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The “White Season” in Europe and the Big Snowstorms

Lots of snow is great, but it can bring its trouble. Photo at Pautex, in the comune of Morgex in the Aosta Valley. Photo: The-Ski-Guru. The "White Season" in Europe and the Big Snowstorms

The “White Season” in Europe and the Big Snowstorms

Looks like it will be a “White Season” in Europe. This while at the same time, there are massive snowstorms in the Continent.
I have been a bit quiet lately about writing in this blog. It happened the same when Covid became a thing last year. There was too much going on, that I did not know where to start.
 
The "White Season" in Europe and the Big Snowstorms.Photo by Unsplash.
The “White Season” in Europe and the Big Snowstorms.Photo by Unsplash.

The “White Season”- The “White Season” in Europe and the Big Snowstorms

 
There are many websites that track all the news on the ski resorts. So I’ve thought that if people need information, they can go to them. I have been only reading the news on the main papers and specialised media and it is not looking good.
 
Of all the skiing Western European Nations, only Switzerland still accepts tourists. But starting this weekend, restrictions will start for more countries who will need to quarantine 10 days on arrival. So, skiing will be for locals.
 
This already happen in Austrian resorts. Locals can go skiing, but no tourists. Spain has resorts opened. But the movement limitations in provinces make it difficult for the resorts to make money on it. So some opened with less terrain. And they don’t know how they will keep operating, when more strict measures come in.
 

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Our Winter Getaway to the Mountains – no skiing included

Walking with the dog in Pautex, Valdigne, Valle d'Aosta. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains - no skiing included.

Our Winter Getaway to the Mountains – no skiing included

How we managed to get our winter getaway to the mountains. I knew from the start, that due to the DCPM in Italy, there was no skiing included in this trip for sure.
 
As I also knew that the UK was going to become a third country to the EU, I really wanted to go back to Morgex. The EU allows its country-members to travel with no restrictions within the bloc. Thanks to Brexit, now we are out of the bloc, so we have the travel restrictions. The UK is now like the US. US could not go from March onwards into Europe, and they still cannot travel.

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

The first day on the road towards Chaumont. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains - no skiing included.
The first day on the road towards Chaumont. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains – no skiing included.
I have been looking at all the rules in the UK, France and Italy. It started getting very technical. This showed that how determined I was. So when we were about to go, France was not asking any Covid test. Italy changed its recommendation to make the test BEFORE arriving into Italy. And this test needed be 48 hours before. That makes things tricky. I’ve found a great company (Randox), that mailed the tests to your home. It is an extra expenditure you are not counting in your normal travel. I’ve thought, as there was not going to be skiing, I used my lift tickets money on that. Also, it was good I’ve bought the tests in advance, as the mail started to be a bit slow before Christmas.

Taking the Covid tests. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains – no skiing included

I had my two boys at home as their schools closed with Covid cases, so it was easy to do at midday our tests on the Friday. We then drove to drop the tests to DX. DX is one of the two couriers that work with Randox and allow you to deliver these kind of tests. Not all couriers would deliver them.
Chaumont. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains - no skiing included
Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains – no skiing included

The travel out of London. Our Winter Gate-away to the Mountains – no skiing included

We set up the alarm clock at 2.30 AM on the Saturday. It was me the one getting up, preparing the thermos, the sandwiches and our car fridge. This car fridge is the best thing we’ve bought on Amazon for our trip. It saves us from stopping at any shop to eat. Now in the pandemic, we want to travel safe. I also have my TravelJanes for using if needed. But the classic opening of two doors and weeing squatting works fine! Having been born and bred in Argentina, I am used to long trips with no petrol stations on the way. How many times we’ve heard a lorry honking at us, but they cannot see your face!
We went on the M20. The queue of lorries stuck in line was impressive. I’ve felt very bad for them, it seemed it was going to be very slow for them. For us it was fine, we had a delay of one hour, but we’ve stayed in the car. Finally we got across and we’ve started driving off Calais towards the south.
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Swiss urged to ‘hit the slopes’ to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.

ADELBODEN - Copyright by Adelboden Tourismus By-line: swiss-image.ch/Anja Zurbruegg. Swiss urged to 'hit the slopes' to save ski season. The situation for skiing in December in the rest of Europe.

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.
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.
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Will we ski this December?

Lech Zürs Tourism - Arlberg. Photo by Sepp Mallaun. Will we ski this December?

Will we ski this December?

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?
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?
Our skis going up the cablecar Chécrouit. Will we ski this December?
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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 Gran Risa piste gets ready for the Alta Badia Ski World Cup. Photo: Alta Badia- Freddy Planinsche- 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 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.
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.
 

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

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.
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”.

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How Val Thorens is ready for the 2020-21 ski season.

Off-piste skiing. Photo Caron Lou T. Loubere. OT Val Thorens. How Val Thorens is ready for the 2020-21 ski season.

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.
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.

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Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses

I have tried the Panda Optics while my long walk to Greenwich today. Here while having a pause and a lovely salad. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses.

Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses

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.

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

Ozzy looking a dude with the new Panda Optics Conquer Lenses. Review of the Panda Optics Conquer sports lenses,
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.
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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Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.

A cablecar in Stubai is cleaned by the Demaclenko disinfectant fan machine. Photo: Demaclenko. Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.

Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.

Demaclenko is coming with a breakthrough idea and launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.

 
When I wrote the post on how the resorts were going to clean their gondolas, I thought it was going to be difficult. I was imagining some lift operators rushing with a cleaning product and rag. They would have like 10 seconds to clean all well. This was the time between skiers and boarders gets off the gondola. And then the new ones load on when they are trying to descend. It seemed bonkers!
Demaclenko's disinfection machine in action. Photo: Demaclenko. Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.
Demaclenko’s disinfection machine in action. Photo: Demaclenko. Demaclenko is launching a new way to clean cablecars on the go.
 
But then, always a clever person or company comes around with a great idea! Demaclenko, the snow-making giant from Vipiteno (South Tyrol, Italy) had this great idea. Transforming their snow-fan machines into disinfection ones.
 
Closed gondola lifts are critical points where is difficult to follow hygiene regulations. Demaclenko has built an automatic and comprehensive solution. It allows a complete and efficient disinfection of every model of cablecar. Thus, it is very flexible.

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How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

Skiers walking with the Monte Cervino in the backdrop. Photo Enrico Romanzi - Breuil Cervinia. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

The case of Pontedilegno-Tonale, the Piemontese resorts of Vialattea and Cervinia

 

Information taken from the post of Max Cassani of La Stampa on 02 October 2020.

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The case of Pontedilegno-Tonale. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

The resort offered a daily online card that if paid before 2nd October, was only 22 euros. This is 45% of its full price. This ticket is valid to use by Christmas, excluding the feast of the Virgin. (8th December, Immaculate Conception).

Ponte di Legno. Adamello Ski. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.
Ponte di Legno. Adamello Ski. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

The cable car that goes up to the Presena glacier in Pontedilegno-Tonale

The case of Valle d’Aosta and Cervinia’s opening. How Italian Ski Resorts are preparing for the ski season.

The Valle d’Aosta region has approved a new health protocol valid for ski resorts. The first station to open will be Cervinia on the 24th October. Among the measures imposed the following will take place:

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Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’

Skyway Monte Bianco. Photo: Skyway Monte Bianco- Courmayeur Mont Blanc. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to 'save the glacier'

Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’

 
 
Skyway Monte Bianco, part of Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces a new sustainability strategy. The aim of it is to ‘save the glacier’.
 
Skyway Monte Bianco is a unique rotair cablecar that reaches 3,466 and takes you in two steps. Skyway is the first company proposing an environmental sustainable project to preserve the Mont Blanc glacier.
 
Skyway Monte Bianco is a start for the off-piste itineraries towards Courmayeur and Chamonix. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to 'save the glacier'.
Skyway Monte Bianco is a start for the off-piste itineraries towards Courmayeur and Chamonix. Photo: Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’.
The town of Courmayeur, at the bottom of the Monte Bianco Massif. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to 'save the glacier'.
The town of Courmayeur, at the bottom of the Monte Bianco Massif. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’.
The cablecar Skyway Monte Bianco unites the Italian Alps to the French. Therefore, the idea of this project is to create a plan that is social and friendly to the environment.
 
This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.
 

The Skyway Sustainability Initiative

 
Skyway has curated this report out of a three-years’ study. They have formed the Save the Glacier project. They started by cleaning up an area of he Gran Flambeau glacier. Here there were many signs of human damage left behind. Partnering with the technicians operation and the Grivel, they retired twenty tons. Scrap and iron materials taken downstream to dispose with safety.
 
After studying how glaciers are suffering, Skyway wants to take concrete actions. This will be in form of green-certified supplies. Skyway intends to reduce waste volume. These will also reduce energy sources and emissions and water. The idea is to have a green consortium.
The views from Skyway Monte Bianco are amazing, wherever you look. You are on the roof of Europe! Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to 'save the glacier'.
The views from Skyway Monte Bianco are amazing, wherever you look. You are on the roof of Europe!  Photo: Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc. Skyway Monte Bianco. Courmayeur Mont Blanc announces new sustainability strategy to ‘save the glacier’.
 

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