Foot Foundation can help you have happy feet (and ankles, knees, hips and backs!)

Measuring feet, one at a time, at Foot Foundation. Photo courtesy: Foot Foundation.

As I am going to Aspen next week, I have arranged a meeting with Foot Foundation. Eric Ward, its’ founder, is the husband of a dear friend of mine (Agustina Casal) and he has launched this endeavour when I used to live in Aspen in the year 2,000.

Having had problems with my right foot and ankle for years, this is something I should have done years ago, as from all the reviews I hear from Foot Foundation, it can help you have happy feet (and ankles, knees, hips and backs), which is what I am looking for.

The Severity of Pronation. Courtesy of Foot Foundation. I wonder where I am? I am assuming my right one is severe!
The Severity of Pronation. Courtesy of Foot Foundation. I wonder where I am? I am assuming my right one is severe!

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Is Vail Ruining the Skiing Experience? A new short documentary thinks so.

Is Vail Ruining the Skiing Experience? A new short documentary thinks so. Photo: Jack Affleck/Vail Resorts.

I have just seen a short documentary talking about Vail ruining the skiing experience. It is something I have asked myself many times. Now the industry in the US is divided in a duopoly- carried by Vail Resorts with its Epic Pass and Alterra with its IKON pass.

On one hand, if you are an avid skier, these passes are great, as it will result in cheaper rates, and you can ski a lot in lot of different areas. Compared to purchasing a season pass in one resort, this gives you variety.

The View from Aspen Highlands. Soft Pastels on La Carte Pastel. 100 cm x 35 cm (40" x 14") for sale in my shop here.
The View from Aspen Highlands. Soft Pastels on La Carte Pastel. 100 cm x 35 cm (40″ x 14″) for sale in my shop here.

On the other hand, if you are an occasional skier, the daily ski pass lift rates prices you out, unless you are wealthy. More if you take for first time your family to start skiing, where you need to rent equipment and take ski lessons for all. That is über expensive. I want to imagine that resorts have in place programmes to initiate to ski with some free lifts and an “entry rate” so you can try it and not mortgage your house for doing so!

At least in our local resort in Italy, (Pila), you have a couple of lifts that are free, and you just book a lesson and rent skis or snowboard and can have your first steps pretty cheap. And this is the norm in many other resorts in Europe I’ve been at.

Continue reading “Is Vail Ruining the Skiing Experience? A new short documentary thinks so.”

My Painting of GB Champion Telemarker Jasmin Taylor was given to her longtime sponsor Leggett Immobilier

GB Telemark Champion Jasmin Taylor skiing in Carezza. A painting by Martina Diez-Routh. Win your commission registering to my newsletter here.

My painting featuring GB Champion Telemarker Jasmin Taylor was given as a gift to her longtime sponsor Leggett Immobilier during the Telemark World Cup in Les Contamines-Montjoie. Jasmin got the bronze medal in this occasion, making her fifth career World Championships podium.

I did the painting based on a racing picture of her taken by photographer Josef Obexer in Carezza Dolomites resort.

Jaz Taylor giving her painting to her long-time sponsor Leggett Immobilier at the Telemark World Cup in Les Contamines-Montjoie. Photo courtesy Jaz Taylor.
Jaz Taylor giving her painting to her long-time sponsor Leggett Immobilier at the Telemark World Cup in Les Contamines-Montjoie. Photo courtesy Jaz Taylor.

The painting will finish decorating the walls of Leggett Immobilier in their Paris office.

I really enjoy doing this commission. It is always nerve-racking as you want the client to be happy with the result! You finish relaxing once you know the client is happy!

If interested in a commission, reach out through this link.

GB Telemark Champion Jasmin (JAZ) Taylor racing in Carezza. Photo courtesy of Josef Obexer Photo/Jaz Taylor.
GB Telemark Champion Jasmin (JAZ) Taylor racing in Carezza. Photo courtesy of Josef Obexer Photo/Jaz Taylor.

Start planning your next trip!

 

If looking to stay in the heart of the Mont Blanc Valley in the Aosta Valley, check the direct booking for Il Coure della Valdigne here. This is our own family home in the mountains, that I am renting out when not using.

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Book your lodging directly with me here.Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

If you prefer, you can also book my apartment through Booking.com

Booking might be cheaper if you have Genius status!

Check my Mountain Art on my Shop

You can go to my shop and see what have been inspiring me lately, lots mountain landscapes in soft pastels, and now in oils too. Go here to check my latest works!

Check my mountain art in my shop here.
Check my mountain art in my shop here.

If interested in me doing a special commission for you, let’s talk!

Needing help to get contacts in the ski tourism business– I am offering new consulting services- contact me here.

Featured Image: GB Telemark Champion Jasmin Taylor skiing in Carezza. A painting by Martina Diez-Routh. 

My Mountain Art featured in the newsletter of Expo Ski in Brazil.

My Mountain Art has been featured on the Expo Ski Newsletter.

My mountain art was featured in this week’s newsletter of Expo Ski, the Brazilian ski tourism show for Brazilian consumers and tour operators that is held annually in September in Sao Paulo.

Happy to have my art offered to Brazilian clients, from commissions to finished artwork shipped to destination.

The View from Aspen Highlands towards Pyramid Peak & the Maroon Bells. 100 x 35 cm (40"x14" approximately). Check it out in my shop here.
The View from Aspen Highlands towards Pyramid Peak & the Maroon Bells. 100 x 35 cm (40″x14″ approximately). Check it out in my shop here.

You can read the post here.

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New train from London to Geneva & Zurich planned for 2030.

Book your Eurostar Ski Train as soon as it goes on sale on Wednesday 17th July 2019

Good news for all of those who love going in train from London to Europe. By 2030, there is a project to have a new train going from London St Pancras to Geneva and Zurich by Swiss Federal Railways.

This project has also the agreement of the British train station and the Getlink group, managers of the Channel Tunnel.

Swiss Railways will have to adapt some of their stations to accommodate these new passengers.

Continue reading “New train from London to Geneva & Zurich planned for 2030.”

Practical Tips for Planning Your Ski Trip

When to go skiing to avoid ski school holidays in Europe. Photo: The-Ski-Guru @ Pila.

Here I am stating some different tips you can have in mind to planning your ski trip, so it is a success.

Going on the Eurotunnel is a great way to get fast into the continent from the UK. Photo: The-Ski-Guru.
Going on the Eurotunnel is a great way to get fast into the continent from the UK. Photo: The-Ski-Guru.
  1. **Plan Ahead**. Practical Tips for Planning your Ski Trip.

– Book flights and accommodation several months in advance. Prices are usually lower and you can be sure of availability, especially in high season. You can check rates on Booking.com which usually is pretty good. They have also rental cards, flights, transfers and activities. Just go to Booking and check it out.

– Look for packages that include accommodation, ski passes and rental equipment. These are sometimes cheaper than booking everything separately. There are lots of great ski tour operators. It is best to use one in your country if you want to book air through them. If you book air on your own, you can use any bed bank to plan your travel. Just check that the tour operator is accredited through the local entity, such as ASTA, ABTA, etc. You want them to be bonded should anything happens that the company goes bust, and at least the government takes care of what you’ve paid.

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Indy Pass adds six new ski resorts, including Pila in the Aosta Valley and Ski Corralco in Chile.

Ski Burke, photo Indy Pass. Indy announces six new resorts including Pila in the Aosta Valley and Ski Corralco in Chile.
Indy Pass announced today that 25/26 Indy Passes will go on sale to the general public on March 1, while supplies last, along with a 250 Resort Guarantee for the next winter season. Returning passholders have been invited to renew early for the lowest price of the year, starting at $299 for the Adult Base Pass.
Baqueira Beret is also on the Indy Pass. Photo: Baqueira Beret/Indy Pass. Indy Pass adds six new ski resorts including Pila in the Aosta Valley and Ski Corralco in Chile.
Baqueira Beret is also on the Indy Pass. Photo: Baqueira Beret/Indy Pass. Indy Pass adds six new ski resorts including Pila in the Aosta Valley and Ski Corralco in Chile.
Indy Pass announced the addition of five new ski areas for the 25/26 pass, including Burke Mountain, VT; Tenney Mountain, NH; Corralco Mountain Resort, Chile; Rauriser-Hochalmbahnen, Austria; Pila, Italy, and Mt. Washington XC, BC, Canada. Skiers and snowboarders with a 25/26 Indy Pass can extend their season into the summer by skiing at Corralco — Indy’s first addition to the Southern Hemisphere.
Pila is included on the Indy pass. Photo: The-Ski-Guru.
Pila is included on the Indy pass. Photo: The-Ski-Guru.

Continue reading “Indy Pass adds six new ski resorts, including Pila in the Aosta Valley and Ski Corralco in Chile.”

Mountain Doctors publishes accident figures

Frozen chairs in Tignes. Photo: Robert Bye. Unsplash. Mountain Doctors publishes accident figures.

The Mountain Doctors Network (MdeM) has compiled the winter sports accident figures for the 2023-2024 season. The report shows 136,700 injuries, which represents an average of 2.6 injuries per 1,000 skier days.

Three skiers enjoying the snow and views of Banff Sunshine Village. Photo: Banff Sunshine Village Resort. Unsplash. Mountain Doctors publishes accident figures.
Three skiers enjoying the snow and views of Banff Sunshine Village. Photo: Banff Sunshine Village Resort. Unsplash. Mountain Doctors publishes accident figures.

The winter sports accident observatory. Mountain Doctors publishes accident figures.

The results of the epidemiological network for observing winter sports accidents constitute the most comprehensive database (more than 400,000 cases in the database to date, since 1992) on winter sports pathologies.

For the 2023-2024 season, the report shows 136,700 injuries. This total number allows the association to establish a risk incidence reported to the number of skier days provided by Domaines Skiables de France. This average is 2.6 injured people per 1,000 skier-days.

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European Sleeper Launched Brussels-Venice Night Train Route with Special Event on 5 February

The European Sleeper Train, a great way to go skiing in style to the Dolomites or Austrian Alps. Photo: European Sleeper.

European Sleeper Launched Brussels-Venice Night Train Route with Special Event on 5 February

Brussels – Eindhoven – Cologne – Innsbruck – Bolzano/Bozen – Venice

The European Sleeper has launched the much-anticipated night train route connecting Brussels to Venice, with stops in Eindhoven, Cologne, Innsbruck, and Bolzano/Bozen on 5 February 2025, marking the start of a two-month service operating twice weekly for six return journeys throughout February and March. This unique route caters to travellers seeking winter sports getaways, city breaks, cultural experiences, and the world-renowned Venice Carnival.

 

Timetable of the Brussels-Venice Sleeper Train. Copyright: Sleeper Train.
Timetable of the Brussels-Venice Sleeper Train. Copyright: Sleeper Train.

The provisional timetable has been carefully designed to align with European school holidays, the ski season, and city break getaways to Italy’s most iconic destinations, including Verona and Venice, offering a convenient and sustainable travel option for passengers across Europe.

Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper, emphasized the importance of this new route: “This launch is a significant milestone for European Sleeper. Our mission is to reconnect Europe’s cities by night, providing travellers with more options for sustainable and comfortable travel. With stops in iconic locations like Innsbruck and connections to ski resorts and cultural landmarks, this route truly captures the spirit of adventure and discovery.”

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My Art Competition is being featured on the Whiteout Ski Podcast

Pista 3 in Pila. One of my new paintings in oil. In my shop here.

Together with InTheSnow I am putting together a competition to win a commission of my Mountain Art and 10 limited prints. Now the competition is also promoted on the Whiteout Ski Podcast.

You can listen to the show in this link. The shoutout for the competition is at 9’43”. 

InTheSnow co-hosts my mountain art commission give away.
InTheSnow co-hosts my mountain art commission give away.

Hosted by Dom Killinger and Robert Stewart, the Whiteout Ski Podcast always bring news of what is going on in the mountains, for mountain lovers from mountain lovers.

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