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Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening

Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening. Photo: Fortress Mountain Ski Resort.

Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening

From Rocky Mountain Outlook.

According to its redevelopment plan, Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is on the road to open by December 2020.

The resort has received approval from Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) last spring, to replace its potable water system and refurbish a sewer line. The company is hoping to complete this $4 million project this spring and if receiving the OK from AEP, they will begin constructing a new day log and lift system this summer.

Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening. Photo: Fortress Mountain Ski Resort.
Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening. Photo: Fortress Mountain Ski Resort.

Located 30 km south of Nakiska Ski Area on Highway 40, the resort has been closed since 2004. Today, KPOW cat skiing operates at the resort and they have been doing so since 2011.

Some private investors have been getting together for this plan and Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners have created a master plan.

On its first phase, the plan will make use of the resort’s existing ski terrain and refurbish five chairlifts. Many of the lifts will also be realigned to improve the resort’s fall line for a total lift capacity of 2,500 skiers.

This first part of the plan includes a building of 36,000 square feet that will be used as a day lodge at the base of the resort that will contain tickets, rentals, guest services, public toilets, lockers, ski school, a restaurant and a bar. The resort will install a magic carpet for beginners and a tube park for enthusiasts.

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Review on the Head Nexo Lyt 100 W G Ski Boots 2019

Review on the Head Nexo Lyt 100 W G Ski Boots 2019

Review on the Head Nexo Lyt 100 W G Ski Boots 2019

I have been suffering with my last pair of boots for the last five years. I went to buy them in one of the mainstream shops in the UK and did so with my two boys when they were little. The kid that did the fitting had not too much experience, and I wanted to believe him when he told me I had thin feet – Thin feet is something I really don’t have. And to be fair, with age, my feet are deforming a lot – getting wider with bunions and having lost my top arches. So, I have been suffering with my boots, trying to widen the shell in numerous trips to the ski shop.

Last weekend I went to Sudtirol and took my boots on my backpack on the plane. First day and I almost die skiing with them. This was in Kronplatz and by midday we went to visit a museum on the mountain (Lumen, Museum of Photography) and then I could not bear even being standing around on them. A friend that is local there now, offered me her hiking boots and took my ski boots. She asked me why I have bought Lange when Lange are the thinner boots in the market… and I was thinking she was right, why have I done that?

Review on the Head Nexo Lyt 100 W G Ski Boots 2019
Review on the Head Nexo Lyt 100 W G Ski Boots 2019. A back adjustment is good if you need more space for your calves.

The next day I had to get some rental boots to keep on skiing – I really feel uncomfortable with rental boots as they tend to let my ankle slip up and is hard to find a snug fit for me that do not squeeze my toes. Talking to my husband on the phone he told me that I should go and get new boots, that he has heard me for very long that I could not bear my boots even though I’ve tried to mould them over the years – if he says so, that he never incentivises my expenditure, I’ve thought I should do that!

So as soon as I’ve landed back from Verona airport, my husband took me to our local ski shop: Finches Ski Emporium. What I like about it is that it is a family owned shop, and the guys there know what they sell, plus they are passionate about skiing. Being a skiing tech geek myself, I just like to go and see what they have, plus I trust them that they are looking for something that will be good for me, not trying to get me off quickly to get another client.

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Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol

Baita Sofie on Monte Seceda in the Dolomites of Val Gardena on a sunny day. Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol.

Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol

Last weekend I was skiing in the Dolomites, specifically in Kronplatz, Alte Badia, Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi, all in the Sudtirol province.

We were a group of very good skiers (except myself, that I am worst each year that goes by), and the Dolomites have received the biggest storm this year – between 50 and 80 cm in one go. This made that all the passes in the Sella Ronda were closed. But last Saturday, we left our lovely 5 stars hotel in Corvara (the Sassongher) to get up to the top of Alta Badia- The snow was soft, really nice, and deep. For being on piste, it was a bit tracked up, which was difficult for me, but slowly – really slowly, I get to meet my group, who were fresh of waiting for me! I’ve thought this year I was really in shape, but I guess that, as I am getting into my 50’s, it means that I need to do much more to be really fit!

Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol.
Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol.

Anyways, from Corvara, after a pit-stop at the Rifugio Bioch for a grappa – (I’ve stayed with a doppio espresso cappuccino decafeinatto- that is what I was drinking these days), we braved the windy morning and kept our way towards the Passo Gardena and then down into Selva in Val Gardena. From there was up again and down to Santa Cristina – the neighbouring village in Val Gardena. From down Santa Cristina we took an underground funicular to then take another gondola and a chairlift up to the Seceda.

From up there we skied a bit down to Baita Sofie- stuck pretty much at the top of Seceda, at 2,410 meters over sea level, with magnificent views of the Sassolungo and the Gruppo della Sella.

Continue reading “Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol”

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Follow Your Tracks with Ski Tracker PRO

Follow Your Tracks with Ski Tracker PRO

Follow Your Tracks with Ski Tracker PRO

Ski Tracker PRO App allows you to track and analyse your skiing or snowboarding performance using your smartphone.

Ski Tracker PRO keeps you connected with all of your friends on the slopes, allowing you to easily locate and communicate with your buddies wherever they are, so you won’t be ever worried that you can lose your friends on the slopes. The app takes advantage of GPS and detailed trail maps to quickly show you where everyone is in real time, including details such as slope difficulty and percentage down the trail.

Follow Your Tracks with Ski Tracker PRO
Follow Your Tracks with Ski Tracker PRO

Receiving the GPS signal the Ski Tracker PRO App captures your movements and analyses them offline using the power of your smartphone.

Ski Tracker PRO supports both standard and metric units for distance and vert drop. Once you’re done, Ski Tracker PRO also functions as a skiing log, recording a variety of metrics which you can save and share over social networks.

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Uber enters the French ski market with UberSki, offering rides to six resorts

Photo: Adrian. Unsplash. Record May snowfall in some parts of Switzerland

Uber enters the French ski market with UberSki, offering rides to six resorts

News from TravelMole

Skiers travelling by train to the French town of Grenoble will be able to book a flat-fare Uber transfer to one of six popular ski resorts this February half-term.

From February 9 until March 10, UberSki will be available on the Uber app, providing rides from Grenoble train station to l’Alpe d’Huez, Les Deux Alpes, Chamrousse, Les Sept Laux, Villard-de-Lans and L’Alpe du Grand Serre.

Uber enters the French ski market, offering rides to six resorts.
Uber enters the French ski market, offering rides to six resorts.

Fares cost from €45 to €90 one-way, depending on the destination, which is pretty competitive with both mini-bus and coach transfers from the station.

Rides can be booked on arrival in Grenoble, in English, using the app.

The launch of UberSki follows the launch of UberBOAT in Croatia and UberCOPTER for helicopter rides across the Cote d’Azur.

The six resorts and fares covered by UberSki are:

  • Seven Laux: 45 euros
  • Villard-de-Lans: 45 euros
  • Chamrousse: 45 euros
  • Alpe du Grand Serre: 45 euros
  • Alpe d’Huez: 90 euros
  • Les Deux Alpes: 90 euros

Continue reading “Uber enters the French ski market with UberSki, offering rides to six resorts”

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Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.

Photo: Hotel Petrus. Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.

Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.

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

The Hotel Petrus is located in Riscone, in one of the bases for Kronplatz ski resort, just outside of Brunico in Val Pusteria It is a lovely family hotel run by three sisters (Brigitte, Christina and Daniela Aichner) and their parents (Hans and Gerti). They are very much involved in making you feel welcome. From taking you hiking or playing golf, to skiing and making you feel at home away from home.

Photo: Hotel Petrus. Outside pool. Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.
Photo: Hotel Petrus. Outside pool. Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.

I had the chance to go and visit it last week and I was very impressed, definitely somewhere I’ll suggest people to go.

Kronplatz is a very interesting mountain, looks like a Panetone punched in the middle. It is famous for its good snow and long runs to the four resort villages. Also it is a great viewing point of all the Dolomites, you see what is Dolomites and what is Alps from the top. And is renown also for its two museums – the Messner Mountain Museum Corones, which design was created by the late Zaha Hadid, and the new LUMEN Museum of photography, created on a disused tram top station.

The Hotel Petrus is 5’ by transfer from the base of Riscone, and if you can ski down a black run, it is ski in as well. A transfer offers rides every 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon to go to the base area.

Continue reading “Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.”

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Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass

Snowbasin's full mountain. Photo: Snowbasin Mountain Resort. Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass.

Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass

  • Sun Valley Resort and Snowbasin Resort join the Epic Pass, Epic Local, Epic 7-Day and Epic 4-Day passes beginning with the 2019-20 winter season in a multi-year alliance.
  • Epic Pass holders will receive seven days of skiing or snowboarding with no restrictions at both Sun Valley and Snowbasin.
  • Epic Local Pass holders receive two days at each resort with minimal restrictions.
  • Epic 7-Day pass holders can use any or all of their seven days and Epic 4-Day pass holders can use any or all of their four days with no restrictions at both resorts.
  • Epic, Epic Local, Epic 7-Day and Epic 4-Day pass holders will receive 50 percent off one-day window lift ticket prices after their respective days have been redeemed.
  • The industry-leading Epic Pass features access to world-class mountain resorts throughout eight countries for the 2019-20 season, more than any other season pass in the world.
Family skiing at Snowbasin- Photo credit: Snowbasin Ski Resort. Snowbasin's full mountain. Photo: Snowbasin Mountain Resort. Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass.
Family skiing at Snowbasin- Photo credit: Snowbasin Ski Resort. Snowbasin’s full mountain. Photo: Snowbasin Mountain Resort. Sun Valley and Snowbasin Join the Epic Pass.

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN), Sun Valley Resort and Snowbasin Resort jointly announced today that both resorts will join the industry-leading Epic Pass in a multi-year alliance beginning with 2019-20 winter season, adding two new destinations to the world-class access found on the  Epic Pass. Epic Pass holders will receive seven days of skiing or snowboarding with no restrictions at both resorts. Epic Local Pass holders will receive two days at each resort with minimal restrictions. Epic 7-Day pass holders can use any or all seven of their total days, with no blackouts, while Epic 4-Day pass holders can use any or all four of their total days of skiing and snowboarding with no restrictions at both resorts. Sun Valley is consistently ranked one of the top ski resorts in North America and Snowbasin is known as a great family-friendly destination, conveniently located near Salt Lake City.

“Sun Valley is a four-season renowned mountain resort and provides visitors from around the world with diverse mountain experiences and world-class dining and shopping. Together with nearby Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbasin has an incredibly rich winter sports history and this expanded access provides two great options for Epic Pass holders in Utah,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts.

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Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge

The entrance to the San Lorenzo Lodge - White Deer- Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge.

Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge

This past long weekend I was lucky enough to visit Sudtirol and four of its resorts: Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi. It was a bit like a marathon, or a ski-safari, with a chance to see a bit of all the things Sudtirol has to offer.

The first night we were there, we went out of town of Brunico, into the mountains, to visit the San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge.

The entrance to the San Lorenzo Lodge - White Deer- Photo: San Lorenzo Lodges. Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge.
The entrance to the San Lorenzo Lodge – White Deer- Photo: San Lorenzo Lodges. Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge.

This specific lodge of the  San Lorenzo Mountain Lodges, called White Deer, is one of the three properties of Stefano and Georgia Barbini. It is located high up the mountain, in the Val Pusteria, over the towns of Brunico and S. Lorenzo di Sebato and near the big mountain that looks like a Panetone punched in the middle that is Kronplatz ski resort (or Plan de Corones, as is called in Italian).

The house is an old lodge that has been refurbished in an authentic way, with four bedrooms, three doubles and one bunk bed rooms for 4 – all lovingly decorated with lots of beautiful details. The front of the house is as it used to be when it was built in the 1600.

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The “FLYING NEST” pop-up mobile accommodation concept is this season in Avoriaz 1800.

Flying Nest Montage in Avoriaz 1800. The “FLYING NEST” pop-up mobile accommodation concept is this season in Avoriaz 1800.

The “FLYING NEST” pop-up mobile accommodation concept is this season in Avoriaz 1800.

The Flying Nest is a new concept of AccorHotels designed by ORA ITO

What is Flying Nest?

With accommodation at the foot of the slopes and offering a unique experience nestled in natural surroundings with breathtaking views, Flying Nest is the new pop-up concept designed by Ora Ito.

An ambitious idea and an inspired designer combine to make Flying Nest – offering mobile and offbeat accommodation in environmentally friendly containers fully decked out with all the comfort of a cozy hotel room and blending seamlessly into the natural landscape. Ora-Ïto, one of the most celebrated designers of his generation, was entrusted with the eco-design of these guestrooms using raw and natural materials.

Flying Nest Montage in Avoriaz 1800. The “FLYING NEST” pop-up mobile accommodation concept is this season in Avoriaz 1800.
Flying Nest Montage in Avoriaz 1800. The “FLYING NEST” pop-up mobile accommodation concept is this season in Avoriaz 1800.

Flying Nest is more than just offbeat accommodation

While the Flying Nest concept is completely unique in terms of its concept, design and architecture, it also offers an experience that combines comfort, well-being and closeness to nature. Guests will enjoy a bright living space, a bedroom with a comfortable bed, a modern bathroom and a private terrace. As well as access to a shared living area where guests can enjoy an indulgent breakfast surrounded by stunning views of the mountains, the ski room will look after their equipment until the next descent. All guests have to do is to put on their skis in the morning and head for the slopes!

Basically you can get  premium comfort and an unique and unforgettable experience right in the heart of the Avoriaz ski area. Flying Nest has opened at the foot of the slopes on December 22, 2018 and will remain opened until March 17, 2019.

Continue reading “The “FLYING NEST” pop-up mobile accommodation concept is this season in Avoriaz 1800.”

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Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?

Pods from Pangea Pod Hotel. Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?

Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?

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

So you always wanted to ski in Whistler, but when looking at rooms rates you’ve thought you are out of money as you are on a budget? Look again, now with the Pangea Pod Hotel you can afford to stay in Whistler in budget and in style.

The Pangea Pod Hotel has opened its doors in Whistler, BC, Canada, on August 2018. It has revolutionised the hospitality industry by bringing chic and price-conscious solo accommodation to one of North America’s top tourist destinations.

Exterior of the Pangea Pod Hotel. Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?
Exterior of the Pangea Pod Hotel. Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?

The first hotel of its kind in Canada, Pangea’s rooms will, at most, cost half the price of a conventional hotel room, and usually far less. This new style of accommodation will make the resort more accessible to solo and budget travellers wishing to experience all that Whistler has to offer.

Husband-and-wife team Russell and Jelena Kling spent several years traversing the globe, garnering first-hand experience about what makes for a comfortable and satisfying stay. Loosely inspired by Tokyo’s capsule hotels, Pangea, located in the heart of Whistler Village, is the result of three years of planning and prototype development.

Continue reading “Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?”