PASSAGE TO 'PARADISKI' - LSERSA

WIN WIN WIN ... tickets to the Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Show 2003

Autumn 2003

Fostering,promoting

anddeveloping

the interestsof English

skiers

PASSAGE TO‘PARADISKI’New ski destination set totake on top Euro resorts

MODEL SKIERSOAKS UPTHE ACTION

WHAT’S NEW

RESORT REPORT

HOLIDAY OFFER

NEW SKISCHOLARSSELECTED

+

£2.50

2 Autumn 2003THE piste

THE Piste is the official magazineof Snowsport England.No part of this publication may bereproduced by any mechanical,photographic or electronic meanswithout the express writtenpermission of SnowsportEngland. We invite allcontributions from members.

Please submit your articles,photographs and letters to Piste Editor Barry Spouge. Also contact Barry with youradvertising requirements at:

� Countrywide Publications, 27 Norwich Road, Halesworth,Suffolk IP19 8BX. Tel: 01986 834216Fax: 01986 834270ISDN: 01986 874752Email: [email protected]

Next issue: 12 January 2004Copy deadline: 12 DecemberAd deadline: 12 December

Snowsport England, Area Library Building, Queensway Mall, The Cornbow, Halesowen B63 4AJ

WIN tickets to The Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Show 2003

The Piste has joined forces with theDaily Mail Ski & Snowboard Show inassociation with Teletext Holidays tooffer 10 lucky readers the chance to wina pair of weekday tickets to the show.

To enter the competition, simplyanswer the following question:What is the new name of the EnglishSki Council?

Write your answer in the space belowtogether with your name, address andtelephone number.

The new name of the English SkiCouncil is: .......................................

Name………………………………….…….

Address………………………………...……

………………………………………...……

………………………………………...……

PostCode …………… Tel …………………..

Post your entry to: The Piste, Countrywide Publications, 27 Norwich Road, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8BX. Closing date for receipt of entries will be 12 noon on 10 October 2003. Winners will be notified within 24 hours.

The show offers everything from the latest trends from all the topbrands and skiing and snowboarding holidays for all levels, to toptips and advice from the experts and the opportunity to learn on areal-snow teaching slope, the show really is a must for anyonethinking of experiencing a little of the “white stuff” this season!

Featuring an enormous real-snow slope, the Daily Mail Ski &Snowboard Show hosts the return of the extremely popular “BigAir” competition as well as an interactive extreme sports zone, featuring incredible footage of extreme snow sports – plus theopportunity to ask the advice of top experts on all aspects of skiingand snowboarding.

Opening Times Ticket Prices

Friday 24 Oct 12noon - 7pm Weekday: Adult £9Mon 27-Friday 31 Oct 12noon - 9.30pm Concs £625,26 Oct / 1 Nov 10am - 7pm Weekends: Adult £11.50Last Sunday 2 Nov 10am – 6pm Concs £7

The largest skiing and snowboarding event in theUK, The Daily Mail Ski &

Snowboard Show, in association with Teletext

Holidays, will be kicking offthe season this year at

London’s Olympia from 24 October to 2 November

CONTENTS

COVER STORYParadiski set to take on top Euro resorts

NEW NAME, NEW LOGOCheck out Snowsport England’s new identity

ALPINE UPDATEReports from the summer training camps

10-11

4-5

WHAT’S NEWOur guide to the latest ski gear in the shops

12-13

RESORT REPORTWe take a look around the world’s top resorts

14-15

WORLD SKI NEWSLatest developments and World Cup preview

20-21

FREESTYLE UPDATEModel skier mixes it with ‘the blokes’

22

6-7

Autumn 2003 THE piste 3

Tel: 0121 501 2314 / Fax: 0121 585 6448 / Email: [email protected] / Website: www.englishski.org

This year's All England Skichampionships took place on 5-6 September at Silksworth, whichis celebrating its 25th anniversarythis year.

The individual event on theSaturday promised much for a closerace, with a typically close battlebetween Adam Lee and Georgie Huntfor the Overall title. In the femalerace, Shanna Prince proved how wellshe can ski. There was also a strongshowing from the older skiers.

Female winners: England ASega Fairweather (Arrows) JoannaRyding (Pendle), Zoe Rawlings-Brown

(Bromley), Shanna Prince (Hemel) Male winners: England A

Ed Drake (Wycombe), Adam Lee(Ravens), David Ryding (Pendle),Georgie Hunt (Hemel)

Sunday saw the much anticipatedinter-club relay championshipcompetition. In an exciting three-runfinal, Arrows (Sega Fairweather, BenHall, Matthew Bradley and GregReardon) narrowly beat Pendle B totake the title and the President’s Cup(see picture right).� Thanks to the organisers and theCity of Sunderland and their staff foran excellent championships.

ALL ENGLAND - INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Male FemaleBoys / Girls 1 Ashley Hill (Kendal) Sarah Ayling-Bate (Vikings)

2 Jake Williams (Arrows) Alessia Thomas-Jackson (Beckton)3 Niall Flahive (Hemel) Emily Evans (JNA Chatham)

Children 1 1 Nicholas Robinson (Aldershot) Jayme Baggio (Hemel)2 Sam Wrench (Bromley) Harriet Steggles (Norfolk)3 Edward Gardner (Hemel) Hannah Knowles (Pendle)

Children 2 1 James Kane (Sharks) Jenny Mashiter (Kendal)2 Benn Hall (Arrows) Lucinda Steggles (Norfolk)3 Joe Ogden (Wycombe) Stephannie Ovenden (Slalom Plus)

Junior 1 1 William Latham (Pendle) Joanna Ryding (Pendle)2 Adam Lambert (Hemel) Emma Wigman (Pendle)3 Oliver Robinson (Aldershot) Emily Goddard (Gloucester)

Junior 2 1 Adam Lee (Ravens) Shanna Prince (Hemel)2 Georgie Hunt (Hemel Zoe Rawlings-Brown (Bromley)3 Lee Bennett (Hemel) Victoria Lucking (Ravens)

Senior 1 Jonathan Bainbridge (Dragons) Lucy Pyle (Ravens)2 Jamie Wallace (Ravens) Nicole Rawlings-Brown (Bromley)3 Christopher Royle (Kendal) Lindsay Allen (Pendle)

Masters 1 Martin Skedge (Norfolk) Viv Hazelton (Wycombe)2 Thomas Ondrusz (Bromley) Catherine Beck (Lions)3 Carl Ryding (Pendle)

Overall 1 Adam Lee (Ravens) Shanna Prince (Hemel)2 Georgie Hunt (Hemel) Joanna Ryding (Pendle)3 Lee Bennett (Hemel) Jenny Mashiter (Kendal)

All England Inter-Club Championships1 Arrows A 2 Pendle B 3 Ravens B

Most Improved Junior BoyTim Reader Memorial David Ryding (right)R

ES

UL

TS

...

RE

SU

LT

S .

..

Most Improved GirlAnn Bates Memorial Hannah Wright

Most Improved ChildAtomic Trophy Sega Fairweather

Relay provides thrillingfinale at championships

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDSANNUAL


Let us have your comments on the magazine - Call 01986 834216 or email [email protected]

VACANCYSnowsports School Co-ordinator/Chief InstructorPermanent, full-time 39 hours per week

The ideal candidate will be BASI II or Snowsport EnglandCoach or close to completing the award. You may have doneseasons on snow and are looking for a permanent post, orare looking for a career change, just like our manager did!

The role involves formulating the snowsports school programme, allocating instructors to lessons, teaching, staff training and duty management. You must be a team playerwith good people skills. A snowboard teaching qualificationwould be desirable but is not essential.

As well as a salary of around £14,000, benefits include freeuse of extensive leisure facilities (fitness, ski, golf), trainingsupport and special staff rates at Ramada Hotels.

To discuss the post in more detail or to receive an application form contact Richard Barbour, Centre Manager on08702 400375 or email [email protected] details are available on our web site www.gloucesterski.com.

If you are a qualified instructor but don’t quite meet the qualification requirements speak to us anyway as we mayconsider taking on and training a star for the future.

Part-time instructors also sought for this season.

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Readers can now see our new Snowsport England logo onthe front of THE piste.

It was conceived by Dave Richardson, of Norfolk SkiClub, who wins a year’s free membership in our "Design aLogo" competition. The design is based on theSnowsport GB logo – many thanks to Boris Duncan, Chairof Snowsport GB, for their support.

Dave said: "The logo captures the spirit of the sportwithout being biased to one discipline. It also shows analliance with the GB governing body, which I believe forthe future of the sport is crucial to show solidarity."

Expect to see the new name and logo appearing moreand more over the coming months.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed ideas to thecompetition. One design, by young Emily Bainbridge, ofWycombe Summit Ski Club, was so colourful that we willbe using it for our office Christmas card.

New logo as ESC adopts new name

Congratulations toMartin Tomlinson,who was made anMBE for Services toYoung People.

Martin (right) hasbeen a stalwartsupporter ofSnowsportEngland, havingbeen a member ofthe Schools andYouth Committee since1985. He has been an ASSI

since 1976, and aTutor on SCO andASCL courses, andalso holds a BASI 2licence.

He is OutdoorEducation Adviserto West SussexCounty Council’sEducationDepartment, andwas until recently a

Senior Manager in thecounty’s Youth Service.

Now it’s Martin T, MBE

Changes toAs part of an ongoing review of the accessibility of itscourses, the Snowsport England Schools and YouthDevelopment Committee have made a few alterations tothe SCO & ASCL courses.

The Ski Course Organisers course has been madeaccessible to those who do not like skiing on plasticsurfaces, and to snowboarders, by removing therequirement for a practical days skiing as part of the course.This does not mean that SCOs are not required to ski, as inorder to register with Snowsport England they will still needto provide proof that they can ski to snowplough turnstandard.

The course duration now has a minimum duration of sixhours with the option for course tutors to increase it ifrequired. The Ski Course Organiser course is now included



Don’t miss thisFABULOUSopportunity to visit the DOLOMITISuperski area,in conjunction with Mountainsun Ltd

Offers include chalet accommodation at Albergo Frohsinn in San Cassiano, breakfast & afternoon tea (daily) and 3 course dinnerwith free flowing wine & coffee after, every evening except one – ourchef’s night off.Chalet facilities include resident’s bar, separate lounge,games room with table tennis, boot dryer. On behalf of the club wewill put 15 Euro behind the bar in each guest’s name.

* Flights to Venice are available at around £15 p/p + tax each way at the time of going to press.

Transfers (about 21/2 hours) available at £15 p/p each way.

FINALLY….Each week we will host a cocktail party where we hope to invite some ski team members together with some local skiers andinstructors.

Fabulous

ReaderO

FFER

This is your opportunity to visit the massive Dolomiti Superskiarea (1220 km of piste) during Premiere Neige (when the pistesare uncrowded, the ski pass is discounted) and you can see theWorld Cup Super G & Downhill at Val Gardena (whereKonrad Bartelski came 2nd), or the European Cup GS at PlanDe Corones

WEEK 15 – 13 December 03£159 p/p* - plus flights,transfers and travel insurance(8 full days’ skiing)A magic week during whichthe resort awakens. Not allthe lifts will be open but wecan guarantee there will beenough runs open to keep youmore than happy, before wehave to take you to theMarmolada Glacier.

WEEK 213 – 20 December 03£229 p/p* plus flights,transfers and travel insurance(71/2 days’ skiing)Probably the most excitingweek of the season as theWorld Cup race teams prepare. Lots of impromptuparties where you can meetthe teams – some may evencome to us one evening!

For further information visitwww.mountainsunltd.com

Or call Jude on 0794 1196517

No responsibility for bookings made in this Reader Offer is accepted by SnowsportEngland or the Publisher.Any contracts are between Mountainsun Ltd and the customer.

Update on child protection

youth coursesas one of the units within the training of Snowsport EnglandCoaches.

The prerequisites for the Alpine Ski Course Leaders coursehave also been modified in order to conform to SnowsportEngland’s Equity policy, following advice from our consultant.

For the first time 18 year-olds will be able to attend ASCLtraining courses and subsequently, at 21, they will be able toapply for accreditation as ASCLs.

In response to many requests the programme forrevalidating ASCLs has now been put in place with theapproval of the course being given by the Snowsport EnglandCoaching Committee.

Similarly those who hold the SCOII qualification are to begiven the opportunity to upgrade their qualification to that ofASCL.

Snowsport England hasregistered as an “UmbrellaBody” with the CriminalRecords Bureau. We are nowworking closely with the ChildProtection in Sport Unit (abody jointly funded by theNSPCC and Sport England) tobring our child protectionpolicies and procedures up todate.

Registration with CRB willenable us to requestdisclosure checks on staff

employed by SnowsportEngland and its members whowork closely with children.

To ensure that best practicein child protection isobserved not only bySnowsport England centrallybut by all member clubs andorganisations we intend toset up a Child ProtectionStrategy Working Group.� If you have professional orpractical experience, call JohnDimmock on 0121 501 2314.


Want to advertise your products or services? Call 01986 834216 or email [email protected]

PISTEpromotion

Ski and Snowboard Instructor Coursesin Meribel, Whistler & Verbier

At Base Camp we run a number of Ski andSnowboard Instructor Courses designed to provide ablend of adventure and training to help you achieveyour goals and qualify as an instructor. All courses are11 weeks long and comprise of intensive training fivedays a week.

Each programme initially focuses on developing astrong technical foundation while acquiring the teachingskills you will need to be an instructor. We offer bothEuropean and North American qualifications. While allqualifications are affiliated through the ISIA, each coun-try has its own ethos to instructing and its own qualifi-cation system. These are accepted in different placesthroughout the world depending on the ski schools andcountries you intend to work in.

� For more information visit www.basecampgroup.com,email us on [email protected] or give us acall on +44 (0) 1403 820 899. We have a dedicatedteam of course advisors who are here to answer anyquestions you have and to help you make the rightdecision.

Get set fornext Alpinemeeting

Winning team: Thomson bursary winners withSnowsport England Chairman Sandy Telling.

The 7th English Alpine Championships organised bySnowsport England took place during the Easter holidays inPuy St Vincent, France.

It was the very first time that Snowsport England had runthe Junior/Senior Series as FIS races, and apart from thefemale Super G which had a rather disappointing entry, theraces were a great success, with a number of our EnglishRacers considerably improving their FIS points.

The Children’s and Minis races were also very successful.But, due to several late entries, the organising committee hadto restrict the children’s entry to a maximum of 140 racers andthe minis to a maximum of 50.

The 8th English Alpine Championships will also take placein Puy St Vincent with the Junior/Senior races again being FIS.The organising committee aims not to restrict the number ofracers for the Children’s and Minis event, provided enoughentries are received by the closing date. So parents arerecommended to ensure that the entries are sent in on time.

DATES FOR 200411 APRIL FIS JUNIOR/SENIOR SUPER G MALE/FEMALE12 APRIL FIS JUNIOR/SENIOR GS MALE/FEMALE

MINIS 1st GS MALE/FEMALE13 APRIL FIS JUNIOR/SENIOR SLALOM MALE/FEMALE14 APRIL CHILDREN’S SLALOM MALE/FEMALE15 APRIL CHILDREN’S GS MALE/FEMALE

MINIS CHAMPIONSHIP GS MALE/FEMALE16 APRIL CHILDREN’S SUPER G MALE/FEMALE

� Contact Gillian Todd Tel: 0191 548 7155Email [email protected]

T +44 (0)1403 820899E [email protected] .basecampgroup.com



The plan for the summertraining was to have threeweeks in Les Deux Alpes andtwo weeks in Saas Fee. A totalof 21 athletes attended thecamp for two to five weeks.Coaches for the camp were TimFawke (Squad Coach), Will Taunton-Burnett, Dave Renouf, TamsinMcGarry and Dave Durgan.

Les Deux Alpes – The terrain wasideal for technical work such as drillsand basic courses used to improveacceleration and line. We alsomanaged to take in some funactivities such as white water rafting,

going to the adventure park andwatching the boys almost killthemselves on the luge.

Saas Fee – It was good to changethe resort as the terrain was differentwhich helped us to develop ourskiing further. There were lots ofworld cup racers training in Saas Feeso it was great to get the opportunityto watch them ski and see how fit

they are. We are lookingforward to returning here for aweek in October when there willhopefully be a little more snowand winter conditions.

On behalf of the whole teamI would like to thank all the houseparents for their hard work in thekitchen and many other duties. Wewould also like to thank the “Ski outof the Blue” Chalet Company forlending us a minibus. We would alsolike to thank our other sponsors –Xscape, Five Seasons clothing andSalice goggles and Nevada SkiLuggage – for their support.

Michelle Sole reports onsummer training for theEnglish Alpine Ski Team

Hard work ... (with a little time to play)!

Work andplay: TheTeam taketime out fora groupphoto at LesDeux Alpes.

Thomson Ski is supporting young ski racers in training and provides eight bursaries for the winners of theSnowsport England “Thomson Grand Prix Series” to train atthe British Ski Academy in Les Houches near Chamonix inFrance.

All racers, from the appropriate years of birth (girls andboys, years 1992, 1991, 1990 and 1989), competing in theThomson Grand Prix series are eligible for the bursariesregardless of which home nation governing body, and asstandard the best three results count.

The bursaries are for two weeks fully inclusive training in2004 at the British Ski Academy in Les Houches nearChamonix in France.

This year’s winners are: GIRLS

Stephanie Ovenden 1989 Slalom PlusAbby Clifford 1990 Telford / DragonsJayme Baggio 1991 Hemel HempsteadNatalie Harte 1992 Chatham

BOYSLuke McCarthy 1989 Hemel HempsteadJoe Ogden 1990 Wycombe/British Ski

AcademyNicholas Robinson 1991 AldershotJamie Reid 1992 Hemel Hempstead

Top young skiers win training bursaries


Got a story to tell? Call 01986 834216 or email [email protected]

New look for keycoaching courseThe Development Coach Course hasbeen completely re-written, and isbeing previewed at the CoachingScheme Conference. It is now abroader course, covering a widerspectrum of the Coach’s role.

It will explore a number of differentskiing techniques, and provide theunderpinning knowledge that is thefoundation of the coaching process.The course will be highly practicaland as much time as possible will bespent on the snow.

Two courses are being planned for2004 – the first will be run atCourchevel from January 17-31; thesecond will be run over two separateweeks, to take into account schoolholidays – April 10-17 at Courcheveland July 24-31 at Les Deux Alpes. Thiscourse is essential for any ASSIwishing to become a DevelopmentCoach.

How Do I Become a Coach?The Snowsport England booklet

“How do I become a Coach?” hasbeen revised, to make the route a bitless arduous. The latest issue (v.5)

can be viewed on the SnowsportEngland website (www.snowsportengland.com) If you would like ahard copy please contact the Office.

New Coaches A Coach Assessment Course was

held in June at Llandudno. Thefollowing passed the course and,having submitted their CoachingPortfolios, are now qualified asSnowsport England DevelopmentCoaches: Roland Blunk, BobEastwood, Brian Evans, AndrewJerram, Steve Noon and MaryOndrusz.

ASPCWe continue to receive excellent

feedback about the new ArtificialSlopes Performance Coach courses,which give attendees the skillsneeded to provide extendedcoaching to club racers (and keenrecreational skiers) on artificialslopes. More of these courses will beplanned for the future.

Club Instructor and ASSI

A workshop was held recently forTutors of the Club Instructor Award,to review the scheme and make surewe are all singing from the samehymn-sheet. It was also anopportunity to discuss changes tothe scheme and suggestimprovements. A similar day for ASSITutors has been arranged for October2003.

There will soon be a new standardset of presentation overheads for allCI and ASSI training courses, andnew student packs. Already we havehad favourable feedback from CI andASSI courses, and the first new fast-track ASSI "weekender" course hasbeen run.

Three ASSI Assessments havebeen run already this year, and nearlytwo dozen new ASSIs have beenqualified. The pass rate is now higherthan previously, not becausestandards have been lowered, butbecause the process is now clearerand more feedback is giventhroughout the process.

There are still places on morecourses planned for this autumn.

LogbookThe inserts to the Coaching

Scheme Logbook have beenreprinted to reflect the variouschanges in the routes to CI, ASSI,ASPC and Coach. Anyone who hasjoined the Coaching Scheme recentlyand would like a new set of insertsshould contact the Office.

BindingsSki Bindings seminars are being

run by Salomon staff for CoachingScheme members. These will be on25 November at Sheffield, 26 November at Telford and 26 November at Basingstoke, allfrom 6:30 - 8:30 pm. A booking formshould be included with thisnewsletter.� For details of any of the coursescontact the Snowsport EnglandOffice.

This year we return to the impressive surroundings of Stoke Rochford Hallfor Snowsport England’s National Course for Ski Officials, on 22-23November 2003. Cost of the course will be £50 per person for SnowsportEngland registered officials and £85 per person for anyone else wishing toattend. Deluxe rooms are available which include en-suite facilities at anextra cost of £40.

To reserve your place, please complete the form below and return it withyour cheque by 10 October 2003 to: Alan West, 8 Abbots Close, Fleet,Hampshire, GU51 3RF.

Application for Race Officials’ Course Stoke Rochford Hall, Nov 22/23

Name………………………………………………......................................………………….

Club/Region…………………….................................................................………….

Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………

……….……………………………………………………………………..……………………..………

……….……………………………………………………………………..……………………..………

Telephone………………………………………… E-mail...………………………………….....

Room Type Standard Deluxe (delete as applicable)



As part of its 20th anniversarycelebrations (winter 2003-04)Interski’s managing director,Colin McIntosh, was looking fora different way to celebrate andat the same time givesomething back to the industry.

Each winter, Interski takesthousands of school pupils andstudents to its three resorts inthe Aosta Valley in northern Italyas part of its dedicated schoolsand colleges programme.

Last season, Interski’sinstructors acted as talent scoutsnominating candidates from theapproximate 12,000 school/college pupils who holidayed with Interski last year. Strictcriteria were set up with candidates nominated whodemonstrated the aptitude and ability to be fast-trackedvia the scholarship system.

The final 26 came from an initial 300 selected byInterski instructors, with the finalists invited to the freetraining day at Xscape.

The hopefuls were welcomed to Xscape by MrMcIntosh, who outlined the programme for the day. Thenit was off to be fitted out with skis provided byAMG/Rossignol, followed by a morning session of twohours’ intensive training by a team of BASI trainers.

After a break for lunch and photographs it was back onthe slope for a further opportunity to impress the judgesduring the afternoon.

The day culminated with individual interviews witheach candidate by the BASI judges.

Before leaving for home each candidate was given a kit

bag full of goodies, supplied byAMG Outdoor/Rossignol,Interski and Xscape.

In thanking all candidates, MrMcIntosh said how much he hadenjoyed the day and hoped thateveryone would take somethingback from it. He also thanked theco-sponsors for their help inmaking it a memorable day.Stephen Newlands, managingdirector of AMG Outdoor Ltd,one of the co-sponsors of theevent, also thanked thecandidates and wished themsuccess for the future.

The BASI judges, led by HughMonney, then went away to deliberate on who should bethe final 10 chosen. Looking at how they all performed itwould be a difficult decision.

The programme for the winners is a one-week trainingstint during December in Italy. At the end of this weekthey will return to the UK equipped with an individualprogramme of training and development. They will thenbe allocated a BASI tutor/mentor who will follow theirprogress over the following months until they return fortwo further weeks training in Italy the following Easter.After this it is hoped all will qualify for the award of aBASI Grade III licence, which will become official on their18th birthday.

Supporters of the Interski Scholarship were XscapeMilton Keynes, AMG Outdoor Ltd/Rossignol, SIGB andSnowlife. We will keep an eye on their progress over the coming months and report through the pages of THE piste.

The final 10 chosen for the Interski Scholarship are:

Emma Littlefair – Woodhouse Grove SchoolChris Tarren – Ripon Grammer SchoolRebecca George – Aylesbury High SchoolThomas Speakman – Taunton SchoolJoel Harriskine – Corfe Hills SchoolPaul Young – St Margaret’s AcademyDuncan Browning – Woodhouse Grove SchoolAndrew Richardson – Greenfield SchoolAlexander Oliver – Tain Royal AcademyWill Mullins – Caterham School

Twenty-six hopefuls from all corners of the UK converged on Xscape Milton Keynesduring the summer for the Interski Scholarship selection day. Barry Spouge reports

TOPten

Ski scholars selected

Great day out:Judges andsponsors(front) join theyoungsters atthe InterskiScholarshipsEvent.



Ski Hiver Ltd

Catered chalets from10-16 persons in theheart of Paradiski.

Most rooms ensuite,friendly staff andsuperb cuisine.

Our own creche or private nanny service.

Tel: 02392 428 586Email: [email protected]: www.skihiver.co.uk

They call it “Paradiski” – and it willchallenge L'Espace Killy (Val D'Isere/ Tignes) and the Three Valleys(Meribel, Courchevel, Val Thorens)for dominance in the Tarentaiseregion of France.

The new Paradiski area will belinked by a state of the art 2km cablecar crossing the valley betweenMontchavin in the La Plagne area andPeisey-Vallandry in the Les Arcs area.

The work is well in progress withboth cable car stations in place andthe cables now stretched across thevalley.

The lift, known as the “VanoiseExpress” is due to open forChristmas. It features two doubledecker cable cars, eachaccommodating a massive 200 skiers(80 on the top deck and 120 on thelower deck), and it will take around

3-4 minutes to cross the 2km to theother side. The glass walled cable carwill traverse the valley between Plan-Peisey (Les Arcs) to a point aboveMontchavin (in the La Plagne region).From an environmental viewpointthere are no pylons and the cablecars will cross at around 1600m inheight providing some superb views.

As two cars will operate onseparate cables,they will workindependently of each other, so youdon’t have to wait until one has filledbefore the other sets off.

The new ski area, Paradiski, is nowowned and operated by one liftcompany, Compagnie des Alpes, thename behind many of Europe's topski areas, including Meribel, Tignes,Les Menuires, Saas Fee, Courmayeur,Flaine and many more.

The company has invested over 15million Euros in the Vanoise Express,as well as working on improving thepistes and lifts that link Montchavinto the rest of La Plagne, replacinglifts, introducing new snow cannonsand widening sections of piste.

Once the link is complete it willmark the biggest news in resortdevelopment for many years and a

Excellent progress is beingmade on the link beingbuilt between Les Arcs andLa Plagne, an initiative thatwill link these twoextensive ski areas to forma new ski area under onelift company

� Erna Low has self-cateringchalets with superb views. � Ski Hiver (02392 428586)has a range of chalets inPeisey for from 10 – 16 persons. � Optimum Ski (08702406198) have chalets atVillaroger, Les Arcs.

The official UKrepresentative for both LesArcs and La Plagne is Erna Low.

Call 020 7584 2841.

CONTACTS

‘Paradiski’ set to take on top Euro resorts

The ‘Vanoise Express’.



INbrief

Card schemeraises funds foryoung skiersThe non-profit-making body UKSkiers is publishing a selection ofChristmas cards to raise funds.

The cards are available toindividuals or companies, withcash being raised to help youngskiers who are members of the UKSkiers Club and the English AlpineSki Team, led by coach Tim Fawke.

The cards are designed by skiersand snowboarders and are about15cm x 11cm (6” x 4”).

For companies small runs of thecards with customised printinginside can be arranged so they canbe used as corporate cards (likelycost about 70-80p/card).

Prices start at £2.50 (plus p&p)for a pack of four cards includingenvelopes, packs of eight at £4.50(plus p&p).� Contact Sandy Telling [email protected] orcheck on the UK Skiers websitewww.ukskiersresource.co.uk

JUNE 2003

1st Sally Goulds2nd Anthony Archbold3rd Bridget Nelson4th Alan Stenton5th Roger Allison

JULY 2003

1st Peter Haywood2nd Christopher Day3rd RE Barton4th Bridget Nelson5th Eileen Lockerbie

AUGUST 2003

1st Alan Stenton2nd Pat Cassidy3rd Terence Kitkat4th David Hart5th John Lowther

big attraction for the British skierand boarder. A large number ofchalets and hotels are situated closeby in places like Plan-Peisey,Vallandry, Peisey, Le Vilaret on theLes Arcs side, with Montchavin andthe newer resort of Les Coches onthe La Plagne side of the greatdivide.

The area is claimed to providesome of the finest terrain in Europe,with blues and reds for the cruisersand some steeper runs if you fancythe challenge. One of these is thedsnowsport englandent fromAiguille Rouge (3225m) down toVillaroger (1200m) a challengingblack with red and blue alternativesif you find it that bit too much.

The new ski area will boast some232 slopes, served by 144 lifts

giving an uphill capacity of 213,000skiers an hour.

The Vanoise Express is a trulygroundbreaking project in Europeanskiing, probably the most importantski lift project in the last 20 years.

Les Arcs will have even morereason to celebrate this year withthe opening of the new resort of Arc1950 (located in the same valley asArc 2000) at Christmas this year. Theresort is designed and built byIntrawest who have developedresorts in Canada and Colorado butthis is their first venture into Europe.This will mark a new departure forEuropean resorts with high qualityserviced apartments in the Americanstyle. American in concept, they willbe alpine in flavour with traditionalarchitecture.

‘Some of the finest terrains in Europe’: A skier takes a break above Les Arcs. Photographs courtesy of Erna Low

LOTTERYwinners



PISTEpromotionA great time - and a great CV!

How do you build up a CV to get the best chance oflanding a great job after graduating. In 2002, MhairiHughes booked on a course with Peak Leaders andstarted to look forward to summer in Argentina.

“The course was well organised, and by the end Ihad a Canadian snowboard qualification,7 first aid andavalanche awareness certificates, a UK managementand leadership award, mountain leader, a suntan andthe best summer between uni terms yet. …and the CVlooks much better!” said Mhairi.

Comfort zoneThe SOMA TEC range from

Fischer (left) brings specialanatomical moulded footbed insertsthrough to easy entry.

The new range was researched byFischer Test Team members, a

shoemaker, ski instructors andcoaches plus a former AustrianWorld Cup skier. Every aspect

was looked at – from basic comfort,foot position, standing position andFlex adjustment.

A range of new style carving skis(right) is also now available, frombeginner to expert. The range startswith the Sceneo S 100 and 200,lightweights that make turning andcarving easier for entry level skiers.The S 300 Ice is designed especially

for keen skiers looking formaximum fun with minimumexertion. The S 400 FTi acarver aims for all roundtop performance, whilethe S 500 Titanium Ftiperformance-carving skiis for the experts.

Skis come in lengthsfrom 140 up to 180.

Big choiceHead make a full

range of skis andboots for all types ofusers: racers,freeriders, NewSchoolers or plainrecreational skiers.

Alain Baxter (right),the top slalom skier,works closely withHead to develop therange of skis.

For ladies,there is theCyber range(above), comprising the 70Lightning, C140 Lightning and theC160 Lightning.

For the all mountain skier, Headhave selected the Cyber ic 180,

which features‘Intelligence’technology, full carbonjacket, X-frame and Titanium Alloy.

This ski suits good tovery good skiers with agood technique forevery terrain.

For children who wantto ski fast, link hotturns and take to theair, Head have several

modelsavailable for

all kinds of skiing – racing, carvingand freestyle.

Typical is the World Cup GS Teamski with X frame, ultra fast race basewith textured finish and titaniumlaminates. A ski for top racers.

Comfort and securityA new generation of

carving skis has beenlaunched by Rossignol. The‘Oversize’ concept isdesigned for ease,

comfort, accessibility andpower and control. The XXL

sidecut creates increasedstability, more comfort with added

security. The Bandit ski range is enhanced by

the Freeride Free Absorber which filtersvibrations under the feet to maximise

contact between ski and snow. A FreeDualtec construction combines a cap with20o sloping sidewalls to optimise powertransmission, with cut-away tips to reduceswingweight and protect the structure fromshocks. The Shockwall sidewalls are builtfrom two overlaid materials.

High energYVolkl, the only Germany-based ski company, has

introduced the energY series of Carver skis. The series features two constructions. The energY

xt (ex-tended) gives the ski round, yet stable skiingcharacteristics, and is featured on the energY 420and the energY Motion. The energY 320 and energY220 come with the energY control construction,designed to improve the comfort level on theslopes.

The energY series comes in a range of lengths,156, 163, 170, 177 and 184.



Softly, softlyLange is introducing a new product

to the market – the SFT Line (belowleft) for skiers of average/ advancedskills. This new line aims to answerincreasing demand for the ‘softer’ product, a segment whichattracts many skiers.

The task consisted of offering asingle product that was easy to stepin and out of and fitted comfortably,enhancing the pleasure of skiing witha boot that responds quickly andprecisely to the wearer’s movements.

Great importance was given to theoptimum comfort and high ‘ski-ability’. Technology has also providedthe means to create a newexpression in style, includingmodifications to liners and the use ofbrand-new materials for the shell –fabrics strengthened by plasticstructures which, in view of theoutside temperature, is said also toensure excellent heat conservation.

Yet none of this affects the

functionality of the boot.The range includes models for men

and for women.The introduction of the World Cup

by Pininfarina Collection in 2002marked a turning point for Lange. Inthe wake of the collection’sinternational success, Lange has nowcreated the CRL collection.

CRL (above right) benefits from thetechnology, high expertise andresearch of the World Cup collection,with one difference ... these modelsaddress a clientele with more diverseneeds yet just as demanding – idealfor freeride and skier cross.

For juniors, the range starts withthe Kidski ‘Gummibar’ an entry-levelmodel for the youngest skier.

The next model in the range is theRC4 Race Jr, a manoeuverable entry-level model with new, modernshovel contour for kids and teens.

For racing and competition, Fischer have a range of five skis: theRC4 Competition Jr, the RC4 WC

Slalom Jr with and without booster,the RC4 WC Giant Slalom Jr andfinally the RC4 Giant Slalom Jr withbooster. Sizes range from 70 to 168.

Fischer has also introduced thenew ‘RailFlex’ binding range, representing technical advancementin speed and safety during skiing,and the way in which the bindingsare mounted.

Freeride ‘re-invented’This winter, Salomon is set to

re-invent freeride with the redhot Scream 10 series. This

collection, with chilli peppergrading, features a

revolutionary blend ofSalomon’s Pilot® andSpaceframe™ technologies for all

terrain versatility. The Scream 10 Pilot® Hot (1 chilli)

is the choice for all-mountainfreeriders. The Scream 10 Pilot® XtraHot (2 chillis) is even wider forincreased powder flotation.

The AK Rocket Burning Hot (3chillis) is ‘the vindaloo’ of the slopes.If you’re in search of big-mountainaction Saomon recommends this195cm ski.

Salomon also claims to be aboutto revolutionise the ski boot marketwith its two-in-one Ellipse boot(above).

The hard shell contains a softremovable liner, which is snowtightand has a durable sole unit, so it canbe worn independent of the shell.

Looking rather like a boxing boot,it features a speed lace system forperfect adjustment and fit and isideal footwear around the hotel,driving to the slopes, walking to theboot room. Then when you are readyfor action, simply slip your foot andthe liner into the shell of the boot,adjust the auto 3D buckles.

Supplier to the starsDynastar, whose factory is in the heart of the

Chamonix valley, claims star skiers such as JP Vidal(Slalom Olympic Gold medallist), Lasse Kjus, DCeccarelli (Super G Olympic Gold Medallist) and CorrineRey-Bellet from the USA among its customers

This year, it is promoting the ‘Agyl’ range forrecreational and novice skiers who ski on groomedpistes in easy turns but are improving rapidly. In therange is the Agyl 6, 7, and 9, coming in sizes 146 - 178.

For Freeriders, Dynastar produce ‘the Gamme’, a skifor the expert who loves the adventure of skiing.

For women, there is a large range of skis, from the‘Fashion’, a collection of skis created with femininegraphics to please the eye (Exclusive 8, 9 and 10Fashion).

When it comes to carving the Exclusive Carve (newfor this season) is for ladies looking for responsiveperformance skis for carved turns on trails.

Also new for this season is the Exclusive 10 for thevery good female skier looking for a high performanceyet versatile carving ski.

Best-seller gets betterAtomic claims to have improved the best selling C:9

PULS ski. The pulsers evenly distribute the forces onthe ski to provide easy turn initiation, a smooth,terrain-hugging glide and torsion for reliable edge grip.The C:9 PULS is available in 150, 160, 170 and 180lengths in both blue and anthrazite.

Based on the C:9.18 and with a host of women-specific ingredients, the C:9 PULS w ski is the women’scarver.

The CR:9 boot is an all-mountain carving model witha wide variety of features to balance comfort andperformance. The medium flex overlap constructionand 12 per cent larger toebox provide the roomrequired for comfortable carving. A Comfort skin liner,hinge damping and a new buckle system guarantee agreat fit and effortless handling.

The softer shell and women’s skin liner make theCR:9w the ultimate carving boot for female skiers. Theoverlap women’s cuff shape offers support and calfcomfort whilst an adjustable heel lift helps you findyour ideal balance point.



AUSTRIAEurope’s best value

but best-kept secret.You can now buy property

(as an EU passport holder).

Details of attractive chalets andhouses in the Europa SportregionKaprun Zell am Zee / Salzach from

[email protected] 01442 220800

Val d’Isere / Tignes – Espace Killy ski area

Val d’Isere, lift-linked Tignes and the less well knownresorts of La Daille and Le Fornet make up the L’EspaceKilly ski area, a very popular destination for experts withan excellent snow record. This is undisputed capital ofmodern alpine skiing, as traditionally the whole Europeanseason kicks off here in early December with the ‘PremierNeige’ World Cup Downhill.

Piste: 300kmLongest run: 10kmNo of lifts: 97Offers: FREE Precision Ski Testing (2004 models) duringthe weeks of 6/13 December and 17 April Prices: from £239 in the La Daille Soleil Apartments for 4people including return flights from Gatwick, transfersand 7 nights accommodation. Flights from 12 regionalairports available at a supplement.

Kitzbühel and Pass Thurn

Kitzbühel is one of the architecturally exquisite skitowns in the Alps, with medieval archways, pastel-painted houses and cobbled streets.

The famous Hahnenkamm area is reached by gondolafrom the centre of Kitz and extends as far as Pass Thurnvia a strikingly scenic Ski Safari trail.

Piste: 165 kmLongest run: 6.8 kmNo of lifts: 56Prices: from £365 in the 3 star Hotel Edelweiss perperson including return flights from Gatwick, transfersand 7 nights half-board accommodation. Flights from 12regional airports available at a supplement.

ROVER European Travel

Over 20 years experience in school skiingholidays, specialising in ski tours to Austria.

Other resorts / ski areas also available.

Rover European Travel,The Coach House, Horsley, Stroud, Glos GL6 0PU

01453 832121

In conjunction with Snowsport England, wealso organise Alpine Ski Leader courses.

For further information, please contact David on

� Ziller Valley� Zell am See� Saalbach-

Hinterglemm� Wildschonau

Valley

� Stubai Valley� Schladming� Soll� Lermoos� Wildkogel

Welcome to Resort Report in which we bring you a round-up of some of the most popular ski destinations

plus some of the up-and-coming resorts around the world

FACTfile

FACTfile

RESORTreport



Chamonix Valley – Argentiere, La Praz, Le Tour and Les Houches

Chamonix is justifiably one of the European meccas forskiers and boarders. The pretty town is surrounded bybreathtaking scenery nestled beneath the magnificentMont Blanc. The 5 ski areas are set all along the valley,easily reached on the free ski bus.

Piste: 162 kmLongest run: 24 km (Vallee Blanche)No of lifts: 50Prices: from £225 in the Maeva-Orion apartments in thecentre of Chamonix per person including return flightsfrom Gatwick, transfers and 7 nights accommodation.Flights from 12 regional airports available at asupplement.

St Martin de Belleville / Three Valleys

The wonderful Savoyard village of St Martin deBelleville is the last undiscovered gem of one of theworld’s biggest ski area and the new 8-person gondolagives easy, swift access to the fabulous Three Valleys skiarea.

Piste: 600 kmLongest run: 5 kmNo of lifts: 198Prices: from £385 in the Chalet Danielle per personincluding return flights from Gatwick, transfers and 7nights accommodation with breakfast, packed lunch,afternoon tea, 3 course evening dinner and free wine andsoft drinks during meals. Flights from 12 regional airportsavailable at a supplement.

ZermattDominated by the glorious Matterhorn, Zermatt is a

lively and sophisticated resort with skiing spread overthree different areas one of which links to Cervinia in Italy.Zermatt boasts Europe’s highest tree line and providesyear round skiing on one of the largest glaciers in Europe,easily reached by the new gondola.

Piste: 200 kmLongest run: 22kmNo of lifts: 71Prices: from £325 in the Residence Patricia per personincluding return flights from Gatwick, transfers and 7nights self-catering accommodation. Flights from 12regional airports available at a supplement.

Selva Val Gardena in the Italian Dolomites

The stunning resort of Selva Val Gardena lies at the

heart of the world’s largest ski area, the DolomitiSuperski, with no fewer than 460 lifts in over 40 resortsand 1220 km of piste, all on one area lift pass! The skiingis suited to all standards with a good variety ofstimulating runs. Selva (above) has played host to skiingsince before the First World War.

Piste: 175 kmLongest run: 8 kmNo of lifts: 80 (465 in area)Prices: from £199 in the Chalet Isgla per person includingreturn flights from Gatwick, transfers and 7 nightsaccommodation with breakfast, packed lunch, afternoontea, 3 course evening dinner and free wine and softdrinks during meals. Flights from 12 regional airportsavailable at a supplement.

Whistler and Blackcomb mountains

Amazing skiing and great West Coast hospitality hasmade Whistler the Number 1 North American resort.Beginners will find gentle runs, there are plenty ofintermediate pistes and the numerous bowls provideperfect powder skiing. Whistler is a traffic-free resort.

Piste: 216 kmLongest run: 11 kmNo of lifts: 33Prices: from £489 in the 3 star Pinnacle InternationalResort per person including return flights from Gatwick,transfers and 7 nights accommodation only.

� Resort Report is brought to you by Thomson-Ski. For further informationabout any of the above or other resorts contact Thomson Ski reservations:0870 606 1470 or go on line to: www.thomson-ski.co.uk

FACTfile

FACTfile

FACTfile

FACTfile

FACTfile



Older skiers have the opportunity tofind out more about Masters (over-30s) racing at a session of relaxedtraining organised by the BritishMasters Group of the BSSF at StokeSki Centre on 8 November 2003.

There is growing interest in racing(on plastic and on snow) amongolder skiers which has now beenrecognised by the introduction ofMasters age categories in SnowsportEngland and SCOW races.

The course aims to provide anintroduction to racing forexperienced older skiers as well as a

get-together for the British MastersGroup.

Participants can find out aboutMasters racing on plastic and in theFIS Masters Cup (FIS-MC) Alpineraces abroad. A “Funstar” race willconclude the day. There is norequirement to be registered toattend these training days.

Older British skiers can takeinspiration from the late JamesWoolgar, who was racing the fullMasters Circuit up to the age of 83and was three times World Championin his age group.

With a membership of around 120 and alarge proportion of those children,Lakeland Cross Country Ski Club is oneof the biggest in the country.

But recent English winters – even inthe Lake District – have not guaranteedthe days of snowfall we had when theclub was established in 1978.

And without these days on snow, howdo you enable people to take those firstfew steps?

It’s difficult – but there is a solution.Roller skis enable you to ski almostanywhere in this country, any time, andare an ideal way for beginners topractise and hone their skills.

But while a hard core of members –who owned their own equipment –regularly roller-skied, the problem wasthe club didn’t have the equipment(apart from a few obsolete skis and amotley selection of old boots) to openup sessions to all-comers.

And there wasn’t much to spare in thekitty.

Thankfully, 10 minutes on the Net

brought a solution. “Awards for All” is aLottery-funded grant-making bodyoffering sums between £500-£5000 forprojects that benefit the community.

Six weeks later, we receivednotification that our application wassuccessful, and more than £3000 was

now available to buy roller skis,bindings, boots and protective clothing.

This was the easy part. Once we got the money, we had to

choose and buy the equipment (whatsize boots would be best? Which sort ofbindings should we have?), prepare

CLUBSround-up

How do you encourageyoung people to take theirfirst steps in cross countryskiing with up to 12 nosnow months each year?Lakeland Cross Country SkiClub treasurer Kevin Cookexplains how the clubgained funding to help itachieve its aims

Roll up! Roller skiing is enjoyedby all ages.

� Download from www.mastersski.com or send SAE to Alan Jones, 3 Green Mount,Upton, Wirral, Merseyside CH49 6NR ([email protected]) � Dudley Moore, Masters Coordinator, for information about FIS-MC races, 26 TheButts, Little Weighton, East Yorks HU20 3XD Tel 01482-840168. Fax. 01482-845783.([email protected])� British Masters Group, www.mastersski.com� BSSF Tel 0131-445 7676, Fax. 0131-4457722, www.bssf.co.uk

CONTACTS

Chance for older skiersto Master their sport

All coaches who are tutors for the ClubInstructor award were invited to attend aworkshop at Swadlincote Ski Centre inJuly. The day was led by Chris Exall andAlan Ashfield and was attended by 14tutors from around the country.

The morning session began with a briefupdate on Snowsport England. The restof the session was spent looking at thenew documentation for the CI course,including the new Candidate Workbook.

The afternoon session took place onthe slope. The work revolved around therecent changes to the CI award, primarilythat newly qualified CIs can work up toand including basic swing turning.

The practical work involved basicswings / sequential leg turning – lookingat the relationship of support from theoutside leg in relation to the turning ofthe inner leg.

At the end of a very warm afternoonsession, the workshop ended inside witha brief recap of the day’s events and amuch-needed drink!

Chris Stroud

Instructorsget trainingupdate



Summer in the mountains is really gorgeous, and thissummer it was even hotter than usual.

With record temperatures in the French Alps in June,July and August, the glaciers there were suffering andturning distinctly soggy but there was still good trainingto be had, although with an early wake-up call!

Team Excel were on the smaller glacier of the Sarennein Alpe d’Huez, then moved on to join the England AlpineSki Team on the glacier de la Girose and the Mantelglacier in les Deux Alpes.

A typical day for the ski trainee starts with the 6.30amwake-up call, followed by a trip to the boulangerie for thebread and maybe the luxury of a pain au chocolat. In Alped’Huez the trip to the glacier is about 35-40 minutes, firstin the main DMC gondola, then in the cable car.

Warm-up exercises first, a couple of preliminary runsand then ski training till around one. In the afternoon atAlpe d’Huez and at les Deux Alpes there is a dazzlingarray of activities. The Palais des Sports in Alpe d’Huezoffers 50 activities from 10am - 9pm, included in yourVISALP pass.

In the summer the Sarenne glacier is only open from 28 June for a month, and in common with many of theother European glaciers it is shrinking. Studies of oldphotographs from 1905 by scientists at GrenobleUniversity show a huge sea of ice, which has shrunk tothe present glacier size of 52 hectares. At this rate of“snow deficit”, the Sarenne glacier will disappear in 2050– so enjoy summer skiing while you still can!

However, all is not doom and gloom on the glaciers ofEurope. The Journal of Glaciology claims that for the last25 years Scandinavian glaciers have been growing.

The Storglaciaren in northwestern Sweden has shown

mass accumulation over the past 30-40 years, castingdoubt on the assumption that the retreat of the Europeanglaciers is a clear sign of climate change.

Meanwhile, enjoying yourself in the Isère region ofFrance is simplicity itself. If you regard summer trainingas an enjoyable activities camp, with an emphasis onfitness, altitude training and getting basic ski techniquesright, then glacier summers are for you. The slogan thatAlpe d’Huez uses to lure its visitors is "le sens dubonheur" – the meaning of happiness.� Contact Alpe d’Huez Office du Tourisme on 0033 476 1144 44 www.alpedhuz.com, les Deux Alpes on 0033 47679 75 00 www.2alpes.com

The annual schools' race is a slalom forteams and individual entrants from fourto 18 year-olds. With strong supportfrom all the clubs in the region, this hasgrown in the last five years to well over150 racers representing some 30 schoolteams and Special Needs categories.

Roger Crombleholme set the courseand Special Needs Helper Stuart Parish,who has raced for the region in the past,was forerunner to test it. Numerousmembers of the region's clubs helpedout with gate keeping, recording thetimes, handing out the bibs, sendingkids up the slope in roughly the rightorder and guiding them down throughthe course in the practice session.

The race was run at Telford, partly forhistoric reasons and partly becauseTelford Ski Club members, under the

expert guidance of Tony Archbold, wheelout a well-oiled race machine.

Local clubs provide race sponsorshipand many trophies. The aim is to showthat skiing is a sport as well as a hobbyor a reason for school trips.

The WMSA committee would like tothank: Telford, Midland, Stoke and NorthStaffs Ski Clubs for their continuedsupport and hope people will continueto visit www.westmidski.org.uk for latestnews and results.

publicity material for forthcoming rollerski events, and file an end of year report.

Our roller-skiing events now centrearound two roller ski days a year(comprising skills training and fun races)with tuition provided by the club’squalified roller skiing instructors, whileevery Tuesday night during the summersees an evening tour along a riversidecycle path near Lancaster.

Encouragingly, we have attractedmembers of the club who had notpreviously shown any interest in rollerskiing, while there have been potentialnew members, including children. Wenow have the equipment to enable theclub to extend its activities significantly –including offering taster sessions to localorganizations, such as Scouts, Guidesand local youth groups. The club willalso have a strong contingent roller-skiing around Kendal as part of thetown’s Torchlight Procession.

� Check out www.lakelandxcski.org.ukfor more information.

The West Midlands SkiAssociation reports on itspopular Schools Race

Class act: School Race competitors.

Honey, we’reshrinkingthe glaciersAnne Howes, who oversees the academicprogramme for British skiers training withTeam Excel, basks in the Alpine sun andenjoys summer skiing while she can …



I am currently attempting to pass my BASI Grade 1Technical, which I have now failed twice. Each of myfinal reports highlighted the same technical faultsthat I also see in many dry slope skiers.

My first problem is the width of my stance: I skiwith my feet three or four inches apart. I am nowdesperately working on this. I think variability ofterrain, the speed you can ski on a dry slope andthe amount of grip you can create are an issue here.

Variability - most of the time we dry ski on a flatunchanging surface (although the occasional seamcan catch you out). Changes in snow texture, deathcookies, piles of powder etc are not there tounbalance, so we can easily get away with anarrower platform.

Additionally the dry slope surface will onlyprovide so much of a platform before the skis breakaway. We therefore tend to keep our feet under thebody rather than use appropriate lateral bodymovements and leg lean. To generate effective leglean a wider stance is required to allow the jointsand legs to move.

To ski effectively with a wider stance all the jointsin the legs need to be flexed appropriately; we needto make like the ubiquitous goalkeeper positionloved by all instructors. We can then stretch andflex, apply pressure and change the edge.

This leads to my second problem. Because dryslopes are uniform, and a lot of us have restrictedlateral movement and have limited speed due to thedry slope environment - we are very static on ourskis and have a limited range of movement.

But how can speed affect range of movement?Speed is great when skiing; not only for the funfactor but also for the forces we can create whenmoving our skis across our line of momentum. Aswe go faster we can use these forces to drop intothe turn more and so move our feet further awayfrom the body laterally. The further the feet areaway from the body, and the wider the stance themore the inside leg has to bend. But on a dry slopewe are limited in the speed we can achieve by thelength, steepness and amount of grip of the slope.

So on dry slopes we need to work on increasingmovement in the legs. I prefer to do this in twoways:

1. Use exercises to increase movement, whetherthe legs are moving laterally away from the body orworking under the body.

2. Use variability of terrain - use any bumps,waves, halfpipe etc you have. Mountains areintrinsically variable places. Get those legs working;it will pay dividends later on.

Freestyle Brits storm in at Tignes – page 22

Simon Ashton (right)muses on the difficultiesof passing BASI Grade 1

Receivers move in, but skiing continues

Clubs benefit asRoyal Marinesget training boostThe Royal Marines now have a state-of-the-art facility formilitary ski instruction since Snowflex was installed inAugust at the Scottish base RM Condor, Arbroath, BritonEngineering has announced.

The new slope will offer innovative ski surfacetechnology, providing the Royal Marines with a UK trainingfacility more akin to snow-covered mountains.

The Royal Marines are one of the few military servicestrained to ski, and have had an artificial slope on the RoyalMarines Condor base since the mid-1970s. The slope is adeck construction, until recently covered in obsoletematerial.

The MoD development will also benefit the localcommunity clubs that currently use the slope. The localkids’ club and club for the disabled will be able to use thelatest technology, benefiting them and arming them withpersonal skills and qualities for life.

� The Snowflex slope at Ski Rossendale is to have a newrail installed. The success of the slope with one of thesteepest jumps in the country has had rave reports by theriders and skiers, industry professionals and slope owners.

Wycombe Summit Ltd went into administrativereceivership on 15 July 2003.

The centre is continuing to trade and operate asnormal and is looking forward to a successful winterseason.

Wycombe Summit Ski and Snowboard Centre isEngland’s longest dry slope and world class ski andsnowboard school.

With a 300-metre main slope, 100m trainer slope andseveral nursery areas with three lifts, all floodlit and fullylubricated,

Wycombe Summit boasts unparalleled facilities forboth the complete beginner and the more experienced.

Children are well catered for with the Big Foot Clubrunning at weekends and ski bobs available for theyounger children. It is an ideal birthday party locationfor all ages.

There’s also a special schools out programme to watchout for providing extra fun and activities for the holidays.The Summit café bar is open all day for delicious foodand refreshments.

And it’s all set in 70 acres of woodland where visitorscan also take part in orienteering.



An exhibition of a proposed new £300 million “leisureand living” development in Suffolk has gone on show atClaydon, near Ipswich. The plans have received a goodresponse from local people as well as governmentofficials in the region.

Dubbed Snoasis, the planned facility will include a skislope with a 120 metres (400 feet) vertical, 40m biggerthan the existing biggest indoor snow vertical, currentlyin Holland. Other facilities are planned to include a multi-

purpose ice arena, a four-star hotel, a night club,cinemas, golf course, bowling, water sports, golf,restaurants, apartments and 350 chalets.

The site is located on a former cement works in one ofBritain's flatter areas. The former railway station at thesite in Great Blakenham will be reopened to cope withincoming tourists.

If full planning permission is granted, and all fundingsecured, the site could be fully open by 2007.

‘Snoasis’ scheme goes on show to locals

INbrief

Tour operator Ski France hasintroduced a “Buy one, get one free”offer on some low season holidays –and they're aiming the offerspecifically at female skiers andboarders,

“More girls than ever are takingup skiing and boarding, and we wantto encourage them and dispel the‘lads only’ myth!” said Ski France'smanaging director Cathy Rankin.

Concerned that they might get into trouble with the EqualOpportunities Commission, SkiFrance also has limited free placesfor males too.

The offer is for catered chaletholidays departing on 10 and 17January or 20 March 2004 usingeither the Dover SnowTrain orGatwick or Manchester flights.

Lady skiers ...take a friend

Snow Valley in Barrie, Ontario,Canada is offering everyone turning50 this year a season ticket for justfive Canadian dollars – equal to £2or a little over $3 US.

Last year the resort celebrated its50th anniversary by offering anyoneborn in 1952 an Anytime SeasonPass for the same price as amembership in 1952 – just $5Canadian.

This year anyone born in 1953 iseligible to purchase an AnytimeSeason Pass for just $5.

Over-50s cash in!

Well done: Racers from the Norfolk Ski Club celebrate at Welwyn.

Norfolk club racersturn up the heatOn one of the hottest days of theyears members of the Norfolk SkiRace Team were succeeding in a skirace at Welwyn Garden City.

The two Norfolk teams came firstand second in the children’s event.

Teams were entered from allaround East Anglia. The race was adual slalom relay where teams racethrough slalom poles against eachother. Firstly, in the morning therewere races in mini leagues to qualifyfor the afternoon. Those teams withsufficient points went through to theknockout stage of the competition.

The Norfolk children put in a nearfaultless performance with the Ateam winning all its races and the Bteam only losing to the Norfolk ATeam in the final.Norfolk A Team members:TJ Baldwin, Simon Beckett, Hugh Bullen, Suart Riches.Norfolk B Team members: Tom Coe, Claire Wheatman, MaxWheatman, Chris Benner. Coach: John Williams.

Bowles outdoor activity centre joined thenext generation in outdoor ski surfacesthis summer.

The Snowflex system will be installed onthe Tunbridge Wells centre's 331 squaremetre nursery slope, providing beginnerswith the safest environment to learn in.Work started in August, providing skiersand boarders with a top slope.

Beginners’ boostat outdoor centre



It may be a nervous time for the skibusiness, as it is for the travel industryas a whole, but fortunately it isn’t aboring time and few ski seasons inrecent times have had as much to lookforward to as 2003–04.

In Europe we have the birth of one ofthe world’s five largest ski areas thanksto an incredible new two-storey cable-car lift. At the same time, NorthAmerican resort maestros Intrawest, thecompany behind Whistler and manyother ski resort success stories inCanada and the US, will open their firstEuropean resort Arc 1950 at Les Arcs –on what is said to be the last bit of theFrench Alps big enough toaccommodate a complete resortdevelopment.

In North America, which has seen fewserious new ski area developmentssince Beaver Creek in the early 1980s,

not one but two new resorts, both withthe potential to “make it big” in terms ofsize and popularity, are due to opennext season in the booming North Westof the country.

Moonlight Basin in Montana will havethree chairs including a six-seater whilstTamarack in Idaho will begin life inDecember with two high speed quads.

Developments at existing ski areasappear more limited next seasonalthough resorts where developmenthas been ongoing for several years,including Big White and Kicking Horse inWestern Canada and Heavenly andSquaw in California are on-going.

Mammoth Mountain will finally getthe gondola lift link from town to skislopes it has envisaged throughout itsexistence.

Elsewhere in the world there’s plentygoing on, too. In Australia and NewZealand most of the ski areas have seenexpansions or improvements of somesort for 2003, one of the greatest atPerisher Blue, which opened the firsteight-seater chairlift outside Europe thisyear as part of a spectaculardevelopment plan.

In Asia, Japan’s ten-year decline mayfinally be bottoming out with the

Why there’s so much to look

New links: Mammoth Mountain.

Construction work on the six-personchair lift Furggsattel Express inZermatt is proceeding according toplan.

The Furggsattel Express will be thefirst chair lift on a glacier inSwitzerland and the longest on aglacier in Europe.

It is planned for the chair liftFurggsattel Express to be in servicefrom the beginning of October to thebeginning of July, enabling theZermatt Mountain railway to offersnowsport facilities all year.

The costly anchorage work at themountain station on the Furggsattelhas been successfully completed. Sixanchors were flown to theFurggsattel and injected..

The glacier towers, each weighingabout 200 tonnes were flown in byhelicopter while the remainingmaterial was brought to the siteduring the night by bucket conveyorswith frequent unloading.

The Men’s World Cup competition season kicks off with a Giant Slalom on 26 October at Solden in Austria.

Stephan Eberharter is expected to defend his title, but as usual the fightwill be a tough one. Bodie Miller from the USA, placed second, will befighting all the way to the finish to try and wrestle the title from thedominant Austrians. Kjetil Andre Aamodt from Norway and Kalle Palandertook the third and fourth positions respectively. Another threat is the greatHermann Maier, who proved on his return late last season that he has lostnone of his competitive edge.

For the Ladies, Janica Kostelic is the one to beat. She dominated in 2002-03 and will aim to retain her title; Karen Putzer of Italy was second,with Anja Paerson of Sweden taking third.

British eyes will be focused on Alain Baxter, brother Noel, Finlay Mickel,and Chimene Alcott.

Lesley McKenna, who became the first Briton ever to win a World Cuphalfpipe, and the up and coming Zoe Gillings, who came fourth in the WorldJunior Snowboardcross Championships last February carrying the flag forBritish snowboarding, will also be in the hunt for medals.

Chair liftconstruction ‘on target’

Get set for World Cupaction

Threat: The competitive Herman Maier.



surviving resorts mastering the type ofinnovative marketing programs that areneeded to stay alive and win back skiersand boarders to their slopes. Across theChina Sea, Korea, and particularly China,are expanding their own facilities atrecord-breaking rates.

China is also the venue for some ofthe newest indoor snowdomes. Thesefacilities, the first of which opened inAustralia and Holland 15 years ago, arecontinuing to innovate and improve.

There are now some 40 snowdomesworldwide with many lavish projects inthe pipeline from Abu Dhabi to NewZealand, likely to increase the currentannual usage of these year-roundcentres up from to a combined estimateof five million people a year.

More and more of the more forward-thinking ski areas in the Alps areinvesting in dome developments in the

flat metropolitan areas of NorthernEurope.

Apart from the headline-grabbingdevelopments around Les Arcs and LaPlagne in the French Alps this season,the news is also good at many other skiareas across the continent.

As in previous years the emphasis isno longer on expanding terrain but on

improving the experience. The new lift ofchoice for 2003-04 appears to be thesix-seat detachable chair with aroundfifty new ones popping up around theAlps for 2003-4.

The number of eight-seater chairs inEurope will also creep up slowly towardsthe 20 mark with several moreappearing. These include the first with apull down weather protection bubblecover as the new Zillertal Arena lift-linked area in Austria expands further toadd Königsleiten – a rare cross-provincial joining of ski areas inSalzburgerland and Tyrol.

Austria’s neighbours Switzerland andItaly have gone one further at Cerviniaand Zermatt with a new six-seater chairlift that actually crosses the borderbetween the two countries.� For further information, contactPatrick Thorne at www.snow24.com

forward to in 2003-04

On the border: The Zermatt lift.

More than a million Brits took to theslopes last season, a holiday reporthas claimed.

The Ski & Snowboard IndustryReport 2003, compiled from allavailable data from a number ofsources, estimates the UK marketsaw six per cent growth on thepreceding winter.

By far the biggest leap was in theindependent travel sector whereskiers booked flights andaccommodation separately, which isup 21 per cent, probably driven bylow-cost airlines.

Skiers are now taking more thanone short break ski holiday in theseason and the package market hasalso grown by one per cent to594,000 holidaymakers.

There are now more flights to theAlps than ever – the number ofpassengers flown to European skidestinations has increased by 50 per cent since 1997 fuelled by growthfrom low cost carriers as well ascharter capacity.

Alongside the growth in the

independent market the 2002-03season saw growth in the number ofpassengers carried by tour operators.

Tour operators carried one per centmore passengers.

The most popular countriesremained unchanged on the 2001-02season: France took 36 per cent;Austria 19 per cent; Italy 16 per centand Andorra 14 per cent.

Despite a strong dollar, fewerscheduled flights to North Americaand the perception fewer peoplewould take long-haul ski holidays inthe climate of world uncertainty,North America almost held its 2001-02 level of bookings, recordingjust a 0.3 per cent fall to 5.8 per cent

of the market. Whistler now accountsfor 35 per cent of the Canadianmarket.

The largest single fall was toSwitzerland from 6.5 per cent to 5.4per cent reflecting the relativelyhigher costs of Swiss ski holidays.Andorra failed to continue its sharpgrowth curve in 2001-02, adding just0.3 per cent, but confirming itsposition in the top four ski countries.

The stability of the ski market canalso be attributed to the excellentsnow last season, leading toconfidence in the market.

The season also saw more peoplebooking directly with tour operators,via the internet and call centres.

One million-plus Brits go skiingIndependent: The biggestincrease inbookings came inthe independentsector.



GRABSMute: Opposite hand grabs the skiin front of the binding. The legsare then pulled up behind thebody bending at the knees. Thishelps create a big cross shapebehind and to one side.

The non-grabbing arm is oftenheld up in the air. This isapparently getting Old School (it'sbeen done for a few years now)unless Canadian J F Cusson does itthen it's “cool”.

New School Mute: As above exceptmuch smaller cross and tweakedwell to one side.

Safety: Same hand grabssame ski under boot on theoutside edge of ski (Boarderscall this an Indie grab).Pollard or Parallel: Samehand grabs same ski underboot but on the inside edge.Critical: Opposite hand grabsinside edge under boot.Tail: with skis crossed grab

outside of the tail of the ski on thesame side.Toxic: with skis crossed grab inside

Simon Ashton, with technicalhelp from Tom Last and AndyBennet, continues the

Blagger’s Guide to New Skool

I’ve been skiing all my life (well, since Icould walk) and started competingslalom as soon as I could tell my leftfrom right, blue from red. But it wasn’tuntil this year I truly became a “skier”!

About two years ago I was doing aslalom race at Rossendale when someonesuggested I should have a go at moguls.Being a gymnast they thought I would begood at it … how wrong they were!

As I battled my way down the waveswith my slalom skis and 130cm poles, Iresembled a cat being thrown out of awindow as I flew off the ramp and justabout made it across the finish line!

I stuck at it and went along to a fewmore competitions and really started toenjoy it, just doing small jumps andpottering down the moguls.

After a while I realised that doing more

freestyle meant my racing and generalskiing was improving, and I started to dobetter in slalom competitions again.

I have now retired from serious alpinecompetitions to make time for freestyleand am trying all the different aspects offreestyle. I’ve just completed my firstseason – I got to ski six days a week forfive months and try my hand at half pipe.

In two years, I managed to get into theEnglish Freestyle Ski Team, becomeBritish moguls and skier cross femalechampion and get sponsored by Fat Facelast autumn. This spring Fat Face gave mea great opportunity to go to Iceland andGreenland to do a photo shoot for theirwinter catalogue. All of a sudden I’m a skimodel, too!

I also worry that I’m becoming anadrenalin junkie. I thought that, as I got

older, big ramps would scare me moreand I would become more timid. But theopposite has happened; the more I skithe more confidence I build and the lessscared I become!

I feel that there are huge opportunitiesfor girls in this sport. It’s a hidden Meccawhere you get to ski with your own styleand gain respect for your individuality.Not just left right left right, blue red blue!

Now I’m not suggesting you all swapyour lovely skintight cat suits for baggypants straight away, I’m just suggestingyou try freestyle then make your ownminds up.

As long as you don’t mind beingsurrounded by blokes, involved in a verymale-dominated sport, and don’t takeanything anyone says seriously (exceptmaybe the coaches), you’ll love it.

Emma Lonsdale, (right) aged19 and one of the few femalesin the England Freestyle SkiTeam, gives a girl's eye viewof the discipline after summertraining in Tignes

Model skiermixes it with‘the blokes’

British Freestyle skiers stormed Tignes this summer,training in the bumps and funpark on the glacier,which has melted back to record levels.

Simon Bates (26, Edinburgh, British Moguls A Team)regained the Men's Moguls Champion title after kneesurgery prevented him competing in the 2002 event.

Tom Last (18, Sheffield, British New SchoolDevelopment Team and English A Team) continued hiswinning streak from the Saas Fee Ride two weeksbefore, beating team-mate Andy Bennet into thirdplace.

Emma Lonsdale (19, Settle, English Freestyle Team)

was the top female in both Moguls and Big Air.� The two leading members of the recently formedBritish Freestyle New School Development Squad bothscored top three places at the successful Saas-FeeRide 2003 event in mid-July.

Tom Last (Sheffield/Line Skis,Nike,Silver Cartel,OpticNerve) shared the overall honours with Markus Kaiser.Last's compatriot Andy Bennet (Nottingham/Line Skis,The North Face, Silver Cartel) took third place.� Andy David 23 from Derby, achieved a credibleseventh in the finals, which was a personal bestperformance.

Freestyle Brits raise a storm in Tignes



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of the tail of the ski on the same side.Method: as per Mute Grab but do notcross the skies (keep them parallel).Japan: opposite hand grabs inside ofski just behind the boot (apparentlyto be “cool” the legs should not bekicked out to the side).Taipan: with crossed skis right handgrabs left ski behind your back on theinside edge.

RAIL GRINDSRails come in a number of guises andshapes. Some you can slide straightonto, others you have to go off of aramp to gain enough height to reach.

Vertically curved rails are calledRainbow rails. Battleships are shapedlike half a hexagon. Kinks are kinked,roller coasters, well, look like rollercoasters. Basically they are in anyshape you want.

Outside the park, skiers grindrails(on steps). Entry on to rails is either

switch or regular, with rotations,grabs etc. The same is done off.Some even flip on and off.

The rail can be ground on two feetor on one foot, some with flat skissome with edged. You can jump fromone foot to the other and even 1800,3600 etc and carry on grinding. Onlyproblem is when falling off rails (andon to them) it can hurt a bit!

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