Author Archives
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Cairngorm ski and snowboard area funicular back on track
After a four year wait, the funicular railway that provides access to much of Cairngorm ski area above Aviemore in Scotland re-opened on 26 January.
The track was closed after structural problems were identified in the concrete supports. Initial estimates for the repair were listed as £10m but this figure rose to £16m when more detailed tenders were received. However, it has been reported that the final repair bill was closer to £25m.
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British racer teams up with Dan’s Trust charity
British ski racer Charlotte Holmes, one of the Skier & Snowboarder magazine’s racing correspondents, has become an ambassador for Lancashire charity, Dan’s Trust which will now contribute towards the funds she needs to compete at the highest level.
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Gurgl gears up for this season
The RAC (Royal Automobile Club) in London provided another great location for a recent lunch for ski and travel journalists, this time hosted by the Austrian ski area of Gurgl and the Tyrolean region of Ötztal.
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Italian superstar to perform at Ischgl’s Top of the Mountain Closing Concert
International superstar Eros Ramazzotti (pictured) will be taking to the stage for Ischgl’s annual ‘Top of the Mountain Closing Concert’ on 30 April 2023 as the Austrian resort’s ski season comes to an end.
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Relax or work out at Val Thorens’ new €40m state-of-the-art sports, aquatic and convention centre
Alf Alderson swaps his skis for a new ‘board’ of a different kind in Val Thorens which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season
Le Board is shaped like a giant snowboard
It was one of those days in Val Thorens with low cloud and poor visibility making the skiing tricky at best, so what to do? Feel our way down the slopes in the murk, or try something different?
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Goggles
Eyewear companies are doing their bit to help reduce their impact on the environment. Here are some of the ski and snowboard goggles available this season including examples of how they are becoming more eco friendly. For more details and prices go to the websites
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Give yourself a treat
by Fashion Editor Clare Meaney
After a couple of seasons away from the slopes, you may feel it is time to upgrade your ski gear and have decided it is time to treat yourself, or a loved one, to a new outfit.
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Flying visit
A reinstated morning flight from London City Airport makes a short break in Austria even more accessible. Mark Nicholls went for the skiing, and returned with plenty of memories to treasure
Austria’s Skicircus offers 408km of pistes. PHOTO: Skicircus/Lukas Pilz
It was cold as the horses trotted away from the small Advent Fair in the trees above Leogang. As they paused, steam swirled around these magnificent beasts, not unlike the smoky aura of an ancient locomotive slowing into a remote halt.
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The story of the Swiss Army Knife
The famous red-handled ‘Swiss Army Knife’ is as iconic a symbol of Switzerland as the Matterhorn itself. Ed Mannix, owner of Zermatt specialists, Matterhorn Chalets, guides us through the fascinating history of this famous of all penknives
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Soak up the atmosphere at the Alpine World Championships while enjoying the charm of Les Menuires and Saint Martin de Belleville
If you want to enjoy the atmosphere of watching the Alpine World Championships being held on 6 – 19 February 2023 in the neighbouring French resorts of Meribel and Courchevel but prefer to get away from it all, the locals have the answer.
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Les Gets says ‘no more butts’… (unless you are in one of the designated smoking areas)
The French resort of Les Gets claims to be the first in Europe to ban smoking both on and off the slopes – except in five designated areas.
The ban came into force on 17 December and Benjamin Mugnier, who is in charge of the project, said: “We want to showcase our number one asset which is the clean air of the mountain. This is why thousands of people visit us every year.” -
Airports make plans to minimise disruption during Border Force strike action over festive holidays
Border Force staff who are members of the Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union plan to strike at six of the UK’s busiest airports, along with the seaport of Newhaven, over a 9-day period at the end of December that takes in two of the busiest weekends in the ski and snowboard season – Christmas and New Year.
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DSUK SkiBay second hand store campaign aims to raise funds to give lessons to disabled skiers and snowboarders – plus it will help save the planet
The Skier & Snowboarder magazine’s regular look at the opportunities offered by Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) continues with news of how we can all help raise funds to double the number of ski and snowboard lessons they organise for disabled children and adults
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2022/23 ski race season finally gets underway after warm weather causes cancellations
PHOTO: @amarcster.sport
The brother and sister team of British ski racers Robert and Charlotte Holmes reflect on the stop-start to the season which finally got underway after a series of cancellations
The clocks going back and the evenings becoming darker signifies the beginning of winter, and for us that means the race season of 22/23 finally gets underway.
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Christmas gift ideas for skiers and snowboarders
If you are looking for ideas for Christmas presents this year here are some suggestions which are ideal for people who love skiing and snowboarding. There’s everything from new phones with the latest camera technology, inspirational books, or simple unique Christmas themed merchandise
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Music to my ears
Two new challenges for skiers and snowboarders are among the many reasons to visit Ski amadé and the Salzburger Sportwelt says Hilary Everitt
Have you ever shivered on a freezing chair lift swinging around in a blizzard, maybe wishing you had stayed in the bar with a warming glühwein? More often than not, the seats are also cold and uncomfortable. -
Eye-catching OOSC designs put the Style into Freestyle
OOSC has put the STYLE in Freestyle with their new Yeh Man, Fresh Pow and Snow Park Overhead Jackets.
Available in a range of eye-catching colour block designs, you can mix and match their latest jackets with co-ordinating bib and ski pants for ultimate style. -
Ladies Ski Club celebrates its 100th anniversary in Mürren – the birthplace of Alpine ski racing
Mürren’s status as the birthplace of Alpine ski racing in the years following the first world war is reflected in a succession of centenary celebrations in the car-free village at the heart of Switzerland’s beautiful Jungfrau Region. -
The return of the Parsenn Derby ski race celebrates historic British ties with Davos Klosters
Davos Klosters’ is usually in the headlines for hosting world leaders at the annual World Economic Forum or when members of the British Royal family head there for a winter holiday, but the area has so much more to offer than this newspaper fodder and it is one of Switzerland’s snowsport capitals.
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Canada’s ski season starts early after heavy snowfall
Canada’s 22/23 ski season got underway on Thursday, 3 November, after the west of the country – particularly Alberta and inland BC – saw heavy snowfall and low temperatures for much of the past fortnight.