SKI TEST -SKI REVIEWS -FAT OR NOT FAT? What Ski to Buy?

Photo: Blizzard .SKI TEST -SKI REVIEWS -FAT OR NOT FAT? What Ski to Buy?

SKI TEST -SKI REVIEWS -FAT OR NOT FAT? What Ski to Buy?

by Chino Martinez
Professional skier

Introduction to different types of skis

Review of #1 Male All Mountain Skis – Blizzard Bonafide 98.

These days the options when walking into a ski shop at the beginning of the ski season are too many!

Blizzard Bonafide skis. SKI TEST -SKI REVIEWS -FAT OR NOT FAT? What Ski to Buy?
Blizzard Bonafide skis. SKI TEST -SKI REVIEWS -FAT OR NOT FAT? What Ski to Buy?

This article is to inform skiers how to choose the best skis for your best ski day or ski season.

What do we have to look to choose the right skis?

A-What type of skier are you?
1-aggressive/expert 2-intermediate 3-beginner.

B-What kind of terrain do you ski the most? Off piste, all mountain, groomers (piste), racing?
C-How many skis do you have? or are you willing to have? 

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Picture Ski Clothing for Kids – Grows with them!

Picture Ski Clothing for Kids – Grows with them!

Picture Ski Clothing for Kids – Grows with them!

You know how much it costs skiing and all you need to purchase to get your family kitted to going skiing. Now, you can get some cheap brands that are good enough, or maybe you want to splash out on a good brand. But then your kids grow up too quickly and you have made an investment that is not recovered– unless you have younger siblings to pass the clothes to and take advantage of it!

Slope jacket. Picture Ski Clothing for Kids – Grows with them!
Slope jacket. Picture Ski Clothing for Kids – Grows with them!

And it is great if you can find some decent brand for your kids, as you want your kid to be warm on the pistes. If you have very cold temperatures and your kid is wet and cold, he can ruin all the family’s day out. Skiing is very costly as to let this happen!

I was the other day visiting the dry slope at Chatham Snowsports Center and I pop into the  ski shop, and these jackets from Picture caught my eye.

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$2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort

Castle Mountain Resort. $2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort.

$2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort

From CTV News

Castle Mountain Resort will be investing $2 million in investment. This is coming from a 2017 development plan. The investment will be done to improve the facilities for the upcoming season.

Snowmaking will be added in three areas: on the Huckleberry terrain pod, on the Whiskey Jack run and on the base area.

For the very first time there will be a natural gas pipeline installed to bring service to the resort.

Castle Mountain Resort. $2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort.
Castle Mountain Resort. $2 Million in Upgrades for Castle Mountain Resort.

These upgrades will bring more consistent snow conditions throughout the resort and will allow them to open some pre-season training for different user groups.

Also, the resort will be able to open one week earlier due to this snowmaking and to stay opened into April.

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$60 Million Expansion for Arizona Snowbowl to upgrade facilities and ease congestion.

Arizona Snowbowl- Pinterest picture. Micayla Pins. $60 Million Expansion for Arizona Snowbowl to upgrade facilities and ease congestion.

$60 Million Expansion for Arizona Snowbowl to upgrade facilities and ease congestion.

From Arizona Republic

The Flagstaff resort development plans include new lifts, runs and amenities such as mountain biking and a mountain coaster.

Arizona Snowbowl has recently announced that it will invest $60 Million in upgrades including new lifts, night skiing and boarding, and new facilities.

Other activities they are envisioning to include which they are not currently offering are mountain biking, a mountain coaster, alpine slide, zip line tours, a climbing wall and outdoor concerts, broadening their offer for a four-seasons resort.

Arizona Snowbowl- photo: Arizona Republic. $60 Million Expansion for Arizona Snowbowl to upgrade facilities and ease congestion.
Arizona Snowbowl- photo: Arizona Republic. $60 Million Expansion for Arizona Snowbowl to upgrade facilities and ease congestion.

General Manager J.R. Murray said: “Obviously there is a growing demand for outdoor recreation, and that is why ski areas are adding year-round activities to utilize the infrastructure on a year-round basis and respond to the demand. And also, the year-round activities diversify the business, so we are not so heavily reliant on winter.”

The improvements will be built over a period of time. If the plans get approval from the U.S. Forest Service, then the work will begin no sooner than 2021 and it will take 10 to 15 years to be completed, Murray said.

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Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere?

Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere? Photo: Valle de Las Leñas in Mendoza, Argentina.

Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere?

As the snow season is to start in South America, we who are born and bred there – (not necessarilly all living there anymore, but many of my friends are doing double seaason- in Chile or Argentina and then Aspen or Vail usually), always tend to think that the snow in the Northern Hemisphere is correlated with the snow in the Southern Hemisphere, mostly when the season is going to start down under.

Summer what Summer?

In Southamerica, specifically in Chile there is a saying: “Abril lluvias mil” that can be translated as: “in April we will have lots of rain”, but this has changed over the last 10 years or so.

There have been lots of Aprils without any rain in the cities, and no snow up in the mountains.
In the High Andes, due to the rocky formation of the mountains, you need a good month of natural snow to cover well all the mountain. Lately, all ski areas have been proactive and started installing snowmaking cannons and guns as Mother Nature is not reliable.

Valle Nevado picture on 14 June. Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere?
Valle Nevado picture on 14 June. Does the snow in the Northern Hemisphere correlates with the Southern Hemisphere?

Chile had the driest start of the year from January to May so far in the last six decades. If there is no rain, there is no snow. There is a front coming now, not sure how much will leave at the high Andes and how much at the lower ones – Accuweather does not show too much in this respect.

Snow-Forecast is a bit more optimistic! I As per Snow-Forecast, Las Leñas has received 42 cm in the past week and is expecting 19 more cm in the next three days. Others that benefited are Puma Lodge with 59 cm, Nevados de Chillan with 56 cm, Corralco with 55 cm and Villarrica-Pucón with 47 cm. Antillanca also got 32 cm, Volcan Osorno 30 cm, Caviahue, in Argentina got 19 cm, Catedral 16 cm and Valle Nevado 16 cm.

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Summer Works at Stevens Pass to get a better skiers’ and boarders’ flow.

Summer Works at Stevens Pass to get a better skiers’ and boarders flow.

Summer Works at Stevens Pass to get a better skiers’ and boarders’ flow.

The two new chairlifts are part of the $35 million investment of Vail Resorts into four mountains including Stevens Pass.

These upgrades are aimed at slopes for beginners’ skiers and boarders.

This summer the chairlifts and loading terminals on both the Daisy and Brooks trails are receiving a complete overhaul as part of an investment by owner Vail Resorts.

Stevens Pass: A Frame is being lifted up for Daisy lift. Photo: Vail Resorts. Summer Works at Stevens Pass to get a better skiers’ and boarders flow.
Stevens Pass: A Frame is being lifted up for Daisy lift. Photo: Vail Resorts. Summer Works at Stevens Pass to get a better skiers’ and boarders’ flow.

Tom Pettigrew, GM of Stevens Pass Ski Resort said “We listened to what the team had to say about what we could do from an improvement standpoint. This seemed to be where we could focus our investment to have the greatest on-mountain experience change in a positive direction.”

The new quad chair on the Daisy lift access beginners’ terrain and will improve uplift capacity by 33% more. An updated loading area is designed to help beginners loading the lift.

The Brooks terminal is being regraded so skiers have a downhill approach and the chair will be now a quad, doubling the capacity of the double that stand there before.

Continue reading “Summer Works at Stevens Pass to get a better skiers’ and boarders’ flow.”

A Quick Guide to Indoor Skiing & Dry Slopes In The UK

A Quick Guide to Indoor Skiing & Dry Slopes In The UK. Photo courtesy of Ridestore Magazine.

A Quick Guide to Indoor Skiing & Dry Slopes In The UK

The winter season here in the Northern Hemisphere is over, but that is no need to fret, this opens up the chance to brush up on your skills, dust off the cobwebs of the spring and basically spend the Summer building up to the Winter enjoying time at one of the many Indoor Skiing & Dry Slopes In The UK. The UK is home to many indoor and outdoor slopes, trust us, there is one near you.

Of course, the Summer is lovely, for the 1.5 days that it lasts here in the UK. We are under no illusions that we are akin to the likes of the Olympians who need to train for the Winter 7 days a week BUT wouldn’t it be great to build some muscle, get in some cardio and enjoy spending time with your family on the slopes.

Bearsden Ski and Board Club in Glasgow. Photo courtesy of Ridestore Magazine.
Bearsden Ski and Board Club in Glasgow. Photo courtesy of Ridestore Magazine. A Quick Guide to Indoor Skiing & Dry Slopes In The UK

Okay, let us set the scene, it’s the first day of your ski holiday, you haven’t booked lessons, thinking you will “get your ski legs back first”. You take the ski lift to the top of this expensive resort, you barely make it off the chair lift, as you seem to have forgotten how to disembark. Then as you place your goggles over your eyes and crouch into position as if you are about to take off then low and behold your legs go to jelly. Then you spend all of apres ski nursing your mulled wine while your leg muscles scream!

Instead, what if we told you – you could simply glide into your skis and show that red run who’s boss!

All you need to do is visit your local ski slope. From North to South, the UK has a ski slope near you that offers a fantastic experience, quality time with the family, excellent instructors and a chance to prepare. Maximising your time now, to make the most of your time on the slopes.

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National Schools Snowsport Week is Back This Month

Winter Olympians, British snowboarder Aimee Fuller and British alpine skier Dave Ryding and Paralympic gold medallists Menna Fitzpatrick and Jen Kehoe and Ski Sunday's Graham Bell join over 30 lucky pupils at a National Schools Snowsport Week launch event at The SnowDome in Tamworth. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday April 16th, 2018. Photo credit should read: Rui Vieira/PA Wire. National Schools Snowsport Week is Back This Month.

National Schools Snowsport Week is Back This Month

This is a great effort to introduce kids to snow-sports in the UK – to many that could not imagine to ever see one pair of skis or snowboard. Our business need desperately new comers, and we need to introduce the young, as the majority of us fanatics, are getting older by the day. I do hope my kids’ school takes up the program. I’ve passed it to our Headteacher- you should do the same if leaving in England.

The USA has a similar program – the Learn to Ski and Snowboard Day – that was a success.

Paralympic gold medallist Menna Fitzpatrick joins over 30 lucky pupils at a National Schools Snowsport Week launch event at The SnowDome in Tamworth. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday April 16th, 2018. Photo credit should read: Rui Vieira/PA Wire. National Schools Snowsport Week is Back This Month.
Paralympic gold medallist Menna Fitzpatrick joins over 30 lucky pupils at a National Schools Snowsport Week launch event at The SnowDome in Tamworth. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday April 16th, 2018. Photo credit should read: Rui Vieira/PA Wire. National Schools Snowsport Week is Back This Month.

National Schools Snowsport Week is back this month (24th to 30th June) at clubs and ski slopes across England, aiming to encourage children to try skiing and snowboarding. 

National Schools Snowsport Week, organised by Snowsport England, is in its fourth year and is set to reach over 75 schools and 3,500 young people, making it the biggest yet.

Many dry and indoor slopes across the country will be running free or discounted taster sessions to give young people from all backgrounds the chance to take up snowsports.

Tim Fawke, CEO of Snowsport England, commented: “For many young people this will be their first time on skis or snowboards and for others it will be an opportunity to try a different snowsport discipline, for example freestyle, racing or ski/snowboard cross.

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Over 4 million skier visits for Vermont

Okemo Resort picture. SkiVermont.com - Over 4 million skier visits for Vermont.

Over 4 million skier visits for Vermont

Thanks for early and late snow, Vermont got the best season in four years.

The Vermont ski areas association 50th Annual Meeting at Jay Peak on June 5-6 gathered members, supporters and friends of the Vermont ski and snowboard industry. Thanks to good snow in the beginning and end of the ski season, this past season was historic.

Smugglers Notch powder. SkiVermont.com Over 4 million skier visits for Vermont.
Smugglers Notch powder. SkiVermont.com Over 4 million skier visits for Vermont.

Vermont saw 207K more skier and rider visits this season than last, an increase of 5.2 percent. The 4,178,533 total skier visits were the highest since the 2014-15 ski season and a 1.2 % higher than the 10-year average seen at the Vermont’s ski areas.

The state’s history early openings with large amount of skiable terrain allowed the season to have these great numbers. Killington opened on October 19, three weeks ahead of opening day and was the earliest opening in the East. Mount Snow Resort had its earliest opening in its 64-year history, opening on October 27. Smuggler’s Notch Resort opened on November 23 with the most skiable terrain on an opening day – 58 of its 78 trails were opened.

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Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.

Photo: Hotham Resort. Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.

Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.

  • The 2019 Epic Australia Pass and 2018-19 Epic Pass will now provide unlimited, unrestricted access to Hotham Alpine Resort, in addition to Perisher Ski Resort and Falls Creek Alpine Resort in Australia
  • Additional world-class access on the Epic Pass and Epic Australia Pass includes Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Park City and more in North America and Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu in Japan
  • Purchase deadline for the 2019 Epic Australia Pass is now extended to Tuesday 18, June
Glorious mountain views at Hotham Alpine Resort to end Autumn & start winter 2019. Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.
Glorious mountain views at Hotham Alpine Resort to end Autumn & start winter 2019. Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) announced that the 2019 Epic Australia Pass and 2018-19 Epic Pass will now provide unlimited, unrestricted access to Hotham Alpine Resort, in addition to Perisher Ski Resort and Falls Creek Alpine Resort in Australia. To celebrate the best Australian snow conditions in almost 20 years, the deadline to purchase a 2019 Epic Australia Pass has been extended to Tuesday 18, June.

Thanks to nearly a metre of snow across Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham over the past week, these early season conditions have set up the strongest season opening since 2000. Perisher was able to open for the 2019 season one week early with a 31 May early opening and the new $4.2 million Leichhardt Quad Chairlift is set to make its debut this Thursday. Hotham opened this past Friday 7, June and Falls Creek opened on Saturday 8, June.

Continue reading “Epic Australia Pass Now Includes Unlimited, Unrestricted Access to Hotham Alpine Resort with Sales Deadline Extended to 18 June.”