Ski Blog | Powder Snow

Altitude Holidays Review of Into The Mind

Usually sat on the end of telephone speaking to ski accommodation providers discussing our website we released Charlie from his desk and sent him along to the Premiere of Into The Mind.

This is what he thought......

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On October 2nd, I found myself delighted to be en-route to Clapham Grand to watch the Ski/Snowboard film premiere of the year – Into The Mind. A few months ago I had watched the thought-provoking trailer and it clearly set this one apart from the rest. This film was going to be different from the usual pro team edits that crop up through out the year and I was ready!

“Into the Mind” is from the same creators that bought us the movie “All I Can”. This brings with it a certain element of expectation. The film ticked the boxes with some awesome cinematography alongside timelapses, slow-mo and dramatic landscape shots so frequently associated with big-budget ski films. However, it also brought a lot more that the audience probably didn’t expect!

When interviewed by National Geographic “Into the Mind” Director, Dave Mossop described the concept of his latest project;

“Into the Mind satisfies two of my deep-seated goals. One of them is that I’ve always been fascinated with dreams.

The second goal deals with death. I’ve lost a lot of friends in mountains over the years due to avalanches and head injuries. It’s very powerful. The incredible thing about using skiing or snowboarding as the centerpiece of your movie is that you can live and die doing these sports. You can have the greatest single moment you can ever possibly have on Earth, or you could die. The film is really a meditation on the moment of choice you have before you potentially kill yourself in the mountains. It plays out three scenarios that are the outcome of that decision. “

My advice? When you watch this film put your creative head on. It’s unquestionably deep. It questions the life-death choice that skiers and boarders make when stood at the top of a mountain about to drop and it looks into the dreams that encourage us to achieve our wildest of aspirations.  Basically, it tries to capture what makes us tick.

At times you are presented with the epic shots of in-your face downright rad-iculous steaze. This is mostly when the film depicts “dreams”.  Then you jump back to “reality”, to the more down-to-earth storyline that glues the whole film together. Yes it can be confusing at times but with your creative head on you will need to just accept this.

So appreciate the artiness of the film, the soundtrack that has been chosen to accompany the chapters and the ride it takes you on! Perhaps Into the Mind isn’t the ski movie I personally hoped it would be but it certainly is a ski movie and it’s pretty bloody epic then you have your ‘creative head’ on.

We want to see it again as it’s definitely gotten into our mind…. See what you think!  You can see it again or for the first time in Edinburgh on Monday 14th October (Ed.) 

Big thanks go to Emily Millns from Sub Zero Events, for organising the event and inviting Altitude Holidays along to the Premiere. A great night was had by all and it’s always good to see so many heads from around the industry… especially in the U.K!

The Ski Season That Doesn’t Want To End!

Wow what a season that was!  Well when I say was perhaps I should be saying is, as it isn’t really over if you look at the snow that is still around!

Ok it is over in terms of the majority of the resorts now being closed but there is still a load of snow and if you are into your hiking and touring this will be a great touring season – take care of avalanches etc though as when things warm up it can be dangerous out there!

A was very luck to get a lot of skiing in this year and had trips to the Alps in December / January a couple of weeks in February and then again in March/April and each time I was there it snowed!

If you haven’t seen our YouTube channel then head over here and have a look at some of the videos that we put together. You can see snow reports and some skiing videos that we put together.

Everywhere we went there was great snow and tales of great skiing! 

We were lucky to visit Le Grand Massif (Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens & Morillon), Avoriaz and Morzine, Verbier, Megeve, Chamonix, Courchevel and La Rosiere through the season.

The best skiing we had was probably in February – watch it here and see me nearly ski into a tree!

So now the resorts are all winding up and we have a summer to endure before the winter comes back!  Don’t worry we’ll make the most of it and enjoy the sunshine and maybe get a bit jealous of the powder days in New Zealand and other southern hemisphere resorts!

It Always Snows in April!

Just a few weeks ago we wrote a blog about when is too late too late to ski and once again the snow gods delivered at the end of March and beginning of April!

Spring is always a great time to ski – we love the quiet slopes, spring snow, long lunches on the terrace topping up the tan, après ski beers in the sun, watching the sun set but more than any of that we love skiing in powder!  Powder in March and April?  Really?  Oh yes!

Don’t let anyone convince you that it is too late to ski after February – it is quieter, there are no queues, the snow is good and…..er….. actually scrap that don’t bother!  Stay away and leave it all for us to play in!!

Here’s a little video that we put together of us having some fun, in a bit of sun on the snow at the end of March.

When is too late too late to take a ski holiday?

‘Isn’t that too late?’ I am often asked when I suggest looking at a March or April ski holiday. For some reason most people seem to think that the ski season finishes at the end of March and that is it for another winter. And some people seem to think that all the snow melts in February!

Most resorts this season do not shut up shop until around April 21st and some even later than that!  I have seen many a season end with the lifts closing while there is still some great skiing to be had.  Seems such a waste! I've had several powder days in March and even April! 

March can be a great time to ski as can April!  You have got the snow base down already so there is plenty of snow to ski on and the days are longer and often warmer, it is the perfect time to enjoy a bit of sunshine and longer days.  You may not know but a lot of resorts put the closing times of their lifts back half an hour or an hour as the season progresses so you literally do have more time to ski!

That said why not make the most of it and have a long leisurely lunch in the sun or an après ski beer on the terrace of a bar and soak up the rays?  Can’t do that because it’s snowing? Oh well more snow to play in – definitely not too late to ski then!  

There can be some great deals around at this time of year as well for March and April holidays.   Check out our Ski Deals page for all the latest bargains – you won’t regret it!

14th February - Snow Report from Le Grand Massif

Wow! The snow has been amazing!

I have been lucky enough to be staying in Les Carroz for the last couple of weeks and it has barely stopped snowing!

Half Term is next week and there are still some February Half Term deals available - take a look at our Ski Deals page to find out more and click here for specific half term ski deals.

There is 4.5 meters of snow at the top of Flaine and this is pretty much the same across the Alps.  I have been to visit chalet owners in Morzine and Verbier in the last week or so and they are all reporting exactly the same!

We made a video of us having some fun in the powder last week - if you haven't seen it then do take a look at it here and you can see how much snow there has been!

It really is turning into an epic season!  The snow keeps falling and whenever you have booked a holiday you should be up for some great skiing!  If you haven't booked yet then keep an eye on our ski deals page for some great offers!

Watch a video of our latet snow report here...

SNOW, SNOW, SNOW - Amazing powder days!

It has been an epic season and it is only the beginning of February! 

Some are saying it's the best for 10 years, others the best for 14 and there are reports of record snow falls! 

If you are a good skier and enjoy skiing off piste and in the powder then the last couple of weeks you will have loved it!

If you are an intermediate it is a great time to learn as the powder is so light and fluffy and of course it is deep so when and that is when and not if you fall it won't hurt!  I really do subscribe to the 'if you don't fall you aren't trying' school! 

Your best bet is to have a lesson to learn the basics and not to develop bad habits - unless your friend who is offering to teach you is qualified then chances are they don't know what they are doing!!  For example - you do NOT lean back in powder so if anyone tells you that then tell them where to go and get some qualified advice!! 

Once you have mastered the basics then there really is nothing like floating through the powder! It is hard to put into words what it is like if you haven't experienced it! 

Go on get off piste and try it!  Of course if you do venture off piste you should make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment - transceiver, shovel and probe, and know how to use it!  Be safe and don't take risks!

We had some amazing days playing in the powder and have put this little video together....

Snow Report from & Luxury Chalets in Verbier!

I was lucky enough to go on a little road trip to Verbier yesterday where I met Nathasha from CK Verbier and she showed me round their luxury chalets.

Wow!  They really are luxurious with swimming pools, saunas, 24 hour on call drivers! Really impressive and lovely places ranging in size from 6 beds up to 31 so they can accommodate small families and large corporate groups as well.

Each chalet comes with a dedicated staff team of four:

• 24-hour in-resort chalet chauffeur with brand new top of the range Volkswagen Caravelles or a Range Rover Vogue. Just ask and you'll be driven.
• A professional chef trained to Michelin star standards to prepare breakfast, teatime treats and gourmet dinners. We offer four course fine dining with an emphasis on high quality, locally sourced ingredients. We can also offer rustic sharing platters, one of our culinary concepts designed by top chef Jamie Oliver's team. All of this served with our ample selection of delicious house wines. We are also happy to prepare children's tea or simple suppers. Just let us know what you like.
• The chalet hosts, attentive when you need it invisible when you don't. They'll be there to ensure that your boots are warmed, your glass is filled and that you always come home to a roaring fire.

I worked in Verbier a couple of years ago and it's a great resort with some superb skiing and fabulous apres ski bars, restaurants and clubs - I'd love to be able to go back and stay in one of CK's chalets and enjoy the luxury, I don't think I'll be doing that for a while unless I win the lottery!

I do know that their staff are 100% discreet and all bookings are taken in 100% confidence so if you are looking to escape the hassle and want to stay somewhere incognito then this is defintiely the place to go! 

Watch Natasha's snow report....

Snow Report from Chamonix

I took a little road trip to Chamonix yesterday via Megeve and although I was running around meeting loads of great people looking at chalets and hotels I  couldn't help but be blown away but the beauty of the Chamonix Valley!  Just stunning! 

Unfortunately I didn't have time to ski which was a real shame as I love skiing in Chamonix - so much variety and views that take your breath away!

Some of the people I caught up with were the lovely Breezy & Al who run Ski Breezy and they showed us round their lovely catered chalet which is in a great location, just ten minutes from the town centre, it is bright, comfortable and looks like a great place to stay - all the guests we have sent there have given us great feedback.  

Breezy was good enough to give us this update on the snow conditions in Chamonix.

Ski Breezy have some fabulous deals in the next couple of months - some good deals during January (prices reduced to just £595pp for 20th & 27th January) and some great flexible breaks from the end of January from just £85 per person per night!  Oh and they still have February Half Term available as well!!  Don't miss out on that one!

We have to go back to the UK but otherwise we would be very very tempted - the cup of tea we had was great and the guests we met had had a great stay and were tucking into some delicious looking cake....mmmmmmm...  

Note to self - check what time tea is served and time chalet visits better........

END OF SEASON REVIEW - 30 April 2012

So most resorts are now closed for the winter and nearly all still have snow - what a season it has been!! Arguably the best in living memory!

How was this possible when the press who always love a negative story were writing doom and gloom stories about no snow at the beginning of December?

Fortunately the weather doesn’t read the press and nor do we!  We ignored them and got on with skiing and organising holidays across the Alps and were lucky enough to get in plenty of skiing ourselves.

We here at Altitude skied Courchevel, Le Grand Massif (Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens, Morillon),  Morzine & Avoriaz in France and in Italy the Monterosa (Champuloc, Alagna & Gressoney) and all in amazing snow conditions from the powder of Courchevel at Christmas through to the spring snow in April!

The snow was amazing we had some great adventures including a very scary 50m abseil, watching friends jump off snow covered roofs and of course skiing some great runs both on and off piste!

Whilst we should remember the good times we can’t forget the sad news through the season the coach accident carrying children back from a ski holiday, the tragic loss of life in the Belgian coach accident, Sheffield Ski village burning down, the sad loss of life in accidents through the season all reminders that we should make the most of every minute we have on the slopes!

Hope you had some magical moments on the slopes this last winter – have a great summer!

And if you have snow withdrawl symptoms you can always check out our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts!

January Ski Trip

So the snow has been falling nearly all season and I haven’t been out since Christmas which was, admittedly, fantastic – is it going to last?  What will it be like when I get out there?

I was a bit concerned that maybe I had missed the best of the snow for the winter but I love skiing whatever so was sure I was going to have a good time.

I was off to Les Carroz for a couple of weeks! What was the snow going to be like?  Had I missed the best of the snow? Not at all! There was such a good base down already that it felt as if it would last for the rest of the year let alone the season!

Middle of January and the snow was great, the sky was blue - what a great couple of days!

But where was the snow?  I have been accused by some of being demanding, can’t think why?  I want to ski some powder!

My fears were soon to be put to rest as overnight on the 20th January it just dumped! What a day! There was so much snow that they were clearing snow off restaurant roofs!

The rest of the stay was just fantastic with a mixture of snow and sunshine – when the weather closes in Les Carroz has some fabulous trees to ski and board so that’s where we headed!  When the weather clears there is some amazing off-piste skiing in Samoens and Flaine. 

One particularly memorable day we had was the off piste skiing down through the Gers bowl, rewarded with a coffee at the bottom at the wonderful Gites du Gers and then down the bottom of the 14km Cascades Blue Piste which runs from the top of Flaine all the way down through the trees to Sixt.  Lunch at the top of Sixt, always quiet, is so picturesque and worth a trip!  You then take a bus back to Samoens to ski back into wherever in Le Grand Massif you are staying.  Well worth doing whatever your level of skiing!

You can see some photos from this trip on our Facebook page.