Category: Ski

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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.”

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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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How Sustainable is Vail Resorts for the Future Years?

Family Ski School Instruction in Vail, CO. Photo: Jack Affleck. Vail Resorts. The Must-Read Guide to Vail.

These last weeks there were lots of news on Vail Resorts, for the wrong reasons, and got me thinking how sustainable is Vail Resorts for the Future Years?

I actually think this is a bigger problem, that can include Alterra and Powder Mountain and all the conglomeration that has been going on on the ski business worldwide.

Vail Mountain Wooden Clock, painting by Martina Diez-Routh in soft pastels, pan pastels and pastel pencils on pastel paper 80x60cm unframed, on sale framed.
Vail Mountain Wooden Clock, painting by Martina Diez-Routh in soft pastels, pan pastels and pastel pencils on pastel paper 80x60cm unframed, actually exhibiting at the QC Terme hotel in Courmayeur. Check it in my shop here. 

It is a love/hate relationship that one has now with Vail Resorts and all the conglomeration of ski passes. Part of me thinks is just plain wrong, that they are killing the character of resorts, and really gets me angry seeing these big companies trying to purchase European and Japanese resorts. But then, having studied Economics in my younger life, I can see that the scale economies work… but to whose advantage… not employees for sure, maybe the CEO of a public company, that has her job pretty well paid of.

This video below of Peak Rankings give you a thorough report on the state of Vail Resorts and what their last report might mean for its future.

You can see my Must-Read Guide to Vail here – even I am in two minds with the resort 🙂

More of PeakRankings here.

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The Women Ski World Cup is Returning to La Thuile

Audi FIS Ski World La Thuile.

Tickets will be available online from 21st December. You can watch the races of 14 and 15 March 2025 from an exclusive seat! A smart idea for your Christmas gifts.

In La Thuile next winter will really sparkle because the Women Ski World Cup will come back here after 5 years.

The queens of speed will challenge each other on slope “Number 3- Franco Berthod” on Friday, 14 and Saturday, 15 March 2025.

A unique show not to be missed: the slope is the steepest in Italy and the race is one of most difficult of the circuit.

Downhill on Friday, Super G on Saturday: this will be the last date before the Finals in the USA.

Skiing in La Thuile- Soft Pastels, Pan Pastels, Pastel Pencils and Charcoal on La Carte Pastel. 60 x 80 cm. In my shop!
Skiing in La Thuile- Soft Pastels, Pan Pastels, Pastel Pencils and Charcoal on La Carte Pastel. 60 x 80 cm. In my shop!

Continue reading “The Women Ski World Cup is Returning to La Thuile”

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Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis have opened thanks to the latest snowstorm.

A chairlift in Grandvalira full of snow. Photo Grandvalira. Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis have opened thanks to the latest snowstorm.

Thanks to the last snowfalls, Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis are now opened. The snowfall of 100 cm in parts has been celebrated by locals while more snow is expected. The descent of the temperatures allows to produce more man-made snow to touch the more tracked areas.

Grandvalira has started the 2024-25 ski season with partial opening in the sectors of Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig, and then it opened the sectors of Encamp, Soldeu, El Tarter and Canillo.

In numbers, the Andorran ski domain of Grandvalira Resorts look like this:

Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis have opened thanks to the latest snowstorm. Photo: Grandvalira Resorts.
Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis have opened thanks to the latest snowstorm. Photo: Grandvalira Resorts.

*308 skiable km, the biggest area of the Pyrenees mountains and the south of Europe.

*217 pistes of all different levels

*123 ski lifts with a transportation capacity of 180.115 skiers/hour

*3,135 hectares

*66% of terrain with snowmaking, to guarantee skiing conditions

*79.8 km of snow shoeing circuits

*81.3 km of circuits for ski mountaineering

*+25 activities of adventure

*87 restaurants/bars on the mountain.

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Empowering Fitness: Unlocking the Potential of People with Disabilities

Skiing on a sit ski. Photo: La Rosiere Tourism Office. Empowering Fitness: Unlocking the Potential of People with Disabilities.

Guest post by Martin Block. The Able Rise Group.

Living with a disability should never be a barrier to leading an active and fulfilling lifestyle. Physical activity is not only crucial for maintaining overall health but also contributes to improved mental well-being and enhanced quality of life. In this article, we explore a range of fitness options specifically tailored to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. By embracing adaptive exercise techniques and inclusive fitness programs, we can empower people with disabilities to unlock their full potential and enjoy the numerous benefits of an active lifestyle.

The big rock in the river. See this oil painting in my shop here.
The big rock in the river. See this oil painting in my shop here.

Set Yourself Up for Success With a Healthy Breakfast

Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast sets the foundation for a successful workout session. Consuming a balanced meal rich in protein, whole grains, and fresh fruits helps fuel your body and provide sustained energy throughout the day. Whether you choose a hearty bowl of oatmeal topped with berries or a protein-packed smoothie, a healthy breakfast ensures you have the stamina and focus needed to make the most out of your exercise routine.

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Indy Pass becomes the temporary owner of historic Black Mountain in New Hampshire

Indy Pass acquires Black Mountain

For people following my blog, you know that I love the idea of the Indy Pass and I do prefer the small mountain vibe than the big conglomerate, so I always publish press releases from Indy Pass. Indy Pass is becoming the temporary owner of the historic Black Mountain in New Hampshire. The Indy Pass will ensure the ski area is open for its 90th season and will implement a community-operated (co-op) business model by the start of the 2025/26 season

Indy Pass is the temporary owner of Black Mountain to keep it running this season. Photo: Indy Pass.
Indy Pass is the temporary owner of Black Mountain to keep it running this season. Photo: Indy Pass.
Indy Pass, the independent ski areas season pass. Logo: Indy Pass.
Indy Pass, the independent ski areas season pass. Logo: Indy Pass.

The Indy Pass and Entabeni Systems have purchased Black Mountain, New Hampshire’s oldest ski area, from the Fichera family. For the past 30 years, the Fichera family has worked tirelessly to keep the mountain open for the community to enjoy. Indy Pass will own and operate the resort for this coming season and will transfer the ownership to a community co-op by the 2025/26 season. The family will continue to support the mountain as it  transitions to the co-op model.

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Plan your holiday to Les Gets this winter

Grand Cry Tipis Zone Ludique. Valentin Du Crettet. Les Gets Tourisme. Plan your holiday to Les Gets this winter.

If you are looking for a great place where to go skiing with your family, Les Gets it is a great contender.

With easy access, as you can fly into Geneva, and you are only at 1 hour 20 minutes away from Les Gets.

Snowboarding in the expanse area of Les Gets. Photo: Keno. Les Gets Tourisme. Plan your ski holiday to Les Gets this winter.
Snowboarding in the expanse area of Les Gets. Photo: Keno. Les Gets Tourisme. Plan your ski holiday to Les Gets this winter.

Or drive from London taking the ferry or the Eurotunnel and then after passing Geneva, take the A40 and then the D902 to get there.

In a nutshell, Les Gets is one of the 12 resorts of Les Portes du Soleil, that are in two countries (France and Switzerland) and cover more than 600 km of pistes.

Snowshoeing at dusk or dawn. One of the guided activities you can pre-book now for your Les Gets trip. Photo: Max Coquard. Les Gets Tourisme. Plan your holiday to Les Gets this winter.
Snowshoeing at dusk or dawn. One of the guided activities you can pre-book now for your Les Gets trip. Photo: Max Coquard. Les Gets Tourisme. Plan your holiday to Les Gets this winter.

Les Gets ski area is opening on Saturday 21st December 2024 through April Sunday 6th, 2025. On 14th December the resort will open the terrain with enough snow to ski, all depending on snow conditions.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

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Indy Pass Adds Ten New Resorts

Indy Pass banner photo.

INDY PASS ADDS TEN NEW RESORTS, INCLUDING RAGGED MOUNTAIN. PASSES ARE NOW ON SALE IN CELEBRATION OF “INDEPENDENT’S DAY”

Ragged Mountain, NH, and nine other resorts will add capacity for the 2024/25 season, enabling a limited number of passes to be released today.

 

GRANBY, COLORADO—Indy Pass announced today that Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire, three others in New England, four in Japan, and one each in the Southeast and Nova Scotia will join the pass, adding skier capacity for the 2024/25 season. A limited number of passes will be available for purchase starting today.

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Review on the Dynastar M-Pro W 92 skis for women

Dynastar Skis at the Snow Centre - Photo: The-Ski-Guru

I have the chance to try the Dynastar M-Pro W 92 skis at the Ski Press event at the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead. I have tried already another pair last year which I really liked, and was keen to see how this ski would do.

A freestyle ski,  intended to be an all-mountain ski for advanced to expert skiers. Built with a wood core (hybrid core 2.0) –  it is designed to be great on powder and forgiving in piste.

Getting my skis ready by Scott Dobson of Dynastar skis. Photo: The-Ski-Guru
Getting my skis ready by Scott Dobson of Dynastar skis. Photo: The-Ski-Guru

It features a moderate waist width to ensure a smooth transition between groomers and fresh powder, and a dual rocker that enhances its manoeuvrability in soft snow while still giving you a grip on hard-pack, due to its traditional camber.

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