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Ski Independence go skiing!
January 27th, 2012On Wednesday we lose 2 members of the Ski Independence team as they pack up their bags and make their way to Utah to lead the Daily Mail Ski and Snowboard Magazine reader trip. Starting in Park City and visiting Deer Valley, Snowbird and Canyons along the way, Annika our Groups Manager and Eve one of our Reservation Consultants, along with Henry Druce and Dave Watts, editors of the magazine and British Ex-Olympic skier Martin Bell, will spend 8 days skiing 6 of Utah’s 14 resorts.
Following on from yesterday’s blog ‘Where do Ski Independence Staff Ski’ below you will find the rest of the team’s ski plans this winter.
Michael, Managing Director
Wish me luck as I’m braving our first ski holiday at the end of February with my wife and two young sons (4 and 2) to Le Village, Les Arcs 1950 in France. Gone will be first lift on a powder day and long lunches to be replaced by a mad dash to make ski school on time and a rediscovery of just how painful snow plough is on the legs when undertaken all afternoon! But we’ll have the satisfaction of seeing our eldest skiing on snow for the first time and we couldn’t have chosen a better resort than Le Village at Les Arcs 1950. It’s been designed around family holidays with a super safe pedestrian main street where ski school meets, some great restaurants and shops and even better it’s 100% ski-in/ski-out. The apartments there are stylish and spacious and we’ll be very grateful for the extra space and flexibility a sitting room and kitchen will give us. I wonder if I should start negotiations now with the grandparents about babysitting for a long weekend in March?
Le Village, Les Arcs 1950
Jon, Overseas Manager
I’d been planning to go and see my brother who lives in Zermatt for a while, and then realised that it’s actually been four years since my last visit…not too sure what I was thinking there; free accommodation in one of Europe’s top resorts, and an easy flight and transfer from Edinburgh?! Anyway, the huge snow they’ve already had this season was a good catalyst so I started putting together plans for a long weekend in March, and before I knew it Gareth, Andy and an ex-Ski-I colleague were in on the act…not sure that my brother and his two bedroom apartment know what they’re letting themselves in for to be honest…
After that it’s California for a contracting conference in April where we work hard to get the best deals for Ski Independence clients for the following season, and we’ll hopefully get a few days’ skiing in too. Really looking forward to visiting Mammoth for the first time, and then the conference itself is in Squaw Valley so no doubt ski there too, and maybe get a look in at Northstar, Kirkwood or Heavenly as well – the Lake Tahoe area boasts the highest concentration of ski resorts in North America, and with famed spring skiing and views over the lake it’s a hard destination to beat, particularly at that time of year.
Dave, Reservations Consultant
I have a couple of nice trips to look forward to over the next couple of months, and they can’t come round soon enough!!
My first wee trip is in February out to Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper with my colleagues Gordon & Gareth. I have never visited either of these resorts and having worked with them for a number of years now I feel like I know them already, so this is a great opportunity to finally experience these popular ski areas & towns first hand. It’s also going to be great meeting up with our suppliers (who have become good friends with the Ski Independence team), and my good friend Angela who now works & lives in Jasper.
My next stop is in March, and is my annual winter trip to Mayrhofen in Austria. I spent many years working there before I started with Skiindi, and I always feel so welcome every time I head back there. Queue the title song from ‘Cheers’ now. The Zillertal Valley has some fantastic skiing/boarding terrain to offer, and mixed with a traditional town and friendly locals, it is tough to beat. I normally head over for the ‘Snowbombing’ festival at the end of the season. It’s not that I’m getting older (I can just hear a ‘Yea right’ from my colleagues), but after my 7th trip to the epic festival last year, I think it’s time for a more chilled visit.
Bring on Canada & Austria and the epic snow this season!!
Snowbombing in Mayrhofen
Suzanna, Accounts
I decided to escape the winter blues and jetted off to Les Gets last weekend! Admittedly, the 6am flight is not ideal, but with a very short transfer from Geneva I was on the slopes by lunch time. The conditions are great there at the moment, blue skies and the best snow in 20 years (locals opinion), and of course Portes Du Soleil being one of the largest ski area in Europe, you’ll never get bored.
All afternoon skiing on Saturday – a few beer stops – 5 course dinner with Claire our Product Manager, skiing on Sunday morning and a late afternoon flight back to Edinburgh…it all seemed like a dream on Monday morning when I was back in the office!
Luckily I have a few more trips planned to Les Gets (longer trips), just hope the snow will stay as great as it is now!
Suzanna in Les Gets last winter
Claire, Product Manager Europe
I’ve been lucky enough to ski in Courchevel and Megève already this season and I’m hoping to squeeze in at least another trip to Europe before the end of the season to make the most of the amazing conditions there just now. As for where I’ll be going, that’s still to be decided, but I do like the idea of either heading back to the Southern Alps (Alpe d’Huez/Vaujany) to catch up with friends from previous seasons or if it’s just a short break / ski weekend I can wangle, it will be within spitting distance of Geneva. And fingers crossed the snow in Scotland improves too – I’d really like to do a ski touring course here before bigger adventures next season perhaps!
Annika, Groups Manager
I’ll be heading out to Utah at the beginning of February on a ‘work’ trip leading the Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Magazine reader trip along with my colleague Eve as well as Henry Druce and Dave Watts the Editors of the Magazine and British Ex-Olympic skier Martin Bell.
We’ve been organising the reader trips for more than 8 years now; they are always great fun; everyone can sign up and it’s a great way to ski with like minded skiers.
We’ll be staying at the Park City Peaks Hotel in Park City and we’ll ski 6 different resorts in 8 days. Not only is Utah known for its epic powder record, it’s also a great destination to ski a number of resorts just a short 45 minutes drive away – we’ll be skiing Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons, Alta, Snowbird and Solitude. I’ve never skied any of the Utah resorts so I’m very excited to tick off 6 resorts in one go!
In March I’ll be going to Aspen on a family holiday. Aspen is one of my favourite resorts – again you have access to four different mountain – Ajax, Aspen Highlands (my favourite) Buttermilk and Snowmass, all within a 6 mile radius and easily accessed by the complimentary ski shuttle bus.
There will be 6 of us plus a wee 2 year hold so we’ve decided to stay at the lovely ‘The Gant’ self catering Condos – they are conveniently located in Aspen town and the complimentary ‘Gant Van’ will take you everywhere within Aspen’s city limits. I’m already looking forward to some superb skiing, lazy on-mountain lunches at Cloud 9 on Highlands and who knows this year I may even hike the bowl….!
The 2011 Daily Mail readers trip organised by Ski Independence
Andy, Reservations Consultant
I’ll be heading over to Zermatt with a few friends on a bit of a lads trip. It’s a great resort and can be pretty lively and with good conditions a trip over for a cheap Italian lunch in Cervinia may be on the cards.
I’ll be going on the Monster ski trip in late March too which is in Tignes. The charity trip consists of skiing the vertical descent of Everest every day so this area is ideal to clock up the distance.
Apart from that if the snow comes back to the hills in Scotland I’d love to get a few turns up in the Cairngorms.
Where do Ski Independence Staff Ski?
January 26th, 2012Here at Ski Independence we look forward to the end of January as we know that it’s about that time of year when we can look forward to and count down the days until we get on the slopes. There are some lucky team members who have already put in some turns this winter but for many the first are yet to come. Over the next few days we thought we would share with you what our own ski plans are for the rest of the winter, so here’s who’s doing what!
Gareth, Sales Manager
I’m heading out for a quick (too quick) trip to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper at the end of February. I have visited Lake Louise once before and love the skiing and that view over the lake cannot be matched in any other ski destination in the world (in my opinion, let me know if you think otherwise!) I’m going out there with David and Gordon from the office and will be visiting all 16 properties in just 5 days as well as getting a little time at Sunshine, Lake Louise and Marmot Basin. Once I get back I just have a day to get myself together before heading off on a Ski Weekend to Zermatt with some friends. The Swiss resort has had some epic snow over the past few weeks so I might even be able to brush up on my powder technique – it’s rubbish right now. It’s been a long few months booking skiing holidays for everyone and at the start of March I’ll get to go on my own one – even if it’s just a short break – and I can’t wait!
The Rothorn Gondola in Zermatt
Nick, Product Manager, North America
I’ve got a few things planned, but can’t see me getting away from the office until late March/early April. I might take part in MonsterSki in Tignes in late March to help raise funds for the MS Trust, and in mid-April I’ll be in California at a contracting event, so will hopefully get a few turns in at Mammoth, Squaw and Northstar. I’ll also be attempting to ski once a month for the next 12 months on snow in Scotland – Jan, Feb, Mar and Apr are all easy to achieve, and May and early June are usually OK too. Once we get into July, things get a bit trickier, and it all really depends on the snowfall we get over the winter…watch this space. Oh, and there’s talk of skiing Mt Etna too.
Epic snow, blue sky days, awesome terrain and incredible views - Mammoth
Karen, Reservations Consultant
Counting down the days (52, incase you are interested) till I head to Park City, Utah. I’ve skied all over Europe and North America but I’ve never been to Utah, and since I was a kid I’ve always dreamed of skiing dry fluffy Utah powder under bluebird skies… I’m taking my mum and she’s really excited about it too – but I’m in trouble if there’s no powder! She seems to think that working for Ski Independence gives me mystical powers over the weather (just for record – we have performed the odd miracle or two, but we’ve not mastered ‘snow-to order’ just yet!). Getting to Salt Lake City can be a bit of a pain from the UK as there are no direct flights but we’re going via Paris and stopping overnight – if it’s less than 24 hours then it’s a free stop with Air France / Delta so we’ve booked a hotel for the night and we’ll head into the city on the metro for a nice meal – Something a bit different! I really enjoy skiing new resorts so I’m looking forward to checking out Park City, Canyons, Deer Valley and Snowbird while I’m over there – and I’m really excited to try out my new ski boots too!
Karen on a recent trip to Vail
Claire G, Accounts
I’m heading to Les Gets in the middle of March with friends for a pre-wedding-girls-only break (not to be confused with a hen night, also not my wedding). It’s the first time in 10 years that I will be going to a Ski Resort, and the first time ever for 3 of the party, another first – I’ll be Boarding instead of Skiing. A lots of aches, pains and bruises are expected! There are 6 of us going for 5 nights and we are hoping to get 4 amazing snowy days on the mountain but my guess is the Apres Ski might alter our plans some mornings. Needless to say we are all super excited and can’t wait to get out there and see what Les Gets has to offer us.
Les Gets
Jamie, Reservations Consultant
Around the end of March, 5 friends and I are looking to ski in Chamonix/Argentiere. With the incredible snow fall throughout France this season, we are really looking forward to the excellent conditions. We have decided L’Cristal D’Agentiere is the perfect property; ideal location and quality of apartment. Being self catered it means we can keep the costs down and eat out should we wish. The Lognan cable car, which takes you up to Les Grands Montets is only 50m away, which opens up a huge area of skiing with The Mont Blanc Unlimited pass. Nightlife might be slightly more laid back in Argentiere, however, Chamonix and its legendary après is only a short bus ride away! Can’t wait!
Ironing in ski boots
January 25th, 2012I bought a new pair of ski boots last week (Atomic Hawx w90 if you’re interested). As any skier will know this is a milestone event. I’ve had my last pair for 10 years and we’ve skied together in 7 different countries and over 50 different resorts. We’re old friends now. I know that when I get them out of the attic for the first few turns of the season they’ll be a bit grouchy – a little light punishment for leaving them in the dark for all those months – but within a few hours they always came good. Now it’s time for them to take semi-retirement and they are soon to be packed off to my mum’s house up north where they’ll be handy for those occasions when Scotland’s snow obliges. I’m told that breaking in a new pair of boots should not be the agonising pain that it used to be – heat moulding speeds up the process and while spending 20 minutes standing in tuck position in the middle of Ellis Brigham made me slightly self conscious I’m hoping to reap the benefits when we get out on the snow!
Atomic Hawx w90
Since the new boots came home I have got them out of the box most days – sometimes putting them on, sometimes just admiring their shiny newness. I’m supposed to wear them around the house for 10-15 hours before taking them on snow. However, human decency suggests that’s not a good idea given that I live in a second floor tenement flat with wooden floors.. not sure the downstairs neighbours would enjoy that! So it was suggested to me that I wear them to do the ironing – thing is, I don’t usually do that much ironing. Either my clothes are all going to get a lot less wrinkled or I’m going to take my chances when I go skiing.
This does however, raise the issue preparation for a ski trip. It’s pretty simple maths that the higher your level of fitness to begin with, the better you’re going to feel on the snow. Here in the Ski Independence office activity levels are beginning to rise, although it’s not exactly easy at this time of year when we’re at our busiest! Running, cycling, fitness classes, swimming… they are all good ways to prepare for your ski holiday. Even walking to work is better than nothing at all. Skiing uses muscles that you’re not even aware of having most of the time (and don’t even start me on snowboarding! I’ve had a few goes at it and been unable to walk for days afterwards). So basically, whatever you do, you know there will be an element of pain involved when you get on the snow (usually the afternoon of day three for me). Now’s the time to put the work in and feel the benefits in resort.. so I guess I’d better start some training.. I want to make sure me and my new boots get off on the right foot!
And the award for Best European Ski Resort goes to…
November 23rd, 2011…St Moritz! Our friends at St Moritz Tourist Office have been in touch to tell us about their most recent award. Martin Oester writes:
“St. Moritz extends a huge thank you to British Travellers! Thanks to your votes (of which there were 700,000 cast by the British travelling public) on 2nd November at the British Travel Awards 2011, St. Moritz won gold, earning it the accolade of Best European Ski Resort. We are delighted to receive this recognition from both the public and the travel experts. Now, could there be any better way to start another winter season?
“With 350 kilometres of slopes, excellent high altitude skiing and superb powder snow until well into the spring months, all accompanied by some amazing scenery, right at my doorstep, I feel really lucky to live and work in St Moritz. And now its official – St Moritz is the best ski resort in Europe!”
Thanks Martin for getting in touch and congratulations also to Val d’Isère and Chamonix who won second and third place respectively at the awards.
Superb high altitude skiing in St Moritz
The ‘champagne’ climate allows the village to enjoy an average of 322 days of annual sunshine
If you’d like to experience St Moritz for yourself, we have a selection of accommodation throughout the resort. Either request a quote or call our knowledgeable reservations team on 0131 243 8097.
Ptarmigan Chalet, Vail
November 9th, 201130 feet of light dry fluffy powder and an annual average of 300 blue sky days a year means Vail Colorado is always near the top of any list of the world’s best ski destinations. Vail Mountain offers a heavy mix of alpine bowls, glades and wide open trails linked by a super quick and efficient modern lift system. The town of Vail serves up some exceptional après ski, dining and shopping – everywhere you go, superb service is the order of the day.
There’s a huge choice of Vail accommodation mostly located in either the Vail Village or Lionshead base areas. It’s fair to say a good proportion of Vail lodging caters to the upper end of the market – Vail is extremely popular with well off Americans and although there’s some lodging options in Vail at the value end of the scale, a holiday here will tend to cost more than a similar one in Vail’s sister resort of Breckenridge.
Ptarmigan Chalet, Vail
For many years now, Ski Independence have offered skiers a great-value catered chalet, Ptarmigan, meaning you can experience the very best of this world class resort without having to break the bank. Our Ptarmigan prices include breakfast, afternoon tea and a three course dinner with wine plus champagne and canapés before dinner on Sunday nights.
Ptarmigan Bedroom
The chalet sits nestled amongst Aspen trees a five minute drive from the centre of Vail and is also conveniently located near the free shuttle bus route. There are six bedrooms over three floors and the house sleeps up to 12 guests. At the centre of Ptarmigan there’s a large open plan sitting and dining area with a wood burning fireplace and this leads to a raised deck with a hot tub. Ptarmigan has complementary Wi-Fi and all bedrooms have a TV, bathrobes, slippers and hairdryers.
Outside Hot Tub at the Ptarmigan
Book Ptarmigan by 30th November and make the most of these fantastic prices!
- 7 nights from £899 per person
- 10 nights from £999 per person
- 14 nights from £1,099 per person
Prices include chalet board, return flights from LHR and transfers. Flexible durations, arrival and departure dates are available.
For a quote or to check availability, call our reservations team on 0131 243 8097 or fill in an online quotation form.
Upgrade to Club Europe?
October 21st, 2011We have a great new offer on British Airways when you upgrade to Club Europe. Book before 8 November and you can start (and finish) your holiday in style and the upgrade can cost as little as £75 per person (each way) – but you’ll need to book now as the availability is tight and the flights will go back up in price on the 9th of November.
When you upgrade to Club Europe on British Airways you get:
- Two checked bags included, up to 32kg per bag, so no extra charges for ski carriage (even if you just upgrade one way you get the bigger allowance both ways.
- Access to the award winning Terraces and Galleries lounges. There is no better way to avoid the hustle and bustle of an airport than making use of the airport lounges in Heathrow and Geneva, the lounge in Geneva has just been refurbished this summer.
- Priority check-in / bag drop at the airport.
- Extra seat width and pitch giving a more comfortable flight.
So why not treat yourself for less? Let us know what you plans are by asking for a quote here or call us on 0131 243 8097 to speak to one of the team.
Chalet Girl: Film Review
March 25th, 2011Over the past few months there has been a lot of chat and hype about the latest British “rom-com” to hit the screens – Chalet Girl. So a couple of the ski team headed out earlier in the week braced for some
“rom-com” fun on the slopes of St Anton – armed with our Orange Wednesday codes (we weren’t keen on paying full price for this inevitably cheesy film).
And sure enough it was cheesy. The heroine (Kim) gives up her pro skateboarding career to work in a fast food restaurant after her Mum dies in a car crash. She gets the chance to work a season as a chalet girl in St Anton for an über-wealthy family, which she grudgingly does whilst learning the art of snowboarding. Low and behold she enters and wins (but of course!) a gnarly boarding competition.
She certainly seems to have an easy life. My cinema-going buddy asked if my seasons were similar to the film – and I can safely say that Nein, they were not. Although I would have been more than happy to accompany clients on heli-skiing trips on bluebird days!
If only my season was like Kim's!
For all the film’s weaknesses, the beautiful backdrop of St Anton makes a great location for the film and I couldn’t help thinking what a great time they would have had made making it (the final credits bear testament to this).
So, after a few après-work drinks, head to your local cinema and enjoy the harmless fun of Chalet Girl. And if you’re tempted to experience St Anton for yourself, get in touch!
Japan Powder Camp
February 16th, 2011The Warren Smith Ski Academy touched down safely in Japan on Friday, thanks to Annika in our Ski Groups department who has organised all the travel and accommodation arrangements for the Japan Powder Camp for the past two years.
This year the camp is made up of 43 skiers who over the past few days have been getting their ski legs before being launched into the annual Japan Powder Camp.
Conditions look superb – Japan really is the powder capital! Here is part 1 of the video blog:
Read regular updates on the Japan 2011 blog here
If you’re looking to organise a group ski trip, whether it is for a similar trip to the Warren Smith Japan Powder Camp, a charity challenge or a large group of family and friends contact Annika on 0131 243 8096 or email annika@ski-i.com
They’re just giving it away in Aspen Snowmass!
October 1st, 2010We had the international sales team in from Aspen Snowmass this week to update our reservations team on what’s new in the resort for winter 2010/11. Something that really struck a chord with us all was the huge amount of complimentary services and value-adds that our clients receive as part of a Ski Independence holiday to Aspen Snowmass.
Here’s a few of the great extra benefits you can take advantage of this winter:
If you’re flying into Aspen airport, then most properties offer a complimentary airport-to-resort transfer. Several of our lodging partners offer free daily breakfast. The Sky Hotel has a complimentary nightly manager’s apres-ski reception in the lobby, whilst The Gant offers free transportation around town – they’ll even take you to the shops, or pick you up from the bars. Some hotels even offer complimentary access to a local health club.
FREE shuttles around Airport town and to the airport
Once you’re ready to go skiing or riding, the free ski shuttle will whisk you to any of the four ski areas – Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands or Snowmass. Pre-purchase your lift tickets and equipment rentals through Ski Independence before you travel and we’ll give you up to 8 days free! No, really! If you bring your kids – if they’re aged 6yrs and under then they ski for free. Once you’re on the slopes, take a daily free 2 hour mountain orientation with Aspen’s awesome ski ambassadors on all four mountains, grab a free hot chocolate, or top up your skin protection with some complimentary sunscreen. If you’re lucky they may even give you a free cookie too. If you’re up super early, snag some first tracks for free on Aspen or Snowmass by catching an early lift with Aspen’s ski pros (reservations & valid lift ticket required).
Get up early to FREE Fresh Tracks on Aspen Mountain
If you’ve rented your ski or snowboard equipment through Ski Independence, then at the end of the day, drop your rental equipment off with the ski valet at the base of each mountain – tell them which mountain you want to ski the next day, and they’ll have your equipment there, ready and willing for you for free. Jump on the free ski and town shuttle (which runs until 2am), and head for the apres…sadly the beer’s not free. Sorry. Oh, and remember which mountain you asked the ski valet to take your equipment to…
If you still haven’t filled your boots with all the freebies, check out some of these amazing free events on offer during winter 2010-11: the Bud Light Hi-Fi outdoor concerts in downtown Aspen or Snowmass, the ESPN Winter X Games 15 on Buttermilk 27-30 January, the Aspen Winternational FIS Alpine World Cup in late November or the stunning Colorado Freeride Championships courtesy of Helly Hansen in late February.
Warren Smith Powder Camps in Japan
February 25th, 2010Over the past week Warren Smith has been holding his Powder Ski Camp in Japan in the resorts of Niseko & Furano.
The powder skiing in Japan is unlike anywhere else, with waist deep powder being commonplace. The Powder Ski Camp consisted of 9 days skiing split between Niseko & Furano and is designed to build and develop skill and confidence, to enable people to ski all terrains with a specific emphasis on powder skiing.
Here are the video blogs which show the amazing powder & skiing that can be found in Japan:
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