Ski Independence Blog
Archive for ‘Group ski trips’
Monster Ski
October 21st, 2011I have a few ski trips planned for next season but I have to say the one I’m most looking forward to is leading the Monster Ski group in Tignes in March.
This will be the 6th season of Monster ski which is a challenge to raise money for the MS Trust. The challenge is to ski 29,029 ft of vertical descent a day. Now this may sound just like a large number but it’s the height of Everest and you have to do this for 3 days. It is a mammoth task and a big challenge but it was so rewarding at the end last time when everyone in the group of which some had been diagnosed with MS achieved the challenge.
The sense of achievement and team spirit was fantastic and just seeing the look on everyone’s faces after the last run was something I’ll keep with me forever. Despite the lean snow year last season Tignes had fantastic piste conditions and was the best in the Alps. So I was really pleased to hear it was going back to the Espace Killy and in particular Tignes as it has such an extensive ski area and you have some seriously long runs especially down to La Daille on the Val d’Isere side.
Participants will be guided so you don’t have to worry about where you are going, so no checking piste maps and asking lifties. All you have to concentrate on is skiing awesome runs, logging up the vertical and of course having a great time (which is compulsory!).
Even though we were tired after every day we all still managed a bit of après ski and the Hotel L’Ecrin du Val Claret was a perfect base to enjoy a few wines before sitting down and enjoying the traditional food that is included in the half board. The hotel also boasts a spa with a pool and Jacuzzis and if the body is really feeling it after skiing the height of Everest then you can always treat yourself to a massage.
If you want to get a serious amount of skiing in a world class area and raise money for a great cause this is the trip for you.
Monster ski is calling!
Five resorts in nine days
February 1st, 2010A week has already passed since I got back from Canada where I was helping to host a holiday for readers of Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard magazine with Annika Leis from Ski Independence.
Over the course of nine days our 32 strong group visited five of Canada’s lesser known resorts, in British Columbia. We got to enjoy steep, challenging chutes in Fernie, lots of fresh powder in Kimberley, North America’s longest vertical descent at Revelstoke, powered down perfectly prepared groomers in Panorama and rounded the trip off with challenging off piste skiing in Kicking Horse. It was a great success but don’t just take my word for it. Here’s a collection of quotes I gathered from the crew.
Powering through powder in Fernie
“Fernie, Kicking Horse and Revelstoke are awesome resorts with extremely exciting terrain. The use of local guides meant we quickly learnt the layout of the ski areas. And the accommodation and hospitality we experienced was fantastic.” Graham McNally.
Fernie & Kicking Horse Reader Holiday – Part 4
January 22nd, 2010Saved By The Bell – Part 4
As I clung to the side of the mountain in the Canadian resort of Kicking Horse I could hear someone shouting, “Yup, the ski is still hurtling down.” I’d just taken a tumble along a narrow ridge leading to a seriously steep chute that our guide Steve Fisk was planning to take us to and in the process my ski had popped off.
Kicking Horse awaits
Video Snow Report from Chamonix – 21 Jan
January 21st, 2010Some absolutely breathtaking views from Seb Montaz’s video snow report for Chamonix as he descends from the peak of the Aiguille de Midi. 5cm of snow fell overnight in Chamonix on the 20th January, with more forecast after the weekend. Enjoy!
Fernie & Kicking Horse Reader Holiday – Part 3
January 19th, 2010Skiing on my own private mountain – Part 3
Well that is what it felt like today when skiing Kimberley Alpine resort in British Columbia, Canada. The slopes of this small, family friendly resort were all but deserted which was great news for the lucky readers of Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard magazine who are on a Canadian road trip holiday.
Fernie & Kicking Horse Reader Holiday – Part 2
January 18th, 2010Part 2: Bowled over in Fernie
It’s the second day of our trip to Fernie, a gem of a Canadian resort, tucked away in British Columbia, and it had been snowing the previous night. There was six inches of fresh powder coating the upper part of the mountain. But more luck was to come our way.
Shaun shows us the way
Fernie & Kicking Horse Reader Holiday – Part 1
January 15th, 2010Part 1: Thank goodness it’s now snowing!
I am currently out in Fernie, Canada helping to host a holiday for readers of the magazine. I will keep you up to date on the snow conditions and the trip over the next week, straight from resort.
Fernie's trees are calling
It was a worrying moment as we arrived in Fernie, Canada on Tuesday night at our hotel and it was raining. The mood was grim especially as we’d suffered an eight hour delay in getting to the resort, ironically because of excessive snow and ice at Gatwick airport. We ended up being bussed from Stansted to catch our direct flight to Calgary.
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
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