Author Archives
-
Kick and Ritchie dominate at Scottish Alpine dryslope championships
Nicole Ritchie
Euan Kick
THE SCOTTISH Alpine dryslope championships took place at Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend recently and showcased a host of highly skilled talent on the technically challenging slalom and giant slalom runs.
-
Bormio to host 20th English Alpine Championships
Anna Henderson pictured at last year’s championships / Photo: Racer Ready
ENGLISH Alpine skiers from under 10s up to senior athletes will descend on Bormio, Italy for the 20th English Alpine Championships from 13–19 February. New for 2016 is the introduction of a FIS super combined race and the team parallel slalom returns on the Tuesday night under the floodlights. Organised by Snowsport England, entries to the championships are now open across six categories: Senior, Junior, U16, U14, U12 and U10. Pictured in action at last season’s championships is Anna Henderson. Entry details can be found on the new English Alpine Championships website:
-
Summerhayes shortlisted for BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award
GB PARK and pipe skier Molly Summerhayes (pictured) has been shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2015 award. The 18-year-old reigning world junior halfpipe ski champion has made it into the last 10 of the prestigious award. The winner will be revealed during this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year, which will come from Belfast’s SSE Arena on Sunday, 20 December. -
Guest stars in Treble Cone slalom
DESPITE having to recover from a broken back at the start of last season, Scottish skier Charlie Guest (pictured) hasn’t allowed this to stand in the way of her success and recently returned from New Zealand after winning a slalom event at Treble Cone scoring the best result of her entire career. Charlie, who is one of Team GB’s most promising Alpine prospects for the next Winter Olympics, also received a boost to her training costs after a fundraising event was held for her at the recent Scottish premiere of Warren Miller’s new winter movie Chasing Shadows, at Spey Valley Cinema in Aviemore. -
BRITS return to LAAX
Pictured in action, snowboarder Billy Morgan.
FOLLOWING last season’s freestyle championships in Tignes, THE BRITS is rekindling its relationship with LAAX by returning to the Swiss resort for the 2016 British Championships from 3-10 April. LAAX is a favourite among freestylers because of its four dedicated snowparks and this season’s event will include halfpipe, slopestyle and snowboard/skiercross championships, plus the more relaxed bangers and cash rail jam. For further information, bookings and competition registration go to:
-
Plot thickens for new London snow centre
DAYS GONE BY: Proposals to build a real snow slope on the former Beckton Alps dry slope (pictured in 1991 after a snowfall) were shelved, but East London could still get an indoor snow centre if plans by Westfield go ahead.
PLANS for an indoor snow centre in East London appear to have taken a step forward following news that Westfield, the Australian company backing the project, has purchased the land where the new slope could be located.
-
Cairngorm plans a dry slope
NATURAL Retreats, the organisation that now operates Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland has announced plans to add a dry slope to its facilities.
Three of the four other Scottish ski centres already have dry slopes and Cairngorm does have several artificial slopes in its vicinity including one at Glenmore Lodge, one at a ski shop near the slopes and one at the nearby Loch Insh waterpark.
-
Snowboarder films another run around Hemel
Hemel Run 2 released
A VIDEO of a run in and around the outside of Hemel’s Snow Centre by Team GB’s Olympic Snowboard finalist, Jamie Nicholls, became an internet hit when it was released in 2014. Now the 22-year-old has made a video of his second ‘Hemel Run’
-
DAHU boots now available in UK
DAHU ski boot technology is available to the UK public for this first time this winter. The inner boot can be worn independently from the shell so skiers simply unclip the boot and step out onto the snow. This, say the manufacturers, means no more standing around in après ski bars in your boots and a more comfortable walk to and from the lifts. The 2015/16 collection includes the Joe & Jane (RRP £449) – boot and liner pictured here; Monsieur Ed (RRP £469); Miss A: Elegant for the advanced women’s skier (RRP £469); and the Numero 7 with a power strap and a hard flex which will suit professionals and experienced skiers (RRP £449) -
Wigwan make socks sound sexy
IT IS difficult to make ski and snowboard socks sound sexy, but Wigwan has certainly done their best with the new range of Snow Fusion. Here is an extract from how the company describes the product. ‘A sock and liner in one, the innovative, new Snow Fusion range pairs vibrant and colourful designs with Wigwam’s patented
Ultimax Fusion technology for increased performance and blister-free comfort on the mountain’. The socks retail at around £22. -
Goggles help you see more clearly
DO YOU struggle to read a piste map or messages on your phone when you are wearing goggles? RxSport has come up with a solution. Their new AW15 goggles have special toughened lenses with a large distance area plus a small reading segment which can be set to your own prescription. RxSport also offers a complete range of goggles which are available with or without prescription lenses. -
G-Shock and Burton Snowboards unite to launch Rangeman watch
G-SHOCK and Burton Snowboards have united to create a custom timepiece. The limited edition Rangeman is designed to withstand the harshest environments both on and off-piste – as well as in the bar during après ski. It has G-SHOCK’s legendary Shock Resistance, 200M Water Resistance and is fully loaded with V3 Triple Sensor Technology allowing for altimeter, compass and barometer/thermometer readings, plus many other additional features. The G-SHOCK x Burton watch will retail for £430.
-
Snowsport Scotland launches equality campaign
National Governing Body, Snowsport Scotland, is to launch a new equality campaign in a bid to prove that snowsports is for everyone focusing on females, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) and those living with a disability.
-
Christmas and early season ski and snowboard holidays
INGHAMS: You can save up to £400 per person with Inghams’ deal of the week to Chalet Flo in Mo
rzine during Christmas week. The company is offering seven nights, chalet catering including a traditional Christmas dinner from £549 per person departing 19 December 2015. Price includes return flights from London Gatwick to Geneva and resort transfers.
There are also Christmas week offers to the Hotel Elisabeth-Rose in Mayrhofen, Austria – from £549 per person, and Grindelwald in Switzerland – half board at the Hotel Belvedere, from £1,049 per person
www.inghams.co.uk -
Shaken not stirred in Sölden – on the trail of James Bond
Skier & Snowboarder news editor Patrick Thorne (right) and ski writer Arnie Wilson enjoy a ‘James Bond’ – shaken not stirred – cocktail in the ICE Q restaurant, located at 3048m at the top of the Gaislachkogl in Sölden, Austria. Sölden and and the mountain village of Obertilliach were used in filming scenes for Spectre, the latest James Bond movie which sees actor Daniel Craig as 007 on skis again. Look out for Arnie’s feature in a future issue of the Skier & Snowboarder magazine.
-
Discover heli-skiing heaven
If you have always dreamt of heli-skiing and are keen to explore the joys of deep powder heli-skiing in British Columbia Canada then you should sign-up for one of Pure Powder’s evening presentations in October/November, taking place in London, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
-
Ski stars are cast away
The torso of Dame Kelly Holmes and Union Flag
Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards gets plastered
The 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics star Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards is getting plastered – all in the name of art.
The former ski jumper and skier is one of three British athletes connected with snowsports who are collaborating with world-leading body-cast sculptor Louise Giblin.
-
What the papers say
Mystery of 24-year-old skier who went missing in 1980 finally solved – reports CBC News.
Remains are found in Italian Alps after hotter-than-normal summer caused glacial melt.
Canadian Gregory Barnes, disappeared while skiing in the Italian and Swiss Alps.
-
Learn to ski packages in Scandinavia with Ski Safari
A Learn to Ski programme is being offered in Scandinavia to entice first-timers on to the slopes. The Scandinavian Learn to Ski packages feature inclusive prices with lift pass, ski rentals and ski schools. A half-term, 7-night holiday in February 2016 starts from £985 per person for a family room at the 4* Hotel Myrkdalen on half board basis. Price is based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing and includes flights, transfers and a 6 day lift pass and ski rental plus five days ski school.
-
Money saving offers from Pierre & Vacances
Stay at Les Horizons d’Huez in the Passeaux area of Alpe d’Huez with Pierre & Vacances and you can save over £150. Guests will be in the heart of The Grandes Rousses ski area; which will allow more time to ski and après ski. The apartments all have balconies and prices start from £557 for a 7-night stay in a 1/2 bedroom apartment sleeping four people.
