- Stowe Snow Forecast Ski Hotels
BMW Works With Ski Resorts on Public Race Tracks
Published : 28-Dec-2012 06:58
German car manufacturer BMW is working with more than 20 ski areas in the big four Alpine nations and three other countries to provide ski movies of recreational skiers zipping down their slopes.
BMW and Skiline simply require skiers and boarders to ski down the selected slope at each area carrying their electronic lift ticket. Then pass holders type in their pass number online and can see a video of their descent via: www.bmw-xdrive-guide.com
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Views : 4,175
Also on J2Ski :- Chamonix Snow Forecast Ski Hotels Ski Hire
J2Ski Snow Report - December 27th 2012
Published : 27-Dec-2012 01:09
The J2Ski Snow Report - Week Ending December 28th, 2012
The forecast for the next day or so includes more snow at altitude (above 1500m) for the European Alps. Although the North and Western Alps look like getting the best of it, localized snowfalls are possible over much of the Alpine area and snow lines may be lower in places.
Read the full Article : J2Ski Snow Report - December 27th 2012
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Views : 4,056
Also on J2Ski :- La Plagne Snow Forecast Ski Hotels Ski Hire
Santa's On His Way (Via Whistler)
Published : 24-Dec-2012 09:02
Santa has been spotted en-route to the homes of good girls and boys around the world.
In fact it may not have been the real Santa as Whistler Blackcomb held its annual Ski with Santa Day on Saturday and hosted over 100 people who dressed in full Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus suits to ski and ride for free.
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Views : 3,140
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Swiss Fighting Cows
Published : 23-Dec-2012 02:30
Cow fighting is a popular spectator spot in Switzerland, and one of the biggest bouts of the year takes place in Flaschen, at the base of the Torrent lift in the ski resort of Leukerbad (www.torrent.ch) each March.
The Valais Hérens cows fight ("...a part of their natural behaviour," the resort is keen to stress) for victory and hierarchical dominance in the Flaschen snow arena.
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Views : 7,412
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Ski With Angry Birds
Published : 22-Dec-2012 07:46
Skiing visitors to Lapland used to be accosted by the Moomins, reindeer and Santa but over the past few years that's changed with the rise to global fame of the Angry Birds game, originally released on the iPhone by its Finnish creators in December 2009 and subsequently clocking up more than one billion downloads worldwide.
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Views : 4,946
Also on J2Ski :- Ruka Snow Forecast Ski Hotels
ABTA Says Nearly 4m Heading Away For Christmas
Published : 20-Dec-2012 01:53
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) have estimated that nearly four million travellers will be heading abroad for Christmas with the coming weekend of 22/23rd December the busiest of the winter.
The travel trade organisation says that although the continuing economic downturn is a factor, Brits are continuing to travel and the ski market is reported to be generally 'up' thanks to good early season conditions and people booking to be sure of a White Christmas – which is looking increasingly unlikely in the UK as the big day draws closer.
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Views : 1,848
J2Ski Snow Report - December 20th 2012
Published : 20-Dec-2012 09:17
The J2Ski Snow Report - Week Ending December 21st, 2012
And still it comes... more big snowfalls reported from across The Alps and North America, with many Alpine resorts reporting 2 metres of fresh snow over the past week.
After further widespread snow tomorrow (Friday), temperatures are set to climb briefly over the weekend with Monday in the Northern Alps likely to be 10C above the seasonal average! Sunday will see a fair amount of precipitation and this may fall as rain as high as 2,000 metres in places - affecting low-lying areas.
Read the full Article : J2Ski Snow Report - December 20th 2012
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Views : 4,630
Also on J2Ski :- Les Arcs Snow Forecast Ski Hotels Ski Hire
Big Snow in North East North America
Published : 20-Dec-2012 08:41
A major snow storm has transformed conditions in the North East Corner of North America which, despite opening limited terrain 1-2 months ago in most cases, had been struggling with little natural snowfall and temperatures sometimes too warm for snow making.
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Views : 2,545
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Public Money for British Snowsport
Published : 18-Dec-2012 06:57
Snowsport England has been awarded a much needed £1.5 million as part of Sport England's just announced £493 million, four-year investment, "to keep the inspiration of London 2012 alive."
" This is a fantastic result for Snowsports and is a significant increase on the funding obtained for the 2009-13 funding round (985K). This funding is ring fenced to be used in two areas – 'Participation' (1.3 million) and 'Talent' (200k)," said Tim Fawke,Chief Executive Officer of Snowsport England.
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Views : 1,684
Ski Resort Plans Ahead for End of the World
Published : 14-Dec-2012 07:24
Kind hearted folks at one Californian ski area have decided to open for skiing the day before the world ends on 21st December, and offer free skiing for the day to their possibly final customers.
"With the world all worked up over the Mayan doomsday catastrophe, we felt we had a duty to invite outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate on Dec. 20," Rosie Sundell, the senior marketing director for Bear Valley Resorts told media, "So turn that climate-apocalypse frown upside down!"
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Views : 2,296
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Les Deux Alpes Snow Report - 13th December 2012
Published : 13-Dec-2012 10:22
Despite the efforts of BA to delay us by turning up at the gate with everything but the plane... managed to get on the snow by mid afternoon and skied til it got dark (last lift at 5 - pretty late for December).
Pretty hostile up high with fierce winds, driving snow and bad vis, but great snow, "packed powder" everywhere with patches of soft stuff still. Viz good on descents into town and Valentin in great condition .
Read the full Article : Les Deux Alpes Snow Report - 13th December 2012
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Views : 7,410
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J2Ski Snow Report - December 13th 2012
Published : 12-Dec-2012 05:30
The J2Ski Snow Report - Week Ending December 14th, 2012
More snow arrived in Europe and North America this week, and more is on its way.
Although temperatures across The Alps are set to rise somewhat over the next few days, it will be a brief interlude. More precipitation will push into the area through the weekend. Rain is likely to lower areas, with the snow line rising to perhaps 1750 metres on Saturday before starting to descend again. By Monday, temperatures will have fallen to their normal December levels.
Read the full Article : J2Ski Snow Report - December 13th 2012
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Views : 5,668
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Engelberg’s Late Night Shuttle
Published : 08-Dec-2012 07:46
Engelberg's popular late night shuttle bus service from Zurich airport to the resort is back for 2012-13.
The idea is that you can work until 6pm; catch the flight around 8pm and take advantage of the late shuttle service provided by Engelberg Titlis Tourism at 11 pm and be the first on the slopes the next day. With a transfer time of less than 90 minutes.
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Views : 2,861
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Wrooom in Madonna di Campiglio
Published : 08-Dec-2012 07:41
Stylish Italian ski area Madonna di Campiglio is hosting the 'Wrooom' event next month. The gathering of Ferrari car drivers and Ducati bike riders to the prestigious little town in Val Rendena has been staged for 24 years now and remains ever popular for car/bike fans and participants who also enjoy snow sports.
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Views : 3,743
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Heavy snow hits European flights
Published : 07-Dec-2012 11:26
Snow causing problems for European Airports now, from Travelmole :-
Heavy snow across northern and central Europe is causing flight delays and cancellations.
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Views : 2,205
Oh look, some snow - Les Deux Alpes with an interesting background...
Published : 06-Dec-2012 04:08
Here's a great reminder of what conditions are like right now, fresh from Les Deux Alpes...
(c) CTR-Crew
...and it certainly does illustrate the conditions; check the avalanche crown over his left shoulder! :shock:
If you're lucky enough to be skiing this weekend; take care!
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Views : 3,166
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Foreign Office: Novice skiers risk injury and expensive medical bills
Published : 06-Dec-2012 03:09
Some sound, and timely, advice from the Foreign Office...
FCO urges winter sports holidaymakers to know their limits before hitting the slopes
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is urging British nationals heading off on a ski or snowboarding holiday with friends and family this winter to know their limits and not put themselves at risk by trying to keep up with more experienced members of their party. The advice comes on the back of figures released by Posts in France that show the number of reported accidents on the slopes in 2012 continued to be high including seven deaths out of 12 serious incidents*.
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Views : 3,989
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J2Ski Snow Report - December 6th 2012
Published : 06-Dec-2012 01:54
The J2Ski Snow Report - Week Ending December 7th, 2012
It's been quite a week in mountains around the world - with huge amounts of snow falling across The Alps and in parts of North America.
Europe looks set to remain cold and snowy (temperatures below average for December) for at least the next week and quite possibly well into the second half of the month. Following a brief respite from the snows tomorrow, further snowfall is expected early in the weekend - with lesser amounts to the East.
Read the full Article : J2Ski Snow Report - December 6th 2012
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Views : 4,417
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Snow disrupts flights at London airports
Published : 05-Dec-2012 10:42
This from TravelMole :-
Snow is causing flight disruption at both Stansted and Luton Airports today.
Runways at both airports were closed this morning and although they have since reopened they are operating with restricted movements so delays and cancellations are expected.
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Views : 4,558
The BMW Gondola
Published : 05-Dec-2012 07:50
Hot on the heels of the new Porsche designed chairlift at Laax in Switzerland comes the BMW gondola cabin in the Hochzillertal ski area of the Austrian Tirol.
Yes, this winter guests staying at the luxurious on-mountain ski lodges, the Wedelhuette or the Kristallhuette, in the Hochzillertal ski area can arrive in true VIP-style.
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Views : 6,943
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Pole Position bags Heli-Ski operator and an FIS Race Win
Published : 03-Dec-2012 09:37
World's largest Heli Ski operation now have Ski Pole Position available for all levels of skier.
Canadian Mountain Holidays, the world's largest Heli-Skiing operator and Erich Unterberger, IFMGA Guide and Manager of Guiding Operations at CMH commented:
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Views : 2,406