News of Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2021-22 ski season.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is preparing for the 2021-22 ski season. Here you have the news of the Queen of the Dolomites.
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A classic in Cortina d’Ampezzo- Bombardino in a terrace absorbing great views! Photo credit: Cortina Marketing.
New chairlift: Ra Valles
There will be a new four-seater chairlift in the area of Ra Valles. This is the highest in Cortina. You reach it with the Freccia nel Cielo Gondola and cablecar from the town centre. This new chairlift will replace two lifts.
It will reduce transport time dramatically. You will be able to reach much faster the top of the Bus de Tofana slope. This is the highest slope in Cortina,starting at 2,743m.
Here I have put together the must-read guide to the Rhône Alpes. It is pretty inclusive so I’ll do it as a bit of a bullet point. But it is a good start where to see all their ski resorts and which ones could tempt you for your perfect ski holiday.
The Rhône Alpes is an extensive area in the Central West of France. From west to east it offers the Auvergne Volcanoes to Lyon and the French Alps and Mont Blanc. This is the roof of Europe at 4,810 meters.
Pointe d’Ireuse. View on Mont Blanc. Chablais Massif. Photo: Christian Matelet. Auvergne Rhône Alpes Tourisme. The Must-Read Guide to the Rhône Alpes.
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How to get there: The Must-Read Guide to the Rhône Alpes.
By Air:
Paris Airport- transfer to Lyon is 45 minutes.
Geneva Airport
Chambery Airport
Grenoble Airport
By Train:
Paris – TGV (fast train)
London with the Eurostar
Brussels with the Thalis
By Car:
Lyon airport: 1-3 hours
Geneva airport: 1-3 hours
Chambery airport: 1-1.5 hours
Grenoble airport: 1-1.5 hours.
Sunset on the Grandes Jorasses. Mont Blanc Massif. Photo: Carmen Villa/Auvergne-Rhône Alpes Tourisme. The Must-Read Guide to the Rhône Alpes.
The French Alps – The Must-Read Guide to the Rhône Alpes
The French Alps are the most renown ski mountains in the world. Here are some specs to explain why:
It has been three times host of Winter Olympic games:
Chamonix in 1925 (first edition)
Grenoble, 1968
Albertbille, 1992.
The 3 Valleys is the world’s largest ski area, with 600 km of ski slopes and more than 200 cable cars. Most of the terrain is above 1800 m altitude.
There are different connected ski areas, or if you prefer to call them ski carousels.
Les 3 Vallées
Paradiski
Val d’Isère- Tignes.
It has the longest snow season in Europe, from November (October for Tignes this year!) to May.
It offers summer skiing from June to August at
Val d’Isére-Tignes
Les 2 Alpes
This guide will pinpoint the unique particularities of the different main ski resorts.
EcoSki is a new concept that will help people to change the way to think about their ski clothing. Their aim is to stop unnecessary purchases and waste. There is a most cost-effective way of dealing with this.
They aim to do so with four different avenues. EcoSki- a new way to think about ski clothing.
1. Repair– what you already own, they will do this on your behalf. Check Repairs (ecoski.co.uk)
2. Rent – this will be a new project that will go live any time. It will feature a full range of high performance items. Brands such as Patagonia, Ortovox, Mammut, Picture and Amundsen. Items will range from socks and water bottles to ski jackets, pants and mid-layers. Not to forget also about avalanche safety equipment. EcoSki will sterilise between uses (O Zone Treatment). This will work in conjunction with My Wardrobe HQ.
3. Buy New but Buy Better. Do so from responsible brands. These are working to reduce their social and environmental impact. You will have the option to trade in when you no longer need them. They will then sold again preloved.
4. Buy Preloved. EcoSki will repair and list any items you don’t need anymore. They will then go again and list it on their preloved page (Ecoski’d ). At this moment you can find the preloved stock on Instagram. They soon will have their own website. EcoSki works also with Bluebird Exchange and will start working with WhoSki.com . Both companies specialised in Preloved outdoor wear.
Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.
After a non-season, which was different depending the country, I am looking forward. I want to focus more on the future than the past, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains. But will write a short summary of what happened before moving to the summer.
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This past ski- season. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.
The case of North -America. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.
It was the weirdest season- or non-season of my entire life. And I am 51 now. America had a season, albeit limitations. Canada too, even they had more limitations than America. It was a mixed patch. From Covid tests for those arriving into Vermont or Aspen, to a reservation system in most of the resorts. It must have been so difficult for resorts to organise it all. And for lodging, you sell the lodging. And you have to have an agreement with the lift company to be sure these people will be able to ski!
The Covid Ski Season. Photo by Florian Glawogger. Unsplash. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.
And what happened with Canada. Summary of a non-season, and how things are looking now for a summer in the mountains.
The Canadian provinces had lots of limitations so it was difficult travelling around. Whistler had to close earlier as a big cluster of Covid developed in the population.
You could eat inside and then not anymore. Owners and workers of restaurants kept on having disputes with the local authorities. But overall, the North Americans had a ski season.
30 Years in a White Haze- the new book by ski legend Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur will be available from March
I am lucky to be pre-reading the 30 Years in a White Haze- the new book of my friend and ski legend Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur. It tells the story of Dan and his worldwide adventures and how the Extreme Skiing evolved in its heyday. It will be available in the United Kingdom from March and you can preorder now). Obviously it will be available in the US and in Continental Europe as well! So go ahead and check on Amazon.com now.
Dan Egan with his Skis on a day in the job. 30 Years in a White Haze- the new book by ski legend Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur will be available from March.
Thirty Years in a White Haze chronicles the adventures, successes and losses of Dan. It also documents the evolution of Extreme Skiing and the growth of the outdoor media industry.
The book unravels history as Egan ties together his own family’s story, the ever-present mortality of his namesake. Also his grandfather’s involvement in desegregating Boston’s (his home town) school. And the rise of extreme skiing and technology into the new millennium. An ode to a life filled with curiosity, growth, freedom and its costs. Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur’s new book promises a heavy dose of humour, suspense, thrill, and documentary, as thirty years of haze dissipates to clarity.
Swiss urged to ‘hit the slopes’ to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.
The Swiss should ‘hit the slopes’ to save this coming ski season. What is the situation of skiing in December in the rest of Europe?
It is near December and the major Alpine countries have their lifts closed. What is the situation for skiing in December in Europe? France, Italy and Austria had to close their lifts, after some resorts opened for a short while. This was due to a second wave of the Covid pandemic.
French and Italian ski resorts will now close until January. Same with Germany. Austria is saying they will open their resorts by 18th December, defying the rest of the EU. Spain has sent hints of opening by December 18th, while Andorra is seeing what they will do. The Swiss are urged to “hit the slopes” to save the ski season.
Crans-Montana in winter. Photo: CMTC Luciano Miglionico. Swiss urged to ‘hit the slopes’ to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.
The situation in Switzerland. Swiss urged to ‘hit the slopes’ to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.
In the meantime, Switzerland is open. Pretty everyone can now go to Switzerland without needing to quarantine at arrival.
Although, check before travelling, as there are some exceptions to this rule!
So while other Alpine nations are seeing their resorts closed, the Swiss have been skiing for weeks!
Wearing face masks now is mandatory everywhere except while on the slopes. Cable car windows stay open during all the rides up the mountain. You need to use your face mask also on the open chairlifts. Police patrol check out the departure areas to be sure skiers and boarders comply.
Swiss are expecting their own people will flock to the mountains for the open air. They know that the Americans and Asians will not come this season. So with some local guests and perhaps later some regional visitors, they can save the season.
It is almost mid-November and we are stuck in the lockdown 2.0. Many of us are thinking if we will ski this December. What is going to happen? Who knows? The reality is that we are all locked in- to be honest, this is not too much of a lockdown, so for me, at least, is not so bad. I do feel bad for those with shops, gyms, pools that have to close down. And for the restaurants, bars and cafes that can only sell take away.
I myself have not been going to much to any bar or restaurant inside since March. I did go twice in the summer in Morgex, to my beloved La Locanda. But we’ve eaten outside once, and once inside because the weather was foul. But there was no virus going around Valle d’Aosta at that time and it felt safe. And this lockdown gave me time to fall in love with cooking all over again. And planting, and drawing more. But I do go and get coffees from my local shops and sausages for my dog Ozzy!
My boys skiing late in the afternoon in La Thuile. Will we ski this December?
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Now, as kids go to school, and work is picking up (slowly), I cook what I need only. So this is lockdown without the plus of waking up whenever your body tells you to do so! It is ok, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. I am only very sorry of the quantity of people missing dear ones to this pandemic. We become untouched with the reality hearing like about 400 people died today of Covid. It is awful if you think about it. I guess is that your brain tries to protect you of the terrible news to keep going on.
Dreaming of skiing and white Christmas. Will we ski this December?
Right now, I am thinking a lot about our trip in December to the mountains. We have already given up to our October half term drive to Morgex due to many factors. From the testing in the UK (that was aprox £600 more), and then the coming and quarantining for two weeks. I would have done it, but the boys would not be able to go to school and who knows how the schools react…. (being Argentine I don’t see it how people in the UK sees it…for me there is no better experience than travelling). So we’ve missed the autumn colours in the Aosta Valley. At least I could see them online thanks to the many accounts I follow on social media. Next year, is what I have to remind myself, I will be there.
Our skis going up the cablecar Chécrouit. Will we ski this December?
Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
Alta Badia to host the giant slalom and slalom of the Ski World Cup. It is the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
This Sunday 20th December on the Gran Risa slope, there will be the traditional men’s giant slalom. This is part of the Alpine Ski Club. Also, on Monday 21st December, the FIS has assigned a slalom to Alta Badia.
Alta Badia. Gruppo del Sella. Photo: IDM Südtirol- Alex Filz- Alta Badia. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
This year the fans can support their favourites racers on the TV, and not in person. This is to guarantee safety for the athletes, their teams and media representatives.
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The first run of the Giant Slalom will start at 10AM on Sunday 20th December. The second run will do so at 1.30 PM.
On Monday 21st December, the slalom racers will start at 10 AM and the second run will do so at 1PM. All the races will broadcast in world vision.
Alta Badia Ski World Cup. Photo: Alta Badia. Alex Moling. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
The 2020 Trophies: A Celebration of Sport and Life. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
The trophies given to the top three racers are done by Danielle Basso. She has done the gigantic sculpture at the start of the Gran Risa slope to celebrate 30 years of the event. The trophies “are metaphors – explained Basso – of a history of passion, sport and beauty that is renewed every year in this magical event in the heart of the Dolomites”.
How Val Thorens is ready for the 2020-21 ski season.
Here is how Val Thorens is getting ready now for the 2020-21 ski season. Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, starting at 2300 m and with pistes up to 3200 m. The resort is part of Les 3 Vallées, the biggest ski carousel in the world. Within the whole 3 Vallées, the lower slopes are around 600 m (at Brides les Bains).
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90% of the resort is above tree-line. It is what here Britons call “snow-sure” resorts. I never understood that claim being Argentine born. Las Leñas has a base of 2230 and the top at 3400+ and I remember some seasons with no snow at all! But well, obviously there is more chance to have better snow the higher you go!
Lift in Val Thorens. Photo. C.Doucret. OT Val Thorens. How Val Thorens is ready for the 2020-21 ski season.
But coming back to Val Thorens, the resort has the longest ski season in Europe. It starts on December 1st and goes all the way to May 9th. A whole 170 days of ski season. It was going to open on November 21st, but with the new decree in France locking the country for one month, it changed. Let’s hope that resorts can open in December!
If you go to Val Thorens, all the lodging is slope-side- you don’t need to move to go to the lifts. The trails run between the buildings. The resort is not the prettiest, but they have been renovating façades using wood and now is looking much better. Now it looks more village-like.
When we came back from the Aosta Valley, there was a box waiting for me at home. I had no idea what it was, as I was not expecting anything. To my surprise, I saw it was the new Panda Optics lenses. Their name is Conquer and I got the pink frame lenses so I could write a review.
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Ozzy looking a dude with the new Panda Optics Conquer Lenses. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses,
My ski goggles are Panda Optics as well, and I do love the system of magnetic lens change. As far as I know, this is the first time that Panda Optics went on to do some sport lenses for outdoor sports.
I was expecting to try them out during the half term in the Italian Alps. But thanks to Italy not being anymore in a UK travel corridor, I had to cancel the trip. It was that, plus the need to get a swab test before arriving in Italy, which costs a bomb in the UK, that put me off. I hope we can visit in December though!
As I was not going to the Alps now, I’ve decided to try them out in London, going out in my long Nordic Walk. First impressions is that it looks like the old wrap-around lenses of the 90’s. Something like the Oakley Mosquitoes. Not sure if that was their name. Looking online now, I see ones called Oakley Radars. The Panda Optics have a smoother border if you compare them to the former. What I do like is that they fit well to my face. They are proper wraparound. This is great if you are biking or skiing, as it protects you from the wind or elements getting in your eyes.
Specifications of the Panda Optics Conquer. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses
The lenses come in a hard box that is great for storage, and they bring three colour lenses:
*the mirrored which are great for sunny weather, with a VLT of 9.73%. VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission.
*the amber lens. This is good for party cloudy to cloudy weather. The VLT is of 27.18% and it has a tint orange. I would use this one for flat light when skiing.
*the clear lens: This has a VLT of 89.87% and no tint nor coating. This is for rainy weather or night time.
Using my Panda Optics lenses today while on my nordic walk. My husband says that I was looking as if I was going out to climb the Eiger! Not quite the same walking to Greenwich… Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses.
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