Ski Blog | Snowboarding
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
So here we are in 2017!
Lets hope that mother nature brings more snow for the rest of the season than she did at the start of this season!
What ever happens whether you are skiing, boarding, hiking, cross country skiing, sledging have fun but stay safe!
Make this the year you try something different - if you ski why not try snowboarding, if you're a snowboarder try skiing, learn to telemark, learn to cross country ski, go snow shoeing..... there are loads of things to do in the mountains that we tend to ignore in our rush to get up the hill and do what we always do!
Learning something new is a challenge and yes while frustrating at times it is also very rewarding, great fun and really worthwhile.
Why not look further afield than the usual known resorts - yes they offer great skiing but then so do a lot of smaller less know resorts as well and are often less crowded as well.
Whatever you do make sure you enjoy it, we don't have long here so lets make the most of the mountains!
When was the last time you did something new? Why not make it this year?
Have an amazing 2017, please do share your experiences with us.
Great New Year Offers!
Rich reports from the Alps and has some great offers for New Year - check them out on the site here https://www.altitudeholidays.com/ski-deals.
There are loads of deals to be had from FREE champagne, HALF PRICE deals and rare New Year FLEXI BREAKS!
Aware that there is limited skiing to be had he also has some ideas of things for you to try.
Be one of the first to hear about our offers and deals by registering on the site here https://www.altitudeholidays.com/account/register
Rich Reports on 23 December on some great New Year Offers
Skimium, the exclusive ski hire partner of Altitude Holidays. Save over 50% off ski hire this winter
WHO ARE WE?
Skimium.com is a partner of Decathlon
The stores that are affiliated to skimium.com are independent stores located in the heart of the ski resorts. At these winter sports specialists, who all have a great reputation, you’ll find a wide range of the highest quality material that is available for either sale or rent. You can also find a variety of technical clothing and accessories and the men and machines that provide a highly professional workshop service. In the true mountain spirit, you’ll be looked after and advised by professionals that are passionate about their sport!
skimium.com in a few words: it’s EASY, it’s the COMFORT of ordering from your own home and the BEST PRICE advantage through ordering on the internet (up to 20% discount off the public prices that are communicated in the stores), but it’s not only that...
SKIMIUM IS EVEN MORE:
· A wide selection of all the different categories of equipment in order to satisfy the requirements of all types of people, all types of ability and all types of desire.
· An on-line Advice Guide enabling you to select the material that is the best suited to your ability, your desire and to what you want to do.
· Only 25% deposit required, no administration fees.
· Get the most of your skiing holiday with your family and friends with at least a further discount of 5% off the store prices for any reservation that includes at least 4 (or +) pairs of skis or snowboards.
· Benefit from the Professional Advice to get the most out of your equipment.
· A Commitment to guaranteeing your Safety, through our on-line advice service.
· A Direct and Personal Contact with your rental store.
THE STORES THAT ARE AFFILIATED TO SKIMIUM.COM ARE COMMITTED TO:
Operating a Transparent Pricing Policy:
· Benefit from the most advantageous prices by reserving on the internet
A Technical Charter:
· A selection of the most reputable brands
· Up to date material (no more than 3 seasons old)
· Equipment that is checked and prepared before each individual rental (sharpening, repairing of bases and waxing of boards; shoes are dried out and treated)
· The equipment is adjusted by professionals according to what you are going to do, your ability and your size
A Customer Services Charter:
· A friendly and personalised service
· Expert advice
· A product range dedicated to Women
· Your kids treated like little Champions
· Comfort for the duration of the rental period
HOW DOES IT WORK?
RESERVING YOUR SKI EQUIPMENT ON SKIMIUM.COM IS VERY EASY AND ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES:
Today:
· Select a skimium.com store in the resort where you will be heading to and indicate the date of your first skiing day along and for how many days you want to rent the equipment for.
· Choose your material from a wide selection of skis, snowboards, shoes, boots and helmets.
· You can consult our ‘How to choose the right equipment’ guides to help you find the material that is best adapted to your ability and to what you want to do.
· Validate your selection and enter the personal details about yourself (height, weight, sizes...) and your preferences so that your material can be personalised just for you.
· Confirm your reservation by paying a deposit of only 25 %. A confirmation email with the reservation form (with all the details concerning your order and other practical information) will be sent to you immediately.
· Print and retain your reservation form and start getting ready for your holidays with peace of mind that your equipment will be waiting for you when you get there.
When you get there:
· With your reservation form and a proof of identity, go along to the skimium.com store to settle the balance and collect your material that has already been prepared for you, once the adjustments have been checked.
· Your skimium.com advisor will be extremely happy to welcome you and advise you on the use of your material.
· Get your skis on and make the most of your holiday!
For further information, feel free to refer to our General Rental Conditions
Start saving now with Altitude Holidays and Skimium!
Go for a Ski Weekend and Save Your Holiday Days for a Summer Vacation
This is a guest blog by Mark Barber from Ski Weekends.
I hate February! With Christmas decorations boxed up and packed away in my loft long ago and the New Year’s Day annual hangover being all but a distant and fading memory, the days are short, nights are long and it is cold! Not that I have ever been a morning person, but getting up from my warm, snug, duvet for work in the midst of winter requires more will-power than bending spoons.
It is always at this time of year that I want to get away from it all and being a keen snowboarder, I have a yearning (or is it a spiritual calling?) for the mountains. But, the problem is, and I am sure this is the same for the majority of people, my holiday days allowance from work are at a premium with spare ones rarer than magical Pixie gold dust, or silverware in the West Ham Trophy Room.
It goes without saying that the bulk of the allocation of days will be for the summer vacation with spare days needed for those unknown circumstances such as weddings, funerals and those excessively long stag/hen weekends in Las Vegas or Barcelona (what is wrong with a weekend in Bournemouth?). With all this in mind, quite often a week skiing or snowboarding can seem like a luxury that your holiday days allowance will not permit. Even the office king of taking ‘sickies’ could not hold off with pretending to have the flu all week, especially if calling from the airport with flight announcements being a complete giveaway.
But have you ever considered going skiing or snowboarding for a long weekend? Although we do not have the ease of passage to the Alps that our continental friends enjoy, where all they need to do is throw their skis, snowboard, cheese and salami sandwiches, and a bottle of Red in the back of a car and head to the mountains, it is a lot easier than you probably realise!
With Geneva Airport your gateway to a white snowy paradise, the majority of French Alpine resorts are easily reachable. For instance, the flight to Geneva from a London airport will only take about an hour and a half. From Geneva, it is possible to be sipping a glass of wine while sitting in a hotel bar at the ski resort of Morzine, in just over an hour (I have tried and tested this theory with success!).
Morzine has grown in popularity over the years and, with its neighbouring ski resorts of Avoriaz and Les Gets, makes an ideal location for a ski weekend. Quick and easy to get to, it is ideal for both skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Morzine also has a lively après ski scene that is not as expensive and damaging on the wallet as some of its French cousins such as Val d’Isère.
Also, a hop, skip and jump away from Geneva are the two heavyweights of the Alps, The magnificent Three Valleys and Paradiski ski areas. Paradiski is the joining of forces of Les Arcs and La Plagne by the giant Vanoise Express double-decker cable car. Paradiski is vast and is mainly built up of purpose built ski in - ski out resorts that are well designed for skiing and very convenient. For those in your group that would like to explore other activities, the new Mille 8 complex should keep them busy with toboggan runs, themed ski areas, cinema, restaurants and themed swimming areas.
One of the biggest ski areas in the world, the Three Valleys offers something for everyone of any ability. The endless terrain of slopes would keep you busy for months, let alone just for a weekend! An ideal base to explore the Three Valleys is the beautiful resort of Meribel.
If you do not fancy flying then a coach journey is an ideal budget friendly alternative as it will take you to the resort of Brides Les Bains, which is situated in a valley just under Meribel and only a chair lift away.
Not only is travelling by coach easy on the pockets and more environmentally friendly than flying, it will also give you more slope time because you travel and sleep through the night, picking up your ski lift pass when you arrive at the hotel early morning.
If you think coach journeys are like those old school trips with coaches that looked like they were designed by bored soviet engineers with dusty flowery patterned curtains across the windows, then think again. Luxury coaches are comfortable, have on-board toilets and tea/coffee making facilities, and are an ideal way to travel and take the usual stress out of the journey - just sit back and relax!
For those who do choose to fly, the trip starts on a Thursday, returning on the Monday. Ideally designed to save the amount of work days you need to take off while maximising slope time. Ski lift passes are pre-booked and handed out on arrival so you can catch that first ski lift in the morning, without the hassle of long queues to get your lift pass.
So here is the perfect scenario; don't worry about having to book a whole week off work to get your ‘ski’ or ‘snowboard’ fix out on the slopes. Book a long weekend which will give you plenty of time to shake off those winter time blues and relax, take the stress out on the mountain and enjoy a touch of après ski.
Leaving you with enough guilt-free holiday day allowance to enjoy that summer vacation that you spend all year looking forward to. Go soak up some sun and laze on a beach, go surfing, or go on an African Safari. Whatever you do, enjoy yourself, knowing that by going on a ski weekend, you really can have the best of both worlds.
Mark Barber
On a Ski & Snowboard Holiday in Morzine
This is a guest blog from Anna Casswell who loves going on ski & snowboard holidays to Morzine - here's why...
_______________________________________________________
I love Morzine for two main reasons – The Stash and The Mutzig!
The Stash in Avoriaz is a fun snow playground with natural wooden features. You can ride down through the trees and discover the rainbow logs, picnic tables, wooden benches and walls, look out for Shreddie the big wooden stash monkey. There are different routes with different hits, and it’s much less scary than going in the Parks with the big boys and the loud music and the hard metal boxes and rails!
Mutzig is the infamous lager that is served in several places, but the best place of all has to be Bar Robinson. No English Seasonaires serving here, Robbos is run by 3 old French locals and it closes at 8pm so you must go straight from the slopes, enjoy 3 or 4 glasses (any more and you might regret it) and have fun staggering back to the chalet in time for dinner remembering to pick up your board/skis on the way out.
I love getting tipsy whilst still in my snowboard gear, sobering up over dinner, getting to bed before midnight (I am nearly 40) and getting up bright and early with no hangover, ready to hit the Stash again.
When not skiing, boarding and er.....drinking Anna helps run Plumb Solar who are experts in the installation of, servicing and repair of Solar Thermal Systems - helping keep your energy bills down & slowing the global warming so we can all go on ski and snowboard holidays for longer! 
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......
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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!
INTO THE MIND UK PREMIERE
Mint Snowboarding’s Guide to the Snowparks of the Portes du Soleil
This is a guest blog by Mint Snowboarding
The Portes du Soleil not only has an abundance of snowparks, but also some of the best snowparks in Europe. These parks cater for all levels of rider; from complete freestyle novices to world class pros. Local snowboard school, Mint Snowboarding, provide you with this guide to the best parks in the Portes du Soleil:
Avoriaz itself has a huge selection of snow parks sponsored by Burton and these are tiered to allow for rider development. The Avoriaz parks provide all you need; from short ride-on boxes, to little rollers, riders can get the feel of the terrain under them before stepping up to the medium size hits and rails off the ground. And once someone’s got the taste for air, they can light it up with gasoline and laser shows on the big jumps and in the Superpipe. Start small and learn big!
The Burton Parkway is the perfect entry level park for freestyle newbees. It has low-lying, wide boxes, very small jumps & rollers and is tucked away in a totally intimidation free zone!
Next is the Chapelle Park which is the perfect arena to learn, progress and hone your skills. Features vary every year, and throughout the season, but generally the Chapelle park has two blue jump lines, two jib lines as well as two green jump lines. Each line consists of 4 – 5 jumps or features. The jump lines range from tiny jumps to 10m table tops again with Burton’s Progression Park aim in mind. The jib lines include flat, wide boxes, a range or rails and other features.
The Arare Park contains much bigger features and there is a high level of riding to be seen here. There are usually a couple of smaller jumps at the top of the park which then lead into larger jumps ranging from 12m to 20+. There is usually a hip at the bottom of the park as well as an airbag which is free to use as well as a great way to learn tricks. The Arare park stays in the shade a lot of the day so landings can remain pretty solid mid winter.
Avoriaz also has a Superpipe which is well maintained on a daily basis. Avoriaz’s halfpipe is one of the best in Europe, yet it isn’t too imposing. Not only is the halfpipe right in the centre of the resort, but it is also serviced by its very own button lift so you can lap the pipe without unstrapping!
Avoriaz is also home to The Stash, a creative & organic snowpark invention by Burton. The Stash is a wooded tree run in the Lindarets bowl which is scattered with natural jibs, gaps, features & transitions. In this park there are rails, wall rides, logs, picnic tables all made out of natural materials. It is a great place to head in bad light / low visibility and is great fun to loop with friends, connecting hits and getting creative.
Les Crosets
Les Crosets, on the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil, is home to a great in park for intermediate to expert level riders and is in a wonderful sunny location.
Jumps in Les Crosets range from 6m to 20m+ tabletops as well as a whole host of cool features. The line of about 6 smaller jumps are down the left hand side (skiers left) and the big jumps and jibs are in the centre and down the right hand side. At the bottom of the park there is a great natural halfpipe for boosting out of on the way down 8 man Express chairlift servicing the park.
The Chatel SmoothPark, located in the Super Chatel area, is a fun park with a wide range of jumps and jib features. It is generally quieter than the Avoriaz & Croset parks. In 2012 the Smoothpark hosted the French leg of the ‘Nike Chosen Series', giving proof that Chatel’s park shapers definitely know what they’re doing. At the bottom of the park is an airbag, free of charge and open from 12h to 15h. The park is service by two button lifts and also has a boardercross track down the length of it.
The park at Les Gets is on the Mont Chery area, which is south facing and in the sun all day. The park is serviced by an old two man chair and is always pretty quite so a good place to head to get away from the crowds during the holiday periods. The Mt Chery park has a number of features; from jumps, rails, boxes and often a wall ride at the bottom.
Les Gets is also home to a decent sized and well maintained boardercross course which runs under the Chavannes lifts. This is definitely the best of the board-cross courses in the Portes du Soleil and great fun for racing against friends.
There is a small park on the Nyon area of Morzine slopes, although not very well shaped and often full of ski schools. It does, however, have a fun boardercross course (although much smaller than the one in Les Gets).
Mint Snowboarding offers freestyle lessons, courses and snowboard camps for all levels in throughout the Portes du Soleil. They also offer group and private lessons, off piste sessions, instructor courses & much more!
For more information contact Mint here:
www.mintsnowboarding.com or 0033 680 77 66 09.
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....
Ski the Gaps! Amazing Powder - 6th & 7th February 2013
Snow Parks, tricks and not enough….....
It would be showing my age too much to say I learnt to do heli's on 207cm skis so I won't admit to that - oh....er......
Anyway... if you don't know what the hell a heli is all about then you are a lot younger than me!! I am not sure when, but at some point they became 360's!!
Along with 180's and twin tips and riding switch there are a load of other jumps and tricks that I haven't a clue what they mean when I hear the term - riding goofie, ollie's, backside, grabs, cork's, mute's, inverted 540's the list goes on and I get more confused - which is, admittedly, easily done!
Nowadays most resorts have snow parks and half pipes and even large air bags where you can practise without, or at least lowering, the risk of injuring yourself!
It's not just snowboarders who have all the fun - skiers are just as skilled and pull off all sorts of tricks and Britain has one of the top Freestyle skiers in James Woody Woods he made the BBC front page recently with a superb photo of him and has won a World Cup gold this season! Great work!
I watch the guys and girls in the park and am amazed at the skill and bravery of them as they pull all sorts of amazing jumps and tricks and tell myself that if it wasn't for my dodgy knee and sore back I'd be in there doing all sorts of things with them when if the truth be told it's because I don't have large enough erm..........
So I caught up with Kai in the Avoriaz snow park last week to find out a little as to what is going on up there!
Kai's Avoiaz Snowpark report
New Year’s Day Snow & Ski Deal Report!
We met and skied with Ian from Les Carroz Chalets on New Year's Day and he gave us a quick up date on the snow conditions in Les Carroz, Le Grand Massif.
It has been a great start to the season and Ian has some fantastic offers for January with short breaks available from just £50 per person per night. And that is in a catered chalet on a half board basis!
Close to Geneva - just an hours drive so a very short transfer and some great snow if you haven't booked and are looking for a deal then this is really worth looking at! Check out more details here.
Watch what Ian says......