12th January 2012
From Teaching to Training
After a busy Christmas period Verbier has now settled down. There’s no better feeling than a relatively empty resort after two weeks of being hustled along 20 minute lift queues and picking your way down crowded slopes. I can’t complain too much as it meant the ski school was inundated with clients and every instructor was busy. I spent the majority of my week with the lovely Auckland and Sowray families. After a successful first morning on the beginners area, Les Esserts, we ventured onto harder terrain in tough snow conditions and by the end of the week both families enjoyed a successful day skiing the red runs around Savoleyres. Despite being stuck on the Savoleyres bubble for 50 minutes on the way down, it was a great end to the week.
The teaching was accompanied by yet more snow so every morning started with a quick lift check to see what was actually open and numerous phone calls to clients to make sure we made the most of whatever terrain was available. It was a great test of our Instructor skills during our first “peak period” and after 10 days without a day off I’m pleased to say we all survived the experience.
And so, now that the snow has stopped, the sun is out and the Christmas and New Year rush is over, it’s time to turn our attention to our own training…
Day 3 of our first training block and I feel like I’ve been in a tumble dryer on a fast cycle since Monday! I can safely say my muscles have never been as painful from skiing than they are now. However, despite difficulties walking up the stairs in our chalet, it’s great to feel the results of a good ski day. The leap from Level 3 to Level 4 has been made evident by the fact new muscle groups are starting to hurt! Not only that but every strand of our skiing – piste performance (short and long turns), steeps, bumps and variables – need to be more accurate, more precise and more dynamic and there’s little to no room for error. Our trainer, BASI trainer and Level 4 examiner, James Lister started with a day of tactics, teaching us to read our terrain and adapt our skiing to fit specific tasks he gave us for different runs. Despite very little technical feedback everyone had changed some part of their performance within the first hour. It was a perfect start to the week, preventing us getting too bogged down with individual technique. Since then we have started to develop our own performances and our training plans for the season are taking shape. Whether or not I’ll make it through to Friday without having to bathe in Ibuprofen Gel I just don’t know but I’m already looking forward to heading out again tomorrow!
28th December
Looking Forward
When I started writing this blog I planned on writing once a week (more if anything of note happens!) and all of a sudden I realize I wrote the last entry over a week ago. This can only mean one thing… the season has officially kicked off!
After I last wrote we had non-stop snow for a good 4 or 5 days and had completely free days to enjoy it! It was the best snow I’ve skied in years, the type of snow that makes you feel like you could ski anything and ski it well, the type of snow that we industry types like to call ‘hero snow’. We made it to Savoleyres for it’s opening day and were pleased to find a blank canvas – for the first 6 or 7 runs we enjoyed fresh tracks all the way to the lifts. Thanks to the fact it’s a bus ride away from the main bit of Verbier, it’s much quieter and surprisingly we didn’t have to fight many people off for the fresh snow. We also enjoyed some pretty tricky tree runs and there was so much snow that during one I somehow managed to fall and bury my leg to the point that my kind colleague Alex had to dig me out. I’m just glad he was skiing behind me otherwise I may still have been there now! As you can imagine in amongst all the powder skiing there was little time to write and brag about it…! To top off the week I finally got to meet the Tortin bumps – a huge open face which is currently a mix of bumps and chopped up snow which, when you look down at it, is an advanced skiers paradise. All that and I’ve still barely touched on the skiing available in Verbier!
And, of course, after the excitement of all the snow it was also Christmas. After a great night out with the New Generation Verbier team on Christmas Eve we had a lovely Christmas day enjoying glorious sunshine, lots of snow and two Christmas dinners. Eighteen of the team met for Champagne and Christmas Lunch courtesy of Le Rouge, straight after which I joined my adopted family for the holiday period – the Drechslers – for a delicious homemade feast. It was a great day to make up for not being at home with the family for Christmas, something that I’m yet to get used to!
Rather annoyingly, in amongst the snow and festivities I’ve managed to catch the chalet lurgie and have been battling a chest infection and a cough that resembles more of a bark for nearly 2 weeks. The social life has therefore been limited for the Christmas period. This is probably a good thing as finally the call for work came in and I am now working everyday. It’s not long until we start our Level 4 training so it’s great to get some work in beforehand. I struck lucky with three days of private lessons with two lovely French girls who seem to like itinerary routes and going fast! In return for teaching them to ski they’ve agreed to help me with my French… everyone’s a winner!
On an even more exciting note, we’re due a whopping 44cm of fresh snow today according to snow-forecast (let’s hope they’re right!). Next stop… New Year!
16th December
Getting to know Verbier
I’m currently sat in our chalet, unable to go skiing, all because there’s too much snow! There’s nothing better than the view from the window being a blanket of white.
It’s been a busy week but we’re finally all settled into the resort. The weekend was spent in Courchevel meeting the rest of the New Generation team from the 9 other resorts across the Alps. Each resort did a small presentation to introduce their team and what goes on in their resort. Highlights included Tignes’ montage of powder skiing and the Xgames, and Serre Chevalier’s life size version of the Generation game – more appropriately called the “New Generation Game” – complete with a conveyor belt and a cuddly toy! We picked up our uniforms and the following day we met up in our Greens for a team ski. The conditions in Courchevel were great – good snow, sunshine and quiet slopes. The strangest part of the weekend was joining my first ever trainer, Courchevel’s Pete Miles, for the team photo in the same uniform… we’ve come a long way since he first taught me how to demo a perfect Snow Plough!
Then it was on to Verbier where the Snow had started to fall (and it hasn’t really stopped since!!). Now, I’m not complaining, but our poor Instructor Manager, Tom, had his work cut out when he tried to do a resort orientation in next to no visibility. We were a little suspicious that he was just taking us down the same piste over and over again but giving it different names. Not that it would have mattered anyway – we wouldn’t have noticed! We’ve had the chance to ski all week so we’ve managed to explore and we’re getting to grips with our new resort.
It’s been a non-stop week of unpacking, skiing, meetings, paperwork and meeting the seasonnaires, most of whom seem to have been here for years! It shows the pull of the resort when so many people return year on year. In amongst all this we’ve found time to put up our Chalet Christmas tree… big thanks to Mum for “christmas in a bag” for helping our chalet feel festive!
And now, after waiting for snow for so long it’s finally arrived to the point where we’re overrun with the stuff! By the weekend the temperatures are due to fall and the sun is set to come out. So anyone due to come out for Christmas (the Drechsler family in particular!) are in for quite a treat!
And then there was snow........
After a nail-biting wait for anyone working or due to holiday in the Alps, I am happy to confirm that the snow has finally arrived! Although I’m sure that anyone with a Facebook account and friends in the Alps will already know this as status updates have been rejoicing all week!
Due to the snows arrival week two of race training has been a mix of poor visibility, numb toes and a cheeky bit of frost nip to the nose. All more than made up for, of course, by the fact that white flakes are falling in large numbers from the sky. You know it’s going to be a good days training when you arrive up the hill and are told by the coaches to go and do a few laps to enjoy the snow! The coaches, Gherado and Lyn, took full advantage of the poor visibility and gave us a set of drills to help us feel whether or not we’re balanced. As Gherado accurately put it, if you’re not having to fight to stay balanced, you’re not going fast enough! So we took on the thick snow, on race skis, without poles, arms folded across our chest as we tackled our steepest training pitch, all with just a couple of metres of visibility. As you can imagine, if you can stay balanced in these conditions, you can stay balanced in anything. Unfortunately that means no excuses when it’s back to groomed pistes and blue skies! It was a great training session and we felt even more like heroes as the national teams we share the glacier with had decided not to face the weather.
Last day of race training and I have to say I’m quite sad to have to put away the race skis. It’s probably a good thing I’m not booked onto a Eurotest as yet – the past few weeks have highlighted the high standard of racing demanded, a standard I could only dream of reaching after just two weeks. I’ve ticked the boxes I wanted to tick though – I feel more comfortable in the gates and on my race skis and it’s been comforting to see an improvement in my skiing in the video analysis sessions – all steps in the right direction. Following the cancellation of this weeks Alps D’huez Eurotest due to lack of snow the recent snowfall should ensure that the test in St Christoph on the 18th goes ahead. So all I’m left to say on the racing front is good luck to the team – Andy, Adam, Jake, Jules and James – we look forward to celebrating with you all in Verbier!
Time to pack our bags and say goodbye to Austria as we head to Courchevel for New Generation's instructor "welcome weekend". Impressively, it only took a giant 30 minute game of tetras to pack up the van this time. It's funny how the amount of stuff you need for a ski season triples as soon as you decide to drive rather than fly out to the Alps....
05th December
It started with a road trip….
Two drivers, one van, one ferry, 918 miles and 17 hours later we arrive in Hintertux, Austria to welcome in the 2011/12 winter season. It was questionable whether deciding to drive most of the journey through the night was a good idea but, despite having to whip out the emergency GPS on James’s Blackberry on our third lap of Brussels city centre, it was actually quite a painless journey! Our biggest success though was discovering, on emptying the van, that between three of us we’d managed to pack 2000 teabags for the upcoming season… we are now safe in the knowledge that there’ll be no brew droughts in Verbier.
After spending Saturday catching up on lost sleep and settling back into the Alps it was straight in at the deep end on Sunday. We joined the 20 or so other racers for the ATC Eurotest training on the glacier, more fondly known as “Top Gun” race camp. Time to find out if I’d retained any ski fitness after arriving back from a seasons teaching in New Zealand 6 weeks ago. It turns out that 3 nights a week on the neighbour’s cross-trainer (thanks to the Downes family!) and drying my hair every morning before work whilst trying to remain balanced on my balance board (all in the name of proprioception) couldn’t stop the onset of sore calves and a stiff back after day one. Despite this, it was great being back on skis and we eased ourselves into the gates by using our “shop GS” skis. Having arrived 2 weeks after the race camp started it was pretty intimidating joining a team of racers already very competent in the gates but, like everyone, we had to start somewhere.
Day 2 and we decided to let the FIS GS skis loose (FIS skis being those that meet the requirements for racing set by the International Ski Federation for those not familiar with the term!). After hearing horror stories of your first run on FIS GS skis resembling Eddie the Eagle being shot from a cannon they were actually great fun. I was advised to buy the Rossignol FIS skis as they are slightly more forgiving for the female skier and even though they are longer and stiffer than any ski I’ve skied before they were surprisingly malleable and it was a huge relief to find I could actually turn them. It wasn’t long before we were building up our speed tolerance and carving down the easiest run we could find on the Glacier whilst we got acquainted with the skis.
Day 3 and it was time to take the FIS skis in the gates. After spending the first part of the morning working on tactics and choosing a good line through the gates I was finding more and more time to actually work the ski. Beforehand they had just been taking me for a ride whilst I watched gates fly by! In the second part of the session we had our first attempt in a start gate, complete with timing equipment. I’m pleased to report that between my first and second attempt I managed to shave 0.5 seconds off my start time. Now, this may not sound like much but anyone with any experience of racing knows that every millisecond counts in a race that you could lose by 0.01 of a second. It was great to feel the improvement between the two runs, although the less said about the 3rd attempt the better! It was at that point it was time to call it a day. With the 3 days on, 1 day off routine it was time for a day off. By day off I mean a brief lie in, a quick road trip down to Mayrhofen, some stretching and a lot of ski tuning. My “support team” (consisting of the two Wheeler boys, James and Sam) have decided it would greatly benefit my gates skiing if I put on a few pounds so this evening will be spent trying to avoid being force-fed protein shakes by Sam as he puts together a timetable for my 6 meals a day. Ah, how great it is to have a taste of the lifestyle of a racer…!
04th December
All about Amy
I love skiing, I love the mountains and I’ve always loved working with people. It didn’t take a rocket scientist (or a career advisor!) to work out that pursuing a career as a Ski Instructor could be suitable path to take. So, after graduating from the University of Manchester, that’s exactly what I did…
For the past three years I have spent my winters training in the Three Valleys in France, during which time I have achieved my ISIA (or BASI level 3) qualification. This means I have not only passed the internationally accredited ISIA standard for the technical aspect of skiing, but also the Level 3 standard in Teaching, Mountain Safety and Levels 1 and 2 as a Development Coach. All at the reasonable price of no summer for 3 years!
Along the way I’ve tried to gain as much experience teaching as possible and have had the pleasure of spending the last two years in an endless winter; teaching in Italy whilst training in France during the Northern Hemisphere winters, and teaching at Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand, for the Southern Hemisphere winters.
This season I will be working for New Generation Ski School in the Swiss resort of Verbier as I face my biggest challenge yet… my final BASI qualification, the BASI Level 4 or ISTD. Training towards this will include more steeps, more bumps, more off-piste, more navigation and even a bit of ropework (?!) But first, the season kicks off with a road trip across Europe to Hintertux Glacier in Austria for a spot of race training in preparation for the notorious Eurotest (arguably one of the biggest hurdles of the level 4 involving a giant slalom race on a long pair of skis in your most aerodynamic Lycra!).
I hope that this blog will provide an insight into the real world of a Ski Instructor: life in the mountains; the ups and the downs of training and the people that make teaching skiing so worthwhile. But, perhaps most importantly, this is a final attempt to prove to my friends back home that this is, in fact, a proper job!
Amy Wardman
BASI Level 3 (ISIA) Ski Instructor
Development Coach Level 2
Telemark Level 1
22nd September
End of the Summer
Our BASI instructors all passed their level three exams and the only thing left is to do is their French interview and they are all Level 3 ISIA instructors. Sam James and Amy have all been offered a position with Ski New Generation in Verbier for the upcoming season. They will be combining training for their Level 4 ISTD with working as ski instructors for Ski New Generation. All of the team will be living in the village of La Chable which is one lift up to the Medran in the heart of Verbier. Amy's summer has been spent instructing out in New Zealand where she has been able to catch a couple of Rugby World Cup games before she returns to the UK to be reunited with Sam and James!!
Sam and James have been putting in the hours on their tractors earning as much money as possible in order to pay for all their exams, accommodation and living in Verbier. Sam and James had a result with tickets to an exclusive gig by Kasabian on board a Jumbo jet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLbqTxIu0vs&feature=relmfu
Amazing night had by all and thanks to all concerned especially the Waltons at Bruntingthorpe proving ground.
01st July.
Mid summer update
Well, a few glaciers are offering great skiing across the Alps and the Southern Hemisphere resorts have opened for the season. Not a great deal to report here At Snow Finders HQ. Our BASI instructors level 3 (yes they all passed) are enjoying some well earned time off with a visit to Glastonbury (wasn't Morrissey just superb despite not having the sound systems that the mega-hyped and over marketed receive?). The BASI boys are back on their tractors (yep, they're a couple of Carrot Crunchers) and Warders has made her way back oop north but it won't be too long before they are back in the grove and "off to enjoy the corduroy". Not long now until the football season starts (in fact it has started, Fulham played last night in the Europe cup) and with the mighty Leicester guaranteed automatic promotion to the promised land of the Premier league, I for one can't wait! Signings to date include Kasper Schmeichel, Neil Danns, and Lee Peltier; the latter causing some consternation with Nick Morgan at Leski (a life long Hudersfield fan). Other targets include the highly rated Mills (of Reading), Maynard (Bristol City), St Ledger (Preston), and Craig Makcail-Smith (Peterborough) amongst other. Well, watch this space and I'll "catch ya layder"
21st March
Week 10 of ISIA training in Courchevel
Training has finished for the Snow Finders team now and the rest is down to us. James is taking his BASI Level 1 in Telemark this week and it kicks off a long haul of exams for everyone.
The snow conditions look on the up with the weekend bringing us plenty of snow at 1600m and above and although getting slushy in the afternoons the mornings have brought some awesome powder skiing down the Grand Couloir.
The social side of Courchevel has taken a turn for the worse with a massive fire breaking out in 1650 last week and consequently shutting the Bubble Bar and the Boulotte for the rest of the season. The team are all over the place for the next few weeks with some of us in Italy instructing and some fine tuning their skiing here in the 3 Valleys. At the beginning of May we all head off to Hintertux for the start of our Teach and Tech exams and truly immerse ourselves into BASI.
08th March
Week 9 of ISIA training in Courchevel
Last but one week of training this week and things are really starting to come together for the team, we spent last week in rut lines throughout the week and it really has helped everyones skiing, a tough week but well worth it when going back into the bumps.
The weather has gone back to the default Courchevel conditions with blue bird days everyday and temperatures sky rocketing which means we have been sitting on the balcony in shorts and flip flops all weekend lapping up the sun, however the snow that has fallen is bearing up remarkably well and with more forecast for the weekend it should last for the rest of the season.
Mo March is in full swing with Tom from Fork Tree skis really setting the bench mark this year everyone has some serious catching up to do, lets hope lots of money is raised though by all involved.
The week ahead is very exciting for the Snowfinders crew with two days with Simon Bates, the top rank British bump skier which should be a real eye opener for us all. Watch out for the next Snowfinders video which should be up next week!
02nd March
Week 8 of of ISIA training in Courchevel.
Back to training this week for the guys and straight back into it with the fresh snow that has finally fallen in the 3 Valleys we hit the variable terrain hard, GS turns in chopped powder produced some amazing crashes but also some amazing skiing with balance being tested constantly.
All the hard work spending days mastering drills like Charlestones and Courmayeur Shuffles seems to have paid off though as with snow on the slopes things seem to be coming together for everyone, a special comment for Warders who is on fire this week even with man flu.
Social is booming as ever with Courchevel busy due to the French holidays, and a great night had by all English on Saturday night thanks to the England vs France Rugby match from Twickenham.
Mo March kicked off in the Bubble Bar in 1650 were everyone has to grows facial hair during the month of March to raise money for charity, so we expect to see some weird looking faces over the coming month.
22nd February
Week 7 Week 2 Instructing in Pila Italy
Another week of teaching is upon the Snowfinders team in Pila and with blue skies and fresh snow from the weekend, conditions are perfect. Once again all the team have awesome groups that are keen to learn and great fun which makes the week fly by.
The team had the day off on Sunday and visited La Thuile, it was hammering down with snow and the slopes were definitely taken advantage of with Gavlar pulling some gnarly lines through the trees. We crossed the border back into France and skied down to La Rosiere which was like an ice rink with 4 inches of fresh snow on top, so promptly returned to Italy and carried on with the tree runs.
Back to Courchevel and back to training next week for the team with fresh snow having fallen with a huge dump forecast for this weekend. With the season end not far away it is time to get our heads down and make those changes......
18th February 2011
Week 6 Instructing in Pila, Italy.
After a full on week of training last week with Roy Henderson taking the team into the back country and Tom Saxland giving us some tricks and tips on the teaching front, the Snowfinders team are in Pila, Italy to put the teaching into practice.
There is definitely more snow this side of Mt. Blanc and over the last couple of days more has arrived,but Courchevel has been graced with snow too we hear so all looks on the up. The week of teaching is going great for everyone with some great groups, all seem to be having fun including all the instructors.
Another week of teaching next to come for us all, and if it is anything like this week it should be a fun filled week.
07th February 2011
Week 5 of ISIA training in Courchevel
Another week and again, no snow to report. I’m afraid the experts say that due to a south easterly wind the snow is hitting the likes of Austria and Italy first and leaving France with nothing. Having said that the piste skiing is still holding up remarkably well which has to be down to the piste bashing teams here in the 3 valleys. The good news for the Snowfinders team though is that we will be making the road trip to Pila in a weeks time, to work instructing over the peak weeks of half term.
During last weeks training the team were hitting the bumps (moguls) hard in training,over in Meribel and we had some awesome crashes but thankfully no injuries. Saturday brought an afternoon with the new godfather of BASI Roy Henderson who has recently been appointed as product manager, this gave another set of eyes on our skiing and with another 3 days with Roy planned starting Monday some touring is on the agenda. A trip out of the top of Val Thornes giving us a 6km ski down into Pralognan is planned and even with the snow conditions as they are, hopefully we will be able to find some good descents.
01st February 2011
Week 4 of ISIA training in Courchevel
Another week is upon us here in the 3 Valleys and another week of training for the Snowfinders team, after spending last week working on all aspects of our skiing from high speed GS turns and punchy short turns to straight lining the bumps on the lower half of the Grand Couloir and seeing what happens. So this week we have started the training at a slightly slower rate of knots with a whole day spent on the Altiport trying to master drills like charleston's and the Courmayeur shuffle and then putting the elements of the drills back into normal skiing.
The sun is still beating down on us and seems to be staying for the near future as well, with no snow forecast we all seem to have stopped worrying about it and concentrating on the goggle tans. The social is still lively as ever with BYS (Bring Your Sisters) once again topping the performances of the week on Friday night but the Trois Tetes held their own at the Chanrossa in 1550 with some great crowd participation.
25th January 2011
Week 3 of ISIA training in Courchevel
The ice is taking hold I am afraid to say, the need for snow has never been greater here in Courchevel. The weather has been very much the same for the last couple of weeks clear blue skies and freezing temperature which is great for a cracking goggle tan but not so good for skiing.
The Snowfinders team have been training as always in the week, but with the weekend off took the opportunity to let their hair down on Friday evening and then ventured into unfamiliar territory on Saturday and Sunday with a spot of Telemarking and then a trip across the valley to La Plagne on Sunday where the snow is not much better unfortunately.
Once again snow is forecast for later in the week and over the weekend so fingers crossed we get it.
19th January 2011
Week 2 of ISIA training in Courchevel
It was true the freezing levels have risen this last week with temperatures feeling very comfortable...... too comfortable! Great if here on holiday for a week but the stones are starting to appear again and snow is needed in the long run.
Rumours they maybe, but snow is forecast for later this week hopefully. Second week of training for the Snowfinders team and all seem to be making progress despite Amy's paddies on the side of the slope this afternoon. Pat and Sam in the Dabello was the highlight of the week on the music front with guest a appearance from Sophie. Bumps are on the agenda again for the rest of the week so fingers crossed for all involved.
13th January 2011
Week 1 of ISIA training in Courchevel
First week of proper training this week for the Snowfinders team and a shock to the system for some. After the weekend celebrations for the passing of our Mountain Safety exam full days of skiing bumps and constant short turns means some early nights this week.
The weekend brought entertainment in the form of Bring Your Sisters playing in the Funky Fox in 1650, and once again they didn't disappoint with a keyboard being smashed to pieces and a lot of nudity.
We have finally had some snow though with everything back to white and all grass covered up again, how long it will last though is questionable with the freezing level said to reach 3250m on Friday!!
07th January 2011
Mountain Safety Course
Rain has been on the agenda in the 3 valley's the last couple of days, with the freezing level reaching up to 2000m and with the lack of snow it's exactly what we didn't want. Not to fear though temperatures are said to drop next week and hopefully, fingers crossed some snow will be delivered.
The Snowfinders team have had their Level 3 Mountain Safety exam this week and although we have been struggling to find fresh powder managed to find all transceivers when necessary and passed another module towards the ISIA qualification.
The Bubble Bar in 1650 is still holding it's own on the social front with the first Huck Cancer night of the year on Wednesday and one of the Le Ski team winning a pair of skis.
Next week marks the start of ISIA Level 3 training for the Snowfinders team so some busy times ahead.
03rd January 2011
New Year in the Three Valleys
Christmas has been and gone here in the 3 Valleys and we have had some brilliant clear blue skies over the last week, perfect for holidaymakers but the Seasonaires are crying out for snow. The Snowfinders team are on a Mountain Safety Level 3 exam this week so getting off the beaten track and trying to find some fresh powder where we can.
There is a Huck Cancer night in the Bubble Bar up in 1650 on Wednesday with some ski's up for grabs which will be very busy and everyone supporting a worthwhile charity.
27th December
Christmas has been and gone.
Father Christmas has delivered his present to Courchevel this year in the form of fresh powder which was certainly needed, and with blue skies on Boxing Day making it possibly the best skiing of the season so far. The Snowfinders team have been out on the hill all day ripping up the pistes which were groomed to perfection. The temperatures have dropped back down again so hopefully the snow will be here to stay and the forecast is for plenty of sun this week so some excellent days of skiing seem to be ahead of us.
The Christmas festivities brought the usual array of seasonaires in various forms of fancy dress with some truly awful Christmas jumpers on display and many people waking with a rather heavy heads to open their presents I’m sure.
24th December
Christmas Eve
Things seem to be settling down in the 3 valleys, seasonaires are into their routine and the bars are busy every night. With Christmas fast approaching and the World Cup been and gone Courch is preparing for the next spectacle, Christmas and New Year... If last year’s party on the piste in 1850 is anything to go by it should be an awesome week ahead.
Unfortunately snow conditions have taken a turn for the worse, with temperatures rising and the amount of people on the slopes, dodging rocks is on the agenda in some places. But the better news is that the forecast is for temperatures to plummet with new snowfalls on the way.
As for Ukrainian Oligarch Victor Pinchuck's 50th birthday the Snowfinders teams invite must have got lost in the post……….. and we have not been able to confirm that there was an ice skating horse but Christina Aguilera was spotted.
New year see us start the another part of our BASI level 3, Mountain Safety training………. more of that in the New Year. But for now its Merry Christmas to all of you blog readers from the Snowfinders team here in Courchevel
21st December
News update from Courchevel
After a weekend of snow falling, the clouds cleared for the start of the Christmas week, the Snowfinders team have been heading up the hill for days of sunshine and fluffy snow to play in. Temperatures of -10°c meant the snow has been super light and with the sun shining it has given us the perfect combination for an amazing day of skiing.
There has been a lot more activity on the slopes the last couple of days due to the Womens World Cup Slalom which was won by Austrian Marlies Schild and with the temperature rising it meant the Emile Allais Stadium was packed with spectators, and Courchevel didn't disappoint after 31 years of not having a world cup race here they certainly proved a point with parties as low down as Le Praz 1300m.
18th December
1st Blog from the Courchevel team
This week in Courchevel has been pretty quiet, although it is the first week of guests for many tour operators not all the lifts are open and the slopes are empty. The Snowfinders team have been taking full advantage of the skiing that can be done though and of the amount of snow that has fallen over the weekend. It was bitterly cold for the first half of the week and the slopes were ice and unforgiving in places but the end of the week produced masses of powder to get stuck into although visibility was limited at times, fun was endless.
The social life is also not into full swing yet but seasonaires still seem to fill Le Bubble bar in 1650 every night, Thursday evening brought the highlight of the week with Bring Your Sisters playing in the Boulette for Apres Ski and the Natives party in Le Bubble later on with lots of prizes up for grabs.
Next week is a busy week with the resort opening up fully and Courchevel hosting a stage of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup for the first time in 31 years, on the Emile Allais Stadium in Courchevel 1850. Also the very wealthy Ukrainian Oligarch Victor Pinchuck is having his 50th birthday on a private site near to 1550, with Robbie Williams and Christina Aguilera performing and tickets at £100,000 there may be some famous faces around next week. The best piece of gossip from the week though is that there will be an ice skating horse performing at the 50th birthday in 1550 how true its is we do not know but stranger things have happened up here.
17th December
The Snow Finders sponsored instructors have arrived in resort and are settled into their apartment that they are using for the season, snow conditions in the 3 Vallees are currently described as excellent with 16cm of snow falling last night, and temperatures are in the region of -8 to -9 degrees c.
10th December
The temperature has dropped
After a week of freeze/thaw conditions that have made much of the alps a 4/5 avalanche risk, the temperatures have dropped drastically with more snow forecast for the end of next week. So its looking like a great week for all those booked for Christmas and New Year. Some great bargains to be had over Christmas New Year and 1st week in January, give us a call 01858 466888, and bag a bargain!!
06th December
Snowfinders Sponsorship
We are pleased to be sponsoring two future ski instructors this season, helping with the costs involved in the training for and taking of their BASI Level 3 ISIA qualification. Check out the News page for full details. And remember if you spot the Snow Finders sponsored van in resort this winter take a picture and email it to us at sales@snowfinders.co.uk and be entered into a prize draw.
30th November
New Year discounts.
Great discounts have started to appear for the New Year week prices in Val d'Isere at £599 pp including flights transfers and catered accommodation thats reduced from £999pp. Also available Courchevel 1550 at the same price. Give us a call this is going fast.
18th November 2010
Its Dumping it down!!
Its dumping it down in the Milky Way between France and Italy 45cm (18") so far today. Pow Pow!!!
04th November 2010
Amazing New Year Ski Offer
Offers like this one come about rarely and it really is nearly too good to be true, but its out there and you better be fast because it won't be there for long. CHALET HOTEL LES AVALS in Courchevel 1650. Depature date 26th Decemeber 2011. WAS £995 Now £595 thats a massive £400 saving!! That includes flights transfers and catered accommodation for the week.
Don't delay called us now on 01858 466888
22nd October 2010
The Feeling at the Ski Show
If you happened to be at the ski show at Olympia this Wednesday you will have had the opportunity to see The Feeling play live at the Trois Vallees stand along with Sophie Ellis Bextor the wife of guitarist Richard Jones.
The Feeling earned their stripes and has its roots as a Ski resort covers band called Superfly, in Meribel and La Tania in 2003 and 2004. It was revealed in a podcast for The Times that the band had "blagged" their way into the La Tania residency, saying they could perform fifty songs when in fact they only knew six.
Last season, the Feeling returned to their favourite resort to play a free gig on the pistes of Meribel as part of the Little World Festival, a festival the band curated, and will be doing so for a second time in 2011. Joining ythe Ivor Novello award winners, the Feeling in Meribel for the Little World Festival will be Sophie Ellis Bextor, Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze and Graham Gouldman from 10cc, with more names to be added to the bill over the next two months. We heard last year the place was rocking with everyone loving the 70s' and 80's vibe from 10cc and Squeeze. Taking place from 12th - 19th March there will be 40 live gigs throughout the week and a wristband pass to access all the music at €95.
11th October 2010
Gossip Kick off the season in Ischgl
The Austrian resort of Ischgl has always had a big name act to open their season and this year is no exception with the US based indie band Gossip headlining. The concert is expected to attract 20,000 -numbers more associated with a city stadium than an open air winter concert in the Alps.
Ischgl's 5 month season opens on Friday 26th November with Gossip performing at dusk on Saturday 27th November in an outdoor arena in the shadows if the Silvretta mountains.
28th September 2010
Back to School
Now that the children are back to school after the long summer holidays, many of you will find your thoughts turning to next seasons ski holiday. Here at Snow Finders we are finding the half term and the Easter weeks very busy, with limited availability already. The New Year week, at the moment has plenty of availability but we predict there will be few late deals over the New Year ski week.
This year many of our operators are offering half price lift passes, 2 for 1 ski and boot hire and some even offering free lift passes in certain chalets on certain dates.
Another point of note is the increased interest in the 1st week of January, traditionally this week has been regarded as the cheapest ski week of the season but with most of the private schools not returning until the 10th January and the Russian new year during this week, it is proving to be a very popular date. There have been early season dustings of snow in some alpine resorts with Tignes receiving 5 cm at 2250 metres and Courchevel 9cm at 2300 metres. Hopefully these small falls of snow will continue, gradually falling at lower altitudes as we move towards the end of the year giving us another fantastic season for snow.
23rd Sept 10
Light the Wick
Fantastic new Teton Gravity Research film premieres in the UK
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Thursday 30th September 2010
Doors open: 7.00pm
Showtime: 8.00pm
Original tickets remain valid
Under 21’s require ID to purchase alcohol
Under 14’s to be accompanied by an adult over 18
05th May 2010
The Snow refuses to disappear
It may be May but temperatures are falling again in France and heavy snowfalls are expected in the Pyrenees over the next three days. It' a pity therefore that all the ski areas in that part of the country have now closed for snow sports.
However four leading resorts in the departments of Savoie and Haute Savoie are open for a final weekend - closing on Monday, May 9th. Here the French resorts still open until 9/05:
Chamonix Mont-Blanc is still open with 305cm (10.1 feet) of snow, while Orelle and Val Thorens at the top of the Three Valleys has 145cm (nearly five feet) and Tignes - which has been open for eight month since last September - 140cm (4.6 feet).
All French ski areas will be closed from next Monday onwards but three - Val d'Isere, Tignes and Les 2 Alpes - will re-open for a couple of months in the latter half of June for summer skiing and boarding.
(Thanks to Patrick Thorne)
07thApril 2010
Late Season ski news update
Fantastic news for all you late season skiers, the conditions at the moment are amazing for this time of year. With most European resorts having good snowfalls over the Easter weekend and temperatures remaining low. See below for some of the latest condition reports.
France. Snow fell right to base level in many resorts over Easter providing fantastic conditions.
Courchevel : Lower slopes 114cm Upper slopes 179cm
Val d’Isere : Lower slopes 102cm Upper slopes 193cm
La Plagne : Lower slopes 125cm Upper slopes 260cm
Austria. There is great skiing in the Arlberg region following a snowy weekend.
St Anton : Lower slopes 55cm Upper slopes 250cm
Ischgl : Lower slopes 15cm Upper slopes 100cm
Lech : Lower slopes 115cm Upper slopes 220cm
Italy. Cervinia and Courmayeur had big dumps this weekend. Sunny skies are expected this week.
Cervinia : Lower slopes 90cm Upper slopes 180cm
Courmayeur: Lower slopes 180cm Upper slopes 320cm
Champoluc : Lower slopes 50cm Upper slopes 120cm
Switzerland. Virtually all the large Swiss resorts received some fresh snow over the weekend.
Zermatt : Lower slopes 5cm Upper slopes 160cm
Davos : Lower slopes 30cm Upper slopes 200cm
Murren : Lower slopes 45cm Upper slopes 218cm
When skiing late season we enclose a few great tips from Al Morgan the Ski Club information mananger
Spring is our favourite time to ski. Milder weather, more sunshine, longer days and you can go home sporting some superb panda eyes!
Snow cover worries can be alleviated by opting for higher altitude or glacier resorts or those designated as "snow sure".
Try wider skis if you find slushy, and sometimes heavy, spring snow hard work. They can float on the snow more efficiently, making skiing easier.
Thinner socks are good if your feet swell with the heat as they can stop your boots feeling too tight.
Staying hydrated is important in warmer weather. Hydration systems work well allowing you to drink on the go without the hose freezing.
The best snow can often be found through the morning after the snow has softened a little but has not yet become too slushy. Take a late lunch!
Soft shells are more breathable than waterproof hard shells, so you don't sweat as much. They can also keep the wind off, even at altitude.
Good quality eyewear can really improve your skiing enjoyment and don't forget your sun cream
Remember Snow Finders has lots of great value for money holidays still left for that end of season trip so give us a call on 01858 466888
26th February 2010
Scotland receives best snow for a decade
Severe wintry weather has forced Scotland’s ski resorts to close temporarily on Thursday 25 February. All five are currently “stormbound”, reporting half a metre of fresh snow or more a piece overnight on Wednesday 24 February and into Thursday.
Glencoe reported the most snow on Thursday with 80cm received, followed by Cairngorm with 70cm, The Lecht and Nevis Range with 60cm each and Glenshee with 50cm. The onslaught has forced lifts and runs to close across the resorts and is also creating access problems with the mountain road currently blocked at Cairngorm Mountain.
As the outlined at ski.visitscotland.com the Nevis Range mountain workers are reporting heavy snow down to car park level – where eight inches of snow have collected – as well as “up to 5ft in the drifts” whilst at The Lecht there is “2ft of fresh powder snow drifting giving whiteout condition at times”. Glencoe reports “epic amounts of snow on the mountain (waist deep at the top of the access chair)”
The weather conditions may be challenging at present but when the snow lets up there will be some fantastic conditions to enjoy in the ski areas to rival those in early January. The Nevis Range said it expected “to have amazing skiing when the weather conditions improve” whilst Cairngom said “The new dump of snow will make the whole mountain a giant playpark”.
The snowy conditions are forecast to stay until Monday with dumps around 25cm expected across all five resorts over the course of Thursday and Thursday night. The snow is then expected to ease to light snow over the weekend before giving way to clouds on Tuesday and the odd ray of sunshine on Wednesday
24th February 2010
Fantastic Snow Conditions
Today sees continued good snow conditions throughout the Alps with most of the alpine countries producing some of the best skiing for many years. See below a brief resume of some of the most popular areas statistics.
The Three Valleys is in exceptional condition with 110cm on the lower slopes - 20 cm of fresh snow fell on the 19th February. Alpe d’Huez in the Southern French Alps have 126cm on the lower slopes and 20 cms of fresh snow fell on 20th February. Morzine in the Northern French Alps and at only 1000 metres village height has excellent conditions with 75cms on the lower and 210cm on the upper slopes. Italy has had the best snow conditions for many years with excellent snow depths throughout. Even the low Austrian resorts that clients worry about because of snow reliability have excellent skiing at all levels. Soll at only 700 metres has 75cm on the lower and 140 cms on the upper, an ideal opportunity to take advantage of some of the very prettiest and most interesting ski areas in the world.
12th February 17:01
Strike off!!
No need to panic the proposed strike is off. Negotiations appear to have been successful and fortunately for all the families going out for half term your skiing break is now not going to be ruined!!
12th February 13:25
Strike
We have just heard that there is a possibility of a Lift operators strike this weekend in the resort of La Plagne. After extensive searching on the internet the only snippet of information we have been able to glean is this quote hidden away on the La Plagne website.
“Dear Customers,
A notice has been given for a strike starting on the 14th of February,2010 to the Société d'Aménagement de la station de la Plagne, la Plagne ski area operator.
We are doing everything in our power to offer you the maximum number of ski runs accessible in safety.
Information in real time at ski passes sale offices.
The Management”
18th December 2009
Looking good for Tuesday
Our spy in Courchevel 1850 tells us that this morning the snow is bucketing down, Its not due to last too long but it will act as a much needed top up for the local pistes that have become very hard packed and in some places quite icy (not my idea of fun). The forecast is for huge snowfalls to begin early morning Tuesday 22nd December with up to half a metre due to fall. The forecast has proved very accurate so far this season and heavy snow will fall from Geneva in the West to Bratislava in the East covering pretty much all of the alps. Fingers crossed!!
09th December 2009
Ski Sunday is Back
There are many things that mark the beginning of the winter season and the return of Ski Sunday is by no means the least of them. In the latest series, which returns to our screens at 5.30pm on BBC2 this Sunday, with World Cup action from the Men’s Giant Slalom race in Val d’Isere.
The Audi Alpine FIS Ski World Cup 2009/10 tour has already visited four countries and five resorts and has seen some exciting racing. The Swiss Carlo Janka is currently head of the men’s leader board with 460 FIS points, while Lindsey Vonn of the USA is holding court in the Women’s competition with 389. British hope Chemmy Alcott currently holds 44th place overall and 15th place in the Women’s Super G.
01st December 2009
At last decent snowfall arrives in the Alps
On Sunday night 29th November, across the Alps huge snowfalls finally arrived with many resorts seeing 65cms falling by 9 am on Monday morning, and its still snowing. The Swiss resorts seem to have got the heaviest snow although France has seen excellent amounts falling in the Tarantiase with Tignes, Val d’Isere, and the Three Valleys seeing much needed heavy snowfalls. Midweek temperatures are set to rise slightly but by the end of the week we are back to low temperatures with a lot more snow arriving. Lets hope that it is here to stay!
24th November
Eureka Ski School Serre Chevalier
Gavin & Melanie Crosby of Eureka ski, the excellent ski school in the village of Monetier in the Serre Chevalier ski area are currently focusing on getting people into skiing, they want to attract first time skiers to Serre Chevalier and they will meet them in any of the villages – where they are staying i.e not specifically Monetier. Its called “Get into Skiing”. They are offering a helping hand with equipment hire and act as an in resort contact for any families, couples or groups who are on their first skiing holiday. For anyone wanting to get the most from their ski instruction we here at Snowfinders can highly recommend Gavin at Eureka ski “one of the best ski instructors I have ever skied with” was the comment made by one member of staff here.
19th November 2009
Ski carriage notification
We have been advised by the airlines that ski & board carriage will be policed strictly this season at all airports. Ski carriage can be pre-booked with us here at Snowfinders for all operators holidays and will be shown on the client’s invoice and final travel details. The airlines will be sent ski carriage manifests showing these details, and if anyone has not pre-booked ski or board carriage, the charge at the airport will be more than the pre booked price. The practice that we have all used in the past of putting two pairs of skis in one bag appears to have been rumbled by the airlines and certain ski operators and will this season be coming to an end. For those carrying 2 or more sets in 1 bag the airlines’ reps will check inside bags and charge for any sets of skis/snowboards which have not been pre-paid and do not appear on their ski carriage manifests.
13th November 2009
Great Deals for New Year and Half Term!
We are already starting to see some fantastic discounts coming through for two of the most popular departure dates of the season; New Year and Half term. Whilst it is very early to see offers on these dates this soon this is without doubt an amazing price.
We predict that the Half Term price of £679pp for a 3 star half board hotel in the Three Valleys that includes London Gatwick flights is unlikely to be beaten, certainly this far ahead of departure date!!
We have some amazing New Year offers on our books as well. As one would expect prices this discounted will not be around for too long.
New Year
Les Deux Alpes. Hotel Farandole. Was £1159pp Now £749pp
Alpe d’Huez. Hotel Royal ours Blanc. Was £1050 Now £759pp
Meribel /Mottaret. Hotel Le Mottaret. Was £1050 Now £750pp
La Tania. Hotel La Montana. Was £1030 Now £760pp
Half Term
La Plagne. Hotel Vancouver . Was £1159 Now £829pp
La Tania. Hotel La Montana. Was £999 Now £679pp
Meribel/Mottaret. Hotel Le Mottaret Was £1219 Now £809
Les Deux Alpes. Hotel La Farandole Was £1150 Now £819
Get your cheque book out and get yourselves a bumper deal!!
27th October 2009
Snow!! Snow!! Snow!!!
Great skiing can be found on the European glaciers on Monday. The cold weather is coming to an end but it has left the snow in excellent condition, especially across Austria. Lots of glacier resorts have opened more lifts over the weekend so there is plenty of great skiing on offer. Kitzbuhel in Austria recorded their earliest ever opening this weekend. A small area was opened for skiing on Saturday after the exceptional early season snowfalls.
AUSTRIA Up on the Hintertux glacier (20/150cm) 18 lifts are running on Monday. The snow is still excellent following the snow in previous weeks so it is a great time to be skiing on the glacier.The sun is shining on all our Austrian glaciers on Monday and the Stubai glacier (5/100cm) is no exception. Only seven lifts are running on Monday but lots of pistes are open and it is their quiet time of year.Sunshine is expected over Austria this week and it will be warm.
FRANCE Les Deux Alpes (0/20cm) has opened for this week before the proper start of their winter season. They are expected to stay open until Sunday when they will close until 28 November when the winter season will start. Selected runs on the glacier are open for skiing but it is fairly limited. The Grande Motte glacier at Tignes (0/5cm) still has limited skiing due to the low snow levels. Five lifts are reported to be running on Monday and the snow is cover is hard packed due to the low temperatures. No new snow is forecast for France this week but it should become sunny and warm.
SWITZERLAND Snow conditions on the Swiss glaciers are fairly good thanks to the snow and cold weather of the last few weeks. A few more lifts have opened on the glacier at Zermatt (0/80cm). The snow is typical of autumn at the moment, being quite hard in the morning and then slowly softening up during the day. Sunshine and warm temperatures are forecast all week on the glaciers.
ITALY 20cm of fresh snow fell on the glacier at Cervinia (0/80cm) on Thursday, providing excellent early season powder on Friday. They are only open for skiing on weekends at the moment but are expected to be open daily from this Saturday. There is also good skiing to be enjoyed at Val Senales (0/30cm). Fresh snow last week and cold temperatures mean the snow is in very good condition for the time of year. Six lifts are open for skiing on Monday so there is good access to the slopes.As with the rest of Europe this week, the weather is expected to be warm and sunny so should provide pleasant skiing weather.
NORTH AMERICA Summer skiing has finished on the Blackcomb glacier at Whistler in Canada. The winter season is due to start on 26 November 2009 Timberline in America is still awaiting that illusive snowfall to allow them to open. Good news could be on the way though as heavy snow is forecast for Monday and then light snow throughout the week. This could allow them to finally open their glacier again.
15th October 2009
Hermann Maier retires
Austrian Alpine skiing champion and Olympic gold medallist Hermann Maier has announced his retirement from skiing.
The Austrian broke the news in a news conference on Tuesday in Vienna, and attributes his decision to a knee injury he incurred last March.
He told BBC Sport "I came to the conclusion after a few days mulling it over that I should draw a line under my career as a ski racer as of today."
He added, "It was important for me to get healthy and so that's why I'm bringing down the curtain. It wasn't an easy decision, and it's difficult to let go. I'm ending a career which as a kid I could hardly imagine ever turning out better."
Maier has 54 World Cup victories and four World Cup titles to his name, as well as three World Championship gold medals and two Olympic gold medals won at the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan.
Famously, he returned to World Cup skiing after a motorcycle accident in 2001 in which he almost lost his leg. He came back to race on the World Cup circuit in 2003 and went on to win the super G and overall titles in 2004, earning him the title of the 'Herminator'.
In 2007, Maier won the Ski Club's coveted Pery Medal, which was handed to him by Ski+board Editor Armie Wilson in Solden. He told Arnie, "It is a great honour for me to receive the Pery Medal. I want to thank the Ski Club of Great Britain and President Robert Swan for this outstanding award. I am well aware of its importance. Looking at the list of persons who received the Pery Medal since 1930 makes me proud and humble. Being a member of such an illustrious circle gives me a lot of motivation and also the feeling of responsibility for our magnificent and beloved sport.".
29/09/09
BA Charges
From 7th October, skiers travelling as a group or as a family on BA will be charged if they want to choose their seats before they travel
The charges will also affect anyone who prefers a window, aisle or emergency exit seat. The charges will range from £10 per person for European economy flights, to £60 for long haul trips in business class.
The airline says it will "give customers more control over their seating options" but many aren't happy with BA's decision, with consumer group Which? saying it was "disappointing to see British Airways jumping on the bandwagon".
However, the additional charges are optional. If you pre-book your seat less than 24 hours ahead then you won't be charged, but you take the risk of there not being many or even any, seats left together.
The new charges are part of a range of measures being taken by the airline to make up for some its losses over the past year. Many airlines have been suffering from the economic downturn, and BA has lost £401m in the last financial year.
25/09/09
Gatwick transit closure to last all winter
Skiers using Gatwick airport this winter will be affected by the temporary closure of the transit service between the south and north terminals.
Gatwick airport is carrying out a huge overhaul of the transit service which was installed in 1987, as part of a £1bn investment programme.
Replacement buses will replace the transit service at Gatwick Airport from next week, so passengers who are switching terminals will need to allow at least an extra 20 minutes for their journey, possibly more if you are bringing ski, board or boot bags.
A replacement bus service will operate from the upper forecourt of both terminals every three minutes during the day (0400hrs - 1800hrs) and every six minutes at night.
Skiers planning on taking the train to Gatwick will need to take into account that the station is situated in the South Terminal. Low-cost airport transfer coach operator, easybus have recently issued a press release saying they will be 'coming to the rescue' of pasengers by offering the only direct public transport link from Gatwick's North Terminal to London during the seven month closure period.
Two new transit shuttles will come into service in May and July next year, and the new shuttle service will be fully operational by August 2010.
17/09/09
Les Deux Alpes up for sale ?
According to www.2alpesnet.com, the current lift concession holders Dal (Deux Alpes Loisirs) wants to sell more than half the rights to running the lifts in resorts, effectively giving up overall control of Les Deux Alpes.
Venosc Mayor Pierre Balme has said that whoever takes on the resort should show commitment to the much needed lift investment programme including replacing the 35 year old Diable cable car and the Venosc cable car project. The commune holds a 12% stake in the company.
Amongst the possible buyers are Compagnie des Alpes (who own other resorts such as Chamonix, Courmayeur, Meribel and Tignes but has just sold Verbier), Loisirs Solutions, Remy Loisirs Labellemontagne who looks after eight small ski areas and other consortiums.
17/09/09
Fresh Snowfalls in Europe
Fresh snow has fallen at the Austrian ski areas of Hintertux (55cm) and Mollta (90cm), and Hintertux currently has 9km of pistes open. There's 20cm of new snow in Kaprun (64cm) so they will be re-opening once the snow base is replenished.
Saas Fee (59cm) is also reporting a 2cm dusting of fresh snow on the glacier ski area, and Zermatt has also had a dusting, keeping the four red runs and two blue runs in decent shape for autumn skiers.
In France, autumn skiing is due to start in Les Deux Alpes between 24 October and 1 November and then lifts will open for the main winter season from 28 November. The Grande Motte ski area in Tignes will reopen for skiing from 26 September and neighbouring Val d'Isere opens for the winter season on 28 November.
Heavy clouds about the summer skiing area at Val Senales (80cm) brought fresh snow on Monday morning, and the new snow has refreshed the piste cover for skiers. Cervinia is currently closed, but the resort plans to reopen for weekend skiing from 10 October and then daily from 31 October.
First snowflakes of the season...
Well it's started snowing, it's settled, and it's thawed again! But, there's nothing like a little snow to get us all excited about the start of a new season. Despite the state of the economy skiing holidays are selling pretty well and overall most people in the industry are cautiously optimistic. It's a fact that flight prices are higher and that routes are far less adundant than a year ago so this is helping maintain prices. Couple this with the fact that tour operators have cut capacity (TUIski UK by 40% on committed bed stock) and we are already seeing that Christmas, New Year, half term, and Easter are selling out very very quickly: it seems that now the children have gone back to school the mums are armed and ready with credit card in hand to get that winter ski holiday booked.
We've seen some decent discounts come through recently with offers of £100.00 off per person over New Year and some great free and reduced prices for children. If you are committed to school holidays then don't be afraid to go on 10/11th of April. The snow will still be good if you pick the right resort and the weather should be fantastic with less people on the piste. I saw a bargain of a deal at the modern three star Hotel Lohmann in Obergurgl at this time of year. Including flights, transfers and half board it was coming out at about £680.00 pp as opposed to the week earlier at around £950.00 pp. i was in Obergurgl this April and skied with ease into the village right up until the end of the month.
This season Whistler is home to the 2010 Winter Olympics so availability in February is hopeless but go in January for some amazing offers. We have deals with free nights, complimentary upgrades into better superior room types, free food and beverage allowances and the resort has massacred the cost of it's early December lift passes. Hotel deals include the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, The Westin and the Four Seasons Resort amongst others. Throw in some fantastic airfare offers and there has never been a better time to ski my favourite North American resort.
Give us a shout and we'll have a good chat with you about ski holiday options for this season. You may have no idea where you want to go to but a chat with us and hopefully we'll inspire you into action! Bye for now, Mr Snow Finders.
