Ski Independence Blog
Archive for November, 2009
Strike a pose & smile to win a Grannies, Inc beanie!
November 30th, 2009We are excited to announce a new and fun competition in conjunction with Grannies, Inc. If you’re hitting the slopes this winter, send in your funny, beautiful, silly or seriously good photos or films and you could be in for a chance of winning a custom made beanie thanks to Grannies, Inc.
Ski Independence Photo & Film Competition
No matter whether you just love to snap away at your friends & families’ fantastic falls, bring home evidence of that epic powder day or are a buddy ski photographer – we want to see your photos & films!
Entries are to be emailed to philli@ski-i.com by 31st May 2010 and will be displayed on www.ski-i.com/photo as they are sent in, with winners being announced at the end of the 2009/10 season. Here are some of last year’s entries:
For further details & tips on how to take a good photo on the mountain visit www.ski-i.com/photo
Fly SWISS to the Alps
November 27th, 2009We are delighted to now offer SWISS as part of our tailor-made ski packages to the Alps.
SWISS will fly 33 times daily directly from Manchester, Birmingham, London Heathrow and London City to Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva and Basel), making the airline the direct carrier with most daily frequencies between the UK & Switzerland.
Free lift for your skis or snowboard
As free baggage & ski carriage are quickly becoming a thing of the past on airlines, it is welcome news that SWISS are happy to transport your first set of skis/snowboard and boots free of charge in addition to your standard baggage allowance.
One price – no hidden costs!
Can it be true? No hidden costs? Yes, on SWISS you will benefit from free-of-charge checked baggage within the allowance, food and drinks on board, seating selection or priority boarding. A recent price comparison proves that SWISS is one of the lowest priced carriers from UK to Switzerland.
Online services save time at the airport and allow more time for duty free shopping!
You can check-in for your flight online, select your preferred seat as well as print your own boarding pass. Online check-in is available from 23 hours up to 1 hour before departure of your flight. SWISS also offers a clever new electronic check-in service in the form of a mobile boarding pass that can be sent to your internet-enabled mobile telephone.
For more information on SWISS please call our reservations team on 0131 243 8097 or email ski@ski-i.com.
Heavy Snowfalls in Japan for Niseko Opening Day
November 25th, 2009
Niseko Opening Day
The Grand Hirafu lifts were switched on at the weekend with hundreds of skiers and boarders turning out and hitting the mountain throughout the day to get their first taste of the 09-10 powder. Those keen enough were up waiting in line for the familiar opening bells and sirens to sound, and a steady stream of people continued to flow through the gates all day to sample the upper half of Hirafu.
A solid one metre base up top allowed plenty of powder for all to share. And although there was only one official run open for business, everyone had a smile on their dial, happy to be up there on Day 1.
At around mid-morning, many were treated to a brief bluebird moment which beautifully lit up the piste, trees and surrounding mountain ranges. The ‘official’ upper runs off the Ace #3 chair were pretty well tracked out by around 10am, but some skiers and boarders may have accidentally missed their download lift, sampling the goods all the way from top to bottom.
Niseko Resort's Opening Ceremony
Meanwhile, a group of Japanese and a handful of ‘gaijin’ (foreign) locals gathered outside the Welcome Centre on Saturday morning for the official resort opening ceremony. The cultural opening saw local identities, business owners and resort staff pay their respects, laying wreaths and blessing the area in anticipation of another great season.
Niseko, on the island of Hokkaido, is Japan’s most famous ski resort and is becoming known for having some of the lightest, driest powder snow in the world.
Information thanks to www.skiinfo.com
Buying new skis & boots
November 23rd, 2009
As many of you will be heading out to buy new equipment for the season we thought we’d help you by putting together a guide to help you choose the rights skis & boots. The key element in a successful purchase is having expert help to make sure you are buying what is right for you.
What to look for when buying skis
If you have been involved in skiing for many years you will have seen the dramatic change in the length and shape of the new models that are now available. The benefit for all skiers is that this new shape of ski can be used in a much shorter length which makes them more manoeuvrable and much more fun. Edge control is fantastic and there is much less strain on the limbs and knees. You can now also enjoy a full day on the hill without the legs feeling as tired after that lunch stop.
Skis are designed for various target groups both in performance and price. Known as segment groups they usually come with an integrated binding system designed by the ski manufacturer.
The sales person will be able to advise you on how to match your skiing needs to the models on offer.
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All Mountain
The most popular shape is the all mountain segment which give superb performance both on and off piste across the mountain. The width under foot for this segment ranges from 74mm to 84mm. Ski length for ladies is 145cm. to 165cm. and for men 160cm. to 180cm. Length selection mostly depends on weight but the advanced technical construction of this shape of ski gives a wide and versatile option for length selection.
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Big Mountain and Fun Park
Various shapes exist in this segment with some extremely wide under foot models which are aimed at the skier who thrives off piste and enjoys extreme mountain sport. Under foot widths can vary from 82 mm. to 125mm; these skis are not for the faint hearted and are physically demanding. Twin tip skis are also quite evident and are aimed at a particular segment of skier that enjoys big air in the half pipes and acrobatic manoeuvres.
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On Piste Carving
These skis are less extreme widths and range from 65mm. to 70 mm. under foot. Although aimed at on piste carving they are very versatile and are more associated with the slalom shape turns that many skiers enjoy.
Once you have selected your new skis it is important to have your bindings adjusted correctly to your boots and to be aware of the after sales ski servicing capability of the retailer.
What to look for when buying boots
This guide is for your awareness and because there are so many factors to consider when buying ski boots the sales person must be your partner in this process. The expertise and knowledge of the sales person will be the most determining factor in guiding you to the correct choice of ski boots. You boots will be your most important purchase and having a great time on the slopes is a combination of comfort and your ability to control your skis.
Here are our top ten tips for buying new boots:
- Allow yourself adequate time for buying new boots / shop at off peak times.
- Men’s boots and ladies boots have technical differences, so don’t chose boots on your colour preferences!
- The sales person will guide you through what questions are relevant and you will soon be involved in the fitting process, so don’t try to do it alone.
- Make sure you have access to the socks that you will be skiing / boarding in, as your feet will be measured taking this into account.
- Boots will be selected that the sales person believes are suitable and various sizing techniques will be explained.
- It is very unlikely that you will get the perfect fit straight out of the box, so heat moulding is advisable.
- When clipped up you are looking for a good snug fit with your foot, ankle and lower leg making contact at all points in the boot.
- Your heel will be in contact with the boot and should remain in place when you flex your ankles and knees forward. (do not try to lever your heel upward and out of the boot.)
- Your toes may just touch the end of the inner boot, this will be relieved when you flex your ankles and knees forward. Your boots will also become roomier with use and adequate clip adjustments should be apparent.
- You should feel no uncomfortable pressure points. If there are your technician will explain how this can be adjusted and corrected. The introduction of a supportive footbed will be discussed and what the benefits of stabilising your feet in the boots will mean in terms of comfort and performance.
Once you have reached a buying decision you will be reassured about the ongoing after sales service that you would expect from a professional ski shop.
Blues The Ski Shop, have kindly put together this advice. Based in Edinburgh & Glasgow they have been fitting ski boots for over 30 years and have fitted national team skiers, Olympic skiers, ski instructors, podiatry and foot specialists, novices and all categories of snow sport activists. Blues give an unlimited guarantee on their boot fitting service.
Blues is well known for its after sales ski servicing and offers a 15% Discount to returning customers.
New ski flights from Gatwick to Geneva with Snowjet
November 20th, 2009
Ski flight specialist Snowjet is adding Geneva to its winter destinations served from Gatwick.
Flights will run on Saturdays between December 19 and April 10 with fares starting at £29 one-way including taxes and 20kg baggage allowance. Ski-carriage is £14.99 one way.
The weekly Geneva service will complement existing flights to Chambery and Sion.
Company managing director David Lacy said: “Our Chambery flights provide easy access to some of France’s top ski resorts including Meribel, Val d’Isere and Courchevel, while our Sion flights offer the fastest route to some of Switzerland’s best resorts including Verbier, Saas Fee and Crans Montana.
“Our passengers were telling us they’d appreciate flights to access other resorts including Chamonix, Morzine and Avoriaz, so we’ve introduced the Geneva service to meet this demand.”
This is great news, especially as availability for peak dates on other airlines is rapidly filling up! Call Ski Independence today on 0131 243 8097 to book your Gatwick - Geneva Snowjet flights.
Record Snow In Whistler
November 19th, 2009
The record’s broken, it’s officially the snowiest November EVER in Whistler!! 418cms so far and there’s still 12 days left in November. The current storm system has blanketed the mountains with over 250 cm (100 inches) of fresh snow in the past week. Operations crews are hard at work preparing more lifts and terrain to open this weekend as conditions allow.
|
Overnight |
24hrs |
48hrs |
7 days |
Snowbase* |
|
56 cm |
56 cm |
83 cm |
250 cm |
233 cm |
|
22.4 in |
22.4 in |
33.2 in |
100 in |
93.2 in |
It may still be early in the season but don’t tell that to Mother Nature. With over 362cm’s (142.5 inches) of snow so far this month Whistler Blackcomb has more than doubled its average November snowfall of 148cm (58 inches) and has broken the record set in 2006 for November snow of 416cm, with 12 days to spare!
“We went up first thing this yesterday morning for a few runs and it was amazing,” said Shannon Beattie from Whistler Blackcomb “I don’t remember getting that much powder on my first day of the winter in a while.”
If this is giving you butterflies and you want to be out there now, then take advantage of Air Canada’s special offer on flights to Vancouver (valid until 30 Nov) and the FREE nights available at our top hotels including the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Westin Resort & Spa, Delta Whistler Village Suites, Four Seasons Whistler, Pan Pacific Mountainside & Pan Pacific Village Centre and to give you maximum time on the slopes, up to 3 FREE days on your lift tickets & rentals – offer extended until 15 December due to exceptional demand.
Call the reservations team today on 0131 243 8097 & you can be enjoy the record breaking snow at the weekend!
As the nights draw in and the temperatures plummet…
November 19th, 2009As the nights draw in and the temperatures plummet I’m getting increasingly excited about heading out to North America’s slopes. Fortunately the wait won’t be too long as I’ll be going to Canada in mid January to help host a holiday for readers of Britain’s best selling winter sports magazine Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard.
We’ve been running these holidays in conjunction with Ski Independence for more than 10 years to resorts such as Winter Park, Steamboat, Aspen and Breckenridge. People love the friendly atmosphere, superb organisation as well as the fistful of free extras such as guiding with locals, welcome receptions and great prizes to be won. They attract all ages and are particularly suitable to people who want to come on their own and be with like-minded people.
Martin Bell on 2009 Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Magazine Reader Holiday
This year our first trip is to Vail on 8 December. Our executive editor Dave Watts will be leading that trip with Ski Independence owner John Bennett and joined by ex-Olympic skier and the magazine’s equipment editor Martin Bell. (More info) It’s a shame I can’t join them but someone’s got to draw the short straw and stay in the office to work on the March/April issue of the magazine.
My turn comes on January 13, the beginning of our 10 day holiday to some cult powder resorts in British Columbia. We’re going to be based in Fernie and Kicking Horse and also get the opportunity to check out some other hidden gems such as Panorama, Kimberly and Revelstoke – Canada’s newest resort. Martin Bell will be on this trip too giving everyone the chance to ski with an Olympian -it’s a humbling experience. (More info)
Both trips are going to be awesome and it would be fantastic if you could join us on one of them, even better come on both. For further info or to make a booking call Annika on 0131 243 8096 or email annika@ski-i.com.
See you on the slopes.
Cheers,
Henry
Editor, Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard magazine
Top Family Resorts in USA, Canada & France
November 17th, 2009
It is a huge help when all the little extras can be booked before leaving the UK, such as ski school, child care, rentals & lift tickets so we have put together a quick pick of some of our favourite family ski resorts where everything can be done before you go, leaving you just to enjoy the snow.
Top resorts opening early in Canada & France
November 11th, 2009Whistler, Canada & Val Thorens, France are both opening this weekend ahead of schedule, with more snow forecast to arrive so that powder deep fresh tracks can be made on Saturday.
Whistler - 10 Nov 09
Whistler Blackcomb are comparing the words ‘opening day’ and ‘early,’ to peanut butter and jelly or a more British bangers and mash saying that they always go together so well but we know which we’d get more excited by!
Mother Nature has certainly been kind in Canada with a minimum of 70-100 centimetres of snow accumulating over the past seven days, check out the photos from yesterday of the snow cat which looks it should have been taken in January rather than November! And, with the cold front moving across the south Coastal Mountains, forecasts indicate another 65 centimetres of snow could fall by opening day. Combine that with the power of an arsenal of over 160 snow guns, and this early season is off to a very white start.
Lake Louise Opening Day
November 6th, 2009Lake Louise officially opened today thanks to Mother nature and one of the most sophisticated snow making systems in the world.
Lake Louise Opening Day - 6 Nov 2009
“We’re extremely excited about being the first major ski area in Canada to open” says Lake Louise Marketing Director John Ross. “Because we are one of the few ski areas in the world that can offer superior early season snow, the World Cup circuit will once again start at Lake Louise on the weekend of November 28th prior to moving to the U.S. and Europe. This winter will also be jam packed with various other exciting events such as the Canadian Powder 8 Championships, The Olympic Torch relay, and various other races, festivals, and snowboard events”.
As the first skiers take to the slopes of Lake Louise today we thought we’d pass on a few local secrets to help you make the most of your visit this season.
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