S2. E3. Ski News, Visit Les Menuires, New Ski Gear & Ski Safari Talk Skiing North America

News:
National Snow Week  https://nationalsnowweek.com/
FIS Race Calendar  https://www.fis-ski.com/
Vail Resorts Lift Developments
Peak Retreats Motorway Hotels https://www.peakretreats.co.uk/winter/getting-there/en-route-hotels

Snow Reports - check out where is good to ski right now  https://www.inthesnow.com/where-is-good-to-ski-right-now/

Gear:

Patagonia Untracked Jacket and ski trousers https://eu.patagonia.com/
Arc’teryx Sabre Insulated Midlayer Jacket arcteryx.com
UYN's baselayer uynsports.com
Imbrace knee support baselayers https://imbrace.com/
Panda Optics launch new Dual Vision goggles https://www.pandaoptics.co.uk/

Les Menuires Resort Spotlight https://lesmenuires.com/en/

Ski Safari
The fabulous skiing to be had in North Amercia https://www.skisafari.com/

Early Season Skiing
Ruka, Finland
Val d’Isère and Tignes
Zell am See, Austria
Mayrhofen
Zermatt in Switzerland

In the meantime Enjoy the mountains :) And Please do leave a review as it's the only way other like minded travellers get to find us!

And don't forget to check us out on the following channels

inthesnow.com
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and contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at dom@InTheSnow.com / robert@ski-press.com

Transcript

DOM: Welcome back snow fans to our second episode of the season – doesn’t time fly by, it feels like we have just finished recording the first one.

I’m your host Dom Killinger and as usual I am joined by my incredibly talented, fantastically good looking and universally knowledgeable co host Rob Stewart.

ROB: Thanks Dom, that’s very kind of you – maybe a bit OTT but at least factual, apart from the universal bit, I don’t get that.

DOM: It means you know a lot about everything.

ROB: Ah ok, but that’s not true, I know a lot about skiing, but after that it’s all a dark abyss I’m afraid. Whilst you just seem to know everything, which is handy.

DOM: Well, yep, glad to be of help Rob. So let’s get started – it has been a big week in the snow industry. We’re going to be looking at the latest news including the two recent snow shows and anything else that’s happening, the first weather report of the season, then our usual gear guide, resort focus and bucket list trip. So over to you Rob, what’s in the news this week?

News:

ROB: Thanks Dom, yes lots going on right now as we head into November.

DOM

The National Snowsports Week has now ended, with two snow shows, Birmingham and London, and a three day trade event called LISTEX in between. The big news is that the company behind the two snow shows, Raccoon Media Events, has already cancelled the Birmingham show for next year and will focus purely on London. Dates have literally just been announced and The Snow Show London will take place on October 19-20, 2024 at EXCEL. Raccoon has said they will continue with the National Snow Week theme in the week leading up to the show, so we will keep an eye on what other events they might have planned, because there has been talk of something happening on the Friday afternoon too, although nothing has been confirmed yet. The London show felt quite busy and the feedback has been a bit mixed but it’s great to have a London show again and I do think they can really build on what they have. There’s a new show director, Lindsey Coleman, who previously worked for The Telegraph on their event at Battersea, so no lack of experience in the team and I think overall they have done a decent job. For more info, go to nationalsnowweek.com

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ROB

The Alpine skiing race calendar is kicking off this weekend with two giant slalom races in Sölden. Last years races were affected by weather with the women’s race cancelled, so let’s hope it all goes smoothly. FIS has given the green light for the snow conditions and I’d say it’s looking a bit healthier there than last October. I skied the side of the course last October myself before the men’s race and it was solid ice. Then races come thick and fast this autumn – with Zermatt-Cervinia mens downhills on Nov 11 and 12. Remember last year they were cancelled due to lack of snow. At the same time, the women kick off in Levi, Finland with two slalom races. Then it’s the turn of the women to visit Zermatt-Cervinia for two downhills on November 18 and 19, whilst at the same time, the men’s slalom skiers, including Great Britain’s Dave Ryding, compete in Obergurgl in a new race on November 18. So a lot going on and then many racers will head to North America for a couple of weeks for races there. It will be interesting to see the Zermatt-Cervinia downhills for sure and lets hope the snow and the glacier hold up enough for it to go ahead. Obergurgl is Dave’s sponsor resort so a win there would be epic…fingers crossed. Go to FIS-SKI.com for more info

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DOM - and whats this about pow and FIS in dispute rob?

ROB

FIS / POW dispute

So POW (protect our winters) has recently launched a petition against FIS (International Ski Federation) protesting against what it sees as excessive use of snow farming on both the Zermatt and Solden glaciers ahead of the world cup opening races - we talked about just now. 

This is a controversial subject and from what I understand, the moving of the snow in itself does not impact the glaciers (according to independent sources), but of course it does look ugly and if it did actually diminish the snow, then that would clearly be terrible. 

FIS has released a statement in response to the POW campaign and i can tell you they aren’t holding back. 

The full statement is quite long but you can read it on the FIS website, here’s an extract of what they say:

“Your campaign is highly unattractive. Your actions do not only harm the reputation of FIS but the future of skiing and snowboarding and the credibility of everyone who is genuinely trying to fight for climate action.

Given the urgency of the challenge we face, anyone in the snow sports world who cares about the perils of climate change should not focus on attention-seeking stunts but on finding real long-term solutions. FIS, at least, will continue to act in this spirit”

I have not yet seen a response from POW on this

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DOM

I have just received some news from Vail Resorts about a number of new lift developments in North America. Now Vail resorts is the largest ski resort owner in the world, they also own Andermatt in Switzerland and they are in talks with – well it’s supposed to be secret but you have already written about it on InTheSnow, clever you, Crans-Montana, also in Switzerland although nothing has been confirmed yet and that may or may not happen. Anyway, this is what they have said about the new lifts:

Keystone: The new high-speed 6-passenger Bergman Express lift will take guests up to the bowls and gladed terrain in Bergman and Erickson Bowls. Both Bergman and Erickson Bowls will now be accessible by lift, opening up this terrain to a variety of skill levels.

Breckenridge: Just like Taylor Swift, the Peak 8 base area continues to reinvent itself (says Vail resorts!). New this season skiers and riders can look forward to the continued evolution of the resort’s most popular base area with a new, dedicated learning area plus the upgrade of 5-Chair to a new, high-speed quad – the Five SuperChair. With this lift upgrade, all four chairlifts that service Peak 8 will now be high-speed to assist with improved flow and circulation out of the heart of the resort, providing faster and easier access to the resort’s Five Peaks.

Heavenly: Heavenly's upgraded North Bowl Lift is open! Upgraded from a fixed-grip 3-person chair to a high-speed detachable 4-person chair last year, this upgrade reduces the combined ride time of the Boulder and North Bowl lifts. It also reduces wait times at the Stagecoach and Olympic lifts and provides better access to some fantastic and underutilized terrain.

Whistler: Whistler Mountain’s Fitzsimmons Express upgrades are anticipated completion are for this winter season. The existing four-person Fitzsimmons (‘Fitz’) chairlift, located at the Whistler Village base, is being replaced with an eight-person high speed chair, increasing uphill capacity by 73 per cent.

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ROB

I like this story from tour operator Peak Retreats. Because I sometimes drive to the Alps and I’ve got to be honest, I like to break it up with a stay overnight. Especially if with the family because my wife doesn’t drive and it’s just a bit too far – plus I like staying in the middle of France for a night, it adds to the holiday. So Peak Retreats has now added selected hotel en route that aren’t far from the motorway and are also specially picked by the team. This is a great idea because I always struggle – I have a couple of favourite stop overs but I also like to try new things. So check out Peakretreats.co.uk for more info.

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DOM

Okay so this one I have seen before and it didn’t happen for various reasons but it seems like Sky Alps has finally secured its new flight route from London Stanstead to Bolzano close to the Dolomiti Super ski area. this is great news for anyone looking to ski the Dolomites this winter and get to the slopes quickly. The airline has been operating for several years but the UK flights are new and will operate every Wednesday and Sunday through the season, with the closest resort just 30 minutes away. Check it out at skyalps.com

And that’s it for this week.

What’s the weather and the snow looking like Dom? Last time we recorded there wasn’t much happening but it really feels like the weather has changed here now and that normally means the Alps will start feeling it too. what’s the situation?

ROB - COME ON DOM YOU LOVE THIS DONT YOU ITS WHEN YOU GET ALL OVER EXCITED AND CANT GET YOUR WORDS OUT FAST ENOUGH

DOM

Weather:

Well Rob yes things are changing now and we all know that last winter wasn’t the easiest in the Alps but one of the main issues was actually lack of precipitation, not always that it wasn’t cold enough.

There has been some recent snow fall at altitude, over 2,000 metres in the Alps and Pyrenees over the last few days which is great news.

Ive seen some encouraging photos coming in from Val Thorens too

Right now it does look like temperatures in the Alps will drop significantly in the next two weeks and there’s already some snow forecast soon, over 1500 metres anyway, which is what you’d expect at this time of the year. It does like more showery but it will mean the mountains start to turn white from let’s say for arguments sake, half way up. The glaciers look like they are in better condition now than they were last year at the same time, with some fresh snow. Unfortunately those glaciers are thinning out, but the point is, they are in better condition this year in terms of snow.

Over in Finland, they have seen fresh snowfall and the resorts of Ruka and Levi are already open.

Scotland has seen snowfall as well on the mountains, so in general, Europe is having a very positive turn and there’s a lot of precipitation around, rather than high pressure which often blocks that. It looks like we are going to have a good start to winter.

Over in North America, it’s snowing right now in Big Sky Montana, right down to resort level. There’s not enough to ski on yet but it’s turning white. Right now California is pretty dry as is Colorado but temperatures are dropping there and some snow is forecast over the next week, not huge amounts but down to resort levels.

There’s a bit of a dusting of snow on the higher slopes of Whistler too – again the sort of thing you’d expect for late October.

Overall it’s looking positive with the change in weather and lots of fronts coming over – that’s what we need, rain turning to snow as temperatures drop and that is happening now.

DOM

So Rob what’s happening on the gear front?

ROB

Gear:

It’s that time of the year Dom when we really start to see lots of new kit coming through. and it’s very exciting – I do think so many skiers and snowboarders love their kit and I am no exception as you know. as you have seen from some of the excitement levels I get to as these events we attend…

Anyway, firstly I have just got hold of some very shiny looking (and I don’t mean literally) new ski wear for this season and I do feel a bit like a lucky kid at Christmas.

First up is the Patagonia Untracked Jacket and ski trousers. This is a 3 layer gore tex shell with tons of features and it’s the new version for this winter. Check it out on eu.patagonia.com for all the techy stuff but what I can say is that I’ve been wearing Patagonia gear for 30 years and this looks like the absolute Béarnaise Mountain Dog version of that well known phrase that describes the best of the best. Right I haven’t worn it out on the slopes yet but if you are looking to do a season or you’re a serious winter ski tourer then this is the kind of shell to look for. It’s not super lightweight but it feels tough and durable, there’s vent zips on the jacket and the upper part of the trousers and they have some seriously reinforced lower cuffs to stop that typical wearing close to the boots. The colour way I have is shrub green and it’s blended with some kind of soft blue – Patagonia so seem obsessed with various forms of green but this one looks good, way better than the only images too. Pick the jacket up for around £600 (RRP £650), obviously this is a high end ski jacket. Outlets such as LD Mountain Centre and Ski Bartlett stock Patagonia. The trousers will come in around £550 I reckon (RRP £580). I’m looking forward to doing a full review as soon as I get onto the slopes.

I’ve also got hold of the new Arc’teryx Sabre Insulated Midlayer Jacket. I’ve been wearing the classic Arc’teryx Atom Hoody for a while now and it’s definitely one of my go to jackets for all sorts of things. This is a breathable and windproof mid layer jacket that can be worn under a shell or just used around town. The cut is excellent, I must say it’s smart and really versatile. Arc’teryx say that it’s, “Made to regulate temperature, it combines air-permeable Fortius™ Air 50 face fabric for airflow and vapour transport with Coreloft™ insulation’s breathable warmth”. It has been a bit chilly in the house over the past few days and I have put it on and honestly it feels like it has heat packs in it. The Atom is similar but I think this is a step up. the RRP is £300 and that is a lot for a mid layer and maybe part of that is a brand thing, I don’t know, but it does feel like that sort of price is justified, just about and you’d probably find it cheaper than that (maybe I should not say that!) although right as now it’s brand new I think you’ll be looking at that price. Check it out at arcteryx.com

GB Ski Team ahead of season opener unveil New Technical Wear

According to UYN's latest innovation, Natyon 3.0, it’s set to revolutionise winter sports apparel for ten national ski teams, including GB Snowsport. This high-performance technical underwear, the evolution of the iconic Natyon model, introduces sustainable bio yarns, making it a game-changer.

Natyon 3.0 showcases impressive improvements in thermo-regulation, freedom of movement, and muscular support. It features Natex bio-fiber derived from castor beans, reducing weight by 34% and increasing elasticity by 4%. Unique Hypermotion shoulders and a zero-seam design ensure unrivalled comfort and posture support.

Coolvent technology enhances sweat-wicking by 58%, while Micro-Ribs technology stabilises muscles and improves blood circulation for peak performance and recovery.

The Natyon 3.0 set is complemented by groundbreaking technical socks with Zerocuff technology, offering optimal comfort and sensitivity without calf constriction.

This groundbreaking innovation emerges from UYN's new AREAS centre, a hub for research and engineering in sports apparel. The center is pioneering sustainability by developing products made from bio-based fibers like Kapok, Ecolypt, Biolight, Flexicorn, and Natex, reducing the environmental impact.

Check it out at uynsports.com 

DOM

Imbrace launch new baselayers with in built knee supports

This is another really interesting product from a new British company called Imbrace. They were launching their new baselayers at the snow shows in Birmingham and London and Chemmy Alcott was there to talk about them too. Chemmy has helped develop these baselayers - she had a serious knee injury a few years back now, i was actually there when it happened and it felt career ending at the time but she’s worked hard to make it stronger but still feels that support is needed. Whilst Chemmy also wears the ski-mojo device, the Imbrace baselayers look like they really offer serious support for the knees and hips - they are pretty lightweight and act as a normal baselayer too. Check them out at Imbrace.com (with an I), they cost £149 for the leggings, which is not cheap but when you think about what you’re getting i think it’s great value. I need to test them, i have spoken to Chemmy about them and she’s a huge fan which is fair enough as she has developed them but she wouldn't put her name to it if they didnt work. There’s loads of tech info on the website but for anyone with knee and hip issues, worth checking out, I certainly will be. 

DOM

Panda Optics launch new Dual Vision goggles

Another brand launching a new product at the snow show - and coincidently also works with Chemmy as an ambassador, is Panda Optics. Yes our favourite British goggle brand is back with a very interesting high-end (but great value) Dual Vision goggle. They are only one of two brands to do the Dual Vision product, i tried them on at the snow show and they look really good. 

The Dual Vision goggle can be used with EITHER a Toric Polarised lens (mimics the curvature of a retina) OR a Cylindrical Polarised lens both magnetically linked with the frame.

The goggle comes in two colours, each with two lens options (As with all Panda goggles there is a free low light HD lens included with every set).

£160 (choice of toric or cylindrical lens, low light HD lens included)

They will be live soon at pandaoptics.co.uk

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ROB intro resort spotlight les menuires

DOM

Resort focus– Les Menuires:

Located above the charming Savoyard village of St Martin de Belleville and below Val Thorens (Europe’s highest purpose-built ski centre), Les Menuires has previously marketed itself as ‘The Smile of The Alps’ because of the semi-circular arc of its main building complex and its good sunshine record. It’s now known as ‘Friendly Menuires’ (at the centre of the biggest ski area in the world and is the ideal destination for a holiday in the mountains as a family or with friends. This exclusive access to the 3 Vallées ski area provides fans of mountain sports with the chance to enjoy a unique playground, over 600 km of slopes and admire the breathtaking scenery. You can expect optimal snow cover and a fantastic skiing experience here) and is one of the 3 Valleys’ most popular spots for families, as well as for those on a budget.

The resort is divided in to ‘quarters’ – although there are more than four of them. The main facilities are in La Croisette, the original centre, and les Bruyeres. Above them are the accommodation complexes of Reberty 1850, Reberty 2000 and Brelin. Below them are les Fontanettes and Preyerand. Much of the building is extremely functional and the emphasis has traditionally been placed on slope-side convenience rather than architectural design. (=The resort is 100% accessible on skis. You can park your car in one of the many car parks or use the free shuttles buses.

However some of the older buildings that were especially criticised by some for their unattractiveness have now been demolished and the newer developments are more tasteful – with more exterior wood and sloping roofs and gables, and less concrete rectangles.

Another good point for many is the fact that Les Menuires is such a nice family resort – definitely lacking in the fur-coated snobs which frequent some of the other resorts nearby. The slopes nearest to the resort are well placed for beginner and intermediate skiers, while advanced skiers can be whisked off to more challenging terrain in minutes on fast, modern lifts. (this resort is a 100% ski-in/ski-out destination)

Les Menuires is at the centre of the biggest ski area in the world and prob europes most popular ski areas. Skiers of all ages and abilities will be sure to find highly enjoyable and entertaining skiing here, as well as a wide range of off-slope activities, unique gastronomy and friendly, mountain-loving staff.

Its purpose built, and right in the heart of the vast Three Valleys ski area. It combines practicality, impressive statistics, and a diverse range of attractions, making it an ideal destination for both skiers looking to get onto the slopes quickly and for families – just because of the sheer convenience and also there’s so many things to do there.

One of the things that you instantly get with Les Menuires, because it’s in the 3 Valley’s, is the sheer size of the skiing area. With more than 160 ski lifts, the resort provides really quick and efficient access to the 600 kilometres of ski slopes that includes the resorts of Val Thorens, Meribel and Courchevel. There’s great slopes for beginners too, so if you are looking to ski for the first time and think because this is part of the world’s largest ski area, it’s not for you, then think again, because there’s a really good set up here.

Also, Les Menuires sits at an altitude of 1,850 meters, ensuring a reliable snow cover throughout the winter season. This altitude guarantees a longer ski season, typically running from early December to late April. Along with neighbouring VT it has one of the longest ski seasons in the Alps.

Additionally, Les Menuires is home to the renowned "La Masse" glacier, situated at 2,804 meters. This Offers a proper challenge for advanced skiers and snowboarders, with a variety of off-piste opportunities too. (a must-see spot in the 3 Vallées.)

The resort's sports centre is a hub of activity, featuring a swimming pool, wellness facilities, and even options for indoor activities. It's the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes or to enjoy some après-ski relaxation.

Apparently there’s also around 300 sunny days each year, and with slopes of all aspects that means even in the colder winter months, you should get some sunshine. While the region receives a generous amount of sun, it still manages to accumulate significant snowfall, ensuring excellent skiing conditions. The morning sun shines on the Masse side of the mountain, then in the afternoon, it's the turn of the Mont de la Chambre slopes to offer their best conditions.

Another notable advantage of Les Menuires is its competitive pricing and fewer crowds compared to some of its more renowned neighbours. The resort offers excellent value for money, making it an attractive choice for those who want to experience the stunning terrain of the Three Valleys without the hefty price tag. Additionally, the absence of long lift queues means you can spend more time on the slopes and less time waiting. (depending on the periods)

In summary, Les Menuires stands as a prime destination for skiing and snowboarding. Its comprehensive lift system, diverse slopes, remarkable altitudes, family-friendly atmosphere, and abundant sunshine make it an exceptional choice for winter sports enthusiasts. The resort's affordability and lack of overcrowding further cement its status as a hidden gem in the world of Alpine skiing 

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ROB

PRETY COOL dom ive skied thru ive stopped for a drink but there ssdtuff there i just didnt know about l;es menuires so thats great…

So now we look at our Bucket list destinations:

Ski safari 

As usual we look at some of those destinations that we really want to get to one day - interestingly, last week i saw a presentation from the ski club of great britain around a recent survey of skiers (not just ski club members but a much wider base) that said a huge 27% of skiers want to go to Canada and 12% want to go to the usa. This is much larger than the actual numbers that go everyear - 4 to 5% of the market, but of course these are destinations that we want to get to one day.

We caught up this week with the guys from Ski Safari who specialise in trips to North America to get more of a take on why you might just get it done sooner rather than later. I know myself being in the US last year, I loved it and i want to go back again this winter…

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INSERT SKI SAFARI INTERVIEW

Quick discussion around that interview

DOM

So rob i dont think we are too too early for this but what about we look at the Best resorts for early season skiing? 

ROB

Yes we thought we should highlight the fact that getting onto the slopes way before Christmas is not only possible but actually it can be a really great time to go skiing or snowboarding. 

Why? Well firstly, it’s not that busy and there’s a real buzz at the start of the season too. There’s often early season snow - even last year when things weren’t perfect at New Year, it was actually pretty good earlier on in the Alps. 

So let’s look at some of the destinations that are well set up for it. We are focusing on the Alps for our UK readers because it’s the easiest in terms of logistics but both Scandinavia and North America do have some early season options too - think Finland to start with and i know it has already started to snow in Norway. 

DOM

Timing wise some of the glaciers start opening up during October (so they are open now in many cases)  and into November and by time we get to early December, some of the major high altitude resorts start to open up more. 

Our first stop takes us to Val Thorens, France, Europe’s highest ski resort at 2,300 metres. Val Thorens is definitely one of the best options in early December, with plenty of shaded, north-facing runs that are all above 2,000 metres. It’s part of the Three Valleys ski area of course and the links do start to open through the month providing the snow is good enough. 

The purpose built resort offers lots of slopeside accommodation, with quick and easy access to the mountain. And there’s a pretty vibrant après-ski scene, whether you prefer dancing on the tables at La Folie Douce or savouring a pint at Europe's highest pub, The Frog and Roast Beef. love that place 

ROB

Next, we venture to Ruka, Finland, renowned for its tree-lined trails and gentle terrain. Ruka boasts the largest beginner area in Finland, making it an ideal destination for those new to skiing. Despite shorter daylight hours, nearly all the runs are floodlit, allowing skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the slopes well into the evening. For families seeking the ultimate winter wonderland experience, Ruka offers a myriad of snowy activities, including husky sledding, reindeer safaris, and even a chance to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights.

Then onto Val d’Isère and Tignes, France

They are both good bets for early season, pre Christmas skiing. Tignes tends to open up a bit earlier and the glacier area kicks in during late October or November. Normally by the first or maybe second week of December, the link between Tignes and Val d’Isere opens up and you get a huge skiing area which is so quiet at that time of the season, plus the accommodation is much cheaper than pretty much any other time of the winter. I real;ly don’t understand why more people don’t go skiing here during the first or second week of December. 

DOM

Over in Austria Zell am See, Austria, the picturesque lakeside resort with its mediaeval centre has the nearby Kitzsteinhorn glacier that’s scheduled to open on October 21. As the snow falls, more areas open up and it makes a good early ski season option because you always have that glacier if needed. Same goes for nearby Mayrhofen renowned for its lively après-ski scene and huge choice of chalets. The Hintertux glacier is close by and it’s already open for skiing but normally by November it’s in good condition. 

Finally  Zermatt in Switzerland, is an obvious early season choice - it’s a resort synonymous with year-round skiing on the Theodul glacier. Boasting the highest lift system in Europe, Zermatt offers skiing opportunities during November and into December that are heard to beat. There’s also brand new World Cup downhill races taking place on consecutive weekends during November too, so that would be a great reason to go there. 

The town itself is a charming ensemble of wooden chalets, each corner offering breathtaking views of the iconic Matterhorn peak. Even in the early season, Zermatt pulsates with vibrant nightlife, from jazz and soul melodies at the Pink Music Bar to lively tunes at Hennu Stall.

DOM

In terms of getting to these places early season, it can sometimes be a little more challenging because not of the tour operators have started up yet. For Tignes and Val Thorens though, Action Outdoors is a good bet because they start early, The Ski Club of Great Britain always run a big early season trip to Tignes as well. Ski Course company Snoworks starts up during late october in Tignes and Hintertux and Alpin Luxe, run by former US Olympic coach Gary Miller, does an early doors Zermatt trip in December.