Lastest News

You have new mail! read the message just as I published the last blog. Into my inbox come pictures of our latest development in St Anton, Austria, the Mountainstar Lodge. This new development, situated just 250m from the Nasserein gondola will house Chalet Charon, Chalet Larissa, Chalet Thebe and Chalet Janus (my favourite chalet name in all the programme!).

The nice thing about these beauties is that each one will have a hot-tub and a sauna - so many of our chalets have these now that I am becoming spoilt!

The advantage of going overseas for meetings is you can pop in and see the progress of your new-build chalets! This time, I drove up to Val Thorens at 2300 metres to see how our new ski in/ski out chalet Mathilde, chalet Chloë and chalet Noella were getting on.

As with our other new builds, everything here is on time - a relief when you consider the large interest from people looking for good quality accommodation, something that Val Thorens lacks. As you can see, the roof is going on. Next step will be the windows and doors before starting the interior. Progress should be swift from here on in and we'll keep you updated with progress.

Exclusive ski chalets
This week we are taking a look at Italy and Chalet Matea. For those not familiar with the resort, Arabba is a beautiful village on the Dolomiti Superski Area. It offers easy access to the slopes including the Marmolada Glacier and very Italian-style apres ski based in the centre of the village.

Chalet Matea, Arabba, Italy
The Facts

4-5 minutes' walk to the lifts

Close to the village centre

In one building with Chalets Elena and Luka - ideal for groups

Ski room with boot warmers

All bedrooms with TV/DVD

Chalet Matea is on the second floor of this wonderful wooden clad chalet. If you are a group of 20-21 then we can combine it with Chalet Luka on the third floor and arrange for you to all take meals together.

The chalet has a lounge and dining room which is full of character with a log fire and two balconies. The bedrooms are well appointed and all have private facilities.

We are sure these will be popular because of the easy access to the skiing. It is just a short walk to the Porta Vescovo gondolas or the Burz chair-lift for quick access to some fantastic slopes.

The resort - Arabba
This village has a more Italian feel compared to the other villages of the Dolomites and it is one of the highest ski resorts in the region. It's ideal for keen skiers with wonderful snowsure pistes and the nearby Marmolada slopes. We would really recommend that intermediates and advanced skiers and boarders try the Sella Ronda Ski Circuit which is a tremendous day's skiing without ever having to ski the same piste twice (unless of course that you want to).

There is also a ski circuit following the sites of battles from the First World War.

The village centre of Arabba is based around the main square and the church and it is here that you find most of the shops, restaurants and bars.

Courchevel has announced that it will host a slalom stage in the Women's Alpine Skiing World Cup on 21st December. This is the first World Cup competition the resort has hosted for over 30 years and Courchevel's own "Club de Sports" will no doubt be cheering on the French team, for which they have provided 11 of the current members.

Welcome to the new weekly feature - Exclusive Ski Chalets. Following on from the NEW Ski Total brochure launching with 3 new resorts and 30 new chalets, I thought it only fit that we start featuring at least one new Ski Chalet a week throughout the summer to let everyone know about these great properties. Chalet Isba, Méribel, France The Facts

• New to Ski Total this year
• Great central location in Méribel
• Occupancy - 20/21 guests
• Approx. 5 minutes' walk (500m) to the resort centre
• Approx. 3 minutes' walk (300m) down to Doran piste to ski down to La Chaudanne lifts
• Outdoor hot tub
• Sauna
• Private cinema and a billiard room

The Chalet Isba Description Chalet Isba has to be one of the best located chalets in Méribel with exceptional chalet facilities. The nearest piste is the Doran at the Tourist Office and from here it is a minute's ski to the Chaudanne lifts and the ski school meeting place It is close to the village centre; that is if you can drag yourself away from the wonderful facilities that the chalet offers. There is a unique home cinema with comfy sofas and a large screen where you can play your DVDs. More Chalet Details... The Resort - Méribel The Méribel area supplies an endless variety of terrain, both on and off-piste, whilst the resort is liberally sprinkled with attractive chalet-style buildings of local stone and wood and has a true village ambience. Bars, restaurants and resort facilities are first rate and along with excellent provision for families and some of the best nightlife in the Alps, this is a resort with more than enough attractions to go around. Méribel and other Ski Chalets

Work on our new ski in-ski out chalet La Brêche in Alpe D’Huez is underway with the Bobcats digging the foundations this week. Progress will be quick once the lower level is built because the upper two floors of the chalet are built from Scandinavian-style logs that slot together like a jigsaw – this is no Ikea flat pack however; these are beautiful, stylish and luxurious chalets that come with a slightly more complicated instruction booklet! With our sister company Esprit's Chalet Hotel Mariandre open this summer, (see www.espritfamilyadventures.com ) we’ll have regular updates from the staff there, so watch this space.

We are delighted to launch our new 2010/11 ‘Crunch-Buster’ Special Edition brochure today, with an unprecedented increase in quality properties and resorts. Adding three new resorts; Ischgl in Austria, Arabba in Italy and Alpe d’Huez in France, Head of Marketing, Moira Clarke, comments “This is the season we have responded to our guests’ feedback and adding these three prestigious resorts to our programme is a really exciting step. We are sure that our 31 new properties, many of which are being built specifically for us, will also hit the right note with our guests.” This new brochure has even more premier properties with 30 new chalets and 1 new Chalet Hotel for this season. Indeed the new brochure now contains 102 chalets and 7 Chalet Hotels. With most offering log fires, hot-tub, sauna or even a swimming–pool these are quality properties in the top ski resorts of Europe. Ski Total also have extended their ‘Crunch-Buster®’ deals for next season, a wide range of money-saving and value-added offers with 2 for 1 deals on ski and boot hire and special offers on lift passes in addition to Cash-Back deals off brochure prices in every resort. These combine to offer couples savings of up to £500 against last year’s equivalent prices, all designed to help skiers obtain maximum value. Ski holiday prices start from £359 per person at Chalet Matterhorn in Méribel, France, departing on 12th December 2010, including £180 per couple Cash-Back off early bookings, return Stansted-Geneva flights, transfers and seven nights’ chalet accommodation with daily hot & cold breakfast, plus afternoon tea and four-course evening meals with wine, coffee and chocolates included, six days per week. Clarke continues “The growing reputation of Ski Total enables us to work closely with owners and developers, for example four of our new chalets in St Anton have been built exclusively for our guests and to our specifications and are each equipped with their own sauna and hot-tub and situated in a stunning location in the resort.” Request your priority of the new brochure by clicking here.

Altitude Festival, Meribel 20th-26th March 2010. This festival boasts stand-up comedy from some of the UK's most popular performers, plus screenings of comedy films and live music throughout the week. This year's line-up includes performances from Newton Faulkner, comedy from Phil Jupitus and music from DJ Yoda. For more information visit Altitude Festival.

As four new restaurants enter the Michelin Guide! The resort of Courchevel, already appreciated and recognized over the world for its three restaurants in the Michelin guide and the variety of its gastronomy - with some 70 restaurants - is pleased and proud to announce that four new restaurants are rewarded by the Michelin guide : Two Stars goes to the 'Pierre Gagnaire Pour Les Airelles' and 'Le 1947'. One Star has been awarded to 'Il Vino d'Enrico Bernado' and to the 'L'Azimut'. As well as these new awards, Courchevel already had three restaurants with Michelin Stars; Le Chabichou and Le Bateau with 2 stars and La Tabledu Kilamanjaro with one. Your Ski Total Representative will be delighted to book you a table on your Chalet Host's night off should you wish.

This season sees the first gastronomic festival take place in the resort, in the form of “PISTES GOURMANDES, la cuisine pure”, a pioneering event celebrating French and international cuisine, with an emphasis on sustainable development. Between the 15th – 20th March 2010 Val d’Isère will be welcoming a number of the greatest names in French and international gastronomy for a six day festival taking place in various locations around the resort. PISTES GOURMANDES, la cuisine pure aims to increase awareness of organic farming, fair trade and sustainable development as well as delighting foodies and their tastebuds. In recent years Val d’Isère has become a gastronome’s paradise with a tantalizing collection of critically acclaimed restaurants including the Michelin-starred La Table de l’Ours. The town is also undertaking long term investments aimed at limiting the impact of its activities on the local environment, making it the perfect location for a gastronomic event combining cuisine and sustainable development! The six day event will be attended by chefs including Yves Thuries, Guy Martin, Michel Roth and Jacques Pourcel and will include cookery workshops for adults and children. Themes include smoothie making, cuisine of the Ardèche, Loire and Drôme regions, l’escargot and all things chocolate! Events will take place around Val d’Isère at locations including the Town Hall, Les Barmes de l’Ours, l’Aigle des Neiges, the Tourist Office square and the Children’s Village. For a full schedule of events please visit www.valdisere.com. To participate in a cooking lesson, visitors should go to the Tourist Office to book. Cooking lessons cost 35 Euros/per hour for adults and 20 Euros/per hour for children; Wine Tasting costs 20 Euros/per hour. Other events are free of charge.

Only a week to go before the ‘Winter X Games’ arrive in Tignes in France!
For the first time ever, this spectacular extreme sports competition from the US is landing on European slopes, and where better than Tignes to host this flagship event?

Can Brit snowboard sensation, Jenny Jones, defend her Gold Medal this year in the Slopestyle event, to make it two years in a row for the only British rider ever to win the event? Jenny is pretty much flying the flag alone for the UK, so certainly deserves our whole-hearted support!

Read the full story on www.extreme.com, where you can also watch all the action LIVE online. The programme runs from the 10th-12th March 2010. The groundwork for the Superpipe for the event was constructed way back in August, to match the spectacular set-up in the X Games’ home in Aspen, and with the snow across teh french Alps in great condition right now, will be completed this week ready for the games.

Visit the official X Games website winterxgameseurope.canalplus.fr for full details and a schedule of all the events.

Sandwiched between the BAFTA’s and the Oscars, don't forget the launch of Ski Total’s new 2010/11 Privilege Preview Edition brochure, with our MD, Andy Perrin, likening the past, present and future ski seasons to the three parts of a blockbuster cinematic trilogy. “Looking back at 2008/09” he said, “we had ‘Recession 1: The Perfect Storm’, where the ski market was hit from all sides, by the banking crisis, job insecurity and the collapse in sterling. Tour operators effectively paid skiers to go on holiday last year, with thousands of places sold for less than they actually cost to provide. “This winter, now halfway through, we’re seeing ‘Recession 2: The Reality Check’, featuring massive capacity cuts across the whole market, and the introduction of our exclusive ‘Crunch-Buster’ deals, designed to keep skiing affordable in these testing times. “And today we are launching ‘Recession 3: Return Of The Crunch-Busters!’ The tide is slowly but surely turning, but it’s still tough out there, and we remain absolutely committed to giving our early booking guests the best possible deals. So the Crunch-Buster deals are back, bigger and better than ever, with a whole basket of money-saving incentives for skiers booking now for next winter.”

The traditional horn sledge race is approaching fast!! On the 27th Feb take the opportunity to test yourself in a traditional yet demanding and fun sledge race. You can borrow a sledge, styled with horns for the occasion! The course is marked out along the piste, then in teams of two’s or three’s (A leader, brakeman and runner/ pusher) you race to the finish in the quickest time possible. The winner is decided by the shortest time difference between the two runs.The medal ceremony afterwards is an opportunity to try some of the local cuisine and experience a traditional Swiss festival.

What a race that was yesterday! The Women's Downhill certainly tested the verve, skill and stamina of the best in the world and what a great run by Chemmy Alcott. Her finishing place of 13th may not have put her in the medals but considering the number of other racers who variously bounvced and ploughed their way down the track, she did Team GB proud. Many of our resorts have race areas where Ski Total guests can test there own race nerve - but not at the speeds of yesterday for sure!

Today you can join the Carnival Parade at 6pm, leaving the Falaise area to arrive in Jean Vuarnet Square. Buy you Carnival masks first from the Tourist office. After the Parade you can enjoy a glass or two of free mulled wine before going on to watch the Torchlight Descent by the ESF ski instructors at 7pm, where more free mulled wine is on offer in the Cablecar Square!

Every Tuesday and Thursday in Saas Fee this adventure climb can be tackled where you will walk/climb through the wild, rugged gorge between Saas-Fee and Saas-Grund. You climb through the Fee gorge between Saas-Fee and Saas-Grund using "tyroliennes" (cable pulleys), hanging bridges, ladders and steel cables. The highlight of the trip is riding on the exciting cable pulleys and swinging between the rocks. Book this adventure through your Ski Total Rep.

On our staff night off, on a Thursday why not enoy a special evening at the Nederhutte? Their staff will pick you up in the village with their snowmobile and take you up to the lodge. Once there, you can enjoy grilled raclette or meat fondue. Start at 9.00 p.m., there's live music with the "Nederlumpen" Rudi & Manni. After a memorable evening, they will hop on the snowmobile and bring you safely back down to the valley below! Book through you Ski Totla Rep in resort.

The St Anton insiders' skiing tip, Rendl, moves closer to the village centre. The new construction of the Rendl Lift marks a small revolution in St Anton's winter sports offerings. Galzig, Kapall & co. now have friendly competition thanks to the more centrally located Rendl base station. Skiers and snowboarders will be simply delighted with the "new" opportunities. The Rendl has always been an insiders' tip amongst St Anton's connoisseurs. Those who discover it can enjoy wonderful slopes and descents in abundance. Due to its location in the past, substantially fewer guests found their way to the Rendl base station and missed the superb piste quality of St Anton's north and west facing slopes. However, its wallflower existence endsnow as skiers can now enter the new Rendl base station less than 150 metres away from the Galzig lift, directly above the bus terminal at the west end of the village.

This event takes place tomorrow, 3rd February. Teams of two race from mountain restaurant to mountain restaurant in an event organised by the Ski Club of Great Britain. Good luck to the Ski Total team!

Les Gets has a great prorgramme of activities every week for its guests. Try your hand at goat milking or go and watch traditional cheese is made int he mountains and taste some too! Every Thursday there's also a traditional Savoyard market in the Marais car park. And for chocolate lovers there is a Chocolate workshop in the Salle de la Colombière whilst beer afficionados will enjoy the guided tour of the Irish Pub’s micro-brewery. Colin invites you in to discover a brewer’s job and the only beers made in Les Gets. Every Friday and Sunday THE INDIANS AND HUNTERS invite all children to take part in their treasure hunt on skis on the Grand Cry Reserve.

Is he here for business or pleasure? That we don’t know but Heston Blumenthall has been sighted throughout Val d’Isere this week. Rumour has it that he is thinking of opening a restaurant in town but time will only tell.

This evening the main street of Val comes alive with music from DJ 'Elixer' and hot drinks in the Tourist Office Square, ice carving displays in Val village and street entertainement "les Jardin des Does". A fun open-air way to spend the early evening.

For the sixth time, Lech is hosting the open air "Bregenz Festival on the Snow" on January 28 & 31, 2010. The programme for this year is “Giuseppe Verdi in the Snow”, presenting the highlights of the Italian composer’s work. Work is underway preparing the outside stage and this is taking place just below our Alexandra Hotel on Thursday and Sunday next week at 6.15 pm. Let yourself be amazed by this riveting performance of light, fire and passion on a tremendous stage setting consisting of several hundred cubic metres of snow and ice!

The European Cup Slalom and Giant Slalom take place in Méribel on the 8th and 9th February this year, so not only can you pick up some tips from watching the experts but you can pick up a bargain ski holiday for yourself! Travel with us on the 7th Feb and save £120pp staying at Chalet Cote d’Arlin (01252 618 333 www.skitotal.com). Price per adult is £499pp (was £779) for seven nights departing Stansted 7th February (regional flights available at a supplement). Price includes flights, transfers, 3 days free ski hosting and a week's catered accommodation with four course dinners and wine on six evenings.

Across the Alps the slopes are in gorgeous condition with plenty of well-groomed pistes with light fluffy snow layering the surface. More snow is forecast overnight tonight, continuing into tomorrow. The heaviest snowfall is predicted tomorrow night (Christmas Eve). The end of the week is looking extremely promising for powder ski buffs and conditions are going to be good for those lucky guests arriving next week!

Over the weekend plenty of fresh snow fell across the Alps with lots more forecast still to come this week. All our resorts are reporting good coverage with several of them either already open (Tignes has seven lifts and five runs open and in both Zermatt and Saas Fee the glacier runs are open) or about to open (Obergurgl plans to open this Friday, the 13th!). The weather has definitely turned with good cold fresh temperatures across the board and more snow is on its way this coming weekend.

Fresh snow and plenty of it has fallen over the Alps in the past few days and more is in the offing. Temperatures have dropped and will continue to drop over the next week so that the ground should hold the snow well and prevent too much melting before the next snowfall. Selva val Gardena has seen the best of the snow with 20-30cm in the resort and more than 40cm higher up the slopes. Val d’Isère has 5cm on the ground with 15cm higher up and most other French resorts are reporting similar conditions. Switzerland and Austria, who both had snow storms in October, are reporting snow back down to resort level with Lech being particularly well covered. News on the ground is that tonight snow will fall and settle to 900m.

The first powder alarm of the season was set off in Saas Fee last Wednesday when 20cm of fresh snow fell. Across all the mountain tops of the Alps snow has fallen over the past few days and furhte renhanced the glaciers that are already open or about to open for the start of the 2009-10 ski season.

A new gondola in Italy’s huge Dolomiti Superski is a world first, the resort claims. The 10 seater “Marchner” cableway will have a capacity of 3,000 skiers-per-hour and the cabins are fitted with what the resort describes as, “elegant heated leather chairs.” The lift replaces a detachable chairlift which is being removed, but the route has been modified so that, unlike the previous structure, it has an uphill station close to the downhill station of the Belvedere lift.

Val d'Isere's new leisure centre is ready and waiting! Visitors to the resort this year will be able to relax and make use of the many facilities the complex has to offer - swimming pool, play pool, climbing area, multi-activity sports hall, fitness room, weights room, squash courts, well-being area and sauna, Turkish bath, spa, cold baths and hydro-massage. Plenty to keep you busy in your time off the slopes!

Ski Total has launched it’s well timed ‘Crunch Busters’ special edition brochure for Ski 2009/10. Available to all early-booking guests there are some fantastic savings to be had off your next seasons dream chalet holiday. With savings of up to £500 per couple these deals can’t last, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Saas Fee in Switzerland hosts the annual summer Ride event which attracts many of Europe's top free-skiers to the Allalin Snow Park on the Saas-Fee glacier on Saturday, July 18th. Highlights of last years event were seen by many and showed how good summer glacier skiing can be. The discipline this year is Big Air as well as Rail jam sessions. Saas-Fee is a great location for the competition as the glacier is north facing which keeps the snow in great condition.

We have made the decision to no longer offer Chamonix in our ski product we could not change this in our Family Adventures product as this is such a firm favourite with some many traveller. This of course can be understood with some of the most breathtaking views of the mountains along with the greatest selection of activites and outside events

UNESCO has added Italy's Dolomite Mountains to its list of World Heritage Sites. The U.N. agency announced the decision at a meeting of its World Heritage Committee in Seville in southern Spain.

Tignes is the second French resort to open for summer skiing. To celebrate the resort staged a bikini ski event in which a small number of enthusiasts took to the snow slopes clad only in swimwear and ski boots! The ski area will be open for the next 10 weeks through to 30th August from 7.15am to 1pm daily. The Perce-Neige underground funicular lifts skiers to the glacier in only seven minutes where a dozen ski lifts are operational.

Our 2009/10 Ski Preview guaranteed our lowest brochure prices, fantastic group discounts, your Ski Total Loyalty Bonus and FREE child places and was due to expire yesterday. But there is GOOD NEWS!! As our main edition brochure is not quite ready for printing, we are able to extend virtually all our special low Ski Preview prices and big group discounts for a little while longer. So if you missed the 28th May deadline, don’t worry! - you can still secure an early booking bargain with us if you book within the next couple of weeks. As soon as the new brochure arrives, its new Main Edition prices will supersede the current special Ski Preview deals, so click here to vist our website and book securely on-line at a time to suit you, or call us now on 01252 618 333 to make sure of your top choice holiday at the lowest possible price!

Take advantage of this excellent early booking deal and receive 2 local lift passes in Meribel, Val d’Isere, Zermatt, Saas Fee & Obergurgl for the prices of one! The offer is available on all dates except 13th, 20th & 27th December 2009, 14th February 2010 and 4th April 2010 and is valid until 5pm, Friday 15th May 2009.

Our 2009/10 ski holidays are ready for booking and for reservations made by 28 May our lowest brochure prices are guaranteed with our biggest Group Discounts. Loyalty Bonuses are also available if you have travelled with us twice before - as an individual you are eligible for a Loyalty Bonus Discount of 5% off the brochure price. If you are part of a Group then there is a Group Loyalty Bonus of a free lift pass for the Group Leader (individual Loyalty Bonuses do not apply to groups). Plus for early bookings we offer FREE ski or snowboard carriage. Last year our early booking guests saved up to £340 per couple so don't let this summer slip by and miss the savings you could make - book now!

The 13th edition of the Adventure and Discovery Film Festival will take place from April 20th to 23rd 2009 in Val d’Isere. Approximately ten films will be in the running for one of the prestigious titles in this Festival, which also includes exhibitions, question and answer sessions with the adventurers and a specially-created village full of surprises. It is an unmissable event during the Easter holidays.

Once again, the breathtaking slopes of Mont-Fort, where the 200km/h speed barrier was broken for the first time in Switzerland, will be the venue for the XspeedSki Open race.

Tignes Fest accommodates young artists in Tignes: live electro, punk, funk, rock... it's a musical cocktail of live bands, electronic, DJs and acoustic sets. With Tignes Fest the aim is to help find and support new talent, provide a platform for promotion and encourage the new artist!

Open to all - pros or sporting amateurs - and to all forms of skiing and boarding for discovering the Three Valleys ski area in a fun, sporting and festive manner.

At Courchevel 1650, a derby-type race is set and open to all. The race departs from 2500m and finishes at 1600m - Ski, snowboard or Telemark; down the course but helmets are compulsory. The price giving and celebrations start at 7pm and will no doubt carry on into the evening.

Measuring 6km in length – and with its start zone located at the foot of the imposing Peclet Glacier at 3000m in elevation, the playful Toboggan course features banked turns and variously angled pitches. In the same way as a well-maintained highway, the course is patrolled and groomed regularly each day. There are a number of race categories (junior, adult, couple, pro), all contested before the launch of a giant on-snow raclette party. It’s a race you don’t want to miss!

Mountain Riders presents The Respect Festival which is an event which highlights the importance of keeping the mountains clean. The event is music orientated with Yaniss Odua headlining with My Band feat. A.K.A Koxx at the Salle Bernard Tailleferin Arc 1800. 12 euros entry.

Skiers of any level can enter the Bump Bash Classic and the Bump Bash Extreme in the scenic Zermatt and experience the magic of mogul skiing. Thanks to the Zermatt mountain transport systems the race registration fee is included in the skipass. Apart from the race itself, there are numerous side events in the ski area and parties with videos of the day’s fun. The venues take place on north facing glaciers with great snow quality.

The Mittelallalin open downhill races are the highest races on a glacier in the world. Participants from all over Europe compete in various disciplines. The start is at 3600 meters and the finish line in the village of Saas-Fee. The racers compete on the specially prepared ski slopes of the Allalin Glacier.

Five competitions open to downhill skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers are on the agenda: a giant slalom, a boarder cross, a mogul run, a fun "triathlon" and a parallel slalom to sort out the best of each category. Providing an opportunity to race with champions, the day will finish with a lively après-ski at the resort.

The challenge which included five grassroots-style qualifying sessions in both freeride and freestyle ski categories, reaches its climax on 27-29 March. The qualifying stages have been held in Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Germany and Chamonix, France. A resort with a longstanding commitment to youth culture and sport, Val Thorens, in the Trois Vallees region of France, is again the hosts for the finals.

An un-missable week-long festival of comedy and music from top international talent. Once again Méribel will offer the unbeatable combination of whizzing down the slopes during the day and laughter and partying at night. This season the Altitude Festival line up includes: KT Tunstall, Phill Jupitus, Marcus Brigstocke, Ardal O’Hanlon, Russel Howard, Dave Goreman, Andrew Maxwell and Phil Nichol, as well as more big name DJs and bands and fun events on the slopes.

Music and winter sports spring festival in the heart of the ski area at an altitude of 2400 metres. Three full days including - Freestyle competition on the Big Air, open air concerts, DJ shows, Giant BBQ and much more.

The fifth and final stage of the Freeride World Tour 2009 takes place in Verbier, as part of the 14th edition of the Xtreme. The world’s best freeriders are qualified for an eagerly anticipated final. Spectators should head to Les Gentianes to witness one of the most impressive extreme sports events in the year, and you will be sure to enjoy plenty of adrenaline rushes and a spectacular show.

On the 21th/ 22th March the Style Session takes place in Saas-Fee. Snowboarders and freeskiers will test themselves in the half-pipe and slope style. This weekend long event is worth checking out and you can even join if you have what it takes!

Europe's biggest inter-resort moguls contest ... a festival of skiing, snowboarding and telemarking that brings together some of the finest mogul skiers from Europe's top alpine resorts. For spectators, it's also a fantastic day out which includes not only some great skiing but also parties, piste-side barbeques, top DJs, live bands and sometimes fancy dress!

Fought out on the Slalom piste in Val Thorens, the handisport competition with over 60 skiers for 2 disciplines, special and giant slalom, takes place on the 14th March.

After the American and Russian legs of the tour the teams of the world’s finest freeriders will arrive in Tignes to do battle for their share of the prize money. The riders will drop cliffs, shoot couloirs and ski hard in search of victory. A spectator-only event, but an incredible one none the less.

Why not start your day’s skiing a little earlier and enjoy virgin snow on the ski runs? From 08.30 am - 10.30 am you can spoil yourself with a breakfast buffet in the Trockener Steg Restaurant and hit the slopes before everyone else. Departure will be from Matterhorn glacier paradise on the 12th March 2009.

The Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle. Riding a Segway is safe, easy and pure fun. Each tour starts with qualified training. Once certified on the Segway PT X2, you will then make a tour around St. Anton am Arlberg. Each tour will last 45 minutes. Check out the St Anton website for more information.

Saturday 07 March 2009, Inhabitants to Chamonix, here year-round or as seasonal workers, get together for a ski race. Registration at the ESF Chamonix ski school, until 3pm the day before the race. Cross country ski race starts at 1.30pm. Awards ceremony and cocktail party at the cross country ski centre.

Over 400 competitors from all over Europe will line up at the start in Corvara in Alta Badia to take part in this unique challenge on the slopes of the Dolomites. The event is an Alpine ski touring race, with competitors taking part in teams of two. Competitors will avail themselves of touring ski skins and head lamps. The route leads through the night time landscape of the valleys passing the main villages Corvara, Arabba, Canazei and Selva/Wolkenstein and crossing the four Dolomite passes Passo Gardena, Campolongo, Pordoi and Sella.

Join this free informal competition at Meribel's snow park. Called the Moon Contest Happy Hour, this takes place every Friday during the season from 12pm to 2pm. Enter at the Shapers' chalet in the park by 11am, and have fun showing off your tricks on one of the jumps, and perhaps win a prize!

Reports of very heavy snowfall is great news for skiers in Austria. Several ski resorts are have passed six feet (two metres) over the past few days and are set to continue to the weekend at least. Yesterday (Tuesday, February 24) the country’s largest lift-linked ski area the Skiwelt, received more than 50cm (20 inches) of snow in 24 hours!

Join the locals and partake in some thigh slapping and yodelling at the towns folklore evening held at the Cultural Centre. The evening starts at 9pm and you can enjoy a couple of hours of music and entertainment.

Over the past few years the Val d'Isere snow park has gone from strength to strength. With more shapers, the park has become one of the most popular features of the Espace Killy ski area uniting seasoned pros and first time freestylers. To celebrate the Val Park and make new friends head over to the park for a week of competitions, barbeques and parties.

Europe's premier competition for young freeskiers is back, combining freeride and freestyle, still judged by age category and offering to the winner of the Kings category a contract with The North Face, Dynastar and Lange to become a pro rider! Grand Montet in Chamonix will host the 2 day regional event with the Final taking place in Val Thorens, France at the end of March.

Although plunging under the icy waters of Lake Tignes in the middle of winter may not sound much like fun this is a fascinating and magical experience. Accompanied by experienced instructors you can go beneath the frozen surface of the lake and submerge yourself in the eerie world beneath. Contact Evolution 2 for information and reservations.

International Festival of Pyrotechnic Art. A week-long festival of whizz-bangs. Five teams compete for the coveted Best Pyrotechnics prize and they'll be pulling out all the stops to dazzle the jury and punters alike. First held in 2003, the festival attracts huge crowds each year for the stunning fireworks exploding over Courchevel. In 2009, the festival's theme is Summit. Teams from France, Belgium, Italy, Austria and Poland compete. Free to watch daily from 6.30pm.

Take advantage of the carnival season and feel the street vibrate. You can join in the festivities by following the sound of the drum! The week will include decorated floats, dressing up competitions, giant puppets – a vey colourful and musical week-long celebration.

Ever seen the professionals tackling the down hill slalom and fancied a go? Well here is your chance. The ESF in Val Claret, Tignes, have set a course out and will time you skiing round the gates! Wednesday 18th February, Stade de Lagnon from 2pm-5pm.

Four piece Rock band from UK. Mullit – “The Best Band in the Alps” - have been playing in the Alps for a decade now. But their energy and ability to get a whole bar rocking out has never dwindled. Mullit play hits from The Clash, Queens of the Stoneage, Foo Fighters, Franz Ferdinand and Rage Against the Machine. Look out for blistering solos from the guitarist and crowd surfing. Thursday 19th February from 4pm.

Order on-line or call us for your copy of the Ski Total 2009/2010 preview brochure today for all the best deals for next season. All booking made from the preview will receive FREE ski/ snowboard carriage. The preview prices and great discounts are only available until the 28th May 2009, so call now to secure the holiday you really want!

A spectacular competition with a massive big air and some of the best skiers and boarders in Europe competing. Live music and lots of fun, and it's all free! Thursday 19th February in Les Arcs 1800.

This high Swiss resort is the first to start the Mardi Gras celebrations with a parade through the village on the 19th February. Join in the fun and be amazed by the colourful costumes.

The games have got off to a fantastic start and with the excellent snow we have had recently the skiers have ensured the crowds have been kept entertained. Mr François Fillon, France's Prime Minister will be in Val d'Isère this Saturday, February 7th in order to watch the men's downhill. He will also be there for the medal ceremony before meeting the athletes of the French team.

Since 2008, the Freeride World Tour has been a major international event that gathers top-ranking freeriders. For the first time, male and female skiers and snowboarders are touring the world together to win the World Championship title. The town of Chamonix are organising a 2009 Chamonix Freeride world qualifier event from the 15th – 19th February. The competition will take place on the Pentes de l Hotel at the Brevent ski area where racers choose their line. The descent is judged by a panel of judges posted at the bottom of the face. The public is invited to watch the race from the competition village, setup at the ski resort. A sponsor village will be installed downtown Chamonix, with a giant screen, various events, opening and award ceremonies.

Val Thorens has dedicated a week from the 14th – 21st February to teenagers and will be organising a large range of activities including a graphic competition on skis or snowboard (the winner gets their design on the skis or board), competitions in the snow park and on the jump air, hip hop demos and theme evenings.

Take part in a race on Meribel's Olympic stadium, the Stade piste at la Chaudanne. It's open to everybody and all disciplines, and there are lots of prizes to win. Enter (in advance) at the resorts Tourist Office.

Try this original round of golf, an 8-hole course in the snow covered streets! The evening starts from outside the tourist office at 7.30pm on the 7th February and is hosted by the Les Gets gold club. Experienced golfers please…

Obergurgl is giving its visitors the chance to enjoy the slopes by floodlight. The perfect piste is 8km long leading from the Festkogl top station down to the village centre of Obergurgl or the Festkogl base terminal - a truley wonderful expereince. The Festkoglalom moutain inn is serving traditional Austrian hot meals between 7pm to 8.30 pm. To top it all there is a 25-minute Ski Show and a firework display – an evening not to be missed. The festivities start at 6.30pm on each Tuesday (weather permitting).

From February 2nd to 15th 2009, Val d’Isère is to host the World Alpine Ski Championships. It’s a major event, as the championships haven’t been held in France since 1962. It promises to be spectacular with over 60 nations and 350 athletes involved in the 11 different skiing events. The women will be competing on the Solaise and the men on Bellevarde.

All the Chamonix Valley municipalities are joining in a big human chain to support the Haute Savoie-Annecy Olympic bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics on the 31st January. To complete the chain, 2018 skiers are needed and you can take part by contacting the local tourist office.

Over the 3 days, Verbier will host the second Snow-Polo Tournament. England, Argentina, France and Switzerland will take part in the competition and for those who would like to witness this unusual event, head over to the tennis court in the resorts sports centre. Entry is free with VIP options available at a cost.

An impressive spectacle is exactly what you see during the Les Arc Gravity Day! The best Base Jumpers are here for a 380m high Jump from the Vanoise Express Cabin. Watch on in amazement at these fearless folk and don’t forget your camera! There are two jump sessions and an autograph session with the Base Jumpers later in the day. Thursday 29th January from 9am until 4pm.

Swap your skis for ice-skates and make your way down to the lake in Tignes to join in with the open air ice disco. The hire of skates is free and there is even hot chocolate and Vin Chaud available. The disco starts st 8pm on Thursday 27th January 2009.

Val d’Isere is the host of the latest ‘snow show’ on the Tuesday 20th January. The spectacular will include a torchlight descent, freestyle skiing and an impressive firework display for the whole village to enjoy. The show starts at 6.45pm - Savonnette nursery slope.

Chalet Tavaillons less that half price! Stylish first-class chalet in Tignes on the 18th January 2009, origionaly brochured at £759 per person, its now just £319!!!

Ski Total has still got availability in luxury ski chalets for January, February, March & April & many dates have saving of up to 50% on the original brochure price!!! With return flights & transfers, food & wine all included in the price, there has never been a better time to book your chalet ski deal! Don’t forget “all inclusive holidays” are a great way to save money when your on a budget…. Book Online 24hrs a day or call 01252 618 333 and let us guide you through our best ever catered chalet ski savings!

Discover the atmosphere of the far north in Les Arcs with a range of activities including dog sled, ski-joring, life-size igloo, ice and snow sculptures, fairy stories and legends on the theme of Lapland and the North Pole. The adventures start on the 19th January and carry on throughout the week.

The four days of competitions offer the chance to see the best of our European Skiers. The races will show the skiers ability to tackle the downhill slalom course and battle it out to gain the title for 2009. The first 2 days (19th & 20th January) the highlight will be on the ladies and then on the men for the end of the week.

With a spectacular torch-lit ski show on Tuesday 27th January, the Lech ski-school presents the History of Skiing in the Alberg, taking spectators from the early days of skiing on long wooden skis in old tweed clothing, right up to date with the latest carving ski technologies. The show is accompanied by nostalgic films showing the development of skiing through the ages,(and maybe a warming Gluhwein or two!) and starts at 9.30pm at the Schlegelkopf area in Lech.

This fabulous dog-sled race brings the world's best mushers to the heart of the fantastic Portes du Soleil area for this challenge in the style of the legendary Yukon Quest. The Grande Odyssee alternates endurance and speed races over four days from 11th to 14th January, with the Les Gets stage on Tuesday 13th January, starting in the heart of the village in the morning, crossing Les Gets again in the late afternoon, and on to Les Chavannes to finish the day's race.

During these designated ladies first weeks in St Anton, the resort rewards ladies both on and off the piste with extra facilities and numerous special privileges and benefits. Every female guest can collect her personal Ladies First Book from the resort's Tourist Office, which includes assorted treats, vouchers and offers, including free drinks, deals on ski servicing, ski-school and all kinds of relaxation and well-being offers.

Ski Total is now offering up to 50% off it’s catered ski chalets in the top ski resorts in Austria, Italy, France and Switzerland, including St Anton, Lech, Les Gets, Verbier, Zermatt, Saas Fee, Val D’Isere, Tignes, Courchevel, Les Arcs, Val Thornens and Meribel! The snow is the best it’s been for 10 years and with prices starting at just £320, including flights, transfers & 6 nights of great food and FREE wine(options of red & white!!), there has never been a better time to visit the Alps with SkiTotal!

“All-inclusive chalet holidays now have the edge...” Remember all our holidays include full chalet breakfast, afternoon tea & cake, and 4- or 5-course dinners plus wine, coffee & chocolates! The perfect package to save you money while the pound is weak, by keeping your Euro-spending in resort to an absolute bare minimum!

The 'Columbia Speed Flying Pro’ Event - a spectacular cross between free-ride skiing and paragliding! From 26 to 30 January 2009, the cream of international speedflyers zoom in to Les Arcs for three days of challenging and spectacularly exciting events. With a mini-paragliding-chute and skis, the Speed Flyers defy the laws of gravity and ski/fly down the mountain, across a mix of disciplines including downhill, slalom and free-ride, in one of the most exciting spectator sports ever seen on snow. You can even have a go yourself - check out ‘Para-Skiing’ under our new ‘Snow Sensations®’ section in Les Arcs!

Ice-Climbing World Championships in Saas-Fee, Jan 2009 This spectacular event is now an established part of Saas Fee’s winter events schedule, and draws the top climbers from all over the world. It may sound quirky, but one reason for Saas Fee’s popularity with spectators is that one 30-metre high ice-wall is prepared within the multi-storey underground car-park at the entrance to the village! This not only makes the event completely secure from inclement weather, but uniquely means that roughly 2,000 spectators can watch the climbers' every move incredibly close-up from each level of the spiraling entry ramp, which encircles the ice -wall. How’s that for Swiss efficiency!

Top ski journalist Sean Newson writes in the Sunday Times Travel Supplement 'Snow Special' feature: "For Style Seekers - Chalet Arktic, Tignes ... The living room in this chic retreat demands a double-take: a vast, open-plan space complete with a floating fireplace suspended from the ceiling by its chimney. It's the kind of design you'd expect in a chalet twice the price, and the sleek touches don't stop there - downstairs, for instance, there's an indoor pool. The chalet sleeps 16-18 and is best booked entirely by a group of friends."

Lots of fresh snow has fallen once again across the Alps - in some places up to a metre! Cold weather and fresh snow mean the pistes are in great condition. Some resorts – Val d’Isère and Tignes, Zermatt and Saas Fee - had up to a metre of new snow on last week! The skiing there is fantastic and all lifts are open. A perfect base of snow for those who have booked to travel in the New Year and if you have not booked yet Ski Total has some amazing offers from January through to March 2009! Just click the ski deals button on the menu.

The Vanoise Express cable-car, will open again next Week, connecting Les Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne ranges. As the season opens the Arcs/Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne ski areas have exceptional snow cover and almost all the runs, covering 425 kilometres, are open. True to their tradition of hospitality, all the staff in the Paradiski resorts are ready to welcome visitors in the best possible conditions.

28th December Ski Total is offering flight only's for just £99 return! Gatwick to Geneva - £99 RETURN Gatwick to Chambery - £99 RETURN Birmingham to Geneva - £99 RETURN Stansted to Chambery - £99 RETURN Manchester to Chambery - £99 RETURN

Ski Total is still offering two for the price of one holidays for January to St Anton, Lech & Obergurgl. You can book online using our Ski Deals link above. If you would prefer to talk, our well travelled Sales team are on hand to help guide you to the perfect deal 01252 618 333

Ski Total is offering fantastic speacial offers in Zermatt for 18th January, 7 nights in a catered ski chalet for as little as £389! If that's to soon we have some incredible credit crunch deals for 25th January and most dates in February. With the most amazing snow for 10 years, they won't be around long, so book today!