Bertrand de Monvallier, one of the founders of Oxygene Ski & Snowboard School, passed away recently following a 10-month battle with illness.
A statement released by the company said: “The entire Oxygene family is devastated by his loss and for anyone that had ever met Bertrand, they will understand what it means to lose someone that was so inspirational and passionate about skiing, life and the business that he and his brothers have built over the past 30 years.”
PHOTO: Tourism Whistler/Karina Erhardt
March is a historically snowy month for Whistler which creates the paradoxical combination of long-sunny days with the potential of fresh powder across its 7,700 acres or terrain. It’s also a good time to grab a deal on accommodation.
Recent new snowfalls have covered the valleys of Trentino in northern Italy. The Western ski resorts such as Brentonico, Monte Bondone, Paganella, the Madonna di Campiglio-Folgarida-Marilleva ski area, Passo Tonale and the eastern side of Trentino: San Martino di Castrozza, Val di Fiemme, Val di Fassa and Alpe Cimbra have all had new snow.
La Trace des Grands, which unites lovers of ski mountaineering and epic off-piste descents is being hosted by Chamonix Mont-Blanc in France on 19 & 20 March 2022.
The event, which is being organised by the association Outdoor Legacy, is expected to attract some of the world’s best freeride skiers. And the weekend will also include ski touring for all abilities.
Courmayeur Mont Blanc will be hosting the 7th Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience from 17 to 20 March 2022.
The event, which is being run in collaboration with Grand Hotel Royal & Golf, was created by Momentum Ski’s Amin Momen and celebrity UK chef Heston Blumenthal. It has built up a reputation for attracting top chefs and this season’s line-up includes Michelin star chefs Tom Kerridge, Paul Ainsworth and renowned local-chef Paolo Griffa.
With travel restrictions to France easing for UK-based skiers and snowboarders, MARK NICHOLLS reports on what awaits you in Les Menuires this season
The view from La Masse is inspirational. I had travelled up from Les Menuires which nestles more than 1,000m in the valley below.
The lifting of the restrictions on British skiers and snowboarders visiting France has seen new bookings to French ski resorts go through the roof. Many of the resorts have been quick to update the Skier & Snowboarder magazine with their latest news which you will find below. Make sure you check back to this website regularly as we will be adding more info as it comes in. Plus, go to our Holiday Offers page where you will find great bargains to French resorts being added all the time
Arc 1950 Le Village, the most recent addition to the Haute-Tarentaise resorts, enchants its French and international visitors every season by offering access to the Paradiski slopes from a selection of colourful 5* ski-in-ski-out residences, together with a combination of high-end services, car-free streets, pretty shops, varied restaurants, and its exceptional entertainment programme. A true ‘art de vivre’ of winter sports.
Travelski Express, which this season reintroduced a ski train service to the French Alps, issued a recent statement concerning the travel situation to France which said: “With the continued restrictions on travel between the UK and France Travelski regrets to confirm the cancellation of the Travelski Express departure planned for the 21 January.
by Colin Nicholson
Last month (December 2021) marked the first chance for British skiers and snowboarders visiting Switzerland to take the swish new gondola – the culmination of a £400 million project – from Grindelwald to the highest piste on the Eiger, shaving an astonishing 47 minutes off the journey time.
The Swiss resort of Mürren, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first slalom race held there on 21 January 1922.
As part of the celebrations, a host of famous names from the world of skiing will participate in a ceremonial race down the original slalom piste on 17 January 2022.
If you want to broaden your ski and snowboard horizons, follow in the footsteps of Prince Harry and plan a visit to the ‘Heavenly Mountains’ of Kazakhstan. LISA YOUNG provides a pre season taste of what you will find when you get there
Val Thorens is traditionally always one of the first French resorts to open for the season. After not being able to ski last winter because of the pandemic, CATHERINE COOPER joined thousands of people who could not wait to get back on piste at the opening weekend
Rob Rees enjoyed a meal with Skier & Snowboarder publisher Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin at Kipferl, which claims to be London’s only Austrian restaurant. Rob gives us a taste of what you will find there
The pretty French resort of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville in the 3 Valleys is a foodie heaven and this season there is another new restaurant on the menu.
The Maya Altitude is located on the slopes at the top of the Tougnète ridge. From here diners can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view from the terrace at 2,400m.
From 7 January to 4 February and from 7 March to 1 April, 2022 the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley is offering its guests FREE group ski lessons
For all ages and all levels of expertise, guests will be able to benefit from free lessons in downhill skiing (both on and off-piste), cross-country skiing, ski touring and even kinder garden skiing.
Researched and refined by VIP SKI’s guests over 30 years, Bear Lodge is a brand-new signature complex located at Arc 1950.
The 30-bedoom hotel, Bear Lodge, can accommodate 60-80 guests each week, and Bear Suites can cater to a range of 4 – 14 guests.
Austria’s famous Tirol region is home to many world-famous resorts as well as dozens of hidden gems waiting to be explored by skiers and snowboarders. They will be welcomed back in a season full of winter love
The venue for Jackson Hole’s recent ski launch in London’s Mayfair was so exclusive that Skier & Snowboarder magazine publisher Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin almost couldn’t find it.
After walking up and down Bruton Street several times looking for the Hakkasan restaurant he eventually stopped and sought the help of two men who were dressed like they should be auditioning for the lead roles in the Men in Black movie.
The Californian ski area of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has changed it’s name to distance itself from a word considered to be a racist and sexist slur.
The recently announced new name is Palisades Tahoe and was chosen to honour the resort’s history as a land of legends – home to freeskiing pioneers, Winter Olympians and cultural icons across more than seven decades of ski history. The change will bring both mountains of the former Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows together under one unified name.