Ski Independence Blog
Posts Tagged ‘skiing’
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!
Breckenridge turns 50!
October 27th, 2011Breckenridge is 50 years old this winter, that’s nearly as old as our Product Manager Nick Laver (there is (not) a prize if you correctly guess how old he is/which one is older, answers on the website please!)
I am lucky enough to have visited Breckenridge a few times now and still love skiing the huge area and finding new terrain. There is loads of varied terrain, enough to keep the most diverse group of skiers happy with the gentle beginners slopes close to the town to the amazing cruisers and rollers off the Independence Super Chair over on Peak 8. The Imperial Super Chair drops you just shy of 13,000ft above sea level (highest lift access in Continental America) to access some incredible terrain, even for an intermediate skier like me, but I’m told that the double diamond skiing from here is even better!
Fresh snowfall in Breckenridge this morning
Once the slopes are closed Breckenridge really comes alive with some great bars and restaurants. You can have a relaxed meal for two or hit the town and party all night long – that’s never really been an option for me while in town as I am exhausted after a long day on the mountain.
To celebrate this milestone we have some truly unbeatable offers in Breckenridge with savings on flights, accommodation AND lift passes – but these offers all finish soon so you need to let us know what you want to do and book soon.
We have some great rates on the United Airlines indirect flights, if you keep clear of Friday and Saturday travel you’ll get the very best price. To match these great flight offers you can stay at The Village at Breckenridge for 7 nights in January (including transfers from Denver) for as little as £849 per person. If you want to stay a bit longer, treat yourself to 14 nights for under £1200 per person!
At around 50 most of us are ready for pipe and slippers (Nick?) but Breckenridge is a long way from retirement – have you booked you holiday there for this winter? If not why not – it’s going to be one heck of a party starting 11.11.11.
See you there!!
The White Stuff
October 17th, 2011Who can tell me the most exclusive place to stay in Whistler Blackcomb this coming winter? How about the Fairmont Chateau Whistler? Or maybe The Four Seasons Resort?
Ask professional skier Mike Douglas, ‘The Godfather of Freeskiing’ and pioneer of twin tip skiing, who’s decided to welcome the arrival of Winter 2011/2012 by spending 6 days and nights staying in the ski patrol shack at the top of Whistler Mountain. Exclusive it might be, but luxurious it most certainly won’t!
Roundhouse, Whistler Mountain – Sunrise October 14th 2011
This November, 6 days before the mountain opens, Mike will head to the top of Whistler Mountain armed only with a sleeping bag, a camera and his laptop and will be reporting on the onset of winter as it happens around him. He’ll be giving us the inside story on what goes on to get Whistler Blackcomb open for the new season through a series of tweets, blogs and Facebook posts.
Night time temperatures at the top of Whistler Mountain are already well below freezing and once the patrollers disappear in the early evening he’s got some long, lonely and cold nights ahead of him. Mike has commented that it’s the ‘sort of challenge he loves’ and ‘he can’t wait to get up there’. I think it won’t be long before he’s tweeting ‘I can’t wait to come down’.
Whistler Blackcomb are calling the project ‘Embedded’ and you can follow Mike’s progress by liking the official Whistler Blackcomb Facebook page and following them on Twitter @whistlerblckcomb.
Whistler Blackcomb have put together a great little video as an introduction to Embedded.
EMBEDDED TEASER – Whistler Blackcomb inside the story from Whistler Blackcomb on Vimeo.
What’s new in Val Thorens for 2012?
September 20th, 2011The French ski resort of Val Thorens has had a busy summer with the completion of a forth Funitel, the addition of a great new 4 star hotel, the Hotel ALTAPURA, and the development of 3 new slopes. The addition of these new pistes, Asters, Chocard and Triton increase the overall ski area of Val Thorens-Orelle to 150km of runs!
We’re really excited to be featuring the Hotel Altapura in our 2011/12 brochure, it’ll be a great addition to our extensive 3 Valleys offerings. The hotel has 3 restaurants, 3 bars, an indoor / outdoor pool and a fantastic spa, everything you would want from a 4 star hotel and the location is hard to beat being right on the slopes.
The 3 restaurants of the Hotel Altapura offer the chance to dine in style. Spoil yourself at the chic brassiere Les Enfants Terribles, enjoy some local delicacies and traditional fondues in La Laiterie or for those wanting a quick snack Le Deux Mille Trois is a great alternative. And you can choose where you dine on the half board basis.
The amazing views from the Hotel Altapura
At the heart of the hotel you will find the spa, inspired by the 5 natural elements of stone, wood, water, earth and fire, you will instantly feel relaxed and revitalised. The relaxation area proudly boasts an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, sauna, hammam, Jacuzzi, igloo and tepidarium, not to forget the masseuses ready and waiting to work those weary limbs!
Being the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens is situated at 2,300m and 99% of the ski area is higher than 2000m, this almost guaranteeing snow from November through until May. Not only does the local ski area of Val Thorens offer 150km of pistes the resort is linked to the largest ski area in the world, the 3 Valleys. Offering 600km of groomed piste there is nothing to stop you having a spot of lunch in Courchevel or Meribel!
Fairmont Chateau Whistler – It’ll be hard to leave…
August 1st, 2011I was lucky enough to spend a few days at the stunning Fairmont Chateau Whistler in April and needless to say when my time was up, I didn’t want to leave…
Without a shadow of a doubt, this hotel deserves it reputation, it’s Whistler’s flagship property but it’s more than just another luxury hotel. It really does have a great slope side location – I don’t think I’ve ever actually stayed somewhere and been able to ski right back to the door, but you can here. I stayed in a Mountain View Suite which was huge and had great view of the mountains and Blackcomb slopes. I had a sitting room, 2 bathrooms and an amazing bed, it’s well worth the upgrade!
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has a superb slopeside location on Blackcomb Mountain.
Now I don’t usually have a huge appetite first thing in the morning but I made an exception when I saw the breakfast buffet – these guys definitely know how to do breakfast! Three plates later and about a stone heavier, I waddled off to the ski lifts.
The service throughout the hotel is great and all the staff there were lovely – but what really stands out is the incredibly warm laid back atmosphere which is something you don’t always find, it’s totally fine to wander through reception in your dressing gown to the swimming pool!
As I relaxed in the Mallard bar on my final evening with a nice glass of wine I vowed to come back …but be warned, the sofas are so comfortable you might just doze off and never leave!
These sofas should come with a warning!
If you fancy a trip to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, don’t miss out on the Early Booking Offer. Book before the 31st August you’ll save up to 50% and receive $50 F&B credit per night. Give the reservations team a call on 0131 243 8097 for further details.
Top Tip – Free Cookies in Beaver Creek
July 26th, 2011The friendly folk in Beaver Creek want to make your ski holiday as enjoyable as possible. They know that a way to the heart is through the stomach, and this particularly true with children!
So, after a day on the slopes in Beaver Creek make sure you head to the Centennial Chairlift (Chair #6) at 3pm where you’ll find resort staff handing out hot, chocolate chip cookies. But don’t worry they are for adults too!
Beaver Creek Cookie Chef. Photo: MountainYahoo
If you’d like to see more of what goes on in Beaver Creek, check out this video:
Moguls move uphill – who knew?
July 5th, 2011Scientists studying the formation of moguls in Winter Park, Colorado (we want their job!) have found that over time moguls actually move uphill.
It sounds illogical, but the science behind it is that as skiers and snowboarders turn the snow is pushed downhill and into piles, causing the start of bump formations. Each time a skier scrapes snow off the downhill side of a bump, it simultaneously collects on the uphill side of the bump below. Each mogul therefore is scraped away on the downhill side, but collects new snow on the uphill part of the bump…the result being bumps moving uphill. Just watch the time-lapse video below filmed over the course of several weeks to see the proof!
Mary Jane, one of Winter Park’s three connected mountain peaks, has the reputation of being home to some of the best mogul skiing in Colorado. Mary Jane remains, on the most part, ungroomed so that you can ski fantastic moguls almost all season long – that thought will either fill you with pleasure or dread!
If you’re heading to Winter Park and want to try these bumps out for yourself, you can access Mary Jane via three different chairlifts. We recommend the Super Gauge Express, a 6 person chairlift which will whisk you to the top of Mary Jane in 7 minutes. Enjoy!
Mary Jane Trail Map - Winter Park
Too much snow in Japan?
June 22nd, 2011Here in the office we’re currently working away on our 2011/12 ski brochure. Part of this job is making sure that all the resort statistics are up to date, which means contacting all the tourist offices checking if there are any new runs, lifts and most importantly the snowfall from the past season.
For the most part, this is a fairly simple job – certainly after the epic snow season in North America this year, with resorts boasting about the snowfall on the homepages of their websites. If the stats weren’t on the websites then our trusty friends in resort couldn’t answer quickly enough with emails boasting nearly 60ft of snow in Mammoth, over 51ft in Whistler and 46ft in Jackson Hole. However, after searching high and low on the websites for the Japanese ski resorts which we feature – Niseko, Furano, & Rusutsu – I couldn’t find any numbers anywhere.
This left me baffled. Why are there no statistics for resorts which average over 40 feet of snow year? Surely these are figures that they should be shouting about?
Just a little bit of snow in Niseko
First Tracks in Steamboat
January 25th, 2011When you book Steamboat First Tracks three weeks out to coincide with a client visit, you certainly hope for either a fat Champagne Powder® snow day or a sunny corduroy dawn, but today exceeded all expectations.
My very charming and punctual guests showed up at 7:45am and we immediately boarded the Gondola and headed up the mountain under grey skies and a tolerable 15F/-9C with a report of 1”/2.5cm of new snow. From the top of the Gondola, we rode down Spur Run to Huffmans to the Sundown Express lift, where we claimed chairs #1 and #2 of the day, and as we climbed out of the Sunshine basin, we popped through the clouds into a brilliantly sunny daybreak. Sunbeams peaked through the snow-covered aspens and illuminated the snow surface with a diamond-like sparkle, and the whole world warmed.
Our first plan was High Noon top to bottom, and it was a fast and effortless descent on a smooth as glass surface with enough fluff on top to generate some serious face shots. As I neared the turn to Lower High Noon at Rendezvous Saddle, I recalled that steeper Westside was groomed overnight and would be untouched by other riders, so I lead my posse that way instead. Good choice –very fast and very fun! Next we hit Tomahawk. Yes, it’s a gentle blue Wally World run, but untouched and pristine with the sun coming up and frosted with new powder – oh boy! – we did it twice.
Untouched, pristine powder in Steamboat
Then our private mountain opened up to the general public, so we made a move across the top to Storm Peak Face to Triangle Trees to Cyclone to Vortex – all steep black runs groomed overnight and riding beautifully. The Burgess Creek lift then took us back up to Thunderhead for warm beverages and breakfast at the Stoker Bar. Once rested and refueled, it was time to fulfill a request for some tree skiing. From my favorite munchkin forest to the right of Buddy’s Run (not on the trail map – come and see me and I’ll take you there!) to the Sideburn side of Shadows, we were marveling at the depth and lightness and softness of the snow.
Then alas it was time to get on down and back to the desk, though I could have gone on snowboarding all day, as the turns were so free and easy. This was day #22 for me this season, and it definitely goes down as one of the top five so far! I also heard a couple of “best day evers” from my riding partners.
Steamboat stats for today, 24 January:
- 250”/635cm total snowfall to date
- Midmountain base of 72”/183cm
- 96”/244cm at the top (I must remember to get a picture by the Buddy Werner statue at Storm Peak – I’m now taller than him, and he stands 14 feet /427cm high in summertime!)
Fantastic first tracks in Steamboat
North America Snow Update
November 19th, 2010North America’s 2010-11 ski season is off to a great start with many areas opening early and reporting healthy snow falls.
Among the resorts already open are Breckenridge, Keystone and Copper Mountain Colorado; Snowbird in Utah, Killington on the East Coast in Vermont and north of the border Banff and Lake Louise in Alberta. Whistler has announced it will open nearly a week early, later today, thanks to the great pre-season conditions there.
In California, Mammoth is the latest to open (On Thursday 11th November) with more than 2,000 people arriving to enjoy skiing and boarding down from the 11,053 foot summit via Cornice Bowl. Six lifts were operational and 2,000 vertical feet (about 650 metres) of vertical terrain were open on a base of 18 to 36 inches (45 to 90cm).
First Chair 2010 - Mammoth Mountain
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