As the possibility of going skiing this side of Christmas for most of us is as likely as Santa Claus coming down the chalet chimney, it's almost torture to browse through a book featuring pages and pages of skiers shredding untracked pow. But the 100 Ultimate Skiing Adventures also offers escapism during restricted travel times and opens up backcountry skiing possibilities you may never have thought of. Ski journalist, Alf Alderson, has put together these 100 destinations, many from experience, featuring not only the well-known ski adventure playgrounds but also the distinctly off radar stashes, several of which are now on our ski destination bucket list, including La Mongie, above...Discover More
News Alert
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...is not happening for skiers or snowboarders. The French and Italian ski resorts will NOT be opening their lifts until mid-January. But you CAN still go if you're happy to cross country ski, snow shoe and breathe that fresh mountain air while enjoying your takeaway tartiflette. Ski tour? This is what we think.
It's a double whammy disaster for UK ski tour operators. Covid-19 and Brexit have created a giant mogul field of problems, which could mean the end of seasonaire jobs for Brits and, ultimately, higher prices for all visitors to ski resorts. See what SBIT, Seasonal Businesses In Travel have to say about this crisis situation, here.
Insured for cancelled holiday and/or companies going bust? With the ripple effect of this double whammy, we're now seeing cancelled holidays and travel companies going into liquidation. Ski insurance has always been a minefield to negotiate but now with Covid-19 and Brexit, there's even more potential for spectacularly blowing your cover. Here are some of your questions answered.
Dropping. So just dontcha wish you were there with Jeremy Jones in his latest movie, Purple Mountains, which is all about balance, down the spines of sheer white walls, figuring out his carbon footprint and how to further Protect Our Winters, changing politicians' and climate sceptics' views one step at a time, just like he split boards up the mountains.
Cooler temperatures are hitting the Alps this week with some flurries of snow forecast. But so far only the glaciers are currently creating FOMO for locked down skiers and snowboarders as, except for early October, it's been a dry start to the season at resort levels below 2000m. Check out our webcam in Serre Chevalier.
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What's the Outlook For Snowflakes in the Alps?
There's high pressure over the Alps - and that's just from European governments insisting on lifts closing. It's also caused extreme pressure for the industry with fall out for the future...
All the New Gear - and No Idea What's Happening
New DPS Pagoda 106 touring skis. Tick. New Xenic 10 touring bindings that release below DIN 6. Tick. Skins. Tick. New ski pants. Tick. Now all we need is snow - and to be able to ski again...
The Good and Bad News About A Ski Touring Boom
With ski resorts potentially having to restrict lift and restaurant services, this winter, if not even cancel, there's a big buzz about going ski touring instead but is this really good news?...
Who's Getting Fit For Skiing or Boarding This Winter?
There are now less than 70 days before the start of December and first lifts opening in the Northern Hemisphere ski resorts (just don't mention the 'c' word as in Covid-19). So time to get ski fit ?...
Not A Bad Place for the Van to Break Down
Let's face it there are worse places for your van to break down than the Italian Alps where there's always an adventure to be had whether climbing, hiking, taking a bus to Chamonix or an Italian taxi...
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
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ULTIMATE ADVENTURES: DISCOVER THE BEST ADRENALINE SKI DESTINATIONS
More ski and snowboard features
CRISIS POINT FOR THE SKI INDUSTRY'S FUTURE. Will we ski this season? Will UK seasonaires be able to work in Europe? Will skiing once more be the sport of kings - and the rich? The future is a bit of a white out for the ski industry. Here's what SBIT, Seasonal Businesses in Travel say...
ONE WOMAN AND HER AVY DOG. Being a ski patroller, avy bomber and dog handler in France while being British AND a woman is a dramatic true story, in the first place, and now Caroline Elliott, has used her experiences to write a book for children based on the life of her beloved avalanche dog, Fjord.
SKI TOURING & CROSS COUNTRY SKIING WHEN RESORTS ARE CLOSED. From 15th December French ski resorts will be open but no lifts so ski touring and cross country / ski de fond et le ski de randonnée could be an option as long as they are not banned as people could well end up in hospital putting a strain on resources...
HOW WILL COVID AFFECT SKI INSURANCE FOR THE 2021 SEASON. What is the best ski Insurance policy to buy for this uncertain ski season 2020/2021? We asked probably the most respected and knowledgeable person about these issues, Michael Pettifer Managing Director MPI Insurance who has been insuring skiers since 1975...
SKI AND SNOWBOARD GEAR
WHAT'S NEW FOR SKI AND SNOWBOARD WEAR THIS WINTER SKI SEASON 2020 - 2021
Apart from a mandatory mask in ski resorts, what's new for ski and snowboard wear, this winter season? Wear high performance gear to protect from the cold, be eco-aware of fabrics to protect the planet - and cover up head to toe to protect from infection. Hazmut suit anyone?...Read More
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LATITUDE, THE SKI AND SNOWBOARD ADVENTURE WEBSITE FOR WOMEN. This new women's website offers specific female ski and snowboard gear and, also, a platform for female adventurers.
HOW TO PROTECT SNOWBOARDS FROM DAMAGE New UK designed product, Venom, protects snowboard edges and sidewall from damage while travelling...
NEW MOBILE SKI BOOT SERVICE HITS THE ROAD. Avoid the pitfalls of ordering ski boots online and have them delivered to your door with free professional fitting and moulding thrown in with the Hike and Ride mobile ski boot service.
RANDOS. There's an easy swagger to a ski tourer as they walk along, skis on one shoulder. You may think it has something to do with their superiority as part of the badass Rando club looking down on piste punters, but it's actually just because they have their touring boots in walk mode...