Many of us search for some peace and tranquillity beyond the often crowded slopes of the big ski and snowboard resorts in the European Alps. Back country skiing and snowboarding has become ever more popular over the past 10 years in many alpine regions, especially with locals who are trying to get away from the crowds and enjoy their home mountains off the beaten track.

Sitting outside your alpine home on a sunny day you will not even need a good pair of binoculars to spot all the ski- and snowboard- enthusiasts swarming all over the mountains around you like ants, treading big zigzag lines into the fields on their way up and carving sexy wide S-turns or rhythmically tight turns on their way back down into the valley. This is back country skiing and snowboarding, a most magical experience with a small group of good friends, the true connection with the mountain and nature and a real addiction for most who have tried it once. This kind of mountain enjoyment is almost exclusively enjoyed by locals in many parts of the Alps as they have one distinct advantage – the leg power and stamina necessary to enjoy such an exhausting experience.

Imagine yourself standing at the summit on a sunny but crisp winter day above a huge, wide and steep field of fresh and un-touched powder. Your friends are throwing themselves down into the field, carving huge turns into the face of the mountain tailed by a 6ft tall powder fountain like a power boat – in short every snowboarders dream. You have worked hard to get up there and at the moment where it is time to reap the reward for all that hard work your legs are too heavy, numbed by lactic acid and exhaustion. Instead of the perfect ride of a lifetime, the way back to the car is going to be hell!

The secret to an enjoyable day in the back country is training and preparation. Even snowboarding every day will not prepare you adequately for a 4h ascent in knee-deep snow and if you are not prepared physically and mentally, you better stick to the slopes. So here is a little round-up of how I have prepared for the hiking during summer when I lived in the mountains, a preparation which still does the trick now when I go back for a week’s holiday. Living in the mountains you tend to spend a lot of time hiking up and down steep and long mountain faces and hilly fields for most of the year so it is no big surprise that come winter, you almost have the strength and stamina necessary to make a 4 hour ascent to the summit of a remote peak and still have enough power left in their legs to actually enjoy the ride back down rather than suffering from butter legs after the second turn. Being able to produce the explosive power needed for a hard and fast ride after an exhausting climb is what you are preparing for.

While living in the alpine village of Berchtesgaden in the German Alps I tried a great number of different training methods to prepare myself for winter. We would spend a lot of time outside in summer mountain biking and hiking, rock climbing, skate boarding, wake boarding and surfing but none of it frequently enough to prepare my legs for winter. Whilst all these sports work the correct muscles, unless you do them at least twice a week and every week they will not have the desired effect on your body.

I noticed during summer that many of the local hard-core skiers (the Olympic team was training in Berchtesgaden that summer) would spend a lot of time on the cross trainer at my local gym. Once I had got used to the slightly odd movement of the elliptical cross trainer I started increasing the resistance rather than the speed I was moving at and instead of a dynamic ‘almost running’ movement I got into a routine of doing 60min at walking speed but the highest resistance level on the machine. The high resistance level means that you really need to use your arms and your entire body as well to keep the momentum of the machine up. Doing this for a full hour is next to impossible at the beginning but once the body gets used to the rhythm, it will keep going for a long time. And that is the secret on the ascent as well, to get your body into a stepping rhythm and to keep going at a comfortable speed. The cross trainer session would be followed by a weight session of jumping squats holding medium sized dumbbells or skipping with a rope.

I now live in the UK and make it into the mountains once a year if I am lucky which makes it even more important to be well prepared to enjoy the few days on board… But the way I prepare for those trips is still all the same. I will start getting on the cross trainer about two months before the trip and start off on a medium resistance for about 20-30 min, 2-3 times a week. By week 5 I will have steadily increased that to 45min and will look at bringing the resistance level up. For the last two weeks before I go I will be on 60min and max resistance every other day. This preparation has never failed me and means that when I am out there, on top of that mountain on the perfect day, I can still keep up with my local friends who are out all winter and get the most out of the day.

Until today I still have not found a gym equipment machine suitable to train the paddling movement in your arms, back and shoulders in preparation for my surfing holiday. So far, the only good training for paddling seems to be paddling which is not a particularly attractive option if you live on the English Channel! I would love to hear about any gym-based exercises or machines for this purpose..

Julian spent most of his life in the alpine region of Berchtesgaden and the surrounding Austrian Alps working as a Snowboard Instructor during winter and training hard on his JTX Strider cross trainer during summer.

For decades, the Snowy Mountains, Australia’s only alpine region, have been Australia’s favorite winter holiday destination. Nature seems to have thoughtfully placed the Snowy Mountains just about halfway between Australia’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, giving both sides of the mountains equally easy access to them. While the Australian summer months do not draw quite the numbers of visitors to the Snowy Mountains as the winter months do, this is steadily changing as Australians discover the magic and excitement in the mountains when they aren’t “snowy.”

The Snowy Mountains in Summer

If you love adventure and excitement, the Snowy Mountains have just as much to offer in the summer as they do in the winter. In an effort to attract summertime visitors to the Snowies, resort owners keep their lifts open in the summer so that mountain bike enthusiasts, hikers and sight seers can avoid the arduous climbs up the top of the slopes and experience them from the top down. While this is welcome news to those of us who may be a little lazy, it has also meant that the Snowy Mountains have become a summertime mountain bike mecca.

Thredbo is one of the Snowy Mountain’s most popular ski and snowboarding areas, boasting some of Australia’s steepest and longest trails. In the summer, these become downhill mountain bike trails. Some of them, such as the infamous Cannonball Run, are on the world mountain bike map as amongst the world’s steepest and trickiest. The Cannonball Run begins at the top of the mountain, at Eagle’s Nest and drops almost 2000 feet over a steep, winding, heart stopping 2 mile distance.

If more sedate mountain biking appeals to you more, then the Snowy Mountains are also ideal. There are mountain bike trails through beautiful wooded areas that link major resort centers together, making a day on the trail a combination of exercise and relaxation.

In Jindabyne, on the New South Wales side of the Snowy Mountains, you can have it all in the summer. Nestled in the foothills of the mountains, Jindabyne has a large lake for swimming, kayaking, wake boarding, water skiing or just enjoying from the shore. A relatively small village, from your Jindabyne accommodation, you can hop on your mountain bike, leave the world behind and explore the scenic foothills of the Snowy Mountains in minutes.

Mt. Kosciusko, Australia’s highest peak, is most accessible during the summer season as is one of Australia’s most popular destinations for “bush walkers” (hikers). There are two ways to get to the top of Mt. Kosciusko: the easy way and the hard way. The easy way is to take the chairlift at Thredbo to the top. The hard way is to hike it. Even the hard way is not that hard, if you’re reasonably fit and it’s so rewarding when you reach the top, look down and see Australia spread out in front of you.

The Snowy Mountains in Winter

The biggest names in ski and snowboard resorts in the Snowy Mountains are Thredbo and Perisher. Thredbo has a reputation for being for expert skiers and slightly insane snowboarders, boasting the steepest and longest runs in Australia. The Funnel Web run, named after Australia’s deadliest spider is an example of this. However, with over 50 runs to choose from, ranging from special runs for toddlers to the extreme runs like Funnel Web, there’s something for everyone at Thredbo.

In earlier years, three distinctly different ski resorts comprised what is now known as Perisher. First Guthega, Smiggin Holes and Blue Cow were amalgamated into Blue Cow and then, after the Skitube tunnel was completed in 1988, Blue Cow and Perisher became one. To this day, many skiers and snowboarders still call Perisher, “Perisher Blue,” but officially the name of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest ski resort is simply Perisher.

What Charlotte Pass lacks in size, it makes up for in snow. The highest resort in Australia, Charlotte Pass sits in the middle of a ski bowl. You can ski from your Charlotte Pass accommodation to the lift of your choice and finish a day of skiing or snowboarding at your doorstep again. In the height of winter, the only way in or out of Charlotte Pass is by over-snow transport, making it a dream destination for those who don’t like to see a solid ground for the duration of their vacation.

Rob loves the Snowy Mountains in summer and winter. There are hundreds of Snowy Mountains accommodation options to choose from, ranging from cheap but comfortable backpacker lodges to 5 star resorts. Whatever time of year you come to Australia, come to the Snowy Mountains. You’ll love them.

On my day off this week, a group of friends and I took a guide and climbed Haute Fort.   This is my second time climbing this mountain range and is something I could do every day.

We met at 11am; a perfect time as the morning ice crust has had time to melt away revealing the powder once more.

We took the Les Intrets lift all the way to the top, turned right and traversed around the top of the Les Crozats Snow Cross. When we got to the furthest point we started out ascent.  Whilst not as technical as the Pointe d’Avoriaz climb, it is however longer and quite tiring, although totally worth it.

Once you reach the top, a stunning vista of the alps awaits you…..truly incredible.  The view takes in Les Gets, Avoriaz, Switzerland, Morzine, Flaine, Mont Blanc and everything in between.  Just the view alone is worth the climb.

We traversed a little more and then started out descent.  The initial run takes you through 3 powder fields.  After the 40 cm we had at the beginning of the week, there was a lot of fresh powder and plenty of fresh tracks to be had.  The area is full of natural features from wind lips to rolling valleys; these make an already incredible area, mind blowing, especially if you are like me and like to try the odd jump and trick along the way.

After the initial powder fields you can either continue through the trees to the Prodain or take a short walk where you end up in a Village called Moisonette, this is abandoned for the winter. With most of the roofs barely visible through the snow, it shows you just how much there has been this season.  These small chalet huts are used by hunters over the summer and rather coincidentally we bumped into one of the owners (Jean-Claude) who was getting things ready for the spring.
He is also a hunter and insisted we had a shot of Genepi with him, at first begrudgingly, we accepted the drink.  He really wasn’t going to take no for an answer and he seemed very jovial and pleasant.  Not normally one for accepting drinks off strangers, it turned out to be a lot of fun and after being regaled in a few stories of avalanches and times gone by (whilst speaking our best French) we continued our run.

Our final descent is a huge tree run that takes you all the way in to the Prodain Valley.  There are many routes, but my favourite has to be joining the bmx downhill track that is normally used over summer.  Full of tight turns and a fair few hair raising moments, it has a beautiful balance of feeling like you are out of control but always feeling safe and is a great way to end our journey.
It is a small walk back up the hill towards the Prodain lift, a perfect opportunity to regale in what we had just done and laugh about the tumbles and falls, jumps and tricks we all had shared.  The prodain lift overlooks the area we had come down; again this gives us an opportunity to see what we had done, a glimpse at the lines we took, our tracks still fresh in the snow.  The huge area of dampened snow where Adam decided to attempt a back flip and failed, losing his skis in the process.

At the top we all rested at the Changabang burger house which sits at the base of the mountain in resort.  Here we could trace our route further and again joke and regale in what we had done whist enjoying a well-earned burger.

This one probably my greatest experience throughout my 3 seasons in the Porte Du Soleil area. Something I hope to repeat a 3rd time before the end of the season and definitely something everyone should try at least once!!!

The world’s finest ice climbers have been showing off their strengths since the turn of the new year as they compete in the 2012 Ice Climbing World Cup. The sport’s elite competitors are currently embroiled in a gruelling schedule that takes them across continents for a series of challenges as they compete for the title with the competition coming to a head next month.

What is it?

The Ice Climbing World Cup is run by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (or UIAA for short, known by the acronym of its name in French) and is part of an ongoing drive to get wider recognition for the sport of ice climbing, with the overall aim of its inclusion in the Winter Olympics. Formal competition in ice climbing is a relatively recent addition to the elite climbing calendar. The first International World Cup was a privately-run event launched in 2000 before it was taken under the auspices of the UIAA two years later. It is now bigger than ever with events taking place across five countries spread over two months.

Where is it?

The 2012 World Cup is now well underway. The first event saw the World Cup returning to Asia for only the second time with competitions in Cheongsong, South Korea, from January 14-15. A week later climbers descended on Saas Fee in Switzerland for the next round of events which also formed part of the Open European Championship, while Champagny en Vanoise in France hosted the third round of World Cup events at the beginning of February. The fourth installment saw the World Cup heading to Busteni in Romania, while the final World Cup event of 2012 heads east to Kirov in Russia from March 8 to 10.

What are the rules?

A raft of rules and regulations are enforced by the UIAA in World Cup competitions, including ensuring all competitors are officially licensed, but the basics of ice climbing are simple to grasp and involve climbers tackling marked routes across ice-covered rockfaces. To add a competitive element they compete in twin disciplines of ‘Lead’ and ‘Speed.’ As the name suggests, speed is just a case of getting up the ice face in the fastest possible time, with the climber supported by a top-rope. Climbs are timed with the winner being the one who completes the route in the shortest time. The lead discipline is a difficultly-based competition. Climbers are belayed from below and must tackle a complex route to get as high as possible, with athletes ranked by how high they reach on the course. Points are awarded in both disciplines for finishing positions with the competitors then being ordered in a rankings table. First place gets 100 points, second place is worth 80 points, third place gets 65 points, with points tallies also awarded for lower placed positions.

Who are the contenders?

It’s fair to say the Russians have dominated both disciplines of the competition so far this season for both men and women. With just one more round of events left taking place in Russia from March 8 to 10, there could be a clean sweep of trophies for the host nation when the World Cup ends. In the difficulty discipline (lead), Tomilov Maxim leads the way for the men after notching first place in the first two events in Cheongsong and Saas-Fee. He holds an unsurmountable 118 point lead over Korean climber Park Heeyong in second place. It is the battle for second place which will provide the drama in the men’s lead contest, with Heeyong alongside third-placed Ukranian Sypavin Valentyn, Russian Tomilov Alexey in fourth place and Austria’s Bendler Markus in fifth place all separated by just 21 points. Things are closer still in the women’s lead contest with Italian athlete Rainer Angelika holding a slender one point lead over Russian rival Tolokonina Maria. Her fellow Russian Gallyamova Anna is still in contention just 30 points off the top spot, while Korean Shin Woon Seon is not out of it in fourth place either.

In the women’s speed discipline, Russia has the title sewn up already, with Russian climbers incredibly occupying the first eight places. Compatriots Filipovva Maryam and Krasavina Maria are tied on 300 points in joint top spot, while Tolokonina Maria and Shabalina Viktoria share third place on 256 points going into the last round.

It’s a similar story in the search for the fastest men, with the top 11 places currently occupied by Russian climbers. Kolchegoshev Kirill is currently in pole position on 267 points, closely followed by Tomilov Alexey on 251 points to ensure a thrilling finish in their home country this March. 

Written by Annabel, an Event Organiser for Chillisauce, a company specialiasing in crazy Stag Weekend Ideas and Hen Nights

One of the first things we all learn about the world is that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain around. Everybody knows it. In fact many people have even memorised its exact height, which is currently thought to be 8,848 metres. But have you ever thought to question Everest’s number one status? Here are a few mountains that are actually bigger than the world’s most famous rock (in some ways at least).

K2, Pakistan/China

Officially K2 is the world’s second tallest mountain. However, according to some reports for a few weeks every year it actually becomes taller than Mount Everest and therefore the tallest mountain in the world. This argument is based on the fact that in the winter the mountain gets covered in a ridiculous amount of snow, which means that it is able to surpass its taller cousin- albeit very briefly.

Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Mauna Kea in Hawaii is the tallest mountain on earth when you measure the distance between its base and its peak. Everest’s claim to be the world’s tallest mountain is based on the fact that its summit is the highest point above sea level on the earth’s surface. All Everest’s 8,848 metres of mountain are above sea level. From base to summit Mauna Kea measures 10,200 metres, but the first 5,995 of those metres are below the surface of the ocean. If the title of tallest mountain was measured from base to peak Mount Everest would actually be third, behind Mauna Kea and Mount McKinley in Alaska.

Chimborazo, Ecuador

Another way to decide the biggest mountain on earth is to find the point that is furthest away from the centre of the planet. The summit of Chimborazo, an inactive Volcano in the Andes, is the point on the earth’s surface that is furthest away from its core. It may only measure 6,267 metres above sea level but because the earth is thicker around the equator, and Chimborazo is only one degree south of our planet’s central intersection, it easily beats Mount Everest.

Olympus Mons, Mars

Olympus Mons, which is Latin for Mount Olympus, is three times taller than Mount Everest. However it shouldn’t be confused with the tallest mountain in Greece which shares the same name, as this giant is actually found on Mars. It’s a staggering 22 kilometres tall- that’s 14 miles of mountain! Not only does Olympus Mons dwarf every mountain on earth, but it the largest known mountain in the solar system. It makes everything else look like a slightly oversized hill.

Bonus Fact

As we’re currently in the business of making Everest look small you might be interested to know that if Everest was put inside the Mariana Trench (the deepest point of the world’s oceans) it wouldn’t even reach the surface. In fact there’d still be room for more than 2,000 metres of water above it. Crazy!

Colin Jones loves geography, but when he’s not writing about the world he spends his day trying to find the best products for the gifts for him section at Find Me A Gift.

When it comes to snow fun, from skiing and snowboarding to racing downhill on a plastic toboggan, nowhere does winter sports better than Europe.
From the pampered resorts of Les Gets to the world cup slopes of Austria, everyone has their personal favourite. But what of those hidden European gems where pristine powder glistens on forested slopes in lesser-skied European winter wonderlands?
What happens when all the snow has melted and long since turned to lush pastures? Perhaps it’s time to head even further afield to some of the world’s strangest spots in which to find a ski resort…

The Usual Suspects

LES GETS, FRANCE
There’s more to a beginner’s ski holiday than house-trained ski instructors, gentle slopes and sore legs. Finding yourself in a picture-postcard resort is a real bonus and Les Gets in France’s most ski resort and is as beautiful a ski village as you’re ever likely to find. Fantastic snow, hot tubs and chalets galore and great instructors make this a can’t beat snow destination.

COURCHEVEL, FRANCE
Courchevel has a reputation for being the world’s best ski resort. It is made up of four villages on different levels, Courchevel being the highest. They are all linked by ski lifts and a ski bus. Courchevel does has everything, but at a price. Great beginners’ slopes, more challenging runs higher up in the mountains and a dedicated snowboarding park. You can also ice skate, toboggan, ice climb and drink yourself silly in the evenings in the fantastic bars…just be prepared to flex that plastic.

KITZBUHEL, AUSTRIA
The Hotel Schloss Lebenberg is the perfect pampering getaway. The award-winning Polly Hillbrunner Beauty Spa in the Vitalturm tower next to the castle is rated as one of the best in Austria and hotel guests can indulge in first class health, fitness and beauty treatments. This magical 16th-century castle, straight out of a fairy-tale is located in the highly fashionable resort of Kitzbühel, the home of the infamous Hahnenkamm world cup downhill race.
Off the Beaten European Track

BOROVETS, BULGARIA
If budget is an issue then why not head to a less expensive destination where you probably won’t bump into members of the royal family on their holidays, but where the snow is the same colour and the skiing is just as good. Borovets in Bulgaria has crèches, ski schools for children and free lift passes for kids aged 8-12. In the evenings there are folk nights, barbecues and wine tasting, oh, and very good skiing.

KRVAVEC, SLOVENIA
Krvavec in Slovenia wins hands-down for having one of the world’s shortest transfer times from any city airport, at only 15 minutes by taxi, followed by a seven-minute gondola ride on to the mountain. So, you can get off the plane and be on the slopes within half an hour! Fantastic snow and wide-open, varied terrain will keep most people happy for at least a long weekend.

SELVA VAL GARDENA, ITALY
With over 98kms of trails, including some fairly testing terrain, Selva is a brilliant destination for cross-country skiers. Part of Sud Tyrol; Selva combines all that is best of Italian and Austrian traditions. Guided winter walks amid some stunning scenery are there for those who need a break from the slopes. Ares ski comes in the form of the Laurin Keller and Miravalle where you can drink and eat delicious pizzas as the sun goes down.

LEVI, LAPLAND
Want to combine skiing with a visit to see Santa Claus? Now you can with optional excursions to Santa’s Secret Home for around £30 per adult and £26 per child. It’s also a great place for children to learn to ski, with quiet slopes, good English-speaking ski instructors, a warm friendly atmosphere, husky and reindeer safaris to make a magical time of the short days.
Even further Off the Beaten Track

SKY RESORT, MONGOLIA
If the European snows have melted why not try Mongolia’s first fully fledged ski resort. Towering 1,570m above sea level, all of the resort’s nine runs are covered by artificial snow as the area is insanely dry. You won’t find any black diamond slopes here, but you do have a few alternatives to contend with if you’re up for a challenge. The experienced can tear down Zalaat and Zaisan, 1,050m and 1,020m respectively. If that doesn’t set your heart racing, then there is always the 1,070m slope of Khurkhereet. Plus, you have the added thrill of seeing the stunning landscapes of Mongolia.

GULAMRG SKI RESORT, HIMALAYAS
If you have an aversion to heights, this may be one to avoid. If you don’t however, this will make the long haul flight to India worthwhile. Dangling over Gulmarg’s legendary beauty is the world’s highest gondola that whisks skiers and boarders up to the resort’s 2,213m summit. You’d be hard-pressed to find better runs anywhere else in the world. Due to Gulmarg’s geography and its extreme amounts of snowfall, this is often regarded as the best ski resort in the Himalayas. Go on, snowboard the Himalayas, you know you want to!

KIRORO RESORT, JAPAN
Kiroro has pretty much all you could ask for from a ski resort. It’s situated 40km west of Sapporo, near the picture-perfect seaside town of Otaru, and the resort’s high-speed lift system is one of Japan’s best, helping you get up those slopes in record time. With Sapporo close by for sightseeing and dining, you can take your pick on where to stay for the night. Both Mountain Hotel and Hotel Piano are two of the best, offering luxurious accommodation, entertainment facilities and great ski rental shops.

These are the 5 most dangerous on-piste runs in the world and absolutely terrifying. Only attempt them if you are a very advanced skier and you absolutely must have ski insurance.

5. Delirium Dive, Sunshine Village-Canada

Delirium Dive can be found on Goat’s eye mountain in one of the three areas of Banff set on the shores of Lake Louise. Banff is incredibly popular with extreme skiers anyway and Delirium Drive has added fear thanks to the ski patrols insistence that you wear an avalanche transceiver and pack a shovel before heading up to the dive.  The run itself is a great bowl which doesn’t quite live up to the hype but is very fast and thrilling none the less. It has a choice of exits with a ton of powder and you can get up to some truly terrifying speeds.

4. Grand Couloir, Courchevel-France

This is the widest and easiest of the infamous trio of Courchevel couloirs and the only one currently marked as a run on the piste map. The hardest part lies in the short run from the cable car dock and you have to snow plough across to avoid accidentally hitting the Sous Pylons or Emile Allais two much more demanding descents. The entrance lies between a set of boulders but is not particularly demanding. What makes this such a terror inducing run though is the most intense moguls you will ever have seen. If there’s fresh snow it is not too challenging but if there hasn’t been you can face some of the scariest moguls in the world. After the initial terrifying run of more luck than skill, the piste becomes glorious with wide moguls and a reasonably gentle decent.

3. Corbet’s Couloir, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, US

Corbet’s Couloir is one of the most famous on piste runs that every extreme skier should have tried at least once. The terror comes from the very start of the run where you will have to push past a gaggle of onlookers all glimpsing that first terrifying drop. There are two ways of approaching this couloir. The first is a vertical jump of around 4 metres before a terrifying skid to avoid the imminent rocks. If there’s been a lot of snow, this bit can be ok but otherwise be prepared to be scared. If you choose the other option though, you are faced with a 6 metre vertical jump which is scarier, but doesn’t have the rocks at the bottom. However once you’ve passed this initial terror you’ll be in a long wide and easy 40 degree run.

2. Backside of the Valluga, St Anton, Austria

Truth be told, this isn’t the scariest of runs and definitely not the most technically demanding to make our list. However you are only allowed to attempt the run with a qualified mountain guide as around half way down there is a left hand turn with a staggering 700m sheer drop onto the rocks. The fear factor comes mainly from the cable ride where you will be alongside sightseers and not skiers. The run itself is not demanding and once you get over the initial fear you’re in for a real treat as you cruise gently down to the resort of Zürs.

1. Tortin, Verbier, Switzerland

Tortin’s terror levels entirely depend, as with most of these runs, on the snow cover. If it has been snowing heavily over the season you may not even realise just what sheer terror this run can induce. You access this run from a traverse that pans out onto a wide steep slope. If there is plentiful snow this just makes for a decent steep descent. However if not then you will be facing the scariest moguls on earth. What makes the run even worse is that the moguls themselves just get worse the further you go. If the conditions are icy you can end up sliding for a horrible length of time. The most terrifying slope on earth, and for good reason.

Mike is a travel writer for Complete-Ski.com, covering top skiing destinations, budget travel and tips on how to find the best ski travel insurance for your holiday.

Attention skiers and snowboarders: Tuesday May 17^th 2011 is the date of Disability Snowsport UK’s (DSUK) third National Skiathon.  Skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in teams of 6, alongside the British Disabled Ski team, and an exciting collection of Britain’s top freestylers and celebrities (to be announced).

Entry is £66 per team with the requirement to raise a minimum of £666. The challenge is to ski 666 runs in 6 hours at one of 6 UK indoor ski slopes including the Chill Factore in Manchester; Tamworth Snowdome in Staffordshire; The Snow Centre – Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire; Sno!zone Braehead in Glasgow; Sno!zone Castleford in West Yorkshire; Sno!zone Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire.  Equipment hire is included in the entry fee and there are prizes for the teams that raise the most money and ski the most runs.

There’s no need to be a top-flight skier or boarder – quizzes and games give everyone the chance to win extra runs for their team.  Each participant also receives a goodies bag and a T-shirt as a memento of a great day out raising money to help bring joy and excitement to many people living with disabilities throughout the UK. DSUK’s target is to raise a minimum of £35,000 so get a team together now.

To enter visit:  https://regonline.activeeurope.com/disabilitysnowsportuknationalskiathon

Every year, skiing aficionados throng the spectacular ski resorts of the breathtakingly beautiful Alps. There is a lot of choice of ski resorts in the region – here are some reviews of the best resorts to help you decide which one to spend your next skiing holiday at.

Courchevel, France
With over 100 ski runs, beginners and experts alike will enjoy the rewarding experience that Courchevel offers. Its off-piste skiing, especially, is highly recommended. Besides the fantastic skiing opportunities, snow-mobiling and snowboarding are the other major attractions in this French resort.

Courchevel has the status of a luxury resort, being home to lavish chalets and stylish boutiques. There are also self catering apartments, B&Bs and rental accommodations aplenty. If you are looking to stay at exclusive luxury ski chalets in the Alps while on your skiing holiday, Courchevel won’t disappoint you.

Zermatt, Switzerland
With the famous Matterhorn mountain in the background, the challenging runs of Zermatt make it a suitable skiing destination for intermediates and experts. It is home to top ski schools and excellent mountain restaurants. As far as accommodation is concerned, Zermatt has youth hostels for those on a modest budget and luxury apartments for those who come with deeper pockets.

Megève, France
Regarded as the St Moritz of France, Megève was the place to be seen at in the 60′s and 70′s, but is now facing stiff competition from Courchevel. The best time to visit Megève is between mid-December and mid-April.

Beginners, intermediates and families alike can enjoy a wonderful time on its well groomed pistes. Off-piste opportunities in Megève are equally good. Megève is home to over 30 hotels and restaurants. Its designer chalets are popular among tourists.

Alpe d’Huez, France
Offering stunning views of the Alps, including Mont Blanc, Meije and Mont Cervin, Alpe d’Huez is one of France’s much loved ski resorts. Its La Sarenne run is one of the longest in the world. If skiing in the moonlight sounds exciting, then you are at the right place. Alpe d’Huez has guided night skiing tours that offer a one of a kind adventure.

Snowboarders and intermediate skiers alike will enjoy the well groomed trails of Alpe d’Huez.

It is home to luxury and family ski chalets, offering all modern amenities.

Chamonix, France
Chamonix’s beauty has inspired many with its backdrop of the 15,632 feet Mont Blanc massif offering a stunning view, this French ski resort has something for both first-timers and experts. Its steep slopes, off-trail skiing and snowboarding attract hoards of avid ski fans from across the world.

As far as accommodation is concerned, its home to one of the best luxury ski chalets in the Alps. Self catering holiday homes or ‘gites’ and apartments are available on weekly rent. There are quite a few 3-star and 5-star hotels, all equipped with modern facilities as well.

Whether you are new to skiing or an old hand at the sport, the simple fact of the matter is that when it gets cold and wet, you end up getting miserable. Yes, the adrenalin kicks in, but often you find that you can’t concentrate, and this is when mistakes happen.

So, to combat this, think about the possibilities of windproof, waterproof, close fitting, breathable socks, hats and gloves. Keep those extremities warm and dry, so you can enjoy your time on the slopes to the max.

So… Tell me about this Waterproof Gear?

I hear you ask! So… without further ado, here’s the lowdown. There are several companies making waterproof socks, hats and gloves, but one of the oldest and most trusted manufacturers is the UK company, Sealskinz. Sealskinz products are set apart from their rivals, in that they work. Not just work, but work really well! And in a variety of applications.

A pair of Sealskinz gloves will keep your hands dry, and, due to their unique properties will help maintain your body temperature to stop you getting too hot or too cold. This is a real bonus when skiing or taking part in any other winter sports as the fluctuations in temperature is one of the biggest problems that you’ll have to overcome.

The socks and hats work in a similar way, and are perfect for both skiing and apres ski time too. If you’re out and about in your resort, then you need to keep warm and dry. A perfect way to do this is to make sure the snow doesn’t make your hands, feet and head wet.

For the slopes we can recommend Sealskinz Winter Gloves, which have been designed for colder conditions (Arctic Explorers use them), are 100% waterproof and have a leather palm – perfect for gripping a pair poles. If it’s really cold, try a pair of Thermal Liners for extra warmth. An alternative to the Winter Gloves is the Winter Mittens, which are designed for comfort and have extended cuffs to keep your forearms toasty warm too.

Back in resort, (For Apres Ski time,) try the Sealskinz Mid Thermal Socks, these and a pair of Timberland style boots will keep your feet warm and dry. On your head, try a Waterproof Beanie Hat to keep your head warm, dry and toasty when your nipping between restaurants, bars, clubs and your chalet. On your hands, you could wear the Outdoor Gloves, which are waterproof and windproof, and should keep your hands warm and dry, even if an impromptu snowball fight breaks out in the wee hours of the morning…

Remember

It’s really important that you make sure your body temperature is kept up. If you get cold, then your concentration can dwindle, and this is when accidents happen. Keep warm, Keep dry, keep safe, and Have Fun!

Author Bio: Written by Amelia Vargo on behalf of Sealskinz, manufacturers of waterproof, windproof and closefitting hats, socks and gloves. You can buy waterproof gloves, hats or socks direct from Sealskinz.