As in skiing, there are different levels of ability when it comes to ski touring. Ranging from Level 1 dipping a toe into touring - and, literally, into touring bindings - up to Level 4 experts who never buy a ski pass...Discover More
SKI NEWS
Cancellation chaos has begun. Those with holidays booked for Switzerland and Austria where there's now quarantine on arrival are pressing the cancel button for ski and snowboard holidays. It's not just the cold snap that's sending a shiver throughout the ski industry. France is now demanding negative Covid tests for visitors outside the EU, which includes the UK and, also, proof of vaccines to buy lift passes.
Meanwhile, there's pet passport panic at Eurotunnel. The Folkstone pet identity and health check reception is turning back numerous travellers who have French passports for their pets, which have been filled out incorrectly. The date of the microchip check must be BEFORE the date filled out for the rabies vaccination.
Well hello snow! It's been a slow start across Europe, this winter, but it looks like the white carpet is now being rolled out especially in the Northern Alps and the Pyrenees. Even more frustrating if you can't get there.
STYLE ALTITUDE now has 8 (and counting) awards for our Ski Blog and the coveted accolade of BEST SKI & SNOWBOARD PUBLICATION UK, 2020 Fitness & Nutrition Awards.
Style Altitude: The (daily) Ski Blog
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Taking Our Snow Dog Ski Touring for the First Time
He's called Ullr, after the Norse snow god, bred here in Serre Chevalier, born to run on the snow-covered slopes. His mum is an Aussie Collie, his dad was a bit of a mystery, until now...
Walking With Myself - and Taking Selfies with Rocks
Taking selfies with inconveniently located rocks is one way that Chris 'my shadow's the only one that walks beside me' Tomlinson is filling his 365 days of holidays before the ski season...
Walking With Demons aka Staycationers in the UK
With selfie-seeking hikers queueing up Snowdon, Chris Tomlinson, says it's like half term on the piste, without the fear of being felled on a fell by a French kamikaze walker...
Welcoming a New Powder Hound to the Mountain Pack
He's called Ullr, after the Norse God of Snow, and Patron Saint of Skiers, said to 'cover the land in snow' so let's hope our mountain pup brings us epic snow next winter in Serre Chevalier...
A Mountain Weather Warning to Always be Prepared
One day it's sunny and warm, the next it's cool. That's what we expect here in the mountains. It can be cloudless in the morning and raining a hooley in the afternoon. So be prepared...
Skiing and Snowboarding Features and Gear Reviews
STYLE ALTITUDE Features always have an edge (or two). For park, piste and powder. Off piste, backcountry, slackcountry including Tour Guides showing routes for classic ski tours plus daily ski weather blog and snow conditions throughout the winter with Live Mountain Webcam. Ski and snowboard reviews, the latest new and technical kit, ski and snowboard wear all feature in Gear . For Ski Resort guides go to Friends In High Places with news and views from those working a season (or three) in Seasonaires . For skiers and snowboarders. #lifesamountain
FEATURES
BEGINNER TO EXPERT: LEVELS OF SKI TOURING ABILITY
More ski and snowboard features
WHERE TO BUY PROPERTY WITH THE BEST OFF PISTE PLAYGROUNDS. Want to really get away from it all, including pandemics? Avoid like the plague - or Covid epi-centres - any apartment or condo in a highrise block in a factory ski resort spewing out crowds of tourists and infections. Small alpine villages and off radar ski areas are the new ski property hot spots.
SNOW FORECAST FOR WINTER SKI SEASON 2021-2022. With biblical weather sweeping the globe, this year, let's be honest, would we mind if epic snow in ski resorts followed for this next winter? Check out the forecasts that will effect snowfall for the ski season 2021-2022.
THREE WAYS TO TAKE YOUR SKIING TO ANOTHER LEVEL. How do you improve your skiing? Make sure you are fit, be willing to learn and always follow Rule No 5...
SNOWMADS' GUIDE TO TAKING A MOTORHOME OR CAMPERVAN FOR SKIING: Discover why there's snow place like a motorhome when it comes to staying in a ski resort.
SKI AND SNOWBOARD GEAR
STYLE GUIDE TO SKI AND SNOWBOARD WEAR FOR WINTER 2021 - 2022
Plus ça change, the more things change, the more they stay the same, just about sums up ski and snowboard wear for this winter. For many outdoor brands and retailers it's a roll-over season, having sold very little during the missing ski season of 2020-2021.
What to wear? It depends on your tribe. It's still GNAR versus GLAMOUR, performance layers versus shiny bodycon pieces - and no prize for knowing which is aimed at the powder pros and which is for piste poseurs...Discover More
More ski and snowboard gear and style
THE LATEST FREERIDE WEAPON. What's so exciting about the new SCOTT Pure Pro 109 and why did collaborator, Swiss freerider, Jereme Heitz call it the future of skiing? We asked Franz Marson, SCOTT Ski Product Supervisor, for the inside story...
ONE SKI FUTURE FOR TOURING, POWDER AND PISTE 2022. Is there such a thing as a one-quiver ski for today's skier who, while enjoying a day or two on the piste, is ultimately looking for more off piste adventure and/or backcountry action and is prepared to ski tour for it?
HOW TO USE A GOPRO MAX 360 FOR SKIING: Here at Style Altitude we've been using GoPro's for many a year. Now we discover that the GoPro Max 360 is better than a drone to film skiing. Check out these tips from our Tech Editor to help get the best shots...
WHAT'S NEW SKI AND SNOWBOARD GEAR 2021-2022. Following a winter ski season that most of the ski industry would prefer to forget, there's now the sort of optimism of a bluebird day following a whiteout. The sun WILL shine again on the mountains, following vaccinations people will travel again, ski lifts will be open and, by winter 2021-2022 the ski industry will be back on track. Meanwhile, the show is going on, albeit virtually. The annual ISPO exhibition is kick-starting the new gear year as usual in February but it's a virtual event. Check out the winners in the ski and snowboard categories.
Latest Winter Sports News
Winter Olympics: Elise Christie is set to miss Beijing Games
Former world champion speed skater Elise Christie is set to miss February's Winter Olympics in China. click here for more
British Figure Skating Championships: How to watch live on the BBC
The UK's best skaters compete in Sheffield at the British Figure Skating Championships this weekend - watch on BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and online. click here for more
Beijing 2022: Benjamin Alexander aims to become Jamaica's first Alpine skier at Winter Olympics
Six years ago, Benjamin Alexander had never skied - but now he's trying to become Jamaica's first Alpine skier at the Winter Olympics. click here for more
Snowboarding: Briton Charlotte Bankes takes second in World Cup in China
World champion Charlotte Bankes finishes second in the snowboard cross at the World Cup in China, as preparations are stepped up for next year's Winter Olympics. click here for more
European Curling Championships: Scotland beat Sweden in women's final
Scotland's men and women win gold at the European Curling Championships, both beating Sweden in the finals. click here for more