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100% Coverage for New Zealand’s Snow Park Opening

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:45:18 GMT

New Zealand’s Snow Park has 100% snow coverage for its season opening tomorrow (Friday 22th June) and for the first chair lift riders a true Kiwi welcome is planned.

The recent dry weather and ideal cool temperatures have created perfect conditions for snowmaking and the guns have been blasting for nearly two weeks. The groomers have been busy compacting the snow to create a good firm base.

“The terrain park is looking fantastic with over 40 cm on the trails, the light and dry snow quality will make for superb riding and skiing,” said Snow Park Manager, Sam Lee. “The boxes and rails are in place and we are looking forward to getting the freestyle action underway for the 2007 season.”

The first riders on the quad will be welcomed with traditional Kiwi fare receiving a pie and stubby as they board the lift for their first ride up the mountain.

The opening celebrations continue in to the evening with the ‘Wasup My Name is’ party in the new Woolshed Bar and Restaurant, the entertainment includes Djs Confucius and Mysterious D and Queenstown’s Sunshine Sound System with on-mountain accommodation specials also available.

For the 2007 season Snow Park has made some major investments developing a dedicated novice area ‘Half Pint Park’ to help riders progress into the freestyle world of snowboarding and skiing, and also the Snow Park Village incorporating luxury apartments, backpacker bunkrooms and a restaurant and bar.

Six Feet of Snow in Two Days Precedes Opening day At Portillo, Chile

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:44:48 GMT

Portillo in Chile has received six feet (1.8m) of fresh snow in two days, and the snow continues to fall on its South American slopes. Portillo receives nearly 300 days of sunshine and an average of 25 feet of snowfall each season.

The fresh powder arrived just at the right time for the resort’s opening weekend. The 2007 summer began last Saturday, June 16th and runs through to October 6th, 2007.

Other major resorts in Chile, Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado close to capital Santiago, also reported heavy falls – compared to 40cm/16 inches on opening weekend last year, and each saw upwards of 15,000 people ski their slopes each day of the weekend.

Jiminy Peak Generates Green Power

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:44:31 GMT

Jiminy Peak ski area in Massachusetts has gone a step further than the many US ski resorts that have committed to buy-in green energy. The resort is actually building its own wind turbine, a spectacular 120m (378 feet) high giant, at a cost of $3.9m.

A competition to name the new turbine attracted more than 500 entries and a panel of local worthys decided on the name Zephyr, after the Greek god of the west wind, and also a name in history that has been symbolic with ‘great engineering’

Starting the morning of Thursday, June 28th, three massive 35m (122-foot) turbine blades will arrive from the Port of Albany and travel to Jiminy Peak in a carefully-choreographed motorcade of flashing lights and police escorts. The blades are as long as a 12-story building is high and GE’s patented adjusting blade technology enables them to catch every breath of air in order to maximize the output of electricity.

Once in place, Jiminy’s wind turbine will generate 1.5 megawatts of energy – about 33 percent of the total electricity consumption of the resort or enough to light up the TVs, DVDs, microwaves and refrigerators in 613 homes for a year.

Two More Quads Take Val Gardena Tally Up To 27

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:44:07 GMT

Italy’s Val Gardena, centred on three key resorts in the Dolomites, the best known of which is Selva, is replacing two more drag lifts with new quad chairs taking the area’s remarkable tally up to 27, the most in the world for a single ski region.

The two new chairlifts will replace the Sochers ands Sotsaslong drag lifts. In addition a new six-seater chairlift, only Val Gardena’s third, will replace the old double chairlift at Paradiso in Alpe di Siusi. Finally the famous Saslong ski slope will be enlarged for next winter.

Val Gardena’s impressive statistics include 175km (110 miles) of prepared piste, 85% of which has snowmaking cover. It is one of the few areas in the world to offer in excess of 100,000 skiers per hour combined uplift power from its 83 lifts, 115,553 skiers per hour to be exact.

The resort is lift linked to the Sella Ronda sector of the Dolomiti Superski pass. The Sella Ronda is probably the world’s second or third largest lift-linked ski area with over 500km (315 mils) of lift linked ski runs. The Dolopmiti Superski pass is one of the world’s largest lift pass areas with over 1200km (750 miles) of maintained piste served by nearly 500 lifts on one ticket.

Australia’s Great Season Start Continues With More Snow

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:42:00 GMT

Up to 45cm (18 inches) of fresh dry snow has fallen over several Australian resorts since Monday this week. On top of this snowfall, which is set to continue and comes on top of healthy falls earlier in the month, it has been cold enough for snowmaking to operate at capacity.

A spokesperson for Mt Hotham described conditions as, “A satisfyingly arctic start to the 2007 season.” The resort has received 35cm (14 inches) of snow in the past week, most of it the last few nights. The snow base has doubled since last week and is now a very healthy 60cm (two feet) in man made areas with over 50cm (20 inches)of natural snow on open runs. The Village Chair has opened and this weekend will see at least eight lifts operating with Cobungra Plater at Dinner Plain commencing Friday and The Drift open from Saturday morning.

At Perisher Blue the base across the entire resort is building rapidly, just in time for the opening of the Blue Cow sector on Friday. Lifts expected to operate in Blue Cow this Friday include the Summit Quad Chair (giving access to Zali’s), Early Starter Double Chair, Terminal Quad Chair and Pony Ride Rope Tow. Zali’s will offer upper-intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders more opportunities this weekend,

In Perisher Valley, Front Valley is in full swing with the Mitchell T-bar and the Village Eight Express chair are operating, as well as three Ski Carpets and Tom Thumb for beginners. For freeriders, two Fusion Terrain Parks are set up on Front Valley, featuring a range of fun-boxes and rails. A brand new six-metre down-rail and a two-metre stall-bar have been added overnight and more features are set to be added soon.

Grindelwald Gets First Six Seater Chair and Freezes Ticket Prices

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:41:43 GMT

Grindelwald will open its first six seater chair, will pull down wind-protection hood, in the Kleine Scheidegg sector, next winter. The new Honegg chair will serve the widened Honegg run which will also have new snowmaking. It is the resort's first six seater chair, adding to the nine quads, two gondolas, three funicular railways and cable car (tram).

Snowmaking across Grindelwald’s ski area has now been extended to cover 40km (25 miles) or 25% of the total 160km (100 miles) of runs. A new reservoir is being created at Fallboden to accommodate the addition water requirements.

The improvements are part of a €20m investment by Jungfrau Railways and is part of a rolling programme of upgrades scheduled to continue over coming years.

The Jungfrau regional lift ticket, as well as those for individual areas within the full pass region – which includes the skiing of Murren, Grindelwald and Wengen (43 lifts and 213km/140 miles of trails) , remains ‘frozen’ at 2006-7 prices. A six day pass costs 295 Swiss Francs for adults – currently approximately 190 Euros.

Still Skiing at Whistler

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:41:07 GMT

With the official arrival of summer, Canada’s only summer skiing resort continues to operate. Skiers and riders are still enjoying Blackcomb Mountain’s summer glacier after Whistler Blackcomb’s second snowiest winter on record.

Unlike in the European Alps where most summer skiing is concluded by lunchtime each day as their snow becomes too soggy, the Horstman Glacier is open to the public from 12pm to 3pm daily, with upload access at 11am. Upload is available via the Wizard Express chair at Blackcomb base, and then Solar Coaster. From Solar, skiers and riders will take a shuttle bus to 7th Heaven, where they can upload on the chair lift. The Horstman and Showcase t-bars provide access between laps.

The Whistler Gondola and Peak Chair re-open on June 30, along with the summer’s Here there are replicas of the Sky Cabins that will be placed on the new Peak to Peak Gondola, which is scheduled to debut in December 2008. There are also construction plans to view of the landmark project that will link Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains for the first time ever, spanning 4.4 km (2.73 miles) with only four towers.

There’s lots to do besides snowsports. The Blackcomb Base Adventure Zone is a one-stop shop for fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Westcoaster Luge, Great Wall Climbing Centre, Kiss the Sky Exhilarations, Amazen Maze, Acro Addix (a flying trapeze), Blackcomb Trail Rides, Spin Cycle Human Gyroscope and Space Ball are just some of the activities the Zone offers.

30 Nations Debate Climate Change At Swedish Arctic Ski Area

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:39:30 GMT

Government officials from 30 nations met to discuss initiatives to combat global warming at the Swedish Arctic Circle ski resort of Riksgransen last week. The four day summit was a follow up to the earlier G8 summit in Germany. Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren hailed the summit as a major summit making much more progress than he had expected. He said it gave participating nations, drawn from the leading contributors to climate change, a chance to discover each other’s positions ahead of the next UN climate change conference due to be held in Indonesia in December. That conference will begin the process of setting targets for reducing omissions after the Kyoto agreement expires in 2012.

Participating nations included Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico the United Kingdom and the United States and approximately 20 others.

Among the targets agreed were a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by half on present day levels by 2050 and the creation of a global environmental protection agency. Participants believe it will be possible to reduce emissions whilst maintaining economic growth.

Holding the talks in Riksgransen, which was still open for the 2006-7 snow season thanks to its northerly latitude, helped to focus minds. The resort currently enjoys 24 hour daylight.

Zermatt’s Hotels Renovating

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:38:37 GMT

Several of Zermatt’s leading hotels will reopen next winter after serious makeovers.

There’s also a new four-star hotel, the Matterhorn Focus, which will comprise eight suites, six junior suites and 11 double rooms. The Klein Matterhorn valley station can be reached by a passage in just two minutes. The hotel was designed by Zermatt artist Heinz Julen; people in the know are expecting a lot of glass, steel, wood and a great deal of architectural and artistic luxury. A spacious wellness area, gym and conference room complete the offering. It will open in February 2008.

The four star Hotel Post will reopen in December with all rooms fully renovated, some merged to form suites. The work also includes the addition of nine further rooms. The hotel will also feature a new wellness area. The new rooms include: 20 superior double rooms, three deluxe double rooms with open fire/ Jacuzzi bathtub, five junior suites with Jacuzzi/open fire, and the new Matterhorn suite with Jacuzzi, open fire and patio, all in the traditional mountain lodge style. The restaurants will also be restyled, and the Pizzeria Broken integrated into the Old Spaghetti Factory.

All of the rooms and bathrooms in the main building of Hotel Mirabeau have been renovated and redesigned. The hotel will reopen in a new Alpine style incorporating classic woods combined with dark smoked oak, large leather walls and matt chrome steel, warm woollen materials and cow hides. The bathrooms with double bathtub are decorated with granite slabs and old oiled oak.

The new Le Petit Cervin will be a small and elegant “hotel in a hotel” in the five-star range. Breakfast is included in the price of the modern suites and superior double rooms with connecting doors. Le Petit Cervin will be linked directly to the Mont Cervin Palace by a new underground passage so that guests can easily get to the wellness and spa area. Opening in December 2007, it will be managed by the Mont Cervin Palace.

The Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is continuing its renovations: The Rudenbar, Salon Français and Rudensaal are being refurbished, while 15 junior and medium suites will also be modernised. The new spa “Vita Borni” opened its doors last December.

The Kulmhotel Gornergrat, at 3,100 m above sea-level, and the Parkhotel Beau-Site, are both celebrating their 100th birthday and invite guests to join in the festivities. On Wednesdays the Parkhotel Beau-Site will host a large dinner where guests sit at long tables, as they would have done a century ago. To mark the centenary the hotel has renovated its lobby and added a second lift.

Finally, the four-star Hotel Nicoletta is also being redesigned as an exclusive suite hotel.

US Reports 7% Drop In Business Last Season, With Regional Winners and Losers

Snow Leopard — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:37:57 GMT

Whilst the USA has now officially joined Europe’s leading ski nations in reporting that business was down for the 06-07 season, as with Europe’s Alps, the detail shows winners and losers within the bigger picture.

After Utah’s announcement of a minor increase in visitors last winter, Colorado has also reported business was slightly up. The state’s 26 resorts recorded 12.6 million skier visits (towards a quarter of the total US market), up 0.22 percent on the previous season.

Overall the US market reported a decline of 4.1m skier visits, from 58.9m (a record) for the 2005-6 season, to 54.8 million this. The total represents an average seven percent decline with regional variations between 6% and 16.5% down, largely due to warm temperatures and poor snow conditions. The only region to increase business was The Rocky Mountains which includes Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, which recorded a a record with 21 million skier visits.

Snowy Australia Opens A Day Early

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:04:15 GMT

It’s the start to the opening of winter 2007 Australia has been waiting for. Snow is currently falling in Perisher Blue and cold temperatures (low of -4.5°C in Blue Cow) have allowed snowmaking in Perisher Valley and Blue Cow from the early hours of today.

There is around 4-5cm (two inches) of fresh snow in the village so far today, adding to the natural snow cover from several good-pre-season falls and snowmaking that has been going on for the past three weeks.

Mitchell T-Bar fired up at 11am this morning, a day ahead of schedule, and skiers and boarders have already been out on Front Valley enjoying their first turns for the season.

The now green-powered Village 8 Express is expected to operate from tomorrow, and the Forester Quad Express will be open to Mid-Station for foot passengers. Adding to the excitement, a 3 metre box, a 5 metre box and a 3 metre rail will be set up at the base of Sturt T-Bar in Front Valley over the weekend!

“We are delighted with how the season has started. We’ve had snow falling throughout the day and the snow guns have been operating since 4am. It is fantastic to see skiers and snowboarders out enjoying their first turns of the season,” said Neil Thew, Public Relations & Business Development Manager for Perisher Blue.

After today’s skiing and snowboarding, the celebrations are set to flow at Smiggins Hotel with Steve Whitmore’s band, Venus, playing live to kick off Perisher Blue ‘Celebration of Winter’ festivities. The good times will continue to roll for everyone throughout the weekend with a host of free live music, kids fun, buskers, street performers and other exciting acts.

The good start to the season is exactly what Australian skiing needed after a ‘challenging’ 2006 season. There are wider implications for the economy in the mountain regions as snow is needed both for the tourism industry and the melt water run off for agriculture.

Cervinia Offers More than 1000m Of Vertical in Summer

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:03:58 GMT

Italy’s Cervinia ski area will aim to offer 1,087m of skiable vertical between Europe’s highest lift above Zermatt in Switzerland at 3899m down to Laghi Cime Bianche at 2812m when it opens for its summer ski season from June 23rd to September 2nd, subject to conditions.

There are 23km (15 miles) of runs on the Plateau Rosa glacier including a half pipe in the Gravity Park, served by a dozen lifts including Europe’s two highest lifts, only open in the summer, and the world’s only cross-border six-seat chairlift. There are 12 runs, nine of them reds (intermediate level) and three easy blues. Lift tickets cost 38 Euros for a day with children under 16 paying half price.

Skiing contimnues year round at Zermatt over a maximum summer vertical of 960m down to 2939m at Trockner Steg.

The vertical down piste number 7 (graded red) on the Cervinia side is the third biggest lift-served in the world in July and August, beaten only by southern hemisphere resorts Argentina’s Las Leñas (1174m), and Catedral (1150m).

Three Valleys Six-Day Adult Lift Ticket Reaches €220

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:03:48 GMT

A six day lift ticket for the world’s largest fully lift-linked ski area, the 3 Valleys shared by Merivel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Courchevel and several other resorts, will cost €220 next winter, an increase of five Euros, or a little over two percent, on last season.

The full price is payable by children aged 13 to 17 and adults up to age 60. Younger children aged five to 12 will pay €165 and there are small discounts for adults aged 60 to 74. Those aged four and under or 75 and older ski or board free.

Lower prices will be available before the main seasaoin gets underway at Christmas with discounts around 30 percent. Families can also save about 20 percent when groups of two adults with two children aged up to 18 buy together. Skiers and boarders can also consider buying a ticket for one, rather than all three valkleys, as each is larger than most other ski areas in its own right. An adult six day ticket for the Courchevel Valley for example costs €178.

France overtook Switzerland as the European nation with the most expensive lift tickets several years ago – although it also offers many lower priced options. The most expensive ticket last year was the Mont Blanc region pass around Chamonix charged at €250 for six days for adults and €200 for children aged four and older.

The lessening of prices for skiing in Switzerland is in part due to currency fluctuations and in part as many resorts have frozen price increases to try to increase their competitiveness. Most Swiss resorts also offer much greater price reductions for children and in some cases such as Villars, Gstaad and Zermatt, don’t charge for children at all until age nine or even 10.

Currently prices in Italy and Andorra are both rising significantly faster than France, so could potentially overtake France within the next five – ten years.

American Skiing Company Sells Original Resorts

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:03:23 GMT

The American Skiing Company, which once owned town resorts from the East to West coasts of the United States has sold the resort where it all began, Sunday River in Maine, as well as one of its first purchases Sugarloaf, also in Maine.

Having sold most of its other remaining resorts over the past six months, the company will now concentrate on its one remaining resort, The Canyons, one of the three areas at Park City in Utah. Unlike the other resorts it owned which were already famous names in US skiing, it has built The Canyons up to be one of the continent’s largest after purchasing and renaming tiny Park West.

The American Skiing Company was established by Les Otten who began work for Killington, before moving to manage Sunday river, then owned by the Vermont resort, and building it up over two decades in to one of the biggest resorts in the Eastern US.

Having built up Sunday River and purchased two or three other major New England resorts, Otten launched a new company in 1997 and bought up his former bosses to take over Killington and control of half a dozen other resorts. At its height around 2000 his empire extended west to take in Steamboat in Colorado and Heavenly in California. These have been sold to Intrawest and Vail respectively.

The buyers of Sunday River and Sugarloaf are Boyne Resorts of Michigan for $77m. Apart from its home resorts in the mid-west, the company operates Big Sky in Montana and Crystal mountain in Washington state to the West.

Stephen Kircher, Boyne president said, “As North America’s largest family run four-season resort company, we are excited to bring almost 60 years of resort experience to the New England market. New England is a very special place for the sport of skiing and we enter this market with great respect and appreciation for what has been accomplished and what it represents.”

Les Otten, who resigned from the American Skiing Company several years ago, had put together a bid to buy back Sunday River and Sugarloaf, but the company opted for the Boyne bid.

Whistler Reports Second Snowiest Winter On Record

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:03:04 GMT

Snow sports continue on its glaciers for a few more weeks, but Whistler Blackcomb has reported its 2006-7 season concluded on June 3rd and that it was the world famous resort’s second snowiest on record, receiving an accumulative snowfall of 1,416cm (46 feet).

"This has definitely been a season to remember," says Dave Brownlie, Chief Operating Officer, Intrawest Mountain Resorts Canada. "The phenomenal conditions were a big draw for visitors from around the world this season. We also shared in the excitement of the 1000 acre Symphony Express opening and finished with another ground breaking announcement, the Peak to Peak Gondola. This innovative project will be a year-round experience, linking the high alpine on both mountains for skiers and sightseers alike."

The snowfall was 40% above average and began well with a record breaking 416cm/14 feet of snowfall in November 2006. More than two million people visited during the season, with the highest number of visits in one day, 15,994 reported for Whistler Mountain on December 30th, 2006. The ski school also set records with
1,912 Whistler Kids lessons taught on April 3rd. But the resort’s security are kererping the increasing numbers in good order, reporting 1,688 total lift ticket days suspended for safety violations.

The impetus is still building at Whistler, with less than 1,000 days to go now until the 2010 Winter Olympics and construction underway on the resort’s $50 million Peak to Peak Gondola project, which is designed to unite the neighbouring mountains that have historically stared longingly at one another from afar. The gondola will span 4.4km in 11 minutes, with a highest vertical point of 415m (2.73 miles) above Fitzsimmons Creek. Linking the two mountains from Blackcomb’s Rendezvous Lodge to Whistler’s Roundhouse with only four towers, the Peak to Peak will be a year-round tourist attraction that set the world records for length and height. The project is slated for completion in December 2008

Vermont Reports 2006-7 Was Worst Winter For 12 Years

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:02:55 GMT

Despite a strong end to the season thanks to heavy snow, Vermont reported its worst winter since 1994-5, largely due to a slow start with warm weather over the crucial early holiday periods.

3.8 million skiers and boarders visited Vermont’s ski areas, down seven percent on a poor 2005-6 season and the lowest number since winter 1994-95.

The difficult conditions in New England, the MidWest and Eastern and Central Canada went largely unreported by international media, which highlighted instead good snow in Colorado and British Columbia and giving the impression this was the norm across the continent and at the same time noting the challenging conditions in the European Alps long after conditions there had improved.

Vermont’s figures could have been worse but a heavy snowfall before the American
President’s Day holiday in February and excellent falls in March and through April helped the season overall to recover a little. Howsever some late season snow arrived too late with most people already in spring and summer sports mode.

Australian Police Warn Of Three Days In Jail For Ski Theft

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:02:30 GMT

Australian police will have a permanently base at Mount Hotham, Mount Buller and Falls Creek ski resorts this season and have announced their objective of cutting crime in the area to zero.

In a bid to further decrease the already declining amount of ski and board theft, the police will be offering an engraving service for skis and snowboards, giving an identifying serial number or the owner’s vehicle registration number.

"Victoria police are showing a decline in the crime rate at snow resorts, but the theft of skis and snowboards still exist and we'll be happy if we can reduce it to zero. Snowboards and skis cost up to $1,000 plus these days ... it is an expensive investment," a police spokesman told local media.

Ylläs Voted Finnish Ski Resort of The Year 2007

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:02:13 GMT

A panel of Finnish ski tourism industry experts select Yllas as the Finnish Ski resort of the year 2007.

Increased visitor numbers, improved facilities and more job opportunities for local people were only few of the reasons that convinced the panel and secured Yllas this year's top spot. The panel were also particularly impressed with work Yllas has been putting towards improving the resort safety and gave credit to staff working in and around the resort for continuosly striving to exceed customer expectations.

The Ylläs resort area consists of seven fells and two original Lappish villages. At 718m, Ylläs fell itself is one of the highest fells in Finnish Lapland. With 58 slopes and 330 km of cross-country ski-trails, Ylläs has become one of the biggest winter holiday resorts in Finland, without losing any of its Lapp charm.

Ylläs is also home to the longest downhill runs in Finland and in addition to skiing, visitors can try husky, reindeer, Icelandic pony or snowmobile safaris, snowshoe hiking, kick-sledding, ice-fishing and several other outdoor winter activities.

Steamboat Spends on Revitalization Projects

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:01:55 GMT

In addition to on-mountain improvements valued at a record $16 million for next season, Steamboat Ski Area in Colorado, now under Intrawest control, will be spending $23 million in Steamboat Unbridled revitalization projects over the next three years, including $6 million which will be invested this summer.

“These changes mark the launch of nearly $40 million in vast and comprehensive improvements to the entire Steamboat vacation experience and will be the first step in significantly advancing the resort’s competitive position over the next decade,” said Chris Diamond, president of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation.

“Steamboat Unbridled represents a renaissance of the mountain, its base area, retail and dining establishments, a transformed Steamboat/Hayden Airport, as well as exciting, new real estate developments,” Andy Wirth, vice president of sales & marketing. “In all, it’s anticipated that nearly one billion dollars over the coming years will be invested in Steamboat Unbridled.”

Current Steamboat Unbridled projects include the construction of a new bus and shuttle stop at Ski Time Square and walkways connecting the Gondola Transit Center and the ski base area. The project will address streetscape including a new roundabout and traffic flow as well as utility, concrete sidewalks, concrete unit pavers, snowmelt system, site lighting, irrigation and landscape improvements ready for next winter.

To welcome guests, a dynamic system of signs and banners will create “a signature sense of place and vibrancy” for Steamboat. The signs and landmarks blend elements of the Yampa Valley’s strong ranching traditions with the energy and exuberance of the mountain sports industry. They will be rolled out from this winter through to 2009.

Encircling the base of the ski mountain, a new Promenade will connect people to Steamboat’s distinctive resort destinations: skiing, shopping, dining, accommodations and transportation. The Promenade will extend around the toe of the ski hill forming places to gather, relax and enjoy Burgess Creek and open in 2008 and 2009.

Burgess Creek , formerly diverted underground, will see the light of day once again,
bringing the sound of water to the mountain base during summer as it courses south along a new Promenade.

There will also be a huge building expansion for real estate with an estimated 4,000 high-end pillows “coming online” over the next few years in more than a dozen developments that mix residential with commercial space will and extend construction from the base area to downtown Steamboat Springs.

The first project will be One Steamboat Place, adjacent to the Gondola Building, which will begin construction this summer. One Steamboat Place will provide private, luxurious mountain residences conveniently located in the heart of Gondola Square.

Heliski Operator Advises “Book Early”

Snow Leopard — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:01:34 GMT

Heliski Holiday, one of the world’s leading heliski tour operators, based in British Columbia, has noted a shift to advance booking of heliski trips and is advising those considering a heliski trip to plan ahead. The company works individually with clients to choose the best heliski option for them from hundreds of possibilities provided by dozens of heliski operators.

“Overall, skier visits throughout the heliski industry in remained very strong with many of them booked pre-season. Pre-season bookings are not new to the industry, prior to 911 heliski enthusiasts needed to secure package dates far in advance. There seems to be that same momentum developing and it would not surprising to see
this trend to be the norm once again. I have found, over the years, it is never to early to begin the process of working through the decisions that will eventually lead to securing an early reservation.” said Heliski Holiday’s Nina Kaufman.

“Every season brings us new experiences both in the way of guests and skiing conditions, and for the most part both are beyond our control. Exchange rates can heavily effect where our guests come from and while we do our best to operate in an environmentally conscious manner it doesn't always mean we have perfect snow conditions and blue skies day in day out. This year was no exception we have been thrilled by record levels of guest satisfaction and some truly epic skiing conditions”.
said Mike Watling, General Manager of TLH Heliskiing.

Heliski Holiday have a Spring Newsletter full of ideas for heliski vacations next winter, available on request.

Southern Hemisphere Snowmaking Starts, Powered By Green Energy

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:04:43 GMT

The significant investment in snowmaking by Perisher Blue, Australia’s biggest ski resort, is set to pay off with the planned commencement of snowmaking operations on Monday May 21st.

With the right conditions, Front Valley at Perisher Blue will come alive with fan guns powered by 100% ‘green’ energy like Perisher Blue’s Village Eight Express Chairlift, tower guns and mounted traditional air/water pressurised guns.

The plan is to set a good base, ready for natural snowfalls and the official opening weekend, June 9-10, which will mark the start of the ski season in Australia and Perisher Blue’s weekend long ‘Celebration of Winter’ festivities.

It is anticipated that a total of 154 snow guns will be operational across Perisher Blue during the 2007 winter, which is more than any other Australian resort. Combine this with what is predicted to be an above average natural snowfall season and it could be the bumper year ski and snowboard enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for.

Perisher Blue’s snowmaking system delivers a sizeable 40 hectares of beginner and intermediate terrain for the public to enjoy, regardless of the amount of natural snow received. However, the fundamental basis for snowmaking is to supplement what nature brings in a clean and sustainable way.

“By investing $3.6 million in snowmaking in 2007 and with plans to expand snowmaking further in the near future, Perisher Blue is committed to providing the highest quality products for its guests in a safe and reliable environment, ensuring the best snow experiences.” Said a resort spokesperson.

Snowy Hydro will also continue with its cloud seeding trials in 2007. This is a technology which involves firing particles in to storm clouds to induce them to give birth to precipitation (snow) as they pass over the area. The impact of cloud seeding is still being monitored however in 2005, given the right storm front conditions, an additional 10% (over 20cm) of natural snowfall was believed to have accumulated across the resort in Perisher Blue than in previous years because of it.

Midnight Ski Season Begins at Riksgränsen

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:04:28 GMT

Riksgränsen, located 200 kilometers (125 miles) as the crow flies from the North Pole, in the north of Sweden, enters its summer period of 24 hour daylight this week, with ski lifts open in the early hours of the morning for all to enjoy this surreal experience. Pisted terrain is limited compared to larger resorts, but the whole area resembles a giant terrain park, with pistes popping over the border in the Norway as they descend before arriving back in Sweden at the bottom.

Riksgränsen has an excellent snow record thanks to its latitude (it claims more snow than anywhere else in Sweden) and has been a mecca for hardcore skiers after the main season ends in the Alps for many decades. The lifts don’t start running here until February each year due to the cold and darkness through mid-winter. On the upside early arrivals do have a good chance of seeing the northern lights. Riksgränsen also has a reputation for its affordable heliskiing with a choice of 60 peaks higher than 1,200 metres in the area.

Coming events include a resort wide Midsummer night festival with partying, always popular at Riksgransen, reaching new heights from June 23rd-26th when the ski season finally ends.

Mammoth Open Through ‘Second Season’

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:04:11 GMT

Mammoth Mountain in California is currently the only ski area open in California or Nevada enjoying its “second season.” Chairlifts run out of Main Lodge on spring hours (7:30am to 3pm) daily. Skier services are available at Main Lodge including rentals, private lessons, cafeteria, and it wouldn't be spring without the bar open on the sundeck. Mammoth Mountain is open from top to bottom with 3,100 vertical feet of skiable terrain. Terrain park features include a variety of boxes, rails and jumps as well as the 450-foot-long, 18-foot high Super Pipe. Spring Fest Value Season lift tickets are just $63 a day for adults.

Visitors to Mammoth can now also enjoy 18-holes at Sierra Star Golf Course which opened for the summer last weekend. Alternatively explore the Mammoth Lakes area with a day trip to Reds Meadow starting on May 26th. The Mammoth Lakes Basin is now open for fishing season. Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 from Mammoth to Yosemite Valley) is now also open for summer. The Wild West Round-up at the Village at Mammoth on Memorial Day weekend will feature a mechanical bull, country line dancing and a kids' petting zoo.

Visitors to Mammoth will find ski equipment and winter clothing on sale, as stores around town make room for summer goods. The Mammoth Mart in the Village at Mammoth will hold a special Sneak Peek Sale next weekend. Shoppers will find deals up to 60% off items from Bogner, Prada, K2 Skis, Spyder, Helly Hansen, DNA,

Australian Resorts First In World To Use Recycled Water for Snowmaking

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:03:51 GMT

Mt Buller resort in Australia has invested $3.4 million on an ultra filtration water recycling plant. The resort will become the world’s first ski resort to use recycled water for snowmaking, by improving the quality of effluent to drinking water standards.

Buller Ski Lifts has also invested $250,000 in the installation of a snowmaking system that runs the length of the Summit Chairlift. Automation and computerization of snowmaking infrastructure, combined with the commissioning of more efficient snow guns is expected to increase efficiency by up to 30% in 2007.

Also using the world first technology of recycled water, Mt Hotham has invested $600,000 on snowmaking infrastructure in 2007. Five additional snow guns will complete snowmaking on Sundowner and taking traffic away from Slalom Gully.

Norway’s Summer Ski Season Kicks Off This Weekend

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:03:40 GMT

Summer skiing will begin next weekend at Stryn Sommerski with an Opening Weekend celebration from the 25th to the 28th of May. The area is a natural terrain park served by a double chair and several drag lifts, which take riders up to nearly 1600m, opening up descents in excess of 500 vertical metres. New this summer is a beginners lift especially well suited to beginners and children.

Stryn is one of several Norwegian Summer ski areas and has been tempting people to the slopes since right back in the 1930s. It has previously been regarded as the best pre-season training centre by Alberto Tomba, amongst others.

After the opening weekendm, the area will host a Freeline Jam from June 1st to 3rd (www.freelinejam.com) and its first Camp of the summer, sponsored by Roxy, from June 14th to 17th (www.roxycamp.no). Therell be a midsummer festival from 21st to 243th June and the first of two Quiksilver camps from June 24th to 29th (www.quiksilvercamp.no). The Stprite Big Jump is on 30th June and the Aloha Open (www.alohahemp.com) from July 5th to 8th. The second Quiksilver Camp is from 1st to 6th July. Much more is planned.

Leading UK Operator Offers Snow Guarantee for Start of 2007-8 Season

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:03:27 GMT

Leading British ski tour operator Crystal Ski, has announced a new snow guarantee for customers booking Crystal holidays next season; “At least half of your resort’s skiing will be open during your holiday or we will give you half your money back!”

Crystal Ski offers an wide choice of destinations to many of the most snow-sure resorts across Europe and North America.

“Last season, many European resorts got off to a patchy start, but we are confident of the snow conditions in the resorts that we feature,” said a Crystal spokesperson.

The ‘50% Money Back Guarantee’ is available on seven night Crystal ski holidays departing during December ’07 and January ’08. The Money Back Guarantee is applicable if more than half of the ski lifts and runs (local and area) are closed during your stay as a result of lack of snow.

Crystal Ski have also announced more flights to North American ski resorts next winter with a flexible choice of up to five departure and arrival days per week through its preferred airline partner British Airways. There will now be five flights to Denver weekly, up from two, and an identical increase in flight frequency to Calgary. Alberta. Or flights to Vancouver there will still be two flights a week, but more seats available on the planes.

These flights, which are on sale, will operate from Wednesday, 16th December 2007 until 13th April 2008 as the final inbound.

Gareth Crump, marketing and product director said: “These extra seats add much needed capacity for ski resorts in North America which will allow us to fulfil the huge demand we are currently experiencing fuelled by record-breaking amounts of snow in some of those regions last season and the weak dollar.”

Prices to North America start from £299 (per person based on four sharing) including scheduled return flights with BA from Heathrow, transfers and seven nights’ room only in the three star Bow View Lodge in Banff, Canada, including all airport taxes departing on 15th January 2008. Prices for a week to Colorado, USA, start from £349 and from £399 to Whistler, Canada.

Vail Building $420 Million Resort at Base of Heavenly

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:03:13 GMT

RockResorts, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vail Resorts, will operate the new Chateau at Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe, on the California/Nevada border. Construction of the redevelopment project has commenced and is expected to be completed in early winter 2009.

The $420 million, 11.53-acre redevelopment will include two luxury condo-hotels, a 16,000-square-foot RockResorts Spa, 50,000-square-foot convention centre with 21,000 square-foot pre-function area, 1.5 acre park and a collection of shops and restaurants. The Chateau at Heavenly Village is located at the California state line across from Heavenly Village and the Heavenly Gondola, adjacent to Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Casino & Resort.

“The addition of a RockResort at the base of Heavenly Mountain Resort perfectly marries our commitments to grow our luxury lodging portfolio and enhance the destination experience at our ski resorts” said Rob Katz, chief executive officer for Vail Resorts. “The Chateau at Heavenly Village will stand out as the jewel of South Lake Tahoe, connecting Heavenly’s world-class slopes to the treasured shore of Lake Tahoe.”

Lake Tahoe Development Co has chosen to register construction of the project with the U.S. Green Building Council for LEED-certification and will utilize native wood timbers, stone, glass and other natural materials to enhance the rustic mountain character of the buildings.

Rebuilding of Roman Baths in Bad Kleinkirchheim

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:02:58 GMT

Work has begun on a €14.5m project to turn the old Therml-Romerbad (Roman bths) at Franz Klammer’s home resort of Bad Kleinkirchheim in Austria, in to a state of the art facility.

The most important part of the concept is to keep the Roman style of the building and will include a high quality sauna area, indoor and out, spreading over 4000 square metres.

“We want to stimulate all emotions and senses,” said Project manager Rudolf Egger, “Therefore we have combined a lot of uniue regional aspects in to the development. To help relaxation the massage section ad beauty salon will be expanded. An indoor and outdoor adventure area will be constructed especilly for children. The newly built relaxation tower will be split in to diferent lvels with a variety of emotional facilitis.”

The Bad Kleinkirchheim motto of “From the pite into the spas” will be reenforced by this new facility, which is due to opn this Autumn.

Latest Luxury Resort Development in Bulgaria

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:02:43 GMT

UK-based Westhill Investments is now marketing an “off-plan luxury development” to be called Panorama Villas. This will be a golf/ski/spa developments consisting of 73 apartments and four family villas, with club house and spa close to Bansko ski resort.

The Panorama Villas complex will be an exclusive gated community, with secure underground parking and manned security. It will include a private clubhouse, café/bar, health spa and indoor/outdoor pool.

The development, with a ski storage area and heated boot room, is two kilometres from the ski village and gondola base. A private shuttle service will to operate between the complex and the Bansko ski village.

Villas will be set over three floors with living/dining area and open fire places. A spiral staircase leads up to the two double bedrooms. The master bedroom occupies the whole top floor, complete with en suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. Each villa has four balconies with views towards the mountains and 18-hole golf course.

Panorama Villas will overlook the new golf course in Razlog Valley, designed by top international golfer, Ryder Cup captain and course designer, Ian Woosnam.

The Spa Centre will be complete with swimming pool and steam rooms, saunas, solarium, Jacuzzi, relaxation area, treatment facilities and juice bar. During the summer, the pool area will be opened up to the mountain air.

In terms of capital investment, Westhill’s developments expect a return of above 50% over a 24 month period. “We select projects based on their potential to achieve rental investments 8–10% annual gross yields and 15% annual capital appreciation,” said Dominic Hicks, a director of Westhill Investments.

“We aim to build a local presence wherever we operate, creating employment opportunities by direct employment and through the use of local suppliers. We make a point of respecting local cultural values and traditions, and we also contribute to local communities in a tangible way, for instance by providing modern, safe children’s play areas,” added Hicks

Prices for properties with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms range from £63,000 to £264,000.

The British Snowboard and Freeski Tour Launched

Snow Leopard — Tue, 22 May 2007 18:02:21 GMT

Following five very successful years of the AIM Series, that has witnessed over 1000 competitors, visited over 50 schools and introduced over 4,000 newcomers to snow sports, the UK’s National Championship circuit has undergone a wee nip and tuck, and is ready to reveal the new look “British Snowboard and Freeski Tour”, which will be unveiled in September.

Continuing to represent the highest level of snowboard and freeski competition in the UK, the British Snowboard and Freeski Tour will also boast some very attractive new features including:- seven domestic competitions, two brand new venues, Friday night demos, free coaching sessions with the UK’s leading professional athletes as well as exclusive snowboard and freeski video premieres and parties.

By adding two new venues, Norwich and Chatham, and incorporating a dedicated schools tour program, which takes professional athletes and Olympians into the classroom, the British Snowboard and Freeski Tour 2007 will create new breeding grounds for emerging talent and continue to provide a path from grass roots participation through to international competition.

The British Snowboard Tour continues to be a prestigious Ticket to Ride (TTR) World Snowboard Tour ranked event, following an immensely successful first year. This resulted in two of the UK’s most promising riders, Sam Cullum and Jamie Nicholls, who both competed on the tour, finishing in the top 40 and top 70 respectively in the Men’s TTR World Snowboard Ranking List 2007. The Tour will give UK riders the continuing opportunity to not only win British Championship Titles, but to secure World Ranking Points and gain an overall position alongside snowboarding megastars such as Shaun White and Travis Rice.

USA Reports 2006-7 Season Was Worse Than It Appeared At The Time

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 09:00:52 GMT

Widespread reports last winter of record breaking snowfall in North America and of an apparently snowless Alps do not appear to be being reflected in results published by Europe and North America’s leading ski nations in the aftermath of winter 2006-7.

Whilst results in Europe are better than expected in most cases, the US National Ski Areas Association reported last week that preliminary figures indicated an average 6.9 percent drop in visitor numbers to the nation's ski resorts. This is down both on last season and on the ten year average figure and compares to average declines of nearer 5% published by France and Switzerland.

The reports of huge snowfalls in Colorado throughout the winter appear to have given the impression that this was the norm across the US. In fact snowfall was well below average for much of the season in most other US ski regions, particularly California and New England. Unlike in Europe, cold weather and heavy snow through April helped East Coast resorts recover some of their losses, but business on the Pacific coast was down more than 16%. Colorado will release its results next month but they are expected to be up, against the overall trend, although the heavy snowfall here did actually cause some practical difficulties including airport and key road closures.

Poland’s Leading Ski Resort Puts 71 Year Old Cable Car In For A Service

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 09:00:31 GMT

Zakopane, the leading ski resort in Poland, is reported to be renovating its main cable car which has operating for 71 years without a serious problem.

The cable car was built in 1936 to transport skiers and summer mountain hikers from the city of Zakopane to the ski area on Kasprowy Wierch. Repairs should be completed by December, ready for the next ski season.

Zakopane is one of the longest established ski resorts in the world. It has hosted the FIS World Ski Championships three times; in 1929, 1939 and 1962. After the creation of the Internationale Ski Federation (FIS) in Chamonix in 1924 it was proposed (but not acted upon) that skiing should be included in the Winter Olympics and that an annual ski race meeting should be held called "rendez-vous races". At the 1929 Zakopane meeting these races were termed FIS races for the first time.

Carpet Lifts Replace Drag Lifts Next Winter at Alaska’s Leading Resort

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 09:00:17 GMT

Alaska’s Alyeska resort, which recently came under new ownership after being run for many years by a Japan based corporation, will spend an estimated $4.5 million this summer on mountain upgrades to include snowmaking extension from the bottom of the mountain to the top of the tram. The new snowmaking will allow Alyeska Resort to open the entire mountain by Thanksgiving.

Magic Carpet installations will begin this summer that will greatly enhance the beginner skier/snowboarder’s experience by eliminating the tow type lift.

In addition the Terrain Park will move from Chair 7 to Tanaka providing more beginner runs on Chair 3 & 7. The upper mountain will be further improved with extensive summer trail reconstruction, including trail improvements and widening of Weir, Von Imhof, Denali and the Waterfall. Finally, a new ticketing system will be brought on line this winter which will greatly improve the speed and efficiency that is required to access our services and facilities.

At the resort base the Hotel Alyeska is launching a comprehensive three phase multi million dollar renovation which starts this month. The hotel’s 304 guest rooms will receive a comprehensive makeover. Phase I consist of a $3.5 million guest room upgrade including plush new carpets, new Serta’s Presidential Pillow Top Mattress bed packages, light fixtures, desk chairs, Judith Jackson spa amenities, designer shower curtains, and new artwork from Edward Curtis depicting Native Alaska images.

“We are excited about the enhancements to the hotel and mountain”, said Wade Gesteuyala, Director of Rooms at The Hotel Alyeska. “The new rooms renovations will help make the Hotel Alyeska the hotel of choice for business and leisure travellers.”

In addition, upgrades to the guest room amenities include CD & MP3 clock radios, stainless steel ice buckets, new coffee makers, and complimentary bottled water in all rooms. Bathrooms have been grouted, caulked and painted. High speed internet will be added to all rooms with wireless access in the public areas.

Phase I and II are scheduled to be completed for next winter. Phase II will include new carpet and furniture in all public areas in addition to banquet and meeting space. A new retail shop, café, and ski arcade will be added on the second floor of the Hotel Alyeska. The award winning Seven Glaciers Restaurant will also receive a makeover, enhancing its spectacular setting.

Alyeska the largest of the existing resorts in Alaska, is located 40 miles south of Anchorage. Alaska has potentially more skiable terrain than the rest of the US put together and records phenomenal annual snowfall. Ski-in/ski-out access available from The Hotel Alyeska which features the luxurious Spa at Alyeska, fine dining at the Seven Glaciers and Sakura Teppanyaki Restaurants, and a mountain-view indoor heated pool and whirlpool spa.

Bansko Opens Ice Rink As Part of Indoor Sports Centre

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:59:58 GMT

Bulgaria’s Bansko ski resort has opened a new ice rink as part of strategy of diversification to provide additional and alternative activities to winter mountain sports and to increase its attractiveness to visitors as a year round destination resort.

Te ice rink is one of the most modern facilities of its type and follows the opening of ice rinks in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia and other Bulgarian cities. Along with providing entertainment for resort guests, local children can skate there for free and have professional training with the long term aim of training future champions.

The mayor of the Bansko has also announced a new sports hall development will be built at the resort with more than 5000 seats. The hall will host ice hockey, basketball, valley ball and indoor football matches. There will be football field and tennis courts around the hall.

Future plans for the resort up to 2010 include another sports tourist complex with golf course, spa, horseback riding centre and trade centre.

Perisher Blue Adds Rails To Park

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:59:36 GMT

Five new technical rails are planned for Perisher Blue in Australia, adding to the 15 already located across the four terrain parks in the resort.

The impressive line up of park features now includes: 20 fun-boxes and 20 rails of varying sizes, not including Boost Mobile’s world record long rail or the giant PlayStation Wall ride. This equates to over 200 metres of jibs in Perisher Blue for thrill seekers to try and conquer, bringing the resort in line with other renowned world-class terrain park locations.

The five new rails will comprise of four six-metre rails one each set for the Fusion Parks in Front Valley (PlayStation), Blue Cow (PlayStation), Leichhardt (Garnier) and Mt Piper (Columbia) and an eight-metre down rail earmarked for Front Valley.

“The growth in popularity of terrain parks is phenomenal”, said Gary Grant GM Marketing and Hospitality Perisher Blue. “Urban street culture is seamlessly transformed into the snow environment with terrain parks, more and more skiers and snowboarders worldwide are now stepping up to the challenge”, continued Mr. Grant.

Perisher Blue’s terrain parks offer the opportunity for progression from smaller low to the ground boxes up to long and very technically challenging rails. The chance to develop skills is key to the popularity of Perisher Blue’s four terrain parks allowing guests the chance have fun and not feel intimidated whilst they progress.

Tourparty Plan New Summer Camps

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:59:20 GMT

Skiers and boarders who ranged in age from eight to 51 years came from all over the world, with one snowboarder even flying in from the Lebanon, to attend the SnoTribe Camps at Easter in Les Deux Alpes, France.

Feedback received by the organizers, Tourparty, has been that the Camps were “the best ever.” At the end of the Camps the SnoTribe coaching team, which included Pat Sharples, Posy Dixon, Gavin Carruthers, Andy Evans and Rick Hutchings, were so impressed with the progress made by everyone that they gave all those participating a prize, provided by sponsors LINE Skis, Burton, Red and Anon.

Following the success of the SnoTribe Easter Camps over the last few years, the programme will now be expanded to include a new SnoTribe Summer Camp offering small group coaching from coaches and pro riders on the glacier at Les Deux Alpes this Summer during this year’s in Les Deux Alpes (France) from 14th to 21st July.

From piste-only intermediate/advanced technique instruction (“Ski & Ride Progression”) for those not interested in freestyle… to full-on freestyle coaching in the massive Summer fun park for skiers and boarders, SnoTribe (part of Tourparty) has the coaching to guarantee progression for riders of all abilities over the week-long camp.

Next winter SnoTribe “Learn To Ski & Ride”, “Ski & Ride Progression”, Freestyle and Freeride Camps will again be run for people of all ages, girls and boys, men and women, beginner to elite/Pro. These will be offered at New Year 2008 in Les Deux Alpes, February Half-term 2008 in Laax (Switzerland) as well as at the now legendary Easter Camp 2008 in Les Deux Alpes.

For girls who want to learn away from the lads but not attend a ‘Girls Only Camp’ SnoTribe are offering ‘girls only coaching’ as part of their camps with female coaches.

SnoTribe also specialise in offering Youth Camps that are fully supervised 24/7 by coaches and counsellors, designed for young people aged 10 to 17 years travelling without their parents/guardians.

New Luxury and Basic On-Mountain Lodging At Snow Park NZ

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:58:59 GMT

Snow Park NZ will open New Zealand’s first on-mountain village this winter. The Snow Park Village incorporates luxury apartments, backpacker bunkrooms and a restaurant and bar. For the 2007 winter season the Village will be able to host up to 76 overnight guests with plans to accommodate over 250 in the next few years.

The brand new apartment complex at Snow Park is situated on the mountain enabling guests to ski/board to and from their front door. The complex incorporates four luxury apartments, each of which is furnished to the highest standard with a spacious living area, a kitchen equipped with all the mod cons and a large dining area which leads to a deck, complete with barbeque and private hot tub.

“There is nothing close to the kind of luxury available in a New Zealand mountain environment.” Said a Snow Park spokesperson.

There’s also new backpacker accommodation.

The new Woolshed Restaurant and Bar has a modern design and will serve fine Kiwi cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The large dining area seats 150, with an expansive sun deck over-looking the action at the Snow Park and the breathtaking mountain scenery beyond. The late night bar has two large open fires and large screens for live sporting events and movies.

Ski Challenge for Young European Skiers Expands

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:58:43 GMT

New for the 2007-2008 ski season, The North Face Ski Challenge will evolve into a pan-European qualifying tour, climaxing with finals in Val Thorens, France next April. A new development will also see the Ski Challenge now include category competitions for girls, as well as boys, aged 12-18.

“With the incredible response from the inaugural The North Face Ski Challenge, we knew we wanted to expand the Challenge in order to give young skiers from all across Europe—both boys and girls - a chance to demonstrate their unique abilities,” explained Patrik Frisk – VP/General Manager The North Face (Europe, The Middle East, Africa).

“With so many new ski disciplines—from big-mountain freeriding, to slopestyle and freestyle skiing—today’s young skiers face a different world than the primarily alpine-style world of their elders.” Mr frisk continued.

Frisk believes that national ski federations are struggling to keep up with the sport’s rapid evolution with a danger that contemporary young skiers get left behind.

“We are sponsoring the expanded Ski Challenge tour and finals to celebrate Europe’s undiscovered, young prodigies, and to give them a chance to rise to top of their chosen specialities,” he said.

For 2007-2008, the Ski Challenge tour will include nine grassroots-style qualifying sessions in both freeride and freestyle ski categories, running from November 2007 through to April 2008. Qualifying events are scheduled to take place in The United Kingdom, Spain, The Netherlands, Sweden, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Val Thorens, in the Trois Vallees region of France, will again host the finals for The North Face Ski Challenge, on April 12-13th, 2008.

Also new to The North Face Ski Challenge: all category winners will receive prizes and gear giveaways from The North Face. What’s more, the top two finishers in both boys and girls, 16-18-year old categories will win sponsorship contracts from The North Face.

A Basin Nearly Doubles In Size

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:58:25 GMT

Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, one of the world’s highest ski areas, is still open for the 2006-7 season, with the skiing set to continue through to June 3rd.

However next season should be still more exciting as the ski area will expand its lift-accessible terrain by 80% with a new lift in Montezuma Bowl. The Zuma Lift will add 400 acres and 34 new runs on intermediate and advanced terrain. The expansion will bring A-Basin’s total skiable acres to 900.

Arapahoe Basin has also opened Black Mountain Lodge, a mid-mountain restaurant and sports shop located at the top of the Exhibition Lift.

Adventure Talks in the UK This Summer

Snow Leopard — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:58:10 GMT

Retailer Snow + Rock, along with the Ski Club of Great Britain, are running a series of Inspirational talks at venues around southern Britain this summer, bringing some of the great and the god from the world of extreme sport and adventure to the stage, including some of the Britain's leading climbers, mountain bike racers and freestyle skiers.

In June and July there will be five summer adventure talks entitled ‘Living the High Life’. The evening talks aim to transport audiences from the summits of unconquered mountains to the world of mountain bike racing. All the speakers will be able to offer first class advice about their sports as well as sharing their inspirational stories, photographs and films of the extreme challenges they have faced to get them to the top.

The series begins on Wednesday 13th June with Dan Jarvis at Snow+Rock in Chertsey off the M25. Dan has managed pro race mountain bike teams as well as the Great Britain team. He is the voice of mountain biking on TV and travels the world commentating on world championships.

A week later on Wednesday 20th June, Nick and Chris Southwell bring snow sports to the fore at Snow+Rock’s Covent Garden branch in London. Based in Verbier, Switzerland Nick and Chris are at the cutting edge of freeride skiing and snowboarding. The fearless brothers have competed on the international ski and snowboard scene and last winter launched a new freeride event in Switzerland - the Davos/Klosters Ride . They are also two thirds of the skiing and snowboarding film company, Run Jump Fly.

On Wednesday 27 June, Rhys Jones will talk at Snow+Rock in Port Solent. Rhys is the youngest person ever to climb the seven highest summits on each of the world's seven continents. In May 2006, on his 20th birthday, Rhys reached the peak of Everest sealing his world record breaking achievement.

On Wednesday 4 July, Ian Parnell, is one of the UK 's top Alpinists, with several first ascents, will be at Snow+Rock, Birmingham. Ian summited Everest in 2005 as the official camera man on Ranulph Fiennes’ expedition. He is regarded as one of the UK top climbers and answers expert questions on Snow+Rock's website.

The final talk on Wednesday 11th July will be delivered by Kenton Cool, who last year became the first Briton to ski down from an 8000m peak. Currently based out of Chamonix and Everest Base Camp, Kenton will be at Snow+Rock, Kensington. Mr Cool has been climbing for over 14 years and has guided in Nepal, France, Switzerland, Italy and the UK. He is now one of the UK’s best known climbers and was nominated in 2003 for the prestigious Piolet D'Or Award in France. (An award given to the best alpine-style ascent of the year).

During the evenings there will also be the chance to win top prizes including a pair of the latest Rossignol skis, Icebreaker merino wool products and some of the Mountain Hardware kit Kenton Cool has used in his expeditions. There will also be 10% off at Snow+Rock on the night. Tickets cost £2 for which buyers will also receive a Respect the Mountains wristband from the Ski Club of Great Britain.