SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association

SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association. Photo courtesy of SnoFolio.

SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association.

Snowsports Performance Technology Company Expands Support of Athletes with Ski Training Management System

SnoFolio announced a partnership with the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA). The partnership furthers SnoFolio’s mission of supporting and progressing skiers throughout their lifetime by making its Snowsport performance technology available to more athletes.

SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association. Photo courtesy of SnoFolio.
SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association. Photo courtesy of SnoFolio.

The USCSA is recognized as the sports federation for collegiate team ski racing and snowboarding in America. USCSA scores the top three performances out of teams of five. Teams compete in a variety of disciplines, including women’s and men’s alpine, cross country, snowboarding, freestyle, and jumping. Over 5,000 student athletes compete in USCSA events annually, representing over 170 institutions in 11 Conferences and 6 Regions.

Alec Tandara-Kuhns, Executive Director of the USCSA, said, “The partnership between the USCSA and SnoFolio is a great fit because it offers additional training outlets for our membership from the club level through to the fully funded varsity programs.”  Continue reading “SnoFolio Announces Partnership with U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association”

A lift employee has died and six were injured in an accident while maintaining a lift from Titlis Bergbahnen.

A lift employee has died and six were injured in an accident while maintaining a lift from Titlis Bergbahnen. Titlis Gadmen - Photo: Denis Linine-Unsplash.

A lift employee has died and six were injured in an accident while maintaining a lift from Titlis Bergbahnen.

During a revision work on the Titlis cable car, a serious accident occurred. The gondola lift was closed to tourist traffic at the time of the accident and there were also no gondolas on the rope, as reported by the cantonal police Obwald.

When employees of the Bergbahnen Engelberg-Titlis were working on the Gerschnialp on the cable lift of the gondola lift on Wednesday morning, a temporary bracing loosened in the rope splice area of ​​the hoist rope, whereupon the workers were hit by the conveyor and the rescue rope.

A lift employee has died and six were injured in an accident while maintaining a lift from Titlis Bergbahnen.
A lift employee has died and six were injured in an accident while maintaining a lift from Titlis Bergbahnen.

As a result, an employee of the Titlis bahnen was so badly injured that he died at the accident site. Two other people involved in the work were severely injured and one person was injured a bit more moderate. There were also three more injured.

The deceased employee was an experienced employee who had been working for the company for 20 years.

Continue reading “A lift employee has died and six were injured in an accident while maintaining a lift from Titlis Bergbahnen.”

After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass

After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass. Photo Top 4 Kleine Scheidegg Ski Eiger, Mönch Jungfrau Winter.

After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass.

From HTR.ch 

In mid-May 2019 it was decided to continue the Top4 ski pass without the Mürren-Schilthorn ski area. After discussions with the Schilthornbahn, the partners have come back to their decision and in the winter sports season 2019/2020 will continue to accept the Top4 subscription in all subareas.

Buyers of the Top4 ski pass can now ski at no extra charge in the Mürren-Schilthorn area.

After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass.The Schilthorn Panorama Restaurant has a 360 views of the Alps. Photo: Schilthorn/Piz Gloria
After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass.The Schilthorn Panorama Restaurant has a 360 views of the Alps. Photo: Schilthorn/Piz Gloria

On the occasion of its collective bargaining conference, the association partners of the Jungfrau Ski Region decided in mid-May 2019 by a large majority to adjust the scope of the Top4 subscription and without starting the Mürren-Schilthorn area into the upcoming winter sports season. The network includes the Jungfrau Railways, the Grindelwald-Männlichen gondola lift, the Schilthorn cable car, the Wengen-Männlichen aerial cableway, the Bumps ski lift, the Wengiboden ski lifts and the Bodmi double ski lift. The decision to continue the Top4 ski pass without the Mürren-Schilthorn ski area has now been withdrawn.

Continue reading “After discussions, Schilthorn remains a member of the Top4 ski pass”

Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding

Matt Ross skiing at Aspen Resort, Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Snowmass. Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding.

Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding

Aspen Mountain Open for Skiing and Riding Jun. 8-9 

Aspen Mountain will once again offer skiing and riding as part of continued summer operations this weekend, Jun. 8-9, with 130 acres of terrain on a 58-inch base depth.

Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company.
Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding. Photo: Aspen Skiing Company.

The Silver Queen Gondola will be open for sightseeing and the Sundeck, located at the top of Aspen Mountain, will offer food and beverage options as well as a DJ on the deck Saturday.

The gondola will operate from 9 a.m.—4 p.m. for sightseeing and the Ajax Express chairlift will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., as long as conditions permit, for laps on Aspen Mountain’s upper blue runs as well as black runs such as Summit and Blondie’s. Everyone will be required to download on the gondola.

Continue reading “Aspen Snowmass Adds Another Bonus Weekend for Skiing and Riding”

The Gran San Bernardo pass has reopened

The Gran San Bernardo pass has reopened. Photo: AostaSera

The Gran San Bernardo pass has reopened

From AostaSera

Today the Gran San Bernardo Pass has reopened to the public. The pass, at 2,450 meters links Valais in Switzerland to the Aosta Valley in Italy. Lots of people came to the open ceremony. The opening works started by Anas personnel in April. Snow has accumulated on the sides of State Road 27 up to 12 meters of height.

The Gran San Bernardo pass has reopened. Photo: AostaSera.
The Gran San Bernardo pass has reopened. Photo: AostaSera.

Anas personnel started opening a gap in the snow reaching a stretch about 4 km from the state border. As the road was cleaned, the side barriers and vertical signs were also restored, removed before closing and stored to avoid damage due to possible avalanches.

Continue reading “The Gran San Bernardo pass has reopened”

NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks

Some hikers in Lake Lucerne. Photo by Jon- Unsplash. NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks.

NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks

From Swissinfo.ch

I’ve found this post on Swissinfo.ch about Switzerland, but this applies to all mountainous areas all over the world really.

It states that about one in three campsites in Switzerland located in or near a risk zone along rivers, lakes or in avalanche regions, are in danger. This was found in an in-depth analysis by the Sonntags Zeintug and Le Matin Dimanche newspapers.

Photo: SB VonLanthen. Unsplash. NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks.
Photo: SB VonLanthen. Unsplash. NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks.

There are 444 campsites across the country of which some are open all year round. People living in these zones during the winter or bad weather spells with high waters could be killed.

I have been last year trekking with my family in Courmayeur during a week when it was raining a lot every afternoon – one day we’ve been up the mountain and we made it down and to the multi-sports enclosed centre when it started raining, and the next day, we’ve heard that just up the road a bit, in Val Veny, there was a massive mudslide as the rivers got really full with lots of rain in a short period of time, and a couple had been wiped away in their car and perished. One has to respect these areas, as nature can turn very hard against one really quickly.

Continue reading “NATURAL HAZARDS : Camping in Switzerland carries certain risks”

Search efforts continue for 8 climbers missing in the Indian Himalayas, but hopes are fading after possible avalanche

India - Nanda Devi. Search efforts continue for 8 climbers missing in the Indian Himalayas, but hopes are fading after possible avalanche.

Search efforts continue for 8 climbers missing in the Indian Himalayas, but hopes are fading after possible avalanche

Last Update

From CNN.com

A search team has spotted five bodies on an unnamed peak in the Indian Himalayas, where the eight climbers were believed to have gone missing a week ago.

Pithoragarh District Magistrate Vijay Kumar Jogdande said on Monday that the bodies seemed to be partially buried in an avalanche on the peak in different locations.

The analysis of some photographs taken by a helicopter that did an air survey of the area earlier today allowed to identify the bodies.

The operation has stopped by Monday afternoon local time for the day, Jogdande said. Now the authorities are figuring out how to recover the bodies.

On Sunday, helicopter teams saw signs of an avalanche on the peak where the group was thought to have been, according to two state officials. Also, on Monday, a helicopter made a recce of the area and the crew saw a backpack at an elevation of 5,000 meters.

Search efforts continue for 8 climbers missing in the Indian Himalayas, but hopes are fading after possible avalanche
Search efforts continue for 8 climbers missing in the Indian Himalayas, but hopes are fading after possible avalanche

Jogdande said that for sure the missing team has been caught by a “huge avalanche” and that the ‘chances of survival are almost zero now.”

The missing climbers — four Britons, two Americans, an Australian and their Indian liaison officer — went missing in the region of Nanda Devi East, one of the highest peaks in India at just over 7,400 meters (24,000 feet.)

According to group’s expedition company Facebook posts, the group was attempting to climb a previously unclimbed and unnamed peak of about 6,477 meters (21,250 feet)

Indian authorities said on Monday that the climbers had no permission to climb an unnamed peak. Jogdande added that if they had known that the eight climbers were planning on climbing the unnamed peak instead of Nanda Devi East, they “would not have given permission.”

He added that heavy rain and high winds in the area have been hampering the search efforts.

More information: CNN.com

From Accuweather and BBC.com

Eight climbers have been missing when climbing Nanda Devi, India’s second tallest mountain at 7,816 meters. The group was supposed to return on May 31, having departed on May 13.

India - Nanda Devi. Search efforts continue for 8 climbers missing in the Indian Himalayas, but hopes are fading after possible avalanche.
India – Nanda Devi. Search efforts continue for 8 climbers missing in the Indian Himalayas, but hopes are fading after possible avalanche.

They were guided by British Mountain guide Martin Moran, owner of Scottish Moran Mountain tour company, who is an experienced mountain guide and has run numerous expeditions in the Indian Himalayas.

Search efforts started on Saturday, but bad weather conditions forced them to be called off during the evening hours. There are indications that an avalanche may have swept up the team.

The operation resumed on Sunday morning, with the Indian Air Force deploying two helicopters to aid in the search.

Continue reading “Search efforts continue for 8 climbers missing in the Indian Himalayas, but hopes are fading after possible avalanche”

Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant

Nendaz. Photo: Yasmin Gaudin.Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant.

Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant

NV Remontées mécaniques has definitely obtained all the necessary authorizations for the construction of the Gondola connecting Prarion to Plan du Fou as well as artificial snow making of the Greppon-Blanc sector (Combatseline-Thyon).

Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant. Poster: NV Remontées mécaniques
Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant. Poster: NV Remontées mécaniques

These two projects will be carried out during summer 2019 and the installations commissioned for the winter 2019-2020. In parallel, the artificial snow of the Plan du Fou’s free track will also be finalized.

The total investment represents around CHF 25 million. NV Remontées mécaniques will therefore have invested a total of CHF 60 millions in 4 years (2016 to 2019) in order to improve its offer and best meet the expectations of customers.

Continue reading “Upcoming Projects at Nendaz Veysonnaz: new gondola, snowmaking and on-mountain restaurant”

The Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola to re-open 15 June

The Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola to re-open 15 June

The Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola to re-open 15 June

The Panoramic Mont Blanc Gondola has been closed since January 2018, when storm Eleanor laid too much snow on the cables and that cause them breaking and  two gondolas falling down on the Glacier du Géant.

The lift connects the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m) in Chamonix, France to Punta Helbronner (3,466m) in Courmayeur, Italy, and the people that ride on the lift can see the marvellous Mer de Glace underneath. The ride takes 30 minutes to cross 5 km and is only opened in summer.

Around February the Compagnie du Mont Blanc found some more faults, but the company was still optimistic to open by the end of May. Now they are announcing its opening on 15 June. Last summer the gondola has to remained closed in order to change its power cable.

Continue reading “The Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola to re-open 15 June”

German innovation award for Zermatt 3s cabins.

The Matterhorn Glacier Ride. German innovation award for Zermatt 3s cabins.

German innovation award for Zermatt 3s cabins.

LEITNER ropeways wins award for special technical feature

By building the world’s highest 3S gondola lift ‘Matterhorn glacier ride’ to Klein Matterhorn in Zermatt (CH), LEITNER ropeways has created a ropeway highlight that has made waves worldwide. Some of the cabins developed with Italian design firm Pininfarina feature glass floors. These cabins have now been recognized with an award in the ‘Aviation & Maritime Technologies’ category at the renowned German Innovation Award.

Leitner Crystal ride. The Matterhorn Glacier Ride. German innovation award for Zermatt 3s cabins.
Leitner Crystal ride. The Matterhorn Glacier Ride. German innovation award for Zermatt 3s cabins.

Special Features

Each year, the Design Council, which was initiated by the German Parliament and is founded by the German industry, presents the ‘German Innovation Award’ to honour outstanding products and solutions with a special user focus and which add special value compared with previous solutions.

The 3S cabin of the ‘Matterhorn glacier ride’ on Klein Matterhorn was one of this year’s award winners. Its unique design earned it a win in the ‘Aviation & Maritime Technologies’ category. The jury made up of independent, interdisciplinary experts from industry, science, institutions and the financial sector, was particularly impressed by the exclusive “special features” in four of the 25 cabins.

These four cabins have a glass floor with a surprise feature. The cabins’ true secret is revealed after three minutes of the journey, when the opaque glass floor suddenly becomes transparent and reveals a spectacular view of the glacier landscape 170 meters below.

Continue reading “German innovation award for Zermatt 3s cabins.”